Dynasty: Chunk Twenty-Two
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
The Emperor looked out of his wide windows that overlooked the gardens from his private quarters. Lord Vader had just informed him of what young Luke had said about the woman he had been flirting with.
"Shivered." The Emperor said, his old voice rasping.
"Yes, your Majesty." Vader replied, coldly.
"Hummm." Palpatine stood there, thinking. "Lord Vader, you shouldn't be too worried. The girl and her family have a long history of loyalty to me. And your late wife was of some use, she did provide you with a worthy heir."
Vader stepped forward, looking over his father's shoulders at the gardens below. Luke was just visible; he appeared to be talking to a military officer.
"And a traitor." Vader added, thinking of Leia.
"Yes. But her rebelliousness was trained, not inborn. Let us never mention her again."
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Ah, here comes the woman in question."
They watched as she approached. She looked at Luke, and the Force twitched. It was very subtle, and both of the older Sith realized they would have missed it if they hadn't been watching. Luke held out his hand, and the four of them walked down the path.
"That was interesting." The Emperor said, thoughtful.
"Yes, but I told him to avoid her." Darth Vader growled.
"The shiver in the Force may be affecting him. He has been trained to follow the Force's lead. I will meditate and see what I can determine." The Emperor said.
Lord Vader nodded, knowing that his father had much more experience in the effects of the Force than him.
"I would," the Emperor continued, "warn young Skywalker to be cautious around the young lady. However, I do not want him ignoring the Force's prompting. It could inhibit his growth in his power. Therefore, he does not need to avoid her too much. He should not be obvious about it."
"As you wish."
"If nothing else, it will keep him from insulting her father. He is too casual about making enemies with my courtiers."
"Yes, he is too willing to make enemies of Buchanan." Vader said.
"Among others. The woman does have a suitor, you know."
The words had hardly left his mouth when the man in questioned came into view down the path from the opposite end. Watching him, father and son felt the anger come alive within Raphael the moment he rounded a bend in the path and caught sight of Anjaleen with Luke. Lightly probing Luke, Vader caught similar emotions came to life within his son as he caught sight of Jerklin.
"Just what I need," Vader said dryly. "A rivalry."
"I'm sure young Luke doesn't enjoy the situation very much either," Palpatine stated as he watched the Intel man go up to the two strolling couples. "He knows very well that if he could only reveal his true identity that the man would be off his back in a second."
Vader nodded his head silently in agreement. He had, on more than one occasion, felt the frustration rise within his son at the way he was treated by several members of the court. He knew that his son longed for the day when it was known who he was, or when he could reveal his powers, so that he would get the proper respect he deserved. Vader knew what Luke felt like, it had been the same way for him when he had first arrived on the scene, until it had become known just what he was capable of. However, his boy needed to learn some more patience. It wouldn't be long before things were ready for it to be revealed that Luke was a Sith.
"Come," Palpatine said as he turned away from the window. "It is time we made our appearance at court."
"As you wish," Vader replied as he followed his father out of the room.
"Raphael," Anjaleen said with a smile as her suitor approached.
"Mr. Jerklin," Luke, Nastalia, and Nathaniel greeted.
"Hello," Raphael replied as he noticed how Anjaleen still held Luke's hand instead of moving over to him.
It hadn't taken him long to realize that Randolf had not, in fact, told Skywalker to move away from his daughter as he had hoped. He wasn't even sure whether the man had conversed with Skywalker since the meeting or not. This meant that Randolf wasn't concerned with the kiss for one reason or another. It could be that he didn't think it would disturb his current relationship with Anjaleen and that he thus didn't want to anger Skywalker. Or it meant that he was willing to see if Skywalker was interested in courting Anjaleen. The fact that Randolf hadn't talked with him anymore about marrying Anjaleen since he had informed Mr. Winiterure of the kiss, alarmed Raphael profoundly.
However, Raphael had worked things out too perfectly to allow Skywalker to mess up all his plans for the future. He would have Anjaleen as his wife no matter the costs. He had decided on that soon after he had first seen her and heard that she was, in fact, available. Things would be perfect as he had a good job in which he would be promoted and, once he was older, he could quit it and busy himself with the position Anjaleen would inherit from her father which would automatically come to him as he would be her husband.
"A lovely day, isn't it?" Nastalia asked Raphael as she could sense the tension that had suddenly chased away the afternoon calm.
She was only all too aware of the growing conflict between Luke and Raphael. Ever since the dance, Raphael had been keeping Anjaleen as close as possible when he was with her and gave Luke the cold treatment whenever he caught him with Anjaleen. He had even gone as far as being outright rude to Luke, and Nastalia knew that it was only a matter of time before there would be fireworks. She just couldn't grasp why Raphael came on the way he was after seeing what Vader had done for Luke at the party. It was unhealthy to mess with Vader and that was what Raphael was indirectly doing as it was clear that Luke was Vader's protégé. Nastalia also knew that Anjaleen liked Luke better than Raphael. And, personally, she did to.
"Yes," Raphael replied as if he had just noticed it before he turned his attention to Anjaleen. "You look lovely today as usual, my dear."
"Thank you," Anjaleen replied as she smoothened her jeweled dress.
"I told you that you'd look nice in black," Raphael continued. "It brings out your eyes and the highlights in your hair."
"It does," Luke agreed, admitting his feelings before he fully realized it. His words made Raphael stiffen even more, and Luke knew that he had just submerged himself deeper into the issue. Despite his father's lecture, his feelings for Anjaleen only grew and Raphael brought out the defensiveness in him that went with liking someone.
"There is something I need to see to," Nathaniel said as he saw the growing hostility between the two men and saw how uncomfortable Anjaleen was with it. "If I could have the honor of escorting you two ladies back to the Palace?"
"Yes," Nastalia hastily answered, knowing what her fiancé was trying to do. "I can fill you in on the latest details of the wedding, Anjaleen."
"That would be delightful," Anjaleen agreed with a smile. "Luke, Raphael, I'll see you two later."
"Anjaleen," Luke said and brought her hand to his lips before he released it.
Anjaleen stifled a giggle, knowing that it would only irk Raphael more and she didn't want them at each others' throats as soon as she was gone. Moving to Nathaniel's right she took his other hand and let him lead her away along with Nastalia.
"Wow," Nathaniel said as soon as they were out of hearing range of the other two men. "Mr. Jerklin wasn't pleased to see Mr. Skywalker with you."
"No," Anjaleen admitted. "I think he's jealous of what happened at the party."
"What are you going to do?" Nastalia inquired as she sent her friend a sympathetic look.
"I'm not sure," Anjaleen said as despair filled her once more. "Father hasn't told me that I'm not allowed to see Luke anymore, although I'm sure that he knows something is up by now. So, I'm guessing he's not displeased with me seeing him, but he hasn't stopped inviting Raphael over either."
"It'll all work out," Nastalia comforted her.
"I hope so," Anjaleen replied, her voice full of emotion as she suppressed the shudder that ran up her spine at the thought of spending the rest of her life with Raphael. But did she want to spend it with Luke? She wasn't sure yet. She hardly knew him, but what she did know so far she liked immensely.
"So," Raphael began as he watched Anjaleen walk off with Nathaniel and Nastalia, even as he mind raced.
It had been the Admiral who had danced with Anjaleen right before she had disappeared outside with Skywalker the night of the dance. Was there some connection? Or was it simply that he was the fiancé of Anjaleen's friend? Raphael wasn't sure, but he'd have to take another look at Admiral MacNelly's record and see just what kind of a man he was.
"Having an interesting afternoon so far?" Raphael continued as he turned his attention back to his rival.
"Yes, actually," Luke responded, following the man's thoughts. "MacNelly and I were just talking about the Conqueror and what needed to be done to it before it could become operational once more. It is, after all, outdated where bridge equipment and so forth is concerned. And before that there was the ordeal with Organa and her death."
Luke saw the look of surprise that crossed Raphael's face before it became an expressionless mask once more. Vader had told him that he was allowed to spread word of his sister's death as it would only raise moral in the military and the court as she had been one of the better known Rebels.
"Organa's death," Raphael repeated, despising the fact that he didn't know of it yet. He prided himself on knowing what was going on where due to his position in Intel. "It was about time, her capture was a while ago."
"True," Luke confirmed, not missing how Jerklin left out the fact that it had been he who had captured Leia. "But Lord Vader wasn't finished with her until today."
"I saw you with Miss. Winiterure in the garden," Vader stated as he took his seat at the dinner table that evening.
Luke winced from his seat. He had known from the moment he asked her to walk with him that he'd get into trouble if his father or grandfather found out. A thing they always did, one way or another, whenever he did something he shouldn't. Looking up at his father, Luke waited for the inevitable to come while the entree was placed before him.
"However, I felt the shiver you described," Vader continued as he picked up a jeweled utensil. 'Your grandfather did as well,' Vader added mentally as he began his soup. "You are not to ignore the Force, but you are not to make it obvious."
Luke just looked at his father for a moment, slightly shocked, before he too began his meal. On the one hand he was completely caught off guard that his father changed his opinion so quickly, and on the other hand he wasn't surprised at all as the Force was clearly at work as far as he and Anjaleen were concerned. It seemed to want them to be together.
"Thank you," Luke said as he noticed the slight interest Mark had in their conversation as he stood behind Vader with a bottle to refill their glasses when needed. Probing a little deeper he saw that the help was pleased that he had found someone he liked, but was worried that Vader didn't approve completely.
"You should also stop angering the courtiers the way you do," Vader said. 'Your grandfather disproves of it as do I.' Vader waited until Mark refilled his glass before taking a sip and continuing. "You are making too many enemies too casually. Especially with Buchanan. Now, I know that you are able to defend yourself should he wish to harm you, but you are still not allowed to display your abilities in public."
"Okay," Luke said as his empty plate was taken away and replaced with the main dish. "I was thinking of telling Ra'chealla to leave me alone anyway. She is getting annoying."
Vader nodded his head at this even as he sighed mentally. To Luke this was all a game, not that he'd been too different himself at first. But the fact that he'd been wearing the armor had cut down on what he could do. Luke didn't have that and was weaving webs so complicated that one could get lost in them. Vader would just have to see what changed after this talk and go from there.
Raphael Jerklin fumed as he stalked back into his Intel office. Skywalker had neatly sidestepped any confrontation he could have had with the man out in the garden, politely excusing himself after only a few moments.
"Dace!" Jerklin called to his assistant. "Find out when Lord Vader made the announcement concerning Organa's death, I want to know when it happened. And I need you to do some research on that Admiral MacNelly. I want to know which faction he's allied with."
"Yes, Sir." Dace said, tapping on his computer console. "Sir? Organa is dead? I don't have any information on that." The man looked up, slightly confused.
"None?" Jerklin asked, glaring at the man.
"No, Sir. She's still listed as a prisoner. But the information that she was actually at Vader's Castle has been added. If she was executed recently, it may not be public knowledge yet."
Jerklin glared at the computer. "Not public knowledge? I don't care about public knowledge. I'm supposed to be informed about these things."
"Yes, Sir. I meant that it might not be released to our offices yet. These things take time, and Lord Vader has never been one to share his information. But I am surprised, if she's been executed that it wasn't done publicly." The man mused.
"Yes. That is odd. Try to find out why." Mr. Jerklin ordered.
"Of course. And I will get you a report on that Admiral as soon as I can."
"Do that." Jerklin stalked back into his private office, slamming the door. Dace breathed a sigh of relief that his boss was gone. The man was impossible to work with on anything.
Raphael Jerklin was just confused. It wasn't like Lord Vader to spread information unless he wanted it known, and if Skywalker had mentioned it to him, then it meant that Lord Vader wanted the knowledge of her death spread about. Now that he thought about it, it did make sense to get Skywalker to mention Organa's death. The man was much more talkative than the Dark Lord, and did spend a lot of time at court.
Doing what, Raphael couldn't imagine. It wasn't like Skywalker had an official position. He was just a worthless courtier with no power, except for what little he could convince people he had, what with living in Vader's Castle. He was probably just an assistant or something. The Dark Lord was probably just spending money on him to prove that he could, Jerklin had seen stranger things at court.
Luke was standing in one of the inner courtyards of the Palace, watching the water flow over the gilded fountain. Fanciful sea creatures carved out of crystal swam in the golden waves. Luke could feel the presence of someone else coming up behind him, and he could tell who it was through the Force.
"Pretty, isn't it?" The female voice asked, as Luke turned to see Ra'chealla advancing on him.
"Yes, it is. Most things at court are beautiful." Luke said, trying to avoid a conversation. Ra'chealla doggedly held on.
"Yes, most things are. There is something to be said about living where there is beauty in everything. Don't you think?" She smiled at him, and Luke could feel her fishing for a compliment. He sighed, trying to think how he could warn her off without hurting her feelings. His father was right, he didn't need to make any more enemies. And even if she was an empty-headed woman, she would marry someone important someday. He didn't need her to have a grudge.
He turned back to the fountain. "Yes. I suppose there is." He paused, then began again. "Actually, I'm looking forward to leaving for awhile. I'm going on Lord Vader's next mission."
"Really?" She said, inwardly happy that Luke was telling her something she hadn't known before. Luke was kicking himself, realizing that she would misinterpret him telling her anything. Especially since it wasn't common knowledge that he was leaving yet.
"Of course. I've been here too long as it is. I need to get back to work. I will probably be traveling with Lord Vader or by myself on missions for quite awhile." Luke said, hoping it would discourage her. He frowned, realizing that he couldn't stay away from court to avoid her, because then he would be avoiding Anjaleen.
"That's too bad, you'll be missed." She said, looking at him. He sighed, realizing his hints were going nowhere. She suddenly looked beyond him, slightly alarmed. She bowed. "Hello, Father."
Luke turned, slightly bowing to the older man. "Hello, Buchanan. It is good to see you today."
"Hello, Mr. Skywalker. It is good to see you as well. Ra'chealla, I saw Elizabeth in the blue hall talking to that nice young man from the Sleea System. I'd like to know what they are talking about, could you wander over that way?" Luke could feel that the older man was just trying to get his daughter to leave, and didn't really care what the other courtier's daughter was talking about.
"Yes, Father." Ra'chealla said, turning back to Skywalker. "Good day, Mr. Skywalker, and good luck on your next mission." She pointedly said, hinting to her father that it had been for information that she had been talking to Luke.
The two men watched her go. Luke schooled his face expressionless, realizing that Buchanan meant to warn him off from his daughter. He wondered if he could lead this conversation around so that it wasn't too confrontational. If Buchanan was too rude to him, he would have to deal with it later, when everything was revealed.
"You're going on a mission?" Buchanan asked, curious.
Luke jumped on the topic, hoping to steer the conversation. If they started arguing, his father would be furious. "Yes. I don't know which one, but I plan on going with Lord Vader on his next assignment."
Buchanan gave Luke a small smile. "Does he know that?"
"It's understood." Luke evenly replied, hiding the fact that he was furious that Buchanan would even insinuate that Luke might just be inviting himself along.
"Oh." Buchanan glanced at Luke, then turned to the fountain. "I've always wondered what is 'understood' between you and Lord Vader. And what you've just assumed." The implication of Skywalker's lack of worth was too strong for Luke to ignore.
He glared at Buchanan, but looked away before the man locked eyes with him. "Not much is 'understood,' Buchanan. Most of it has been discussed openly between us." Luke snapped back.
"If you say so." The man was calm. "But we at the court have not been shown anything. No concrete evidence. You can understand why this would concern us."
"I believe I do."
"Do you? I've noticed that my daughter has been spending time talking with you. I want that to stop. I am not in a position where I can afford to have my daughter allying herself with an unknown nobody." The man was still maddeningly calm.
Luke evenly replied, "Yes, one such as yourself would need to guard your position." Skywalker buried his frustration at having to hide what he could do. It was maddening to be so much more than this man before him, yet have to pretend otherwise.
"Then we understand each other."
"Yes, we do." Luke bit back the reply forming on his tongue about how he wasn't the one doing the chasing. It would only make things worse, and his father had lectured him enough as it was.
"Good." Buchanan said, and then almost impulsively turned back to face Luke. "However, I do want you to understand Skywalker, it is a matter of guaranties. If Lord Vader was more forthcoming about your position in court, then things might be different."
"There is no gain without risk. But it is your loss." Luke calmly replied, holding in his anger and frustration by sheer force of will. He did see the emotion that flashed across Buchanan's face and he felt the man's hesitation, although Buchanan would never admit it to anyone that he felt it. The man had just proven that he wasn't sure where Luke stood and that if Vader would give an indication that he might consider letting Ra'chealla near him. Luke's words just brought up the possibility of his possible importance once more. But then Buchanan dismissed the thought.
Surely if Skywalker was of any special importance the court would have been alerted to the fact by now. If for nothing else than to prevent such a confrontation. Besides, Buchanan was sure that anyone who was important would want it known simply to get the respect they deserved. Nodding to Skywalker, he turned and walked away. Skywalker had probably used those words to try to throw him off and to make him change his mind so that the young man could see Ra'chealla.
Luke shook his head as he watched the man go. Buchanan hadn't even considered that fact that his true identity might be too important to reveal right away. At least he didn't have to worry about the man anymore and, with some luck, Buchanan would talk with his daughter and get Ra'chealla out of his hair as well.
Luke smiled despite himself as he stepped up to the fountain. Things could have gone better, but he couldn't truly complain either. With the way things had just transpired he'd managed to avoid making any new enemies while having things set up to explode in Buchanan's face at the same time. When his true identity was eventually revealed, Ra'chealla would probably make her rebelliousness clear to her father by blatantly pointing out what it would have meant if she had gotten him. Besides, he'd have his own revenge sooner or later and he would utilize it to the fullest.
"Luke," Vader said sternly as he entered the courtyard only to find his son grinning mischievously to himself. "What have you done now?"
"Nothing, my Lord," Luke replied as he scanned the area to make sure that they were alone. "I was looking for a way to tell Ra'chealla to back off, when Buchanan intervened and did it for me."
"How?" Vader demanded suspiciously.
"He told me to stay away from her and I told him that I would," Luke explained. "He'll probably give his daughter the he's a nobody so stay away from him lecture which will burn him later."
Vader simply sighed at this as he looked at his son. The boy had definitely gotten his grandfather's abilities when it came to politics. "At least you've managed to find a way to avoid irritating Buchanan in the immediate future," Vader said. "Try not to make any new enemies instead."
"I won't," Luke promised. "Other than Raphael of course."
Vader opened his mouth to reply, but then closed it again, thankful that his mask hid this fact. He would have to speak with Palpatine before saying any more on the Anjaleen subject. His father had, after all, just summoned him to reveal what his meditations on the matter had uncovered. Instead he handed the datapad he held to his son.
"This invitation arrived for you just before I left," Vader stated before he turned around and headed towards the throne room.
Luke took the datapad from his father and turned it on and quickly scanned the message. It was from MacNelly inviting him to an early dinner, but it was very vague. It simply said to meet the Admiral at the gardens where they had walked the other day. Reading the message over again, Luke frowned. Something wasn't quite right. Unable to figure out what was up, Luke decided to go. He would be leaving the planet in a couple of days anyway and he might as well have some fun before then. Besides, he was curious to find out what the Admiral was up to. The fact that Nastalia might be involved in whatever was going on crossed his mind as he left the courtyard.
"Ra'chealla, come here," Buchanan ordered as he caught sight of his daughter talking with Elizabeth.
Ra'chealla looked in his direction and nodded before quickly saying goodbye to her friend. Approaching her father, she tried to hide her nervousness as she knew that she would once more be lectured on how the court worked and how she was not to hang around that nobody. Feeling her anger come alive within her, Ra'chealla wanted to run up to her father and tell him that he was being unfair. She wanted to tell him that she loved Luke and wanted to be with him and that he had no right to interfere.
"Yes, Father?" Ra'chealla asked calmly instead as she stopped near him.
"What have I told you about seeing Skywalker?" Buchanan demanded and then continued without waiting for an answer. "From now on you will do as you're told. I have just talked with Skywalker and told him that he is to stay away from you in the future," Buchanan informed his daughter and saw how her eyes widened at his words. "He agreed to do so. Now come."
Silently following her father, Ra'chealla's mind raced. He had told Luke to stay away from her? She had always known that there was that possibility, but she had never actually expected her father to go so far as it always led to the creation of enemies and grudges. She had assumed that, considering the fact that Skywalker's importance and position weren't known, that her father wouldn't take the risk of alienating him. Obviously she had been wrong.
But Luke had agreed?! Frowning, Ra'chealla tried to find what she had done wrong to have him willing agree to stay away from her. Unable to come up with anything on the spot, she decided that Luke had probably seen it fit to agree with her father instead of causing a fuss by refusing. Besides, it would prevent Buchanan from taking things any further or from keeping a constant eye on her. She'd probably be able to see Luke when her father wasn't looking.
Convinced that Luke had only agreed to avoid any nasty situations, Ra'chealla smiled to herself as she followed her father through the halls of the Palace. He would be hers and everything would be fine.
"Father," Vader said as he reached the top of the stairs and bowed to the older man sitting on the throne. He had instantly noticed upon entering the room that all the guards were already absent which meant that whatever Palpatine had discovered last night was of some interest. "I talked with Luke concerning what we have discussed yesterday and he has already made sure that things won't go any further with Buchanan. Although Buchanan's relationship with his daughter will most likely erode once all is revealed."
Palpatine nodded his head at this as he briefly pondered all that his grandson had done where the court was concerned since his arrival. With Vader things had been quite different as he wore the armor and was known for killing off the Jedi. Luke, on the other hand, had all the time he needed to wreck havoc without anyone knowing that they were only harming themselves when they messed with him.
"My meditations were interesting," Palpatine stated coming back to the topic at hand. "Although the future is always in motion, I think young Luke should follow the Force with Anjaleen."
"Why?" Vader questioned.
"Although I saw various short visions during my meditation, my interest was drawn to one particular image," Palpatine explained. "It was that of a child."
"Their child?" Vader inquired, seeing where this was heading.
"He had the eyes of you and Luke," Palpatine said. "And his hair was a golden-brown. He was surrounded by the Force so it means that there is a strong possibility that Miss. Winiterure may bear Force sensitive off-spring."
Vader nodded his head as he heard this. Although the ability to use the Force was hereditary, it didn't mean that every child born to a person with Force abilities was necessarily Force sensitive. And he didn't need to be told that the Imperial Royal Line needed to be made up of Force sensitive individuals as only a Sith could rule the Empire and thus the galaxy. The vision that Anjaleen would bear a Force sensitive child was a major mark in her favor.
"We let Luke do as he pleases?" Vader inquired.
"Within reason," Palpatine corrected. "But we should not forbid him from seeing her. Let us observe how the Force acts. Should the vision of the child disappear, we can still terminate things before they go too far. And if not, we can still see how things develop."
"I'm sorry I couldn't greet you immediately," Anjaleen said as she entered the room and found Raphael drinking tea with her mother who had Fifi on her lap. "I was in the middle of a call."
"That's okay," Raphael replied as he put his cup down. "Your mother entertained me while I waited."
"Good," Anjaleen said as she winced mentally, wondering what kind of entertainment it had been. She had probably rambled on and on about Fifi and how gorgeous he looked with the new jeweled clips Sasha had made for him. Or at least she thought he looked gorgeous with them. To Anjaleen the mutt simply looked like a decorated ball of hair.
"Anyway," Raphael said as he got up and made to leave the room. "I was wondering if you were free tonight. I liked that restaurant we went to before the party and was hoping to go there again."
"Actually," Anjaleen began as they entered the hall. "I've got other plans," seeing the man's face harden, she hurriedly continued. "Nastalia invited me to dinner so that we could talk about the wedding preparations some more. That's why I was busy just now, I was replying to her invitation."
Raphael relaxed and let out the air he had unconsciously been holding in. When she had first said that she had other plans, he had assumed that Anjaleen was seeing Skywalker once more. After his conversation with the man in the gardens the other day, he had decided to do all he could to keep Anjaleen away from him. Skywalker would just have to learn that she was his and that he had to go find himself another woman.
Perhaps it was time Skywalker noticed Ra'chealla. She was, after all, practically drooling all over him. Besides, Raphael would love to see the sparks fly when Buchanan had enough of having Skywalker near his daughter and decided to take more drastic measures. It would be quite a spectacle, and one he'd love to see. It was only a pity that Randolf didn't feel the same way about having Skywalker near Anjaleen.
Then there was also the matter with Organa and her death. Was it true and had Vader just not told anyone yet? Or was it a lie and was Skywalker baiting him to make him look stupid when he spread the word and it turned out to be false? Since he didn't know the answer to either question, he only had two courses of action available to him. He could either keep quiet and thus make it look like he had been in the dark about the matter until Vader made it public knowledge, or he could tell people and risk looking like a fool who believed every single rumor he heard. What with Anjaleen and the rivalry between him and Skywalker, Raphael wouldn't put it past the young man to hand him a lie and see if he ran with it. But Skywalker could be giving him true information this time so he believed in the validity of any information Skywalker chose to give him in the future.
Raphael smiled at Anjaleen as he suppressed the need to clench his fists in frustration. At least Skywalker wasn't the one she'd be seeing tonight. If he watched his step, kept Anjaleen close to him, and stayed on good terms with her father, he was sure that she'd be his. After all, what had Skywalker to compete with? Nothing.
"Perhaps another night?" Raphael suggested.
"Yes," Anjaleen reluctantly agreed.
Anjaleen laughed before she took a sip of wine and sent her friend a smile that evening. "Looks like things are working out perfectly for the wedding."
"Yes," Nastalia agreed. "Although it won't be as fancy as Luke's party, it'll be grand."
"From what you're telling me I have no doubt that it will be," Anjaleen agreed as she placed her glass on the table and leaned back in the overstuffed chair she was sitting in.
Nastalia had stressed that it was to be a casual evening at her house and that she shouldn't get too dressed up. Accordingly, Anjaleen had worn a yellow dress with red pearls on it and had decided to let her hair simply cascade loose down her back for once with nothing in it.
"Isn't Nathaniel here tonight?" Anjaleen inquired as she looked around the empty sitting room they were in. "I mean, I know your father is out at a meeting, but you and Nathaniel separated? That's one I haven't seen since you got engaged."
Nastalia giggled as her right hand automatically went to her Kyrab bracelet which turned from green to yellow as her excitement rose. "He's gone to get our other guest."
"Other guest?" Anjaleen exclaimed as she sat up straight in her seat. "Nastalia, you didn't mention the fact that anyone else would be coming!"
"What's wrong?" Nastalia teased as she saw her fiancé enter the room through a door that was out of Anjaleen's range of sight. "Don't feel dressed up enough?"
"Yes," Anjaleen said. "I would have put my hair up had I known."
"I think it looks lovely loose," Luke commented as he entered the room behind Nathaniel just in time to hear Nastalia's question and Anjaleen's reply.
Although Nathaniel had refused to say anything upon meeting him in the garden, Luke had sensed Anjaleen's presence at the Grand Moff's home from as soon as he had probed it upon guessing their destination. Probing Nathaniel, he had seen that it had been Nastalia's idea to get him and Anjaleen together for the evening in a place where Raphael would be unable to drop in and see them. He shook his head as he probed Nastalia now. She was playing matchmaker, a thing he would normally dislike, but his father had told him that it was okay for him to see Anjaleen. Vader hadn't said anything else, so Luke hadn't asked. But now he was looking forward to a relaxing evening.
"Thank you, Luke," Anjaleen said, blushing at the compliment as she twisted in her seat to see the two men.
"I must agree with Luke," Nathaniel said as he walked over to Nastalia. "Your hair is nice like that."
"Thank you," Anjaleen replied as Luke sat down on the sofa.
"Enrouina," Nastalia said as she saw her maid near the door. "Please get two more glasses."
"Right away," Enrouina replied before she vanished.
"Is it true that you're leaving with Lord Vader on a mission?" Nastalia questioned as she turned her attention to Luke. "Ra'chealla mentioned something earlier today."
"Yes," Luke confirmed, no longer surprised by how fast news traveled at court. "I'll be leaving in two days. The mission should take a few weeks."
"Although I would like to hear the details, if I could," Nathaniel began. "I don't think the ladies want us to talk about work right now."
"Exactly," Nastalia stated. "I think we should forget about work, the court, and anything else and just have some fun and get to know each other a little better. Or at least learn what we're allowed to know."
"Don't worry," Luke replied with a smile. "There's no restriction against you learning what kind of person I am. Just what I do."
"Perfect," Anjaleen stated.
Admiral MacNelly walked down the corridors of his newly remodeled ship, the smell of paint was still in the air. The last of the construction crews were just finishing up, and the Conqueror would be ready as soon as he returned from his honeymoon.
"Admiral, everything looks to be on schedule." Nathaniel turned to the officer standing beside him.
"Yes, Captain Bruick, it does appear to be right on schedule." The Admiral smiled. Everything was just perfect.
"All ready for your wedding. I was hoping to have her ready by then, so we could move her to T'Zessa as her 'test run', if you will. I figured that we could do any repairs after the ceremony, while you were away. Then we would be ready once you got back." The captain continued.
The Admiral nodded. The initial run of any ship that had undergone such extensive modifications and systems updates as the Conqueror usually found a host of small problems that needed to be fixed in order to make the vessel battle-worthy. "Perhaps." The Admiral said, "we could have her shake-down cruise a little early. I could speak with the head of construction, see what he thinks."
The captain was answering him as a minor officer came up. "Admiral, you have a communication from T'Zessa."
MacNelly smiled. He had been getting a host of calls from Nastalia ever since he had boarded. He almost couldn't blame her, the wedding was in two weeks. Even if half the bridge crew joked about it behind his back.
"I'll take it in my quarters."
The Admiral left, and took the short walk to his newly decorated quarters. He quickly passed through the first room, and onto the holo-projector disk. He touched the transmit button, and a small holo of Nastalia appeared on the projector.
"Honey, I know you asked me not to call you so much, but I have news of Luke and Anjaleen." Nastalia began.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. It seems Luke is escorting her to our wedding aboard some Destroyer. I think it might even be the one I rode on before- the Judgment. As you can imagine, Mr. Jerklin about had a fit."
"How did Luke pull that off?" MacNelly asked, amused.
"Apparently," and Nathaniel could see Nastalia's mischievous smile on her face, "Lord Vader needed a ton of Intel work done immediately, and our poor Mr. Jerklin can't make the wedding. So Luke graciously offered to escort the poor girl."
Nathaniel laughed. "So, our Dark Lord is in on it too?" He and Nastalia had managed to get Luke and Anjaleen together on quite a few occasions over the last few months. It had almost been a game, seeing how many times they could get the two together without Jerklin finding out.
"One would guess so. You almost have to pity Mr. Jerklin. He's being rather stubborn, and doesn't seem to get the hint. It makes you wonder what Lord Vader will do when he eventually deals with it."
"I'd be more worried about Luke. He's gaining quite a reputation here in the military over the last few months." The Dark Lord must have surely taught the young man how to wage a war. It was almost a pity that Skywalker seemed to be splitting his time between court and the civil war, since he seemed so good at command. Of course, Lord Vader had also taught Luke how to deal with officers who had failed him, so while everyone appreciated Skywalker's victories, no one wanted the man on their ship. If you made a mistake, you might be sporting a vibroblade wound.
"True. Well, I don't really have anything else, so I better let you go. We can talk more about it later."
"Yes, I'll call you when I'm free tonight."
"Good idea. Love you, dear."
"Love you too."
Anjaleen walked along the garden path with Elizabeth. She didn't really trust the other woman, but she at least knew that Elizabeth wasn't actively plotting against her. Which almost made them allies at court, sometimes.
"And," Elizabeth was saying, "the dress-maker was actually trying to tell me that I looked good in that horrible color. I know that I wouldn't have ordered that particular shade of pink, so I sent it back and insisted that he return my credit. I mean, any fool could tell that it wouldn't do."
"I completely agree. Sometimes they think that just because we're female we can't choose our own clothes. It's silly." Anjaleen replied.
"Exactly. Now, I heard that you're being escorted to Nastalia's wedding by Luke Skywalker. However did that happen?"
"My father can not attend, and Luke was going, so he offered to escort me. My father said he could escort me, since I would be safer on a Star Destroyer than a private ship."
"Yes, the Rebels are getting more desperate. It isn't safe to travel anymore. At least, travel unguarded."
"True. But, in a way, I'm almost glad the Rebels are willing to try anything."
"Oh?"
"They're desperate because they are losing." Anjaleen said.
Elizabeth smiled. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Admiral MacNelly told me." Anjaleen said, and not wanting to appear too concerned with war, she added, "He was worried about me getting there. He's heard a lot of reports."
Elizabeth nodded. "He would, being in the Navy. Actually, I am surprised that you aren't going with that Intel gentleman, what's his name? Raphael Jerklin? I thought you two were an item."
Anjaleen hid her grimace. "He's busy."
"Oh." Elizabeth looked across the flower bed, and waved. "Hello, Ra'chealla. Are you going to Nastalia's wedding?"
The woman gave Anjaleen a brief unreadable glance, then smiled at Elizabeth. "No, I can't make it. Are you?"
"Possibly. Father hasn't decided," Elizabeth breezily replied. "It's a long way to travel, you know."
Ra'chealla looked at Elizabeth questionably as she walked around the edge of the flowers to the two women. "It's not that far."
"It is with all the recent Rebel activity. I was telling Anjaleen that she's lucky to be escorted." Elizabeth explained.
"Yes, of course." Ra'chealla replied, nearly hiding her jealousy beneath a cool façade.
Elizabeth gave Anjaleen a mischievous smile. "After all, the Rebels are desperate because they are losing." She clearly meant something else, Anjaleen could tell- especially when she turned and gave Ra'chealla her friendliest smile. "Well, I better go get ready for dinner. I'll see you two later." And with that, she left.
Anjaleen watched her retreating back, silently furious. She didn't want to talk with Ra'chealla, and Elizabeth had deliberately left them alone. Ra'chealla had been trying to corner her for weeks now, ever since she had figured out that Anjaleen was seeing Luke when he was on planet.
Anjaleen turned back to Ra'chealla, and hoping to avoid any confrontation, started the conversation. "Nice day, isn't it?"
"Don't play cute with me." Ra'chealla said, calmly staring over the garden. "You don't need to pretend with me. I'm not some stupid man like Mr. Jerklin who is only after your father's money."
"Excuse me?" Anjaleen timidly asked. She couldn't afford to offend Buchanan's daughter.
"Skywalker, little girl. I'm talking about Luke. You and your friends may be fooling him, but you're not fooling me. You're only nice to him for the money and power Lord Vader throws at him. Not because you like him, or even understand him. You should just settle down and marry that Intel officer of yours- you are both a perfect pair."
"I understand him as well as anyone here at court can." Anjaleen evenly replied. Inside she was screaming. How could anyone doubt her motives with Luke? At first she had only liked him as compared to Mr. Jerklin, but after the last few months she had gotten to know him better. She couldn't see herself with anyone else, and didn't even think about his money.
"Do you? Or is it just his credits that you want?" Ra'chealla sneered. "You are sure nice enough to him for it."
"Only because he's nice back. You can't say the same." Anjaleen snapped back, sick of the accusations.
Ra'chealla shot her a look of pure death. "He is nice to me. Just not when anyone can see it. My father doesn't want these things too open."
"Your father doesn't want you talking to him at all." Anjaleen angrily replied.
Ra'chealla turned to her, eyes narrowed. "He's going to be mine, little girl. One way or another. And he would be nice to me, in public, but he doesn't want to raise a stink. Yet." She paused, and then added, "he's nice enough when Father isn't looking."
Anjaleen just looked at her incredulously.
Ra'chealla stepped closer, whispering. "And another thing. You're nothing compared to me, you understand that? Nothing. I have more than enough pocket change to buy your death." With that, the woman turned and left.
Anjaleen watched her go, stunned. She had just been threatened. She knew that it happened at court, but it had never happened to her before. And Ra'chealla thought that she was after Luke for his credits and power? But no one even knew how much he had. And what did she mean, Luke was nice enough in private?
Anjaleen suddenly had a horrible thought. What if Luke was leading her around by the nose? Luke had never promised her anything, even if he had bought her a few gifts. Anjaleen rubbed the bracelet he had given her the last time he had been planetside. What if Luke didn't really care? Or what if she was just his second choice if he really wanted Ra'chealla and found he couldn't get her? The woman did have a higher position that her- how could anyone turn that down? Anjaleen suddenly found herself plagued by doubts, and wanted to go home. She summoned her speeder.
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
