Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

Chapter 2 – An Angel in the Rebellion

Padmé Amidala Naberrie was the daughter of the well respected Governor of Naboo, Ruwee Naberrie. For years, Padmé had studied politics in the youth legislative program based on her home planet, in the hopes of becoming a senator, and now, her dream had finally come true. At only twenty, Padmé was now one of the youngest senators to be elected into office. Yet, despite her young age, her father, the current queen of Naboo, and her people had great faith that Padmé would do her best to protect their small planet from the tyranny of the Empire.

It was no secret that Padmé hated the empire, and the way the galaxy was ruled. She had spoken out against the Empire on many an occasion, but at the request of her father, had relented. To speak out against the Emperor was as good as signing your own death warrant. Luckily, Padmé had been spared. So, for now, Padmé settled for ensuring security for her own planet, before worrying about the fate of the rest of the galaxy. That could come later.

"Mi lady, we are making the descent into Coruscant as we speak," announced Padmé's captain and head of security, Captain Typho.

"Thank you captain," replied Padmé, smoothing down a non-existent crease in her elaborate gown. Today was her first visit to Coruscant, and to the senate. It was an important day indeed.

The sleek, boomerang shaped Nubian ship landed gracefully on a large landing pad, suspended high in the skies of Coruscant. Padmé stepped out of the ship, dressed in a flowing black and white gown, and sporting an elaborate hairstyle. She gazed in awe at the vast, towering buildings surrounding her, her dark eyes alight with wonder.

'Wow...' she breathed, as she made her way towards the awaiting transport.

~*~

"Senator Amidala, welcome to Coruscant".

Padmé bowed slightly, and forced a smile to the man before her. She could not tell whether he returned the smile, his face was shrouded behind a large black cowl, his entire being hidden by a thick cloak.

"I trust your journey was comfortable," he continued in a rasping voice, offering Padmé his arm. Padmé begrudgingly took it, and allowed herself to be lead into the senate building.

"'It was my lord, and thank you for asking," replied Padmé with as much forced politeness as she could muster.

"Good," the man replied hoarsely, "Let me introduce you to some of my colleagues," he indicated to a group of people patiently awaiting the him, Lord Sidious, Emperor of the galaxy.

"This is senator Orn Free Taa, of Ryloth," he waved his hand towards an ugly, overweight male blue Twi'Lek, who grinned disgustingly. Padmé inclined her head, feeling a little queasy.

"Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan," a dark skinned man smiled warmly, and Padmé took an instant liking to him. Something about him made her feel welcomes, far more so than the Emperor and many of the other senators she was being introduced to. The Emperor continued to introduce the various senators, before announcing he was retiring for the evening. His duty was done for today, his minions taking over and conducting the heavy work. Padmé eyed his red guards warily as they ushered the Emperor into the senate building.

Deciding she would return to her apartment before receiving a tour of the actual senate building, Padmé turned back to the exit, intending to return to her transport, but was stopped by the call of her name.

"Senator Amidala!"

Padmé turned to see the senator from Alderaan walking briskly towards her.

"Senator Organa," she acknowledged warmly as he reached her. The man smiled, and began walking with her to the awaiting transport.

"Please, call me Bail," he glanced around and lowered his voice slightly, "I was wondering if perhaps you would care to join me at a....let's just say...exclusive meeting between several senators and I tonight".

Padmé frowned, eyeing the Alderaanian senator closely. She knew all too well Bail Organa was a big supporter of the rebellion; her father had informed her as much. That was probably why she had taken an instant liking to him. Surely that would be the purpose of the exclusive meeting. However, what ramifications would such an allegiance have on Naboo? Just by agreeing to a meeting with Senator Organa, would she be placing Naboo under threat?

"I....I dont know, Bail," she mumbled, bowing her head. Bail smiled sadly.

"You're worried about the consequences that could affect Naboo," he confirmed, "Do not worry, senator, I assure you we won't be parading this meeting around to just anyone," he smiled for good measure, easing Padmé's worries considerably. She chewed her lip, her thoughts drifting back to her home planet. How long before the tyranny of the Emperor reached Naboo? How long before the clones moved in to ravage the planet in pursuit of natural resources, before they built yet another cloning facility of shipyard? Was it worth the risk?

"I understand," Padmé said slowly, and in an instant, her mind was made up, "Yes, yes I will".

Bail clapped his hands together, beaming.

"Excellent, I will leave details with you captain," Bail bowed, his face shining, "Thank you mi lady, you have made the right decision".

Padmé merely smiled, hoping against hope that Senator Organa was right.

Padmé climbed aboard her transport, sitting herself beside her trusted hand maiden, Dormé, a grim look upon her face. Her eyes drifted to Captain Typho, who was talking with Bail, and her grimace hardened.

"Mi lady? Are you alright?"

Padmé turned towards the concerned face of Dormé, and sighed.

"I think I may have put Naboo in great danger, Dormé," she sighed, twisting her hands together nervously.

Dormé chewed her lip, and adopted and apologetic look. She took on of Padmé's hands, and squeezed it.

"Whatever decision you have made, mi lady, I assure you it will be for the better of Naboo," the dark haired woman smiled kindly, and gave Padmé's hand another squeeze.

"How can you be so sure?" asked Padmé, a hint of desperation in her voice. Dormé, once again, merely smiled.

"Because you're Padmé Naberrie, mi lady, and whatever decisions you make, I know they are for the greater good. I have faith".

Padmé inhaled slowly, and closed her eyes.

If only she could be as sure as Dormé.

~*~

Padmé shifted a little in her seat, as she watched several senators file into Bail Organa's apartment. It saddened her that the rebellion had such little support, but maybe, in time, their numbers would be greater. But right now, her nerves were getting the better of her, and the knowledge of what she was getting both herself and Naboo into was beginning to take its toll.

Her worrying thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a deep, calming voice, that of Senator Organa.

"Thank you, senators, for joining me," he began, his dark eyes surveying the twenty or so people sitting before him, "As you may, or may not know, before the formation of the Galactic Empire, a delegation of 2000 senators, including many of you here, petitioned against Chancellor Palpatine's role within the senate."

His face saddened, and Padmé felt a rush of pity towards the man as he continued, "It saddens me greatly, that many of the senators who were involved, were ruthlessly assassinated during the early years of the Empire....we speak freely here, my friends, we all know who assassinated them, and why," he finished passionately.

Several senators nodded approvingly, and some even went so far as to applaud him. Padmé felt a rush of respect towards the senator from Alderaan, and quickly joined in the applause. Bail inclined his head in gratitude.

"For the past fifteen years, Senator Mon Mothma and I have both begun and lead the rebellion. Though it is small now, I have every confidence that we will continue to grow, and someday, we will be strong enough to restore peace and justice to the galaxy".

The senators applauded again, and Padmé's eyes shone with pride, to be included in such an establishment. Her worries disappeared. This was not just a rebellion; it was a beacon of hope. It was not a lost cause.

"I need to know that I am not alone in this thought....that my beliefs are not farfetched, senators, can I count on your support? Many of you here today are new, have just begun your careers. But I urge you to give the support of your planets. The time has come to step up out cause, to put into action that which we have strived for".

"I will contact Queen Apailana immediately, you will have the support of Naboo," announced Padmé before she could stop herself. She had to help...she wanted to.

"You have the backing of Feenix," boomed Senator Tanner Cadaman.

"Corellia and our shipyards are at your disposal, senator as always," called senator Garm Bel Iblis, his hardened eyes softening. Every other senator in the room voiced their agreement, much to Padmé's joy.

"Thank you....senators, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me...how much this will affect the fate of the galaxy," professed Bail.

The senators began to cheer again, and Bail inclined his head once more. Padmé bit her lip, and applauded loudly. Naboo may be in danger, but wasn't every planet? If she could help bring security to her home, to the galaxy...it was worth the risk.

~*~

Padmé sank wearily into a large, squashy couch in the living area of her new apartment. She'd had a very tiring day, sifting through tedious reports, answering calls that had no real relevance to her job. All she could think about was her meeting with Bail. She'd admired the rebellion for a long time, and often had lengthy discussions about it with former senator Palo Reverie.

She felt her throat constrict at the name of her predecessor, and good friend, or he was one of the unfortunate senators to fall to assassination, courtesy of the empire.

"Things will get better...." she whispered to herself, "Peace will return".

She gazed out of the large window running the entire length of a wall, sighing.

She narrowed her eyes a little. She could have sworn she saw one of the stars blink at her.

A/N: And there we have it folks, chapter two :) Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I think I managed to reply to everyone, if I didn't, just let me know. I'm still rather swamped with work, so please don't take any personal offense if I didn't manage to get back to you. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please read and review if you have the time :)

Luthien ~