Imperial Star Destroyer Hydra
ABY 10
Near the Maw Cluster
- - -
Bariss had actually become good friends with several Imperial Officers, as well as with their spouses. Granted, she'd had "alliances" with the more politically savvy spouses and some of the female officers, but they just saw her as a means to an end. An 'alien charity case'.
It was very hard to be a Jedi again, and to not take pleasure in the fact most of those people were now dead, or in jail. Or on the run from the New Republic and Imperial law enforcement agencies.
Still, while she had kept up with the social calendars of the Imperial register, Admiral Natasi Daala had not come up in them often. Maybe once a year or two she would appear, mainly to politic alongside other flag officers for funding. She did recall Daala's fury when her projects were sidelined in favor of Tarkin's Death Star. The redheaded woman had stormed out of the palace, everyone clearing a way for her to get out.
Bariss had actually had the termerity to ask her if she was all right. If she needed help. It was a reflex, one she hadn't been able to tamp down entirely...
Daala had simply paused, given her as polite a "no, excuse me," as she could, and continued storming off. And that was it. She hadn't seen or heard from Daala for nearly a decade after that.
To be asked by Daala personally to see to anything was... Quite unusual. But her husband and Ardus had both assured her that they were confident she would be safe. Which was good: Mynar was still recovering from the fight on Felucia. And Eff... Well, she was quite kind, but her motives were suspect.
Then again, Bariss mused, as she walked down the shuttle ramp to the flight deck of the Hydra, my own motives could be considered the same.
The Empire had been founded by murdering the Jedi Order and declaring it illegal. Yet it had still employed Force users, Sith, as enforcers.
Now she was trying to re-establish the Jedi Order... As part of the Empire.
Sometimes, she questioned her own sanity.
Eff followed, keeping a respectful distance behind the Lady. Bariss bowed to the officer who greeted them, and to the Stormtroopers serving as an honor guard.
"If you would come this way, my Lady," the lieutenant asked respectfully. Bariss nodded, and followed him and the guard. Eff kept pace with her, still quiet and watchful.
Numerous droids, some of recognizable makes, others of unrecognizable type, were working and zipping about the hallways as they walked through them. Several large, ominous Dark Troopers marched behind human troopers in similar powered armor.
"Increased automation, ma'am," the lieutenant explained, "cuts down on the need for manpower."
"I can see that," Bariss observed. She tried to put any thoughts of the Clone Wars out of her head as they reached the lift. They ascended several levels, travelled down another corridor, and finally made it to a meeting room. Bariss could sense Daala within, though her emotions were quite controlled.
They entered, the lieutenant and his troops taking their leave.
Daala looked up at the two Jedi, and nodded with a respectful smile.
"Lady Pelaeon, Master Eff, it is a pleasure to meet you," she said, getting up from the table and reaching out her hand. Bariss respectfully shook it, while Eff was a bit more reluctant about it.
Daala took in Eff's reluctance, and shrugged.
"I suppose that's only to be expected," Daala stated calmly, "but rest assured-I have not utilized a mind control drug on either of you. I was forbidden to by Grand Moff Kaine."
"That's... Great to know," Eff said slowly. Daala hummed.
"Although," she said, "it would be interesting to see the effects of such a drug on a Force User. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to..." She trailed off at Bariss' unamused look, "ah, yes. Sorry, I do have a tendency to ramble on. Please, sit?"
Bariss and Eff sat at the table, on one side. Daala sat at the other. A droid came out with food and drink, and set it down before them. Daala steepled her fingers.
"Allow me to get right to the point," she said, "you are trying to create a Jedi Order for the Empire, correct?"
"Yes," Bariss said, in as neutral a tone as she could manage. Daala nodded.
"Good," she said, "if one is going to have a group of Force Users, the Jedi would be a far safer bet than Sith."
"Oh?" Eff asked, arching an eyebrow. Daala nodded, sipping her wine.
"But of course. I have read a great deal of history, as part of our research efforts at the Maw. The Sith Empires were all far too self destructive. It's a wonder they managed to match the Republic-Most likely the influence of their Emperors, using a form of Battle Meditation to maintain their fighting ability. And a few key Sith managing to retain control of key areas of logistics, military planning, and so forth. But they were still a barely controlled pack of wild kathhounds. The New Sith Empire was even worse-That brought about a galactic dark ages. No, the Jedi have a great deal to admire. An Imperial Order of Jedi would be far better for the galaxy than the Sith."
"So you're willing to aid me?" Bariss asked. Daala nodded.
"I am. I honestly think the project is wonderful. All I really ask in return is scientific data."
Bariss' expression became very cold, as she glared at Daala.
"I am not letting Imperial citizens become your guinea pigs," she said, stern and hard.
Daala shook her head.
"Not what I meant," she said, "there's so little legitimate scientific study of the Force available after the Emperor destroyed all public records of the Jedi. It wouldn't be anything invasive, mind you. Just fitness reports, blood scans, that sort of thing. Nothing that regular check ups wouldn't look for. And far less invasive than the experiments done on Force sensitive inmates."
"You've been experimenting on-!" Bariss held her temper in check. Daala slowly nodded.
"Yes," she said, "it's a fascinating area of scientific study. The prisoners who showed it were afforded better quarters, food, and other things to encourage them! What, I'm not a monster! Not like Tarkin."
She hissed, suddenly lost in memory.
"Ooh, that lecherous old moron! 'Fear will rule the galaxy!' And what do you know? His monstrosity caused more problems than it solved!" She sipped her wine again. "Honestly, we should be grateful to Skywalker for destroying that waste of resources and manpower! Twice! Now we can be sensible about bringing order to the galaxy."
"Yeah, sure," Eff said, both eyebrows very high. Daala slid over a datapad to Bariss, who read through it.
"These are thirty individuals with Force Sensitivity I have identified in the Kessel Prison Camps," she said, "twenty-nine are aboard. The final one was suffering from injuries due to an accident during an experiment and has been held back. You, naturally, can offer them anything you think will help with gaining their confidence. The prison warden has assured me they are all in good health. I haven't had a chance to look over them myself yet, but he's been generally reliable."
"I see," Bariss said quietly. Daala smiled.
"I am honestly glad to be working with you, Lady Pelaeon. I didn't forget your kindness at the Imperial Ball. I'm afraid I was much too upset to appreciate it at the time. But I have a holographic memory, so I can appreciate it now."
"Yes, well," Bariss managed to retain her diplomatic smile, "I am humbled. I would like very much to see to these inmates?"
"Of course," Daala said, almost cheerful. Several droids swooped in, scooped up the untouched plates and food, and flew back to the kitchens, "there's too much work to do to sit around blabbing! I knew I would like you, Lady Pelaeon."
"Thank you... I think," Bariss managed, as she rose and followed the excited Daala to the door.
You want to work with these people? Really? Eff asked telepathically. Bariss sighed over the link, keeping her Lady's Smile up.
I know. It is terrible. But now we have thirty people we can save from this situation... And maybe a means of helping this lady redirect her ambitions in a better direction.
Eff looked extremely dubious. Bariss again held in a sigh.
It was never going to be easy, she said, but Jedi do not back down from challenges.
I hope you're right, Eff thought back.
- - -
ABY 10
Near the Maw Cluster
- - -
Bariss had actually become good friends with several Imperial Officers, as well as with their spouses. Granted, she'd had "alliances" with the more politically savvy spouses and some of the female officers, but they just saw her as a means to an end. An 'alien charity case'.
It was very hard to be a Jedi again, and to not take pleasure in the fact most of those people were now dead, or in jail. Or on the run from the New Republic and Imperial law enforcement agencies.
Still, while she had kept up with the social calendars of the Imperial register, Admiral Natasi Daala had not come up in them often. Maybe once a year or two she would appear, mainly to politic alongside other flag officers for funding. She did recall Daala's fury when her projects were sidelined in favor of Tarkin's Death Star. The redheaded woman had stormed out of the palace, everyone clearing a way for her to get out.
Bariss had actually had the termerity to ask her if she was all right. If she needed help. It was a reflex, one she hadn't been able to tamp down entirely...
Daala had simply paused, given her as polite a "no, excuse me," as she could, and continued storming off. And that was it. She hadn't seen or heard from Daala for nearly a decade after that.
To be asked by Daala personally to see to anything was... Quite unusual. But her husband and Ardus had both assured her that they were confident she would be safe. Which was good: Mynar was still recovering from the fight on Felucia. And Eff... Well, she was quite kind, but her motives were suspect.
Then again, Bariss mused, as she walked down the shuttle ramp to the flight deck of the Hydra, my own motives could be considered the same.
The Empire had been founded by murdering the Jedi Order and declaring it illegal. Yet it had still employed Force users, Sith, as enforcers.
Now she was trying to re-establish the Jedi Order... As part of the Empire.
Sometimes, she questioned her own sanity.
Eff followed, keeping a respectful distance behind the Lady. Bariss bowed to the officer who greeted them, and to the Stormtroopers serving as an honor guard.
"If you would come this way, my Lady," the lieutenant asked respectfully. Bariss nodded, and followed him and the guard. Eff kept pace with her, still quiet and watchful.
Numerous droids, some of recognizable makes, others of unrecognizable type, were working and zipping about the hallways as they walked through them. Several large, ominous Dark Troopers marched behind human troopers in similar powered armor.
"Increased automation, ma'am," the lieutenant explained, "cuts down on the need for manpower."
"I can see that," Bariss observed. She tried to put any thoughts of the Clone Wars out of her head as they reached the lift. They ascended several levels, travelled down another corridor, and finally made it to a meeting room. Bariss could sense Daala within, though her emotions were quite controlled.
They entered, the lieutenant and his troops taking their leave.
Daala looked up at the two Jedi, and nodded with a respectful smile.
"Lady Pelaeon, Master Eff, it is a pleasure to meet you," she said, getting up from the table and reaching out her hand. Bariss respectfully shook it, while Eff was a bit more reluctant about it.
Daala took in Eff's reluctance, and shrugged.
"I suppose that's only to be expected," Daala stated calmly, "but rest assured-I have not utilized a mind control drug on either of you. I was forbidden to by Grand Moff Kaine."
"That's... Great to know," Eff said slowly. Daala hummed.
"Although," she said, "it would be interesting to see the effects of such a drug on a Force User. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to..." She trailed off at Bariss' unamused look, "ah, yes. Sorry, I do have a tendency to ramble on. Please, sit?"
Bariss and Eff sat at the table, on one side. Daala sat at the other. A droid came out with food and drink, and set it down before them. Daala steepled her fingers.
"Allow me to get right to the point," she said, "you are trying to create a Jedi Order for the Empire, correct?"
"Yes," Bariss said, in as neutral a tone as she could manage. Daala nodded.
"Good," she said, "if one is going to have a group of Force Users, the Jedi would be a far safer bet than Sith."
"Oh?" Eff asked, arching an eyebrow. Daala nodded, sipping her wine.
"But of course. I have read a great deal of history, as part of our research efforts at the Maw. The Sith Empires were all far too self destructive. It's a wonder they managed to match the Republic-Most likely the influence of their Emperors, using a form of Battle Meditation to maintain their fighting ability. And a few key Sith managing to retain control of key areas of logistics, military planning, and so forth. But they were still a barely controlled pack of wild kathhounds. The New Sith Empire was even worse-That brought about a galactic dark ages. No, the Jedi have a great deal to admire. An Imperial Order of Jedi would be far better for the galaxy than the Sith."
"So you're willing to aid me?" Bariss asked. Daala nodded.
"I am. I honestly think the project is wonderful. All I really ask in return is scientific data."
Bariss' expression became very cold, as she glared at Daala.
"I am not letting Imperial citizens become your guinea pigs," she said, stern and hard.
Daala shook her head.
"Not what I meant," she said, "there's so little legitimate scientific study of the Force available after the Emperor destroyed all public records of the Jedi. It wouldn't be anything invasive, mind you. Just fitness reports, blood scans, that sort of thing. Nothing that regular check ups wouldn't look for. And far less invasive than the experiments done on Force sensitive inmates."
"You've been experimenting on-!" Bariss held her temper in check. Daala slowly nodded.
"Yes," she said, "it's a fascinating area of scientific study. The prisoners who showed it were afforded better quarters, food, and other things to encourage them! What, I'm not a monster! Not like Tarkin."
She hissed, suddenly lost in memory.
"Ooh, that lecherous old moron! 'Fear will rule the galaxy!' And what do you know? His monstrosity caused more problems than it solved!" She sipped her wine again. "Honestly, we should be grateful to Skywalker for destroying that waste of resources and manpower! Twice! Now we can be sensible about bringing order to the galaxy."
"Yeah, sure," Eff said, both eyebrows very high. Daala slid over a datapad to Bariss, who read through it.
"These are thirty individuals with Force Sensitivity I have identified in the Kessel Prison Camps," she said, "twenty-nine are aboard. The final one was suffering from injuries due to an accident during an experiment and has been held back. You, naturally, can offer them anything you think will help with gaining their confidence. The prison warden has assured me they are all in good health. I haven't had a chance to look over them myself yet, but he's been generally reliable."
"I see," Bariss said quietly. Daala smiled.
"I am honestly glad to be working with you, Lady Pelaeon. I didn't forget your kindness at the Imperial Ball. I'm afraid I was much too upset to appreciate it at the time. But I have a holographic memory, so I can appreciate it now."
"Yes, well," Bariss managed to retain her diplomatic smile, "I am humbled. I would like very much to see to these inmates?"
"Of course," Daala said, almost cheerful. Several droids swooped in, scooped up the untouched plates and food, and flew back to the kitchens, "there's too much work to do to sit around blabbing! I knew I would like you, Lady Pelaeon."
"Thank you... I think," Bariss managed, as she rose and followed the excited Daala to the door.
You want to work with these people? Really? Eff asked telepathically. Bariss sighed over the link, keeping her Lady's Smile up.
I know. It is terrible. But now we have thirty people we can save from this situation... And maybe a means of helping this lady redirect her ambitions in a better direction.
Eff looked extremely dubious. Bariss again held in a sigh.
It was never going to be easy, she said, but Jedi do not back down from challenges.
I hope you're right, Eff thought back.
- - -