Annihilation
(0 ABY)
The vast conference room was still quiet when Serina entered. Only Grand Moff Tarkin was present, concentrated on the small green gem of Alderaan already visible on the tridimensional solid screen. Alderaan, a world with many cities, farms, factories, and people - traitors, as Vader would correct. And, as Serina reminded herself with a bitter taste in her mouth, a world that would soon cease to exist.
If Tarkin noticed her presence, he did not acknowledge it. But that was nothing new for Serina. It had taken some time before he had taken notice of her during her first stay as well. And, actually, she preferred it that way. She found herself a quiet corner in the far back of the room. It would conceal her presence well from anybody entering while at the same time giving her an unobstructed view of the proceedings.
Shortly afterward, Admiral Motti entered the room informing Tarkin of their arrival at Alderaan. As if that isn't obvious! She could only shake her head at such formalism. Now Admiral Motti, he had been on the Death Star as well during her first visit...
After the base had been affixed to the floor of the quarters assigned to Lord Vader's use, the flat oval sphere of the meditation chamber had been lowered onto it. Once everything had been hooked up to the power supply of the battle station, Serina ordered the troopers that had been tasked with the transport and installation of the chamber out of the room. "You may leave now. I will conduct the final test myself." Then she stepped up into the mouth-like cocoon that had opened at a mental command from her.
Deftly she let her fingers play over the controls, checking every reading carefully. So far, everything looked quite all right, no warnings appeared on any of the displays. After entering the command for the sealing procedure, she sat down in the large comfortable chair in the middle of the chamber as the upper half slowly descended.
After another fifteen minutes, Serina was finally satisfied. She could inform Lord Vader that his chamber was set up and in working condition. She hit the switch on the comm unit. "Central control, locate Lord Vader for me!"
"Lord Vader is currently with Grand Moff Tarkin in the main briefing room on Level eighty-two."
Serina scanned the computer display in front of her for the easiest way to get there, then she commanded the chamber to reopen.
The briefing room was located within the already largely finished upper levels of the huge station and Serina was pleasantly surprised to get there without any great detours. One wall of the room was filled with a tridimensional solid screen which currently depicted various portions of the construction plans. Tarkin was so absorbed in explaining the details to the Sith Lord beside him, that he didn't even notice Serina's approach.
"One moment, Governor," Vader interrupted him and turned to the young woman. "What is it?"
"Lord Vader, your chamber is set up and working properly. The rest of the advisory staff has taken up their assigned quarters. I would retire as well if you don't have anything else for me to do at this time."
"Very well. Grand Moff Tarkin will be taking us on a tour of the facility shortly. You may return to your quarters until I call for you."
"As you wish, Lord Vader." Now "shortly", that could be five minutes or two hours, with her master she could never be certain. At least it would give her time to eat and perhaps afterward she would have time for a hot shower.
Serina had just started to get dressed again when the door behind her swooshed open. Without turning she greeted her visitor, "I'll be ready in a few moments, master."
Nobody could see the desirous expression behind the mask as his gaze swept over her slender figure, covered only by a nearly sheer bodysuit. "The governor and Admiral Motti are waiting outside, so hurry up."
Pulling one of her regular uniforms out of her travel bag, Serina finally turned toward him. In the doorway behind his huge frame, Admiral Motti was openly leering at her.
Oh, oh, Serina didn't have a good feeling about this, Vader is up to some plan again, otherwise, he wouldn't allow this creep to get such a good view of me! I guess, I better play along! Trying to behave as natural as possible, she quickly pulled on her pants and shirt and slipped into her boots. Then she walked over to her bed and picked up her utility belt with the lightsaber hidden in one of the pouches. "I am ready, Lord Vader," she announced after running her hand through her short-cropped hair.
"Governor, Admiral," he introduced her after they had stepped out of her room, "my aide, Captain Wanders, responsible for communications and the coordination of my advisory team. She will accompany us on the tour. You may lead the way, Governor."
As Tarkin walked ahead with the Dark Lord, Serina fell in step behind them side by side with the admiral. Soon they entered a large hangar bay containing several transport and inspection vessels. Tarkin's pilot, a young lieutenant about Serina's age, was already awaiting them next to one of the larger inspection crafts.
While their ship slowly threaded its way through the protruding studs and beams of the unfinished half of the battle station, Tarkin and Motti pointed out the important sections of the ongoing construction work. Both were quite surprised at the details Serina questioned them about. Obviously, they had not expected her to be either interested or well versed in technical matters.
Finally, the end of their inspection tour drew near, and their ship settled back down in the hangar bay. Since there had been no opportunity to openly question her master about his intentions during the tour, Serina used the few moments of silence in the vessel to reach out through the Force for him. Master, what do you wish me to do now?
The answer arrived swiftly in the same fashion, Tarkin and Motti have some secret plan regarding this battle station. Use whatever is necessary to find out what it is. The Admiral seems quite taken up with you, in every way. Use it!
Only too well did Serina understand the implied meaning. As you wish, Master. How far should I go?
As far as you need to. Come to my rooms afterward.
"Lord Vader," Tarkin addressed the Dark Lord after they had disembarked from the inspection vessel, "would you like to visit the construction sites of the two "unfortunate" foremen to check on the current progress there?"
"Very well, Governor, let's see how my little motivation lesson has taken effect. Captain Wanders," he turned to the young woman behind them, "you may return to your quarters. I have no further need of your services at this time."
"Perhaps Captain Wanders would like to join me for dinner? I believe my presence is also not required for the rest of this tour." The intentions of the admiral were quite obvious.
"Lord Vader?" Serina addressed her master.
Having received the Dark Lord's approval, Motti proffered his arm to the young woman and led her out of the hangar bay.
"Thank you very much for this pleasant dinner, Admiral." Serina pushed her empty plate toward the center of the table and picked up her goblet filled with a sweet, quite delicious Alderaanian wine. "I hadn't expected such comfort on a military installation like this Death Star, especially since it is still under construction."
Motti laughed lightly at her remark. "As I told you, rank has its benefits. After all, I am second in command on this battle station. And, I am sure you realize that once this station is finished we will be holding the ultimate power of this galaxy in our hands. I would think a little bit of comfort is quite appropriate for someone in this kind of position."
"I grant you that, Admiral," Serina was slowly getting disgusted with the man's arrogance but she did her best to hide it.
"No need to be so formal, Serina, just call me Conan," the admiral offered as he scooted closer to her on the soft formfitting couch and picked up his own glass of wine. "Let us propose a toast to this magnificent station that will finally bring order and peace to our galaxy."
"Yes, and to our highest leader, the Emperor," Serina added watching Motti carefully. Did she notice a slight unease there? "Now Admiral, ... ah ..., Conan," Serina continued after a sip from her glass, "why don't you tell me a little bit more about yourself. You have had quite a career, as young as you are and already second in command of this battle station."
"I can assure you, it wasn't always easy, but if you have the right connections..." During the next hour, Motti indulged himself in telling her in great detail his military achievements that had brought him into his current position, all the while becoming more and more obtrusive. When he let his hand come to rest on her leg she purposely ignored it, apparently absorbed with his story. Even when he went so far as to put his arm around her shoulder and lightly drew her toward him, she played along goading him with approving remarks to reveal more about himself. The physical contact enabled her to apply her Force-persuasion more directly without the man even being aware that she was influencing him. "... and that's how Grand Moff Tarkin became aware of my value for him. Ever since that time I have been serving as his right-hand man. As a matter of fact, we are even related."
"Now this station will provide the Grand Moff with a means to gain even greater power than he already has, won't it?" Serina ventured thoughtfully. "And you will be right there to share it with him. Now that's quite a future to look forward to."
"You are perfectly right there, Serina. With this ultimate weapon at his disposal, the Grand Moff will hold a power in his hands that even the Emperor won't be able to ignore. He will surely have to accept him as an equal, and if he doesn't, who knows...?" His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Now you see: my future is quite bright indeed. And somebody contributing to making it come true would benefit greatly himself."
"What are you talking about, Conan? I have no means of aiding you in this quest of yours! Besides, are you not underestimating the power of the Emperor and his other servants, especially Lord Vader? They won't just step aside to allow the Grand Moff to take over. Death Star or no Death Star, it will not make that great a difference."
"Lord Vader!" the Admiral spat out the name like a curse. "Now, I realize you are working for him. But that could change quickly. Once the Emperor realizes the power this station holds, Lord Vader might soon be a forgotten relict like the rest of the Jedi sorcerers and their religion."
"Don't underestimate Lord Vader's powers nor his connections. Many others who have made this mistake have not survived to do so a second time."
"But that's where you come in, my young friend. I have a deal to offer you. Since you seem to have a close relationship to Vader it should not be too hard to provide me with information that will help us to discredit him before the Emperor."
"And what do you offer me in exchange for this information?"
"Once we have neutralized the Sith Lord, I would be very pleased to provide you with an adequate position of power at my side." Motti's expression told her exactly what kind of position he had in mind. And he seemed absolutely convinced that she would agree with his proposition. Without waiting for her answer, he bent over intent on kissing her while his hands started to move over her slender form.
But Serina had heard enough. The expression on the admiral's face turned from lustful expectation to surprise and then bald anger, as Serina gave him a forceful shove that threw him backward onto the couch. Then she got up swiftly and stood in front of him, glowering down at the slightly older man.
"You underestimate not only Lord Vader, but also my position with him greatly, Admiral Motti!" Her voice was low, but cold and piercing. Something in her eyes warned him to keep his anger in check. "What you have just told me could be considered not only foolish but even traitorous. Now I could consider these ideas of yours just ravings of a drunken man, not worthy of the attention of a Dark Lord of the Sith. But be warned, should you ever - and listen carefully, I said ever - try to touch me again, I will make sure that you find out just how powerful Lord Vader is."
As she turned and headed for the door, Motti made a weak attempt to get up and stop her. Without turning to look at him, Serina gave him a last warning, "And don't try to stop me. Believe me: I have means of making you very sorry if you do!"
Then she was gone. For long moments, Motti just sat there staring at the closed door. Slowly fear crept into his soul. He had gravely misjudged that young woman. What in the world had caused him to tell her all of their plans? Would she tell Vader? Would he believe her? Most likely! Desperately he searched for a course of action to salvage the situation. Finally, he arrived at a grim conclusion. He would have to find out more about this woman, especially what she was to Lord Vader. Perhaps, he could find a way to discredit her should she decide to tell the Dark Lord about their conversation.
Serina's mind returned to the situation at hand. Of course, she had told Vader about her conversation with Admiral Motti. Then she had asked him, "So what are you going to do with them? Their ambition could be a threat to you and the Emperor."
Vader had considered the situation for a long moment. When he had finally answered her question, Serina had been quite surprised. "I'll just keep an eye on them. What Motti told you might have been spawned only by his own ambition. Tarkin might not even be aware of it, yet. They are still fulfilling their purpose. When the right time has come, I will eliminate them before they can pose a threat to me or the Emperor."
And so far, it seemed, nothing had happened yet to cause any action on her master's part. Serina had been quite aware of the research Admiral Motti had started regarding her person, but whatever he had found - and Serina knew well what was to be found in the Imperial database regarding her - had apparently convinced him to leave his fingers off her. When they had met soon after her arrival two days prior, he had only given her a nasty glare but had not dared to say anything to her. Now he was standing at Tarkin's side silently observing the view screen.
Vader had gone to get the Princess. Soon, the young Senator would be put through her hardest trial yet. How would she stand up to the threat to her home planet, her parents, her people? Would she break? Serina didn't believe it and she knew Vader didn't either.
When the huge doors opened, Serina pulled her cloak even tighter around her body. It would not help her plan if the Princess recognized her. But Leia didn't have time to look around. Pushed forward by the Sith Lord, her whole concentration was upon the Grand Moff waiting for her.
Serina watched the exchange with growing admiration for the young woman. And when Leia in the end, seemingly broken, offered Dantooine as the location of the rebel base, Serina knew that it most certainly no longer was. She would never forget the horror that became visible on Leia's face when Tarkin ordered the destruction of Alderaan anyway.
Vader firmly gripped the young Princess as a deep vibration started to penetrate the whole station.
The heavy machinery for the superlaser was charging up for the destructive blow. Eight bright green laser rays shot forth, were bundled, and raced toward the blue-green globe partially covered by a layer of white clouds. Within the wink of an eye, it was over. Alderaan burst into billions of pieces, successfully obliterating every living being on it.
Unheard by most, the outcry of billions of souls suddenly facing their untimely deaths raced also outward from the destroyed planet along the invisible strands of the Force.
Though Serina had tried to steel herself for this mental onslaught, her preparation proved absolutely inadequate. She sank to her knees with a muffled outcry. Several of the stormtroopers turned in her direction, but Vader prevented any further investigation when he ordered them to escort the Princess back to her cell.
Soon, Serina was alone in the large room. The screen still showed the debris of the planet continuing to slowly drift apart. Vader had attempted to teach her how to draw strength from the pain inflicted on others, but she had never been willing to achieve that level of mastering the dark side. She had realized early on that to follow him down that path would make her forever a servant of the dark side. She would have passed the point of no return, with no hope left of ever reaching her true destiny. No, to have to endure this mental onslaught was highly preferable to the terrible disembodied state that was the ultimate fate of all those who blindly followed the dark side.