Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling or George Lucas or Terry Brooks
Senate Arena - Coruscant - 32 BBY
Lily stood beside Bail Organa and Senator Antilles in the pod for Alderaan. A special session of Congress had beem called by Chancellor Valorum. He was acting in outrage of the actions of the Trade Federation. These actions had confused Lily, as Peter Pettigrew had never seemed the type to spark an invasion. She and James had discussed this strange trade embargo. James had wondered if the Sith were involved. Lily, knowing the Sith were the sworn enemies of the Jedi, did not know.
Valorum began to speak.
"The Chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo."
Naboo's pod moved forward and Senator Palpatine stepped to the front.
"Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the Senate," he said. "A tragedy has occurred on my homeworld of Naboo. We have become caught up in a dispute, one of which you are all well aware. It began with a taxation of trade routes and has evolved into an oppressive and lawless occupation of a peaceful world."
Lily seethed with rage. She could sympathize, of course. Alderaan was just as peaceful as Naboo, even more so, as they outlawed all weapons. Lily knew how she'd feel if Alderaan were invaded like this. What made her even more angry was that the Senate would probably react faster to Alderaan's occupation as it was a Core World and not a small out-of-the-way Mid Rim world like Naboo. She could feel for Palpatine and his young Queen.
She knew Bail felt the same, and thought what he'd do if he were in Amidala's position. They were both in agreement that the Senate needed a Chancellor stronger than Finis Valorum. The current Chancellor came from a wealthy Coruscanti family descended from the Chancellor that proposed the Ruusan Reformation millennia ago, but Finis Valorum lacked the skills of his ancester. She knew what needed to be done. But it would not sound the same coming from her. She hoped that Palpatine would propose it.
"The Trade Federation bears responsibility for this injustice and must be made to answer - "
But Palpatine was cut off by the indignant Senator Lott Dod.
"This is outrageous!" Dod cried. "I object to Senator Palpatine's ridiculous assertions and ask that he be silenced at once!"
Lily glared at the Neimoidian with Bail and Antilles. She couldn't believe Dod's excuses. The Federation committed a crime that was reported by young Padme Amidala early in the blockade.
"You would be a better Chancellor than Valorum, Senator," she said to Antilles.
"Ziro the Hutt would be a better Chancellor than Valorum," Antilles replied.
Lily knew he referred that he referred to the Desilijic crime lord who resided here looking over Jiliac's operation here. She laughed at the comparison, then returned her attention to Valorum.
"The Chair does not recognize the Senator from the Trade Federation at this time," he snapped. "Return to your station."
Once Dod retreated, Palpatine continued, "To state our allegations in full, I present Queen Amidala, the recently elected ruler of the Naboo, to speak on our behalf."
Palpatine sat back down, and the young teenage Queen got to her feet. Her actual youth was hidden by white paint on her face, long elaborate clothing, and a mark on her lip, symbolizing the Great Time of Peace that came apart during the reign of King Jafan.
Amidala's voice boomed through the Arena. "Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished delegates, and Supreme Chancellor Valorum. I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. In repudiation and violation of the laws of the Republic, . . . "
"Not to mention the decrees of the Ruusan Reformation," Lily muttered.
" . . . the Naboo have been invaded and subjugated by force by droid armies of the Trade Federation - "
Lily sighed, as Dod moved forward yet again in misplaced outrage.
"I object! This is nonsense! Where is the proof? I recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth of these allegations."
What is that going to do, you idiot? Lily thought. It's just going to prove that Senator Palpatine and Queen Amidala are correct.
"Overruled," Valorum replied firmly.
Dod looked outraged. "Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without gaining our request for an impartial observation. It is against all the rules of procedure!"
Lily cursed once in Basic, High Galactic, Huttese, Rodese, and Bocce. The idiot Neimoidian was right. He had the law on his side. But they had to do something!
Many among the Senators were, also, forced to agree with Dod, including Senators Aks Moe and Ainlee Teem.
"The Senator of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation," Moe said. "A commission, once requested, must be appointed, where there is a dispute of the sort we have encountered here. It is the law."
Valorum hesitated. "The point is . . . "
He trailed off with uncertainty and turned to the Chagrian Vice Chair Mas Amedda.
Lily sighed with impatience. "This is where Valorum's strength falls," she muttered.
Bail agreed. "He has grown overwhelmed by the corruption of the Senate. He can't even address the Senate without hesitating and conferring with Amedda."
"Looks like Amidala has seen this," Antilles said, pointing to the Naboo pod.
Valorum had just asked if she wished to defer in order to allow a Senate commission. Amidala glared at the Chancellor and declared, "I will not defer. I have come before you to resolve this attack on Naboo sovereignty now. I was not elected Queen to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in committee. If the Chancellor is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed."
Lily leaned forward in apprehension. This girl was heading for the right movement, she knew. The Republic had gone corrupt under Valorum's leadership.
"I move for a vote of no confidence in the Supreme Chancellor," Amidala finished.
"Yeah!" Lily yelled, her voice mixed with the cheers and protests from the other Senators. "Vote now!" she added at the same time as Bail and Antilles.
Now the entire Senate was chanting, "Vote now!" in their respective languages, from Basic to Shyriwook. Lily barely noticed Valorum drop into his seat in dismay.
Amedda got to his feet. "Order! We shall have order!"
The box from Roona joined the ones from Naboo and the Trade Federation.
"The Chair recognizes the Senator from Roona," said Amedda.
"Roona seconds the motion for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum," Senator Bar Gan intoned.
Amedda wore of a look of Chagrian pleasure, which on a human would appeared to be disgust. "The motion has been seconded."
Lily felt the pod from Alderaan move forward, as Antilles announced his agreement with Palpatine and Bar Gan. Lily smiled. Valorum would be voted out.
"There must be no delays," she said, addressing the Senate.
Bail rose to his feet. "I concur. Now that the motion is on the floor, it must be voted on immediately."
Many Senators looked persuaded by the charismatic Prince of Alderaan. Dod was not one of them. He looked at Valorum pleadingly and said, "I move the motion be sent to the procedures committee for further study - "
He was cut off by chants of "Vote Now!" throughout the Senate.
"Vote now!" Lily joined in.
After a few moments, Amedda called order and announced that the matter would be voted on after short recess.
Office of Senator Antilles - 500 Republica - 32 BBY
In moments, Lily discovered that Antilles had been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor.
"I hope you win, Senator," she said. "You could bring order to the Senate."
"Thank you, Organa," Antilles said. "But I doubt I'll win. The Senate will go for Palpatine. That is obvious. This blockade will give him a strong sympathy vote. But it hardly matters. I'm retiring at the end of the year. You would do well as my successor, though."
Lily smiled. "Hardly. Bail would be a much better candidate."
"I would," Bail agreed, "but so would you, Lily. You a strong-minded and have the Alderaanian people's best interests at heart. Even though, you are no Princess of Alderaan or a natural-born citizen, you would be the best candidate."
And so it was that both Bail and Lily would run for Senator at the end of the year.
Private office of Senatorial aide Lily Organa - 500 Republica - 32 BBY
After the election vote, Lily met with her family and friends in her private office in 500 Republica. Sitting around her for dinner was James, Sirius, Remus, Harry, and Remus's new Padawan Galilea Sage.
Lily and the Jedi discussed the new events that had occurred. It was an alarming change of events. It began with Senator Palpatine's election as Supreme Chancellor.
"You're the politician, Lily," said James. "What do you think of the man?"
Lily shrugged. "I don't know him that well. He seems like a good man, strong and honest."
"Maybe now Wormtail will be locked up like he deserves," said Sirius resentfully.
"The Queen was very resourceful, wasn't she?" Lily commented.
"She couldn't have done it without the help of the indigenous Gungans," Harry replied. "They distracted the droids, I hear, Mother."
"That's impressive," said Lily. "I'd heard the Gungans didn't use modern technology."
They paused in a comfortable silence, as they ate. Then Lily broke the silence, and said, "So I hear one of your number was killed."
"Yes," James nodded, his voice cracking with emotion. "Qui-Gon."
"Oh dear," said Lily. "I'm sorry, honey. I know how close you three were with Qui-Gon Jinn. How's Obi-Wan?"
"Not sure yet," said James. "We're travelling to Naboo for the funeral. You're free to come."
"Yes," said Lily. "It's the least I can do."
Theed - Naboo - 32 BBY
Sirius stood within the crowd of Jedi watching the body of the great Jedi Master burn in a courtyard in Theed. He was angry at the Sith and the Jedi. How could they let this happen? If the Jedi weren't so dependent on the corrupt Senate, they could have sent a militia as soon as they heard of this mysterious Zabrak Sith Lord. Qui-Gon never would have died. Hell, if they had acted properly, the Trade Federation would never have gained the weaponry to invade Naboo.
Sirius tried to control his outrage. He looked over at a tall silver-haired Jedi. Dooku had announced he would be leaving the Jedi Order after today. Sirius was beginning to wonder if he were right. Maybe he should leave, as well. He would, then, be able to do some damn good in the galaxy.
What angered him more was what he discovered about the boy Skywalker. He was a slave. How could he remain in a republic that allowed slavery?
James looked over at Sirius, concerned. His friend had gone cynical for years. But now he radiated anger. James worried what would become of him.
He looked over at Obi-Wan, wondering how he was doing. The kid was now a Jedi Knight. He had been promoted after he killed the Sith Lord who they discovered from a Neimoidian under interrogation was called Darth Maul. It was clear that Obi-Wan had killed a Sith now.
James, also, suspected that Maul was only an apprentice. That meant that there was a Master out there somewhere. The question was: Who was he?
James hoped that Obi-Wan's new Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, was indeed the Chosen One.
They were going to need a hero.