Disclaimer: I'm lifting some dialogues directly from the novel Lost Stars-that has the strange honor of showing the one moment in current Canon where Tarkin is, without a doubt, not just a good guy but the hero of the day (that, and that he's good with children). And this is this universe' version of that day.
by lord Martiya

Year 9 of the Empire: Tarkin deals with children

Jelucan had been an interesting addition to the Empire. While a member of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, their main contribution being paying and crewing the Bulwark mark II destroyer Valentia that made galactic news when the Imperator's turbolasers quickly penetrated both the shields and the infamously thick armor live on the Holonet plus its complement of R-41s (caught with their pants down by the first ISD's complement of brand-new V-Wings at their operational debut), they had never been a member of the Republic, hence the Empire taking so long to park a Star Destroyer in orbit and "ask" them to join. Also, for about a century and half they had been divided in two factions depending on when they arrived on the planet, the First Wavers descending from exiles who had maintained allegiance to their original homeworld's deposed king and living humble lives, and the Second Wavers, humans and aliens who arrived to establish mining operations and used the profits to elevate themselves as a ruling class. Both factions had welcomed the Empire, the Second Wavers because they expected access to new markets, and the First Wavers because they correctly expected the new overlords would make the factions meaningless and equalize everyone's chances for success and riches.

Normally Wilhuff Tarkin, the Grand Moff of the Outer Rim, wouldn't have presided personally over the annexation of a new world, except it was in a rather advantageous position near Jaemus and Sienar Fleet Systems's newest subsidiary Galentro Heavy Works, and it would better ram in the locals' heads that they should play ball, both as an Imperial officer and as a Rebel who knew Raith Sienar's true allegiance. Thus he took the Executrix and a few other Star Destroyers to show the flag and made his speech in front of the locals, and was going back to his shuttle in the new Imperial base to refresh himself for the party with the authorities when the Stormtroopers approached him.

"Sir, as by your instructions we let some kids sneak in to look at the shuttles. A First Waver girl, a Second Waver boy, and a small group of Second Waver boys, all near your ship." the sergeant informed him.

"Thanks for the information." Tarkin replied. It wasn't exactly standard procedure, but kids would be kids, and as long as they behaved he saw no purpose in tormenting them. "I suppose I can wait for a few minutes."

"As you say, sir." the Stormtrooper confirmed. Then he looked distracted for a moment, and said: "Sir, the Second Waver group has spotted the girl and are approaching with hostile intentions."

Tarkin sighed for a moment before taking his honor guard to put some fear of the Force in some bullies. But when he arrived he saw that both the girl and the Second Waver solo kid were fighting against the group, and fighting quite hard at that-he could spot two broken noses, and a third kid looked like he had broken ribs. Still, they would soon lose against superior numbers, two against six, and older to boot. Noting that lieutenant Piett (who had been detached with the Navy Trooper guards and was clearly not amused at the kids giving him more unnecessary work), the Executrix' captain, and some standard Stormtroopers had arrived too, Tarkin announced his presence: "What is going on here?"

Hearing his voice the kids stopped fighting, the two young ones showing surprise and the older ones almost pissing in their pants. A glare sent them running-right where Piett's men were waiting for them. Satisfied that the bullies would meet their justice in the form of some humorless guards and whatever the lieutenant had thought for them he approached the other two, reiterating his demand for explanations.

"It's my fault." the girl said as she stepped forward. "The other boys were going to beat me up, and he tried to stop them."

Tarkin allowed himself to show some amusement, and turned to the boy: "Very silly of you. To fling yourself into a fight you would have lost? Never go against superior forces, lad. It never ends well."

"It did today, because of you." the boy had the gall to reply, making Tarkin chuckle.

"You realized an even stronger force would be along shortly, then? Excellent strategic thinking. Well done, my boy."

"I wasn't supposed to be in the hangar." the girl interjected, not having realized they were now off the hook. "I broke a rule. But I didn't mean to do anything dishonorable. I only wanted to see the ships."

"Of course you did." the Grand Moff said, conciliatory, as he subtly gestured to Piett to not arrest her. "That tells me you're curious about the galaxy beyond Jelucan. And you two stayed when the other children ran. That tells me you're brave. Now I want to see if you're intelligent. What kind of ship do we have here?"

"A Lambda-class shuttle!" the two children chorused, before looking at each other and slowly breaking into smiles.

"Very good." he said, holding a hand toward his shuttle and preparing to teach Piett a lesson on how to deal with children. "Would you like to look inside?"

And so he gave a tour of his shuttle to the two children-Thane Kyrell the boy (whose last name was vaguely familiar) and Ciena Ree the girl, also enticing them into joining the Imperial Navy and becoming friends. Still, time was running short and he had to ask them to leave.

"One last question, Ciena." he said before letting them go. "If I recall correctly, the Valley Kindred" it was better using their preferred name rather than risk insulting the girl "hold loyalty in very high regard. But what if the loyalty is given to a liar who isn't as they say they are?"

"It would be null, then." she replied.

Tarkin didn't show it but appreciated the answer-if he was right about them then these two children would join the Navy, and he'd much prefer not killing such promising young people.

notes

This isn't the last encounter between Tarkin and these two kids. It wasn't in Lost Stars, and it won't be here-thought they'll already have graduated from the Royal Imperial Academy on Coruscant by the time they meet again.