Vader waited patiently in the dining hall for his quarry. It had been a merry chase; the Rebel pilot had eluded him for two whole months. A good pilot, Vader admitted to himself. The man had flown through an asteroid field, with no help from the Force. One did have to admire good piloting.
If reports were correct—and they very well had better be correct, or heads would roll—Solo and Princess Organa were Luke's closest friends. If Vader had them, he would come. Vader could almost taste it. Luke would come to him.
The door slid open, admitting the Rebels and Calrissian. Vader felt rather than saw the blaster bolts coming his way, and easily held a hand up to deflect them. Nice try, he thought smugly. The weapon flew to him. "We would be honored if you would join us."
The Rebels stepped towards him. Vader noticed Solo and the Princess were holding hands. Well, well. He could certainly use that.
Calrissian, the administrator of the city, chattered nervously. "Lord Vader, this is Han Solo, and his copilot Chewbacca." Solo's eyes shot daggers at his traitorous friend. What can you expect from a politician, Vader mused. Vain, self-interested, easily turned.
Calrissian continued, indicating Organa: "And this is Leia, a traveling companion of Solo's. No one important."
Vader tilted his head at her. Is that how she'd presented herself? Obviously, she hadn't trusted Calrissian any more than Vader would have. "Calrissian," Vader rumbled, amused, "perhaps it is I who should make the introductions. May I present Her Highness Leia Organa, former Imperial senator, former princess of the former planet of Alderaan"—Vader sensed hatred, as strong as a Sith, emanating from the girl—"current leader of the Rebel Alliance, and the biggest traitor in the history of our Emperor's government. Your Highness, meet Lando Calrissian: no one important." Vader dipped his head towards the administrator. "Did you think," he said sardonically but slowly, as if speaking to a child, "I was after the Wookiee?"
Calrissian's eyes widened in understanding. His gaze shot from Vader to Organa, who glared hotly at him. His eyes skipped away and settled on his friend Solo, who gave him the same smoldering look the princess had.
Vader addressed her. "It's been a long time, Princess. You always managed to escape my grip and slither back into whatever holes the Rebellion could find for you. But I have you now, and I'm excited by the prospect of finally giving you the execution you deserve."
Organa lifted her chin and regarded him coolly. "If that's all that gets you excited, Vader, you need to get out more."
Calrissian's jaw dropped open, and Solo snorted. Vader turned on the captain. "You find that amusing, Solo?"
The Corellian gave him a crooked grin. "Yeah, actually, I do."
Vader nodded once, as anger and humiliation crept up his neck like a rash. He reached his arm back and punched the princess on the side of the head, knocking her to the carpeted floor. He kicked her a few times, and she rolled into a ball. There, he felt better. "Get up."
From the ground came a muffled but unambiguous "No."
He kicked her again, harder, and was rewarded with the loud crack of a rib. "Get up!" he roared.
The princess glared at him fiercely. "I don't take orders!" she yelled, matching his tone.