Author's Note: Thank you so much for your patience with me while continuing to support this story. I'm coming to understand that I'm in a major transitionary phase in my life. I'm taking on more work while still making time to rest, and it isn't always easy to find writing time. So your patience is greatly appreciated. While I work a full time entertainment job, I've expanded to take on gigs and also social media growth. Lot of big changes. But I will say, and this can apply to anyone. If there's something you really want to do, I hope you go for it. Even if it doesn't go as planned I hope you can at least say you tried. Best wishes, dearest readers. And welcome back to "The Frozen Force."
~ Sparks
ADVISORY: The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Trauma. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.
ACT III - KRISTOFF
Chapter: 129 The Fire
- ACCESSING IMPERIAL NETWORK -
RIO: Rimma Imperial Outpost to Imperial High Command.
IHC: This is High Command. Proceed.
RIO: We have a situation. Multiple civilian casualties on Ghorman. Witness accounts flooding the holo channels.
IHC: Cause?
RIO: A protest broke out over the cutting of shipping lanes.
IHC: Get that situation under control. Down all comm networks in the sector.
RIO: Understood.
IHC: Imperial High Command to Security Bureau.
ISB: Go ahead, High Command.
IHC: Dead civilians on Ghorman. Clear the holo channels. Scrub the networks. Switch active protest to suppressed riot. Stop the bleeding on this story before it reaches the public eye. Trace all and any transmissions sharing information about the event and detain those responsible. Snuff the sparks before they catch fire.
Imperial HoloNet news was as standard as it was copious. From hours of statistics to the occasional transportation update, citizens of the Empire had become numbed to these bulletins. So when any hint of bloodshed arrived in the archives, all eyes were on it. The Empire knew better than to silence information entirely. It was only a matter of shifting perspectives. Sure, people died on Ghorman. But how...
Coruscant remained the information capital of the Core Worlds, and Starwave Station was the beacon of it all. Dia Veritaz barely left that massive tower, giving announcements when she had to and appearing in public when she had to. Her biggest sin, was forgetting that she had to eat, and that also required leaving the tower. Senator Sofi Pru was growing tired of dragging Dia along. Still, she kept her burden fed and in power because she was a viable pawn.
"So let me get this straight," Dia grumbled amid a bustling foodcourt. "You're forcing me to eat three noodle bowls and you're barely eating one?"
"Do you want the honest answer?" Sofi scoffed while paying for their order.
"You're capable of honesty?" Dia mumbled.
Sofi's cyan eyeshadow vanished as her eyes widened to a horrid degree. She hated being badmouthed, let alone at the Galactic City Super Mall. Her stare alone spoke volumes as she urged Dia to simmer down. A gentle smile forced its way across her bold, red lips. "If you must know-" she chittered. "I'm watching my figure. The press has been all over my ass, so it's gonna look good. You on the other hand, need to eat because you look like you've been starving."
Dia was almost positive that Sofi was still talking. Although her mind had wandered elsewhere. She noticed a familiar sign away from the foodcourt and listed towards it.
"Dia?" Sofi queried, still holding the noodle bowls. "Dia! I'm talking to you!"
Dia continued towards the shop, still in the same place it always had been. Her muscle memory kicked in, as she recalled even wiping her feet before entering the finest establishment in all of Coruscant: GoldHeart Regalities. While all of the dresses, coats, and accessories had been updated over the years...it still had the charm that brought a delicate smile to Dia's face. Any semblance of a real smile was so foreign to her, that she'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
"Welcome, madam." A young woman said. She almost startled Dia at first, for she looked just like a youthful Elsa all those years ago. Bright blue, dutiful eyes. Platinum blonde hair tied into a neat, crisp bun. A welcoming smile across her lips. The sight briefly reminded Dia of when she took Elsa shopping at GoldHeart's. "How may I assist you?" the attendant asked.
"I'm alright," Dia jested until a thought sparked within. "Actually, I'd love to talk to Mipps."
"Mipps?" the attendant asked, her brows furrowing.
"Yes," Dia pushed. "He founded this store. Surely he-"
"Oh," the attendant scoffed, losing all form of pleasantry. "Him."
Dia shook her head in confusion. "I don't follow. Mipps loved this place."
"A little too much," the attendant rolled her eyes. "He refused to follow the rules when the Empire said aliens had to move to the undercity. He got real vocal about not leaving and acted like he had a right to stay. So some troopers showed up the next day and shot him."
Dia didn't even realize how she'd involuntarily shuddered. She had no tears, for shock had overwhelmed her. "Dia, baby!" she still heard the yellow Rodian echoing in her mind. How he'd hugged and showered her in kisses. The elaborate dresses he'd designed...the brilliant mind and passion he shared with the galaxy.
"What?" the attendant blurted at Dia's response. "He was just a bug."
Dia slowly stepped away in disbelief. The youth was no longer a pillar of nostalgia, but instead a frightful little demon. A young mind too fresh and stupid to know any better. Warped by propaganda that'd been shoved into her ears since infancy. Propaganda that Dia helped perpetuate. Dia backed out of the store, feeling like the entire mall was a hollow shell of what had been.
She suddenly bumped into Sofi, who was about to blow up again. "There you are!" the senator snapped. "What the hell are you-...Actually. I don't care enough. I'm getting you back to your tower because if you are late for another broadcast I swear, Dia..."
The limo ride back to Starwave was as discomforting as they come. Sofi had already started eating and would occasionally prod Dia with her fork. "Eat," she demanded. "So you don't kriffing die."
Dia instead glared out the window, observing how grey Coruscant had become. How human the upper city had turned. She wondered how many other nonhumans had been as resilient as Mipps and paid the price for retaliation. She considered if something she'd broadcasted over her bulletins inadvertently got Mipps killed. The pain of it all weighed heavily on Dia, bringing her to a point of stagnation. The likes of which she could only be pulled out of as Sofi's fork pinched against her shoulder. The idea of sharpness on her skin had Dia flinching defensively.
"Would you calm down and pay attention?" Sofi berated and gestured to her datapad. "A new bulletin just came in for you. High priority news so do not kriff this up."
"What is it?" Dia murmured as the limo slowed towards her tower.
"A bunch of sleemos got shot up on Ghorman," Sofi groaned while skimming through the datafile. "They attacked a military checkpoint or something stupid. I just lead, you're here to read. And speaking of which, I secured approvals for higher taxation on the undercity. Those idiots," she laughed. The limo landed on Starwave's platform as Dia hobbled out.
"Anything else I should know?" Dia asked.
"Yeah," Sofi said. "Thanks to that Ghorman stunt, the Imperial Senate has a meeting scheduled this afternoon. Be there." Dia made it two steps before Sofi stopped her again. "And I'll say this in advance...you're welcome."
"For what?" Dia asked. All Sofi did was smirk, close the limo door, and tell her driver to fly away.
With a heavy sigh, Dia trudged towards her tower. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about Mipps. Even the delectable aroma of freshly cooked noodles disgusted her as she thought on her broken existence. Her confusion only lingered as she reached her office and found it...clean?
"What the hell?" Dia whispered, nearly dropping the food. Instead she set it on a freshly polished counter and observed the area. Making her way down a neatly vacuumed hallway, she approached her office. Every pillow had been intricately reorganized and dusted as well. She was about to observe her desk when a hunched figure made its over, putting the finishing touches on straightening. It was about to open her drawers when she yelled. "Stop right there!" The being's head shot right up, his small...beady eyes widening. The lobes at the edge of his mouth swished, instantly making him identifiable as a Selkath. Raising his webbed hands in alarm he, froze.
"Just cleaning your space, Miss Veritaz," the young Selkath said, his voice deep and humbled.
"Why?" Dia blurted. "How'd you even get in here?"
"Senator Pru hired me," he was quick to answer. "She said you were in need of a new aid since your droid was broken.
"T-5?" Dia worried about the rickety protocol droid. "He was fine just as he was. Sofi just-"
"She said hiring me would help you stay on task." Dia dropped onto her couch, disorganizing the pillows all over again. Even in her misery, the Selkath still went out of his way to straighten what she'd messed up. "I'm Valki...by the way," he introduced.
"Good for you," Dia huffed.
Checking the desk-mounted chronometer, Valki tapped Dia's shoulder until she swatted him away. "Miss Veritaz. You have to do your broadcast, or else you'll be late." She glared at the Selkath, but ultimately lumbered over to her desk. "I organized all of your files and comm devices so you can work more diligently."
"Want a medal?" Dia jeered while plopping into her chair.
"What would you like me to do while you broadcast?" Valki asked.
Dia glared at her newfound aid and sighed. "Just sit on the couch or something." Valki did just that, sitting idly by and staring directly at her with his barely blinking...dark eyes. "Okay don't do that. It's like you're glaring into my soul."
"What would you like me to do?"
"Oh for the love of-" Dia hissed while tugging at her hair. "Just find something to entertain yourself with. I don't know!" As Dia prepared to broadcast, Valki made his way over to her empty vase. "Except that! Don't kriffing touch that!"
Putting on a smile, Dia activated the comms. "Hello Coruscant and to all of my lovely listeners out there. Dia Veritaz wishing you all a powerful day. Breaking news from the Rimma Trade Route as a skirmish erupted on the planet Ghorman. Factory production came to a halt when hundreds of rioters attacked an Imperial checkpoint. The situation worsened when a child soldier withdrew a rifle and opened fire on personnel. In order to save nearby civilians and fellow soldiers, responding stormtroopers had no choice but to return fire. A gunfight ensued, but the brave forces of our Empire prevailed...effectively putting a stop to the riot. Not since the Aldhani Heist have we seen such a troubling situation. The Imperial Senate will convene later today to discuss increased security measures to prevent future riots on this scale. Stay strong, my friends. Stay vigilant. And-"
Dia tensed up, thinking on all she'd experienced throughout the morning. Even Valki glanced over at her as she struggled to conclude the broadcast. "Trust your Empire," she spat the words out and hurriedly cut transmission.
Reclining in her seat, Dia rigorously rubbed her temples. "Miss?" Valki worried. "Are...you alright?"
"Perfect," she snarked. "Look, kid. I don't really need much. So why don't you just go home? I'm sure commuting from here back to the undercity isn't easy. I'll tell Sofi you stayed to work your full shift."
"I-" Valki shrugged. "Don't have a home." Dia's gaze shifted to him. "Not on Coruscant. Senator Pru said I could live with you."
The light briefly left Dia's eyes as she leaned forward. "Did she now?" she squinted.
Valki grew nervous, as if he was being interrogated. "I don't know what to say." Dia's eyes reddened as she put the pieces together. Growing misty eyed, she was quick to stop herself and pull it together. "Can I help you, miss?"
"No," Dia was quick to shut him down. "I need to get to the Senate Building for a meeting."
"I can prepare your-"
"No," Dia asserted. "Stay here and get comfortable," she said and passed him the noodle bowls. "Eat up. Sofi and I need to chat anyway."
For as empty as the Imperial Senate Building had come to feel, there was an odd sense of tension rising throughout it. Many senators and glorified figureheads were heading to their platforms as Mon Mothma stood in the shadows. Her breaths were calmer than ever, and yet her heart was thundering. Bail Organa placed a calming hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Are you sure? I can speak with my informants again. Make sure it was all processed correctly."
"I'm sure," Mon answered.
"I've never been one to shy away from the truth," Bail said. "But I need you to understand what comes with this undertaking. Once you do this, there is no turning back. I can no longer protect you in the light. You and your allies will be hunted to the edges of our galaxy. Things will get worse before they get better."
Mon's breath hitched for a moment. "Things are already worse," she answered. "They're decaying every day and each of us is responsible. For years, I've walked a line of duty and anxiety where neither yields. I'm already living with sleepless nights and spending days looking over my shoulder. This is no different. Too long have I wasted breath in this defiled chamber. Let this be how it ends."
"May we see each other at the end of it all," Bail said. "As soon as you finish, don't wait a second longer because they will be coming for you. Don't even pack. Go straight to Cantham House from here and they'll be a contact waiting to get you offworld." He stepped in close and planted a gentle, mournful kiss on Mon's cheek. The gesture was as respectful as it was morbid, knowing not if or when he'd see her again. "Goodbye, my friend."
"Farewell, Bail. Thank you for all you've done." Mon said before steeling herself. Clearing her throat, she peered back down the metallic corridor. The same halls she'd stepped down time and time again had lost their meaning until now. One more speech, she told herself. One final moment. Each step towards her platform felt heavier. Terror gripped her as she thought of those dear to her as pillars of strength. Mon recalled her cousin, Vel, who was bold enough to be out on the frontlines. Even Bail had a wide array of spy networks behind the scenes. She thought about the hundreds...thousands of rebels across the stars, giving their lives in the name of a cause with no banner to rally under. And as she felt her last ounce of courage slipping, Mon remembered Padmé Amidala. Gone too soon, the young senator's words still echoed throughout the chamber and strengthened Mon's heart.
"Who are we fighting for? My people, your people, all of our people. This war is meant to save them from suffering, not increase it."
With a deep breath, Mon Mothma of Chandrila stepped on to her platform.
Dia couldn't remember the last time she gave enough of a damn to speed over to the Senate Building. Makeup barely slathered on. Hair thrown together in some shameful, Corellian mess. She had fury in her heart and ice in her veins, all in the name of something beyond politics. Her leer was deathly, scanning heads across the silvery halls for Sofi. She glared until she found those shiny blonde tresses. Even just seeing that serpent's grin had Dia wanting to strangle her. Instead, she put on her best smile while imagining the thought.
"Well look who's actually early for once?" Sofi snorted, gathering chortles from nearby senators.
Dia's laugh was as fake as her partner's always was. "Senator Pru," she teased with daggers in her eyes. "You're so funny!" Dia used the gesture to get in close, feigning a hug and instead locking their arms and pulling.
"Watch it!" Sofi whispered. "This is Zygerrian silk!"
"That's not all you got from Zygerria," Dia growled through gritted teeth. As she yanked Sofi around the corner, she found a secluded lounge and shut the door behind them. "Is it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Sofi grumbled.
"Valki," Dia asserted, growing further frustrated at Sofi's bewilderment. "The Selkath!" she snapped.
"Oh," Sofi sputtered while fixing her hair. "I didn't know the fish had a name."
"Kriffing hell," Dia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Did you think I wouldn't know the difference between hired help and a slave?"
"I don't know why you're so bent out of shape about it," Sofi scoffed. "You used to own one."
It was as if Dia's body shut down at Sofi's words. Memories of Taline spiraled through her mind within moments. She saw herself beating the young Mirialan in a drunken stupor and then wrestling with her as Elsa lay poisoned. Regardless of the memory, Taline's painful whimpers rang in her ears until Dia staggered away from Sofi. "D-...don't," she warned.
"It's okay," Sofi boasted. "One of the actual differences between the Republic and our new Empire is that slavery is making a comeback. It's easing its way back into effect through syndicates and practically booming with Wookiee laborers from Kashyyyk. I had to cut some corners, but Zygerria's also-"
"I'm well aware of how the slave trade works," Dia croaked. She glared at Sofi in disbelief. Part of her couldn't fathom how casually she spoke of slavery...while the other half descended into another reflection. If Dia looked hard enough, she saw something far worse beneath that cake of bright makeup and flashy fashion. There was no comeback to spit out nor lecture to hurl. Instead, Dia just glared at Sofi...festering in her anger.
Sofi rolled her eyes. "Look, if you hate your gift so much I'll take him-"
"No," Dia blurted and struggled to recompose herself. Her eye twitched as she imagined Sofi beating Valki, even when he did everything right. Only there wouldn't be a Jedi to save him...let alone anyone. "He'll stay with me," Dia murmured.
"Good," Sofi smirked. "Now if you're done wasting our time, we have a meeting to get to." She fixed her silver bangles and matching headdress. "How's my hair look?"
Like a bleached womp rat died on your head, you two-faced piece of-
"Beautiful," Dia grumbled as they exited towards the chamber. While they did so, Dia squinted as a sinking thought crossed her mind. "Wheredid you send T-5?"
Sofi couldn't help but spin and strike a pose. She snickered at Dia's confusion and answered, "I had that waste of wires smelted into something useful." As Sofi continued to strut away, nausea melded with rage the longer Dia stared at her metallic 'accessories.' And yet...like T-5, Dia was just another item to the senator. Old, outdated, and completely in Sofi's hands. The question Dia had to ask herself...was what happened when she too was no longer of any use.
Dia could hardly focus on the meeting at hand, but senators rarely did anyway. In this day and age, a handful of Imperial representatives would speak up while the others just nodded them to death. Then everyone went home feeling like they accomplished something. Per usual when money was involved, Sofi took centerstage. Driving their platform inward, Sofi's voice amplified throughout the chamber.
"The riot on Ghorman may seem like an isolated incident," she began. "But it is a statement. A testament to what happens when our Empire is improperly funded! Millions of credits funneled into a powerful navy...well-trained soldiers. And for what? For degenerates and rabble to attack anyway? For children to be corrupt enough to take up arms against our way of life? People of the Empire-" Sofi paused, waiting for the Senate's camera droid to float towards her face. Once it did, she sniffled and urged herself to hold back non-existent tears. As Sofi forced herself to choke up repeatedly, Dia couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I'm sorry," Sofi sniffled again. "It's just that. I want our Empire to prosper not just for us, but for our children." She brought her hands to her heart and sighed. "And that only happens when our funding goes to tighter security."
Mon Mothma tightened the grip on her sleeves with each passing word. She'd heard many a disagreeable claim in her years as a senator, but too much was at stake. Slowly raising the amplifier on her platform, she realized that this was to be her finest hour. A final battle cry in the name of liberty for those who battled and who had lost. For Bail...for Vel...for Padmé.
Sofi's grin widened as she garnered more nods. Lifting her spangled arms like some form of prophet, she raised her voice triumphantly. "If we increase taxation across the Core Worlds, I assure you. No...I PROMISE you, that what happened on Ghorman will never happen again. So that peace and-"
"Lies," a voice reverberated from the opposite side of the chamber. It was enough to have gasps echoing as Sofi dropped her arms. Dia raised a brow and heads turned as another platform hovered towards the center. Mon Mothma was stone faced as she advanced without hesitation.
"Ex-" Sofi stifled a nervous laugh. "Excuse me?"
"I said lies, Senator Pru," Mon clarified. "LIES!" After years of speaking calmly to deaf ears, she felt reinvigorated to raise her voice in that chamber. To see so many eyes that had once ignored her now fully transfixed, Mon knew there was no reversing what she'd said. Riding the energy of that courage, she stood tall and spoke true. "I name the Emperor himself for ordering the brutal attacks on the people of Ghorman." While gasps carried on, no one would dare interrupt her. Not even her usual hecklers could fathom the accusation she'd spoken out. "Their peaceful world is one of countless systems helpless against his oppressive rule. This massacre is proof that our self-appointed Emperor is little more than a lying executioner. Imposing his tyranny under the pretense of security. We cannot allow this evil to stand." Whispers gathered from the chamber's shadows. The awaited uproar ignited, as Imperial loyalists brayed from their platforms.
Dia knew that if there was a single soul in that building who stood by Mon's words, they were keeping their mouths shut. She might've failed to kill the senator years ago, but the Empire would have Mothma's head for calling out the Emperor like that. Betwixt the ignorant chatter, anyone who could think for themselves was already fearing the worst. As Mon backed out on her platform, they all considered her to be marked for death already. In fact, it'd be a miracle if she was still breathing by the next day. Sofi happily didn't hold out hope of survival and glared at Mon until she fully exited the chamber.
Amid the chaos, Bail Organa had slipped out from his platform unnoticed. While traversing a secluded a hallway, he typed away on his wristcomm.
-Mothma on the way to you. Proceed with extraction.-
Once the message sent, all Bail could do was finally let himself exhale. There wasn't a moment to waste as he tapped in to other frequencies on his wristcomm and spoke to different 'clients' of his.
Dia just sat back, doing her best to tune out the cacophony of clucking senators around her. One would've thought that Mon had dropped a bomb in the chamber with how they were acting. And perhaps in a way...she had. Yet Dia still couldn't help but wonder if all that risk was even worth it. If certain death in the name of someone potentially hearing your voice mattered. Was anyone listening?
In a distant cantina on Nar Shaddaa, no amount of raucousness could tune out the HoloNet broadcast flickering on the bar counter. The scheduled frequency was suddenly interrupted by an Imperial bulletin. "Senator Mon Mothma has shocked the Senate with her treasonous remarks against Emperor Palpatine," an official said. As footage of her speech started to play, a pair of tired figures leaned in closer. Exhausted from their unkind realities, they looked at Mon as their beacon of hope. And with each passing word, Kristoff and Sven listened.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's chapter of "The Frozen Force!" I'll see you next time for Chapter: 130 - Kyber Squad.
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You,
~ Sparks