"Matajim Tellud was a Jedi Initiate at the time of the purge. Her nascent abilities served her well as a bounty hunter operating in the Mid Rim. Eventually she chose to assist a group of rebels in attacking an Imperial internment camp. Her skills were . . . surprisingly developed –"
"Guardsman Temeote obeyed without hesitation but not without intelligence. He protected the Emperor with his life –"
"Jemal Fent was a child taken from a Jedi Temple on Karnat. He was trained and inducted as an Inquisitor, a role he performed well. His betrayal was unexpected. It was necessary that I dealt with it personally –"
"Governor Tarkin's methods were effective. His loyalty was absolute. He was trusted where few were and he repaid the Emperor well for that faith. He maintained order and did not hesitate to act against rebellion. I was . . . content to serve at his side."
"Governor Rell was a fool who could not be trusted to obey without twisting her instructions to her own advantage –"
"A dark Jedi, strong in the Force. I did not learn their name and there was no match for their species in the databases. We fought for days before I was able to overcome –"
Keying pause on the cycling recordings, Harvan leant forward and peered at the freeze frame. Even as a quarter-scale hologram, poorly resolved in the projection lines, Vader's armour sent a chill up his spine. It was still so hard to look past it. Past the way it concealed the man's expression and tone, replacing them with custom-made intimidation . . .
An easy excuse, were he of a mind to excuse a lack of progress.
He sat back again. It was not just Jedi that stuck in Vader's memory. Loyalty and betrayal, seen up close, stuck as well. He spoke of the Force users, light and dark, with a measure of professional appreciation. The traitors received sourer epitaphs. Of course it was well known that Vader valued undying loyalty. Of the kind that killed you. Hardly surprising that he would remember the times he saw that value fail . . .
Harvan brought up another snippet he had tagged for later review, watched the movements of Vader's helmet as he spoke.
"The Inquisitors were trained to hunt Force users who posed a threat to the Empire and ensure their loyalty or their death." A tilt, a turn to the side. Almost contemplative. "I will be a target for those that remain."
"I will be a target for those that remain."
"I will be a target –"
Target. Equated to traitor. Strange how when referring to himself, he did not seem to mind it as much.