A/N: REVIEW!
The officer, cursing his bad luck, once again knelt before his Emperor's throne. In the window behind-actually in front, his Majesty had not bothered to face the man-Palpatine, he could just barely make out the edges of the window that contained a spectacular view of the cityscape of Coruscant.
"Yes?" The Emperor began.
"Your Majesty, the man in Cody's custody has finally broken."
"Excellent. And?"
"He says that he was purchasing a datacard containing classified information regarding the shipyards at Fondor."
"Indeed? And who was he making this purchase for?"
"He claims to be working for Trom Cadla, a smuggler whom we've connected to the rebels in the past."
"Most distressing."
"I agree, your Majesty."
"Thank you for your report. Now leave me."
"Yes, your Majesty."
When the officer was gone, Palpatine pressed a button on the armrest of his throne.
On the bridge of the Star Destroyer Devastator, a junior officer manning the communications console noticed a blinking light start flashing.
"Captain Vevel."
"Yes, lieutenant?"
"The Emperor wishes to speak to Lord Vader."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. I shall inform him."
Wishing that he could send a junior officer in his place, the man pivoted around and made his way along the catwalk to the back of the bridge. From there he made the few steps that it took to reach Vader's private chambers. He pressed the buzzer and got an immediate response.
"Enter."
Barely managing not to tremble, Vevel opened the door and stepped inside. Hewould have preferred to simply inform Vader through the intercom, but the Sith Lord preferred to hold his meetings in person.
The most feared man in the galaxy-and even more feared onboard the Star Destroyer-Vevel had gained his rank from the death of the previous captain-sat, his back to Vevel in his private meditation chamber. Through the cracks that were present when it was open, Vevel could just barely see the back of Vader's helmet.
The chamber slowly turned around. Vevel stood perfectly still, his back straight with his hands clasped behind him.
The chamber completed its rotation.
A man, if he could still be called that, dressed all in black, with a helmet Vevel could have sworn had been crafted to look intimidating sat before him.
Vevel had no clue why Vader wore the suit, but he had heard rumors when he was a cadet that it was because he had sustained a major injury at the hands on the Jedi traitors.
Which made him all the more admirable. And no less fearsome.
"What is it, Captain Vevel?"
Trying with all his might to keep his voice steady, Vevel spoke.
"My Lord, the Emperor wishes to speak to you at once."
"Very well. I shall abide by his wishes. You may leave."
"Yes, my Lord."
He had survived another meeting with the Dark Lord of the Sith. Strange that 30 seconds could go by so slowly.
Once he was gone, Vader turned the chamber around again. He stood walked over to his personal holocom, and pressed the red button located on the rim. He then knelt down to wait.
He waited for perhaps 5 minutes. It was the Emperor's way of making sure that he knew his place.
The hologram flickered to life, revealing a giant blowup of his master's head.
"What is thy bidding, my Master?" he asked.
"Lord Vader. I have just received word that the rebels may plan to attack Fondor."
"Impossible, my Master. The defenses there are far greater tha-"
"The rebels are not fools, my apprentice. If they plan to attack Fondor, then they must have acquired the firepower necessary to destroy those defenses. Besides, I have foreseen it."
"What is thy bidding?"
"Take your squadron to Fondor to reinforce the defenses there. Crush the rebel terrorists once and for all."
"It shall be done, my Master."
The hologram flickered into nothingness. Vader rose and sat back down in his chair. He turned it to the flatscreen projector on the wall.
It flickered to life, revealing Captain Vevel observing one of the junior officers at his console.
He turned, hearing the buzzing that indicated that Vader wished to speak with him. "Yes, Lord Vader?"
"Move the squadron to Fondor immediately. And contact the garrison there. Order them to increase their alert status."
"Yes, Lord Vader."
Vader terminated the transmission.