Dynasty: Chunk Fifteen
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
Anjaleen sipped her tea, and smiled apologetically at Mr. Jerklin. Sasha Winiterure, her mother, went on oblivious.
"Fifi is such a good little boy. See? He's learned how to ask Mommy to hold him!" The furry thing with long pink bows was pawing at Mrs. Winiterure's dress as she bent down to pick it up. "Does little baby want some cake? Here you go, on a nice little plate." It was licking icing off of a small plate Mrs. Winiterure was holding out for it.
"Mother, is it healthy for Fifi to eat cake?" Anjaleen asked, worried at the etiquette of having a pet eat at the table with a guest. Fortunately, Mr. Jerklin looked faintly amused.
"He loves it dear! Fifi would know if he shouldn't eat it. He's very smart." Mrs. Winiterure sniffed.
Anjaleen quietly sighed, and looked around the room in their Coruscant home, nodding at a servant to bring more hot tea. She turned back to Mr. Jerklin, and put on her best polite smile. "Thank you for dropping by, Mr. Jerklin. I do appreciate your company this afternoon."
"Not a problem, my dear. I was in the neighborhood anyway, and I wanted to speak with your father about some business in his sector." He politely nodded.
"He should be available soon," Anjaleen said, hoping that he wasn't offended that her father wasn't instantly available.
"I'm not in any rush." Mr. Jerklin replied.
Mrs. Winiterure put the plate back on the table. "That's good, you never know how long Randolf will be," she announced. "There, there, Fifi." She petted her little baby, "you've had plenty. Don't want to ruin your dinner."
Anjaleen eyed the plate that Fifi had been eating from, and glanced at a servant. It was instantly whisked away. She hoped that Mr. Jerklin hadn't noticed. She better change the subject before he realized how long her father was taking. Besides, she wanted to ask him a question. "Mr. Jerklin, I was wondering... Well, just the other day, some of my friends were talking and we realized that none of us knew where Lord Vader had come from. You're with Intelligence, do you know?"
Mr. Jerklin gave her a small condescending smile. "That's one of the bigger secrets in the Empire, my dear. No one knows. There have been rumors, of course. But no proven facts." He announced with conviction.
"But, what are the rumors?"
Mr. Jerklin's brow furrowed in thought.
Anjaleen's mother daintily laughed. "I remember when Lord Vader was presented at court. There were rumors everywhere when it happened, he came out of nowhere. Most of the rumors centered around two worlds however. One was Naboo's swamps, and the other was just rumored to be a planet with a lot of desert."
"Naboo?" Mr. Jerklin replied, confused. "But that's where his Majesty-"
"I know. Most people thought that rumor was a fake. Maybe Lord Vader met his Majesty there, that's what I think anyway." Mrs. Winiterure continued, petting her Fifi.
"That does make the most sense." Anjaleen said. "But a desert?"
"It's just a guess dear. You can't believe anything you hear, but you must listen."
"True enough." Mr. Jerklin replied.
The servants stiffened, and Mr. Winiterure walked into the room. "Mr. Jerklin, it is a pleasure to see you."
"Thank you, Sir." Mr. Jerklin replied, standing up. "I had hoped to speak with you about that business you had mentioned last night?"
"Of course, come into my study." Mr. Winiterure waved him forward.
Mr. Jerklin took a step forward, and turned back to the ladies. "It has been a pleasure ladies."
"The same here, Mr. Jerklin," Anjaleen replied.
Mrs. Winiterure was having a little trouble with Fifi, who was trying to jump down. "Baby, hold still. You're going to mess up your bows or hurt yourself." She fretted. Mr. Jerklin glanced at the older woman before he bowed and left.
As soon as the two men had left, Anjaleen whirled back to her mother. "Mother, could you please not bring Fifi when we have guests? You were rude!"
"What dear? Oh, you mean Mr. Jerklin. I wouldn't worry about him dear. He'll ignore everything I do to be nice to you, he's quite smitten." Mrs. Winiterure absently said.
"Mother!" Anjaleen replied, shocked and embarrassed.
"At least," Mrs. Winiterure sadly continued, ignoring her daughter as she stood to leave with Fifi in her arms, "I hope he is smitten with you, not-" She didn't continue. Anjaleen just watched her go, thinking about her own future.
Vader looked over the plans of the party, several days later, and sighed. Luke had finally decided that he wanted to do a dance and he had agreed that that was the best way to go. This way they wouldn't need to hire any other servants to help which would only have imposed a security threat. Although Vader was willing to hold the party, he wasn't willing to let the guests into certain parts of his castle, the upstairs and his study included. From the beginning the security problem had been a major issue as the house guards and servants weren't used to having anyone around that hadn't been completely searched. The problem had been solved when Palpatine had suggested that they flood the area with Royal Guards. If anyone questioned their presence it could be said that they were here to insure the Emperor's safety.
Vader nodded his head in approval as he reached the area of the planning that Leia had done, seeing that Mark had only found it necessary to make a few changes. Luke, who had gone over the plans already, had approved most of the changes. Seeing that Leia had worked so hard meant that she either was trying to change or trying to gain trust. Vader seriously doubted that it could be the first, considering the loyalty she seemed to have to her lost cause, but it could be that, seeing just what kind of life she could have, that she was looking at things in a new light. Whatever the reason, Vader knew that he'd have to be careful.
"Luke," Vader called as he sensed his son nearby.
"Yes, Father?" Luke asked as he entered the room.
"You are content with all of this?" Vader questioned as he indicated the plans on his desk.
"I am."
"Then it is time to send out the invitations," Vader stated. "Inform Mark that he may do so now."
"Very well," Luke replied as he left the room.
Vader sighed as he watched his son go. There was still one more aspect to Luke's birthday that needed his attention. Namely he still needed to get his son a present.
"Silence," Mon Mothma ordered before she turned her attention to the Bothan who had called this meeting of the High Council. He had informed her that he had some new information concerning the situation of Princess Organa, but had so far not been able to say exactly what. "What do you have for us Admiral Dl'os?"
"As you all know, we Bothans live in clans," Admiral Dl'os began. "Each clan operates separately from the others. I have just been contacted by a member of my clan who was passing on a message from another clan."
"What was the information they had?" General Rieekan questioned, knowing that the proud Bothan could go on forever about how the clans worked and how the info got passed along.
"Well," Admiral Dl'os said as his fur rippled in agitation. "It seems that one of their spies has discovered that not only is Princess Organa alive, but that she's being held in Vader's Castle as well."
"What?" General Ragorsh demanded. "How can they be sure?"
"It seems their spy is working as a tailor somewhere and that they received an order for several day dresses to be made," Admiral Dl'os said, repeating the information he had been given. "The order came from Vader's Castle and they were given the measurements instead of going and getting them."
"What convinces them that this is for Leia?" Mon Mothma asked. "It could be for someone else."
"What girl would want to live with Vader?" General Xa'sstresh inquired.
"The spy has made clothes for Princess Organa in the past when she was a senator and the measurements that came from Vader's Castle match hers exactly," Admiral Dl'os finished.
"So now what?" Admiral Snold questioned, drawing all eyes to him as he was normally quiet. "This is Vader's lair that we're talking about. If Organa is there then what do we do? We can't just barge in there and rescue her as we don't have a clue as to what the defenses to that castle are, nor do we know the layout of the castle."
"The clan with the spy is willing to help us there," Admiral Dl'os informed his colleges. "For a price."
"How much?" Mon Mothma demanded.
"Well, there are two options," Admiral Dl'os explained. "I've already paid 5,000 credits for the information we've gotten so far. Now the first option comes with no strings attached."
"Why don't I think that we're going to like this?" General Rieekan mumbled and then gasped as the Bothan said: '1,000,000 credits.'
"What is the second option?" Mon Mothma whispered, slightly pale.
"The second option is significantly lower," Admiral Dl'os said. "Only 500,000 credits. However, if we accept this option, then their spy will disappear within twenty-four hours of our contacting him. I've looked up the background of this clan and they've never had any trouble with the Empire yet."
"They probably don't want to get wiped out," General Xa'sstresh hissed, his long tongue darted in and out of his mouth, clearly showing his nervousness.
"Smart move," General Dodonna stated. "What can this spy offer us?"
"He's been inside Vader's Castle on several occasions," Admiral Dl'os explained. "He works for the tailor that has been used to get Skywalker his clothes."
"A vote," Mon Mothma finally said. "All those who want to take the second offer raise your hands."
"This is stupid," General Xa'sstresh declared as he saw almost all hands raise. "There is no way we can rescue Organa from Vader's lair even with this spy's information."
"We have to try," General Ragorsh stated. "Besides the vote decides."
Leia stood in the garden, looking at a statue standing next to the small river. Being unable to find any signs of weathering, she knew that the statue must be cleaned on a regular basis. Reaching forward, she touched the statue and instantly knew that it was made of copper. Leia turned around as she heard the now familiar hissing behind her.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Vader said as he approached her.
"Actually I was just wondering how many people went hungry because of your obviously huge pay," Leia retorted as she moved away from her father. "After all, every credit you get is one that doesn't go to people who need it."
"I seem to remember the gardens of your Alderaani home being this richly adorned," Vader replied and smiled when she flinched. "It is the same thing."
"No," Leia stated. "It is not. Father only bought stuff for the castle when he had left over and everyone was taken care of. Besides, the castle was a symbol of Alderaan, to be enjoyed by everyone. This garden, however, is purely for yourself."
"First, I am your father," Vader stated as he took a step forward, making Leia realize what she had said. "Second, it is not that I don't look after the people of the Empire, every time I go after the Alliance, I am looking after them. This is my home and I intend to do whatever I wish with it, if that doesn't please you then you may remain in your chambers."
Leia opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it. She had seen how short her father's temper was before and her cheek had hurt for a long time after he had struck her, not something she wanted to repeat if there was no good reason for it. Despite the fact that she wasn't going to say it, didn't mean that she couldn't think that Vader was a misguided, selfish, monster. Before she knew what was happening, Leia found herself with her back against the statue and looking up into Vader's skull-like mask.
"You have been treated well so far," Vader hissed dangerously. "If you wish for that to continue then you had better start showing the proper respect, both to your brother and to me. You should also learn your place as a woman."
"Wha--" Leia began, shocked. Then anger started to spread through her veins as she realized what had happened. "Stay out of my mind!"
"There is only one way for you to keep me out," Vader suddenly declared, making the offer as tempting as possible. "And that is by letting me train you in the ways of the Force."
"The Force?"
"Yes," Vader continued as he loosened his grip. "You may not have as much potential as your brother, but you do have some. Let me train you and you'll be able to protect your own mind."
'Protect your own mind,' the words rang through Leia's mind as she looked at Vader. They were the same words that she had heard in her dreams for a while. A voice had often talked with her at night, saying things about the Force and Vader. It had something to do with training and protecting herself. She had dismissed everything as dreams resulting from being under too much stress, but now she was beginning to doubt that. Whatever it had been there was nothing to do about it now as the voice had abruptly stopped speaking to her some time before her capture.
Vader growled mentally as he heard Leia's thoughts. What she was describing was a mental link with another being. Due to her lack of training she didn't realize it, but she had probably been in contact with a Jedi. Reaching into her mind, Vader quickly probed around until he found the now dead link. As he did so he instantly recognized the presence as that of Jedi Master Yoda. The fact that the communication had stopped could mean that he was dead, but Vader would need to do a search of the Force anyway. If the master was dead then he'd be able to sense that.
"No," Leia declared forcefully, dragging Vader back to the present. "I will never train from you. You'd only do the same to me as you did to Luke. I remember well what he was like before you convinced him to let you train him. He was a kind, innocent boy, the person you'd want to be friends with. Now however... I will never let you turn me into a Sith. Never!"
"Then your mind will remain an open datapad," Vader growled as he reached out with a tendril of the Force once more and positioned himself. "And you will be defenseless to myself and Luke." With this, Vader hit a nerve in her brain and Leia screamed as pain washed over her. Seeing her slide to the ground, Vader turned around and left.
"Luke," Nastalia said as she approached him in the busy ballroom.
"Nastalia," Luke replied. "I'm pleased to see you've returned."
"Thank you," Nastalia said. "I just wanted to tell you that father and I received the invitation and would be more than pleased to attend the dance."
"Good," Luke said with a smile, the light bouncing off the blood stones that were embedded into the green and purple outfit he wore.
"Me too," Anjaleen said as she approached the two.
"At least I'll be sure to have two people to talk with," Luke stated as he bowed slightly. "Well, people who are closer to my age."
"What about Ra'chealla?" Nastalia asked, remembering how the young woman liked to flirt with Skywalker. "Hasn't she contacted you yet?"
"No," Luke replied. "I have not gotten a reply from that house yet. But then, the invitations have only been sent today."
"Still," Nastalia said as she looked up as her father approached.
"Mr. Skywalker, Miss. Winiterure," he said as he came to stand next to his daughter.
"Grand Moff Bel-Zessa," Luke replied as Anjaleen bowed.
"I'd like to congratulate you on your success with the Rebels and I'm sure Nastalia has already told you we'd be more than pleased to attend the dance," Grand Moff Bel-Zessa said.
"Thank you," Luke responded. "And she has."
"If you'll excuse me for a moment then," Grand Moff Bel-Zessa said. "But I need Nastalia to meet someone."
"Very well, until later," Luke said before they walked off. "What about Raphael?" Luke inquired as he turned to face Anjaleen. "Any idea if he's coming?"
"I'm not sure," Anjaleen began as she her grip on her wine glass tightened. "But I think he'll accept. Probably wants to dance with me as he hasn't gotten that chance yet."
Luke sighed inwardly as he sensed her despair once more. "I was wondering," he began aloud. "Would you mind wearing that white dress with the colored jewels for the dance? You looked really beautiful in it the last time."
Anjaleen looked up at him in surprise for a moment. "Sure," she finally replied, blushing slightly. "If you want me to."
"Yes," Luke said, wondering why he had requested her to wear a particular dress. "That would please me."
Buchanan ground his teeth, wishing that Vladimir would leave. He was trying to talk to the Emperor about the trading tariffs in the Corellian Sector, and Vladimir was practically sitting around and gossiping with his majesty about that horrible Skywalker's birthday party. Buchanan wondered if Vladimir was trying to tell him that he had learned about his displeasure with his daughter Ra'chealla. It was possible, gossip traveled fast and he had not replied to the invitation yet, Buchanan didn't want his daughter around that nobody more than he could help it. He still couldn't believe that she had been so stupid as to let her emotions lead her actions.
"I don't know your Majesty," Vladimir was saying, "I will admit I was a little surprised at the invitation, since Skywalker and I had spoken so little. But I suppose that Lord Vader felt the need to include the higher court in any event he sponsored."
"I'm surprised you accepted." The aged voice said.
"Well, I didn't want to be rude. Besides, no one has seen the interior of Lord Vader's Castle since it was built. I didn't want to miss it." Vladimir loftily continued.
The Emperor crackled with laughter, "Neither did I. I am looking forward to the event."
Vladimir's eyebrows shot up as he asked, "Your Majesty, you're attending?"
"Of course. Wouldn't miss it." The Emperor purred. Buchanan almost blanched, his majesty so rarely even left the Palace for business, let alone attend anyone's parties. Buchanan's heart sunk, he better tell Skywalker that he was coming before he appeared to be deliberately ignoring the invitation. It wouldn't do to get caught publicly slighting someone so high in his majesty's favor. The Emperor turned to him, "Buchanan, are you attending? I had not heard."
"Of course, your Majesty. I've been busy working on the Corellian Sector Tariff Agreement, and had not replied to my invitation yet." He hoped that excuse would suffice.
"Ah, yes. The agreement." The Emperor waved Vladimir away as he finally turned to Buchanan. "What do you recommend?" The Emperor asked, and the conversation turned to business.
"Ice sculptures, flower arrangements, drinks,-" Leia turned on Luke as they sat on the patio, "you're not worried about overdoing this? And what about the budget?"
"You can't overdo anything at court, and there is no budget." Luke said, glancing at a datacard. Leia stared in shock as Luke looked at the floor plan again, "dance floor in the great room off the patio, sitting spaces in the side rooms and patio- do you think we ought to have some sitting spaces out in the garden?"
"A few," Leia swallowed, still a little stunned. No budget? "But they will need lighting, and we'll need to hire some of the small orchestras, the ones with just a few members, to provide music in the sitting areas that are away from the large orchestra."
"Good point." Luke made a note, then looked up. "Leia, don't look so shocked. Father's rich. Everything is possible here, there are no boundaries." Luke cocked his head sideways. "I wish you could come, it's going to be beautiful."
Leia looked at the table, silently wishing that she could come as well. It was hard to maintain the constant struggle to remain loyal to the Alliance when it would be so easy just to go with the flow around her.
"I know," Leia looked up, Luke was smiling. He looked almost innocent again when he smiled. Not at all like when he was angry.
"We can have the security system set up so you can watch from your rooms. It's not the same, but at least you can see everything you've helped work for."
"Thank you." Leia held back a nasty retort, she really hadn't worked for this party at all. She had just been bored. But she held her tongue, she wanted to see what the party would look like.
The Alliance Major looked over his team. They were all volunteers, they all held the hard-bitten look of men who had seen death many times, and knew that they might not make it back this time. He sighed, almost wishing that he didn't feel honor-bound to lead this team. But he had lost his wife on Alderaan, and his daughter, and his two month-old son. With his world gone, the Alliance had given him a home, and the Princess had shown him how he could get his revenge against the Empire. He looked over the men again, and cleared his throat.
"You're not coming back. That's what I have been told. If you can't live with that, then leave now. Our chances are non-existent, but Command is giving those of us who want it a chance to rescue Princess Leia." He waited, and no one left. No one ever did, but giving them this chance now helped their resolve later.
"On the bright side," he continued, "It seems that Darth Vader is granting us a favor. He's having a party. The first party he has ever held at his castle."
"A party?" Someone grumbled. "He didn't seem the type." Someone snickered.
"He's not. He's throwing this party for Skywalker, it appears to be his birthday. And he's invited everyone, including the Emperor."
"Are we going to invite ourselves? Preferably with a large bomb for a birthday gift?" A large man in the back gleefully asked. Appreciative murmurs filled the room.
"No." The Major sighed before continuing, "While I like the idea, with the Emperor present, the party is bound to have tighter security than the Emperor's Palace. We will try to time the strike before the party. With all the preparations and deliveries of goods for the festivities, we are much more likely to get into the castle then."
Major Ravenell walked the hallways of his lord's castle with his security escort, glancing at the activity he saw. Two separate groups of servants and guards were standing in the corridors discussing different aspects of the upcoming event. Garret still couldn't believe it. A party, here. This place was usually deserted, his lord had not been home much before he had found his son.
They turned the last corner, into the dining hall Skywalker frequented. Garret stopped, doing a double-take. The Princess Leia was sitting down and eating breakfast with Luke. She was wearing a light blue gown, daintily sipping her sim-tea. Ravenell was almost floored, she was beautiful in her dress, it was a massive improvement over the dirty coverall she had been brought here in. She glanced at him, faintly surprised. He could not believe that she had been broken so quickly.
The Major turned to Skywalker. Luke glanced his way, so he snapped to attention and spoke. "Sir, several of the invited guests in the Navy sent their replies to the Executor. I brought a copy of all the messages we have received."
"Thank you, Garret." Skywalker replied. "Father said that he wanted to speak with you later this morning, the Emperor has ordered him to take the Executor out to some trouble spots."
Ravenell just caught Leia's wince. Luke turned and glared at her, and her hand shook just a little as she set her tea down putting her hands in her lap and bowing her head. 'So,' thought Garret, 'not quite trained, yet.'
One of the servants came in, waiting in the back. Luke asked "Yes?"
"Master Luke, several of the Imperial Sovereign Protectors are here to discuss security for the dance." The man bowed.
Skywalker sighed, and Garret noticed Leia's eyes widen as she sneaked a peak across the table. "Send them in," Luke replied, "but Ravenell, could you please escort Leia back to her rooms?"
"Yes, Sir." Garret was not surprised that Skywalker didn't want to discuss security in front of Leia.
The Princess rose to follow him out of the room, turning to curtsey at the door. They walked in silence for a few moments, Garret's and her escort silently following.
"Do you only speak around him?" She suddenly asked.
"No." Ravenell replied. "I just didn't think it was wise to talk to you before."
Leia stopped, and Garret turned back to her. "They told you, didn't they?" She accused. "They sent you back with me to watch over me, and you knew about-" Leia sniffed. "Trust Vader to want to set everything up just perfect for when he told me."
"Come along," the Major soothed, "you don't think I would have broken his orders?"
Leia started to walk again. "No. I would guess that you don't have an independent thought in your head." She snapped.
"You're in a rather bad mood." Ravenell said.
"You try watching every thought in your head for days around Luke." Leia fumed. "And he was so nice on the Death Star, I can remember. Lord Vader sure did a number on him."
"Yes, it is quite an improvement."
"An improvement?" Leia asked, glaring.
"Yes. He was meant to lead, but the Jedi had made him weak. He is better suited for command now." Garret explained.
Leia sighed, thinking of the war-hardened officers of the Alliance. "Yes, he is." She sadly replied.
"Here are your quarters, Ma'am."
Leia stopped, looking at the door. "Thank you, Major." She went in.
Garret walked back down to the dining hall, his escort still following. Leia's guard had taken up position at her door. She was changing, he could tell. But how much of it was real?
The moment Ra'chealla was alone in her room she let the smile she had been hiding spread across her face. His birthday, she was going to Skywalker's birthday party! It had been she who had first laid eyes on the invitation, however, all her hopes of going had vanished upon thinking of the conversation she had had with her father about staying away from that nobody. Just thinking of the conversation made her mad. Although it wasn't known exactly where Skywalker stood, she knew, could feel, that he was important. The first man she actually liked, her father denied her!
At least they were going to his birthday party. Just thinking about it made her excited. She was sure that she would be able to see Luke and talk with him while her father wasn't looking. And she knew just what to wear as well. The last time the tailor had come she had gotten several new dresses, the best of which she had not yet worn. It was a deep orange dress that set off her black hair which she would string through with red pearls. The dress was inlaid with red, brown, and yellow jewels and purple and gold lace and ribbon. She also had a matching necklace and earrings to go with it.
Ra'chealla wrung her hands together in anticipation, she was sure that she'd be able to get some kind of reaction out of Luke. Perhaps, if she was lucky, he'd ask her to dance with him. Her joy faded as she thought of her father once more. Buchanan had been quite clear in saying that he didn't want to see her associate with Skywalker anymore. Although, if he complained afterwards, she could say that he had asked her and that it would have looked bad to decline. After all, Ra'chealla was sure that her father would rather she dance with Luke than turn him down in front of everyone in Vader's Castle.
As she convinced herself that she'd be okay there, Ra'chealla started to think about how to get and keep Skywalker's attention and interest.
Alliance Major Nate Clay looked over the list of supplies he and his team were getting to use in the attempt to rescue Princess Leia. All in all it wasn't bad, but it wasn't perfect either. For starters they had to use a civilian ship to get past Coruscant traffic control and past the two planetary shields that now protected the Empire's capital. Which also meant that he and his team were going to be dressed in civilian clothes and were going to have memorize alibis in case their ship was stopped and searched as ships sometimes were upon entering Coruscant's atmosphere.
They would also have to disassemble all the equipment they were taking with them in order to hide it on board the ship in case of the search. Since such searches used charge detectors, they couldn't take the power cells necessary to power the blasters and other weapons. Therefore they would have to meet up with an Alliance spy on Coruscant and get power cells. That spy would also provide them with a base to operate from and plan their attack after speaking with the Bothan spy. The Alliance spy would also have to find a place for them to hide if things went wrong or if they couldn't get the Princess off the planet before her escape was noticed and the shields around the planet were closed.
Nate sighed as he put the datapad with the list down. There were just so many ways the rescue could go wrong that the odds of them not succeeding were impossibly high. But then again, no one would have thought it possible for Princess Leia to have escaped off the Death Star. And her rescuers then had been a former slave, a pirate who only cared for his own hide, and a naive, untrained, idealistic farmboy.
"No," Nate whispered to himself. "They had a Jedi Knight to help them as well."
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that things had not been quite what they had seemed during that rescue. Skywalker was, after all, quickly proving to be so much more than he had at first appeared to be. Despite being worried for his own life, that of his team, and that of Princess Leia, Nate couldn't help but notice the irony of the situation. With the Death Star rescue Skywalker had been helping Organa get away, this time he would be preventing it. Briefly Nate wondered just what had made him switch sides, but then he pushed the thought aside. Perhaps the Princess would know, having spent some time around him.
"How are things?" he asked aloud as he looked at the civilian ship parked alongside the warships of the Alliance in the base's main docking bay.
"Fine, Clay," one of the men replied with a distinct Alderaani accent, reminding Nate once more that all the members of the rescue team were from Alderaan. "The blasters and communication equipment are in pieces and we are hiding them right now."
"Good," Nate stated with a nod of his head. "We leave tonight."
Leia wandered the halls of her new home, looking at the beautiful artwork displayed everywhere. She had to admit that her father had good taste when it came to statues, tapestries, paintings, and all the other objects that adorned the many halls and walls. Stopping before a gorgeous painting of a flowering field with a cliff off to one side and a rocky seashore on the other side. The painting, done in oils as far as she could tell, was so flooded in color and nature that it seemed to radiate peace. Looking at it, Leia wondered how Vader could like it, considering his violent and bloody history.
"Nature is part of the Force, Leia," Luke stated as he walked up behind his twin.
"Luke!" Leia exclaimed as she jumped in surprise. "Don't do that."
"If you let Father train you, then you'll be able to sense people approaching you."
"I don't want to learn anything about the Dark Side," Leia snapped.
Luke shrugged as if it was her loss, but inside he was cheering. If Leia didn't want her training, then it meant that none of Vader's attention would be taken from his training to go to hers.
"Dark Side or Light," Luke said aloud. "They both draw from nature. Everything, and I mean everything, that lives is part of the Force. Nature, like on the painting or in the gardens, generates peace and allows Force users to meditate more easily."
Leia raised an eyebrow as she turned back to the painting before nodding her head and moving further along the hall. For the first time since she had arrived back on Coruscant, she was actually banned from her room as the necessary equipment was set up so that she would be able to see what was happening in the various rooms during the party. Reaching the marble railing set around the top of the stairs, Leia sighed.
When she was alone she still wondered whether or not the Alliance was planning on rescuing her or not. On the one hand she desperately wanted to get back out there and fight to stop the injustices of the Empire. But then, on the other hand, with all that she had learned about her heritage, she wasn't sure if she could do it with all the confidence she had done before. The fact that she might kill her father didn't bother her so much, but the thought of killing her brother did bother her. He had, after all, been manipulated by Vader when he was most vulnerable. He had just escaped from a home where he had been beaten with a whip and had ended up with a father who could offer him everything he could dream of, which, coming from nothing as he had, had probably been a very tempting offer.
Besides, the fact that they were twins was also affecting her deeply. It meant that it could be her in his shoes and vice versa. It could have been she who was the innocent one who had been trapped and soiled by her fallen father. As he was fallen, there was no way her mother would have married Vader if he was the way he was now back then. She had wondered if he had ever been the way Luke was before he had become a Sith. Although people would laugh at her now if she even suggested that theory, she knew that it was probably true. All you needed to do was look at Luke and to know what kind of person her father had been to know that.
"So, any plans for today?" Luke asked as he leaned on the railing.
"Plans?" Leia questioned sarcastically. "If you mean walk around the gardens and see if I can find something to amuse myself with, yes I do have plans. It's not like I can do anything else, now is it?"
"If you were to start behaving more like you should then you'd be given more freedom," Luke replied slowly, as if he were talking to a small child.
Leia opened her mouth to make a remark, but then decided against it as smart remarks would only get her into trouble. It was a one-way street. Turning her back to her brother she caught sight of a tall, light-brown haired man dressed in red robes exit the entrance hall below through a door.
"Who was that?" Leia inquired, having not seen the man around before.
"Who?" Luke questioned as he mentally cursed.
"The man that just walked through the hall," Leia replied as she sighed. "The one dressed in the robe that was the color of... of... of dried blood."
"I have no idea," Luke lied. "There are a lot of people moving through the Castle recently. What with the party preparations and all." Reaching out he planted the suggestion that she go out into the gardens in her mind.
'She saw you.' Luke sent to his father as he watched Leia go.
'Does she have a clue that it was me?' Vader replied.
'No.'
'Good,' Vader stated. 'I'll have to be more careful in the future.'
"I understand," Fl'ann said before he cut the connection.
That was the one thing he really hated about those untraceable holo connections, you could only talk for a short time. Especially on Coruscant. Now all that he knew was that his clan had decided to give the information he had discovered about Organa to the Alliance. He had also been told that he would be contacted by an Alliance rescue team concerning any information that he knew about Vader's Castle and that he was to vanish twenty-four hours later. Just like he knew anything that would get them into the castle.
The thing that worried Fl'ann most, however, was the fact that he'd need to 'disappear' twenty-four hours after the Alliance people contacted him. That gave him only a couple of days to pack, contact a friend he knew that could arrange to get him out, and to quit his job. If he simply left without an explanation, then people would start getting suspicious, especially Vader. Even the way it was there would probably be some questions about his sudden departure, but if this was the way the clan elders said it was to be, then so be it. They had had much more time to think about this than he had. He was simply proud to have been able to serve his clan so well.
He'd tell Van Kallen that he didn't like the pressure he was under because of his being a non-human. The excuse should be taken well as he did feel uncomfortable around several clients who looked down upon him and only tolerated him because Van Kallen said that he was necessary to get them their clothes as fast as possible. Perhaps he'd be able to become a spy for his clan on some other planet. After all, Fl'ann knew the tricks of the trade and the fact that he had served the Empire's elite was sure to get the attention of some of the lower class humans. They'd overlook many things to imitate the Empire's high and mighty in an attempt to show off to their neighbors.
Leia sat in the garden on a small bench overlooking a shaded pool. Multi-colored fish swam through the water, catching the dappled sunlight on their scales. 'It's beautiful here,' Leia thought. 'I can understand why nature could help you meditate.' She looked up, and saw the head servant Mark walking along a path with a tall man in a red uniform. The man had black hair and walked like a stalking predator. 'I wonder who that is?' Leia thought, looking at the tall stranger.
The two men noticed her, and Mark gave her a small nod. The other man gave her an icy glare. "Leia," Mark said, "your rooms should be ready shortly."
"Thank you, I appreciate the effort on my behalf." Leia politely replied.
"Your welcome." Mark said. The other man was still glaring, eyes filled with hate. Leia almost shuddered, wondering who would be allowed to glare at her like that, as Lord Vader had given orders to all the staff to be polite to her.
"She won't be loose during the party, will she?" The man growled.
"No, she won't." Mark soothed. "You needn't worry. We'll have plenty of staff at her doors."
The man turned to go, "I don't even know why your lord is bothering. She's just a risk to his Majesty. And I want two of mine there as well."
"Of course, whatever you wish." Mark said as they walked off.
Leia watched them go, realizing that the tall man was a Red Guard. His uniform was the same color as their formal armor, crimson red. 'Well, there goes that rumor- they are human.' Leia sighed. Then cocked her head, thinking. The man she had seen earlier, he had been wearing red. But wait, the color was different. She glanced back at Mark and the Guard who were almost out of sight. Mark was wearing the same color red in his black and red livery. In fact, all the staff was wearing the muddy red color and black livery today.
She had noticed rather quickly that the staff all wore different colors on different days, but they all wore the same color as each other on any given day. Which meant that the man in the long robes must have been staff. But why hadn't Luke known who he was? Or had Luke lied? It was another mystery to fill her time.
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
