The Emperor's personal Star Destroyer Eclipse, as well as the Ravager, hovered over the capital world of Coruscant. Vader knew this planet more than most, as he had lived on it for four-fifths of his life, both as a Jedi and a Sith.
In his private meditation chamber, Vader sent out a communication to Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax, who stood aboard the Ravager overseeing the security of Coruscant.
"Lord Vader," The hologram of Rax spoke solemnly as he addressed the dark lord. "You've returned with the fleet from Endor. Have the Rebel forces been defeated?"
Vader wondered then whether he owed the truth to Rax. He had been one of Palpatine's most trusted advisors and military leaders, yet now Palpatine's rule was over. It mattered not where Rax had stood in the old Empire.
"Our objectives on Endor have been realized," replied Vader, "I need access to Coruscant immediately."
Fleet Admiral Rax did not immediately reply, but seemed preoccupied in his own thoughts. As Vader's patience ebbed, Rax finally spoke.
"Where is Emperor Palpatine? Is he still on the Death Star?"
"I have valuable prisoners to the Rebellion, including the Jedi Skywalker," Vader snarled, just about ready to strangle the Fleet Admiral across the distance between them, "What is left of the Rebellion will crumble without them. Now, Gallius Rax, you will allow my ship access into Coruscant."
"I will speak with the Emperor first," Rax replied. Before Vader could raise a hand to choke him, the hologram of Rax disappeared.
As Rax began to patch a signal long distance, the holoprojector in his private office blinked.
He flipped the switch to reveal the hologram of Admiral Rae Sloane of the Ultimatum.
Admiral Sloane, this is perfect. I trust things are well on Endor?"
Sloane frowned as she regarded the superior officer.
"I'm afraid the Death Star's gone, the Millennium Falcon took it out. Lord Vader's men burned the forest down afterwards."
Rax cringed. So the Emperor's prediction had come true. It was time for Operation Cinder to begin. Rax had been dreading this part, but he'd known since before the Empire's installation that it was inevitable. For all his power and confidence, Palpatine had to die eventually. And he had entrusted with Rax his plans for the galaxy after his death. Complete extermination of any kind of society.
"And the Emperor?"
Sloane did not seem particularly bothered by the turn of events, maintaining her classic composure as she responded. "He's dead. We don't know exactly how, but it happened before the Rebels blew up our battle station."
Rax now saw no way out. "So Vader lied to me. He told me the battle was won."
"I've gathered the rest of the fleet on Akvia in the Outer Rim," Sloane replied with no visible emotion. "I'm in the middle of arranging a summit to determine the Empire's next course of action."
"Forget the summit, I need any available officers back on Coruscant!" Rax exclaimed, "This isn't how it's supposed to go, Vader's ruining it all! We need to stage a coup against him before we can worry about the war."
Things may have been messed up, Rax decided, but a new window had opened. The battle that would ensue between Vader and the Imperial leaders would eliminate perhaps every obstacle to
the Contingency's execution.
"We are coming to Coruscant immediately," Sloane replied, "Once Vader's gone, what's next?"
Rax turned away from the hologram, deciding the time was not ripe to reveal his ultimate scheme to her. "We shall determine that once our current mission is complete."
Lord Vader anxiously waited aboard the Executor as the image of Gallius Rax returned. "Lord Vader, you are granted access to the capital along with your Rebel prisoners."
Vader did not reply, but stood and strode out of his chamber, not even wondering what Rax was up to.
All three of Vader's valuable prisoners were bound tightly by the wrists and loosely tied at the ankles. Accompanied by nine stormtroopers, Luke, Leia and Han were marched from the holding cells towards the main hangar where Vader's shuttle was waiting.
"I hope he kills us quickly," Han muttered to the other two, "instead of drawing it out and torturing us like he did to me on Cloud City."
"He doesn't want us dead," Luke replied, "Trust me."
"Anything's better than being his hostage to be bartered with," Leia said grimly as they reached the assembly of Imperial shuttles, fighters and crew members, "I'd rather be dead."
Though Luke maintained an aura of calm and confidence, he was screaming in desparation on the inside. Oh Ben, Yoda, if there was ever a time I needed your help, this is it. But both his mentors were gone and unable to help him.
There was Vader, coming down the staircase that led from the hangar towards the overlooking balcony. The heart of the Empire was below them, the old metropolis of Coruscant.
"The last of the Jedi are in my hands," Vader said as he approached the prisoners, "Soon, both my children will learn the ways of the dark side and forget the ideals of the past."
Leia glared at the masked villain and spat at him. "You haven't defeated the Rebellion, Vader. Even if you kill us, you'll never manage to extinguish hope the galaxy."
Vader looked directly at his daughter, almost hurt at what she had said. "You still think I intend to kill you. No, I will train you both to rule alongside me and bring order at last."
"We'll die before we submit to you, Vader!"
Vader glanced at both his children, then gestures to Han. "Don't forget that the smuggler has no Force potential, and that the only reason he is alive is his connection to you. I'm sure his safety is reason enough to submit."
Luke noticed at that moment that along with Vader's lightsaber, his own confiscated weapon was clipped to the Sith Lord's belt.
Leia gazed painstakingly at Han, who was again reaching for his throat expecting those fatal talons to wrap around it.
The troopers jabbed the Rebel prisoners in the backs, and reluctantly they started onto the ramp leading into Vader's private shuttle. The white stormtroopers followed with the ominous Vader in the rear.
The Rebel fleet had scattered after Endor and was presently regrouped in orbit of the salt mine planet of Crait. The leadership met in the council chamber of Home One, Mon Mothma's announcement was being broadcasted live via holoconference to the other Rebel cruisers that were docked in orbit of the red and white surfaced world.
"Rebel Alliance, the results of the battle of Endor were very mixed. General Solo and his strike team were successful in destroying the shield generator allowing the fleet to deliver a fatal blow to the Death Star." Mothma's solemnity and cold demeanor masked her deep internal grief and worry.
"But sadly, we suffered heavy blows on Endor, and the forests and Ewok populations took losses as well. Three of our greatest, Commander Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and General Han Solo have been captured by Darth Vader and taken to the capital of Coruscant. Although Emperor Palpatine is dead, we must expect an equally iron fist from Lord Vader and be aware that the fight is far from over. That is all."
Mothma terminated the broadcast and turned to the elite officers at her side, human General Madine and Mon Calamari Admiral Ackbar.
Meanwhile, Chewbacca was howling loudly while Lando Calrissian paced the command bridge worriedly.
"Don't worry Chewie, I'm sure they're still alive," Lando muttered as he stroked the Wookiee's fur. He was trying to convince himself as much as Chewbacca.
"Oh, Artoo, this is all my fault," Threepio said to his recently repaired counterpart, "I should have let him take me instead!"
As Artoo whistled a reply, Lando tapped the Commander in Chief Mothma on the shoulder and said, "Senator, we have to do something! Lord Vader's sure to use them as hostages to bring us to his mercy!"
Mothma looked very grim and mournful as she gazed out the window into space. "No," she replied, shaking her head, "I don't think that's what he wants to do with them."
"General Calrissian," Madine weighed in, "With all due respect, we don't know for sure that they are still ali..."
"Chewie, NO!"
Chewbacca has lunged for Madine, enraged by even the vague suggestion, and it was all Lando could do to stand in between them and hold the Wookiee back.
"Chewie, they're not dead! Remember, Vader wanted Luke on Cloud City and on Endor. Why would he just kill him now!"
This wasn't enough. Mothma and Ackbar stood back cautiously as Madine retreated backwards from the Wookiee, glaring angrily.
"Chewie, Vader obviously wants Luke for something! Do you see Luke cooperating if he kills Han and Leia?"
Chewie's roars softened at this and gradually, his struggling decreased as he stood still. He let out a sheepish, embarrassed growl as he backed away from Crix Madine.
"My apologies, General, Senator Mothma," Lando said.
Mothma waved her hand in dismissal, more important matters at stake.
"As much as I want to rescue such important figures to the Rebellion, we can't afford to take any risks that would bring our entire cause into danger. The three of them would know that better than anyone."
In his logical mind, Lando knew that the veteran politician was absolutely right. The entire Rebellion, already at a severe disadvantage, had no business storming the heavily armed and guarded enemy capital for the purpose of rescuing three people.
But Lando's logical mind was irrelevant. He was growing desparate as he tried to appeal to the supreme Rebel Leader.
"Senator, let me assemble a team, just Wedge and all the guys from Rogue Squadron. None of you have to go with us, you can remain here while we launch our mission. I wouldn't want to jeapordize our entire fleet, but we can't let them stay in Imperial custody, we couldn't have blown up the Death Star without them!"
Mon Mothma looked away as she struggled to reach a conclusion. She could not deny her emotional attachments, especially to the princess, but she was the leader of the entire Rebel Alliance, not just some of it. At last, she turned back to the eager, cape-donning general and his Wookiee companion.
"You may launch a rescue attempt along with a strike team, you have our blessing. However, I'm sorry, General, but the fleet can not afford to endanger itself at the heart of the Empire."
Lando bowed his head humbly. "I understand, Senator. Thank you for your approval." In truth, if Mothma had denied his request, Lando would have gone with Chewie anyway, for Han's sake as well as Luke and Leia's. Yet her blessing gave him a morale boost if only just by a whisker.
"I hope you are aware, General Calrissian, of the extreme dangers of attempting a stealth mission on Coruscant. Penetrating the Imperial capital is perhaps the most deadly task anyone can undertake. It may be suicide unless you are very careful and lucky." Mothma spoke very bluntly, having no other choice, yet maintained a gentle tone.
Lando has known this from the start, but he owed them all. He felt responsible for their capture, having failed to take out Vader on the Death Star before he'd escaped it.
"I am prepared for anything the Empire throws at me, Senator."
He looked tentatively to Chewbacca, who gave an affirmative roar.
"Very well, I think you should gather your team and leave immediately, no time to waste."
"You got it, Senator. Artoo, Threepio, come on."
Lando beckoned to the droids as he and Chewbacca departed for the hangar.
Artoo gave a whistle of approval, while Threepio said, "Oh, why do I always get dragged along on these things?"
The Emperor's majestic palace was built in the center of what was now known as Imperial City. Coruscant's city air traffic was now very thin, save TIE Fighters and stormtrooper-carrying gunships to enforce the local laws of the capital. Thus, a clear path was easily made for the class A shuttle bound for the landing platform perched on the highest levels of the Imperial palace
The palace itself was guarded by several deadly drones programmed to recognize and attack an enemy on sight. A legion of elite shocktroopers patrolled and stood at attention at the perimeter of the Imperial palace.
On the landing platform that formed a walkway into the castle, Grand Vizier Mas Amedda stood waiting, as well as five elite shocktroopers, four red guards and a medical droid.
As soon as the shuttle touched down, Lord Vader emerged, followed by nine of his 501st Legion troopers and three prisoners whose names were infamous among the top Imperial leaders.
"Lord Vader, you've returned," Amedda said as he peered curiously past the caped threateningly silent Dark Lord, "You've captured Skywalker, and the Princess and Solo."
"Do not waste my time stating the obvious, Amedda. These prisoners must be kept in our most secure prison cells. The old Emperor has died and I have come to take his place. Effective immediately, you are relieved of your duties as Grand Vizier."
This was far too much to take in. Amedda stepped back in horror, sputtering, "But...Lord Vader..."
"Leave immediately, Amedda, before I have you executed."
Amedda gasped and struggled to get the words past his throat, then, seeing no other choice, took off running out of sight into the entryway of the palace.
While this was happening, Luke scanned the city planet and took in the sight of the headquarters of the Empire he'd spent his life hating, had dedicated his very existence to defeating. The Empire that had built both Death Stars and destroyed Alderaan, that had tortured countless innocents including himself and his friends, had burned down the forest of Endor, this was where it had begun.
Being present in the metropolis where the Empire has been born made his hate for it grow. Once, this may well have been a beautiful city, prospering with civilian activity and freedom in the democratic Republic that protected its citizens.
Now, there was only the Empire and the Sith Lords who ruled it. The Empire that only stole from its people and enslaved every being to the will of one man. Luke hated the Empire more than he ever had, even when he'd seen the burnt carcasses of his aunt and uncle in front of the burning homestead.
"Guards, take them into the prison," Vader ordered, "I must make a statement on the Holonet."
"Yes Lord Vader."
The three of them were helplessly marched along, into the corridors and away from the daylight. Luke was lost in his own thoughts as he was nudged deeper into the rancor's belly, into the dark, twisted passageways and corridors, past every aristocrat after bureaucrat, thug after soldier, hit man after assassin, until they reached the prison below.
"I hate being so powerless," Han whispered desparately to Leia, nearly in tears, "I hate that there's nothing we can do."
"We have no choice but to trust in the Force, and in our friends," Leia replied. Now that she knew about the powers she had, she found herself turning to the Force more than ever, hoping it would guide them to a safe way out, and more importantly, a Rebel victory.
"Citizens of Coruscant and all across the galaxy listening to the Holonet. Many of you do not know me, but I am Darth Vader, the old Emperor's chief enforcer and military commander. I must report that your dear leader has died, and I have no choice but to step up in his place.
The war against the traitorous rebellion is far from over. Under my leadership, we will crush those Rebels far more effectively than Palpatine was ever capable. I shall guide you in a firm, strong effort to bring an end to this war and make sure those traitors do not break our Imperial spirit."
The Millennium Falcon streaked across hyperspace, followed by the entirety of Rogue Squadron.
"You still with us, Rogue Leader?"
"We're right behind you, Gold Leader," Wedge replied, "We'll do our best for Han, Luke and the Princess. Us Rebels, we're alone as it is. We can't afford to leave each other behind."
Elsewhere, the Ultimatum was bound for Coruscant, to regroup with the rest of the Imperial fleet in a coup against Darth Vader.
Grand Admiral Sloane gazed ahead into hyperspace off the command bridge, ready and anxious to claim the new Empire, her empire.