A/N: So sorry about the little wait between updates. I haven't had the luxury of time to myself this past week. Here's hoping most of you are still hanging around to read this next little bit. :P As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!
Hyperspace
J-type Nubian Star Skiff
Hangar 15B, The Resolute
130000
"Final flight checks complete," Anakin said. "How's that nav computing coming?"
His former Master toggled the screens on the co-pilot side of the command console until the hyperdrive calculations appeared.
"Eighty-eight percent and climbing," Obi-Wan responded.
"Then let's get this party started, shall we?"
Anakin thumbed the star skiff's intercom.
"Senators, please be seated for imminent departure." He glanced over his shoulder towards the Tholothian standing in the cockpit entryway. "You too, Master."
"If you don't take this ship out like a Pod, she shouldn't have to, Anakin," Obi-Wan warned, though there was a slight edge to his voice that gave Anakin a moment of pause.
"There's no fun in that," Anakin grouched. He powered up the engines to standby, his hands buzzing with the content purr of the revamping they had received yesterday. Anakin had to work to contain the bolt of excitement that shot through him. In his mind's eye, he could see his wife's warning but wry smile.
"All right, all right," he said, more to her than Obi-Wan. His gloved hand reached to open a channel to hail The Resolute.
"Resolute, this is General Skywalker aboard the Nebula Sunrise. All flight checks and plans are complete…"
"Or about complete…" Obi-Wan scoffed at the white lie. "Always on the move."
Anakin's grin widened, though his tone remained professional and commanding.
"Requesting clearance from Hangar 15B at your leisure. All troops clear from the bay."
"Copy that, General Skywalker. Dropping hangar shields in five. You may proceed to depart using trajectory course Delta-Echo-5476. It's been a pleasure, sir."
"Thank you, Admiral. Skywalker out."
As the comm channel closed, Anakin eased the magnificent starship out of stand-by and began retracting the tri-pod landing gear. A quick few taps of the primary pilot console and Anakin had coasted the ship out of the hangar. Quickly, he fired the sub-light engines cutting through space on the set course to steer them clear of the Resolute.
"Was that easy enough for you, Master?" Anakin asked, trying to contain the twitch in his fingers to snap the ship into a barrel roll in front of the Resolute's bridge. Undoubtedly, the clones would find the humor in his mock salute, though he couldn't say the same for his traveling companions.
"Your restraint is commendable," Obi-Wan replied, then added in a much lower tone, "Though I'll be more at ease when we're safely in hyperspace."
A soft chime signaled the navigation computer had finished calculating hyperspace coordinates for the three-hour trip to Spira.
"I'll let the Senators know we're ready to jump," Master Gallia said.
Having completely forgotten about Master Gallia, Anakin turned to see her eyes dart amused between her two comrades, and he felt a flash of embarrassment at having let his guard down around the reserved Master. Just as quickly as it came, the emotion was gone, as was Master Gallia from the cockpit.
A silence fell over the two Jedi, comfortable and yet, Anakin felt a slight urgency zipping between them. It was almost there was something Obi-Wan wanted to say, but wasn't sure how best to approach the subject. As Anakin piloted the star skiff to the origin of their hyperspace flight path, he tried to be patient and let Obi-Wan break the still of the cockpit. Eventually, as it had done many times before, Anakin's patience dried up.
"What is it?"
Obi-Wan turned his chair, his brow pinching together in concentration, and faced his former apprentice.
"I'm truly sorry for the situation you and Padmé have been put in," Obi-Wan said.
Suddenly all the jumbled energy in their bond made sense to Anakin. Of course Obi-Wan would have ongoing concerns about this, Anakin thought. He knew has Master had been leary of letting him escort Padmé back to Naboo, and had been just as suspicious when he returned fully centered and lighter in the Force than when he departed. Anakin had to work hard to control his expression when the memory of that beautiful evening resurfaced, clamping down on the wave of emotions that threatened to rise with it.
"I understand how incredibly difficult this must be for the two of you," Obi-Wan was saying.
"It isn't without its difficulties," Anakin said, feeling the truth was actually his ally. If Obi-Wan wanted honest, he was about to get pretty close to it. Hiding in plain sight, just as Padmé had said. "But I think she and I came to a satisfactory and mutual agreement on how to handle our past with the present. Really, Obi-Wan, everything's fine."
Obi-Wan studied Anakin and while he didn't appear entirely convinced, he knew well enough when not to push.
"Well, whatever you discussed changed her mood completely," Obi-Wan said. "I thought I was going to be the first Jedi Master to be assassinated by a Senator's glare. Those looks that woman can give are lethal."
And don't I know it, Anakin thought to himself.
"Actually, I didn't discuss anything with her."
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in puzzlement.
"You see that's your fatal flaw when dealing with politicians, Master," Anakin continued. "Discussion is their arena. But throw in a little charm, and they come apart at the seams."
Anakin grinned knowingly, and Obi-Wan shook his head in mock annoyance, catching on to the ruse.
"So you charmed her into a better mood, is that it?" Obi-Wan said.
Well that's one way to put it, Anakin thought. Instead he said, "You should try it next time. A little bit of charm goes a long way."
Master Gallia's voice broke in over his personal comlink.
"We're all set down here, Anakin."
Anakin fixed Obi-Wan with a wry smile. "Let this be your first lesson, Obi-Wan." He reached for the intercom.
"Honorable representatives of the Republic, this is your faithful Captain Skywalker speaking. We are prepared to make the jump to hyperspace, so if you'll please find your seats, we'll be on our way to Spira momentarily. If at any time, you find yourself in need of refreshments or a friendly chat during this flight, my co-captain Kenobi will be happy to oblige. Welcome aboard."
As Anakin punched the hyperdrive and the ship's engines climbed to maximum power, Obi-Wan shook his head in mock aggravation.
"Charm indeed," he chuckled.
Hyperspace
The Nebula Sunrise
Main Common Room
153043
Bail hid his face in his hands and sighed heavily.
"What about re-structuring trade route taxation to a fixed rate?" Senator Eekway asked. The youngest of the five, she was determined to fight the dwindling resolve around the table by injecting her own youthful enthusiasm until there was nothing left.
"While sound in theory, one fixed rate would never level the playing field against the Trade Federation or Commerce Guild," Mon Mothma replied. "Set the tax too low and we can't effectively regulate the larger players. Set it too high, well…"
"Then we are dealing with another Naboo," Padmé said. She sighed, mirroring Bail's own fatigue.
A pensive hush fell over the group. Bail wasn't sure how much longer he or any of his colleagues could take of this pointless conjecture. Sure, he agreed with brainstorming some kind of strategy for the upcoming meeting, but in order to negotiate, the other party needed to present a framework to negotiate in.
"Either way, some form of taxation has to remain," Senator Zar concluded.
"Agreed," Mothma said. "We're going to need the extra money even more now that the war budget has been augmented."
Bail felt several pairs of reproachful eyes glance quickly to the Senator on his right.
"I'm not going to apologize for my stance on the appropriations bill," Padmé said, pinching the bridge of her nose against some unseen headache.
"How can you call yourself a pacifist and then push for such a budget increase?" Senator Zar asked, his fist pounding the table once in frustration.
"Being a Loyalist does not intrinsically make one a pacifist. I'm not blind to the needs of the Jedi," Padmé snapped, defensively, then added, almost as an afterthought. "Or our troops."
Two days ago, her rationale would have shocked Bail. After his search yesterday with Minala, he only felt pangs of empathy and worry for his longtime friend.
"It's just not like you, Padmé," Mon said, her expression soft and warm.
Padmé started to speak, but Bail decided his own opinion may be of more help.
"Senators, please," he said, trying for civility as passions rose. "This squabbling is exactly one of the reasons the Separatists love to cite in their argument of our failing democracy." He gestured to Padmé. "After reviewing the latest warfront updates and reports, I tend to find myself agreeing with Senator Amidala's position. This war cannot certainly be ended, much less won, if we hamstring our forces with outdated equipment and lackluster funding."
Again disquiet settled across the room, though not for long as Master Gallia poked her head into the room.
"Senator Amidala, we are approaching our arrival vector to Spira."
"Very well," Padmé said, rising.
Bail did not miss the puzzled glance she threw his direction as she left.
Pausing around the corner, Padmé closed her eyes and slowly massaged her temples. Her head pounded from the past hour of strategizing, if one could even call it that. She knew that sooner or later she would have to face the repercussions of her most unorthodox vote, but she had hoped she would have been afforded a little more time. At least Bail seems to have had a change of heart, she thought, bemused.
"Are you all right, Senator?"
Padmé dropped her hands and suppressed the urge to sigh loudly.
"Yes, Master Gallia," she said quickly, smoothing her features into a more pleasant expression. "Only feeling a little hen-pecked."
The Jedi Master smiled warmly at her, a look of sympathy in her brown eyes. "I often feel the same after some our Council meetings." Reaching out, she gently squeezed Padmé's shoulder. "Don't fret, Senator. The Jedi are most humbled for your ongoing support."
Padmé could only return her smile, albeit a little unnerved that Adi Gallia was aware of her vehement championing in favor of the Jedi. If Master Gallia felt her unease, she didn't show it.
"Would you like me to escort you?"
"Oh, no thank you," Padmé said, blinking and shaking her head. "I know my way very well around this ship."
"As you wish, Senator."
Adi bowed politely, and then turned leaving Padmé alone.
Almost immediately, the pounding in her head returned. Groaning softly, she did the only thing she knew would ease her pain. She set off to find Anakin. Her feet navigated the few twists and turns with practiced ease, and for once, Padmé wished she were aboard a cruiser that she wasn't so intimately familiar with. Her attentions would be forced on finding her destination, and not contemplating her colleague from Alderaan. Only two days ago, she had practically cowered from his fury radiating at her from across the Senate chamber. And now, he was defending her stance? Padmé felt something nasty turn in her stomach.
Halfway into the cockpit, Padmé stopped mid-stride her mouth agape, all troubling thoughts of politics dissolving when her eyes found her husband.
"I know," Anakin said sullenly. "I look ridiculous."
Slowly, she approached her husband until she stood before him, still at a loss for words. Gone were his Jedi robes, replaced for a casual Naboo outfit, and his light sun-streaked blond hair, now dyed a deep midnight brown. It made his eyes a brilliant blue, like echoes of the swirling hyperspace backlighting him through the forward viewports. Turning to ensure she was indeed alone, Padmé ran her fingers through its moderate length and marveled at the sudden warmth in her belly.
"I think it suits you," she said.
Anakin's eyes darkened at her breathy tone.
"It does?" he encouraged, pulling her to stand between his legs.
Padmé nodded down at him, a faint smile on her lips.
"I think it makes you look dangerous," she whispered.
He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to gauge her sincerity.
"Well I will be dangerous if it doesn't wash out."
Laughing lightly, Padmé stood up straight, her hand ruffling his hair affectionately. "I'll help you get it out."
As the nav computer signaled to revert to sublight engines, Anakin smirked at her while she found her seat in the co-pilot's chair.
"Oh I imagine you will," he said.
Padmé smirked right back at him, though she wasn't entirely sure that the sudden plummeting sensation she felt was entirely attributable to the drop from hyperspace.
Just off the starboard side, Spira sat before them, a blue and white orb floating in dense black. As Anakin steered the starship toward the planet, she began to make out the individual swirls of the clouds in the planet's atmosphere. Small patches of green started to segregate themselves from the wide swaths of blue.
A soft chime interrupted the stillness of the cockpit, the transmission beacon pulsing a muted red light.
"Ready?" Anakin asked, his tone more serious now.
Padmé inhaled once deeply, and then blew out her breath in a rush.
"Ready."
Anakin received the incoming hail with the flick of a switch. A figure of a humanoid female appeared on the holopad.
"Civilian cruiser Registration Eight-four-one-one-three-eight-seven-dash-six. Please identify all passengers onboard and state reason for travel."
Controlling her urge to wince, Padmé squared her shoulders. Sorry, Sis.
"This is Sola Janren accompanied by Darred Janren, with intent to vacation at Hideaway Bay," Padmé said, nodding to Anakin who forwarded the customs port their travel documents. "Landing permits transmitting now."
There was a moment of silence, one that made Padmé's heart flutter nervously. Anakin's mind gently touched hers with calming thoughts.
"Sola Janren," the customs agent said. She looked at something in her hand and scrutinized Padmé momentarily, before turning and addressing Anakin. "Darred Janren." She considered Anakin a little longer than Padmé felt was necessary, and for a second, her heart dropped into her stomach.
Anakin shifted in his seat, turning his body slightly away to hide the scar of his right eye. She watched him flash the agent his most winning smile. The agent suddenly ducked her gaze, fumbling with some documents out of the holotransmitter's range.
"Your landing permits have been verified," she said, finding her professionalism again. "Please disengage your autopilot and prepare for final approach vectors and landing coordinates. You may proceed on the authorized course and only the authorized course. No boarding is necessary at this time. Welcome to Spira, Mr. and Mrs. Janren."
"Thank you," Padmé said quietly.
Anakin closed the channel.
"Your nerves are like Tatooine jumping beans," he said, teasing. "You were starting to make me nervous."
Her returning frown made it evident that Padmé did not find his humor amusing.
"I don't like how long she took verifying our identities," Padmé snapped, her anxiety making her irritable. "We were close to being recognized."
"Hey," Anakin said, reaching over to lightly grasp her arm. "No one recognized us. In fact, that was way easier than I had anticipated. If she had asked for our reservations, that would have been a little more difficult to explain," he acknowledged, raising a hand when Padmé started to respond. "But she didn't and look, here are the landing instructions right now."
A long string of coordinates flashed across the navigation computer's interface. Anakin quickly queued them into the starship's autopilot and re-engaged the system. He came round to face her, pulling her to her feet.
"Everything's going to be all right."
Padmé resisted his embrace for only a moment, before allowing herself to be wrapped in his strong arms. She inhaled deeply, her nose filling with his comforting scent. Her muscles practically uncoiled on their own volition.
"I know," she whispered. "I just have a bad feeling about this."
Spira
Hideaway Bay Resort & Spa
Main Entrance Lobby, Palm Grotto
174722
Zed's comm buzzed in his pocket, making him jump at the sudden intrusion in his train of thought.
"What?" he growled.
"Mr. Wyatt?" a distinctly feminine voice asked.
"Yes, this is he. What?"
"Sir, I have some good news."
"And?"
"Did you transfer the credits we discussed?"
Zed rolled his eyes and tapped a few quick strokes on his datapad. A bank transfer statement opened with a flashing prompt:
CONFIRM
He hesitated before entering the affirmative. This agent had nothing to gain by stringing him along, he decided. Zed had promised her payment, either way.
"They should be hitting your account as we speak. What's the news?"
There was a moment of pause in the conversation, though he thought he could hear keystrokes in the faint background buzz. He didn't have to wonder what she was doing. He would have verified the transaction before spilling the goods himself. Too bad, she was a customs agent, because she could make one hell of a journalist.
"Senator Amidala has just passed through customs," the voice said, her tone much more pleasant no doubt after seeing the small sum in her name.
"And her companion?" he pressed.
"Also traveling under a false identity," she said. "Male human, I'd guess early to mid-twenties, dark hair, light eyes. He looked vaguely familiar…"
"How so?" Zed prompted. If he wasn't holed up outside the lobby of Hideaway Bay under a Spiran parlor palm, he would have been on the edge of his seat.
"He reminded me of someone. I'm sorry, I can't think of who."
Zed sighed, frustrated. Well at least, he had confirmation of a male companion and the Senator herself. That piece of information alone while not career-changing was definitely worth a few credits to some of the tabloids. Not so much a spinster as we all may have thought, Senator. He allowed himself that small victory.
"Very well. Remember, not a word of this to anyone."
He heard her scoff.
"As if I could tell and keep my job. Some of us don't like planet-hopping."
The comm signed off, but Zed's feelings were not the least bit hurt. He'd been called much worse.
Brushing the dirt off his hands, he lifted his binoculars to recalibrate the distance from his hideout to main desk. Several native Spirans milled about, steadily focused on their work. Once set, he let himself smile, his mind already entertaining a multitude of possibilities.
"Senator Amidala sneaking all around," he hummed to himself. "Who for a lover have you found?"
~Fin