STAR WARS

Shattered Vengeance

The remnants of the Republic are splintering away. Countless star systems have fallen under the regime of the first Galactic Empire, blinded by promises of security and everlasting glory. Those that fail to adhere to Imperial law find it forced upon them.

The Emperor, seeking to extend his reach, has dispatched fleets to the Outer Rim and established Imperial control over many systems that were once overlooked. Bringing order to chaos, the Empire has taught those that oppose it to know fear and respect.

Mara Jade, otherwise known as the Emperor's Hand, is travelling to Tatooine. Although her mission is not official, she feels it will assist her in further understanding the connection between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker…

"This is Admiral Creedle of the Imperial Star Destroyer 'Reverence'. Your registration and clearance signatures are not recognised. Please power down and prepare to be brought onboard".

Mara sighed inwardly. Imperial procedure, as always, was proving to be tiresome. But she was a professional, and had dealt with much more tiresome matters in the past. Only weeks ago, she'd been embroiled in the fiasco involving the corrupt Governor Choard and a rogue stormtrooper quartet calling themselves the 'Hand of Justice'.

Tapping her gloved fingers rhythmically on the control yoke, she pursed her lips and calmed herself, half-closing her eyes and feeling her breath become the centre of her being. Reaching out with her mind, she felt the presences of thousands of like-minded individuals, each one existing within the Force but registering no aptitude with it. Such as it was with Imperials; the Emperor only trusted his most elite servants to use and manipulate the Force. Should the ability be found in a regular stormtrooper, he'd be exterminated at a moments notice.

Confident in the state of focus she'd achieved, Mara Jade sent a response transmission to the 'Reverence'.

"Admiral Creedle, you'll find that my ship and clearance are in-fact valid. Double-check, and be quick. The Emperor's Hand does not like to be kept waiting" she stated coolly into her comm unit. Silence on the other end; her words had hit home and their implications would be spreading through Creedle and his men. Already she could feel the fear and slight disbelief emanating from the bridge of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer. Counting down the seconds in her mind, a small smile crept onto her lips as a return transmission was received by her onboard computer.

"Like clockwork" she muttered, as she received high-priority clearance, along with the Admiral's personal guarantee that her business in the Tatoo sector wouldn't be hindered by his forces. Reactivating her forward thrust and grasping the control yoke, Mara navigated her way around the bridge section of the 'Reverence' and diverted her ship toward Tatooine's glowing atmosphere.