[Grand Moff Tarkin's shuttle arrives on Lothal, greeted by Minister Tua, Agent Kallus and the Inquisitor]
[nervously; trying to get in Tarkin's good graces] Ah, Grand Moff Tarkin, I am honored by your visit to Lothal.
Grand Moff Tarkin[disdainfully] My visit is hardly an honor, Minister.
[caught off-guard] I... admit, I was surprised to learn you were coming--
Grand Moff Tarkin
And I, too, have been surprised, by what is happening on your little backwater world.
[scoffs nervously] Well, i-i-if you were referring to the insurgents, I-
Grand Moff Tarkin
In the absence of Governor Pryce, you have had a single, simple objective, Minister: To protect the Empire's industrial interests here, interests that are vital to our expansion throughout the Outer Rim. But instead of protecting those interests, you have allowed a cell of insurgents to flourish right under your nose, am I correct? [Tua stammers and coughs for an explanation. Tarkin turns his attention to Kallus] And, Agent Kallus, have you just stood idly by while this rabble have attacked our men, destroyed our property, and disrupted our trade?
[abashed] I have exhausted every resource to capture them, sir. This group has proven... quite elusive.
It's said their leader is... a Jedi.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
[disparagingly] Ah, yes, let us not forget the sudden appearance of a Jedi, as if leaping from the pages of ancient history. [regards the Inquisitor and adopts a sarcastic tone] A shame we don't have someone who specializes in dealing with them, otherwise our problem might be solved. [The Inquisitor scowls at the criticism. Tarkin rolls his eyes] Minister, have you ever met a Jedi?
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
I actually knew the Jedi. Not from the pages of folklore or children's tales, but as flesh and blood. And do you know what happened to them?
[nervously] Well, there were rumors--
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
They died. Every last one of them. So you see, this criminal cannot be what he claims to be. And I shall prove it.
[Aresko and Grint arrive at Tarkin's office]
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Gentlemen, sit. I understand you have experience dealing with these insurgents.
CACommandant Aresko
Yes, sir.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
And your efforts have been less than successful?
CACommandant Aresko
[stammering] Eh... We-Well, I... Er, I wouldn't say-- [the Inquisitor moves to stand behind Aresko and Grint]
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Commandant, if your efforts had been successful, we would not be having this little chat. Now, when was the last activity reported?
TGTaskmaster Grint
Sir, we, uh, personally responded to an attack last night on one of the outlying towns.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
And the details of this attack?
CACommandant Aresko
Um, nothing of note. The insurgents stole some supplies and escaped on speeder bikes. No casualties.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Ah, but you see, Commandant, there is something of note in that report; no casualties. Your rebel cell is more principled than others.
TGTaskmaster Grint
Others, sir? You mean there are other cells?
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Cells, factions, tribes, call them what you will. They lack the one thing that would make them a credible threat to the Empire. Unity. While your cell seems uninterested in violence, it does present a specific threat, the Jedi.
CACommandant Aresko
We have encountered him, sir, and he does live up to their reputation.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Oh, I doubt that very much, but I am not concerned with his skills as a warrior; I am concerned with what he represents, or perhaps I should say, I am concerned with what you allow him to represent by failing to stop him: Hope. There are whispers of this alleged Jedi in the streets; in time, such whispers might spark belief in something other than the strength and security of the Empire. And that, gentlemen, is something I cannot have. [The Inquisitor ignites his lightsaber and decapitates Aresko and Grint. Kallus cringes in shock while Tua gasps in horror at the execution, but Tarkin is unconcerned] Make no mistake, from now on, failure will have consequences. Agent Kallus, you will dispatch probe droids to every known location of insurgent activity on Lothal. We will discover the whereabouts of these criminals, and we will make examples of them!
We are getting reports of unrest all over Lothal. There are whispers from Mustafar. Some people see the Empire as weak, vulnerable.
Grand Moff Tarkin
Not to worry, Agent Kallus. The Emperor has sent an alternative solution.
[Guttural breathing is heard as, to Kallus's alarm, Darth Vader emerges from the shuttle]
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Governor Pryce, how are things proceeding on Lothal?
GAGovernor Arihnda Pryce
Lothal is secure, Moff Tarkin, but I am here because of the recent Rebel attack at the prison on Naraka, which I believe is only the beginning of a larger Rebel threat.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
I am inclined to agree. Although Lord Vader has dealt with the insurgency's Jedi leadership, these rebels have proven particularly stubborn. How do you intend to solve this problem?
GAGovernor Arihnda Pryce
I want the Seventh Fleet.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
I see. And what of Admiral Konstantine and his fleet?
Admiral Konstantine is more politician than soldier. I need someone who sees a larger picture.
AKAdmiral Konstantine
I'm certain Governor Price is overestimating how organized the resistance is, while it's true there pockets of rebellion there has never been any evidence of a larger scale galaxy wide operation.
And I would like to keep it that way, Admiral Konstantine.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Grand Admiral Thrawn.
AKAdmiral Konstantine
Grand Admiral!?
The Emperor recently promoted me after my victory at Batonn.
Civilian casualties outnumbered, the insurgents at the time.
Acceptable margins Agent Kallus, for there are no longer rebels in the sector.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Well Thrawn, What do you think of Governor Pryce's theory about the rebels in the Lothal sector?
This is a pirate our rebels rescued from Naraka prison, Hondo Ohnaka, within the last hour the Phoenix Squadron destroyed Mining Guild ships using the Sereeda hyperspace Waypoint, taken separately they may seem unrelated, But Ohnaka's cellmate was a labourer at our starfighter reclamation plant in the Yarma system, one jump point away from the Sereeda attack.
Grand Admiral Thrawn believes the Rebels intend to raid the plant, and steal fighters for their fleet.
Every ship they add to their arsenal increases the threat to our own armada and the Emperor's plans.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
I trust you have a solution.
I will start my operations here and pull the Rebels apart, piece by piece. They will be the architects of their own destruction.
[Thrawn is conferencing with a hologram of Grand Moff Tarkin]
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
Your TIE Defender project is at risk. Orson Krennic has been quite persuasive about diverting the funding to his own project: Stardust.
The Emperor has assured me that he supports my project.
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
In my view, Director Krennic's project has been nothing but expenses and excuses for years on end. You must make your case directly to the Emperor himself. I have already arranged the meeting.
I'll leave immediately, Moff Tarkin. [Thrawn terminates the conference with Tarkin and then contacts the Chimaera's bridge] Commander, inform Governor Pryce I'm departing for Coruscant. As soon as you have your course, make the jump into hyperspace.
Star Wars Rebels · 173 quotes
