The Spider and the Storm

Returning from open space to the confines of his star destroyer was always mildly disappointing.

What little peace Vader had he found when flying. It allowed his mind to focus on the task at hand and shut out the suspicion and anger that forever burned there. His frustration with forever being cooped up with the fleet instead of free to roam where he pleased became unbearable at times. This gave him some semblance of freedom.

He had a few things on his mind today. He had a meeting planned with Governor Tarkin. This was not an uncommon occurrence, as the two found solace in each other's company due to their similar opinions and a long history friendship. They held a great deal of respect for each other. He had very few others with whom he could speak freely.

He pulled his TIE fighter into its place in the docking bay. He opened the hatch and clambered out. Below him, several service staff lurked at a safe distance with refueling cables at the ready. Vader examined his fighter briefly, running a gloved hand along the side and over a large scratch on the side. So he had struck that asteroid. He'd not mention it and wait to see how good of a repair job was done by the mechanics. He'd have an excuse to demote one of them if they failed to repair it properly.

He descending the steps to the landing, two stormtroopers meeting him at the bay doors that opened into the wide hallways of the star destroyer. They followed behind him, matching his stride.

Vader was caught up in thought, primarily concerned with his master's most recent orders. There were whisperings of an organized rebellion brewing. They had become louder over this past year, to the point where they finally had to subject themselves to the nagging of the ISB and investigate. He had sent some of his inquisitors along with the ISB agents who were sent on recon to investigate on order of his master, due to the suspicion of force sensitive involvement. There were a scarce few of the old Order left, but every so often one would turn up in a surprising location. The possibility of an organized rebellion would provide any survivors with the backing they needed to become a considerable thorn in the Empire's side. That would not be acceptable.

He turned a corner and made his way to a section of the destroyer that he temporarily called home. There were his personal chambers and a few conference rooms, most empty, but a few had projectors, holotransmitters, and other necessities for proper meetings. He often spoke with the Emperor here, or in his chambers. Tarkin would meet with him here. He was interested to discuss the Governor's findings on this simmering gossip of a resistance.

"You are dismissed." He waved a hand to the stormtroopers, who took a step back, saluted, then turned on heel and marched away in perfect sync.

Vader turned and stepped into one of the conference rooms. This one had a view of the outside, and he watched as the TIE pilots conducted a few training exercises, noting each mistake the pilot made from where he stood. He'd have to have a discussion with whoever was training these soldiers.

"Hmm." He muttered aloud, watching idly as his interest drifted away from the pilots outside. He looked forward to his meeting with the Governor, but he'd seemed ill at ease recently. He couldn't lay a finger on why. It irked him if he allowed himself to think about it. He struggled to place those thoughts far away where they could not bother him, but they always slipped through the cracks to annoy him at some point or another. He had an odd feeling that slipped away from his grasp whenever he tried to capture it.

Perhaps speaking with Governor Tarkin would settle the matter a little.

Tarkin's leg bounced as he keyed in the code for Vader's holo, smoothing his hair down a couple times to make sure it wasn't mussed and running his hand over his chin to check for stubble. He'd been forgetful of late, the coffee and lack of sleep working together to cloud his mind. All his energy was put toward remembering what meetings to go to and what decisions would or wouldn't further the goals of the Empire most efficiently.

The wait icon came up, and Tarkin straightened himself in his chair. He slid his thermos off to the side and blinked a couple times to wake himself up more, then stilled his leg and waited for Vader to answer.

Vader's transmitter beeped. He leaned forward in his seat and pressed the button and the image of Tarkin appeared. He seemed more bedraggled than usual. Though he hid it well, he could not shield all of his feelings from his old friend.

"Governor Tarkin." He said, nodding his head slightly. "It is good to see you again."

"Likewise." Tarkin drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. "How may I help you today, my friend? Your message said this was a personal call." He hoped it would be swift; his ability to hide his resentment grew weaker and weaker every day. He feared it might eventually spill over...one day he would have to tell Vader what he knew. Soon. Before it caused a rift.

Vader rested his forearms on the table in front of him and clasped his hands. He could feel Tarkin's exhaustion through the feed. His friend was troubled.

"Personal yes, though I am curious if you have learned anything of this rumored rebellion." He paused for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. "However, I am concerned about something, Governor. You seem...unsettled."

Tarkin tilted his head. "You have no need to be concerned." Calculations rose unbidden to his mind--should he broach the topic? Should he brush over it entirely? Usually he knew what to do, but he found himself at a loss. Everything was a risk. Nothing had a clear benefit anymore.

"I have been keeping tabs on the Rebellion," he said to buy time. "There are little pockets popping up all over the Outer Rim. None of them are united yet, but they're certainly making nuisance of themselves."

He nodded, but that was all old news. He was stalling. Whatever was bothering him was slipping from Vader's grasp. It was a little irritating, but he was predominantly worried something was wrong and he didn't know. Was someone threatening Tarkin? Certainly not, he was a smart enough man to thwart any sort of plan to blackmail him. Then again, there had been some turmoil in his personal life that could be the culprit, but he knew that the rift between him and his wife was nothing new. It was something else.

"I've considered involving my inquisitors. With no Jedi to hunt, they grow bored. They could use the field experience, hunting down the leaders of the little uprisings." He tried to pick up any stray thoughts, but the more he tried, it seemed the more Tarkin tucked them all away.