Forbidden Hero: A Star Wars Tragedy

Chapter 6

~ it does not really matter what we expect from life, but rather what life expects from us ~

The duty of every Monarch is to produce a secure line of success... Turning the holoprojector off, I looked out the window to the Imperial Palace. It had been almost a standard month since that night in the Imperial Palace. He had known every secret I had. He knew my unspoken name. He knew I had obtained a Jedi artefact, one that I kept from the collection points I had instituted for Imperial Citizens to throw away contraband items. He knew everything. Maybe he didn't realise my duplicitousness. Indeed he would have had no hesitation in killing me there and then.

"Ma'am." Hearing Hirsi San Tekka's voice, I brought myself out of my shell of meditation.

"Sorry, did you say something?" I asked as I turned back to see her at the door.

"I have your travel itinerary." She replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Hirsi. Anything of note on the personnel changes?" I asked as I took a bite of the breakfast she had brought me.

"Your Executive Officer has been given Honourable Discharge, as the Senate's retirement of all clone forces bill was passed."

I would be lying to myself if I wasn't sad to hear it. Pratta had reminded me of the old days. "Arrange to have him join me for dinner tonight."

"Of course, ma'am."

To Pratta, serving was his life. But, it wasn't just him. I knew the history of the clones. They had been an unwitting part of the Emperor's plan to wipe out the Jedi Order. Note that that was official history. They had learned free choice; the Jedi had taught them that they were all unique, and they thrived in this new knowledge. They served well until the Emperor turned them into human droids. As painful as watching them was, I learned it was painful for them to realise what they had done. Many had committed suicide; others threw themselves into Imperial service. Now there were not many left, and those were very private about the trauma they were born into. Pratta had proven himself to be my friend. But he wasn't the young man I once knew. I knew he would be happy to leave it behind and think just how much back pay we would have made us laugh.

For the first time in years, I made my way to the markets. I had droned on about Mizra cuisine, and I knew that I had to invite the bridge crew to a private dinner. I wanted to make sure it was a night they wouldn't forget.

It wasn't the lower levels of the city world, yet as I walked in the alleyways, it felt like I was being watched. No, I was. I turned with my dagger in hand; I saw the most unexpected face.

"Senator Organa? I could have killed you?" I said through gritted teeth pulling him into the darkness.

Panting, he gave a very half-hearted smile. "I'm sorry about that. Admittedly it wasn't my finest moment."

Sheathing my dagger, I rolled my eyes. "No." Pausing, I looked back to the Senator. "Look, we can't talk here. I'm grocery shopping for dinner I'm hosting tonight. We can talk there."

Giving the nod, Senator Organa pulled up his hood and vanished into the darkness. Letting out a breath escape, I relaxed a bit.

~~~

Adding the final touches on the Green Honey Cake, I placed it on the table. Miss San Tekka gave a delighted smile. "This is very extravagant." She said with wide eyes. "Let the surviving droids deal with everything, go get ready."

"Alright, as long as you think this is enough."

"Enough, this is above and beyond."

As I dressed, I heard as the guests arrived. The sound of chatting and laughing thrilled me. As I entered the room, every eye was on me. It had taken a lot to become an icon of Imperial fashion, and this outfit was designed by one of the very talented Mizra Royal House designers Onsa Rheen. My hair was in the traditional Mizra ambassadorial way. Taking a flute of Sunberry wine, I raised it. "To our friend and colleague Pratta, thank you for your service."