WHAT IS REAL

XV

He had to get a hold of himself because he needed to meet the emperor soon and he could not be in this state at their meeting. It was definitely wrong to have his troopers see his heart worn out there on his sleeve. He reached into the force and drew a steadying calmness as he breathed in and then back out. His eyes softly looked at his beloved again and then he faced the trooper and waved his hand in front of his face as he said, "You did not see my reaction just now."

"I did not see your reaction just now."

"You will take the body to my chambers."

"I will take the body to your chambers."

"You will tell no one where the body was taken."

"I will tell no one where the body was taken."

"Good work trooper. Go about your work."

The trooper left Vader and headed toward his chamber.

Vader slipped into an empty room and sat down. How could this be? He had seen holovid of Padme's Funeral. Well he knew what to do about that, he was going to review the vid and then see what was true. He took a deep breath and gathered the force around him and he cleared his mind of all thoughts of Padme. He only wanted to think about meeting the emperor and getting through that meeting in one piece. Vader did not want Palpatine to know that he had found Padme. He was not sure but somehow he knew Palpatine had been behind whatever had happened to Padme.

He walked out of the room as vicious Vader again, and greeted Palpatine as always. The meeting went well and Palpatine was pleased with the progress made on the Death Star. Palpatine never indicated that he knew about Vader finding Padme. Vader hoped it was because he had done and excellent job of hiding his emotions. He bid farewell to the Emperor because Palpatine was needed on Courscant.