Date: Thursday, December 13, 2001 8:58 PM Part Three "Student, bah," the Emperor scoffed. Rachel stiffened, rage flaring within her. She was very proud of the progress she had made as a Sith. "Who she *really* is seems a mystery, to be frank,” Palpatine continued. “But she is nothing but trouble to me - and, most likely, to Darana herself." Dani came out from behind Vader a little, listening with interest. With exquisite self-control, Rachel merely raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand, Your Majesty," she said with deceptive mildness. "But," she added, her tone a trifle sharper, "I should have thought that you knew the Lady Darana well enough to realize that she does _not_ suffer fools lightly. Nor would she take on as a Sith trainee anyone who she thought was unworthy." "There are many fools in the galaxy. I intend to discover whether you are one of them." Rachel's emerald eyes flash with suppressed anger. "Very well, then,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “Suppose you tell me just what this is all about, and why you have schemed so for me to be here today? Why didn’t you simply request my presence? I am a loyal member of an Imperial household!" "Is that so, Rachel Summers? It appears you are part of an Imperial household, but you are not always acting upon the interest of my Empire. And there are other matters that puzzle me, such as ....your role with Arcturus. What is your game, my dear?" Rachel just stared at him, bewildered. "Arcturus is dead," she stated flatly. "He was judged guilty of treason by Lady Darana and executed back in June." "I'm quite aware of that. Darana herself told me. What I want *you* to tell me is what part you had in *why* he was executed." The Emperor gave her an evil grin. He had waited a long time to ask her this question. With a slight start, Dani heard the method and reason behind Arcturus's death. Before she could think it over, she repeated the Emperor's question, "Yes, why??" She was staring at Rachel. What could Rachel have had to do with Arcturus's death? Rachel had made sure her mind-shields were at their strongest well before she’d entered the room. Still, this was the last thing she'd expected to hear! The shock of the Emperor’s accusation- which was *far* too close to certain *very* necessary secrets- was nearly enough to break her concentration. But the deadly danger involved gave her the strength she needed to hold firm, so that her disturbance was scarcely noticeable. She drew upon all of the fury banked inside her with which she'd reacted to the Zeltrons' imprisonment and allowed its power to work for her, as Darana had taught her. *Anger is your ally, * she thought to herself. *The Dark Force flows from it. * “Dani, why are you so concerned for Arcturus?” Vader asked her. "I...was...once extremely fond of him," she answered quietly. Rachel's eyes flickered to Dani. "I'm sorry, Dani," she said softly. "I forgot you didn't know." She looked away. "So then, the Zeltron tart has this ‘thing’ for Sith Lords...first Arcturus, then Vader? My, my!" Dani returned her gaze to Rachel. She could think of nothing to say. And she did not even grace the Emperor with a glance. She knew now that he was trying to work them all against one another. “Dani, I’m sorry for your loss,” Darth Vader told her. Dani met his gaze mutely and nodded. Then she whispered to him, "Thank you, darling." To the Emperor she finally stated, “Zeltrons are very friendly, if that’s what you mean.” "Friendly is good. I can see you've really made an impression on Skywalker...as well as his *father*." Palpatine looked at Vader with an amused grin. "Weak fools,” the Emperor snorted. “Well, let us all *not* stand around acting like a bunch of lovesick Jedi." Rachel privately shared the Emperor's amusement; but she didn't want to hurt her friend's feelings. However, while she welcomed the diversion, she knew she had to satisfy the Emperor’s curiosity about her somehow, or it would follow her forever. Turning back to the Emperor, Rachel faced him with composure. "As I said, Arcturus was found guilty of treason against the Empire," Rachel said, her chin high. "I had nothing to do with it." There was a hint of fire in her eyes as she spoke. She paused. Then, gathering her courage around her like a cloak, she finished: “...I did, however, carry out the sentence, as Darana ordered.” She looked at the Emperor steadily, trying to steel herself for whatever he might do. Dani could only stare at the cold stone floor in disbelief. Rachel focused on her memory of surprise and scorn at Arcturus' behavior, and how not a single member of the eminently loyal Household could trust him before it was over. Rachel's eyes flickered to Dani. "I'm sorry, Dani," she said softly. "I forgot you didn't know." She looked away. Palpatine suddenly turned toward Dani. "As promised, Rachel is here. You have truly completed your mission." The old man turned around, then paused. He looked back at Dani with a hateful stare. “Take your Zeltron friends and leave. Vader will stay!" Vader could sense the anger that was building in his Dark Master. Dani hesitated only a moment, long enough to look up into the faceplate of Vader and put her black gloved hand on his armored chest wordlessly. Then she turned back to the Emperor and said quickly, "Thank you, Your Majesty!" She quickly exited the throne room. She wanted to retrieve her friends before Palpatine changed his mind again. Her thoughts were with Vader as well as with her crewmen. And she knew that Vader was the better of the two to survive the anger of the Emperor. When the Emperor's attention was fully on Vader, Rachel reached out and established a light telepathic link with Dani. The doors closed as Rachel stepped back to leave. "You and I are not through yet, dear," the Emperor hissed, emphasizing the last word sarcastically. ("I'm going to keep watch until I know you and the boys are safe,") Rachel whispered telepathically to Dani. ("We'll meet up later.") Outwardly, she turned back to the Emperor, looking composed. "Yes?" There was an edge to her manner that was difficult to put a finger on. "How touching...aren't we the guardian angel, Regina! Or Rachel? Or is it Katherine? Which are you today, my dear?" the Emperor sneered. Rachel sighed to herself, realizing that her message to Dani had been overheard. At Palpatine's last words, though, she gave him a strange look. "No, no...you are dealing with *me* now. And you know my powers exceed your own, he said, having read her mind link message to Dani. So, tell me: Who are you?" Rachel bowed her head in ironic acknowledgment; but she was still perplexed. "Why in the stars would I call myself Katherine at this point?” "Yes, why *would* you? Answer that, if you can." "I wouldn't," she answered, shrugging. "Katherine Winter was a good disguise and cover identity for me to use when I first arrived in this galaxy. I didn’t know enough about the place. I knew if I was to be of any use here whatsoever, I'd have to know a lot more about where I was and how things worked. After meeting Sonya, I figured being a neutral merc would give me the best possible view of all sides involved. And it did." She sighed a little. "It was a very useful disguise, while it lasted. But I knew it couldn't last forever.” She actually smiled a bit. “Really, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did." Abruptly, her manner shifted, becoming both more formal and wholly respectful. "I am Rachel Summers, Your Imperial Majesty,” she said, standing straight and tall before the Emperor. “That is who I was born, and that is who I continue to be. You ask who I am. That is the answer." "You speak the truth," Palpatine said, with a hint of a smile on his lips. "So...now I know about Katherine. And I already know of Regina. You, Rachel Summers, are the focus here. Whom do you serve?" -TO BE CONTINUED -
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