THE EARLY DAYS DUET:

BOOK ONE: RESTORING DIPLOMACY

Chapter Eleven- A Royal Exit


Dusk

Senate Building, Palpatine's Office; Coruscant

"Where in the world have you been?" Eirtaé demanded of me.

"In a low budget diner, not too far from the Jedi Temple," I admitted, answering her question literally.

Obi-Wan had dropped me off and was swift in returning to the Temple. I realized once again that our farewell was interceded by a wave of worry and time constraints. Mark my words, I would make sure to properly say goodbye to him before this ordeal was over.

Padmé had changed yet again, this time in an elegant black gown. Threads of gold and silver were studded along the sleeves of her outfit, and an elaborately centurion hairstyle was adorned on her head. Her expression remained passive while Jar Jar Binks and various Senate guards floated in the premises of Palpatine's office.

"How did the Senate hearing go?" I asked, hoping I could take advantage of the guards' presence.

"Leave us," Amidala dismissed all the extraneous security, as well as Jar Jar.

So much for that. I braced myself for another lecture.

For a moment there was just a steely silence. Padmé lifted her chin in ire, ready to strike her first verbal joust against me. I prepared myself for it. But, she surprised me by bottling her wrath.

"Sabé," she said coolly, "I would have thought you'd learned your lesson the first time you decided to neglect your duties."

"I did," I defended. "But frankly, we both knew we'd be better off if I was gone for a short while. I wasn't being rebellious. I was acting in our best interests."

That was only partially true, but I really didn't want to go digging for more excuses to fight with her.

"Besides," I added, "tasking me to watch Anakin until the Jedi retrieved him was practically begging for me to have an opportunity to leave for awhile. It's not like I would have completely abandoned you in our time of need."

"I know," Padmé said, lowering her gaze. She was doing an impressive job of pocketing whatever fury she had. My guess was that it had something to do with whatever went down in the Senate.

"Speaking of which," I huffed, "How did the hearing go?"

"First, Sabé, I am compelled to apologize for lashing out at you earlier. I went back on my word and let my own trivial hostility get the better of me. The fault was entirely my own, and I am sorry. You were right: I'm not perfect. And, at this rate, I fear I never will be."

I was humbled by her apology, but her last sentence had me concerned. There was more that was influencing her apology.

"What happened?" I asked softly.

"I..." she hesitated "I called for a vote of no confidence."

"Against Valorum?" I was shocked. I never would have expected her to cave in to Palpatine's insinuations. Not that I didn't agree with Palpatine on the necessity of this, but it was so unlike Padmé to discard a loyal supporter like that.

"What made you change your mind?" I asked gently.

"I don't know, I...I was terrified being in that room, speaking for my people and exploiting the corruption of the Trade Federation. Palpatine told me that the bureaucrats are on the Federation's payroll and dictate what decisions the Chancellor makes. Everyone was questioning the validity of our situation—even Valorum."

Which was sadly ironic, given that just earlier today he was inclined to tell me just how distressed the Senate had been over our situation.

"So...I got angry. Palpatine insisted that it would be for the best."

"Do we have any idea who will replace him?" I asked.

"The Senate is holding a private session to determine nominations at the moment. I am not permitted to be present for it. I can only wait until they've finished."

I was beyond frustrated that we were back to being in a position where we had to wait. I was more than certain that Padmé was, too. We traveled all this way, and still, we seemed unable to accomplish anything. We were as useless now as we were when we first escaped Naboo.

An idea struck me. It was reckless and crazy, but it's not like we had many other options. "There is a faster solution," I said.

Padmé crossed her arms, expectant. "Whatever idea you have, I would be more than happy to hear it." she said. "The Senate's capabilities have proven to be less than helpful since we've been here."

"We could reclaim Naboo."

"Are you out of your mind?" Eirtaé burst out. "We don't have near enough troops to make the idea even remotely feasible! As it is, no one in the Senate is inclined enough to give us immediate help!"

"And I won't permit the promotion of violence!" Padmé asserted. "It is not our way."

"But Padmé, someday you're going to have to learn that part being a ruler comes accepting the fact that you will have to make sacrifices in order to protect your people. There is still a strong possibility we won't succeed, yes, but isn't it worth the risk?"

"We are in no position to even tempt the idea. Eirtaé is right." Padmé maintained her resolve.

"Oh, come on! Open your eyes, Padmé! You said so yourself: The Senate is becoming more of a hindrance than it is a help. Did you ever consider that an unexpected offense could serve as a strong defense? The Trade Federation already assumes that you won't be aggressive in your negotiations. That could give us the advantage we need to overthrow them!"

Padmé seethed at me. "Remember your place, Sabé," she said.

"My place, Highness, is to protect and serve at all costs. When are you going to realize that your calling isn't so different from my own?"

Padmé slowly lifted her chin, a trait that I continued to notice she displayed only when she was particularly affronted with something.

She turned her back to me, facing out the transparisteel window. "You may call the guards back in. Then return to your post."

I bowed churlishly. "As you wish, your Highness," I sneered. I opened the door, then stood opposite to Eirtaé. From underneath her hood, it was hard to see her face, but from her attitude, I could tell that she was indignant with my behavior as well. I masked a scowl and just remained calm while everyone else poured into the room. The door shut after Jar Jar made his way back in as well.

There was a solemn silence for the remainder of our wait. Prissy just continued to stare desolately out the window, watching the sunset. I hoped she was considering my words, not disregarding them.

"Mesa wonder why da Gods inventin' da pain," Jar Jar said, scuffling awkwardly in the room, apparently unable to handle the silence. He was surprisingly insightful. I hadn't anticipated there to be such depth to his statement.

"To motivate us, I imagine," Amidala said somberly.

Jar Jar ambled over to her and looked out the window from behind her. "Yousa tinkin yousa people gonna die?" he asked, point blank.

"I don't know," Padmé said, her neutral tone growing soft.

"Gungans gunna get pasted too, eh?"

"I hope not." Padmé actually sounded genuine there.

Jar Jar then spoke with an immense pomp of patriotism. "Gungans no die'n without a fight. Wesa warriors. Wesa got a graaand army." He paused a moment before saying "Dats why yousa no liken us, mesa tinks."

I would wager not. Padmé had no response to offer him on that one.

Panaka and Palpatine rushed into the room. I had to do a double take, because I was pretty sure my eyes were playing tricks on me.

Was Panaka...smiling? Panaka never smiled! And yet, there he stood: grinning like a giddy schoolboy! I blinked repeatedly, to be sure I wasn't hallucinating. Apparently I wasn't; the grin remained.

"Your Highness," Panaka said with a bow. Amidala turned slowly and faced her Captain of the Guard. "Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor!"

"A surprise, to be sure. But a welcome one," Palpatine said, unable to suppress his own grin.

I may not be an avid supporter of Palpatine's political agendas, but even I couldn't deny that having Naboo's Senator as Chancellor would be advantageous to our cause. He was guaranteed to take more action than Valorum pretended to attempt.

Amidala lowered her gaze, masking her looming concern. She started to walk away from the window. I wasn't sure what was crossing her mind, but her stoicism had turned into a distinct shade of melancholy despite the good news.

Palpatine tried to up her confidence in him. "I promise, your Majesty, if I am elected, I will bring democracy back to the Republic. I will put an end to corruption. The Trade Federation will lose its influence over the bureaucrats, and our people will be freed."

Those were some lofty promises. I wondered how many of those he'd be able to successfully accomplish in his own lifetime. Hypothetically speaking.

Padmé swerved in her place "Who else has been nominated?" she asked.

"Bail Antilles from Alderaan, and Ainlee Teem from Malastaire," Panaka supplied.

"I feel confident our "situation" will create a strong sympathy vote for us," Palpatine said, his tone oozing in overconfidence. He fell comfortably into one of his lush chairs, looking up at Amidala. "I will be Chancellor, I promise you."

I really didn't approve of his conceit. But, as a veiled handmaiden, I said nothing.

"I fear by the time you have control of your people, Senator, there will be nothing left of our cities, our people, our way of life..." Padmé said. She turned away from Palpatine. I could see the profile of her face perfectly from where I stood.

"I understand your concern, your Majesty; unfortunately, the Trade Federation has possession of our planet. The law is in their favor."

Amidala lifted her downcast eyes, and I could swear I saw some of Padmé's fire hiding behind her glassy stare. "Senator...this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine." She turned to face Palpatine. "I have decided to go back to Naboo," she said.

It took all my training of self-control to keep from pumping my fists in victory: She was actually taking what I said to heart!

"Go back?" Palpatine's face fell in shock. He began to follow after Amidala, who was starting to cross the room towards the door. "But your Majesty, be realistic! You would be in danger, they would force you to sign a treaty!"

Padmé turned and said flatly "I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different than that of our people. Captain," she called to Panaka.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Ready my ship."

As Amidala reached the entrance, Eirtaé and I followed at her heels. Palpatine made one more desperate attempt to sway her decision. "Please your Majesty, stay here...where it's safe."

Amidala turned to give her parting words to the Senator. Slowly, Eirtaé and I followed suit.

"No place is safe if the Senate doesn't condemn this invasion," she said. "It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions. If you win the election, Senator, I know you will do everything possible to stop the Federation. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the Senate." Then she left, with all her loyal followers close behind.


"I sent word to the Jedi Council," Eirtaé said. "They have volunteered our previous escorts to return with us so that they may seek out the assassin who tried to attack you at Tatooine."

"You mean the one that tried to attack me?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"You know what she means, Sabé," Rabé sighed. It was clear that she was still put out with me from earlier, but the worst of her animosity had left her. Unlike me, Rabé wasn't one to hold grudges. "All right, Padmé, your hair is done," she said, stepping away to analyze her handiwork.

I held up the headdress and placed it over Padmé's head. It fell more like a veil than a headdress, and it had a gold brace to hold the purple material together. It was gorgeous to say the least.

"Are you sure you don't want a decoy for the return voyage?" I asked. I certainly didn't want to put myself in that position again, but Padmé was being unusually reckless. A decoy might be a good idea.

"I'm sure, Sabé," Prissy said.

"If you say so," I said.

"Besides," she said. "I have a feeling you may come in handy later on."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, hoping I would get a lowdown.

Padmé put her finger to her lips. "I'll discuss the groundwork of my plan to everyone when we board the ship."

I shrugged. Fair enough. I could be patient.

By the time we arrived to the landing platform outside the Senate, it was dark. We emerged from the airtaxi, and I found myself struggling to keep up with Padmé. She was walking briskly towards our vessel.

Qui-Gon met up with us at the middle of the platform while Anakin stood at the ganglank. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see Obi-Wan. Maybe he was in the cockpit already. I had distinct memories of how much he liked to lurk in there while we were in Tatooine.

Panaka fell alongside me as we neared Qui-Gon. He probably felt that Qui-Gon's heightened senses would detect my 'queenly' identity. But of course, I knew that not to be true. Qui-Gon never gave any indication that he knew my identity.

"Your Highness, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you," Qui-Gon said, sidling up next to Amidala. His sentence gave a bizarre echo of our own mantra in the Order.

"I welcome your help," Amidala said, not slowing down. "Senator Palpatine fears that the Federation means to destroy me."

"I promise you, I will not let that happen," Qui-Gon said.

We entered the cruiser, which was starting to oddly feel like a second home to me. I felt a wash of familiarity overcome me as I stepped on board.

"Wesa goin' hoooooome!" I heard Jar Jar rejoice from the gangplank. I wished I could share his enthusiasm. For some reason, I had a feeling that we wouldn't be receiving a warm welcome once we breached the blockade.

When we entered the throne chamber, I felt strange not being the one to sit on the throne this time around. Instead, I was tucked behind it. Flanking Padmé's right side. Rabé stood opposite to me, and Eirtaé stood at the door.

Once the ship had entered space, Obi-Wan made his entrance along with Panaka, Qui-Gon and Jar Jar. Obi-Wan looked particularly sullen for reasons that remained unknown to me. He looked first at the Queen, and upon realizing that it was Padmé, he darted his eyes towards me for a brief moment.

Panaka was the first to speak: "The moment we land, the Federation will arrest you, and force you to sign the treaty," he said, ever the optimist.

"I agree," Qui-Gon said. "I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish by this."

"I'm going to take back what's ours," Amidala said plainly.

"There are only twelve of us, your Highness," Panaka scowled. "We have no army."

He did have a point there. I had been dying to find out what Amidala's oh-so-secret plan was.

"And I came only to protect you, Highness. I cannot fight a war for you." Qui-Gon added.

There was a brief pause.

Then:

"Jar Jar Binks," Amidala singled out the Gungan.

"Mesa, your Highness?" He asked, bewildered. I confess, I was rather bewildered myself.

"Yes," she said. "I need your help."

"Mesa happy to be obligin' you, milady," the Gungan said. But his skepticism in himself was clearly evident.

"You told me earlier that your kind are warriors, and that they have their own army."

"Uh-huh," Jar Jar confirmed. "Wesa bombad in da battles."

"Their prowess may be what we need to ensure a turnabout when we invade the city," Amidala said. "I need you to convince them that we beg for their allegiance."

The Gungan suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Mesa no liked down dere; but mesa try to be yur humble servant." Jar Jar bowed extravagantly.

I was pretty sure Padmé had crossed into the line of insanity. But I loved her for it. This was a side to her that I wish had been unleashed years ago.

I wondered where I came in.

"Are you certain that's a good idea, Highness?" Panaka asked, skeptical. "We've had a rough history with the Gungans. Chances are they won't be inclined to help us. They may even kill you in the process, since you are Naboo's political leader."

"I will utilize a decoy process," Padmé said. "With hope, it will ensure my protection until I can be certain we can trust the Gungans."

Oh. That's where I came in. I appreciated that she didn't openly acknowledge who her decoy was. It may be nice in future times of being a decoy to keep my identity intact. Obi-Wan stole another glance at me. I peered over at Qui-Gon. He looked rather impressed with Padmé's plan. This proved to me that the idea of a decoy was more or less a novelty to him. Obi-Wan had diligently kept to his word. I sighed silently in relief.

"'Hope' doesn't exactly inspire much confidence," Panaka said bleakly.

"But in times like these, hope may be the only chance we have for success," Qui-Gon said wisely, stewing on the new information that Amidala had bestowed. He seemed to be seeing the validity of Padmé's plan.

Once again, I found myself agreeing with him. Without hope, any action we would take would become obsolete.