Chapter Three:

"'But Sir, I haven't had that kind of training!'" Princess Leia Vader ad-libbed with a grin while the woman on the screen awkwardly took the baby being handed to her from the man also on screen.

"'Well, consider this your training then,'" Prince Luke Vader retorted with dramatic flair as the man in question tried to pawn the child off on his subordinate.

"'But...'"

"'You are a highly trained operative, Carson, I'm sure you can handle a mere child,'" Luke went on as Leia's character spluttered.

"'Right,'" Leia finally said dryly. "'Which is why my superior wants to be free of him, is that it, Sir?'"

"'Watch your tongue, Lieutenant...'" Luke growled theatrically.

The two laughed like a pair of toddlers as their muted show continued to play without sound. They were seated in the middle of an empty theater auditorium, having the place to themselves as they spent a night together. It was nice, Luke thought as the characters on the screen 'acted out' their improvised roles, to have this uninterrupted time with his twin sister.

They seldom got such time together anymore, and he missed the days they had been inseparable. Not that they fought— quite the contrary; each was the other's best friend— but their parents kept the pair of them so laden with lessons, training and missions that for them to have much quantity of time together was a rarity indeed.

So they instead made their short spurts of time with each other count, always setting aside other things for their sibling whenever they came together.

A nudge from Leia returned Luke's attention fore as she pointed to the screen and spoke to him. "I'd bet you a hundred credits that we couldn't ever get Sergeant Quane to so much as touch a baby."

Luke laughed. "Let alone be caught caring for one."

Leia snickered. "Wouldn't that be a sight to see? I would pay good money to have a holo of that man holding a child."

"Could you imagine the expression on his face at such an occurrence?" Luke rejoined around raucous laughter.

The pair soon forgot all about their show as they lost themselves in small talk while they were alone. Or as alone as they'd ever be in public. They both knew they were being observed from the shadows by their security detail, but they had learned to both live with it and ignore their guards whenever they were enjoying themselves.

The twins were allowed to be in public only with an armed escort, some of which were obviously visible, while others were undercover agents— something the twins had begged for so they could have some freedom outside the palace walls. Luke personally didn't see the need for so many bodyguards when he and Leia were well-trained in the Force and all forms of combat and self-defense by their father and many other tutors.

They were not helpless. And yet...

"You know we have to keep up the image that we don't have the training we do," Leia murmured as she picked up on her twin's thoughts. "The galaxy doesn't know we are Father's Shadows."

Luke sighed, not minding that she had read into his thoughts. It was sometimes a byproduct of their twin bond, though it was one neither of them exploited as a courtesy to the other. They only paid attention when they thought the other needed something from it.

"I know, but I hate that we have to go to such lengths just to go anywhere," Luke replied evenly. "Doesn't he trust us enough to handle ourselves?"

Leia didn't answer, and she didn't need to. To the rest of the galaxy Luke and Leia were the happy and loved children of Emperor and Empress Vader. But the reality of things was that the pair had merely become useful tools the older and more experienced they'd become. Their parents' love for their children had grown cold long ago, and it was no longer affection given to Luke and Leia when they did a job well: instead it was pride. Satisfaction that their father's servants were performing their duties as was expected.

And yet, the twins were afraid to go against their parents... at least outright. They loved their parents, despite their cold natures, but they feared them more than anything else. They were afraid of failing the older Vader's because the punishment for such... weaknesses were always harsh to 'make a point' as their father often stated.

Luke realized the dour turn their evening had taken thanks to him and, determined to make it up to his sister, Luke banished all negative thoughts. "I'm sorry."

Leia took his hand in a silent gesture of acceptance and Luke kissed her cheek in a brotherly manner. "Now, where were we?"

The people on the screen were now chasing the baby in the film as the youngster rushed about the messy apartment and sought to raid a nearby bag of treats in the kitchen.

Luke grinned before speaking in Sergeant Quane's voice. "Now you listen here, child! You will stop this instant and fall in line!"

Leia was red in the face as she tried hard not to laugh, and as Luke went on, her attempt failed.

"I said straighten up! Do NOT get into those cookies, you hear me?" Then, as the child's attempts to have dessert were thwarted, Luke continued. "Stop crying! Man up, boy, or it'll be the basement for you!"

By that point Leia was all but rolling on the floor, and even Luke couldn't go on, so infectious was her laughter. Soon the pair was folded haphazardly over each other as their lively chuckling bounced around the vast room.

00000

From where he sat in his office, Sergeant Hubert Quane passed the time by reading reports and preparing the twin's weekly schedule as he did at the end of each successive week. The Emperor excepted his children to conform to a schedule so he knew where they were. It was also a way for him to monitor their progress in their studies and contact them at any time if needed.

And while Quane could appreciate the military-style way things were run, he occasionally felt sorry for his young charges. Well, maybe not so young anymore, as they were both nineteen.

Or they would be tomorrow.

Quane pondered on the extravagant ball that had been planned by Empress Padmé Vader in behalf of her children's lifeday celebration. Although to be honest, Lady Vader loved throwing parties and enjoyed being the center of attention at such things, so the ball itself was hardly a surprise. But once a year at least, she made room for her children to be center stage... mostly.

But for the last three years, Lady Vader had been trying to get the twins to pair off with someone of the opposite sex, something the two young adults wanted nothing to do with. But their mother seemed determined to have them married before too much longer, or at least dating.

Why that was, Quane could only guess.

His thoughts were interrupted by the beeping of his comlink and Quane answered it promptly. "Sergeant Quane here."

"The Emperor wishes to see you, Sergeant," the voice of the Emperor's majordomo informed him.

"I will be there," Quane replied, already standing and clearing his desk. He hated clutter of any sort, and when he worked, his station was neat and organized.

"Very good," the other said before disconnecting.

As promised, Quane made his way from the office he used in the Imperial Palace to the Throne Room where the Emperor and Empress saw anyone they wished to meet with. Quane made sure his uniform— a deep red garment with gray touches and a gray hat— was perfect and his posture straight before he nodded to the pair of guards who barred access.

The two before him were part of the Emperor and Empress's personal guards, known as the Onyx Guard. Their armor was more specialized than what the average trooper wore, and it was both shiny to a fault and incredibly flexible while strong enough to protect from most attacks.

The two moved aside for him and as Quane stepped through, they resumed their stations once more in silence.

His tread was sure and even, not a hint of hesitation in his gait as he traversed the luxurious room to genuflect before the raised dais where two thrones rested, both of which were occupied, to his surprise.

Quane caught a glimpse of his Empress and took in her expertly tailored gown of a sea green and skin-tone that was both exotic and gave the illusion of revealing more skin than it did.

"Your Majesties, you asked for me?" Quane spoke while bowing his head reverently, choosing not to dwell on the woman's wardrobe.

"Yes, thank you for coming," Emperor Vader replied.

"You are looking well, Sergeant," Empress Padmé remarked, and Quane dipped a little lower for her.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"We wish to confirm that security for the ball tomorrow will be adequate?" Vader's tone was mild.

Quane straightened confidently, knowing that the Emperor meant the personal escorts of his two children. Quane was only responsible for the safety of Luke and Leia, while the rest of palace security fell to another man. One Quane didn't like, personally, but worked with out of necessity.

Also, Quane didn't want to remove himself as one of the only barriers between the twins and Major Yen Menzer. Menzer was a man who had his eye on the prize, and he backed the Emperor completely, was totally loyal... and it was obvious the man relished his high position in the Empire and would do anything short of challenging the Royals for their crowns to further his own ambitions. Yen wanted to have power, wanted to be important... and he wasn't shy about it, though he knew how to play his cards. He thought the Prince and Princess should be under stricter control, and made to conform.

If Menzer had his way, the twins would become mindless, totally obedient servants to their Emperor, regardless of their role as Vader's children.

But even with all that, Quane couldn't deny that Menzer was very good at his job. Security in the Palace and surrounding the Emperor and Empress were airtight, and it was a rare occurrence that anything slipped through unnoticed.

"The Prince and Princess will be well looked after, Your Majesties. They will be safe, and their protection is my top priority." Quane assured the pair. "I have my best men scheduled for the evening, and we are working in concert with Major Menzer to be certain things are run smoothly and airtight."

"I expect nothing less, Sergeant." Vader growled.

"And I do not want to have either of my children wandering off before the ball ends," Padmé added, meeting Quane's gaze openly. "They will stay for the entire evening, and if they leave the event you will be held responsible."

"Yes, Your Highness," Quane bowed again.

It had happened in many other balls: Luke or Leia— sometimes both— would find a way to escape the evening and go elsewhere. Quane had caught flak for it each time, but had said little to the twins. The pair of them were actually really good kids, despite the heavy load placed upon their shoulders. It was uncommon that they caused trouble, especially for Quane, and they seldom did such things on purpose with the intent of getting him into trouble.

Quane would speak with them, and they would behave; he knew they would.

"If that is all you have to report, then you are dismissed," Vader told Quane, and with that he turned to his wife.

Taking the hint, Quane bowed low a final time and retreated.

00000

Padmé watched the man leave with a raised brow, and once he was out of earshot Vader— Anakin to her —spoke.

"We caught Dishon." He stroked his chin as Padmé's head came back around. "He will be publicly executed the day after our children's lifeday celebration."

"Good," Padmé remarked sharply. "The Jedi must not return. Their disease needs to remain wiped out from the galaxy. And we must show the Empire that dissenters will not be tolerated."

Vader's lips lifted in a predatory smile. "I love it when you talk like that. You always did have my back."

Padmé ran a finger up his arm, relishing how he shuddered at her touch. "I have, and I always will."

Vader hummed and ran his hand down her frame sensually. "You are teasing me in that gown, you know that, right?"

Padmé's eyes sparkled with pleasure. "Why do you think I wore it today?"

Vader made a noise deep in his chest and easily moved her onto his lap, where he began to shower his wife with kisses all along her exposed skin.

"I was thinking of having Luke do the job," Vader murmured between ministrations. "He needs the extra push... the experience."

Padmé considered even as she quivered at her husband's touch. "Yes... Luke needs to be brought more into the Darkness. He does his tasks, yes, but he has too many Light tendencies. He's too soft."

Anakin nodded, sliding a hand along her leg. "Then it's settled. Luke will execute Dishon, or he will be punished."

"And Leia will watch: she won't be left out." Padmé hummed softly. "Although, Leia has been less hardheaded about things than her brother. And she's taken to politics like I have. She will excel in that field."

Anakin felt a surge of pride for his daughter. "Very good. Now, let's move things along, shall we?"

"Please." Padmé allowed him to hoist her up and carry her along the secret passageways to their bedchambers.

00000

When their show was over, Luke and Leia spent a long time still conversing, neither one wanting to concede to the fact that they had to go back to their rooms now. Finally, as they'd known would happen, their escort reappeared.

"Princess Leia, Prince Luke, it's time to go now," the head agent said.

Leia and Luke sighed and stood without complaint to the man. He was only doing his job, after all. "Alright."

The duo walked side by side up the aisle and then out of the theater. Then, in a bout of inspiration, Luke looked over his shoulder at the lead agent. "We will walk back."

Leia, catching on, nodded when the man began to protest. "It's settled: we walk. I'm sure we will be safe with you all here."

The man grumbled something under his breath and the twins shared a mental high-five. Leia shivered some in the night air, and Luke gave her his coat without a second thought.

"Thank you," Leia murmured with a soft smile for her twin.

"Of course." Luke looked about them, hands held before him while his fingers played idly.

Leia eyed him after several minutes, concerned. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Luke caught a glint of light on the armor of their escort and noted their position, then glanced to his sister. "Just thinking of tomorrow."

Leia blanched slightly. "Yeah... I've been trying not to. Who do you think Mother will introduce us to this year?"

Luke's mood soured some. "No one, I hope. But we aren't that lucky."

"Not in that area," Leia agreed glumly. "I'm so tired of warding off the stuck-up suitors Mother thinks I want around."

"At least none of them have tried to force themselves on you," Luke returned with a shiver of disgust. "It's all I can do not to throw the girls across the room when they've done that. The last two did it, and I wanted to vomit."

"You should have... on their dresses," Leia quipped, and she was gratified to see her brother perk up. "It would have gotten them to leave in a jiffy."

Luke considered, and then kissed her head. "Thank you for the thought. If my date tomorrow suddenly runs away screaming... you know why."

Leia laughed with him, threading her arm through Luke's. He willingly escorted her, feeling protective of his sister as always.

"I'm just glad we're in this together. I wouldn't want to be alone in this event," Luke remarked.

Leia grimaced. "Me too. At least it's just once a year."

"Yes." Luke sighed. "I would much rather have a simple evening than the extravaganza Mother always puts on."

"She does love her parties," Leia muttered.

Luke didn't comment, feeling it wasn't really his place to do so. What their mother did was her business, though he didn't have to always like it.

His attention was diverted by a scuffle in a nearby alley and Luke broke off from Leia to investigate. He saw a pair of human men beating upon a younger, male Omwati. The usually pale blue skin of the latter was blackened and purple with bruises and the poor man was bleeding in several places.

"Stop!" Luke barked, and the two men whirled in surprise even as the security detail following Luke and Leia closed in hurriedly now that they realized Luke was confronting someone. "What is going on?"

The men traded looks, and the taller one sneered, rising to his full height. "Well, if it isn't the Prince himself. Come out to play, have we?"

Luke ignored the jab and stepped forward. "Leave that man alone. What has he done to deserve your treatment of him?"

The man snorted. "He was born an alien, that's what."

Luke's eyes flashed and he used the Force to shove the two men away from the Omwati, who was watching the proceedings with wide, dark eyes. "Get out of here before I have you arrested for discrimination."

The men grumbled but left while Luke approached the injured man. "It's alright, I won't harm you."

"Your Majesty." The being stuttered. "It's not right for you to care."

"I'm not Emperor, so it's just Prince, or My Lord," Luke corrected patiently. "And I can care all I want."

The other didn't argue, and Luke, sensing his continued fear, sighed. Glancing over his shoulder, Luke motioned to the nearest guard. "See to it he gets the needed care, and then make sure he gets home safely."

"Yes, My Lord," the man replied, helping the Omwati up and walking him away.

Once they were on the move again, Leia looked him side-on. "You know Father will have a fit if he finds out about this."

Luke paled slightly, but didn't answer right away.

"Yeah... I know," he finally whispered. "But I can't help it. I want to help people, not hurt them."

Leia took his hand, worried. "Luke... I won't say anything, but you've got to be careful. You helped that man, yes, but at what cost?"

"I can take some pain," Luke muttered, but he knew where she was coming from on this. Leia was concerned he would be punished for being too soft. He probably would.

"Let's just get home," Luke whispered as the silence grew to be uncomfortable.

Leia didn't speak, only took his arm again, an offer of comfort her twin readily accepted.

Once they were before Leia's door, Luke gave her a tight hug. "I love you, Leia."

She hugged him in return. "And I love you, Brother."

They parted ways and Luke entered his own room down the hall. But instead of going to bed, Luke dressed into his nightclothes and sat on his open-air balcony, gazing longingly at the stars above.