Dynasty
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
(valeriev84 at hotmail dot com) & (zekkers at juno dot com)
Disclaimer: Rebecca and I do not own Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader or any other of the "Star Wars" characters, items or situations. Rebecca and I only lay claim to the original aspects of the fic.
Note: A great new illustration for the 32nd chunk of this fic has been added to my website (the link for which is in my profile). It was done by Elisabeth and shows Anjaleen as she watches Luke and Raphael confront each other.
Chunk Thirty-Four
Lord Vader walked in the Palace gardens with the Emperor, discussing deployment of the Empire's vast fleets. It had been months since Luke had first visited the other courtier's homes to discuss possible alliances, and it was time for the next part of the plan.
Personally, Lord Vader hated convoluted plots with many parts that had to be done, but his part was easy in its simplicity. All he had to do was appear to notice Lord Skywalker's actions and take steps to block the young lord from plotting against him.
He smiled to himself as he set himself to act a little distraught for the hidden cameras placed by spies that the Emperor had allowed to overhear their conversation. "Your Majesty," he began, "I know that young Lord Skywalker enjoys court, but I didn't train him to let him become a courtier. I would appreciate it if you would assign him to the new task force we are sending to the Unknown Regions to take care of the Zinn. He could use the practice of commanding a long term mission."
The Emperor nodded, both of them realizing that they were leaving unsaid that out there, the young lord would be unable to play politics. "Ah, but," the Emperor countered, "I do not want either of you so far away for so long. Perhaps something shorter? The force being sent to Cozzellia could use his touch."
"Yes, your Majesty." Lord Vader bowed slightly, appearing like a man who would take what he could get, even if both he and his father had arranged the entire conversation beforehand.
Vladimir fumed. He had been so close! Lord Skywalker had told him just last week that he would support him in his bid for the minor contract to manufacture stormtrooper armor for the Army. The contract was unimportant, and he would most likely be able to win it anyway, but to be able to have the Sith supporting him on any issue would send a message to everyone else at court! But Lord Vader must have finally decided to reign his protégé back in, and managed to send him off to Cozzellia for a month. It just wasn't fair, why couldn't he have waited for another week?
Now he would have to start over, trying to find another minor issue to try and get Skywalker to support so that he could build up some trust between them before he could ask the young lord to side with him against Vader. Vladimir sighed, and began pouring through his datachips again.
Ensign Sean Trussell quietly packed his bags, smiling all the while. The last six months had been frustrating, but now it would soon be over. He had really learned to hate red tape, and all the bureaucracy that went with being a lower echelon officer. Add the growing animosity between him and his father over his 'failure' to be placed in a more glamorous post, and Sean was ready to move on.
He sighed, tossing the last holotape from home into his bag. It was little more than a tirade from his father about how anyone could fill the duties he had now, and he didn't need to waste his life commanding technicians and petty officers for re-supply during drills. The worst part was knowing he could shut his father up by telling him what had been arranged, but he rather keep the secret like he had been told to do. He'd officially become Lord Skywalker's adjunct within the week, and he couldn't wait to tell his father.
Sean snorted, checking his chronometer. It was late in the ship's evening, and Garret would be arriving soon. The Executor was in the same system, and he was about to be transferred.
He picked up the manuals his superior officer had given him on his current job and neatly stacked them on his table. It was almost funny in a way, the job he had been doing for the last few months wasn't really that bad. He was officially being trained to organize the vast crews necessary for re-supply of the fighting crews of the ship. He had been learning to juggle everything from verifying that the AT-AT's had been re-fueled to checking that the TIEs had been repaired. It was a catchall position whose entire purpose was making sure everything ran smoothly for everyone else and it was perfect training for him.
Even if it meant that he dealt with a mountain of forms everyday. Trussell stacked several datadisks of completed forms next to the now unneeded manuals. He hoped that being an adjunct didn't have quite so much useless datawork, but he knew that he'd probably get stuck filling out forms for the rest of his life.
The door chimed, and Sean smiled, zipping up his bag before he turned to open it. "Major-" he started to say, then stopped.
Ensign Brarren stood in the door, wearing a thin smile and holding a datacard. "Expecting company Trussell?"
Sean glared. Brarren was always sticking his nose everywhere, and he was the worst snitch. "Maybe." He growled. He had to get rid of this man before he noticed-
"What you doing, leaving? You're all packed up." The man smiled again, waving his datacard. "I didn't know you had been reassigned, or I wouldn't have come over to ask if you wanted to join our betting pool."
"Gambling is against regulations." Sean said, reaching for the door controls.
"So is using family connections to get promoted." Brarren casually mentioned. "And we all know that your family is rather well off." The man took a step forward, causing Sean to take a step back. "Entirely too well off for you to be sitting around working as a Supply Officer, don't you think?"
Sean glared. "I have never used my family to get promoted, Brarren." Which was true. He hadn't, Garret his cousin had been the one to recommend him.
"Well, not yet anyway." Brarren replied. "But it doesn't look that far away." The man took a few more steps into the room.
Alarm bells began to go off in Sean's head. Something wasn't right, Brarren was acting entirely too pushy. Thinking quickly, Sean tried to stall while he figured out what to do. "If it concerns you so much, why don't you go back to your room and fill out a complaint?" Trussell hissed, realizing if he was going to be transferred anywhere else he wouldn't want Brarren to get anything in his file. "And I will fill out a complaint against your gambling."
"Oh, that won't be necessary," Ensign Brarren said, sickly smiling. "I'm just here to send a warning." He stepped forward again, and Sean suddenly saw a vibroblade in his hand. The world slowed as Trussell's training kicked in, and he was about to lash out with a leg when something moved behind Brarren. A hand clamped itself around Brarren's mouth, and with a quick motion the young Ensign dropped to the floor with his throat slit.
Sean looked up into the black eyes of a black haired pale man standing in his room wearing a shuttle pilot's uniform. Behind him, Major Ravenell stepped up.
Garret looked over the shoulder of the dark haired man at the dying ensign on the floor. He looked at his surprised cousin. "Ready to go?"
"Yes, Sir." Sean said, turning to grab his bags, mind a whirl. Hopefully Garret would explain this to him later. He turned around again, and the black haired man was kneeling down by the body, carefully pulling something that looked like a thin layer of flesh colored plass from Brarren's face. He stopped, leaving half of it still attached.
"Not a bad disguise." The shuttle pilot said. "The real ensign is fast asleep in his quarters, drugged to the gills. He'll be fine. Just leave the transfer request on the bed, Garret. I want to get out of here fast before I have to start explaining everything."
Garret tossed a datacard onto the bunk, turning to go. Sean stepped over the body, trying not to step in the rapidly growing pool of blood. Once out of the room, the door swished shut, leaving the corpse to be found in the morning.
The walk to the shuttle was uneventful. Sean walked behind his cousin, the shuttle pilot mutely following. As they traveled the corridors, Trussell went over what had happened in his mind. This wasn't normal, was it? He wasn't going to have to spend the rest of his life dodging assassins because he was Lord Skywalker's aide, would he? Garret never mentioned this... And what did the man mean by 'send a warning?'
As they boarded the shuttle, Garret walked towards the front of the ship, sitting in the seats directly behind the pilot's. Sean sat beside him as the black haired man sat in front. An older man with salt and pepper hair was sitting in the co-pilot's seat, warming up the engines. "Ready to go." He said.
"Good." The pilot grabbed the mike and spoke into it. "Shuttle E1-3 to control. Permission to disembark."
"Permission granted. You may leave when ready."
Sean found himself slightly alarmed at the speed at which the pilot launched the craft, plummeting from the hangar doors.
"I don't know," the man was saying, "I like the maneuverability of these prototype thrusters, but I don't think they would work well on a larger craft. What do you think Weng?"
"I think you're right, Sir. They become a little unstable when she's weighted down, and we do get weighted down every time the Lady comes aboard. Which isn't very often, but I would take it into consideration."
"Good point. I'll have to instruct the engineers to allow for that. Oh, and Sean?"
"Yes, Sir?" Trussell replied, watching the shuttle come at the Executor with alarming speed.
"That wasn't normal."
The young ensign nodded distractedly, forgetting that the pilot couldn't see him. They landed, and Garret motioned for him to get up. Sean walked out of the shuttle, following Garret across the immense landing bay once they got off the craft. Surprisingly, the black haired pilot followed them to the turbolift and further along the corridors till they came to a wide door flanked by two stormtroopers.
The doors swished open, and the three of them went inside. The room was dark, cool, and sterile, and in one corner was a large pod-like structure. The pod was open, its white interior a stark contrast to the black armored man inside. Sean gulped, listening to the hiss of the Sith's respirator.
"You cut it very close." The Sith Lord accusingly said.
The black haired man stepped forward. "It couldn't be helped." Suddenly, his form began to waver, revealing a blond man with blue eyes. He cocked his head. "But it does send the warning straight back to his employer. I can't have anyone even attempting to strike at me, or even at anyone even remotely allied with me. You know that Father."
The black masked man sighed, even as Sean Trussell relied on all his training to keep a straight face. The young ensign's mind went into overdrive. 'That pilot is Lord Skywalker! And- Father? Father? I didn't just hear that, did I? Is this what Garret meant by secrets? He wasn't kidding when he hinted that he knew some big ones...'
Lord Vader shifted, "at least we know who his employer was. We will have to do something about it, when we get back to court. Otherwise, how did it go?"
"Well enough." Lord Skywalker held up an arm, looking at it. "Handy trick, but you're right, it helps to dress the part. Less to control." He motioned to Sean, "and he keeps his head."
"Yes." The black form turned, "Major, brief him on the issues we discussed, and bring him back here in the morning. I have several things I need to go over with my plotting son."
"Yes, my Lord." Ravenell bowed, leading Trussell out.
Anjaleen smiled as she looked at the holo of the crysantre. The flowers were so beautiful and from the scent sample that came with the datachip, she knew that they smelled lovely. Marking the place on the holo so that she'd be able to call it up later, she looked at the next flower and winced. After Palpatine had announced that they could get married in five months, she had instantly begun the necessary planning for the event. Since then a month had already passed and she had made reasonable headway. It hadn't taken long to decide on the exact date for the wedding itself and the Emperor had insisted that it take place in the Crystal Hall in the Palace.
The Crystal Hall had been so named as the entire ceiling, three of the walls, and a good deal of the interior had been constructed purely out of the extremely strong and durable crystal found on Malkse. The altar would be placed at the front near one of the walls where the light of the setting sun would come down on her and Luke and be scattered in all directions and colors. The crystal walls also gave a splendid view of the rich area of the city with the sea in the distance. All in all it would be the perfect setting for the wedding of a future Emperor of the Empire and she had no doubt that the media would pick up the symbolism as soon as Luke's full heritage was revealed.
Anja smiled before sighing in anticipation for the big day. Until then she would have fun making sure that everything would be as perfect as it could possibly be on that day. Luke had told her that she could go ahead and plan everything she wanted except the clothes for herself and him. Those would be decided upon later with Palpatine and Vader present. Thus far she had already decided to add in a few of the traditions from her own system as well as several ones from other systems throughout the Empire. She had also decided on the ice sculptures and statues that would be placed around the Hall.
"Hello Anjaleen," Nastalia said as she was escorted into the room Anja was working in.
"Hello," Anja replied as she got up and greeted her friend. "How are you?"
"Fine," Nastalia replied. "I just got a report from the architect and the house should be ready next month. Needlessly to say Nathaniel and I are very excited about moving in there."
"I can image," Anja stated and then her voice took on a teasing tone. "Let's see, you're married, have your own home, all that's missing now is a few kids running about screaming and wailing."
"Oh," Nastalia said before she began to laugh at the image. "We're not that far along yet. In fact we haven't even discussed having children yet so it won't be anytime soon."
"Pity," Anja responded as she motioned for her friend to sit as she took her own seat once more. "Care to help me with something?"
"Sure," Nastalia answered as she looked at the various datapads lying on the table and floor around Anjaleen's chair. "What can I do?"
"I was wondering if it would be okay if we used the idea of the charms you had in the cake at your wedding for ours," Anja stated. "I know some cultures dislike having their traditions used elsewhere and I was wondering if your system was one of them as I don't want to offend anyone."
"I don't think that would be a problem," Nastalia replied after a moment's thought. "In fact I think the people would be honored to have their traditions used in the first wedding held at the Imperial Palace."
"Great," Anja said with a smile as she made note of this fact on one of the many datapads. Although she doubted that she would forget getting permission, she wanted to make sure that nothing went wrong.
"What's that?" Nastalia inquired as she caught sight of the last flower Anja had been looking at.
"A flower," Anjaleen informed her friend even as she wrinkled her nose. "I don't even want to know what it smells like. It looks like a rotten piece of meat. I have no idea how it ever managed to get on the list for the best flowers to use at weddings."
"Must be the traditional flower of some alien race," Nastalia replied with equal distaste. "I'm sure that I don't have to worry about finding it at your wedding. Although it might be useful at keeping away some of the courtiers you don't like."
"I guess that's one way of looking at it," Anja said as she laughed. "Anyway, what color do you think I should order this flower in? It's called a crysantre."
"I don't know," Nastalia honestly stated a few seconds later as she looked at the light purple, light yellow, and light pink shades the crysantres came in. "All three colors are quite lovely. You might want to get bouquets with all three colors if it doesn't cost too much."
"No budget," Anjaleen stated proudly as she looked at the holos again herself. "I think I might just do that. It would give some variety to the bouquets and it would work extremely well with the white locuts Luke wants."
"Anjaleen," Nastalia said in such a tone that she instantly grabbed her friend's attention. "What is going on here that I don't know about? I mean I was expecting the fact that you'd be able to spend a lot on this wedding from what we saw of Luke's birthday party at the Castle. But no budget whatsoever?"
"Unlimited," Anja confirmed as she saw the curiosity and amazement lurking in the depths of her friend's eyes. "And I can't tell you more although I can say that by the time the wedding is over you'll know a lot more."
"A lot more?" Nastalia repeated cautiously. "But not all?"
"Nope," Anja replied with glee. "I had to wait a long time before I learned it all and so will you."
"Humf," Nastalia responded as she sent a mock glare at the green-eyed girl before her. "You're enjoying yourself immensely right now I can see."
"Who, me?" Anjaleen questioned innocently before she giggled. "It's simply the sheer importance of the news. It literally blew me away when I learned it. Are you thirsty?"
"Yes," Nastalia stated as she studied her friend. She wanted to ask more, but she knew that Anjaleen was probably not allowed to reveal what she knew and thus it wouldn't be fair for her to pressure the other woman. "A juice, please."
Anja summoned one of the servants and told him what they wanted. "Anyway, I still need to pick colors for the silk curtains that will be put up between the water filled pillars outside and inside the Crystal Hall," Anja continued as she turned her attention back to her friend. "And I'm not sure what color to take. There will be so many different colors in there already from the clothes of the guests."
"You could always go with cream or ivory," Nastalia suggested, remembering how hard some of those decisions had been for her when she had needed to make them, only she hadn't had as many options. "Those colors go with practically everything."
"True," Anja agreed.
"Our situation is rapidly deteriorating," General Rieekan stated as he watched Mon Mothma pace her small study.
"I know that," Mon Mothma snapped before her tone lightened. "I'm sorry, Carlist. It's just that there doesn't seem to be a way out of this downward spiral we're caught in and its getting to me. All that we stand and fight for is slipping away from us. We're resorting to Imperial-like measures simply to stay in this war."
"Indeed," Rieekan agreed as he thought back to the raid on a civilian spaceport he had been forced to authorize as they needed the huge weapon cargoes they had known several of ships at the port were carrying. "We need to be more careful about what we do from now on."
"It's practically too late now," Mon Mothma replied. "If we don't do some of these things we despise doing so, we're finished."
"We need a victory," Rieekan declared. "Something that will shock the Empire to its foundations. Something that will grasp the attention of the citizens and make them realize what's really going on and just what Palpatine truly is."
"You mean another Death Star incident?" Mon Mothma suggested. "I hardly doubt that the price we paid both before and after that victory was worth it. Although another Alderaan incident would be exactly what the public needs before it wakes up and sees the light."
"The Empire isn't stupid enough to repeat such a mistake," Rieekan responded. "They saw the unpopular reaction it caused on so many planets despite the fact that they knew it had one of our best leaders."
"Bail," Mon Mothma whispered softly as she thought back to her former ally and co-founder of the Alliance. "What I wouldn't do to have him here with us now. He'd know what to do. Just like Leia always did. But they're both gone now, as is General Xa'sstresh."
Rieekan chose not to comment to this last remark, his thoughts wandering back to Xa'sstresh's last stand. He had been visiting one of the bigger bases both to up the moral there and to check out how they were raising such a surprising amount of money. As it had turned out the Imps had located the base just after his arrival there. Obviously, the General had managed to encourage their fellow freedom fighters there as they had put up one of the better struggles in a long time. But in the end it had all been for nothing. The Imperials had simply called for backup and it had been Vader who had arrived on scene. It hadn't been long after that that the base had been overrun and for General Xa'sstresh to be captured.
"Our opportunity will come somewhere in the near future," Rieekan finally stated with as much conviction as he could muster.
"I certainly hope so," Mon Mothma said as she turned sad eyes his way. "I certainly hope so Carlist, for if not the Alliance won't survive much longer and then the Empire will be unchallenged to do whatever it wishes."
Rieekan swallowed at the mere thought of unlimited power in the hands of Palpatine and Vader who would most likely be his successor and he silently left the room leaving the leader of the Alliance alone with her worries.
Sean walked behind Garret into Lord Vader's quarters aboard the Executor. Ravenell had been showing him all morning everything he would have to do as an adjunct, and Trussell's head was still spinning. The idea of calling up an admiral and ordering him to prepare his ship for his lord to board was a little much. Sure, Trussell would never have any power of his own, but he had watched Garret make captains and admirals tremble and scurry to follow his 'suggestions' in the last week. An adjunct cleared the way for the Sith Lord to work without having to worry if the ship was prepared for his arrival or if he brought a spare change of clothes.
Skywalker's wardrobe was another thing. It was stunning- most everything he owned would only be worn a few times, and all of it was made from expensive materials and encrusted with jewels. He had shook his head when he had loaded a few outfits the first time. 'He dresses like a Prince,' he had told his cousin. But the reply stunned him the most. 'He is one. Lord Vader is the most likely man to gain the throne next, Cousin. And Luke will inherit. Don't look so shocked, personally, I think that's what they speak to his Majesty about in secret all the time. Sith do like their secrets.'
'Yes,' Sean reflected, 'they do like their secrets.' They stepped into the empty entry room, looking around. A door was open, leading to the sparing room. A strange humming sound was coming from within, and both the men walked over to the doorway, looking inside.
Luke was wearing a bodyglove, and Lord Vader was dressed in his usual gear. They held their swords before them, pale pink blades extended. Suddenly, Luke attacked, swinging his blade in a flurry of strokes, beating at Vader's blocking parry. Vader began to return the barrage, and the two were soon thrusting and twisting their pale blades between them, circling with powerful grace as they lunged and blocked.
They broke apart, and by some unspoken signal, lowered their blades. Both Sith fiddled with something on their blade's handle, causing the blade itself to turn from pink to blood-red. 'Powered down for safety,' Sean thought.
"Major," Lord Vader hissed, "report."
"Yes, my Lord," Garret gave the report while Sean gave Lord Skywalker a quick glance out of the corner of his eye. The young lord was covered in sweat, but breathing easily.
"Luke, do you have anything to add?" Lord Vader asked.
"No. Just that I'll be returning to Coruscant on the Judgment, after this mission here on Cozzellia is over. And Garret has told me that Lieutenant Trussell is ready to assume his post, at least for the trip back. Then he'll be shipped back to the Executor for more training."
Lord Vader grunted. Luke laughed, and Sean's suspicions that the two could talk silently were confirmed when Luke added, "I doubt that. But it was nice to have you drop by, even if they all think your just keeping me in line."
They were dismissed, and Garret and Sean filed out, Sean thinking about how incredibly complicated his life had become in a few short weeks. The secrets he had to keep, and the roles he had to play now were enough excitement for anyone.
Trussell sat in the officer's lounge of the Judgment, looking out the viewport. He sipped his drink, watching the stars. Garret and he parted ways this afternoon, and he had suddenly realized when he had gone off duty how lonely this post was. He didn't know anyone on this ship, and even if he did make friends, he was leaving in a week. Most likely never to return.
"Sean! I had no idea you had been posted here!" Trussell turned around, seeing his class-mate Steffen.
"I haven't. And you're looking better." They hadn't been very good friends, but he could tease the other man.
Steffen grimaced, still remembering his post-graduation hangover. He had managed to wake up before the night was over, and had started partying again. He didn't really remember the graduation ceremony. "It wouldn't take much, that was quite the night." He sat down at Sean's table, motioning the waiter droid to bring him something. "But, I'm still surprised to see you here, I-" Steffen caught sight of Sean's station pin, stopping cold. "Oh. How did that ever happen?"
Sean shrugged. "My cousin recommended me."
"The one that came to graduation?" Steffen was clearly confused. "I thought he was just some major, how did he ever do that?"
"He's Lord Vader's adjunct. Has been for years."
"Ah, keeping it in the family. Your father's probably happier now." It had never been a secret that Trussell's father wanted more out of his son than an ordinary Naval officer. Steffen took his drink from the waiter droid. "So, do you owe the Dark Lord your firstborn? Or your soul?" Stephen meant it in jest, but Sean cocked his head thoughtfully.
"Lord Skywalker can have one of my sons if he wishes. After all, he is getting married, and his son will need someone to look after his needs when he starts commanding ships. But I think Garret gets first option."
Steffen choked on his drink. "You're serious?!?" He shook his head, "better you than me. So, you have anything interesting to tell?"
Trussell sent the other man a glare, then relented. "Actually, the only thing I could tell someone with your security clearance is that I saw the two sparing on the Executor. Quite the sight. They powered down their lightsabers and had a 'friendly little match.' I've never seen anything move as fast as those two."
"Oh really? They went at each other with their swords?" Steffen asked, leaning forward.
"It was only a sparing match, for practice. They can't very well spar against a regular human, the match wouldn't last two seconds." Sean smiled back, wondering how to drop the subtle hint that all was not narna honey between the two Sith without making it obvious that he was spilling the hargo-beans on purpose. Lord Skywalker had been quite precise in what he wanted done.
Trussell laughed to himself as he went into further detail of the match, carefully letting Steffen (and the two officers obviously eavesdropping at the next table) know that the two Sith had quite thoroughly gotten into the match. They had thrown themselves into the fight, enjoying the feeling of swinging at each other with their blades. Lieutenant Trussell grinned to himself when he could tell that Steffen had gotten the idea that there was more to the sparring than a 'friendly little match.'
Life was much more complicated indeed.
"By the Force," snarled Lord Vader as he looked over the report in his quarters aboard the Executor, "it's a good thing my son is getting married soon." He didn't add that his father the Emperor had announced that it needed to be done, and quickly, a month ago. The Emperor had said that the political situation would deteriorate rapidly soon, and that if they wanted to prevent the courtiers from declaring outright war they would have to reveal Luke's relationship to Vader. And that was to be done at the wedding.
"My Lord?" Major Ravenell asked.
"My spies," Lord Vader explained, "are reporting that the courtiers and even some of the Naval officers are starting to take sides between Luke and I. Without bothering to consult either one of us. And they'll bring every last grudge they have against anyone else on the other side with them, just you wait. They'll take sides and forget what they are fighting about. If Luke wasn't getting married in four months, there would be real trouble within a year."
Garret shook his head. "Lord Luke does seem to enjoy shaking them up. I was surprised when that minor courtier sent an assassin after my cousin."
Vader sighed. "It's only because they can't get to anyone closer, and Luke insulted one of the man's more powerful allies. He thought he could score points by succeeding. It didn't work. Buchanan is furious at him right now- that man knows he's on thin ice with my son and doesn't want to risk offending Luke at all." Ravenell could feel the Dark Lord's smirk. "So he puts up with anything Luke dishes out, trying to get Luke to forget everything he said before he knew my son's strength." Vader sighed. "I should tell Luke to stop playing with the man before the wedding, however. Don't want Buchanan to think that he'll never manage to get in Luke's good graces. He might do something rash then."
"Of course, my Lord."
"Yes. Well, back to more immediate business."
"Fendral would do that," Maro Trussell stated as he laughed. "The man is such a fool at times."
"At times?" Hasni questioned as he looked at his friend.
"Well," Maro agreed before he looked up as his wife entered the room. "Yes, Ulisa?"
"You've got a call," Ulisa stated as she walked over to her husband. "It's Sean."
"Sean?" Maro repeated as his face clouded with anger. "What does he want now? Doesn't he like his worthless post anymore?"
"I don't know," Ulisa replied patiently. "He simply asked for you."
Maro grunted and got to his feet before he looked over at his friend. "I'll be right back," he assured the other man. "Sean's calls never take very long."
"Take as long as you want," Hasni responded, knowing how quickly the father and son relationship had deteriorated between Maro and Sean. "I don't have anywhere to go."
Maro glanced at his friend as he left the room and headed to his study to take the call. Whenever Sean called he always took the call in his study as he knew it upset his wife when he yelled at their eldest. But what was he supposed to do when his son threw away his entire life? Not to mention embarrassing him by becoming some common soldier instead of something useful like an engineer. Entering his study, he closed the door behind him before turning on his com.
"Father," Sean said the moment a holo of his father appeared in the air before him.
"Sean," Maro replied curtly.
"There's something that I need to tell you, Father," Sean began, seeing that his father wasn't going to say anything else. "Something important."
"What?" Maro inquired. "Learned I was right? Well its too late for that now. You're stuck in the Imperial Navy for the next four years of your life."
"No, I'm fine actually," Sean stated, wondering why his father hadn't noticed the new uniform he was wearing. True, he was covering his pin, but he had expected the older man to notice the new uniform he wore. "I got promoted."
"To what?" Maro demanded, unimpressed. "Something equally worthless as what you were the last time you called? This is a waste of my time."
"Father, wait!" Sean exclaimed as he saw Maro reach to cut the com connection. "This has to do with Garret."
"Garret?" Maro repeated as he turned his attention back to his son. "What has he got to do with all of this?"
"He's the one who got me promoted," Sean explained, remembering why he had put off this call for so long despite the fact that it was good news. His last call home had been a total disaster and he had wanted some time to pass before he contacted them again, so that things could cool down. Even if it meant delaying the news of his promotion. Obviously he hadn't waited long enough.
"Isn't it illegal to us family connections to move up in the Navy?"
"It's illegal in all parts of the Imperial Armed Forces," Sean stated, reciting what he had learned at the Academy. "But he didn't promote me, he suggested me."
"For what?" Maro questioned as he finally saw that his son was now wearing a green uniform instead of the black one he normally wore.
"He suggested me when Lord Skywalker was looking for his own adjunct," Sean said proudly. "And I passed both his and Lord Vader's scrutiny. I'm Skywalker's adjunct, Father, just like Garret is Vader's adjunct!"
"What?!" Maro exclaimed in shock as his son's words sunk in. "How?"
"Well, Lord Skywalker needed his own adjunct as he's doing the same work Vader is and doesn't have time to monitor every single detail," Sean explained. "And Garret couldn't handle doing the work for both Vader and Skywalker, so he recommended me when they began looking for someone to take over the tasks Skywalker would need done."
"And you got it?" Maro asked as he tried to process what his son was saying. One minute he was some nobody doing stupid tasks that no one would ever notice and the next he was working for one of the most powerful men in the Empire. "Just like that?"
"Yes," Sean responded knowing that he couldn't talk about any of the details.
"So," Maro finally continued as he realized that this time round his son had won the argument. But how was he supposed to know that this would happen? More often then not it didn't; indeed, this was the exception. "How is the new job?"
"Fine so far," Sean stated. "Like with Garret I can't tell you any details of what I actually do, but things are running smoothly. Garret's been training me for a while already so that I'm prepared for what the job requires."
"Oh, okay," Maro replied.
Luke smiled as he relaxed in his quarters on board the Judgment. The Alliance hadn't made any significant moves in ages, the courtiers were doing exactly what he wanted them to, he had his own adjunct, and he was getting married in a few months. All in all things were going very well. And to say that things could have turned out drastically different if he had never been shot on board the Death Star. Ironic how that action had so changed his life for the better.
Luke let his thoughts wander, wondering just what would have happened if he had not been shot. Would he have made it to the Millennium Falcon and gotten away from his father never to know of their relationship to one another? And if so, then what would have happened? He knew that he would have ended up with the Rebellion, but where would he have gone from there? Although Kenobi was dead, his father had mentioned that Jedi Master Yoda had been alive for a short while after the Death Star incident. Would that Jedi have come after him? Or would the Rebels have put him in one of the X-wings against the Death Star? If so then he could just have been killed in the Battle of Yavin.
Luke shook off the thoughts as he rose to his feet. Although those reflective moments made him more grateful for the way the Force had caused things to happen, they were a waste of time. Especially with his wedding approaching in only a few months. Reaching his com he quickly established a connection to the Winiterure household.
"Lord Skywalker," Randolf said as he bowed slightly upon seeing just who was contacting him. "How are things?"
"Everything is running smoothly," Luke informed the older man. "Is Anjaleen at home? I was hoping to speak with her."
"Yes, she's hardly been out since she started working on the preparations," Randolf replied as he smiled.
It hadn't taken him long to realize that there was more between his daughter and future son-in-law than simply the position and status a good marriage brought at court. There was love. The revelation had shocked him at first due to its rarity in the life he lived and the fact that he had never experienced it himself, but it explained a lot. And since it meant that Anjaleen's future was so much more secure because of it, he wasn't going to interfere. Just as long as it didn't spread all over court and made his daughter the perfect assassin target. Not that she hadn't already been targeted, but Skywalker seemed to have handled that situation.
"Just a moment," Randolf continued before he left his study.
Luke absently nodded his head as he let his thoughts wander to Sean while he waited. The man, although overwhelmed with all that he was learning in so short a time span, was handling things as well as could be expected. Indeed, he had even exceeded some of his expectations. Once they got to know each other a little better and Sean learned just which of his orders could be changed if the situation altered between his receiving them and their execution and which were carved into stone, things would run very smoothly indeed. It was a good thing that Garret was around to teach him the rules, though, or else things would be proceeding a lot less smoothly.
"Luke," Anja said as entered the study and saw his holo.
"Darling," Luke replied and smiled at the slight blush that particular form of address still managed to bring to her cheeks. "Hard at work I hear."
"Yes, I want everything to be as perfect as it can possibly be," Anja stated as her eyes twinkled with anticipation.
"Me too," Luke declared. "I shall be returning shortly so then we can go over everything. And then, as soon as Father returns, we can call in the tailor and see to getting our outfits for the big day."
"I can hardly wait," Anjaleen responded. "Father has been ordering the servants to polish all the jewels in the vault so that they'll be ready when the tailor needs them."
"Good," Luke stated. "We'll probably be using a good portion of the jewels from both of the family vaults. I've been told that we can chose the colors of our outfits, Grandfather simply wants to make sure that the entire custom is fit for a future Emperor and Empress. Not to mention that it will set the standard for all the Imperial Rulers to come."
"That's what always worries me," Anja confessed as she frowned. "Just how closely everyone will be watching every last detail. I'm afraid I'll mess up somewhere along the line."
"Don't worry," Luke reassured her. "You'll do fine."
Buchanan smiled as he read the report he had just gotten from one of the spies of one of his allies. So, tensions were really beginning to flare between the two Dark Lords. He only hoped that the two started liking the feeling of swinging their blades at each other so much that they wouldn't power down their weapons when they did so. However, before that happened, he needed to make sure that Skywalker was with him. And he needed to know just how much the younger man knew about what that idiot Troso had done with the assassin. At least the assassin had failed in his job, otherwise all would likely be lost with the way the new lord had not yet dropped the other issues between them.
Buchanan sighed as he got to his feet and walked out onto the patio. At least Ra'chealla seemed to have dropped her former Skywalker obsession. Although he had caught her glancing longingly at him on several occasions, she had not made another move towards him since shortly after Winiterure's engagement to the young Sith had been publicly announced. Indeed, she only talked with him when he approached her or when he was with a group of people. Just what had caused her to back off was beyond him as all his warnings and words seemed to have had little effect.
The other thing that bothered him as far as Ra'chealla was concerned was the way she still sometimes spent evenings in her room by herself. There were still nights when she cried for no apparent reason. He had tried to get her to talk, but she steadfastly refused and he had eventually dropped the matter, not wanting to spark another flare of rebelliousness which was exactly what had gotten him in his current predicament. Buchanan had not let her go unpunished either, though. He had gotten a lot stricter with her, getting her on a shorter leash so that he could better control her actions and remind her that she had to obey him. But, at the moment, he didn't have the time he needed to properly address the matter. He was still too busy trying to undo the damage that she had indirectly caused.
As Buchanan leaned on the stone railing of the patio, he once more focused his concentration on Skywalker. Although the man seemed willing enough at times to go along with his plans and ideas, there had always been a subtly remark here or there to prove that he had not been forgiven yet. That matter needed to be taken care of soon or he would loose the perfect opportunity that was presented to him now. It wouldn't be long before the situation exploded with or without him and he was determined to make it the first. He would invite Skywalker to dinner once more upon his return and see if he could do anything, anything at all, to clear the waters between them before Vladimir got the young Sith at his side and he was left out in the cold.
Maro sat down on the couch, twirling his glass between his fingers. "I don't believe it." He still looked faintly stunned.
His longtime friend coughed politely. "Well, how bad is it?"
Maro shook his head. "Not bad at all, actually." He turned to look back over the couch. "Ulisa!"
"Yes, my husband?"
"Remind me to send a crate of our finest vintage from the valley to your brother! It seems he raised his son right. Boy remembered family when it counted." Maro nodded to himself.
His wife came into the room, clearly confused. "Maro? What happened?"
Maro smiled, clearly proud of whatever he had just learned. "My nephew Garret recommended Sean when Lord Vader and Lord Skywalker were discussing getting Lord Skywalker his own adjunct. Apparently, my son passed their scrutiny, and he's no longer a common soldier."
"Oh my." Ulisa whispered.
"Congratulations, Maro." Hasni smiled humorously, "with two in the family, you'll be building a name for yourself."
Maro frowned. "Possibly. Ulisa, call our security consultants- Sean hinted at something, and I don't want to take any chances."
"Sean, when will the shuttle be ready for us to go back down to Coruscant?" Lord Skywalker was bent over his desk, writing out a report.
"In a half hour, my Lord. We'll be departing shortly after entering realspace." Trussell replied, hoping that it was good enough. The Sith wanted to get back to the planet as soon as possible. Sean smiled, realizing it probably had more to do with a certain brown haired, green eyed woman than all the politics Skywalker liked to play.
"Good. Two things, Sean."
"Yes, my Lord?"
"You did well with dropping rumors this trip, I'll probably be giving you more such assignments soon."
"Thank you."
"And secondly- I need you to make some very quiet inquires. I need you to find a nice, quiet little planet that has a luxurious cottage in the woods somewhere with discreet staff that will keep secrets and not call the holo-press once they find out who's visiting."
"Yes, my Lord." Sean gulped, he couldn't possibly mean he wanted him to plan his honeymoon...
"Perhaps next to a sandy deserted beach. Someplace romantic." Luke waved a dismissive hand. "Get Garret to help, you'll be going straight over to the Executor next anyway. I just want someplace that isn't so... metropolitan as Coruscant. Anja's lived her whole life in the city, I want something different. After all, we only get one honeymoon."
"Yes my Lord." Sean said, trying very hard not to sound overwhelmed. Garret probably knew exactly what to do.
"And I don't want the press following us, or even knowing where we are going." Luke added. "I can't stress that enough."
"Of course not."
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