He felt as if his head will split open in any second. Marcus cursed himself a bit for drinking that much last night, but he soon came to the conclusion that it was worth it. It was already late in the day, but he was still lying on the sofa in his service apartment. Last night was quite... rough to say the least. He didn't even want to think about just how much he drank.

Slowly he brought himself to rise to his feet and drink a huge cup of water, easing his torturing thirst. Heading into the bathroom he washed his face with cold water to help him to wake up.

Improvising a quick late meal, he was planning the day in his head as he was eating. After eating and dressing up into his uniform he headed out to the freezing street. All that was left for him was to report the beginning of his vacation to the duty officer, and so he headed to the naval base.

Even though it was only early afternoon, the streets were grey and colorless as Raithal's sky was almost constantly covered with dense clouds. The process was quick luckily and now he was officially on leave.

Heading out the gate, he headed back to the apartment to pack up his things. As he was strolling along the street in his long coat, he suddenly noticed a van, standing on the side of the road. It must have been in Imperial service, for it had the Empire's insignia on its side. However it must have been suffering from some technical malfunction with its repulsorlift, for it was sitting on the concrete instead of floating.

At its opened bonnet a twi'lek woman was standing with a troubled look on her face.

"Got a problem?" stepped to her Marcus.

The twi'lek's face turned from annoyed to uncertain and frightened within a second. "Y-Yes Sir." she stuttered. "I'm trying to fix it."

"Didn't you call a tow-truck? You work for the Armed Forces, don't you?"

"Yes Sir, I'm a supplier. I tried to ask for help a few times but..." It seemed that she was refusing to speak.

"But?"

"But no one wanted to help..." she was basically muttering.

"What is your name?" asked Marcus.

"Raya Mezira."

Marcus fished out a communicator from his pocket. "This is Captain Marcus Rienar. I request a tow-truck for Supplier Raya Mezira on the main street. Over." And he put the device away. "They will be here soon." he turned to Raya who was visibly surprised.

"Uhm... Thank you Captain."

"Your very welcome. I'll wait here until they arrive."

For minutes they were silently leaning against the side of the van next to each other.

"Do you like your work?" he asked her politely after a while.

"It's nice. And it pays quite well." said Raya.

"Imperial service gives stability indeed." he nodded.

"I can't say it doesn't."

"Good to hear that from you. Some of your species aren't really fond of the Empire."

"Well it's true." she said. "Just don't blame it on me please." she thought worriedly again.

"Yes, unfortunately." he said with a tone that she was unable to decide what he was thinking. "I'm sorry that they didn't help you." he said after a short pause.

"I... I think that these things are somehow related." said Raya now a bit more boldly. "This behavior and the Empire..."

"Don't say silly things!" replied Marcus more intensely than before. "Other soldiers didn't refuse to help you because they are Imperials. They didn't help you because they are jerks. The fact that they are Imperials too is nothing but a coincidence." he explained with his usual, calm voice again. "I would like you to understand. It's easy for you to condemn so many things. But anyone who has common sense sees what has to be done. We cannot afford outdated republican ideals anymore." He waited for her to oppose, but she remained silent, so he went on, his voice calm, toneless and pleading. "Of course, you have a special point of view, I can't blame you. You belong to a non-human species, and because of that, you lose sight of the larger issues." He stopped here, as if the words had a pleasurable effect on his ears.

"The larger issue is the entire galaxy and its people. We saw not so long ago what happens when some start to pretend that it's better not to be unified. But that brings nothing but chaos and suffering. That way we are vulnerable and weak. And this is true whether we are talking about core worlds or outer worlds. We have to keep security and stability. And the galaxy's only way to achieve that is being an Empire under a firm hand." he said lively.

"But there must be other ways to keep that up Captain." Raya replied. "There must be other ways than oppression, persecution and destruction."

"Dear lady." Marcus shook his head. "Look around the once war-stricken planets and then come back to me and tell that. And there are other reasons too. When did the Republic ever give every single being an opportunity? I saw the last years of democracy, and even though I was only a child back then, I still remember that it wasn't too good. Talented people often had no chances because of the bureaucracy. Democracy? It might sound well, but it remains to be a wrong conception. You call it oppression, persecution and destruction. Maybe it is. But believe me, it is necessary. Don't think that I like to say that. But it is true, and only a blind person will not see that. This ongoing rebellion and war shows that perfectly. Then, when things are finally in order, we can stop what you call "oppression and destruction." As for the status of non-human species... It's unfortunate. Someone discovered that it was the only way to come to power. On my part I find it ridiculous to discriminate and enslave any beings. But if that's what a stable and ordered galaxy requires, it has to be done. If it requires crushing rebelling people, it has to be done. A little injustice for the greater justice." It's hard to understand, but I think everyone will see it, regardless of home world or species."

"How can you be so different and yet be the same?" Raya asked mentally. She was very grateful that she didn't have to reply anything, because in the next moment the tow-truck arrived.

"Your ride is here." commented Marcus.

"You called me Captain?" the driver asked, exiting the vehicle.

"Yes. The young lady needs a bit of assistance." he said, gesturing at Raya.

"Oh, I..." the driver frowned, visibly surprised.

"Do you have any problem with that?"

"No Sir. Absolutely not." said the other man quickly.

"Very good." said Marcus strictly. "I want you to report to me when you arrived at the service station with her. Take care." he turned to Raya.

"Thank you Captain." said the twi'lek who was honestly grateful but also relieved that she can get away from his vicinity.

Marcus waited until the two vehicles disappeared and then he continued his way. It took him past the spaceport. By this time the sun started to set; the gloom was gathering, the streetlights were turned on. Without the weak shine of Raithal's sun, it was becoming even colder out there.

That was when he noticed a familiar figure sitting on a bench in front of the port's entrance. It was none other than Lena. She was sitting with an annoyed, disappointed look on her face, with a suitcase at her feet.

"What's the reason of this moodiness?" approached her Marcus.

Hering his voice, she looked up. "Ah. What a coincidence." she said listlessly. "Coming to take a ship?"

"No, I have no intention of going home."

"Why is that?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I have my reasons. But you didn't answer my question." Marcus said.

"I wanted to go home for the time of the leave.. But now that there's a chance that the Rebel base is somewhere around Elrood, they stopped all civilian shipping in that entire sector. That includes Ertegas too, so my way home is closed for who knows how long."

"Damn, I'm sorry about that."

"Yeah, I can imagine..." Lena muttered with a flat look.

"I am, believe it or not. So what is your plane?" he said offendedly.

"What could I do?" she shrugged. "I guess I'll just take a bus, go back to my apartment and do... something."

"I see."

They didn't say anything for almost a minute, avoiding each other's look. "Do you want to spend the vacation with me?" he finally asked.

"What?" Lena furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"I mean it. I have no one on this planet either. Think about it would be fun. I just take my things from my apartment and we can go, I already wanted to leave anyway."

"Why do you need your things if you stay on Raithal?" she asked.

"My family has a house here, I planned to spend the leave there."

"Why am I not surprised that you have houses here and there." Lena shook her head. "Honestly, how many do you have?"

"Outside of our home on Carida? Five, all across the galaxy."

"I knew you and your family have money even under your skins, but that much?" she sighed. "Let me see if I understand well. You're telling me that you invite me as a guest for two whole months?"

"Exactly."

"Feel free to tell me if this is a lame joke."

"It is not."

"After I mocked you like there's no tomorrow and sometimes drove you crazy?"

"Yes." he nodded.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to be alone for such a long time, and it would be better for you at my much larger place than in a tiny service apartment. Well?"

"What a generosity." she smirked. "You know what? Let it be." she said stood up from the bench. Over and over again Marcus realised how tall she was, almost just as tall as him.

"Follow me." They went together to Marcus' apartment. "Just a few minutes, I take my stuff."

"Until you finish I'll arrange something in the bank." she said and a few moments later she disappeared in the building across the street. When she arrived back Marcus already waited for her with a taxi next to him.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"As always." she replied. She seated herself in the back of the taxi, while Marcus took the passenger seat.

The vehicle drove out of the city with them and soon they left it far behind. The trip took half an hour along the shore of the planet's freezing ocean before they stopped in front of the house. Lena was prepared that it will be a sight but when she saw it, her narrow, almond shaped eyes went wide.

It stood on top of a rocky cliff, overlooking the ocean. Its sheer size was amazing. It was essentially a smaller palace, big enough for multiple families, with enormous windows and balconies.

"That's not anything you know. Almost unashamed." she commented, marveling at the building.

"I think you'll like the interior too." said Marcus and they exited the taxi after paying the bill. He opened the gate of the fence that surrounded the estate and they walked along the pavement that led to the house. The only humble thing Lena saw so far was the yard. Because of the cold climate there were only a few pine like trees outside of the grass.

The two walked up to the entrance, which Marcus opened with facial recognition and as soon as the double door swinged wide open he entered the house, followed by the lieutenant colonel.

Lena expected it to be lavish given to her companion's financial situation, but that didn't prepare her for the sheer grandeur and luxury of the place. A high ceiling, warm beige walls, with numerous rare paintings dotting them. From the hall where they were standing, marble stairs with golden railing were leading up to the floor. Numerous carved furniture, made from expensive tree types lined the walls, with various artefacts on top of them. And this was only the ante-room.

"Wow. That's not anything you know." she said.

"Cozy for sure." he replied

There was one thing that Lena noticed however. "No butlers at all?" She expected at least a dozen of servants rushing to them immediately.

"I like to do things on my own." he explained, taking down his hat and coat.

"Hm. Seems you can't stop surprising me." It was true that many of her former presumptions about him were crushed in the past hours.

"Don't deny that it's exciting." Marcus smirked. "Come, i'll show you your room."

Lena followed him up the stairs, marveling at the luxury she was never used to. Her host led her to a room at the end of a corridor. It was huge, enough to accomodate an entire platoon of stormtroopers. The furniture was just as amazing as everywhere else, not to mention the enormous, king-seized bed. Ornate wallpaper decorated three of the walls. The whole fourth wall was the window itself, giving a view at the waving ocean below.

"Aren't you sure that this is not a copy of the Imperial Palace?" she asked sarcastically.

"Pretty much. Plus, instead of busy, stinky Coruscant, it stands at a much better place. Get comfortable, I'll make something for dinner." he said.

"The moneybag Marcus Rienar cooks for himself. What a wonder." Lena smirked teasingly. Then she thought for a moment. "Hey uhm..."

"Hm?" Marcus turned back from the door.

"Thanks." she said with a voice that Marcus never heard before from her. It was much more gentle and kinder than ever before. "It truly feels good."

"Your very welcome." replied Marcus with a little smile. "I'll be down there."

Getting all her stuff out of her suitcase, the female officer went downstairs and after a few minutes she found the lavish, well-decorated dining room with a very long table in the middle. And on either side of the table there was a plate, full of crab rotoven, one of the costliest foods in the Galaxy, together with two glasses of Corellian wine.

"Didn't expect anything less." Lena said appreciatively.

"I swear it tastes good." joked Marcus. "Here you are." he gestured at the table.

Tasting the food, Lena stopped for a moment. Its deliciousness and flavor struck her like a lightning. Once again, this was something she never had the chance to experience before. "It's very good." she said finally.

"Glad to hear that." thanked her Marcus. "I tried my best."

"Wonder what else do you have up your sleeve." said Lena, taking a sip of wine.

"You know what? After dinner, I'll show you around."

Finishing their meal, she followed him to explore the house. She was totally awestruck by the end. The villa had a library, an indoor swimming pool, a cooling chamber for countless kinds of food, an entire wine cellar with seemingly thousands of bottles, a large, glass covered heated terrace facing the ocean, filled with a lot of plants, and the list goes on.

Undeniably, she got to a lot more different world than where she came from. By the end of the tour, it was already late in the night and so they decided to hit the bed.

"I'm looking forward to a vacation like this." said Lena when they were about to part their ways for the night. "Thanks again."

"The same here Lena. Glad you are here." replied Marcus.

"Good night." she said after a moment of confusion.

"Sleep well." Marcus said and he left.

As for Lena, in the company of a towel she went into one of the house's multiple bathrooms, lockated on the same corridor as her room. In the marble covered place, the bathtub itself was just as big as a smaller pool, a small stair leading down into it.

Peeling off her uniform, she stepped into the water, letting out a sigh as the warm, steamy liquid engulfed her slim body. She let her mind relax, leaning against the wall of the tub. She couldn't believe that she thought that, but Marcus seemed to be a very nice guy. Perhaps she's been even a bit unfair to him. He wasn't that conceited, spoiled person she thought him to be. On the contrary, he was kind and caring, so much that he invited her to (one of) his home for two whole months so she'll not be alone . Not to mention that he grew quite handsome over time. "Wait, what?" she frowned at her own thought. Where did this come from?

Anyhow, it was a wrong assumption that she knew him completely. Finishing the bathing she dried herself and clad in her black, mid-thigh long nightgown, she went back to her room and fell on the bed immediately.

The lights were turned off and exhausted from the day full of unexpected twists and turns, Lieutenant Colonel Lena Barani of the Imperial Army fell asleep.