The viewer on the other end of the holo-link would see a close-up of the
Emperor's head and shoulders, of an age-ravaged face shrouded in the cowl of
his dark zeyd-cloth robe. The man on the other end of the transmission, light-
years away, would not see Xizor, though Xizor would be able to see him. It was
a measure of the Emperor's trust that Xizor was allowed to be here while the
conversation took place.
The man on the other end of the transmission-if he could still be called
that-
The air swirled inside the Imperial chamber in front of the Emperor,
coalesced, and blossomed into the image of a figure down on one knee. A caped
humanoid biped dressed in jet black, face hidden under a full helmet and
breathing mask:
Darth Vader.
Vader spoke: "What is thy bidding, my master?"
If Xizor could have hurled a power bolt through time and space to strike
Vader dead, he would have done it without blinking. Wishful thinking: Vader
was too powerful to attack directly.
"There is a great disturbance in the Force," the Emperor said.
"I have felt it," Vader said.
"We have a new enemy. Luke Skywalker."
Skywalker? That had been Vader's name, a long time ago. Who was this
person with the same name, someone so powerful as to be worth a conversation
between the Emperor and his most loathsome creation? More importantly, why had
Xizor's agents not uncovered this before now? Xizor's ire was instant-but
cold. No sign of his surprise or anger would show on his imperturbable
features. The Falleen did not allow their emotions to burst forth as did many
of the inferior species; no, the Falleen ancestry was not fur but scales, not
mammalian but reptilian. Not wild but coolly calculating. Such was much
better. Much safer.
"Yes, my master," Vader continued.
"He could destroy us," the Emperor said.
Xizor's attention was riveted upon the Emperor and the holographic image
of Vader kneeling on the deck of a ship far away. Here was interesting news
indeed.
Something the Emperor perceived as a danger to himself? Something the
Emperor feared? "He's just a boy," Vader said, "Obi-Wan can no longer help
