Disclaimer: Star Wars content belongs to George Lucas, aside from my own creations (Jedi and five clones) who will be present in future parts.

Also, as a clarification (thanks to Lord Slayer!) in response to "nitpicking": Juno is not the pilot in this because personally I don't like her all that much - thus, the story is marked AU, as well as for other reasons. Second, another personal preference - I use Galen's name because that is who he is, regardless of whether he knows it or not; but he and others will only refer to him as "Starkiller" in the story.

Part I - Another Assassination

"Proxy, I told you already, you can't come with me. I don't know why you keep following me."

Galen Marek sighed with frustration, executing a simple maneuver he privately termed a "face-palm", which involved clapping a hand to the upper region of his face, as if in despair. Already he was cutting quite fine in delivering his report on time, and his master did not take kindly to late arrivals. And of course, it was at precisely this moment his droid took it upon itself to engage whatever "annoyance" subroutines were built into its programming. Dropping his hand again, Galen avoided eye contact with Proxy by letting his gaze roam the gloomy hallway, sparsely lighted, that preceded the double doors which closed off Darth Vader's private area from the remainder of this ship, the Executor. Finally, having taken in all of the blackly polished surrounding surfaces he could allow himself time for, the young Sith apprentice turned back to Proxy. He opened his mouth to speak, but the droid apparently anticipated him.

"I do apologize, master," Proxy told him, "but my internal programming tells me -"

Galen barely had time to leap out of the way as Proxy's holo-emitters engaged and a verdant lightsaber flashed by. A green-skinned Nautolan stood where the droid had been, his large liquid eyes filled with ebon anger. "This would be an excellent time to kill you!" Proxy finished triumphantly, his voice processor taking on the smooth tones of the deceased Jedi he was impersonating; and then he struck again.

Rolling his eyes, Galen ducked once more and lashed out with one hand. He seized the droid's attacking arm, and with a surge of both bodily strength and the Force, pushed Proxy a good ways back down the hallway. Smiling slightly, he turned his back on the droid, calling over his shoulder, "You'll have to try harder than that, Proxy."

"Of course, master. I'll be waiting with another clever assault!"

***

A slight rush of air rippled Galen's loose, rather tattered clothing as the doors of Vader's "sanctuary" closed with an ominous echo behind him. His stance was tense as he waited for the shrouded figure of his master to turn in acknowledgement of the apprentice's presence. Instead, Galen quickly knelt on the cold floor as Vader's metallic, sonorous voice resounded. There was something in the other's tone that the young Sith did not feel was a good omen….

"Your last mission could be called a success…." Vader began slowly.

The apprentice allowed himself to relax slightly upon hearing this. Perhaps it was simply his own fear that had caused him to misinterpret the inflections in his master's voice.

"…were it not for the numerous imperial Senate guards who witnessed you fleeing on your ship!"

Galen saw Vader turn and raise a hand. Immediately the apprentice felt himself lifted into the air by the throat, his breathing cut off by the Dark Lord's Force-choke. He struggled desperately, his hands clawing at his neck, but there was nothing tangible there to grasp to stop the attack, and resisting through the Force would only lead to crueler punishment; his vision was dotted with mocking lights, his head throbbing with pain -

Just as the young Sith was about to pass out, Vader released his hold, and Galen dropping with an agonizing jolt to his knees. Eyes watering profusely, he gently massaged his neck, not daring to look up as his master continued on indifferently, but with a clearly implied threat in his tone.

"You will not fail me in this way again - your next assignment will be difficult, and I fully expect you will perish. Your Jedi target is known not only for his lightsaber prowess, but his ruthlessness as well. He has gathered a band of loyal clone commandos, who will be just another factor in your demise. If you manage to destroy both the clones and the Jedi, Best'al Orda, you will bring me the clone leader's helmet as well as Orda's lightsaber. The coordinates will be transmitted to your pilot. Do not return unless you succeed."

"Yes, my master," Galen murmured. He remained kneeling for a moment longer, then rose and silently departed. A short while later, his personal ship, the Rogue Shadow, was en route through hyperspace to the target's location.

***

Vader's apprentice was meditating in the silence of his quarters aboard the ship when the intercom beeped. Opening his eyes slowly, he sat up from the floor where he had been lying and sighed, trying to get himself into the eager "bring justice to Vader's enemies" mood he could usually pass into with ease at the start of an assignment; but this time, it came only with difficulty. Reluctantly, he got to his feet and responded to the hail from his pilot.

"What is it?" he growled.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but we're arriving at Dantooine. You said to alert you on approach to the planet."

Galen didn't bother to reply; the pilot would take this as an acknowledgement. A moment later, he strode into the cockpit, coming up behind the pilot and glancing out the viewport.

"All right, set me down on that plateau." He pointed to a raised section of the grassy landscape spread out below them. "I'll walk from there."

"Of course, sir," the pilot affirmed. "I'll set the ship down on the other side after you leave, then. Good luck!"

Galen scowled at the other's obviously cheerful manner and stalked from the cockpit to the now lowered boarding ramp. Leaping down, he landed easily after a short descent with the soft crunch of grass beneath his boots. He took in the landscape at a glance, then began trotting along the plateau edge, his eyes trained on the barely discernable ruins nestled some distance away in the hills.

As a warning - the various parts may be spaced out quite a bit in terms of when I post them; I have a very busy life right now. Also, if this seemed a bit short - the other parts are a good bit longer. Enjoy! Comments appreciated! May the Force be with you!