INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

           Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black 
           conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around 
           the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, 
           is speaking.

                                 TAGGE
                     Until this battle station is fully 
                     operational we are vulnerable. The 
                     Rebel Alliance is too well equipped. 
                     They're more dangerous than you 
                     realize.

           The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.

                                 MOTTI
                     Dangerous to your starfleet, 
                     Commander, not to this battle station!

                                 TAGGE
                     The Rebellion will continue to gain 
                     a support in the Imperial Senate as 
                     long as....

           Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut 
           short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial 
           outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally, 
           The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and 
           bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his 
           place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind 
           him.

                                 TARKIN
                     The Imperial Senate will no longer 
                     be of any concern to us. I've just 
                     received word that the Emperor has 
                     dissolved the council permanently. 
                     The last remnants of the Old Republic 
                     have been swept away.

                                 TAGGE
                     That's impossible! How will the 
                     Emperor maintain control without the 
                     bureaucracy?

                                 TARKIN
                     The regional governors now have direct 
                     control over territories. Fear will 
                     keep the local systems in line. Fear 
                     of this battle station.

                                 TAGGE
                     And what of the Rebellion? If the 
                     Rebels have obtained a complete 
                     technical readout of this station, 
                     it is possible, however unlikely, 
                     that they might find a weakness and 
                     exploit it.

                                 VADER
                     The plans you refer to will soon be 
                     back in our hands.

                                 MOTTI
                     Any attack made by the Rebels against 
                     this station would be a useless 
                     gesture, no matter what technical 
                     data they've obtained. This station 
                     is now the ultimate power in the 
                     universe. I suggest we use it!

                                 VADER
                     Don't be too proud of this 
                     technological terror you've 
                     constructed. The ability to destroy 
                     a planet is insignificant next to 
                     the power of the Force.

                                 MOTTI
                     Don't try to frighten us with your 
                     sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your 
                     sad devotion to that ancient religion 
                     has not helped you conjure up the 
                     stolen data tapes, or given you 
                     clairvoyance enough to find the 
                     Rebel's hidden fort...

           Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's 
           spell.

                                 VADER
                     I find your lack of faith disturbing.

                                 TARKIN
                     Enough of this! Vader, release him!

                                 VADER
                     As you wish.

                                 TARKIN
                     This bickering is pointless. Lord 
                     Vader will provide us with the 
                     location of the Rebel fortress by 
                     the time this station is operational. 
                     We will then crush the Rebellion 
                     with one swift stroke.