X: First Encounters

The Imperial Palace, the tallest and largest structure on Coruscant shined brightly in the night sky. Tonight, the Emperor was to be hosting one of his elite receptions inside one of the splendid reception halls. Down at the streets and platforms below, speeders and other transports arrived one after another as many of Emperor Palpatine’s closest personal and military advisors arrived with their company for the event.

Among the many guests to arrive, Deroh Okins stepped out of his speeder sporting his official dress uniform. Outstretching his hand, he helped Rebecca out of the vehicle, wearing a dark green halter floor length gown, her wavy red hair half up in a bun. Once out of the speeder, Rebecca looked up in awe at the magnificence of the Imperial Palace.

“This is the Imperial Palace?? It’s so much grander than I had imagined…” Rebecca said.

Deroh smiled, taking his daughter’s arm. “Just wait until you’re inside.” He said, escorting her inside the palace, “When it comes to his personal residence, his Majesty the Emperor spares no expense.”

Rebecca nodded, taking in all of the sights. “How often have you been here?”

“I get called to report in every once in a while.”

“And you’ve never gotten lost through here?” She asked, surprised.

Deroh shook his head. “Not that I recall. Every time I’ve been here I’ve gone straight from a landing platform to the Emperor’s throne room. It’s a pretty direct route.”

As they entered the reception hall, Rebecca stopped to take in the view. The room was packed with dignitaries, politicians, high ranking officers, members of the Emperor’s circle.

“Daddy, do you know all of these people??” She asked.

Deroh scanned the room. “I know a few. Mostly officers.” He led her slowly through the crowd, pointing out several familiar faces. “There’s Admiral Denbur, he shares the naval office with me right now…over there there’s Moff Tarkin chatting with Admiral Daala…”

Rebecca nodded. "Is the Emperor here, too?"

Deroh led his daughter onto the dance floor and began waltzing, occasionally looking through the crowd of dancers and socializers, "It's his gala, I'm sure he's around here som--" he paused, "I think he's over there. Look," he said, pointing over the crowd," See that tall man in black? With the black mask on the other side of the room-- That's Lord Darth Vader, my boss. The Emperor is no doubt walking with him."

"Darth Vader is your BOSS?! You never mentioned that to Mom..." she exclaimed, wide eyed in shock.

"That's because your mother would no doubt have a heart attack due to the news," he replied, twirling her. "And don't tell her about it either."

Rebecca smiled, "I won't. I promise. What's he like for a boss?"

"There's no tougher supervisor in the entire galaxy, lets just put it that way." He said, choosing his words carefully.

"That sounds difficult..." she said as she stopped dancing, the song ending.

Deroh lead her off of the dance floor and back through the crowd, "You have no idea."

Rebecca hesitated, "are you going to introduce me to him? I'd still love to meet your boss, Daddy..."

"No, absolutely not." He replied, shaking his head. "Lord Vader isn't one to be known for his social graces. He's here because of the Emperor--and besides, the man is not someone I want you associating with. He's....always in the foulest of moods-- I don't want you getting yourself hurt."

Rebecca tried not to look upset and quickly scanned the room for the mask moving about high over the crowd. "Alright, Daddy. I understand. She paused, I'm going to wander around...grab a drink. I'll be right back," she smiled.

Deroh smiled, " Alright, sweetheart. Just don't accept any comm frequencies from any of these hot-shots."

"I won't," she laughed, going deep into the crowd and out of sight.



"I sense your discomfort, my friend." Emperor Palpatine said to his apprentice. The two Sith lords walked out of the crowd to the end of the room.

"No, my master."

"You cannot hide it from me, my apprentice. I know you all too well."

Defeated, Vader replied. "I have never enjoyed events such as these, my master. I am better suited in more...commanding locations, overseeing the fleet."

The Emperor shot Vader a dark look, half hidden under his hood. "It is I who will decide where you shall be at all times, Lord Vader. And it matters not to me if you are enjoying your surroundings."

"Yes, my master."

"Good. Now, I must take my leave of this formal function for I have other pressing matters to attend to." The Emperor stated, giving a wicked smile to his servant. "You, my friend, will remain here and oversee this reception. Make sure everything runs...smoothly."

Vader tried his best to hide his displeasure, "As you wish, my master." The Emperor nodded, turned slowly and left the reception hall through a side door. Once the Emperor had gone, Vader turned back towards the crowded room, arms crossed, and began watching the guests chat among themselves. Eventually growing impatient of eavesdropping on the conversations of countless dignitaries and their wives, the Sith lord retreated to the nearby balcony to vent, setting his hands on the railing and settled for looking out at the Coruscant skyline.

"Credit for your thoughts, Lord Vader?" asked a quiet voice behind him. Turning slowly, his gaze set on the young red haired woman standing before him with a wine glass in her hand.

"What do you want of me?" The Sith lord snarled, resting his hands on his belt.

The woman shook her head. "Nothing, my lord," she stuttered, "I--I just noticed you here by yourself and thought...." she paused, lowering her head, "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to disturb you."

Vader stared at her for a long moment before responding, the harshness in his tone diminishing a bit, "It is...alright, milady. I can see you have meant no harm."

"Rebecca gave the slightest of smiles, "Do you always attend these parties by yourself?"

"No, milady. If I had my own way, I wouldn't attend these functions at all. My place is aboard my Star Destroyer, not playing babysitter for the Emperor's guests." He said, trying to keep his anger in check.

Rebecca nodded, "I see. This is my first party. My father doesn't usually get invited to one of these events." She said, brushing a stray hair behind her ear.

"Are you not a member of nobility, Milady?" Vader asked, intrigued. "Who is your father?"

"Admiral Okins, Lord Vader." she said, then covered her mouth. "Oh...I'm sorry. I never introduced myself. My name is Rebecca," she curtsied.

"A lovely name," he replied, becoming more engaged in conversation, "I know of your father well, young one. His promotion to admiral was most deserving." He paused, looking back to the reception hall briefly before returning his gaze onto Rebecca. "You are...enjoying yourself? All of the wealth of the Empire is here for you to enjoy tonight."

"I'm trying to. This party is full of strangers. Aside from my father, you seem to be the only other person I feel I know...and I haven't even met you until just now." She said quietly.

"Milady, a woman of your beauty should not fear such an occasion as this." He approached her and gestured to the reception room. "Surely there are others attending this reception that would make better company than myself..."

She shook her head, "Like I said before, my lord. I don't know anyone else. I'm much more comfortable being away from the crowd in this instance," she said, taking a sip of her wine.

Vader stared at her, intrigued that she would rather spend the evening with him rather than inside with the other guests. He was about to comment when Admiral Okins' voice was heard from inside the reception hall.

Rebecca turned to the door quickly, then back to Vader. "I'm sorry, Lord Vader-- I'm afraid I must be going..my father is calling for me."

Darth Vader nodded. "As you wish, milady."

Rebecca gave another curtsy. "It was a pleasure meeting you, my lord." Flashing one last smile, she quickly ducked back into the party.

Vader watched her go intently. "The pleasure, milady, was all mine..."

IX: Preparations

Deroh and Cesera walked, arms linked, around Monument Plaza while Rebecca roamed the outlet mall searching for a gown to wear for the Emperor's reception.

"I hope you're enjoying your stay here, Ces." Deroh said quietly, "I know it doesn't nearly compare to the quiet-openness we have back on Corellia."

Cesera shook her head and gave a reassuring smile to her husband, "No... I like it. Granted, this city is probably a hundred times bigger and busier than I had imagined, but this area seems nice," she said, "For a short visit, it's alright. I...don't think I could imagine myself living on this planet though."

"Why's that?" He asked, leading them to an empty bench and taking a seat.

Cesera sat down beside him. "It's far too crowded. You have no real space of your own, no privacy..."

Deroh shook his head. "It's not as bad as you think it is. The crowds are something to get used to...but living on a Star Destroyer for months or years solves that." Deroh wrapped an arm around Cesera's shoulders, " Besides, there's more things to do here. It's not quite so lonely like back home. I'm sure Rebecca would enjoy the nightlife."

Cesera shrugged. "I'm sure she'd fit in better here. But for me...I need the quiet. This place...it's much too busy for my liking. The population, the noise... I don't think I could handle it long term."

Deroh sighed, "That's too bad. I was hoping you and Becks would stay up here for a while..."

"A while?"

"Well...maybe a few months? Unless I'm reassigned off of Coruscant sooner."


Cesera shook her head, indecisive. "I...I don't know, Deroh.."

"Hey, my apartment is plenty big enough for the three of us. And there's plenty of opportunities for Rebecca here."

Cesera leaned closer to her husband,  "If she chooses to pursue them. And what about her, anyway?" She checked her wrist chrono. "She's been shopping for almost two hours. Hasn't she found anything suitable yet?"

"Doubt it, " he chuckled, "From what you've been telling me about her, Becks will probably find the most polished thing she could find...within reason of course. Kriffing fashionista."

"Within reason, hm? Just what exactly is she looking for?"

"Oh I gave her a list." He began counting on his fingers, "at least knee length or longer, nothing too bright, no slits up to the thigh, no low fronts, no strapless..." he paused, "I can go on."

Cesera shook her head, rolling her eyes, "That's quite alright, dearest--I get the picture. With all of those specifications, are there any gowns left for her to pick from?!"

"Hey, men are pigs." He smirked. "Especially officers."

She giggled quietly. "You're one to talk," she whispered, nudging him with her elbow.

He smirked and pinched her side. "Your fault, angel. Not mine." He teased, then turned serious again. "Anyway, I don't want Becks getting the wrong kind of attention. I already told her not to accept comm frequencies from anyone, and...."he paused, "Oh kriff I only hope she isn't in that mall maxing out my credit chip getting everything in the damn outlet. "

Cesera closed her eyes. "You brought that upon yourself. She's seventeen. Let her wear something age appropriate. And if it takes 500 credits to do so, let her." she opened her eyes and glanced towards the mall. "Speaking of...here she comes now." Deroh looked in the mall's direction as Rebecca walked towards them holding two large shopping bags.

"Well, at least my wallet survived." He chuckled. "I see you made out alright there."

Rebecca smiled at her parents and sat down beside her father. "Yup! There was a lot to pick from. Even with all of your...limitations."

"Oh good," he grinned, "At least you won't kill me for making your life difficult. What'd you pick out?" he asked, reaching for the nearest bag to view its contents.

"Oh no you don't!" She said, yanking her purchases from his reach. "You're not allowed to see. I want it to be a surprise!"

He slumped back against the back of the bench, defeated. "You sound like your mother," he muttered.

Cesera beamed, "Of course she does. I reared her up well." She smiled at her daughter, "I'm pleased you found some nice gowns, dear. Will I be able to see them?"

Rebecca nodded, "Once we're back at the apartment." She lifted one of the two bags." There's three...you can tell me what looks best!"

"Great!" Her mother beamed.

"Oh, so you'll show your mother but not me? That's real fair." He shook his head and took notice of the other bag. "What's in that one?"

"All of my accessories!"

"You need that huge bag for a pair of shoes?" Deroh questioned, raising a brow.

"Not just shoes, Daddy. Three pairs of heels, then there's jewelery sets for my gowns! Each gown is different and these cannot be mix and matched. You don't want me being introduced to so many important people while dressed like a fool, do you?!"

"Bah...I give up." He  shot off the bench and started back to the apartment. "You women are too complex..." he muttered, walking off. Cesera and Rebecca exchanged looks and giggled amongst themselves at they trailed along behind.