My love. Adam definitely liked the sound of that. "Of course I wouldn't want to make you mad." he told her, wrapping her back in his arms. "Not that I needed any other good reason to come back to you." He kissed her again, trying not to think about the fact that he may never get to do it again.

"That's for luck." he said. As if to confirm his thoughts about this plan being insane, Adam could feel the ship slip out of hyperspace as Eskel cursed. Adam let go of Kijani and went to see what the problem was. He didn't have to look hard.

Above the green and blue planet of Naboo was the massive, familiar shape of the Death Star. It's massive superlaser pointed directly at the planet below, as if to hold it hostage.

"Unidentified shuttle, state your business here." said a voice over the comlink. Adam could see a dozen TIEs patrolling around the space station.

"This is Royal Starship Amidala." said Eskel, fumbling with the comms. "Requesting permission to land at Theed Spaceport." A pair of interceptors flew over the sleek Nubian. Adam took it as a good sign that they didn't start shooting right away.

"Amidala, your request is granted, but we will do a security sweep of your ship before we let anyone disembark." said the voice on the comm.

Great. Adam thought sarcastically. How the hell was he going to hide from the sweep?

Kijani’s eyes rounded as Naboo and the Death Star came into view at the same time. It seemed her instincts were right. This had the chance to go extremely badly. Visions of her shattered planet plagued her mind.

As soon as the comms were clear, she looked to Eskel and Adam both. “Eskel, please tell me there’s some hiding places in this ship. Adam, find Master Yoda and tell him of the situation. I’m going to have to play future Queen, so I apologize for the next several minutes in advance.” She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and summoned every ounce of nobility that was in her blood before taking the comms.

“This is Kijani Organa, future Queen of Naboo. Is this truly necessary? There’s a wedding to be planned, and I refuse to have any delays. Do you understand? I don’t want your dirty soldier boots scuffing up my fiance’s ship!” Her voice came out sharp as a whip over the intercom, the kind of voice used to being obeyed. The sort of voice that said ‘you are lesser than I, and should be grateful to be in the same room’.

Truthfully, even as a child, she’d never been much of a snot. If she could escape from lessons, she did. She was constantly slipping her minders and climbing trees, running around like ‘a little hellion’ as her mother was fond of saying. The other noble children thought she was very strange indeed. But time and school had taught her how to pull rank if necessary. Sure, she was wielding her title like a bludgeon, but she had to control the situation.

This might actually be the worst hiding place ever. Of all time. thought Adam to himself. He knew that Eskel didn't have very long to find him a decent hiding place, but the garbage disposal was literally the last place Adam wanted to be. Still, for the greater good of the galaxy, he held his nose and vowed to burn his clothes once this was all over.

In spite of the terrible smell, he concentrated on keeping himself still and quiet. It would only be a matter of time before the Stormtroopers brought in a scanner to thoroughly search the ship, and he had to make his move before. In the meantime, he reached deep into the Force and listened.

Eventually, the patter of boots on the durasteel flooring ceased, and Adam decided it was now or never. He pulled himself out of the garbage disposal and into the corridors of the ship. Silently, he left the vessel, hiding behind whatever he could find. Once on the docking bay, he saw it sat above a beautiful blue river. Much of the planet was beautiful in fact. To Adam's eyes, it all seemed so peaceful and tranquil. Damn shame the Empire ruined this place. Just like every other world they touch.

The river below him seemed only a short distance. No reason to not to jump and it might even clean up his clothes a bit. Before taking the plunge, Adam hoped Kijani and Eskel were safe and that Yoda had some sort of plan.
-------

"Sir." said the young bridge officer to his commander. "We've received a new signal coming out of hyperspace. It's... an X-wing fighter."

Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod couldn't believe his ears. The rebels sent a single fighter to attack the Death Star? It was absurd to the point of farce.

"The fool must have a death wish. Prepare the turbolasers and blast him from the stars." Moff Jerjerrod said backhandedly. "Let's give him what he wants."

"Sir, the X-wing has sent a comms signal. They are requesting permission to land?" the last four words were asked as an incredulous question. At this, even the Moff failed at hiding a laugh. "Perhaps they are surrendering. Order them to docking bay twelve and have a squad of troopers down there to meet me. I want to meet this being, whoever they are.
--------

Eskel walked along side his fiance mightily impressed by her display of royal anger. He knew that someday she would make a fearsome queen.

Escorted away from their ship, the pair of royals were lead up a massive set of steps towards the Palace. Waiting for them was a man of middle age, once tall and proud but now looking haggard and exhausted. His hair was brown, but greying at the temples. His clothes, however, were richly cut and decorated.

"Greetings, my son. And you must be Princess Kijani." said the elder Veruna. Though he meant his words to be kind, Eskel could hear the stress in his father's voice. Something was seriously wrong, here.

Before Eskel could get a word in, his father put his hand up. "I have made a deal with the empire that should keep them out of our affairs forever. Thanks to you and our new benefactor, Naboo can be free and protected. He would certainly love to meet you both. As the trio entered the palace, the stormtroopers held their position at the top of the stairs. Taking their place were new guards, but they didn't look like any Imperial troops Eskel had ever seen before. These men wore armor and robes as red as blood and carried pikes instead of blasters. Every move they made was measured and controlled, like a predator waiting for the slightest advantage before attacking it's prey. These new guards lead them into a large foyer with yet more steps. The figure standing at the top turned his head towards Kijani, and the massive weight of the dark side filled the room.

"Ah... the young princess. I am honored to finally meet you face to face after hearing so much about you. Now, I imagine we will have a great deal of time together while we await for your father." The man's presence was suffocating. Far stronger than Vader's and even more endless. Looking upon his shriveled white face was like looking into an abyss. An abyss where no light or hope could escape from.

Kijani was feeling nervous as the “couple” approached Eskel’s father. She was surprised to see the King looking so haggard. There was an exhaustion in his bearing. As he spoke, she kept her head held high, and kept her eyes focused despite wanting to look around. There was a churning beginning in her stomach that she didn’t like.

The strange, red-garbed guards were very strange. Somehow, she couldn’t get a full sense of them. No emotions at all seemed to come through the Force, which was actually rather unnerving.

And then -

Kijani stumbled ungracefully as the black cloaked man turned around. If he was even a man anymore. She had never felt anything like this. This icy, unknowable darkness. This raw, primal fear. Cold sweat broke out upon her brow, and it was only her royal training and her grip on Eskel’s arm that kept her upright.

“Emperor Palpatine?” Despite the fear starting to weaken her knees, she dipped into a curtsy. “It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, truly. I’ve read so much about you. Clearly, words do not measure up.” She wasn’t lying when she said that. The history books mentioned a charismatic and capable man who was disfigured by the Jedi. They mentioned his successful rise to Emperor in a bid to unite the star systems under unified control. They certainly didn’t mention the fact that the dark side of the Force simply leaked from this man like an unending faucet.

“It will be a joy to see my father again.” Almost all of her attention was going to focus on her breathing. But she was starting to look very wan, and a little lightheaded. “I… f-forgive me. Perhaps the journey here took some energy out of me.” She gave Eskel a gentle look. A look that she would have given Adam; a lover’s gaze. Behind that, she simply thought as loud as possible, in the hopes that he would pick up on her intention.

Get me the hell out of here.

“Perhaps I should… take a small rest.” And then she let go of her control, letting her eyes roll back and her body fall forward.

Eskel didn't quite quite get Kijani's meaning until she started to dip forward. He quickly caught her and tried to keep her on her feet. Palpatine gave a small laugh, which sounded to Eskel like a dying animal. "Of course, my dear. Take all the time you need. And don't worry. I'm sure young Skywalker will be joining us, soon."

A pair of stormtroopers lead Eskel and the princess away from the hall and into an occupied bedroom. Eskel, in spite of living in this palace his entire life, suddenly found his home cold and alienating. Still, as far as prison cell's go, this one was fairly nice. It even had a nice view of Theed, such as it was. The large balcony showed various white armored Stormtroopers and their vehicles standing at checkpoints and patrolling the streets. The few locals brave enough to be away from their homes moved carefully, hoping not to gain the ire of the imperial garrison.

"Nice thinking, Kijani." he said once he finally set her down on the massive bed. "Now what should we do?" The door clicked with a loud, metallic sound, which could only mean to Eskel that the door was locked. "I should have known my dad was in on this. I'm afraid that I've unknowingly lead you into this trap. I'm truly sorry."

Kijani groaned as she slowly came back from her semi-conscious state. The immense pressure was gone. Eskel’s sheets smelled like royal spring-blossoms. “Oof. That was not as fake as it looked. The Emperor is…” She shook her head, not even able to explain the depth of that fear. “Let’s just say, he’s bad news. I don’t know how he knows about Adam. Worse, my father is going to be dragged into this mess. I…” She inhaled slow, breathed out. Trying to bat away the anxiety gnawing at her stomach.

“I’m not sure what the best plan is. My father is all I’ve got left of my family. I don’t want to risk him getting hurt.” Her pragmatic side was peeking out. Every royal, even one like Eskel who had it relatively easy up until now, knew that one day they would have to make sacrifices.

“As for Adam, I trust he can handle himself. If something happened, I would know.” She knew that without a doubt. “Now, tell me about everyone that still works here. We’re going to need some allies, no matter how big or small they are.”

Eskel nodded in agreement as he started to pace around the small room. He mentally kicked himself for not knowing more about the people that worked in the palace, but he never felt like he had a good reason to learn about them. Not until now, anyway.

"Captain Tonra is the head of Security here. He's served my family since before I was born, so we should be able to rely on him. If we can find him, then he may be able to help us rally the guards here." he said as the door slid open behind Eskel.

"Tonra was executed last week for sedition. Captain Lago is now in command, and he is an imperial toady." said Eskel's father, now entering the room. Eskel tensed as he saw his father, with every nerve and muscled trying to hold the young prince back from charging at his father.

"What the hell are you doing here? Came to mock us before returning to like the Empire's boots?!" Eskel shot back, his voice full of venom. Rather than rise to the insult, King Veruna simply looked tired.

"I'm sorry, my son. I wish I could have done more, but it's out of my hands." he said, dejectedly. "All I can do is to stall them until the rebels get the time they need to do something about the Death Star."

Kijani rose up immediately, exhaustion forgotten for the moment, when King Veruna entered. Her first instinct was to shout as well, but Eskel was already doing that. She closed her eyes a moment. The man sounded like he was at his limit.

But at the same time, she was upset at his words. “Out of your han- are you a king or not, man?!” Her gold eyes lit with a burst of anger. “Those people – your people - look to you for guidance and strength, and in their moment of need, suddenly it’s too much for you?” Her mouth twisted into a scowl.

“Eskel, you must take after your mother.” She shook her head, getting up from the bed and starting to pace. “There’s got to be something left. To rule with fear is one thing, but to rule with love is another. Fear can be overcome, but love is much harder to shatter. If your people love you, there will be loyalty in their hearts. And with that, hope.”

She looked between the two royal men, silently willing one to calm, and the other to find the will to fight.

“So – what are we working with?”

Veruna recoiled as if struck across the face. The older man was not used to being shouted at, especially by a member of his own family. Still, they were right and he knew the fault of this situation lied with him. Once calmed down, he took a moment to think.

"There are still a few loyal guards here in Theed, but I won't throw away their lives in a fight they can't win. We need back up, and the Imperials control all the communication on and off planet. Not to mention the Death Star..."

Eskel took a moment to compose himself. "Well, one of those problems might be solved soon. Let's hope Adam can pull this off without getting caught."

At that, Veruna's eyes shot up. "I've heard that name before." he said, his brow furrowed with worry. "The Emperor mentioned that Lord Vader was being sent to entertain him."
------------

"And this is our main reactor, sir." said Moff Jerjerrod, his eyes glazed over as he lead the diminutive figure on a tour of the battle station.

"Very impressive, it is." said Master Yoda. Once the X-wing landed in the hanger, he thanked Artoo for the ride and sent him on his way. The old Jedi knew that this was one trip he wasn't returning from.

"Would like to see the main control room, I would." Yoda told the Moff. He was a surprisingly simple man to influence with the Force. "But first, the station's shields, shut off." he told the Moff with another wave of his hand.

"Deactivate the main shields." snapped the Moff to one of his technicians. The poor tech, knowing full well what happens to those who disobey orders in the Empire, did as he was commanded.

As Adam uploaded the message to broadcast over the whole of Naboo, he thought to himself that maybe this was all too easy. After swimming up river for a few minutes, finding a set of stormtrooper armor and walking around like he belonged there was child's play. No one even noticed he was still wet!

Was this all a massive trap? Adam thought nervously. With one hand, he felt his grip around his borrowed rifle tighten as he finished broadcasting the message. This place reeked of the dark side of the force. He chalked it up the the strong imperial presence on the planet, but he had a sinking suspicion it was something more.
------------
Emergency Broadcast. All Frequencies.

People of Naboo. For too long, the galaxy has burned with the fires of war. To my shame, and the shame of Veruna family, we were all too happy to watch from the sidelines as the Empire tightened it's grip on our neighbors.

But no longer! Regardless of the words of my father, I will no longer stand passive against the ruin of our Republic. As Prince of Naboo, I now stand side by side with the brave heroes of the Rebel Alliance. Be you patriots and lovers of democracy, I beseech you to stand and fight our Imperial overlords. Together, we may free the galaxy from tyranny and oppressions.

Long Live Naboo! Long Live the Republic!

Kijani relaxed slightly upon seeing that her words had hit home. She was certain that no one had ever spoken to him in such a way before. Oh well - she'd do it as many times as she needed to. Sometimes the crown was not a weight on the head, but a shackle around the ankle. She did understand his position, though. Their allies were limited - the plan had to be airtight to be worth risking anyone's life.

Kijani went ashen at the mention of Lord Vader being sent to kill Adam. Cold and nausea washed over her in a wave. "Oh, no. No, no- we have to warn him. We have to find a way to-"

The speakers pinged, and Eskel's message, the very message they'd recorded earlier started to play. It seemed Adam had reached his goal. It was too late to warn him. Now everyone would know where he was! Kijani couldn't breathe, suddenly.

"...Adam." Her voice was suddenly an airless croak. It was like she could feel the icy hand of the Dark side around her neck, squeezing.

The Imperial Command Center was a hive of frantic movement and shouted orders. The room had dozens of screens, all showing the city of Theed in chaos. The populace of the once oppressed city had risen up against their Imperial overlords, attacking barricades and checkpoints with blasters, blades and the very stones off the ground.

"Sir," said one frazzled tech to his superior. "The Emperor's shuttle is fueled and ready to depart."

"Any word from the Death Star?"

"They've ignored all our hails, sir."

"What the hell is going on up there?" said the officer before another security tech chimed in.

"Sir, squads four and five have engaged Target Alpha and are pushing him towards the Royal Tombs as ordered."

"Good. Lord Vader will be pleased." said the officer. His commlink chimed and he quickly answered the call.

"New order from the Emperor. Terminate the hostages." he said coldly before continuing with his buisness.
--------

"Kijani, what is it?" Eskel said, reaching out to her. When the door opened behind him, Eskel turned to see a squad of Stormtroopers leveling their blasters at the three of them. Eskel screamed and tried to push Kijani down with him before the bolts began to fly.

Kijani felt as if everything was slowing, and yet happening too fast for her to control. Adam was going to die, Eskel was going to die... for what? For what? Power? Status?

For nothing.

Nothing at all.

Something deep in Kijani's spirit closed. Like a flower without the touch of the sun. She stood up, straight and tall.

As Eskel tried to shield her, she lifted a hand and deflected the blaster bolts into the solid wall. "I have something the Emperor wants. You will not hurt me or kill them, until I have my audience with him." There was authority in her voice, not of a princess, but a queen. That, and the Force behind it. Her words were law, her will was the correct path.

"Bring us to the Emperor, unharmed." It was as if she was possessed, somehow. None of the fear, none of the anguish was visible in her anymore.

She knew exactly what to do.

The Stormtroopers stopped dead in their tracks as Kijani commanded them. Whether by confusion or compulsion, Eskel couldn't say. What he did know for sure, was that he suddenly felt very silly standing in Kijani's way. He could see that she was very much in command of the situation, and so he righted himself and stepped aside. His father gave him a confused glance which Eskel could only return. The Stormtroopers, almost sheepishly, lowered their blasters and parted, acting as an impromptu honor guard.

"Right this way, your highness." said one of them through his comlink as he motioned through the now open door. "He has gone to the hanger."

The Imperial troopers quickly led them throughout the halls and corridor's of the royal palace, with many more soldiers rushing pass them to deal with the rioting crowd gathering in the plaza. Not one stopped to question the purpose of the Stormtroopers or their charges.

Not long after leaving the small holding room, the group found themselves in the hanger. A lone Lambda class shuttle sat their, it's engines already roaring to life. On the gangway, a small figured draped in black stood and turned toward the new arrivals. The Emperor himself had an entourage of red cloaked Royal Guards nearby, who tensed at the unexpected arrival.

"What is the meaning of this?" said the Emperor in a voice that seemed calm, but carried a sharp edge of anger. For a moment, the room seemed to buckle at his immense power.

As the Stormtroopers did her bidding, and as her false fiance and father fell into step, Kijani walked in the midst of this strange group as if she owned the palace and the planet under it.

It was laughable, but there was no smile on her face. No joy in her heart. No triumph.

Nothing.

How many had died because of her actions?

Alderaan - it's people, history, and future- was so much dust, because she had taken a public stand against the Empire. Her father, doomed to outlive his queen, his throne, and no doubt, his heir. Prince Eskel, drawn into the conflict by no wish of his own.

Adam ...

If Master Yoda wished for her to remove attachments, then so be it. She would save those who loved her most. Even if they hated her, even if they cursed her from the moment their eyes opened in the morning to the next time they fell asleep at night.

If this was the crown's demand, then she would bear the weight.

The Emperor's dark, frozen soul washed over her. She stared into the eyes of a creature who had slaughtered generations and galaxies...

And felt nothing.

"Emperor Palpatine. I have something you want. In exchange for the lives of all in Prince Eskel's kingdom, the lives of the rebel contingent under my command, my father Bail Organa, and Adam Skywalker. If you ensure me that you will allow them to live, unharmed and unimpeded, for the rest of their natural lives..."

The uncanny gold of her eyes was dull, like a tarnished medal

"Then I will pledge myself and my power to you."

The Emperor, from under his dark hood, glared at the princess like a coiled serpent. "You would pledge your self to me?" he said, his voice getting low. A rye smile played across his cracked lips.

"First, a test of your... conviction." he finally said. "Troopers, step forward and remove your helmets."

The Stormtroopers, conditioned for years to follow orders without a second thought, complied immediately. The faces of the five men were varied, ranging from various ages and skin tones, but each with the Imperial regulated shaved head and no facial hair.

"These men have disobeyed direct orders. Kill them all."

Kijani wasn't surprised that she was being tested. The Emperor was no fool. One didn't hold onto power without being able to scrutinize those around them. That he'd ask her to go straight to murder was surprising. She wasn't quite sure that she was capable of it.

Then again -

He wanted them dead. That didn't mean her hand had to be holding the gun.

She shut her eyes and breathed slow. She reached deep within herself, thinking about who she was. The parts of herself she disliked,the parts she buried, what she pushed down to be more agreeable, whether or not they were good or bad. She inhaled, and grasped her flaws and fears and wants by the neck.

She exhaled and drew them up from the dark.

When she spoke, there was a level of icy derision in her tone. It was Kijani's voice, but not. "...You must think me a fool, Emperor Palpatine. Kill them? Me?" She snorted derisively."A queen does not sully her hands with such filthy work." Slowly, she approached the troopers. They did not move - even though he must have heard the Emperor's command.

Kijani stared each man in the eyes, watching them until she was sure that she had their attention. And then she started to speak.

"Do you see those other three men? They are not your friends." Her voice was a but a whisper. "They walk beside you, they work with you. They mock you when your back is turned. When you close your eyes, they take from you what is yours." The Emperor could probably feel what was underneath her words. The Force, soft and subtle as a spider's thread, weaving her lies with Truth. It was quite similar to what Jedi used for persuasion. But if the mind trick was a sword, what Kijani was doing was a needle. Nudging and pushing, just so. It was all very plausible, wasn't it? Just inside the edge of what could be. It was a lie - or was it?

"You have been betrayed. They want your position, and your glory. They want everything that is yours. Everything that should be yours." The effect was almost invisible, but each trooper's eyes darted to the others who had been his squadmates. All their gazes laced with paranoia and doubt. They shifted, discomfort in their bearing.

"...you know, just as well as I, that the moment you turn your back, they will kill you." She lifted her head, and stared each man in the face. And whispered one last word. "Unless..."

Her job complete, she stepped back.

A Queen did not kill.

No, there were people to do that for her.

Adam leaned against the cold stone wall and tried to catch his breath. The blaster burn on his arm hurt like hell, and he felt like he had run a marathon, though he had only been running for less than a minute.

It was so obviously a trap, yet it was one he walked right in to. As soon as the message recorded by Prince Eskel went through, nearly an entire platoon of Stormtroopers attacked his position. The young Jedi had to call deeply on the Force to protect him and deflect the oncoming blaster bolts. One got through, though thankfully it merely grazed his arm.

Now with a healthy appreciation for why most Stormtroopers hated their near useless Plastoid armor, Adam shed his stolen uniform onto the marble floor.

"Where the hell am I?" he asked to no one in particular. Without much time to think, he had bolted for the first open door he could find, unsure of where it would take him. He at least had the presence of mind to collapse the hallway behind him, slowing his pursuers. And yet, he could not sense anyone trying to dig through the rubble. In fact, he felt nearly nothing except for the path that lay before him. "Hate? Sorrow? Guilt?" Adam thought as he felt these things and much more. The blue of his lightsaber barely pierced the black shadows that stretched into eternity before him.

With no where else to go, Adam collected himself and carefully walked forward into the abyss, lightsaber held out before him. At nearly every step, Adam could feel the dark side grow stronger and stronger. After what seemed an eternity, a dim light showed in the distance. Adam, feeling hopeful, picked up his pace. Soon he could leave this awful place and reunite with his friends.

Then the roomed opened up, filling with artificial light. Though the room was large enough to fly an X-Wing through, it was nearly empty, with only a few ceremonial vases filled with red roses. So occupied with the massive space, the lone figure standing on the other end took him by surprise.

"Have you heard of the tragedy of Padme Amidala?" said Darth Vader, standing next to a stone sarcophagus. "In life, she loved a Jedi Knight. In death, she bore him a son."

Adam, confused and startled, raised his lightsaber into a guard position, wondering why Vader hadn't brought out his own.
--------

The Stormtroopers turned on each other without a second thought, first with their fists, then with their blasters. It was merciless, bloody and very quick. Once the mayhem was finished, the Emperor let out a hollow, grim laugh.

"Very clever, my dear. Step forward and kneel before me."

Kijani wanted to turn her head away from the carnage and the murder she'd wrought. But no. Too long, she'd not looked those losses in the face.

So she watched, as the Stormtroopers killed each other. Because *she* had told them that it was the right thing to do. Years of schooling and training and etiquitte stilled her face into a passive mask.

The Force buried the light in her soul. Like a mother protecting the last egg in it's clutch.

"Tell Bail and Adam..." She turned back, one last time. For a split second, Eskel would see the spark in her eyes. A warning, an apology, a goodbye. Just before cold resolve swallowed it and left her gaze cold.

"Tell them that Princess Kijani Organa is dead." With that, she turned her back. Her steps were straight, and steady. One could have balanced a tray on her head, such was her grace. When she reached the Emperor, she dipped into a curtsy. One that seemed out of sheer habit. The Princess had one last, fleeting thought.

If this is the price of peace... then I will pay a thousand times.

And then slowly, deliberately, she let herself fall to one knee. The gambit, the cost, the consequences hers alone to bear.

"The Force is strong with you." said Palpatine as his new apprentice knelt before him in submission. "A powerful Sith, you will become." The Emperor ruminated for a moment before speaking again, his voice loud and clear enough for the whole hanger to hear him.

"Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth... Oratrix." he said, his yellow teeth shiny underneath his hood. "Now rise, my dear. We shall begin your training immediately."

Palpatine motioned for her to rise and to follow him into his shuttle. "Captain." he said aloud, causing a nearby Imperial officer to scurry towards him and snap a salute. "Order an immediate withdrawal of all our forces. Let the Rebels have this meaningless planet."

"My lord..." the officer began. "The Death Star hasn't checked in for quite some time and many of the escape pods have been jettisoned."

At this, the raised his eyebrows. "This is unexpected. But no matter. I'm afraid Moff Tarkin's little toy has been compromised. Order the fleet to fire on it at once."