A/N: Update time, and I miss Carrie Fisher.
Everyone in the palace gasped at the news. Jabba even let out a surprised grunt. Leia looked over to see that Boba Fett was paying extra close attention as the officer continued to speak.
"Approximately an hour ago, rebel infiltrators caused a reactor breach blowing up an important imperial orbital battle station. While most of the inhabits managed to escape the blast, tragically our glorious emperor Sheev Palpatine died in the blast. As the emperor willed, Lord Vader has inherited the throne and will now be in orbital strike was initiated upon the forest moon of Endor. The orbital strike completely decimated the rebel fleet after which Lord Vader stepped up as the next heir to the imperial throne.
The holographic image changed to that of Darth Vader. His mechanical breathing created an echo across the room.
"My fellow imperials. Tonight is a day both of great victory and great lose. While the Rebel Alliance has been destroyed, the victory came at the loss of our great and wonderful emperor. Whatever you may have thought of him, he was a great man and a great leader,"
Leia scoffed at that remark. Great leader her backside. She had only met Palpatine one time, and that was enough for her. Even if he was not directly responsible for the atrocities caused by his empire the Fact that he allowed the grand moffs to rule like tyrants was enough for him to be deemed incompetent in her eyes. Still she continued to listen to the speech.
"I may never be as great as him," Vader continued. "But I know what I believe in, and I believe in this empire. I believe that if we work together we can create an order that will stand for the next 10,000 years. But I cannot do it alone I need every one of you, you're strength, you're passion and you're loyalty. The Rebellion maybe destroyed, but there will always be those that try to destroy what we believe in. I will make sure to do my part, I will make sure to be at the front, as we all will. Together we will make sure that those that wish our destruction we will keep the empire away from the treacherous the dishonest the tyrants and the corrupt and make sure that the power lies in the hands of you, the people. Together, we are the empire."
Jabba signaled the droid to shut off the hologram. The room was eerie silent until the music started playing again. Leia then slid over next to Boba Fett. The Mandalorian in question let out a grunt.
"And the quarterback is toast. If vader did order a full assault on your alliance's fleet, then there is no way they survived."
Leia reluctantly nodded. "Maybe some escaped?"
"Possible but I doubt it. If nothing else, I'd say the fighting spirit is broken. those that aren't dead are probably in hiding."
"Do you think some will come here?"
"Who knows."
"And what do you think about Vader's new title."
"I don't buy it, but I'll give the guy credit where it's due. Vader is a military genius and is well respected in the empire. Who knows, he may end up proving to be a better emperor than Palpatine."
"Speaking of which, do you think…?"
"Vader killed the emperor and blamed it on the rebels? In a word, yes. I've delt with these sith types before they turn on each other, and if they don't turn on each other, they use and abuse each other. Maybe Palpatine did something to make Vader turn on him."
"Maybe…Leia thought."
"What about you?" Boba asked. "Are you doing alright?"
Leia shrugged. "I…I don't know to be honest. I mean a lot of these people were my friends, but I mean lately I've been so far removed from the rebellion I mean…I just...I know I should be mourning but…
"Look I get it. You feel numb. It's normal. Your time to mourn will come when it comes."
"I think I honestly did a good part of my mourning when Luke and Han died."
"Maybe…"
"I'm also uncertain as to what's going to happen now that Vader is the Empire I mean if the rebellion is truly gone,"
"Well whatever happens next, it's no longer your problem."
As Boba walked away, Leia sighed.
"For now…"