We never made it home.
The Stormtroopers caught up with us just outside the festival grounds. My father stood protectively in front of me and for once I was not offended by it. He reached out his open palms to the Stormtroopers, signaling that he had nothing to hide and would cooperate with them. Funny, since I knew that if he thought I was in danger, he most definitely would not.
The Imperial officer with them approached my father, who inclined his head respectfully. The man did not even glance in my direction.
"How may I help you…?" my father hesitated, waiting for an introduction.
"Lieutenant Childsen," the man supplied, managing to appear both bored and vicious at the same time.
"It is an honor, Lieutenant," my father answered and I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, trying to focus on the pain in my mouth so perhaps I could stop shaking. "I am Commander Amorada of the Alderaan Royal Guard."
I willed myself not to react, not to show any fear, but the fact that my father used his rank terrified me. He was "Faolan" to everyone, even those who he commanded in the guard, and I didn't ever remember another time when he introduced himself like this.
"The honor is ours, Commander." Lieutenant Childsen said, his mouth twitching into a barely perceptible sneer at my father's title. "It is not often we find someone as remarkable as your daughter."
My head swam with questions. Was he trying to lull me into a false sense of security with his flattery so I would be more easily captured? Did the agents of the Empire always lead with small talk before descending for the kill? Were the rumors of the Stormtroopers' lack of skills with a blaster true; could I run like hell and make it away?
Lieutenant Childsen turned to me. "Your application and test scores showed an incredible aptitude for navigation and piloting. Your entrance essay was outstanding. You've turned a lot of the right heads, Miss Amorada. We are here to administer the practical portion of the application process; there's a sim back on our ship, and if you pass that we would like to extend to you an invitation to attend the Imperial Academy.
I didn't even move to glance at my father, struck dumb as I was by the Lieutenant's near-robotically delivered speech. So they weren't here because of the rock and the book? They were here because of my application to the Imperial Academy? But…
"I didn't apply to the Imperial Academy," I began hastily before I saw my father wince at my words. I backtracked. "I mean, it's a great honor and all, but…"
Childsen smiled a sickly sweet condescending mockery of a smile and spoke deliberately slow. "You applied to Raithal Academy, which is part of the Imperial Academy."
I would have taken offense at having been spoken to like an imbecile if my stomach hadn't turned into one enormous knot. I stole a glance at my father and just barely caught a glimpse of him schooling a bewildered expression. I knew the exact thought that caused that look because I'd just had the same one: since when was Raithal controlled by the Empire?
"I understand your concern," Childsen went on, speaking in a more conversational manner, "with the merge of all the various training facilities throughout the galaxy, but I can assure you, the Raithal Academy retains its same competitive selection process and rigorous curriculum. There has been no diminishment because of its association with other, less prestigious institutions. At the completion of your training it will be known, and clearly stated on your graduate diploma, that you have attended the Raithal Campus of the Imperial Academy so no mistake is made concerning your abilities and training.
It sounded over rehearsed, as if he'd had to give this same speech many times. I continued to stare mutely at him, unsure how to respond. Yes, I'd wanted to go to the Raithal Academy but I absolutely did not want to go to the Imperial Academy, after all I'd heard, not to mention what the Empire had done to my mother. But… how do you say no to the Empire?
The short answer to that is you didn't.
My father took a step towards Childsen. "Would it be agreeable for Lana to take the sim tomorrow? You've come at a bad time since today is our Harvest Festival." Childsen didn't respond and my father quickly added, "If it's not too much trouble."
Childsen smiled his fake smile again. "No trouble at all, Commander. We have business in the palace to attend to anyhow." He turned once more to me. "I shall come to retrieve you at 0800 tomorrow."
I nodded, still unable to speak.
"Enjoy your festival," he said to my father, the sneer in his voice falling just short of rude. He turned and walked away, motioning for the Stormtroopers to follow him. As one they turned and followed him down the path that led to the palace.
"Come," my father hissed, "we shall discuss this later, but for now we must make a good show of attending the festival."
"Okay," I managed to whisper, and followed him down the path back towards the festival grounds.
