Queen of Eden

Chapter 5 - Eden

Author's Note: Hopefully the appearance of someone in this chapter isn't too out of nowhere but it seemed like a nice surprise. :)

~ Tirana Sorki

Luke's not expecting to be taken straight to the palace. The structure looks more impressive up close. It also looks ominous. Lingering traces of the Dark Side cling to the walls in here. The Sith has been here a lot. There's security everywhere and he doesn't know how he's going to get them out of here. He'll find a way, though. The odds aren't any tighter than they were when he rescued Han from Jabba. And here couldn't possibly be another Sith here so it's just against these... guards.

None of them speak about where they're being taken.

Camie is sticking close to his side, glancing around fearfully even if she's not showing it much outwardly. He wants to say something to her but doesn't know if the guards would appreciate them talking.

He would also appreciate getting his lightsaber back and it's nowhere in reach. Not now at least.

They're led into a fancy room. The walls are made of rock but they're still elegancy decorated. It's definitely not a throne room considering that there's no throne. It looks a bit more like an office, actually. The man inside is elegancy dressed, though. He must be someone important.

"Who are you?" Luke asks, staring back at him defiantly. Might as well play the same intimidation cards he used against Jabba.

"The prime minister," he replies, evenly "I'm in charge of most matters of the planet, particularly in the Emperor's absence."

"Then what do you want with us?"

"I know who you are. Former crown princess and her... protector."

Camie twitches a bit at the mention, stiffening. So he does know them, then. This... isn't ideal.

"I would suggest you let us go, for your sake," Luke tells him lightly, "I have already defeated your emperor and I can do the same to you if it comes down to it."

The prime minister stills. "You killed the Emperor?"

Might as well take all the credit – maybe it'll make them think twice before trying anything, though this might dictate that they nearly get executed on the spot. "Yes."

He expected the man to get upset but instead he seems... "You know he's gone this time? For certain?"

"His spirit was destroyed," Luke replies, "He's not coming back. I wouldn't advise trying to continue his legacy. Do you even know what he wanted with her?" He gestures to Camie.

The prime minister looks between them. "I was never privy to that knowledge," he replies evenly, still studying him, "You know with certainty that he's gone?"

"Why do you keep asking?" Camie speaks up, "Do you want him gone?"

Fair question. He's almost asking like it.

The man sighs. He seems oddly reluctant to speak, glancing around almost as though he's expecting someone unseen to be listening, but then he finally speaks. "Eden has not done well under his rule."

Not like that's a surprise. It's just surprising he's willing to say that. "Then why did you support him?" Luke demands.

"You think any of us had much choice?" he throws back, sharply, "At first, I believed he would do better than the previous monarchy but in time, we all began to realize it was untrue. But he had abilities no one could understand. There was nothing any of us could do."

"Previous monarchy?" Camie speaks up, a note of hesitation in her voice, "What... happened to them?"

"They're dead, I'm afraid. The Emperor had them executed for betrayal."