Chapter Two

"Bail, come on. Give me something I can sink my teeth into. If I have to report on one more latest fashion trend from Alderaan, I swear I'll...I'll quit!"

"No, you won't."

"Wait and see." Padme Amidala, all five feet, three inches, stood her full height, crossing her arms as a show of determination.

Her superior, Bail Organa -- chief manager of Holonet-25 Broadcast, wasn't fooled. He casually leaned back and smiled broadly. "And what do you think you'll do for a living?"

"I don't know. Maybe go into politics," Padme joked, although now that she admitted it, becoming a politician didn't seem like such a bad idea. There were parts of Galactic City she'd sure like to clean up.

"You, a politician. That'll be the day."

"Give me a chance, Bail. You won't regret it."

Padme was leaning over his desk, her brown eyes wide and pleading. "I shouldn't be doing this," he admitted with a sigh while reaching into a drawer. "Your parents made me swear you wouldn't get into any trouble. Here."

Padme held her hand out and received a large, yellow envelope. Inside were three photos and one datadisk. She didn't recognize any of the men, but knew the last photo was of a Hutt -- a race of gangsters who were forbidden inside the Galaxy Core.

"That's Gardulla the Hutt and two of her henchmen, Boelo and Naroon Cuthus. These shots were taken in the Lowers."

"A Hutt, here? In Galactic City?"

"I want you to find out why and how they managed to get past security. When you do, bring the information back to me. Don't cross paths with them, Padme. They're dangerous."

"Will do, Bail. Thanks!"

Padme was beyond glowing when she scurried out of his office. Bail Organa could remember when he was that excited starting out in the business, but it was years ago. He only hoped Padme would keep her promise and for once, do as she was told. If anything were to happen to her, he'd never forgive himself.

_______________

Padme entered the lift to her office and slipped the datadisk into her comlink. A scratchy female voice began speaking. "Ten thousand! That's an insult! Twenty, no less."

"Listen, you mountainous glob, my Master is not willing to negotiate. The price is final. Take or leave it."

"If you weren't Sith, young man, I would have your carcass hanging on my wall."

"Then we have a deal?"

"Yes, yes. The shipment will arrive tomorrow. Meet me tomorrow night, our usual rendesvous. No tricks."

"No tricks."

Sith. Padme wasn't familiar with the term. Curious. Something to look up. What was more concerning, however, was the male voice. She recognized it from somewhere, but the recording wasn't very good quality, and there was a tremendous echo in the room. Still, she knew that voice.

"Good afternoon, Padme."

During her focused concentration, the lift had arrived and the doors opened. Her boyfriend, Anakin, stood in the hallway. His voice had startled her. "Sorry. I was lost in thought."

"Obviously. I apologize for startling you."

Padme brushed past the young man and entered her office, tossing the yellow envelope upon her desk.

"A new assignment?" Anakin asked, taking his usual seat on the uncomfortable blue couch Padme insisted on keeping.

"Yes, for once, a job extremely important." Padme tried to disguise her excitement, but knew she had failed.

"Wanna tell me about it?"

"Not yet. Let me look into a few things and I'll get back with you."

"How about getting back with me tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"I thought I'd come by and pick you up after work, maybe go eat at Sarela's."

"Sarela's? A bit pricey, isn't it?"

"Maybe, but this is a special date. There's something important I've been wanting to ask you."

Padme looked up from rearranging the mounds of datadisks piling up, surprised to discover Anakin had moved from the couch to sit on the corner of her desk. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief. She had only known him for a year, but could tell he was up to something. Perhaps, he was going to ask her on a holiday. Maybe to move in with him? No, surely not. He knew her better than that. She would never...

Oh dear. Was he going to ask her to marry him?

As sure as the thought crossed her mind, the corner of his mouth turned up and Padme's stomach dropped.

"Is that a yes?"

"Oh, uhm, okay."

Her less-than-enthusiastic answer didn't seem to bother Anakin. He left with a smile as Padme slumped into her desk chair with a frown.

She shook off the worry over their date and picked up the yellow envelope again. She had more important things to deal with than a potential, albeit unwanted marriage proposal.