Chapter IX – The Visit
The Empire continued their relentless pursuit of the
Rebel Alliance but their efforts had only gained them
random encounters and where Rebels perished, more
appeared to take their place, causing further ire to
Emperor Palpatine. In turn, Dagobah had become a
memory to the former inhabitants it sheltered.
Padmé Skywalker had remained on Alderaan while the
Rebel Alliance massed on Endor – establishing a new
Rebel Base of Operations the likes of which they never
had before. Systems stymied and disillusioned by the
Empire were rallying to join the Alliance – hoping to
end the tyranny once and for all.
Bail Organa, in conjunction with Padmé and Mon Mothma,
organized and solidified the Rebel positions with such
senior officers as Admiral Ackbar and General Dodonna.
In the process, they reassigned the few remaining
Yavin personnel among the planets dedicated to the
Rebellion.
************************************
Sitting at the desk, Padmé entered the appropriate
codes into the holo-transmitter and waited for her
transmission to be answered.
Shortly thereafter, her sister Sola came into view.
“Padmé! How are you? It’s been ages!”
Padmé smiled at her sister, “I’m fine. I just wanted
to let you know what’s been going on.”
Sola’s expression suddenly changed from joy to worry.
“Such as?” She asked.
A sigh escaped the Nubian Senator. “We’ve left
Dagobah. A bounty hunter discovered us and informed
the Empire. I’m on Alderaan temporarily.”
Sola’s hand covered her mouth as shock registered on
her face. “Oh no… Is everyone alright? The twins?
Anakin?”
“Yes, we’re all fine. I can’t talk long and I don’t
know how often I’ll be able to contact any of you. I
have a feeling the Empire is stepping up their efforts
to find us and I’m needed to help coordinate our new
base among other duties. Tell Mom and Dad that I love
them and miss them very much.”
“I understand.” Sola said with a heavy sigh. “Please
be careful Padmé. We know how important the Alliance
is not only to you but the galaxy. I wish you could
return home.”
“…I only hope we can end this conflict – soon. I love
you Sola. Please take care of yourself and the girls.
Give Mom and Dad a hug for me.”
“You needn’t even ask. I love you too little sis.
Bye.”
“Bye.” Padmé sadly ended the transmission and sat back
in her chair. The tranquility of the day – the first
in a long time for the beautiful Senator – found
itself sidelined as Padmé lost herself in her
troublesome thoughts. She hadn’t been to Naboo in
years and she missed her home, her family, and the
familiar surroundings. Resentful rose to the surface
as Padmé reflected on how much had been sacrificed for
this war. “I will find a way to end this
conflict. Peace must be restored!”
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as alarms began
to blare then Leia burst into the room.
“Tarkin is landing. We have to get out of here.” She
stated nervously.
“What? Where is Luke and your Father?”
“Uncle Bail said he would find them.”
Padmé nodded, her demeanor composed. “Then we better
go directly to the designated area.”
Mother and daughter gathered the few items that
alluded to Padmé’s presence and quickly left the room.
************************************
“Captain Tarkin! So nice to see you, I wasn’t informed
you would be visiting or I would have greeted you more
properly.” Prince Organa stretched out his hand in
welcome to one of the Emperor’s closest aids.
One of the few men to deal directly with the Emperor,
Tarkin was not a man to trifle with, he endeared
himself as a callous individual who achieved the
objectives of his ambitions without reservation. As
the mastermind behind the current Death Star project,
he kept an avid surveillance on the progress reports,
divulging every new morsel of information to the
Emperor personally.
The Imperial officer walked down the ramp from his
Lambda-class shuttle and ignored the Senator’s offered
hand. “You forget my station, Senator Organa. Have you
no respect for my promotion to Grand Moff?” he asked,
stopping a hairsbreadth from the Senator.
“My deepest apologies. I intended no disrespect.”
Prince Organa inclined his head slightly forward.
“This is an impromptu visit, Senator.” He snarled,
snubbing the Prince as he turned and resumed walking.
Ever the diplomat, Bail followed after the audacious
officer and politely inquired, “And how may I be of
service?”
“I will let you know…” Tarkin replied coldly and
stalked off toward the palace.
Bail quickly spoke to the Lieutenant in charge of his
security detail at the landing area of Tarkin’s
shuttle then turned and hastened back to the palace –
chaos could inadvertently break loose if his ‘other’
guests were discovered.
************************************
Anakin and his family, among others, waited patiently
in the same hidden passageway that Luke and Leia had
occupied at one time. A reversal of fortune had now
made the secret tunnel a source of freedom rather than
a confinement.
“I never thought I’d get stuck in here again.” Luke
chuckled.
“I’m glad Leia remembered how to get in here.” His
father pointed out.
“Oh, how could I forget!” Leia rolled her eyes,
remembering the time when she and her brother found
themselves stuck in the hidden passageway of their
Uncle’s palace.
“Yes, but this time you’re not alone.” Padmé smiled.
“We weren’t alone then either.” Luke chimed in.
“Master Qui-Gon Jinn helped us.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi chuckled at the teen. “Yes, I remember
you telling me about that.”
“He just appeared out of nowhere.” Luke excitedly
relayed. “I’d never seen a ghost.”
“I remember well your little tale. I found it quite
intriguing.” Obi-Wan smiled.
“Do you see Master Qui-Gon often Daddy?” Leia asked
curiously. “I mean since he’s one with the Force.”
Anakin leaned his head to the side and said softly, “I
see him sometimes…He lets me know he’s watching.”
Luke turned toward the Jedi Master, “What about you
Uncle Ben?” he queried.
Obi-Wan smiled and tousled Luke’s hair playfully, a
gesture Luke despised more and more the older he
became. “Yes, I see him on occasion. He is missed very
much.”
Without warning, the corridor’s lights changed from a
bright white light to a dim red, instantly quieting
everyone.
************************************
“I assume you’ve heard the news?” Captain Tarkin
asked, an edge of derision in his voice.
“News?” Bail asked, stunned. “What news?”
Tarkin scrutinized the Senator, his eyes searching,
calculating – looking for any slight detail that would
arise suspicions. Finally he said, “The Imperial
Senate is gone – disbanded by the Emperor.”
Senator Organa understood that any reaction he
displayed or misstep in words would be of consequence
– it would either unravel the Alliance or enable him
to forge ahead. Tarkin was not the type of man to show
remorse or compassion and considered such traits
insignificant.
“Why? How will the Emperor maintain control?” he
asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“You appear shocked.” Tarkin sneered.
“Of course! News such as this is unexpected.” Bail
countered.
“Indeed…” The Captain resembled a Nexu, waiting to
strike. “The Emperor was most displeased with the
Senate… Fear…will keep the systems in line.”
Bail didn’t know what to say, but he dreaded the
consequences.
“The Rebel Alliance will not be a concern much
longer.” Tarkin’s face twisted maniacally, hatred
marring his face. “Soon we will find the treacherous
rabble and annihilate them – permanently.”
“A daunting task. They appear to be scattered
throughout the galaxy.” The Senator stated then added,
“You have my cooperation, of course.”
Captain Tarkin stared hard at the Prince, examining
his reactions, his words and was only remotely
satisfied. “We shall see...”
Prince Organa played the perfect host to the Imperial
officer, guiding him throughout the palace and
grounds. He politely answered each question that was
presented and very astutely swayed his opinion toward
the Empire tendency of thought. Only when Tarkin
finally took his leave of the Prince by boarding his
shuttle and returning to his Star Destroyer did Bail
dare to breathe a little easier. He stood at the
landing platform gathering his thoughts when one of
his aids approached him.
“Sir, the Star Destroyer has left orbit and engaged
their hyperdrive.” The aid informed the Senator.
Bail nodded in comprehension. “It was very
advantageous that our other ‘guests’ were safely
tucked away from the prying eyes of the ‘Grand
Moff’” Bail mentioned Tarkin’s new title with
contempt. “I shudder to think the disastrous results
had they been discovered.”
“It appeared the Imperial was more interested in
grilling you, sir.”
“Apparently.” Bail shrugged off the encounter. “That
will be all.”
Dismissed, the aid returned to his duties, leaving the
Prince in deep thought.
************************************
Grand Moff Tarkin had made a point of keeping an
active vigilance on all of Alderaan’s activity ever
since his unscheduled visit to Prince Organa – a Star
Destroyer never seemed to be very far away. As such,
it proved to be exceedingly difficult to maneuver by
the Imperials but not impossible. However, due to this
obstacle, it took much longer than anticipated before
the Endor Rebel Base was fully operational.
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