Chapter 10 - Dawn
Kshhhhhh
The Grand Inquisitor and Tenth collapsed on the floor of their rebuilt headquarters. They'd been back on Coruscant for less than a full day, but when the Emperor himself requests a meeting, it isn't a request.
Upon arrival, Vader chose to test them. For three hours, they managed to work together, barely fending off the Dark Lord of the Sith. Every moment felt like inches from death, and when it was at last over, they couldn't even stand, so drained were they. Now, the question remained, would Vader dispose of them for their failure to finish off the Jedi on Sulon?"
They both heard the distinctive sound of their Master's lightsaber deactivate. It was small comfort, as the Sith Lord hardly needed a weapon to deal with them.
Kshhhhhh
Both inquisitors got on their hands and knees and began to rise, but as they did, the subtle push of the Force on their backs told them to remain kneeling.
"I apologize for our failure to subdue the Jedi, Lord Vader," the Grand Inquisitor said unprompted, a quaking in his voice.
For one long moment, silent as the grave, Darth Vader watched them.
Kshhhhhh
"You did not fail me, Inquisitor. Nor did Tenth Brother."
The two shared a glance of relief tinged with confusion.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi was unexpected. Not even I foresaw the presence of my former master."
Neither inquisitor knew, or was foolhardy enough to ask, about Emperor Vader's past, but here he was, revealing it openly. If he was this free with information it could only mean one of two things.
They both tensed when he reactivated his lightsaber.
Kshhhhhh
Vader held it directly over Tenth's shoulder, then moved it away.
"Rise, my High Inquisitor."
"A promotion?" Tenth asked.
"You now answer to the myself, Tarkin, and the Grand Inquisitor. No one else. Your first assignment will be the initial training of the first Dark Troopers."
"Dark Troopers, my lord?" the Grand Inquisitor asked. Tenth tilted his head. If his superior wasn't in the know, this was a very new mission.
"Training for those with a Force connection. Not strong enough to join you as fellow inquisitors. However, the abysmal performance of your brothers and sisters," Vader said as he turned to Tenth, "proves Palpatine lacked appropriate standards." The two remaining inquisitors listened as Vader explained their organization would, much like the Old Republic, be reorganized. Strike teams of force sensitive troopers trained and led by an inquisitor who in turn would undergo harsh training from the High Inquisitor, the Grand Inquisitor, and Vader himself. "Kyle Katarn will be your first student, Tenth. Do not disappoint."
When Vader left, the two collapsed on the ground, too exhausted to bother finding beds.
###
Kento Marek paced back and forth across the front porch of Kenobi's home. They'd arrived a week ago. He'd been almost delirious with fever from the lost hand, but now, thanks to the Amidala family, he had a prosthetic installed.
Ironically, it was a result of Anakin Skywalker's time on Naboo during and after his marriage to Padme that Marek had access to such an advanced replacement for his lost hand. Designed on Coruscant by the Jedi himself, he brought an entire workbench worth of parts and documents to his wife's home. Considering he built his own pod racer and Threepio, it was no surprise that Skywalker would customize his mechanical replacement limb.
Now, Kento looked at his left hand and slowly closed and opened his fingers. Unlike the rugged metal appendage Anakin chose, this one mimicked flesh. It might not be as sturdy as the one that accompanied the infamous Jedi-turned-Sith, but it would stand out a lot less.
Lowering his arm, Kento turned to Obi-Wan. "Shouldn't they be here by now? Maybe something happened."
Kenobi set Luke back in his crib and picked up Leia for her turn with a bottle of milk, rolling his eyes at his new house mate. There was more than enough room, and after the encounter and failure on Sulon, it was decided that sticking together would be better than sending the few remaining Light Side users to far flung corners of the galaxy. At least, that was the feeling Kenobi got when he meditated on the transport that took them out of the Sullist system. He'd tried to reach out to Master Yoda through the Force, but there was a disquiet throughout the galaxy that felt like a fog, and it seemed to mask the Grand Master somewhat, but the sense that they should stick together was enough for Obi-Wan.
"They barely landed this morning, Marek," he said, watching the baby girl drink. "The poor man was so nervous, he could barely meditate long enough to reach out and feel the presence of his family. Kenobi had no such problems, so he knew full well they'd been slowly getting closer for the last few hours. In fact, he sensed the presence in the Force quite close. Rising with Leia in his arms, he stepped off the edge of the porch and took a peek towards the edge of the valley. A small cloud of dust, kicked up by an archaic model of hover car, signaled what Obi-Wan already knew. "That'll be them."
The Jedi smiled. If nothing else, it would be nice to have the company and a playmate for Luke and Leia as they grew older.
###
Vader returned to his office in the Imperial Palace after his morning exercise with the Inquisitors. In truth, it was a welcome distraction from the task he'd set himself to in the aftermath of the assault on the InterGalactic Bank. For once, he was content to allow the slow gears of bureaucracy to churn at their usual glacial pace. It would be at least several more days of bickering and back room deals before even the hint of decisions would make themselves known.
Time Vader could direct towards his primary goal.
Tarkin entered the office at the appointed time and found Vader behind the desk, a dozen Jedi and Sith Holocron floating around the Emperor. Slightly more than half remained resolutely locked, but compared to last week, when Nix Card was still being questioned, it was a slight improvement.
"I trust things are progressing to your satisfaction."
Kshhhhhh
"My satisfaction, Tarkin, would involve the violent deaths of the rancor's share of the Senate. However, I foresee that I will soon unlock these Holocron and learn the secrets I seek."
"I understand they are puzzle boxes to you Sith and the Jedi, but what exactly for?" Grand Moff Tarkin called them puzzle boxes, which was not wrong, but it brought to mind a toy. In that respect, he was mistaken. Holocron were a tool, used by the Force sensitive to hold all manner of information. In the case of one, it revealed to Vader the location of a handful of families with the potential to produce Force sensitive children, Kyle Katarn being one among many. But that was merely a small example of what Vader truly sought. The very reason he worked to unlock so many, the key to his primary goal, required more information than any one Holocron, or even the Sith or Jedi alone, could provide.
Kshhhhhh
"Maps," Vader said. "Some lead to secretive orders that Sidious or the Jedi knew of. Others to Force Loci, places strong in the Dark or Light Side."
"And what happens when these locations are unlocked?"
"I will find a new Master to continue my instruction in the Dark Side."
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin's eyes went wide. He always assumed Vader to be the sort to cast aside tutelage from others. Yet here he was admitting openly that he would not only learn from another, but actively sought out someone he could call Master.
"Is your mastery of tactics and strategy so complete you would turn down the chance to learn more, Tarkin?"
"No, Lord Vader, I suppose not."
"The great difference between myself and Sidious is I do not consider myself the Zenith of the Dark Side. As such, I am aware of my own potential for both failure and growth."
Tarkin considered the comment and the myriad meanings it might have, both for a Sith Lord, and for the ruler of the Galactic Empire. It was true enough, if Palpatine failed to consider the possibility of his own demise at such an early juncture, there remained unseen flaws in the Empire he built. "What next, then?"
Kshhhhhh
"It is time I met with the Senators who have formed their little enclaves. There is much to discuss, foremost The Weapon."
###
Bail Organa and Mon Mothma walked side by side, discussing the days events and what they thought of Nix Card's testimony. The same conversation was no doubt playing out between hundreds of Senators all over the Imperial Senate. And like all the others, Mothma and Organa's talk was a thin veil over what they actually cared about.
Vader and his intentions.
Unlike most of the Senate, these two had a more direct experience with the Dark Lord, having been party to his assault on Nix Card's forces and subsequent arrest. His command of the Force and combat prowess, calling them extensive would be an understatement, left little room as to what he might be capable of if anyone openly crossed him. At this point one had to wonder if the Imperial Military was a convenience for Vader, rather than a necessity. How much he could accomplish alone?
"What did you think of the testimony?" Bail asked.
"Its clear, I think, the other members of the IGBC are covering themselves by throwing Card to the wolves," Mothma said. Meaning, the Bank wanted to make sure Nix Card took the fall so their relationship with Vader could be repaired. Certainly the financial power of the IGBC was immense, but it would mean little if their executives made an enemy of the seven foot tall cyborg capable of ripping them apart with a thought.
"Perhaps they'd be willing to talk in a more private setting," Bail suggested.
Mothma was about to answer when she saw Tarkin turn a corner up ahead. "Grand Moff," she said with a practiced political smile and bow.
"Senator Mothma, Senator Organa," Tarkin answered. "I hope the day finds you well. If you have time, a private meeting would be most appreciated."
They were near enough to the usual room, so the Senators followed after the Imperial Military's head. There was no talking during the few minutes it took to reach the formerly disused room, and when the pair entered ahead of Tarkin, they froze.
Kshhhhhh'
Vader sat at the head of the table, hands folded and mechanical fingers interlocked on the synthetic wood in front of him. Even sitting down, his height and presence were as imposing as ever. Mon Mothma was less than a head taller than the Sith while she yet stood.
"Sit," Vader ordered.
Mothma and Organa turned back and looked to Tarkin.
"He wants to speak with all three of us."
Unsure, the Senators took chairs halfway between Vader and the far end of the table, where Tarkin chose to place himself, directly opposite the Emperor.
"What can we do for you, Lord Vader?" Bail Organa asked.
Without unlacing them, Darth Vader extended a single pointer finger and a small data puck floated from the side table in the corner, landing in between the politicians. "You will, Senators, wish to see this. A project initiated by Palpatine."
Cautiously, Mon Mothma activated it and the center of the table lit up from the glow of a hologram. At first it might be mistaken for a simple, mechanical sphere, but once their eyes glanced over the date, they grew wide in horror.
"Are these numbers accurate!? This can't be possible, that would make this the size of a small moon!"
"What could the purpose of such a thing be?" Mon Mothma asked.
"A super weapon," Tarkin supplied. "One intended to destroy an entire planet, if necessary."
"By the Force…" Bail said as his jaw dropped.
Kshhhhhh
"Early construction is already begun above Geonosis," Vader said. "I intend to put a stop to it."
"Why?" Bail asked. Mothma remained absorbed in the horror of what she was seeing and the level of death and destruction the mad creation would be capable of.
"Although Tarkin and I both adhere to a doctrine of Rule Through Fear, we differ in its application," Vader explained.
Both politicians turned to the Grand Moff, fury in their eyes.
"Yes, I supported the construction of the 'Death Star' as it was dubbed. However, Lord Vader has convinced me of other methods to maintain peace and order across the galaxy.
"Looking back to the Emperor they both said, "You don't want it?"
"There is neither need or sense in applying fear equally," Vader explained. "What use is there in convincing a destitute farmer that the Empire can crush him? He knows full well how little power he holds. It is the governor, the king, the planetary ruler and the politician who must be brought to heel."
"Is that a threat?" Bail asked, almost baring his teeth.
Kshhhhhh
"It is." For a moment Vader said nothing, merely stared down the Senators. Soon enough, they blinked. "Do not mistake me, Organa. I am meeting with you. Here, now, I am willing to listen to what you have to say. It is time to face reality. The Galactic Empire exists. You can accept that and have a hand in its governance or continue in the folly of hoping for a return to the necrotic republic."
Vader rose and walked towards the door. "Consider my offer until I return."
"Where are you going?" Mothma asked.
"You are not the only bureaucrats who need to hear this."
The door slid open and Vader stepped out into the corridor.
"Lord Vader!" Bail called, causing the Emperor to stop. He didn't walk away, but he didn't turn around either. "Why give up this 'Death Star' when it would give you absolute authority over every single planet in the galaxy?" TO Bail Organa, it went against what he thought he knew of Darth Vader. A Sith, a Dark Side user, refusing power was so far out of expectations that it seemed like Organa's world was upside down.
Kshhhhhh
"The power to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the Power of the Force."