The Secret Party
It's gone 7pm and Maz is getting ready for this 'party' Laura mentioned earlier in the day. In her room putting on her red mini dress and little black stump heels, she wonders is if this gets heard would this end her career? 'Stop overthinking you only live once' her mind tells her as she stand up grabs her bag and heads out to the party.
Walking down which is not too far she sees other ensigns some dressed up some not go into Laura's 'how many did she invite?' Maz says to herself as she follows suit and enters, music playing ever so slightly, drinks on the table, and nibbles. The song playing is Akon smack that 'of course, it be this song' Maz says to herself chuckling to herself.
''Maz you came!'' Laura shouts running towards her and giving her a hug and a peck on the cheek. ''Of course, I wouldn't let a friend down'' Maz replies returning the peck and hug. ''So how many did you invite for this to quite?'' Maz asks hearing Laura laugh, ''Only these lot and one more who is not here yet'' Laura replies making Maz feel nervous of who the 'last one is yet to arrive'.
Grabbing a drink Maz takes a seat next to Ensign Raff who was sitting talking to the other Ensign who she has only seen briefly before. Taking a sip the strong alcohol hits her tongue 'better lay off what that is' Maz tells herself as she holds onto it with both hands, her body starting to relax after the day she has had.
''Ok ok let's dance!'' Laura yells spinning in a circle and grabbing Raff to the now dance floor, as soon as they dance the door opens, looking Maz sees Ensign Fran with her bubble face and a bottle of booze in her arm, ''Hi guys'' she says as Laura rushes to hug her. ''Hi'' Maz says and moves up the bed to give her room.
***2 Hours Later***
As the party went on the booze started hitting and the music slightly got louder and louder, Maz found herself on the dance floor, busting her old-school moves while bumping into each and everyone else the booming music played and played. ''This is what we needed'' Laura yells to give me another hug but before she could her door slides open with stormtroopers barging their way in. ''Oh, shit'' Maz says dropping her glass and looking for a way of exit. ''Stop what you are doing'' one stormtrooper says his gun raised ready Laura quickly stops the music fumbling while she did. ''Come on'' Laura says ''it's only a little party'' she then said as the other trooper nudges her back, suddenly a figure walks in. As soon as Maz sees she gulps ''Admiral'' they all say suddenly bowing.
''What is all of this?'' Piett shouts his hands behind his back. ''It's a party'' the cocky drunk Laura replies soon to be silenced by the end of the barrel of a gun. ''You all know this is illegal'' Piett then says soon looking at Maz, gulping Maz puts her head down. ''Explain'' Piett then says. ''I just wanted to do a little party for Miss Kirman as we all heard about Kronn setting her up and we thought doing this would cheer her...'' before she could end her sentence Piett stopped her and looked to be listening out.
Maz soon realized who he was listening out to, mechanical breathing was faint in the background. ''I am going to save you all bother, run now before he arrives'' Piett says quickly and moves out of the way as he and the stormtroopers make a pathway. They all look at each other and make a dash down the corridor.
Before Maz could go Piett grabbed her and whispered ''you better get back and get back in uniform Miss if he sees you here you'd be dead.'' he let her go. Maz feels her heart pound and she starts to run her legs feeling like jelly from hearing what Piett said, she just made it round the corner when she heard Piett greet Lord Vader, she rushed to put her door pin in, as soon as her door opens she enters stripping off her clothes banging them into a cupboard and quickly turning the tap and washing all of her makeup off.
^^He's doing door-to-door checks quickly guys^^ Raff says through the door and running down.
Quickly fixing her hair and putting on her uniform Maz sits waiting for her turn to be yet again investigated her heart pounding. 'I need to calm down' Maz says to herself.
She hears her neighbour's door being opened and the swoosh of Vader's breathing and the thudding of his boots. Hearing her neighbor scream and be silenced and gets asked who started the party.
'My turn' Maz says to herself as she braces for it. Hearing footsteps stop at her door and Vader's breathing, ''My Lord this is Miss Kirman's room I highly doubt is she would be involved'' Maz hears Piett say shocked from hearing that the door opens and she stands up suddenly.
Before she could greet Lord Vader was right up pressing her against the wall no gap to move. She gasps bracing for what was next.
''Who started the party'' Lord Vader asks his voice louder and deeper shocking her, Maz shakes in terror and with that, no words could come out.
''TELL ME'' His voice booms quickly grabbing her by the neck and lifting her up to his eye level. ''My Lord'' Maz begins to say as she looks directly into blackness and feels the cool air from his mask hit her face, his grip tightens ''If you don't say ensign I will force it out'' Vader shouts. Her heart beats quicker as she open and closes her eyes, if she says she's Laura will hate her and if she doesn't she will die. As her mouth opens Vader bangs her head on the wall ''My patience is wearing thin'' Vader then says tilting her head upwards ''My lord... It was me'' Maz says her eyes shut as the grip of his deadly hands tightens. ''LIE'' Vader yells before Maz could say anything else she feels something crawling into her mind '''aahh please'' Maz cries out she opens her eyes to see Piett grimacing at what he is seeing. Suddenly like a switch, she feels her mind give Lord Vader what he wanted she hears the conversation playing out in her mind.
''where having a little party down at my room tonight at 7pm if you want to join it will be quite''
Laura's voice says through her mind like a Tv show on repeat.
Suddenly Vader lets go of her, Maz finds her feet and looks down tears going down her face.
''You are no good at lying'' Lord Vader says his voice somehow back to normal, she feels her heart break knowing what's going to happen to her best friend. ''Take Misss Kirman to my room'' Lord Vader says as he walks off leaving Piett to take Maz to the 'headquarters'
''You should have just told him'' Piett says concerned ''But Laura'' Maz replies feeling Piett pull her arm over his shoulder to take her weight, ''Laura did it not you, you should not cover for anyone but yourself I learned that many years ago'' Piett replies as he leads the way.
''What's going to happen to her?'' Maz asks seeing Piett shrug ''I don't know, parties that is not planned by the Empire is forbidden didn't you see that in your contract?'' Piett then asks making Maz try and remember what was written on it. ''To be honest I cannot remember'' Maz replies quietly.
It did not take them long to be where they needed to be, as the door opens Maz feels numb like her body is ready to accept what will happen when Lord Vader arrives.
''What will happen to me?'' Maz asks as she is seated, Piett wipes his forehead and concern grows onto his face ''I don't know I'm sorry Ma'am'' Piett replies '' I will be waiting here till Lord Vader arrives.'' Piett then says sitting next to her, the silence grows in the room.