ME: In celebration of the SAT test now longer being a burden for myself (as of 10/3/15), I'm celebrating by treating you guys to another chapter.
The former Queen of Naboo did not like it one bit, but the Jedi Council and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had convinced her that it would be safer to leave Coruscant and travel back to Naboo.
"They will not expect you to return home, my dear," the grandfatherly old man had said. "Nevertheless, the Jedi Coincil are sending Master Skywalker, his brother, and Padawan Keto for your protection. Please stay safe, Senator Amidala. Our people love you too much for you to die at such a young age."
Padmé had complied. Jar Jar, thankfully, knew her stance on the Military Creation Act and shared it. As acting Senator for the Chommel sector, he would vote in her place against provoking the Separatists.
I know what war's like. The Militarists may think that we need to reestablish the Armed Forces, but it will only inflame the worlds seceding from the Republic.
Right now she was with Ani, watching a news report to kill time until Serra and Chad joined them.
"We have confirmation from Underworld Police Plaza that a restaurant serving as a front for the notorious crime syndicate Black Sun has been raided by the police in cooperation with federal authorities," said the anchorman. "It appears that the restaurant was involved in both money laundering and sentient trafficking."
Padmé was horrified but grateful that such criminals had been exposed and would now be brought to justice.
"Eyewitness accounts from civilians indicate that the masked vigilante nicknamed 'the Fox' was involved. Though the Commissioner of the CSF denied rumors that the vigilante is in fact an undercover policeman and vowed to have him arrested, an Underworld Police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the Fox is not the highest priority for even cops who believe he is a genuine menace to society and that many members of the Underworld Police are more enthusiastic about the vigilante than they are allowed to publicly disclose."
"You guys ready?"
Padmé looked to find Serra and Chad. The bags Padawan and Knight packed looked like each only had one change of clothes.
Jedi don't own much, she remembered. They're peacekeepers, not members of Congress.
"Yes," Padmé answered. "Master Skywalker, I was told you knew where our ship is."
Chad nodded. "You can call me Chad, Senator, but affirmative, ma'am. We'll take a freighter to avoid looking conspicuous and head for Kashyyyk to throw off any pursuers then head for Naboo. Follow us, please."
The four moved towards the hangar and looked at the ship. The freighter possessed a pair of triangular wings and had wheels.
"Looks like an antique," Anakin commented.
"Classic reentry airfoil, brother," Chad replied. "Worst case scenario, we can glide in and land with this baby. Magnetic clamps make it capable of hauling containers whenever internal space isn't enough, sorta like a repulsor truck but in space. We got two cabins and enough food and water to last the trip."
"Then we better get moving," Serra said. "Looks like you'll be bunking with me, ma'am."
Padmé nodded. "That's alright, Serra. This vessel looks...cozy enough."
The quartet boarded the ship and strapped in.
Chad grunted as he checked the controls. "Okay, we got a decent reactor and hyperdrive-nothing top of the line, but it'll get us from Point A to Point B then Point C. As expected, no weapons but the shields will hold long enough for us to run. We got four engines for sunlight thrust and hyperspace and a secure hypertransceiver. Not great, but not bad either."
"Let's get underway, then," Anakin said.
Padmé watched as Chad punched the comlink. "Control, Freighter Bravo Three-One-Two requesting permission to takeoff."
"Copy, Three-One-Two," said the ATC. "Negative, I say again, you are not cleared for takeoff. We have a Delta-Seven coming in to land, stand by."
"Roger, standing by."
Padmé wondered how her family would react to the Jedi-particularly Anakin-when the controller stated, "Three-One-Two, you are green. I say again, you are cleared for takeoff."
*CUT TO: JEDI TEMPLE ARCHIVES*
Obi-Wan frowned. He had searched for both Kamino and its native population, the Kaminoans, yet he had nothing to show for it. The Archives offered no information for either planet or species.
"Master Nu?" He asked the Chief Librarian, Master Jocasta Nu.
"Yes, Master Kenobi?" The elderly woman replied.
"I was searching for a species and their home world an informant told me about," he said. "But I can't find either in the Archives."
She frowned. "Then they do not exist, Master Kenobi. Our Archives are quite complete. I am sorry that your time has been wasted for such a fruitless endeavor, is their any way I can assist you?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Is Master Yoda instructing younglings?"
"Why yes, he is," she answered.
"Thank you, Master Nu."
ME: A/N: I hope this was good enough, guys. I had our heroes change transit options from refugee ship to freighter primarily because it seems silly for Coruscant to have refugees fleeing from it (unless they were deporting "undesirables" or sending away excess refugees). Plus I couldn't resist a Shout Out to sci-fi webcomic Quentyn Quinn.
"Bravo Three-One-Two" is a reference to Halo. Three guesses as to what.
Also, what do y'all think of this theory: Divo was meant to be a Deconstruction of the By-the-Book Cop archetype.
For starters, odds are he isn't corrupt, he follows the rules (ironically, Divo actually dislikes paperwork), and actually pokes fun at politicians in front of Palpatine and a bunch of Senators. Plus while his two investigations were ultimately unsuccessful, Divo actually WAS clever enough to activate two police droids, so he isn't entirely useless as a police officer (similar to how Jar Jar can actually be helpful in spite of his clumsiness).
Divo's problem, however, appears to be lack of creativity in his investigations, resulting in others not taking him seriously as a detective.
