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CHAPTER FOUR

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Squinting in the low morning light, Mara walked briskly through the wide, galleried corridors of the North Tower heading for the Cabinet Rooms in the South, knowing that on his first full day after having returned to the Palace Luke would be there, attending to his Empire; he'd probably been there since dawn.

Which made her late, though her shift didn't actually start for another forty minutes. Still, she hurried her pace.

Fact was, you pretty much had to walk briskly anywhere within the sprawling corridors of the Palace if you intended to get to your destination before midday. And anyway, the exercise woke her up she reflected, squinting as she glanced out over the wide space which separated the four lofty Residential Towers where they sat in a neat square atop the roof of the Main Palace, another burst of low-lying sunlight streaming in through the curved glass wall of the galleried corridor .

Staggered well apart to let long shafts of light into their centre, each of the ninety-storey Towers rose from a grand, partially glass-roofed atrium, the arch of whose lofty vaulted ceiling was supported by regimented rows of carved, gracefully fluted columns. Access from the Main Palace below the atrium to the completely entrenched world of the Residential Towers above - a separate Palace in their own right - was closely guarded from the already-secure Main Palace by floors of inbuilt defences.
Just two bottleneck entrances, long enclosed hallways discretely lined with guard houses, blast shields, isolation zones and multiple inclision grids, allowed entry to the Towers, their windowless stretch serving to emphasize the breathaking magnificence of the ten-story high atrium they opened into, the first level of the coveted Residential Towers. Named The Crossways, the airy atrium separated out into four wide, sweeping stairwells leading to the four square Residential Towers, discrete surveillance constantly scanning to check the relevant security clearance.

Once in the Towers looking down, one could see that each had lost its innermost corner to a curved glass wall so that, if viewed from above, the missing corners of the four Towers described a single central tube, the empty space large enough to house a sprawling formal garden on what was actually the reinforced roof of the Crossways atrium. The wide symmetrical walkways of this most exclusive of gardens were paved in etched and banded glass, allowing natural light to stream down in narrow shafts through the vaulted roof of the lofty Crossways atrium below.

As she ascended the South Tower, Mara glanced up and across the tops of the trees to the North Tower opposite, an identical curved wall of ninety storeys of dark mercury-colored privacy glass, the subtly reflective finish of the curved Towers mirroring each-other back and forth in a never-ending optical illusion. 'The Palace of Mirrors' they'd called it in Palpatine's time, in subtle double-entendre at the amount of secret alliances, private pacts and scheming manipulations it hid behind its glittering façade.

Had so very much changed since the old Emperor's demise? Yes and no.

Inside the Main Palace beneath the Towers it seemed like a different world to Mara from that which she had known since childhood, at once completely familiar and yet unmistakable changed.

There were still lots of people, yes, but then the huge bulk of the Main Palace had always been a city within itself, easily swallowing its plentiful inhabitants up in its massive, monolithic structure even in the busiest areas around the 'public' courtyards, where security-cleared staff and dignitaries were free to congregate.

In the early part of Palpatine's reign, all control had been centralized to the almost mile-square bulk of the Main Palace on which the four elite and closely guarded Residential Towers rested, his notorious distrust of anyone demanding that he maintain all power within easy reach and close scrutiny. Even now during Luke's reign, although a notable amount of control was being transferred to regional locations, the ability to make major or long-reaching decisions still remained solely within the Palace, requiring a huge staff to assimilate, prioritize, allocate and act upon the incredible amount of data coming in daily from the vast reaches of the Empire.

But unlike the past, people who served the Emperor in these areas were no longer obliged to live their lives within the Main Palace, though many still remained in the virtual city on the Staff Habitation Zones toward the upper levels of the Main Palace, still referred to by those who had lived and worked there for almost two decades as The Monolith.

And for the first time – for the very first time since the Palace had been constructed – there was the first scattering of alien lifeforms among the humans. Unthinkable in Palpatine's reign save by his own favour, the relaxation of the Classification system had begun to show even here, in the slow turnover of staff, military and civilian. Still, it was the brave few, Mara reflected, who had the guts to come and work within the Main Palace; the new equality was rigidly enforced here, but almost two decades of human-only existence here had to have embedded certain prejudices.

It was strange to think that all that bustling life was still going on in the Monolith below the four private Residential Towers, which seemed now forever empty and echoing by comparison. The huge numbers of people required to 'attend Court' in Palpatine's reign were long gone, most having been either currying favour and power from Palpatine, or else little more than thinly-disguised hostages; permanent 'guests' of the Emperor, kept close to ensure obedience in others, or simply wreak revenge. In fact, now there was little 'Court' to be seen,

The old Emperor enjoyed the trappings of his position but remained uninterested in the minutiae other than to confirm his control. To own it was enough. Skywalker on the other hand, remained consistently immersed in the day-to-day running of his Empire. He had a job to do, an end goal to achieve… and though Mara wasn't sure yet exactly what that was, she knew that the first stages aimed towards achieving it were already set in motion, constantly monitored. Occasionally, she felt she saw fragments of the bigger picture, then Luke would contradict them entirely, always with reason, everything so completely logical. In fact, she reflected wryly, she'd taken to the habit of dismissing on principle anything which seemed undeniably plausible or flawlessly credible.

He'd claimed – very logically of course – that the constitutional changes were to root out dissent, but he could have chosen any number of laws for that, why specifically choose to relax the slavery laws? And if it was simply an empty exercise, why apply it so assiduously in the Palace itself? No, she knew Luke, and he had a bigger picture in mind here even if he wasn't willing to share it; in that he was very much like his old Master. But then, she supposed he was entitled to such behaviour; he was after all, Emperor.

All be it a very different kind of Emperor.

Already, within a year of his accession, Court which had been held nightly in Palpatine's reign was nothing more than show; empty, powerless lip-service paid to previous tradition. Luke had presided less than a dozen times in the last year - and even then only when convention marked some kind of milestone which traditionally required the Emperor's attendance. Knowing him as she did, Mara also saw what he hid so well behind a veneer of scornful disdain; that he was privately embarrassed by such things; that people were required to stand when he stood and sit when he sat and listen when he spoke. Which didn't stop him using such empty protocols if he felt it necessary; another lesson he'd learned at the old Emperor's hand.

So for the most part, while the Monolith remained busy and bustling, the four Towers which had comprised the old Court itself, the higher echelons of Government and living quarters for the Emperor, his retinue, and favoured Court dignitaries, were now less than half full. Huge areas, floor upon floor, were now completely vacant, grand apartment after apartment which had housed the influential Royal Houses bare, wide open expanses of stately Court and Civic rooms unused, leaving Mara with ghostly memories of a familiar past which echoed forlorn down the wide, empty corridors.

There were of course many dignitaries who still remained to fulfil their responsibilities or who held temporary apartments here at the Emperor's discretion, and the East Tower was still equipped to handle huge influxes of guests for official functions, but invitations to the Residential Towers were rare indeed, and all the more valued because of it - another fact Luke knew and used to his own advantage when necessary.

And there were still a few 'Survivors'; Royal Houses who had retained the ultimate recognition of permanent apartments assigned within the Palace, an unspoken expression of power and favour. It was one such Royal House which was on Mara's mind now as she made her way to the Cabinet, where Luke would be holding much sought-after private audiences all morning to listen to grievances, mediate disputes which had remained unresolved by lesser powers and allocate support or threats as necessary.

Beladon D'Arca, one such Survivor, had formally requested an audience with the Emperor, which seemed strange to Mara since his prominent support for Luke had meant that he generally had access to the Emperor with only a few days notice anyway. Why make this conventional request?

Presumably it must be some official business, or perhaps something to do with the imminent launch of the latest Star Destroyer, the Sterling, at which he had been invited to stand as Master of Ceremonies. Still, one other name had jumped off the 'Authorized Residents in Attendance' list, updated daily and sent out to all security personnel; his daughter, Kiria D'Arca, was presently a guest of the Imperial Palace.

It was hardly surprising; long-favoured by Palpatine, the Royal House of D'Arca were all over the highest levels of the Imperial military, and had held apartments in the East Tower long before Luke became Emperor. Their conspicuous early support of to Luke during his own accession had guaranteed their continued survival, evidenced by the fact that Luke had had never bothered to revoke that consent to maintain a residence within the Palace, though the fact that this had somehow become an open-ended invitation for Kiria D'Arca had always irked Mara.

And her all-too-regular visits hadn't failed to come to the notice of both the HoloNet and the various rival Intelligence agencies in operation even here, either. Palace Intel had intersected another report recently before sending it carefully on its way, this one bound for a Bothan group and therefore probably the Rebel Alliance. This particular report regarding Kiria D'Arca's continued presence came to no conclusions - that was for the analysts further up the ladder - but the amount of detail in it hinted at the importance that D'Arca was gaining in relation to the Emperor.

There were four recent images included of her, olive skinned and fine-featured, with that amazing river of raven hair falling down her back and huge, dark, almond eyes, intelligent and calculating. Far too much so for Mara's liking.

D'Arca had graduated from the prestigious Magrody Institute but despite many offers had failed to take any formal position, instead relaxing into the blue-chip lifestyle which her family's wealth and position could easily afford. A waste of a fine intellect and an exemplary education, the Intel files said.

Mara wasn't so sure. Kiria D'Arca had ambition alright, and she was putting every inch of her considerable abilities into forwarding it. Her family's status had gotten her into the Imperial Palace and then close to Luke, but she'd done the rest herself; no mean feat. Luke was notoriously wary of outsiders but had tolerated her slow, sly insinuation into his broader civic retinue without comment – but without interest either. And having gotten onto the fringes, for some reason Mara couldn't figure, D'Arca hadn't pressed her advantage further. And even if Luke couldn't see or wasn't bothering to acknowledge the truth, Mara was well aware of D'Arca's intent; she knew a rival when she was looking at one.

And it hadn't been missed elsewhere either. Mara had also read the profile given to the Rebels by the Bothan network earlier this year and though it had some mistakes, most of which Mara knew Palpatine had long ago seeded on purpose to be found, by and large it was surprisingly accurate.

Eight years older than Luke, which Mara knew wouldn't even be considered by him, D'Arca was described as ambitious and driving in her psyche profile, despite her disinterest in securing any recognised position. Witty and urbane, polished and cultured, she had moved in the highest circles from childhood, well-versed in the intricacies of Palace life, having gained official standing in Court and attended many times towards the end of Palpatine's reign.

The ideal, well-matched companion for the new Emperor, the psyche profile offered helpfully, curling Mara's lip.

Despite her knowledge to the contrary, it irked Mara that reports often listed D'Arca as having been connected romantically with the Emperor, the fact that her family held official apartments within the Palace seeming to be considered confirmation of that. D'Arca had long been drifting in and out of Luke's life at random, but never any pressure, close to Luke for a week or so then notably absent for months, seeming not at all concerned by this fact. Perhaps because she always managed to drift back in again, Mara reflected dryly.

Still, the report had tipped D'Arca as a more permanent Consort in the future- possibly even Empress. It had of course, always been assumed that Skywalker would make a political marriage, and even in the most conservative cliques Kiria D'Arca definitely held a place in the list of probable candidates. She'd made her first advances into Court towards the end of Palpatine's reign and even then, to Mara's eye, she'd had her goals well defined. Ambitious as she was, D'Arca certainly wouldn't allow something as minor as a change of Emperor to derail those plans. Mara hadn't failed to note the wording of the most recent Intel report; that D'Arca had been her 'usual attentive self' in regard to the new Emperor.

Which could well be jumping to conclusions, Mara knew - or being led to them - and if Luke was seeking to play some political game, then he would certainly be doing the latter. Still, possible scenarios were running unbidden through her mind when Mara finally reached the grand inset archway which marked the Imperial Cabinet, the corridors of power within the Palace.

Nodding at General Secretary Virran as she passed, Mara was already on her way to the Emperor's Cabinet Office when the man leaned forward slightly over his immaculately tidy desk to correct her.

"Receiving Room." he said simply, and Mara dug her heel in and did a quick about-turn to pass him again on her way back along the wide main corridor, noting Clem stood to loose attention at the far end, two further guards outside the tall, wide doors. Palpatine had always held such audiences in a massive formal Throne Room within the Cabinet, built specifically for the purpose, sat on a throne atop a raised dais, no underplay of his position or power. Luke, uncomfortable with such ostentatious powerplays, had ordered the room redesigned, split into smaller, less grandiose rooms, and now the majority of such meetings were held in a chamber which, although still imposing, had far more the atmosphere of a luxurious, well-appointed office than a formal Throne Room.

She pulled to a stop before Clem who, glancing meaningfully at the chrono on his comlink, handed her a small earbud already set to today's frequency. Knocking once, Mara waited for permission then entered, still pushing the speaker into her ear as she took up position just inside the door, Luke glancing up briefly from his meeting in acknowledgment.

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By mid-morning a few border disputes had been put to rest in no uncertain terms and, despite the Minister of Extra-Planetary Trade Levy's advice, the planet Leritor had been allowed a one-year suspension of levies providing such funds were reinvested as aid to its major continent following devastating cyclones earlier that year.

Too indulgent by half, Mara reflected, though not so much that he hadn't had a quarterly proof-of-investments covenant set in place, to be delivered directly to the system's Moff – and put the fear of death into Leritor's Planetary Governor should Luke find such proofs wanting.

Mara remained at the inside of the massive doors as she always did, half-listening to the constant security chatter on the earbud. Stood to a loose attention, she fulfilled every concept of her public role as bodyguard, silent and discrete and oozing consummate aptitude.

A polite knock signalled the next audience and the tall doors slid aside to admit Lieutenant Bareskig, the morning's adjutant, with the next petitioner.

"Excellency, may I present Beladon D'Arca, head of the Ruling House D'Arca, Planetary Governor of Borleias, Teyr, Govan and Sigmi."

Unseen by the man as he entered, Mara narrowed her green eyes to slits, suspicion and dislike written all over her face. Luke glanced at her momentarily and couldn't help but let out a grin which he wrestled into a dignified smile as he turned to D'Arca.

"Excellency," Beladon oozed, stepping forward to make a perfect official bow, never too ingratiating, never too little and always for the exact time required, "It's always an honour."

Luke nodded, "Beladon. What brings you to my office?"

"If I may, Excellency, I'd like to request a private audience."

Guiti, who had been witnessing and recording the day's meetings from an inconspicuous corner glanced up, then at Luke, who leaned back in the conforming chair behind his expansive desk.

Curiosity peaked, Mara looked to Luke for a reaction, noting his expression change as he leaned back, tone mildly reprimanding, "Perhaps this should have been an unofficial audience, Beladon."

"Forgive me Excellency." D'Arca said with no hint of apology, "I considered it both a… personal and a political situation, though I would appreciate your indulgence in conducting it privately."

Luke narrowed his eyes, but nodded once in assent without turning. Guiti rose and, with a polite bow, made his exit. Mara stayed long seconds, uncertain, but when Luke glanced to her, expression unreadable, she too made a short bow and left, the heavy doors sliding silently closed behind her, leaving her with an undefined sense of impending trouble.

In the wide corridor outside, Clem raised an eyebrow, "What's going on?"

Mara struggled against the temptation to turn around and press her ear to the closed door, "D'Arca thinks he's entitled to private chit-chats now." she scorned, frustrated that Luke had allowed it but knowing he wouldn't have done so lightly.

Still, she'd give a month's pay to be on the other side of those doors right now.

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