Star Wars
Episode II
The Republic Fights Back
In the ten years since the Battle of Naboo the galaxy has become a more contentious place. Count Dooku the former Jedi Master leads a separatist group that proposes seceding from the Galactic Republic. The Jedi have been stretched thin across the galaxy attempting to keep the Republic from falling apart by negotiating on behalf of the Chancellor.
The Chancellor having succeeded in breaking through the bureaucracy and increasing the power of the Chancellorship to have more leeway with Jedi, faces his greatest challenge with the formation of a Grand Army of the Republic. The Chancellor opposes its formation but for the first time since his election the vote is close enough to threaten his position
Senator Padme Amidala from Naboo hurries back to Coruscant despite the threats on her life. The Chancellor's strongest ally in the Senate, her voice could be the one that sways the Senate one way or another. Her vote could decide the fate of the Republic…
The Naboo Senatorial Starship descended into Coruscant's atmosphere with an escort of four fighters. The landing pad they headed for was ringed with security floaters and a platoon of Senate Guards on deck waiting. The Starship set down while the fighters patrolled the area forming two circles above and below. Once the landing gear was down the ramp was lowered and a group of Naboo security guards exited. They were quickly followed by a woman surrounded by Gungan security officers.
From the depths of the city four rockets flew toward the platform. One of the fighters below attempted to place itself in between the rockets and the platform but was only successful in stopping one. The remaining rockets ripped through the bottom of the platform destroying it and killing all of those on it and the fighter below. In two seconds over 50 people and Gungans had died trying to protect the Senator from Naboo.
"NOOOO!" a woman screamed over the comm channel.
"We must land at the secondary platform" said Jar-Jar Binks
"I can't believe it, I never thought the threats were real" said the woman
"Land now!" said Jar-Jar
The two remaining fighters landed and quickly entered the hanger followed by their R2 units to find Chancellor Palpatine and his closest advisors starring in shock at the destruction on the other landing platform.
"Chancellor" said Jar-Jar as he took off his helmet and bowed
"Captain Binks? I am so sorry, this is a loss for both of us, personally and for our planet. I was told that all precautions were made. We will find how this could have happened. The loss of Senator Amidala, and how it happened, will surely mean the formation of the Republic Army now" Said Palpatine.
"I think not Chancellor, the Senator is safe." Said Jar-Jar as the other pilot removed her helmet.
Senator Padme Amidala, as beautiful and determined as she was ten years ago when she ruled as queen, stood there in the fighter pilots uniform.
'I am sorry for the deception Chancellor but both Sabe and Jar-Jar insisted on a decoy. Unfortunately they were right." Said Padme
Palpatine quickly made up the distance between them and embraced the Senator.
"That was a scare I do not think I could recover from if it was true. To lose your voice in the Senate would damage the Republic more than the actions of Count Dooku. We can delay our meetings to give you time to mourn" He whispered.
"Thank you, but I think not. We arrived publicly to show no cowardice, I will not dishonor my friends sacrifice by hiding now that I am here." said Padme
"You are a remarkable woman Senator. I however must disagree. We will meet with the Jedi Council in my offices this evening, all other meeting will be pushed back until tomorrow. They will be informed of this tragedy and I expect them to give a preliminary report then along with their other reports." Said Palpatine.
"As you say." Said Padme.
***
Dusk had fallen on Coruscant and the view from the Chancellor's office was overwhelming as the buildings reflected the colors of the setting sun and skies. Masters Yoda, Windu and Ki-Adi-Mundi stood to the right of the Chancellor's desk as Padme and Jar-Jar entered. All three bowed to Padme once she stood before the desk.
"Master Jedi, Chancellor." Said Padme returning the Jedi's bow.
"Ah Senator Amidala, happy we were to find you still live. Unfortunate the loss of your companions was. Sorry to hear of their deaths we were." Said Yoda
"Yes the attack on your ship was a shock Senator. From all reports we believed the threats against you were not as serious as they obviously were." Said Windu
"I too thought as you did Master Jedi. Only my over protective Captain of Security Jar-Jar and my personal handmaiden and body guard Sabe prevented it from being me who was killed. Sabe gave her life. Do you have any leads as to who did this?" Said Padme
"The weapons used were traced back to the disgruntled miners you dealt with when you were queen" said Ki-Adi-Mundi
"You can't think they were responsible, that was settled four years ago, one of the leaders of that group was killed today. He was the pilot that put his fighter in the way of the missiles. I don't believe it could be them even if all were not happy with how it was settled" said Padme
"Nor do I" said Palpatine
"We have not determined that they were responsible however that is where the evidence leads us." Said Windu
"Have you looked into Count Dooku's involvement?" asked Padme
"He is championing seceding from the Republic not starting a war with us" said Ki-Adi-Mundi
"And if we form an army systems will flock to his cause, more than enough reason make sure that Senator Padme does not have a chance to speak" said Palpatine
"hmmm hard to see the future is. Unknown what the Senator's death would cause. Unlikely Dooku would kill, the Dark Side I have not sensed in him." Said Yoda
"Well this will be a matter for Republic Investigative Services to decide. You Jedi are not authorized to by the Senate to run a full investigation, even if I would prefer you did. I thank you for your initial reports and investigations though" Said Palpatine
"Of course Chancellor" said Windu
"I can however ask you to provide protection for the Senator." Said Palpatine
"That won't be necessary Chancellor Jar-Jar and the Senate Guards shoul-" said Padme
"I think not Padme. I did not exaggerate before, I need you, the Republic needs you too much. Perhaps someone you are familiar with? Master Yoda has Obi-wan and his apprentice returned from Corillia?" said Palpatine
"Just this evening they arrived, a new assignment they have not yet received." Said Yoda
"Splendid! They should be able to report to the Senator at her quarters after this meeting yes? Well lets move on to the other reports now that I know she will be safe." Said Palpatine
****
Anakin and Obi-wan were silent as they rode the lift up to the Senator's quarters. Obi-wan noticed that Anakin had seemed resigned to this assignment rather than excited like he expected.
"What's troubling you padawan?" said Obi-wan
"Troubling me? Nothing you don't already know about." Said Anakin
"Not your dreams, about this assignment, I assumed you would be excited to see old friends. But you seemed disappointed to be here." Said Obi-wan
"Old friends? At one time we were friends, now we are being sent to baby sit a Senator until she can vote. I doubt she will see it much differently. No doubt she has changed as much as we have." Said Anakin
"Have we changed that much? I think not. You are still impulsive and eager and I am still model Jedi I have always been." Said Obi-wan Anakin looked at him wryly and rolled his eyes.
"Surely she has married maybe even had kids, though I bet Jar-Jar is much the same. Besides Master this overkill, protection is a job for local security" said Anakin
"Have you not kept up with Padme's career and life? After all the trouble you caused when you first came to the temple trying to contact her I thought you would have at least looked her up from time to time." Said Obi-wan
"I learned my lesson, stay away. Besides it's not as if she made any effort to stay in touch with either of us. Have you heard from her?" said Anakin
"No I can't say that I have but then she had a world to run and then was elected to the Senate as soon as her time as queen was over. She has given her life to service of her people like you have to the Jedi." Said Obi-wan
"So you kept track of her?" said Anakin
"Of course. Anakin remember lesson I taught you just before we left Tatooine? Its always good to have friends in all places, high and low. As Jedi you can not have attachments but you can have friends, even ones you don't see or hear from for years some times decades. Don't you understand the difference?" said Obi-wan
"Actually no, I never have. I mean aren't friends an attachment?" said Anakin
"No Jedi fears the loss friend, mourn them yes but they would not risk the temptation of the Darkside to save them. However a wife, husband, or children… well that type of attachment is forbidden because a Jedi would likely fear to lose them and to save their life they could easily turn to the Darkside of the Force." Said Obi-wan
"But the Darkside can not save them anymore than the Light" said Anakin
"True but when you fear the loss of that attachment one will try anything. Or that is the belief" Said Obi-wan
"I never thought of it that way. I will meditate on that later." Said Anakin
"I never thought that you didn't understand the difference. A mistake I am sorry to have made." Said Obi-wan
"I never thought to ask. The mistake is shared my master." Said Anakin
The lift doors opened and a tall Gungan stood before them. He bowed to both of the Jedi.
"Jar-Jar its good to see you old friend!" said Obi-wan pulling the surprised Gungan into a hug.
"Master Obi-wan. I am glad you are here. Is this your apprentice?" said Jar-Jar smiling
"You don't recognize me?" said Anakin
"No! Anakin?!? You're huge! I haven't seen many humans as tall as me, what have those Jedi been feeding you?" said Jar-Jar
"Regular food and humility, both in large quantities. Not sure which allowed me to be so tall." Said Anakin smiling
"Well this will be a surprise. We were expecting Obi-wan but didn't think that you would be with him!" said Jar-Jar directing them into the Senators apartments.
"Senator Padme the Jedi have arrived" called out Jar-Jar. Padme swept into the room to greet Obi-wan.
"Master Obi-wan, I'm glad it was you they sent. It has been too long to not see a friend." Said Padme
"Senator the feeling is mutual. I was more than relieved to here that you survived this mornings attack. The first reports were unclear." Said Obi-wan
"Thank you Obi-wan and call me Padme, please. And who is this? Anakin? My goodness you have changed" said Padme
"You haven't changed a bit. You still look like I remember." Said Anakin
"Thank you, you're lying but its nice to hear. I did not expect to see you. I figured you would be a Jedi Knight by now, going around saving the galaxy like you did Naboo" said Padme
"You aren't the only one" said Anakin quietly
"Anakin." Said Obi-wan
"I'm sorry master." Said Anakin
"beep whirl twerp"
"R2?" said Anakin as the Droid rolled out of Padme's room. "It is you!" The droid whirled in place spun his top and made a beeline for Anakin.
"Yes he has been with either me or Padme since you left him with us all those years ago. I think he missed you" said Jar-Jar
"I know I missed him. I missed all of you" said Anakin patting the droid.
"And we missed the both of you, it's good to see you. I only wish it was under different circumstances. That being said I am not sure if Jedi needed" Said Padme
"There are advantages to having Jedi protectors that local security can not match." Said Obi-wan
"We will not allow you to come to harm Padme. I guarantee it." Said Anakin. Padme was slightly shocked by his statement.
"That is more than even we can guarantee Padawan." Said Obi-wan
"Not if we started to investigate, not if found out who was behind the attacks." Said Anakin
"Anakin that would be both against our orders and the mandate from the Senate. We can not investigate." Said Obi-wan
"One rule I have broken a dozen times to save your life or someone else's and a new one I have yet to had the chance to break, but if keeps Padme safe why not?" said Anakin
"Padawan when will you understand the importance of these rules? Did everything we spoke about in the lift already escape your mind?" said Obi-wan
"No Master. I'm sorry you are right. But surely there is more we can do than just work as bodyguards." Said Anakin
"If there is the force will show us the path." Said Obi-wan
"Perhaps by just being here you make me safe." Said Padme
"Perhaps" said Obi-wan
"Well, I am glad that it is you two that are going to be protecting me. I am going to finish my notes for tomorrow and then to bed." Said Padme
"I will take a tour with Jar-Jar here and check out the security through out the building. Anakin you stay here with Padme and R2. And call the temple, see if you can get 3PO over here. I'm sure he'd like to see R2." Said Obi-wan
"Yes Master."
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