Rise of the Second Empire

Chapter 1: Senses

Pushing his way through the wave of Stormtroopers, he boils internally faced with wiping out the remaining Jedi scattered across the galaxy. With word of an attempt to rebuild the republic through a band of resistance fighters, he knew he had root out the remaining vestiges of the republic within the senate. With too much at stake, he had to manipulate the feeble-minded delegates with a certain finesse which didn't raise too many eyes. Hunting down the Jedi consumed his every thought and hunting down leads was the only thing which drove him for the past eleven years. With his master yanking his leash every time he puts strong pressure on a diplomat or when his search leads to a powerful member of the senate, he truly despised politics.

Intercepting Bail Organa's shuttle before it leaves Coruscant, he hoped he could find a resistance spy which was aiding renegade Jedi and the resistance. With his troops holding the shuttle from leaving, he knew the search would at least result in the spy's capture, though Chancellor Palpatine had ordered him not to arrest any of the royal family. That act only enraged him further, like denying a predator of his kill. His master's weakness was becoming dangerously obvious. Despite his strength and mastery of the force, he allowed his innate weakness to decide the course of action, rather than his perception of the universe through the force. This only added to his uncertainty of the Sith master's wisdom.

Arriving at the shuttle landing, his troopers kept the senators and staff away from the ship as they continued their search. His lead storm trooper steps forward updating him on the search.

"Lord Vader, they are still searching the ship. We are about ten minutes from completion."

Vader shakes his head, and extends the force. With confidence, he bellows. "Concentrate your search in the engine compartment. He is there."

From the corralled diplomats seething with anger, Bail Organa shouts for Vader's attention, like an irritating yapping lap pet. From inside of the shuttle, his troops report the spy had been apprehended and they were dragging him out, liberating his attention from the search. With an annoyed walk, he approaches the diplomats stirred into frenzy by the charismatic senator. As they threaten sanctions, Vader lifts his hand towards them willing them to calm down and submit to his authority. Terrified, Leia Organa, grabs her father's hand and closes her eyes, remembering the stories she'd heard of the vile pawn of the Chancellor. As she braces for trouble, she feels a wave of control thrust into her mind, forcing her to submit to his might. Instinctively, she pushes it away but the strength of the push is beyond her.

Vader, confident of his abilities is taken back as Bail Organa is able to resist him. Pushing harder, he closes with the aged diplomat and is preparing to physically reprimand him for defiance, but recognizes the slack expression he wears. Stepping back and looking down, he sees the senator's young daughter cringing tightly in defiance of his power. Releasing them, he steps back in awe, hidden by his powerfully ominous black armor. Everyone is dazed and humiliated except for the small girl, who slowly looks up at the monstrous Lord Darth Vader. Instead of fear or reverence, her eyes burn with anger and resistance against his use of power. Spinning quickly on his heels, he yells over his shoulder to the assembled crowd.

"You and your party are cleared to depart, senator. Pray this doesn't happen again."

Without waiting for the spy, he exits the landing area and waits in the central receiving area. With the troops and spy in tow, he leads them to the interrogation and detention building and lets his trained agents interrogate him before termination. With his mind in turmoil over the child's strength in the force, a thought begins to percolate and he suppresses it deep in his darkest of corners, in places hopefully his master won't delve.

"My master, I have sensed a stirring in the force." Vader remains down on one knee. What seems like an eternity passes before the Chancellor acknowledges him.

"I have sensed nothing recently. Perhaps your attention is misdirected?"

Vader suppresses his annoyance. "I am not mistaken. Senator Organa's daughter, Leia, seems to have untrained force skills. I recommend we terminate her immediately."

Shaking his head in anger, the Chancellor slams his fist against his table. "YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING! Bail Organa is far too powerful to move against! We must wait until our battle station is completed and then we will have unrestrained power within the galaxy! As I have never sensed even a glimmer of talent from the child, I seriously doubt your claim. Perhaps it was the power of the two of them which gave them the spark which you sensed?"

Nodding, Vader acquiesces. "As you say master, you know me better than I."

The Sith master studies his pupil and is satisfied by his submission, and the conflict within him passes. "I will forget we had this disagreement, as you are still my pupil in training. Many other senators are of no consequence to my power or plans, but Senator Organa has too many followers, and represents the vocal majority in the senate. In time, we will eliminate his power; but not now, and not against anyone in his family."

Rising from his desk, he motions for Vader to rise as well. "Put your thoughts aside and concentrate on eliminating the rogue Jedi running amuck. Though their temples and training facilities are smoking ruins, the few surviving Jedi are still a threat. Make this your primary mission my young apprentice."

Nodding solemnly, Vader replies. "Permission to use some of these force adepts I've uncovered as my servants? I need my operatives to be an extension of my will, not just servants. There are a few who would willing act in this capacity, and those are whom I speak of."

Nervous, the Chancellor has the will and determination to decline his pupil's request, but realizes the mission ahead is not an easy one. Time was working against them, and the Jedi strays would eventually join into packs of feral beasts. With a deep sigh, he nods to Vader.

"Of course, that is well within your rights. Make it so, my apprentice. Leave no stone unturned, and ensure every Jedi is exterminated. I understand it is difficult to root out these remaining rats, so your tools must adapt as well. So be it. Minimize their use, as they can sometimes develop a will of their own."

Respectful of his master's wisdom, Vader leaves his side and returns to his quarters. Spending the remaining day planning, he leaves his room to activate his first agent. Their training had begun years prior, getting his master's approval here and now was only a technicality. Arriving in the alley below the middle-income living zone, Vader patiently waits until a hover bike pulls into the alley and comes to a halt; a woman in her mid-twenties steps off and drops to one knee in the slimy wet street. With light olive skin and dark brown eyes, she grovels appropriately.

"My Master! How may I serve you?"

Vader nods approvingly. "You have a new mission Ayla, a role I need you to fill. You must infiltrate and win the trust and favor of a specific royal family, and grow close to their child. The child must never suspect your disloyalty to them, but through you we will shape her destiny. One day, I will have the child as my servant and you will have earned my gratitude and respect."

Throwing herself onto his feet, she begs and pleas. "Master! That is all I live for! How can I fulfil my purpose in the universe?"

Handing her a small data storage unit, he turns abruptly and disappears down the street. Sneaking back to her apartment, paid entirely by the Dark Lord, she opens her portable viewer and reviews the information. With millions of credits at her disposal, she sifts through the detailed personal files of her target family: Organa.