Chapter VII
An officer bumped into Vader as he neared the command center. "Please excuse..." the man began, but the Dark Lord was more concerned with his current task than the official. The door opened and Thrawn turned at the sound of his entrance. "It appears your discoveries have led to our captive's escape," the alien said calmly. "Did you receive my message?" Vader asked, pacing to a view screen. "Yes, all docking bays have been secured Lord Vader," Captain Niriz replied from the other side of Thrawn. "How many troops at each?" Vader asked, walking toward the man. "At least thirty-five sir," Niriz answered. "Really? And you assume such a battalion will stop him when I did not?" Vader asked, now standing by Niriz' side. "With all due respect, sir, the Admiral said your role would be played elsewhere," Niriz said nervously. "Really?" Vader asked, turning to Thrawn. "That is correct. I have formulated a plan to capture the Wookiee," the alien answered. "Elaborate," Vader said. "As our escapee flees to any bay he will leave a trail of hair, obviously. I have programmed all MSE droids to scan for any Wookiee hair our captive leaves. Once his destination is confirmed, the squad in that bay will rig all ships with an explosive and set them to detonate in three minutes after the engine is started," Thrawn answered.
"What if he manages to deactivate the bomb?" Vader asked. Thrawn held up a hand, implying that the dark lord should wait and went to a display. "We've picked up his trail in sector 054, sir," Niriz said from the other display. Thrawn turned on the intercom built into the arm of his chair. "General, he's headed your way, prepare for Phase 1," Thrawn said and then turned back to Vader. "You are to head to sector 30, Lord Vader," he said. "Thirty? Your droids-" Vader began. "Indicate otherwise?" Thrawn replied before Vader finished, "Yes, I am aware of that. However, upon my transmission to 054 it also broadcasted from nearby intercoms. Our escapee would hear the message and choose a different route." "Ingenious. What will the trap be in sector 30?" Vader asked. "Besides you, oxygen will be sucked from the bay. Your suit will provide you with ample supply to either capture the Wookiee, or stall him until he falls into unconsciousness," the Admiral answered. "Very well, let us hope he has not seen through this plan as well," Vader said, leaving the control room.
The message nearby made the escapee stop to listen. He needed to search around for an alternate route. He went to a nearby computer terminal. Sector 30 is close, he thought, heading in its direction. Hopefully the Imperials would not be ready there. He motioned his hand, causing the door to slide open and raced to the backs of the unsuspecting troopers ahead. A frenzy of blaster shots occurred as he spun around and grabbed one weapon from a knocked out soldier. Turning, he blasted at the others as he raced to a nearby ship's ramp. Placing the weapon down, he prepared to enter when a massive explosion occurred that knocked him away as the ship's parts flew everywhere. "I am quite impressed with your skills," a voice said from the smoke surrounding him. [We meet again; what a coincidence,] he growled back. The dark figure came forward. "I would suggest you save your breath," the answer came. A snap-hiss made him jump to his feet and he called the blaster back to his hand. He raced toward the figure, shooting everywhere. The man jumped over and slashed through his weapon. [This is not over yet, Sith,] he snarled.
"We shall see how you handle the power of the Dark Side," the other said. Objects came flying towards him and in an instant he reacted instinctively as he jumped over the objects and flung them back at his attacker. The other was hit and lost his grip upon his weapon. He immediately called it to him as he landed. "Impressive," his foe said. [I am full...of surprises,] he said. It was getting harder to breathe now; the oxygen supply must have... Before he could think, he was going in and out of consciousness. Soon he would be captured. Taking the weapon, he flung it toward his adversary. The other ducked giving him time to race to a shuttle, grabbing the saber he threw it at the main controls to the door and boarded the vessel.
Vader got up and saw his lightsaber headed towards the controls. Quickly taking hold of a nearby pipe as the doors to the bay opened, he held on as the remaining air was sucked out and the ship vanished. The doors closed and Vader then scooped up his weapon and began to cut through the door to the hallway once the doors automatically closed. His oxygen supply was beginning to run down. He stumbled into the hallway and gasped for breath. A medical team ran towards him as he blacked out.
Slowly, Vader awoke and looked around to see his suit being repaired. "I must contact the Emperor," he said, carefully sitting up. "Understood, Lord Vader. We must run some more tests and then you will be released," the staff leader said. "Very well," he replied, lying back down.