Ello peoples! I know that the cliff hanger I threw at you was not very nice, so I'll make it up to you! Here's chapter 4! ;)
The Queen's eyes widened as she quickly ducked the shot that should've gone straight through her head. The Rodian roared in anger when he saw that he had missed and flung himself at her.
Everyone rushed forward, the jedi with lightsabers raised, the handmaidens with pistols out, and Captain Panaka with his blaster at the ready, yet none were quick enough. The Rodian got the Queen into a headlock and held his blaster to her temple. "All of you back," he threatened in a gruff voice, "or else the Queen gets a blaster bolt to the brain!" Padmé gasped and everyone appeared to be a little more hesitant.
Padmé looked to the Queen and saw a strange look of complete serenity on her heart-shaped face. This confused the Senator, and for a moment, she didn't know what to think of it. Then, the Queen spoke up. "Wow. How very manly of you. Holding a defenseless girl hostage. A girl who just so happens to be the leader of Naboo." The answer she got from the middle-aged Rodian was a slightly tighter hold on her neck. "I am sure that your payers will be very pleased that you were able to kill such an innocent being such as myself."
"Yes." the Rodian replied, "They will. The separatists are paying a hefty sum for me to kill you. Enough for me to get a whole Republic Fleet if I wanted to." An evil grin crossed the alien's face as he spoke those words. The Queen slightly smiled, but then her face turned back to calm and impassive.
"Well, I'm sure that some people can do business with a simple battledroid-" she began, yet was interrupted by the Rodian,
"Hey, who do you think does business with a bunch of stupid, useless battledroids?" he exclaimed harshly as he tightened his grip even more upon the Queen, "I was in contact with someone much more important than some useless battledroids! In fact, I was in contact with the one that is in charge of the entire war effort and the Separatists! Count Dooku!" Padmé inhaled a deep breath at this given information. The Queen had gotten the Rodian bounty hunter to give unknown information about the one person that was in charge of the entire war effort!
The Queen smiled the moment the Rodian slipped up and said, "Thank you for the given information." She then elbowed him hard in the stomach. His blaster fired up towards the ceiling and left a black scuff mark on the polished, white, marble. She performed a perfectly executed roundoff kick and sent him tumbling to the floor. She stepped back as two palace guards took the unarmed bounty hunter away. Captain Panaka then led the Queen out of the room, the principle handmaidens in tow.
Once they exited the room, it left the leaders including Governor Bibble, the Senator, and the jedi alone to ponder what they had just saw.
"This is very interesting. Very interesting." Obi Wan said as he stroked his ginger beard while everyone else remained completely silent. The long minutes stretched on long and silently as everyone hardly even breathed, much less talked. Ten minutes must have passed by before the doors swung open to reveal Captain Panaka as he strode into the quiet throne room.
"Leaders," his voice boomed, "I ask that you all leave for the day. I have already assigned escorts to take you all back to your homes in Theed." They nodded and slowly filed out until there was no one but the jedi and the senator in the room. "Jedi, and Senator," he addressed them respectively, "I have the entire palace on lock down. No one can get in or out with out permission."
"Thank you, Captain Panaka." Obi Wan said.
The Captain nodded, and then said, "I'd also like to take you all to Queen Amidala. There is much to discuss." Everyone agreed and then took off in the direction of the Queen's chambers. Little was said in those few minutes before they arrived at the door. The Captain knocked, and was let in by Eirataé. The jedi and Senator took seats while The Captain stood off to the side.
Just then the Queen emerged from the other side of the room with Dormé and Anali. She wore a silky blue dress lined with pearls. Half of her hair was braided and pinned up upon the top of her head, while the second layer of hair was permitted to flow freely down her back in shiny, thick, brown, curls. She wore simple, ballet flats on her feet which showed how short she truly was. Her face paint was washed away to reveal the slightly darker skin tone that most Nabooian people had, yet slightly pale from her illness.
"Captain, Senator, jedi." she spoke in her regal tone.
"It's alright my Queen," the Captain stated, kneeling down next to her, "It's only us." She nodded and cleared her throat before speaking again, yet this time in a fragile croak,
"What is it?" Padmé sighed before taking the Queen's cold hand.
"In the interest of everyone's safety, we think it'd be best for you to come to the capital with us. Then you could plead with the Senate to have clone troopers be deployed as reinforcements before the Separatist armies arrive."
"No!" she croaked out immediately, "My people need me here in Theed. They need their ruler to deliver them."
"Exactly, but I believe the only way is to plead with the Senate to take action and to do so as soon as possible." Obi Wan stated.
"I will not have those clones tromping upon our peaceful lands." she said as she crossed her arms stubbornly across her chest. "We are a peaceful people, or has that already been forgotten?"
"I understand, my Queen, but you will need to stop the Trade Federation, which is also a main threat to you at the moment."
"I understand yet I will not leave my people here."
"Governor Bibble is a good leader and will be able to keep things well under control." Captain Panaka replied.
"If you are to leave, your highness, it must be soon." Obi Wan said comfortingly.
The Queen appeared to be in deep thought for a moment, but then reluctantly agreed. "Alright," she said hoarsely, "I'll plead our case to the Senate."
"Okay." Anakin said, "We leave first thing tomorrow morning." The Queen nodded and then said,
"You are all dismissed. Goodnight." and with that, Dormé led her back into her chambers to get ready for bed, Anali, Saché, Rabé, and Eirataé following close behind.
K guys! You know what I want from you all! Please review! It helps me a lot! I'll update as soon as the next chapter is ready!
-braveryx11:p