18 The Epic: THE OPERA / THE LAST HURRAH
"So I see our Emperor has replaced you on the next several shifts. He's not speaking to you?" Aloo looked up from the datapad on his desk. "Hmmph." He wasn't addressing the situation with the gravity Eva expected. "Of course, this too shall pass."
She waited for Aloo to request an explanation but no more was said. "The opera...am I still going?"
Aloo nodded. "And the outfit you purchased, you won't be wearing that." When Sheev starts dressing them, he has taken possession of them Aloo mused.
Eva stared at him with curiosity. She didn't expect Aloo to answer to her, but the situation was exceptional in personal control. He did not respond, but called up a rendering of the gown made at the Emperor's directive on his datapad, and pushed the screen across the desk before her.
A gorgeous concoction in metal and black silk, Eva was fascinated by the effort. A narrow silhouette but for the swags of folds accentuating the hips- the chest was draped with a metal yoke, something like Vader's pauldrons but this extended up the neck. The metal was engraved with a decayed, 'worm tunnel' pattern that reminded her of the clasp on the Emperor's robe. There was also a black cape-like wrap with cascading folds down the shoulders just like her Courtier's robes. The wrap was long enough to make a train and the bottom edge was embroidered in silver threads with the tunnel squiggles. The impression of it all was decidedly aristocratic, and nothing she would have presumed to wear if left to her own devices. Such a gift, with the timing, surely must have been a peacemaking attempt.
Ok…this looked good in concept. The narrow circumference of the dress's hem allowed only small steps. At least the Emperor wasn't hard to keep up with. The weight of the metal shoulder plate and the dragging cape were challenging. Eva had limited movement of her head and she'd have to lean from the waist to bow. She wondered if the constriction was symbolic, and a hint at what Vader must have to go through. Where was the line drawn, between an honor and subservience?
Maruis arrived at the clothier's, free of attending the Palpatine since Aloo was with him. "You don't get your veil. No hiding," he noted. "Well, the last time our Emperor attended the opera…it's been several years…he arranged to arrive after the performance lights dimmed, and left before they came back up. Perhaps you will be little seen. Where did you find that dress?"
Eva continued studying her reflection. "Do you think your Bothan friend Zakk meant it when he offered us use of his beach side residence? The one on Daltia?"
He thought for a bit then replied, "Send Zakk a very fine gift, and it should be alright. Didn't you just get back from Naboo?"
"It was a working holiday," she lied. "I'd feel better about inviting myself if you'd go with me."
The attendees had been made to be seated and the opera house ante chambers had been nearly cleared. But numerous pre-approved distractions and quick audiences were taking place on the red carpet of the grand foyer while the Emperor's entourage stood waiting. Laying claim to the closest thing she could find to a corner, Eva was moved that Marius was trying to position himself between the onlookers and herself.
As a girl, Eva had dreamed of dressing in the finest clothing and attending a grand ceremonial event on the arm of an influential man. Now that she was there, the public display seemed hollow and pretentious. The invitation honored her. The gown was touching. But spectators were unwelcomed. She didn't care to impress anyone. The public might be titillated by proximity to power, but everything that was truly remarkable about Palpatine was hidden from them.
In the airy and darkened auditorium there were five seats to the Emperor's private box. It had been in his name for years, though he seldom attended and admission was given away as favors.
Aloo alone sat next to her while they waited for others to arrive. In the dim light he caught the Director of Imperial Intelligence, Ysanne Isard's, stare of daggers from the next box and turned away. Only his seniority in the Emperor's company kept the Courtiers insulated from the likes of her kind.
He leaned on the low wall and looked down at the vast seating levels below. "It will be full capacity this evening. The performance is delayed for all the extra security checks." He saw that Eva's expression was closer to anxious than satisfied. "Do you feel undeserving of the fan-fare?"
In a rare moment of openness she nodded.
"You're not typical of the inner circle. Then again, Palpatine sees the wisdom to not surround himself with kowtowing zealots. Perhaps with time, you will make yourself truly valuable to our Emperor…and do something remarkable."
Janus Greejatus arrived and Aloo nodded a greeting then rose to give him his seat. A member of the Imperial Ruling Council, Greejatus was one of the most powerful in line after the Emperor. The Council dressed in blue or purple robes not too dissimilar to the Courier's, and Eva wondered if that was to elevate the Courtier's status, or to remined the Imperial Ruling Council of their subservience to the Emperor. Behind her now sat Grand Vizier Sate Pestage. With Pestage a tenuously designated heir, the group must be wondering how much life old man Sheev had left in him and what was to come. Or would Vader knock them all aside? He had rarely displayed much in the way of political interest or acumen, keeping his forays limited to intimidation, mayhem and terminating incompetence accordingly.
Greejatus noted the medal on a red sash draped across her shoulder. It was rarely worn as Palpatine was scornful of commendations. But the few hard earned medals and battle ribbons were in full display that evening. "I was present when you received that. Do you recall me?"
"Of course. I've seen you several times since. Don't you remember me? An Emperor's Greater Courtier?"
"Oh that's right. You're now his servant," he answered with tiresome jadedness. "So many of us have laboured to make something of ourselves in this regime. You're the one who slipped past through a back door."
Palpatine appeared with Marius and a pair of Royal Guards behind. For once, he had abandoned his simple black robe and dug into that vast storehouse of earlier years. He chose something only slightly more elaborate; a dark grey hooded robe with black velvet pellegrina and cuffs. It had required considerable restoration after a certain duel which left significant damage to the Galactic Senate Chamber.
Eva was reluctant to lift her eyes, afraid that when Palpatine neared he would still regard her with scorn. But a softened, approving countenance fixed on her, even as a Sector Governor was trying to hold his ear. How extraordinary, that the unkind, had been kind to her.
As he took his seat he told her under his breath, "Finer dressed than a Queen of Naboo, and far more tastefully understated."
The actual opera was of little consequence. It seemed spontaneous within the moment, but it prattled on, rhythmically swaying to its conclusion. Like her own real life opera - there was no other unscripted path, no other way. She was an actor who just happened to show up for a self-fulfilling prophecy. The final act was approaching, and it felt inevitable.
Then the lights of the immense theater rose back up, and every head present turned in the direction of the Emperor's box. The applause began and in an instant it was thunderous. Eva should have guessed the well-heeled of the uppermost level of Coruscant would have been the most supportive of the regime.
If it was actually possible, the blood ran from her face while she stood perfectly still. And as she forced a frozen expression of nothing, the luxury of anonymity was over. She could not imagine being so ashamed and so honored in the same instant. Her past deeds, her present status, lain bare. Cescily and Eva were now one and the same. If the rebels didn't already know she had been the traitor in their midst, they knew now. All her lies to Luke and the whole lot of them. And what would her family think? Would they be left in pea- Her dramatic inner monologue was rudely interrupted…
Sheev Xerces Palpatine, his hands half raised as he took in the adulation, began to speak. Holocameras drifted in and the crowd hushed so at least those near could hear.
"Tonight, with you, I celebrate my eighty-eighth birthday in this, my thirty-fifth year as your leader. It is an honour of immense gravitas." He was actually smiling down on his subjects- a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"This occasion leads me to recall the state of the galaxy when I took office. It was a dismal time. The Republic had lost interest in the common good and was run by bureaucrats..." he added wistfully, "…who could not see themselves for the fattened parasites they were. The Republic sat by idly, while the Trade Federation lay siege to Naboo. No better evidence that too many opposing voices dragged decision making and effectiveness to naught."
The humility in his voice all but dissipated. "The First Galactic Empire has risen from corrupt disorder. Created by the democratically elected Senate, it is…the will of the people. The Empire was formed to ensure a secure society. It has brought efficiency, prosperity and unity to the galaxy!
"This secular government crushed religious fanaticism- the self-righteous, rite-of-birth Jedi who called themselves the 'peace keepers.' But they were violent elitist, with narrow, dogmatic views. How ineffectual they were at protecting their Republic." He shook his head in mock sadness. "The legacy of the Jedi is failure. Hypocrisy. Hubris. At the height of their powers, those traitors were swept aside… The military which now protects us, is made up of every…one…of you…
"But sadly one cherished aspiration remains elusive...Peace. The Galactic Empire has never been stronger, but a malignancy has been gnawing at its success and stability. The efforts to put it down, are prosperity sucked from upstanding citizens. The war mongering Rebel Alliance wants to destroy the government and thrust the entire galaxy into chaos!
"Weakness cannot be allowed in this Empire if it is to survive. I hold with profound solemnity my duty as protector, and I will personally oversee and bear witness to the eradication of this threat. The Rebel Alliance will…be… annihilated! The previous thousand years have seen the Republic. The next will be the Empire's!"
The white noise which followed was beyond discernment. Eva's ears rung. The standing ovation went on and on but the Emperor was ready to leave.
And Palpatine turned to her with a rather down turned expression. "Own up to it, Cescily." He put the words directly in her head- it would have been impossible to hear him.
The whole struggle was such a waste. But neither had she fully accepted the cause of the Empire. He was asking her to take a side… His side. She could turn her back in disillusionment and (try to ) walk away. Or she could stand by with her head low- argue non-complicity. I was just following orders. Or she could watch the darkness unfold- embrace it even- to make herself privy to more and try to redeem what small amount within her power. There was no turning away.