True Power
The Emperor, Governor Tarkin and Darth Vader sat around a conference table in the Emperor's chambers at the Imperial Senate. Governor Tarkin would be briefing the Imperial officers shortly, and needed to confer and confirm with the Emperor.
TARKIN: There can no longer be any doubt; we are clearly facing a concerted and coordinated insurrection.
VADER: I've been saying that for two years. These attacks have been anything but isolated.
TARKIN: Regardless, I believe the time is right to institute the Sedition Amendment in the Senate.
EMPEROR: With the fear of another destructive Galactic conflict, the planets will certainly agree to the measures that I demand. And to the peace and security I offer, if they further bow to my will.
VADER: Why bother with the Senate? It is a useless relic.
Tarkin grew annoyed at Vader's constant interference. This was a matter of military policy. If the Empire needed a battle to be fought, it could call upon the dark warrior, who indeed had produced many victories fore the Empire; however, this was a time for planning and strategy, a concept that Vader constantly ignored.
TARKIN: Perhaps you forget the challenges of running an Empire, Vader.
VADER: I know how to crush a rebellion, Governor.
The Dark Lord was steadfast, his own look of annoyance clearly visible. The Emperor could not let this go unchecked.
EMPEROR: Lord Vader, remember, my apprentice, that the Sith have many skills at our disposal. Brute force is but one. Deception and subterfuge are also powerful allies. True power, unlimited power, is the use of all of a Sith's abilities.
VADER: Yes, Master.
Darth Vader bowed his head slightly towards the Emperor, but inwardly, he bristled at the upbringing. "I know true power," the Dark Lord thought to himself from behind his mental shields. "And it's not in your constant scheming."
Governor Tarkin shook his head.
TARKIN: At this moment we lack the full governmental infrastructure to properly rule the star systems without the aid of a manipulated Senate. Eventually; however, we will. And then you'll be rid of those pesky Senators, Vader.
EMPEROR: When I am ready.
The withered Sith Master smiled a humorless smile that quickly turned into a scowl.
VADER: I merely want what's best for the Empire.
The Emperor stood up to leave, having finished his purpose here. Stopping before the door, he turned around to face his two subordinates.
EMPEROR: I am the Empire.
The shadows moved and from the darkness the blackened, armored skull peered forth, startling the young woman. Mara Jade's instincts were heightened and as she flinched backwards, her hands quickly dove into her cloak. She realized it was Darth Vader and shook her head in annoyance.
MARA: What are you doing here, Vader?
Mara Jade had come to the abandoned warehouse, deep in the bowels of this remote planet after receiving a message related to her latest task. She had come to retrieve certain information. Instead, she found Vader.
From behind his armored helmet, the Dark Lord glared at her with contempt. He had never had any use for the Emperor's specially trained assassin. But now her time had come to an end.
VADER: I am awaiting you.
Mara Jade was slightly perturbed; Vader shouldn't have any idea about her mission. But she wouldn't show him anything. Just as the Emperor had taught her, she kept her emotions and thoughts shielded.
MARA: Following me around, huh? You need to get out more; stalking girls doesn't suit you too well.
VADER: I'm only stalking an assassin.
MARA: Come down from your pedestal, Vader. We both serve the Emperor.
Vader walked casually around the young killer, who regarded him with increasing wariness. Mara Jade's gaze followed him around the room until he stopped in front of the door.
VADER: I understand you tried to kill Luke Skywalker.
MARA: I don't know what you're taking about.
VADER: Come now, do you really think you can hide it from me?
So, he had found out. The Emperor had warned her to steer clear of Vader until this task was completed. Vader must've followed her informant here. But if so, then where was that lousy Rodian?
MARA: It's not your concern, Vader. I answer to the Emperor and the Emperor only. If you have an issue with that, I suggest you take it up with him.
VADER: Will the Emperor be pleased with your failure?
Mara Jade smirked with pride. She hadn't presided over the destruction of the Death Star; a point she had made to the Dark Lord on more than one occasion.
MARA: I don't fail, Vader. I always fulfill my duties one way or the other.
VADER: Not always.
MARA: Bantha Spit. I've never failed the Emperor!
VADER: This time you will.
MARA: You're delusional. Now get out of my way, I have work to do.
It was becoming more and more clear that Vader might've already dispatched of Mara Jade's informant. Still, he wouldn't dare try that her. Even Darth Vader had to answer to the Emperor. Nonetheless, Vader pejoratively wagged a finger in her face.
VADER: You're not leaving here.
Mara Jade's anger at Vader coincided with her pleasure at the thought of the Emperor finally dealing with the dark warrior. Forget this Skywalker; go after Vader directly.
MARA: What the hell are you doing, Vader!? You're interfering with the Emperor's business! You have your job, I have mine.
VADER: I am fulfilling mine. Luke Skywalker will be brought to the Dark Side.
MARA: His destiny is whatever the Emperor commands.
VADER: His destiny lies with me. Yours ends here.
Vader ignited his lightsaber, holding the red blade loosely. Mara Jade was a highly confident assassin, but the thought of battling Darth Vader unnerved her. Still, with the Emperor on her side, she was prepared.
MARA: This is treason, Vader! The Emperor will kill you for this!
The young assassin called upon her own inherent command of the Force and reached out across the galaxy to contact Emperor Palpatine. Vader smiled behind his mask.
VADER: The Force is strong in you. But not strong enough. You won't find your master here.
Fear gripped Mara Jade's stomach. Vader could somehow block her connection to the Emperor. She was on her own. Still, she would not give up without a fight. The Emperor had trained her to be a weapon and in the face of violence, a weapon she would become. Grabbing for the newly-acquired hilt beneath her cloak, Mara Jade lit her own dark purple blade and assumed a defensive stance.
VADER: So, he's given you a lightsaber. Do you know how to use it?
MARA: I know enough!
Mara Jade lunged at Vader swinging her saber in wild, undisciplined, yet aggressive arcs. The Dark Lord easily parried the blows and while staying defensive, still managed to move his opponent backwards, simply by advancing on her.
She was highly competent, but untrained in dueling. Apparently, the Emperor had not yet foreseen the likelihood of her having to face another lightsaber in combat. "At last," Vader smiled to himself. It had been several years since he had last faced a lightsaber in true combat. Though, the ending had left him unsatisfied. "Damn you, old man," he thought. Although his shielding of Mara Jade's Force communication with the Emperor required great concentration, Vader still knew that he could crush the woman if he chose. But he had anticipated the duel.
Mara Jade quickly realized that at this rate she was doomed. Vader was a far better combatant and tales of his wide-ranging powers were known throughout the galaxy. She peered around the room when she could steal a glance, looking for some sort of secondary exit, but found none. The only way out was behind the Dark Lord. And to get there, she'd probably have to kill him. Mara Jade needed an edge. The assassin alternated aggressive strikes with careful backwards steps to buy time.
MARA: The Emperor knew your lack of commitment.
VADER: The Emperor is mistaken. My commitment is unbreakable. Luke Skywalker will join the Dark Side.
As she slowly backpedaled across the room, Mara Jade sensed her opening. The Emperor was right; Vader's weakness was this Skywalker. This was the opportunity. She would exploit it.
MARA: Or he'll die. You're not a perfect soothsayer, Vader; otherwise you would've found him again after you lost him on Bespin.
The Emperor had been worried after the Bespin encounter and Vader's failed attempt at capturing the Skywalker boy and bringing his carbonite form back. For some reason, the Emperor preferred that Vader and the boy have as little communication as possible. Mara Jade was brought in as a contingency. The Dark Lord didn't care whether or not the assassin was operating under orders. Palpatine's fate was already sealed.
VADER: I have the luxury of time, unlike you, assassin.
MARA: Your compassion is touching. Weak, but touching.
VADER: The boy has great power.
MARA: Bah! Your compassion betrays you. Some Sith you are. You failed at being a Jedi. Now you've failed at being a Sith. And your final failure will be when the boy dies.
Mara Jade could feel Vader's anger flowing. It was followed by a blinding lightsaber flurry that knocked the assassin to her knees and hurled her deactivating lightsaber across the warehouse. The Dark Lord prepared a tremendous blow at his virtually helpless opponent. Anticipating the last moment, she rolled out of the way just in time, drawing two hidden blaster pistols from her waistband and sprang up into the air, firing down at her foe with deadly precision. The combination of his raging anger and his concentration on blocking Mara Jade's contact with the Emperor left Vader scrambling to avoid the shots. He managed to block most with his lightsaber, but two near misses tore holes in Vader's cape. Mara Jade fell to the ground and executed a near-perfect roll, scooping up her lightsaber with right left hand while still firing on the Dark Lord with her left. One more quick leap, while firing the blaster and swinging her re-lit lightsaber, left the assassin between Vader and the exit, with her back facing the warehouse door. Mara Jade made her move and got off several rapid fire shots aimed directly at Vader's head before spinning around and sprinting towards the exit. Several blaster shots struck the door, deactivating the lock. Continuing her sprint, she twisted her body to the side as she reached the just-opening door, barely fitting through the opening exit. In a fluid motion, once through, Mara Jade righted herself and continued at full speed towards the elevator shaft.
By now the Dark Lord had regained his composure. He took off after the assassin, his tattered cape flowing. Vader practically flew down the catacomb hallways, navigating by feel before he finally caught sight of Mara Jade as she approached the surface elevator. The elevator doors were no more than thirty feet away from the young assassin when she suddenly got the urge to duck. Dropping into a feet-first slide, Mara Jade narrowly avoided the powerful lightning blasts that arched overhead, striking the elevator and frying the conveyance's circuits. She spun around on her back, her pistols flashing, and released a torrent of fire at her pursuer, causing him to pause. Vader's lightsaber flew into his hands and in a red blur, he blocked each shot as sweat dripped from his brow. Mara Jade came to a stop just in front of the wrecked elevator and halted her fire. Vader slowly stalked towards her.
VADER: The Emperor knows his talent, assassin; you would've made a good Sith.
Mara Jade stowed her pistols and slowly stood up, dusting herself off. She reached into her cloak once more for the weapon her master had bestowed upon her.
MARA: Far better than you.
The young warrior's dark purple blade hummed to life as she closed her eyes for a moment in mediation, attempting to focus her anger as the Emperor had taught her. Vader continued forward, taking a few deep breaths from his exertions before calmly reaching out with his saber, just barely touching the tip of Mara Jade's weapon, sending sparks to the floor.
VADER: No one is better than me.
The Dark Lord rained a series of blows on his foe, who fought them all off, with increasing difficulty. Mara Jade could feel that this was the end. She tried once more to reach out to the Emperor but she sensed nothing. Vader was far better. And she would die alone. With one final slash, Vader forced her saber towards the ground, leaving her body exposed. As he moved through the upward strike, the Dark Lord looked into the eyes of his defeated opponent. He had a grudging respect for her skill and talent. But she had tried to kill his son. Vader's red blade raked up through Mara Jade's midsection, tearing through her organs. She winced in pain, but uttered no sound as she slumped to her knees, still holding her lit saber in her trembling hand. The last thing she saw before falling forwards was Vader's yellow hatred emanating through the dark mask. She returned it in kind. When her lifeless body hit the floor, her dead hand released the weapon, which rolled away harmlessly.
Vader cut a hole in the elevator shaft's doors and entered the car. Using the Force, he lifted the elevator upwards to the surface. As the elevator began its one mile journey upwards, Vader reached under his cape and drew a remote detonator from his pocket. He pressed the code to begin the countdown. Upon reaching the surface, Vader headed towards his empty shuttlecraft in order to rejoin his fleet. Skywalker was safe, for now.
A number of Imperial officials entered the conference room and sat down, facing Governor Tarkin. Vader, sitting to Tarkin's right, folded his arms across his chest. He did not seem pleased. Once the Imperials were situated, Tarkin began.
TARKIN: The purpose of this briefing is to inform you that the so-called rebel fleet is no longer a myth; we have confirmed engagements in both the Richlan and Caldorian systems.
Dak Rethan, the Coruscant Administrator could not believe that anyone would dare challenge the Empire, especially on such a grand scale.
RETHAN: Did they engage freighters or actual war vessels?
TARKIN: The Imperator engaged two Corellian frigates at Caldor, heavily damaging both before they were able to escape. Imperial tracking facilities have placed the fleet somewhere in the Northern Outer Rim. A squadron of TIE fighters discovered a Class II strike carrier with a compliment of Z-95s moving through the Richlan system. I would certainly say we are dealing with capital ships, albeit nothing that can touch our new Star Destroyer class.
The Emperor's representative to the Imperial Senate, Goran Tarbol, was not as surprised. He had heard rumblings from many Senators sympathetic to the Empire, that indicated a significant opposition presence.
TARBOL: So what's your recommendation, Governor Tarkin?
TARKIN: It is obvious that the Rebel fleet is operating in the Outer Rim. The Emperor has agreed to a number of security measures, including the Sedition Amendment.
Tarbol nodded his head in agreement. Surely, when faced with evidence of a rebel fleet, even the agitators in the Senate would have no choice but to support the Amendment.
TARKIN: In the short term, the Imperial Fleet will be redeployed to hunt the rebel ships. Further conscripts will be employed to provide the regional governors with the additional troops to quell any insurrections on site. In the longer term, we will have the Imperial Battle Station operational within five years. At that point, any system that defies the Empire will see our true power.
VADER: I'm not sure that the true power of the Empire will lie in a vessel.
Most of Imperial officers rolled their eyes. While they all feared the dark warrior and his forceful presence, they also knew that the Emperor was far more versatile on matters of Imperial policy. As long as the Emperor kept his servant in check, the officers' actual concerns about Vader were tempered. Still, Vader's aggressive reputation was widely known, and the officers had learned to avoid confrontation.
Governor Tarkin; however, was a prized confidant and advisor directly to the Emperor. He tolerated Vader's ways because the Emperor had use of the Dark Lord. But Tarkin only feared displeasing the Emperor. He turned to Vader as if admonishing a colleague.
TARKIN: When the galaxy sees a rebellious planet reduced to ashes, because of that vessel, it will stay in line. However, one battle station may be initially face logistical challenges. Therefore, I am also recommending that we begin construction on the second Imperial Battle Station as soon as possible.
RETHAN: Construction on the second? Before we've tested the first station?
TARKIN: I can assure you that the initial battle station will work as intended. However, we will certainly be able to modify the second station to address any design issues that may arise while the original station is in operation.
Vader got up to leave the room. It was time for him to check on his fleet. The Dark Lord looked at Tarkin with steely eyes and a slightly mocking tone.
VADER: Indeed, I will feel much better knowing that there will be two terrors in the galaxy.