Entry 33

Before the end of the workday my commander asked to see the unedited holovid. I now regret not learning how to Force choke somebody. He watched it like it was a blooper vid from some comedy.

"Oh I just love this part." He turned the datapad around so I would view the vid from where I was sitting in his office. He played the part of the recording where I was rubbing my face over Skywalker's in the hopes of transferring some of the tissue-swelling cream onto my face. "Look at his eyes when you said, 'Pretend we're kissing'". He started laughing raucously as I leaned forward in the video and Skywalker's eyes went wide. "That man has it bad for you."

I made a huffing sound before crossing my arms across my chest and glaring at my superior. "He was just surprised by my actions."

He smirked as he turned the datapad around and squinted at the image, scrutinizing every detail. "Surprised maybe, but did you noticed he licked his lips nervously."

"He did not."

He laughed some more before handing me the datapad. I blushed when I noticed the Jedi did exhibit a slight flick of the tongue. "That doesn't mean anything. Maybe his lips were dry."

He grabbed the device back and fast-forwarded the video to another spot. "This one is funny also."

He didn't show me the vid but I heard my voice over the datapad saying, "How do I look" and Skywalker responding, "Beautiful."

He turned it off and set it down on his desk. "I didn't think anything could beat the bird chasing scene, but seeing how flustered you made the hero of the rebellion is hilarious."

"Thanks," I said dryly. I was just glad I turned off the vid-recorder once I was away from the Inquisitor. At least Commander Darten wasn't privy to my conversation with Skywalker about my training. I guess it wouldn't really matter. I have hid the fact that I was the Emperor's Hand from Skywalker. I simply claimed that I was an Inquisitor and I am fairly certain that is exactly what Commander Darten believes my previous profession was prior to joining the Intelligence Corps. I am somewhat surprised that he hasn't pressed me for more information.

"You can deny it all you want," my commander said with a grin. "But it is obvious that Skywalker is smitten with you."

I shook my head. "He's not smitten. He distrusts me."

Commander Darten nodded. "That may be, but that doesn't mean he is not interested."

I was getting a little irritated with this line of conversation. "Why are you bringing this up? Are you suggesting I seduce him for information?"

His smile grew wider. "Do you want to seduce him for information?"

"No!" I said emphatically.

He stood and straightened his uniform tunic. "Then I'm not suggesting such a thing." He motioned toward his office door. "You can go off-duty early. Dinner is at 2000 hours, casual dress. I live on Colonel's Row, quarters fifty-three."

"Fifty-three at 2000 hours." I stood at attention and waited to be officially dismissed, but he just gave a wave of his hand indicating that I should go. I'm glad he let me off work early. I need to purchase something casual to wear. I don't want to arrive at his house looking like an assassin.

Entry 34

I was impressed by Commander Darten's home. It wasn't one of the connecting townhouses junior officers reside in, but a two-story brick home with a small fenced in yard with colorful flowers planted under the windows and along the walkway. I stopped at the door and checked out my new outfit. I wore slim cut trousers with ankle high boots and topped with a gray rib knit V-neck sweater tunic. It was practical but also what I would consider smart casual. I knocked on the wooden door and was greeted by my commander and an elegant looking, middle aged woman who introduced herself as the Commander's wife, Marta Darten. I was once told officer's wives were officious and always tried to wear their husband's rank. Obviously I was misinformed because I found Marta to be a modest and extremely pleasant woman.

"It is so nice to meet you, Litassa," she said while shaking my hand. "Venn has told me so much about you." She released my palm and took a step back. "I have to finish dinner." She turned to her husband. "Venn, can you entertain our guest for a moment."

"Yes, Dear." My commander motioned for me to follow him. It was odd seeing him in civilian clothes. He was wearing a long sleeved dress tunic and dark, untucked trousers over leather boots. He led me into what looked like the living room. "I have a bottle of sparkling wine chilled or if you want something stronger I have Corellian Brandy."

"The wine sounds good."

He smiled warmly. "I'll go get you a glass."

When he left I took the time to look at the holos and 2-D captured images on his fireplace mantle. Most were of my commander and his wife, but there were a few of a beautiful young woman, probably about my age, with green eyes and black hair. Commander Darten never talked about a daughter but she would be the proper age if he and Marta had a child.

He returned holding two glass flutes filled with amber bubbling liquid. "Here you go."

I took the glass and turned my attention back to the image of the young woman. "Is this your daughter?"

I instantly regretted asking the question when I sensed a twinge on sadness from my commander.

"No unfortunately, Marta and I can't have children thanks to the Emperor's mandatory immunization program."

I turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand."

He took a sip from his glass and then gave me a forced smile. "Shortly after Palpatine became Emperor he ordered attacks on rebellious planets. A group of revolutionaries used biological weapons against his forces, so he ordered his scientists to find a vaccine against the virus. And when they found a vaccine, he ordered all soldiers deploying to that particular planet to get the vaccination. I was attached to an infantry company as their intelligent asset, so I was given the injection." He pulled in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "Everybody was in such a rush to squash the insurgents that they didn't bother doing human trials on the drug. About ten percent of the men in the unit became sterile as an unfortunate side effect. I was one of the unlucky few."

"Oh," that is all I could think to say.

"The girl is my late niece…my brother's girl. She died while attending college."

"That is so sad," I said quietly. "Was it an accident or illness?"

He shook his head. "Neither. It was murder." He took enough sip of his wine while staring at the image of his niece. "She was attending college at the Alderaan University of Art and Design when…it happened."

I let out a shuttered breath. He didn't need to explain what 'it' was. She was on planet when Grand Moff Tarkin destroyed the defenseless world. I remained silent for a long pause before asking a question that probably shouldn't be asked. "Sir, with all the pain the empire has given you and your family…" I hesitated for a moment. I was going to ask him how he could remain loyal to a government that destroyed his brother's family and stole any chance of him having his own family, but thought better of it.

"I know what you are going to ask," he said with a chuckle. "How can I remain with the Empire? Why didn't I tender my resignation under the circumstances?"

"Yes," I said with a nod.

He finished his drink and set his glass down next to the image of his niece. "The immunization was early in my career and I truly believe it was an accident. Alderaan happened 6 years before I become eligible for retirement." He turned and looked in the direction of the kitchen were I assume his wife was located. "It's hard being a military wife. I was always gone. The missions were dangerous, so she never knew if I was coming home alive. I told her once I retire things would be different. We would travel and have fun as a couple. Unfortunately, if I resigned prior to my twenty-fifth year in service I got nothing. No medical, no pension, nothing. Marta and my retirement plans would be over. I would have to start my life over as a civilian in the middle of a war." He smiled and gave me a nod. "You probably know how tough starting over is."

I nodded in agreement, but stayed silent.

"Anyway, I blame Grand Moff Tarkin, the Emperor and Darth Vader, not the government as a whole. This was their secret little project. I didn't even know about it until the construction was complete. I heard rumors that the Emperor had convicts from the penal world of Despayre to build the thing…and when they finished they tested their monstrous weapon on the planet. It was a way to get rid of any witnesses that weren't loyal Imperials." He heaved a sigh. "Tarkin, Palpatine and Vader—three men—corrupted the Empire and hijacked a government for their own evil purposes." He shook his head sadly. "I've known hundreds of Imperial soldiers and not one of them do I considered evil." He looked at me questioningly. "Do you consider me evil? Or yourself?"

I shook my head. "No, and that is why I decided to start over. The government is worth saving."

Marta walked into the room holding a class of wine. "Dinner's ready you two." She smiled brightly and motioned toward a dining room. "I can't wait to hear about your adventures with Luke Skywalker."

I know my face must have fell because my commander chuckled. "I forgot to tell you that Marta has been fascinated with Jedi Knights since she was a little girl."

I glared at my commander as I walked to the dining area. "Yes Sir, you did fail to mention that interesting tidbit of information."

He laughed out loud this time. "In your Basic training you were taught how to resist torture. You are just going to have to dig deep and endure the upcoming interrogation."

'Yep', I thought jokingly. 'I am really starting to regret not learning how to Force choke.'