Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The Trip Home

Palpatine rode the shuttle up with Senator Freey acting as his aide. They were headed for one of the Orbiting ship docks. Unlike the smaller freighters and passenger ships the large ones never touched planet. They flew set routes from orbiting platform to orbiting platform. The Senator was occupied with the latest reports and messages from Naboo. So Palpatine sat back into his seat and focused his mind on the passenger's strands of power. 'I've never check for any between Sellan and myself.' he thought upon seeing the several short golden strands linking couples obviously deeply in love. A thin blue strand linked him to Senator Freey much to his amusement. Then he spotted two men with a thick glowing white strand between them with another strand running from the older one off the shuttle in the direction of the Senate building… No, the Jedi Council Building!

'JEDI!' Palpatine thought and immediately turned his mind away from viewing the 'Strands of Power' he then proceeded to do his mental checks that insured he was not accessing the Dark force at all. Checks than had been learned with Darth Mard and another Darth sitting facing him inflicting painful reminders if he accessed the Dark force in any way. As he ran through the checks and exercises he tried to listen to the Jedi's conversation.

"Did you feel that?"

"No master."

"There was a very slight flickering in the force that I am not familiar with. It's gone now."

"How did you notice it master?"

"I was in a light trance meditating on the relationship between you and I, as well as between the Jedi Council and us. Awaiting an insight that would provide me with a better answer to some of your questions. Then it felt like a gentle breeze swept over us and was gone as quickly."

"How long was it noticeable master?"

"Only momentarily. It was gone as soon as I realized it was there."

"Touch my arm should you feel it again master."

"That I will do my young apprentice."

'But I was viewing the Strands of Power for minutes.' Palpatine thought confused by what he'd overheard.

Thankfully the trip to ship orbital dock was short. As the Senator's aide he accompanied the Senator as they were escorted off the shuttle first, followed by the Jedi. The rest of the passengers followed on their own.

Palpatine was surprised at the treatment Senator Freey received. On Coruscant he was one of many senators. Even within the embassy he was deferred to only slightly. Traveling was a totally different matter. They were getting treated with a formal courtesy that Palpatine knew he would grow to desire if exposed to for too long.

An escort quietly ushered them to a small cart where the senator and he took seats. An attendant all ready standing behind them at the controls guided the cart into a concealed side passage and down empty corridors finally emerging at the executive entrance to the large intersystem Ship.

"Thank you. You made the switch very pleasant for us." The Senator said as he exited the cart. Palpatine quietly followed taking note of how the attendant smiled and seemed to swell as he heard Freey's thanks.

Once onboard they settled in to a surprising large well appointed two-bedroom suite. The Senator noticed Palpatine studying him. "You have a question?"

Not willing to risk using the force Palpatine had been quietly observing and now realized he had allowed his mask to slip slightly. "Yes Senator, I noticed the people that helped us transfer were doing their jobs. But you thanked them all and were exceptionally courteous to them."

"I was and I'll tell you because this also applies to you. You remember at the embassy I was insistent that all visitors be treated well."

"Yes."

"The same reasoning applies here. Most of the people we meet will never visit Naboo but when they think of Naboo they will think of us. If we wish to have Naboo thought of as full of kind and peaceful people. It is incumbent upon us to be kind and peaceful in all our dealing."

Just then the door chimed and Palpatine in his position as Aide moved over and waited for the Senator's nod of approval before opening it. In stepped a man in a white uniform with lots of silvery braid.

"Hello, I am Davo. I am the chief steward of this ship. I wish you welcome and inform you that two Jedi have asked to be seated at your table tonight. Would that be acceptable to you?"

"Thank you for the kind welcome Davo. Of course the Jedi may join us for dinner." Senator Freey said.

"It will be done then. May I remind the Senator that should he need anything at all he has merely to notify a steward either directly or by using a terminal and we will do our best to fill that need."

"That is most kind but I think we are set."

"Until dinner then." Davo said as he backed out the door.

"I was expecting this to happen when I saw the Jedi on the Naboo platform." Senator Freey sputtered.

Palpatine taken back by the uncharacteristic outburst only looked at Freey.

Senator Freey upon seeing Palpatine looking at him said. "One of my pet peeves, which I normally conceal well. I must be more tired than I thought. The Jedi know the current Reagent strongly disapproves of the way the Jedi remove very young children from their homes and place each one with an adult who they are force to call 'Master'. They remain a servant of that individual until the Jedi alone decides they are able to be on their own. Those sanctimonious fools in their simple robes, They should know doing that breaks up families and that is just plain wrong. On Naboo children play games when they are young. They don't become servants. That is why the Queen, on her own, and through instructions to her various representatives does all she can to discourage 'Jedi raiding parties.' as she calls them. A view I share."

"So why did you agree to dine with them?"

"We were going to be confronted by them sooner or latter. They will try and get us, You're in on this also, to convey a message to the Queen that they should be allowed more access. By knowing ahead of time where and when we will meet it gives us the upper hand. Our discussion with them must be courteous but nothing we say can give them hope of access to Naboo. Then they will go their way and we can enjoy the rest of the short journey home instead of being on guard."

As dinner time approached Palpatine dressed in his best then awaited Freey in the common room. Freey emerged from his bedroom just at the time they were due to be seated wearing what Palpatine considered full regalia. When Palpatine raised an eyebrow and immediately checked his look in a nearby mirror Freey chuckled saying, "Don't worry, you look fine. I on the other hand am still the Senator until the Queen appoints a new one, Which won't happen until after I have made my report and She throws the party to honor me and announce her new Senator. So I must look the part for a little while longer. Let's proceed to dinner. I don't want to make the Jedi wait excessively."

The dining hall turned out to be an expansive space at least 20 by 40 meters and three stories high located on the top of the ship with transparent panels for a ceiling allowing views of the stars and any planet the ship might be orbiting. The hall was ringed by elevated dining platforms of varying sizes and heights. Davo greeted them as they arrived and escorted them to one of the higher and smaller platforms the table was situated so they could look out over the hall while being seen themselves. The Jedi, all ready seated, rose as Senator Freey approached.

"Please gentlemen such formality is uncalled for, be seated. We are merely travelling companions enjoying a meal together."

Palpatine scanned the Jedi faces looking for any hint he had been unmasked. Seeing none he settled in for an interesting dinner. Between servings and around normal conversation the Jedi tried to persuade Freey to talk to the Reagent on their behalf, Just as he had predicted. After a few attempts to enlist his help to motivate the Senator the Jedi took Palpatine at his word and dismissed him as a minor clerk travelling with his Boss. That freed Palpatine to watch how effective Freey handled the Jedi. Freey inquired as to their destination and generally made polite dinner conversation. Never giving a nod of encouragement he foiled every argument either by turning the conversation in another direction or on a particularly inept comment a blank look with no response at all.

The Jedi, Palpatine noted, still wore their utilitarian cloaks, light brown for the apprentice and dark brown for the Master. Along with a basic tunic and pant outfit in complimentary shades of brown. This was a uniform of sorts for them. The shades might vary slightly but once you met a Jedi knight he never changed his look or it appeared his clothes. The Jedi were known for traveling light but only after leaving Naboo for the first time had he realized this meant the clothes on their back and a light saber. They trusted the force for everything else. Additionally very few of the one's truly gifted with the force married or for that matter accumulated any possessions that one could say were of material worth. That was good in a way for The Jedi Council was always sending them hither and yon to right various wrongs. No, becoming a Jedi was not the road to real wealth and power. Palpatine felt blessed that Naboo kept the Jedi at bay and allowed him to grow normally. Besides this Sith group suited his ambitions far better. All this passed through Palpatine's mind in a moment. The next his eyes were captivated by a stunning beauty with raven hair. She had risen after finishing her meal at a table slightly below theirs and off to one side. The dress she wore hid little and accented much as she passed by their location.

When Freey noticed his preoccupation he took the opportunity to lead the discussion away from Naboo again. "I see my aide has noticed something far more interesting that our conversation."

After a moment the sudden lull in noise at his table caught Palpatine's attention. He looked over at Freey who only smiled and said, "Glad you could join us again."

Quickly looking at the two Jedi Palpatine saw the older one sitting stone-faced and the younger one smiling slightly. He felt his anger rise, catching himself before any outward expression manifested itself He smiled saying, "I'm sorry Senator I will try to pay more attention."

"Don't apologize for noticing a beautiful female. Feel sorry for me for not noticing her first." Freey said to Palpatine before addressing the full table. "Gentlemen, I have enjoyed our meal together. I hope this trip will allow us additional opportunities to continue this, However right now my aide and I must make the rounds. I've noticed several tables I feel obliged to visit. You will forgive us as we take our leave."

"We enjoyed this also Senator." The Senior Jedi said as everyone at the table rose. Palpatine followed the Senator as he headed off their platform and toward a table whose occupants were obviously pleased to see Freey approaching them.

Palpatine walked behind Freey as he worked his way around the room moving from platform to platform greeting various individuals and groups. Palpatine wished he could view the 'lines' linking all these people. It was then he recalled it was only when he viewed the lines of the Jedi that they had noticed his actions. His Sith Cube stated the Jedi unless specially trained, could not access the dark force and only in rare circumstances could they detect it in use. Of course the reverse applied as well. As a consequence the normal users were blind to each other's presence. Palpatine recalled this and other Sith teaching. Then the revelation hit, the Sith had given the upper hand to the Jedi, by being timid about using the dark force the Sith had become scared and emasculated warriors. They would never rise to prominence without fully utilizing their abilities and they never fully utilize them out of fear. Palpatine felt the wrongness of that policy with his whole body. With an almost physical shudder he shook himself free of it. Decision made Palpatine opened his mind and focused on the Strands of Power. Viewing them allowed him to predict which table the senator would visit next. The lines connecting the various people to Freey, and to each other, varied in color and intensity reflecting the wide spectrum of affiliations that linked these people to Freey. Using that knowledge he was able to predict rather it was a family, social, or Business relationship that linked them to the senator and alter his actions to fit.

Back at their Suite the Senator looked at Palpatine saying, "I am surprised at your ability to anticipate my needs. I have had far worse aides during my time."

"Thank you for the complement but I did nothing special."

"That is your view. I'll see you in the morning." Freey said as he moved through the doorway in to his bedroom.

They quickly settled into a routine for the two week trip to Naboo. They would rise and eat breakfast together in the room then proceed to the ship's gym for a workout session followed by a light lunch. During the afternoon the Senator read updates and worked on his final report to the Queen. Palpatine helped as needed and kept busy. Freey stopped a little before supper. After getting dressed they went to the dining hall staying as it rearranged itself into a nightclub. They returned to their Suite long before the evening ended for most other passengers.

The routine changed when they reached Naboo. An atmospheric shuttle awaited the ship, Naboo preferring not to have an orbital transfer station. Palpatine and the Senator along with several others boarded the shuttle leaving the Jedi to complete their journey. Landing on Naboo at the reception building everyone exited through the automated scanners then continued on their way. Freey and Palpatine were greeted by Nwon, Threed's official greeter, "Senator, your living quarters are ready for you."

"Please arrange for quarters near mine for Palpatine. And inform the appropriate people he will continue as my aide until I release him."

"Yes Senator."

"Senator that was unexpected." Palpatine said as they walked to their local transportation.

"We discussed it during the trip, you were willing. I figured delay would only make things harder. Besides this keeps you free to join me in my new position."

"You are correct. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Now here's what we have to get done over the next week."