Chapter 17: Subtle Assassination?

Vader's fleet of ten was already at the Death Star. Piett had known where it was and had them all plot a course for it. Everyone was eager to see what Vader was going to do. He said he was going to take control of it but how? How can one take control of something so big, one man? But Vader was not just any man, he was a Sith Lord and that counts for something.

The fleet set itself in orbit around the Death Star as Vader's Lambda class shuttle shot itself out of the Executor's hanger bay. It zoomed closer to the half closed station and a signal invaded the comm channel it was currently on. An officer from the Death Star spoke through it. He sounded very bored and sleepy.

"Class Lambda shuttle you are required to transmit the Imperial code immediately, otherwise you will not be permitted to land or shot out of space." The officer said without much enthusiasm. "You have three minutes to comply or be terminated."

Vader shook his head and pulled up the code. What a ridiculous order, had they not just seen his ship exit the hanger of the super star destroyer? Oh well, it was after all standard protocol. Vader transmitted the code while the officer yawned on the other line. When the code came up on his console he was jogged into a more action like mood, since Vader had sent his personal signature with the code.

"The code computes, you are clear to land in docking bay C 13 Lord Vader. I will inform Grand Moff Tarkin of your presence. Maintain present course."

"Thank you officer, Vader out."

Vader steered his shuttle toward the rectangular cavity of docking bay C 13, he could clearly see a battalion of storm troopers standing at attention and waiting to greet him as well as three gray uniformed commanders, each wearing a cap with the Imperial insignia on it and Grand Moff Tarkin himself standing at attention with his gray uniform looking less dull if at all possible. He was distinguished by his sunken skeletal face and gray hair. Vader folded the wings on his shuttle and brought it in.

It touched down with a slight jolt and Vader unbuckled the crash mesh about him. He stood up and walked down the boarding ramp. Grand Moff Tarkin was the first to come up to him and bow, the other three commanders did after. Tarkin stood back up.

"Lord Vader, we are honored by your presence." The man lied, Tarkin hated knowing a higher authority than him was present.

"You may dispense with the pleasantries Tarkin." Vader stated automatically and walked forward, Tarkin followed him. "I am here to inspect this station and make sure you are on schedule."

"But Lord Vader we are on schedule, and you'll find everything in shape." Tarkin said.

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Why didn't the Emperor send word of your coming?"

"There is such thing as a surprise inspection Tarkin, perhaps you have heard of them?"

"Well yes but…"

"Well you way have heard of them but you clearly don't recognize one when you see it, do you? Perhaps you should be a little more vigilant or risk losing your hard earned post."

XxX

Tarkin led him on a small tour of the most important places in the station. It was all very boring and the odor of Tarkin was getting to him, he seemed especially nervous that Vader was here. Finally they reached the place Vader wanted to come to the whole time, the command deck. A perfect place to make a drastic example. The command deck was like the bridge of the Death Star. It was placed over the laser dish of the thing, with a window looking out in space. Inside were comm officers and security officers, people monitoring the radar which blinked with the presence of Vader's fleet. Others inspected those doing work. All the important officials were here as well, making boring decisions for those monitoring the gravity generator and tractor beam operators.

When Vader and Tarkin reached the window to look out Vader turned to the crew and called. "Attention!"

Every head snapped in his direction including Tarkin who looked confused.

"Today I must ask you all a very important question. Will you follow me, the military leader of the Empire?"

Every one said yes milord or yes sir but Tarkin remained silent looking at Vader as if he had gone mad.

"Then these are my orders, turn against the Emperor! He has betrayed us all, help me kill him and restore the republic."

Oddly they all cheered except for Tarkin who's face had gone red with fury.

"Traitor!" He bellowed. "Treason! Traitor to the Empire."

"Oh will you shut up?" Vader asked. Tarkin was about to open his mouth again but Vader sliced his entire head off with a graceful stroke of the lightsaber. He shut his blade down and attached it back to his belt.

"And that is the fate of all those loyal to the Empire." Vader said. "Comm officer, patch me through to my star destroyer."

"Yes milord."

Seconds later an image of Piett appeared on the view screen above the window. Vader looked up at it and Piett bowed slightly.

"Yes Lord Vader?"

"Tarkin is dead and I am in control of the Death Star, I am going to call in the closet star destroyers to help us take Coruscant and have a beacon sent out to everyone else to alert them the Emperor has betrayed us. I will arrive there soon."

"Of course milord. Piett out."

The screen broke to static and Vader turned to the comm officer.

"Call in any star destroyer within the area and send out a universal beacon to those not close enough, tell them the Emperor has betrayed us and we are going to take Coruscant. Tell them to help in any way they can. Destroy military academies on any planet, especially Carida, do anything, kill anybody loyal to Palpatine."

"Sending milord."

I see that my chapters have been getting shorter, not to worry though, the next one will probably be this short yes, but the one after will be longer.