I have I feeling this may be a long, boring chapter, well not so much of a feeling as it is the plot, thus the chapter's title Briefings, what could be more boring than that? Well nothing of course, but you still must read it for it has the crucial plan of taking Coruscant and whatnot in it.
Chapter 16: Briefings
Vader walked up the same three gray and dull steps to the bridge of the Executor on usual business, well not really, and unusual partners. Qui-gon, Yoda, and Padmé strode behind him and it was all Yoda could do to keep up with his long strides. The Force can only do so much. Padmé was lagging for a different reason, she kept looking down and rubbing her stomach, still not daring to believe there was life inside her. She never thought she would be a mother, least of all to Vader's child. Though Qui-gon had called him Anakin. It didn't matter though, Anakin had reached Piett and was about to talk.
When Piett turned to face Vader he nearly pointed at the two Jedi behind him and cried out but he had self restraint and he merely said. "Lord Vader, aren't those the two Jedi you were hunting?"
"Yes, and they have convinced me of something."
"Of what?"
Vader pondered for a moment weather or not to tell Piett he was a father. But nobody could be trusted with that information, it was to risky and he had many enemies and would have many more once the Empire was overthrown. He would lie.
"The Emperor is a traitor, this Empire was just for him to gain ultimate power and kill everyone. Its time we stood up to him, call a meeting of all the captains of our fleet in the briefing room immediately. Inform them these Jedi are helping us."
"As you wish milord."
XxX
Vader paced the perimeter of the table in the briefing room seven full times before the captains entered. Qui-gon and Yoda watched him amused but Padmé seemed to concentrate only on the fact she was pregnant and was very distance. Once everyone was all seated Vader took his chair next to Padmé. He looked around at the captains. All were there except for the deceased Needa, even Xen was here draped in her cloak and wearing leather on the flesh part of her body. Her naturally purple eyes shown like gems beneath the hood. Everyone was looking to Vader.
"We have something to discuss." Vader said. "Today I have realized we can no longer answer to the Emperor, we have to overthrow him and take Coruscant, forge it into a new Republic. All those in favor of this idea may live and serve the New Republic when the time comes, all those that are opposed speak now and die where you sit."
And Vader had a strong feeling of who would oppose. And as he though General Veers stood up.
"I must protest Lord Vader!" He said.
"Very well then, I warned you."
Before Veers could protest Vader ignited he saber and hurled it across the table. Using the Force he made it slice Veer's head off, the general's body slumped and fell on the table. Those sitting around it looked uncomfortable but Xen looked highly amused.
"And that is what will happen to those loyal to Sidious's evil." Vader said. "Are there any plausible suggestions on how we take Coruscant then?"
"What about the Death Star?" Piett asked. "It is unprotected and not operational, the reactor is exposed, but in time it will become a great threat. I think we should take care of it first."
"Yes." Qui-gon said thoughtfully, all heads snapped towards his direction. "If we take it out there will be not immanent danger to the new Republic."
"How do you even know about it, rebel?" Xen asked.
"It was never a secret from us." Qui-gon said. Xen glared at him the tension between them was so thick it felt like the room was getting hotter. "And we'll leave it at that."
"But what happens after the Death Star?" A captain asked.
"There is a fleet," Vader began. "Of four star destroyers in the middle of the black hole cluster by Kessel. They are protecting a group of Imperial scientists there on an island asteroid, its called the Maw Installation and they have a prototype Death Star there. The Admiral of the fleet Daala is extremely loyal to Tarkin and the Emperor. The prototype is fully functional too but it has bugs. Perhaps we should destroy that."
"It presents no immanent threat. When the Empire is overthrown this Admiral will not know about it. There can be no communication like that." Xen said.
"Then we should take Coruscant?" Vader asked.
"Yes." Everyone said in unison. Vader had another idea but at that very moment the comm on the table chimed. Vader flicked a switch so the camera focused on him. He flicked another one and the blue holographic image of an officer on the bridge materialized in the middle of the table.
"Lord Vader." The man said. Beads of nervous sweat could be seen trickling down his forehead. "The Emperor is contacting us, he demands to speak to you."
"Put him through." Vader said. Everyone at the table looked at Vader in shock. The officer nodded and his head disappeared replaced by a full body image of Sidious.
"Greetings Lord Vader," Sidious smiled. "I have good news."
"What news my master?"
"I have two new replacement ships for your lost ones headed toward you now. The Phoenix II for Captain Stryker and the Manticore IV the last of the Manticore named ships in construction, the others are somewhere else. But the captain of that is Captain Kag and his orders are to listen to you and do whatever it is you need of him, he is fresh from the military training academy and he hates being the captain of my shuttle. He thinks it's a waste of his talents so I am sending him to you. Goodbye."
And before Vader could reply Sidious cut the connection and disappeared. Everyone at the table let out a deeply held breath except for Qui-gon and Yoda.
"He has his bloody timing right!" A captain cried.
"Silence." Vader hissed. "Is it settled, we will take the Death Star and them Coruscant?"
"Take the Death Star? I thought you said destroy." Xen mused.
"Change of plans, with me being general of the army I will go in there and kill Moff Tarkin, the Death Star will be under my control then."
"A well conceived plan." Qui-gon said. "Though are you sure you can kill this Tarkin?"
"He trusts me." Vader said. "And treachery is the way of the Sith."
