A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…..

Luke Skywalker has returned to

his home planet of Tatooine in

an attempt to rescue his

friend Han Solo from the

clutches of the vile gangster

Jabba the Hutt.

Little does Luke know that the

GALACTIC EMPIRE has secretly

begun construction on a new

armored space station even

more powerful than the first

dreaded Death Star.

When completed, this ultimate

weapon will spell certain doom

for the small band of rebels

struggling to restore freedom

to the galaxy...

The Death Star loomed over the Lambda shuttle as it approached; the unfinished ragged edges looking like a giant's hand had ripped chunks out of it. Though still uncomplete, the mighty Death Star was still a fearsome sight to behold.

But not to the Dark Lord of the Sith.

"Command Station, this is ST Three-Twenty-One. Code Clearance Blue", the shuttle captain said, "We're starting our approach. Deactivate the security shield".

"The security deflector shield will be deactivated when we have confirmation of your code transmission", the Death Star controller replied, "Stand by….. you are clear to proceed".

"We're starting our approach".

As the shuttle moved toward one of the equatorial hangars of the Death Star, Darth Vader peered out at the station with an attitude of contempt. Still a mere child's toy compared to the Dark Side he thought.

The shuttle's wings folded up as it began its landing sequence into a hangar, where a small collection of officers and Stormtroopers were assembled in a parade formation. Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod swiftly walked down the aisle to the shuttle ramp; his anxiety growing with each step. He stopped and nervously swallowed as the ramp descended.

The raspy breathing of Darth Vader seemed to fill the entire hangar as the Dark Lord walked down the ramp.

"Lord Vader", Jerjerrod began, "this is an unexpected pleasure, we are honored by your presence…"

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander," Vade said with a dismissive wave of his hand as he continued to walk down the aisle. "I am here to put you back on schedule."

"I assure you, Lord Vader, my men are working as fast as they can," Jerjerrod said as he quickened his pace to keep up.

"Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them."

Jerjerrod stopped. "I tell you, this station will be operational as planned."

Vader stopped and stared directly into the moff's eyes, "The Emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation."

"But he asks the impossible," Jerjerrod replied, "I need more men."

"Then perhaps you could tell him when he arrives."

Jerjerrod was speechless for a moment "The Emperor is coming here?"

"That is correct, Commander", Vader stated, taking some pleasure in the moff's sudden fear "And he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress".

Jerjerrod tried to stand up straighter "We shall double our efforts."

"I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."

Vader turned and strode out of the hangar, leaving the terrified moff behind.

I've had quite a bit of writer's block with my other two stories, so this is just a little something to sort of get the creative juices flowing, so to speak. Don't take it too seriously.