Chapter 4: Darth Vader's Arrival

Artika Imperial Military Base, 21:00pm…

"General. He's here."

Vice Admiral Stannis Okada looked up to see his compatriot General Joffrey Stark standing there, awaiting his reply. "Thank you, Joffrey." Okada said nervously. He knew full well who the General spoke of:

Darth Vader.

Stannis shuddered as he thought of the Dark Lord of the Sith. The first time they had met, Okada, Joffrey, and the head of the ISB on Mobius Frederick the Cat had just escaped the destruction of the Star Destroyer they had been on. The experience had not been pleasant. And now he was going to see Vader again. He remembered what he had felt the moment he saw Vader, an immense sense of dread and fear. Granted, it had been fifteen years since he had last met Lord Vader, but the fear he had left Stannis with after their first meeting had not left him. Although he was surprised that Vader had not killed any of them, even Frederick's henchman, Alec Devron Otranto.

Stannis frowned as he thought of Frederick and Alec. The pair of them were in Efrika at that time, trying to thwart the Acorn campaign's efforts to drive them from the planet. Without much success.

Turning to General Stark, Stannis nodded. "Let's move, Joffrey." He said.

Vader's message telling them to expect his presence was mortifying to the both of them. Was he here to execute them both for their failure to keep a hold on Mobius? Or was he here to finally kill the Jedi that had been causing the Imperial forces on the front line so much bother? Okada had no idea. Stepping out of his quarters, he placed his hat over his balding head, and started walking, flanked by General Stark, who was also deep in thought.

Stark also remembered the first meeting he had had with Lord Vader, alongside Okada, Frederick and Devron-Otranto aboard Vader's flagship, the Devastator, the sheer atmosphere of fear that Vader had brought upon them. What had followed was one of the most intense questionings that Stark had ever experienced, with all of them choosing their words carefully, save for Frederick, who cut things really close with his cynical replies to Lord Vader's questions.

But what Stark hadn't been counting on was Vader's praise of his ability, although this was said in a threatening manner, as it had been the former Grand Inquisitor who had told Vader of Stark's abilities. Stark wondered as to whether Vader would still be impressed with Stark's handling of the Acorn kingdom's campaigns. Considering how difficult Stark had made it for the Acorn military to drive Imperial influence off of Mobius, Joffrey imagined Vader would.

The Main Hangar…

Stannis and Joffrey entered the hangar to find a platoon of Stormtroopers and several officers flanking either side of the landing bay. Hurriedly walking along the floor, Stannis walked through the column of Stormtroopers and officers, with Joffrey standing with the officers, standing at their head, just as a Lambda Class Shuttle entered the hangar, the drone of its engines almost deafening to the assembled party standing before it as it landed.

As soon as the shuttle landed, the ramp lowered, and from within echoed that all too familiar breathing. The breathing that had inspired Stannis with an intense fear of the person who drew those breaths.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, multiple black armoured troopers exited and flanked either side of the shuttle's ramp, whom Stannis recognised as Imperial Death Troopers, the special forces of the Imperial Military, and personal bodyguard of high ranking Imperial dignitaries such as Director Krennic, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and of course, the figure that now descended from with the shuttle, flanked by two Imperial Shadow Guards:

Darth Vader.

The Dark Lord of the Sith strode towards Stannis with such speed that the vice admiral thought Vader was about to draw his lightsaber and kill him on the spot.

Stannis instead stood his ground, and turned as Vader swept past him. "Lord Vader, this is a rare honour. None of us were expecting your presence on this short notice." Stannis said.

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, vice admiral." Vader replied. "I am here on an important mission for the Emperor."

Stannis nearly breathed a sigh of relief. "You're here to finally rid this planet of that damned Jedi that has been causing my men such problems?" He asked.

"That as well as this." Vader said, turning to face the admiral. "A Mobian Jedi has allied with the Rebels and is causing trouble for the Empire. I am here to lure him back to his home planet so that I may destroy him once and for all."

Stannis nodded. "What do you propose, my Lord?" He asked.

"Take me to the command centre." Vader said. "We shall see how many troops we have at our disposal."

Stannis nodded and led Vader off, wondering what it was that Vader had in mind.

Command Centre, 21:30pm…

Vader folded his arms as Okada finished his report on their complete military strength. "In total, ten entire legions, spanning the planetary sectors under Imperial control." Vader said.

"Yes, my lord." Vice Admiral Okada replied. "The Acorn kingdom's campaigns have caused the majority of them to be concentrated in Efrika, where even now, the campaign continues."

Vader unfolded his arms and gripped his belt with both hands before saying: "In short, we can only spare the three legions that are not in Efrika, including the legion we have here."

Okada nodded. "Yes." He replied. "I-Is there a problem, my lord?" He asked.

Vader shook his head. "No. Not with the distribution of the troops." He said, before making a pincer of his hand towards Okada, who began to grab and claw at his throat, as if he were being choked. "But there is a problem with who commands them."

Okada barely had time to think of an excuse to stay alive when the invisible hand around his closed into a fist, snapping his neck and crushing his windpipe. Eyes rolling up into the back of his head, which now just hung on his shoulders by the flesh, the body of Vice Admiral Stannis Okada toppled to the floor, dead.

Vader looked down at the corpse without as much as a hint of emotion. Stannis Okada had served the Empire well and with honour. But he clearly was not the man for the job that Vader had in mind.

Turning toward General Stark, Vader folded his arms. "General. I recall praising you for your abilities the first time we met. I trust that ability has not left you?"

Stark shook his head. "It was in fact my idea to concentrate the majority of our troops where they were needed the most." Stark said. "Which at the moment, is in Efrika."

Vader once more gripped his belt. "Impressive." Vader remarked. "I assume you are making the campaign for the Acorn military as difficult as you can?"

Stark nodded. "That was my intention, and as a result, the Acorn military are currently suffering double the casualties we are suffering at the moment, if reports from the front line are to be believed."

Vader paused before placing his hands on his hips. "Then they will not be needed." Vader said.

"If I may, my lord, what do you propose we do to lure your target in?" Stark asked.

Vader folded his arms. "Gather the legion we have on this base. And the other two that can be spared. I intend to strike at the very heart of the Acorn's kingdom. On the morrow, we launch a full scale assault on New Mobotropolis."

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Mazuri…

Tails' face suddenly fell as he felt a deep disturbance in the Force. It was as if a great darkness had fallen over Mobius, a vast shadow that had enveloped the planet.

The feeling left him light headed, and he nearly stumbled.

Nearby, Antoine saw this and walked over. "Are you well, Tails?" He asked.

Tails nodded. "I just felt a huge disturbance in the Force. Like, this great shroud of darkness just fell on Mobius, or something."

Antoine frowned. "Zat doesn't sound good." He remarked.

"I doubt it is good." Tails said. Sighing, Tails said: "You know, it's times like these that I wish that… that Roman were still here."

Antoine's frown deepened. He'd been one of the first to hear of Roman's exodus, as told to him by Tails. "Well, maybe eef 'e 'ad not turned 'is back on us, 'e would be."

Tails groaned. "Antoine, the last thing I want is another argument over Roman. I though we agreed to disagree over him."

"Well, eet was you who brought 'im up." Antoine replied.

"Look, I know." Tails said. "But please, don't start this up again; last thing our men need is to see us two at each other's throats."

Antoine nodded. "Oui. You are correct." Antoine said before turning and leaving Tails alone. "But no more prattle about Roman." Antoine said. "Zee less said about zat traître, zee better."

Tails sighed. After Roman had left fifteen years ago, Antoine had been among the people who had sided with Sally, denouncing Roman as an out and out traitor to the Freedom Fighters for both disobeying orders and then leaving before he could suffer the consequences for disobeying orders. Even being informed of Sally's role in the death of Seth had failed to sway Antoine from his sheer hatred of Roman.

Shaking his head, Tails sat down against the barricade he was standing behind. He and Antoine had shared several arguments over who had been right between Roman and Sally, and the results had always been either a violent brawl between them or someone calming the situation down.

Getting back up, Tails walked towards his quarters. Despite what Antoine said, Tails still wished Roman was there. He could certainly use his old friend's advice.

Doesn't sound like Roman has that many friends left on Mobius, does it? So that's Vader, Sally, Antoine, and supposedly most of the Freedom Fighters. Save for Tails, that is. Or maybe Tails isn't the only friend Roman has on Mobius? Keep reading and find out.

Either way, thank you all so much for taking the time to read this chapter. If you enjoyed it, leave a review in the appropriate section. In the event that you really enjoyed it, favourite and follow this Fanfiction in order to be amongst the first to read the next chapter.

Again, thank you for reading, and I will see you tomorrow with the next chapter, which sees Vader put his plans into action, with devastating consequences for the Freedom Fighters.

And with that said: May the Force be with you. Always.

T-Rock14