Chapter 1
Palpatine heard a clanking noise in his throne room. He didn't like it. That sound was in his head like a headache, it reminded him of back in the Clone Wars when he had Grievous in his command. This, he figured, was his apprentice.
He turned around, and saw the armored figure kneeling at him.
"Rise."
He did as he was told, and spoke in a deep voice.
"What is thy bidding, my Master?"
"As you know, the Death Star will be our greatest weapon after its completion. But as of now, it is vulnerable." he said. "It is critical that the schematics of the battle station be kept safe."
"I understand, my Master."
"It is likely that there will be more traitorous Senators aside from the ones murdered on the Death Star." he continued. "It is also likely that their deaths may cause more worlds to turn against the Empire, and form this 'Rebel Alliance' against us."
"But even if they turn on us, they will be helpless, would they not?"
"Don't underestimate them, Starkiller. Even if they may not have the power to destroy our massive fleets, they have great determination and faith in their goals. This is why we must ensure this rebellion be eradicated from the face the galaxy."
"As you wish, Master." The assassin left the room, without a word.
"Master..."
The old man concentrated, before finally making contact.
Why have you come to me?
"I have sensed something has happened, with regard to the Empire.
Continue.
"Darth Vader, the boy you brought to Coruscant, is dead."
Yes, I have felt his death in the Force. But what he may be replaced by may be a greater threat to us all.
"Yes, that is what I fear."
You fear for young Skywalker?
"Yes. It is only a matter of time before this Sith tracks him down and kills him, or worse. So Master, what must I do?"
I have spoken with Yoda about this, we have decided to let him continue his life as it is. When the time comes, you will be informed, and he will be trained.
"Very well, Master...I will wait until then."
Palpatine watched his apprentice come before him. Standing next to him in holographic form was Grand Moff Tarkin, the governor who was put in charge of the Death Star. The additional lightsaber on Starkiller's belt, indicated his success.
"So, you have completed the mission?"
"Yes, my Master." Starkiller replied in a deep, monotonous voice. "An'ya Kuro is no more."
"Good. Now that the Purge has ended, we must tend to more important matters."
"Such as?" asked the apprentice.
"The disappearance of the Death Star schematics!" came an outburst from Tarkin.
"What? Impossible. Who would dare such an attempt?"
"It seems sympathizers to your fragile Rebel Alliance has joined in its effort and attempted to restore the Republic." said Palpatine.
"I suppose." inside, Starkiller was in great doubt, since the Alliance that he created is now taking a stand against the Empire. "But it would still not explain how these rebels have acquire the plans in the first place."
"Perhaps, they have help from the inside."
"A spy, my lord?" asked Tarkin. Palpatine nodded. "But who would dare oppose the Empire?"
"That is what I must look into myself. Meanwhile, Tarkin has a new assignment for you."
Palpatine left the room and headed towards his shuttle in the outside hangars.
"Your assignment, Tarkin?"
"Yes." he started to speak. "As you know, I'm running low on sufficient labour for the construction of the Death Star. Your little...intervention on Kashyyyk has pushed its construction further, so I need another labour force."
"What do you have in mind?"
The holoprojector on Palpatine's throne sprang to life, and the hologram of a planet appeared above it.
"Geonosis. Its inhabitants have been partially responsible for the construction of the Death Star in the first place, so we seem it's fair they get a cut of its construction." He ended the sentence with a wicked smile on his face.
"As you wish, Tarkin. I will take a starfighter to Geonosis at once."
"Are you sure you wish to go alone? After all, I do intend guaranteed success in your task."
"I am more than capable of handling a race of savage insects."
Starkiller then left, confident in what he was doing. Tarkin, however, was not as sure.
Commentary 1 - Aftermath:
Many of you have guessed that the middle scene is a conversation between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn's ghost. I put this bit in the middle, partially because I wanted some time to pass between the two scenes with Starkiller and Palpatine, but also to show that Force-sensitive beings, including surviving Jedi, could feel Darth Vader's death in the Force, and later on, Starkiller's rise.
This scene is also the start of a B-plot which I'm putting in the story, so it's not just Starkiller flinging Rebel Soldiers around or making a building collapse over Jawas or whatever. There is a deeper plot to this, which includes the iconic characters you've seen in this chapter, and a few familiar faces as well.