The Force Unleashed by Sean Williams

me?"
    "Don't worry. I'll be sure to give you the highest possible recommendation."
    Well, thanks, she thought. "We form a strong team. It's unfortunate we can't keep on
    as we are." The worry in her voice was real. It's a shame you're planning to defy
    the Emperor-forcing me to decide where my loyalties lie.
    He put a hand on her shoulder. She couldn't tell if he meant to reassure her or
    simply silence her.
    The latter she could manage easily enough, although her jaw ached from keeping her
    concerns to herself.
    When he returned to the meditation suite to clean himself up, leaving PROXY to help
    her with the ship, it wasn't relief she felt, but emptiness.
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    * * *
    THAT FEELING REMAINED WHEN THE Rogue Shadow emerged from hyperspace in Scarl system,
    where the Executor lurked in its state of partial completion. She had decided
    nothing during the long journey. Should she remain loyal to her immediate superiors
    or try to warn the Emperor of their treachery? The question made her guts roil, but
    the answer eluded her. She needed more information, either way.
    Starkiller and his droid disembarked, obviously heading to debrief their Dark Lord.
    Juno's anxiety levels rose as soon as he was out of her sight. When he was with her,
    at least she could keep an eye on him. Who knew what could go down while he was
    gone-perhaps dragging her down with him?
    Remembering the strange feed she had managed to slice into while looking for her
    psychological profile, she shut the ship's external hatches and feigned a hull
    integrity check. Patching the ship's systems into the hangar's gave her access to
    everything in the flagship's data banks. Immediately she began searching.
    It wasn't easy. There was no use trying to follow the same route she had used the
    other night, since that appeared to have naturally cauterized itself. There had to
    be numerous ways into Vader's secret chamber; the trick lay in finding one that was
    open at the moment, a signal she could piggyback on as far as the security feed. And
    then, hopefully, she would be able to hear more of the pair's plans.
    She found the route via telemetry. Vader appeared to be closely monitoring the area
    around the fat red sun, although for a moment she couldn't tell why.
    Then a series of hyperspace signatures rippled through the vacuum, and she began to
    understand. Three Star Destroyers and a dozen smaller vessels were arriving from
    elsewhere, flashing into realspace with disconcerting swiftness.
    A cold feeling spread across her chest, enveloping her heart.
    With shaking fingers, she canceled the view and sliced as fast as she could into the
    security system.
    * * *
    THE APPRENTICE STOOD IN FRONT of the massive bulkhead leading to his Master's
    chamber for a long moment, gathering his self-control and centering himself within
    the Force. Ambition stirred in him: he pictured himself at his Master's side, the
    two of them striking the Emperor down together, as he had imagined many times down
    the years. He saw himself in regal attire as Lord Vader became Emperor Vader and
    assumed the mantle of Coruscant and all the other jewel-like worlds in the galactic
    crown. What sights awaited them in the Imperial court! What new challenges and
    aspirations!
    But his training demanded a careful balance between the lust for power and
    self-denial. Control was paramount, as in all things. He wanted to present the best
    face possible to his Dark Lord, lest once again the attainment of his dreams be
    denied.
    "Is anything the matter, master?" asked PROXY from the droid's familiar position at
    his shoulder.
    "Nothing at all," he said.
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    Straightening his shoulders, he waved a hand. The massive door slid open.
    Suppressing a smile, the apprentice strode confidently into Darth Vader's inner
    sanctum.
    His boots rang out on the metal floor, echoing through the familiar chamber. The red
    sun