Dynasty: Chunk Twenty-Four
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
Luke took another bite of the fish, waving his fork. "Then we ordered the squads hiding behind the asteroids to come out, effectively cutting off their retreat. It was a bit of a gamble, because our wings weren't up to full strength during the attack, since a third of them were in hiding. I'm actually a little surprised that none of the Rebels realized we were missing so many TIEs in our formation."
"I'm not. You did say that they were in the middle of their night cycle. You woke them up- they were probably still half asleep." Anjaleen said, sipping her wine. She looked at Luke, the light of the setting sun turning his blond hair almost coppery.
"Yes, well, we didn't know that, it was just a good guess." Luke hedged.
"You did sound like you knew." Anjaleen countered.
"Intel report." Luke said, then continued. Anjaleen's eyes sparkled at him over her glass. He had found out some other way, and they both knew it. Now if she could just figure out how- after all, it was quite possible that Lord Vader had used his powers to determine the best time to attack, even if it would be odd for Luke to not just tell her that. Maybe the Dark Lord had his own spies in the Rebellion. She wouldn't put it past him.
She smiled, relaxing as she ate her dinner. They had seats right next to the glass, while other tables sat on raised tiers that rose higher and higher as they got further from the windows. Huge vases filled with fresh flowers sat on some of the tiers, dividing the room. The room was packed with the elite of the galaxy, waited on by the carefully screened restaurant staff.
Treen sent the dishes through the washer, and looked over his shoulder at the crowded kitchen. He would have to get back to bussing tables soon, the table next to the target's was about finished, and he needed to be ready to be the one to clean it off. He sighed, everything depended on timing.
He was taking his cousin's place tonight, the man had the same build as him, and with very little make-up, they looked exactly alike. Actually, his whole family looked very much alike, which made their clan's work much easier. Most of them were trained to merely blend in and take stupid menial jobs like this one, ready to be traded out with the trained assassin when a job came in.
And in exchange for a little acting, his quiet cousin lived in luxury. He just had to change his name a lot. Treen sighed again. He did all the real work. After all, he would be the one running for his life in less than an hour, after he fired the killing shot. He fingered his hidden blaster, and walked over to the table cleaning carts, taking one.
Luke smiled at Anjaleen while she talked about Nastalia's wedding. "It's going to be so fun, the ceremony is actually nothing but four days of parties. All of the Grand Moff's closest friends on planet have to sponsor at least one party, and as Nastalia's friends, we're invited to all of them."
"Sounds like we'll be busy."
"Yes. I'm going to have to bring all of my personal staff, I hope that will be all right, but I can't attend that many functions without them."
"I don't know, maybe we should skip a few of them. They'll just be filled with people we don't know, and I wouldn't mind spending more time talking to you."
Anjaleen blushed. Luke smiled at her, then frowned as the Force rippled a warning. He scanned the crowd, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. The table behind Anjaleen was leaving, but that was normal. He glanced around the room, and his eyes caught a busboy casually walking out of the kitchen towards the abandoned table. There. The Force rippled again, causing little currents of danger to swirl around the man.
He wasn't what he seemed. Luke paused, thinking what to do. And then he realized that the danger wasn't his. It was Anjaleen's, the man had come for her. Luke tried to casually determine what to do, since he couldn't openly defend her. They couldn't just get up and leave, they weren't done eating and people would gossip.
He smiled again, and a large vase filled with huge fresh flowers that was sitting on a ledge between some tables near the back suddenly fell with a loud crash. The busboy grimaced, his eyes filled with a flash of frustration before he turned to clean up the mess. Luke waited a minute, then shoved the mind of another busboy with the Force. The man came obediently over to the now vacant table and cleaned it.
Luke came back to himself, only to find Anjaleen watching him, slightly curious. Luke looked at his plate, then at her. "I'm not really hungry for dessert, are you?"
"A little bit." Anjaleen said, still watching him.
Luke glanced at her, wondering if he should nudge her with the Force or not. He glanced at the busboy/assassin, as the man swept the last of the ruined flowers into a bin, and stood up. The man glanced at their table, eyes meeting Luke's. They quickly looked away, the man's shoulders a little tense.
Anjaleen saw the exchange, and suddenly looked a little pale. "Actually, I'm not that hungry. You're right. And, and we can always stop and have something when you take me home." She nodded, taking a deep breath.
Luke smiled, but inside he was worried. Anja knew something, and he had to find out what it was, before she was hurt.
Treen growled in frustration. They had left early, and he had never gotten a clear shot. Diaz had cleaned the table next to the target, and all because that clumsy patron had knocked off that vase. Not that any of the people sitting next to the flowers had admitted to it, they had all acted like someone else must have done it.
Sure, he could have shot at the target on her way out the door, but Skywalker had been in the way. And his instructions clearly stated that he wasn't to endanger the blond man. The slightest scratch, and they would loose their fee.
"Anja," Luke quietly said in the private car as they pulled away from the restaurant, "who's after you?"
Anjaleen flinched, remembering Ra'chealla threatening her in the Palace. "No one, Luke, why?" She innocently asked.
"You're a terrible liar." Luke replied, reaching a hand out to grasp hers. Anjaleen hung her head, but remained silent. "Anja, please tell me. I can't protect you if you don't tell me." Luke wanted to probe her, to yank the information from her mind. But he told himself to ask her first, he wanted to know if she trusted him.
"Ra'chealla." Anja whispered. "She told me to stay away from you."
"Yes, I know. You told me." Luke said when Anjaleen stopped, trying to get her to keep talking.
"She said that she'd stop me if she had to." Anjaleen gulped. "Father always said that court was dangerous. But I never thought that anyone would go after me. I'm just a woman, I don't have a lot of power or anything."
Luke chuckled, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Yes you do." He teased. She glanced up at him, surprised and confused. "You, my pretty one, have enough power to get me to take you early to the wedding. We can leave tomorrow night, if you want. We'll get there early, but Nastalia might like that."
"But..." Anjaleen whispered.
"But nothing. You'll be safer away from here for awhile. Just don't go out tomorrow, and we'll be on our way before you know it."
Anjaleen smiled, hopeful. "My father will want to know why."
"Business. I had to leave early."
"Mr. Jerklin asked me to go out tomorrow." Anja said. "But I'll cancel."
"Good. The man should just learn to give up anyway. I'm going to have to figure out a way to get him out of your hair permanently, aren't I?" Luke sighed in mock agony.
Anjaleen giggled, good humor returning. "Yes, please do. And soon."
"Ra'chealla," Buchanan said as a servant took their dessert plates. "Come with me."
Ra'chealla got to her feet and silently followed her father to his study. Whenever he asked to see her and led her to that room, she knew she was in trouble. He always reprimanded her in his study as it was the one place that the servants never went except when necessary. Entering the room, she seated herself in one of the two stuffed chairs and waited for her father to speak.
"What have I told you about Skywalker?" Buchanan demanded as he closed the door to the room. "You know you are not to be involved with him anymore and you know that I have talked with him and yet you disobey me."
"I didn't do--" Ra'chealla began.
"I'm talking," Buchanan interrupted. "Your reaction tonight at seeing Skywalker with Miss Winiterure is all the evidence that I need to prove that you have not dismissed your feelings for the him."
"If anything tonight proved that Luke is important," Ra'chealla stated, knowing that she was going to get into trouble, but not understanding why her father was acting like this. "The Emperor let him use his box!"
"I do not want you to see him," Buchanan declared angrily. "At court things revolve around power, not love. Nobody marries for love at court. It is all about position, surely I have taught you that much at least."
"But Luke has status," Ra'chealla bargained. "Otherwise why would the Emperor let him use his box? In doing so he knew that the press would talk about it. Surely this is to spread word about Luke's importance."
"I will not hear the name Luke in this house again, you are to refer to him as Skywalker, is that clear?" Buchanan demanded and waited until he got a reluctant nod. "As to what Palpatine is doing, I have no idea. However, the Emperor is not to be underestimated. It would not be the first time he has done what appears to be one thing, but the end results are totally different. No matter what they might be, you are not to see Skywalker."
"But--"
"And you are not going to attend court for a week," Buchanan continued.
"But I have already promised people I'd speak with them," Ra'chealla replied, looking for a way around her father's order.
"Then cancel," Buchanan said and glared at his daughter when she opened her mouth to protest. "Is that understood young lady?"
"Yes, Father," Ra'chealla finally agreed, her heart sinking.
Buchanan sighed as he watched her leave the room. He had no idea what kind of game Palpatine was playing as far as Skywalker was concerned, and he didn't like it in the least. He was used to being more or less in some form of control where the court was concerned. Indeed, if Ra'chealla wasn't so involved with Skywalker, he would be in charge of the situation as he wouldn't be personally submerged in it. Ra'chealla seemed determined, despite all that he had taught and told her, to be with Skywalker and now he could potentially get hurt if the young man did turn out to be of some importance.
Ra'chealla violently slammed her fist against the wall upon entering her rooms. The evening had started out as a perfectly nice trip to the Royal Symphony right up until she had caught sight of that girl with her man. But why couldn't her father see Luke for who he was? Surely the party and the events of tonight showed his importance. So why?
At least Anjaleen would be out of her hair soon. Perhaps with her gone, Ra'chealla could convince her father to let her near Luke. At the very least it would leave Luke open until he was revealed for what he was upon which her father would react like lightning and let her get him. The court was, after all, about position as Buchanan has just said. So when Luke's position was revealed that should pave the way for her to get her love.
Ra'chealla smiled to herself as she turned on her com and contacted the assassin, a little good news before she went to bed and she'd be able to sleep peacefully. "Well?" she demanded as a miniature holo of the assassin's face appeared before her. "Is she gone?"
"No," Treen replied nervously. "An... unforeseen interruption occurred."
"Does she know?" Ra'chealla demanded as her anger mounted.
"No," Treen said. "I was simply busy when they left the restaurant where they were eating and I couldn't kill her on her way out as Skywalker was in the way, so I refrained from firing."
"Do it soon," Ra'chealla growled. "Or else I'll get someone else."
"I can do it," Treen stated indignantly. "I simply need time to do it right, especially if you don't want Skywalker harmed in the process."
"Are you sure, Anja?" Luke asked as he looked at her.
"Yes," Anjaleen replied. "I'd just be looking over my shoulder the whole time and I wouldn't be able to relax."
"Okay," Luke said. "No dessert. I guess we're off to your home then." Lowering the divider that separated them from the driver, Luke quickly informed the servant of their destination. "I just hope you enjoyed the music and the dinner," Luke continued as the divider went up again.
"Yes," Anjaleen confirmed as she smiled. "It was a lovely evening up until the end."
"I'll contact Nastalia and inform her of our new plans and then I'll pick you up tomorrow evening around seven," Luke informed her before his voice took on a teasing tone. "Try not to bring too many servants."
"I'll see how it goes," Anjaleen replied as she squeezed his hand.
"Yes, Father?" Vader inquired as he entered the Emperor's private chambers to which he had been summoned.
"It is necessary to decide how far we are willing to go with Miss Winiterure," Palpatine stated as he turned to face his son. "There are already reports on the holonet of tonight's events and it would be wise for us to have an answer should young Luke decide he wants to make the final step."
"I had not thought that all this would happen so quickly," Vader replied as he took a seat. "I had thought we would have at least a few more years. Letting him marry would be to bring another into all our secrets. And a woman at that."
"Yes," Palpatine agreed. "Skywalkers and women haven't mixed very well so far. However I feel this time will be different, and if not there is also the child to consider. If nothing else, Miss Winiterure will provide him."
"Yes, but she will be the first Empress as well," Vader said, wondering what Anjaleen's reaction to that news would be if Luke went that far. "I have nothing against the young lady personally, indeed I think that of all the young women at court she is the best match, it is her parents that worry me. The mother in particular."
"There is nothing to be done about that," Palpatine said. "I do think, though, that it is worth that price."
"Yes," Vader agreed, as he thought of Luke's feelings for the young woman, memories of the love he and Amidala had once shared surfacing against his will. Now, however, circumstances were radically different and there was no obvious reason why Anjaleen would turn against Luke the way Amidala had turned against him. "Should he ask I think he should be allowed to take her hand, especially with the way the Force is acting."
"It is settled then," Palpatine stated. "He should be the one to ask though, we should not tell him. Luke would not simply ask on a whim, knowing what we had planned for him before she appeared on stage should make him serious about the question when he asks it."
"Here we are," Luke said as the speeder slowed and stopped.
He got out and quickly walked to the other side of the speeder, opening the door for Anja. Helping her out, he motioned to the driver to wait before he started escorting Anja to the door of her home. The moment he was out of sight of the driver, however, he stopped.
"I'd like to thank you for an nearly perfect evening," Luke said as his thoughts raced back to the conversation with his father just before he had left the castle to pick up Anjaleen. "There is just one more thing I need to say before we enter your home."
"Yes?" Anjaleen inquired as she looked up at him, knowing that what was to come was important.
"First though, you must promise me not to tell anyone," Luke began. "Lord Vader will only let me spill the hargo-beans if you give me your word that you won't tell a soul."
"I promise," Anjaleen instantly stated, her heart beating a little quicker as she realized that she was about to learn something that no one else knew about.
"Very well," Luke said as he scanned the area once more to make sure that no one else was nearby. "What I am about to tell you concerns my relationship with Lord Vader. I know that all kinds of rumors have been flying around as to our relationship, but so far no one has guessed correctly. You see, Lord Vader... he is... Lord Vader is my father."
Anjaleen stood frozen in place as the meaning of the words sunk in. Luke was Vader's son!! No wondering nothing about his past had been mentioned. Had people known who he was, then there would surely have been several attempts on his life as Vader had lots of enemies who were just waiting for a chance to hurt him. And then there was the birthday party. She and Nastalia had known that there was something more behind it then Vader simply deciding to celebrate his protégé's birthday, it was his son's birthday that he was celebrating. But they had never guessed this.
After doing some quick math in her head, Anjaleen realized that Luke must have been born just around the time that Vader first appeared at court. So why had Luke not appeared until several months ago? Was it for protection so that nobody would know that he was related to Vader? Whatever the reason, she had never suspected that Luke was Vader's son. She had known he was important, but not like this. Suddenly a new thought entered her head. Vader was a Sith and thus had special powers that no one else could understand, did Luke have this too?
"Luke, does this mean that you--" Anjaleen began and stopped when Luke placed a finger on her lips.
"Shhh," Luke said, knowing that he was not allowed to tell her about his abilities yet, his grandfather had told him to wait until he had a spectacular opportunity. So he couldn't tell her, at least not verbally. "Don't. Don't ask that which I can't tell you."
Anjaleen probed his face, seeking an answer and she got one when their eyes locked. Although he hadn't said anything, she just knew she was right. It all made sense now that she thought about it. The way he had defeated the assassin that had tried to kill him several months ago, the way he had such great success on missions, how he had known it was the Rebel's sleep cycle, and how he had picked out the assassin tonight. No doubt he had been responsible for the falling vase as well. Nodding her head in understanding, she smiled at him.
Luke returned her smile before he reached up and touched her face, leaning forward and kissed her on the lips. Instantly all other thoughts fled Anjaleen's mind as she returned the kiss and felt her love for the man before her grow. She had known after their talk about Ra'chealla several days ago that she was extremely lucky that he was truly interested in her. Now that she knew the truth about who he was, she knew that she had more reason to be grateful. Once it became known who he was, Luke could have anyone he desired and yet he was with her.
"I love you," Anjaleen voiced her feelings when their lips parted.
"And I love you," Luke replied, knowing how dangerous saying those three little words was for Anjaleen.
They stood there silently for a moment before Luke took her hand and led her to the door. Reaching it, he opened it and they entered. Instantly a servant left the room to go tell Randolf of their return.
"Remember, stay inside and I'll be by at seven for you," Luke said before he kissed her on the check.
"I will," Anjaleen promised.
"Anjaleen, Mr. Skywalker," Randolf said as he entered the room. "I trust you had a good evening. The press is already talking about it."
"Indeed," Sasha said as she came in behind her husband, Fifi in her arms. "You look handsome tonight Mr. Skywalker."
"Thank you, Mrs. Winiterure," Luke replied as Anjaleen shifted uncomfortably. "And good evening to you Mr. Winiterure. I was hoping I could talk with you."
"By all means," Randolf said.
"I have already told Anjaleen of this," Luke began as he smiled at her. "It seems that, due to business, I'll have to be leaving tomorrow night to head out to the T'Zessa system instead of next week."
"So Anjaleen would need to leave then as well," Randolf concluded, knowing that his daughter had a date with Raphael the following evening. Briefly he wondered whether Skywalker had arranged this, but then he dismissed the thought, Lord Vader wouldn't go along with something like that. "Very well, if she can get ready on time then it is fine with me."
"Thank you," Luke said as he could see Anja sigh in relief. "If there is nothing else I need to be on my way."
Just as he said this Fifi barked and tried to jump out of Sasha's hands. "No, Fifi," Sasha reprimanded the little animal. "You'll hurt yourself." Fifi simply barked once more and continued to struggle. "I think he wants to say hello to you, Mr. Skywalker."
"Mother!" Anjaleen started, knowing what was coming. "He'd only get hair all over Luke's clothes."
"No he wouldn't," Sasha replied as she moved over to Luke. "Fifi doesn't shed."
"Mother," Anjaleen began and then sighed, knowing that her mother was as stubborn as a rock when it came to her little baby.
"That's all right," Luke said as he caught the exasperation in Randolf's eyes who clearly hated his wife's behavior when it came to Fifi as much as Anjaleen did.
Luke reached out and petted the hairy chiwani even as he used the Force to calm in so that it would shut up. Seeing how Fifi stilled at Luke's touch, Sasha sent Anjaleen an I told you so look. Anjaleen shook her head the moment her mother looked away, guessing what was really happening.
"I guess I'd better go now," Luke said as Sasha moved to stand with her husband once more. "It's been a lovely evening, my dear," Luke continued as he took Anja's hand and kissed it, winking at her. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Goodbye," Anjaleen replied and turned to face her mother the moment the door closed. "Mother, I've asked you before not bring Fifi out when there are guests."
"You worry too much, dear," Sasha responded as she put Fifi on the ground. "He's harmless."
"But the way you behave with him isn't," Randolf said as he turned to his wife. "I want you to stop fussing over him the way you constantly do when we have guests. It's embarrassing." With this he turned his attention back to his daughter. "I think it best that you contact Raphael right away and inform him about your change of plans."
"Yes, Father," Anjaleen agreed, happy at being able to get out of another boring evening with Jerklin.
Skywalker sat on his bed, legs crossed under him, trying to meditate. A small trickle of sweat was pooling in the small of his back. He sighed, and let himself fall backwards.
Raking a hand through blond hair, he got up to wash his face in the marble sink in his private bath. He couldn't meditate, his mind kept whirling around what he was going to tell his father when he got back.
Luke had to ask his father about leaving early. He had been so sure of himself when he had told Anja that he would protect her, but what if his father said no? Luke desperately wanted her safe. He couldn't stop thinking about what would have happened if that assassin had succeeded. The man was probably part of a group, most of the assassins around court were at least partially allied into groups. Someone else could be after her tomorrow. What if his father said no, and Anjaleen had to go out with that worthless Mr. Jerklin? The man would have just sat there, stunned, as she died.
Luke began to pace his room. His father had to say yes, he had to. Luke couldn't even think what would happen if he said no. Luke racked his brain, trying to figure out the best way to ask his father.
He needed to take Anja out of here, that much was clear. She was in danger if she stayed. He couldn't be with her all the time here at court- if nothing else, he had to come home at night. But the wedding would be over in a week, then what? He had to figure something else.
He flopped back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't even think straight, how could he even plan what to do?
The door of his room opened and closed, and Luke felt his father's presence enter the room.
"You're lucky there aren't any Jedi left. You're projecting your feelings halfway around the planet. It is lucky I could tell you weren't in any danger, or I would have been rushing over here for nothing." Lord Vader teased, his voice mockingly serious.
"Father, I don't know what to do." Luke began.
"Obviously. You're troubled. What is it?"
"I need to leave for the wedding tomorrow night." Luke sat up, straightening his shoulders. He looked at his father, dressed in green silk pants and shirt.
"Why?" Vader said, taking a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs by the bed.
"I promised Anjaleen that I would keep her safe, and I can't do that here at court."
Lord Vader sighed. "And why did you promise her that?"
"Because it's my fault she's in danger. Well, mostly my fault. Ra'chealla has hired an assassin to kill her, and if I hadn't of been there, she'd already be dead. If she's off planet with me, I can watch over her."
"She'll have to come back eventually." Vader calmly reasoned.
"I know." Luke sighed. "I don't know what to do. I want to keep her safe. Every time I think of her getting hurt, it just makes me feel sick. And every time I've tried to meditate myself into some form of calm, I just get more wound up. I don't want to loose her to some assassin's blade. It feels so wrong." Luke gave a humorless laugh. "The Force warned me that the assassin was after her. It took me awhile to figure out that the warning wasn't for me. In fact, I spent the entire evening placing myself between him and her. He obviously had instructions not to harm me."
Vader pressed his lips together, tightening his shields. His father had been right, it was much more serious than he thought. The Force hadn't started warning him like that for his wife until right before they were married.
Luke was continuing, oblivious to his father's reaction. "If I could, I'd move her in here. I'd feel better, knowing she was safe. But I can't do that, the rumor mill would go insane, and her reputation would be ruined. And I'd just warn Ra'chealla off, but I don't think she's being rational about this to begin with. I tried scanning her from here when I got back tonight, and all I can get is a feeling she won't stop. Her father is mad enough at her, he's even willing to insult me just to get her back in line." Luke shook his head. "As if I'd want a woman who wouldn't follow her father's rules. If she'll disobey her father, then she'd disobey me when- well, later."
Luke sighed. "So, can I?"
Vader turned to his son, he had been looking out the window deep in thought. "What exactly do you want?"
"To leave early." Luke replied. "And some advice, since I'm too confused to figure this out myself."
"Yes, you may leave early. I'll send for Major Ravenell to make the arrangements. As for the rest, you need to speak with your grandfather. I'll get dressed, and we can go over to the Palace."
Luke walked across the wide sitting room, smiling at Garret who was on his way into his father's office. "Hello Garret. Father's in his study."
"Yes, I was told." Garret replied, wondering why he had been summoned. "I've gotten word from the Judgment- I'll start having your wardrobe loaded tomorrow, everything should be ready for your trip later this week."
"Oh, yes. About that- I need to leave tomorrow night instead."
"Tomorrow night?" The Major replied, trying to hide his dismay.
"Yes. I told Anjaleen that I would pick her and her staff up tomorrow night at seven. Arrange everything, would you?"
"Of course." Garret replied, mind a whirl. How was he ever going to get everything done by tomorrow? And he had to get another ton of things done for Lord Vader in the next few days- the Dark Lord would be leaving on his own ship for another mission in three days time.
"Is that going to be a problem?" Luke asked, studying the Major's carefully blank face.
"No, it can be done." Garret replied, calculating everything in his head. He nodded, realizing that he wasn't going to be getting any sleep tonight. "I can bully the Coruscant dock master into having the Judgment refueled early. But what do you want me to say to the dock master? What is the reason we are leaving early?"
"I wouldn't give a reason, Garret." Luke frowned. He knew that no one ever asked his father why he did anything.
Ravenell sighed. He hoped the dock authorities didn't decide to get picky and refuse to refuel the ship, but it would take longer to bully them. He would be hard pressed to get everything prepared. "Sir," Garret began, hoping it would work, "is there anyway I can get a temporary assistant for some of the less sensitive work?"
"Possibly. Ask my father." Luke said. Then the young man stopped, thinking. "Actually, I should probably ask him for my own adjunct. It really is too much work for you to do alone." Luke looked at Garret, "anyone you'd recommend for your assistant?"
The Major stopped, thinking. "No, I don't have any- actually, I do. My cousin's about to get out of the academy. I know that his parents aren't too happy with the idea of him in combat, but he was very stubborn about serving the Empire. Perhaps I could make some subtle inquires?"
"After I ask father. And we'll have to give the young man a full background check, I'm sure." Luke said. "But you better get to the study, Father is waiting."
"Yes, Sir."
Luke stood in front of his grandfather in the deserted throne room. He nervously licked his lips, waiting. His father had not been very forthcoming on why he needed to talk to grandfather, only saying that Luke needed to tell him everything that he had told him. Luke had just finished, and was waiting for the old man to reply.
"And what do you want to do, young Skywalker?" The Emperor asked, eyes mostly closed in thought.
"I'm not sure." Luke honestly replied. "I know that my options are limited. I have responsibilities. Those responsibilities come first. But I want her safe. And I can't see a clear path, my emotions are clouding my view."
"Humm. Yes. Sit on the ground." The Emperor said, and Luke immediately sunk down. "Now, young one. I want you to meditate on what would happen if you did nothing, and this women left for the wedding in a week."
Luke closed his eyes, and tentatively reached for the Force. He found it easier to grasp than it had been earlier, and realized that his grandfather's power was affecting the Force around him. He buried himself in it, watching with his inner eyes for the visions that would come.
Anjaleen, in a pool of blood on the patio of her home. Jerklin there, backing up and looking around for the threat, but not seeing the assassin slipping out the back. Something inside Luke broke, but he held on. It wasn't going to happen. He dove deeper down the possibility though, just to see where it led.
Years of loneliness. He knew that he had missed something, something important. At the end of it, a black-haired girl who was terrified of him, yet was willing to marry him for power. And a black-haired, blue eyed baby with only half the Force strength he had. Barely enough to hold the throne. Time sped up again, and Luke saw glimpses of other of his descendants, some strong in the Force, others weaker. The vision faded.
Luke looked up, seeing his father and grandfather staring back at him. He swallowed hard, licking his dry lips. "I want to marry her, Grandfather. I know that I may have to wait, but I know I want to marry her. Not anyone else."
The two older men looked at each other, locking eyes. They had seen Luke's vision, and didn't like the idea of a weaker heir.
"Very well." The Emperor said. "You may ask the young lady. But don't set a date yet."
Luke bowed where he sat. "Yes, your Majesty."
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
