The Rise of Palpatine Part 5

Chapter 19

Coruscant

Palpatine was smiling as he stood with Senator Freey outside his tavern. They had come back from Mruidia to find Sellan carrying Palpatine's child. While things on Mruidia had not worked out the way he and Senator Freey had anticipated. They along with their pilot, Cayer, were alive, unlike a number of the people they had dealt with on the planet. His grasp of the Dark Force had not slipped with this bout of happiness as it had previously. In fact during his last meditation he had peered inward. The sphere that represented his soul was only slightly less sooty where the two intertwined golden strands representing his attachment to Sellan and their child connected. This time he was keeping an emotional distance from Sellan and with it his strength in the Dark Force.

Over Senator Freey's shoulder he saw Mara, Sellan's sister, was signaling for them to come in. It was time for the ceremony formalizing his relationship with Sellan. The Tavern was closed for business, Sellan and her sister along with all their female friends had taken it over at the close of business the previous day. After a good cleaning several hours had been spent decorating it for the ceremony. Palpatine along with Senator Freey, who was his witness, were constrained by custom to wait outside until summoned. Entering the tavern Palpatine barely recognized it. The normally dimly lit tavern was brightly lit with the dancers area transformed into a setting reminiscent of a meadow. A carpet green as grass covered the dance floor. He'd forgotten the display panels that doubled for walls in the area were capable of such detail. Sellan was standing in the middle of the area wearing a translucent gown of deep white that accentuated her late stage of pregnancy rather than hiding it. Beside her was Mara in an iridescent gown of.... After a few moments he finally decided the color changed every time she moved. He'd heard the intake of breath beside him when Senator Freey saw Mara and the thought passed through his mind they might be repeating this shortly with a different set of main characters. The third member of the group waiting for them Palpatine had met just a few days ago. He was a representative from Furlan, the home planet of Sellan and Mara. He was to perform the ceremony linking Palpatine and Sellan. Arrayed around the three of them were their guests. There were not many in attendance about two dozen in all. Most were co-workers who had grown close like Cayer with a few special friends sprinkled in. Palpatine wore his ceremonial robe as an aide to Senator Freey over a basic black shirt and trouser outfit that to him symbolized his Sith inner self. Freey meanwhile was looking great in his full Senator regalia. When he stepped forward to take his place beside Sellan Palpatine felt a change in the surface beneath his feet.

Sellan caught his quick glance down and said, "It's real grass. I could only find enough for the two of us to stand on."

"I won't ask what it cost just make sure it comes out of the Tavern budget like the rest of the decorations. I don't want you tapping your savings for this."

"Yes my husband."

'Husband... Father...' The thoughts that had been floating around in his mind finally sneaked up front and center shaking his quiet calm. 'Oh $%#$%, What am I doing here.' 'This attachment will help deflect future problems. Do not worry you are and always will be Sith.' Palpatine's two conflicting sides were now coming up with conflicting thoughts. 'Great now I'm arguing with myself.' Palpatine thought. Turing his attention outward he focused on a radiant Sellan as she preformed her portion of the ceremony. When his portion came Palpatine preformed flawlessly and was rewarded with a beacon of a smile from Sellan that would have lit up the entire night side of Coruscant. 'This could develop in to something interesting and pleasant.' He thought looking at her smile. After a few more incantations from the Furlan representative. Palpatine leaned over and kissed Sellan to applause from the assembled guests marking the end of the ceremony. The Party however started at that time and lasted the rest of the day. On more than one occasion he found himself almost stepping outside of his body, looking at everyone enjoying themselves and letting the waves of happiness wash over him. Thoughts of their children running around the two of them crept into his mind in one or two instances. Always bringing a smile to his face when it did. Senator Freey and Mara were spending a lot of time in close contact causing Sellan to remark "Maybe we shouldn't throw out the decorations when this is over. It looks like we might need them again soon."

"Don't worry they deserve new decorations too. But if you want to save some do it." Palpatine replied knowing that what would be saved would only be enough to symbolically link the sister's weddings.

The wedding started to breakup as night fell across their section of Coruscant. The married couples with young children were the first to leave followed by couples who were heading to their own celebrations. Palpatine, Sellan Senator Freey and Mara were the last four standing. As a wedding present Senator Freey had reserved rooms at one of the better hotels on Coruscant for them on their wedding night and the next four nights. Mara and apparently Freey planned on spending the night in Sellan's apartment at the tavern resetting the tavern for business among other things. Freey, Mara, Palpatine and Sellan walked out the door and into the dark alleyway to say their good-byes.

Palpatine moved next to Mara and gave her a hug as Senator Freey did the same to Sellan. Suddenly a blaster shot rang out hitting Senator Freey in the back. Palpatine felt a surge of pain and clamped down on that feeling. He reached out in the Dark Force trying to locate who had fired the shot when a flash of triumph appearing in the force helped Palpatine locate and identify the assailant. Palpatine reached and tried to bring down their assailant using the force but the distance was too great. Leaving Mara to tend to the injured he ran towards the individual using force assistance. It was only a matter of moments before he had the blaster rifle in the air and his hands around the assailant's neck radiating pain. Sidious had come to the fore and he didn't ask questions. Sidious radiated pain from his hands directly into the creature's spinal column and probed the alien mind before him with the dark force. This was Black Sun's payback for their interference on Mruidia was all he learned before losing control slightly and physically snapping the long neck of their assailant. Sidious/Palpatine realized it would be best if this body was never found using the force he raised it up and hid it in a niche high on the tavern's side wall.

Returning to the front of the tavern he saw only one individual standing. "I went inside and summoned help." Mara choked out between sobs.

Palpatine, now the controlling personality, looked over at Senator Freey face down laying on the ground his back blown open by the blaster hit. Exposing a beating heart. 'Freey might make it through this' he thought before looking at Mara asking, "Where's Sellan?"

"Under him." Mara said.

Palpatine looked again this time he saw the line of fabric where the charred blast hole in Freey ended and the one in Sellan began. It wasn't Freey's heart he saw beating it was his wife's. He reached for Freey's mind to confirm what his eyes told him. He then reached and found Sellan's mind. Delving inside he took what pain he could away from her blocking it until her consciousness swam to the surface asking 'What happened?'

'My love you are hurt. Relax help is on the way.'

When the medics arrived they quickly determined Freey was gone. It took a few minutes for them to carefully separate Freey from Sellan. All the while Palpatine was with her easing her pain. The police had arrived together with the medics but Palpatine ignored them until Sellan was on her way to the hospital. Mara had kept them busy providing what information she could, Mentioning Palpatine had run off in the direction the shots came from. When they began questioning him Palpatine told him he saw nothing. Once he was sure the assailant was gone he returned to find his new wife near death and his best friend and boss dead. The name of Senator Freey caused a wondrous change in the attitude of the police. Like police everywhere once they realized they were dealing with someone who could cause them political trouble they were much nicer. Even offering Palpatine and Mara a ride to the hospital.

Once they were inside the hospital and identified as being the relatives of their newest emergency room occupant. Palpatine and Mara found themselves being show to a small room off to one side where, they were told, a doctor would meet with them. Palpatine reached out and found Sellan. Her grasp on life was tedious. His daughter on the other hand had grabbed life with both hands and was hanging on tight. "I think I know what will be asked Mara. Before he does I want to ask you. Do you want to raise Sellan's daughter?"

"She's your daughter too."

"I know that but my life is too chaotic to devote the time necessary to raise a child. If you are willing to take the responsibility I will provide the funds. You may live anywhere you want. All I ask is you raise her as you will yours."

"You are washing your hands of her?" Mara asked incredulous.

"No, she is my daughter after all. I will provide for her and whoever raises her. I just can not raise her myself."

"If the Doctor asks what you expect I agree."

"Thank you."

The Doctor entered shortly and things progressed as Palpatine had foreseen. The birth certificate listed Palpatine and Sellan as the parents. Mara took custody of Harna as Palpatine named his daughter after a moments telepathic consultation with a rapidly failing Sellan. Before Harna was in Mara's hands Sellan was gone unable to be reached by anyone. Palpatine agreed to meet with Mara in a few days at a lawyer of her choice to formalize the arrangements. With that they parted ways. Mara to her place to grieve and care for Harna. Palpatine to take care of the alien body on the ledge and channel his grief into the Dark Force.

It was the next day when a messenger arrived at the tavern with a request for Palpatine to report to the Supreme Chancellor's office. Palpatine debated rather to wear his Aides robes or not finally deciding on a muted suit in dark gray. When he appeared from dressing the messenger was still waiting and escorted him directly to the Supreme Chancellor's office.

"Chancellor, I am honored. What can I do for you."

"Palpatine, Senator Freey often spoke to my staff of how well you served him. I need you to serve me now."

"In any possible sir."

" I realize that what I am about to ask will be hard for you knowing you lost a girlfriend in the assassination. However I am asking it. Senator Freey's body is being conveyed back to Naboo. There will be an official delegation accompanying the body to convey to the people of Naboo how much I valued his assistance. I would like you in that delegation as one of my two representatives. Naturally when you return to Coruscant there will be a position within my staff for you. The other representative will be Bail Organa senior from Alderrian he is on my staff and expressed an interest in going."

"Sir the funeral for my wife will be tomorrow. I must attend that."

"You were married? Forgive me my source of information was not sure on that point." the Supreme Chancellor said solicitously.

"It was our wedding day. She was killed saying goodbye to Senator Freey. If it is possible for me to attend the funeral for my wife and represent you at the Senator's I would be honored to comply."

"Check with Organa he has all the details. Thank you for coming Palpatine."

"I am your servant." Palpatine said bowing then following the messenger to Organa's office.

Entering the office Palpatine did a quick check of Organa's 'Lines of Power'. He found a glowing golden line indicating a loving marriage. There was a blue line running back in the direction Palpatine had come from that almost glowed. His quick assumption was the relationship between Palpatine and the Supreme Chancellor was far tighter than would normally be the case calling for caution on his part. There were also the normal yellow family along with other blue work connections. Surprisingly for a man in his position there wasn't even a hint of a dirty gray let alone black line indicating corruption nor was their the red of lust and the outer offices was full of very attractive females of several species. According to his 'Lines of Power' Organa was that rare individual, an honest man. He would be very difficult to manipulate should the need arise. Once Palpatine explained the conflict he faced. Organa had quickly agreed to adjust the group's departure time to allow Palpatine to attend his wife's funeral prior to joining them.

Palpatine called Mara about his change in plans and they decided to meet at Mara's apartment rather than the Lawyers office. As Harna slept in a bassinet by her side, Mara discussed the arrangement's she wanted. "You know I've got no reason to stay on Coruscant now." She said, as they were finishing up.

"You wish to return to Furlan?"

"Yes."

"Good. My daughter should enjoy growing up there. I will have a transfer with me at the funeral tomorrow. The funds should be sufficient to cover your transportation and living for a few months. Sellan would be happy resting on Furlan. Do you have any problems taking her ashes with you?" Palpatine asked.

"No not at all. You don't need to get the credits so soon. I have enough money to get Harna and I to Furlan. Once I'm there my family will help."

"I won't hear of it. The agreement we have is you will raise her. I will pay the bills. Until tomorrow. Don't forget I will be leaving shortly after the funeral to accompany Senator Freey's body to Naboo." Palpatine said rising and heading for the door.

"Ok." Mara replied saying goodbye to Palpatine at the door. Before turning her attention back to Harna. "Little one I don't know how this will turn out but know this he does love you in his own way as I love you in mine."

For the funeral Palpatine wore the basic black outfit he had worn traveling to the Sith training facility the time he'd earned his Darth ranking. The clothing didn't have the light absorbing properties of the Sith cloth but it was very somber. Perfect for the occasion. When he approached Mara he passed her an envelope saying, "This should get you started. I can be reached through the address in there. When you get settled on Furlan send a message and let me know how things are. It may take a while for your message to reach me if I am traveling but I will reply."

"Thank you."

"It is I who should be thanking you." Palpatine replied then settled into his seat beside Mara and sat stoically throughout the funeral. Harna slept. Mara on the other hand softly cried. The circle of friends that had joined them at the wedding was again assembled. Cayer being one of the few absence. A fact that Palpatine noted for future reference.

Sellan's body had been removed from the room and the same official from Furlan that had married her was finishing up her funeral when Mara decided she should check the envelope in case there was a problem with the credit transfer. She looked at it then at Palpatine, who wasn't looking her way, returning her eyes to the transfer she slowly counted the zeros. As the funeral ended she looked at Palpatine saying, "There must be a mistake."

"What?" Then seeing the credit transfer in her hand he continued, "Is there a problem?"

"The amount."

"I'm sorry I thought that would be enough. When I get back from Naboo I will arrange for more to be transferred if that is ok."

"No... No, the amount is far too generous as is. That's more than I would have made in ten years working at the tavern. I don't need nor want to take all you money you need something to live on."

"You are not taking it all. I've made investments over the years that have paid off generously. I want you and Harna to be taken care of properly. When you need more later let me know." Palpatine replied.

"For Harna and myself, I thank you. There will always be a place for you with us."

"There is no need to thank me for what is due you and Harna. I do intend to visit with you when my schedule permits but right now I must go. Thank you for everything you are doing for Harna." Palpatine replied executing a deep bow before heading out the door.

"Sellan said he was well set but I didn't think he was this well off." Mara said looking at the transfer then at Harna. "Little one I think we will travel a little better than planned on the way home."