Wilhuff Tarkin stepped forward, but Darth Vader still did not turn around. He merely stood there coldly. Feeling the bone-chilling frost radiating from the other man, Tarkin could not help slowing his steps.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "My deepest gratitude for rescuing Garrosh Tarkin. I will forever owe you a favor. Whatever you need me to do, as long as it is within my power, I will see it done."
Wilhuff Tarkin paused, then continued, "As for the Rebel Alliance fleet that abducted Garrosh, I will also pursue it with all my strength. The full forces of the Imperial Fourth Army and Twelfth Army will cooperate without reservation."
Darth Vader still did not move. He merely stood there as the heavy sound of breathing continued to emerge from beneath his black helmet.
Hiss... hiss... hiss...
Cold sweat began to trickle down Wilhuff Tarkin's temples, and a faint sense of foreboding rose within him. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "In three months, Tarkin's battle station will conduct a docking test with the Death Star main body. To ensure the Death Star main body can be transported safely to Scarif, I formally propose that you take charge of security for the entire project."
That was an enormous stake to offer. Taking responsibility for Death Star security meant Darth Vader would have the authority to involve himself in every aspect of the Death Star project. And naturally, once the Death Star was finally completed, the forces responsible for its security would become its garrison.
In other words, this invitation was equivalent to making Darth Vader the supreme military commander of the entire Death Star project in one leap!
Originally, Wilhuff Tarkin had intended to use this bargaining chip to make political deals with Orman Tagge. After all,