Destiny Chapter 2
When Leyana awoke, she was totally disorientated. She was in a large, four-poster bed.
'What the blazes…? What am I doing here?'
Her memory returned – leaving her even more confused. The last thing she remembered was fighting stormtroopers… and the concussion grenade… So what was she doing lying in a four-poster bed, in what appeared to be a luxury unit?
She reached out to the Force – and panicked. The Force was there – she could feel it, surrounding her. But she couldn't touch it. She was blocked from it. It was then that she noticed the bands around her wrists. Then she understood.
'Force-restraints.' Of course. She was a prisoner of the Emperor. But, apparently, she warranted special treatment. 'Oh-oh. This could mean a lot of things – and none of them good.'
Just then, her thoughts were interrupted.
"My goodness! You are awake!"
Leyana turned towards the voice. There stood a gleaming, gold-covered protocol droid.
"I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations. I am fluent in over six million forms of communication. I have been assigned to assist you, during your stay at the Imperial Palace. May I inquire as to your name?"
Leyana stared at C-3PO. The droid was a guard – that was obvious. She wondered how much weaponry it carried. She knew there were cameras in the room, as well. That was a given.
C-3PO had asked for her name. Well, she wasn't going to give him her real name! But it would have to be a name she would recognise easily, or she would be caught out. She thought about what name she could use. Of course, everyone would know it wasn't her real name. So…
"Leyana Berrie," she told C-3PO. Everyone would expect her to use a false name. Using her real name would mean that no-one would think to search for it.
"Mistress Leya, would you like to have a tour of your suite?"
"Yes," answered Leyana quickly. She could look for weaknesses, ways to escape… And the droid had the wrong pronunciation. Even better. Now they knew her name, yet didn't, at the same time.
So she followed C-3PO around the suite. It was rather spacious. There was a training room, a swimming pool, and a number of balconies.
'What in blazes? You don't put a prisoner in a place with balconies!'
She approached the railing, and stretched out her hand. It met with resistance. "Particle shields. Damn," she muttered.
After the tour, C-3PO escorted her back to the bedroom. "His Majesty will be visiting soon," he announced. "I would suggest that you change into more suitable attire for a royal audience."
"Certainly. All I need is my lightsabres."
The droid appeared surprised. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that is quite impossible…"
'Protocol droids; if you let them go, they'll talk all day.'
"Never mind – what did you say your designation was?"
"I am See-Threepio –"
"Never mind, See-Threepio."
Leyana moved to the refresher, and opened the door. She stepped into the centre of the room, and looked slowly around. She wished she could reach the Force.
C-3PO guessed what she was looking for. "Allow me to reassure you, Mistress Leyana, there are no cameras in the refresher."
Leyana studied the droid, once more wishing for the Force. With a sigh, she decided that she would have to trust C-3PO.
Leyana surveyed the impressive wardrobe before her. There were long, flowing gowns, perfect for a senatorial ball – or a meeting with the Emperor of the Galaxy.
Leyana sighed. She was going to be here for a while, so she might as well play dress-ups.
She saw a colour she liked – a pale aqua. She pulled the gown out, and held it in place against her body. "Hm – no," she decided. "It would look better on Mahli."
Next she pulled out a red and black figure-hugging mini-dress. She imagined her master's reaction would be if he saw her wearing it. He'd have a fit! Laughing to herself, she hung the dress back up, shaking her head.
She stepped back. There were dresses of every colour! Thinking carefully, Leyana decided she'd try to find a dress in a nice tan, or brown – acceptable colours for a Jedi Knight. Or maybe black, for mourning? She thought about wearing white, but knew it wasn't practical – she just didn't wear white. It always got dirty.
She spun around when she heard a voice behind her, letting out a small gasp. "Are you alright, Mistress Leya? Do you require assistance?"
Leyana was wearing a thick, white bathrobe. She now clutched this more tightly around her. "Don't sneak up on me!" she ordered.
"I'm terribly sorry, Mistress Leya."
She closed her eyes, and performed a calming exercise. She couldn't reach the Force to calm herself, but meditation still worked – to a certain extent.
"Do you require any assistance?" the droid repeated patiently.
'It couldn't hurt…' "Could you help me pick out something to wear?" she asked.
"I'd be delighted!" C-3PO answered. "Do you have any specifications?"
Leyana nodded. "Nothing to gaudy. And preferably not in showy colours; tan or brown, or even black. But not white."
After listening to her instructions, he clumsily pulled a hanger out. "Perhaps this dress, Mistress Leya?"
Leyana took it from him. "I'll try it."
