"Director Krennic, I have heard that much progress is being made toward the completion of the Death Star." Darth Vader's artificial voice protruded through his mask, as if grasping for the ears of Director Orson Krennic. Its metallic tone rung in Krennic's head as he formulated a response. Vader and Krennic stood toe to toe on a corridor of the Imperial Base on Jelucan. It was a position which relayed both Krennic's urge to achieve advancement through the ranks, as well as his healthy fear of the being which had thrust a lightsaber through him in a nightmare the night before. He plotted the path of his words carefully in response: "We have had a few… minor inconveniences, but work continues as planned, Lord Vader." The statement was true to any observer not intimately involved in the project, but Krennic knew that a personal visit from Lord Vader was not a reward for his work on the station- the Emperor's enforcer likely knew more than he let on.
The two high-ranking officials strode side by side through the corridors of the Jelucani base. Stormtroopers parted left and right before them, adhering to the walls, trying to stay as far out of reach of Vader and Krennic as possible. "The Emperor is impressed with the speed of construction of the Death Star. I trust that there will be no reason to delay the expected completion of the station." "Of course not, Lord Vader. The fully armed and operational Death Star will be delivered as planned." Once again, a slight pause foreshadowed Krennic's words. He was certain of his capability to rectify the issues of the moment, but Krennic was not sure whether it would be wise to inform Vader of the full extent of his problems. "Very good, Director. We will continue our discussion in private." Vader's raised right hand indicated a door that had arrived alongside the pair during their journey. Krennic entered the room in Vader's wake, and was slightly startled when the Sith Lord spun abruptly to face him. The Director had been feeling slightly ill, but the sudden scratchiness in his throat was not a symptom. The door lock clicked behind Krennic, and now, he wished for nothing more to return to his nightmare of the previous day.
The floor shook as Director Orson Krennic was razed to the ground. His arm moved weakly around his neck, as if clawing at a hand noticeable only by him. Glowering from above, Darth Vader stood motionless, a single hand outstretched; an inconsequential act in comparison to the monumental consequences for Krennic. Finally, as Krennic bowed, close to submitting to his own Grim Reaper, the hand released. Vader's sharp voice cut through his clouded head. "The Empire will not tolerate the loss of key personnel, Director." Vader's emphasis on the title was more threat than respect. "This project will not be stalled by your incompetence. Losing Galen Erso could cripple the Death Star, and you are fortunate that I will not be deciding your punishment." Krennic did his best to appear defiant in defeat, but he knew that no man on his knees before another could do so. Besides, Krennic feared for his own safety: death was not the worst punishment that the Empire could provide, he realized, as Vader's black cloak followed the Sith out of the door.
For the following three days, Krennic lived in fear. He had no idea when the consequences of losing Galen Erso would catch up to him. Despite his best attempts to conceal what had happened behind closed doors, Krennic was sure some of his men knew of the Director's humiliation- they knew better than to spread rumors about it behind his back, however. The voice of a communications officer cut the heat from his stewing mind. "Director, a transmission from the Star Destroyer Punisher." "Transfer it to the main monitor," Krennic replied. The Punisher was due to dock with supplementary troops and supplies for the base on the remote world. "Orson," the crackling voice of Captain Ree entered the main control room. "I'm unsure what I should call you, now that Lord Vader has placed me in charge of the Death Star project." Krennic gasped. He had spent days fearing for his life; the punishment had turned out to be far worse than he could have imagined. Demotion. Humiliation. Disgrace. All in front of his men. Krennic's life had suddenly been inverted, and he wanted nothing more than to be crushed beneath the landing strut of Ree's shuttle that would soon drop the final few feet of its journey, onto the surface of Jelcan.