Inertia II

Chapter Three: Pride

Pellaeon looked at the floor, not wishing to see the expression on Illyana's face. His sense of dread rose within, inspired by the events which Dania's voice recalled so clearly on the datapad. Court had been cut throat, and no man there would have considered a courtesan's feelings in their grander scheme, but still, it felt so –surreal- to consider that Dania had once been amongst the currency bartered with.

How had The White Empress, as the Moffs had referred to her, risen in Court, from Courtesan to Empress? He could never recall Dania speaking of her past to him, unless it was in reference to Thrawn, and her eyes always echoed some splinter of happiness of those times.

She was clearly a great deal more complicated than anyone had given her credit for, and he had arguably been one of the closest people to her. Certain of her secrets would be kept until his death bed, unless they uncovered themselves, and forced his hand.

Illyana was not strong to deal with them at the moment. He would let them be known to her when it was relevant. Forcing the dubiously treasonous thoughts from his minds, he returned his attention to the girl/woman before him, uncertain for a flickering of a second as to what she truly was.

She was mature indeed for a 13 year old, physically and mentally, but emotionally? In the fortnight since their re-acquaintance, he had seen enough of her to realise her emotive state balanced on a pin-head, her difficulty with the intense human mood swings of her teenage years. It was not obvious, but the weary look in her eyes, the slight twitch of her mouth-it was enough of a break in the not-so perfect mask of unemotion to unveil the truth to those that understood.

"Pellaeon? What do you make of this?" Illyana's voice was carefully modulated, but a slight wavering proved this was only another powder blue placed on top her feelings. "Am I making the situation worse for myself by listening to these things?"

He looked at her, one small, slim fingered hand almost white as it grasped the chair handle. How alone she must have been, all those years whilst in the Unknown Regions. Even if she had been integrated into a family, the unanswered questions about her father and mother must have been like a poison in her mind. Was she uncovering the damage left by the toxin now? Or was it a single moment of doubt?

"It's your choice, Illyana. Your parents left them for you; it's up to you to make a decision, either way. The information is there is you want it." He took this as his cue to leave; clearly she needed some time on her own.

"Thank you, Commander…"

XXX

Dania sucked a breath in, feeling anxious. Thrawn's last minute change was not to her liking, but she clearly had no choice. Tigellinus was heading towards her, and there was no avoiding a Grand Admiral. She recalled his silence over her choice of Thrawn, and silently wondered whether this would be the time he took his revenge.

An instinct she could not name was alerting her to a female in the corner, her hair cut shorter than the fashion, her selection of bright red never changing, even for this particularly important event. Few were as confident as she; few had cause to be. For Arden Lyn was a member of the deadly circle of assassins Palpatine had placed around Court, and a name that kept creeping up with Zaarin's. If she was here, there would surely be a grim purpose to it.

She pushed Lyn from her mind, deciding to deal with one distraction at a time; providing she could speak to Tigellinus quickly, and keep her eye on the assassin, there ought to be no problems. In the middle of a crowded room, surrounded by some of the most important officials of the Empire, there had to be hidden securities. Meanwhile she had to focus on Tigellinus.

Parck had not been happy letting her go alone with the Grand Admiral. But his appearance had to be accommodated, or else Thrawn would likely be discovered in the act of breaking and entering. Zaarin's treachery was something she was certain of; he needed to be proven to be an enemy within, and destroyed before he caused any damage. The Empire itself was at stake, and that ideal was above and beyond her own safety.

"My dear Dania, you only get more beautiful every time I see you." He took her hand and kissed it; swallowing down her confusion, she in turn curtseyed to him, inclining her head unwillingly. It would not do to take her eyes off him for a second. "Might I have a private word with you? It's regarding a rather delicate matter…"

"Of course, if the Captain will give me leave to walk with you?" She cast a look at Voss Parck, who nodded, giving his permission. Inclining her head to Parck, she took the offered arm, ignoring the glances exchanged between those surrounding them, and allowed him to lead her towards a quiet corner.

It was a lot cooler, or perhaps she was just uncomfortable alone in Tigellinus' presence. He sank into the elegant chair; she copied this action, manoeuvring her dress out of the way to prevent any creases. Carefully turning to look at him, she parted her lips questioningly.

"I have heard that you have no memories of the Mid-Winter Festival." He stated, keeping his eyes on her face; she did not break the contact, as it was clearly some veiled test on his part, and it would be fatal for her to lose face before him.

"It is true; I received a few blows to the head and concussion set in. I only remember being introduced to one of the other Grand Admirals, and then…" She indicated with her hands. "Nothing. A blank slate. I woke up two days later in Thrawn's presence."

A tray of glasses was presented to them, a beautiful waiter casting his eyes to the ground as Tigellinus removed two glasses of the green champagne, and handed one to her. She graciously accepted, not understanding why she felt so uncomfortable around him. Their fingers touched briefly, and she quickly withdrew her hand, as if scalded. He pretended not to notice.

"How inconvenient for you. One's Court Debut is an important event; it must be awkward for you to not remember it." She nodded in agreement, eyes scanning for some sign of Parck-anyone- who might save her from this conversation with this man. With a sinking feeling, she realised she had lost sight of both Parck and Arden Lyn.

"The Admiral and Captain Parck filled me in on the details I forgot. It just makes me uneasy, to think my attacker is still amongst us, waiting for another young female to wander into his presence, unaware." His hand grasped for hers, pulling it to her chin level. Reacting, she turned her body, having no choice but to face him.

"I have discovered his identity; a member of my own cabal, nonetheless, and have made sure he was duly punished. You need not worry your pretty head about people stalking in the shadows." His voice was soft, whispering the words; part of her hoped he was telling the truth, but a hidden danger sense alerted her to a lie concealed, surreptitiously.

Allowing a gentle smile to her face, she tried to slip her fingers from his two-handed grasp, eyes appealing. They met a dark stare and transparisteel strong hands.

"That was most discreet of you, Grand Admiral, and sets my mind at rest." Finally, he seemed to relent; her hand was released, and the dark flash that had previously illuminated his eyes had gone. This man made her incredibly uneasy for some inexplicable reason.

"Please, Dania, call me Rufaan."

"It was most considerate of you, Rufaan. I am indebted to you." She quickly stood, and curtseyed politely to him; Voss Parck had gone from her sight. Arden Lyn was nowhere to be seen. Thrawn should, right this moment, be heading towards Zaarin's rooms to take the datacards. If Arden Lyn came across either of the two…

"Then I will call upon the debt now; there is one thing I would very much like from you." There was no way for her to escape him; he seemed determined to delay her. Turning back and hiding her desperation, she cast around frantically for an excuse to leave his presence.

"I have very little I can-"

"It is only very small, and practically immaterial." He seemed to loom over her, inescapably, a trap seizing hold of her and gleefully holding her down. Again she looked to those eyes, to see nothing but dark glimmerings focussed upon her. They pinned her down more effectively than any physical restraint could.

"Very well, Rufaan; what is it you desire of me?" She gave in, praying it would be something fairly minor and without consequence. What could he hope to get from her? She had nothing at all of value.

"Forgiveness and a new beginning. We started in a bad way, and there is too much enmity between us, or at least it feels that way." She briefly forgot about Parck and Lyn, too shell shocked by Tigellinus's words. Surely, there had to be some ulterior motive?

Her eyes looked over him, scanning for some hidden body language that might give away his hidden plan, something….anything to help her unravel his sudden change of heart. Something was being concealed from her, and she was certain Tigellinus was lying to her about something.

"You wish me to forgive you?" She affirmed her voice unsure. His expression was sincere, she was sure, but whatever was deep down…she was certain there had to be something more that he wanted from her.

"More than anything"

"Then how can I refuse a Grand Admiral?" Dania smiled warmly, her insides writhing as she realised that Thrawn had gone from his hidden position. There was going to be trouble, she knew. Either because of her incompetence, or because they would be unhappy by her distraction. Dipping into a bow, and excusing herself from his presence, Dania quickly escaped Tigellinus' presence, frantically in search of Parck, hoping she reached them before Lyn did.

XXX

Lost in a maze of corridors, Dania had no clue where she was, or where the others in her party had gotten to. She was following a route she had no idea she knew, but she trusted it innately. What made it even stranger was that she actually found herself outside of the rooms of the Grand Admiral, and that neither Thrawn nor Parck had seemed to arrive.

Though she did know that there were others on patrol around the areas, having nearly been caught. She carefully moved through the shadows, avoiding those dressed in uniform, holding her breath as they drew near.

The presence of these added guards could only indicate that he had something to hide; there was no need for them to be back here whilst the Grand Admiral was at the front. No reason at all.

Pausing, she strained to hear anyone approaching, heart pounding, wondering how the kriff she had ended up as an untrained spy, sneaking around a party of one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. As certain as she was that he needed to be bought to justice, she was more than a little afraid of his wrath.

One did not rise to the Circle of Twelve by being kind and benevolent; it was done by shrewd planning and ruthlessness, as well as the ability to manipulated anything and everyone around you. As controversial as she herself was at the moment, she did not doubt that he would have her punished and utterly ruined if she was discovered.

Hearing nothing, she carefully knelt, realisation suddenly occurring to her. This was a service panel, and certain components vital to the building's environment were concealed within it. She somehow recognised it, despite the camouflaging, by the indentations along the right side, and running her long fingers beneath the edge, found the lever that freed it.

It also occurred to her that if she was caught, Thrawn and Parck would have no choice but to disown her, and claim they had no idea as to what she had been doing. She had to do something, to protect her identity, as well as the others.

Gazing inside, she did not understand the mass of cables and connections, but it wasn't necessary. Reaching her hand inside, she pulled at a handful of cables, short circuiting the system and causing the lights above her to fade out. She smiled. Perhaps now they stood a better chance of escaping this party with their lives.

She heard voices, but not from further along the corridor. These came from the other side of the Blast doors, and Dania had to move quickly, sinking back into the shadows as the door irised open, light been cast about all of a sudden.

"Your pass will be approved, remember, The Rising Glory will be a day to never forget."

Shadows were cast, and turning her head slightly, Dania could make out the diminutive frame of Arden Lyn before she heard her voice. Holding her breath, she wondered what the Rising Glory was…and what it would mean for the Empire.

"The day that Palpatine dies will be the true day to celebrate, Grand Admiral. And with you in his place…"

Her heart stopped; they were planning assassination? But surely…no one was as suicidal as to take on the Emperor? She strained to hear more, desperate for more details, her heart pounding so loud she was certain the pair could hear it.

"We have a few other minor concerns before then. Admiral Thrawn needs to be out of the way; I trust you can handle him?"

Dania could now make out the form of Zaarin in the silhouette cast, his had offered out to one side. She closed her eyes, terrified of being caught, wishing herself away from the corridor and the plans of the two plotters.

"He shall suffer an accident before the week is out…and I'll make sure that his hussy is the first suspect. That should eliminate any interest from the House of Dolls."

Footsteps indicated that they had left the corridor, but it was still a few minutes before Dania was able to move, tears running down her face. It wasn't a happy game anymore, it was no longer just an act, smiling to someone's face and complaining when their back was turned.

There was murder planned. And if she wasn't careful, she would be the one framed for it.

"Sir?" Voss Parck's elbow was grabbed from the shadows of a dead-end corridor, and he was tugged within the darkness just in time to conceal him from another passing patrol. From the glowing red eyes, he knew it was Thrawn, and carefully shifted to attempt to block the glow from a passer-by. "Have you completed your mission?

"Unfortunately, no. I had to call our field operative from his alias to use more subtle means to break in." Voss's interest peaked; there had been another of their number concealed? But who would it have been? Realisation quickly hit him.

"You summoned Maarek this evening?" Voss frowned; why hadn't he been informed? His indignation melted away as he recalled that often Thrawn's plans were remarkably obvious to those that paid attention. Maybe Dania had been distracting him a little too much lately. It concerned him; since when had he stopped considering Dania an ally, and as an attractive female? It would not do to get attached to her.

"I had heard through the grapevine that it was likely that Arden Lyn may be present; I thought that we made have needed another backup. Where is Dania?" Thrawn's voice cut through his private thoughts, and Parck answered deftly, having realised that this question would be asked of him.

"Currently distracting Tigellinus. The intrigue surrounding the two of them at the moment is enough that the entire of the room will be focussed on them both." It was an accurate statement; there had been an internal inquiry into the assault upon Dania, and though the results proved inconclusive, it was very well known about the enmity between Thrawn and Tigellinus. How better for one to strike the other than to ruin a debut?

"You left her alone?" The elegant voice sounded reproachful.

"I had no choice. Lyn had left, I attempted to pursue her, but lost her when the lights went down." Guilt sank like a stone through Voss as he tried to ignore the fact that Tigellinus had tried to coerce and force himself upon Dania when they had last been alone.

"Our Dania's doing quite well for herself, don't you think?" Thrawn made his way forwards, having heard no one pass for a few moments, Parck following behind, intrigued. "Remarkably well, considering her social standing and lack of support."

"What?" Thrawn turned to his, an amused expression on his face. "You believe that we are only being this successful because of Dania?" Parck didn't want to believe it. How could - no offence to any of the Dolls - a mere whore work her way up through the social circles of Imperial society? And with her take two formerly disgraced and reassigned Officers with her?

"She is the one who took these lights down, I am certain. Though were she learnt to do it…" Thrawn did not address his previous question, instead pointing out a deduction that had just occurred to him.

"Have you uncovered anymore of her past yet?" Parck enquired; weeks previous, he and Thrawn had attempted to discover her parentage, to see if they could explain certain… discrepancies… in her character. Her attack upon Tigellinus was well out of character for a lady, even if her life had been threatened, there was something very cold and precise about it.

It concerned them both that there was no information about her past or even how she had come to be inside the House of Dolls. Such ghosts ought to not exist, and it left them with a large number of issues surrounding her, the most important being trust.

Thrawn had offered a theory that she was an agent of the Emperor, perhaps one his elite Hands, which neatly explained why there was no information about her, nor birth records. Which meant a plan had had to be made, and was being implemented right now, to uncover her loyalties.

"No. Everything requires Level Two encryption. Teshik said he will attempt to gain the information at the next opportunity." The support of a Grand Admiral had been a major turning point in their campaign for their cabal, and Parck had thought it was more Teshik than Dania who had bought about the change in their popularity.

"He's … quite taken with her." Parck said. It did not sit well with him that Dania was appearing more and more with the Grand Admiral, especially considering it was Thrawn who paid for her company. "Though I wonder when he will contribute to her upkeep and make his feelings clear."

"The Grand Admiral and I have come to an agreement, Voss. Be certain, he will pay his way for Dania." They both paused, hearing voices in a corridor that ran parallel to theirs. Waiting for the silence, Thrawn continued. "No female has dared to spend more than 5 minutes with him since the accident. And here is one of the most beautiful of all females happy to appear with him."

"He's a Grand Admiral, why should she scorn him?" Voss asked with a hint of bitterness to his tone. "She gets paraded in the finest clothes before the upper echelons, and she brings us back all the information she requires. I daresay any Doll has ever had life this easy." They continued along the corridor, heading back towards the main hall and the main source of the voices. It seemed that the lights had not quite gone out in there.

"At least she's sincere." A soft beeping noise became apparent, and Thrawn reached into his pocket to silence the beeper. He looked at Voss, and nodded. "Maarek's completed his mission. Time to rendezvous and leave quickly. Take Dania back to the main room and make your exit…swift."

"As you wish." Voss quickly took his exit, and ran into the darkness.

Duh duh duh duh!

Ahem. Yes, its moving remarkably fast now….but I have so much that needs to fit in!

As ever reviews are appreciated as my ego feels deflated…

MGAxxx