Not for the first time, Milly cursed her lot. Oh, it wasn't the stupid hours, the skimpy uniform, the creepy customers or the crappy floatvan. It was all four in combination. She made pickup from the local restaurant, then attempted to accelerate into Coruscant's skylines. The floatvan protested and shuddered but eventually achieved the minimum speed needed, Horns blared, other drivers threatening or leering at her as they passed.
"Could have bloody been a dancer, but noooo, we have standards." she groused after a particularly lewd suggestion from a Karbellan. She then rechecked the destination. Oh no, Gal Central University, Tri-Leth Fraternity. Not that pack of creeps. "Things we do to get edumacated." she muttered as she gunned the engines. There was a cough, a small explosion was heard beneath her and then the repulsors failed. Milly screamed as the Bobby Burgers floatvan began to free fall.
Milly stopped screaming mainly to draw breath. It was then that she realised the van was no longer falling. She supposed she had better com, now where was it? Better not be under the seat again she thought as she searched for the damn thing. She bent down to look.
"Are you okay?" came a voice. Milly started, banged her head on the dash, swore, turned to look at the speaker, slipped and fell into the footwell, adding a few more bruises for good measure. Now she was stuck.
"No! I am not okay! I'm stuck, I'm sore and I am sick to death of this." wailed Milly. She then felt an arm slide between her stomach and the chair. "What? Help! Please!" she cried. There was some movement, then a click and the seat trapping her retracted, as did the crawled backwards out of the cab, stood up, adjusted her uniform and then looked down at her short rescuer. It was a Deliverator, in their signature jet black suit and helmet. It then began to rain. Typical.
The Deliverator ignored her and popped the floatvan's bonnet and looked inside. He, it sounded like a he made several noises and then turned back to her.
"Your suspensor link is all burned out miss. Do you want me to com Triple C?" said the Deliverator.
Milly snorted. As if her employer would spend credits beyond the bare minimum. She was stuck here. At that point, the timer indicating she was late for delivery went off. "No, no Triple C, I'm late now, my job sucks and I just wanna go home." she cried.
The Deliverator cocked his head. He then walked round to the floatvan's cargo door, opened it and retrieved the delivery. He then slung it in a bag, affixed it to his speeder, got on and shifted forwards. The helmet then turned to her.
"Hop on." they said.
Milly climbed on behind the Deliverator.
"Hold on tight." said the Deliverator. There was a hum, then a roar as the thruster activated and the speeder shot into the air. Milly held on, suddenly aware there were no restraints. "Where to?" the Deliverator called out.
Milly shouted the address, the words whisking with the rush of air. Nonetheless, the speeder tilted up and impossibly, accelerated again. Milly crouched as low as possible behind the Deliverator as the nimble speeder zipped past other traffic. She tried not to think about the speed or danger as the Deliverator broke most of Corruscant's Air Code and a few laws of physics.
Then, abruptly it was over. The speeder was still, the only sound the whine of the coolant fans. The Deliverator dismounted, picked up the bag and walked briskly to the door of the Tri-Leth building and rang the bell.
What happened next was confusing. The door opened, revealing several Tri-Leths, one armed with a holocorder. There was also a blur and then one of them was on his knees, his arm being casually held by the Deliverator as he held up the bag.
"Please sign." said the Deliverator.
"You're not from Booby Burgers." said the kneeling figure. The Deliverator shifted his grip, "Ow, ow, ow."
"Please sign now." said the Deliverator. Someone else came forward, checked the bag and signed. "Tip." the Deliverator then said.
"Tip? You lot don't take tips. Ow, ow." said the kneeling figure.
"Am freelancing. TIp please." said the Deliverator.
The kneeling Tri-Leth managed to fish out some credits. "There, ow, there."
"Rest of you as well." said the Deliverator.
There were some protests, but eventually, the others managed to find some credits as well. The Delivaerator released his captive, gathered the credits and dropped the bag before walking off.
"Aren't you going to say 'Enjoy your meal'?" called out a Tri-Leth.
The Deliverator turned, "Why?" he said before walking back to the speeder. Once back he remounted and they were speeding off once again. Another short yet unforgettable journey and the speeder was cooling down outside the rear entrance to a restaurant. The Deliverator dismounted and motioned for Milly to do so as well. Legs wobbling, she followed him inside.
"Hi Mom!" called out Anakin as he entered Hyperfusion. He removed his helmet, then ran and hugged his mother.
"Hello Ani." said Shmi, hugging him back, she looked up, noticing the young woman. "Ani, who is this? Why is she so, so, so."
Anakin looked up. "Wet. The word is wet. It's been raining.", he then twisted and regarded the person he had rescued. "Um, what is your name?"
The woman shivered, "Millicent. Millicent Young. Everyone calls me Milly."
"You poor thing. Sit down. Let's get you warmed up. Ani, go find some clothes for her." ordered Shmi.
Anakin did as he was told. He soon returned with a bundle of clothing.
"Thankyou Ani. Now, go wait in the restaurant while she gets changed."
"Why?" said Anakin. She was just going to put on new clothes.
"Anakin Skywalker go now." said his mother sharply.
Deciding not to argue Anakin obeyed. He found Palpatine tidying up.
"Anakin my boy, what are you doing here so soon? Normally your mother insists on feeding you," said Palpatine.
"Oh, mums helping Millicent get dressed, I'm not allowed to help," explained Anakin.
"Millicent? Dressed? Anakin, what is going on?" asked Palpatine.
"Millicent works for Bobby Burgers. Her van broke. So I made her delivery and brought her here." said Anakin.
"Oh, I think I see now. Anakin, normally people on Coruscant prefer to dress in private." attempted Palpatine.
"Why? She wasn't really wearing much before. Their uniform's really dumb." said Anakin.
"I think Anakin that you will see differently in a short while," said Palpatine.
"This is about sex, right? That's why she's dressed like that? Because the food is rubbish." sighed Anakin. Galactics had so many issues over sex. It was hard to keep track of them all.
Palpatine chuckled, "Yes, yes it is. It is hard to remember just how different your life was to what others consider normal. It remains that modesty is highly valued by Galactics."
Anakin frowned, "So, she would rather do something that let her wear more clothing?" he said looking at Palpatine.
"Well for that, we shall have to see," said Palpatine.
Palpatine knocked gently at the door to the restaurant. "Ms Skywalker. Is Millicent properly attired?" after receiving an affirmation he entered and took a moment to assess the situation.
Anakin Skywalker had rescued this attractive young woman seemingly at random. Except, he doubted there was nothing random about anything in that young man's life. So, if she were in his restaurant for a reason, it behoved him to find out what that reason was. At that moment Millicent looked up from the tea she was drinking. Recognition, then fear flashed across her face.
"Sheev Palpatine!" Millicent said.
"Why yes, so I am. Now relax my dear. I am not the 'Evil Emperor' of the food Empire my competitors holo me as. I am but a humble restaurateur. Now, Anakin says you were in a spot of bother. Tell me about it." he said.
Millicent recounted events. While he did not doubt it could easily feature in some daytime holo as an amusing anecdote there was something missing. Like a vital ingredient that subtly completed the dish. What could it be?
"That sounds terrible. Why do you do this and wear that voluntarily?" said Shmi indicating the sodden pile that was the now discarded uniform.
"Because I'm an idiot. I don't have any job skills. Just a dumb arts student." sniffed Millicent.
There! "Arts, Miss Young? You are a student then?" he said.
"Yes. Classics Major. I came to study at GalCenU, but everything here's so expensive. I needed a job, and well, here I am. Oh shit, I need to com my boss. Let him know what happened."
"Here. Use mine." offered Palpatine, holding out his com. When the girl took it he motioned to a side room where she could make the call and she hurried off.
"Classics?" asked both Skywalkers.
"Throughout the Galaxy, there are many famous tales, plays, songs and stories. The most enduring pieces are called 'The Classics' and people like Miss Young study them." said Palpatine explaining.
"What for?" said both Skywalkers in unison. "She just studies old tales?" added Anakin.
"Those old tales help us understand universal truths that we, the Galaxy at large should never forget. While not as immediately practical as building speeders or cooking amazing recipes it is important." attempted Palpatine.
"If you say so," said Anakin, unconvinced.
At that moment Millicent returned, "That fink. Well, I didn't need your stupid job anyway."
"Trouble?"
"I've just been fired. My rent's three standards over and I have an essay due Taungsday. So, pretty normal. Can I trouble you for a lift home?" said Millicent.
"In searing heat with double suns, Far, far away from any eyes. In a forge of hate and cruelty..." began Palpatine.
"Shall love make the Chosen One." completed Millicent, "Sorry, bad habit."
"Oh, I disagree. Miss Young. It seems you have a very useful talent. And it seems also by chance that you are in need of employment?" said Palpatine with a smile.