Entry 47

We arrived at the palace the next day and the situation quickly became interesting…and by interesting I mean stressful. The first thing I noticed was a number of high-ranking Imperials among the guests. That had me wondering if Aren and Degan were completely wrong about the Alderaan Royals having sympathy for the rebellion. Or perhaps the Emperor would have found it suspicious if Imperials were omitted from the guest list. I am hoping it is the latter.

Sacha and I were in a long reception line waiting to be formally introduced to Queen Breha Organa and her husband Prince Bail Organa. I looked down the queue and spotted the birthday girl standing between her parents. Princess Leia Organa was a cute dark haired toddler garbed in a frilly white dress. Despite her age she exuded an air of royalty about her. I was amazed they could teach such pose and patience to a child so young.

As we crept slowly up the line I desperately tried to think of a way to broach the subject of the rebellion to the guests in attendance. Even if I found a rebel collaborator how could I possibly convince them that I, a completely unknown entity, could be trusted? Also, how would I know if I could trust them? I suppose I could use the Force to judge their reactions, but that was dangerous on so many levels. First of all, just talking about the rebellion could get you thrown into a cell with Imperial interrogators and second there was a chance that undercover Inquisitors were present in the room. I had to be very careful.

When we arrived to the front of the reception line a young officer asked for our names, title and planet. He then introduced us to the Queen and Prince. "Your Highnesses, may I introduce Duke and Dutchess Roskin of Kwarron." The Prince offered me his hand in greeting. I shook it hoping my palms weren't sweating. I then side stepped down the line until I was standing in front of the little Princess.

"This is our daughter Leia," Prince Bail Organa said proudly.

I bent slightly at the waist, bowing to the child when I felt a ripple in the Force. I gazed at the little girl and nearly gasped in surprise. She was bathed in a bright aura. I saw ribbons of color emanating from her, swirling Force tendrils extending out and into multiple dimensions and alternate futures. This young girl was connected to the galaxy in a powerful way. I followed those connections and I could see images of the Queen and Prince, a young woman I didn't recognize and then another person…one I knew very well. In my shock I whispered the name of my old friend, "Anakin…" I immediately closed my mouth and hoped I wasn't overheard. There was no mistake, this child had a close connection to Anakin Skywalker…not the person he is now, but the brave hero of the Clone Wars.

"What did you say?" Bail Organa's voice was tense and contained a tinge of panic.

I straightened and tried to calm myself down. I knew the Queen and Prince had adopted the baby…could Anakin be the father?

"Duke Roskin, please repeat what you said, " the Prince asked again, this time more sharply.

I looked to him and back to the small child. I forced a smile on my face. "Excuse me, your Highness. I said Aquin, it is an ancient form of greeting on my home world. I often forget those not from Kwarron would not understand this archaic expression. I apologize for my rudeness."

The Queen appeared to relax, but I could feel Bail Organa's suspicion reverberating through the Force. We stood there for an awkward moment before Sacha broke the silence. "It is an honor to be here. Thank you for inviting us your Highnesses."

Bail Organa glanced between Sacha and me before he took Sacha's hand and brought it up to his lips. I thought he was going to kiss her, but he stopped short and gave Sacha a small nod of his head. "Thank you for coming to our little celebration."

Sacha flashed him a brilliant smile that appeared to assuaged some of the tension and suspicions.

"The honor is ours your Highness." Sacha smiled warmly down to Bail's daughter before we moved to the queen and greeted her cordially.

When we made it out of the reception line I sighed deeply as relief rushed through my body. That was a close call. For the next hour Sacha and I ate sparingly from the appetizer table and mingled with the guests. I tried to nonchalantly bring up the rebellion, but nobody wanted to venture into that conversation while Imperials were interspersed throughout the ballroom. When the orchestra began playing a slow, melodious tune, I turned to Sacha and offered her my hand. "May I have this dance?"

She smiled brightly. "Of course, my Duke."

We made our way out to the large dance floor and began to move to the music. Sacha leaned into my body and rested her head on my shoulder. Her nearness, the scent of her perfume, the heat of her skin made my heart flutter and my breathing rapid. She obviously felt my anxiety. She leaned back slightly and gazed into my eyes. "Your heart is pounding. Do you sense danger?"

I took a couple deep breaths trying to calm my beating heart. "Sacha…" I stopped not knowing what to say. I finally gave her a weak smile. "No danger…it's just being around you that gets my heart beating rapidly."

Her lips twitched into a shy and delighted smile as she lowered her head back to my shoulder. "Are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

"Better about what?"

"About my embarrassing revelation last night?"

I leaned my head down so I could whisper in her ear. "No, and don't be embarrassed. I'm flattered."

"But not interested at this time," she said softly.

"That's not true. I'm very interested, but conflicted."

"You're sweet for saying so, Jax."

"I say it because it's true. I love being around you." I pulled her slightly closer to my body. "Let's just have fun while we're here."

"Okay."

She relaxed in my arms and I was really starting to enjoy myself when two armed guards came up to us. They gave us a respectful bow before speaking. "Duke and Duchess, the Prince requests your presence in his private quarters."

I turned to Sacha, her eyes wide with apprehension. I took her hand in mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Of course."

We followed the men out of the massive room, down a long hall and past two wooden double doors. Inside Prince Bail Organa sat at his desk. As we entered the room the guards shut the doors behind us and took a position blocking our exit.

"Please sit down." The Prince gestured at two chairs placed in front of his ornate desk. As we sat he steepled his fingers under his chin as he scrutinized us silently for a long, heart pounding moment. "I checked with my staff and they did send an invitation to Kwarron. I have a historian who is an expert on Kwarron language and culture and he adamantly denies there is any ancient greeting called Aquin."

I knew he was bluffing. Kwarron has been in isolation for centuries. It is doubtful there is an expert on Kwarron culture on Alderaan. "I assure you, your Highness, there is such a greeting. Perhaps if I can talk to your historian I can enlighten him."

Bail leaned forward in his chair and glared at me. "You said Anakin. I heard it distinctly. My wife heard it…and you said it while gazing at my daughter. Why did you say Anakin?"

Sacha was fidgeting with her dress, her eyes cast down. She doesn't know anything about Anakin Skywalker. She had to be confused by this discussion. I was a bit confused also. Did Anakin Skywalker father a child and, if so, how did the Organa family end up raising her? Did they know Anakin was now Darth Vader? Did Vader give them his daughter to raise? There was so many unknowns. I straightened in my chair and simply asked, "Do you wish to discuss Anakin Skywalker in front of your guards?"

Bail blanched when I said the Skywalker name. He motioned for his guards to leave. When they protested he pulled a blaster out of his desk drawer and set it on the table top. "I am quite capable of protecting myself. Please leave."

When they exited he sat back in his chair crossing his arms over his chest. "What do you know of Anakin Skywalker?"

I tried to get a read on the Prince but I couldn't gather any indication on where he stood when it came to the Empire and the rebellion. I decided to relax and let the Force guide me. "I know Anakin Skywalker is now Darth Vader."

His eyes narrowed, but I didn't register any surprise. "And how does that relate to my daughter?"

The only way I could reveal the answer to that question was to admit I was a Jedi. "I knew Anakin while he was at the Temple. Your daughter…I could sense her connection to him in the Force. I suspect he is the father of your daughter."

Prince Organa rose out of his seat. "Who the hell are you?" The words came out between clenched teeth.

"I am Jax Pavan, Jedi Knight." He gave me a scrutinizing glare before he sat back down, his hand hovering near his weapon. I could have easily disarmed him, but I wanted to make an ally, not an enemy. "I'm not here to hurt you or your daughter."

"Then why are you here?"

"I heard the Alderaan government had anti-Imperial leanings. I wanted to help."

The Prince's eyes narrowed further under a furrowed brow. "The Jedi are all dead. I saw them killed before the Temple was burned to the ground. So, how do I know you are a Jedi?"

I put my hand out and his blaster jumped into my palm. Before he could react I returned the weapon to him handle first. "I am a Jedi."

Bail ran a hand over his face. "I don't need a Jedi. The Empire is actively hunting you."

"We know," Sacha whispered to herself.

Bail glanced at her for the first time. "Are you also a Jedi?"

"In training."

He shook his head. "I have great respect for the Jedi Order, so I'm not going to turn you in, but you must leave."

"We will," I assured him. "We came her with a message from the Antarian Rangers. They want to join in your cause."

Bail gave a coarse laugh. "There isn't anything to join. Your friends have been misinformed. Now please leave the palace and do not return." I could see the disappointment in Sacha's face as we both slowly stood fully expecting to be arrested when we exited the room. "Wait." The Prince motioned us back into our seats. "You said you sensed my daughter's connection to Anakin in the Force. Can Inquisitors sense this connection? Could Darth Vader?"

"I don't know. If a person is strong in the Force they could have a recognizable Force signature, but that's not how I picked up the connection. I have a rare ability to see auras and through these auras I can see that person's connection to the universe. An evil person would have a dark aura. Good people has a light halo of energy around them."

"And what color was my daughter's aura?"

"I've never seen such a bright glow. She is important. You must protect her and train her to protect herself. I sense she may be the key to bringing down Palpatine's Empire." I hesitated a moment. "Does she know who her father is…who he is now?"

The Prince shook his head. "No, she'd be too young to understand anyway. We plan on telling her she's a war orphan. I don't need her searching for her biological father. Darth Vader tried to kill Leia's birth mother when she was pregnant and only weeks from delivery. She died shortly after giving birth. As far as I know, Darth Vader believes he killed her and terminated the pregnancy."

I sat back in my chair shocked by this revelation. I knew Vader was evil, but even I found it hard to believe Anakin could kill the woman carrying his child. "It is probably best that information remains secret. If she ever has the misfortune of meeting Darth Vader, you don't want her emotions betraying her."

Bail heaved a sigh. "Do you have a way for me to contact your Rangers?"

I smiled broadly. "Yes, I have a data stick with information on how to contact them. It is through a secure communication channel, heavily encrypted and untraceable." I reached into my pocket and pulled out the data stick. "I have to activate it first." I put my thumb on one side and pressed down. I then handed it to Sacha who did the same. A small red-light on the device blinked indicating it was active. I handed it to the Prince who bounced the device in the palm of his hand before closing his fist around it. "I can't guarantee you anything, but I will consider making contact." He pointed to the door. "Now get out of here before you get caught."

"Thank you," both Sacha and I whispered in relief before rising and exiting the office. As we walked down the long corridor I gave Sacha a sidelong glance. "The crew is set to rendezvous with us tomorrow. Should we contact them now?"

She shook her head. "Let's keep to the schedule."

I nodded knowing she was right, but also realizing we would have to spend another night together. I don't know how much more temptation I could stand.