(AN: Wow, here comes another chapter. As I've said before, we've jumped ahead three years from Revenge of the Sith. Gotta flesh this story out a little bit, and have a few appearances from some of our less-known TOT and EU characters, as well as some new faces [wink wink]).
Haruun Kal had no chance.
On the surface, a platoon of white-clad troopers cut a swath of destruction as they went. Dead littered the ground where they had passed. At their head marched the imposing figure of Darth Vader, a black giant standing out in contrast to the white-armor of the troops.
"My lord," one of the new officers said, as he approached the mammoth figure of darkness and evil. "The city is ours."
"Very good, captain." Darth Vader growled. "But the Korunnai will retaliate. A show of adequate force is necessary."
"Meaning what, exactly, my lord?"
"The Korunnai must be made an example of for other systems that seek to harbor weapons for the Rebels." Darth Vader clarified.
"We'll destroy another city," the captain said. "That's simple enough."
Darth Vader paused, not even turning his demon-mask to look at the officer - who was rather grateful that he did not.
"Establish a holo-feed to the Destroyer."
"Yes, my lord."
Several moments later, the officer returned with a small disc in hand, which he placed on the ground before Darth Vader. The image of Commander Dodonna materialized before the Dark Lord of the Sith.
"Lord Vader." Dodonna said, snapping to attention.
"Commander," Vader growled. "Send a shuttle down to the planet, and prepare the fleet for orbital bombardment."
"As you wish, my lord."
Moments later, the shuttle landed and Vader and his platoon were safely aboard, being transported back to the fleet. Darth Vader's flagship, the Destroyer, was one of the new models of Imperial capital ship design: the Imperial Star Destroyer. The rest of the fleet was composed of the Venator-class frigates, or even older Acclamator-class vessels.
The shuttle landed in the hangar-bay of the Destroyer, and Darth Vader made his way to the bridge. Before him loomed kilometers upon kilometers of the mammoth hull of the Star Destroyer. Below loomed the planet of Haruun Kal. Lances of green energy shot out from the many turbo-lasers on the Destroyer's hull, as well as blue shots from the Venator frigates. Tiny dots of reddish-yellow light indicated where they hit, causing massive destruction.
In the end, Haruun Kal never stood a chance.
"Well done, Commander." Darth Vader said to Dodonna. Unlike the Dark Lord, Commander Dodonna looked with apprehension upon this destruction. The past three years had seen too many displays of Imperial might. Millions were now being put to the slaughter across the galaxy, some for no other reason than to show neighboring star systems that the Empire was not to be trifled with.
"My lord," Dodonna said at last. "The third anniversary of the Empire's birth will shortly be upon us. The Emperor has requested that you return to the Capitol for the celebration."
"I will speak to the Emperor privately concerning this," Vader said. Dodonna still could not understand how Darth Vader had such an intimate connection with the Emperor when, it seemed, thousands of senators and governors had to wait hours, if not days, for their appeals to be presented to the reclusive Emperor.
"You are free to join the festivities, if you choose, Commander." Darth Vader said.
"Thank you, my lord."
Jan Dodonna left the bridge, feeling a wave of remorse for the people of Haruun Kal as he walked down the bridge that over-looked the control pits on either side. Very subtly, a young officer wrote something down using an ink-stylus on the under-side of his uniform sleeve, then returned to his station before his actions could be noted.
Empire Day.
Three years ago, Palpatine had 'reorganized' the Old Republic into the Galactic Empire. It was meant to promote the good of the Empire, its bounties, and commemorate loyal service in the cause of the Empire. Various planets celebrated it in different ways, but it was Coruscant that had the largest and most extravagant celebrations of all the systems in the Empire.
The Imperial Palace had finally been finished. It was filled with many rooms, the majority of which were off-limits to all save for those with the highest level of Imperial security clearance - the kind only the Emperor, Vader or Tarkin possessed. One of the many larger conference rooms would serve as the location for this year's Empire Day festivities on Coruscant.
That evening, the festivities were well under way at the Imperial Palace. A large number of Imperial dignitaries - governors, admirals, moffs, and even members of the Emperor's Inner Circle - were present.
There were very few non-humans present. The insidious Janus Greejatus had overseen their removal from the Imperial Center in three years. What had begun only a few months prior to the attack on Coruscant by General Grievous was completed with frightening ease once power was fully placed upon Palpatine's shoulders. However, this was not to say that there were no non-humans present at this party. Many of the moffs brought along an exotic feminine alien as their 'date'. There were two non-humans, however, who were not to be paraded around like slaves.
The Chiss captain and the Falleen crime boss, cavorting in the corner.
"Captain Thrawn, I presume." the Falleen greeted.
"Xizor," the blue-skinned Thrawn returned. "The so-called Prince of the Black Sun criminal empire."
"I've been watching your career very closely, Captain." Xizor stated.
"As have I to yours," Thrawn returned. Two could play at that game. "I've studied your race's art. Very impressive, it changes in accordance to the perspective of the viewer."
"Much like reality, Captain." Xizor began. "For instance, the public rabble are under the impression that their opinions still matter, since they have the...illusion, that the Senate is still in power. These dissidents, these Rebels, they believe that power lies in the hand of the Imperial moffs and governors. But it's the Inner Circle you want to become familiar with, in order to rise in power." Xizor pointed a black fingernail in the direction of one of the dark-robed members of the Inner Circle.
"That one," he said. "You have to be careful to avoid. He is Janus Greejatus, founder of the Imperial Department of Redesign. He's the one who's been orchestrating the removal of non-humans from the Capitol, and other places of power in the Empire. The others, I believe, would be quite more amicable towards your promotion, captain, if you can grease their hands enough."
Thrawn smiled, as if taking in the arrogant Falleen's advice to heart.
"Thank you for the wise words," he said. "But I wish to gain power from the highest source in the land."
"Deal with the Inner Circle, Thrawn," Xizor said, patting the Chiss on the shoulder. "Leave Palpatine to me."
Thrawn could have hissed right there, despite the heavy bans on non-humans throughout Coruscant. How dare this imp show such disrespect toward the Emperor by referring to him by name, as if he were an equal. The Chiss watched with narrowed red eyes as Xizor proudly made his way through the party.
The doors opened and in walked Commander Dodonna, with several of his officers following him. At once, the red-clad figure sitting upon the throne that sat at the head of the ballroom, rose.
"Gentlemen," he announced. "Loyal servants of the Empire. His Imperial Majesty has appointed me to oversee today's Empire Day festivities. Therefore, it is my supreme honor to welcome Jan Dodonna, Commander of the Imperial Navy's finest ship, the Destroyer, and a decorated hero of the Empire."
General applause came from those assembled. Dodonna walked over to the throne and knelt before Ars Dangor, the representative potentate of this party.
"For your great services to the Empire," Dangor began. "His Majesty has deemed fit to present you with this fine collection of artwork." He indicated to several hand-sized discs, containing hundreds of pieces of holographic art."
More applause. Dodonna received the discs, then turned toward those gathered before him.
"I am deeply honored by this sign of the Emperor's affection for my service," he began. "Alas, let me speak a few words before I let you continue." He was given the floor by their silence. "I have served the Republic faithfully - I dare anyone to find proof to the contrary. During the transition, I served the Empire as earnestly as I served the Republic before her. I am almost fifty, having seen service since my teenaged years. With all due respect to His Majesty, I have submitted my resignation from the post of Commander of the Imperial Fleet and the vessel the Destroyer."
Murmurs echoed through the crowd, each of them wondering what had caused this sudden decision by such a decorated Imperial officer.
"As much as I have rendered dedicated service to the greater glory of the Empire," Dodonna continued. "I wish to live out my remaining days in peace, raising my son to follow in his father's footsteps." He lifted his glass, and all those around did likewise. "Long live the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire!" those gathered added with his toast.
"And long live His Imperial Majesty, our august Emperor." Ars Dangor stated. "In addition, His Majesty has seen fit to give to our beloved Jan Dodonna, as a gift for his services, the moon of Brelor to live out the rest of his days in peace, as a veteran of many wars and a hero of the Empire."
The party continued, with several Imperial officers gathering together and chatting among themselves. While a certain Senator was preparing to leave, a hand fell upon his shoulder.
"Senator," Tarkin greeted. "I'm surprised to see you here."
"Surprised to see me celebrating Empire Day?" Bail Organa asked.
"Pleasantly surprised," Tarkin smiled. "With your connections to the Committee of 2000, one would suspect where your loyalties lie. It is good to see that you've chosen wisely."
Organa smiled to the person at Tarkin's side. "And who is this?"
"Senator Organa," he introduced. "This is Nola Valor, she works as an aide to Sim Aloo..." He pointed toward the Inner Circle - they usually were congregated around each other. "Here at the palace, in fact."
"Pleased to meet you, Senator." Nola curtseyed before him.
"And you as well, Miss Valor." Organa returned. He then turned to Tarkin. "I believe some of my good fortune has passed on to you."
"What do you mean?"
"As you know," Organa continued. "Three years ago, after many miscarriages, my wife gave birth to a healthy daughter."
"The Princess Leia," Tarkin returned.
"She will be about three this year." Bail stated. "As I was saying..." He noticed that Tarkin was watching one of Jan Dodonna's officers, who was making his way toward a corner of the palace. "As I was saying, Governor, whatever luck has blessed me with a daughter has also given you this lovely thing."
Nola Valor blushed, and Tarkin smiled a little uneasily.
"Yes, it would appear so." he said. "Well, like His Majesty the Emperor, I am always busy, even on Empire Day. Excuse me." He dismissed himself and walked off toward the side of the room.
"He is certainly busy." Valor said. "He told me that he's even thinking about taking up a protege."
"Indeed?" Organa asked.
"There's not a moment that does not see Wilhuff Tarkin doing something for greater good of the Empire."
Bail smiled, with equal unease.
Tarkin knew that non-humans were outlawed in the Empire. Even so, exceptions to the rule existed. Darth Vader himself had bought the loyalties of the natives of Honoghr, and he knew all about Palpatine's secret fraternization with the insidious Xizor and the up-and-coming Captain Thrawn. Though it smacked of hypocrisy, especially when he had so readily defended the Imperial Department of Redesign in his book, there were always exceptions.
The hooded figure, watching each member of the party with equal disdain, was such.
"Sir," he hissed through the oxygen mask he wore.
"Ah, Agent One" Tarkin returned discreetly. "I have an assignment for you."
The being hissed beneath his hood.
"I want you to follow him," Tarkin pointed to the young officer from Dodonna's group.
"Zev Cramien?" Agent One queried.
"The same," Tarkin returned. "My sources say that there is a Rebel spy in our midst. I have a strong feeling that Cramien's loyalties do not lie with His Majesty."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Track him, see where his loyalties lie. If they are not with the Empire...terminate him."
Zev Cramien, a lieutenant bridge officer on the Destroyer, sought out the most deserted niche in this huge ballroom-esque conference chamber. He had what he needed now, and had to report to his contact. He clicked the com-link active and whispered into its mouth-piece.
"Naber-1138, this is Cramien. The package is ready for delivery."
(AN: I've always wanted to have a ballroom scene in my stories which feature a dictatorship, where the upper-class people get to have all the fun while people are dying. I got my wish - to a degree.)
(As stated above, this is now three years after ROTS. The Executor was probably still under construction, that's why Vader is using the Destroyer as his flagship. It's still top-of-the-line, since the Empire is still using Venator-class Star Destroyers.)
(I promise Padme is still alive, and I'll get back to her shortly. Leave any questions or thoughts in the reviews - which I'm thankful for those which I've already received so far)