Operation Citadel

Chapter Five

The Imperial Ball

When I was sixteen, my father had finally earned a high enough rank to attend the most important Imperial event of the year: the Imperial Ball. It was a high-class event with food, drinks, dancing, and everyone who was anyone. All the Senators, all the Royalty, all the high-ranking officers, all the Grand Moffs, even Darth Vader and the Emperor were required to attend (a fact Vader every single year made clear he hated.) Leia had turned fourteen a few months previous, and for the first year, she was allowed to attend. With both Leia and Father on the guest list, I too was invited.

Since I had been on a trip with Leia the days before the ball, it was agreed that the Organas would bring me. I was obligated to meet up with Father during the event, but as he was possibly going to be staying out late and drinking, Brendan (who Father secured an invitation for) would take me home.

My birthday present from the Organas had been a dress for the event. I went in for a few fittings, but my last had been about four months before the event. It was gorgeous, navy blue, beaded, formfitting, and a sleek yet twirly skirt. It was strapless and came with a shawl of transparent blue gossamer.

"I look so beautiful," Felicity declared as she viewed herself in the full-length mirror of Leia's Coruscanti bedroom.

For events like the ball, she and Leia would get ready together, doing each other's hair and makeup. Felicity's hair was done up in an elegant bun with some shiny jewels adoring parts here and there. Her makeup was simple and eyeshadow was dark blue like her dress.

"I'm so glad you liked it," Leia grinned as she put the finishing touches on her own outfit; a simple and elegant purple ensemble. "The beading on the neckline took so long and it was hand done, so we were worried it wouldn't by ready in time."

Felicity grinned, drawing her attentions to the beading, "Well, it's really-"

And then she stopped.

"Leia?" Felicity touched the neckline that dipped down far enough to see the tops of her breasts, "is this lower cut than we ordered?"

"No," Leia shook her head. "It's exactly the size they measured four months ago."

Felicity frowned, "I thought it was going to show me off a little less well."

Leia shrugged, "Maybe you've grown a bit since then."

Felicity thought back over the past several months. Leia was right, she remembered having to replace parts of her wardrobe because puberty decided to make its final stand. Due to the way the dress was designed, her larger chest meant she wasn't about to fall out of her dress, but the neckline was lower than planned.

"Father's not going to be happy," Felicity fretted.

"Then wear your shawl around him," Leia suggested. "Look at yourself. You look beautiful, better than me."

Felicity snorted, "Yeah right, like I could ever compare to you. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if Padmé Amidala herself was your mother."

"Only in my dreams," Leia laughed. She glanced over at her vanity table, "Felicity, I got you a present."

"A present? Oh, Leia you didn't need to."

"I know, I know," Leia waved off as she retrieved a small box from a drawer in the vanity table. "But, I just wanted to get you a small something to show you how much I've grown to appreciate you and our friendship. Something to remind you that we're fighting for a better future."

Felicity smiled, took the box from Leia, and opened it. It was a necklace with a small, oddly shaped red pendant.

"It's called a starbird," Leia explained. "It's a symbol of hope."

It was the symbol of the Rebel Alliance.

At the time, the starbird has not the widely-known symbol of the Alliance that it is today. In those days, it was just beginning to establish itself as a symbol of the Rebellion. Only other Rebels knew about it, and it was how Rebels identified their allies. There were necklaces, earring, tattoos, rings, cufflinks, and a hundred more places the symbols appeared. To wear a starbird meant you were identifying yourself as a member of the Rebel Alliance.

"Will you wear it tonight?" Leia asked.

Felicity grinned, "Absolutely."

Giving me that gift was probably one of the most despicable things Leia ever did to me. Sure, I now cherish said necklace as a symbol of our friendship and my history with the Alliance. But Leia gave me that gift before I had joined the cause. She had effectively marked her territory, claiming me for the Rebellion without my consent.

I walked into the biggest Imperial event of the year wearing a necklace that screamed "I'm a member of the Rebel Alliance."

And I had no freaking clue.

"Shortstack!" a voice called across the crowded ballroom, and Felicity hated herself for automatically turning to answer it.

"You know, one day I'm not going to respond to that demeaning little nickname of yours, Brendan," Felicity scowled at the handsome young man crossing to room to her.

"Yes, but today is not that day," Brendan pulled Felicity in for a hug. "I missed you, Miss Fliss, my Little Sis."

"I will pay you never to call me that again."

"You don't have that much money," Brendan grinned and glanced over at Leia, who Felicity had been talking to. "You look great, Your Highness."

"Really?" Leia blushed. "Thank you."

Felicity shared a raised eyebrow look with Bail Organa, who had also been chatting with the girls before Brendan's interruption.

"You look very handsome in that uniform," Leia nodded to the standard Imperial military uniform he was forced to wear.

"Thanks," Brendan replied. "I think so too. Although you wouldn't imagine the arm twisting I had to do with Father to convince him to not make me wear that ridiculous hat. Have you guys seen him yet?"

"About an hour ago," Felicity shrugged. "Then Governor Tarkin wanted to talk business and Father sent me away. Honestly, sometimes I just want to know what their top secret weapons project is."

"Honestly, I don't want to know," Brendan muttered as a waiter came over with flutes of champagne.

As the men helped themselves to a drink, Bail looked at Brendan curiously. Bail had noticed how off the younger man had seemed over the past few months. Brendan just shrugged and took a swig of his champagne before returning his attention to his sister.

"So, I'm guessing that Father's the reason you're wearing a shawl in a room as hot as Mustafar," Brendan nodded to the fabric resting over Felicity's chest.

"Image is everything," Felicity quoted in her best Alaric Rhiaon impression.

"So is not sweating into a puddle. Come on, Sis, take it off." Brendan paused, his words replaying in his mind. "You know, Princess, I envy you."

"Why's that?" Leia asked.

"You never have any accidentally incestuous moments."

Felicity slapped her forehead.

"I stand by the sentiment, though," Brendan said. "The shawl's nice and all, but it is far too warm in here to wear it. Senator, can one of your bodyguards hold it for her?"

"Of course," Bail nodded.

"Fine," Felicity glared at Brendan. She took off her shawl and handed it to one of the guards. "Happy now? Father's going to kill me for kill me for wearing such a lowcut dress."

"Fliss, I hate to tell you this, but that's not lowcut." Brendan smiled, "Nice dress though. You like almost as pretty as the Princess."

Leia couldn't wipe the grin off her face, "Thank you, Brendan."

"Leia, stop flirting with him," Felicity ordered. "He's my brother. You don't flirt with a friend's brother."

"Why not?" Leia asked. "I'd let you flirt with mine."

Bail choked on his drink.

Felicity narrowed her eyes, "You don't have a brother."

"I could. I am adopted after all," Leia pointed out. "I could have a long-lost twin brother."

"Fine, you can flirt with my brother on the condition you set me up with your long-lost twin brother should one ever appear."

"Deal."

The girls even shook on it, neither of them noticing Bail Organa practically having an aneurysm in the background.

"I have to go," Bail said very suddenly. "I have to go talk to… Someone else."

Bail couldn't escape the conversation of Leia having a twin, fast enough.

"That was weird," Brendan observed.

"These events bring out the strangest in people," Leia replied. "I mean look at Vader over there."

The group turned to see Vader far off in a corner of the room, not even hiding the fact he was moping and watching the clock for when he was allowed to leave.

"Gods," Brendan laughed. "He looks like he wants to choke everyone in the room."

"He probably does," Leia said. "I'll give him credit, at least he's showing restraint."

At that moment, a woman approached Vader. She was a few years younger than Brendan, was tall, pale, slender, and had the longest, and straightest ice blonde hair Felicity had ever seen. She moved with the grace of a feline, and she carried a strange silver tube on her belt.

"Is that a lightsaber?" Brendan frowned.

"Don't be silly, Brendan," Felicity waved off. "Who is she?"

"She doesn't really have a name, but they call her Third Sister," Leia replied. "The best way to describe her would be that she's Vader's pet."

"His pet?" Brendan raised his eyebrows.

"They say she's his personal assassin," Leia explained. "She's been attending more and more events with him."

"Are they a couple?" Felicity asked.

"No," Leia shook her head. "I don't even think Vader knows what's different between men and women, let alone what to do with one."

"Then what is she?" Felicity frowned. "I mean, you don't exactly bring your personal assassin to events."

"She's part of a special team of Vader's called the Inquisitors," Leia answered.

Brendan shuddered, "She's an Inquisitor?"

"You know of them?"

"I had the displeasure of meeting Seventh Sister once. I won't make that mistake again. Girls, do yourself a favor and promise me you'll never cross an Inquisitor."

"Alright," Felicity shot a confused look at Leia. "But what do they do?"

"They're hunters. That's all you need to know," Brendan said shortly, looking at Felicity. That's when he noticed it. "Felicity… where do you get that necklace?"

Leia looked up sharply.

"From Leia," Felicity answered in confusion. "Why?"

Brendan looked at Leia oddly for a long time before saying, "No reason. I… uh… I have to go."

And with that, Brendan disappeared into the crowd.

"I wonder what that was about," Felicity frowned.

"Who knows?" Leia shrugged.

But she did know. She knew that Brendan Rhiaon had recognized the symbol, and that only meant one thing:

Brendan Rhiaon, son of the creator of the Death Star, had been speaking to the Rebel Alliance.

Image is everything was the very mantra of Alaric Rhiaon's life. He had never been enough for anyone. He wasn't good enough for his parents, not like his older brother, Garvan was. He wasn't good enough for the Andromias family to marry Dinah. He wasn't good enough for the military officers on the Death Star to design its weapon systems.

But there was one thing he had and that was the perfect children. A strong, handsome firstborn son who fought gallantly for the Empire, and had been specially scouted as a pilot. A beautiful, intelligent daughter that rubbed elbows with the upper crust, and had been specially scouted to be the attendant of a princess. His children were his accomplishments, his proof that he was worthy, and could produce a fine product. Neither had gotten his technical intelligence, so they were there to better his position, and thus better their collective future.

Brendan would be the top military officer, and Felicity would be the wife of some important politician. So when Alaric was old, grey, and retired, he could smile, point to his children, and say, "Look what I did."

Then he would be good enough.

He had been elated when all three of them had been invited to the Imperial Ball. Finally he could show off his amazing children to Tarkin and Vader (he didn't know about Felicity's previous encounter) and the Emperor. Alaric could point to Brendan and Felicity and say, "Look at my children. Aren't they great?"

"So where are these children you brag about so much?" Tarkin asked. He didn't actually care about the Rhiaon children, but good Gods, Alaric Rhiaon never shut up about them. Maybe if he finally met Brandon and Felicia, Alaric would drop the subject.

"Well, I'm not certain which of these handsomely uniformed men is my son," Alaric grinned, thinking he was so clever to compliment the other soldiers and yet manage to brag about his son. He didn't notice Tarkin looking at Vader like he was giving Vader permission to Force choke him. "But my beautiful daughter should be around here somewhere. Let's see, she's the beautiful brunette in the stunning blue dress."

"I'm dead serious, Lord Vader," Tarkin whispered to Vader. "I'll give you this shot free. The Emperor doesn't need to know."

"Hold that thought," Vader answered back. "I've encountered the Rhiaon girl and this could be entertaining."

"And what if just made some choking noises and dropped to the floor, pretending you choked me?"

"May I remind you that you were the one who introduced the subject of his children?"

"I am not a perfect man."

"Can you say that again? I want to record it and play it back when I'm having a bad day."

"Isn't every day a bad day for you?"

"Found her!" Alaric announced, oblivious to the conversation behind him. "Could one of you Gentlemen get the Emperor? I want to introduce her-"

And then he stopped. His eyes were locked on Felicity in the middle of the ballroom, laughing with Princess Leia Organa. The shawl Felicity had been wearing earlier was nowhere to be found, and Alaric saw the neckline of his daughter's dress for the first time.

"Excuse me, Gentlemen," Alaric said through gritted teeth.

Felicity was in the middle of a perfectly pleasant conversation with Leia and Captain Raymus Antilles when someone grabbed her arm and whipped her around.

"What do you think you're doing?" Alaric exclaimed as his startled daughter was forced to face him.

"I'm sorry?" Felicity looked both confused and frightened. People were staring and he was holding her arm too tight.

"You better be sorry!" Alaric snapped. "Look at you! This is a disgrace!"

"Father!" Brendan raced up to them. The dancefloor had gone quiet as all eyes turned to Alaric Rhiaon's tirade. "What's going on?"

"Stay out of this, Brendan!" Alaric ordered.

"Father," Felicity whimpered. "My arm. You're hurting me."

"Is there a problem here?" Bail Organa materialized. He was scowling at Alaric's display, but was uncertain how to help Felicity.

"Yes, there's a problem!" Alaric turned on Bail, but did not release Felicity's arm. "How could you do this! I trusted you with my daughter!"

"And what have or she done wrong?" Bail inquired in his calm politician voice.

Felicity whimpered again and struggled under her father's grip to free her arm. She looked at Brendan at a complete loss of what to do. Alaric had never gotten physical with his children before.

"Look at what's she wearing!" Alaric exclaimed. "Look at how lowcut her neckline is! How dare you bring my daughter to an event like this looking like a harlot!"

My father hurt me a lot that night. Physically, the only wound he gave me was an unintentional bruise from where he gripped my arm. But mentally and emotionally, he destroyed me. I had been so looking forward to the Imperial Ball, and there he stood ruining everything. I will not recount the terrible things he said to me, the names he called me, or the things he accused Bail of. Frankly, I've blocked out the memory of most of them.

But I remember the look on Leia's face. That fear, and heartbreak, and indignation. I remember the look on Bail's face. How he could barely stop himself from breaking his political façade and going on a tirade about how Alaric wasn't a tenth of the loving, caring father Bail had been to me. I remember the look on Brendan's face. His knuckles turning white as he clutched his fist at his side, wanting nothing more than to punch out our father. I remember the whispers around us, how people both sympathized with my abuse and shamed my outfit. I remember the pretentious gaze of the Emperor, the oddly angry one of Vader, the entertained one of Third Sister, and the gloating one of Tarkin as my father embarrassed himself.

But most of all I remember how I cried, my makeup running as my father humiliated and degraded me in front of everyone whose opinions I cared about.

So forgive me if I do not wish to recount how my father broke my heart and we skip to the end.

"For the last time, Lieutenant Rhiaon," Bail said in his calm political voice as Felicity sobbed in her father's grip, "I must ask you to let go of your daughter."

"Father," Brendan said, "you're hurting her!"

Alaric looked at Felicity and took in the sight of her sobbing, pained demeanour for the first time. A look passed over his face like he was surprised at his actions and he let go of Felicity. She immediately wrapped her arms around Brendan's neck and chest into his chest.

"She hasn't done anything wrong," Brendan chastised, glaring at his father. His heart broke as his little sister cried in his arms.

"Quiet, Brendan," Alaric commanded.

"No," Brendan challenged. "How dare you do this to your daughter! How dare you do this to my sister!"

"Brendan," Bail shot him a look, and the boy fell silent.

"Brendan, have you been drinking tonight?" Alaric questioned.

Brendan scowled, "If you're implying that has to do with my words-"

"Can you drive a speeder?" Alaric cut to the point.

Brendan blinked, "I'll be sober enough in a few hours when it's time to go home."

"Very well, Organa, my daughter is technically still in your charge, therefore it is your responsibility to bring her home. Have one of your men drive her to my place of residence immediately."

Bail frowned, "Lieutenant, the event doesn't end for several hours. Perhaps we should let your daughter stay."

"She is my daughter and she will not continue to cause a scene by wearing such an inappropriate outfit."

Bail's gaze hardened, "With all due respect, Alaric, Felicity is not the one who has caused a scene tonight."

Silence hung in the room as Alaric felt the weight of the hundreds of eyes on him.

"Senator," Alaric lowered his voice. He calmly took a step forward and told Bail, "You will have one of your men return Felicity home immediately, or the next time you take her from said residence, I will have you arrested for kidnapping. You may take care of her, but she is still my daughter, and I am still her legal guardian."

Bail said nothing, his eyes deadlocked with Alaric for several minutes. Then he sighed, closed his eyes, and accepted defeat. There was nothing more he could do for Felicity that night.

"Captain Antilles," Bail ordered, "please take Miss Rhiaon home."

"Yes, Sir," Raymus nodded. He eased Felicity out of Brendan's arms, "Come on, Sweetheart. Let's get you home."

Felicity's pathetic sobs echoed through the room as Raymus Antilles accompanied her out of the Ball. The buzz of quiet conversation filled the room once she was gone, and Alaric walked away from the group without a word.

Bail Organa was red faced and muttered his apologies to Brendan and Leia before departing to take a minute alone to calm himself. Slowly the conversations picked up again, the crowd went their separate ways, and soon the music started up again.

Leia sighed, looking at Brendan whose eyes were fixed on the door where Felicity had exited.

"I should probably go talk to my father," Leia said.

Brendan's head snapped back to her.

"No, wait!" Brendan grabbed Leia's shoulder gently, but firm enough to stop her.

Leia looked at Brendan oddly as he pulled her in close to him. She really wished her heart didn't beat faster at the feeling of his hands on her skin and closeness of their bodies.

"Your Highness," Brendan whispered. "I know what the starbird means."

Leia looked around nervously, "You do?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Why?"

"Because I want to join the Rebel Alliance. Leia… can you help me?"

Leia smiled and placed a hand on top of his, "Absolutely."

Neither noticed that Third Sister had heard every word they said.

Alaric Rhiaon splashed the cold water from the faucet onto his face. He had to calm down from the scene Felicity caused.

"Oh, Felicity," Alaric shook his head, looking at his reflection in the mirror. "How could you do that to me?"

That was when he noticed the black figure standing behind him, reflected in the mirror.

Koo Pah.

Mechanical breathes filled the room as Vader approached the Lieutenant.

"Lord Vader," Alaric turned to face the Sith. "What can I do for-"

A metal fist smashed into his face, and Alaric's head slammed against the porcelain sink as he tumbled to the ground. Alaric groaned in pain and confusion as he laid on the floor clutching his face and the forming bump on his head.

"Families are to be cherished, not humiliated," Vader said simply before exiting the room.

Alaric moaned and flopped to the floor.

What in the Galaxy was that about?