Chapter 25
'The Master Builder II'
'Things One Needs to Hear'
'Rescue Me'
'Please prepare to disembark. Collect all carry-on items in your seating area. We hope you enjoyed your journey. Thank you for travelling Hoth-North Regional Shuttle. Have a lovely day.'
Dantius pretends that he has been looking up towards the COM address speakers the entire time. Sigrid never notices that he had made an overture for a kiss. She was listening to the announcements as well. With this moment foiled, Dantius dutifully listens as the cabin master speaks. The flowers! As the shuttle slowly pulls into the arrivals gate ten minutes later, the lovely shuttle attendant greets Dantius. She hands him the bouquet. The flowers are in perfect condition. He nods and carries it off the shuttle along with a gift and his carry-on bag. He takes Sigrid's tote as well, trying to be the gentleman, but it is clear he is overburdened.
"We're here, Dani."
They leave the shuttle and walk through the Lnteelfjord Terminal. It appears similar to the departure terminal in North Ridge but the granite floor is cobalt blue against the stainless steel and glass dome. The sun is still shining brightly even though it is late in the afternoon. Dantius is not a fan of this architecture at all.
As they exit the terminal, a uniformed man tips his hat and nods when he sees them.
"Miss Sigrid, welcome home. It's good to see you."
"Thank you, Jacobs. It is good to see you too. Oh, this is Dantius. He attends university with me. "
He glances at Dantius but his attention is fully on Sigrid.
"Welcome to Lnteel, Dantius. I'll take that." Jacobs takes the bags before Dantius has a chance to protest. The chauffeur is taller and stronger than Dantius as he carries the pieces effortlessly to the land speeder. Sigrid The passenger door opens and Dantius follows Sigrid inside.
It is a ten-minute ride to the hamlet known as Lnteelfjord bei Ison. The speeder stops at a house. There are a few hours of Hoth daylight left as the evening time grows near. A tall shadowy figure stands near a large window. It does not move. A coil of pipe smoke forms a silhouette behind the sheer curtains. Sigrid gets out of the speeder and leads Dantius up the path to the front door.
As Sigrid approaches the door, it swings open. Her face lights up.
The booming voice greets her.
"Finally! For awhile I thought you weren't coming to visit your old man."
"Oh, Dad! I promised I would come home, and here I am."
He holds onto his pipe as they embrace. Jacobs is coming up the walk behind them. Dantius stands silent as Sigrid and her father enjoy their reunion. The father notices Dantius but takes his time acknowledging him. Sigrid steps back. Her father sticks the pipe back between his lips as she turns to Dantius and makes the introductions.
"Dantius, I would like you to meet my father, Per-Erik Horn. Father, this is Dani. He attends Theed University too."
"Ah…I see..." Her father takes a few puffs on his pipe as if considering his next move. He gives Dantius the 'once over' seemingly not particularly impressed with the pale-looking young man standing just outside the doorway. Suddenly he extends his hand to Dantius. "Welcome, Dani, friend of my daughter who attends university with her."
Dantius is slow to notice Dr. Horn's dry sense of humor.
Per-Erik Horn towers over Dantius. His narrow chiseled face reveals slight crags. His thick head of flaxen hair is gradually turning white. Dantius can see where Sigrid inherited her bright, gray eyes. Dantius is suddenly nervous. He desperately wants to make a good impression. He finally forces words from his mouth.
"Dr. Horn, it is an honor to meet you, sir."
"Yes. Well, come inside. No need for you to stand out there in the cold."
Dantius steps across the threshold as permission to enter is granted.
"Thank you, sir."
Sigrid removes her coat and tugs on Dantius' sleeve. He starts to remove his parka. Dr. Horn speaks.
"How was your trip to Lnteelfjord?"
"Uhm ...it was okay but I got lost in the god-awful terminal in Mt. Ison. Cold air was blasting through those giant archways…"
Dr. Horn glances at Sigrid. She hangs up the coats without saying a word. Dr. Horn brings the pipe to his lips. He scratches the back of his neck and nods thoughtfully.
"Hmm...Is that so?"
Jacobs enters the house behind them. Sigrid takes Dantius on her arm.
"Let's go get you settled in before dinner."
"Alright."
Several minutes later, they return. The flowers and gifts that Dantius had brought are on a table in the foyer. He hears voices in the next room. Sigrid comes out and calls to him.
"Oh, Dani, good, you're back. I want you to meet my family. I have two brothers but they are spending holiday on Yavin 4. You've missed them by a day."
Dantius scoops up the gifts and follows her into the drawing room. A serene, middle-aged woman wearing a pale blue and white dress and a matching floor-length duster stands near the fireplace. Her flawless skin and perfectly coiffed hair is an indication that her daughter will age beautifully. Sigrid introduces her.
"Dani, this is my mother, Thoralinde Horn and you met my father. Mother, I would like you to meet Dantius Palpatine. He attends Theed University."
Dantius bows slightly and presents the bouquet to Mrs. Horn. Jacobs is passing the hallway as Dantius presents the flowers to Mrs. Horn.
"Milady, Thank you for welcoming me into your home. These are for you. I hope they meet with your approval."
"Oh my. Thank you, Mr. Palpatine. They are indeed lovely. It was very kind of you. Jacobs, would you do the honors of arranging these beautiful flowers for me?"
"Of course, Madame." Jacobs stops in the foyer then walks across the room. Dantius turns to Sigrid.
"Oh, this is for you, Sigrid." He hands her a smaller but elegant bouquet. Sigrid is surprised.
"Dani…how nice. You are too generous."
"You've always been kind to me; and you are my host."
Jacobs reaches for the small bouquet.
"May I take that for you, Miss Horn?"
"Yes, thank you."
Dantius is a bit perturbed that Sigrid barely has the chance to get a good look at the flowers. This is not how he wanted to make his offerings. He hands the two remaining items to Dr. Horn.
"And this is for you, Dr. Horn."
Dr. Horn accepts the gifts.
"My, how generous. You're looking to make quite an impression."
"I hope so, sir."
"Well, we have plenty of time to chat after dinner. I am interested in learning more about you."
"As I am you, sir."
Dinner turns out to be a pre-interrogation session. Jacobs joins the family at the table. This would never happen on Naboo in the Palpatine home. Jacobs looks across the table at Dantius as if to make sure Dantius stays in line. Dr. Horn raises his glass to make a brief toast.
"So, welcome home, Sigrid. It is good to see your smiling face grace the table again…and Dantius, welcome to our home. We hope you return to Naboo with good memories of this visit."
"Thank you. I am sure I will, Sir."
The meal is healthful and exquisite. The dinner consists of roasted golden potatoes, poached Lnteelfjord salmon with dill crème fraîche over a bed of rare seaweed and topped with caviar. Dantius had never tried this cuisine before but he is eager to try it.
Mrs. Horn speaks.
"Have you ever had food from Hoth before, Dantius?"
Jacobs passes a serving bowl of steamed leeks and cucumber in a different crème fraîche sauce. Dantius does not want any but he serves himself a helping anyway.
"No, Madame. But it's very good."
"Well, I'm glad you like it."
"I do. Everything is perfect."
"So why didn't spend the holiday with your family, young Mr. Palpatine?"
"Uhm…Well, I did spend part of the holiday back home but I was pleased to get an invitation from Sigrid and the others."
Dr. Horn raises his eyebrows as he listens. He looks up from his dinner plate.
"Ah, yes…the 'others'. Amusing little group." He winks at Jacobs. Jacobs is equally amused. Jacobs must be some sort of butler and overseer with privileges. Dr. Horn glances across the table at his daughter. "How's young Magnus, Sigilinde?"
She knows that her father does not take her political views seriously. He does, however find her friends well meaning and harmless.
"Oh, he's fine, Dad. He had a great time at his internship last semester."
"Well, he's a fine young man with a promising future. He should spend less time passing around petitions start following Fin's lead. Finis wants to sponsor young Magnus for a junior senator internship. Magnus would be wise to accept. Finis Valorum is a brilliant young man. Such a disappointment to hear about his skiing accident. I was so looking forward to seeing him today. I don't think that the downhill is his sport. If he wants to do cross-country again, I would be glad to join him."
Sigrid giggles.
"I think he may take you up on that offer."
"Jacobs, make sure that happens. You'll join us of course."
"I wouldn't miss it Doctor."
Dr. Horn turns his attention back to Dantius, now realizing why the young man is at his table.
"So, Mr. Palpatine, I am surprised you were able to join those rebel friends of my daughter. You don't look like the sort to go against the establishment."
"I admit I was somewhat closed-minded about things. I grew up around quite conservative views."
"Yes, you seem to be made of a different cloth."
"However, I have learned so much during the past semester."
"Have you now?"
Dantius senses a hint of sarcasm in Dr. Horn's voice. He stabs piece of the potato on his plate and lifts the fork to his mouth. He hopes that dinner will end soon.
After dinner, Sigrid takes her mother by the arm.
"Mother, we must catch up. It's been awhile since we last chatted."
"And I want to see the lovely gifts that Finis gave you for Befana Eve."
Dantius puts down his napkin and rises from his chair to catch up with them. Dr. Horn takes his pipe from his pocket. He does not leave immediately.
A few moments later, Dantius is alone in the hall. He wanders around looking for something to do. He stands at a large window overlooking the lake. He decides to explore the other end of the corridor. He passes an opened door. Someone speaks to him.
"Mr. Palpatine, you seem lost. Come in."
Dantius pokes his head inside. Dr. Horn is sitting at a large desk with a glass top.
"Oh, I was just waiting for Sigrid…"
Dr. Horn has a wry grin on his face.
"I don't think you want to be part of that conversation. Come; let's open these gifts you brought."
Dantius timidly walks inside the office.
Dr. Horn stands and grabs the bottle from the desk. He slaps Dantius on the back. Dantius is not sure if he should be drinking since he had taken his Anafil II. Neither can he refuse the offer from his host. Per-Erik examines the bottle of Hoth Quicksilver Premium vodka.
"Were you under the notion that we drink a lot, Mr. Palpatine?"
"Uhm…no…no, Sir…I just thought…I didn't mean any offence."
"It's alright. Relax. We on Hoth like a good drink…some more than others." He laughs softly as Dantius fidgets. "Cigars from Yavin? Hmmm…I'm a pipe man but I must admit these are excellent quality." He opens the ornately carved box and lifts one of the cigars to his nostrils. He notices that a platinum cigar cutter is also in the box. All good quality cigars do. "I must admit that I am impressed."
"Thank you, sir. I am pleased."
Doctor Horn fills two 6-inch long cylindrical glasses resting in a bowl of finely chipped ice. Dantius looks around the room filled with ancient Hoth artifacts on display tables and holographs on the walls. Doctor Horn continues to speak.
"So, you mentioned during dinner that you had quite a trip over."
"Oh, yes…I spent such a long time waiting in that ghastly terminal in Mt. Ison with cold air blasting through the archways…"
"Is that so?" Horn sounds amused.
"It's as if the designer never heard of doors."
Oh, I am sure he has. I believe he was making a statement. The galaxy is changing. We must keep the doors of the galaxy open. "
"You know the architect?"
"Oh yes. Intimately."
Dantius slowly makes his way from the display tables to the walls. He sees a holograph of the Mt. Ison Regional Terminal with its concaved archways and 'no doors.' Beside each, one is an award plaque with a blue ribbon and gold seal. It is an award for excellence in architecture and design. The people in the image bear an uncanny resemblance to his host and high-ranking members of Mid Rim and Outer Rim Territories. There is even one with him standing beside the current Naboo monarch. Dantius reads the engraving on the cornerstone beneath the plaque: 'PatacioExcubitusEccillumAllectatioAdSyncretismi.'
Dantius believes this is the 'beginning of the end' of his chances to make a good impression. He freezes then bites his bottom lip, too embarrassed to turn around to face his host. Without missing a beat, Per-Erik laughs good-heartedly, as he walks up behind Dantius. He hands Dantius one of the vodka-filled crystal shot glasses.
Dantius is visibly embarrassed. Per-Erik has some mercy on the boy.
"Relax. You are not the first to criticize my work Sit down, Dantius. Let's have a drink.
"I feel terribly foolish. I was out of place. Please accept my apology."
"On the contrary. I admire your honesty. It gives a chance to know you. With that remark, Dr. Horn taps his glass against the one Dantius is holding and raises it in a toast."
"Skal."
Dantius nods. His forces an awkward smile and then brings the shot glass to his lips. The liquid goes down smooth enough but his face heats up. Per-Erik stares at him then puffs on one of the cigars Dantius had given him. It has a sweet, musky aroma. However, the combination of the vodka, cigar smoke and a dose of Telezan Anafil II almost makes Dantius retch. He tries to listen as Sigrid's 'old man' speaks.
"So, what other opinions do you have, young man? Don't be quiet. Speak up. I don't trust quiet people…makes me think they are up to no good. Do you have opinions?"
"Uhm…it depends." He takes a gulp from the shot glass. He wanted to say something brilliant but remaining quiet was the best thing for him to do right now. The room is swaying. Per-Erik mocks him.
"It depends? That's the problem with you young people today. You spout off without considering the consequences and then when you're put to the test to come up with some thoughtful opinions, you choke up! I want to hear your passions, what inspires you? Who inspires you? What are your ambitions? "
"I…I want to make a difference. I have listened to Magnus and the Theed Student Organization talk about The Trade Federation and its over-reaching power. I want to help."
"Oh, do you? As well-meaning and passionate Magnus' little band of student activists are, the Trade Federation is totally unaffected by them."
"That's because they don't have the sort of power that commands attention."
Per-Erik scoffs at this remark and takes a sip from his shot glass.
"And you do? What are you going to do, start a one-man uprising?" There is a slight smirk on his face. Dantius presses on, determined to make his point.
"I think there are other ways of getting the Trade Federation in line." The vodka is warm in his throat. He tugs at his collar. Per-Erik can see Dantius becoming flustered.
"How pray tell? If it's too hot in here, Mr. Palpatine, just say the word. I'm afraid I have a tendency to turn up the heat…so to speak."
Dantius spoke before he could think of a convincing response but his rescuer will come soon.
There is a knock on the door. It is Sigrid. She pokes her head in then walks inside and immediately takes charge.
"Daddy, I need to borrow Dani."
"We were having a discussion over drinks. He was just starting to get interesting."
"You can try to bond with him later. Come on, Dani."
Sigrid takes Dantius firmly by the arm. She grabs the shot glass and hands it to her father then leads Dantius by the hand out the door.
Dantius does not speak until they are halfway down the hall.
"Where are we going?"
Sigrid waits to respond until they are a safe distance from her father's office.
"My father loves intense theoretical discussion. He can be relentless. You'll thank me later for pulling you away when I did."
As they continue down the hall, Jacobs walks into the office and closes the door. Faint laughter can be heard from inside. Dantius knows they are laughing at him.