Dynasty: Chunk Thirty
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
The Rebel Commander was sobbing in her chair, eyes streaming tears. "Stop... stop..." she begged. "Please... I'll... I'll..."
The head interrogator leaned forward, motioning to the technician. The pain slacked off, just enough. "Where is the first base?" The interrogator said, "Who are the Alliance members there?"
Jasno sobbed again, then forced all concerns out of her head, refusing to think about what she was about to do. She couldn't think about the consequences, she had to make the pain stop. "On Zessa, in Asmera, the Food for the Rim Charity." She gasped again, dry sobs wracking her body as she gathered breath to speak again.
The head interrogator smiled, and motioned to the technician again. He altered the medication being fed into her veins, flooding her system with the antidote to the pain-producing drug and a cocktail of drugs to keep the broken Rebel happy and pain-free as she told everything. The Empire would keep its promises.
As the Rebel Commander continued to speak, the ship's Admiral was notified, and the ship's troops were put on alert.
When everything was prepared, the Admiral called Skywalker.
Luke and Anjaleen went through the reception receiving line, shaking the hands of the close relatives and the newly married couple.
"Nastalia, you're beautiful!" Anjaleen said, giving her friend a quick hug.
"Congratulations, Admiral." Luke said, shaking the man's hand. "You've won a fine prize today."
Nathaniel gave Luke a big smile. "I'm not the only lucky one this week."
Anja giggled, and they walked on down the line to the Grand Moff and his wife.
"Congratulations, Grand Moff. You have a fine addition to your family." Luke said, as Anjaleen shook the Mrs. Bel-Zessa's hand.
"Yes." The Grand Moff sighed, "even if I'll miss my little girl." The man straightened. "I've been rather busy today, do you have any word on the Rebel situation?"
"No word yet, but if their commander doesn't break by nightfall, heads will roll." Skywalker quietly replied. "I hope to have this well on its way towards a final resolution very soon. I don't want to have your system closed any longer than it has to be."
"Yes, very well." The Grand Moff replied, relieved.
Luke and Anjaleen moved on, heading towards one of the head tables to sit down for the meal.
Anjaleen politely laughed as Mienra finished her joke. The three couples had been placed at one of the head tables while Nastalia and Nathaniel were sitting with her parents and Nathaniel's aunt and uncle. The third and last head table held three older married couples.
Two servants came by, passing out dessert. Luke instantly noticed that he, Anjaleen, Augre, and Mienra got a piece of white cake, while Lance and Jenfras got a dark cake.
"Oh, that's the unmarried people's cake." Lance said. "If you're not married yet, you get a piece of the white cake. I'll warn you, however. It has little trinkets baked into it. They're supposed to tell your fortune."
"Ah." Anjaleen said. "What type of trinkets?"
"They're different for men and women, and the symbolism is very old. A dagger for victory in battle, coins for wealth, a shoe for a life of travel-"
"A flower for love," Jenfras added, "a loaf of bread for a happy home, a cradle for many children. There are about twenty different ones. Find yours, and we'll tell you what they mean."
Luke peered at his cake, probing it with the Force. He smiled, just as his com beeped. He thumbed it on, as he used his fork to cut into the cake, prying out the golden trinket. "Skywalker here."
"Admiral Belgra, Sir. The Rebel Commander has broken, we are readying our troops."
Skywalker wolfishly grinned, his eyes icy cold as he held up his trinket. "I'll be right up, Admiral. I wouldn't want to miss the fun."
"Yes, Sir."
Luke stood, thumbing off the com. "I'll be back later tonight, Anja. Don't wait up." He nodded towards the Grand Moff as he lay the little golden dagger by his fork. Then turned, walking from the room and to his shuttle without a backward glance.
The table watched him go, before swinging their eyes to Anjaleen. "Well," Jenfras asked, "what did you get?"
Anjaleen cut into her cake, finding her trinket. She held up the little golden baby Kritzen cat.
"Well now, that's interesting." Lance said.
"Very." Jenfras added.
"What?" Anjaleen said, mystified.
"It means," Augre grandiosely replied, "that your children are destined for greatness."
Anjaleen held up the little charm, staring at it in wonder. Her eyes unfocused, and she mumbled, "Only one. I'll only have one. But it will be enough." She snapped back to herself, surprised. Lance, who was sitting next to her, gave her a funny look, but the others hadn't heard her. She coughed, and asked, "can I keep it? It's pretty."
"What, the charm? Of course." Lance said. "You're supposed to sleep with it under your pillow for a week. Not that Skywalker needs his for luck."
"What do we have?" Luke demanded as he descended the shuttle ramp and found Admiral Belgra waiting for him.
"The female Rebel has finally cracked and we now have the locations of all the cells in the system," Admiral Belgra began. "There were, altogether, a grand total of thirteen cells. Of those we have already discovered and neutralized five. The remaining ones include two more on Zessa, three more on Essa, and three more on Jessa."
"Good," Luke stated. "We shall start with the two on Zessa first so that that planet can be cleared and the wedding guests can leave when they need to. Then we take out those cells on Essa before moving to Jessa."
"As you wish," Admiral Belgra replied as he looked at Luke's clothing. "I'll get the troops ready."
"Yes, and inform the Grand Moff of this latest development," Luke ordered before he headed for his quarters to change and to report to his grandfather.
"Good luck," Anjaleen said as she embraced her friend on the landing pad.
"Thanks," Nastalia replied as they separated. "And take care."
"I will," Anjaleen promised as she stepped back and let her friend's two brothers wish their little sister farewell. "Nathaniel," she said as she moved towards the Admiral. "I hope you have fun."
"We will," Nathaniel stated as she smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. "I heard about the charm you got, anything you wish to tell me?"
"No," Anja replied as she reached into her pocket where she had both the baby Kritzen cat and the dagger Luke had gotten. "And if I did I probably wouldn't be able to tell you," she continued as she smiled teasingly at him.
"Sooner or later you will be able to and I expect a full briefing then," Nathaniel retorted as Nastalia moved to stand next to him.
"Indeed," Nastalia agreed with her husband.
"When the time comes," Anjaleen replied as the Grand Moff came up to the pad where the honeymoon shuttle stood waiting.
"Skywalker wishes you well," Bel-Zessa stated before he embraced his daughter. "Take care and I'll see you later," he said before turning to his new son-in-law. "You take care of her, you hear?"
"I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise," Nathaniel replied.
As he walked through the last Rebel hideout on Jessa three days later, Luke sighed as he saw the scorch marks on the walls and the scattered stormtrooper bodies. It was clear that the Rebels of this cell, had been expecting them. They had probably realized that the game was up when the Judgment and the Conqueror had started moving from planet to planet and when Zessa and Essa had been opened to the outside galaxy once more.
"Report," Luke snapped at the stormtrooper commander that approached him.
"We lost eleven men, Sir," the commander began, clearly shaking by this number of casualties after having had peace for so long. "And we have captured about half of the Rebels here. The other half are dead, either by our men or by their own hand."
Luke nodded his head and continued making his way down the corridor he was in. After that the Rebel Commander had broken there had been no further need to take as many prisoners as most of them didn't know much about the Rebellion outside of their own cells.
"Take them to the shuttles for transportation to Zessa," Luke ordered, having been given orders by his father to clean up the mess here as soon as possible and then to hand the investigation and interrogations over to Grand Moff Bel-Zessa.
"As you wish, Sir," the stormtrooper replied before hurrying off to carry out his orders.
"We're all ready to go, Mistress," Rachel stated as she approached Anjaleen who was sitting on the patio with Jenfras and Mienra.
"Good," Anja replied as she looked at her maid before returning her attention to the other two women sitting with her. "I guess this is goodbye then."
"Yes," Mienra said as she got to her feet. "Although I hope to see you again sometime in the future."
"Yes," Jenfras agreed as they headed inside to where the Grand Moff and Luke were busy talking with Augre and Lance.
"Lord Vader does expect a report on the whole issue once it has been resolved," Luke was saying as the women entered. "He wants to know the details of the operation so that we can warn others to be on the look out for more such setups elsewhere."
"He will have his report as fast as I can get it done," Grand Moff Bel-Zessa stated. "Although it might take awhile if this whole mess is as complicated as what I've seen so far."
"Understood," Luke said as Anja walked up to him. "Ready to go?"
"Yes," Anjaleen replied as she smiled at Luke.
"If there is nothing else then, we shall be on our way," Luke said and, receiving no response, started out towards the landing pad where the shuttle was waiting with the others in tow.
The Grand Moff found himself thinking of Mr. Winiterure once more as he watched the last of his guests say their farewells and leave. He knew that he had a duty to report Anjaleen's engagement to the man, but after seeing Skywalker with Anjaleen over the past few days it was more than clear to him that the couple truly did love each other. Sighing he shook his head and headed inside as soon as the shuttle lifted off and headed up to the Judgment. He would talk with Mr. Winiterure, but he would put in a good word for the couple.
"You never did get around to telling me what charm you got," Luke said as the shuttle lifted off.
"That's because I wanted to talk about it and I don't think you wanted me doing that in front of the others," Anjaleen replied as she reached into her pocket and pulled out both charms.
"What is it?" Luke questioned as he picked up her charm.
"A baby Kritzen cat," Anja replied. "It means that my, our, children are destined for greatness. What?" she demanded as she saw the smile that crossed his face upon the remark. "You know what that means, don't you?"
"Yes," Luke admitted, thinking of the position his child would someday hold. "Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to tell you just yet. However, as soon as I can, I promise I will tell you."
"There's more?" Anjaleen inquired, a little disappointed that she couldn't know what, but understanding that Vader would have some secrets he'd want hidden from anyone but his family members.
"Yes," Luke confirmed and then continued as he read her thoughts. "I have been told, though, that you will be informed before our marriage as its rather important that you know the consequences it brings with it."
"Very well," Anja replied, wanting to know more, but knowing that pleading wouldn't help. "But there will be only one child, won't there?"
"What?" Luke questioned.
"We'll only have one child, no?"
"Yes," Luke stated as he looked at her. "How do you know?"
"I'm not sure," Anjaleen confessed. "I just suddenly knew when I was holding the charm. I still don't understand it completely myself. But why? Inheritance reasons?"
"You just knew?" Luke asked, puzzled. The way Anja described it made it sound like the Force had told her, but she didn't have any obvious Force abilities. Perhaps she had some latent ones, there were, after all, plenty of people who had just enough Force sensitivity to get flashes of insight from time to time without them having enough abilities to actually control the power. It was quite possible that Anjaleen was one of those people. He'd have to talk it over with his father and then see if he could probe her. "Strange. But yes, the reason for one child only is inheritance related."
"That's why you're an only child?" Anja questioned and saw how his face darkened at the comment. "What?"
"I'm not," Luke stated, wondering just how much he could tell her about Leia. "I have, had, a sister. But she's dead now."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not," Luke stated and saw the shocked look that appeared on Anjaleen's face. "She was brainwashed beyond all hope by the Rebels. The same thing they had planned for me, to be honest."
"Oh," Anja gasped, her necklace swirling between green and orange, the latter color signaling shock.
However, even as she said this, Anjaleen's mind was racing. Luke had had a sister? Thinking back she could only think of one female that had been close to Vader that was Luke's age. But it couldn't be her, she was a complete Rebel. But it all made sense, how she hadn't been held at the Palace, her long and unexplained stay at Vader's Castle, and the fact that Luke now said that she was brainwashed by the Rebels. Could it possibly be? Thinking back she recalled the fact that the young women in question was adopted, it had been brought up during one of the sessions of court once.
"Princess Organa?" Anja questioned, not realizing she had said it aloud until she met Luke's gaze and found her answer there, his silence indicating that this fact, like his Sith powers was something he hadn't been given actual permission to tell her. "They tried to get you too?" she continued, changing the subject slightly, signaling that she understood even as her mind raced with this new found information. Princess Leia had always been a troublemaker in court and had been proven to be one of the main leaders of the Alliance, she could see why Vader didn't want it known that she was related to him and why he had dealt with her as he had.
"Yes," Luke confirmed, figuring that he could give her the details of what she mostly knew already. "As you and Nastalia figured out I was raised on Tatooine by people whom I believed to be my aunt and uncle. However, in reality he was the half-brother of a Jedi."
"Oh my gosh," Anja exclaimed as she brought her hand up to her mouth, knowing all too well how Vader was the arch enemy of the Jedi and how Luke was that now too.
"Indeed," Luke agreed as his blood began to boil at the thought of his uncle's treatment of him. "Naturally they treated me poorly, to say the least. After a series of events, I ended up with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and left the planet with him and several droids which contained the stolen Death Star plans. He intended to go to Alderaan to deliver the plans to Organa and to bring me to the Alliance where he wanted to train me as a Jedi. However, Alderaan was destroyed before we arrived and when we did arrive we were captured by the Death Star. The events that followed ended up with Kenobi's death, the Princess' escape, and me being left with Father. Needlessly to say it was a great shock to both of us when our relationship was revealed as neither of us had had a clue. Father didn't know he had a son and I had been raised to believe that my father had been a Jedi whom Vader had killed."
"How dare they!" Anjaleen exclaimed angrily. "They tried to turn you against him!"
"Yes," Luke stated, his anger building steadily higher as he thought back to it all. "The worst part is that my mother was deeply involved in this all. She had betrayed Father and let my twin and I be hidden from him."
"I'm sorry, Luke," Anja stated as she placed a hand on his shoulder, finally understanding a little better where his strength came from. She had always wondered where it had come from and now she knew. The only thing that truly surprised her, other than what had been done to him, was his present confidence, a thing he must surely not have had before coming to stay with Vader.
Luke gave her hand a squeeze as he got to his feet as the shuttle landed in the docking bay of the Judgment. "I probably don't have to tell you this, but precaution makes me, don't tell anyone what you just learned," Luke said as he escorted her towards the ramp.
"I won't," Anjaleen reassured him just before they descended the ramp.
"Everything is ready for departure, Sir," Admiral Belgra stated as he briefly stared at the Kyrab necklace around the young lady's neck, instantly realizing what it meant. The realization stunning him.
"Good," Luke said as he walked past the Admiral. "Let us return to Coruscant."
"Yes, Sir," Admiral Belgra replied before he hurried off, knowing that news of Skywalker's engagement would start spreading all over the Navy as soon as they dropped out of hyperspace in orbit around the capital.
"There is one more thing I need to discuss with you, Anja," Luke said as he led her to the turbolift, ignoring the glances they were receiving.
"Yes?"
"Just a moment," Luke replied and waited until they were alone in the turbolift and he was sure that no one was listening in on them. "Father has assured me that he will have men watching your house round the clock until this whole mess with Ra'chealla is cleared up so you need not fear anything while at home."
"Thank you!" Anjaleen replied as she breathed a sigh of relief. "That makes me feel much better."
"Also, Father wants you and your father to come over for tea at the Castle the afternoon we return so that he can clear up any questions your father may have as far as the engagement is concerned," Luke continued and smiled as he sensed Anja's relief on that matter as well. "You will still, however, need to be careful when you go someplace else, especially court."
"I'll just stick close to you there," Anjaleen stated, trying to hide her immense fear, as the turbolift stopped and they got out and walked down a deserted hall.
"Yes, please do," Luke said. "I'll do my best to get that assassin off your back, but it may take a little more time than either of us wants."
Weng pulled up on the stick, setting Lord Vader's shuttle towards the particular gray of the city planet's surface. "She's sluggish again. The lady sure does bring entirely too much stuff."
Harrow breathed a heavy sigh. "Yes. And we better get used to it. Did you see?"
Kin snickered. "Who could miss it? It sparkles like the stars. And costs as much as one too, I bet."
"This is going to be all over the news in a day." Salw announced.
"And the Navy. The rumors are going to be fierce." Kin replied.
Weng sighed, "I'm going to request a bigger shuttle with more cargo hold and larger engines for when we take the lady. They're packed back there. And I don't care if it's only to the planet's surface, they're bound to want to take longer rides eventually."
Harrow groaned. "And room for more staff. I'm a pilot, not a waiter. I don't want to have to serve drinks."
"Oh blast. You're right." Kin groaned as well. "This is going to mean a lot more work to get the shuttle prepared. Lord Vader and Skywalker just walk on, maybe Skywalker has a bag or two, but that's it. He doesn't even mind eating the same food as us. But the lady."
"We'll need a kitchen, and a cook." Salw said. "And wait-staff. But maybe her own maids could do that."
"I'll talk to Major Ravenell." Weng said, dragging a hand through his graying hair. He usually was the crew's spokesman, since he had been stationed with Lord Vader's shuttle longest. "Besides, once she's married to Skywalker, we can just request a cook from Lord Vader's Castle or something."
"Sure we can't just get the cook stationed with us?" Salw said, "I'd like to have better food everyday."
"I'm just glad I'm not one of Lord Vader's servants. The Dark Lord has been a confirmed bachelor for so many years, I think his castle staff is in for a shock." Kin mischievously said.
Mr. Winiterure sighed as his valet straightened his collar for him. His daughter had come home this morning, and had immediately asked to speak with him in the study, alone. He nodded to his servant, dismissing the man. 'At least she has the sense not to announce that she got engaged without my permission in front of her mother. The woman would have been in hysterics for days, and told everyone she knew.' The older man sighed as he thought to himself. 'And the Grand Moff did call me and tell me, so it wasn't quite a surprise. But I didn't quite believe it till I saw her.'
No, Anjaleen hadn't told him in front of her mother, in fact, she had taken off that incredibly expensive engagement necklace and hid it in her pocket until she had gotten him alone. She had handed it over to him without a word, then sat in the chair opposite his desk, eyes on the floor.
At first, he had been furious. How dare she make such an important decision for herself, without his guidance. And how dare she make a decision like that, that would affect her father's fortune and estates without telling him first. He had yelled at her, purple with rage, as the necklace in his hand had gone pure black.
She had started crying, stammering that Luke had assured her that Lord Vader had promised that he would be 'taken care of,' and that Luke loved her, and that everything was going to be okay.
He had paused then, looking at the necklace. Examining it, he had belatedly realized its worth. Expensive didn't quite describe it. Pure Kyrabs, paid for by Lord Vader, just so Skywalker could woo his daughter. That party, and all the wealth Lord Vader had spent on the young man. His clothing, his position with the Emperor, all spoke of a wealth and power that were barely realized by most of the courtiers at court.
He sighed, and told her, "I received an invitation to tea this afternoon at Lord Vader's Castle. Naturally, I accepted. I had wondered if this wasn't what the Dark Lord wanted to talk to me about. I will withhold my final judgment until after I discuss Skywalker's future with Lord Vader."
He had dismissed her, sitting in his study, thinking. He had turned the necklace over and over in his hands, watching the play of colors shimmer through the gems. He had stuffed it into his pocket, and headed upstairs to dress.
Mr. Winiterure came back to himself, sighing again, wishing, not for the first time, that he had sired a son. But his first-born had been a daughter, and with the little love lost between him and his wife, they had accidentally put off having another child until it was too late.
"A son." He whispered. "Someone the servants would call 'Young Master Winiterure', and carry on my name. Someone-" he blinked. "Master Skywalker. Well, maybe my daughter did have her head on straight. We'll see."
"WHAT!?!" Raphael Jerklin screamed over his desk into the calm collected face of his assistant Dace.
"Apparently, Sir, the story aboard the Judgment, the ship they took to T'Zessa, is that Anjaleen Winiterure came back from the wedding engaged to Skywalker. I also checked the rumor mill in Zessa, and it says that the young lady was wearing a Kyrab necklace all through the ceremonies."
"It has to be a filthy lie." Jerklin huffed.
"Perhaps not, Sir. I contacted our spy in the Winiterure household. Nothing was announced there, but 'something is going on,' and Mr. Winiterure and his daughter are currently visiting Lord Vader's Castle for tea." Dace calmly replied.
"Tea? No one does that." Jerklin mussed. "It-" The man sat down, straightening in his chair. "As if I'd give up that easily. I have to plan, you are dismissed."
"Yes, Sir." Dace turned and walked from the room, forcing the smile from showing on his face. Inside, he was laughing. He fingered the report from T'Zessa, days old, it had taken a huge amount of begging to get the computer department head to fake a later date on the datachip. But it was worth it. With luck, his jerk of a boss would annoy Lord Vader enough to get transferred. Dace would do about anything not to have to work under the man for the rest of his life.
Ra'chealla looked in the mirror, studying her reflection. Perfect. And Skywalker would be back in court tonight. She sighed a happy little sigh, content. She had arranged for her assassin to get into the Palace tonight, and take out that annoying little pest.
"Mistress?" Her maid said, coming up to her. "I have received information that you might want to hear."
"What is it?"
"Apparently, Mr. Winiterure is visiting Lord Vader's Castle for tea today. Our spies in their household have just reported it."
Ra'chealla frowned, then smiled. "Thank you." Lord Vader must have finally noticed that nobody's scheming, and was no doubt warning her father off. Everything was perfect. Now, when the assassin struck, Lord Vader was much more likely to get the blame. And Ra'chealla would be more than willing to comfort Skywalker if he actually missed the little snit, once Anjaleen was dead.
"The Grand Moff promised to get the report to you as soon as he could," Luke concluded before he took another bite of his lunch as he glanced over at his father, the sea view behind him. "Although, from what I saw it may take a while as he'll have to sort the loyal citizens from the Rebels."
"Very well," Vader replied as he observed his son. "How do you believe Mr. Winiterure will react to the news?"
"I'm not sure," Luke admitted. "He didn't give any hints when I dropped Anja off, even though I'm sure Grand Moff Bel-Zessa informed him of the situation, but Anjaleen was worried."
"He'll no doubt have concerns about your future and how secure it is," Vader said.
Luke nodded his head as he finished his meal and reached into his pocket as he felt something poking his leg. Smiling he pulled out Anja's charm, as she had insisted that they keep each other's charm, he put it on the patio table next to his plate.
"What is that?" Vader questioned as he saw the small gold figure.
"It's a tradition on T'Zessa to give charms to the unmarried people at the wedding, they're hidden in the cake," Luke explained even as he mind began to race. "This one was Anja's and it basically means that her children will have a great future or something to that effect."
"I see," Vader stated as he thought back to his father's prediction.
"What?" Luke inquired, catching his father's sense of irony.
"I'm going to have to start shielding myself better around you, aren't I?" Vader teased before he took a sip of wine and indicated that he was done so that the servants could clear the table. "Your grandfather had a vision while he was meditating on your future with young Winiterure."
"About my child," Luke stated as he leaned forward, knowing that while those visions weren't set in stone, his grandfather normally hit the mark or was close to it. "What was it?"
"He saw a browned-haired, blue eyed boy with a lot of potential," Vader declared.
"That's good to know," Luke said before something else came to mind. "Now that I remember," he began. "I believe that Anjaleen may have a bit of potential herself."
"What makes you think that?" Vader demanded, instantly alert.
"She knew we would only have one child," Luke explained. "I hadn't even touched upon that subject with her before and when I questioned her on how she knew she couldn't explain it. The best she sounded like it was a sudden moment of insight. A little later she told me that she was a bit 'out of it' as she said when she had this moment of insight."
"That does sound like the work of the Force," Vader agreed. "However her potential can't be great or it would have been spotted before now. See if you can probe her after her father leaves, best to know just what she can sense."
"Very well," Luke said.
"Your grandfather and I have also decided that the young lady may know about my health," Vader continued. "She has proven to be able to keep secrets and this way I'll be able to roam around freely in my own home when she comes over."
"Great," Luke stated as Mark and another servant came out and reset the table for the tea.
"I'd better get changed or they'll be here and I won't be ready," Vader stated as he got to his feet.
Anjaleen straightened her blood red dress as she got out of the speeder and waited for her father before they moved towards the door where a servant stood waiting.
"Master Skywalker is waiting for you on the patio," Mark informed Anja and Randolf as they entered.
"Lord Vader?" Randolf questioned as he followed the servant, sending his daughter a glance which she neatly avoided.
"He shall be joining you shortly," Mark replied as they reached the patio. "Master Luke, your guests have arrived."
"Thank you, Mark," Luke stated as he got up. "Hello Anja--leen," he hurriedly added remembering her father's dislike of the nickname. As he looked at her, he instantly noticed that she wasn't wearing the necklace. He must have looked a moment too long for when he turned his attention to Randolf he got a look that said the man was displeased that he hadn't been talked to before the proposal. "Mr. Winiterure."
"Skywalker," Randolf replied just as Vader stepped out onto the patio. "Lord Vader."
"Mr. Winiterure, Miss Winiterure," Vader replied before he gestured towards the table which was set for three. "Let us sit."
Moving a step ahead of her father, Anjaleen sat down next to Luke before her father could take the seat. "Luke, Lord Vader," she said politely as she smiled at her fiancé even as the servants stepped forward and filled the cups.
"What will you be having?" Mark asked both Randolf and Anjaleen as he stood between them, indicating the cakes that were on the table.
"I'll have a piece of the rine pie," Randolf said, knowing better than to get straight down to business.
"I'll have the gruna cake," Anja said.
"Same for me," Luke stated as Mark moved over to him. "How are things back at your system?" he inquired as he looked at Randolf.
"Fine," Randolf responded politely. "All signs of the unrest earlier this year have been erased and things have settled back to normal."
"That's always good," Vader commented. 'Has she ever not worn the necklace since you gave it?' he sent mentally to his son.
'No,' Luke replied. 'This is the first time. Her father must have it.'
'Indeed,' Vader replied as he scanned the man and sensed his immense anger at the way his daughter had made the decision by herself.
"How have things been here?" Anja questioned as she turned her attention to Luke's father, knowing that her father would forget the customary greetings if she didn't bring them up.
"Fine," Vader stated as he looked at her, lightly probing her as well, ignoring Luke's dislike of it. Looking around he found the great love she had for his son before he pulled out. "A little quieter than usual, though, as several of the usual patrons of the court were at the wedding."
"Yes," Randolf agreed before he decided to get down to business. "If you don't mind, my Lord," he began. "I would like to get down to the matter you no doubt invited us for in the first place," as he said this, he reached into his pocket, took hold of the necklace and pulled it out. "Namely the engagement of my daughter to your..." as he sought for the right word to use that wouldn't offend Skywalker, he saw the man in question smile. "Protégé."
"Very well," Vader said eyeing necklace which was a horrible mixture of brownish-black, sickly green, and dull yellow as Randolf place it on the table upon which it instantly became transparent.
Unable to concentrate on his work any longer, Raphael jumped to his feet and started pacing his office. How dare Skywalker get engaged to HIS girl?! He would show him the error of doing so! This was why Skywalker had gotten the Dark Lord to give him so much work, so that he could get Anjaleen alone and then make her agree to his demand. Briefly he wondered what Mr. Winiterure would do about the situation, but then dismissed the thought. The man probably wouldn't dare stand up to the Dark Lord to defend his daughter's future with that nobody. But he would.
Raphael eyed the work on his desk that he still needed to do by tomorrow evening before he turned his heel and left his office. There was no way that he'd get it all done unless he stayed up late this evening working, but he had other plans. There was an evening session of the court tonight that Skywalker would no doubt attend with his new fiancée, if for nothing more than to show off the fact that he had won. But the man would be in for a surprise if he expected that he, Raphael Jerklin, would simply stand back and pretend that Skywalker had defeated him. No. He would be there and he would show the man that he meant business. And, once that was done, Skywalker would never dare show his face at court again and Anjaleen would be his once more.
Raphael smiled at the thought as he got into the turbolift and ordered it to descend. He would go home, get dressed up in his best clothes, and then spend some time thinking of what to say. News of his actions would, after all, spread to the media and he wanted everything to be as good as it could be. He would make sure that Vader got rid of Skywalker after he was through. Not only that, but the man would have to go to the Outer Rim Territories to be able to get a job where people didn't recognize him and laugh at him.
He basked in the very idea of getting rid of Skywalker as he exiting the turbolift. It would be a sweet revenge and people would learn that they shouldn't toy with him.
Darth Vader looked down at the clear necklace as he made a little motion with one hand. Luke stood up, "Anjaleen, would you like to walk around the gardens with me?" Luke held out his hand to the young lady.
"Yes, I would." She timidly said, rising. She didn't dare look at her father, or Lord Vader, but she knew that it would be best to let the older men discuss this without the two of them here. Women never attended these discussions between fathers of a proposed couple.
They wandered off, silent until they were out of sight of the two silent older men. "Luke?" Anjaleen whispered.
"Yes love?" Luke replied.
"He was furious. Absolutely furious with me. I've never been so scared." She said.
Luke gave Anja an encouraging hug. "Now, now. It won't last. Father will explain everything to him. Well, everything that he can explain."
Back at the patio, the two men sat in silence until the young couple passed from sight. Mr. Winiterure turned to the black masked man and began.
"I will admit, Lord Vader, that I am not happy. The young man should have come to me first. We should have had this discussion before my daughter even knew what was going on. You can't trust a woman to look out for her own best interests."
The Dark Lord sat quietly for a second, choosing his words carefully. "Normally, I would agree. However, Luke was very insistent. It seems that an assassin had been hired to kill your daughter, and he wanted to protect her. He could not do that without certain arrangements."
"An assassin?" Mr. Winiterure replied, aghast. "For my daughter? But why?"
"Yes. Apparently the young Ra'chealla wants your daughter dead. She apparently imagines herself in love with Skywalker, and is determined to stop at nothing."
"In love?" Mr. Winiterure repeated, thinking of the gossip his wife had chattered on about during dinner last night.
Lord Vader made a sound that suspiciously sounded like a chuckle. "Yes, my- protégé apparently has that effect on the ladies." Vader had paused deliberately, implying that he would normally have used a different word. But whatever that word was, he left it to Mr. Winiterure's imagination. "However, your fears are not entirely groundless. When they marry, you will have to appoint one of your nephews as your heir. Not your daughter's husband."
"If they marry. And why is Skywalker unable to fulfill my appointment? My system needs representation in court, and Skywalker is well known to the Emperor. It would help my people if he was their representative."
Vader smiled behind his mask. The man had apparently thought about what Luke could bring to such a union, but he didn't know everything. "This union will help your system, regardless. But Skywalker will be unable to be their direct representative. He will have other duties to perform."
"What duties?"
"The Emperor has not given me permission to discuss that. Nor has he given me permission to discuss my exact relationship to young Skywalker. Or any other information regarding his talents or abilities that Luke will bring to the Empire. I am afraid that I am unable, at this time, to tell you more than my- protégé shall be well taken care of." Again that deliberate pause, making the other man realize Vader was insinuating something. Skywalker was more than just a man Lord Vader had chosen to join his household. He was something else.
Mr. Winiterure sat in the patio chair, thinking about what he had just heard. The Emperor had ordered the silence of the Dark Lord concerning Skywalker. He thought back, trying to determine what it could all mean. He sighed, realizing it would take more time than he had right now to put the pieces together. "Very well, I will take your word concerning Skywalker's future. But, will warn you, Skywalker was not the only man trying to win my daughter's hand. The other gentleman may prove to be quite stubborn, and may become a bit of an embarrassment."
Vader nodded, realizing that Mr. Winiterure had given his permission to the engagement. "Yes. I was informed of that problem. Luke shall be given permission to deal with the man in whatever way he sees fit."
Mr. Winiterure glanced at Lord Vader, realizing that the man had just casually announced Jerklin's possible death.
The Dark Lord shifted in his chair. "I hope I have explained things well enough, but I must ask, would it be possible to enhance your daughter's personal security while at home with a few of my guards? Once this engagement becomes known, my enemies will wish to strike at me through her. I don't want to give them the satisfaction."
Mr. Winiterure blinked, realizing with a rush that the Dark Lord was right. They would be allying themselves, and the Dark Lord's enemies would see him as an easy target. "Of course."
Lord Vader turned to one of his servants and nodded, the man walked off.
Luke turned to Anjaleen, they were sitting side by side at the fountain. "They've agreed." Luke said, squeezing her shoulder.
Anjaleen breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew that my father wouldn't disagree after he had time to think about it. But..."
"I know. Well, they're clearing up details right now. We better walk around some more. Father will send someone when we should go back." Luke hopped down, holding out a hand.
Anja put her hand in his, slipping down herself. "Have they discussed Jerklin yet?"
"Not really. Just that I'll get to do whatever I want to get rid of him." Luke replied.
"Good. He's a pest, and I don't like him." Anja said, squaring his shoulders. "I would have told him to get lost months ago, if Father would have let me."
Luke laughed. "Well, that's good to know. Now, promise me something?"
"What?"
"Act nervous when we come back. I'm not supposed to tell you what's going on. After all, I'm just some normal man who-" Anja giggled.
"Luke, you're not just some normal anything!"
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
