“Verge of Greatness” - From a Certain Point of View

"Verge of Greatness", by Pablo Hidalgo, comes from the perspective of Wilhuff Tarkin (and briefly, Director Orson Krennic). This story follows "Eclipse."

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WARNING: This is a plot summary of the short story, spoilers ahead:

In a flashback, Tarkin recalls Krennic giving the order to give the first combat firing of the Death Star, but it was by Tarkin's design, in case of failure. Tarkin did give the order to destroy The Citadel on Scarif, and Krennic along with it. Now, he stood on the bridge of the Death Star, with a fully operational battle station. Princess Leia was not forthcoming with information, and it frustrated him that a girl was able to hold the power of the station at bay.

Motti approached Tarkin privately, and insinuated (in a risky political maneuver) to the Governor that while the Emperor was on Coruscant, Tarkin was actually the most powerful man in the Galaxy, with the ability to destroy planets of his choosing. Motti wanted Tarkin to know, not in so many words, that he was loyal to him, should Tarkin ever decide to use the battle station and challenge the Emperor. If Tarkin had such designs, he certainly wasn't going to let Motti know that.

Tarkin chose his target. He gave Motti the order to go to Alderaan. He thought about that idiot Krennic, who knew all about hyperspace, and data, and laser dynamics, but knew nothing of politics. Tarkin had enjoyed being there to block Krennic's every attempt to seize glory and power. Now, as the station entered orbit, he had Vader bring Leia to the bridge, where he finally gave the order to destroy Alderaan. Tarkin experienced the satisfaction of the moment he had carefully maneuvered towards for two decades.

In another flashback, Orson Krennic was recovering from the blaster shot from Galen Erso's daughter at the top of The Citadel. He knew at this point the Rebels were likely to escape with some technical data. He would have to analyze what was stolen, so that he could determine the threat. He would have to deconstruct his battle station bolt by bolt to find the weakness that the traitor Erso had built into it. Nobody else would be able to do what he had do to save the project for the Empire, particularly that politician Tarkin. That was Krennic's final thought as he saw the Death Star arrive over the horizon, and sear the sky with the bright heat of the laser canon he designed.

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