I own nothing except a few characters and the plot.
TROOPS: NEW YORK
Delivery of the Force
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
MAY, 2017
Senator Padme Skywalker had decided to go into work despite being ordered to rest until the baby she was carrying was born. There was always too much going on and things that required her attention. Today's drama involved a dispute between members of the Banking Clan and a colony that had fallen behind in loan repayments which was now threatened with an illegal trade blockade. Feeling a level of stress that may not be good for the baby, Padme decided to allow Secretary of State Wanda Houston to handle it. Houston had called both sides to New York for a meeting which was also attended by Jedi Knight Galen Marek.
"They won't repay our loan. The Banking Clan demands its money in full plus interest now or we will take control of your colony by force if we have to. Furthermore, I object to the presence of the Jedi." The Banking Clan's representative, a Muun shouted.
"You will do no such thing and your objection is overruled. If it is simply Knight Marek you object to, I would be more then happy to send for Defense Secretary Myers or a member of the Jedi Order that I think might be a bit more intimidating to people who threaten military force against civilian populations." Wanda said causing the Muun to calm down.
"Madam Secretary, Senator. Our problem with trade has been pirates along our trade route that are hijacking ships and stealing their cargo. No trade means no money comes in which means no debts can be payed." The colony's representative, a Human explained.
"Assuming the pirates aren't on the IGBC payroll and rational discussion isn't a ploy that was learned from "The Book of Intergalactic Extortion" by Nute Gunray." Padme said causing the Muun to huff.
"That is an outrageous accusation."
"Not for an organization that was in bed with the Trade Federation during the Clone Wars. She does have a point." Galen said as Padme felt a kick in her stomach.
"I will check with Admirals Piett and Pellaeon to see if one of them can spare a probe or something to look into the pirate situation. Pirate activity can not and will not be allowed to continue." Wanda said.
"I will inform my bosses of the outcome of this meeting." The Muun said and left the room.
"I hope they really aren't planning a blockade or invasion." The human said to Wanda and Padme.
"I can send a couple of Jedi out to check on that before you return. I believe Knight Marek is free." Wanda replied turning to Galen.
"I am actually and it would piss that guy off. I'll ask Admiral Piett if he can spare some Victory-Class ships." Padme winced as she felt another kick in her stomach.
"You ain't about to have that baby in this conference room?" Wanda asked.
"Then you better get me to the hospital." Padme replied as Galen dialed 9-1-1.
Padme's labor soon sent a shockwave through The Force which was first felt by Josh Myers who was hanging out at McKnight Shoes with the store's owner Gary and his grandson Landon. The two teenagers were being amused by Gary's attempts to fit a shoe onto the foot of an obese woman named Shelia.
"I don't understand it. I was a size six before I went to the gym. All the jumping must've expanded my foot." She said smiling.
"And I see you must've done a few reps at the buffet after." Gary replied.
"How dare you say that to my face!" Shelia snapped and stood up.
"Well I'd say it behind your back, but I'm not going all the way oit to the middle of Jersey." At that, Shelia huffed and stormed out of the store. Josh then collapsed into a chair. Landon quickly ran over to him.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Baby's coming." Josh replied and stood up to the surprise of Gary.
"Is he all right? Should I call his parents or is this a Jedi thing?"
"Senator Skywalker is having the baby I told you about. It's a Jedi thing." Landon explained.
"Jedi can sense things like this. Even from beyond. Master Kenobi said the same thing happened to him when Alderaan was destroyed and Master Skywalker felt the same thing when The Towers fell. Sorry about mentioning The Towers. I know it's still a sore spot for your family." Josh added.
"Not as big as it was before you and Lucy walked in here. I was told by Anakin not to let it control my feelings and that hate is a very powerful weapon and to look at what happened to him as an example."
"That;s why he doesn't live with his mother anymore." Gary said while restocking the boxes of shoes.
"She didn't like the idea of me being gay and tried everything she could to stop it short of killing me." Landon said.
"That's when I stepped in amd took him with me. Losing his dad in The Towers was one thing, being beaten to a pulp on an almost daily basis and subjected to inhumane psychotherapies is a whole other thing. He got it worse at school to the point he nearly dropped out. When I spoke to his guidance counselor, she suggested I transfer him to Milk." Gary explained.
"Where I'm much happier then I was. You think you would have the same problem?"
"They're afraid of what my dad would do to them. Or as Lucy puts it, they won't like getting thrown in The Empire's jail." All Landon and Gary could do was laugh.
Anakin Skywalker was a wreck and on the verge of causing one as he drove carelessly down The Bowery.
"I should have taken the FDR." He said to himself.
"The FDR at this time of day? This street isn't that bad." Obi-Wan Kenobi said.
"Really! This is why I hate driving in this city sometimes." Anakin yelled as a car suddenly stopped in front of their car and a passenger got out of the backseat.
"It appears to be one of those internet cabs that anyone with a car can work as." Obi-Wan explained as Anakin drove around the car and honked the horn in annoyance at a thick crowd of people crossing the street.
"I should have gone to that meeting myself instead of giving the assignment to Galen. At least she's with Wanda instead of home alone. Come on, drive your damn truck." Anakin honked at a box truck being driven by an Aqualish who began making hand gestures at the two Jedi as it went to the back and began to setup the truck's lift.
"Some of them have dreadful manners and the fish smell from the truck is making me feel ill. I told you about the one in Mos Eisley who lost an arm trying to fight Luke."
"Except that one was probably drunk and this one somehow got a New York driver's license for a truck." They reached the hospital where Padme was taken after about 30 minutes of fighting traffic and looking for a parking space. Anakin ran in and stopped at a reception desk.
"I'm looking for Skywalker." He said to the woman behind the desk.
"No Skywalker listed here. Do you know what she is here for?" The woman asked. Anakin gave himself a mental head-slap.
"She's having a baby. Try looking under Naberrie." Anakin said as the woman typed.
"Padme? Labor and Delivery."
"Thank you." Anakin said as he and Obi-Wan headed for the elevators.
"I'm surprised she wasn't taken to the Medical Unit at the office."
"Tevin has yet to transfer "Dr. Ozzel" out of there yet. It's on his to-do list, but getting IDC in order is on the top of the list. Colonel Markem only got back from Israel last week and is still settling in." They arrived at the room Padme was in where Wanda was waiting for them along with Galen.
"She's fine." Wanda said then added in a low voice so no one else could hear them.
"She told me about the last time. That's why I told EMS to bring her here instead of our place. I didn't want Doctor Stupid near her."
"She never lets me forget about it even though the Sith Lord that was more or less responsible for all of that to begin with gets his butt kicked by Michael every time he shows up here and thus I'm not having the same mightmares this time. Tevin's transferring that idiot out as soon as a place can be found for him and the paperwork gets done. He's already recalled Tyler Markem to take over the jail." A nurse came out of Padme's room.
"She said I could tell all four of you. Her contractions are two minutes apart and everything is as should be expected for a second delivery and no, she's not having twins this time." Anakin breathed a sigh of relief, collected his thoughts, and went in to see Padme.