Chapter 11 - Coruscant
The trip to the inner core of the galaxy is long and boring. Most of the way I stare out the window, watching tiny dots of light pass us by as we zip through the emptiness of space. Clovis sits next to me, smiling gently. He watches a couple of the crew members play a round of chess at the round table, and clutches a small silver device in his fingers.
I make my way to the cargo hold to change. I pull the collar of he dress off, and roll up the sleeves until I can move comfortably. Then I remove the long silver chains and tie them around my neck. When I'm finally done, I return to the main area, and wait. Hours pass before we reach the inner core, and then we must navigate past the other planets until we reach Coruscant. I don't even notice when I fall asleep, until I am suddenly awoken by Clovis, as we are landing. He grins, and sort of teases me as we descend the loading bay, pinching me to make sure I "stay awake." Waiting on the platform are two well-dressed figures, one man, with his dark hair slicked back, wearing a deep purple jacket and blue tunic, with his planetary emblem on his chest. Next to him is a thin, female figure, dressed in a simple white robe with a high collar, and thin, intricate chains around her neck, with a large planetary emblem centered above her chest. Her hair is short, and bright red.
"Those are Senators Organa and Mothma, from Alderaan and Chandrila, respectively," Clovis whispers in my ear. "It would seem polite to already know their names before you meet them, officially."
Senator Organa looks up at me with a certain gleam in his eye, an emotion I can't quite describe. As I approach them, Senator Mothma reaches out for me, taking my hands in hers.
"Welcome, senator Amidala, to Coruscant," she beams, gladly. "My name is Mon Mothma, I'm the senator for Chandrila. This is my friend, Bail Organa-" she gestures toward him. "He is the senator for Alderaan. We hope that you may make a fine addition to the parliament."
"We came to inform you of the first bill that we will be discussing, which greatly affects your planet, and ours. But first, please join us. We are about to have lunch at the Imperial Cafe, you are more than welcome to come with us!"
"Thank you for the invitation, and I'd love to accept. Is it alright if Senator Clovis joins us?"
"Oh, no," Rush stutters. "I really must be going. I'm expected to meet with the banking clan."
"Ah," I sigh. "I guess you really must be going then."
"I'll come to see you settled in this evening," he smiles, before making his way towards the exit to the left.
"You seem close to senator Clovis," senator Organa comments.
"We were interested in each other at one point, but we have decided to stay good friends," I explain. "There's nothing romantic between us anymore."
"Good," Mothma gasps. "You do not want to get involved with a man like that."
"I know, senator Mothma, I know."
She smiles, the warm comfort of my smile washing away the thought.
"Well, we had better get going, or we'll miss our reservation," senator Organa reminds us.
We follow him the opposite way, to an elevator which brings us to the transit platform, where we catch the speeder to the imperial tower. The colors of the city fly by beneath us, the blueish gray of the buildings and the purple neon, and the calming tan of the Jedi temple in the distance. There sits the religious capital of the Galaxy, and there live its caretakers and those who learn its ways.
I suppose the young man who protected me during the invasion on Naboo is there now, with the little boy. Eight years have passed, so that boy must be in his teens, now. I wonder how much he has changed. Once, he asked if I was an angel. He made me smile, and was a good friend. I hope I see him again.
We finally make it to the imperial building, and senator Organa leads us to the central elevator, which only goes to the cafe and the main floor. It only takes a few seconds to ascend, and then you're up on top of the tallest civilian building on Coruscant. From the windows, you can view the entire city, and gaze down at the thousands of speeders passing in the streets, and watch the city lights flicker in the distance, in a rainbow of color.
As we sit down to eat, Senator Mothma pulls out a thin card, bound in thick plastic.
"I thought you might want to read the bill, yourself," she sighs, pushing the small device towards me.
"Thank you," I smile, and put the card into my bra. "I'll make sure to view it tonight."
"If you come to oppose the bill, you may come to us. Bail is the leader of the opposition on this case."
"I'm sure I will."
oOo
After lunch, I make my way back to the senate building. The other two senators have to run a few errands, so I head home alone. It's a good thing nobody here knows who I am yet, because right now, nobody is bothering me. I'm just another passenger on the transit speeder.
We approach the senate building, and the cold metal exterior envelops the speeder within itself, bringing us through the dark steel tunnels of the building. When we reach the platform, we are greeted with pale blue and vibrant green, the color of the Republic senate. In crystal vases along the walls stand small, intricate flowers bursting in blooms of violet and purple, and tiny teal beads glitter within the glass. I get off of the transit, and am joined by people of all walks of life, men and women, children and elderly, rich and poor. Several soldiers keep guard over the area, their watchful eyes scanning the crowd, searching for suspicious people. I make my way through the crowd, and to the deep purple elevator, which takes me up several stories to the common level. This area is completely Crimson and gold, with tall trumpeting flowers in black vases standing in the corners of the room. Several ornate and complicated statues stand in the room, all of them coated in grey-black speckled paint, depicting great accomplishments of our time. Across from the large windows are three elevators which lead to the senate living quarters, each senator lives in a flat that is reminiscent of their planet, and they are passed from senator to senator from term to term. I get into the one that leads to the Naboo flat, and punch in my name and authorization into the pin pad beside me. In a moment, I am whisked away, soaring upwards faster than my body can even register. The elevator finally opens, and I am welcomed into my flat, which is decorated with a purple rug, and green curtains. Along the ceiling of the room, and around the doors are tiny little lamps, turned off for now, but that will ignite in the evening and give a warm glow to the room. In the back left corner is a corridor which leads to my new bedroom and ensuite bathroom. The room immediately beside it is my closet, where I'll store all my clothes. Then, to the right of the entrance is the kitchen area, and down a flight of steps is the balcony area, a large ovular cut out in the building, molded out of sandy marble and decorated with vibrant flowers and comfortable couches.
The whole area is mine, and mine alone.
I make my way the bedroom first, close the blinds, lock the doors, and look at the bill to be discussed this week.
The first image to appear is a hologram of a representative from the banking clan. They stand with their arms behind their back, their posture perfectly straight.
"The Bill 379 to be discussed this week is as follows: Be it resolved that for the prevention of planetary attacks by the trade federation, the republic place a challenge against the trade federation, as a show of strength."
What follows is a convoluted and confusing description of why such a resolution should work, and how we would be able to succeed in such an endeavor.
I'm taken aback. What a stupid idea. The first thing the trade federation would do is attack, most likely a middle ring planet, like Naboo or Raxus. How could anyone get away from such an attack with such a stupid plan?
I immediately take out my holotransmission device, and call senator Mothma and senator Organa, to let them know I'd be joining their opposition. They graciously accept my help, and I tell them I'll meet with them soon to talk about counter arguments.
Suddenly, the buzzer rings, letting me know I have a guest.
I say my goodbyes to the senators, and quickly move to let my guest in. Behind the door, Rush waits, wearing a wide smile and holding a box of sweets.
"I thought we could discuss the senate bill," he explains. "I'm rather I'm favour of it."
"Oh," I stutter. "Care to explain why?"
"I think we need to show the trade federation who is he stronger force," he says, shedding his jacket and throwing it across the couch in my main hall. "I mean, look at us. We have the Jedi on our side."
"You do realize that the Jedi are not our personal army."
"Of course," he smiles, "but I'm sure they would gladly come to the protection of the senate."
"I see," I mumble. "Well, I have to disagree. I don't think we should place so much danger and stress into the middle ring. Most of the population of the Galaxy live on those planets. Anyway, I think it's time for me to go. I have... Dinner plans," I lie.
"Oh," Rush says, concerned. "May I walk you to your reservation?"
"No, you may not," I tell him. "I'd much rather see you leave and get back to your flat safely."
He nods, sensing my rejection in the air. "I suppose I'll see you at the debate in a few days."
"I certainly hope so."
He smiles sheepishly, and leaves with his box of sweets and his jacket. I let out a sigh of relief once he's gone.
I really must do something about him.