Chapter 2 – Refusing Protection
"I want to know how this happened!" Padmé demanded as she paced back and forth in the common area of the Naboo Senatorial quarters.
Her somber mourning gown swished around her knees as she moved. Voraté sat on the couch, running a healing device over her burned hands and watching Padmé do her best to wear a hole through the carpet. The cut on her forehead had been stitched up by a healer and a bacta gel had been applied to it. It would be healed by the next sunrise.
"We took every precaution and we were still taken by surprise. Our scanners are the best technology on the market, and the bomb still evaded detection. How?" Padmé demanded.
"My lady, we couldn't have foreseen…" Typho began.
"All but three of my attendants are dead and one is in critical condition!" Padmé returned sharply, her brown eyes glistening with tears and rage. "That is unacceptable."
"I realize that, my lady," Typho said. "But the fatalities could have been even more substantial. Our people did another sweep of the original landing platform and found an intricate network of explosives rigged beneath it. It would have blown all of us into the sky had we landed there. Thanks to Lady Voraté's cautious nature, the assassin only had time to move one of the high-yield detonation bombs to the new platform."
"Is that supposed to comfort me?" Padmé asked icily.
"I'm sorry, my lady," Typho bowed his head in apology. "I will personally lead the investigation into discovering the identity of the assassin. Their crime will not go unpunished."
Padmé nodded in approval but didn't stop her pacing.
"Padmé, we have our meeting with Chancellor Palpatine in twenty minutes." Voraté reminded her as she glanced at her timepiece. "We should head over to his offices." She put the device down and wiggled her healed fingers. Good as new.
"Of course," Padmé murmured and headed to the door.
Voraté raced after the displeased Senator. Their escort was waiting outside the chambers: Mas Amedda, Jar-Jar Binks, Senator Bail Antilles, Saché Reccan, and Tallé Trotekar.
"Are you ladies alright?" Saché asked, taking ahold of Padmé and Voraté's hands. Tallé echoed her question, wringing her hands in distress.
"We're fine. I'll be better once I discover who the attacker is," Padmé replied. Her tone softened as she conversed with her former handmaidens, who were now her political advisors. "I'm glad you and Tallé were already here on Coruscant."
"Senator, we must be going." Typho motioned to the elevators.
Padmé swept towards the elevators, followed by her escort. Voraté stuck close to Padmé's side as they exited the building and made for their transport. The ride to the Supreme Chancellor's offices was uneventful. They quickly entered the building and huddled into the elevator. It rose quickly, bringing them up to the Chancellor's office. They entered the room, where Palpatine was just finishing his meeting with members of the Jedi Council.
Master Yoda greeted them first as they walked into the room.
"Senator Amidala," The wise, ancient Jedi rumbled. "Your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart."
But Padmé wasn't in the mood to exchange niceties.
"Do you have any idea who was behind this attack?"
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo." Master Windu said as he walked over.
"I think Count Dooku is behind this," Padmé argued.
Voraté agreed with her. She'd done extensive research on the man. Of the people who would wish Padmé ill, Count Dooku was near the top of the list. He had much to gain from her death.
"He is a political idealist," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi gently corrected her. "Not a murderer."
"My lady, you know Count Dooku was once a Jedi," Windu said, slightly disapproving of her attempt to defame a former Jedi. "He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his character."
Padmé said nothing, but Voraté could tell that she was glaring in barely disguised disdain at the Jedi Master.
"But for certain, Senator," Yoda cut in. "In grave danger, you are."
"Master Jedi," Chancellor Palpatine airily cut in. "May I suggest the Senator be placed under the protection of the Jedi?"
Voraté wondered where Palpatine was going with this. Yes, Padmé was in peril, but did he think the danger was severe enough to warrant Jedi protection?
"Do you really think that's a wise decision during these stressful times?" Senator Antilles asked doubtfully.
"Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe…" Padmé spoke forcefully in protest.
"That the situation is that serious?" Palpatine finished her sentence. "No, but I do, Senator. I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you." Palpatine considered the options. "But perhaps someone you are familiar with. An old friend, like Master Kenobi."
"That's possible." Windu agreed. "He's just returned from a border dispute on Antion."
"Please, my lady." Palpatine pleaded with Padmé. "The thought of losing you… is unbearable."
"I will have Master Kenobi report to you immediately." Windu assured Padmé.
"Thank you, Master Jedi." Padmé replied after a brief pause.
The group disbanded and Padmé was quiet the entire ride back to their quarters. As they entered the common area, Padmé grabbed a decorative vase sitting on one of the tables and threw it at the wall with a frustrated shout; the vase shattered into a thousand pieces and the pieces tinkered against the carpet. Voraté and the guards remained silent. Padmé stalked to the windows and crossed her arms as she gazed out at the city. Voraté dismissed the guards and directed Saché and Tallé to go prepare for tomorrow's Senate meeting. As everyone left, she walked over to the uncharacteristically enraged woman.
"It won't be so bad, Padmé." Voraté murmured quietly.
"I don't need Jedi protection." Padmé retorted. "If they truly want to help, then they'll find who was behind the explosion."
"You're the priority, Padmé." Voraté gently insisted. She continued as Padmé whirled around. "As much as I hate to say it, Captain Typho and I cannot fully protect you here. Today's events proved that. We don't have the resources to keep two steps ahead of the assassins. We need the Jedi's help."
"Then I'll endure it," Padmé relented. Her shoulders relaxed as she let go of her rage. "I admit it will be good to see Obi-wan again. It's been a long time."
"Ten years," Voraté supplied. She wondered what had happened to Anakin Skywalker, the boy she'd befriended all those years ago… and perhaps had a crush on. She touched the japor snippet that hung on a black cord around her neck, hidden beneath her uniform. The boy had given it to her, saying it was so she'd never forget him. She didn't need a keepsake to remember him, but it had worked, nevertheless. She'd thought of Anakin every day for the past ten years.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please like and review. :)
