Chapter Ten

In the late afternoon, Padme was still touring the bulb factory, a tour that started mid morning. Being a diplomat was hard when one was fairly dying of boredom but it wasn't mannerly to zone out with an alliance at stake. The large factory consisted of rows of tubules filled with clear lustrous bulbs. During the tour she stayed by the governor's side, with her arm looped through his and a smile pasted on her face, she encouraged his animated chatter about the many fascinating uses of gas. Anakin lagged behind them surveying the area with Captain Typho, and the governor's personal guard. Dejrek ambled along, oddly silent, he hadn't spoken a word to her since last night.

"Dejrek, do you like the factory?" She asked attempting to catch his attention. He stared blankly at the tubules.

"Dejrek?" she said insistently.

He blinked and turned his head, "Hmm…" He mumbled obviously distracted.

"Never mind." She replied.

"Hmm-mm, whatever you say."

What is bothering him today? Padme thought. Was he still dwelling on their insignificant kiss? Did he worry about her past relationship with Anakin? Or was he bored out of his mind like her? Anakin also seemed distant, he kept his promise to leave her alone--she gratful for that, at least that's what she told herself. He did not talk to her either, but a few times during breakfast she spied him staring at her with undisguised yearning, then if he noticed her and his expression shuttered leaving him devoid of emotion. Padme stifled a sigh; at least Typho and Garvin were attentive.

"Ah, here we are. The reserves." Garvin announced his voice boomed with pride, they halted at a wide durasteel door. "The emergency bulbs are our life-support, are critical to our economy, are gone—" he cried when the door open.

Anakin and Typho rushed over to peer into the empty vault.

"Who is responsible for this?" Garvin'Vek asked in dismay.

"Your brother most likely," Anakin remarked. "Don't worry we'll get your bulbs back."

Garvin threw his hands up in despair, "Don't worry, you say? Don't worry. Those bulbs are our livelihood. And you tell me don't worry."

"Exactly. Don't. Worry."

Anakin's assurances didn't assuage anyone's concern. They all looked at each other in confusion. Their apprehension grew.

Meanwhile, in his quarters, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, Tarvin'Vek smirked with smug satisfaction. The reserves were his, and his plan was progressing without a hitch. He heard the slicing sound of his door opening, Jarv'Dek should have good news.

"Report," he commanded facing his trusted lieutenant. Not that he completely trusted anyone; it was foolish to totally rely on others. One could only truly depend on oneself. There were leeches everywhere, power hungry ambitious leeches that would sooner stab someone in the back with a vibroblade than allow them to succeed. People like him.

Jarv'Dek snapped his boots together, saluted him, and said , "The reserves are secured. Your ship is being readied. Everything's on schedule."

"And what of that tiresome ambassador?"

"My spies report that she has commenced with the trade negotiations. She and your brother seemed very pleased. The queen of Naboo has generously agreed to send in seventy billion gallons of water. The ambassador is at the bulb factory now. It appears that she didn't take your threat seriously."

"Foolish! Did she think she could trifle with me and survive unscathed?" he bellowed. "Dispatch soldiers to eliminate her—I want her fried!"

"My men are already in place. She'll be fried to a crisp." Jarv chuckled.

"There's one more detail I need you to take care of."

"Sir."

"Pack up all the treasures recovered from the Clone Wars and have them on my ship within the hour."

"What!"

"I was I not clear?"

"But—what are you going to do with them?"

Tarvin saw no harm in telling Jarv'Dek his brilliant scheme. The lieutenant's usefulness was rapidly coming to an end. Pity, the man had been unwaveringly loyal, ignorantly obsequious. Such a shame he had to die, but he couldn't afford to have his plans mucked up. After Tarvin had what he wanted, it was a blaster shot through the head for Jarv.

"I've made a very profitable deal. With the Hutts."

"Why?" Jarv'Dek demanded. Tarvin tolerated his insolence—barely.

"This planet is dying and I won't be here when it finally croaks. The Hutts have offered me an exorbitant amount of credits, so I can get off this blasted rock, in exchange for Tay'lanzic bulbs and the treasures. I'm thinking about traveling somewhere warm. Tropical, with plenty of water and food, I need to relax, I think I've earned it. " He said glibly.

"You're deliberately selling these priceless gifts and accelerating the destruction of our homeworld for some measly credits." Jarv was clearly outraged, Tarvin should've cared but he didn't

He shrugged, "The junk you call priceless and this pathetic planet have no meaning or value to me. What did you think my purpose was?"

"I thought you were a man of vision. I followed you because I believed you a better leader than your brother, that you'd lead Tay'lanzic into a new age. You spouted all this crap about how Garvin wasn't doing anything to save our planet. I thought you were protecting the gas bulbs so Garvin wouldn't throw them away on a whim—trading with Naboo. I was wrong. It was all bantha shit!" He spat.

Tarvin preened as if proud of himself yet his eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, "Never misunderstand this Jarv. I am a man of vision. I saw a vision of my happiness and I am grasping it by any means. Come now, don't be a hypocrite, you're as ruthless as I am. Don't tell me you aren't reveling in the demise of Amidala and her Jedi protector. Don't be weak Jarv, come with me and we'll split the money." He lied.

Jarv shook his head, "No. This isn't right. I won't forsake our homeworld."

"Will you follow my orders or will I have to kill you?" Now rather than later.

"I've no choice it seems. The treasures will be on your ship… sir." He gritted his teeth. The honorific term tasted bitter in his mouth.

"You're dismissed. I don't want to see you're gutless hide again until I summon you." Tarvin turned away, ignoring Jarv like he'd never been there.

Don't worry Vek, you'll never see me again or anyone else. Jarv'Dek thought viciously. The gears of his mind plotted, it was time to inform Ambassador Amidala of a few important facts. If she was still alive after the bloodbath, he'd have the pleasure of seeing Tarvin captured by the Jedi and his plan thwarted by the Ambassador. Although, he wouldn't mind seeing the carnage of their mangled bodies.