::Lost Girl::
Chapter One: Politics
"Senator." a young and handsome man greeted as he descended the docking ramp of his ship, surrounded by numerous clone troopers and two imperial officers. His voice was both polite and threatening as he held his arms out in almost mock respect.
"Lord Vader." Bail Organa replied warily, but just as polite. "Welcome, this is an unexpected pleasure."
"Yes, well, I've never been to Alderaan before, the Emperor thought it was time I pay a visit." there was a menacing undertone to the younger man's voice now. "I will fill you in on the details later, of course."
Bail allowed himself to search the eyes of the Sith before him, for just a moment, to see if there was any trace of the man, the Jedi, he had once known. Outwardly, it looked as if Anakin had hardly aged a day since Mustafar; but, alas, there was no life sparkling in his eyes, no mirth, no joy… his dark blue gaze was a void of hate, anger and despair… such despair. It was as Obi-wan had said.
Anakin Skywalker is dead.
"Allow my attendants to see to you and your men, my lord." Bail replied, his politics masking his discomfort well. "We'll see to a feast for your arrival."
"Thank you, Senator." Vader replied, nodding to his men to follow the white dressed attendants. "Allow me to present my first and second officer: Admiral Mar and Captain Vellet, I am sure they will be most comfortable in your more than capable hands."
Bail regarded the dusty-green uniformed men. "Welcome Admiral, Captain, I am pleased to have you, you will stay in our finest suites, of course."
The men both nodded and were led away after the storm troopers, leaving Bail alone to face the fallen Jedi who had remained behind. The darkness of Vader's face made him slightly uneasy, despite his nine body guards concealed in the rafters above them. He doubted they could do much to defend him from a Dark Lord of the Sith.
Vader smiled then, a tainted smile that made it hard for Bail to be any less uneasy. It mirrored very much the horrible smile of the Emperor, full of chaotic malice.
"Its been a while, old friend." the younger man said, walking up to about arms length from him.
Bail nodded in agreement. "It has."
Vader was quiet for a moment, almost contemplative. "You were always kind to me, Senator... There was never anything that I did that didn't go apprised by you… unlike most of the Senate."
"My lord…" Bail began.
"That is why, instead of following orders and destroying this lovely city into nothing but a pile ash, I am going to allow you to explain yourself and present to me the rebels you have been keeping refuge."
Bail allowed his eyebrow to raise. "Rebels? My lord, let me assure you…"
"This is a whim, Senator, don't tempt me otherwise by lying to me." Vader spoke, his uneasy smile vanished, replaced with a scowl and a threatening gaze.
Bail remained quiet, but stood his ground.
"Now, I shall see you at dinner then." with that, the Sith walked past him toward the attendant that waited at the entrance for him. Bail let himself exhale the heavy breath he had been holding up inside.
What was he to do?
…
Breha lifted her head as her husband entered their chambers unannounced.
"Where's Leia?" he asked her suddenly.
"She's still with the her political science tutor, why?" the queen asked, standing from the cushions she had been reading upon.
"An imperial ship has landed, it's Anakin… Lord Vader."
Breha let out a shocked gasp dropping her book. "I'll send her to my sister's for a visit, I can do that right away, how long has he been here?"
"Not an hour yet." Bail replied. "And no, he is here to find rebels, he's questioning my loyalty… if we do anything sudden with her, it'll just draw his attention more."
"So, what?" she asked him. "We are just going to let her stay under the same roof as him? If he finds out he…"
"Breha, I will send Leia somewhere safe, but we must wait for the opportune moment." Bail comforted her, taking her by the arms gently. "For now, we must keep her as far from him as possible. She is not to be alone, not for a moment."
"Certainly not, do you think he would know, just by seeing her… he's a Jedi."
"A Sith now." Bail corrected. "He may feel something, but he's too clouded with darkness, I'm sure, he will see her as nothing, just as he sees us."
"I pray you're right." Breha breathed quietly.
...
Leia Organa was not the most ideal child to be raised as a princess. She was beautiful, that was certain, from her snow colored skin, dark chocolate eyes and lovely brown hair, she was only eight-years-old and already a vision of loveliness to behold and she also could play a very convincing role of a poised and collected young lady... Outwardly, no one would have believed a fowl word her governess, Margy, had said about her. But, knowing the young girl for more than an hour, one would realize just how plucky she was. Plucky and much too smart for her own good. She was bold, rebellious, quick tempered, opinionated and stubborn... It was as if she was born to argue.
Bless the man who marries this one… Margy thought, waiting for her mistress.
The young princess' face was cheerful as she exited the library from her studies with Anto Bolgue, her political science professor, a load of books wrapped in the folds of her thin arms.
"Your Highness," Margy greeted, taking the books from her.
"Thank you, Margy." she replied, obviously in a good mood.
"How were your lessons?" her governess asked, watching the girl skip ahead a little, her braids, looped around and pinned to her regal bun, flopping around like the ears of a gungan.
"Master Bolgue told me about the history of Coursant and the Senate. Did you know Senator Mon Mothma was elected at only fifteen…" she paused, knowing she was talking too fast and it was not proper to talk to attendants about her private studies. She put on her regal mask and held herself a bit straighter. "I mean, very well, thank you Margy."
"Quite welcome, your highness." Margy smiled at the girl catching herself. "I shall be taking you straight to your chambers, my lady."
"But, I usually join mother at this time." Leia spoke, looking at her digital portfolio.
"No, you're mother has sent me word that you are to be in your chambers for a fitting." Margy said.
The girl's face failed to mask her disappointment. Leia was not vein in the slightest, and preferred simple attire compared to the lovely gowns and headdresses her mother made her wear. She hardly let her stylist do anything besides the basic hairstyles and braids in her dark hair.
"What for?"
"I know not, but you and I are not ones to argue with the Her Ladyship, the Queen." Margy pointed out bluntly. "Come along."
It was true, a seamstress was awaiting her in her bedroom, a white Tei'lek woman with beautiful blue eyes, matching her sapphire and silver gown that was hanging from her shoulders. She had a few of Leia's handmaidens about, ready to assist with the fitting.
Leia held back a groan as she noted the white dress laid out on her bed, trimmed with pearl and lace and an eccentric collar, rising high in the back.
"Must I do this now?" Leia asked. "There are so many pieces to this dress."
"We should be done before dinner." Margy told her. "Now, let us not waste time, let Enlana Lae take your measurements."
…
Vader taped the glass table of his room with a metal finger thoughtfully. Organa was no loyal servant to the Empire, that was certain, but the viceroy was a smooth liar and vastly intelligent... he wasn't going to yield without effort.
The Sith had been ordered to keep this visit to Alderaan from becoming messy, due to the royal family's popularity in Corusant, but that didn't mean threats were out of the question, and despite his best efforts, Organa could not hide his anxiety... he was hiding something, something he held dear to his heart.
Vader breathed.
He would have to be patient and use Bail's fear against him, the truth would come out soon enough; for now he would play politics and charm.
The palace attendants had already unpacked his things, but there was a small black carry-on that he kept only for himself. He walked into the fresher and unlocked the case, it was filled with numerous medications and all the appliances he needed to care for his robotic arm.
Despite his growing strength in power, he still suffered from PTSD, high blood-pressure, nightmares and delusions. His body, despite being only 29, often shook uncontrollably and had never fully recovered the trauma he undertook on Mustafar.
He had the finest certified medications the Empire could offer to help him sleep, to help his heart, to help with his anxieties… to help with just about every damn thing... and yet nothing seemed to give him any form of comfort, nothing gave him solace from the self-forged hell he was living in. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, as he pulled out a wrench and ray-drill to remove his robotic arm so he could shower and refresh himself. He'd have to be at dinner with the royal family and would have to be alert and put on a show... there was no time for weariness.
No time for weakness.
...
Opening the sliding doors with a wave of his hand, Vader found a palace attendant outside his door, a young man, no more than twenty years of age. The youth paled significantly at the sight of the Sith.
"M-my lord." he bowed. "May I assist you?"
"No need, I am on my way to the dinning hall." Vader replied, stalking down the isle of the hall.
The attendant followed him. "Excuse me, my lord, but allow me to escort you there."
Vader sensed the panic in the boy's voice.
"I'm sure I can find my way." He told him with a role of the eyes. He had already looked over the blueprints of the whole palace, he knew where everything was.
"I-I'm sure my lord, but it is much quicker to take the lift than to go this way… you see…"
Vader turned to glare at the boy sharply in warning, the attendant took about two steps back, and put his hands up in surrender. Why did the boy not want him to go this way?
He strode on a little farther and soon heard the chattering of women. At the end of the aisle there was a clutter of about four serving ladies surrounding a small girl with dark brown hair and an ivory tiara woven around her head.
It must have been Organa's daughter, the young Princess Leia, being so young and having that many attendants around her. The Emperor had taken note of her, as she was Organa's heir and only child.
"You'll be eating with your aunt at the fine eatery on the high mountain, won't that be lovely?" a plump, red-haired woman spoke to the child.
"My mother did not inform me of that in the schedule today." the girl protested, her voice rather mature for one so young.
"Your aunt made a last minute invitation, your mother is having Epin fly you over right away, but we must hurry."
They shooed the girl along as if their lives depended on it, practically pushing her down the hall. No doubt Organa didn't want the girl at dinner for fear she would say something she shouldn't. Children were foolish that way.
As she was led down the hall, the princess suddenly glanced behind her shoulder for what seemed to be no reason at all, meeting the Sith's gaze. Her dark eyes made Vader pause briefly, as he felt the smallest twitch of something within himself, so small he found no reason to take note of it.
Curiosity crossed their features in an almost mirroring way, and Vader's blue gaze did not leave hers until she was led around the corner.
He shook his head, dismissing the faint feeling, and continued toward his destination.
There were more important things to see to.
…
Bail had ordered the finest cuisines that Alderaan had to offer for the feast. The most exquisite aallria salads with their lavender leaves and roasted nettle nuts, fresh-water corttle fish, and white serpents dressed in sauces, all served with white wine. He had musicians come in and fill the halls with the ethereal sound of ool'a whistles and the gentle strumming of the traditional Alderaanian harp.
The doors were opened as Breha walked in. Like Bail, she was dressed in her finest. She wore a dress of deep violet, a silver tiara braided into ebony hair, and a beaded veil of black lace draped over her head.
"You look stunning." Bail greeted her, taking her trembling hands in his own.
"Anything for an imperial of such high honor." she told him, pulling him close to whisper: "Leia is with my sister for the evening."
Bail looked down at her in surprise. "Breha, I told you that sending her off…"
"It is only for the evening," Breha told him. "I have a valid excuse and everything, I just can't have her in the same room as him, I can't."
"Breha, if you keep her from him, it will grow his suspicions, or worst the Emperor's. They'd expect us to show her off, not hide her away."
"I know that, but I can't risk him finding out, he'd take her from us!" she whispered harshly.
"Quiet, my love, he is approaching." Bail told her, lifting his head as Vader approached from behind the glass doors with his officers behind him.
The doors swung open for the Sith and he stalked in, feigning a pleasant smile. Bail nodded and Breha curtsied to him, unnerved to see the fallen had Jedi hardly changed since the day she had first met him... back when he was sweet-natured, Anakin Skywalker.
"Good evening, Senator," he greeted. "I am speechless, I have never seen a feast."
"Nothing has been spared, my lord." Bail replied.
Vader then turned to Breha and held back a scowl at the memories he had of her beside his late wife, often sharing an afternoon tea while enjoying each other's company.
"My lady, you rival the stars tonight." he complimented, taking her hand in his and bringing it up to his lips. He noted how her hand was shaking with anxiety. He smiled at her unnervingly, as if to tell her he was aware she was afraid, and she had every right to be.
"Thank you, milord." she replied without the slightest weakness in her voice. "Please sit, I am anxious to here of the well-being of our great Empire."
"Of course." Vader replied, nodding to his men.
Bail led the way as they took a seat at the long mahogany table, lined with a violet and silver runner. The servers went right to work, laying the elaborate meals in front of the royal lord and lady and their guests.
"Despite the newest threats of rebellion, the strength of our Galactic Empire is as strong as ever, so you may rest easy, my lady." Vader told Breha, before giving Bail a cold stare. "We will wipe out any trace of these treasonous rebels."
"That is good to hear!" Breha exclaimed, sounding quite genuine. "It is such a fear of mine that the unity we have long tried to establish would ever be threatened."
"Fear not, you are, of course, well protected." Vader told her, giving her a wry smile.
After all plates were served, the company began eating quietly.
"I have never experienced Alderaanian cuisine, I must say I've never tasted anything finer." Vader said, taking a bite of the sauced fish.
"Yes, we try to keep all our resources as fresh and unspoiled as possible, you cannot replace the taste of nature at it's purist." Bail agreed with a political smile. "I'm glad it is to your liking."
"Tell me, how long will you be staying with us, Lord Vader?" Breha asked, gracefully dressing her salad.
"Oh, it all depends on how long the Emperor wishes, my lady." Vader turned to her. "I'll be gone before I know it, surveying another planet."
"Well, we must make sure that Alderaan is the finest you visit" she said to him, smiling through her teeth. Bail smiled slightly at how well his wife was playing along.
"I doubt that will be very hard." Vader replied. "This planet has some of the finest natural resources, planet energy, and academics. It does not go unnoticed. Alderaan must be the perfect place to live one's life… to raise a child."
Breha's fork clanked a bit to hard down on her plate, the sound quite loud in the quiet atmosphere.
"Excuse me." she murmured, flushing red.
Vader raised an eyebrow and turned to Bail, who had stiffened slightly. "You do have a daughter, do you not, the young princess?"
Bail nodded, as Breha decided suddenly to sip her wine. "Yes, our dear Leia, she would have joined us of course, but she already had long awaited plans to eat out with Breha's elder sister, Nina."
"Ah, I see." Vader replied. "I'm sure I will meet her another time, I here she is as lovely as her mother and as clever as her father."
Breha forced a smile, but her facade was now over. Vader could see the detest for him in her eyes, and the uneasiness in the flush of her cheeks.
She was keeping her daughter from him, and he could not help but ponder why.
"Well, she will be here for a day or two, before we send her off on her tour of the Monuments of our Forefathers." Bail replied, still quite composed. "We are adamant to get her well prepared to run for Senate someday."
"Yes," Vader said, taking a drink of his wine. "Yes, I see."
He did not know how or why, but they were keeping something about their daughter from him, something that caused a wavelength in Force.
To be continued.