Chapter Four: Private Resources
This is Arslan Naberrie. He is the illegitimate son of Rush Clovis and Padmé Amidala. He is a slave and he always has been, but he will be free one day.
He wants to make his mother proud of him. He wants to be a good, kind person. But no one is good in the Empire. No one is kind and no one cares for anyone but themselves.
He dreamed of a life outside of slavery. He wanted to join the Imperial Navy, not that he believes in the Empire, the military paid their officers well, and even though he probably wouldn't be able to buy her freedom, he could at least try to make her life inside the Imperial Palace comfortable.
He wanted freedom more than anything, but he knows it's a pipedream. Between their basic necessities, they barely have any money and 10,000 Imperial credits is the price of his freedom, it might as well have been a billion, and they barely have enough money to buy food and clothing.
Arslan wonders what it would be like to have a real father, he often observes the Imperials, fathers expect great things of their sons, most of the time family discussions revolve around achieving great things for the glory of the Empire.
His father isn't a human being; he is a devil that looks like a human. Arslan wants to be a good boy, just like his mother taught him, but he wants Rush Clovis dead. If he's dead, he can't hurt his mother anymore, but killing a Senator would mean an execution without trial, the Empire thrives on fear, and they don't spare you if you're a child either.
He's heard the stories, mainly from Imperial officers of how they butchered rebel families, down to the last child, youngling and pup. Just because you were a little kid didn't mean they wouldn't hurt you.
There was the one time Arslan had found a discarded coat of an Imperial noble, it had belonged to a child his age and he'd worn it, just to keep warm. He'd received a severe beating for wearing something that didn't belong to his class. A beating over a stupid coat.
The only reason he wanted to join the Imperial Navy was the pay, his heart could be for the Old Republic, but what did joining the Rebellion get you? Hunted down and slain by the Emperor, the Inquisitors or stormtroopers. His mother's heart was with them too, but she knew she couldn't do anything because of Palpatine, she'd been a good citizen and it'd brought her nothing but pain.
So all Arslan can do is watch and wait and hope that something will change.
There are days when he has silly daydreams. Daydreams where he's a normal boy, attending the Imperial Academy, the ones where he has a real father, one that loves and adores his mother.
Imperials don't love his mother; she's just a good kriff to them. They see her as nothing more than a sex object.
When they'd "engage" themselves with his mother, they would force him to sit outside the door and shine their shoes.
How many times had he heard the command, "Go, take these outside and polish them"?
At least all he sees of them is their shoes; his mother has to see all of them.
He's heard the phrase, "Men, they only think with their equipment."
That couldn't be completely true, he'd seen happy families before, when he ran errands traveling the streets of Coruscant, he knew his mother had nieces and he had an aunt and uncle, so not every man was a creepy pervert who wanted to rip his mother's clothes off.
Then there was the new Emperor, he wasn't like Palpy at all. He was a lot like the other men, Arslan knew that the Emperor wanted his mother "that way", but he acted different, he didn't just boss her around and rape her like the others.
The entire Imperial Palace knew about Rush Clovis' obsession with his mother, and the rivalry with Lord Vader over her.
Arslan wanted nothing more than for Darth Vader to go away.
It puzzled him, why didn't he just take what he wanted and leave them alone. That was how it worked with the Imperials and his mother.
Arslan was scared of Vader more than anything, because the Emperor wanted his mother to say "Yes" to him, that he wanted her to be with him, because the Emperor was like everyone else when it came to his mother, they'd toss her out like garbage once they were done.
At least when his mother said "no," she wasn't attached to the man in the bed.
The Emperor was not a hedonist, nor was he a notorious womanizer, but he was no paragon of virtue either, he'd had more than one partner, but unlike Xizor, he did not casually dump them and leave them high and dry, Vader's partners seemed to part with him on good terms, at least that was what the stories said.
Still Vader was a powerful man, and he enjoyed wielding his power over everyone, but that he was interested in his mother, and nothing good ever came of that, ever.
Arslan knew how nobility should act. After all, his mother was from a royal house on Naboo, House Naberrie. She'd taught him to read, write, walk, talk and act like a gentleman.
A gentleman, what a joke, these Imperial scum didn't know the meaning of the word "gentle" especially when it came to his mother.
But he can't dwell on his mother and the horrors they've gone through. He needs to concentrate on serving the Imperials. He kept his eyes down.
He needs to be s good boy; he has to be a good boy. It's the only way he can survive life as a slave.
Arslan had to serve Imperial troopers their rations; he walked up and down the tables, serving them their food.
He's jealous, the food he's serving them is a feast compared to what he gets to eat every day.
They sneered at him, scoffing at his ragged clothing.
He just keeps busy; he has to, if he thinks too much he won't be able to move, and he needs something to do or he'll do something rash and reckless, like murder his "father".
He's become very patient, because he will be a free man, and once he's avenged his mother, all will be right in the world.
Because Rush Clovis will die.
But he needs to think about other things, all the chores he has to do, he mustn't let people see his true intentions.
He must wear a mask and fool them all.
He's his mother's son after all, a master politician. He'll use his fierce intelligence to his advantage.
Deep down he wants to be a good, kind, caring person, but right now he can't be that yet, not until his mother is avenged.
He still thinks of himself as a good person, and he is good.
For now.
Darth Vader was reading over Imperial Decree A-SL-4557.607.232.
Slavery in the Empire. It shouldn't bother me, I am Vader. Vader is no one's slave!
It disturbed him the more he thought about it. And slavery was a barrier between him and Padmé.
Her lack of free will made it almost impossible for him to have her the way he wanted, willingly and free to be with him because she wanted him.
Giving her a command to come to bed with him would be just that, a small, empty command. It would be meaningless, and he didn't want them to be meaningless.
"I'm going to marry you," he remembered the little boy who'd promised her that a long time ago.
Anakin Skywalker promised her that, not Darth Vader.
He was one and the same, but she would never truly want him, to her he'd always be Imperial scum.
He'd make her remember him, even if he had to pretend to be Anakin Skywalker again, he would make her remember him and his promise to her.
She would be his wife, and he didn't care if all the Imperial officials tried to assassinate him over her. It wouldn't matter, because she would be his.
And he wouldn't lose her like he lost Shmi. He wouldn't lose someone he cared about. Whether it was to Rush Clovis or Prince Xizor.
He only needed to convince her of that, and they could finally be together. Vader had almost lost her to his temper, he would keep it under control, he wouldn't lose her again. He promised himself that.
As he willed it, so would it be.
Padmé Amidala watched as King Veruna gave a speech trying to control the damage his diplomatic scandal had brought down on Naboo. She knew her people were angry and distrustful of him; it was only a matter of time before he was forced to abdicate the throne.
She glanced up at him from the crowd.
"The power of one man doesn't amount to much. But however little strength I'm capable of I'll do everything humanly possible to protect the people I love. And in turn they'll protect the ones they love. It seems the least we tiny humans can do for each other," Padmé looked over at Sabé.
"Sounds like a pyramid scheme," Sabé glanced at her friend. "There's just one thing, if you hope to eventually protect everyone then you'll have to figure out a way to stand at the top of the pyramid." She pointed up at King Veruna.
"I can only imagine how good it must feel up there Sabé, although, I'll never be able to find out without all the support I can get. There's no doubt about that."
"You're not very subtle you know," Sabé slapped her on the shoulder. "You have my support, but you could have just asked me. It ought to be fun to watch though, and maybe your naïve idealism will actually do some good."
She gave King Veruna a hard stare.
"Padmé! Padmé get up!" the steward shouted in her ear.
The steward stared at her, "You look like you were in the middle of a very vivid dream."
"Not really, it was just an old memory."
"Go inform the Emperor that Prince Xizor has docked the Falleen's Fist and he is on his way to meet with him!"
"Where is the Emperor?" she stared at the impatient man.
"He's overseeing the training of the stormtroopers. In the firing range."
"Yes sir!" Padmé answered hastily. She made her way towards the firing range.
She could hear his Imperial Majesty raging like a storm, his voice booming like thunder.
"I swear, the next person who walks through this door is a better shot than your incompetent men Commander Voca! I expect better of the 501st Legion!"
"These are the troopers under my command my Emperor Vader; it's the incompetence of the Imperial Academies that is responsible for this, not me!
The door opened and Padmé bowed quickly, "My Lord."
"Why are you here?" he was pleased to see her, but didn't let on.
"I have come to inform you that Prince Xizor has arrived and docked his ship the Falleen's Fist and is on his way to see you."
"I see, I will meet with him shortly," Vader crossed his arms. "Tell me Padmé, do you shoot?"
"Y-yes my Emperor," she replied quickly.
"Voca take the first stormtrooper who missed and tie him to the target!" Vader ordered.
Voca did as he was told.
Padmé swallowed hard, she'd shot a blaster plenty of times, but she'd never taken the life of a sentient being. She'd always shot down battle droids during the Clone Wars.
He handed her the blaster, "Shoot him; he's insulted me with his incompetence."
Padmé forced herself to stop shaking, she steadied herself, and aimed for his head, if the poor Imperial sap had to die then at least she'd make it quick for him. She did hate Imperials, but all the poor boy did was miss a target, it wasn't like he was a Rebel or something. He'd just been training.
She squeezed the trigger. She saw the blaster bolt enter the poor trooper's helmet, he slumped over dead.
"Impressive, most impressive!" Vader gazed at the corpse, "All of you will achieve that level of marksmanship by the end of the month, or the first who fails to hit the target will suffer his fate at her hands again! Am I understood?"
"Yes my Emperor!" the stormtroopers saluted. They returned to their training.
Two guards removed the body. Padmé knelt down and closed his eyes.
Vader saw her walk over to the corpse, "I'm sorry…" she whispered.
He turned her around to face him, "You no longer have the right to be sorry, remember you belong to me. My every whim, your command. It is not for you to question or regret the results of those commands. You have years ahead of you in my service. You will serve me well."
He leaned in and kissed her.
The kiss was short and quick, but Vader knew one thing, he wanted more. He smiled. This was the first time he'd stolen a kiss from a woman. He pulled away quickly and walked off, leaving her alone.
After all, he had to meet with; he gritted his teeth, Prince Xizor. He'd rather be on the receiving end of one of Padmé's rants about the good and noble Old Republic than hear Xizor speak to him. Still, he had to meet with him, and there was not getting out of it.
Darth Vader composed his face into a look of that appeared to be warm and friendly. He stepped into the room.
"Prince Xizor, welcome," Vader greeted him with a false smile, he had always hated the Dark Prince, whether it was for the favor of Palpatine or their taste in women, they'd always been hated rivals.
"I am at your service my Emperor; I assume we're here to discuss your order for more Star Destroyers."
Yes, Xizor, about 300 ships, will that suit you?"
"Yes, my Emperor, I am always happy to assist the Empire."
Xizor crossed his arms, "I have heard rumors swirling that you wish to be married."
Vader laughed, "Married? Me? Who started such rumors?"
"I heard it from Senator Bremack who heard it from Senator Clovis."
"So that's his ploy, he shouldn't play games with me!"
Xizor smiled, his green skin seemed to darken, "Is this regarding Padmé Amidala? I've been with her…a few times."
Vader let his displeasure show.
Vader was inwardly seething, so both of his hated rivals had bedded her, he would make both of them pay. She should have been his and his alone. The way they spoke it seemed she was damaged goods, why had his Master never given her to him? What made her so special that the lowly Imperial Officers had their way with her, but not him? If anyone deserved to have someone so beautiful it should have been him.
They'd backed him into a corner, he couldn't woo her and seduce her like every woman he'd pursued. She'd just view him as lowly Imperial scum. And he wouldn't settle for that, he wanted their feelings to be mutual, he wanted her to want him, just as he wanted her. How was he supposed to do that when she'd only be with him out of obligations to keep him happy as his slave, not as his lover?
It was a no-win situation, no matter what he did; she would not choose him of her own free will. His only comfort was that neither Xizor nor Rush Clovis had enough money to buy her, besides; Xizor enjoyed engaging his human replica droid Guri far more than humanoid females.
"By Imperial law, when the Emperor takes a wife, she becomes his property, obliged to obey his every word and bow down before him whenever he wishes a show of obedience." Xizor noted with interest.
Surely this was just about having someone bend to Darth Vader's will. It always was about his power.
"You mean that Dark Book of imperial justice rubbish? The Prophets of the Dark Side try continually to bend me to their will," Vader laughed. "If I wanted to marry a droid, I can always buy that lovely Guri of yours. Not that I would, I still don't understand how you're…attracted to it."
"My personal tastes are none of your business my Emperor, besides, what do you care about who or what I take to bed?"
"I don't care as long as it's not something that belongs to me," Vader glanced over at him.
"Come now my friend, the entire Imperial Court knows that you're displeased with Senator Clovis, and that this rivalry is over the former Naboo Senator."
Xizor drank some Blossom Wine, "Why not just take her to bed and be done with it, sate your needs, she won't refuse you."
"You use your pheromones to get what you want out of women, you and Clovis have it easy because you just take what you want, unlike you, I hold women in a very high regard," Vader pointed a finger at him. "Besides, chasing the unattainable is…interesting."
Xizor glanced over at him, "Why are you so preoccupied by the former Senator Amidala? Why do you want her so badly? And of her own free will?"
"I find her fascinating, that's why I want her."
"I see, well, I wish you luck in that endeavor Lord Vader," Xizor smiled. He wasn't about to get involved in this crazy game, not that it wouldn't be easy to bend the former Senator to his will, but, he just wanted to watch Vader fall on his face in humiliation when the former Senator rejected him.
It will be so amusing to watch Vader crash and burn.
"I take my leave of you now, my Emperor," Xizor bowed. He'd noticed the devastated looked on Vader's face when he told him that he'd been with the Senator, he remembered the encounter well, it had been one of the times she'd come out of the spice haze and fought him, even his pheromones were useless against her, he'd still managed to get off on the experience, but he'd made sure that she was given extra spice before he had her again.
He would have gone back again, had that brat of hers not attacked him with a hydrospanner.
He'd ordered the boy flogged after that, and he had lost his desire for the slave after that, he had other things to do besides frivolous trysts with a drugged woman.
He'd sit back, watch, and enjoy he show. It'd only be a matter of time before Vader was dead and he was the Emperor, especially with the Rebellion which none couldn't competently quell or stamp out. It would all belong to Xizor and Black Sun soon enough.
Vader read Xizor's thoughts easily. He wouldn't let the Black Sun crime lord get the best of him; Vader would beat him at his own games just as he would Rush Clovis.
He made his way through the ship. He saw the slaves and was disturbed, not because of their status as slaves, but because they were dressed in rags that barely stayed on their bodies.
He was angry; they were dressed poorly and barely fed. Angry slaves revolted against their masters. Revolting slaves ended up dead, and that cost money to replace, a great deal of money.
They also reflected poorly on him. The Emperor of the galaxy, too stingy to take care of his property. His steward was an incompetent man who couldn't even run his household.
He called the steward to him, "Why are the slaves in such a sorry state?"
"My Emperor, my work keeps me quite busy and your household staff is vast, I haven't the time to make sure they're all fed and clothed properly."
"And yet you have no such troubles keeping yourself fed and clothed." Vader raised his fist. "You work for me, steward, and your poor performance reflects on me. You have failed me for the last time!"
Arslan watched him in fascination and horror. He knew Darth Vader was a bad man, and that he didn't kill the steward because he cared about slaves. He killed the poor guy because he made Vader look bad to the public.
The man clawed at his throat, gasped and slumped the ground with one last wheeze.
Two stormtroopers came and removed the body.
He frowned, now he would need a new steward.
"My Emperor, we captured a smuggler and we were transferring him to Coruscant, but we have no room onboard the ship, permission to bring him aboard."
They dragged the man in. Vader couldn't hide his surprise. It was his childhood friend Kitster Banai.
"Release him, and expunge his criminal record, he is a personal friend and I have need of him."
The officers raised their eyebrows in surprise, but did as he requested.
"Is is that you Anakin?" Kitster asked when they were alone.
"I am no longer called Anakin Skywalker, but yes, I am the man you knew long ago."
"Emperor of the galaxy, you, you never wanted that, you wanted to be a pilot, traveling the mainlines all across the stars."
"A foolish dream, I found a better one, this way I can make the galaxy the way I wish it to be."
"And yet you own slaves," Kitster pointed out.
"What of it?" Vader asked dismissively.
"Permission to speak frankly and not be killed for it?"
"Speak plainly old friend, it's why I want you around."
"You're a hypocrite, you wanted to free slaves, not enslave others, Anakin."
"That was the dreams of a foolish little boy," Vader spat.
"That foolish little boy was my best friend."
"I know Kitster, perhaps one day I'll free all my slaves, unfortunately, I have a reputation to uphold, I can't be seen as weak."
"I don't understand you at all anymore."
"I've changed over the years, but I do want to offer you a job," Anakin held out his hand, "Be the steward, the majordomo of the Imperial Palace."
"What happened to your last steward?" Kitster asked.
"He disappointed me, so I killed him."
"And how do I know you're not going to do that to me?"
"You could never disappoint me Kitster, you never did."
"Very well, I accept, and I'll still be able to speak my mind?"
"I suggest you make a habit of it old friend," Vader clapped him on the back.
"Anakin…I have a family," Kitster added quickly. "I'll want them to come with me."
"Of course, of course, bring them to Coruscant with you!" he gave him a smile. "I would enjoy meeting them."
He escorted Kitster to where the staff was and instructed one of the other servants to show him around.
"Anything you want me to do?" Kitster asked.
"Make sure the slaves are given adequate food and clothing, and keep them happy."
"Happy, like slaves can be happy," the former slave smirked.
"Happy slaves accept food, shelter and work more than freedom and having nothing."
"You're awful, you know that?" Kitster sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
"Yes, I know." Vader turned and left.
"My Emperor," Juno Eclipse's voice spoke through a speaker. "We have arrived at the Kallidahin System."
"Very good Captain, await my return," he ordered and ended the communication. He found Padmé and ordered her to come with him.
"Why am I coming along?" she asked.
"Because I want you to," Vader replied. Together, they walked toward a modified two-man TIE fighter. She'd never seen that before.
They boarded in silence and she wondered why she was even there.
"Hmm," Dr. Aphra said to herself as she stared into an apparently empty room. "Surveillance already bypassed. Guns, no visible triggers."
Dr. Aphra was an archeologist, she searched for weapons and got them for whoever wanted them, it was a fun, exciting job, but she did end up in Imperial prisons from time to time, fortunately, the charges never seemed to stick. She was very grateful for that.
"Just an empty room," Aphra looked inside. "Perfectly safe to walk in, I'm sure…" she removed something from her utility belt. "Heh. Let's get a second opinion from a personal friend of mine I like to call, "Antique Steal Microdroid Dust…"
She held out her hand and blew some of the red dust into the air.
The little microdroids illuminated the air with small red lights.
"So, boys Can I get through?" she asked them as she began crawling on her belly towards the safe. "just." Barely. Through. She made it to the other side, avoiding the alarm security beams.
She opened the safe. "Well, hello, Triple-Zero Personality Matrix, you are looking delightful this evening." Aphra picked it up and began to make her way across the room.
The beams are moving up and down and Dr. Aphra's trying to keep track of them all. Unfortunately, she's forgotten the one right in front of her face, she crawls right into it.
Oh kriff me!
She vocalizes something else however, "Oh son of a—"
Now the alarm's gone off and it's time to run away faster than lightspeed to avoid the security system that's firing at her, She turns a corner and suddenly, she hears a ceiling panel drop and out comes a giant rolling droideka!
Dr. Aphra managed to dive through a closing door before the droid ran over her. She came to a rolling stop.
She took a deep breath and wiped her mouth.
"Dr. Aphra…" a voice spoke to her. "…You are an irresponsible and troublesome woman."
Dr. Aphra held out her blaster and the Personality Matrix chip the super battle droid confiscated her blaster.
"Hey, Utani Xane, you're working here?" she asked the Kallidahin, "Why am I not surprised?"
"I'm equally unsurprised to find you setting off the alarms," Utani Xane added, "There's a reason why the Triple-Zero Matrix has been quarantined for Centuries."
The super battle droids grabbed her hands and placed them in binders behind her back.
"Yes. Because of people like you. Small minds who just want to hide beautiful things in storage or a museum," Aphra snapped angrily, her brown eyes flashed. "It should be in an armory!"
The Kallidahin examined the Personality Matrix chip. "And you should be in prison. Again. Maybe this time it'll stick."
"Curator Utani Xane..." the super battle droid spoke, "…incoming TIE fighter."
Padmé and Vader exited the TIE fighter, he handed her a blaster.
"Don't even try to shoot me in the back," he instructed.
"I'm not stupid, my Emperor," she'd have her head decapitated before she could even get a shot off anyway.
They walked towards a small group of super battle droids surrounding a woman.
"Lord Vader, this is a quarantine world," Utani Xane explains. "Treaties clearly state that—"
"Enough," Vader raised his hand. Three of the super battle droids went flying over the edge and down into the abyss.
"Lord Vader!" Utani Xane exclaimed as he held up his hands in a placating gesture. The super battle droids opened fire on him.
Dr. Aphra started getting herself out of the binders.
Vader and Padmé slowly approached a black-haired, brown-eyed woman. Apparently, this was the person Emperor Vader was looking for. She appeared to be in her early to mid twenties.
At least he likes them pretty, oh Shiraya, don't let Lord Vader be one of those creeps who likes them way younger than he is! Padmé thought as she raised the blaster he'd given her and fired on the super battle droids. She watched the one in front of her fall down, its brain fried from blaster fire.
Utani Xane started to run as Vader cut down a super battle droid behind him. Dr. Aphra tackled him to the floor and he let go of the Triple-Zero Personality Matrix.
It bounced on the platform and she made a dive for it, "Gimme tha—!" Aphra shouted as it went over the edge. "Oh no!" Hanging by one hand, she managed to catch it. "Gotcha!"
She struggled to pull herself up. Padmé was far too busy shooting at droids to help her up.
Utani Xane tried to push himself to his feet, only he pushed himself into Vader's downturned lightsaber. He let out a "Guuk" sound as he died.
Vader stepped over and reached down to the rogue archeologist just as Padmé finished off the last super battle droid.
Padmé looked down at the archeologist with interest. Dr. Aphra was surprised, looking up at them; she could have sworn they were married or something, the way they worked together so well. Darth Vader, married? Nah!
She could see the Emperor's handsome face staring down at her, except for his eyes, his eyes gave her the shivers.
"Dr. Aphra. I have need of you," Darth Vader said as he extended his hand to her.
The Emperor himself, wow, what a crazy day this was!