The Mirror within the Mask 8

Lord Vader’s cloak rippled out behind him as he walked down the long corridor to the beautiful botanical gardens. I trotted behind him trying to keep up and not trip on the cloak at the same time.

“Keep up, girl!” he barked.

“You try running in heels!” I hissed under my breath. I had my long dress gathered in my hands and I did my best to keep up. When we entered the Skydome Botanical Gardens the lively buzz of conversation that had filled the air stopped dead and everyone shut right up and stared at Lord Vader, then they glanced at me and then went back to their conversation. This was standard behaviour wherever and whenever there was a crowd. Lord Vader entering a room had a tendency be a conversation killer, fortunately the effect wasn’t lasting.

As we walked through the crowd I was amazed by the numbers of people attending Thrawn’s ceremonial acceptance into the Order of the Canted Circle. I guessed that the induction of the Emperor’s favoured alien was a great attraction for the curious. I looked around to see who I recognised. I saw Prince Xizor with his latest girlfriend; the council of Twelve Grand Admirals were also present, easy to spot by their brilliant white uniforms. There were many members of the Imperial navy present from many ranks and at least two thirds of the Imperial Court and palace staff were also present. Everyone dressed in their designer finest and I was no exception.

I had asked Cati for something special for this event and she had just given me a grin.

“I hear this event is quite a big thing for your gentleman.” She had said as she wielded pins.

“Shiv has a big mouth!” I’d replied.

She had laughed. “I think the entire planet has heard about this event.” She’d said. “They just don’t know about the two of you.” She had added. “Yet….”

The dress she had designed for me was stunning. Made from a crepe silk and dyed in colours that echoed the ripples of colour in the milky Ma’arilite pendant I was wearing, it was deeply backless and delicate. Tiny sparkly gems lined the neck line and the slender straps that held it in place. I felt as though I were dressed in sky fire. As always, I wore shoes to match, with high enough heels that I needed to watch how I walked. I wore my hair up, pinned in place with the beautiful Zenji sticks that Thrawn had given. I felt about as elegant as I was able to so when Lianna came up to stand beside me I didn’t feel as I usually did, like an Outer Rim desert rat.

“Quite the turn out.” she said.

I nodded and glanced at her. As always, she was dressed beautifully wearing a pale lavender, off the shoulder dress. Her red-gold hair was elaborately coifed and curled and the necklace she wore was a very expensive Miastique design.

“I see Lord Vader is in fine form. I didn’t think he would be here.” She smiled but it never reached her eyes. She didn’t like Vader very much. He was competition for the Emperor’s attention and affections, such as they were, but somewhere along the line she had decided that I was no longer a big threat and the tension between us had eased a little.

“A case of see to be seen.” I told her but in truth Lord Vader had actually wanted to attend this event and had insisted I accompany him. I wasn’t complaining.

“No one in their right minds would miss this event. No one expected the Emperor to personally push for a non human to be inducted.” She said. “Look, even Tigellinus showed up.”

I stifled a laugh. The whole palace was abuzz about how vocal Rufaan Tigellinus had been against Thrawn’s induction. “He’s not shy, that’s for sure.”

Lianna shook her head. “He angered the Emperor though.”

“Really, I thought that The Emperor encouraged that sort of rivalry between his ‘sons of the Empire.’” I said using the most recent catch phrase that had been flying around, describing the lucky men who found favour in the eye of the most powerful man in the Empire.

“He does but Tigellinus pushed the limit. Palpatine doesn’t exactly like having his decisions questioned especially not openly.” She said. “I heard that he punished Tigellinus by stripping him of his recently acquired lands on Corellia, giving him just one more reason to hate Thrawn.”

I nodded. “Well there are not many who seem to think much of Thrawn, though to be honest I don’t really understand it. From what I’ve heard he’s done a lot of good for the Empire.”

Lianna looked at me as we idled our way through the crowds, following in Lord Vader’s wake, to take our places and watch the ceremony. “Jealousy.” She said simply. “The Emperor is curious about Thrawn and Thrawn is unafraid of the Emperor. Most of the people in Palpatine’s inner circle and high command don’t know what to think of Thrawn and they never get close enough to him to even begin to know him. He’s aloof, more intelligent than most of them put together and he’s not human. They hate him. And now he’s being awarded the highest non military honour that can be given at the Emperor’s insistence and no one can touch him.”

“Things are going to get interesting, then.” I said.

She made a face. “As if they weren’t already.”

Any further conversation on the subject was stopped when the ceremony began.

I watched with a mixture of pride and detachment as the members of the Order of the Canted Circle gathered with Thrawn kneeling on one knee before them. They were all dressed the same in floor length black velvet robes but the man who officiated the ceremony wore a robe that was more ornate and was finished with a large ornate collar and hood.

The speeches were long and spoke about the history of the Order, the goals and work that the Order was known for and lastly about Thrawn and his work. When the speeches were over the ceremony began and it was ornate and elaborate ending with a pendant that had the symbol of the Order, a canted circle, being placed over Thrawn’s head. He was then told to rise and presented to the watching crowd as the newest member of the Order. The applause was polite and a little guarded.

For the next hour there was an elaborate reception, time allowed for the populace to congratulate the newest inductee. I mingled making mindless chit chat with the various people who stopped to talk to me. I made sure to avoid the Emperor and stay as far away from him as was possible and when I got my chance, I gave my congratulations to Thrawn.

“You should wear long black dresses more often, they suit you.” I said. “You look quite fetching.”

He gave me a small smirk. “I suppose I should thank you for the gift, Miss Gabriel and also apologise for not wearing it. The slippers you sent, while they certainly match the outfit, they were not approved dress code.”

I just smiled. “So now you are a part of Coruscant’s elite.”

“Yes.” He replied, casually looking around the gardens at the people milling around.

“When is the real ceremony?”

“In about an hour from now we will retire from this delightful party and slip away to the secret underground facility in the Imperial Palace and there I will be inducted in a more, how would you say, brutal manner.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Brutal?”

“I’ll show you the result later when I am able to escape this nonsense.” He said.

I just smiled, raised an eyebrow and resisted the temptation to flirt. We were being observed. I sipped at my drink and watched as an Admiral I didn’t know made his way over to Thrawn. I was about to wander away but Thrawn touched my arm lightly.

“Stay,” He said softly, “you should meet him.”

“Admiral Thrawn, congratulations!”

“Admiral Larsen, thank you.” Thrawn said, shaking the offered hand. “Have you met Miss Merlyn Gabriel?”

“No, I have not yet had the pleasure.” He said turning to face me. I extended my hand for him to shake it and instead he took it in that strange gentlemanly fashion and kissed the back of it.

Thrawn’s lip twitched in a slight smile as he introduced me to Ged Larsen, one of the hottest young minds to come out of the Academy in a while. As he began to explain who I was and who I worked for Ged cut him off with a grin.

“I am well aware of who Miss Gabriel works for.” He said. “Your reputation for staying alive is almost legend amongst us.”

“Really, I suppose you also have a life expectancy pool going on like the internal palace departments?” I asked.

Thrawn raised an eyebrow but Ged just smiled. “You have long since surpassed anyone’s bets.” He said.

I laughed. “Yes, that’s what Siavaan Rimanata told me as well. Glad I could beat the odds. I’m surprised we haven’t met before.”

Ged nodded. “I spend as much time as possible in space, primarily in the Fondor system.” He smiled. “I don’t get to the Core worlds that often. Fortunately for me I happened to be called back for some debriefings and it coincided with this event.”

“The Fondor system, in the Tapani sector, yes? The great shipyards are out there as well as the Academy of Engineering if I remember correctly.”

Ged smiled. “You do indeed, I had no idea that Lord Vader had such exquisite tastes in choosing his personal assistants, you are as smart as you are lovely.”

He was very charming with twinkling hazel eyes and sandy coloured hair which he wore slightly longer than regulation. He was very good looking so I didn’t mind the mild flirtation; it was distraction from the serious temptation standing at my side.

I returned his smile. “You are quite generous with your flattery Admiral. I hope that you do not expect it to win you any credit with Lord Vader I assure you he is quite immune.”

Ged laughed. “Not at all although I was hoping it might allow me to ask you out for a drink after this shindig, if you are free.”

It took every ounce of self control I had not to look at Thrawn.

“That’s very kind of you Admiral but I have a prior engagement this evening.” I said with a smile and sipped at my drink as demurely as I possibly could. I was flattered and a little surprised. He was very charming in a cocky, self assured sort of way.

“Perhaps another time then?” he asked.

I smiled and nodded. “Perhaps.” I said vaguely. “If you’ll both excuse me… Lord Vader insists I mingle. It’s good PR for his office.” Both men chuckled politely and I slipped away into the crowds. As I made my way over to the buffet table I spotted Shiv.

“Hey Rim-Girl, you look stunning. I see Cati did another amazing job!” he said giving me a kiss on each cheek and a twirl around motion with his finger.

I obliged and he grinned.

“Where’s your crew?” I asked.

“Ynyth and Tygs are on Corellia at the moment. Bobby couldn’t be bothered to drag his sorry self out of his flat. I was going to call you and see if you needed a date but then I remembered who was being inducted…”

“Shiv hush! I am here with my boss; apparently I make him less menacing and more approachable.” I said.

Shiv laughed. “Now I know why you were hired… the softer side of Vader! Does it really work?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea. But I did just get invited out for drinks by some Admiral I have never met before.”

“Oh? Who?”

“A Ged Larsen. You know him?”

Shiv nodded and stuffed a canapé in his mouth. “The Emperor’s boy wonder.” He mumbled with a mouth full of food.

“Boy wonder?”

“Yep, he’s youngest person to ever make Admiral in the Imperial Navy. It’s in his blood though, his father was a big shot in the navy till he was killed. Admiral Degan Larsen, was one of the Emperor’s favourites on that fast track then his ship was destroyed by rebels and the son watched the whole thing. Apparently Ged went a little nuts and somehow managed to finish off the enemy with next to no ships or help. He’s got that magic touch, if you know what I mean.”

“He’s force sensitive?” I asked.

Shiv nodded. “That’s the rumour.” He said reaching for another canapé. “Anyway word got around that he was quite good when he was backed up against the wall and eventually the Emperor heard about it and fast tracked the kid. He was like late twenties, early thirties when he was made admiral. It caused a big stir I can tell you. Then Larsen vanished and the rumour mill said he’d ticked the Emperor off and was sent away in disgrace but I think he was actually sent out on some top secret mission. He shows up periodically, stirs the waters up a bit, flirts with the girls then vanishes again. He’s got quite the reputation amongst the courtesans.”

“Glad I turned him down then.” I said.

Shiv grinned. “Your loss kiddo, I hear he’s really good…”

“La la la la…! Not listening!” I cut him off.

He laughed. “You’re no fun.”

“I prefer it that way.” I told him airily. Then watched as the members of the Canted Circle left the great Botanical Gardens to go off to their secret underground space and do their secret rituals. The event would now wind down and when the free champagne and catered food ran out everyone would leave for other things.

“So now what?” Shiv asked.

I pulled his arm over and looked at his chrono. “I go home.”

“I’d offer to escort you to your door but you’re not talking about the flat in the palace are you?” he said sipping at his drink.

I just gave him a look.

“I’ve stopped by a couple of evenings wondering if I could drag you out to come and party with us but no one was home.” He said quietly. “You get a secret place off palace or are you staying where I think you’re staying?”

I shrugged. “I’m safe.” I told him, giving him a look that said do not push it.

Shiv regarded me carefully. “Safe and happy?” he asked.

My smile told him everything he needed to know. “Keep this to yourself, okay?”

He made an ‘I’m innocent gesture’. “I know nothing.”

“I’m tired. It’s been a long day. Lord Vader was in a fine fettle today. Xizor is driving him, and consequently me, mad. It would be funny if I wasn’t the one having to deal with all the flying bantha poodoo.”

“The prince has become a fairly permanent part of the décor, lately.” Shiv agreed. We both looked over to where the Prince stood, his arm wrapped around the waist of his latest conquest.

“Who’s the redhead?” I asked.

“Tandy Seline, some hotshot reporter for holonet news. We give this one about two weeks.” Shiv told me.

“I’m in for two and a half, then. He goes through women the way Vader goes through droids.” I shook my head.

“Well I am just glad I don’t have to deal with him.”

“He’s an arrogant ….”

“Don’t say it!” Shiv hissed in my ear. “The walls have ears you know…”

I drowned the words that wanted to trip off my lips with the last of my drink. “Why don’t you walk me out to my air-speeder?” I said.

We left the reception and I was glad of the quiet in the large elegant hallways. When we were well out of earshot and alone Shiv stopped and looked at me.

“What?” I asked giving him a look.

“How long have you been sleeping with him, Merly?” He asked out of the blue.

“Shiv!” I hissed. “You don’t ask that sort of question!”

“Yeah I do actually, all the time.” He said with a touch of resignation in his voice. “You forget what I do and who I have to take care of on a daily basis.” He said.

“I am not one of your courtesans.” I told him.

“Just answer the question.”

I sighed. I knew that tone of voice and he wouldn’t let up till he had an answer. “It started the night of the break in.” I said, starting to head towards the entrance. “But it is something that has been brewing a long time.” Hoping he understood.

He nodded. I had just confirmed what he already knew. “You taking precautions?”

“Precautions?” I asked looking at him blankly.

“Against getting pregnant.” He said.

“Uhm…” I made a face. That had not even occurred to me.

“Merly! The last thing you need is this…” and he mimed a large belly. “I am certain that would not go over well with Vader or anyone else.”

“I don’t think it’s possible, to be honest. In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s not human. Our chances of producing viable offspring are biologically not very good.”

Shiv looked at me. “True but I want you to talk to one of the Doc’s about it. Just as a precaution.” He said. “And you should talk to Thr… your gentleman about this or have you already talked about it and I am just being paranoid?”

I shook my head. “This particular topic has never come up.” There had been so many other things to think about that pregnancy was the very last thing on my mind.

We reached my little air-speeder. Shiv turned to face me and put both hands on my shoulders. “You need to deal with this. I can tell you right now that while an affair will be tolerated as long as you keep it quiet, a pregnancy will not, especially with a non human even if it is Thrawn. Not even Lord Vader will be able to protect you if that happens. So for my sake think about this, will you?”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Promise me?” he pressed.

“I promise. I’ll bring the topic up tonight.” I said. “Buggery sandrats, you’re worse than my father!”

Shiv shook his head and gave me a hug. “Someone’s got to keep an eye on you; you land yourself in the craziest situations.”

“No kidding.” I said and got in the speeder to go home. I waved to Shiv as I left the landing pad and entered crazy Coruscant traffic. Babies and how not to make them… this was going to be an interesting topic to bring up with Thrawn.