Five Star Destroyers hovered silently in empty space on the edge of the Outer Rim. Aboard the lead Star Destroyer, Darth Vader stood watching as the pirates escaped the fleet and entered hyperspace.
They had spent a month chasing the pirates. Or perhaps it had been smugglers. Darth Vader found himself unable to remember at this point. All that mattered was he had been ordered to take the five Star Destroyers and hunt the group, one that Emperor Palpatine believed to be shipping weapons and credits to a small group of terrorists in the area. These same people had raided several Imperial outposts.
He almost had them and they escaped to deliver whatever cargo they held to the rebels. Emperor Palpatine would not be happy.
His thoughts were interrupted as someone approached.
"Lord Vader," Admiral Lyens, the second-in-command on the mission, said, "the pirates have escaped."
Darth Vader remained still and silent as he watched the spot the pirates had entered hyperspace from. Admiral Lyens grew tense as he listened to Darth Vader's heavy mechanical breathing.
"How did the pirates escape?" Darth Vader asked, without turning.
"I don't know Lord Vader," Admiral Lyens replied nervously. Truthfully, he didn't.
"Emperor Palpatine will not be pleased to hear about this, Admiral," Darth Vader said. He then turned and faced the officer. "Imperial stations in the area have been plagued by these very smugglers. I gave you enough chances, Admiral."
"Lord Vad--" Admiral Lyens began but suddenly stopped. He grabbed his throat as he found himself unable to breath. Dropping to his knees, Admiral Lyens' face turned bright red as he gasped for air. Seconds later, he dropped over lifeless.
Darth Vader unclenched his fist. Turning to two Stormtroopers, he spoke. "Take the body away."
He turned around and looked back out to space. The death would be regrettable, but he refused to allow this type of failure. Besides, maybe it would be an example to all future Imperial officers about doing their job.
Now the fleet would have to spend longer hunting the pirates down to eliminate them. The failure of an incompetent officer had seen to that. But, ensuring the safety and future of the Empire was important to him. What must be done to protect the security of the galaxy would be done.
Though Darth Vader found himself wondering what Emperor Palpatine would have done to the Admiral.
After all, the Emperor was not as forgiving as he was.