Chapter # 25

"So…the Rebellion is out?" Sola dropped onto the lounger, tucking her feet underneath her.

"On the contrary," said Ben, sitting in the chair next to her. "I simply have to come up with some intel that will convince them that we are, indeed, valuable and trustworthy."

Sola rested her chin on her fist. "Good luck with that. So far Moff Daquin and his cronies have been more tight lipped than a copak with a toothache."

Ben stared out the large picture window facing the lake, rubbing his hand across his chin.

"What?"

"It just may be necessary to use Luke and Mara."

"Aren't they a little young?"

He rose and paced to the window, folding his arms. "Back in the days of the Republic, they would have already had several experiences under their belts. Luke's father was accompanying me wherever I went and often faced great dangers."

"And this was the norm?"

"Oh yes," said Ben. "Strange how different I feel now about such things." He frowned. "It's hard to imagine them in life threatening situations without my heart racing."

Sola crossed to the window, placing a hand on Ben's arm. "They are not just wards to you, Ben. You love them like your own flesh and blood children."

Ben cleared his throat, placing his own hand on top of hers. "Yes…I do."

The front door burst open with Luke and Mara entering the room.

"You don't know what you're talking about," barked Luke to Mara.

"I know plenty, you just refuse to see the truth!"

Ben turned, shaking his head. "Civil tones, younglings." He noticed Luke's flushed face. "Now, what is the source of the contention between you this time?"

Mara huffed. "Tell him, Uncle Ben. Tell him the only reason he's been invited to dine with Elin Daquan and his daughter is so that the Moff can attempt to pull information from him."

"You're out of your mind!" Luke took a step toward Ben. "It's merely to thank me for showing Bree around Naboo." He looked back at Mara. "I'm not a stupa simpleton."

Ben paused taking in both teenagers. Luke, with his pleading expression and open countenance. Mara, with her flashing eyes and stubborn chin. Stars, he really was more parent than master. "Perhaps we can use this opportunity for our own benefit."

"What do you mean?" Sola padded back to the longer and sat down.

"Luke agrees to dine with the Daquans keeping them occupied, while Mara and I survey the Moff's quarters for intel," said Ben.

"What?" cried Luke.

Mara smiled, crossing her arms across her chest. "It's brilliant—I'm in."

"Now what a minute, Uncle Ben…" said Luke.

Ben placed both hands on Luke's shoulders. "It would give us the perfect opening for surveillance, son."

"I know, but—"

"If your girlfriend's so innocent, then you don't have anything to worry about," said Mara.

"Of course she's innocent, "said Luke, glaring at Mara, "it's her dad's who's the Imperial. Why can't you accept that?"

Ben sighed. "Enough bickering!" He squeezed Luke's shoulders and dropped his hands. "When is your engagement?"

"Tomorrow night," said Luke softly.

Ben drew Mara to him in a hug and looked at Luke. "Then tomorrow night while you dine on gourmet foods from around the Universe, Mara and I will scout out the Moff's home. I promise you Luke, I will not enter Bree's chambers."

Luke rolled his eyes. "And what about Mara?"

He looked down into smirking face of the red head. "She will also promise not to go into Bree's room. Won't you, my dear?"

"Of course, Uncle Ben," said Mara. "Whatever you ask."

XXXXX

Luke drove through the security gate to Elin Daquan's home with ease. The security guards, obviously waiting for him, waved him through never suspecting that Ben and Mara were nestled in a hidden compartment in the back of the speeder.

"That was easier than I thought it'd be," said Mara.

"Hush, child," said Ben. "We've still a ways to go.

Luke pulled up to the parking area and killed the engine. "We're here."

Ben poked his head out and whispered, "Remember the plan. Everyone have their communicators? Yes? All right, then. Good luck and May the Force be with you."

Luke opened the driver's side door, exiting the vehicle and pocketing the keys.

Both Ben and Mara waited till they heard the comm signal from Luke and then slipped out of the landspeeder. They sprinted to the large garage and slipped to the side door. With a wave of Ben's hand, the door opened and they ducked inside. He scanned the alarm docking base and then punched in the security code.

"Do you have the building layout?" asked Ben.

Mara pulled her database from her pack and flipped it on. "Yes. I still think I should plant a few bugs in Daquan's sleeping quarters."

"No, they would be found eventually and alert him to the fact that he is being watched."

"But Uncle Ben, he must surely suspect that there are those who oppose the Imperial presence here on Naboo."

Ben touched Mara's cheek and smiled. "We've been over this, youngling. I'm asking you to trust me."

Mara growled, but nodded.

"Good. Now pop up to the Moff's room and see what you can find. You have your equipment? Yes? All right, then. I will meet you back here in an hour. Be careful, Mara." He bussed the top of her head and slipped through the delivery entrance.

Mara waited five minutes and did the same, smiling to herself. She had agreed not to plant any bugs in Elin Daquan's bedroom, but she had not promised to abstain from planting any listening devices elsewhere. She pulled her black cap further down over her hair and ghosted up the stairs.

XXXXX

Mara passed through the window in the back of the library and deftly positioned herself behind some heavy curtains. Strange place to hold a dinner party, but it did lend itself to an air of intimacy. She slid to the ground and pulled out her recorder, focusing on the three at the round table near the blazing fireplace. Activating the record button, she leaned back against the wall and listened.

"My daughter tells me you have your heart set on becoming a pilot."

Luke dabbed at his lips with his napkin and smiled. "Yes, sir. I've just completed my application to the Naboo Air Force Academy and hope to turn it in the first of the week."

Moff Elin Daquan sipped from his soup spoon, his eyes focused on the young man. "I'm sure Naboo's academy is…adequate in its preparatory flight techniques, but are sure you would want to settle for a study that is second rate?"

Luke frowned. "Second rate, sir?"

"Yes, my boy. Though they do their best, I'm well aware that Naboo's budgetary support of the academy is minimal." He swallowed another mouthful of soup. "There's only so much they can offer in a training program when it is not fully supported by its government."

Bree took a sip from her glass, beaming at Luke.

"The ruling body of Naboo has always been steeped in the idea of peace through nonaggression, but there has been some changes in the last few years partly because of the Clone Wars. Queen Kylantha, herself has been very vocal about the need for a stronger defense system," said Luke.

"And has met with a great deal of opposition, I believe," responded Daquan.

A rueful smile tugged at Luke's lips. "An entire governing system doesn't change overnight."

"And certainly not Naboo's," answered the Moff.

A servant entered the room, removing the soup bowls from the table. Mara noted how Bree laid her hand on Luke's wrist, trailing her index finger against his skin. Another servant entered the room with large plates of grilled steak with drinda sauce. Her mouth watered in response.

Luke stared down at his plate. "This looks wonderful."

Bree picked up her knife and sliced a piece of the savory dish. "We were fortunate to have our cook from Coruscant travel here with us." She speared the morsel with her fork and placed it in her mouth.

"Forgive me if I presume too much Luke…" began Daquan.

"Sir?"

"Have you, perhaps, considered the Imperial Air Force Training Academy?"

Mara barely kept her gasp in check.

Luke froze in mid-bite. "Uh, no sir. I can't say that I have." He grasped his glass and swallowed hard.

Daquan laid his utensils on his plate and signaled the wine steward. The servant refilled Luke's glass and stepped back near the room's entrance.

"The Imperial Academy is second to none and would allow you the opportunity to work with the best in flight vessels and the brightest instructors," said Daquan. "A graduate from the academy would have the skills necessary to take on any piloting position in the galaxy."

"I don't…I'm not sure how my grandfather would react to me leaving Naboo, sir," said Luke.

The Moff smiled, not unlike what Mara thought of when a hunter had cornered his prey.

"But that's the beauty, Luke," began Daquan. "You could study on Naboo. We are beginning a flight instruction program here. It begins at the end of this school semester. Why, you'd have access to all types of ships beginning with the TIE Bomber to a Star Destroyer if you're talented enough."

Mara could sense Luke's excitement.

"Really?" gasped Luke. "A Star Destroyer? Is it true that each Destroyer has a maximum speed of 2300G? And a class 2 hyperdrive?"

"Yes," Daquan chuckled. "I see you are a fan."

Luke's face flushed. "It's just that…well, what must it be like to pilot something with that much power?"

"Exactly, my boy, said Daquan placing a hand on Luke's shoulder. "You'll never have that kind of experience on any Naboo ship." He picked up his glass and drained it.

"And while you'd be at the Imperial Academy, I would be taking music classes right here at the conservatory." Bree leaned in towards Luke and whispered. "We'd still be able to spend time together."

Mara had had more than enough. She pushed up from the floor using the curtain as cover. Just before she exited through the window, she activated two auditory monitoring devices and placed them within the hem of the drapery. She would be able to record any conversation in the room and access it with her datapad.

She glanced at her chrono, noting she only had ten minutes to meet Uncle Ben down in the garage. Nothing had turned up in the Moff's chambers however, she knew she would have to tread lightly with the information she'd discovered tonight. Regardless, Luke was being drawn into a carefully constructed plan and it would be her job to see that this conniving twosome did not get their hooks buried deep in the guy. Her heart constricted in her chest. No, there is no way she would allow that to happen.

...to be continued.