Senate Chamber, Imperial Senate Building - Coruscant

Today was a special day in the Empire: the day that the corrupt and broken era of the past was abolished and the Separatist insurgency was defeated, nineteen years ago. Many citizens all across the galaxy celebrated the momentous occasion which came only once a year on the galactic calendar.

At least, those living on Coruscant believed the entire galaxy joined them in celebration.

Empire Day was always Leia's least favorite holiday, and it wasn't just because it was basically the same time as her birthday. In addition to all the evil and darkness the day secretly represented, the attitude of the Imperial Senate was also affected by representatives who were more focused on when the session of congress would conclude and allow them to join the festivities instead of actually addressing the important matters and concerns of the galaxy.

In all honesty, Leia found it somewhat surprising that the Senate still communed for a session on such a big holiday. At the same time, she supposed, the Empire isn't exactly known for allowing its workers to rest. Even the legislative body wasn't excused from that, it seemed.

"...by the day, we are finding more evidence of the horrors being inflicted upon the Kashyyykian people!" Senator Chuchi proclaims.

Oh yes, leave it to the Imperial Senate to disregard the rights of beings they consider nothing more than animals. Leia doubted their views would improve on Empire Day.

"If we continue to brush this aside, how long will it take before we're faced with another incident like what the Ghorman's faced?" Riyo continues to say.

"Careful, senator, you're starting to sound like the disgraced traitor, Mothma," one senator barks out.

Leia scowls at the offense against her old mentor.

"That has nothing to do with this, and how dare you imply I speak with the intent of treason!" Riyo doesn't hesitate to respond, also incensed.

The senator who addressed her scowls and a chorus of voices echo out, some shouting in defense of Riyo but many others also scorning her. Bail Organa moves his pod forward and Leia observes the scene with a little more hope, certain that her father can get people to see reason.

"Senators, please! Should this not be of any concern at all?" he interjects, looking around at everyone. "With the collapse of military leadership on Kashyyyk, surely there's something to be learned here!"

"The wookiees are animals! And animals are the most dangerous when caged," another senator argues, waving a hand in dismissal. "If you ask me, Senator Organa, General Kahdah was simply careless in his management of them and this is the result."

Leia glares at the senator―a human representative of the InterGalactic Banking Clan―in disgust, muttering less-than-kind words about him under her breath.

"I know you didn't learn those words from me," Katooni says, standing close by as always.

"These people are absurd!" Leia vents her frustration. "How can anyone think like that?"

Katooni simply sighs in response, shaking her head.

"Force only knows how," she replies.

Another voice then jumped into the debate, lifting Leia's mood slightly at the sight of one of her close friends, and soon-to-be colleague in the Senate, moving forward in her own pod. Though young in her own right, the auburn haired senator from Naboo was no less a formidable voice in the Senate than her late aunt.

"Cruelty is cruelty, whether you consider them animals or not. If you really wish to consider them animals, then at least think logically!" Pooja Naberrie states firmly, continuing with her analogy. "Many predatory species thrive on instincts built by respect for an alpha. And that respect exists because the alpha protects the pack and their territory. They do not inflict cruelty for the sake of it!"

Despite her words, the Banking Clan representative was undeterred in his viewpoint.

"If you think the wookiees care about you, maybe you should go meet them in person and see for yourself!" he sneers at her.

"I would gladly do so, senator," Pooja states without missing a beat. "Would you?"

He narrows his eyes at the challenge, and a cacophony of voices starts to erupt within the Senate Chamber once more. However, the noise is swiftly silenced by a loud clang of metal that echoes throughout the entire building, originating from the very center podium.

"Order!" Mas Amedda declares, his stern voice full of authority.

Even while not technically a part of the legislative body, and therefore not the intended recipient of his demand, Leia still found herself compelled to be silent as she looks on the Grand Vizier.

"While the Emperor, as always, appreciates the thoughtful exchange of ideas and opinions of this legislation..." he starts to say.

Leia can't help but get the feeling that his words were underlined with disdain, as if a parent had just caught their child disobeying them.

"...he would rather not spoil this day with unneeded hostility," Amedda continues. "As such, today's session will be concluded."

He ends his statement with a final clang of his staff.

Cantham House, Imperial Executive Building - Coruscant

After the senate meeting was ended by the Grand Vizier, most of the delegates wasted no time in leaving as they eagerly sought to begin their own festivities for the holiday. On the trip back to her father's estate, Leia was less than happy with what she witnessed in the Senate. Back at the house she marches from her bedroom to the main room in clear dismay, Katooni by her side to escort her as always, though both of them barely saw it as that.

"Is that really the type of crowd I'm supposed to be working with for the foreseeable future?" Leia says with a grumble.

"I don't envy you," Katooni replies, and Leia sighs in frustration.

"I'm really not looking forward to this, Kat- Kaia," she catches herself in time, glancing around anxiously for a brief moment, then continues on. "I'm almost tempted to ask you to take my place."

"I'm afraid I'd have to pass on that, Leia," Katooni says with a faint smile.

Leia glances at her in apology, knowing all too well that public appearances were never wise for her friend thanks to her past, which they've tried so hard to keep hidden from the Empire.

"Sorry, that's stupid of me to suggest," Leia apologizes.

"No offense taken, my Lady," she reassures her.

They then enter the main room of the suite, where a collection of familiar faces are gathered on the couches: her father is there of course, but so are senators Chuchi, Pamlo, and Vaspar, some of their greatest allies in the Senate for the real fight out in the galaxy. And lastly is her friend Pooja, who gets up and bounces over to them as soon as they entered.

"Leia! It's so good to see you again!" Pooja joyously greets her.

"You too, Pooja!" Leia grins in reply.

They embrace each other, smiling, before Pooja turns to face Katooni.

"And, K...!" she trails off, pausing nervously while trying to remember her false name.

"Kaia, senator," Katooni reminds her, bowing her head.

"Kaia, right right right!" she says quickly, smiling. "Still looking good in blue, as always."

"Thank you, sen―" Katooni starts to say.

"Please don't, we're friends!" she cuts her off. "Call me Pooja!"

Katooni smiles and nods her head in acknowledgement.

"You were great out there today," Leia tells her.

"Not great enough though. Those people are so hard to talk to!" Pooja grumbles. "Please tell me you'll be elected soon so that you can help me in shutting them up!"

Leia makes a face at that.

"I really doubt I'd make much of a difference," she replies skeptically.

"Oh, nonsense, you've got more fire than a glottalphib," Pooja scoffs in disagreement.

Leia gapes at her in mock outrage.

"I do not―" she starts to say.

"Ladies, please," her father's voice interjects loudly.

Leia blanches in embarrassment and realizes that all of the senators are looking at them with varying emotions, Riyo being amused and her father more exasperated, whereas senators Pamlo and Vaspar were more annoyed than anything.

"Sorry, father," she apologizes.

Bail acknowledges her with a nod and then smiles, gesturing for them to sit down and join them for the conversation. They move to take their seats and though Leia attempts to have Katooni sit as well she declines the offer for the sake of appearance, and instead stands patiently and dutifully close by. Senator Vaspar lets out a brief sigh before speaking.

"As I was saying, as much as I wish we could assist the wookiees, realistically there's very little any of us can do here," he states, his expression grim. "If we want to help them, we'll have to find other ways. Clearly this approach does nothing."

"Are you sure? Based on the reports, things are really bad for them," Pooja says worriedly.

"Things are bad for a lot of people, not just the wookiees," Senator Pamlo replies. "It's not a simple case of the military being cruel, it stems from the human-ethnocentric culture as a whole that our society is perpetuating. No one will do anything in an environment like this."

Pooja looks down in defeat while Leia frowns, bristling in frustration.

"As much as I wish it weren't the case, I fear you may be right, Tynnra," Riyo sighs, voicing her agreement. "I've spent years fighting for the clones' rights, and the only worthwhile thing I've accomplished is Admiral Rampart's arrest. And even that didn't change anything."

The others frown in reluctant agreement at the grim reality they're faced with.

"Is there anything that can be done about it?" Leia interjects, not yet willing to give up on the issue. "What if we spoke to the Emperor directly? Demanded him to see that change is necessary?"

All heads turn to her with varying expressions of alarm.

"Are you mad?" Vaspar exclaims.

"Out of the question!" Pamlo states firmly.

"Why?" Leia demands, bewildered. "I'd be happy to do it myself at the reception tonight!"

Obviously the Emperor is a dangerous man, she knows that. The whole galaxy heard when he was exposed as a Sith Lord behind the Clone Wars. But even he wouldn't do anything in such a public setting, right?

"Leia, please be reasonable!" Bail tells her with a very serious gaze. "Confronting Palpatine will only place yourself, as well as Alderaan, in serious jeopardy."

"I don't want to be silent, father!" she protests.

"Being loud will only get you killed, Princess," Vaspar shakes his head.

Frustrated, she turns to Pooja for support, but is shocked to see even her friend is shaking her head.

"Leia, I totally get how you're feeling, but trust me when I say Palpatine is not the kind of guy you can just talk to," she says anxiously.

"Nor would he give you the chance to walk away," Katooni adds quietly.

Leia glances back at her in disbelief and Katooni simply meets her gaze with a stern expression, slowly shaking her head in warning. With everyone against her Leia reluctantly backs down, scowling at the floor in irritation. Bail sighs as he looks at his daughter but otherwise remains quiet for now. Riyo, who was quiet in anxious contemplation, then lifts her head up to address the group.

"While we're on the subject of Palpatine, this does bring up another concern I've had lately," she says, her eyes full of apprehension. "Ever since the Petition of 2000, Palpatine made it very clear that he would be on the lookout for any hint of dissent for his rule. With Mon and Garm both declared as traitors, I fear it won't be long before he targets us as well."

The mood amongst the group becomes more uneasy as they find themselves agreeing with her.

"I fear you may be right, Riyo," Bail says. "I, like the others who signed that petition, were only let free to serve as a warning. And with everything that I've given to our movement..."

Bail pauses for a moment, everyone understanding the implication made, and then continues to speak.

"It's likely very soon that I'll be forced to join our friends on the ground," he admits, troubled. "That is why Leia's appointment as a senator is so critical."

Leia glances at her father, her frustration briefly forgotten and replaced with concern. Though it's always been a plan for her to become the next senator of Alderaan, and the people have expressed their support for it, lately they've agreed upon her appointment being for more practical reasons. If Bail's support for the Rebellion was discovered he would have to vanish, if possible, and steps have been made to make sure that Breha or herself couldn't be connected to his involvement. She hates the idea of leaving her own father at the Empire's mercy, but it's a sacrifice they'll have to make in order to keep Alderaan in Palpatine's good graces.

"Queen Dalné has similar worries," Pooja then says, pulling Leia from her thoughts. "After Moff Panaka was assassinated she assigned Sabé to be my bodyguard, but a few months ago she just disappeared after leaving a disk drive with me. It's encrypted, so I don't know what's on it, and she wouldn't tell me either."

Pamlo frowns, leaning forward.

"Could you decrypt it?" she questions.

"Probably, it doesn't seem very hard, but I'm almost afraid to know what could be on it," Pooja admits, uneasy. "Regardless, Sabé's disappearance left us stunned and the Queen is worried that there's a target on my back."

"As do all of us," Bail nods grimly.

"What do we do from here?" she asks worriedly.

There's brief silence as everyone ponders their options.

"For the time being, I suggest we remain quiet. Do what we can in the Senate, but try not to draw attention to ourselves," Vaspar states. "It'll only make it much easier for Palpatine to target us if our colleagues want us gone as well."

The rest of the group nod their heads in agreement.

After concluding their meeting the group split up to go their separate ways, with the other senators departing to return to their own residence. However, instead of leaving right away Riyo hung back and gestured for Bail to stay as well.

"Bail, could I have a word?" she asks.

Bail frowns as he takes note of her unease, her eyes flickering around the room every now and again as if something were to pop out and attack at any moment.

"Of course," he says, sitting back down.

Leia pauses, also turning back but Bail waves her on.

"You go on ahead, Leia, I'll catch up," he tells her, smiling. "Best you get ready for the reception early."

"Yes, father," she nods in reply.

She walks away to her room with Katooni and once there's nobody in earshot Bail turns to address his colleague.

"What troubles you, Riyo?" he asks.

Riyo hesitates before responding, taking a deep breath. She holds her hands together, twiddling her fingers nervously.

"During our conversation about Palpatine targeting us, I didn't share the main reason that has me worried," she says, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm afraid, Bail, and there's no one else I know of who can help me with this."

Her eyes are wide with fear, startling him. Even though aware that there aren't any eavesdroppers in his place, thanks to Jarik, he still can't help but feel anxious with the way Riyo is acting.

"With what? What is it?" he questions.

"It's about my daughter," she reveals, and he frowns in confusion. "Jolro and I took her to our doctor a few days ago, just a normal checkup, making sure the baby is developing normally and all that, but when we did he... he discovered that she... that she has it."

She spoke so quietly that Bail almost didn't hear her.

"It?" he repeats, frowning.

Then it suddenly clicks in his mind: being a target of Palpatine, Riyo's newborn child...

He widens his eyes in realization.

"You mean...?" he says quietly.

She faintly nods her head in confirmation and Bail grows tense at the revelation, immediately understanding her fear. It's something that he worries about every single day, especially this particular day where Leia will be in the same room as both the Emperor and Vader. Still, he can barely comprehend hearing that someone else he knows, much less a fellow senator, is suddenly faced with the same struggle as him.

"What do we do?" Riyo murmurs fearfully.

"Who else knows about this?" Bail immediately questions her.

"Just the doctor," she tells him. "Jolro and I trust him, but I don't know how long we can keep it secret. If the Empire finds out..."

She trails off, too afraid to imagine the possibility. Bail takes hold of one of her hands in his and looks her directly in the eyes, his firm gaze unwaveringly determined.

"That won't happen, Riyo, I promise you," he states with conviction. "We won't let it happen."

Riyo sighs, appreciating the gesture, but still shakes her head.

"As much as I trust you, Bail, I need more than a promise," she replies. "Can you... can you reach out to them? Please tell me you can."

Bail lets out a sigh and pulls his hand away, uncertain. He knows who she's referring too, and he would've informed them about this whether or not Riyo had asked, but he's still is unsure how much they could actually do in this scenario given she's a very public figure in the Imperial government.

"I can let them know, but I'm not sure how much they can do to protect her while she's here on Coruscant," he tells her.

Riyo nods her head in disappointment, but also fully understands the issue.

"I know. She can't stay, and yet I'm needed here," she murmurs, scoffing quietly at the irony. "If... if there's no other way... then I can live that. As long as my daughter is safe."

Grand Reception Hall, Imperial Palace - Coruscant

Crowds of people, consisting of Imperial nobles, politicians, officers, and rulers from all over the galaxy gathered in the grand halls of the Emperor's palace. Festivities were in full effect as people enjoyed the luxury their status afforded them, partaking of the finest drink and food the galaxy had to offer. The vast halls of the palace were illuminated through light of the setting sun, which bathed the interior in a red glow through the tinted windows.

Leia had never felt more uncomfortable among a crowd of people in her entire life. On Alderaan there was the occasional annoyance from distant relatives or lousy music, but here in the Imperial Palace everything was more grand than she's ever experienced, yet so empty. Fake. The only comfort she could find was in the presence of her father and friend, Pooja, though the latter she could tell was similarly uncomfortable. She knew her father also had no desire to be here, but his years of political experience enabled him to mask his true feelings without having to even think.

"I wish Kaia could be here," Leia couldn't help but say.

"You know as well as I do that her responsibilities require her to be elsewhere." Bail reminds her gently.

She knows it as well, he was right after all. Far too much of a risk of her being identified as a Jedi by the Emperor or Vader even, if he was here too.

"Look on the bright side, Princess, you got me here at least!" Pooja says, trying to cheer her up.

It works a little bit.

"Yeah, kind of hard to ignore with that bright gold dress of yours," Leia tells her, scoffing.

"I aim to impress," Pooja grins in reply.

"I'll say. It's a lot better than most people here," she responds, looking around with barely contained disgust. "Honestly, all this pomp and blatant vulgarity, all in the name of currying favors with Palpatine. It's appalling."

"The Empire is mired in blatant displays of power and hierarchy," Bail explains calmly. "Displays like this are designed to clearly cement his power to those who would be foolish enough to have any doubts about who they should be loyal to."

No wonder everything felt so fake to her. It's because it was.

Beside her, Pooja suddenly tenses up. Taking notice, Leia follows her gaze and suddenly feels a chill run through her as she sees the Emperor himself strolling by, surrounded by a contingent of five Imperial Royal Guards. Directly behind him is the towering figure of Darth Vader, his breath audible even from where they stood. The mood around the Emperor seemed to rapidly change as people quieted down. Everyone gave his group a wide berth, none daring to make eye contact with him, deferring to him with respectful bows. After he would pass by, it took some time before the party goers felt encouraged to resume their celebration.

Leia watches him with apprehension, getting her first real look at the man responsible for all the injustice in the galaxy. Wearing nothing more than a black cloak and holding a cane in hand, most would consider him a frail, if a bit strange, old man. However, the darkness in him became more visible when she notices the skin of his hands is gray and wrinkled, as if all the color was sucked out of him.

She wants to confront him, make him see just how wrong the Empire's oppressive rule is, but something gives her pause. Whether it's the presence of his royal guards, or even the intimidating visage of Vader, she doesn't quite know.

"I know what you're thinking, Leia," Bail tells her quietly. "Please don't do anything we'll regret later."

Despite her earlier confidence, she had to agree with her father.

"I won't, father. I promise," she replies.

Just then the Emperor seems to halt on his path and, very slowly, his head turns in her direction. Leia stifles a shocked gasp when she sees his face and her entire body freezes in shock. Like his hands, the skin of his face is wrinkled, but Leia's attention is fixated solely on the blazing yellow eyes which are locked on her, seemingly staring directly into her very soul.

As someone who prided herself on being resolute and unwavering in the face of tyranny, Leia was ashamed to admit that her whole body trembled in fear.

"Steady, Leia," Bail says, placing his hands on her shoulders.

A faint smile spreads across the Emperor's face and he walks over to them, his cane tapping on the ground lightly with each step he took, yet to Leia it sounded more like a clack of thunder.

"Senator Naberrie! How lovely to see you again," the Emperor greets, his pleasant voice not matching his features. "How fares my beloved Naboo?"

"Naboo remains strong and beautiful, Your Highness," Pooja replies, keeping her composure in check. "Many of our people are curious to know when you might next grace them with your presence, like in the old days."

"Ah, of course. I do miss its radiant splendor, as well as its people," he smiles at her. "It feels like only yesterday that Queen Réillata requested your aunt serve our people in the Senate. She would be very proud of you."

Behind him, Darth Vader's breathing continues evenly while his posture remains stiff.

Pooja bows her head to him, unsure of how to feel about his compliment.

"You are too kind, Your Highness," she says simply.

The Emperor smiles at her once more before turning to address Bail, though his gaze quickly falls onto Leia.

"Senator Organa. I see you have brought your daughter with you," he comments.

"Your Highness," Bail nods to him, his hands still on Leia's shoulders. "May I present the Princess Leia."

Normally she would've expressed formalities, but Leia was too petrified to even mutter a faint 'hi.'

Palpatine hums to himself as he inspects the young Princess of Alderaan, a small grin on his face.

"A plucky little thing, isn't she?" he remarks.

He gently brings a finger to her chin and, despite her fear, Leia instinctively lifts her head just a little higher in indignation, though freezes quickly when she realizes what she's doing. Having noticed this, the Emperor chuckled faintly in amusement.

"Yes... You have your father's fire," he murmurs, still smiling at her. "I look forward to seeing your pretty young face in the Senate."

The Emperor speaking to her directly enables Leia to finally speak up, though not without stuttering.

"Th-thank you, Your Highness," she manages to say.

"Excellent," he says in content.

Darth Vader remains silent and unmoving throughout the entire exchange, his presence only made clear by his breathing. After what felt like an eternity the Emperor finally turns away from the Princess of Alderaan and starts walking away, spurring Vader and the royal guards to resume following him.

Once the Emperor was gone Leia let out a huge breath she didn't even realize she was holding and drops her head, her lip quivering.

"Are you alright, Leia?" Bail asks her gently.

Leia shook her head in reply, her eyes still wide as if she had seen a ghost.

"He was so... evil, father," she whispers, horrified. "As if he was pitch black inside."

She can't bare to turn and watch Palpatine walk away, afraid that if she did then his yellow eyes would turn back to her. Pooja takes hold of her hand, only able to offer her a comforting squeeze.

"I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way," Bail says grimly. "Confronting Palpatine would have been a futile gesture, Leia. He's too powerful."

He shakes his head in dismay.

"He would have to be powerful to frighten someone as strong as you, Leia," he finds himself saying.

"That just makes it all the more incredible when people stand up to him," Pooja says quietly. "Either they've got guts, or they're just the ultimate paradigm's of goodness in the universe."

"You'd be surprised by the answer to that, Pooja," Bail comments.

Leia lifts her head up then, still frightened but now with newfound resolve visible in her eyes.

"I'm ready to take your place in the Senate, father," she declares. "I know I can make a difference there, or at least try to. I will make you proud of me."

Bail smiles at her, rubbing her shoulder with his hand.

"Oh, Leia, you already have," he assures her.

Author's Note: Well I certainly finished this chapter a lot sooner than I expected. Not complaining. Also, it's always fun to write scenes like this, where more average and "everyday" people (depending on how you see it) encounter much bigger characters like Palpatine or Jarik.