It's been three years since the return of Darth Vader--free of the suit--and the galaxy is under a rule of utter terror. With the Jedi practically wiped out, there's almost no one left to keep the peace, allowing Darth Vader-now emperor of the galax...
Vader paced madly back and forth outside of the throne room waiting for the queen's permission to enter. Uggh! I shouldn't have to wait for her blasted permission to enter! I'm the emperor of this blasted galaxy for Force sake! Vader thought angrily.
"Emperor Vader," a royal guard began to say. But before he could finish, Darth Vader pushed right by him, storming into the throne room.
"Queen Apailana! I'm here to oversee the termination of the Jedi settlement that was discovered on your planet. Which I am most certain that you know about" said Vader. "So, I will need you to provide me with the exact location of the Jedi scum. And if you refuse, I will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to extract that information from you. I could have you severely punished for hiding and aiding the enemy of the Empire. So I suggest that you just provide me with the information that I desire and no one will have to suffer."
"Besides the Jedi refugees that you intend to slaughter you mean." Queen Apailana stated calmly. Thus causing Vader to fume, he was furious.
"But where are my manors, Emperor Vader." the queen continued on, before Vader fully lost his cool. "It is a great honor to have you here and I would like to welcome you to the beautiful planet of Naboo. But alas, my lord, I do not like to conduct this sort of business here, for it makes dreary companions of us all. However, I would be willing to provide you with your request, in full, over a pleasant dinner. I am certain you must be famished from your journey."
"Very well." Vader replied, irritated. I'm never going to get that information now. All she'll decide to talk about is anything BUT the Jedi.
---------------------
- Back in the Jedi settlement -
"Leia?" Obi-Wan called towards a faded blue and brown tent. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yep! I'm ready Uncle Ben!" Leia said as she came skipping out of the tent, her little brown curls bouncing up and down.
"Alright, then let us be on our way." replied Obi-Wan, with a gentle smile. If only Anakin could see how adorable his little girl is. He would never let go of her.
"So Uncle Ben, what are we gonna do when we get to Thweed?" Leia asked, as they began down the dusty path.
"Well, I have some business matters with the queen that I must attend to first. But afterward, we can walk around the city and see if there's anything exciting that you would like to do." Obi-Wan said.
"Cool! But what will I do when you are talking to the queen? Will I get to meet her?"
"I'm sure there's something that she will have for you to do, Leia. And I am certain you will at least get to greet her majesty."
"Will I get to see what's inside the palace?"
"Perhaps." Obi-Wan said with a sparkle in his eye.
"Yay!" Shouted Leia with a little leap. "Have you ever been in the palace before?"
"Yes I have, but only once." Obi-Wan said with a little chuckle.
"Really? Is it pretty? What's inside? Is there those big, biiiig colorful blanket things? Is there a lot of people? Is there..."
"Woah, slow down there, my child, one question at a time!" Obi-Wan interrupted, smiling. "For your first question..."
---------------------
- The Royal dining hall in Theed Palace -
"Now Emperor Vader, we may discuss why you have come." Said Queen Apailana after sitting down for a meal.
"Good," Vader said. "As I said before, I need to know the exact location of the Jedi encampment that was discovered on this planet. And I know that you know where it is."
"Of course emperor. But if I may be so bold as to ask this: if you know that there are Jedi on this planet, then wouldn't you be able to also determine their precise location? Or perhaps you could use the Force to assist you?" The queen inquired.
"That is not how the Force works!" Vader shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "And if I was able to figure out where the Jedi scum were located, I wouldn't have had to waste my time coming here to ask you! Now would I?!"
"Emperor Vader, my apologies, I did not mean to upset you. I was simply trying to better understand the situation. Again, my sincerest apologies."
"Excuse me, your royal highness?" One of the royal guards said, stepping into the dining room.
"Yes, what is it?" Queen Apailana asked.
"Your visitor has arrived and he is waiting in the throne room ma'am." replied the guard.
Argh! This is going to take forever!! Vader thought angrily.
"Very well, thank you." said the queen. "Please send him in, I shall talk with him over dinner as well."
The royal guard made a curt bow and left.
"My apologies again, Emperor Vader." began Queen Apailana. "Our current conversation will have to be put on hold, for my other guest and I have a most important matter to discuss. I would also like to ask you to refrain from any sort of aggression, as I would like to keep this meal and discussion peaceful."
"Fine. Only if you answer my question IMMEDIATELY after your...guest...leaves." Vader said.
"Of course Emperor Vader." Queen Apailana replied with a nod.
After a short few moments of empty silence, the door to the dining room opened, revealing the last person Vader ever expected to be there.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi!"
○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○
A/N: Please like, comment, and share!!
Happy Star Wars Day!!!!! May the fourth be with you!!!!
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Here is a picture of Queen Apailana. She is seen in Padmé's funeral procession at the end of Revenge of the Sith. I chose her to be the queen in this story because I figured that if she was queen at the end of ROTS, that would be closest to the time this story takes place.
*The first picture (up top/at the beginning) is the Royal Theed Palace.
And with that, have a great day!!! And may the Force be with you always!!!
