Chapter 7
Amidala spent the return to Coruscant locked in her state room. Only Raka was allowed in and then merely to bring her food. She had decided to spend the transit alone in her anguish giving herself time to get adjusted to this new information. She was angry, that she knew, but at whom should her anger be directed. So many things had occurred to bring them all to this dreary destination.
The invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation was likely the shatter point that had set her on the path she now stood. Were it not for their unlawful action she would likely never have met the Jedi Qui Gon Jin or Obi-wan Kenobie. The young queen would have certainly never been to Tatooine. Though there was a busted Hyperdrive behind that particular detour; was this all a galactic joke brought on by a faulty hyperdrive. Although without Master Jin's involvement a very young Anakin Skywalker would not have returned to Coruscant with them. That kind boy would have never met the kindly senator Palpantine.
Palpantine, the Emperor to be sure had orchestrated the fall of all she had known. He had carefully maneuvered the entire galaxy like the pieces on a dejarik board. All the times he had spoken to her like a kindly uncle giving advice to a young novice following the path of the righteous in the name of her people. This was not the first time she would curse the naivety that had enabled her to call the no confidence vote against Valorum. In hind sight his subtle words were so easily identified. How easy it had been for him to twist meanings and minds against those in his path, Anakin in particular.
Anakin; it ultimately fell to him. Why didn't he trust her with his fears? Why didn't she insist that he listen to her fears about the government? So many why's and ifs that one truly could not speculate how things might have turned out, but ultimately it had been Anakin's decisions, those split second acts that had brought them to this place in this time. He would be the one to bear the brunt of her ire.
The two ships of the Crescent Moon Fleet exited hyperspace at the navigation buoys designated for military vessels and proceeded into orbit above Coruscant. Amidala thought on how much she had come to hate the planet and how if she were given the chance she would likely spend the majority of her time on Honoghr. She looked down through the magnetic field at the planet that was the quote unquote bright shining center of the galaxy and all she could see was a cesspool of corruption and evil. "Raka," she called to the Noghri warrior who had protected her for the last decade or so, "I would like to avoid any crowds and go home." He nodded and continued to prep the diplomatic barge.
The trip to the penthouse apartment had passed without incident, but as Amidala followed two of the four Noghri into her home she found that even this place did not afford her the comfort it once had. She was however given only an instant for these thoughts before she was unceremoniously shoved to the floor against the wall and held by a pair of strong hands. When she was finally able to see she noticed that it was in fact two of her guards holding her down with one hand and slowly scanning the room through the sights of their blasters. Then the other two pounced from the edges of the room to the couch. After the brief sounds of a tussle she was helped up only to see Raka and his compatriot dragging a large brown haired man from the other side of the couch. Amidala took a minute to straighten her clothes. "Turn on the lights," she ordered looking to the man who had somehow been bound and gagged in a matter of seconds and she again marveled at the skills of the Noghri. "Sit him up and remove the gag, he cannot tell us who he is if he is unable to speak."
"Search the rooms and find how he got in," Raka ordered the other three guards as he removed the gag "overlook nothing and check every possibility." He gave the man a piercing look, "what is your name?"
The man huffed derisively, "I don't answer to- Raka's fist cut off any arrogant remark immediately upon connection with the man's gut.
"Your scent is familiar which means you have been in close proximity with The Lady before. You will admit who you are eventually." Raka cocked his fist for another strike.
"Wait Raka," Amidala cut in. "You were with my husband before we left, weren't you?" The man said nothing and Raka's muscles tightened in anticipation.
"His name is Wrenga Jixton and yes he was with me when we spoke last," Vader's mechanical voice boomed from the door. "I sent him here, he will be aiding in several of our activities. I intend to have him operating from Honoghr with the Noghri squads." The Dark Lord pointed to Wrenga as he neared the group, "you had better learn to follow my wife's orders or I suspect you will find yourself in an uncomfortable situation at the hands of Raka."
The man shrugged, "I didn't know how much to say. I thought it better to err on the side of caution." He moved to stand and Raka helped him up and removed the bindings. "My Lady," he bowed deeply, "Wrenga Jixton at your service, you may call me Jix." His accent was unmistakable.
One delicate eyebrow rose and Amidala turned slowly to look at her husband. "A Correllian, you expect me to tolerate a Correllian after what I've been dealing with." She exhaled in a huff and left to her bedroom unable to deal with so much at the moment.
Vader turned to Jixton, "Raka will familiarize you with the operations." He turned towards the bedroom then looked back in afterthought and pointed at Jix, "no dancers Jixton, not ever again." Then he turned and followed his wife.
He waited until the door closed behind him then stood before her with hands at his waist, "Explain."
Amidala looked up at him from her place on the bed undoing her braids and her eyes narrowed. She slowly stood and faced him her stance threatening. "Do not begin to think that you can speak to me in that tone and get away with it." She punctuated her statement by jabbing a finger into his chest just above the suit controls. "I saw the way our lives would have been were it not for your failures." She landed another poke on his chest. "Now leave I want to get some sleep."
Hours later she found him standing on the balcony looking towards the Jedi Temple. "Sorry," she spoke just above a whisper, "it was uncalled for and cruel. I shouldn't have said it."
"But ultimately true." He was facing her now. "I have been thinking about what could have been."
"And?" she asked stepping closer and taking his hand.
"All we have sacrificed has been for the betterment of the galaxy. The Empire has brought peace and prosperity to places that have never had it before and I would not trade that."
She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly attempting to expel her exasperation. "All of these years and you still don't get it." She looked up to his face through the black lenses of the face mask and into the depths of his eyes. "I have always stood by you and I always will, because," she paused and her face softened, "I love my husband." She squeezed his hand knowing he would get the gesture then released him and walked to the rail looking over the city. "So tell me about your Correllian."
"He was a sergeant in the stormtrooper forces though he was far too much of a free thinker to serve there. I found him a few years back and he has proven to be a talented operative. I intended to place him in your staff after he finishes his current assignment in a few months. He can go places and does not stand out like the Noghri do because he is human. Furthermore he is unquestioningly loyal. Now, do you intend to tell me what is bothering you? It is more than anger over things that I have done."
"I am a woman. It's my prerogative to me mad for no reason."
Several days later Amidala was touring the construction on the new wing of the Imperial Hall of Heroes anonymous in the hood of her cloak. It was an establishment she had never been able to truly get behind. She had trouble with the Imperial Hall of Heroes mainly because as far as she was concerned most of the people venerated in it should be on trail as war criminals. She would be hard pressed to deny that the architecture throughout the halls was magnificent and she soon found herself enjoying the beauty of the place.
She spent time thinking on what her husband had said as she watched the Wookie slaves work, and she wanted to cry. Thankfully a commotion amongst the officers and stormtroopers caught her attention. She watched astonished as the troopers proceeded to beat a young officer down then drag and stand him against a wall. The troopers acting under the orders of a commander proceed to line up as a firing squad. She slowly came back to reality as the officer called out the cadence.
"Ready,"
The young man looked to his killers.
"Aim"
He squeezed his eyes shut preparing for the blaster bolts about to sear through his body.
"STAND DOWN!" A female's voice ordered, across the floor everything stopped the entire work force turned to look at Amidala. The Stormtroopers due to years of conditioning immediately snapped to attention. The commander shook with rage as he waited to see what woman would have the audacity to interrupt him. He snapped out the instant she came into view.
"Who do you think you are?" The commander snapped out just as she stepped into view. She stepped up to the commander, who stared down with hands on his hips, and removed the hood.
"I am Lady Amidala Vader, and whoever you are you should be at attention." The commander slowly came to attention.
"Commander Nyklas at your service," he answered derisively, "I was in the process of disciplining this traitor when you stopped me."
"And what was his act of treason?"
"Lieutenant Solo stopped me from destroying one of these unruly beasts and allowed it to escape."
"I see, you may return to your duties Commander Nyklas, I will deal with Lieutenant Solo." She started towards the young officer who had by this point slumped to the floor.
"But my Lady I must- Amidala looked back with scalding eyes. "That will be all Commander."
The Commander inhaled deeply then turned and stalked away. Amidala made her way to the injured Lieutenant and knelt before him gently cleaning his injured face with a handkerchief. It was obvious that the deep cut across his chin would need more than she had available. "What is your name Lieutenant?" He looked up through swollen eyes at her.
"Han Solo, milady," he rasped out his attempt at a bow stopped in pain. She looked to Raka who had quickly aligned the rest of her guard and started checking the rest of the Lieutenant's body for injuries.
"Several ribs are cracked, maybe broken," he looked at her questioningly, "medical attention would be best but he appears to be hardy for a human, and the quicker he gets off planet the better."
"The good Commander will certainly be out for blood." She thought for a moment, "Where is the Wookiee he saved?" One of the other guards spoke up.
"There is a slight blood trail leading that way milady I could easily track him."
"Do it Kavish, I doubt he went far Wookiees are far too honorable to leave a being who save their life. Keep in touch with Raka." The young Noghri nodded his head then disappeared.
"Raka see to it that he and his friend get passage to a non imperial world," She gently touched Solo's cheek; it appeared he had passed out from the pain. "I wish you luck Han Solo. Come Varika, Kazkee, let's get back home."
She moved to stand but a hand shot out and grabbed her arm halting her progress both she and sat shocked at the speed with which the appendage had moved. Solo pulled her closer gently while leaning forward himself, "won't forget this," he managed to rasp out before falling back against the wall. Amidala smiled and looked to Raka shaking her head.
"The Empire needs more men like this not less." Raka patted her softly on the shoulder. "You should go milady." She immediately stood and left the area Varika and Kazkee following. Hours later Amidala looked up from a desk full of data pads to see Raka and Kavish come in. Raka looked at her and gives a slight nod that the mission was accomplished.