In the void of space, an Imperial Star destroyer made its way to a massive grey orb, covered in trenches and metal plates, with a large circular indentation in the upper half. It revealed to be the Empire's infamous superweapon, the Death Star.
The audience present in the room felt shivers down their spine at seeing the monstrosity that the Empire created, having known that this thing was capable of destroying any planet.
"This is what the Seperatists may have been hiding this whole time. Now at the hands of the Empire.", Master Koon stated in a grave tone regarding the moon-like space station.
"Do you think we should postpone any upcoming campaigns, just so we could know what would happen in the far future?", asked Saesee Tiin.
Mace spoke of his thoughts. "If the Force wanted us to steer clear of this impending future, I vote that we do. We may yet save both the Jedi and the Republic from the Sith. And perhaps, know to where we went wrong."
Within it, a group of men sat in a guarded meeting room. Most of them were old and grey, while a few others were several years younger. They were all of them clearly military and the middle of a heated discussion.
"Until this battle station is fully operational, we are vulnerable." Commander Cassio Tagge professed. "The Rebel Alliance is too well-equipped. They're more dangerous than you realize."
One of his colleagues smiled, apparently finding his concern amusing. "Dangerous toyourstarfleet, commander. Not to this battle station." Commander Motti said smugly.
"His arrogance will cost him dearly.", Master Luminara said with a frown.
"A pilot who was barely ten years old took down a Trade Federation ship on his own. Anything can happen.", Obi-Wan added, causing both Padmé and Anakin to smile at that memory. But apparently one familiar officer caught a former Jedi's eye.
"Wait, a minute. Isn't that Admiral Yularen?", Ahsoka pointed out at the white-uniformed commander who sat among the circle of Imperial officers. He had aged significantly compared to the present.
Anakin looked in shock on seeing his Admiral on the holovid, and no doubt, that is him. "By the Force, it is him!"
"So he has betrayed the Republic...", Mace concluded in a disappointed tone.
"That can't be it!", Anakin protested, having served and fought alongside with him as he can remember. "He loved the Republic more than his own life. He's proven himself to that, several times!"
Obi-Wan intervened. "Anakin, remember. This is the future. If we know what had happened in order for the Empire to rise to power, we may prevent him from serving the Empire."
Anakin nodded in obedience and went back to his seat.
Tagge inhaled, trying to control his temper. "The Rebellion will continue to gain support in the Imperial Senate, until- "
"The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us." a voice belonging to Wilhuff Tarkin walked into the room, followed closely by Darth Vader.
"Tarkin...", growled Anakin. He never trusted him first-hand, and was among those who presided at Ahsoka's trial and was the one who was most eager in punishing Ahsoka for a crime she never committed.
"That traitor...", Mace's current feeling with Anakin is mutual.
"Admiral Yularen is a surprise, but Tarkin is quite unexpected.", Rex spoke up, not trusting the man one bit after the fiasco at the Citadel and Ahsoka's trial.
"If he is quick to join the victorious, I'd agree with that.", Shaak Ti supported him.
Tarkin took a seat in the only open spot at the table. "I have just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the Senate permanently. The last vestiges of the Old Republic have been swept away."
Everyone was stunned at hearing this. How could the Jedi have failed in their roles as protectors of peace and justice? They would have to watch more of this to see the truth.
"That's impossible." Tagge said in disbelief, "How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?"
"The regional governors now have direct control over their territories." He explained, looking at each man in turn, "Fearwill keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station."
"The Trade Federation and the Seperatists though the same many times. How did that work for them?", Anakin called out at Tarkin's arrogance.
"And what of the Rebellion?" Tagge asked. "If the rebels have obtained a complete technical read-out of this station, it is possible- however unlikely- that they might find a weakness, and exploit it."
"Careful mind, he has.", Yoda complimented the officer.
Tarkin took his concerns more seriously than the other officer, or at least appeared to. Thankfully for him, Vader stepped in.
"The plans you are referring to will soon be back in our hands." he assured them.
"Any attack made by the rebels against this station would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data they've obtained!" Motti said, losing his patience with this pointless conversation about an impossible scenario. "This station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use it."
"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed." Vader said, turning to face the man. "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."
"Well, has it?", Caleb asked curiously.
"Very possible.", Yoda told the Padawan.
"I mean from what I read, back at the day, Darth Nihilus literally ate planets' life using the Force.", Ki-Adi Mundi stated, causing the other members to frown at him for bringing up the Ancient Sith. While Ahsoka and Caleb shivered at the thought of one man literally perfoming that kind of power.
"Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader." Motti looked up at him with a sneer. "Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not help you conjour up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the rebel's hidden fort- " he suddenly cut off and began to choke. Vader stood beside him, holding up a hand and pinching the air with his thumb and first two fingers.
"What in the world?", Ahsoka questioned, though a little frightened of the power displayed to them.
He leaned into him. "I find your lack of faith disturbing."
"Strong in him, the Dark Side is.", Yoda said in a grave tone.
"Enough of this!" Tarkin ordered, "Vader, release him!"
"As you wish." As he walked off, Motti fell forward on the table and gasped for air, his body greedily taking in the life-sustaining gas.
"This bickering is pointless." he stared at everyone, daring them to challenge him "Now, Lord Vader will provide us with the location of the rebel fortress by the time this station is operational. We will then crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke."
"The Princess is with them, I could only fear the worst for her.", Padmé said in conern.
"Rest assured, Senator Amidala. She is strong", Anakin assured her. Though internally, he felt a connection between him and the Princess at whole.
Back on Tattooine, Obi-Wan, Luke and the droids beheld nothing short of a slaughter. The bodies of the creatures who found Artoo and Threepio were scattered about the ground, which was burned and scarred. Craters dotted the earth and chucks of metal were strewn about. Luke and Obi-Wan walked among the bodies, trying to determine the cause, while Threepio and Artoo stayed off to the side.
"It looks like the Sand People, alright." Luke said, "Look, there's ghaffi sticks, bantha tracks. I've just never heard of them hitting something this big before." He jammed the stick he was holding into the ground.
"They didn't." Ben said, "But we were meant to think they did. These track are side-by-side. Sand People always travel single file to hide their numbers."
"These are the same Jawas that sold us Artoo and Threepio." Luke said.
Ben took his shoulder, and pointed at the sand crawler. "And these blast points, far too accurate for Sand People. Only Imperial stormtroopers are so precise."
"But why would Imperial troops want to slaughter Jawas?" Luke looked up at Threepio and Artoo, standing near his speeder, and the pieces started to fit. "If they traced them here, They may have learned who they sold them to and that would lead them back… home." Luke took of for his speeder before Ben could stop her.
"Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous!", Ben warned him as Luke jumped in and took off at full throttle.
"Something has gone wrong..", Padmé stated in concern for the Lars family.
He blazed over the desert, making a beeline for home. He slowed as she approached her home, his stomach dropping when he saw the smoke rising from within.
"Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru!" he called, hoping against hope that they yet still lived. He fell silent at the site of the charred corpses at the entrance, one male and one female. A tear fell down one cheek as reality sunk in. He was alone in the world. His only family lay dead before him, his home in ruins.
He looked down and away, trying to hold back the tears. Soon his grief turned to anger, and as he looked up, those blue eyes were filled with fierce determination.
Everyone grimaced at the unfortunate fate that befell for Luke's family. He hadn't even known Anakin or his mother, and now his family taken away from him.
"We were trained to be soldiers..not murderers.", Rex muttered in a grave tone at seeing at what they had become.
"It's not your fault Rex. We will stop them.", Anakin assured him. He unconciously clenched his fist. While he only met them once, he owed them that much when they freed his mother from slavery and the fact that they raised Luke when he and Padmé couldn't be with him.
Now he wanted the Empire to pay for they did.
As he walked back to his speeder, he knew what he had to do next.
A trio of TIE Fighters flew a patrol pattern near the Death Star as it hung in space. Inside, a pair of guards led Vader down a hallway with doors on either side of them: a cellblock. One of the guards opened the door, revealing Leia sitting on the far end of the cell. Vader stepped inside.
"And now, your Highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden rebel base." He said, standing aside as a black floating orb entered the cell. It held a needle filled with a clear liquid and Leia shied away, knowing what was to come.
Fortunately, the door closed and a guard walking down the cellblock.
Everyone frowned at the Dark Lord's proposed discussion with the Princess, concerning the base. Needless to say, Anakin hated him even more.
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