Inertia
Chapter Seven: Pathway to the Stars
It was a beautiful night on Coruscant, and already the guests were arriving for the Mid-Winter Festival Celebration, streaming into the Palace in groups, eager for the party to begin. Four stood in a corner, conspicuous in the shadows, few noticing the white of their uniforms from the amazing array of coloured banners.
"Do you have the results from the sample you took?" Grant asked, careful to be sure he was hidden. He disliked these occasions, but events of this magnitude were few and far between. His support of Tigellinus was a key factor for his attendance; otherwise, he would still be, quite safely, tucked away on his Destroyer.
"Here they are…" A datapad was held out for them; the information was read in silence, each considering what it contained, and how it would affect them in future. Finally, Pitta spoke up.
"And you are certain these are accurate?"
Tigellinus gave him a piercing stare, before returning his gaze to the datapad. It had been practically impossible for him to get this information, and still they questioned it? Despite the promises they had made to support each other, and the regime of Palpatine's New Order, a number of them were still openly suspicious; he disliked their lack of subtlety when it came to such things.
"There are enough genetic matches, considering the incomplete sample, for the match, if one was possible." He spoke quietly, a deadly undertone present. No one else dared to question him, fearing his wrath.
"Then the child is not the Heir to the Empire…"
"No." Tigellinus smiled; it really had been clever of Roganda not to allow anyone too close to her child, to either authenticate its claim to power, or disprove it. A very clever ploy that he would remember until it was needed as blackmail. Still, with this revelation came a realisation that his plan had met another dead end.
"But we know the heir is inside the House of Dolls…Palpatine has said as much! We've checked all the women in there for relations to him, we've check all the children…"Ishin-II-Raz cursed under his breath; they had been so certain Roganda had been the one!
It was vital that for the New Order to continue in the way they all wanted, they needed to find the Heir, and indoctrinate them fully, so they understood the Empire, its intricacies and the delicate balance that kept it all in balance. Raz would rather have supported Tigellinus' search for the true heir to protect the future of the Empire, to guarantee the protection of the regime he loved so much, rather than stood by and let the ambitious Grand Admiral believe he alone had saved the Imperial way.
It was Palpatine's perfect double-edged sword, roulette for the nobles to find the one who will take the Empire into the future. By placing the heir, whoever they may be, in such a place, it made certain only certain people would be able to influence the heir, let alone discover the person's identity. If they were too late, and the Doll had been married off years ago…He didn't even want to think about the possibility. They had to get the person, they had to.
"So we just need to keep looking. She is in there somewhere; I just need to settle a score tonight, send out a message to all those who attempt to interfere with our plans."
"You never let anything go, do you? Your pride will be your ruin." Ishin-II-Raz knew a little of the plan concocted by the Emperor; it gave him a small amount of pleasure to see that Tigellinus, for all his brilliance, was unable to see that Palpatine's plan was exclusive to him. He had allowed whatever it was he felt for the harlot to distract him from the bigger picture.
"Perhaps. But I'm not letting an alien be the first to have her." Tigellinus' face was set with a dark kind of determination, and Raz knew he would not sway him from whatever it was he was plotting." She cannot understand what she is doing…" He'd convinced himself that Dania had acted like this out of naïveté; no mere whore would dare to say no to him…
"And if Palpatine has you punished for interfering with her? Her father was a close supporter of his; he will not allow you to touch her. There are rumours he himself wants that privilege…"
"His interest in her is not what you estimate it to be; I'm doing this for her own good. He will understand my reasons." He only hoped she would listen to his argument, and not force him to take actions he might regret. Draining his glass, he replaced it on the nearest surface, and began to walk into the crowd, to find himself barged into. A glass fell to the floor, red wine splattering upwards.
"My apologies, Grand Admiral." Voss Parck spoke sincerely, looking uncomfortable. "I did not see you move." The heady scent of mulled wine raised upwards, the fragments of expensive glass broken underfoot as Tigellinus moved towards the captain. He felt his upper lip curl; wasn't this the idiot who had found Thrawn a decade ago? Silencing the burst of anger he felt, he looked aloof at the subservient officer.
"Clearly. Perhaps you need another deep space assignment, to give you time to consider the manner in which you address senior officers?" He threatened; Voss Parck paled, and shook his head vigorously. Tigellinus suppressed a smile at the power he had over the mere captain.
"It was an accident, Grand Admiral; I will make sure it does not happen again." Parck's head was hung low; the attention of the surrounding people had been grasped. How shameful for the captain.
"See that it does not. Or you will find your career as ruined as your dress uniform." Tigellinus waved his hand in dismissal, and watched the captain vanish into the crowd, heading towards the freak and Dania. She looked beautiful tonight, but it was marred by the alien next to her. Something he intended to remedy before the celebration was over.
It was like nothing she had ever imagined, the Grand Corridor of Imperial Palace was bedecked in banners and streamers of bright colours, the heat almost oppressive, the constant flow of it uncomfortable. Dania shuddered, despite this, nervousness still present. Cheerful music flowed through the crowds, the gentle babble of meaningless conversation a careful backdrop to the black deeds she knew were being planned. It was a feeling, more than anything, no words or actions to back up her hunch, just a deep, hidden emotion that felt like impending doom upon her.
Eyes slid up and down her when she was not looking their way; weighing her, assessing her against private agendas and preconceived ideas; she drew her arms tighter across her stomach, needing at least that barrier between her and the surreptitious plans being made around her.
She caught a glimpse of herself in a curved vase of some reflective material, hints of layered colours present on the surface. It was a bold move on Thrawn's part to dress her like this, her hair swept high on top of her head, making her seem taller, a carefully decorated pin dug into the base of the style to anchor it in place. Understated studs decorated the three piercings in each ear; a simple gown of a silk-soft material cut in black clung close to her figure. The neckline plunged into a modest v-shape, teasing but not revealing, long sleeves covering her thin arms.
Generally, when Geisha came to court, they wore either the heavy robes, similar to their official daywear, or else something perhaps more appropriate for a dancing girl. Here she stood, carefully smiling at Thrawn's elbow, wearing the fashions of a well-kept woman, one who was respected and considered to be more than just a night time floozy.
She sipped from the glass in her hand; Thrawn really had planned this carefully. By dressing her in such a way, she was not an object of lust, or someone he only used because of her Doll status; it meant her respected her, which was going to be vital in Court. Propaganda was quite certain that Aliens tended to have degenerated views of sex, and there were rules in place that were quite strict, regarding alien/human relationships. It was a slender tightrope Thrawn was treading, he could not act dismissively to her, nor could he appear too fond of her. It was going to be a dangerous act with potentially fatal consequences.
"I have to congratulate you, Admiral, on your achievement. I never thought I'd see the day that you would be elevated." Her attention returned to reality, to find the group of people around Thrawn now dispersed, a single person now beside him, dressed in pure white. It was not a pleasant sight to behold, but she bit her tongue, unwilling to show her revulsion towards the unfortunate person. At least she knew why it was now only a single person speaking to Thrawn.
Searching her mind quickly, she tried to recall the name of the Grand Admiral who had suffered the accident that had left him with more that half his body replaced with cybernetics…
"It seems I have finally acted decisively enough for them to decide to promote me, Grand Admiral Teshik. I'm sure that there was no prejudice on their parts." Thrawn spoke clearly and without emotion, but she saw the lie. Though he was legally a part of the Empire, he still nevertheless suffered from their slur campaigns.
The looks they had been given as their names had been announced, and they had entered the Grand Corridor, had been of disgust, of hatred, and even a few of anger. She wondered how many had been aimed at her for daring to appear on an alien's arm, and how many of them were genuine.
"Bah. That's nonsense, and you know it." The tone of the Grand Admiral surprised her; so far, those who had deigned to speak with the two of them had been doing it more out of courtesy that anything, idle chitchat that meant nothing and everything at the same time, She had been gracious, despite the sneers, the wicked whispers and the jeering that would undoubtedly come afterwards when they would go. Teshik spoke with a more comradely tone, as if he truly did respect Thrawn and consider him an equal; he wore none of the badly-disguised repulsion at them. Perhaps Thrawn wasn't without allies, after all.
"I have nothing but time, Osvald. If it takes me two years or ten, I will go as far as I can. Have I introduced you to Dania Laquila?" A small smile lit Thrawn's face as he spoke, a phrase as close to humour as she would ever hear him say carefully spoken. The Grand Admiral considered her carefully with sincere interest in his eyes, before stooping into a difficult bow to take her hand and delicately kiss it.
"Charmed, my lady." He straightened and she curtseyed low, feeling a new respect for this man. She had known of his reputation for compassion, but always considered it something of a smokescreen for him to hide behind in order to manipulate, but now she could see it was genuine.
"The pleasure is all mine, Grand Admiral Teshik. How are you finding the administration of Oversector One to be? Not to strenuous, I hope?" She inquired, innocently. She smiled at his look of surprise at this, and was warmed by the melting of his expression. Honesty had been hard to find all night, and here was the person she would have believed most likely to be bitter, clearly holding no grudge against the world.
"I am working towards making it a great deal more efficient, my lady. You're very well informed, something I'm sure you will find useful in Court." He returned his attention to Thrawn. "Where is the third of your number?" He looked around; so he knew of the Captain? Dania wondered the same thing, filing it way as she also considered how Thrawn had possibly come to be allied with a Grand Admiral.
"Captain Voss Parck is running an errand for me at the moment, he is sure to return in a moment." Thrawn answered, his eyes scanning the crowds quickly. There was silence for a period, but not an uncomfortable one. Dania was glad of the pause, raising her glass again to her lips to drink at the sweet wine inside.
"After your last fall, I was certain that Court had seen the last of you. You are indeed fortunate to have been allowed back here." Teshik said frankly. Thrawn wore an expression of thoughtfulness, as if uncertain how much he should reveal. Surely, he would not reveal the true purpose to Teshik, even if he was an ally?
"I believe it has a lot less to do with fortune, and more to do with the threat of a coup against the Emperor. It seems he now has enemies within his own ranks of officials and officers." He spoke carefully, making sure that no one around them could hear; Dania herself barely caught what was passed between them. Teshik nodded, and leaned closer.
"Yes, there have been whispers at Court of such treason. It makes sense that you have been called back for such a thing. Is she part of your plotting?" He indicated Dania, and Thrawn responded with a curt nod. "Ah. I wish you the best of luck then."
He moved away then, carefully moving through the crowd; Dania felt a stab of pity for him; the Empire was not kind to those who were considered weak; what was once a proud, capable man, now reduced to relying on machines to sustain his life?
"Do not insult his efforts with your pity, Dania." She turned to find Thrawn's intense glare upon her. She had not noticed his attention shift back to her, and found herself wondering if he was capable of reading minds. "Teshik stands on his own two feet, and whilst outwardly, people mock his disability, how could anyone not envy such a strong person?"
"You're right, of course." She sighed. She really was incredibly naïve. He was watching her again, eyes unblinking; she fidgeted, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. He would find something wrong, no doubt.
"You're missing something…" Before she could even protest, she felt cold hands on her throat, pulling something tight against her neck, and then, hands slid to her shoulders. Raising a delicate hand, a finger touched cool ribbon, pulled about her neck, a small gem in an intricate setting comfortably placed on her pale skin. "It would not be right for us to appear with you half-dressed. Consider it a gift…"
She felt shocked; such an expensive gift, and she had thought he didn't like her? Her voice thickened, and she blinked a few times, overcome. Had she ever received gifts as a child? She couldn't remember the last time something had been given to her, and she tried not to consider what it would require her to earn it.
"Ah, captain, I see you had a run-in with Tigellinus. I assume you escaped without too much trouble?" some hidden meaning was passed between them, Dania could tell, but she was damned if she could figure it out. So Tigellinus was already here? The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she looked about, trying to locate the brilliant white of his uniform.
"No trouble at all, Thrawn." He handed something over to the alien, the action barely noticeable. Dania ignored it, putting it to the back of her mind to quiz them both about it later. "Though I do believe I look a state, covered as I am. Would either of you mind if I went to change into something more suitable?"
"Not at all, captain. We'll be in the main audience chamber; I do believe it is time for us to be presented before the Emperor."
"Vice-Admiral Thrawn, and the Doll Dania Laquila, stepped forwards to receive your Mid-Winter Honours." The speaker announced them as they reached the very pinnacle of the crowd, the major dignitaries behind them, only the Emperor in front of them. Dania felt her stomach lurch, and kept her eyes down; sure everyone would guess her conversation with Palpatine if they saw her blush. She thought he smiled an evil smile, a casual wave of an aged hand dismissing them back into the mass.
Their presentation had been quick and painless, her bare hand carefully held in his glove as they had walked and knelt in unison before the entire aristocracy of the Core, elegant and suave before the masses of sharp, cruel eyes, determined to pick them apart for their mistakes.
None were made, but still, she felt nervous. After his congratulation was over, Dania had been escorted elsewhere, whilst Thrawn received debrief from an official as to his next assignment. It seemed his promotion to the status of Admiral had been for the purpose of a High-Security mission. The conversations with Grand Admiral Teshik now made more sense to her; clearly, there was more to Thrawn's re-entry to Court than met the eye, otherwise the Emperor would never have asked her to monitor his actions…
She cast a glance about the corridor she was in; it ran parallel to the Grand Corridor, outside of the Palace, huge columns separating it from the main meeting place, and the outside. Streamers blew in a gentle breeze, the dark sky dotted with orbiting vessels and far-away stars.
Starlight flooded inwards, and she couldn't help but bask in the light, feeling warm inside. Her nervous has been misplaced; Tigellinus would not dare touch her here, with so many to witness such an event. Despite the anxiety, she had still enjoyed the evening; it had been good to do more than just stay in the House of Dolls, alone, with nothing but her inexistent memories to taunt herself with.
Vainly, she tried to recall anything, an event like this from her past that might illuminate her family, but to no avail. Clearly, her father had been someone of importance; why else would the Emperor concern himself with her? Here, she was a nobody, with no past, and with no future.
Her feelings of exhilaration at being sponsored by Thrawn she had quickly subdued; she could not afford to get attached to Thrawn; yes, he was remarkably intelligent, but the Emperor clearly had a plan for him. And it couldn't be good, whatever it was. But she was still treated with respect, if not as an equal, by him, and so she supposed her feelings had grown root from that. It could never be more, despite their little role-play for Court, he was an alien, and she…She sighed. She just didn't want to become so worthless that she had to use her body for manipulation. That was the last card for her to play, the final admission of hopelessness.
The hall seemed to have emptied since her arrival, the quiet babble reduced to the terrible noise of silence. She looked around, wondering where, and why, the people had moved onwards. Dania's heart beat loud as a drum, what if she couldn't get back to Thrawn? All fear drained away, to be replaced by shock, as a carefully hidden figure slinked forwards, restraining her against the nearest pillar.
"Good evening, Dania." His white uniform opalescent in the darkness, Tigellinus' dark eyes flashed, gleaming with smugness at her discomfort. "I hope you don't mind, I need a private word with you…"
Okay, here are the responses to my reviewers...Once again, thank you to all my readers, it means a lot to me.
Aryna: I'm really flattered you've become addicted, it means I'm doing an alright job at writing .. Hopefully, now I've finally gotten to her debut, you will find some answers. So sorry to leave you on a cliffhanger...
To answer your questions:
Maris is no big secret; she is a character from Outbound Flight (The newly-released Star Wars Expanded Universe Novel) If you like Thrawn, I recommend you buy this book ASAP! It reveals the truth about the infamously secret Outbound Flight mission, as well as some information on Jorj Card'as. Maris is a human female who gets something of a crush on Thrawn, and admires him greatly. The fangirls are divided as to how much he reciprocates any feelings for her. In my opinion, it is nothing above professional, and Dania reminds him of Maris' wide-eyed, naive nature.
Yes, they have lost a child before Illyana... But as to the circumstances...You'll have to keep reading ...
Illyana is born blind; its just that she has a VERY close link with her father, and her opening her eyes to him is just the first sign of this very special father/child connection...
Aria: I'm glad you found that last chapter good . I've taken your advice too...thanks for the feedback.