"I feel faced with the need to increase our ranks." His Master had said. "Increase
our ranks. Great." Palpatine had been his master for twenty-eight years. The man had
long since reached an age where most would have retired. But no, he was looking to
convert someone who absolutely hated him into a loyal servant. Well, if easy wasn't for
Jedi, it certainly wasn't for Sith.
Needless to say, Lord Vader was not looking forward to his upcoming meeting on
Kessel. They had known of Leia's Force capabilities since Luke had turned, but had
deemed them too weak for a Sith. For whatever reason, Palpatine had decided to train
her and had commanded her appearance on Coruscant. Luke and Mara had been sent on
an assignment in Wild Space, so the task had fallen to Vader.
The Imperial garrison on Kessel had scrambled to lock down the prisoners and
file the ranks of stormtroopers when they had heard of the arrival of Lord Vader.
The warden tried to appear nonchalant but his voice betrayed him as all he attempted to
say came out in stammers. Kassar Forge stood beside him. The head of the rehabilitation
program knew all of the prisoners and tried to encourage them to become fit members of
society when individual sentences were up. He couldn't do much for the political
prisoners, but sometimes a sympathetic ear was better than nothing.
Vader stalked up the rows of guards, looking extremely imposing. He noticed the
aging man standing quietly beside the bumbling idiot of a warden. "Forge," Lord Vader
addressed him. "I want you to tell me all you know of the prisoner Leia Organa."
"Yes, sir. Princess Leia married another prisoner that arrived with her. I believe
his name is Solo? They recently had children."
"Children?" Well this was indeed a new development. He would have to contact
his master after a short interview with the princess. On second thought, given Palpatine's
growing tempers, perhaps it would be better if he contacted the Emperor now. "I expect
you to have her ready for an interrogation when I return." His voice left dread in the
heart of the warden.
"Yes, sir. I will not fail you."
"I hope so warden. For your sake." The Sith Lord turned and stalked back into
the shuttle. When it had lifted off everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. Time to
get to work.
Once on his immense vessel, the Executor, Vader moved toward the
communications center. A fleet admiral was waiting for him when he arrived.
"Lord Vader," the man executed a short military bow. "We have received word
from the Emperor. He wishes to speak with you."
"Will the Maw interfere with our transmissions?"
"No milord."
"Good." Vader brushed by the man and into the chamber. Kneeling within the
circle and bowing his head, Vader asked, "What is thy bidding, my Master?"
"How goes your mission with the rebel?" The rasp emanating from the huge
holographic visage was expectant and commanding.
"I have not met with her yet, Master. I found out that our records were
incomplete and she has married and borne children."
"What? Children? I was not aware I allowed any of my prisoners license to
marry. Execute the warden at once! Appoint one of your most loyal and competent
officers to the post. Tell him to update all records immediately! Do you believe that
these brats could be strong in the Force?"
"I suppose it is possible. If they are, how would you like me to proceed?"
"It is a hard life in the mines. Their upbringing will not be full of sweetness and
light." At this the Emperor smiled. "We shall wait until they are of an age suitable for
training. Perhaps, their uncle could help you prepare them to enter my training regimen.
Don't meet with them yet. I know that the rebels will try to instill a hatred of me in them.
If they know we are interested and have not forgotten them, those efforts may redouble.
In any case, I have a special assignment for you. The base I have in the Maw has
been working on a very special project for me. Unfortunately, I have not heard from
them since Endor. Tarkin, before his death, placed the installation under the eye of his
mistress, Admiral Dalaa. She has four star destroyers under her command. I wish you to
drop by and check on their progress. Inform her that the Gorgon and its guard are to
remain there to protect the installation. You may leave them extra supplies and materials
if the troops and their commander turn out to be loyal to me. If not, I'll understand any
reassignments you'll have to make. Make sure they know that the scientists are under
Imperial rule, and not to be left to their own devices. When you are finished, return to
Coruscant. We have many things to discuss." The image faded from the air.
Vader left to fulfill his master's bidding.
```````
Okay, what did you think? In the next chapter, I will show you what Luke and
Mara are up to. So you know, Forge and the whole prisoner re-indoctrination program is
Stackpole's idea. If you want details, read Wedge's Gamble (2nd book in the X-wing
series). I would like more reviews, I'm sorry it took me so long to come up with this. If
you have any suggestions, please e-mail me.
our ranks. Great." Palpatine had been his master for twenty-eight years. The man had
long since reached an age where most would have retired. But no, he was looking to
convert someone who absolutely hated him into a loyal servant. Well, if easy wasn't for
Jedi, it certainly wasn't for Sith.
Needless to say, Lord Vader was not looking forward to his upcoming meeting on
Kessel. They had known of Leia's Force capabilities since Luke had turned, but had
deemed them too weak for a Sith. For whatever reason, Palpatine had decided to train
her and had commanded her appearance on Coruscant. Luke and Mara had been sent on
an assignment in Wild Space, so the task had fallen to Vader.
The Imperial garrison on Kessel had scrambled to lock down the prisoners and
file the ranks of stormtroopers when they had heard of the arrival of Lord Vader.
The warden tried to appear nonchalant but his voice betrayed him as all he attempted to
say came out in stammers. Kassar Forge stood beside him. The head of the rehabilitation
program knew all of the prisoners and tried to encourage them to become fit members of
society when individual sentences were up. He couldn't do much for the political
prisoners, but sometimes a sympathetic ear was better than nothing.
Vader stalked up the rows of guards, looking extremely imposing. He noticed the
aging man standing quietly beside the bumbling idiot of a warden. "Forge," Lord Vader
addressed him. "I want you to tell me all you know of the prisoner Leia Organa."
"Yes, sir. Princess Leia married another prisoner that arrived with her. I believe
his name is Solo? They recently had children."
"Children?" Well this was indeed a new development. He would have to contact
his master after a short interview with the princess. On second thought, given Palpatine's
growing tempers, perhaps it would be better if he contacted the Emperor now. "I expect
you to have her ready for an interrogation when I return." His voice left dread in the
heart of the warden.
"Yes, sir. I will not fail you."
"I hope so warden. For your sake." The Sith Lord turned and stalked back into
the shuttle. When it had lifted off everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. Time to
get to work.
Once on his immense vessel, the Executor, Vader moved toward the
communications center. A fleet admiral was waiting for him when he arrived.
"Lord Vader," the man executed a short military bow. "We have received word
from the Emperor. He wishes to speak with you."
"Will the Maw interfere with our transmissions?"
"No milord."
"Good." Vader brushed by the man and into the chamber. Kneeling within the
circle and bowing his head, Vader asked, "What is thy bidding, my Master?"
"How goes your mission with the rebel?" The rasp emanating from the huge
holographic visage was expectant and commanding.
"I have not met with her yet, Master. I found out that our records were
incomplete and she has married and borne children."
"What? Children? I was not aware I allowed any of my prisoners license to
marry. Execute the warden at once! Appoint one of your most loyal and competent
officers to the post. Tell him to update all records immediately! Do you believe that
these brats could be strong in the Force?"
"I suppose it is possible. If they are, how would you like me to proceed?"
"It is a hard life in the mines. Their upbringing will not be full of sweetness and
light." At this the Emperor smiled. "We shall wait until they are of an age suitable for
training. Perhaps, their uncle could help you prepare them to enter my training regimen.
Don't meet with them yet. I know that the rebels will try to instill a hatred of me in them.
If they know we are interested and have not forgotten them, those efforts may redouble.
In any case, I have a special assignment for you. The base I have in the Maw has
been working on a very special project for me. Unfortunately, I have not heard from
them since Endor. Tarkin, before his death, placed the installation under the eye of his
mistress, Admiral Dalaa. She has four star destroyers under her command. I wish you to
drop by and check on their progress. Inform her that the Gorgon and its guard are to
remain there to protect the installation. You may leave them extra supplies and materials
if the troops and their commander turn out to be loyal to me. If not, I'll understand any
reassignments you'll have to make. Make sure they know that the scientists are under
Imperial rule, and not to be left to their own devices. When you are finished, return to
Coruscant. We have many things to discuss." The image faded from the air.
Vader left to fulfill his master's bidding.
```````
Okay, what did you think? In the next chapter, I will show you what Luke and
Mara are up to. So you know, Forge and the whole prisoner re-indoctrination program is
Stackpole's idea. If you want details, read Wedge's Gamble (2nd book in the X-wing
series). I would like more reviews, I'm sorry it took me so long to come up with this. If
you have any suggestions, please e-mail me.