"I don't know why he bombed it. I don't have all the answers." Leia defended without looking up.
"That's a pretty big answer missing, sweetheart- 'cos that was one of the most expensive fireworks I ever saw."
She shrugged, anger quickly waning, tired of going over the same argument yet again. She had so much to do; they were trying to set up new bases on Rishi and Ord Biniir, almost a galaxy apart in terms of creating and sustaining supply lines. The last bases were out of the Core Systems now, no longer sustainable under pressure from the Imperial Fleet- under Skywalker's command, no matter what Han claimed to the contrary. But then Luke had always been an exceptional Commander even when he was here, hiding his true identity. He had the knack of seeing the greater picture, keeping his mind on the end goal, willing to use unanticipated, unorthodox means to achieve it. Madine, a tactical mastermind himself, always had such faith in him; 'Outstanding aptitude', he'd always quoted- 'he'll go far'. Leia laughed mirthlessy at that; he hadn't been wrong.
Han was still sat on the edge of Leia's desk looking at her expectantly, and she glanced up at him, hoping that he would take the hint that she was too busy to go through this again, "Ackbar wondered if it had some basic flaw."
"Seemed to work pretty good to me." Han replied- and instantly regretted it at the haunted look in her mahogany-brown eyes. "Sorry- I'm sorry."
She shook her head, nothing to say against those memories. All of them- Alderaan, imprisonment... Vader.
And Luke- once again the rumours were doing the circuits; that he was Vader's son... was it true? The son of the man who had tortured her on the death star. The man who'd stood behind her and watched her world, her people, everything destroyed. Was it his son who had come to her in her darkest hour, claiming to be her saviour, knowing...knowing what his father had done.
Knowing that if he could deceive her, she'd lead him back to the Alliance base.
How could she have been so stupid?
How could he have been so cruel?
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CHAPTER FOUR
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General Veers didn't turn when an Aide entered the Emperor's Private Audience Chamber behind him- one did not turn one's back on the Emperor.
It was rare that the Super Star Destroyer Executor, Lord Vader's command and flagship of the Rim Fleet, came to Coruscant, but they had been recalled a few weeks earlier, though if Lord Vader knew the reason, he had chosen not to mention it to Veers- as had Emperor Palpatine in this private audience. Veers had made all his official reports of course, but this unofficial one was always made directly to the Emperor.
He was always invited to a private audience with Emperor Palpatine when on Coruscant - just to clarify that he was one of Palpatine's more valued agents in the field. Which was good, because Veers was an ambitious man, much like the man who left the Emperor's Audience Chamber before him, passing Veers as he waited patiently in the antechamber beyond. Beladon D'Arca, head of the powerful D'Arca family, strode by without a sideways glance, a contented smile on his smug face.
The D'Arca's sphere of influence ranged from connections by marriage into many prominent Royal Houses through to impressive military ties, with several family members awarded the rank of Moffs and Admirals, as well as maintaining extensive industrial links everywhere form the Core to the Rim, which kept them in the extravagant style to which they were so very accustomed.
They were fervent supporters of Emperor Palpatine; had been since the days of the waning Republic, willingly providing any backing in whichever form was required. As such, they'd remained always in the Emperor's favour and had prospered tremendously, favoured inter-system industrial contracts and auspicious military careers proof of their continued favour in Court.
What exactly had pleased D'Arca so very much today Veers didn't know, but he was sure it was in the Emperor's interest too, since when he entered the Audience Chamber, it was to a very self-satisfied Palpatine, smiling a yellow-toothed grin to no-one but himself .
Now, when Mas Amedda bowed formally before Palpatine at the edge of the dais and waited to be acknowledged before passing on his information, the Emperor grinned once more.
"My Jedi is in orbit." Palpatine announced contentedly to Amedda, who bowed in acknowledgement.
"Yes Excellency. His exact whereabouts however, is unknown."
"Explain." The Sith Master said, voice hardening.
"I contacted the Peerless and requested to speak to him, but was answered by Lieutenant Commander Reece, who stated that The Commander was unavailable at this time. I informed him that an official military reception had been prepared on the Palace landing platform and requested The Commanders projected arrival time and shuttle designation and he became... evasive."
To Veer's surprise, the Emperor seemed not in the least perturbed by this, the first signs of a grin tugging at the corners of his thin, cracked lips. "And where is he?"
"He has apparently taken an Interat TIE Interceptor and is... en-route to the Palace. I understand that Commander Jade followed." Amedda said neutrally.
The Emperor laughed out loud at this, completely unconcerned. "Inform my errant Jedi that I will see him upon his arrival."
As Amedda bowed and left, Palpatine turned again to his favoured General, taking the opportunity to address this point. "You seem...perturbed, my friend?" he invited.
"Forgive me, Excellency. I find I am perhaps a little... uncomfortable with The Commander's often... unorthodox actions." Veers explained politely, knowing better than to lie to his Emperor, but wishing to remain politic, knowing The Commander's favoured position.
"You disapprove of my feral Jedi?" the Emperor said , cutting through Veers' politeness.
The General bowed his head just slightly, "I acknowledge The Commander's tactical skills of course - I respect them very much - I simply... struggle with this... impulsive unpredictability. I find Your Excellency's disposition is far more indulgent than my own."
Palpatine still smiled, settling back; yes, he was indulgent with the boy- sometimes far too much so. But then, when he did use force, it was also without bounds.
"He is a Sith, my friend. All Sith need to be handled with due care." Palpatine said easily; Skywalker was still the wild thing pulling at his leash, and the Emperor knew full well that if he were to pull too hard or too often in return then every exchange would become a battle of wills. "He simply needs to stretch his wings. Now, he'll return to the Palace without trouble."
Veers nodded without truly understanding - how could he? How could anyone without an ability in the Force hope to comprehend the complexities and subtleties which existed within it? But he could perhaps grasp at its edges, which was important, because Palpatine had a place for him in his future Empire- and to fulfil it the General needed to see some glimpse at the larger picture, carefully distilled down into something he could revere.
"You should start learning how to deal with this particular Sith, General- he will rule my Empire when I am no more."
Veers raised his eyes, shocked, but Palpatine only smiled. "Do you find it so surprising that I should plan for my Empire to continue long after I'm gone? Or did you perhaps think I would hand it over to Vader?" Palpatine smiled, noting the subtle shift in Veer's sense with his realisation that he was, if not backing, then certainly giving empty lipservice to the wrong contender. "That would destroy it. Vader isn't strong enough to control my feral Jedi - he doesn't have the will to hold him in check. The legacy I have begun to build would crumble in just a few years. The moment I died, Skywalker would leave the Palace, taking anyone who remained loyal to him with him - and there would be many; he has built a solid base in the military - yourself excepted. It would divide my Empire in two and Skywalker would rip apart what was left in taking control from Vader - he would never accept him as Emperor - but he would take control in the end, despite Vader probably holding the greatest number of forces in my name."