— The Will of the Empire —
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Chapter Fourteen
Author's Notes: Yikes! Well, it's been a while, but welcome back to The Will of the Empire! Thank you very much for enduring the long, long wait and I can assure you that now that the Thor's Slayers series has finally been completed, this story will be able to progress with fewer and shorter interruptions (and hopefully without another extra-long hiatus). Interruptions that I do take are likely to give myself additional time to write ahead and continue story development. I don't think this chapter was great, but I'm hoping it maintains the continuity of the story, retains the same overall tone, and that it'll serve to adequately bridge into the next segment of the story.
**Important Note: Chapter 13 was updated prior to my posting this update. There was a large chunk near the end of the chapter that announces the time/location of Luke's coronation. I have removed that chunk and will be including that somewhere in the next two chapters. In the end, I decided that 5 weeks was too short of a time frame to complete most of the little subplots that I have going on and I wanted to avoid the story feeling rushed. The coronation date was pushed back to 3 months with the location currently unknown./Important Note**
For those of you who've expressed the concern, I do not intend to incorporate any story elements from the sequel trilogy at this time. I may, at times, borrow or reference characters and small details that are now canon, but that will only occur when they complement my story (such as the reference to Shara Bey in the prologue). So be at ease and bask in the knowledge that this story will be Legends/EU pretty much to the core. That being said, as I mentioned in my last update, The Mandalorian is quickly approaching the point where I'd consider it the single greatest contribution to Star Wars since the OT, so that's going to get a few references.
And again, as I mentioned before in my status update, my need to reacquaint myself with my own story may result in small inconsistencies or plot holes. If you come across them, please point them out so I can adjust the story to maintain continuity. Given the time lapse, there will also undoubtedly be a change in both writing style and the overall tone; I'd forgotten how much humor I'd injected into this story and am still having an internal debate on whether it should be present as frequently as it was.
On another note, you have a large end of chapter Author's Notes section to look forward to because, for some reason, you guys seem to like them an awful lot. So have fun with that. Hope you enjoy the chapter and, as always, thank you for your feedback and please review the chapter to let me know what rocked, what was meh, and what sucked.
P.S. Based on how long it took me to publish this chapter, I'm guessing that my next chapter won't be coming out until late February/early March. I'm trying to write about 500 words a day while also reformulating my plan to reach the end of the story with a cohesive narrative.
P.P.S. Enjoy the Superbowl!
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(Wedge Antilles): "I thought maybe you'd be able to do what I never could. Get Wes up to an emotional age of fourteen, maybe fifteen."
(Tycho Celchu): "No power in the universe could do that. Not Darth Vader and the dark side of the Force, not the nuclear devastation of an exploding sun."
#
Forty-five days after BoE
Cloud City, Bespin
Bespin system, Anoat sector
"Hurry up!" Grand Moff Thistleborn glared at the pair of aides that were packing up his personal belongings. Thistleborn would have preferred to remain on Cloud City, but...
He glanced back down at the datapad gripped tightly within his hand that contained the message that continued to enrage him.
"Your presence has been requested by Grand Moff Kaine, Admiral Prittick and Admiral Harrsk,
"In the aftermath of the Empire's defeat in the Endor system, a council of the most loyal servants of the Empire is being assembled to decide the course that is to be taken to reestablish the Empire's dominance and crush this new Alliance of Free Planets. You are to accompany the entirety of your forces to the following coordinates at the specified time. Failure to do so will be seen as admitting to cowardice and treason.
K-3, -89.29, 646.65.
Delete this message after memorizing the coordinates.
"A system that doesn't even exist in the star charts," Thistleborn grumbled before turning around to toss it onto the surface of his desk. "Being treated like some lackey by a superior officer unworthy of their title."
Two loud 'thumps' from behind him made the Grand Moff grit hit teeth. "I told you to hurry; that isn't an excuse to be careless, you incompetent fools!"
Turning around to further berate the two men, the sharp pain in his chest halted any further words. The calm gaze of a strange Anzat met his and when he opened his mouth to demand that the Anzat remove himself from his presence, words failed to emerge. In his peripheral vision, he could see growing pools of blood next to each of his fallen aides. When the pain in his chest became too great to ignore, he glanced down to see the hilt a knife sticking out of his chest. Thistleborn glanced back up to see the two proboscises emerging from the Anzat's face and struggled, desperately trying to escape them, but two hands holding him tightly rendered his already weakening body powerless.
He opened his mouth to call for help, but the Anzat put a finger against his lips forestalling any attempt to make a sound.
"Shh," the Anzat crooned, "it will all be over soon."
The edges of his vision had already turned black when he felt the Anzat's two tentacles slip into his nostrils and begin to burrow upwards.
#
The Fpi assassin savored the Sea of Memory before allowing the body to fall to the floor without a care. Taking one last look around the Grand Moff's stateroom, he noticed the datapad that had the human so worked up. He strode to the table and pocketed the discarded datapad before he left as silently as he'd arrived, passing the bodies of stormtroopers who had unwisely thought to interfere in his work.
While his brethren might have a passing interest in the datapad's contents, it was unlikely that it would prove to be of any real use. However, it could bring about a generous contribution to the order's coffers if he could find an information broker that would be interested in the now deceased Grand Moff's movements.
Seven weeks after BoE
Nevarro, The Outer Rim
"Good to see you again, Mando!" a boisterous voice called out over the bounty hive's usual raucousness.
The Mandalorian navigated around the patrons of the cantina, unslung his Amban rifle, and took a seat across the table from a smiling Greef Karga. Without saying a word, he withdrew a pair of fobs from his belt and slid them across the table.
"Both of them? Already?" the Guild agent said in surprise, "you work fast, Mando." He withdrew a small stack of Imperial credits and slid them across the table.
Pocketing them, the bounty hunter asked, "What jobs do you have?"
"Mando, your timing is impeccable. While you were off collecting this pair of bail jumping malcontents, I received a list of targets that I think you'll enjoy hunting down; high-ranking Imp officials to be taken in, dead or alive."
The beskar helmet jerked up, "Someone cleaning house?"
Karga frowned, "I didn't ask, that's against the Guild code."
The Mandalorian nodded his understanding. "Show me the list."
Karga pushed a puck across the table, I'll transmit the rest of the list directly to your ship, but I believe you'll find this one to be the most difficult and most rewarding. Succeed and you'll have enough credits to completely overhaul the Razor Crest and live lavishly for years without having to take a job. I think you'll find it fulfilling for more personal reasons as well."
Activating the puck, the bounty hunter jerked back in surprise at the figure displayed in the hologram. "That's a–"
"A Grand Admiral, yes. Josef Grunger, currently stationed in the Mandalore sector aboard the SSD Aggressor," Karga replied helpfully.
Shaking his head in disbelief, the Mandalorian deactivated the puck and stared at the other man, "How many others have taken the job?"
"None so far, though the bounty is likely to be circulating elsewhere. And Mando–" Karga lowered his voice and leaned in. "Just a friendly tip from me to you, I received information of questionable veracity that suggests that since whatever happened at Endor, he's been scrabbling to assemble a fleet over Gargon and using the planet as his headquarters. If so, it can also be assumed that Grunger took control of the spice production to funnel credits toward his own goals."
The Mandalorian stared at Greef Karga before closing his hand around the puck and stashing it away in one of his many utility pockets. Without another word, he stood up and slung his rifle around his red durasteel chest plate and strode toward the exit.
"Good luck, Mando!" the dark-skinned Guild agent called out, tipping his glass toward him
Forty-eight days after BoE
The Imperial Palace, Imperial Center
Luke withdrew his hands from Mara Jade's head and stood shakily, glancing down with weary satisfaction at her unconscious form on the metal slab of her cell. Across from him, Yoda and his father gave him an approving nod before fading from view.
"It's done?" Maarek Stele asked quietly.
Stele stood in an at-attention stance just outside of the cell, close enough to assist in the event Mara Jade turned violent, but far enough to give Luke space.
"Yes, the compulsion has been removed," Luke confirmed. "She may require a day of rest, but then it would be best to send her on her way."
Stele gave the sleeping woman a pointed look and said a very loud nothing.
Luke offered the Tan a lopsided smile, "Have faith, Maarek, it's my belief that there are only an unlucky few who are so lost that they cannot and will not let themselves be found. Sometimes they just need a little help."
Raising a skeptical eyebrow that practically screamed 'when she kills you, I'll laugh', the brown-haired Kuan native shrugged, "I'll see to it that she makes that shuttle. She and the Force will have to see to the rest."
"Your Highness, I will bring one of the ysalamiri and accompany her on her journey."
I suppose it's better than Lord Vader, Luke grumbled inwardly to himself, glancing at the unfamiliar Noghri who'd joined his protective detail standing opposite from Maarek. Hesitantly, he guessed, "Mushkil?"
At the Noghri's nod, Luke continued, "My hope was for her to be isolated in places that would provoke an internal conversation she might not otherwise wish to have. Your presence would be–"
"Our presence, as you have told Meewalh, is not disruptive," Mushkil interrupted. Ignoring Stele's glare at the show of disrespect, he pointed a clawed finger at the sleeping Hand. "She is an enemy, a capable one who has reason to hate you, and the internal conversation that may follow in the wake of such a journey may not be beneficial to your health. I will be discrete, I will observe and if necessary, I will kill her."
Fighting back a wince at the blunt death threat, Luke nodded his acquiescence.
#
Fifty days after BoE
The Imperial Palace, Imperial Center
"I'm bored."
Luke stiffened and shuffled from beneath the obsidian Eta-2 Interceptor that he'd been studying. Having flown it back to the Imperial Palace following his brief visit to his father's palace with Jix, he'd spent most of what little free time he had with either the interceptor or his friends. Evidently, he'd neglected the latter given that their circumstances shouldn't have allowed boredom to set in. Reluctantly sliding out from beneath the Eta-2, he stared up at Wes Janson's sulking face.
When spoken by Janson, 'I'm bored' was the type of phrase that heralded dark deeds and career ending shenanigans. With the other members of Rogue Squadron at his side in their flight uniforms showing signs of reluctant agreement, the words induced a special kind of panic that he wasn't sure he was capable of processing along with everything else in his life.
Struggling on how to best respond, he finally settled on a simple, "How?"
"I mean, don't get me wrong, not that it's unentertaining watching you recover from getting your ass handed to you," Plourr began, arms crossed.
Kirst walked a few steps forward to stand at Plourr's side, crossing her arms to match the other woman's pose. Blonde hair fell around her shoulders as she looked at him with bright eyes. "And even though the holopics of the faces you make as you absorb Imperial political doctrine are going to make me an absolute fortune someday..."
Seeing her nod to the slowly retreating astromech who'd been assisting him, Luke shot a brief glare at R2-D2. "See if I ever get to fixing your booster rockets, you traitorous bucket of bolts."
Clearing his throat to recapture Luke's attention, Hobbie finished decrying their grievances, "But this place is creepy and antagonizing the same Imps on a daily basis just isn't doing the trick anymore."
Wedge let out a tired sigh and gave Luke a plaintive look. "The children want out and I had hoped you might have something constructive for them to do instead of just letting them...loose on the unsuspecting citizens of Imperial Center."
Riv let out a few snarling barks, "I AM NOT A PUP."
Will Scotian huffed out a laugh, "I literally watched you play fetch with Standro with a stormtrooper helmet for ten minutes yesterday."
Riv's answering snarl needed no translation.
"This is what we're dealing with," Tycho said tiredly.
Standro pointed an accusing green sucker-tipped finger at the Alderaanian and retorted, "Please, even you were bored with your glare-off with Boring Fel earlier. Besides, Will, it's called catch when both parties are tossing aforementioned object to one another."
Scotian dismissed his comment with a wave of his hand.
Coming to his feet, Luke groaned as he felt the pain from his mostly healed back injury make itself known again. "Well, as it so happens, I did give a little thought as to how you might make yourselves a little useful."
"And this is why you are, and will always be, the Boss," Janson proclaimed happily, ignoring Wedge's side-eye.
Seeing the dirt and grease adorning his skin, Luke made a disgusted sound and pointed toward the exit. "Let me use the fresher and 'comm Colonel Fel. We'll talk then."
Staring at Luke, it was Tycho's turn to give a side-eye. "Must we?"
Luke sighed and left the others behind in search for his absurdly lavish quarters.
#
"Your Highness?"
Hobbie gave his usual snicker as Soontir Fel gave Luke a slight bow, the appellation half greeting and half question as it had been since they arrived on Imperial enter. Even though he hadn't actually been proclaimed the Emperor yet, 'Your Highness' was fast becoming the preferred title to use amongst the Imperials in order to avoid acknowledging his status in the Rebellion or as a Jedi.
Fel stiffened and glared at the unrepentant Ralltiirian, then at Tycho for good measure, before returning his attention to Luke.
"Please, everyone take a seat," Luke said, gesturing at the black chairs surrounding the ebony table in one of the Imperial Palace's innumerable conference rooms. It hadn't taken long for Luke to observe that black was something of a common theme with the Empire, and particularly with the Emperor himself.
When everyone had finally seated themselves, Luke gestured at the Rogues and spoke bluntly, "I know that you are the best fighter squadron in the Alliance and that your talents are not being put to use. I cannot promise that those talents will be used, but I do promise that your presence here will matter."
Luke shifted slightly to point at Tycho Celchu, "Tycho, I want you, Janson, Standro, and Riv to get back into contact with General Dodonna. I want you to work towards organizing other Rebel cells on Imperial Center, in the system, or even the sector so that they fall under the General's direct command. Your job is to ensure that Rebel cells don't break the truce we've established and to reconnect Dodonna with Alliance leadership. I'll see to it that you're given communications equipment powerful enough to reach High Command and you will, of course, have access to your fighters."
Turning to the leader of Rogue squadron, he continued, "Wedge, I want you, Plourr, Hobbie, Kirst to transfer to Grand Admiral Thrawn's flagship, the Admonitor, where Colonel Fel and the 181st will join you. Your task will be to work with each other, the rest of the ship's fighter complement, and non-military assets in a more public light."
Fel's eyebrows furrowed as he eyed Luke. "To what end?"
"I want prominent Rogue Squadron members and Imperial officers to be seen working together doing something positive. With the amount of debris littering the system, the menial task of assisting to clear it out would serve that purpose. You could even rig your fighters to carry emergency supplies and deliver them to the many people whose homes were destroyed in the recent battle."
"What about the Alliance?" Tycho asked, "I imagine there'd be some distress if we were reported to Alliance Intelligence as having flown with Imps over Imperial Center."
"In X-Wings and Alliance uniforms? More confusion than upset, I'd imagine," Hobbie answered. Looking thoughtful, the man somehow managed to look vaguely unkempt despite his clean uniform and appearance. "Besides, the higher ups already know we're here so damage control shouldn't be much of any issue if we provide advanced warning."
"Wouldn't be too hard to strap a medium-sized container to the underside of an X-Wing. It'd be about as graceful as a bantha, but it'd fly and get to places larger shuttles would have more difficulty with," Wedge nodded.
"I suppose that tagging volatile debris might be helpful," Colonel Fel mused aloud, "the last battle in system left quite the mess and civilian services would certainly appreciate our assistance."
"Then get to it," Luke commanded, "and I'll contact you if anything comes up that needs Rogue Squadron's attention. May the Force be with you."
Rising to his feet, Baron Fel gave Luke a bow and solemn 'Your Highness' before departing. The other members of Rogue Squadron departed with only casual farewells, leaving Luke alone with Wedge.
After a moment, Wedge broke the silence. "I hope you're not doing this with the idea that our ability to work together would make the idea of the Alliance reintegrating with the Empire more palatable."
"The idea had crossed my mind," Luke admitted, "but I'm less optimistic about that possibility. I'm more interested in a galaxy where the Alliance and the Empire can somehow coexist."
Wedge stared at him before shaking his head. "Trying to map the borders alone would be–"
"I know, Wedge, I know," Luke interrupted. "But it seems even less likely that I can sway the Empire into taking up the practices of the Republic, not in our lifetime, at least."
"Alright Luke, I'll do what I can. I'd talk to Princess Leia when you get the chance," Wedge suggested. "On matters of diplomacy, I can think of no better source of wisdom than she."
"When you spend most of your days confined with Janson and Hobbie, that isn't saying much," Luke quipped.
The two men laughed before finally leaving the room together.
Fifty-one days after BoE
Aboard the Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer Admonitor
Coruscant system, Corusca sector
Soontir Fel let out a sigh as he collapsed onto the bunk in his new quarters aboard the Star Destroyer. As a Colonel and a Baron, he had been awarded quarters that were considered lavish on most starships, complete with its own refresher, office, and an open space that could be configured to serve multiple purposes. Glancing to the side, he eyed the private holocomm unit in the connecting office with a mix of longing and dread. He sat there for a moment, knowing what he had to do, what honor demanded him to do, but uncertain what consequences might follow.
After a few minutes of stalling, he finally got to his feet, straightened his olive gray uniform, walked over to the holocomm unit and keyed in the recipient's information. The call was answered immediately and Soontir stared at his wife's beautiful face.
"Soontir! Are you alright? Are you safe?!"
Soontir held up his hands in placation, hoping to stem the flood of frantic questions that were the result of so much dark news in the galaxy with so little contact between them for far too long. "Syal, I'm unhurt and I'm safe."
"Where are you?"
"I'm currently in the Coruscant system–" Fel began.
"Imperial Center? Soontir, the news that we've heard..." Syal trailed off, her mouth opening and closing without another word being said but Fel could see the many unasked questions Syal wasn't sure she wanted to know the answers to in her eyes.
"Things are...chaotic," Soontir admitted, "but at this moment I'm probably safer here than anywhere else, and that's part of why I 'commed you. I want you to let my family know that they'll need to take care of Davin and Chak for the time being. Have your security detail escort you to Imperial Center. It's safe enough, but I'd not risk our sons' lives just the same."
"But my safety isn't important?" Syal demanded.
Soontir almost fell over himself trying to apologize before he recognized the teasing glint in her eyes, visible even in her holographic image. "Always, my love, but something has happened; your brother is here. Wedge is here."
His beautiful wife gasped and a delicate hand shot up to cover her trembling mouth. "Is he...okay?"
"He's as safe as I am," Soontir reassured her quickly, then cocked his head and corrected himself, "slightly less safe, given his presence here and the company he keeps, but safe enough. Your brother and I are, well, we're both currently stationed on the Admonitor."
Syal squinted at him in confusion. "You're both stationed on..."
"Come to Imperial Center, Wife, this might be your best opportunity to see him for the foreseeable future and the window in which it is safe to do so may be limited."
Syal Antilles Fel chewed her lip for a few seconds before she nodded resolutely. "Very well, inform your superiors that Wynssa Starflare plans to visit the system and that she intends to visit her husband. Perhaps there's something my status as a celebrity can help stabilize whatever situation you're embroiled in?"
"I'll do that. I'll see you soon, love." Fel signed off the comm and stroked his chin. His wife's suggestion wasn't a bad one and, more importantly, it seemed like an ideal solution for the mission to which he and Wedge had been assigned.
Fifty-two days after BoE
Westport Spaceport, Imperial Center
Talon Karrde took long strides down the ramp of the Wild Karrde and took a long look at the cityscape around him. There have been enough debris in Imperial Center's orbit to provide an idea of what carnage must have recently taken place in the system, but from his new vantage point, the surface looked exponentially worse than it had from orbit. The fires had all been quenched, but there was enough smoke in the air that he could taste the ash on his tongue. While the majority of the cityscape was undamaged, there were visible gaps which had once been soaring towers.
Those spires, whether they had been destroyed or collapsed in the crossfire from the recent surface battle or from debris impacting the planet surface from the battle in space, were now massive piles of shattered glass and broken duracrete. The bleak fate which their occupants had faced was matched by those in the flattened neighboring residential and commercial areas. Though it wasn't visible at either the surface level or from orbit, he knew the levels that stretched below the surface would've also been affected.
The nearby husk of an orbital platforms and several capital ships that had crashed onto the planet surface were visible, looking non-threatening in their stillness. However, despite first appearances, Talon knew that their stillness had been preceded by a violent impact which would have meant the death of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands. To his knowledge, he was looking at the single greatest sudden loss of life Imperial Center had seen since the Clone Wars.
Beside him, Aves let out a long whistle, "Can't say I'm sorry to 'ave missed the action."
Karrde nodded his agreement, "You were quite fortunate to have departed Imperial Center before hostilities began. Still, all things considered, the planet could be in considerably worse shape."
And it was true; despite the physical damage to Imperial Center, the increased deployment of Coruscant Guard and Coruscant Security Force personnel appeared to have successfully put down the rioting and insurrectionists and the military forces led by wouldbe usurpers to the throne and had maintained a tense peace. Civilian services were able to function without hindrance and even now, numerous massive construction droids could be seen beginning the arduous task of clearing away rubble in preparation for rebuilding.
Pointing out an incoming armored shuttle marked with the Imperial crest, Aves remarked, "Right on time, there's our ride, Boss. Let's go meet the new lord and master of the galaxy and hope the pay is worth it."
Talon gave his subordinate a withering glance and opted to adjust his cufflinks in lieu of giving voice to the scathing comment itching to escape his mouth.
#
The Imperial Palace, Imperial Center
"Mr. Karrde, please allow me to introduce Emperor Skywalker."
As a rule, Talon Karrde was a man who prided himself on his ability to remain calm, unflappable and adaptable to whatever situation that might arise. Unfortunately, those attributes failed him as he found himself rooted to the ground, eyes wide and mouth ajar as his brain furiously worked to catch up with his senses. It wasn't often that he was caught flat-footed and it seemed to be happening far too frequently in the last couple of months for his comfort.
He'd never met Luke Skywalker of course, but his face was as well-known as some holovid stars due to its presence on Imperial Wanted Lists and Rebel propaganda. The only known Jedi left in the galaxy, destroyer of the Death Star, fighting to restore the Republic now revealed to be the heir to the Sith and the Galactic Empire. The man that billions would soon be bowing to wasn't physically striking; he was rather unremarkable in fact. Devoid of the physical intimidation for which is father was known for and the menacing aura of Emperor Palpatine himself. To be fair, he supposed the black attire and clipped lightsaber by his side was consistent with his sire even if little else was.
As he continued his examination, he realized that the mouth of the aforementioned man was moving, but the words coming out of it seemed muffled, utterly nonsensical. Karrde shook himself inwardly and mentally filed the ramifications of this bewildering development for future consideration, bafflement and reason to get blisteringly intoxicated.
"–it's a pleasure to meet you, Talon Karrde, I've heard quite a bit about you and your operation."
With some amusement, Talon couldn't help but notice that Skywalker was obviously fighting the urge to offer his hand to shake. Karrde offered a sweeping bow and said, "Your Highness, thank you for your invitation to Imperial Center."
The wince following 'Your Highness' provided further evidence of the man's discomfort with his newfound position. Gesturing to his right, Skywalker introduced a familiar face wearing the uniform of an Alliance General that was embellished by a very expensive looking cape.
Shaking the man's hand and wearing a sly smile, he said, "Calrissian...it's been a long time. You've come quite far since we last spoke."
"I've managed to survive," Lando Calrissian confirmed, sounding unexpectedly humble for a man whose boisterous behavior was well-known in the circles they ran in. "Whether I'll have done well for myself remains to be seen."
Skywalker gestured to the blue-skinned male with the garb of a Grand Admiral on his other side. "This is Grand Admiral Thrawn."
Talon glanced aside at Aves with a raised eyebrow which was met with an uncertain shrug. A non-human awarded the rank of Grand Admiral? Far too many surprises for my comfort, Talon mused, meeting the unsettling gaze of the Grand Admiral and exchanging formal nods.
"And of course, you know Admiral Piett," Skywalker stated, looking to the man on the other side of the Grand Admiral.
After another round of greetings, a steward ushered them into the Palace where they would broker what Karrde hoped could be the deal of a lifetime.
#
Only a small amount of time passed before he found himself ushered into a darkened conference room. The three full-length windows occupying the western wall of the room were tinted to admit no light. An older blue and white R2 astromech unit that he recognized from a profile of Skywalker that'd been compiled provided a shocking splash of color in a room otherwise utterly devoid of it. Holding a position in the corner closest to the door, he guessed its presence was for record keeping purposes, an odd choice unless one considered the unit's age and remarkable ability to both endure and keep his human companion safe.
A holographic rendering of the galactic map was at the center of a circular table and he took his seat, stroking his goatee to hide some of the lingering anxiety. Still feeling somewhat bewildered at the turn of events, Karrde glanced at the other occupants that were posed to become some of future movers and shakers of the galaxy... With Commander Luke Skywalker of the Alliance of Free Planets, now the Emperor of Galactic Empire who had yet to be publicly acknowledged, being first among them. He resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose and instead considered the conundrum Skywalker had found himself in.
His presence as an independent party was something of an oddity, but given Skywalker's lack of faith in the Ubiqtorate and his inability to rely on Alliance Intelligence, the reliability and expansiveness of Karrde's own network had few rivals. And so he found himself acting as something of an adviser, being more aware of the status of the galaxy as a whole than any other party present.
#
"This isn't something that you can just surprise the establishment with, Luke, you're going to need to be more patient, more subtle than that," Lando informed Luke with a severe frown.
Luke resisted the urge to slouch in his chair at the rebuke and instead considered Lando's words. The more frustrating point was that the circular reasoning that was starting to intrude on their debate as to when, how and to whom Luke should reveal himself.
"For what it's worth," Piett began, with something resembling amusement laced in his otherwise bland tone, "you might consider the value in removing your name and image from the millions of 'Wanted' posters circulating the galaxy."
Lando winced. "Not to mention rescinding the bounty placed on you, and those of us who accompanied you here, from multiple entities politically unaffiliated with the Empire."
"Having been responsible for the destruction of the first Death Star, it would also be prudent to retract the Empire's previous statement concerning the Rebellion's involvement in Alderaan's obliteration," Thrawn added, his pristine white uniform, blue skin and unsettling red eyes a stark contrast with the rest of the otherwise dark room.
Luke conceded the three men's statements with an unhappy nod. "How much of the Empire's disinformation can be discredited without straining the Empire's position?"
Though Grand Admiral Thrawn's expression never wavered, Piett visibly flinched. Luke supposed that having spent so many years fighting against the Rebellion, the idea of admitting the fallacies of Imperial propaganda was hard for the admiral to swallow. Then again, many of the fallacies of Imperial propaganda were difficult for the entire galaxy to swallow.
Piett frowned and admitted, "Many of the intricacies of the Imperial Court and upper echelon were lost on me, but I do know from my own experiences with Lord Vader that Alec Pradeux was favored by Emperor Palpatine to steer the media as he desired. With his recent death, there is something of a vacuum that needs to be filled."
Luke and Lando simultaneously turned toward Karrde.
Thrawn cleared his throat, "It would require someone more recognizable and less connected to underworld elements, Your Highness. I would suggest we return to this subject after we've had some time to consider potential candidates."
Luke absentmindedly rubbed the area of his wrist that connected to his prosthetic hand and wished for the hundredth time that his father hadn't been hell-bent on giving him unwanted power and what was sure to be a lifetime of headaches. "Anything else on the subject of the media?"
After a round of head shakes, Luke decided it was time to broach the subject of the Moffs again. "Without the Imperial Senate, the Empire has relied on the Moffs, planetary governorships and its navy to maintain control of the star systems. If the Moffs, or the majority of them at least, don't support me then I doubt this attempt to restore order to the galaxy will amount to anything."
"Though we would need more information to confirm, it is possible that in Lord Vader's efforts to stamp out potential resistance, he may have also ensured that their replacements were aware that you, or at least a high-value asset with dubious loyalties, would be his heir," Karrde suggested, glancing at Piett with a raised eyebrow.
Piett looked thoughtful as nodded slowly and Luke watched as the information broker's comment took root in the admiral's mind. With a final decisive nod, he said, "Given Lord Vader's surprisingly effective and well-planned campaign on behalf of His Highness, it's possible. On the note of gathering information, Mr. Karrde, one of the most important services we seek is for you to give us the means to convince, coerce or blackmail Moffs, planetary governors and members of the Imperial Court to accept His Highness."
"Swaying the media to Luke's side may help win the Empire's subjects' acceptance, but it won't do anything to convince a group of obstinate, corrupt and self-serving politicians," Lando expounded further. "If any of these politicians are in possession of illegal goods, we need to know what they are and where. Particularly those which noteworthy banks are complicit in protecting."
"This will take time," Karrde said after a long pause, "and I can't guarantee results, but I will do what I can. And my payment?"
"A down payment," Lando replied, "with additional payment rewarded based on the number of military or political figures that can be brought to heel with the information collected."
"With expenses reimbursed, agreed," Karrde replied, "we can draw a formal contract later today."
"While we're on the subject, I believe the question of finances needs to be addressed," Grand Admiral Thrawn declared, turning to look at Talon Karrde. "While both you and General Calrissian have been valuable participants in our discussion, but I believe this is an internal matter that should be discussed while you settle on the details of the contract."
At Lando's raised eyebrow, Luke nodded. "Please, I'll look it over when you've finished."
Lando lifted two fingers to his brow and shot him a salute before Karrde followed in his wake, offering his own quiet bow and quiet 'Your Highness'.
With only the silent Noghri standing sentinel by the door, Admiral Piett and the Chiss Grand Admiral remaining, a sense of solemnity permeated the conference room's already tense atmosphere and Luke was loathe to disturb the sudden quiet.
Luke was well aware of his own lack of knowledge in the area of galactic finances and absolutely nothing in managing finances for an entity like the Empire. He'd have to trust his father's decisions and his own awareness of their emotions that they wouldn't steer him wrong, and unfortunately, the Chiss was extremely difficult to read. Reluctantly, Luke spoke slowly while he continued to gather his thoughts, "My understanding is that, in addition to my father's extensive personal holdings, we already have an established line of communication to Imperial Galactic Bank."
"That's true, Your Highness,' Piett confirmed, looking only marginally more comfortable than he at the subject. "However, that access to the bank only ensures that taxes and the normal exchange of currency takes place as expected and that a portion of the Empire's liquid assets can be withdrawn. Beyond the bank's headquarters on Imperial Center, our access to both the bank and the Empire's funds is not absolute so long as your identity as the Emperor remains secret."
Grand Admiral Thrawn nodded, red eyes never wavering as they met Luke's gaze. "In order to maintain that access, it's imperative that loyal forces immediately be dispatched to Scipio and Muunilinst. The InterGalactic Banking Clan was nationalized into the Republic during the waning days of the Clone Wars and though they're constantly monitored, their holdings represent a significant portion of the bank and they must remain under our control. That they do so, and not actively support or be coerced into supporting another rival, is critical to the survival of the Empire," the Chiss informed him.
"Are they likely to back the Alliance, or anyone else, on their own initiative?" Luke asked.
"No, Your Highness" Firmus replied immediately, shaking his head. "Regardless of recent events, the Empire is still the dominant political galactic entity and the IGBC care little about politics, only money. If there comes a point where the Alliance manages to rival the Empire in size and strength, they would simply credit both entities. Nevertheless, even if they aren't likely to support a competitor on their own initiative, it wouldn't be difficult to muscle them into submission for a limited time frame. The threat of recession, inevitable acts of reprisal, and the length that the IGBC can hold a grudge has historically made such a decision unwise."
Leia would be much better at this, Luke inwardly grumbled, just thinking 'InterGalactic Banking Clan' makes me want to go back to Tatooine and take a flying leap into a sarlacc. Surely that digestive process would be less tedious and less painful. With a sigh, Luke pointed out, "To the best of my knowledge, the loyal forces at our disposal are mostly those found in this system and I'm not comfortable dividing that force into even smaller pieces. What are our options?"
Piett cleared his throat, the Axxilan admiral looking rather pleased with himself. "Your Highness, I received word from Captain Pellaeon shortly before our meeting that he's made contact with forces belonging to the late and unlamented Admiral Zsinj. I am currently waiting on the outcome of that meeting, but I'm optimistic that many, if not most, of Crimson Command will accept the new chain of command. I expect the rest of the Quelii sector fleet to similarly fall in line quickly enough."
"I have little doubt that they will," Thrawn affirmed, "Admiral Zsinj commanded his forces with an iron fist; his loss will leave them seeking new authority. Their addition would provide you the largest of the sector fleets."
"Until they learn exactly who it is that they're serving," Luke countered. "What is our plan for that?"
"The Grand Admiral, Captain Pellaeon, and myself are currently working on a strategy to quietly transfer ranking officers to positions that would be advantageous to your rule. Individuals who have demonstrated opposition to the Tarkin Doctrine or have been suspected of harboring sympathy for the Rebellion will find themselves elevated to more important positions or commands. Likewise, loyalists to Palpatine that will undoubtedly oppose you will be shuffled off to less important duty stations where the damage they may potentially cause will be minimal," Admiral Piett replied. "As higher ranking officers are replaced, we plan to bring them into the fold and repeat the process for those under their command."
"So even if the revelation of my identity incites Imperial officers into insurrection, we'll already have an idea who and where they are and we'll be able to prevent most of the fleet-wide chaos that would likely result," Luke stated thoughtfully. "Is this what my father did before Endor?"
Piett nodded. "A similar principle, Your Highness, but his was a fairly short-term strategy designed to last long enough to get you here intact. This would be a far more expansive, long-term strategy designed to preserve the integrity and might of the Empire."
"So if that's our long-term strategy, are there any other sources that could be tapped for immediate use?" Luke asked. "Both to expand the defense fleet in this system and also to secure other assets, such as Scipio and Muunilinst?"
"I was able to contact the 1st Sector Army and was informed that Grand Admiral Teshik did not survive the Battle of Endor. Admiral Kiez has assumed command and is awaiting orders, but isn't aware of your status," Grand Admiral Thrawn answered. "His is the closest force available with any real power."
Luke considered his options and the men in front of him. "Given your superior rank and presence on Imperial Center, would Admiral Kiez take orders from you?"
Grand Admiral Thrawn was silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "Admiral Kiez is an officer of adequate competence and is neither creative nor particularly ambitious. He will respect the chain of command and, more importantly, will respect that I am currently the ranking officer in the Coruscant system."
"I'm going to need to meet the officers in charge, at the very least, of whatever force we send," Luke observed. "Though they may be willing to follow your orders now, there's a risk that they may abandon their duties when the name of the person those orders were issued on behalf of is revealed. This also means that our limited strength in this system means we'll have to do this in three waves. The first to provide additional forces to reinforce this system, and the second and third to dispatch forces to Muunilinst, Scipio and future targets."
Piett grimaced and nodded his agreement while Thrawn merely inclined his head in assent.
"Anything else while we're on the subject of finances or securing financial assets?" Luke asked. Please nothing else. Please nothing else. Please nothing else.
"There is also the matter of the Imperial currency reserve," Grand Admiral Thrawn declared.
Shavit, Luke mentally swore.
"While my position granted me access to many of the Empire's secrets, the location of the reserve was not one of them," the Grand Admiral admitted. "It represents the single largest holding of physical assets that the Empire possesses. Access to that reserve would provide us with sufficient funds to endure until the Empire has fully adapted to the change in regime."
Luke frowned, "Who would be aware of its location? I'm guessing my father isn't someone who would have been aware of its location."
"He'd be aware of it's existence, but not of its location. For all of Lord Vader's power, the day-to-day activities of the Empire held little interest to him," Piett agreed, his face neutral but tone suggesting fervent agreement to his father's attitude. "There might be one or two members among the Imperial Ruling Council that know. Three of Emperor Palpatine's most favored members accompanied him to Endor; Sim Aloo, Kren Blista-Vanee, and Janus Greejatus were all killed when the Death Star was destroyed. If they did know the location, it's possible they left information about its whereabouts."
"Ranking members of the Ubiqtorate may also be party to that information, however attempting to identify and pursue those members would likely prove to be a wasteful expenditure of resources and time," Thrawn mused. "As a leading member of COMPNOR, founding member of the ISB and adviser to Emperor Palpatine, Lord Crueya Vandron may also be in possession of that information. Unfortunately, he also occupies a position that we are unlikely to overcome without significant losses and a breach of trust for the entire Senex sector."
"Perhaps this is an opportunity for Maarek Stele to prove himself to you," Piett suggested. "If acquiring this information requires subtlety, a Hand of the new Emperor will be able to best accomplish the task."
Though the idea that anyone had anything to prove themselves to Luke was disconcerting, the practicality of the solution was irrefutable. Although... "He won't be serving as a Hand of the Emperor; that is a title whose legacy I'm unwilling to perpetuate. Semantics aside, I believe you're right about him being the best option."
Thrawn gestured to one of the Noghri who'd accompanied him from the Admonitor. "As a precaution, I will send my personal bodyguard, Rukh, to accompany him. They've worked together in the past and should be able to accomplish their task without attracting unwanted attention to the situation in this system."
"Very well, I'll speak with Maarek about it after our sparring session tomorrow. In the meantime, why don't we take a break before reconvening later tonight," Luke suggested.
#
That night
The sky looked as though it were aflame as Coruscant Prime began to set over the horizon. The breathtaking wash of orange, red and purple hues of the sunset cast a striking contrast with the dark place he was currently occupying. Luke let out a breath, clasped his hands behind his back and closed his eyes. Reaching out, he cast his senses out and was immediately bombarded with the foulness that permeated the Palace. He immediately found the familiar presence of Lando, the shrouded mind of the Grand Admiral, the quieter minds of the Noghri, and the countless staff and guards. Extending his senses further, he was met by the sorrow, anger and confusion of the populace in the surrounding area. He felt Maarek Stele's presence, neither dark nor light, somewhere on the planet surface but did nothing to pinpoint the former Hand's position.
All things considered, what Luke felt in the Force was better than he'd hoped; he sensed no impending danger, no calamity that was about to befall him or those he cared about, but also a quietness that hinted at greater danger in the future. He heard the door to the conference room open as though it were far away and frowned, wishing he'd given himself more time to meditate on the dangers that the future might hold. Luke gathered himself and turned to see the Lando Calrissian and Talon Karrde casually stride into the room with their usual confidence. Glancing back at the window to watch the sun finally dip below the horizon, he had the window shaded before taking his seat to wait for the others.
#
Looking across the obsidian table at the Emperor, Karrde stroked his goatee in thought. Slowly, he ventured, "I did recently come across some information that may assist in holding onto one of the more significant Outer Rim Territories. While I agree with General Calrissian that the Core, Colonies, and Inner Rim should be your focus as far as consolidating the Empire is concerned, Mandalore is significant, historically and culturally, holds a prominent position in the galactic map, and provides manufacturing strength."
"Mandalore is a member planet of the Alliance of Free Planets," Luke pointed out.
"It would not violate the terms of our agreement with the Alliance to win them back through non-violent methods," Piett replied, "and the planet is valuable for a number of reasons."
With a face that was the very picture of skepticism, Lando countered, "Yeah, but I can't imagine that many Mandalorians would ever be willing to be brought back into the fold after the Great Purge."
"Historically, Mandalore has had a contentious relationship with both the Republic, the Empire, the Jedi and the Sith. Despite recent events, the Mandalorian clans are unlikely to be coaxed into becoming a united loyal faction to any group that fails to court them on their terms," Grand Admiral Thrawn replied matter-of-factly. "They are now few in numbers, spread across the galaxy and without the security of a permanent home. It is possible, though unlikely, that their relationship with the Empire could be salvaged. Still, I see little advantage in spending time and resources to attract them when there is little they can offer that we do not already possess."
Karrde held a finger up to forestall further comments from the Chiss. "Ah, but you see, I recently received information that indicates one of the ISB officers present during the Purge came into possession of a rare Mandalorian artifact that is of much import to their culture. It is possible that the return of this artifact and making a new source of beskar iron available–"
"We can't just give the beskar steel that the Empire confiscated. It is a valuable resource, one used–" Piett interjected.
"Valuable to the Empire," Karrde agreed, interrupting the Admiral, "but not priceless as it is to the Mandalorians, for both their culture and their infrastructure, but returning the beskar that was...appropriated by the Empire was not what I meant."
Speaking for the first time since the subject of Mandalore was brought up, Luke spoke hesitantly, "I'm aware that there was an active Rebel cell on Mandalore and that the Empire's response to its presence was the Great Purge, but I'm unsure of how damaging it was to the planet, to its infrastructure and to its people."
"In point of fact, the presence of the Rebel cell, as persistent and aggressive as it was, wasn't solely responsible for the Purge. The breakdown in negotiations between Mandalore and the Empire for beskar mining rights were also a primary reason for the show of force," Thrawn answered.
"Because why negotiate when you can just take it," Lando scowled.
"Just so. The damage to the planet was fairly minimal aside with the exception of catastrophic damage being inflicted on the population centers and their surrounding area. Those cities were scoured from the planet surface after a task fleet of Star Destroyers initiated a prolonged heavy orbital bombardment," Piett answered. "There may have also been slight damage to the environment, and to Concordia in particular, due to the subsequent heavy exploitation of the beskar mines."
"Which leads me to my original point of providing a source of beskar to them," Karrde replied, tapping his finger on the table to emphasis his point. "The veins stripped by the Empire were fairly shallow and it's very possible that deeper veins with even more beskar ore exist. Providing access to the ore would help Mandalore rebuild which would in turn give the Empire access to beskar steel of a strength and lightness that the Empire has been unable to duplicate without the secrets of the Mandalorian smiths."
Lando nodded, "If such a vein could be found and made accessible, it would make a statement proving the Empire's willingness to make amends and ability to agree to pursue avenues that are beneficial to more than just the Empire. However, the damage to the infrastructure is more worrisome. The Empire left MandalMotors intact in order to make use of their shipbuilding and manufacturing power, but after Keldabe, Sundari and the other cities were wiped out, what was left of the populace was handled by the Imperial Army and its standard operating procedure of extermination or servitude."
Grand Admiral Thrawn gave no visible reaction to Lando's statement, but Piett visibly winced at the blunt assertion.
"All Mandalorian clans follow a code. You destroyed, or are responsible for destroying, those responsible for the Purge," Karrde replied resolutely, looking at Luke. "If the Empire assists in reconstruction, provides access to beskar without conditions and returns the stolen artifact, there's a chance that at least some of the remaining clans spread across the galaxy will be satisfied. If you win them, you'll win the sector, an access point to the Hydian Way and close proximity to the Perlemian Trade Route."
"That's a big 'if'," Lando observed skeptically.
"True," Karrde acknowledged, "However even if Mandalore fails to fall in line, these actions will be seen favorably by systems already less predisposed to favor the Empire."
Luke turned to Piett with a raised eyebrow.
Letting out a near inaudible sigh, Firmus Piett replied to the unasked question. "I'll order several survey teams to Mandalore to search for beskar ore veins and evaluate the surface for reconstruction. Given our questionable status in the eyes of other Imperial units, it may be more difficult for me to locate the ISB officers present at the time."
Karrde raised a finger, "I have contacts in the Rim that may allow me to accomplish that task quickly."
With an encouraging nod, Luke said, "Good, then let's move on."
Fifty-three days after BoE
Imperial Palace, Imperial Center
"General Calrissian?"
Lando looked up from Tycho Celchu's report and saw Admiral Piett hovering at the entrance to his temporary office with a datapad in hand. "Admiral, come on in. How can I help you?"
Piett nodded his thanks before striding in with his usual Imperial-induced stiffness and setting, the datapad onto the desk surface. "Karrde sent me this; he was unusually generous in that he passed this along without a price tag. As the previous administrator of Cloud City, I thought you'd be interested."
Eyes wide, Lando gracelessly snatched the datapad and read the brief message before letting out a low whistle. "Thistleborn's dead?"
"Yes, and by his own order, the majority of his forces departed the system leaving the Bespin system garrisoned by a skeleton force. A force that has already been overwhelmed by an insurrection of the Ugnaught population and former security personnel that were under your command. I believe you can safely reclaim the city, if that is what you desire," Piett informed him.
"I'll send a message to Lobot with instructions," Lando muttered to himself before addressing Piett directly, "my place is here for the time being. I don't know anything about the Grand Moff; was he a major obstacle to Luke?"
The Imperial admiral hesitated before shaking his head. "I never met Grand Moff Thistleborn in person, but I never heard anything overly critical of the man. His removal has little significance other than the elimination of another potential rival and freeing the system for the Alliance to take over. What's more significant about the message is the destination of Thistleborn's escaping forces; that we'll have to discuss with His Highness."
Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed this much delayed chapter and, once more, please let me know if you spot any inconsistencies with previous chapters. While I was writing this chapter, it occurred to me that I have no idea how to write Syal Antilles, so I apologize if her brief appearance wasn't up to snuff. Unfortunately one thing I really wish The Mandalorian supplied was more information about where events were taking place. Right now, we're pretty much limited to planet names and knowing that it's likely in the Outer Rim.
I kept debating with myself on whether to start delving into the finances and politics of Luke's new regime, but ultimately I felt like it was something that at least needed to be touched upon. I don't currently have plans to dive any deeper into all, but Luke simply 'walking' into the capital and declaring himself boss doesn't always make it so. Especially when surrounded by the political elite of the Empire. So, I'm trying to include it without getting mired in it.
/Rant/ - Mandalorian Spoilers ahead
Let's talk about the wonder of the Force.
In the OT, the Force was something mysterious, a power that wasn't quantifiable, likened to sorcery by men old enough to have remembered the Jedi. In ANH, Admiral Motti says, "Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you."
I loved the idea of wizards in space and the final episode of The Mandalorian season 1 gave us a scene where The Armorer refers to the Jedi as an Order of enemy sorcerers. It tickled me in my happy spot, to be sure. One reason I liked The Rise of Skywalker was because it did feel like it was bringing the Force back into the realm of Sith alchemy and sorcery and mystery. Looking back, the scene that first really established that feeling of wonder was Yoda lifting the X-Wing in ESB (aided by the music of John Williams). I can't think of any scene in any of the following movies that even remotely approached that feeling. Nowadays, it's more "How did he do that? That's not a real ability! You have to have at least 10,000 midichlorians to do that! or Omg, that's OP!" where there's less faith in the character and the Force and more reliance on what they know the "standard" of the Force to be.
It's my belief that the prequel trilogy shifted our perception of the Force from being something rare and enshrouded in mystery to something relatively common and unremarkable. Given that the trilogy took place when the Jedi were at their most numerous and powerful, it wasn't unexpected. There was a scene in Attack of the Clones where there is a classroom full of children, armed with practice lightsabers and practicing against training remotes and at the time, I didn't think anything of it. But in contrast to that image of groups of children learning how to use a lightsaber, it really took away from the type of training and journey of self-discovery that Luke went through. This isn't something that I felt was done wrong or that it was something that George Lucas screwed up (ahem, unlike Midichlorians wtf?), it was something that I and many others were looking forward to and were satisfied by.
I'm not sure that it could have been avoided, but I think an unintended consequence of taking some of the wonder away from the Force was that we grew more critical and skeptical, about the Jedi, Sith, the Force, and how it can be used or manifest. In some ways, it feels like we're treating characters as if they were video game characters and they need to gain five more levels in order to use Force Shield. My takeaway from the OT was that as long as you had that rare connection to the Force, you were as capable as your will and focus. I think that's a reason I can accept "Baby Yoda" so easily; it's already been established that children can unintentionally use the Force. Without being hampered by the self-doubt and lack of belief that an adult would be, I can accept that he's capable of some of the impressive things he's done.
For example: Why would "Baby Yoda" care if the Mudhorn is too big? It's a threat to him and his caretaker and needs to be stopped, nothing any more complicated than that. On the other hand, pre-ESB Luke might have failed before he even made the attempt because its size was a factor to him.
Anyhow, tl;dr point is this: I think the PT spoiled us. They gave us too many epic Jedi to fawn over, too many epic lightsaber duels to admire, and took away from the mystery of the Force. The Jedi Order was amazing to see in action, the lightsaber duels were best in the entire Skywalker saga, but it gave us a new standard further supported by video games, tv shows, books, and comics that made it more difficult to accept the Force as something more nebulous and not always consistent.
Things that bother me in Fanfiction: Sad characters being sad all the time. Characters should not be prone to frequent sobbing fits, a crying jag once in a while, sure, but god it irritates me when characters just absolutely break down on a regular basis throughout a story. If you're trying to add dimension to the characters, making them cry repeatedly doesn't give them hidden depths, it makes them look emotionally stunted or just plain fragile.
I've also declared myself staunchly opposed to any Modern AU adaptation of sci-fi/fantasy universes. Blegh.
I fucking hate Y/N stories featuring the reader as the main character; they just aren't readable to me. I'm here to imagine my favorite fictional characters doing amazing/ridiculous things, not pretending my millennial ass is at all capable of doing the same.
Things that bother me in Star Wars Fanfiction: The Emperor's identity being secret. What the actual fuck? I see this one happen all the time in Star Wars fics, especially those involving time travel. Basically, nobody in the galaxy is able to figure out that Emperor Palpatine was once actually Chancellor Palpatine. Like it's a whole fucking coincidence that the leader of a galactic government and its immediate successor have the same name, when that same person actually announced the creation of the Empire to the Senate and the rest of the galaxy. It's not as if the Emperor has suddenly changed his last name either, so these stories where Luke and the gang go to the past and can't figure out that Chancellor Palpatine was...Emperor Palpatine are just ridiculous.
Second thing: Sith/darksider yellow eyes. This physical trait is used way too much as a way of linking someone's mood to dabbling in the dark side. Example: Leia/Luke gets annoyed by some person, gets a little Force-chokey with them and their eyes "flash a sickly yellow." Using or touching the dark side doesn't make your eyes go insta-yellow, it takes deep, deep immersion. In some ways, I'd consider it the darksider equivalent of Jedi finding oneness in the Force (where they start glowing all pretty-like), albeit it's a point much less difficult for a darksider to reach. Stop with the flashing yellow eyes, they are not a fucking mood ring!
Next rant: Superweapons!