Note 3
Senator
Palpatine of Naboo,
Queen Amidala has been writing to me often, telling of the events that have happened so far. Perhaps you are unaware? You might be wondering why she has written to me…well I wrote to her first, expressing my concerns. I dislike seeing injustice, and I knew she was a young Queen. Wasn't she recently elected?
It is under my understanding that the Supreme Chancellor already sent two ambassadors…two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. As soon as the Jedi got to the Droid Control ship, the Trade Federation leaders tried to kill them, but the Jedi escaped and made it down to the planet. There, they rescued Amidala and asked her to go to Coruscant. The queen accepted this, but while they were leaving the planet, their ship was damaged in battle, and their hyperdrive was severely damaged. They had to land on a planet called Tatooine. Because Tatooine is not owned by the Republic (It's owned by the Maurders, the Hutts, to be more specific.)Republic credits did not work. They had plenty of them, but they needed Maurder money to buy the parts they needed. Amidala met a little boy by the name of Anakin Skywalker who said he'd enter a pod race for them to win them the money they need so they can buy the new hyperdrive.
Amidala has written to me about it, and I trust her. As far as I know, they are still on Tatooine. Have you heard anything from them recently? As her Senator, I would have thought she would have contacted you first, but perhaps she thought you were already very busy with Senate related things.
As soon as they get their hyperdrive replaced, I'm sure they'll come here. I've heard great things about Queen Amidala. You are very lucky to have her as the ruler of your planet. I do have to wonder though…it must have been hard for her to get elected, at such a young age.
I suppose there is nothing you can really do, or any of us, until they get here. Maybe we should prepare for her arrival, and contact Supreme Chancellor Valorum. Maybe he can arrange for a special session of the Senate to hear the Naboo case. That's the only thing that I can think of…but I'm not the best with ideas.
And Senator, I must say that you have stayed very levelheaded about this situation. I commend you for staying so strong and positive throughout your planet's situation. What has the Republic come to? A person would think that an ably bodied group, such as ourselves, would be able to decisively take action against the Trade Federation without having to concern ourselves with legal precedents. From a moral standpoint, isn't it obvious that Naboo is being exploited by a greedy group of money hungry individuals?
I have never seen the Senate in so much uproar over any one issues before. True, we are not known for taking action quickly, but something is seriously wrong with the system if so much legal debate is occurring. How can this situation be legally in the right?
You say that the actions by the Trade Federation appear to be legal. How is that possible? What laws make such treatment of a people legal? Can the Republic have fallen so low? I am afraid that if we do not make some serious changes, the Republic will be lost.
Do you know Senator Correon Knightly? He and I have been discussing this, and it is our opinion that a group should be formed to try to reform the Senate. We only have so many ideas, and ideas without support will get us nowhere. We need to get a solid, committed group of Senators together, and then maybe changes can be made.
Well, I have responsibilities towards my own planet, Alderaan, though it is fairly quiet right now. I also have responsibilities to my wife and friends, as well as to this new committee that Senator Correon and I are trying to begin. However, I am not a busy man right now, at least not compared to some Senators. It would be my pleasure to aid you and your people out as best as I can. Just let me know what my staff and I could do for you. We could look at a specific type of legal precedent, or we could look at an entirely different area for you. My staff and I will gladly assist you. After all, we are all Senators in the same Republic. We have to start working as a team. This is something that I am hoping my proposed committee will encourage. One Senator and his team should not have to carry this burden alone. If we get several Senators together working on the same project, maybe we could get passed all of this bogged down business.
As for helping me, I would appreciate it if you would spread my idea about the reform committee. This idea lays heavily on my heart. It is my passion right now to see this Senate more functional.
I wish you the best.
Senator Bail Antilles, Alderaan
