Author's note: I'VE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF READERS MIGHT HAVE MISSED CHAPTER 6. IF YOU MISSED MEETING MARA JADE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GO BACK! I POSTED TWO CHAPTERS THAT DAY, SO IT IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE SOME OF YOU MISSED IT.
Sorry about the delay in posting. I've been busy and sick and it's just been FUN lately to have all that on my plate. Having said that, I did want to let you all know that I will have to start posting about once a week. Sadly, we do not have a 36 hour day and I've been running out of time to work on any of my stories. Speaking of which, I did post a crossover (which is not star wars related) if anyone is interested in another family drama I'm working on.
Thanks again for all the reviews! I was a bit worried that I was taking too big a risk with Luke and Leia's aliases. I confess I was biting my nails until I saw some reader approval. Just to keep you all informed, Luke and Leia will retain their identities as brother and sister. I have no intention of crossing any taboo boundaries with this story. I tried to make that clear by introducing their significant others before they traveled to the past, but I did want the air cleared.
Disclaimer: Star Wars is owned by Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd. The following work is not intended to add to, promote or distort this series. This is a work of fanfiction, and the author does not profit in posting. This is simply a writing exercise written for fun.
The bumpy ride down the mountain, being chased by blaster fire, fighting. He was good at those things. He excelled at them, in fact.
Sitting in the cockpit of a ship with a guy he wanted to rip to pieces, but could not. Different story. A very different story, in fact.
And Padme, she must have known how much he was struggling with this. Her eyes would not leave the two of them for a second, and despite desperately wanting to use the refresher, she would not stand from her seat. It was as though she expected another war to erupt in the cockpit.
"So," Rush attempted to be cordial and break the silence, "General Skywalker, is it?" Anakin nodded, not saying a word as he busied himself with a slight repair to his thumb. He'd landed on it funny at some point in the chase, and it was starting to make a weird click when he moved it. He repaired it with the Force, working on the fine motors of it carefully. Adjusting small gears so they interlocked once more. Chances are something needed replacement. Again.
"Yes." He replied, looking up with steely gray-blue eyes.
Clovis, however, wasn't taken aback by him. Rather, Anakin's brazen speech and foul mood seemed to intrigue him. "And, on Cato Nemoido, you were also General Skywalker? Not commander? Not anything else?" Anakin nodded, his predator-like gaze never failing a moment. But Clovis, he wanted to know something. That was made very apparent. "And yet, despite everything that you stand for as a Jedi... you still left me there? Helpless?" Anakin said nothing, his brow lowering as his frown became near permanent.
Padme watched this interaction in confusion, her heart practically being torn in two. She knew both men had enlarged egos, it was something she seemed to be drawn to, but this was insane! It seemed that they were hashing something out, something she wasn't entirely apprised of. "What do you mean helpless?" She glanced from one to the other and then back again. Both men remained silent, a steely gaze boring into a forest one.
Her eyes fell on Anakin's next, noting that his expression had shifted from angry to angrier. She knew that look. Clovis had said something candid, and Anakin did not want it brought to her attention. "General Skywalker? What is this man referring to?" I hate being formal with him, she realized with an internal grimace, But I need answers to understand this mess.
Still, Anakin did not say a word. He continued to stare at Clovis with more malice in his eyes. "General Skywalker?" she pressed. But rather than answer her question, he stood up and walked away. Artoo followed him faithfully, whistling something in binary as he did.
"Whatever." Anakin replied to the droid as though he were half his age.
In watching him behave so poorly, Padme felt betrayed. Was this really the man she fell in love with? She stared at her hands in deliberation when Clovis's suddenly appeared around them.
"He... left me there." Clovis admitted gently, seeing how much this pained her, "To die... I helped you both escape when you were poisoned, and... as soon as you two were free and clear, I asked for him to return the data you stole. He didn't." Padme sighed. In many ways, she could and could not justify Anakin's actions. She could justify that they were for the republic, but she knew it was his personal issues that made him behave in such a way. His personal issues with possessiveness most specifically.
"We needed that data for the republic." Padme told him, "So I understand why... but..."
"He is a Jedi!" Clovis reminded her, standing up as his outrage grew with the topic, "A Jedi is supposed to protect people! Even me!"
Padme sighed, trying her best to think of the most logical excuse she could, "And he does... he's just very protective of his friends. That data was very important to Palpatine, who is like a mentor to him." Clovis's eyes went wide.
"You mean that..." he paused and turned towards the door Anakin just left through, "He's friends with the Chancellor?" Padme nodded.
"And there is little he wouldn't do to help him." She told him, though she wondered, Why am I making excuses for him?!. She was seeing a darker side to Anakin, one she'd never witnessed before. And it was frightening her.
The hospital was teeming with reporters, all who wanted the goods on what befell the beloved Senator Bail Organa. If Leia hadn't been practicing political tact since she was small, she might have had a conniption. Her Jedi training helped as well.
Holding Luke's artificial hand to make their new identities seem plausible, and for support since it had been nearly ten years since she'd last seen her adoptive father, they strolled up to the reception desk, where a young lady sat, her lekku pulled behind her in intricate wraps. She was a Twil'ek, and likely a former slave based on some of the tattoos peeking out from under her hospital garb. "Can I help you?" She asked kindly, her eyes falling instantly on Luke in appraisal.
Luke gestured over towards his sister, "She hasn't been feeling too well... me either for that matter. We just came from the Outer-Rim and are concerned we've come across a bug. Any chance a doctor can have a look?" The Twi'lek, Nana was her name, smiled and nodded, passing them both data-pads to input their information. Thanking her with smiles and nods, the twins moved across the room to the waiting area, where a mass of reporters were being herded by large nurses and assistants to keep the hospital functional.
To prevent herself from fretting over her beloved father, Leia focused very carefully on the hospital registry. They'd known to come here first and foremost because every republic hospital was required to treat whomever walked in the door and keep a record of them. Even though the identities they constructed here were not 'official,' they could serve as temporary validation should any legal issues arise. The rebels had used this backdoor many times before the empire had caught wind of it.
Family Name: she thought to herself, muddling over what Luke had said near the Senate building, I should write Skywalker. I should fully commit myself to my actual identity, but here... how many red flags would that put up.
Luke smiled, Only like three thousand, especially since we have so many reporters in the room with us. Darklighter will do just fine. Leia nodded and keyed the name in.
Given Name: Leia wondered, I wonder who gave me my name... Bail? Breha? Vader or...?
She turned to Luke, her eyes saddened, How are we supposed to protect our mother when we don't even know who she is? Luke shrugged as he muddled that over in his head as well.
You said you remembered her. He pointed out, referring to their heart-to-heart on Endor and their encounter with Potkin not an hour before.
Leia sighed, I remembered feelings about her... that isn't quite the same. Luke frowned in hearing his sister doubt herself ,as usual. Wrapping a supportive arm around her, he kissed her forehead to cover his glancing about, cringing at the prospect of having to feign being in love.
He wanted a general understanding of who they were dealing with here. The room was crawling with various individuals, some seedy, some earnest. Chances are that the creepy old hag from the temple was smart and hired someone to do her work for her. He needed to survey all intentions in the room, just in case. So, not sensing any Jedi in the room, he stretched his senses out, looking for the bad... and the good too.
In the Force, feelings are more than most anything. Luke pointed out gently, Which is all the more reason you should follow father if needbe. I have none of these connections, and we are years from being born. Leia sighed at the thought, saddened at the way fate was forcing her away from the life she'd loved so much to pursue a nightmare.
But she was the daughter of a monster. And she had to accept that.
How do you do it? She wondered as she keyed in her new first name. How do you go on living knowing that our father had done such horrible things? That he... hurt us so willingly to meet his ends? Luke shrugged a moment, deliberating this carefully. He sensed his sister's sincerity.
I don't. He admitted, I don't view the monster as our father. Not as his whole. He was very complex and I try and learn from his complexity...He too keyed in his new given name, I could have easily become that monster, you know. He's no different from me.
But he is Luke! Leia suddenly inserted, glancing over her date of birth and trying to sort that out using the Chronometer on the news. You embraced the light and he didn't. Not until the very end anyways...
I wasn't as desperate as he. Luke reminded her, suddenly forlorn, In our last fight, he was so desperate to convert me and I merely viewed his salvation as a worthy goal, but not a must. I suppose... that is what makes me feel so guilty about it. About cutting off his arm. About going ballistic when he threatened you. Leia sighed and sat back, amazed at just how easily Luke could twist blame on himself.
If you go around carrying the burdens of others so much, She told him sagely, you too will become as desperate at the wrong time. What you did was natural, logical... human.
And who's to say what dragged him down wasn't natural, logical and human? Luke challenged her as he keyed 10.5.24 BRS under his date of birth, thus making himself around 28 in this era. He already figured when he was based on the HoloNews. He'd read everything he could about the Clone Wars during the Galactic Civil War. Not that there was much. But the first months of the Battle of Drongar were being covered on the holonews above the reception desk so he knew whenabouts he was.
"Is that right?" Leia asked as she glanced over his information and keyed the like in her own. If you put that date in... then I'll be born the day before. She mused internally as Luke rolled his eyes with a shrug. Subtly, he moved his own birth date up two days. Of course, he wasn't subtle enough. Leia could sense his intentions as soon as he'd decided upon them. So... naturally she moved her birth date up two more days. Don't even think about it... She warned her brother, finding nothing but humor in this situation, We both know I'm the oldest.
Luke snorted in hearing that and moved his entire birth date up a year, As if... I'm far more mature.
Leia had to fight busting out laughing at that comment, As if... you're only slightly more polished than Han. Their game went on a few more minutes, each one trying to best the other in number of years, with slight giggles and laughs, until they finally decided to enter in the same birth date. With all the people in the galaxy, they would likely not be the first 'couple' born on the same day.
As they keyed that in, the reporters around them began to hustle out of the room.
"The Chancellor is here!" One of them hissed to another as they ran by. "We've got to hurry before we are lost in the crowd!" Luke and Leia glanced at one another, unsure if they should dare follow at first.
"No." Luke decided before Leia could ask her question. Let's get our aliases up and running before we get any other ideas. Leia sighed and continued to add in her information.
It would be too tempting to shoot him anyways. She added as she keyed in another detail-her blood type. Luke snorted at her thought, agreeing wholeheartedly, despite being a Jedi Master. "O negative?" Luke inquired as he glanced over her screen, "How weird?"
Leia glanced up at him, "You too?" He nodded and keyed his own information in. "With all we have in common, I'm amazed we're fraternal half the time." She added as she continued to describe previous medical issues and the like. Luke only snorted.
Eventually, they completed their papers and submitted it in to the desk, where the Twi'lek receptionist gladly took them. Her smile towards Luke was a little more sincere than Leia expected, but they'd learned long ago that there was something about them that drew others to them. A thread of fate as it were. This nurse would likely reappear in need of help. Most usually did.
While they awaited their papers to process, Luke and Leia rested themselves against the backs of their chairs, leaning on one another, trying to catch up on sleep they needed ever so much.
Sleep wasn't to come this time, however, as Nana the Twi'lek soon stood before them, "Mr. and Mrs. Darklighter?" She asked tentatively. Slowly, Luke opened a blue eye. Nana seemed so unsure of herself, he actually felt bad for her. Servitude must have done a number on her.
"Yes?" Luke asked carefully, noticing that Leia was actually listening despite her eyes being closed.
Nana gulped, unsure of what to do under Luke's intense, icy blue stare. "Well, you forgot to mention if... as spouses... you were able to access each others medical files. Though most standard systems simply allow this for spouses, we have to verify it on Coruscant." Luke smiled as he heard this, figuring it was a good thing the girl was so attentive.
"Thank you." Luke replied, "We would have had problems had you not old us about it." In hearing his kindness, Nana flushed and smiled, passing the datapads back to them. Leia yawned and sat up to make the correction. Good thing she caught this, Leia noted in their bond, What good is pretending to be married if we can't control each others medical crap. Luke nodded and chuckled.
About an hour later, Luke stepped out of his room. "Is there a way we can make a private call?" Luke inquired of Nana as she passed by for the fifteenth time. Apparently his status as married in this era didn't seem to drive her off. Which stunned him, truthfully. She nodded and smirked as she walked down the way.
"There is a small booth in the corner on this floor." She pointed behind him before ducking into another room. Luke thanked her and promptly spun around to follow the next portion of their thrown together plan. Their physicals were going pretty well, save for Leia's apparently anemic state, and they should be out within the hour. But he still lacked money to pay for this venture and had no connections to get him into Bail's room. Yet.
And Leia was so desperate to see her beloved father, he wasn't sure he could hold her off much longer.
Fortunately, an old sage of his time was a young queen here. And she was Force-sensitive, which meant she would know his noble intentions on sight. Having found the small, glass booth, he hopped straight in and closed the tiny door over it. It took no time to place the call, and he was relieved it wasn't a public holo, or else he'd have to find money. And he deplored stealing.
"Queen Julia of Bardotta, please." He asked of the duck-like, Bardottan official who answered him. The man was fairly short and somewhat stout, with his snoot twitching while he thought.
"From whom might I direct this call?" The official inquired. Luke had to stop and think about that. His alias would get him nowhere, but was it worth the risk to reveal his true name to the sage?
"General Skywalker." Luke decided. The Bardottan actually looked at him again, likely scrutinizing his features, but that didn't worry Luke. He'd seen what his father looked like as a young man and knew he'd be able to fool a few people... so long as they didn't know him personally.
"Very well." The official allowed before his picture faded away. It didn't take very long before proud Queen Julia appeared on the screen, seated elegantly on her throne as Luke had recalled from when he'd first met her in the future. It had been a month after his father had passed and he wanted to learn how to walk in the light from her. Leia, desperate to keep from following their father as well, had come along to assist him.
"General Skywalker?" She greeted him, her light voice fizzing a bit in the transmission, "How might I help you?" Luke sighed, he was fooling a lot of people today.
"A private audience would be an excellent start, your majesty." Luke bowed and noted that Julia had nodded her head about the room to clear it. A moment later, she welcomed him to proceed.
"Well," Luke began carefully, "To start, I am... not General Skywalker." Julia turned her head towards him in a strange angle, likely pondering his meaning. "But I am in need of your help."
"Normally," Julia chided him, "I would consider this affront a major offense, but I can sense your earnestness. What can I do to help you?" Luke smiled at her, relieved she was as he remembered her. Julia was perhaps the second most curious creature he'd ever met, following Master Yoda narrowly.
"My spouse and I are currently shadowing two important officials in the galaxy." He told her truthfully, sending her his good will carefully through the Force. It wasn't easy considering the distance, and the fact he didn't want Palpatine to detect him, but he managed, "We have foreseen that they will be responsible for great changes in the galaxy. Their survival is imperative. But we haven't the resources nor the connections to get close enough to appropriately guard them. Perhaps you might offer us some aid?" Julia closed her eyes and sighed.
"I..." even at this distance, with his presence still on Bardotta with her, he could sense her access the Force to fact check him. Some of his best techniques were originally hers. "I sense something about you... General Skywalker."
"But I am not-"
"Not Anakin Skywalker." She chuckled at him, "Of that I know. I knew that when you first appeared on screen, as I have met the General once while visiting Coruscant. But you are General Skywalker, none-the-less. The Force has assured me of that." She paused gently, "Tell me, what is your given name, General Skywalker?" Luke sighed.
"Luke, Queen Julia." He replied, trying not to smile at what he should have expected, "And you are most wise."
Julia smiled, "Luke... what a fitting name. You do know what it means, do you not?" Luke smiled.
"Light." He told her, having been informed of this by her in his own time.
Julia leaned forward, bringing her hands under her chin as she did, her eyes wide and eager to engage in this conversation. "I sense your presence here. You are far more powerful than your relative is at this point. Outstandingly so. And so much brighter too. But your presence is so like Anakin Skywalker, I have to wonder how you are related to the man." Luke shrugged.
"I doubt I should reveal this, but... Anakin Skywalker is my father... And a genius..." He told Julia earnestly, who sat back with her eyes wide in surprise, "It's hard to be brighter than that, your majesty." Julia swatted a hand at him.
"Well I don't know about your intelligence," she chuckled at him, "I meant your Force-presence. You are as bright as a star." Luke jumped in his seat, suddenly very worried that Palpatine had sensed him, "We all felt you enter this time-line. You and your... not spouse... sister." Luke nodded.
"Leia."
Julia smiled once more, "It seems our dear General Skywalker named you both well. Light and Light Skywalker. Lovely." She paused a moment before adding, "When you both appeared, it was like having a star set down right in front of me. It burned at my darkest spots and elated me as well. Such power is unheard of in this time... and you say that you are here to protect two officials? They must be terribly important. Who, might I ask?" Luke swallowed, completely surprised and baffled by this conversation.
"Jedi-Knight Anakin Skywalker is the first."
Julia frowned, "Someone intends to assassinate your father?"
Luke shook his head, "Not him. My mother."
"Then why not request to protect her, General?" Luke turned away from the question, answering for Julia wordlessly, "I see. You do not know her." He nodded. Julia allowed for a time of silence, sensing the man's pain in the Force.
"Well." She began as she sat back in her chair, crossing her legs over at the ankles, "I'm not sure I have connections enough to the Jedi to assist you in reuniting with your father... but I will see what I can do on my end."
Luke nodded, "As much as we appreciate this gesture, being so close to our father could cause... complications." Julia eyed him in confusion, "With the time-line so easily tampered with, we do not want our parents to view us as anything more than faces in the crowd." With a smile, Julia nodded.
"Then you truly are as bright as your father."
"Thank you, Queen Julia." Luke replied, bowing once more, "Living in his shadow has been a true test of endurance." Julia chuckled, understanding that feeling.
"Well, if you must be in the background..."
Bail Organa awoke slowly at the gentle prodding of his close friend Mon Mothma. He'd been asleep nearly an hour while the nurses surveyed his injuries, and was grateful for that. Any more time awake would have been murder to him. "Mon?" He asked carefully, not recognizing his voice, "What happened?"
Mon turned her eyes away and sighed, "Someone tried to kill you." She told him as her eyes fell to her hands, "Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Shadday Potkin are currently investigating this." Bail attempted to nod, but the mask over his face stopped him entirely. It was large and breathing for him, which was irritating, as his throat burned something fierce from whatever toxins were injected into his office.
"Do they have any leads yet?" He inquired gently. Mon shook her head, her eyes still on her hands as she listened to his mechanized breathing.
Only the hiss of the door opening broke the punctuated silence, and they turned to find a cloaked man standing in the doorway. He was flanked by troopers dressed in dark blue armor, of whom stayed out in the hall as the figure moseyed into the room. "Senator Organa..." came the tired yet familiar voice of the Chancellor, "How are you feeling?"
Bail sighed, "Like someone tried to kill me." His attempt at humor did not go unnoticed, and Palpatine chuckled slightly. He kept his cloak up, however, as though hiding something. "What about you, Chancellor? Is all well with you? You seem..." what is a good word for this, "Shaken."
Palpatine nodded and carefully reached up with singed hands towards his hood to reveal his own pains. Both Senators were astounded by what they saw, as most of his face was marred by red and burns. "The doctors believe that your injuries were meant for me." He admitted sadly, "Which is strange, considering that our offices are not in proximity with one another. So I am thinking it is something else."He suddenly started coughing, as though his lungs were also greatly damaged. "They've given me some bacta treatments, and say I should be good as new in a few days, but... I'm more worried about you." His eyes fell on the sad sight of Organa once more, "You are one of my strongest negotiators, I can't help but worry that my reliance on you has-"
"-Don't finish that thought, my friend." Bail interrupted him, "I proudly serve. If I have become a target of some fiend, it is by my own doing." His voice was so strange to him, he couldn't wait to be free of this damned machine. But his words seemed to give Palpatine some solace.
That is, until the door opened once more, "Senator Organa?" came the youthful voice of a young blonde man in the doorway. All three of them turned to spot a curious couple standing in the doorway. Their clothes were most casual, but their faces indicated business was on their minds.
"Yes?" he asked, making the short woman beside the man jump a bit. Her face actually seemed to cringe at the sight of him, "How can I help you?"
The man stepped forward, his blonde hair falling into his eyes as he moved. He bowed slightly to them, namely Palpatine, but Bail could have sworn his jaw was tense as he did this. "My name is Jacen Darklighter. I am an honorary member of the Bardottan Clan under her majesty, Queen Julia." He looked up towards Palpatine, his face showing no emotion, but his eyes attempted to hide something large in his heart.
"Queen Julia?" Palpatine inquired, surprised. He wheezed a moment before adding, "Her's is a neutral system, why would she send an emissary here? And now?" Luke glanced at Palpatine a moment, but had to look away for fear of how he'd be angered at the sight of him. As far as he was concerned, this man killed his father twice. First his spirit in this era, and secondly his body in Luke's. It actually made him smile to see the man so marred.
"She and her sages have recently foreseen the significance of Senator Organa." Luke admitted, choosing his words around the Sith Master carefully. If Julia could see through him so easily, he was terrified of what Palpatine could do. "He will bring about a great change in the galaxy, one for the betterment of all. It is their theory that a rival clan intends to eliminate him because of this."
Mon stepped forward, clasping her hands together as she processed this. Her eyes, however, were on the stricken woman beside Darklighter. With brown eyes wide and skin pail, the woman appeared as a frozen porcelain doll. She seemed absolutely horrified at the state of Bail, his body mangled, his eyes swollen and red, his body surviving on a breathing machine that completely altered his voice. He must look like a monster to her. She realized.
"And she has sent you to warn us?" She asked gently, bringing Darklighter's eyes to her.
He shook his head, "No, Senator Mothma, she has not." He then turned his eyes back to Bail, "We are to guard Senator Organa for the next two cycles, until their determined deadline has passed." he then bowed once more, "With your permission, of course."
The three officials were silent as Darklighter and the woman beside him remained poised for their response. Palpatine, most of all, seemed confused by the sight of them. But, eventually, Bail came to a decision, "I welcome you gladly into my security detail, Mr. Darklighter."
To that Darklighter rose and smiled, "Thank you, Senator Organa. It is a privilege to be working with one so esteemed." Palpatine took a step forward, hesitation in his eyes, as he stretched a hand out.
"I thank you for your sacrifice, my boy." he said with what appeared to be the utmost sincerity, "Bail is one of my best negotiators and is by far a great credit to the republic. It relieves me that he will be guarded by someone trusted so well by wise Queen Julia." Darklighter smiled, but it appeared forced, as though being stoic was his default. Palpatine noticed as well that Darklighter would not reach for his hand, as was customary. Who are you boy? He wondered in his darkest thoughts. But even the shadows of the darkside hidden there could not conjure his identity.
But, as though to counter Palpatine's suspicions, Darklighter bowed once more, "It is an honor to meet you Chancellor. Shall I also reserve time to aid you? You appear to have also been attacked." His manners, his movements... why are they so familiar to me? Palpatine wondered as he forced a smile on his face, He reminds me greatly of... Skywalker, in some ways. But that is ridiculous, of course.
Palpatine waved him off, "I have far more resources at my disposal as Chancellor than does Senator Organa at the moment. Do not concern yourself with me." Darklighter nodded, still stoic. Still like Skywalker when he's putting up a front... Interesting.
Mon then motioned towards the still horrified woman in the doorway. She seemed near tears. "And you are, my dear?" She couldn't help but try to be nice to the shaken lady, who was startled by the sudden attention she was receiving.
"Jaina Darklighter, m'lady." She replied, also bowing much as Jacen had.
Jacen turned his body to include Jaina in the conversation, "She is my wife." Palpatine eyed the woman closely for a moment, finding himself chuckling internally. He really does remind me of Skywalker. Same taste in women too. He then thought darkly to himself, That bright light in the Force must have knocked my senses more than I'd have liked if this is the extent to which I can divine another presence. I must rest soon.
"Will she also be guarding Bail then?" Mon wondered with a raised red brow.
Jaina nodded, "Her majesty, Queen Julia, feels that both my husband and I will deter any assassination attempts. We were in the area when you were attacked, and believe we know the assailants that attacked you. They have no name, but are most dangerous." Her eyes again fell on Bail, but at least her sadness makes sense now, Mon decided with an understanding smile, I would be worried for my husband as well if this was the sight I'd walked into.
"If you will excuse us then." Jacen nodded to them, "It appears our presence has tired you, senator." They all nodded to him.
"Yes, yes. I agree." Palpatine added, turning to Mothma, "I think it is wise for Bail to rest. Perhaps we should all go."
Bail smiled weakly, something no one could see through his mask, "Thank you, Chancellor."
Jacen and Jaina were first to depart, bowing respectfully as they stepped into the hall. They were gone as quickly as they'd appeared, leaving Palpatine to speculate about them later.
"Well, I'm not sure how much help this Darklighter will be," Palpatine noted as he turned back towards Bail, "But it is reassuring to know that even neutral systems seek to protect you. Surely this plot will be exposed quickly and we can resume daily life once more." He rested a trembling hand on Bail's and patted it in a grandfatherly sort of way. "I will leave you to rest now. Keep me apprised of your progress on all fronts, my friend."
"Will do." Bail called through his voice modifier, "Thank you again, Chancellor."
Palpatine then turned to Mon and voiced his goodbye, wanting to be free of this antiseptic hellhole. He hated the sick and the dying and being in a hospital made him seethe internally. He left the room to Mon's farewell and found his guards at the doorway, waiting patiently for him.
Without a word, they proceeded down the lane towards the lift. But, as the blue clad guard pressed the button, his comrades surveying every step they took, Palpatine's eyes wandered.
In the space beside the elevator, he spotted Darlighter embracing his wife, who's eyes were tear-filled. Were Palpatine an emotional man, he would have been struck by their tenderness, but rather he found their pain most enjoyable. It was supposed to be a personal moment, and he relished the fact that this stoic, uptight Darkligher was not to receive all the privacy he'd desired in this corner. It seemed Palpatine had found something to detest about the man. Namely his likeness to all the things he hated about Skywalker... save for that whiny streak he fell into now and then. Darklighter seems to lack that, at least. As if sensing his thoughts, Jacen Darklighter's eyes met his for a small moment, then he turned back to his distraught wife.
Wordlessly, Darklighter frowned and placed a kiss on his bride's forehead, looking into her eyes afterwards with reassurance. Through the Force, Palpatine could sense their interaction. It was a sweet bond, teeming with great light. Not like that star from before, but brilliant none-the-less. An excellent omen for the most star-crossed of lovers, Palpatine decided with a sneer.
Darkligher took a step to the side to return to his assignment and leave his wife to recover from whatever emotional baggage she was carrying. It seems you are extremely reserved. Palpatine noted, fighting a chuckle. He watched as the man walked the few paces he needed to rejoin Senators Organa and Mothma. Jaina, still caught in sorrow, stood by the elevator, her arms around herself.
Palpatine couldn't help but ask, "How long have you two been married?"
Jaina jumped once again, her eyes falling to her feet, "T-two months. We were supposed to be on holiday." Palpatine sighed as he heard that.
"What a shame." Jaina nodded.
"But... Duty is duty." She admitted, her eyes turning to him with a similar poise to her husband's. It seemed the emotion of the situation had already broken in, "And where would the world be without responsibility?"
Palpatine chuckled as the elevator door opened, "Indeed, m'lady." The first of the guards entered the open doors and surveyed the lift, clearing it for the Chancellor, "Come, I would share my lift with you." She smiled, but did not accept his opened hand.
"Thank you, Chancellor." She replied, falling into step with him, "It seems I am in need of refreshments. L-Jacen has elected me to get them while I pull myself together."
Frowning slightly, Palpatine lowered his hand and walked alongside the lovely young lady into the lift. And she is lovely, he realized as he surveyed her, positively beautiful. Radiant even. His old, greedy mind grimaced the fact that she was already spoken for. That the previous moment of tenderness had not been exchanged with him. Perhaps Mr. Darklighter will not return from this assignment. Palpatine thought darkly.
"So." He attempted to make small talk, amazed as to how he suddenly felt like a young school boy once again. He hadn't felt that way since that demoness Mimra had courted him on Naboo all those years ago. "If you don't mind my asking, why are you so distraught, my dear?" Jaina turned to him and smiled warmly, making his pulse rise just a bit.
"I was just informed that my father has suffered a near fatal accident." She replied with a firmness in her voice that rivaled Halle Burtoni. He felt delight at the sound of it.
"Ah!" Palpatine feigned sadness as his insides relished this news merrily, "Will he recover?" Jaina made no motion of yes or no.
"That is to be determined." She admitted once more, "My... mother is keeping me appraised."
Palpatine smiled as he heard this, wondering how he could exploit this change of events. It really seemed apparent that this Darklighter was not the sensitive type, and he would have been a fool not to collect the angel before him into his house.
"I hope this lift hurries." Jaina commented as the neared the lobby, "I'm worried I'll miss the lunch menu. That, and I don't know where I am going really."
Smirking devilishly, Palpatine suggested, "Then allow me to escort you there."
Author's Note: I was really excited to post this chapter. Leia strikes me as so stubborn that only something really startling would get her eyes to open up. And poor Padme... she's already starting to rationalize away her husband's darkness. I hope you found all this interesting. Please review and let me know what you think!