Chapter 8
On Route to Coruscant
Palpatine relaxed aboard the inter-system freighter as it sped to Coruscant. Senator Freey was sleeping an adjoining bunk as comfortable with the minimal luxuries this freighter offered as he was with the opulence of the large passenger ship that originally brought them to Naboo. Palpatine on the other hand resented the way they had been hustled off planet once the queen's audience had ended. 'Leaving like thieves in the night.' was the phrase that sprang to mind when he thought about it. He along with Senator Freey exposed an embezzlement scheme that had been a significant drain on Naboo's royal accounts. This was their reward for a job well done. Shipped off planet as quickly a possible. There were several items he had to leave in his hidden training room that their replacement, while not costly would be tedious.
Palpatine had to admit the job they were headed for, Actually Senator Freey was headed for, Palpatine was to be his aide full time now, held great promise. The anger he felt at Naboo's slight would only serve to increase his Sith powers he reminded himself. Powers he had enjoyed wielding without supervision while on Naboo. Now he was headed back to Coruscant and Darth Mard. He was not the subservient apprentice who had left. During his time on Naboo Palpatine felt the call to build his own light saber, The ones he and Darth Mard's previous apprentice used in their battle had been provided by Darth Mard. But Palpatine ignored the call as the Sith Philosopher Ka al Ja had recommended in order that he not feel the light saber was essential to his force powers. How that would be viewed by Darth Mard he did not know. He would wait on the force for an answer.
Chapter 9
Coruscant
Their small freighter landed midmorning senate time at one of the many cargo terminals on Coruscant. While Palpatine coordinated the droids gathering their bags that were stashed in various locations aboard the freighter, Senator Freey went to the near by public call box. Upon his return Palpatine sensed a fury contained with in Freey that was well hidden.
"I was only able to reach the Chancellor's aide. It seems he is preparing for his role in the festival marking the founding of the Republic, which starts tomorrow and continues for the next three days. After that he is spending three days with his family. As for us we are on our own for those six days. The aide was kind enough to release a suite at the Delegate's hotel for our use. He did admit he was perplexed as we have been regarding the urgency Naboo placed on our arrival here."
"I might have other accommodations available Senator. If it's all right with you I will help you settle in to the suite and then check on my other options." Palpatine replied.
"What… Oh yes your tavern friend." Freey said knowingly, "No need for you to wait and help this old man. I am sure I can manage quite well with this pit droid doing all the heavy work."
"Senator it is still a little early for me to drop in. I'll help you settle in and leave my bags with you just in case my situation has changed."
"Very well let's go." Senator Freey said heading off in the direction of the public cars muttering "I hope this festival is better than it has been in the past, all that hassle to get here wasted…"
Palpatine approached the tavern after stopping and making a coded call to Darth Mard. The outside hadn't changed at all still a layer of grime clung to the lower panels of the building. The door dark and uninviting Palpatine wondered for a second just why he had entered here those years ago. Opening the door he stepped in and headed to 'his' booth. Ignoring the reserved sign on it he sat down only to be quickly approached by one of the dancers from the floor.
"I'm sorry this table is reserved for someone," she said.
"I prefer this table." Palpatine said darkly. Watching Sellan approach from her office he realized she hand grown more beautiful.
"Is there a problem?" Sellan asked when she reached the dancer.
"This man just came in and sat down at the reserved table. He doesn't want to move." The dancer said to Sellan.
"Hi Sellan, Am I still welcome here?" Palpatine asked as Sellan finally looked at him.
"Oh my, Palpie!" Sellan said visibley shaken. "It's ok, this is who the table is reserved for." she continued joining him in the booth.
Palpatine opened his arms and Sellan snuggled up beside him. When they broke the kiss minutes latter Sellan asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Coruscant?"
"It's a long story, The short version is I didn't know until hours before I left Naboo I was leaving. And it wasn't until a few hours ago I knew I had time to spend here. I am now Senator Freey's aide and he is working for the Chancellor."
"So how long are you here for?"
"I don't know I've got six days off starting tomorrow but some of those will be spent in class." Palpatine said. In class was his code phrase that Sellan knew he would be elsewhere and unreachable.
"What are your plans for the non-class time?"
"Nothing really." Palpatine countered a twinkle in his eyes.
"Good I've got plans for all your free time." She replied with an equal twinkle in her eyes, adding, "I hope you're in good health."
"I am but right now hunger is my main problem."
"Food first then." Sellan said motioning one of the dancers over. They had been keeping one eye on the booth as they went through their routines. Whispering among themselves as all co-workers do when something out of the ordinary happens all wondering whom this Palpie was.
As soon as the girl arrived Sellan said, "Get a plate of what ever the cook has ready and bring a bottle of Alderianian spring water. Put it all on my account. Now get going."
Palpatine was being fed the last of his dinner by Sellan when a new girl approached and cleared her throat. Sellan turned her attention away from Palpatine asking, "Yes, Mara what is it?"
"A strange message came in text only."
"Go on."
"All it said was tomorrow 22:00, location 'L' travel." Mara said a puzzled look on her face.
"Thank you Mara." Palpatine replied taking note of the dark haired beauty.
"Palpatine this is Mara, she is my assistant. When you left I found I needed help with all the paperwork and other things involved in running this place. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. All three of us should get together and have a talk, say start of work tomorrow. But right now there is something else that was planned for tonight." Palpatine said.
"Yes there was," Sellan replied then added to Mara "We will be in my private quarters. Do not bother us unless there is a real big fire."
Late the next morning Palpatine rose first and made breakfast for both of them. As he worked in the tavern's kitchen he recalled the flight to Naboo and turned his mind to viewing the Strands of Power. Before he could notice anything Sellan interrupted.
"I thought I heard stirring out here." Sellan said as she stood in the office doorway. Her smile lighting up the area as well as Palpatine's mood.
"Breakfast for two. Hot off the grill." He said turning two plates in hand. "Now where do we eat?"
"Normally I eat at my desk but I think a table is in order this time." Sellan replied leading the way into the tavern proper.
Palpatine talked about Naboo and other events over breakfast and Sellan listened. Then Sellan talked about life on Coruscant during his absence and Palpatine listened. They were catching each other up on the events in their respective lives as all long time lovers do after the fires of passion ignited by a long awaited reunion have had their initial flare up. Eventually Sellan said, "I suppose you will be going to class tonight?"
"Yes and it should last for a few days."
"That's too bad."
"Then there should be a break while Senator Freey gets briefed on the problem we are assigned. But all that is in the future right now why don't we…"
Sellan decided to tease Palpatine a little by stalling. "Well for one thing Mara should be here shortly to start working for the day."
"Speaking of Mara how well do you know her?"
"Pretty good. She has been here about eighteen months. During that time there has been no problems." Sellan countered.
Palpatine sensed there was something Sellan was holding back, but he was very reluctant to use Dark Force to open her mind to his. He realized the Sith teachings on patience could be applied in the situation. Besides there were other thing that call for his attention as Sellan stood at door to her office and quarters beyond.
A knock at the door to the private quarters caused Palpatine to stop and Sellan to call out "What?"
"Sellan, can we talk?" A voice called through the door.
Quietly for Palpatine's ears only Sellan said "I've got to go now." Then in a loud voice "Mara, I'll be out shortly."
While she was dressing Palpatine shifted to viewing the Strands of Power and was not surprised to find a strong, bright yellow, family line running from Sellan out the door. "Listen while you are taking care of business I'm going to relax in here. If you don't mind."
"You don't want to interview her and the other people I hired?" Sellan asked surprised.
"No I've decided you have been running this place quite well while I was gone. Our old arrangement was based on my being around. I expect to be here for short visits only for the foreseeable future. Therefore it's better this way. I hope this is ok with you."
"Yes." She said as she finished dressing then added, "I'll be back when I can get free." a quick kiss of him later she was out the door turning off the light as she left.
Palpatine was alone with nothing important to do for the first time since leaving Naboo. Leaving the lights off he moved from the bed to the floor sitting comfortable on the carpeted floor. First he cleared his mind then centered his thoughts on the Dark Force. And tried to let his simmering anger wash him in into a Dark Force trance.
Fifteen minutes latter he was frustrated. Never before had it taken over three to four minutes for him to enter a trance. Even when Darth Mard was instructing him it had only taken six minutes. Palpatine looked inward examining his soul and found something he had never detected before. A portion of the sphere that represented his soul glowed with a pure golden color a twisted strand of two golden threads ran from that place on his soul out of his body. Before all he had observed was the glowing black of the Sith on a portion, the rest was other colors representing his various relationships all those had a sooty appearance. He knew what the gold represented from having observed the threads before between a few married couples. He also recognized it and the Sith portions were in direct conflict and could not co-exist. It was all most like a voice was telling him 'This is your chance to leave the Sith, to exit the Dark Force.' The offer was tempting but as Palpatine considered what would happen fear gripped him. He had risen to Senator Freey's aide using his Dark Power. If he lost the Dark Force he feared his job as aide would be lost, he would be reduced to a nobody again something he was scared of his entire life. That black fear overwhelmed the golden glow and converted it to a non-glowing yellow color. The strands running from his soul out of the room changed also for part of the way. As they approached the wall and Sellan beyond the glowing golden color started to return. 'Ah, She still loves me unequivocally. Good she will be easier to manipulate.' during the time that thought crossed his mind the yellow color in his soul became a little darker and Palpatine slipped into his trance.
In the trance the first thing Palpatine recognized was the figure of the Unknown Darth from Naboo. Hazd the force answered his question Darth Hazd. The two of them were alone in one to the reflectionless all black rooms that were ubiquitous in the Sith realm. As the trance deepened Darth Hazd ignited his light saber advancing towards Palpatine. Suddenly the walls of the room became transparent to Palpatine and he could see the various conduits for power, gasses, all the items needed to keep a space station running. He could also see the room high on one end where the other Darth's were watching the proceedings. Just he realized what he was being shown the trance ended.
Palpatine opened his eyes and surveyed the room. The alarm clock on Sellan's nightstand revealed he had been in the trance only fifteen minutes at the most. Hs small pile of clothes reminded him he had clothes and a cube to collect at Senator Freey's before class. Dressing quickly he left with a "I'll be right back," and went to collect his things. Latter as dinner with Sellan and Mara was coming to a close he remarked how unconcerned Freey was, he was enjoying the Holiday to it's fullest. "He has not been in an non-responsible position in a long time." Sellan replied, "There was always something he had to worry about. Now he doesn't. Of course he's relaxing."
"Your right." Palpatine said before excusing himself to get ready for class. Back in Sellan's bedroom Palpatine added a black cape, something he picked up tonight on the way back from Freey's, to his normal outfit of dark trousers and shirt. While not the light absorbing cloak of the Darth's it served to increase his anonymity. Thus dressed Palpatine made his way from the bedroom through her office and the kitchen exiting the Tavern from the storeroom's back door. Tuning in the force he traveled the supply and refuse passages honeycombing Coruscant to location "L". Palpatine knew the route by heart having traveled it many times as before.
Approaching Location "L" Palpatine sensed Darth Mard was alone. He tripped the concealed latching mechanism on the door and swung it open with the force. Darth Mard was in the same position as always. Standing in the middle of the room the only light in the room streaming down from the ceiling just to his side. Palpatine strolled across the floor stopping facing Darth Mard. Kneeling down he bowed his head slightly saying "Master."
"Sidious you have adopted a cape is it your wish to be a Darth?" Mard asked.
"No Master." Palpatine said, "I merely felt the need for additional concealment. I did not mean any offense."
"None taken. Sidious have you felt the call to build a light saber?"
"Yes Master, But I ignored it."
"Your reasoning?" Darth Mard asked a dark edge to his voice.
"During my studies using the Cube I learned of Ka al Ja and his philosophy that the light saber tends to stunt greater growth. I found his ideas intriguing and decided to follow his teachings."
"You did this without consulting me?"
Palpatine could feel the danger in Mard's voice but the path had been chosen long before. Feeling the calm coming from the force he replied in a voice devoid of emotion, "But Master, You were here on Coruscant. I was alone on Naboo. Several days of mediation lead me to this decision."
"Then live or die with the consequences. It is time for us to leave. You are ready?"
"Yes Master. I am not expected anywhere for several days."
Darth Mard lead the way from location "L" back through the maze of passages emerging at the same industrial landing pad and on to the same ship that had taken Palpatine on his first trip to the Sith Training Station.
