A/N
So... Hello all. I'm not dead! That's good, right? If there's anyone out there still paying attention to this story... I'm sorry. I really didn't intend to take so long with this chapter. I encountered every writer's worst nightmare a few months ago. (Has it really been that long? Wow...) The writer's block found me, and wouldn't let me go. Still hasn't, to be honest. Just... blech. I can't think of anything to write, and nothing I do write seems to come out well. So I guess what I'm trying to say is... sorry guys. This chapter is short, and below par for me. I'll probably go through and rewrite it later. Really hoping the block goes away very soon. Enjoy this little tidbit.

If Vader was completely, utterly, honest with himself, he was terrified.

Kneeling before where his master would appear in a few short seconds, he found himself wondering exactly what Sidious's reaction would be to the news. In the relatively short time Vader had known him, truly known him, as Darth Sidious, the Lord of the Sith didn't exactly seem the forgiving type. Vader just hoped Sidious was in a good mood today. If such a thing was possible.

The holoprojector hummed briefly. Readying himself, Vader mentally prepared for the coming confrontation.

With a whirr, a larger-than-life projection of the Dark Lord himself appeared in front of Vader. The projection, for reasons that he understood completely, consisted entirely of the Emperor's head, blown up to several times its actual size. The resulting intimidation in his subjects was something the Emperor enjoyed greatly.

"Hello! Hello, Lord Vader! Your mission was a success, I trust?" However hard Sidious tried to mask it, the invisible threat hanging off the end of that statement was all too clear.

This would be very difficult, to say the least. Sidious only used that tone of voice when attempting persuasion, or sometimes if he wanted to get a point across to someone closer to him than most. This would appear to be one of the latter situations.

"Greetings, Master," Vader said. "You are well, I hope. How goes your rule?"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, suspicion clear. "No better nor worse than usual. Moff Tarkin and the other regional governors are still busy chasing Separatist holdouts. But let's not change the subject, Lord Vader. You have destroyed Grievous, correct?" From the way Sidious was looking at him, Vader knew he was already aware of the answer.

"I... Grievous managed to escape, master. The mission was a failure." Just uttering the word failure made Vader want to shudder. It wasn't exactly a word he was accustomed to.

Sidious sighed. "Please tell me you at least managed to save the fleet."

At least Vader could give some good news there. Straightening slightly, he said, "Damages to Grievous's fleet were less than expected. In total, 13 out of 24 ships are salvageable, though most will require a few months in drydock."

With a nod, Sidious pressed, "And the surviving crew members? What of them?"

"They are to be detained for questioning, interrogated and most likely executed for treason."

"A pity," The Emperor said, "Some of the Empire's better commanders were on board those ships. But we cannot allow treason to go unpunished, can we?"

Vader nodded his agreement. However much they might need every single vessel and crew member now, allowing traitors to flourish would do far more harm than good.

"Lord Vader," Sidious said, suddenly turning deadly serious, "There is another matter that requires your attention. As of now, hunting down Grievous is no longer your priority."

Recoiling slightly in surprise, Vader replied, "More important than ensuring the security of the Empire, master?"

"Since when has your concern been the Empire's needs?" The Emperor said chastising manner. "Your concern would be better suited towards our needs. I am dictating a large portion of your responsibilities to the ruling council and the regional Moffs. For the foreseeable future, you will target the majority of your focus on strengthening yourself in the force, and on occasion will carry out special missions. Do you understand?"

No. No, Vader didn't understand at all. He was the most qualified individual for this task, even in light of a couple failures. He should be the one to end Grievous. Not an insignificant fleet commander or a Stormrooper with decent aim. He started the mission, and he should be the one to finish it.

Sidious could clearly see the line of thought Vader was following. "You feel that my judgement is unsound," he said, "Perhaps even... unfair?"

"Yes, master," Vader said reluctantly. There was no denying it, the Emperor undoubtedly knew already.

The holographic Sith Lord's gaze darkened. "This... exercise," he said slowly, "Is only proof that you lack the strength in the force to defeat Grievous. And really, it is most concerning. We will both be meditating on this for some time, Lord Vader."

Vader was running out of time if he wanted to continue this mission. He needed to act, and fast. But what to say, what to say... Then it came to him. One little piece of logic that even Darth Sidious couldn't argue with. "Master, if I am removed from command, who will take charge of this mission? The captains in this little fleet I have can barely run their own ships. Do you really want to trust them with a task of such importance?"

If it was even possible, Sidious looked even more disapproving. "Then I will send in someone who has proven their competence. You should know when to simply accept the inevitable."

Shaking his head, Vader countered, "Getting another ship out here could take days. By then, Grievous will have disappeared completely. We will have lost him, likely forever."

A low growl escaped the emperor's throat. "You should know your place, Lord Vader," he said viciously. Vader couldn't help wondering if he had made a terrible mistake. "Very well. You will follow Grievous. You will hunt him down. And finally, you will kill him. I will send reinforcements to you, along with a relief commander. In the event they reach you and you have not killed Grievous, he will take command. Am I understood?"

Vader became a bit nervous at that last part. "Yes, master. I will not fail you again."

Sidious nodded. "See to it."