This is it- the last part. For the curious, I had originally planned on ended it during the last chapter, but I decided to add this epilogue for you all.
Thank you, everyone who read a reviewed. I'm glad you all liked this little diversion.
And of course, many thanks go to arquenniel for the beta. If any of you like Pirates of the Caribbean, check out her stories.
Senator Killian of Coriallis stood as the dais in the center of the room rose. Emperor Skywalker stood next to his niece and heir, Breha Solo. "I thank you for your time, Senators," Emperor Skywalker said.
Killian smiled wryly as he sat down. As though the Senate would deny the Emperor a chance to speak to them, no matter how ceremonial his role was.
Killian thought back to that day twenty years ago when Emperor Skywalker had taken the Throne.
Killian had only been ten then, but he'd watched the ceremony on the holo. He had known that the event was important, but no one except Skywalker had known how important it would end up being.
Changes had started slowly, but they had occurred. Within five years of the change in power, the Senate was reconvened. Princess Organa-Solo had helped him reinstate most of the traditions and laws of the Republic. She'd forged a peace with the former Rebel Alliance and the planets that were a part of it. Working with the Alliance leaders, the Emperor had unified the galaxy and created the peace that his predecessor had promised, but never delivered.
Soon, the position of Emperor was almost entirely ceremonial. Once that had occurred, Skywalker had begun to teach, and the Jedi Order had been recreated.
Killian shook himself out of his thoughts as the Emperor began to speak.
"Is it always like that?" Sixteen year old Breha Solo asked as she followed her uncle away from the Senate chambers.
Luke chuckled. "Most of the time. But contrary to appearances, the Senate does manage to get things done."
"Oh. Why do they argue like that?"
"Democracy is like that, Breha. One of the greatest strengths- and greatest weaknesses- of democracy is the fact that it's based on what people are willing to compromise."
"I know, Uncle Luke."
"But sometimes, people need to argue it out to find out what they will compromise, and what they won't," Luke sighed. "Part of the reason we live in an Empire is because the previous Emperor manipulated that to his own advantage, and eliminated it. I've tried hard to make it so that we can't do that again."
Breha frowned. "Why not? It seems more would get done."
"It seems that way, but what would really happen is that the galaxy would be at the whim of whoever had taken power. You know that," Luke scolded.
Breha looked down. "Yes Uncle Luke."
Luke stopped and looked at his niece. "Don't stop asking questions, Breha, or you'll never learn."
Breha nodded.
Luke smiled at her until she looked at him. "I'm not mad at you, Bre'," he said. "You have every right to wonder- Force knows I did. Now," he changed the subject. "I believe you have classes to get back to."
Breha made a face but nodded. "I do. Thanks for taking me out of class for this."
"You'll need to know how to do this, and I'm sure you learned more then if you'd been listening to Master Lin-Hi lecture on the economics of the Bothan systems," Luke observed. "I'll see you tonight for dinner."
Luke watched his niece go before turning toward his office to meet with Leia. No matter how ceremonial his title was, he still had a lot of paperwork.
I hope you all enjoyed this.