Chapter 2

He had fallen asleep for the first time long after midnight at his desk. With an aching back he woke up from his nap and decided tiredly to leave for his bed where he had soon fallen back into his nightmares again.

At the 6th hour of the morning Sate Pestage knocked as always on the door when the Chancellor had spent the night at his office working on urgent matters. Inside a sleepy individual tried to hide under his sheets for another few minutes of sleep or at least napping. But duty was calling and the Chancellor could not aware of losing time or being late for his appointments. Not, if he wanted to be re-elected for another term soon.

Senators were not that forgiving, especially not if you let them wait for a simply appointment in the very early morning. So he finally made it out of bed to hurry in his bathroom for a refreshing shower and later on for a small cup of coffee between overseeing today's' schedule and the daily meeting with his staff members. As often, no regular breakfast or what was worth the meaning. Sadly caffeine did not pushed him up any longer, so he had to really concentrate on the issues a lot.

Probably there was a slight hint of a possibility to slip out from office early in the evening today to get home and fall asleep at once.

Sometimes he was wondering if it was really necessary to be present at any social activities the senate organised. As there were the senate balls. Six per season, opening this evening at the great senate hall, just around the corner of the senate rotunda.

He had often tried to refuse coming but went there every time nonetheless since his advisors made it clear to him to be present at such events as well. For him it was a personal nightmare to great and meet the ones on a social, probably private basis he used to work with. But allies did interpret a lot in such events.

I won't stay longer than necessary! Leaving at 22nd hour will do; no more, no less!

After his last appointment has left his office he sent a few of his staff to finish work. Only a few of his closest advisors would accompany him to tonight's event. They were his official company since he never had female company with him. Of course he had had relationships with women when he had become chancellor, but none of them lasted long enough to show his girlfriend to the public. He so kept his former relationships hidden and a secret and the women also kept silent. It was a certain arrangement…

In public he was seen conservative and appearingly asexual,…some also were wondering if the chancellor was maybe gay. Of course he was not, but better let them guessing about his non-existing private life as a media who snooped around in his relationships.

Sighing he made his way to his dresser in his private rooms within the walls of the office. After a short visit to the bathroom and a check into the mirror he changed clothes and then looked up and down his appearance in the mirror. He was not conceited, but it was necessary nowadays, especially in his job, to look as best as possible. Vanity…a Sithlord doesn't fall for vanity.

Another deep sigh went over his thin bloodless lips. He had other, more important things to do and organize than standing unproductive on a corner of a crowded hall having small talk with some senators of an unimportant Outer Rim World.

"Ready my transport home at the 22nd hour, Sate" he whispered towards his most trusted advisor when they left the Chancellor's Office to go these few steps down to the Great Hall where the Senate Ball took place.

"Of course. Any other arrangements for tonight?" Pestage asked in the same low tone.

"Well, no. I just plan to catch some sleep, so please don't let any calls in."

"As you wish, Chancellor. Tomorrow's first meeting is rescheduled" he informed the Chancellor, "it was said Senator Viento became seriously ill."

"Seriously ill? What's that supposed to mean? Did his staff tell you?"

"They didn't, but I got known to information that just an hour ago an ambulance had taken the Senator from his apartment to the nearest med-centre. Until now no further information were given neither to the records nor to your office. I'll see what I might find out…"

"No, Sate, leave that to Kinman. I'm sure his old connections to the higher ranks of the medical facilities might be helpful to us in this case."

"Sure, they do" agreed Pestage and nodded into Kinman Dorianas direction who already knew what his eventually mission could be and now was. Both advisors had been working for Palpatine since he had become Senator of Naboo. Pestage had even worked for him when he had only been one of the King's advisors back on his homeworld. All three of them grew very close, but the connection between Palpatine and Pestage was even deeper than the one to Doriana.

Sate knows who I am…and I can fully trust him. Even with my life! Although I would never do it, but it feels safe I probably could…

A last sigh. Enter the lovely Chancellor.

This stage was now his!