Boulevard des Capucines

A cluster of tired-looking troops marched purposefully up to their Commanderand the Dark Lord. Vader eyed them expectantly. "The data tapes in question are not aboard the ship. There is no valuableinformation in the ship's storage banks and no evidence of bank erasure," the officerin charge recited mechanically. "Nor were any transmissions directed outward fromthe ship from the time we made contact. A malfunctioning lifeboat pod was ejectedduring the fighting, but it was confirmed at the time that no life forms were on board." Vader appeared thoughtful. "It could have been a malfunctioning pod," hemused, "That might also have contained the tapes. Tapes are not life forms. In allprobability any native finding them would be ignorant of their importance and wouldlikely clear them for his own use. Still…" "Send down a detachment to retrieve them, or to make certain they are not in thepod," he finally ordered the Commander and attentive officer. "Be as subtle aspossible; there is no need to attract attention, even on this miserable outpost world." As the officer and troops departed, Vader turned his gaze back to the Commander."Vaporize this fighter—we don't want to leave anything. As for the pod, I cannottake the chance it was a simple malfunction. The data it might contain could provetoo damaging. See to this personally, Commander. If those data tapes exist, theymust be retrieved or destroyed at all costs." Then he added with satisfaction, "Withthat accomplished and the Senator in our hands, we will see the end of this absurdrebellion." "It shall be as you direct, Lord Vader," the Commander acknowledged. Bothmen entered the accessway to the cruiser.