This is my first fanfic I have submitted to this site. Yes, it is a Star Wars fic. It's set in the time between Episodes III and IV, where the Empire is now the dominant force in the galaxy, Darth Vader is running rampant, and the Rebellion is just beginning to gain strength. This is NOT an AU fic; it happens on a very small scale and will likely not affect the canonical plot of the Star Wars universe at all. It is my intention to use original characters to create a (hopefully) entertaining "side story". So, please enjoy.

Lieutenant Julian Weston shifted nervously in his command chair. He was on the bridge of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Subjugator, awaiting a hyperspace jump. Weston's fingers found the leather belt of his safety harness, and with a twitching hand, he tested it to see if it was secure. It was; perhaps even tighter than it should be, but in his current state of mind, Weston didn't notice.

Weston was a strong, fit young man of twenty-eight. He wore a grey Imperial officer's uniform, which was perfectly clean. Weston was a bit nitpicky when it came to presentation. He had close-cropped brown hair hidden under his officer's cap, dark brown eyes, and rather thin cheekbones. In many ways, he was the very picture of what an Imperial officer should look like.

Up ahead, his back turned to the young lieutenant, was a tall, well-built man of about fifty years of age. His short hair was almost completely grey, except for his sideburns; it was neatly combed back in a precise, military manner. His immaculate olive green uniform was silhouetted against the viewport, giving off a somewhat celestial effect. Arms clasped behind his back, the man continued to stare straight ahead and gave an order to the navigation officer.

"Stiles, is our course set for Bestine?"

"Yes, Commander. ETA is about six hours from our current location."

There was a pause. "Very well. Initiate hyperspace jump."

Weston's eyes flitted down into the control pit. The nav officer was motioning to the hyperdrive crew. In a few seconds, the Subjugator and its crew would be hurtled through space at the speed of light. The very prospect of it was intimidating. Although, trillions of hyperspace jumps were conducted every day; it was a normal aspect of life. So why can't I get over it? Weston wondered.

He brought his gaze back up to the Commander. All around the grey-haired man, the stars were coalescing into streaks of bluish light. Time seemed to slow for a second, and then abruptly, it picked up immensely. The Subjugator lurched forward, and with a great roar, the massive ship entered hyperspace.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Weston unbuckled himself from the chair and stood up. He nonchalantly brushed off his shoulders and adjusted his rank insignia on his lapel. He looked out the bridge viewport at the swirling blue tunnel that was hyperspace. So beautiful, he thought, yet so difficult for me to face. He tried not to look at the Commander. And so easy for others.

The Commander had not moved from his original position. He still stood staring out through the viewport, hands grasping one another behind his back. Like so many times before, Weston was awed by the man's aura of strength. It was the little things like this that made Weston admire the man; it was the things that Weston himself could never do that made him thankful he was only the first officer of the battleship. Thank heavens he's the captain of the ship, Weston thought, because I could never run this thing as well as he could.

Almost as if sensing his presence, the Commander turned around. He had a hard, chiseled face which certainly helped him look his age. His eyes were grey, matching his hair. Above his rank insignia, there was a small pin attesting to his performance at the Battle of Kuat. He looked at Weston without expression.

"Well, that was one of our smoother transitions, don't you think, Weston?"

Weston had to lie. "…Yes, Commander Severne."

The Commander barked a laugh. "Son, you don't fool me for a second."

Weston gave him a nervous smile. "It won't stop me from trying, sir."

Severne's rocky features cracked themselves into a grin. "Very nice." He raised his arm and checked his silver chrono. "Well, it appears we have six hours before we reach Bestine, lieutenant. Somewhere in those six hours, I strongly suggest you visit me in my office. I've got a few orders to discuss, first officer."

The young lieutenant nodded. "Of course, sir. I'll head there straight away."

Severne held out a hand. "Not yet, lieutenant. There are a few things I need to take care of first. If you can watch the bridge for an hour or two, then find your way to my office, that would be acceptable."

Weston frowned slightly, but recovered in time to prevent a reprimand. "Acknowledged, Commander."

Severne saluted. "Very well." The Commander then walked past Weston and headed toward his quarters.