Sidious walked back to his desk and pressed the buzzer to call his aide to him. A few minutes later, the lieutenant from the morning quickly strode inside and once again bowed to the Emperor.
"My Lord, is there something else I can do for you?"
"Yes." Sidious paused and then continued. "Send a healer down to detention block AA-93 and have them tend to Senator Amidala's injuries."
"It shall be done my lord."
"Cancel all of her future interrogations. I want her in perfect health before the end of the week, see to it personally, that this is arranged."
The lieutenant cringed slightly at his new responsibility, "Yes my lord. Is there anything else you require?"
"Yes. We will hold a celebration in honor of Lord Vader's victory against the rebels in one week. Please make all arrangements for the party. We will hold it in the reception hall of the Senate building. Make sure you invite all nobility, senators, governors, and high-ranking military personnel. Additionally, make sure that representatives from every media outlet are present."
The lieutenant was shocked by the last request. The media was usually banned from attending Imperial events. The Emperor liked to keep his functions private. However, he was not going to question this change in protocol. "It shall be done my lord."
"Very good lieutenant, you may leave."
With that, the lieutenant bowed and left the Emperor's office for the second time. Once the door closed, the Emperor smiled again, everything was going according to plan.
Vader returned to Coruscant, one week after his holo transmission with his master. Leaving his Super Star Destroyer, The Executor, in orbit, he took a shuttle to the planet's surface. Vader landed his shuttle on his personal landing platform, where a military contingent and the Emperor himself waited to greet him.
When Vader stepped out of his shuttle, he slowly walked down the exit ramp, his black cloak billowing in the wind. At the bottom of the ramp, Vader knelt before his waiting master.
"Welcome home, Lord Vader. You have done well." Sidious said with a smile.
Vader did not answer, but continued to kneel before his master.
"Rise and walk with me my friend. We must not keep your guests waiting. Everyone has turned out for the celebration party in honor of your victory. This will be a memorable night, so lets hasten to the Senate building to start the festivities." Sidious added.
Vader stood and said. "Yes, my master. Thank you." Then he started walking. He stood on the right hand side of his master. Both their paces matched each other's perfectly. As they walked towards the nearby Senate building, Sidious continued to talk.
"I am pleased with your actions, my apprentice. You have hurt the rebel alliance, and helped strengthen the Empire. In commemoration of your efforts, I will bestow a gift to you at tonight's party."
Vader was surprised at this announcement. His master rarely gave gifts to anyone. The last gift Vader had received from his master was his Super Star Destroyer after he successfully led the Emperor's purge of the Jedi Knights. Vader was curious to see what he would receive tonight. "I am honored, my master."
They remained in silence as they continued their walk to the Senate building, and the night's festivities. When they arrived at the entrance, they paused as heralds inside announced their arrival. They could overhear one herald on the other side of the closed doors call out to the assembled guests, "Ladies and Gentleman. It is my great pleasure to announce the arrival of Emperor Palpatine and his special guest for this evening, High Commander of the Imperial Forces, Darth Vader.
The doors were thrown open and both the Emperor and Vader entered the Senate building to loud applause and cheers. Vader was surprised when a number of reporters started taking pictures of his master and him. Usually, his master did not allow the media anywhere near him. However, he suspected that his master wanted a high media presence to highlight the victory against the rebels, so he did not question it.
After their initial greeting, the Emperor and Vader separated to mingle with their guests. Various dignitaries, all trying to gain his favor, immediately surrounded the Emperor. Vader on the other hand, was surrounded by a giggling group of courtesans. These women all longed to be Vader's wife. Vader knew this, and it irritated him. These women only wanted him because he was powerful and second in command behind the Emperor himself. The only reason why they fawned over him instead of his master was because he was much easier on the eyes, he suspected.
As Vader listened to the mind numbing dribble of these women for three hours, he was glad a Sith was not allowed to love. These women were useless, and he was glad he would not have to be forced to live with one of these idiots for an extended period of time. Vader longed for the evening to end so that he could start enjoying his week's worth of R&R in solitude before he was back on the Executor, hunting down rebels.
Two hours past before the Emperor got up to make his closing speech that would adjourn the party. Vader was relieved to see his master take the podium. The room grew quiet as everyone waited for the Emperor to start his speech.
"Honored guests, I am pleased you could all make it to this celebration tonight." Sidious paused and smiled to the crowd. "We are here to celebrate a great triumph for the Empire. Lord Vader has destroyed an outpost of the traitorous rebellion. Through his efforts, he has helped secure our way of life, and brought us one step closer to ending the conflict and restore peace to the galaxy. For this, we are here to honor him tonight." With this last statement, Sidious gestured towards Vader. Everybody turned towards Vader and applauded loudly. As the applause died, attention was drawn back to the Emperor who continued his speech.
"Yes, well done Lord Vader. You have served this Empire well." Sidious paused and then continued. "In honor of your continual devoted service, I would like to bestow a gift unto you. As High Commander of the Imperial Forces, there are few things of value I can give you. However, as High Commander you are very busy serving the Empire, so I decided to give you something that will help you with the other aspects of your life." Vader stiffened, he was not 100 sure where his master was going with this, but he sensed he would not enjoy this gift.
Sidious continued his speech. "Ladies and Gentlemen. In commemoration to his service to the Empire, I bestow a slave to Lord Vader." Sidious finished his speech by pointing in the direction of the main doorway. Vader stiffened as he turned to look at his gift. On a metal plank, four bearers carried a young woman scantily clad in a metal bikini into the building.
A dark blue silk fabric was attached to the bottom part of the bikini, and ran in between her legs. Her long brown hair was braided into a tight bun on top of her head, which she held up in defiance. Around her neck, a gold collar was visible. A chain dangled from this collar, and was attached to the metal plank, which forced her to remain sitting.
As the woman was brought into the room to be placed before Lord Vader, the media crews started taking pictures of her frantically. Additionally, gasps sounded as the guests recognized the woman. Throughout the hall, the name of "Senator Amidala" was whispered in shock.