(Chancellor's Office – Senate Rotunda – Coruscant)
The meeting had been set. This was place chosen for the negotiations to be held. It has been two weeks since what citizens of Coruscant call the 'Vader's Howl'. From the Empire's side, Emperor Vader, newly appointed Grand Vizier Jade, Generals Rex and Cody, Commander Sallin and their aides were going to attend. From the Alliance's side, former Senators Organa, Mothma and Amidala, and General Dodonna were coming to attend in person. Jedi Kenobi, Tano, Olin and Thel-Tanis were also going to attend as the advisors for the members of Alliance High Council. Also Admiral Ackbar, newly promoted Generals Madine and Cracken, and Senator Bel Iblis were also going to be attend through holo-calls.
The meeting was a not a secret per say, but the location was. Too much was riding on this. The Imperial counterparts were already ready in the room.
The Alliance members came into the office before scheduled time. When they came, they brought their own equipments for holo-calls for the other members attending for the meeting.
When the Alliance's setup was ready, the time of meeting was upon them. Remaining Alliance members' images flickered in to the projectors.
"Shall we start?", Vader called out.
Everyone nodded their approval.
"So what are your requests?", Vader started without wasting any time on pleasantries.
Organa started, "Well, Your Highness, you must already have document of our Declaration."
"Yes, I have."
"And?"
"First of all, you are not getting your toothless Republic government back. Second, your points are reasonable. And third, Moffs are not going anywhere. They can be replaced. I can make an amendment to give the Senate the power to appoint the Moffs and Governors. But they, or rather the system, remain."
The Alliance members glanced at each other.
Mothma spoke, "But the Moffs and the Governors already have too much power. Their-"
She was cut off by Jade, "This is why we are making changes in our governing body. This is the charter for new setup for the Empire. You can send this to your remote members to read."
She signalled Sallin. He handed out data-pads to their counterparts.
They started reading the documents they received after sending them to others in the meeting. Even the Jedi were trying to read it, over and over again.
"Is this up to your satisfaction?", asked Vader.
This time Amidala spoke up, "This is unusual. And never tried at galactic scale. But we can start with this. We are still not agreeing to any of this... yet. And you would still have a lot of executive powers."
"Yes, I would. To counter that our new Grand Vizier also have power to veto my decisions, if she has support from either the Senate or the majority of Autocratic body."
"She would never oppose you. And only you have have the power to dismiss or appoint Grand Vizier.", spat Cracken.
"True. That is why her office will work independently from my office."
"And that will be a ruse. She going to follow whatever you say.", shouted Olin.
"What's your problem, Knight Olin", Vader asked. "Do you think everybody is as deaf as you that you have to shout?"
Vader spoke again before anybody could, "Are you implying that after eras of in-fighting, we, Sith, started believing in teamwork?"
"What my fellow Jedi is trying to say that you both are the only ones here who hold any real power to make decisions unilaterally, Lord Vader. That would put us in a difficult position.", Kenobi chimed in. The Negotiator of the Jedi.
"Also we are not getting anything in return for our... cooperation. Not even a guarantee that you would not take any action similar to your predecessor. If you wish, you could consolidate your power again later on. Except for your offer of position of Supreme Chancellor.", added Organa. "And my associates here, Amidala and Mothma have been replaced from their seats in the Senate."
Vader smiled, but his mask concealed it. Organa just given him what he wanted on a gold platter.
"They both have new roles, if they accept.", Vader said casually. Everyone perked at that. "I am a very lazy person. Honestly, I hate reading legal documents all day. I have more interesting inclinations that I would rather enjoy. So I am offering both of them and Mr. Dodonna here to be part of my staff."
"WHAT?", three of should at the same time.
"What? Do you think I would let three of you waste your talent elsewhere? No.", Vader said calmly. "And think this way, you three will part of inner circle." Vader let the implications hung in the air.
"Still, you would allow us in as much as YOU would want to, Lord Vader", Amidala countered with adding stress while addressing him.
Time for the big gun, pun intended. Vader took out a small device. It projected a spherical structure. "Do you know what this is?"
"Please, do enlighten us, Your Majesty.", said Mothma.
"This is Palpatine's pet project. Project DS-1. Partially constructed. He called it the 'Death Star'. A mobile battle station, size of moon and supposed to have capability of destroying a planet in a single shot."
Vader enjoyed the colour of their faces draining out.
"That's impossible!", Tano shouted.
"You are lying. No weapon system is capable to that.", remarked Ackbar in suspicion.
After sometime, the room calmed down.
Vader spoke again, "Jedi Master Kenobi, why do you think Palpatine ordered the kyber crystals to be mined out of Ilum in mass quantity? What did you think? That he was starting a new business of selling lightsabers? Technology and science can be so dangerous sometimes."
"That.. cannot... be...", spurted Kenobi.
"Palpatine planned to rule with his iron fist. And fear was his favourite method.", said Vader.
"And what are your plans with this weapon?", asked Bel Iblis.
"That is why I want Amidala in my staff. Complete it construction without the weapons array."
"Without the weapons array? What do you want with a toothless battle station?", asked Amidala.
"To repurpose it.", replied Vader.
"And what purpose it might be?", Organa asked this time.
"He wants to convert it into a giant museum. And a resort.", Jade spat the answer. "It's a stupid idea. Nobody is going to like it."
"It is not stupid idea.", Vader started explaining, "It is one of ideas to recover cost. I have done some calculations including operational and maintenance costs and it would become profitable in six years at minimum and twelve at maximum. If you all have some other brilliant idea how to salvage this gigantic heap of durasteel, I am all ears."
Everyone gaped at him.
"So, let get this clear. This... Death Star, which is as large as a moon, is capable of blowing up planets. Your idea is to use for state-sanctioned recreational-cum-educational commercial purposes.", asked Tano.
"That's gist of it.", replied Vader.
"Wow! And you thought my ideas are crazy, Master.", said Tano turning towards Kenobi.
"We can have another debate on this... monstrosity.", said Kenobi. "Any other surprises, Your Excellency?"
"There are more that we have discovered. Mostly Palpatine's contingencies. I would like you all to be involve in dismantling or salvaging those too.", offered Vader.
"And what are these contingencies?", asked Mothma.
"A cloning facility with some little copies of Palpatine. Two facilities full of Force-sensitive younglings, ready to become an army of dark adepts. And some research laboratories experimenting on various subjects like biochemical or mass-destructive weapons. Things like that. Dear old Sheev was curious person."
"You and I have very different definitions of curiosity, Lord Vader.", said Kenobi glaringly.
"What have done with clones of Palpatine?", asked Amidala.
"They were terminated and incinerated.", replied Vader.
"YOU KILLED THEM? YOU SLAUGHTERED YOUNGLINGS?", accused Amidala. Others also had accusatory looks on their faces.
"You make it sound like I am sound kind of monster... Fine, that's exactly sounds like. I think what I did was merciful. But other Force-sensitive younglings we found, we are planning to rehabilitate them. You all can act all moral and ethical when you are not making those decisions."
"Obliviously, these do-gooders never seen how children have been raised by the Sith. You wouldn't last a week. And about those karking clones. Have you thought if one of those things grows up and gets enchanted to the idea of Sidious? How would you handle it then? Oh! Let me guess. By the magical power of your goodness and compassion. Pfft. Get over it. Several kids go missing or harmed everyday by some other everyday. I don't you see cursing them out or doing anything substantial about it.", spat Jade back at the Alliance members angrily in defence for Vader.
Amidala and Jade were shooting laser shots at each other through their eyes. Sallin fake coughed after sometime to break the tension.
"And this is why we are cautious of your new title and your relationship with him. You can see why we so concerned. You could be a liability to your Office whenever he will be concerned.", accused Mothma in passive tone.
"Well, he is MY concern since I am HIS future wife and YOUR future Empress", Jade hissed with venom.
'Dammit! Damn you Makirya Jade and damn your loose tongue!', Vader internally squirmed. He quietly observed everyone's reaction. 'Look, what have you done, Jade. Even Sallin looks heart-broken behind his passive face.' Time for damage control.
"What Lady Jade is trying convey here is she can be excellent ruler if anyone judges her and her work without bias or prejudice. She has a talent in leadership and managing statecraft. After all, she was personally worked with Palpatine in the past and observed the politics. And regarding our relationship, it's personal and private.", stated Vader.
Jade looked more furious now. She wanted Vader to openly endorse her and her future prospects. But, she also wanted Vader to firmly declare her as future Empress, then and there.
"Relationships among monarchs are hardly private, Your Highness. Their conjugality and they themselves should be above reproach.", commented Organa.
Tension in the room was palpable. The air felt so dense that it could cut through by a training lightsaber.
"My Lord, there is another matter of cloners that I think you would like to discuss with our guests.", said Rex diplomatically.
"Thank you, General Rex. Yes, the Kaminoans. Things have been... hectic between them and us. I would like one of you to broken an understanding."
"He decapitated their Prime Minister.", snorted Jade.
Vader glared at Jade. "He was being uncooperative when we...", Jade coughed, "... I charged him war crimes and crimes against sentience. He arrogantly denied the charges, resisted arrest and insulted us...", Jade coughed again, "... I mean me."
'Dammit it! Jade, don't let your anger control you... at least in public...', groaned Vader in his mind.
"Anything else that we should know? Any other killing or decapitation?", asked Organa.
"None that would be an issue here.", replied Vader. "Moving on..."
The meeting went for two more hours. They discussed captured rebels and Imperials. Later they went on each and every detail on the Charter presented earlier.
Everyone was exhausted by the time it ended.
(Vader's Penthouse In 500 Republica – Coruscant)
Vader was exhausted. Very, very exhausted. He quickly change into casuals, dyed his hair black and changed his irises to grey. Whenever unmasked, he always made sure that he changes his identifiable features. Not that anybody could identify him except Jade and Rex. Jade knew because she had seen him since he was ten. And Rex because of an accidental exposure when Vader took his battalion under him.
Coruscant was still bustling with traffic even this late at night. The planet-sized city never slept.
Vader was hungry after working all day and was in no mood for cooking. Especially, after the negotiations with the rebels and argument after that with Jade. And he never have anything delivered in his penthouse. He lives under the cover of an aide of Emperor Vader and almost nobody was aware of the fact except for his close staff.
Vader decided to take a walk to CoCo Town and find one of those eateries that serve all day and night for travellers. He had put on a grey jacket and made his way to the turbolift.
'Those karking rebels! Madine can be reasoned with, if they meet in-person. But that Bel Iblis is so kriffing stubborn, even for a Corellian... Maybe I should send Sallin or some other Corellian native for persuasion...'
He entered the turbolift. He could have taken a speeder, but today he wanted to walk, feel the air on his face. Wearing that mask all day, no matter how much he modifies it, always left his nose itchy and cheeks sore.
The doors chimed open when he noticed he had not reached his destination level. He froze.
'Stang! It's Amidala and Tano... Curse the Force...'
He saw Amidala staring at him. And Tano was also shocked... at Amidala(?)... and a little curious too. Something passed between them, a non-verbal cue of some sort, Vader was not sure what.
'Are they unto me? I certainly don't have anything on right now that would indicate to who I am...'
The two females entered the turbolift with him. Whatever they were talking about, they stopped after seeing him. Turbolift started moving again. He could feel their not-so-concealed gazes on him.
"Uhm, Hi. I am Ahsoka Tano. I don't think I have seen you here...", inquired Tano.
"I work with one of the residents here. Recently, I cam to reside here too. Temporarily.", replied Vader.
'Technically, it's true...'
"Ah! Must be working with someone very important. Nobody just gets to live here."
"Apologies, Milady. I am not allowed to give details of my employment."
"Lemme guess, you work in security. You certainly look military type. Sorry, I didn't get you name..."
'Again, probing for information... Have to careful with mental shields.'
"Ahsoka, stop it. Can't you see? He seems exhausted. I am sorry for my friend here. She is quite inquisitive.", Amidala interjected. Her force signature is in a whirlwind.
'Do they suspect something?'
"It's fine, Ms. Amidala." Stang! Vader realised he really was tired and underestimated them.
"You know her?", asked Ahsoka with a hint of suspicion.
"Of course. The beautiful Senator from Naboo has been in HoloNet News frequently.", Vader tried answer diplomatically as he does whenever he was undercover.
Amidala got real quite but her emotions shifted again.
'Did I something wrong? Usually female laugh at the compliments and brush it off...'
This was getting annoying for Vader. He wanted to escape this situation.
"Where are you going at this hour? An unknown man who is not a resident here, never seen here before and knows Padmé well to recognise...", speculated Ahsoka.
"I am no stalker, Milady.', said Vader sternly.
"Nobody said anything about stalking..."
"Ahsoka, stop it.", Amidala interjected again. Tano pouted.
Doors chimed and opened. "Goodnight, Miladies." Vader vowed and walk away.
He walked faster than his normal pace. Usually, he walked slow with long strides to enjoy his walks.
He reached CoCo Town in fifteen minutes. He searched for an eatery and found one that interested him.
It was a dessert parlour, specializing in sweets, desserts and ice-creams. When he entered, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey! It's him again."
'It's Amidala and Tano... Again...'
Vader picked a table away from them and ordered some Onderonian sweets and some milk.
He peeked towards Amidala and Tano, and noticed that they where were having ice-cream. Tano was having a ton. That chit of a Togruta must had a sweet tooth.
He was enjoying his food. He preferred sweets whenever he needed energy quickly. And he had work all night. Next day, he was leaving for Nar Shadda to retrieve an agent who went silent, possibly, caught and imprisoned. The agent was important to him because he was one of the best and he was required for another mission.
"Hi!" Vader was brought back to reality from his ruminations. He saw Tano standing beside him. "Would you mind of we join you?" He looked over Amidala, who for some reason avoiding eye contact, and turned back to Tano.
'What's this? Why such interest? Are they still suspecting me? Lucky me, Kenobi's not here.'
Vader decided to accept the offer and pacify their suspicion.
"I don't mind.", replied Vader.
And that's how he was having his midnight snack with a rebel and a Jedi.
"You still didn't tell us your name?", asked Tano, this time more energetically. Even Amidala showed signs of curiosity.
"Remorpe Revad", replied Vader nonchalantly. On of the aliases he used when he was not on a mission.
"That's an unusual name. I have been to many worlds, but never heard such name for a human. Where are you from?" Tano was getting on his nerves.
"I really don't know where I was born. But I was raised on Axilla with bunch of other kids. Name was given to me." All true. Before Tatooine, he didn't know where Skywalker came from. A small remote village in Axilla was where he and Jade were raised and trained. Tano would assume it true since she cannot verify half-truths through Force.
"You must have very talented to be able to work here, especially for someone who can afford to live in such abode, Mr. Revad.", spoke Amidala.
'These small talks are giving me a headache... I am definitely not in a mood of acting...'
"Well, perks of working with someone who can afford almost anything." True, he had worked with such characters.
"So, you work security, right?", inquired Tano again.
"Yes, security and among other things that would be required of me. Usually I am out of world most of the time. I got this new job that would still require a lot of travelling, but I get to stay here a lot more." Again, what he said was true, technically.
'Tano seems more keen... And Amidala seems more... pleased, I guess... Are they onto me? They must have sensed something off. I am really off my game today...'
"Do you like of eat here often?", asked Ahsoka with a seemingly innocent face. Her montrals twitched a bit.
'What kind of interrogation is this?' Vader was skilled in both hard and soft interrogations, but never like this. Where was the incentive in exchange of information?
"No. I have come here before, but I like to try different venues too." Vader kept the information vague. He knew even random bit of information could be useful, if one knew who to navigate through it.
"What kind of food do you like, Mr. Revad?", asked Amidala. Her faced showed genuine interest. Jade often studied her target's choice of food before poisoning the food of choice.
Vader shrugged. "Usually, I don't have a preference. For me, food is just essential." Hopefully they would never pull a Jade on him.
Vader looked out the window. 'That woman on a date definitely looks a lot like Maki...' Then Vader focussed more. 'That's definitely Jade. With Sallin. Both in civilian clothes. Are they on a date? She is smiling like a Tooka. Oh, her smile is so bright that it would put a star to shame.'
Now Vader was definitely interested. Things had progressed earlier than he predicted.
Padmé was not interested in this man in front of him. Maybe a little, but that doesn't mean she would a potential partner in him. So what if he looked handsome? She had seen handsome men and males of other species. She had been even approached by such. But this man was that, just handsome and good to look at... at first.
This was all Ahsoka's fault. When Padmé stared at him while catching the turbolift, Ahsoka caught unto that. Even a Shaak would stare at something unusual with mild interest. But then Ahsoka had to go ahead and start a talking to him. Padmé wished her Jedi friend would just stop playing matchmaker for her. In her own unique way.
Before this, they were criticising Vader. A lot.
Even Padmé could see Ahsoka's curiosity regarding this man who had an air of mystery around him.
When they parted with the man, they took a public transport and reached their destination. While eating, they discussed her love life. Or lack of it. Or rather, Ahsoka brought it up and she sidestepped. But Ahsoka was adamant on to stay on the topic. She made several speculations on him and it was rather fun, judging Ahsoka's wild imagination.
A spy? An Assassin? A royalty in exile?
Then he entered the eatery. She and Ahsoka secretly observed him. But it was not enough for her friend. She went ahead and asked him if they could join him.
During the conversation, she noticed his Coruscanti accent. It was natural but somewhat forced. She was certain, he wanted to be alone. She tried to pitch in the conversation, but it got nowhere. But she got his name. Remorpe Revad. Very unusual name. And his story was also unusual.
Then he looked outside of window and she followed his gaze, she was a couple. And his gaze was certainly focussed on the woman. Maybe a former lover. Or unfaithful one.
Revad stood up, "Apologies, Miladies. I have to catch up with an old friend." Old friend? The tone suggested something else. "Allow me to pay for you too. For the inconvenience."
He paid and left in hurry. Padmé could only stare at him leaving and getting lost in the crowd.
"Come, let's follow him. I am bored with all your holo-dramas. But I find it exciting in real life.", Ahsoka grabbed her hand with one hand and picked up her leftovers with another. "I bet ten credits, that woman he followed is cheating on him."
"Or she could be really an old friend.", Padmé suggested.
"Oh, come on. Didn't you how he looked at her. There was genuine shock on the stern face."
They found Revad quickly in the crowd after sometime, following another couple.
"Hey, isn't she...", started saying Ahsoka, but stopped.
Padmé also observed the couple, trying to recognise her from afar. Then it clicked in her brain. She recognised the couple, who were holding hands, their fingers interlocked.
Grand Vizier Makirya Jade and Commander Drekk Sallin.
"It's definitely that Sith girl and that commander from the meeting.", said Ahsoka excitedly in low tone. "It so much better than those stupid holo-dramas. Good thing Vader's not here. Or he would have levelled this entire area. I cannot image what a jealous Sith would do." Padmé sighed. Ahsoka was having too much fun. Especially after having so much sweet.
"Ahsoka, let's turn back. This could be disastrous if we are to be found.", cautioned Padmé.
"That is not an issue. Bigger issue is why HE is following them." Then she gave big smile like she thought of something. "What if he works for Vader? What if he gathering evidence against Vader's beloved?"
Padmé didn't like where this was going. She always respected boundaries related to other's private matter. But this was about Vader and his Sith lady. Any information was useful for the Alliance. And maybe... maybe she was curious why Revad was involved in this.
"He walks and acts like a trained soldier.", whispered Ahsoka. And Padmé could see that as well.
The couple reached an open garden and they sat on a bench. Padmé and Ahsoka followed both the mysterious man and the couple in a triangular formation, keeping lead on the both.
"She looks sad and..." And vulnerable. Padmé didn't say the last word out loud enough for Ahsoka to her. Who could have guessed a Sith, former Grand Inquisitor at that, could look like that.
"Maybe she is playing him. I always thought of her as seductress type.", whispered Ahsoka back. That was a possibility too. "She looked a little angry at Vader too."
They watched Revad too. It was not clear, but he looked excited. She didn't guessed him as a voyeur type. He took out a device and was holding it towards the couple. Then she realised what he was doing, recording the couple.
"Commander is a bold one. Look, he is making a move...". Padmé's attention snapped back to the couple, just in time. The commander was now definitely kissing the Grand Vizier of the Empire. "Ooh. Scandalous", squealed Ahsoka like a child, but not loudly for anyone to hear.
When the kiss ended, they saw tears running down Jade's face. Like she was confused and thousands of emotions were running in her mind.
"Should we record it too? You know, for leverage...", whispered Ahsoka. Padmé felt sick at the idea.
"Enjoying the show, Miladies?"
A loud and clear voice came from behind them. They turned back to see Revad standing with his arms crossed at his chest. His small smirk was teasingly charming.
"This is private and personal matter for Lady Jade. I suggest you two give her and her... friend some privacy.", order Revad smoothly. "I will leaving now. I suggest you do the same. Lady Jade is not forgiving type."
With that, Revad turned back and left, disappearing into the crowd again..
"He is definitely close to Vader or Jade, Padmé. He was too quiet for me to notice.", said Ahsoka.
"Or maybe you were too focussed on what was happening in front of you, my nosy friend.", Padmé countered back. "Let's go back home. We came out for a snack. We got more than that."
And they went back to Padmé's apartment while Ahsoka speculating again about the crazy event they witnessed..
AN: Hope you liked it!
The idea for this chapter came to me while writing the previous one.
If you like, I can do the "date" scene from Maki's POV, not the whole scene but sort of.
And the alias the Vader gave. What do you think? Too easy, right? But I would like to think that Vader/Skywalker would do this kind of mocking/teasing thing with name and title. The guy got to have fun.
Quick question: How would you feel if Vader leaked the footage to media? (He will NOT! It's a hypothetical.)
I guess, Vader and Cody won the bet (that is why he was recording), and Rex and Wolffe lost.
And Yay! Vader slaughtered younglings. Again. (Not promoting anything here, seriously!) Got the idea from a meme.
Wait for the next chapter: "Do Hutts Bleed?". There will some action.
I hope you like it and your feedback is most welcome. May the force be with you!