Star Wars: Last Hope

Aftermath

Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin were walking through the grey hallways of the Death Star. Every minute it seemed a patrol of Stormtroopers would pass him. He sometimes wondered how many people were on this moon-sized space station. It seemed like thousands and he was certain he was not passing the same people. He knew his way around the station unlike most of the Officers, Stormtroopers, and Moffs that were positioned there. And speaking of the Moffs. The Dark Lord and Tarkin turned into the Death Star meeting room where the Moffs were having a debate.

"The Rebellion will continue to gain support in the Imperial Senate..." said a Moff angrily

"The Imperial Senate Will no longer be of any concern to us," Interrupted Tarkin as walked around the circular table to get to his chair "I have just reserved word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the old republic have been swept away."

"That's Impossible," said another Moff "How will the Emperor maintain control?"

"The regional governors now have direct control of their territories." responded the Grand Moff "Fear will keep the locals in line, fear of this battle station."

"And what will we do about Organa's death?" asked one "While Lord Vader claims to have the situation handled, it seems you have not found the killer or retrieved the stolen..." suddenly, the Moff grabbed his neck as Vader reached out his hand. He tried to loosen his shirt's collar but the Dark Lord's grip was inescapable.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing," he said coldly. The Moff's face was starting to become more purple by the second, but in his last moments, Tarkin stepped in.

"Enough of this. Vader, release him."

"As you wish." responded the Dark Lord as he released the Moff's throat. Normally, he would have killed the disrespectful Imperial but the Emperor had told him that on the Death Star, he was under the command of the Grand Moff.

"Vader," said Tarkin "I do have a concern about this mysterious killer. If he was able to successfully infiltrate a Rebel starship patrolled by our troops, that does make him a considerable threat to Imperial's everywhere."

"I have already locked down the spaceport on Tatooine," said the Dark Lord. "If he or she attempts to leave, it will be the last thing they ever do." The Grand Moff looked into Vader's lenses for a moment, as if he was trying to figure out if he was truly confident in what he just said. Then, he looked away.

"Very well, soon enough this killer will be identified and security restored. For now, return to your duties." and with that, the meeting was over.

Aunt Beru quickly ran outside after the explosion occurred. Luke stood still in shock at the scene before him. What had just happened? Old droids were prone to malfunctions but they never caused an explosion of that size. Skywalker didn't even notice that his aunt had run over to his uncle's body or that all of the remaining Jawas had fled inside their Sandcrawler. Then he felt someone grab his shoulder. He turned around and noticed it was Ben.

"You and I need to speak with your Aunt," he said as a tear rolled down Luke's face. Then the two walked towards the explosion site and a moment later, they were right beside Aunt Beru.

"Beru," said Kenobi quietly, "Luke needs to come with me." instantly, she turned around. Her face was very red and tears were streaming down her face like a waterfall.

"What did you say?" she asked

"Luke needs to come with me, he is in more danger than you realize."

"No, he can't go with you. He is the only family I have left and I won't let you take him from me like you did his Father." Skywalker turned to the old man with a confused look on his face. Ben had never told him he had known his father, let alone knew what happened to him.