The Imperial Palace, part 2…

Heeding the will of his master, Vader shot a furtive glance at me before he turned and left as ordered.

“Come, child.” The Emperor beckoned, motioning for me to approach the throne, “I have much to discuss with you…”

I did as commanded, dropping reverently to my knee a second time to properly acknowledge the Emperor.

“Rise, Admiral…” he said, now standing, “It appears I have greatly misjudged your worth to my apprentice.”

“Your Excellency?” I questioned.

“Lord Vader’s rage is a valuable and powerful weapon.” the Emperor replied, “Unknowingly, in your moment of need, you commanded it well.”

“I’m afraid such things are beyond my comprehension, Excellency.”

“As with all things, you know far more than you let on, Admiral Brisard.” he returned, “The Sith are possessive by nature…instinctively, we defend what is rightfully ours. Lord Vader, however, displayed an earnest want to protect you from your Jedi assailant.”

“I see nothing wrong in his actions, Your Excellency. It was an act of service. I myself would have done the same for him…and for you.”

“My fragile-minded apprentice has formed an attachment to you.” the Emperor replied, “For all my knowledge of Anakin Skywalker as he lived, I could never have predicted that against all odds, he would favor you as he does now. Only one person held such sway over him, and I dare say, you are rising to meet her at every turn.”

“Surely this can’t be the reason you’ve summoned me…” I redirected.

“Not in its entirety.” Sidious returned, circling, “Allow me to present the manner to you in a different light. My apprentice has formed an attachment. In the history of the Sith, such attachments have only led to distract and deceive, rendering us weak as a result.”

I maintained eye contact for several long moments, wishing I could pry past the Emperor’s defenses and glance into his mind.

“You display fear, Admiral…” he taunted, favoring me with a sickly smile, “You are perhaps wondering if I intend to put an end to the misguided affections of my apprentice once and for all…”

“Your Excellency, I have served this Empire admirably, and so has Lord Vader. In all manners I have carried out your will. But if you intend for me to put aside my feelings for the man I love, know that I will not obey. I’ll die long before I allow anyone to torture him further…”

The sound of the Emperor’s laughter flooded the room, as blue arcs of lightning shot towards me, missing me by mere inches as they redirected and flew about to encircle me.

“Defiant child…” he spat, “Is this the loyalty you reserve for your Emperor? Know that if I wanted you to betray Vader, I could easily force the words from your very mouth.”

I fought to retain a sense of calm as the blue energy swirled about, closer and closer, at last ceasing altogether.

“You are courageous, Admiral.” Sidious returned, appraising me, “You are also adept in the Force…why not embrace that power for your own?”

I shook my head.

“Excellency, I have no want for the Force. It has only brought me pain.”

“A half-truth, though true, nonetheless.” he replied, “You fear that which you cannot hope to understand, am I right?”

“Yes, Excellency.”

“Then answer me this…why call upon our power, yet reject our teachings?”

Again, I shook my head, earnestly confused.

“You were unable to defend yourself against your assailant, so you summoned Lord Vader to do so for you.”

“What Lord Vader did, he did of his own accord!”

“Silence!” The Emperor hissed, “Do you think me so incapable when it comes to understanding the will of my apprentice? You have seduced him, Admiral. You quite willingly allow Lord Vader to believe that his actions will ensure that your feelings towards him endure.”

“I would never bait the Dark Lord with a feigned display of affection!”

“An impassioned remark, yet your actions suggest otherwise. Tell me, Admiral…what is it that excites you and draws you to Vader? It is his power, is it not? You find the idea of commanding a man such as Lord Vader to be addicting…”

I fought to liberate myself from the assault of images thrust in my direction. I saw my influence on Vader for the first time, and basked in it. Indeed, there was wisdom to Palpatine’s counsel; power in itself was addictive, and the notion  that I readily influenced Vader only enticed me all the more.

Desperate not to submit to the Emperor’s will, I fought back with every shred of my being, embracing a simpler destiny as I forced the visions from my mind. The Emperor’s scowl spoke volumes, alerting me to my success.

“Your resistance is impressive, Admiral…” Palpatine chuckled, “Almost as impressive as your ability to draw power from my crippled apprentice…which is why I wish for you to continue your relations with him.”

“Your Excellency, I thought you said…”

“Attachments are frowned upon, that is correct.” the Emperor returned, “But you have only served to strengthen Vader, not weaken him. Therefore, I am prepared to allow you to maintain your relations, so long as you continue to further that power. Is this understood?”

“Respectfully, Your Excellency, Lord Vader’s power is his own…”

“Is this understood?” The Emperor said firmly, cutting me off.

“Yes, Your Excellency.” I returned, bowing, “You have my gratitude.”

“As in all things.” he replied with a sinister smile, “Go now, my child…and with my blessing…”

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