gods and monsters

chapter one: public executions

14 BBY: Five years after the start of the Galactic Empire

Darth Vader's flagship, The Executor, entered Jeyell's atmosphere. Vader had come to the Mid Rim planet for multiple reasons, one was to oversee the takeover of the droid manufacturing plants and the other was more personal. 

But of course, official business had to be taken care of first.

The planet was on the Perlemian Trade Route Hyperlane and home to Reiber Manufacturing, a company focused on black-market assassin droid components. It was crucial to the Empire to seize the manufacturing assets of the planet and also to establish their own Imperial troopers on the world.

But during these past few years, the man once known as Anakin Skywalker was able to accomplish more personal missions. With the Emperor's authorization, Vader had made it his mission to make sure slavery was truly banished from all worlds. 

This was the promise of the Empire: Food, Housing, and Freedom for all.

For the past five years, the Emperor and his apprentice have stayed true to their word. The propaganda posters that lined the streets of every planet made sure everyone knew, the Empire would serve them better than the Republic ever could.

So, once that was taken care of, Darth Vader and his subjects made their way into the towns to round up any lasting slave owners for a good old public execution. Darth Vader, of course, was the one to do all the killings. He was still the man fueled by the hatred of his past, and he had to exert that anger.

There was a small city that made up Jeyell's capital, so that's where he started. Everyone knew he was coming, there was a mixture of fear and fascination that filled the air. The power of the Empire had proved true these past years, with many people in support.

The Emperor and his apprentice were known for getting things done quickly and efficiently—but especially by any means possible. And people loved it, loved that there were people in power finally doing things instead of just talking about them. Of course the mystery around who Darth Vader was just added to the intrigue.

The HoloNet news and papers speculated who this mysterious, supernatural man could be. There were some rumors that he was once a Jedi, but because they were being hunted to extinction, those rumors never saw the light of day. Only a chosen few knew who he truly was.

It only fueled the power of the dynasty, some people were obsessed with and worshiped the Sith. They loved seeing the people in charge have true unworldly powers they could never possess.

Vader started his walk through the main city street, his gang of stormtroopers and personal guards traveling in front and back of him. He made sure to keep a few members from the 501st close to him. Even though he despised his old life as a Jedi, he knew the men were capable warriors and he trusted them with his secret, and with his life. 

They were with him at all times.

Some people hid in the buildings, some came out to bow and pay their respects. All would eventually gather in the town square. That's where Darth Vader stood, while his loyal servants went into any slave-owning shops to bring out the proprietors. Some citizens gathered around to get an up-close look at the man in the mask. Some were brave enough to go up to him, bow and thank the Empire.

A woman came up to him, holding her child. She bowed and held her child up, "Our deepest gratitude to the Empire." Darth Vader had gone through this before, so he touched the child's head. She got up, scared to look him in the face, "Thank you, thank you," she said scurrying away. 

People believed him to be God-like.

Eventually, four slave owners were lined up and brought to their knees before the Sith Lord.