Hi there, I just want to let you know that I reply to your reviews in the form of an review myself.
I hope I haven't lost readers cause they thought that I don't react to their reviews.

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"You mean apart from having the Emperor extremely angry with me and being electrocuted? 
For losing the Death Star and about one million men, plus letting those responsible for 
the station's destruction escape," Vad replied, the very picture of seriouslness. 

"Yes, apart from that. You've surely managed to overcome that by now. At least you are 
standing in front of me. And to me you seem to be alive enough," Jix mocked one of the 
most feared men in the Galaxy. 

"Jix, sometimes I really wonder why I put up with you at all." the Dark Lord sounded 
almost resigned to such a fate. Perhaps it was because he was still weary. 

"Because you need me and I'm the best," the Corellian offered with a lopsided grin. 

"You are far too over-confident in yourself and your value to me for your own good, 
as ever," Vader growled, attempting to make his agent less sure. It didn't work; 
the other man's grin became even brighter. 

"Enough. Let us come to business, Jix," Lord Vader's voice boomed through the large office. 
"Well, shoot. I'm all ears." Jix took the seat in front of the black, over-sized desk. 

Surprisingly even for Jix, who had gotten to know the Dark Lord in a more relaxed way 
than most beings dared to guess, Vader took the comfortable looking, leather-seat behind 
that desk for himself. He seldom sat when others were around. 

"You are to find the identity of a X-Wing pilot for me, without letting anyone, imperial 
or otherwise, getting that information or even a hint of what errant you are on. Have I 
made myself clear enough for you," Lord Vader instructed, sarcasm and sincerity warring 
for dominance in his tone. 

"Behind the Emperor's back? Why? Aren't you in enough trouble with the old man," Jix 
wanted to know. Unconsciously he leaned forward in his seat. One could almost see him 
pointing his ears towards his employer. 

"What exactly happened out there after Alderaan was blasted into oblivion?" His next 
question in a suspicious tone. The Sith Lord didn't seemed to be willing to answer at all. 
"By the way; it seemed everyone is quite upset about it. This will strengthen the 
Rebellion, not weaken it," Jix added, trying to get a reaction. 

"Anyone with any sense could have said that," the strange noise the respirator made, 
sounded almost like a sigh. "It was not my idea in the first place. It was solely Tarkin's 
endeavor and I objected against it in private," Vader went on. 
"As I did about the whole project." 

Wow, what a long statement, Jix thought to himself. 
This was again not normal for Vader's behavior. 

"I guess that made His Highnessness all the more angry at you, didn't it," he ask provocatively. 
"You really should be more careful," he managed to add. 
"The old man may look really into his years, but he can still obviously pack quite a power punch."