Title: Labyrinth
Author: jedirita@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13 for action violence and a little swearing
Category: action/adventure
Timeline: approximately five years before Ep2
Summary: Five years after Ep1, Padme and (a more mature) Jar Jar travel to Coruscant to attend a conference on cloning chaired by Senator Bail Organa. There they are reunited with Obi-Wan and Anakin, and all five enjoy some R&R before half the party gets kidnapped, bounty hunters show up, and chaos breaks loose.
Warnings: Obi-Wan is romantically linked to Bail Organa (i.e., "slash"). If this bothers you, don't read it.
Disclaimer: I am just a Jedi Padawan. I own nothing. All that I have belongs to my Master George: my money, my action figures, my dreams and fantasies. In return he gives me wisdom, many lessons in patience and humility, and the best galaxy in the universe to play in. All hail Master George!
Chapter One
The sleek, chrome ship emerged from hyperspace and entered orbit around the city-planet of Coruscant, waiting for their escort to arrive and lead them down to the planet's surface. Standing at the observation deck, Padme Amidala, Queen of the Naboo, surveyed the glittering lights of the planet's surface below them. She touched a point on her chest, feeling through the silk of her gown the pendant which hung concealed around her neck, and she remembered the last time she had been to Coruscant, the only time she had been to Coruscant, almost five years ago. She had just been elected Queen when she had to face the greatest trial in Naboo's recent history, their conquest by the Trade Federation. She had gone to Coruscant to beg for help. She smiled as she remembered herself then, so young, so nervous, so frightened, so overwhelmed by the crisis facing Naboo, and yet strengthened by a sense of destiny and responsibility far greater than herself. While the Naboo respected the wisdom and experience of age, they valued equally highly the purity and idealism of youth. That was why they frequently chose young people as their highest leaders, young people who embodied the purest essence of Naboo, who could call upon the Naboo to be their best. It was a symbolic power, but symbols could have tremendous meaning. Padme, with her passionate zeal to stand against the Trade Federation, had successfully led her people in revolt and even forged an alliance with the Gungans. But she had not saved her people alone. Again she touched the pendant hidden beneath her gown and wondered what had happened to the strange little boy who had given it to her.
Behind her, the door to the observation deck swished open, and she heard the lanky gait of her friend and aide Jar Jar Binks as he came up to stand at her side. Like Padme, he had left his homeworld only once before in his whole life. But if he was nervous, he didn't show it. Padme had learned that on the whole Jar Jar did not like new experiences, although he adapted quickly enough once they were thrust upon him. But then, Coruscant would not be new.
For several minutes they stood in silence, watching the planet's surface grow larger and brighter as their escort guided them through the thick air traffic. They crossed the shadow line into Coruscant night side, and Jar Jar murmured an appreciative, "Pretty." Padme did not agree, remembering the scarcity of natural landscape and the enormous buildings lacking in the Naboo concept of grace and beauty. But then she supposed the lights did resemble Otoh Gunga in a way, sparkling through the murky darkness. Perhaps that's why Jar Jar liked it.
"Maybe wesa see Ani," Jar Jar suggested unexpectedly.
Padme was surprised to hear his thoughts so closely echoing her own, although she shouldn't have been. "I doubt it," she replied with a hint of regret. "Coruscant is a big planet, and you and I are going to be very busy"
"Da bigtalk," Jar Jar nodded sagely, although he had only a vague understanding of what the conference was about. He certainly didn't understand the intricate science of cloning, or why Gungan organic technology was now so highly coveted. The ability to clone sentient life had been available for years, but recently the Gungans' organic technology had been discovered to enable the growth process to be speeded up. A fully mature, human clone could now be grown in less than five years. This conference was being held to draft a treaty that would monitor the use of the new technology.
While Jar Jar was only vaguely aware of any of these issues, he accompanied Padme on this mission in his capacity as official ambassador to the Naboo and representative of the Gungans. Padme suspected that the Bosses' choice of Jar Jar as their liaison had as much to do with their desire to get him out of their way as a concern for their relations with the Naboo, but if the Naboo valued youth, in the same way Padme valued Jar Jar. He might not be much of a strategist, but his simple observations, even on situations and issues he knew nothing about, had given Padme valuable insight on more than one occasion.
"But maybe before that," Jar Jar offered. "We do have time, methinks."
"You can look for him if you want to, Jar Jar, but I want to meet with Bail Organa."
Jar Jar's eyestalks contracted as he scoured his memory. "Da Grand Boss from Alderooni," he finally announced. "Maybe mesa should talk to him, too, eh?" he asked, although his tone betrayed his desire to look up Anakin Skywalker instead.
"No, that's not necessary," Padme assured him. "I have heard many great things about the Prince, and I simply want to have the chance to get to know him before the conference." She had not told Jar Jar yet about her own private agenda for Coruscant. She would soon have to make some very important decisions about her future, and while she eventually wanted Jar Jar's advice, she wanted to talk with Bail Organa first.
The intercom chimed and a voice announced, "We will be landing in five minutes, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Captain." She turned to Jar Jar. "Let's get ready, then, shall we?"
Their arrival was unmarked by pomp or circumstance, and Padme breathed a secret sigh of relief that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was not there to greet them. Either he had not learned of their early arrival, or less likely, had chosen not to come. Padme hoped that he was still not expecting them until the beginning of the conference. She did not want him to know she would be meeting with Bail Organa, since he was one of Palpatine's most vocal critics in the Senate. For that reason also she had decided to be housed in the Conference Complex itself and not at the Naboo Embassy. With luck, she would be undisturbed for the next few days.
Once at the complex, her handmaidens fussed around her, getting her settled into her apartments. She changed out of her traveling gown into a simpler but no less formal outfit, and touched up her ceremonial makeup before her meeting with Prince Bail. The Naboo had a very formal sensibility when it came to clothing, and despite the personal nature of her business with Organa, Padme felt she had to make a suitable appearance before the Prince and Senator of Alderaan. So she dismissed her attendants, and having sent a message on ahead, walked alone to Bail Organa's apartments.
Despite being unattended herself, Padme was surprised that Bail Organa himself open the door to greet her. "Welcome, welcome," he proclaimed in a soft but warm voice. "Do come in and make yourself comfortable. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"
"Yes, I did, thank you," she replied as she seated herself in an offered chair. The furniture of the room was the same as hers, but elegantly brocaded fabrics had been draped across the chairs and sofa, and several small but tasteful pieces of art decorated the room.
Organa sat down across from her and called, "Charris, some refreshments for my guest, please."
An old attendant entered, bearing a tray of fruit and some beverages which he placed on the table between them before discretely returning to his post in the other room, leaving them alone.
"These are some of our Alderaani fruits I thought you might enjoy," Organa said as he prepared plate for her. As they exchanged pleasantries, Padme formed her initial impression of her host. He was wearing an expensive but casual robe. His black hair tumbled over his forehead in thick curls. He had a rather aquiline nose, and his black eyes were half-closed, as if had just woken up from a nap, an impression further heightened by the soft, mellow tones of his voice, and his casual way of reclining back across the couch. Padme supposed he was good-looking enough, although she didn't find him to be the dazzlingly handsome man he was reputed to be. In fact, Bail Organa had a larger than life reputation for just about everything, from his wise leadership and shrewd skills of negotiation, to a somewhat notorious reputation as a playboy with a penchant for fine clothes, extravagant parties, and handsome men and women. So far his clothes and manner, though elegant enough, confirmed the latter impression in Padme's mind rather than the former, but she suppressed judgment until she got to know him better.
"I have long look forward to meeting you," Bail was saying as he leaned back on the couch. "I have heard so much about the formidable young queen of Naboo, and I'm pleased you were willing to come early so we would have a chance to get to know one another."
This surprised Padme. The Naboo were known to keep pretty much to themselves. When and why would Bail Organa ever have heard her, other than in the context of the coming conference? "I am flattered," she answered diplomatically. "I have also heard much about you and am eager to exchange ideas with you."
"Most we discuss cloning so soon?" Bail replied in a manner entirely to flippant for Padme. After all, this man was supposedly one of the galactic experts on the issue.
"Actually, I am also very interested in your views of the current government."
Her words were mildly phrased, but their import was not lost on Bail. While his expression remained unchanged, his voice grew sober as he observed, "Your former Senator has many admirers these days. I'm afraid I do not share their enthusiasm."
Padme considered the statement for several minutes before adding, "Nor, indeed, do I."
Bail's sleepy eyes woke up slightly. "But Naboo has done well since Palpatine became Supreme Chancellor."
"Yes," she agreed in the tone that said otherwise, "so it would appear."
Leading forward, she continued, "I wish to discuss these matters frankly with you, Your Highness, and I trust that our conversations will remain strictly confidential." She paused, and Bail nodded. He was also widely reputed to be honest and trustworthy, so Padme continued, "Chancellor Palpatine has indeed done well by Naboo, and we are enjoying great prosperity and peace. This treaty on cloning would bring us tremendous wealth, but I fear it comes at a price." Her eyes clouded. "And I worry about the price he expects the Republic to pay for his leadership as well."
Bail had certainly not expected Padme to speak this way about her fellow countrymen, and he looked at his guest with rising respect. "It seems that we will have a great deal to talk about after all."
Padme nodded, but said nothing. She had carried these thoughts in her heart for a long time, sharing them with no one in light of Palpatine's popularity on Naboo, and she now found it hard to put her hidden concerns into words. "I first began to notice it during the invasion of the Trade Federation, though at the time I was too concerned about my people's fate to worry myself with Palpatine's tactics. But when I had time to reflect on it, I grew troubled with the way Chancellor Valorum had been overthrow, and the role I played in it. We Naboo are a people of peace. We always prefer to talk things out, though sometimes we're too fond of talk at the expense of action. But to call for a vote of no confidence like that.... I would have never done it if the situation on Naboo had not been so desperate, and I suppose even in retrospect I would still have done the same. Nevertheless I came to feel I had been manipulated into an action that was contrary to the way we do things on Naboo. It seems that Palpatine is often bringing about changes on Naboo, rushing issues through consensus, even calling for a vote. Of course he is not directly concerned with government issues on Naboo anymore, but he weighs in with his opinion, and many people, perhaps out of respect for the Supreme Chancellor, go along with his suggestions. It's true his methods get results, but at the expense not only of our traditional form of government, but also I fear at the expense of civic harmony."
Despite the gravity of her concerns, Bail had to suppress a smile at her flowery and formal words. Had he ever been so serious when he was her age? He doubted it. That was the trouble with young leaders: responsibility bred in them too sober an ego for his tastes. He, on the other hand, had been raised for the job and he knew how to exercise leadership without all this self-importance. He would have to work on her.
Dismissing this irrelevant train of thought, Bail answered her, "I'm not aware of all the details on Naboo, but what you have described sounds similar to what I have observed in the Senate. Palpatine seems far more concerned with results than methods. True, our methods have gotten a bit out of hand lately. We are over-bureaucratized, for one thing. But people are so eager for results in stamping out corruption that they fail to see the dangerous precedents being set, especially when it comes to stifling dissension. Yet when I voice my concerns, I'm called a worrier and old- fashioned." Bail smiled. "My mother can't believe it's me they are talking about. She says I've never worried about anything in my life."
Steering their conversation away from such personal waters, Padme said, "Your experience in the Senate leads me to the matter I really want discuss with you. My term of office ends next year, and I had been encouraged to run again. But Palpatine worries me, and I begin to wonder if I would not serve my people better if I leave them to serve in the Senate."
Bail grinned broadly. Her formality aside, he was beginning to really like her. "To keep an eye on Palpatine?" he intimated.
Padme would not put it that way, but she conceded, "Yes, I suppose so."
"Your Highness, I think I would enjoy having you as a colleague in the Senate," Bail smiled, delighted. "Think of the trouble we could stir up! This cloning conference should give us a chance to see how we would work as a team."
Padme frowned at how quickly her would-be colleague jumped to conclusions. "I have made no decision yet," she warned.
"Of course not. But there is plenty of time for that. I shall enjoy discussing these matters with you, but I hope you'll also allow time for more leisurely pursuits. Some old friends of yours will also be attending the conference, and I invited them early expressly so that we can all have some time together."
"Who?"
"You'll see, you'll see. We will discuss business tonight, and tomorrow morning if you wish, but the afternoon and evening must be given over to recreation. You'll leave aside your royal regalia, I hope." Padme chafed being told what to wear. "And the Gungan Ambassador will come, too?"
"If you insist," she answered. Bail Organa couldn't possibly know Anakin, could he? She could think of no other "old friend" she had on Coruscant. But perhaps he meant some other head of state or business contact she had met before over the cloning issue. She refused to go along with the secretive game Bail seemed intent on playing, so she did not ask further who he meant.
"Very good," Bail declared, settling back on the couch with a dazzling smile. She could at last see why he was described as charming, although she had no interest in succumbing to him.
But his mind had returned to their earlier discussion. "So tell me more, Your Highness, about why you distrust the Supreme Chancellor," he said amicably, pausing to sip his drink. "And what you plan to do about it."
Author: jedirita@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13 for action violence and a little swearing
Category: action/adventure
Timeline: approximately five years before Ep2
Summary: Five years after Ep1, Padme and (a more mature) Jar Jar travel to Coruscant to attend a conference on cloning chaired by Senator Bail Organa. There they are reunited with Obi-Wan and Anakin, and all five enjoy some R&R before half the party gets kidnapped, bounty hunters show up, and chaos breaks loose.
Warnings: Obi-Wan is romantically linked to Bail Organa (i.e., "slash"). If this bothers you, don't read it.
Disclaimer: I am just a Jedi Padawan. I own nothing. All that I have belongs to my Master George: my money, my action figures, my dreams and fantasies. In return he gives me wisdom, many lessons in patience and humility, and the best galaxy in the universe to play in. All hail Master George!
Chapter One
The sleek, chrome ship emerged from hyperspace and entered orbit around the city-planet of Coruscant, waiting for their escort to arrive and lead them down to the planet's surface. Standing at the observation deck, Padme Amidala, Queen of the Naboo, surveyed the glittering lights of the planet's surface below them. She touched a point on her chest, feeling through the silk of her gown the pendant which hung concealed around her neck, and she remembered the last time she had been to Coruscant, the only time she had been to Coruscant, almost five years ago. She had just been elected Queen when she had to face the greatest trial in Naboo's recent history, their conquest by the Trade Federation. She had gone to Coruscant to beg for help. She smiled as she remembered herself then, so young, so nervous, so frightened, so overwhelmed by the crisis facing Naboo, and yet strengthened by a sense of destiny and responsibility far greater than herself. While the Naboo respected the wisdom and experience of age, they valued equally highly the purity and idealism of youth. That was why they frequently chose young people as their highest leaders, young people who embodied the purest essence of Naboo, who could call upon the Naboo to be their best. It was a symbolic power, but symbols could have tremendous meaning. Padme, with her passionate zeal to stand against the Trade Federation, had successfully led her people in revolt and even forged an alliance with the Gungans. But she had not saved her people alone. Again she touched the pendant hidden beneath her gown and wondered what had happened to the strange little boy who had given it to her.
Behind her, the door to the observation deck swished open, and she heard the lanky gait of her friend and aide Jar Jar Binks as he came up to stand at her side. Like Padme, he had left his homeworld only once before in his whole life. But if he was nervous, he didn't show it. Padme had learned that on the whole Jar Jar did not like new experiences, although he adapted quickly enough once they were thrust upon him. But then, Coruscant would not be new.
For several minutes they stood in silence, watching the planet's surface grow larger and brighter as their escort guided them through the thick air traffic. They crossed the shadow line into Coruscant night side, and Jar Jar murmured an appreciative, "Pretty." Padme did not agree, remembering the scarcity of natural landscape and the enormous buildings lacking in the Naboo concept of grace and beauty. But then she supposed the lights did resemble Otoh Gunga in a way, sparkling through the murky darkness. Perhaps that's why Jar Jar liked it.
"Maybe wesa see Ani," Jar Jar suggested unexpectedly.
Padme was surprised to hear his thoughts so closely echoing her own, although she shouldn't have been. "I doubt it," she replied with a hint of regret. "Coruscant is a big planet, and you and I are going to be very busy"
"Da bigtalk," Jar Jar nodded sagely, although he had only a vague understanding of what the conference was about. He certainly didn't understand the intricate science of cloning, or why Gungan organic technology was now so highly coveted. The ability to clone sentient life had been available for years, but recently the Gungans' organic technology had been discovered to enable the growth process to be speeded up. A fully mature, human clone could now be grown in less than five years. This conference was being held to draft a treaty that would monitor the use of the new technology.
While Jar Jar was only vaguely aware of any of these issues, he accompanied Padme on this mission in his capacity as official ambassador to the Naboo and representative of the Gungans. Padme suspected that the Bosses' choice of Jar Jar as their liaison had as much to do with their desire to get him out of their way as a concern for their relations with the Naboo, but if the Naboo valued youth, in the same way Padme valued Jar Jar. He might not be much of a strategist, but his simple observations, even on situations and issues he knew nothing about, had given Padme valuable insight on more than one occasion.
"But maybe before that," Jar Jar offered. "We do have time, methinks."
"You can look for him if you want to, Jar Jar, but I want to meet with Bail Organa."
Jar Jar's eyestalks contracted as he scoured his memory. "Da Grand Boss from Alderooni," he finally announced. "Maybe mesa should talk to him, too, eh?" he asked, although his tone betrayed his desire to look up Anakin Skywalker instead.
"No, that's not necessary," Padme assured him. "I have heard many great things about the Prince, and I simply want to have the chance to get to know him before the conference." She had not told Jar Jar yet about her own private agenda for Coruscant. She would soon have to make some very important decisions about her future, and while she eventually wanted Jar Jar's advice, she wanted to talk with Bail Organa first.
The intercom chimed and a voice announced, "We will be landing in five minutes, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Captain." She turned to Jar Jar. "Let's get ready, then, shall we?"
Their arrival was unmarked by pomp or circumstance, and Padme breathed a secret sigh of relief that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was not there to greet them. Either he had not learned of their early arrival, or less likely, had chosen not to come. Padme hoped that he was still not expecting them until the beginning of the conference. She did not want him to know she would be meeting with Bail Organa, since he was one of Palpatine's most vocal critics in the Senate. For that reason also she had decided to be housed in the Conference Complex itself and not at the Naboo Embassy. With luck, she would be undisturbed for the next few days.
Once at the complex, her handmaidens fussed around her, getting her settled into her apartments. She changed out of her traveling gown into a simpler but no less formal outfit, and touched up her ceremonial makeup before her meeting with Prince Bail. The Naboo had a very formal sensibility when it came to clothing, and despite the personal nature of her business with Organa, Padme felt she had to make a suitable appearance before the Prince and Senator of Alderaan. So she dismissed her attendants, and having sent a message on ahead, walked alone to Bail Organa's apartments.
Despite being unattended herself, Padme was surprised that Bail Organa himself open the door to greet her. "Welcome, welcome," he proclaimed in a soft but warm voice. "Do come in and make yourself comfortable. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"
"Yes, I did, thank you," she replied as she seated herself in an offered chair. The furniture of the room was the same as hers, but elegantly brocaded fabrics had been draped across the chairs and sofa, and several small but tasteful pieces of art decorated the room.
Organa sat down across from her and called, "Charris, some refreshments for my guest, please."
An old attendant entered, bearing a tray of fruit and some beverages which he placed on the table between them before discretely returning to his post in the other room, leaving them alone.
"These are some of our Alderaani fruits I thought you might enjoy," Organa said as he prepared plate for her. As they exchanged pleasantries, Padme formed her initial impression of her host. He was wearing an expensive but casual robe. His black hair tumbled over his forehead in thick curls. He had a rather aquiline nose, and his black eyes were half-closed, as if had just woken up from a nap, an impression further heightened by the soft, mellow tones of his voice, and his casual way of reclining back across the couch. Padme supposed he was good-looking enough, although she didn't find him to be the dazzlingly handsome man he was reputed to be. In fact, Bail Organa had a larger than life reputation for just about everything, from his wise leadership and shrewd skills of negotiation, to a somewhat notorious reputation as a playboy with a penchant for fine clothes, extravagant parties, and handsome men and women. So far his clothes and manner, though elegant enough, confirmed the latter impression in Padme's mind rather than the former, but she suppressed judgment until she got to know him better.
"I have long look forward to meeting you," Bail was saying as he leaned back on the couch. "I have heard so much about the formidable young queen of Naboo, and I'm pleased you were willing to come early so we would have a chance to get to know one another."
This surprised Padme. The Naboo were known to keep pretty much to themselves. When and why would Bail Organa ever have heard her, other than in the context of the coming conference? "I am flattered," she answered diplomatically. "I have also heard much about you and am eager to exchange ideas with you."
"Most we discuss cloning so soon?" Bail replied in a manner entirely to flippant for Padme. After all, this man was supposedly one of the galactic experts on the issue.
"Actually, I am also very interested in your views of the current government."
Her words were mildly phrased, but their import was not lost on Bail. While his expression remained unchanged, his voice grew sober as he observed, "Your former Senator has many admirers these days. I'm afraid I do not share their enthusiasm."
Padme considered the statement for several minutes before adding, "Nor, indeed, do I."
Bail's sleepy eyes woke up slightly. "But Naboo has done well since Palpatine became Supreme Chancellor."
"Yes," she agreed in the tone that said otherwise, "so it would appear."
Leading forward, she continued, "I wish to discuss these matters frankly with you, Your Highness, and I trust that our conversations will remain strictly confidential." She paused, and Bail nodded. He was also widely reputed to be honest and trustworthy, so Padme continued, "Chancellor Palpatine has indeed done well by Naboo, and we are enjoying great prosperity and peace. This treaty on cloning would bring us tremendous wealth, but I fear it comes at a price." Her eyes clouded. "And I worry about the price he expects the Republic to pay for his leadership as well."
Bail had certainly not expected Padme to speak this way about her fellow countrymen, and he looked at his guest with rising respect. "It seems that we will have a great deal to talk about after all."
Padme nodded, but said nothing. She had carried these thoughts in her heart for a long time, sharing them with no one in light of Palpatine's popularity on Naboo, and she now found it hard to put her hidden concerns into words. "I first began to notice it during the invasion of the Trade Federation, though at the time I was too concerned about my people's fate to worry myself with Palpatine's tactics. But when I had time to reflect on it, I grew troubled with the way Chancellor Valorum had been overthrow, and the role I played in it. We Naboo are a people of peace. We always prefer to talk things out, though sometimes we're too fond of talk at the expense of action. But to call for a vote of no confidence like that.... I would have never done it if the situation on Naboo had not been so desperate, and I suppose even in retrospect I would still have done the same. Nevertheless I came to feel I had been manipulated into an action that was contrary to the way we do things on Naboo. It seems that Palpatine is often bringing about changes on Naboo, rushing issues through consensus, even calling for a vote. Of course he is not directly concerned with government issues on Naboo anymore, but he weighs in with his opinion, and many people, perhaps out of respect for the Supreme Chancellor, go along with his suggestions. It's true his methods get results, but at the expense not only of our traditional form of government, but also I fear at the expense of civic harmony."
Despite the gravity of her concerns, Bail had to suppress a smile at her flowery and formal words. Had he ever been so serious when he was her age? He doubted it. That was the trouble with young leaders: responsibility bred in them too sober an ego for his tastes. He, on the other hand, had been raised for the job and he knew how to exercise leadership without all this self-importance. He would have to work on her.
Dismissing this irrelevant train of thought, Bail answered her, "I'm not aware of all the details on Naboo, but what you have described sounds similar to what I have observed in the Senate. Palpatine seems far more concerned with results than methods. True, our methods have gotten a bit out of hand lately. We are over-bureaucratized, for one thing. But people are so eager for results in stamping out corruption that they fail to see the dangerous precedents being set, especially when it comes to stifling dissension. Yet when I voice my concerns, I'm called a worrier and old- fashioned." Bail smiled. "My mother can't believe it's me they are talking about. She says I've never worried about anything in my life."
Steering their conversation away from such personal waters, Padme said, "Your experience in the Senate leads me to the matter I really want discuss with you. My term of office ends next year, and I had been encouraged to run again. But Palpatine worries me, and I begin to wonder if I would not serve my people better if I leave them to serve in the Senate."
Bail grinned broadly. Her formality aside, he was beginning to really like her. "To keep an eye on Palpatine?" he intimated.
Padme would not put it that way, but she conceded, "Yes, I suppose so."
"Your Highness, I think I would enjoy having you as a colleague in the Senate," Bail smiled, delighted. "Think of the trouble we could stir up! This cloning conference should give us a chance to see how we would work as a team."
Padme frowned at how quickly her would-be colleague jumped to conclusions. "I have made no decision yet," she warned.
"Of course not. But there is plenty of time for that. I shall enjoy discussing these matters with you, but I hope you'll also allow time for more leisurely pursuits. Some old friends of yours will also be attending the conference, and I invited them early expressly so that we can all have some time together."
"Who?"
"You'll see, you'll see. We will discuss business tonight, and tomorrow morning if you wish, but the afternoon and evening must be given over to recreation. You'll leave aside your royal regalia, I hope." Padme chafed being told what to wear. "And the Gungan Ambassador will come, too?"
"If you insist," she answered. Bail Organa couldn't possibly know Anakin, could he? She could think of no other "old friend" she had on Coruscant. But perhaps he meant some other head of state or business contact she had met before over the cloning issue. She refused to go along with the secretive game Bail seemed intent on playing, so she did not ask further who he meant.
"Very good," Bail declared, settling back on the couch with a dazzling smile. She could at last see why he was described as charming, although she had no interest in succumbing to him.
But his mind had returned to their earlier discussion. "So tell me more, Your Highness, about why you distrust the Supreme Chancellor," he said amicably, pausing to sip his drink. "And what you plan to do about it."