The boy's calm façade began to crack now and he took a step back before the onslaught, unwilling to listen but unable to leave whilst his Master still held the ring- and Palpatine continued, lips pulled back in a malicious sneer as he stepped forward, holding the ring before him.
"Because she betrayed your father too- it was your mother who led Obi-Wan to your father, knowing that the Jedi sought to slay him, young as he was. I had sent him to safety, far from Coruscant - it was your mother who took your father's killer to Mustafar. And then she left with Obi-Wan- left him there to die alone."
"... No!..." Luke reeled back, turning away in denial, letting out a breath as if he had been dealt a physical blow, hand to the wall for support, but Palpatine wouldn't give him that comfort, stepping close, taking his arm to spin him about-
"Am I telling the truth?" Palpatine pushed, "Am I telling the truth?!"
"YES!" Luke twisted free with a gasp, disillusionment breaking his voice, "...yes..."
Palpatine let him go, seeing his shoulders sag, head low- and he smiled, triumph dripping from his words as he spoke, "Do you still want the ring?"
The boy remained silent for long seconds... then he lifted his head, mismatched eyes intensely blue, but as defiant and wilful as ever.
"..... Yes." He grated, unsteady hand out before him.
Disgusted, Palpatine turned away and hurled the ring into the shadows.
Luke turned, hand still before him- and the ring rattled in a curving arc across the dark glass tiles and skipped up into his palm. He paused, looking down at it as he curled his fingers about it... then he turned and left in silence.
Palpatine stood alone, a shadow within the shadows of the darkened room, still turned from the door... still grinning his victory.
.
Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Reece re-read the final briefing for the formal reception to be given in honour of the Patriot's launch, frowning at the unexpected changes before glancing to The Heir. "Your orders have changed slightly for this evening, Sir. Your mark, Kiria D'Arca- apparently you're to lead the first dance with her tonight."
Luke glanced up from his reverie, having clearly not heard. He'd spent the afternoon trying hard to avoid everyone, yet frustrating unable to contact the one person he desperately wanted to speak to; his father. Nor would he be able to speak to him tonight; the Executor had already left orbit at the Emperor's command, in pursuit of those who had launched the attack, and remained unobtainable whilst in lightspeed. Finally he'd taken to hiding out in the small study behind his office, which was where Reece had found him by searching out the plain-clothes guards who always hovered outside which ever room he'd retreated to. Now he stood absently watching the sun set behind the opposite tower of the massive, imposing Palace, turning the ring over in his hand; turning Palpatine's words over in his head.
This was Reece's third attempt to reinstate some kind of normality to the day and railroad Luke into dressing for the official reception this evening, though Luke remained indifferent, half-glancing back as Reece pushed on, repeating his words. "Your mark, Kiria D'Arca- you're to lead the first dance with her."
Luke pursed his lips, "I don't think so. In fact after today's fiasco, I'm seriously considering not attending at all rather than give Palpatine the opportunity for some public potshot at me."
He'd skimmed over the facts of his meeting with Palpatine that afternoon, giving Reece and Hallin none of the specifics, and that only because Hallin already knew about the ring, even if he didn't know its significance. And because of course, there would be fallout and damage control to consider. Reece paused for a few seconds, and Luke knew that he was taking the time to get his argument straight in his head before he launched into his reasons, probably numerous and maybe even numbered, which he had a habit of doing if he considered the points relevant enough. He wasn't disappointed.
"Firstly, an invitation given by the Emperor is a command, not a request; you know that." Reece's voice was the epitome of restrained calm, "Secondly, your father has spent months setting up the contacts from the Rim Fleet for you to speak with tonight. You can't not attend; it's the only chance you'll have to make contact with many of them for the rest of the year; it's an unrivalled opportunity."
"And you really think that the only opportunity I have to meet with them should be when there's a good chance of Palpatine launching into some kind of public reprisal?"
"Yes Sir, I do. And if he did- well then, that only supports your position. As far as everyone there is concerned, you saved the Emperor's life today. He made a public speech to that effect, changing the name of a Super Star Destroyer in recognition of the fact. He's hardly going to counter all of that by making some open criticism tonight over something as insignificant as a ring, Sir; there is no public discord between the Emperor and The Heir, you know that. And if he did, it would be the Emperor who would be considered capricious and not yourself."
The Heir leaned back, jaw flexing as he looked out over the city with a long, doubtful sigh- but at least he was prepared to hear Wez out. He ploughed on, hoping to provide a little perspective; a glance at the larger picture which The Heir seemed unable to step back and see today.
"I'd also advise you to consider Palace protocol; its bad form to refuse to turn up to a reception given in recognition of the launch of a Super Star Destroyer you've just been given command of."
"Protocol." Luke made the word a curse, but Wez pushed on.
"The people out there watching are the foremost powers of both the Core and Rim Systems- they're the one's you need to impress. And they want to be impressed; they're willing to listen to you because they're ready for change... Real change. Not just a replacement for the Emperor- they're looking for an alternative. Palpatine was a leader of his time; he forged an Empire from the chaos of the Clone Wars but that time is over now- the Empire's ready to move on and they know it. They're looking for someone who can be a diplomat, someone composed and practical and level-headed. Palpatine was a stabilizing force but he's spent years imposing and enforcing his view without exception; they still want that strength, that decisive focus, but now they'll rally around someone who offers more. Someone rational and adaptable- someone more humane. They're ready to move on and they're looking to you. All you have to do is show them you understand- that you agree; that your values and goals are the same as theirs."
"And I do all that by dancing with a woman I've never met?"
The Heir's disparaging, long-suffering tone brought a rare smile to Reece's face. "No, Sir- but it's a start. You need to inspire confidence by example- by a method they recognize in a language they understand. The D'Arca's are a powerful family politically and militarily in both the Core and the Rim systems; they can help forward your plans considerably and regardless of the Emperor's machinations, you need to pursue your own goals."
The D'Arca's are loyal to the Emperor." Luke stated uncategorically, though Wez wasn't yet ready to concede.
"You may well find that the D'Arca's are in fact loyal to the Empire, as I am."
"I think it more likely that they're simply loyal to their own goals." Luke said, remembering his previous meetings with Beladon D'Arca.
"Which doesn't mean to say that they're not valuable." Wez argued, "They're an old House and they offer links to the past and you need to show that you respect that. That when you come to power those traditions and conventions will be acknowledged and upheld; there'll be no more upheavals, stability will be maintained. You need to start acting like the Statesman they need you to be."