XVII
The Imperial Star Ship landed at the Palace of Naboo and was immediately approached by the Imperial Inquisitor in charge of the investigation into the cult of the late Senator Amidala. "Lord Vader, the emperor said you would be arriving." The Inquisitor bowed swiftly before Vader. "Inquisitor Malorum, how is the investigation progressing?" Vader was led forward into the great halls of the Imperial Palace of Naboo. Nothing had changed since his last visit. "We are making some progress, my lord. The cult has been effectively silenced although many of the high ranking members have gone underground. We are attempting to find and remove them so that the cult cannot reorganize." The Inquisitor paused before the doors of the throne room. "We have located a Captain Gregar Typho. He was once the head of security for the late Senator. The Emperor requested you lead his interrogation." Malorum ordered the doors open and motioned for Vader to go inside. "We will meet here when you have finished." Malorum bowed once more and strode away down the corridor.
Vader stepped into the familiar room and as he looked to the empty throne he could almost see Padmé seated regally upon it. He shook the thought from his head. He must not allow any weakness. "Captain Typho," He spoke as he approached the disgraced guardsman. "Lord Vader," Typho spat. "The Senator is dead, Captain. You and your pathetic followers can do nothing for her now. But the Emperor is not unfair. If you reveal the locations of your superiors I might be tempted to spare you." Vader circled Typho, who stood firmly at the center of the room. "The Senator is dead. We are not trying to resurrect her. We are trying to carry on her mission and avenge her death." Typho watched as Vader tensed. "Your rebellion is weak," Vader paused, his back to the Captain. "Not as weak as the Empire." Typho taunted. "I will not be baited. You will tell me where your superiors are hiding or I will be forced to extract it from you using far more unpleasant means," Vader's mechanic voice took on a menacing edge. "I will not betray the order." Typho snapped, stepping forward in a challenging stance. "Then you shall suffer." Vader raised his hand and clenched it into a fist. Typho grasped at the invisible noose tightening around his neck. "You will come to see that my means of interrogation can be quite persuasive," Vader sneered as Typho continued to struggle against the unseen force that crushed his throat. Tired to watching the Captain struggle, Vader released him and tossed him across the room where he collided with a large marble pillar with a sickening thud. Vader watched as Typho rasped and coughed, trying to regain control over his breathing.
Typho struggled to stand and pushed against the column for support. He wiped his hand across his lip and felt the blood trickle down. "You might as well kill me, Vader." Typho staggered forward. Unable to continue, he fell inches before Vader's gleaming black boots. Vader looked down at the crumpled officer and for a moment the throne room was gone, replaced by a dark Mustafarian platform. Typho's form was replaced by the lifeless body of his wife. "Padmé!" He released a strangled moan.
Typho watched Vader take several hurried steps back. "It was you," Typho rasped, "You killed her. She was an innocent and you killed her!" He hurled the accusation at Vader. "She was with child! She could have saved the Republic! You murdered her in cold blood. You should be very afraid Lord Vader. Her death strengthens our cause. My death with strengthen our cause!" Typho struggled to stand once more and pitched forward. Vader stepped back and raised his hand, clenching his fist. "No." Vader ground out as he tightened his fist until his glove was stretched taunt against his knuckles. Typho did not struggle. He relaxed his muscles and submitted to the dark lord's power. Death came quickly and peacefully. Vader released Typho from the vice grip and quit the room.
"Typho is dead. The rebellion will die with him." Vader announced tersely as he and Malorum moved down the corridor. "How can you be sure?" Malorum pressed. "He was the leader. I am sure of it." Vader snapped. "If you are sure," Malorum sighed. "My work here is done. Inquisitor, I trust you can handle the rest of the investigation." Vader turned sharply. "Yes, my lord." Malorum vowed as Vader boarded his ship.