Chapter 10
Padme and the two padawans easily made their way to the throne room where they were announced at once.
Inside the throne room they were greeted by many smiling faces. Zane recognized Sio Bibble who was Padme's trusted advisor when she was Queen and who now served the present Queen. The Queen, Jamillia, Padme said her name was, wore a great headdress and flowing embroidered robes, the same type of outfit that Padme had worn when she was Queen. There was something about the whole outfit that made any women who wore them to look so regal.
In the throne room there were advisors, handmaidens, and guards. It seemed that Queens never tended to be alone, even on peaceful planets like Naboo.
Queen Jamillia, standing perfectly straight so that her headdress did not topple, rose and walked over to take Padme's hand. "We've been worried about you. I'm so glad you're here, Padme," she said, her voice rich and laced with a stronger accent than Padme's.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I only wish I could have served you better by staying on Coruscant for the vote."
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has explained it all," Sio Bibble interjected. "Returning home was the only real choice you could have made."
Padme gave him a resigned nod. Yet Zane could tell that being told to return home still bothered her when she had work so hard to defeat the bill that would allow the creation of a Republic army.
"How many systems have joined Count Dooku and the separatists?" Queen Jamillia asked bluntly. Small talk was not in her nature.
"Thousands," Padme answered. "And more are leaving the Republic every day. If the Senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to push us into civil war."
/It's really that bad?/ Zane said to Anakin while listening to the conversation. /Why weren't we told this?/
/We're not supposed to be investigating. Although Obi-Wan may know now that he is investigating./ Anakin responded. /It explains why she is so vehemently fighting this bill. The Republic army was disbanded soon after the Republic was formed because of the treaties that had been made that would prevent a galactic civil war….at least in theory./
Sio Bibble punched his fist into his open hand. "It's unthinkable!" he said, gnashing his teeth with every word. "There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic."
"Do you see any way, through negotiations, to bring the separatists back into the Republic?" Jamillia asked, staying calm despite Sio Bibble's obvious agitation.
"Not if they feel threatened. The Separatists don't have an army, but if they are provoked, they will move to defend themselves. I'm sure of that. And with no time or money to build an army, my guess is they will turn to the Commerce Guild or the Trade Federation for help."
/If they want war then it doesn't matter if the bill passes or not./ Zane muttered through their bond.
/Don't say anything to them./ Anakin warned. /Not yet./
"The armies of commerce!" Queen Jamillia echoed with anger and distaste. "Why has nothing been done in the Senate to restrain them?"
"I'm afraid that, despite the Chancellor's best efforts, there are still many bureaucrats, judges, and even Senators on the payrolls of the guilds," Padme admitted.
"Then it is true that the guilds have moved closer to the Separatists, as we suspected," Queen Jamillia reasoned.
Sio Bibble punched his open palm again, drawing their attention. "It's outrageous!" he said. "It's outrageous that after all those hearings and four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the viceroy of the Trade Federation. Do those money-mongers control everything?"
"Remember, Counselor, the courts were able to reduce the Trade Federation's armies," Jamillia reminded, again holding her calm and controlled voice. "That's a move in the right direction."
Padme winced, knowing that she had to report honestly. "There are rumors, Your Highness, that the Federation's army was not reduced as they were ordered."
Clearing his throat, Anakin Skywalker stepped forward. "The Jedi have not been allowed to investigate," he explained. "It would be too dangerous for the economy, we were told. However, Zane and I believe that investigation should have been done sooner."
Zane stepped forward and continued. "As upsetting as a possible civil war sounds, we have reason to believe that it will be inevitable. If the bill is not passed and the Separatists do want war then they will do whatever it takes to push the Republic into one."
The mood in the room, already heavy, became even heavier from the revelation the two Padawans had given.
"I am certain that my Master will find out the Separatists real motives during his investigation into the assassinations attempts on Senator Amidala. I am also certain that he will do everything he can to prevent war from breaking out." Anakin told them.
Sio Bibble shook his head in disgust. "Their demands are reasonable. Changes do have to be made in the Senate."
"It appears that way and that's most likely what some of them truly want, leading to the theory that the one behind the Separatists is the same one who was behind the Trade Federation blockade ten years ago." Zane responded.
Queen Jamillia studied the Padawans for a moment before speaking. "Do you have proof to back up your claims?"
"No, M'Lady." Anakin respectfully answered. "However, the Sith Master continues to elude the Jedi even after ten years of extensive search. It's not unreasonable to believe the Sith is influencing events in some manner."
Queen Jamillia looked to him and nodded, looked back to Padme, then squared her shoulders and firmed her jawline, looking regal in the ornate raiments—very much the planetary ruler obedient to the Republic. "We must keep our faith in the Republic," she declared. "The day we stop believing in democracy can work is the day we lose it."
"Let's pray that day never comes," Padme quietly answered, still absorbing everything that Anakin and Zane had said.
"In the meantime, we must consider your own safety," Queen Jamillia said, and she looked to Sio Bibble, who motioned to the attendants. All of them, advisers, attendants, and handmaidens, bowed and quickly left the room. Sio Bibble moved near to Anakin and Zane, the appointed protectors, then paused, waiting for the others to be gone. At last he spoke. "What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?"
"Please, address me as Jedi Skywalker, Counselor. I am still only a senior Padawan."
Sio Bibble gave a slight bow of his head. "My apologies, Jedi Skywalker."
A smile twitched at Padme's lips as she watched Anakin respectfully, humbly, correct the Counselor. She had wondered herself how one was supposed to address a senior Padawan. "I was thinking I would stay in the Lake Country. There are some places up there that are very isolated."
Sio Bibble nodded in agreement. "The Lake Country is the most remote part of Naboo. Not many people up there, and a clear view of the surrounding terrain. It would be an excellent choice, a place where you would have a much easier time protecting Senator Amidala."
"Perfect!" Queen Jamillia agreed. "It's settled then. Padme," Queen Jamillia went on, "I had an audience with your father yesterday. I told him what was happening. He hopes you will visit your mother before you leave. Your family's very worried about you."
How could they not be? Padme thought, and it pained her to consider that the dangers her strong positions were bringing to her were affecting other people whom she loved. How could they not? It was the perfect reminder of why family and public service didn't usually mix. She looked at Zane and wondered how Master Kenobi was able to do it, to have a family and serve the Jedi at the same time. How did others do it who mixed family and public service together? She never understood. Not really.
Years ago she had made a conscious and definite choice: public service or family. She hadn't been worried about her own safety at all through these trials, willing to make whatever sacrifices were necessary. But now, suddenly, she had to remember that her choices and positions could affect others on a very personal level, as well. She wore no smile as she walked with Anakin, Zane, Sio Bibble, and Queen Jamillia out of the throne room and down the palace's main staircase.
...
Green specks danced in the darkness. The darkness was heavy, suffocating. The green specks began to whirl around, faster and faster until they became huge globs of green. The green globs imploded into orange specks, they hovered and then began to dance, continuing the same pattern as before but with different colors. The pattern became more rapid with each sequence and the darkness slowly began to lift.
There was a deafening roar and a blast of white light. A chest began to slowly move up and down. There was a sharp intake of breath into a nose, eyelids flickered, lips parted as breath was released.
Eyelids fully opened and blinked to moisten the eyes. Sheets rustled as the huge body sat up and stretched on the slab of metal before standing up and continuing to stretch the unused muscles.
Whipping off the sheet from the slab, the person wrapped it around their waist and walked across the cold floor to the door.
...
Zane was grateful that they had time to change before heading to Padme's home. He always felt out of place if he wore anything other than Jedi apparel. He trailed along next to Anakin who had also changed back into Jedi robes as they followed Padme who was now dressed in a simple blue dress with a white cloak. Behind them he could hear Artoo whistling as he moved along the path.
They left another shadowed stone archway behind them and turned to the right where there was a smaller archway that had stairs leading up to it.
"We're here," Padme said suddenly, "this is my house."
Tiny feet pattered down the stairs. "Aunt Padme! Aunt Padme!"
Zane and Anakin watched as Padme intercepted the two girls, kneeling down so that she could embrace them both in a hug. The taller of the pair had shoulder length, straight brown hair while the youngest had short, blonde, curly hair.
"Ryoo! Pooja!" Padme said in delight and kissing the top of their heads. "I'm so happy to see you!" She stood up, taking them by the hand and led them to Anakin and Zane. "This is Anakin and Zane. Anakin and Zane, this is Ryoo and Pooja!"
The girls looked shyly up at Anakin and Zane and said hello. They looked beyond the two padawans and saw Artoo chirping merrily along. Laughing, they ran over to Artoo and hugged him. "Artoo!"
Zane, Anakin, and Padme laughed at the girls' enthusiasm and then moved along into the house. In the entryway inside the house they were met by a woman who was a bit taller than Padme and had brown hair and blue eyes and was wearing a simple dark blue, long-sleeved, dress.
"Sola!" Padme said and embraced her sister. Turning she introduced Sola to the two Padawans.
Sola nodded to the two Padawans and then looked back at her sister. "Mom and Dad will be so happy to see you. It's been a difficult few weeks."
Padme frowned, the reality fully settling upon her. While she didn't let things like assassination attempts worry her, they did indeed worry her parents and sister. Taking off her cloak, she hung it on a wooden peg and the two Padawans also hung their cloaks on some nearby pegs.
"Mom's making dinner. As usual, your timing is perfect." Sola said and started to walk toward the dining room that the entryway led into.
Inside the house was simple, cool, and comfortable all rolled into one. The smell of rich spicy food traveled throughout the house, causing those who had stopped thinking about the fact that they were hungry to begin thinking it again.
Zane walked over to a large open window and placed his hands on the smooth, cool, grey stone surface and looked outside. He saw a distant flock of birds, a couple of stone buildings and below a small, well tended garden, well, small if compared to the gardens in the Temple. He turned away from the window as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps and Padme introduced him and Anakin to her parents, Ruwee and Jobal.
Ruwee was a tall man with short brown hair that was graying at the sides and blue, compassionate eyes. He had a plain, but strong face and was strong-shouldered. Jobal was the shorter one of the family and had brown hair that she pinned back and brown eyes.
Jobal bade those in the room to sit down at the table before heading back into the kitchen where Sola was collecting some stoneware plates and mugs from the kitchen.
Ruwee sat on the seat at the head of the table and Padme sat down in the chair to her father's left and Anakin took the seat across from her while Zane sat down in the seat next to Anakin. Already on the table was a basket full of freshly baked, sliced bread.
Soon after they were seated, Sola came out of the kitchen and placed the plates, mugs and silverware on the table beside Padme and Padme passed them around. Jobal came out of the kitchen next caring a large bowl of hot steaming rice and set it on the table
Sola came out of the kitchen again with an equally large bowl of thick brown substance with lumps of meat in it. Zane didn't recognize it, but it smelled wonderful. Jobal sat down in the seat across from Ruwee and a few seconds later Sola returned from the kitchen with two large pitchers of water.
"I hope you are all hungry." Jobal said with a warm smile.
"A little," Anakin answered, despite the fact his stomach said otherwise. They had passed the opportunity for one last meal on the transport in favor of looking forward to eating a home cooked meal.
"He's being polite, Mom," Padme said. "We're starving." She finished serving herself some rice and passed the bowl to her father.
"Well you've come to the right place at the right time." Ruwee remarked as he served himself some rice.
All was quite as everyone busied serving themselves, the only sounds were the thump of bowls being passed around and the clink of ladles scooping up food. Once everyone was served, Jobal broke the silence. "It's so good to see you safe, we were so worried."
"Dear-" Ruwee said, locking gazes with his wife.
"I know, I know! But I had to say it. Now it's done." Jobal said with a dismissive wave of her hand and went back to eating.
Zane and Anakin smiled when they saw Ruwee's expression. It seemed that not only was Jobal a fantastic hostess, she was also a very to the point type of person and when something weighed on her mind, she would more than likely speak it sooner than later.
"Well this is exciting," Sola said after taking a sip of water and everyone turned their attention onto her. "Did you know," she said to the two boys, "that this is the first time Padme has brought two boys home at the same time?"
"Sola!" Padme exclaimed and shook her head. "It's not what you think. They are Jedi assigned by the Senate to protect me."
"Bodyguards?" Jobal asked with great concern. "Oh, Padme, they didn't tell us it was that serious!"
Padme's sigh was mixed with a groan. "It's not, Mom," she said. "I promise. Anyway, Anakin and Zane are my friends. I've known them for years, although I haven't spoken to them in ten years. Remember when I talked about the two boys who were with the Jedi during the blockade crisis?" Padme hoped this would distract them from the topic she did not want to discuss as ah's sounded from her family members, but she was sorely disappointed.
"Honey, when are you going to settle down?" Jobal went on. "Haven't you had enough of that life? I certainly have!"
"Mom, I'm not in any danger," Padme insisted.
"Is she?" Ruwee asked Anakin.
"Yes, I'm afraid she is." Anakin answered truthfully and sensed a flare of annoyance from Padme.
"But not much," Padme added quickly.
Anakin continued. "The Senate thought it prudent to give her some time away, and under the protection of the Jedi. My Master, Obi-Wan, is even now seeing to the matter. All should be well soon enough."
Ruwee and Jobal seemed to relax somewhat, and Padme's annoyance faded. The conversation turned to more pleasant topics for the rest of the meal.