Vader walked along the straight catwalk of the bridge, officers, lieutenants and troopers scurried below Vader. He stood next to Tarkin, they stared out the window,
"Your squadron is ready m'lord. They await you in the hangar." Tarkin said as he rubbed his chin.
"Make contact with the Mandalorian insurgents, tell them to either back down or they will face the wrath of the Empire." Vader started to walk away,
"I shall not contact them- you will go and you will destroy them. Now be a good pet and see to that." Tarkin had his back to Vader. The Sith Lord marched into the hangar without a word. Three pilots greeted him, waiting in front of their TIE fighters.
"Garb Herrondus at your command m'lord." The first pilot said,
"Zapp Onubrum at your command m'lord." Vader continued down the line,
"Han Solo at your command m'lord." Vader stopped in his tracks, he looked at the young man- dashing; long wavy hair coupled with the looks of a royal born.
"Solo, as in the Royal Corellian family Solo?" Han lowered his salute,
"Yes Lord Vader."
"I expect to see great things from you Solo- Do not disappoint me." Han released his breath as the Sith Lord strided away to his TIE fighter.
Vader lowered himself into his ship, he flipped the ignition- he heard the subtle shriek of the engine. He pulled on the controls and the ship moved up and forward, careening into space. The Mandalorian fleet was not more than two frigates and a small band of starfighters.
"Prepare the assault, all wings- form on me." Vader relayed over comms, "Blue squadron, guard the bombers as they attack the frigates, the rest of you- engage the smaller fighters." Vader's ship sailed through space, the frigate opened fire; their smaller fighters charged head on into the Imperial force. Blaster bolts zoomed past Vader as he banked through the fray. He was tailing an attack freighter no larger than his ship, his ship's locking mechanism took over, the computer locked and Vader fired two proton torpedoes. The freighter exploded into a cloud of fire and metal. His squadron closely followed Vader, guarding him from oncoming attacks. Vader noticed one of his squad members were outperforming the other pilots, it was Han Solo, his TIE fighter ducked and banked over fire, he sent his fighter into a barrel roll as missiles scarcely grazed his ship. Vader looked over the battlefield, the bombers destroyed the frigates, their husks dangling in space.
"Sir, there's a transport shuttle- we're getting reports that some members of the Death Watch are on board, but they're among civilians. What's our move?" One of the pilots over comm relayed.
"Fire upon it, no Mandalorian will escape."
"But m'lord, the civilians!" Han chimed in,
"You will fire upon the transport, that is an order!" Vader replied. The entire TIE wing open fire upon the transport, the ship exploded into pieces, bodies could be seen floating away from the metallic carcass. Vader flew his ship back into the hangar, he darted toward Solo, "what was the meaning of that?" Vader towered over the pilot,
"They were civilians, innocent people I-" Vader picked Solo up by the throat,
"Question my orders again and you will be among those 'innocent people.'" Vader released his grip, Han fell to the hangar floor. Vader marched back up to the bridge, he stood beside Tarkin once more,
"Very good Vader, I might have use for you yet. We're making preparations to travel to Mortis-"
"There is no need." Vader replied,
"And why is that?" Tarkin was puzzled.
"What had to be done, was done." Vader sneered.
"Alright then, shall I tell the Emperor, or shall you?" Vader stared at Tarkin intently.
"Very well then, I will tell the Emperor." Tarkin walked away from the bridge window. Vader stood there, his hands clasped behind his back, staring into the black void.
This is what I am. I am truly a slave. He wandered into his thoughts
I am nothing, and will forever be nothing.
"Sir, Starkiller has arrived, he is waiting in your chambers." An officer said to Vader. He walked off the bridge, storming past squadrons of Stormtroopers and herds of droids. He entered his chamber, Starkiller was meditating in the center of the room, he rose,
"My lord, it is done." Starkiller said to his master as he knelt down before him.
"Well done my apprentice, your next mission is to eliminate a rogue Jedi known as Sharad Hett." Darth Vader said. "He is powerful, mind your steps young one." He continued.
"It will be done my lord." Starkiller responded.
"Pray that you will not fail me." Vader said. The young boy rushed to the door, he stopped and turned,
"You must go to Malastare, he's there- waiting for you." Vader knew of who he spoke of,
"Maul is on Malastare? How do you know of this information?" Vader inquired.
"Shaak Ti mentioned his power, I eavesdropped on her before I killed her." The apprentice said.
"Very well. I shall see to his demise." Vader motioned Starkiller to leave, his apprentice obeyed and fled. Vader opened his communicator, "Tarkin, prepare to move on Malastare."
"Why is the ship going to Malastare, we are supposed to be headed to Takodana." Tarkin snapped,
"Governor, for the sake of your life- I suggest we go to Malastare first." Vader said, uncharacteristically calm.
"You wouldn't dare lay a hand on me, we are going to Takodana- the Emperor wishes an update on the search for Windu." Tarkin relayed. Vader shut his comm link off. His rage built within him- he felt the fiery pull of the darkside. He reached for his saber- at that moment the door to his chambers slid open. He violently turned to them, it was Mara Jade.
"Leave." Vader scowled at Mara,
"Why do you hate me so much?" Mara entered the room- the door shut behind her.
"I hate you because you are an insolent child!" Vader felt a burning sensation throughout his body.
"I am no child m'lord. Look at me- do I have the body of a child?" She strided to him,
"I have no interest in your body… child." Vader pushed her aside,
"Fine, you don't know what it's like being with an honorable and upstanding woman such as myself-"
"QUIET! ENOUGH! I would have the right mind to strike you down this instant- but I won't." Vader roared,
"You won't because somewhere down below all of that," she motioned to Vader's suit, "You actually like me."
"That cannot be farther from the truth."
"Well m'lord- I'll be going now." Mara slowly walked toward the door. Vader folded his arms- waiting for her to leave, she blew him a kiss, he stood there as cold as a statue. Mara sighed and bolted away. Vader slumped into his pressurized chamber and meditated.