Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Coruscant

The next night Palpatine entered the Tavern, proceeded to Rouar's back corner booth and sat down as Sellan walked over from her position on the stage.

"I haven't seen Don Rouar all day I don't know when he will be in."

"He won't be. He lost this." Palpatine said sweeping his hand to indicate the tavern "To me in a game."

"Oh?" Sellan replied looking Palpatine over as she stood before him.

Palpatine returned her gaze without expression cataloging her as he did. Sellen stood roughly one and three quarters of a meter high with long flowing red hair and a dancers lilt body. Her costume while not skin tight moved with her as she walked. He placed her age young but of legal age. Her reply and actions caused Palpatine to reach out with the force and probe her mind gently. What he found would have brought a smile to an untrained face. Instead he asked, "You wish to say something?"

"I don't mean to but in to your business but I was wondering if you planned to hire a manager. I know Rouar ran the place alone but…" Sellan replied her voice trailing off under his steady gaze.

"You want the job?"

"Yes, If we can work out the pay and hours."

Palpatine knew she would get the job but he was undecided how to set up the finical arrangements. "Sit down and talk." as they did his questions brought two answers, the first he caught on the 'surface' of her mind. The second was her verbal reply. In an hour Palpatine had a good understanding of how Rouar ran the tavern and what she wanted. He made an offer to Sellan allowing her a good increase in income and allowing him an additional income.

"That is good but who covers the payments to keep us in business?"

"The small bribes are yours if they are substantial we will talk. I'm sure after a while we will get a handle on this."

"You're on when do I start."

"Now. If you need a dancer to replace you pick several then get with me and we will make the final pick together."

"You want the final decision on all hiring?"

"Yes."

"Any other items?"

"None that come to mind."

"Ok, I'll go settle in."

"Send someone over with supper for me." Palpatine said as she turned and walked away. The thought springing into his mind unbid that, 'of the few girlfriends in high school and college none looked this fine walking away'.

Life settled in to a routine. During the day he processed requests for information and travel permits surface scanning the people to detect any duplicity. Evenings he would eat his meals at the tavern where he was joined more and more often by Sellen. Several nights a week he would train with Darth Mard. The other free nights he would either mediate or study his Sith Cube. The Cube was an interesting artifact of the force. Under normal inspection it was an intricately carved and decorated solid crystal cube but an adept using dark force could probe it and it would reveal Sith teachings. One cube contains many layers as an adept's abilities increased he could probe deeper into the cube. The cube Palpatine possessed was not an old one. Those were dispersed at various Sith sanctuaries throughout the galaxy. Study of those was restricted to the Darth's alone.