Chapter 12 - Geonosian Rebellion
After the public broadcast relayed Darth Vader's face across the Core Worlds, his support only surged ever higher. From the perspective of the general populace, it was nearly a fairy tale. A slave boy discovers his connection to the Force, becomes free, and rises up to the position of Galactic Emperor. Naturally, no one who didn't already know the truth would connect the scarred, burned face they saw on holo-screens to a former Jedi, assuming they'd ever heard of Anakin Skywalker to begin with. No, what they saw, and the primary talk amongst the news for days afterwards was his speech, his dedication to actually tackling the problems across Imperial space.
It was in those days of enthusiasm that news first arrived on Coruscant of a particular shipyard going dark.
"So, the Death Star ship yard has cut off contact, beyond that we know less than nothing," Tarkin explained to the Senate. It was the first public acknowledgment of the existence of a super weapon capable of ravaging, if not out right destroying, entire planets. Many Senators, of course, already knew about it, Vader having taken it upon himself to inform them directly. He elected not to share over much with the public, and the Senate agreed, at least not while it was an active threat.
Instead, he made a declaration that the first galactic battle group would be sent to deal with the rouge engineering site above Geonosis.
As much as Mon Mothma and Bail were wary of the surging popularity this would bring Vader and his Empire, they and their allies knew it was the only realistic option. Whatever was going on at the Geonosian shipyard, they needed to deal with it. A weapon with even the barest potential of what the blueprints suggested would make the Clone Wars look like a minor feud between local ruffians.
###
Kshhhhhh
"I sense your surprise, Grand Moff."
"You must admit, Lord Vader, it seems risky to have so much of your high command on this mission. If anything happens to us, the Empire may- no it will come undone."
In the Imperial Palace, Vader was looking over a holo-display of the Death Star shipyard and surrounding platforms. The space they took up, it was almost too much to take in. It really was a small moon. Numbers and blueprints were one thing, but when scouts sent back actually read outs, it felt all the more real. Even Tarkin, who formerly supported the battle station's creation, couldn't help but shudder at the concept made real.
Kshhhhhh
"As of yet, you have secured limited military actions. For much of our forces, the Senate, and the populace at large, your position is uncertain, your achievements unknown. Leading this operation will be sufficient to secure yourself as the undisputed right hand of the Empire and worthy leader of its armies."
Tarkin's eyebrows lifted slightly. "So this isn't a plan to crush potential rivals, you intend to use this to further crush political dissent?"
"You are too valuable to be lost to Senatorial infighting, Tarkin. You understand the Empire and its purpose, therefore I choose not to relinquish you to short sighted bureaucratic fools." Vader stated plainly. That might have been the closest the Sith ever came to expressing something akin to affection for someone, at least so far as Tarkin was aware.
"Thank you for your faith, Lord Vader," he said with a slight bow. "I will bring back absolute victory."
"I intend to ensure it, Tarkin. I will leading the main strike team."
The Grand Moff almost choked.
###
The Jedi Temple housed its own hanger for smaller craft, nothing like troop transport, but a handful of one, two, and even up to four seaters. When Vader took over and remade the Temple into his Imperial Palace, this was one feature he not only kept, but quickly improved upon.
Normally the Sith Lord would reserve it for his own use, but today a hive of activity buzzed as every dock stormed with activity. Engineers and electricians darted to and fro, going to every single star fighter, double and triple checking everything. At the back center of the hangar, Darth Vader's personal fighter all but loomed over the massive room.
Originally an Actis-class Jedi Interceptor, after the upgrades and modifications made by Vader himself, it could accurately be considered a new model. For starters, the astromech socket was gone. The ship included an integrated system for pilot assistance and hyper drive calculations, instead. Beyond that, it was designed to be far more responsive, given the right pilot at the controls. Weapon system tweaks allowed for more firepower, but a heavier draw on the power plant. In addition, the targeting systems were gone, ripped out entirely. Vader would have no use for them. Lastly, he saw to it his ship was painted black as night. With the darkness of space behind him, the Interceptor would be nearly invisible. That is, until the s-foils opened. Bright red paint marked under and inside them, and when he entered combat, the effect would be much the same as his crimson lightsaber igniting.
Looking over his work, the same part of Vader that once built a pod racer nodded in grim approval.
Although not as extreme as Vader's personal fighter, the other Actis fighters had their own upgrades. The pilots were gearing up, standing by as Vader and Tarkin walked down the hangar towards his ship.
Kshhhhhh
"We will rendezvous in orbit, Tarkin. The initial flight will also be a test."
"A test of what, Lord Vader?" After a short protest, Tarkin accepted that the Sith would indeed be coming along. He correctly pointed out that if the Empire was going to risk collapse either way, its Emperor should be there to give them every chance for success.
"My Dark Troopers. These are the first."
Tarkin glanced around and realized this was the first batch of Force sensitive Troopers Vader intended to use as the spear tip of the Empire's infantry. Not powerful enough to join the Inquisitorius, they nonetheless had a connection to the Force, making them valuable soldiers. For the eight pilots, the Force would be akin to subconscious instinct. A gut feeling telling them when to weave, when to dodge, or when to open fire. A waste to leave them in the usual rank and file.
Instead, this group would be part of Vader's wing in the coming assault.
As Vader moved towards his fighter, the pilots and maintenance crew paused and saluted.
Kshhhhhh
"My Inquisitors will be watching, during our absence," Vader stated. "We shall see what path the Senate chooses. In the mean time, a more pressing enemy must be destroyed."
"Understood, Lord Vader," Tarkin answered. "I will head to my transport and meet you on the bridge of the Imperious."
Formerly a republic era Venator-class attack cruiser, the newly christened star destroyer became the lead ship of the Galactic Empire and Tarkin's personal command ship. The Imperious now sported a more advanced battery of long range cannons and an expanded hangar of Delta-7 star fighters. While not as advanced as Vader's Actis Interceptors, it was a maneuverable one-man ship that served well in dog fights. A team of three other star destroyers, each commanding their own compliment of Acclamator assault ships, would make up the bulk of Imperial firepower. Vader and his wing, meanwhile, would take the fight straight to the unfinished Death Star.
All in all, this would be the first major battle for the Galactic Empire, and the first true test of its military prowess.
It was one thing for Vader himself, a powerful Sith, to lead the assaults on Coruscant corruption, where back up was only minutes away. Assaulting a battle station shipyard, far from the Core Worlds was quite another.
###
Kshhhhhh
"This is Vader, follow my marks and feed all data to my ship." Inside his Interceptor, Vader uncrossed his arms and his fingers slipped around the controls. Memories flooded, but he pushed them aside.
His red and black Interceptor drifted slowly through the hangar and out above the landing pad. Tilting up towards the sky, the engines glowed bright as the sun for a fraction of a second, then he was off like a shot up above the planet-wide city, well past the traffic lanes. Soon, he could see the first hint of stars as the blue sky faded to purple, then finally inky black.
As his fighter slowed into a stable orbit, the other eight ships of his wing closed in on his position and took their place to his left and right. A quick glance told him the communications between their computers was solid and no anomalies, unexpected or otherwise, were detected in their inaugural flight.
"Move to the Imperious," he ordered and guided his own ship the few hundred clicks to their destination.
Once aboard, the docking clamps grasped his fighter and Vader jumped out of the cockpit, landing with a thud on the metal deck. The destroyer's contingent of Stormtroopers waited at attention, along with many of the lower ranking officers. Barely acknowledging them, Vader ordered his men and the maintenance crew to check over every fighter again. He turned, his cape billowing behind him and marched to the nearest elevator.
"Emperor Vader on deck!" an officer shouted as the doors slid open and the black armored cyborg strode past everyone, taking his place next to Tarkin at the view port.
"Begin operation," Tarkin ordered and four star destroyers, along with nine assault ships increased power output, moving away from Coruscant and its gravity well. As they did, the data feed linked up with Vader's helmet, giving him information and constant updates on every single aspect of their fleet. Everything from power draw to positioning. Not that it was necessary. Useful? Yes. However, through his connection to the Force, Vader could feel it. Even those who weren't Jedi, Sith, or those like them still had a discernible presence. Small though it may be, it was there all the same.
"Grand Moff Tarkin, Lord Vader? The communication lines are open," the comm officer said.
Kshhhhhh
"Citizens of the Empire," Vader began without pomp, "The first battle group formed since the fall of the Old Republic will now begin its battery of tests," he lied. "I leave you in the hands of the Senate, and under the watchful eyes of the Inquisitorius and loyal Stormtroopers."
That last bit was aimed at more than a few politicians, who needed to know they would not have free reign. Fundamentally, the Senate could issue orders to the military, but not the Inquisitors. However, in truth, the Troopers and Tarkin's subordinates held far and away more loyalty towards the Grand Moff and Vader than they did to the Senate, which most viewed as an archaic relic of the Republic.
"Upon our return, all will understand what the Empire represents."
Kshhhhhh
"Justice and Order."
Vader cut the feed and then raised one hand.
That was the signal. With all ships coordinating their systems to Tarkin's Imperious, the fleet's hyper drive engines powered up. All around them, stars distorted and stretched into long streaks of white light. Inside the ships, the crew heard the distinctive thunder clap as they warped into hyper space.
"We'll be in the Corellian Run until planet Arkanis, my lord, then we plan to transition to the Triellis Trade Route. If you find that acceptable, of course," the ranking admiral said with a sharp salute.
"This will bring us past Tatooine," Vader stated without a hint of emotion.
"Will that be a problem, Lord Vader?" Tarkin asked.
Kshhhhhh
"Tatooine is nothing. Only the Death Star and its traitors matter. Proceed, Admiral."
###
Vader soon left the bridge, retreating to the private room prepared for him. Unlike many of the higher ranking officers, comfort was low on Vader's list of priorities. He oversaw the installation of a bacta tank and workshop during the retrofit of the Imperious, instead.
"Welcome, Lord Vader," Cz7-5b greeted. When Vader removed the astromech socket on his personal star fighter, he replaced it with storage for his custom combat droid. It apparently arrived ahead of him. "How might I be of service?"
Kshhhhhh
"I want no disturbances while I meditate."
Without another word, Ceezee's blaster and slug thrower pistols practically materialized in its hands, so fast did it draw them. The droid walked out of the room, standing guard at the door. In case of any emergency, Tarkin would be able to contact Vader directly. For anyone foolish enough to try and push their way inside, well, Ceezee's combat algorithms could always use extra data.
Removing his armor and helmet, Vader quickly climbed into the harness and placed the respirator mask over his mouth. As the medical system lifted him above the bacta, he called upon the Force, and his prosthetics detached from the connections at the ends of his severed limbs. A slight twinge of pain ran through his body. Like always, connecting and disconnecting the limbs caused the remains of his pain receptors to flare for a single instant. He could look forward to the same again when he was once more whole.
For now, he closed his eyes and sank deep into both the healing bath and the Dark Side. As he did, several tools on the work bench lifted into the air, along with his left arm. The coming battle would be the perfect place to test the new designs he'd been incorporating into his armor. Whatever Sideous may have planned for this Death Star, Vader intended to be more than ready when he faced it.
The custom built micro capacitor and battery slotted into place inside the forearm. A counter measure should he run into others who shared in Palpatine's favorite Sith ability.
Beneath the respirator, the hint of a cold grin played at the corners of Vader's mouth.