Chapter 2

One year after the Governor's Ball –

Over the last year, the Emperor became much more reclusive placing the Vaders and Tarkin as visible figureheads of the Empire, but leaving no doubt as to whom was in control. The Emperor sent Vader on various missions to weed out the surviving Jedi. The Lady Amidala Vader is placed at the head of the Imperial Senate with Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin being her counterpart as the head of the Moff council. The two could not be more opposite if they tried. Tarkin continually undermines her attempts at budgeting relief funds for those hit hardest by the war, touting that more funding was needed to improve the militaries ability to keep the peace. Meanwhile, Amidala insists that the so-called Tarkin Doctrine went to enslave viable members of the Empire. The current meeting with Palpatine only seems to showcase these differences.

"Emperor, I must object." Amidala spoke vehemently, "The sanctions Moff Tarkin proposes will only serve to alienate non-humans against you."

"Your Majesty, these beings openly defied our laws." Tarkin spoke in a smooth, unconcerned tone. "It is my belief that the galaxy should learn the actions of few effect the many."

"Emperor, I can certainly agree that disregard for our laws must be punished, but to enslave an entire species for the actions of a few seems extreme. There are other options," Amidala started to list ideas, "trade embargoes, travel restrictions –

The Emperor held up his hand to stop her. "I understand your concerns Lady Vader, but I have to agree with Governor Tarkin on this point. The Wookiees will be enslaved to work for the good of the Empire. However, trade restrictions are a good idea as well to ensure acceptance of their plight the Wookiee home world will be interdicted." Amidala moved to speak but the Emperor cut her off with a hand. "This meeting is adjourned." Amidala curtseyed and left the throne room with Tarkin trailing closely behind.

Amidala cringed inwardly at having to share a turbolift with the vile man that was Tarkin. She immediately realized her mistake when he started talking.

"You know, my lady, that you could gain my support for these missions of mercy." He slowly moved the back of his fingers down her arm. She had to resist the urge to strike out, as he continued softly. "Some small concessions on your part could serve the foundation for large concessions on my part."

She moved out of his reach and looked at him coldly. "I have thought you to be many things Governor Tarkin, but until now I hadn't taken you for a fool. What do you think my husband would do should knowledge of this advance reach him?"

"He can do nothing; the Emperor wouldn't allow it." He stepped closer and took her chin. "You should be reasonable; this would help us both. After all, it can't be easy to have gone at least a year without any companionship"

She again removed herself from his touch and spoke in a soft but menacing tone. "First, in case you haven't noticed, my husband tends to operate under the 'It is easier to ask forgiveness' philosophy where the Emperor's pets are concerned. Secondly, I have never been so alone that I would stoop to what you propose." She snorted and looked at him derisively. "Especially with the likes of you."

Tarkin, however, only sneered at her. "Don't act so untouchable; accidents happen on Coruscant all of the time." He smiled haughtily at her. "It would be a shame if such an accident happened to you, the loved Lady of the people." She glared at him absolute menace etched on her face. The lift arriving at their destination saved him from the fact that such a look might kill.

She stopped just out side the lift and turned to Tarkin for a moment. "I wonder if anyone could weather the storm that is Lord Vader should he lose what remains of his humanity." Tarkin carried that thought back to his office in the senate building. He had presumed that the Emperor used Amidala as a means to keep Vader in check, but he had not considered what would happen if that balance was removed. It slowly occurred to him that the same entity that summarily hunted down and slaughtered the Jedi would deal with Tarkin and the rest of the bureaucrats with a brutal expediency.

These thoughts kept him preoccupied through the floor to his corner office. He was so involved in his musings that he completely ignored his receptionist and entered the office. It was in that moment, seeing Lord Darth Vader waiting behind his desk, that he understood what it was to be afraid. He was still catching his breath when the dark lord spoke. "Governor Tarkin, there are several things of import I wish to discuss with you."

Tarkin's words likewise followed Amidala back to her office. She simply nodded to her assistant as she rattled off messages and reports that had come in while she was meeting with the Emperor. Once seated at her desk Amidala took the list of messages and dismissed the assistant. Now alone she couldn't help but feel the pains of loneliness. It had, in fact, been over a year since she had felt the caress of her husband, and she, as much as anyone, had certain needs. Unfortunately, he was not able to provide for her in this way. In reality, he was barely there emotionally. She missed being Padmé and Anakin more than the sexual side of things. Lord Vader and Lady Amidala didn't talk without shrouded feelings. While through her insistence he revealed everything to her, she could not reciprocate the gesture. Her safety from Lord Vader's wrath would not protect others; should Amidala's knowledge become known to the Dark Lord heads would roll

With a sigh, she pulled up the Galactic Inquisitor, a well known holo rag, and smiled. The lead story this month was of the Organa family's trip to the Alderanian beaches. It warmed her heart, as she scrolled through the holos, to see the young Princess Leia happy as she played in the sand and surf. She stopped at a close-up image of the child. Staring, she softly grazed her fingers down the screen. It was the child's safety and happiness that kept Amidala strong. Duty imposed itself on her secret indulgence in her assistant's voice over the intercom. "My Lady, I'm sorry to interrupt, but Lord Vader is here to see you." Amidala cleared the screen before answering.

"Thank you, Gela; please send him in." Amidala replied then stood to greet her husband. She smiled when he entered she waited for the door to close and then spoke. "I was not aware you had returned. It is good to see you."

"It pleases me as well." He placed a hand awkwardly, but not without affection, on her shoulder. Amidala closed her eyes, allowing the contact to whisk her away to another time when Anakin had touched Padmé, but Anakin was dead and so was Padmé. "I would have come sooner, but I had things to discuss with Governor Tarkin."

Amdala's smile disappeared, replaced with a stern expression as she started to pace. "That man truly makes me envy your abilities." She looked back to Vader who seemed to be waiting patiently for an explanation. "I can't imagine how satisfying it would be to choke him from across the room with my mind." Vader nodded in agreement. She continued softly. "He has suggested things of a private nature between us." The mug on her desk shattered, when she looked to Vader his fists were clenched and he was shaking in rage. A moment later, he released his fists and sighed. "I will deal with this when I return."

"But you just got back." She interrupted him, but he cut off further complaint with a hand.

"An emergency distress capsule came into the system not long after I did. It appears to be from a ship thought to be lost during the war. I will be going to check for survivors." The fact that he was also being sent in case there was a Jedi aboard the ship went unsaid. He watched her discomfort at this turn of events. "You do not feel safe here." It was not a question; he knew she only felt safe in his presence these days. He assumed part of her was seeking comfort in someone she knew. Her handmaidens and Captain Typho had all been dismissed for their safety according to Amidala. He knew the real reason was that she couldn't stand the silent accusations or the looks of betrayal. All attempted correspondence with her family on Naboo went without reply. They refused to hear her side. She had probably sacrificed more than he would ever understand.

She looked at him her eyes hopeful. "The Senate is in recess for two months I could go with you. It would be a chance for me to get off this planet. I beg of you, if I stay here too much longer it will drive me insane." She had asked very little of him since his return and this, while probably dangerous, was well within his power to provide.

"Very well, prepare your things and we will take your transport to the ship." He turned from her starting out the door but suddenly turned back. "Honoghr is a rugged planet, pack accordingly."

The Emperor sat with his throne turned to the vast veiwport, watching a new chromium-coated Naboo diplomatic barge lifting for space. The ship, a gift from the current Queen of Naboo to Lady Amidala Vader, flew with such smooth perfection there could be only one being at the controls. The woman had not survived in his visions throughout the Clone Wars, but it seemed to have no impact on his vision of the future. Things would still play out as he had designed. Tarkin, on the other hand, was quite important to his plans at the moment and in the future. He slowly turned his throne from the panoramic view of Imperial Center to the man kneeling at the food of the dais. "Tell me, Governor Tarkin, have you considered how the risks you take with your life endanger my plans?"

Tarkin lifted his gaze from the floor and looked upon his master. "Forgive me, my liege; but I was not aware that I had taken –

"Fool!" The Emperor boomed. "Even I have no control over Lord Vader where she is concerned. She is, however, a useful tool in keeping him in control. Show her the respect you would a being that could order your death with just a thought. It is a necessary concession, Moff Tarkin; see that you abide to it." He waved a hand dismissively. "You may go." Tarkin rose and walked towards the entrance to the throne room enthralled with how prominently he figured in the emperor's plans. Palpatine's harsh voice stopped him just before he passed the red-robed guards. "I never said that you were irreplaceable, Governor Tarkin." Tarkin's step faltered just before he entered the turbo-lift, the statement stripping his invincibility. Palpatine turned his throne back to the viewport.