Star Wars: Empire Dawning
Part 2: Ghosts In The Machine
Tarkin gave a sigh of relief. His moment with the Emperor was over. He did hope there would not be another. Although it was deemed a "grand" occasion he disliked them intensely. He admired the Empire he was a part of running but not its leader. To him, Palpatine did seem to focus on mythologies too much and never what was happening in the galaxy. And to be perfectly honest, the Emperor's appearance sent chills up the Governor's spine."Commander Grell. Report" Tarkin stood over the Commander, staring into a viewscreen. He was pressing various buttons and controls and then a message appeared on the small screen.
"A member of the Mygeeto Government wishes to speak with you sir. He says it's a private matter and he wishes it discussed on the planet's surface." Grell stopped for a moment, waiting for Tarkin's response as he never knew exactly what he would do.
"Does he?" Tarkin smiled. "Patch me through to him will you?"
The commander nodded and the long face of General Sleph appeared after the pressing of various buttons.
"Hello there Sleph, what can Tarkin do for you today hmm." The Governor grinned; it was not a pleasant sight.
"I request an audience with you Governor. It is of the highest importance that we discuss the matter now!"
Tarkin's grin faded "No"
"No?"
"I will not discuss this matter with you. I've told you before, I'll only talk to Baraloq"
"Leader Baraloq is dead Governor."
"Dead?" The words seemed to whisper from Tarkin. This was unexpected. No one in the Empire would dare do such a thing. The Muuns would not wish the fate if they did.
The image crackled up and then faded abruptly.
"Commander?" Tarkin pressed his hand on Grell's shoulder, motioning him to get the connection back.
"I'm sorry sir, but the we've lost all connection to Mygeeto"
Tarkin slammed his hand down on the metal station. "Get my shuttle"
Vader sat in his quarters, alone. His mind began to focus, commencing his meditation.
Nothing came to him at first except darkness. Then the fire began to consume his mind, the fire of Mustafar. The fire in his eyes when he slaughtered the members of the Confederacy with only hatred in his heart.
He tried to focus. He did not want these memories to be with him. He wanted the events of Mustafar out of his mind but still images forced themselves into his mind.
He began to see himself choking Padme and smiling while doing it. Faint laughter was in the background.
You turned her against me!
You have done that yourself
Images of Obi-Wan slicing Anakin and leaving him for dead on Mustafar entered his mind. More laughter persisted.
You were like my brother Anakin, I loved you
I hate you!
He now began to see his own burned, scarred body. He felt the agony again. The images shifted to the suit he would wear for the rest of his life. He felt nothing again.
Henceforth you shall be known as Darth … Vader!
The laughter ended. All he seen now was his own future, ruling the galaxy at his Emperor's side, more machine now than the man he once was.
He began to concentrate. To try and find out what was happening to him. He ban to see images but they weren't clear, they were distorted and fuzzy. Just when they began to clear one thought entered his mind, a thought that was a vision of the future and now a vision of the past. Padme dying in childbirth.
The laughter returned, booming through his mind.
It appears, you killed her!
Vader immediately opened his eyes and stood, the laughter echoing through his mind.
Tarkin's shuttle landed on Mygeeto. His personal Stormtroopers came out first, making sure the area was safe and then Tarkin followed. He did not appear to be happy.
General Sleph greeted them at the entrance to the main temple.
"Governor. I did not expect you to come so quick"
He moved his arm, indicating to the others to come inside. However Tarkin quickly moved to him and twisted the arm. A slight crack was heard and Sleph whimpered in pain.
"Why did you cut the connection! What happened to Baraloq! Answers!"
"I didn't, you did. I don't know!"
Sleph tried to free his arm but it only made it worse. A loud crack was heard and Tarkin let go of the lifeless arm. He clasped Sleph's throat and shoved him against the wall.
"Answers!"
"We… We… found him dead in his room . He… He had been slaughtered. Blood. Blood was all over the room!"
"What else!" Tarkin moved his face closer to Sleph's, his eyes mere inches away from Sleph's.
Sleph produced a small datapad. His hand shook though and it fell. One of the Stormtroopers moved forward picked it up and handed it to Tarkin who swept through the information quickly.
It read: "Here you will find the beloved leader. A minion of the Empire. I and my group will not stand for your Emperor or his hound Lord Vader. However I have not dealt with you as I suspect you to be the one I have heard so much about. Mr Wilhuff Tarkin,. Yes you will find I know a lot about you and it is the reason I am contacting you through this death and not another agent of the Empire.So I have a little task for you. Find where I am and we shall talk and discuss a few things. You'll find everything in this message but, oh I'm so sorry, its coded. Happy hunting!"
Tarkin tightened his grip on the datapad he was holding and walked back to the shuttle. Sleph whimpered back into the temple quickly, hoping to never encounter Tarkin again.
