Trooper

Undercover Romance

Coruscant: 0 BBY
Imperial Palace
Jess

The next evening came all too slowly. Jess ended a transmission with Arwen, Zel, and Feylin as Ryn left to get ready. He pulled on his disguise and slipped the helmet beneath his arm. The three Senators were waiting in the main room.

Senator Mon Mothma handed Jess a tiny datacard. Azie rolled into the room and joined them. "This will get you access to the ball. Blend in and have fun while you can. Act like you belong," she directed.

"I managed to find out more of the plan for the evening," Bail added. "There will be a presentation on the weapon or something like that. There's also a secret meeting going on. The officers in charge of the program are going to be meeting during the presentation. If possible, you and Ryn will have to split up to find out whatever you can from both meetings. Have Azie record the secret meeting. He won't be allowed at the presentation anyway."

"Yes, Sir," Jess replied.

"Good luck," Leia said with half a smile.

"The shuttle is waiting outside." Mon Mothma gestured towards her private landing pad.

"Come on, Azie," Jess sighed. The two of them headed out towards the shuttle and boarded. It wasn't long before Ryn joined them. They took off as soon as she was on board. Ryn clutched a dark shawl around her shoulders. Jess caught sight of sleek shimmering red folds of fabric beneath it. White paint covered her facial markings, altering them a bit and disguising the jaig eyes on her cheeks.

She caught his gaze and pulled the shawl around herself tighter. "Just have patience," she laughed. Jess rolled his eyes and grinned. "So what's the plan?"

"There's going to be two meetings." Jess kept his voice low to avoid the shuttle pilot overhearing. "One is private and the other is for the investors. We'll have to split up and sit in on both meetings. Azie is supposed to record the private one."

"You probably want to take the private one?"

Jess pursed his lips, thinking. "I'm not sure. As an investor, you'll be expected to sit in on that meeting. Although, it would be more suspicious if I'm found slinking around without my consort."

"Let's wait then and decide when we figure out who's less likely to get caught," Ryn said. Jess nodded his agreement. "Is Zel doing all right?"

He nodded again. "Artoo and Threepio showed up. Arwen said she'd had a fun time trying to catch Zel. Apparently she discovered that Artoo can carry her if she sits on top of him. They practiced until she didn't fall off and then ran around the base."

Ryn let out a laugh. "She's more inventive every day. Azie, you are not allowed to do that with her." He chirped incredulously. "Because she'll get us all into trouble, especially if you're with her." He let out a droid's sigh.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the Emperor's Palace. They stepped out of the shuttle and stared up at its massive structure. "I can't believe this used to be the Jedi Temple," Jess whispered.

"Me too." Ryn took the lead and he slipped his helmet on. Jess passed Senator Mon Mothma's datacard into her grip as they reached the guards. One of them held out an expectant hand. Ryn gave him the card, which he inserted into a datapad. After a few seconds, he returned it and waved them in.

Droids, attendants, guards, and more were running about the palace. Several other guests made their way towards an ornate ballroom. A servant approached Ryn and took her shawl. Jess was suddenly grateful for the helmet covering his face. His expression would've blown their cover immediately.