Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your reviews, they really make my day :D

Now to the story. Well the basic idea here is that because of the fact that Han is an Imperial some things change. But some stay more or less the same, like if they were destined to happen. So this chapter is really important to me, mostly because I had a dream about it, a nightmare to be honest.

In this chapter I used some stuff from the movie, some from the Star Wars novel (written by George Lucas) and some from the Radio Drama. So if things are not exactly like in the movie, don't go like: That's not how it was or He never said that,… Now enjoy this chapter, there will be more soon.

Disclaimer: If I owned Star Wars, I probably wouldn't be looking for summertime job right now.

Chapter 9 – Scream of silence

Leia was led to the observation deck. She was accompanied by two fully armed soldiers and Darth Vader who was walking close behind her. As they entered the room Leia saw a man in his sixties standing in front of a huge screen that occupied the majority of the largest wall. She recognized him immediately.

"I am …" started the man, who Leia was led to.

"I know perfectly well who you are, Governor Tarkin." she interrupted him. Leia wanted to appear confident even though she felt exhausted and weak. "I have expected to find you holding Vader's leash" she continued. "I recognized your foul stench, when I was brought on board."

Vader's lips moved inside his mask despite the reason it was far too long since he had last smiled. He found it amusing that she insulted Tarkin so directly, even though she was insulting him at the same time. Nobody held his leash, especially not Tarkin. Vader admired girl's spirit. She was headstrong, stubborn, confident, maybe even a bit arrogant. She reminded him of himself when he was her age. How old is she anyway? 21,22?

"Charming to the last." said Tarkin, smiled forcefully and took Leia's chin in hand.

Leia remember how Han did the same a day before. But this was nothing like it. Han's touch was gentle and kind and the only intention of Tarkin's action was to show her he could do anything he wanted with her. She moved her chin out of his reach.

Tarkin smiled again and said: "You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life."

Leia didn't even twitch. That fact that she was about to be terminated didn't scare her very much. There were things far worse than death. Things like betraying your friends or betraying all what you believe in… or torture…

Vader knew that Tarkin lied. He had no intention in killing the Princess, of that he was certain. It was only to scare her and get her to reveal the location of rebel base. Fool, he though she doesn't fear death.

"Of course, had you cooperated in our investigation, things might be otherwise." spoke Tarkin. "Lord Vader and Commander Solo …" Only than Leia noticed Han who stood quietly near by "…informed me of your resistance to our traditional methods of inquiry…"

"Torture" she countered him defiantly.

Tarkin smiled again and turned to the screen.

Leia cast a glance at Han, who observed her intensively. He gave her a reassuring nod and turned his gaze to Tarkin. Leia did the same.

There was something not quite right. Vader saw Commander Solo and Princess exchange glances. But what surprised him was that Leia didn't seem to feel any hatred towards the man who tortured her twice. On the contrary… There seemed to be…No that can't be possible… Affection between them.

"Princess Leia," said Tarkin, his gaze fixed on the screen "before your execution, I would like you to be my guest at the ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now."

"The more you tighten your grip, the more systems will slip through your fingers." replied Leia and Vader thought how very mature she was. Not physically, she still looked like a very young girl. It was the way she addressed those around her, her perfect posture, her diction style. After all if he remembered correctly, she was the youngest senator in history.

"You're a foolish man, Governor." continued Leia "Foolish men often choke to death on their own delusions."

Tarkin turned back to her and again he only smiled. It drove Leia crazy. She felt like a little child again. It was as if Tarkin didn't take her seriously, as if he ignored her.

A long silence followed during which Tarkin and Leia just stared at each other, derision drawn over his face and determination over hers.

Then Tarkin started walking around Leia and to Vader it was like Ithorian razor shark pursuing his victim.

"In a way, you have determined the choice of subject for this demonstration." he said. "Since you have proven reluctant to supply us with the location of the rebel stronghold, I have deemed it appropriate to select as an alternate subject your home planet of Alderaan."

And there it was. Only when Tarkin mentioned it, Leia bothered to look at the screen. Alderaan. Shining jewel in all its glory lying in eternal silence of the space. "No Alderaan is peaceful," she said hastily. "We have no weapons. You can't possibly..."

"Would you prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system!" demanded Tarkin and came up to Leia. Her wide eyes were filled with horror she couldn't hide anymore. "I grow tired of asking this, so it will be the last time. Where is the rebel base?"

Tarkin kept advancing towards her until she hit Darth Vader who was standing behind her. She gasped silently when her back touched his armor plate. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. There was no way out.

"Dantooine" she said quietly and bowed her head in resignation. "They're on Dantooine."

"There you see Lord Vader" spoke Tarkin and turned to Vader, victorious smile drawn all over his face. "She can be reasonable."

Fool thought Vader. She lied.

"Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready."

"What?" she exclaimed disbelievingly. This can't be happening. This can't be happening.

"You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration, but don't worry. We will deal with your rebel friends soon enough."

"No!"

Vader was very good at sensing other people's feelings, but he usually didn't bother too. This time he enjoyed it. Fear, terror and helplessness that were wildly radiating from Leia, overwhelmed him. He stopped the girl when she rushed at Tarkin and when she struggled to break free he only strengthened his hold.

Tarkin observed Leia and silently hoped she would beg him to spare her home planet. This all was entertaining but not as quite as he hoped it would be.

"No. You can't do this." said Leia still struggling. She glanced at Han, her eyes begging him to do something. He only looked away.

A green beam flashed towards the blue planet in the middle of the screen. For a second that seemed to last forever Vader saw Leia's face lit with green light and then all hell broke loose.

She heard millions of voices. Millions of cries. Men, women, children. It felt like dying. Again and again and again.

Vader heard their cries too. They echoed trough the Force with unimaginable power. It was hard to bear. And then in a magnificent flash of light, the planet exploded. But the screaming didn't stop. It was a single voice filled with agony. A woman's voice. It was Leia...

Vader was puzzled. The room was wrapped in a shroud of respectful silence. And yet he heard her scream. And then out of nowhere he realized. Leia was Force-sensitive, moreover, she was very strong with the Force.

Leia stood still. Her eyes closed tightly, her lips one thin line preventing cry to leave the depths of her heart. She wouldn't allow herself to cry. Her father always told her never to let an enemy see her weakness. Tarkin was an enemy. And crying was a weakness. She still couldn't fully comprehend what just happened. She couldn't think. She simply stood still.

"You're a monster Tarkin." she when several moments passed. "How could you?"

"Your Highness I…" started Tarkin

"My people were innocent."

"We have proven our point" spoke Tarkin with satisfaction.

"Millions of voices silenced in an instant just to prove a point. This is the Empire's idea of justice." said Leia, her voice full of anger and disdain.

"Take her away" ordered Tarkin. When two soldiers violently grabbed a hold of her he spoke again: "And make sure she has a nice view."

I hate Tarkin! Sorry for this... I just couldn't help myself :)

Some words about this chapter. I always had this idea that Vader actually hated the destruction of Alderaan and I think he knew that Leia lied but didn't want to reveal it to Tarkin, because he didn't want Alderaan destroyed.

Also I find it really interesting how people always compare Leia and Padme and often write how Vader saw a glimpse of her in Leia. Well I think that there is a lot of Anakin in Leia and I think it's much more than in Luke. What do you think?

I think I will develop this idea in the next chapter and I know exactly what it will be so it should be soon.