Free Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi, Volume 5 by Jude Watson Page A

efforts it would run smoothly, without the petty systemwide wars that had plagued it in the past,
without the inefficiency of many voices clamoring for different things.
    “Things are not going well on Samaria,” the Emperor said without preliminaries. “I haven’t troubled you about it because it seemed a minor problem. Yet Samaria is
necessary for us, a strategic link to the rest of the Core.”
    “I am not surprised, my Master,” Vader said. “I did not understand why Divinian was put in charge.”
    “There are reasons to keep him occupied,” Palpatine said.
    “Sano Sauro.”
    “That is one reason. Sauro is useful. He is trying hard to please me. He sent me a secret memo about the Academy.”
    Vader waited. Sauro was not a problem, not yet. He knew well that Sauro would plot against him. Sauro was more annoying than threatening.
    “He has an idea,” the Emperor said. “It’s about Force-sensitive children.”
    Vader grew alert.
    “We have eliminated the traitorous Jedi, but not the Force-sensitive. Sauro claims he is the only one in the galaxy who has the ability to discover a Force connection in children.”
Palpatine gave a mocking smile. “Can you imagine the arrogance? He had a protégé, long ago—a fallen Jedi named Xanatos.”
    “He was once the apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn. He turned to the dark side.”
    “I knew of him, but he was not my apprentice. Sauro said that Xanatos told him many secrets of the Jedi. He knows about midi-chlorians.”
    Vader was keeping his anger in check. “He inflates his importance.”
    “No doubt. But he thinks this will please me. He doesn’t know that he is dealing with a Sith. It’s quite amusing to listen to him.”
    “What does he want?”
    “To bring Force-sensitive children to the Academy,” Palpatine responded. “He believes that the Force can be used to train pilots. Reflexes, instincts. He thinks in ten years we
could develop an invincible fleet.”
    “He doesn’t understand the Force,” Vader said. “You can’t train children to develop the Force as
pilots
.” He spit out the last word in disdain.
    “This, from a former Podracer?”
    Vader didn’t move. He knew his Master brought up his childhood from time to time to test him, to prod the place that was most painful.
    “Of course you are right,” Palpatine said. “But I am going to let him have his little idea—for now.”
    Vader knew better than to disagree with his Master, but he had to make his objection. This news troubled him. He did not want other Force-connected beings to be gathered together. Order 66 had
eliminated the Jedi. He thought they were gone forever.
    “It is a waste of time,” his electronically-enhanced voice said.
    His Master turned to him then, and once again Vader saw the extent of his power. Palpatine knew him down to the bone.
    “If it makes you uncomfortable, you can find your own way to stop it,” Palpatine said. “You and Sauro are headed for a showdown. It is up to you to choose when it will take
place. I will not interfere.”
    “Yes, Master.”
    “I have just received word that the
True Justice
has been stolen. Sauro thinks I am unaware of this.”
    “This is another example of his poor planning,” Vader said. “A ship can be more vulnerable than trying prisoners in a court.”
    Palpatine waved a hand. “It was an interesting idea to try. But this is why I have called you here. Sauro is overextended. He has to find that ship and cover his tracks. He cannot afford
to take care of Bog Divinian.”
    Vader guessed what was coming. “So I must?”
    “You must control the situation. Samaria must be ours.”
    “It will be done, Master.”
    Vader turned and walked out, his cape sweeping behind him.
    Palpatine heard the doors hiss shut.
    He had worried his apprentice. Darth Vader did not want Sauro to gather any Force-sensitives. Especially children. It would serve as reminders of things he thought he needed to forget.
    He didn’t need to forget