CH9

Bail nodded, understanding her comment in response to the show she had been watching all night. "Vader is on his best behavior," Bail remarked. "But don't underestimate him, Padmé. He is very dangerous and powerful. Palpatine probably commanded him to act this way. They want to fool people, confuse them, and have them let their guard down. You said it yourself; they shouldn't be underestimated. Vader may not seem like a monster, but he is. I promise you that." He glanced down at her, hoping his words had helped, but he could still see the questions fresh in her mind. Taking a deep breath, he continued, trying to provide some clarity. "Padmé?" he asked. "You've attended previous parties for the Empire, correct?"

"You mean official parties?"

"Yes."

Padmé shook her head; for some reason, she had purposely missed the last anniversary party—and the one before that, and the one before that. This was also her first, and hopefully last, time attending the annual celebration for the creation of the Empire, having missed the first year for the reason of being the guest of honor.

"Well," he responded, a strange emotion passing through his eyes before completely responding. Then you and Vader have something in common. As you know, like yourself, Vader is never an attendee at such things. Although he does, on occasion, or so I am told, make a habit of going to some of the military galas. "

Padmé frowned, disliking the idea of anything resembling Vader and struggling to understand her friend's perspective. "What's your point, Bail?"

He shrugged, almost as if he didn't know the meaning of his own words. "I suppose," he began slowly and uncertainly. "I mean to make the point that Vader is often on Coruscant, yet no one ever sees him—not even at official events, which is somewhat strange for a man of his rank." He paused, gesturing around them and to the buildings outside. "He has an Imperial base here, and from what I understand, when he's not on missions, he has daily meetings with Palpatine."

"Daily?" Padmé frowned, her voice revealing that she knew Palpatine almost lived in the Senate building—the same building she had also nearly called home, until recently, anyway. "I've never seen him?"

"Exactly my point," Bail replied. "No one ever does, unless Palpatine wills it. Unless Palpatine needs him for some kind of intimidation factor."

"You've seen him," Padmé challenged.

"I have," he agreed without hesitation. "But I needed to be intimidated because I was a threat. And," he added quickly, "I also said I've seen a glimpse into his true nature." He glanced around the room before looking back at her, his face tense. "There was a reason Vader appeared at the creation of the Empire and has hardly been seen since. You've heard the rumors and the reports. Vader is a mad dog. He can't be in the public's eye, which works in Palpatine's favor. Plus, I think Vader likes it that way anyway, causing fear from the shadows." "But you said he was here often," Padmé questioned again, still puzzled by her friend's words. "How can that be true?"

"Vader has been busy tracking us down," Bail agreed. "But something tells me that Palpatine prefers to keep Vader close—hidden, yet near."

Padmé nodded, feeling foolish for expressing her thoughts and for still not understanding. It made her feel weak and stupid—like the child her peers believed she was. Not only was she acting unprofessional, but she was also being deceived by Vader's charade, just like many fools in the room. Of course, everyone still feared him, but his behavior made them question things, second-guess themselves, lower their defenses, and most importantly, let him in.

"He hasn't acknowledged anything or anyone all night," Padmé remarked, her gaze returning to the Sith standing behind his master. "It's as if he's walking in an empty room." "He is very well trained," Bail explained. "Just because it may seem like he isn't paying attention doesn't mean he isn't. He has probably looked into your mind countless times by now."

Padmé quivered at the thought. It struck her as odd that a man– a monster who hadn't even acknowledged her existence—had already glimpsed into her mind. She was sure she had hidden the information well, but if he hadn't detected that within her thoughts, what else had he seen? What had he uncovered within others' minds? He couldn't have found any information if he was still walking around unaffected… right?

She watched him once more, observing as he shadowed the smaller man, resembling a dark, ancient protector or the Shadow of Death approaching an unsuspecting man. She noted his almost inhuman actions and lack of responses. The power he held over everyone in the room was palpable, not overtly displayed but whispered in his every stride, every moment, and his very presence. He appeared nearly inconceivable, just as the rumors and HoloNet reports suggested, yet this time, he stood right before their eyes.

Unable to stop herself, she sighed while speaking her mind again. "He doesn't even seem real," she said, lost in her thoughts. "I could hardly imagine him before, and now that I see him, I can barely comprehend it. He just seems so mythical. So… inhuman."

"Oh, I understand, and that very fact is why so many people believe he is just a machine," Bail quipped before he laughed humorlessly. "I thought the idea was ridiculous until after I met him." He shook his head, meeting her gaze. "Now, I question everything about him. He isn't just intimidating; he is something beyond comprehension. His very presence is unimaginable. He is quite impassive, lacking feelings or emotions for that matter—except for anger. Aside from his display of anger, he comes across as very inhuman, and—

"Ahhh..." an older voice cracked. "Senator Organa."