Chapter 4

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'Fraternal Obligation'

'Mid-Rim Territory: Old Planet for Old Men'

'A Promise Broken'

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The alarm goes off at 7 o'clock. The morning sun shines into the dorm room. It streaks across the bed covering Dantius from his face to his chest. The glare hurts his eyes as he struggles to open them. A computer-generated voice on the clock announces the time.

'The time is now seven hundred hours and three seconds…4 seconds. You have a class at seven hundred hours and thirty-five minutes. You must leave the bed now if you are you arrive in time for Core Worlds Political Science two-o-five. The time is seven hundred hours and thirty seconds… '

Dantius tries to use his Force powers to silence the alarm. Frustrated that this is not working, he extends his arm to locate the clock on the nightstand. He deactivates it. A bright orange dot pulses on the display like a slowly inflating balloon. It is the muted voice signal. The first class is Core Worlds Political Science 205. He has to attend this one. It is a required course.

He never has this much trouble waking in the morning. He was exhausted. He could not have traveled to that strange neighborhood last night. It is impossible. The bigger question is how he got back to the dormitory. He rests on his elbows as he starts to pulls himself into a sitting position on the bed. An agonizing sound erupts from his throat.

"Awwh!" He winces as a sharp pain shoots through his body. There is pain with the slightest turn to the left or to the right. He tries with all of his power to sit up. He wants to cry. He slowly crawls out of bed.

He finds it difficult to get his footing. Perhaps his leg fell asleep. In seconds, a missed step has him facedown on the floor. As he turns over, he realizes why. His left foot is tangled in the strap of his rucksack. The bantha wool area rug provides some cushioning from the fall but it does not prevent him from hitting his bottom lip on the nearby chair.

His university robe is also in a rumpled heap close by. This is strange indeed. He never leaves the rucksack on the floor. He always sets it on his desk or on the chair back. He is also respectful of his robe. It always hangs neatly in his closet, and sometimes on the door hook but never on the floor. He cannot believe he was so careless. The burgundy garment with the black velvet lining has to be clean and wrinkle-free at all times. The dean will deduct points off your grade point average if a student arrives to class with a soiled robe. The concern now however was why he was fully clothed. He never sleeps in his day clothes. He lifts the rucksack and drapes it across the chair back.

Dantius makes his way to the shower shedding his clothes in the process. The water feels refreshing as it flows over his head and down his back. He squeezes the soapy sponge and begins to wash himself. He is waking up now but things begin to look worse than he realized. There are bruises on his arms and shoulders. In a panic, he leaves the shower and walks over to the sink to look in the mirror. He uses a towel to wipe away the water dripping from his hair.

There is more, a bruise on his throat and another under his right eye, and yes, the new cut on his lip. It is small but no less painful. He lets the towel fall to the floor. A closer examination reveals that the bruise on his throat bears the imprint of a large hand. He nervously backs away from the sink. The 'lubdub' sound in his chest is back. His hands shake as if he is shivering from cold. It is fear.

He rushes over to the desk and pulls the rucksack from the back of the chair. His books are still inside and the water bottle is unopened. He hangs the rucksack back on the chair.

Dantius returns to the trail of clothes. There is nothing out of the ordinary. No torn fabric in any of the garments he wore the day before. He brushes his pale forehead with the back of his hand. Where had he gone last night? Was it just a strange dream? He combs through the cloths once more. Something falls from the pocket of his robe. It is the note card. He goes to the armoire to get some fresh clothes. This is the start of a very bad day.

He drops the worn clothing into the laundry bin for the weekly pickup. It is one of the benefits of living in the most desired residence hall on campus. Everyone else had to fend for himself. Reserved for the wealthy and students whose families are well connected. If you are a loyal subject to the Royal House of Naboo, a private room is within reach. However, influence was not the only reason young Dantius Palpatine was fortunate enough to get the room; no one wanted to room with him. Most of the students considered him aloof and a snob.

It was just as well. He had no desire to share a room with anyone. There was no need to have a group of friends around to distract him from his goals. Surely, no one could accuse him of being a partygoer. After a grueling week of mid-term exams, there was no reason to celebrate. Celebrating causes one to lose focus. Never settle for second best. The preference to be alone suited him fine. By the time his freshman year ended, no one invited him to anything. It was evident that he wanted to be left alone.

As for the fraternities, many felt obligated to extend an invitation to young Palpatine. The invitation to pledge was mainly because his father is an alumnus. It was a great relief to all concerned that the current Palpatine showed no interest in the indoctrination into this secret and elite society. Dantius felt we would only prove to be a disappointment and embarrassment to the elder Palpatine. Why endure the humiliation? Even still, the elder Palpatine was disappointed that this son declined the invitation.

All of Mr. Palpatine's fellow alumni whose sons are in his Dantius' graduating class proudly joined the fraternity. Hushed grumblings circulated that the younger Palpatine was a misfit. He was nothing like his esteemed father. The elder Palpatine found himself apologizing for his son's ungratefulness. Dantius, instead of feeling remorseful felt liberated. No longer would he be bound by the old way of thinking. He was content that he would not be part of his father's legacy. He would not be expected to walk the hallowed halls of The Theed Club. This is where the Magnum Ro Tau Fraternity members are inducted after graduation. Their motto: 'Our Message Endures with Naboo'.

It will be only a matter of time before this centuries-old brotherhood will fall victim to a sinister cloud of terror.

'Mid-Rim Territory: Old Planet for Old Men'

The last time Dantius had set foot in the stately Theed Club occurred immediately his acceptance at Theed University. It was the proudest moment of his father's life, his only son, following in the footsteps of a revered Theed man. It did not matter to his father that the Jedi Order had rejected him. Being the offspring of a Magnum Ro Tau is just as prestigious. He is paraded around the reception room like a prize Tatooine Bantha at a county fair.

The room was awash with cigar-chomping, stately old gentlemen. Their white hair makes them look wise and important as they wait to meet the younger Palpatine all grown up. The young man was shocked that no one checked his teeth or feet for quality assurance. The elder Palpatine watches with pride the entire time. He discreetly leans over to offer his son one piece of advice. "Smile, Dantius. This is for you."

This was an excruciatingly painful experience. The whole time his father is urging him to "Show good form." He thinks back to previous visits, the first when he was just six years of age. The same group of faces circled him back then. It was a society of old white-haired men back then too. He recalls the members flocking around him varactyls. Dantius cannot recall if he was especially terrified back then; if not, he should have been. He was just a child. He ponders where some of these men are today. Surely, some are dead and gone, others muttering to themselves in a home for the aged somewhere on Naboo. Much to his chagrin, however, more visits would come.

The following visits with his father came every six months or so. He was dragged along to remind the members that a new Palpatine would be joining the fold in several years. The elder Palpatine was not the only 'stage dad'. All of the members with young children did the same. Dantius suddenly felt a strange comradely with the other youngsters. It was like participating in a pageant. Each young boy, dressed in his finest Sunday attire, mingling with the rich and famous.

He never could appreciate at such a young age that these men greatest minds of Naboo, and surely some of the best in the Galactic Republic. The spotlight however was on the young boys, dressed by their mothers and nannies, hair combed neatly, faces clean and cheeks so rosy one could not believe they are real.

Dantius stood out, not because he was the most adorable or precocious but he was the palest one in the group. His strawberry blond and flaxen hair curled into long ringlets and parted to the side framed the forlorn face. The adults noticed his bright but solemn blue-grey eyes and the pink hue of his cheeks brought the only real color to the small boy's porcelain face.

He felt downright miserable in the black velvet short pants and matching jacket and wide lace collar. This seemed to be the 'uniform' of the day for children of means. For each visit he made with his father to this godforsaken place, there was the obligatory black velvet outfit. The only change was that by the age of ten, the pants became longer. All the 'Little Lord Fauntleroy's' of the time were on display. What was so wrong with that?

A few years would pass and then something magical happened. The innocence of childhood gave way to the ornery adolescent. Dantius discovered that certain behaviors are frowned upon in polite society. What was once seen as childhood shyness transforms Dantius into a sullen adolescent with tendencies toward inappropriate behavior.

He realized that if you insult an elder or did not get on well with others, you became an undesirable travelling companion. This led to the incident at the Theed Memorial Cemetery. His behavior during his grandfather's funeral was unacceptable. 'I am a genius!' he thought.

For a while, this strategy worked splendidly. The visits to the 'old men's club' decreased. His visits were restricted to annual family events. The big Befana Eve was one such event. There was no fun being disruptive. The place was teeming with couples with children. There was always one unruly child who sticks out of the group.

The problem for Dantius was that over two dozen children of various ages and temperament were there. At least two or three are guaranteed to 'act out'. Dantius no longer found joy in playing his part., besides he was getting older. Even he disapproved of bad behavior in public places. He was no longer the center of attention.

'A Promise Broken'

The next visit took a different turn. It was 'Private Family Day.' A selected number of members and their families are invited to a spring luncheon. The adults huddle behind closed doors while the children gather in a separate room. Dantius, his sister and three other children wait for their parents to return. Dantius, always intuitive and clever knows there is something more to this Sunday gathering than the parents reveal. Muffled chatter mixed with joyful laughter fills the air as the secret meeting ends.

There was some sort of 'deal making' because as the door open, the men were engaging in a bit of handshaking and the women embraced. He had a bad feeling about this. As the adults make their way to the waiting room where the children are, Dantius has a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. The girl who was chatting with his sister just moments ago turns and looks bashfully at him. He tries not to make eye contact.

His eye dart wildly as he tries to find something in the room on which to focus.

A celebratory lunch follows in one of the private dining rooms. The seating arrangements orchestrated with both sets of parents seated at one end of the table. His sister Edelinn sits closest to her parent the two boys sit across from one another. Dantius gets the lone chair at the opposite end of the table, farthest from everyone and that girl who smiled at him earlier is sitting to his right.

This certainly will not do. He immediately starts to focus on the meal set before him. He is not particularly hungry but keeping one's mouth full makes it difficult to hold a conversation. He begins to feels safe when she refrains from speaking as well. This is perfect. She is too shy and he has a mouthful of filet mignon of shaak and roasted potatoes. Unfortunately, for Dantius, her apparent shyness dissipates. Silence is broken.

"Do you know what I think? I think they're hoping we will talk to one another. Why else would we be sitting at this end of the table? What do you think?" She flashes a cheerful smile. She is a lovely girl with long light brown hair and blue eyes.

Dantius is surprised when he finds himself smiling back at her. It is as if they are in on a private joke. He does not want to smile but there he sits with that stupid smile. He still had a mouth full of food. This is awkward. He did not want to speak but something forced him to gulp down his food. He brings the white cloth napkin to his lips. He could not stop himself.

"I suspect you're right."

"Do you like to talk?"

"Only when necessary."

"Then I guess this is a good time." She smiles.

Dantius smiles again. This time it is genuine. He was talking to a girl and he liked it. He finds her intriguing. He had no idea why. He slides his plate away from him then folds his hands on the ornate antique tablecloth. He no idea what words are coming out of his mouth right now but the floodgates are open.

"I suppose it is. I think I ate too fast."

She speaks in a whisper. He voice is clear but low enough to prevent the others from hearing.

"You're not going to hurl are you?"

He thinks for a moment. He is in enough trouble as it is. This is not a good time to embarrass his father or himself. He sighs then nods with some level of confidence.

"No, I don't believe so."

"You almost looked as if you were. You should have seen your face a moment ago."

"Really?"

. She seems delightfully amused and nods. 'yes'.

"Hum-hum…you're very funny."

"I wasn't trying to be."

"I meant it in a good way."

"That's the first time anyone has ever said that about me."

"You reminded me of a scurrier gorging itself for the harvest."

"So I'm a funny rodent? Why would you want to talk to me?"

"I think you need someone to talk to."

She was right of course. He is spending too much time alone. This is a dangerous time for an adolescent. He needed a healthy social life while there was still time.

After the luncheon, the two families take a walk through the garden and along the promenade. The Theed Club prided itself in the ½ acre of green behind the building. The pera fruit trees and imported Sullustan cherry trees planted in its rich volcanic soil. The garden was a horticulturalist's paradise. The same trees cover the campus grounds at Theed University.

The pre-teens walk ahead of the rest of the group. His sister, Edelinn is getting on famously with the two brothers. She makes friends easily. She slows down her pace to give her brother room to bond with his new walking companion. She hopes that he will start to make new friends. She stops to watch a flutter of butterflies dancing over a bed of spring flowers. The parents are a good distance behind enjoy a leisurely chat.

Dantius quickly kicks a pebble as Vernu talks. He looks at the ground during most of the conversation. His shyness is still with him. He occasionally makes a flimsy effort to look in her general direction. He is mindful to quickly look at the ground should she attempt to make eye contact with him. Vernu catches him looking up and turning his head in her direction. He blushes and quickly looks at the ground again. His cheeks blossom to a vibrant pink against his alabaster skin. She stops.

"You should smile more often."

"Why?"

"That way I can tell that you are having a good time. I know how difficult it can be when your parents are close by and expect so much from you.

"You do?"

"Yes. Listen; think of this as an adventure. We can be a team. I like you. We can be friends, right?"

Dantius is not sure he likes where this conversation is going.

"I suppose…"

"My mother believes that friendship is important. There's no reason we shouldn't…right?"

"Right…sure."

"And you shouldn't feel any pressure to impress me."

"Is that what you think I'm doing? I wasn't." He sounds a bit hurt and defensive. Dantius kicks another pebble. He has too much pride to apologize for his tone.

"You're too tough on yourself, Dantius. My father says you are extremely disciplined and serious-minded. Do you want to know what I believe?"

"I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway."

"I believe you're going to be a great person some day. My father says he sees big things in your future I believe you can still have fun. But part of becoming a great person is learning to enjoy life."

"You sound like an adult. You know what I think?" He is expecting a flippant response but her answer is sincere.

"Yes, yes I would."

"You're too young to be so wise."

A sweet smile sweeps across her face.

"My teachers call it gifted but I think I'm still normal for my age."

"You're far from normal. You're also the niece of the King and Queen."

"And I'm sixth in line to the throne and my two brothers are ahead of me. Of course my parents are planning my future very carefully, but I don't think about it."

"Why not?"

"I don't expect to become Queen of Naboo. I will be free to pursue other goals. My parents can plan all they want if it makes them feel better. I feel no pressure whatsoever. I consider myself quite happy."

There is a fresh breeze through the promenade. Soft pink petals from the white barked trees fall gently around them. So many fall that one can hold out one's hands and catch them. This is exactly what Vernu does. She tilts her face upward and lets the petals fall on her nose and eyelashes. Dantius stands there watching with his hands in his pockets. He looks behind him to see where his parents and the others are. He is not sure how to react. She smiles.

"Look up, Dantius. Have you ever seen anything this beautiful?"

He stands silent as another gentle breeze blows across their faces. He blinks repeatedly as the wispy petals float gently down. This is new for him. Not once has he ever stopped to experience this during all his childhood. It does not fascinate him. He is through with childish things. He watches as she holds out her arms and cups her hands to receive the petals much like taking communion. She lifts the handful of petals to her nose and smiles.

"It smells lovely, doesn't it?"

He misses his cue to respond. He carefully leans in and sniffs.

"I guess they're nice."

"See? I told you."

Another breeze carries the petals away as quickly as they have fallen into her hands. Vernu turns to Dantius.

"I love Sullustan blossoms and Zephyr lilies. Zephyr lilies are such cheerful flowers and cherry blossoms are small and delicate. Do you know the symbolism of the Sullustan cherry blossom? It is the symbol of hope. My great grandfather used to say, 'In adversity there is hope.' I hope you find your happiness, Dantius. Promise me."

"I promise."

Such things we promise when we are young and naive. The life of which she spoke that day was not part of his destiny.

Dantius studies the card again. He had indeed visited the address:

17 Bassa Bridge Way

Theeddorf Canton

Dantius takes the card and places it on his desk. He looks at the clock on the nightstand. He has ten minutes to get to class. He hurries to get dressed, grabs his rucksack and university robe and heads out of the dorm. He sprints across campus nearly colliding into a few students and a professor in his path. Finis Valorum is part of the group giving a tour to prospective students. A young Ruwee Naberrie, from a nearby mountain town listens on to his every word.

A cold wind blows through the trees this autumn morning. The leaves and remaining petals of the Sullustan cherry blossoms are now dried amber flecks. Winter is on the horizon.

To be continued…