Empire at War 4 - Step in Line!

Empire at War #4 - Step in Line! is the fourth photonovel of the Empire at War photonovel saga. It was released on June 30, 2006.

Meet the 501st Legion
Two months after the formation of the Empire, Naboo's queen, Apailana has granted shelter to several fugitive Jedi.

Emperor Palpatine has ordered Lord Darth Vader personally to oversee the anti-Naboo campaign. Lord Vader has "requested" to use the Illustrious during the campaign, altough Commodore Wolverton doesn't like the idea. After the introductions, Vader orders Captain Trazzen to take him into the operations room.

Queen's guest
On the remote planet of Naboo, Queen Apailana in in deep thoughts, but her peaceful moment is cut off by the Chief of Security Staff, Hankiel. Hankiel informs that the Queen has a visitor: Moff Fillem, the Moff of the sector. Fillem infors the queen that her actions have been reported to the Imperial Government. Apailana says to the Moff that she can hardly call fleeing mass-murder and torture a crime.

Vader's orders
Darth Vader has been giving new orders to Captain Trazzen onboard the Illustrious. After a few brief orders, Vader left and the Captain and Commander Frigit glanced at each other - unsure about what to make of their new Commander-in-Chief.

Preparing the assault
Two days later, Darth Vader and his 501st Legion meets on Naboo with Moff Fillem. Vader asks about the location of the Queen, but the Moff doesn't answer directly to Vader's question, which annoys him. When Vader demands an answer and gets it, the Moff points out that the Queen is aware of Vader's presence and will most likely do some resistance. Vader then orders Commander Appo to prepare the 501st legion for an immediate assault on the Palace grounds.

Apailana prepare for a battle
Within the Palace grounds, Queen Apailana was warning the fugitive Jedi about what was to come. After Jedi Master Aakie Roun is warned, he thanks the Queen, to which the Queen just replies by saying that it's been an honour serving the Jedi Order and The Force.

Imperial High Command prepares
The Imperial High Command, including Commodore Wolverton, Moff Fillem and Darth Vader met briefly before the battle was about to begun. Moff Fillem and Darth Vader had an argument, which ultimately led to the Moff's death by Vader's lightsaber. Then Vader ordered Commander Appo to commence the attack.

The battle begins
Just moments before going to the battle, Appo gave a few final orders to his men. Then they went to start the battle and they managed to surprise the Naboo defence force and completely surround them. Before the defence force was killed, Jedi Master Aakie Roun joined the battle, immediately killing two 501st members.

Apailana arrives
Then Queen Apailana and Chief of Security Staff Hankiel made an appearence after the Jedi. Darth Vader also came to join the battle and take care of the Jedi. When the Jedi and Vader battled, Apailana threatened Commander Appo. Appo did not agree to anything, because he knew that backup was just around the corner. When Appo's backup team arrived, they shot Apailana and Appo seized Hankiel's gun.

Vader duels the Jedi
On the other side of the plaza, Jedi Master Aakie Roun and Darth Vader battled. During this duel, Aakie found out that Emperor Palpatine is Darth Sidious and that Vader was also a Jedi. When Vader asked Aakie "Have you not heard of Anakin Skywalker?", he managed to gain upper hand and kill the Jedi.