Chapter 7
Four starships skimmed past the greatest skyscrapers of Coruscant the pilots were weaving in and out of the high amber structures, artificial stalagmites rising higher and higher over the years, and now obscuring the natural formations of the planets unlike anywhere else in the known galaxy.
The ships landed on the platform and two pilots got out of the ships and began walking towards the larger cruiser that they hand been protection.
" We made it, I guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all." Captain Typho said as his fellow pilot walked up next to him.
" There is always danger Captain, sometimes we're just lucky enough to avoid it." The pilot responded.
As the two pilots came closer to the cruiser, the Captain of security noticed that the ramp was down and two Naboo guards came down the ramp with blasters in their hands.
The next person to come down the ramp was the new Senator's aide, and behind him was the new personal assinoate also started coming down the ramp and before anyone knew it, chaos erupted.
Typho found himself laying face down on the platform, he had been thrown to the ground by a tremendous blast.
The other pilot found himself down on the permacrete he raised to head up and looked around and to his shock he saw everyone laying on the ground, he slowly got up and looked over to the cruiser and noticed that his best friend and cousin was laying at the bottom of the ramp.
The fighter pilot dropped to one knows beside the fallen man. He pulled off his helmet from his head and let the dying person see his face.
" Senator, come the danger has not passed!" Typho yelled.
Anakin waved the Captain back furiously, as he lowered himself closer to his fallen friend.
" Ritchyrd." he said quietly, his voice breaking Anakin gathered Ritchyrd up in his arms, hugging him gently.
" I'm sorry Ani, I'm . . . not sure I . . . I 've failed you." he gasped, struggling for air with every word, as he laid there staring at Anakin.
" No! No, no, no!" Anakin insisted.
Anakin felt Ritchyrd relax suddenly, as he died in Anakin's arms.
" Ritchyrd!" Anakin cried as he hugged his friend close rocking back and forth denying this awful reality.
" Sir you are still in danger!" Typho declared, trying to sound sympathetic, but with a clear sense of urgency in his voice.
After a few moments of agrueing with the thoughts of leaving his cousin laying there he realized that what the Captain was saying was correct, he must do his duty, and that was to stop the new act that was up to be voted on in the Senate.
They went into the building and needed to know where the late Senator's office was located.
" Good afternoon may I help you?" the security guard came running into the room.
" I'm the new Senator who is taking the late Senator from Naboo." Anakin said as he could see shock on the man's face.
" Um . . . yes sir, but the new Senator is . . . " the guard began to say.
" Dead, no I assure you am very much alive, and the people who are laying all over the platform are my staff members." Anakin said as he saw a few more members of Security team rushed out to the platform.
" Thank goodness, I was told to show you to your office." the young guard reached down and took the key card from the office box slot.
" Ok . . . um . . . I will need to hire a whole new staff." Anakin mumbled to himself as the guard headed for the turbo-lift.
" I know the late Senator's aide is here, but at the moment he is in the Senate meeting recording it for you." the guard motion for Anakin and Typho to get onto the lift, then he gets on.
" I see, but the personal assistant that was traveling with me was the late Senator's, but he was killed, along with my personal aide." Anakin said as the doors closed.
" I'm sorry to hear about their deaths am sure Douglys would not mind doing both jobs until you can get a new aide. Ok well your office is on the second floor and it is down the hall from the Chancellor's office and you are in the luck to be one of a few Senators that have windows." the guard said as the lift stopped and the doors opened up.
The stepped off the lift and turned to the right and began heading down the hallway.
" Ok here we are, and if you go down six more doors you will come to the Chancellor's office." the guard stopped in front of the door and slid the key card through the lock.
They walked into the room and the first thing they heard was the sound of water.
Anakin looked over to the right side of the receiving room and there was a small waterfall.
" That is beautiful, reminds of home." Anakin walked over to the small pond and the waterfall.
" The late Senator had that put in the first week of his first term, and there is another one in his office, which is right through those double doors." the guard motion to the doors.
Anakin went to the doors and opened them up and walked into the office.
" Wow this room is beautiful, and I like how the light and dark woods go together so well, and there is the Jedi Temple." Anakin said going over to the window and looking out and he noticed that he could see the Jedi Temple.
"Yes sir, and when Douglys comes back he can give you the keys to your apartments, if you need anything just give me a buzz." the guard said.
"Um . . . sure . . . what is your name?" Anakin asked as he turned away from the window.
" Oh sorry my name is Quin." the young guard said.
" I will Quin, I have a couple of things that I need to finish going over." Anakin said as he sat down behind his new desk.
Quin nodded his head before he turned and walked out of the offices and went back to his station.
" I will wait in the other room, if you need anything." Typho said as he watch Anakin turn on his holo-screen.
" Ok thanks, oh would you see about for me is seeing the Chancellor as soon as possible." Anakin said as he looked up at the Security officer.
" Yes sir." Typho nodded before leaving the room and going across the receiving office to another room which turned out to be his office.
Two hours later Anakin and Typho and a couple of security officers that survived the explosion showed up to the Chancellor's office.
Anakin came into the room as the meeting with the Jedi was breaking up.
And it was then Anakin saw two of the Jedi Masters that he remember from ten years ago.
" With you, the Force is strong, young Senator. Your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. To see you alive brings warm feeling to my heart." the Jedi Master Yoda told him.
" Thank you, Master Yoda. Do you have any idea who was behind these attack?" Anakin asked his question had everyone in the room turning to regard him and Yoda's directly.
" Senator, we have nothing definitive, but our intelligence points to disgruntle spice miners on the moons of Naboo." Mace Windu cleared his throat and stepped forward.
" I do not wish to disagree, but I think that Count Dooku was behind it." Anakin said.
And this statement caused a stir of surprised ripped about the room, and the four Jedi Masters exchanged looks that ranged from astonishment to disapproved.
" You know, sir Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He wouldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his character." Mace said in his resonant calm voice.
" In dark times, nothing in what is appears to be, but the fact remains, Senator, in grave danger you are." Master Yoda remarked.
" Master Jedi may I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces?" Supreme Chancellor Palpatine said as he walked over to the window, and staring out at the Coruscant sunset.
" Chancellor, if I may comment. I do not believe the . . . " Anakin started to say.
" The situation is very serious, no but I do Senator." Palpatine turned and looked at Anakin.
" Chancellor, please! I do not want any more guards!" Anakin pleaded with the Chancellor.
" I realized all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you are familiar with, an old friend. " Palpatine began and he had idea that could be and acceptable compromise.
" Ok fine." Anakin gave in.
The Jedi Master told him that he would send him the Jedi Master who had he had in mind to him in the morning.
Anakin nodded and the meeting ended and everyone left the office and went their separate ways.
" Well it is not time to see your new place." Typho said as they headed down the hallway to Anakin's office.
" That sounds great am so ready to get some sleep." Anakin said as they walked into the office and saw Douglys waiting for them.
" Good evening sir am Douglys, and I'm sorry to hear about your staff, and am here for you if you need stuff to get done." the Aide said getting up from his desk.
" Hello Douglys and please call me Anakin, and thank you, what I would like now is the keys to my apartments." Anakin said.
" Sure and if you like I can take you there." Douglys said grabbing the key.
Anakin nodded, and the Aide led them out of the office and they headed off to 500 Republica.
Once at the building the Aide takes them to the penthouse apartments.
An hour later after looking around the apartment Anakin finally headed for the bedroom, he went over to the bed and climbed into it, and after he laid down he fell sound asleep.