Lord Darth Vader strode down the glaringly white halls of his flagship the Devastator, preparing his mind for battle. When Lord Vader was told that his wife had made contact with his ship he had a good idea as to what it concerned. He was well aware that Amidala was completely against the Noghri being used for his personal needs. The venerable Lord Vader also knew he was on his way to a losing battle, heads of state, moffs and other bureaucrats were all reduced to cowering curs before the Lady Vader. Vader prepared for a pair of brown eyes that would burn through his body like blaster bolts and a tongue that would cut as cleanly as a scalpel. He entered the stark chambers he kept aboard ship and stepped onto the holo disk. The sight that assaulted him as he activated the comm. stopped his heart cold. His wife's smile held all of the tell tale signs of complete happiness as she gently rocked a sleeping baby in her arms. She was dressed for comfort as she often did when a way from the Imperial Court, in a sensible lavender gown. The soft curls of her loose hair swayed in time with the soft humming of a lullaby. She looked up at the sound of his mechanical breathing the peaceful spell broken and the eyes did indeed burn through to what remained of his sole.

"We have, Lord Vader," her voice was soft and quiet for the child's benefit but there was no mistaking the steel underlying, "discussed in great detail what the Noghri's role in the Empire is or is not to be." She glanced down to check on the child but all too soon the eyes bored in to him again. "I do not recall the forming of assassins or hit squads being part of that discussion." She challenged sending the first volley in what would likely be a pitched battle.

"It is already done," he fired back, feebly. "Maskhim and I have already discussed this, she agreed and it is out of your hands."

"Regardless," her tone did not change but her eyes spoke volumes, "I will be returning to Coruscant in the morning, and we will discuss this further when I arrive." She softened somewhat, "Where are you?"

"We are in the Sullust system," he replied, realizing that this was the equivalent of a temporary cease fire, "I will likely get there a day behind you."

"Please, hurry;" she asked this simple task of him, "the Director of Intelligence has requested a meeting. I don't know what it concerns."

"Isard has become very interested in our dealings as of late," Vader replied. "Avoid him until I return, we will deal with this together."

"I would prefer that he not be able to ambush me, unprotected," she replied in a harsh whisper.

"Raka and the rest of your detail would never allow that," he returned, "but the Emperor would. What is he concerned about?"

"He refuses to say, but I suspect it has something to do with my not spending enough time on the capital," she shook her head. "You would think they would be happy with Alderan's improved support of the Empire. Bringing Organa back into the fold should afford me some personal time."

"Perhaps, he is concerned, as am I, with the amount of time that you spend corresponding with the young Princess."

"You are allowed your pet projects do not think to dictate my time or interests," the child stirred at her raised voice, she quietly shushed the child then looked poignantly at her husband. "He needs to be feed. I expect to find you on Coruscant when I get there or shortly thereafter."

"I will leave as soon as possible." She cut the comm. without another word.

Two men stood on a balcony overlooking the main landing port at the Imperial Palace. One of the men the picture of a handsome gentleman the other brought a cadaver to mind. A distinctive chromium plated Nubian Diplomatic barge landed below to a waiting entourage of aids and senators hoping to get a brief talk with the head of the senate. The two men however watched the scene with a dark sense of curiosity.

"I tell you for your own safety Armand, she is not to be trifled with lightly." Wilhuff Tarkin shook his head, "the Emperor himself once confided in me that he feared what Vader would do should something untoward happen to her."

"I am simply going to ask her a few questions," Armand Isard's features were relaxed and calm, "I hardly think that could be called untoward."

"I have seen the results of some of your questioning sessions," a single brow raised slowly above a sunken eye, "untoward would be an understatement. Besides you will not get her alone in this life time."

"You are referring to her Noghri security detail or the Noghri themselves?"

"They are to my understanding completely loyal to her," Tarkin was shaking his head again, "I have heard their skills in death and destruction rivals those of the Inquisitors, and that security detail has stopped more assassination attempts than all but the Emperor's own Royal Guards."

"Those two have been using them for years," Armand shook his head, "I have believed for years that they have spirited away many of the traitors and usurpers that were supposed to be destroyed at Vader's hand for disloyalty. It is only recently that a Captain in her fleet has come forward with information of unauthorized upgrades within her fleet."

"All of the crews in that group are fiercely loyal to the Lady Vader," Wilhuff's eyes narrowed, "how is it you have managed to get one to talk?"

Armand turned to Tarkin with a knowing smile. "I didn't. My daughter's talents are considerable. It seems that the Captain of her flagship gets lonely when he is on Coruscant. My daughter happened to bump into him one night."

"I never would have expected Ysanne to be as mercenary as you, Armand." Tarkin looked back to the landing field, "but I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"Time will tell," Armand allowed himself a smile, "but, it will be easier to obtain answers from the Lady Vader before Lord Vader returns from Sullust."

"If you think so I can only wish you luck, send my regards to your family and flowers to your funeral."

"You are far too pessimistic my friend," Armand gestured to where Amidala had made her way through the crowd to reach the gilded entrance to the Imperial Palace, "if you will excuse me I intend to meet the Lady at her offices."

Amidala didn't break stride until she reached her outer offices within the palace. The sight that greeted her upon entering stripped the location of any of its security. Two intelligence agents were going through files and data terminals with a vengeance despite Gela's loud spiteful threats. Amidala spoke up immediately not in any mood for this infraction, "What is the meaning of this?"

Gela turned both surprised and relieved to find the Lady Vader there. "I'm sorry my Lady they arrived only moments ago and started ripping through everything. I told them that they had no authority to do…"

Amidala held up a hand to silence her frantic assistant, "Do not fret Gela, I will deal with this." She turned to the two intelligence agents and spoke in a most commanding tone, "I demand you cease your actions at once!"

Only one of the agents bothered to stop and acknowledge her presence much less answer her. "We don't take orders from you." He snorted derisively, "If you've got a problem take it up with the Director." He gestured towards Amidala's personal office. Only a slight hand signal from the Lady stopped Kavish from making an example of the man.

Amidala turned to her guard detail and asked that Kazka and Varika accompany her into the inner office, while Kavish and Kazkee kept an eye on these two. Kazka and Varika preceded her into her office throwing threatening looks at the three agents two male one female with Director Isard. One of the men was a veritable giant she had no doubt that he would rival her husband for height and girth. The other was a smaller wiry man with the features that reminded her of the vrelts that plague the lower streets of cities. The woman bore the morbid look of a doctor about to lose a patient, she was here to administer the drugs it dawned on her. Isard himself sat framed in the wall to floor windows, behind her polished granite desk. Amidala for her part put on her most regal bearing as she approached to stand before her own desk and spoke like a stately governess would to the lowliest street urchin.

"I do hope, Director Isard, you have been able to make yourself comfortable at my desk while you waited on me to arrive."

"We certainly didn't mean to interrupt your routine mi Lady," he spoke her title like it sickened him, "but the Emperor has been most concerned with the unrest in the Senate and has requested that we check out all of its officers starting at the top. Your arrival is fortuitous; I have a few questions that you need to answer."

"I am afraid that I am disinclined to answer any questions you might have at this time," she replied keeping her royal demeanor.

"I regret that you misunderstood it as a request. The Emperor has given me full authority to interrogate all members of the Senate including you." The two Noghri immediately jumped into action, intending to take out the three agents and then the Director. A hidden battle droid dropped Kazka with a stun blast the instant he moved affording the agents enough of a distraction to stun Varika. Amidala seeing the disadvantage turned in an effort to get back to the door only to find the two male agents blocking her path. The leer swathed across the larger man's face caused her heart to freeze; she had seen that look in a man before and knew what it meant. The look however turned to one of confusion as he stopped his assault unable to move. Amidala looked to find the battle droid slumped forward then turned to find Isard and the woman both frozen in place. It was at this time that the door to the office slid open filling the room with the sound of mechanical breathing. The door was filled with the ominous form of Lord Darth Vader. Amidala squeezed her eyes shut as the two men flew around her, shattering the floor to ceiling viewpanes as they were hurled into the sky outside her upper level office. The woman began to hyperventilate as Vader strode into the room. He ordered her out before giving his attention to Armand Isard. Isard screamed in fear as in unison with Vader's hand gestures he was ripped from the chair and moved out the empty window pane to hover above what was certainly a fatal drop. Amidala had by this time opened her eyes and watched fearful of what her husband was about to do to the head of Imperial Intelligence.

"Tell me Director Isard," Vaders voice boomed, "how you ever thought a transgression such as this would be tolerated?" Unseen by Vader and Isard, Kavish and Kazkee moved into the office and started to care for their squad mates. The director's lack of a coherent answer only stirred the Dark Lord's anger further. "Do not think Director that you are untouchable because the Emperor has need of you at the moment. Your own daughter would gladly take your place." The director rotated until he faced the ground so many stories below. "I think that you have finally out lived your usefulness Armand," with this final statement Vader released his hold on the director.

Armand Isard felt a moment of weightlessness as he began to plummet to the durracrete far bellow only to be yanked back from death to slide across the floor of the office. He expected to hear the sympathetic tones of Amidala pleading for her husband not to kill but instead it was the craggy voice of the Emperor himself who spoke on the Directors behalf.

"You will forgive my intrusion in your dispensing of Justice Lord Vader," Emperor Palpatine spoke as if addressing an equal in his raspy tone, "but I still have much use for the good Director here." Armand looked up from his place on the floor to see that the Lady Amidala had assumed a position of difference as she curtsied with her head bowed.

"Forgive me my master," the Dark Lord answered as he turned from his position looking out the window to take a knee also bowing his head.

"There is no need, the director did over step his limits somewhat, arise my friend," the Emperor gestured with his hand, and then turned to Amidala. "Please rise Amidala with my apologies, I expected Director Isard to realize that you of course are not under suspicion." The Emperor now turned his attention to Isard, "now Director I suggest you continue your investigations into the senate. I will expect a preliminary report in the morning." Armand felt immense relief at being dismissed from the Dark Lord's violent presence. He scrambled from his place on the floor to give a half hearted bow before hurrying from the room.

Amidala felt the Emperor's cold eyes on her when he started to speak again, "I will also take my leave, I sure you two have much to discuss, having been apart for so long." Without another word he turned and left two red robed Imperial Guards slipping out the door behind him. Amidala assumed the guards had entered with Palpatine and felt foolish for not seeing them sooner. She now however felt the overwhelming desire to go home.

Amidala did not speak a single word until they had returned to the apartment they had shared for all of their marriage. When she did it was to question the sanctity of their home, "Is it safe to talk?"

Vader slowly looked about the room obviously feeling out the nooks and crannies of the sitting room and veranda. Finally he looked back to her nodding his head that the area was in fact safe. Amidala waited until the Noghiri had made their way through to their rooms before she started. "After today I understand the need for more squads but I fear we must start to tread lightly. I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to them."

"The Emperor is playing his games. He has been pitting Tarkin and Isard against me for years. The Admiralty is also not above this infighting but the real concern is the fact that you have now been drawn into the mix." Vader began to pace across the room. "They were prepared for your usual security detail today. I propose to ask the fleet to send down some of the Noghiri currently serving in the infantry." He stopped to look at her. "When he is not otherwise employed I intend to have Wrenga travel with your security detail as well."

"He reminds me of a brute," she replied with a disagreeable face.

"He is in fact a brute but he is also completely loyal. It would also be a good idea for the doctor to travel with you as well."

"I suppose but I would prefer that Wrenga stay in the background, speaking of the doctor; she looks strikingly familiar. Do you know why?"

"She takes after her mother, Arrianya Bel Iblis. She changed her name from Breanna Bel Iblis to Breanna Feraan before she entered the Imperial Academy to avoid association with her father."

Amidala frowned, "I was under the impression that Garm's entire family was killed in the attack."

"The Doctor and Garm himself are the only survivors, she believes that her father abandoned her to save himself."

"I take it," she narrowed her eyes, "that is the imperial perspective. What do you think?" She lobbed a slow moving mortar round no doubt a decoy for the bombardment to follow.

"He has never attempted to get her," he returned fire impotently.

"I am sure due to the fact that he doesn't know she still lives," she sent a volley torpedos through his shields, "but I asked what you think."

"The Garm Bel Iblis I knew," Vader replied realizing that this was the equivalent of requesting terms of surrender, "would never abandon his child."

"And do you intend to perpetuate this fallacy?" Amidala asked signaling that there would be no quarter.

"She is under your command now," he let loose and underhanded blow in an act of desperation, "it would in fact be you who continued it. I knew nothing of her history until just before I had her transferred."

"You know of course that she will not believe me," she sighed and sat down in a huff, "fine I will of course clean up another of the empire's atrocities." She looked up at him as if he had almost gotten away with something, "That leaves another issue, why was Wrenga allowed to keep Crosby with him? What are your intentions with the child?"

"I believe that he will follow in his father's footsteps," Vader paused as if trying to work something out, "but I cannot get a good feel for the child. It is almost as if the Force does not affect him."

"I will not allow you to turn that child into a weapon," she stated fire in her eyes. "I simply won't allow it."

"The same way I forbid you to spend so much time with Princess Leia," he moved in for the kill, "I assume you gave her some excellent advice before she announced her intention to run for the senate." His wife's shocked expression was both genuine and unexpected. Sadly it did not bring any satisfaction.