Luke and Leia - Rebels [2]

22: Yoda

Asteroids speckled the immediate space around the Star Destroyers as they veered ever closely to the dangerous field. A few stray rocks colliding against the rough hull and ricocheting back into oblivion would have rattled even the toughest of nerves, as seen in the officers and admirals eyeing the rocks off of the bridge nervously.

But Darth Vader paid them no mind; his was wandering farther away. He stood with hands clasped behind his back below his cape, breathing soft and slow as he peered out into the field silently. The mere presence of the Sith Lord on the bridge had changed the entire demeanor of the workers; Vader had sensed a dramatic shift in mood and activity level as soon as he had strode in. Glazed over glances became focused squints, and leisurely strolls turned into walks with purpose as the Sith Lord had made his way to the front of the bridge. And now he stood, a beacon of power and menacing authority that no Imperial stationed on the bridge could ignore no matter how much they wanted to.

"Captain." His deep voice echoed quietly but with a magnitude akin to shouting. "Give me the commanders of every Destroyer in this sector."

"Y-yes, Lord Vader. Of course." The captain closest to him gave an abrupt nod that looked more like a nervous twitch and leaned forward to input the channels of the commanders.

The Sith Lord turned around and crossed his arms in front of him as life-sized hologram projections of about twenty battleship commanders appeared in front of him, each saluting as they arrived. A greeting of "Lord Vader" scattered through the holograms, and Vader waited for them to be silenced before he began.

"It has come to my attention that the Millennium Falcon has eluded every starship in the immediate vicinity." Vader declared, a hint of malice in his tone. "Be grateful that I am not aboard your cruisers."

He noticed with mild satisfaction the color drain out of each and every commander, except one. "Captain Needa, you and your vessel are in close proximity of the small ship."

"Yes, Lord." Needa nodded affirmatively. "We trailed them into the field as far as our cruiser would allow before sending a fleet of smaller TIEs into the field to comb it thoroughly. According to our most recent information, the Falcon disappeared into the field and managed to evade and destroy our fighters before seeking refuge inside one of the rocks. And that, Lord Vader, was the last time they appeared in any of our scopes." The captain cleared his throat with an authority Vader frowned upon; he must know any command he had was a complete and utter illusion. "Considering the amount of damage we've sustained, they must have been destroyed."

"No, Captain. They're alive." Vader objected with a tone that implied no argument was to be had. "I want every ship available to sweep the asteroid field until they are found."

The captain gave a reluctant affirmative and the commanders fizzled out, replaced by Admiral Piett approaching the Sith Lord tentatively. "Lord Vader."

"Yes Admiral, what is it?"

Piett's face was white as a sheet. "The Emperor commands you make contact with him."

Vader spurred into action immediately, starting down the hall. "Move the ship out of the asteroid field so that we can send a clear transmission."

"Yes, my Lord."

The Sith Lord entered into his chamber, his boots making a soft clack as he approached a smooth surface on the ground and kneeled carefully. His head bowed as the large hooded head of his master appeared before him. "What is thy bidding, my master?"

"There is a great disturbance in the Force." The Emperor rasped, yellow eyes glinting.

"I have felt it."