Chapter 11
"Citizens continue to protest outside the Jedi Temple, demanding that the Jedi take action against the Separatists who threaten the galaxy with civil war," the newscaster on the HoloNews said.
"Well this is just going perfectly," Eirtaé commented.
She and Amidala were in the Supreme Chancellor's apartment watching the latest news. Ever since Eirtaé had mentioned to several media outlets that it was disappointing that the Jedi, the supposed Guardians of Peace, were not taking any action to ensure peace, a large wave of resentment towards the Jedi had grown throughout the Republic. In less than a month it had reached the point where upset citizens began protesting outside the Jedi Temple.
"This is far better than I anticipated." Amidala agreed.
It was not mentioned in the new reports because the Jedi wouldn't speak directly to the media, but there were even rifts starting to occur within the Jedi. Many of the younger Jedi wished to help but the older Masters felt that it was not their place to take action. A few knights had left the order to take up the cause against the Separatists.
"So what is the next move?" Eirtaé asked.
"We need to declare war against the Separatists," Amidala replied. "With the Republic taking a stance the Jedi will be forced to side with us or they will suffer further internal conflict and will be further disgraced in the eyes of the public."
"Yes but how do you intend to get the Senate to declare war?" Eirtaé inquired.
"Why I'm going to use my favourite media darling Senator to suggest that it is a good idea," Amidala replied.
The smile quickly vanished from Eirtaé's face.
"Why do I need to get involved in starting this war?" Eirtaé asked.
"Because it's your duty," Amidala answered. "You're not a traitor are you?"
Eirtaé grumbled her reply of no.
"Good because I'd hate to see you start going into business for yourself, I mean you saw how that went for Palpatine," Amidala said in a sweet tone, but the threat was clear. "Now I believe you have something you need to go do."
Eirtaé took her leave.
"You should have threatened her more," Yané said emerging from hiding.
"It likely would have kept her in line in the short term," Amidala said. "But that resentment would make her even more likely to turn on me."
Yané just shrugged.
"Please sit down," Amidala said indicating the couch now vacated by Eirtaé.
Yané took the proffered seat, sitting down stiffly. Amidala was curious as to how Yané had become so socially awkward after being trained for years to be a handmaiden as a child, lessons that drilled her in social graces.
"Would you like a drink or anything?" Amidala offered.
"Just water," Yané replied.
Amidala motioned at her service droid who left to get the drink for Yané. Yané had been following Amidala's orders and following Eirtaé for the past month.
"So what have you learned from watching her?" Amidala asked.
"I have learned a great deal," Yané replied. "I don't know if you wish to hear all of it, unless you have a date tonight."
Amidala smiled, she knew that Yané was referring to Eirtaé's promiscuity and was glad that Yané still had some semblance of her sense of humour.
"Well tell me what I would like to hear," Amidala said.
"Well over the past month she has slept with fourteen different men," Yané recalled. "But she has done nothing that would suggest treason. If I may speak freely?"
"Of course you can," Amidala said.
"I think that Eirtaé is out for own pleasure." Yané said. "All she cares about is the lavish clothes she wears, the fancy food she eats, all the attention she gets from the media, and the multiple men that she sleeps with."
The droid returned with Yané's water. Amidala sat back in her seat considering.
"You're probably right," Amidala agreed. "But something will have to be done. She a Sith and a Senator, not a HoloVid star."
"If you want, I can discipline her," Yané offered as she sipped her water.
Amidala shook her head, "No, she has too high a media presence and that would attract the wrong kind of attention. I think if I let my sister, the Queen, know about this, she'll, begin an investigation into our planet's Senator and her behaviour. Eirtaé will straighten up because she doesn't want to be sent back to Naboo."
Yané looked slightly disappointed, "I trust in your wisdom with this."
"If you want you can kill Senator Garm Bel Iblis," Amidala offered. "He's been particularly vocal about us not getting involved in this Separatist issue."
Yané smiled, set her water down on the table and stood up.
"Thank you Master," she said bowing, before she vanished into thin air.
Amidala went to the next room to use the HoloNet. A few minutes later the hologram of her older sister appeared before her.
"Hello Sola, it's nice to see you," Amidala greeted.
"What is this about Padmé?" her sister asked.
"Please can't two sisters just have a friendly conversation?" Amidala responded.
"You're not the friendly conversation type sister," Sola replied.
"Well you do have me there," Amidala admitted. "Very well, I'm just letting you know that you may want to do an investigation into your Senator's behaviour."
"I was under the impression that Eirtaé was very popular there on Coruscant," Sola said.
"Oh she is," Amidala concurred. "But perhaps not in the way a Senator should be. She is popular because she walks about like a HoloVid star, not because of her work in the Senate, which is to say it is almost non-existent."
"So you want me to recall her back to Naboo?" Sola asked. "I don't have anybody to send as a replacement."
"Oh no," Amidala replied. "I just want you to investigate her behaviour. The threat of being recalled back to Naboo should be enough to keep her in line for the time being. Of course try to keep her, inappropriate relationship with a Jedi, out of the investigation if you can."
She watched as her the hologram of her older sister glared at her.
"I am the Queen of Naboo, I don't have to do what you say," Sola stated.
"You are only Queen because I abdicated and made you my successor," Amidala retorted. "You only have my old spot on the council for the same reason. You would never have reached your current position without riding my coattails, you owe for this, and you know I can take this all away from you. So you are going to do this or my niece will become the new Queen of Naboo. Besides it's not like I'm asking you to do much."
She could see the hologram of Sola visibly swallow in nervousness.
"Very well, you'll get your investigation," Sola agreed.
"Thank you; I don't know why you had to make this so difficult." Amidala said.
Sola ended the transmission without responding as her hologram vanished. Amidala smiled with amusement, she always enjoyed getting under her sister's skin. She went back out to the sitting area when she heard the entrance tone. She sent her protocol droid to answer the door. Moments later the droid returned with Saché in tow.
"What are you doing here Saché?" Amidala asked.
"I had a vision," Saché replied, "One that you need to hear about."
It had been quite some time since Saché had a significant vision.
"What is it about?" Amidala asked.
"Your goal, your plan to recreate the Sith Empire, to do it you need to go to Korriban." Saché replied.
Korriban was the ancient home world of the Sith, but it had long fallen into ruin. Only dangerous Sith beasts resided there anymore and it was so far out of the way that nobody bothered to travel there.
"Why Korriban?" Amidala asked.
"I don't know for certain," Saché replied. "My visions are never complete, they are always fragmented. But there is some hidden knowledge on Korriban that will help you in restoring the Sith to their past glory."
Amidala was torn, she knew that Saché's visions were often correct, although deciphering them could often prove difficult. The problem was there was no knowing how long this trip to Korriban could take, and she still had duties as the Supreme Chancellor.
"And you are certain that I must go?" Amidala asked.
"It was you who I saw in my vision," Saché replied. "Also Korriban is incredibly dangerous even to the Sith, only the most powerful of us would dare venture there."
Amidala nodded, "Thank you Saché, I need to speak with Sabé about what I'm going to do."
Saché nodded, "You're welcome, now I must return. We are still gathering information on Dooku, we may soon have a chance to kill him."
Amidala stopped her from leaving, "Don't kill him just yet. If the Jedi Order splits apart over this war issue than I believe several Jedi will try to go after him themselves, and if they should die doing so then that is fine, and if a Jedi should fall to the dark side killing him than that is even better."
"Very well, we shall keep an eye on Dooku but take no action," Saché replied before taking her leave once more.
Amidala then had her protocol droid call Sabé. About an hour later Sabé arrived.
"What is you need Master?" Sabé asked.
"Very soon I'm going to need to take a trip to Korriban," Amidala replied.
"Korriban, but that's dead world," Sabé said. "There is nothing there."
"Oh there is something there," Amidala said. "Saché had a vision and there is something to be found on Korriban and I must go. So while I am gone I need you to be me. You will be the Supreme Chancellor. You know the course of action I want. Avoid any personal meetings. I trust you with this and when I return I will bring back the glory of the Sith Empire."
Sabé nodded, "Do not worry Master, the Republic will still be here when you return."
"I will take the next few days to make sure you are up to speed on everything going on with the Senate," Amidala replied. "Then I will leave for Korriban. If anyone realizes that you are not me, do not tell them where I have gone. If I wish for them to know they will know already."
Sabé nodded in acknowledgement and then Amidala excused her. She had preparations to make, she needed to secure a ship for starters and supplies and to be discreet about it. She also wanted to take Yané with her as well and perhaps a few other Sith, there was no telling how dangerous the creatures on Korriban had become. Amidala sighed and sat down on the couch contemplating the perilous during ahead of her.
Okay so this was a slightly shorter chapter, but this is where things deviate very heavily from the movies. And I know the question you all are asking is "What is Amidala going to find of Korriban?" Well that's what the next chapter is for.
Once again thanks for all the reviews, and all the favourites.