The Star Destroyer reverted to realspace in the middle of nowhere. "Either that's a small moon orbiting nothing or an even smaller planet." Mardici said looking at the only thing in front of the ship, which was well in front of them.
"Look to the right Admiral." Jenso said. Mardici did and gaped in amazement at the gigantic ship there. The ship had a similar bridge to his ship, but the ship itself had to be at least a hundred times larger.
"We're being hailed, sir." His communications officer said.
"Put them through." Jenso withdrew to where he couldn't be seen.
The all too familiar image of the Emperor appeared on the viewscreen. "Welcome Admiral. I'm sharing a secret with you that only a few of my top Admirals know about."
"I'm honored. Your ship is most impressive."
"I'm glad to hear that, it cost enough credits to buy a fleet. It's called a Super Star Destroyer. We have six of them. It would take nothing less then a small fleet to destroy one. Anyway, we're receiving reports of a larger then usual uprising. If you have any reports of one, I wish to introduce them to our newest weapon, request I send it and I'll send it along to demonstrate its power.
"Forgive me, sir, but how would a ship like that do anything to deter this…uprising." Mardici felt a chill run through him. His defection was one step closer, but against a ship like this what chance did he have?
"This ship is not the secret I'm sharing. Look directly forward."
"Speaking of forward, sir? What is that?"
"The secret. Look closer."
Mardici walked to the other side of the bridge, grabbed a pair of electobinoculars and looked, then gasped. What he had taken to be a small celestial body was actually a spherical battle station. It was the biggest ship he'd ever seen. As massive as the Super Star Destroyer was, this ship made it look as big as a starfighter. There was an indentation in the ship that showed it wielded a massive turbolaser. "What…What is it?" Mardici said to an obviously pleased Emperor.
"That is our newest ship. We call it a Death Star."
"A…come again."
"A Death Star. It's been in construction since the end of the Clone Wars. It's finished and supposedly strong enough to destroy a planet, but we have yet to test it. If the rebels are in you're sector, we will test it on their base and show why the Empire will not tolerate dissent. Stay as long as you wish Admiral." He signed off.
Jenso walked up to Mardici, who was still gaping at the spectacle in front of him. "That ship will not only defeat the Rebellion but kill millions of innocents."
"But what can we do? Nothing can destroy something that size."
"Maybe, maybe not. That's why I need you're help. Where would the Empire send prisoners of the newly revealed Rebellion?"
"Probably to that monstrosity."
"Exactly. Do you want to know what the force feels like?"
"Wh-What?"
"Hold still." Mardici did so, then felt something inside of him, sort of like a wave crashing through him instead of over him. "I need you to remember that."
"Why?"
"Because I'll need you're help. The only way to destroy that is from the inside. Let's head home. I need to talk with the governor about this."
"So what exactly do you plan to do, Jenso?" the governor asked. "This thing is beyond anyone's power to destroy."
"I disagree. Admiral, what would you do if a boarding force were taking over your ship or if your ship was shot down and was heading towards a populated area?"
"I'd activate the self-destruct sequence and have all my marines defend it until it went, or if my ship was shot down make sure it blew before impact."
"Exactly. If I'm captured…"
"Hold on now Jenso, you have your orders from your Master. She may be dead, but she said to follow them no matter what happens. She said stay with me until I defect. The Rebellion needs a Jedi."
"She said that because she saw me better then you do. You couldn't feel how badly I wanted to challenge the Jedi traitor. She did and knew that her order would stop me. I know now that I can't possibly defeat him, and I also know that the destruction of this machine is the only way to give the Rebellion a chance at victory. She would agree."
"You don't know that."
"Maybe not. But this ship must be destroyed."
The governor spoke up. "Jenso, I agree this ship must be destroyed, but I'm not sure it's possible. They've been constructing it for over ten years now, a ship that size must have a small army guarding it. You could never get that many troops on board. And even if you could, are you sure you would succeed, don't forget the loss on Naboo."
"I haven't forgotten it. First off, every Rebel captured will be sent to that ship. After a few battles, I'll join a force of Rebels and have the whole group, me included, surrender. A whole army and one Jedi, although they won't know I'm a Jedi, will have penetrated their shields and arrived inside they're ship. I'll organize a breakout. Every single captured Rebel will be out of his cell and a number will immediately have weapons from the stormtroopers I've already killed, more from fallen comrades or enemies."
"This is full of problems. What if you're captured by Darth Vader? You can't mind trick him. Once he sees your lightsaber he'll know what you are. Even if you're not how do you plan to organize a breakout, and even if you do how do you plan to survive for long without your lightsaber?"
"First off, they'll think they've disarmed me, so even Darth Vader won't see my lightsaber. Once on board, I'll be able to get out of my cell. Those doors on your prison cells, a strong force push could blast them right off. I step out lightsaber drawn and nothing can stop me. At the same moment Admiral Mardici, alerted by a force wave, will land in the hanger with his own force of marines. Use that modified cargo ship you were given. We'll need it to evacuate before the ship blows. The stormtroopers will be up against multiple threats. We will have deeply penetrated before they recover."
"What if they decide to fight it out? You won't be able to hold them forever?"
"I doubt that will happen."
"But if it does?"
"My master once said, 'when one door closes, another opens.' They're will be other options available. And anyway, it doesn't matter if you disagree or not. You can't stop me from leaving." Turning to Admiral Mardici, he said. "When you receive the force wave, drop your ship off at the Rebellion and come immediately. I'll give you a day to show up, or when I sense you drop out of hyperspace."
"Governor, in the event of my death, I appreciate that you've always trusted me. It's been an honor."
