MANY LIGHT-YEARS AWAY, Grand Moff Tarkin stared out a viewport on the Death Star. While Orson Krennic may have felt that he was the man who’d brought the Death Star to life, it was Tarkin who’d conjured the vision of the battle station in the first place. Not only would he take credit for the project in the Emperor’s mind—he would be the one to employ it.

Tarkin had made sure of that from the start. Krennic was a fine person to get the Death Star up and running, his lack of consideration for security aside. But the Emperor would never put such a powerful weapon in the hands of a man with such limited ambitions.

Krennic only wanted to build an amazing weapon. He had no real desire to use it.

But what good was power if you didn’t wield it?

The only real question was, What should Tarkin use the Death Star against? What would make for the best display of its awesome power?

General Romodi walked in, disturbing his train of thought.

“Sir?” Romodi said. “Scarif base! They’re reporting a rebel incursion.”

That seemed odd. Scarif was well protected. Why would the rebels risk destruction by attacking it?

“I want to speak with Director Krennic.” While the man might not have had enough hunger for power, his insight on this matter might prove useful.

“He’s there, sir. On Scarif.”

Tarkin arched his eyebrows as he considered this news. Something had put both the rebels and Krennic on Scarif. That could not be a coincidence.

“The original plans for this station are kept there, are they not?” he asked.

“They are.”

Tarkin frowned. It seemed clear now that Krennic had been far more careless about the security of the battle station than Tarkin had suspected. He would be forced to cauterize the problem and put a swift end to it.

He nodded at Romodi. “Prepare for the jump to hyperspace, and inform Lord Vader.”

Tarkin was confident he could handle the situation himself, with the power of the Death Star at hand. However, having Vader around to bear witness to his newfound might could impress upon the Sith Lord who was truly in charge.

As Romodi rushed off, Tarkin allowed a hint of a smile to play across his lips. Perhaps this wouldn’t come out so bad for him after all.