Chapter 25: Politics Amidst A Growing War
A.N I had a bit of writer's block with this chapter and getting into the mood. I wanted to keep some of the beginning of AOTC but add my twist on it which at times wasn't easy. Hopefully the next chapter will be easier and won't take as long
Four months on and the Loyalist Committee was still struggling with obtaining more support against the Military Creation Act with many Senators thinking that a Republic army will protect their home worlds. With growing number of Senators having already joined the Separatists, the Loyalist Committee was determined to vote the Act down. Padme had managed to talk with Qui Gon about having the support of the Jedi however as per a request from Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, Padme had journeyed to Mandalore to talk to Satine hoping to sway her to her side.
However, her journey to Mandalore had been a wasted effort. Padme had hoped that even four months on, it would have been easy but Satine was determined to keep Mandalore neutral and with reports of recent assassination attempts against Padme's life, Satine was advised to avoid joining them. Padme hated leaving Mandalore knowing she would have to tell Bail bad news however that would be the least of her problems.
Anakin stood at the edge of the landing platform watching the guards and Sabe and Dorme pack the ship for their journey back to Courscant. Due to the assassination attempts, they had taken extra security measures and Captain Typho was about to add in another suggestion.
Anakin watched as Padme's head of security moved over towards him. "Anakin, I believe we may need to make a security change" he informs him as Anakin looks at him
"What's wrong another assassination attempt?" he asks as Captain Typho sighs
"There are rumours back on Courscant that there will be another attempt on Senator Amidala's life which will ensure her death" he sadly informs him. Anakin stiffens. The thought of losing his fiancé sadden him and he knew he needed to ensure that didn't happen. Anakin then spoke
"Padme won't be frightened off by this news. She is devoted to voting down this Act even though this trip to Mandalore didn't go the way she wanted" he points out as Captain Typho nodded
"My thoughts exactly" he replies going on "I have spoken with both Sabe and Dorme about being a decoy for Padme" he states as Anakin was silent. He knew Padme would be livid over the idea of using one of her friends as a decoy even if it was what they were trained for.
"Make the arrangements and I'll go find Padme and speak with her" he explains moving away and over towards the nearby speeder. He knew Padme was still back at their guest quarters saying goodbye to Satine. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation.
Padme was packing her last bag as Satine sat on the couch before her. She may not be willing to join her cause but Satine still hoped she had a friendship with Padme.
"I am sorry that I cannot join you and the loyalist committee regarding the Military Creation Act, Padme" she admits going on "It's just that Mandalore has remained neutral for years and my council feels that Mandalore would be safer if they continue to remain that way" she explains as Padme nods
"It's alright Satine I understand. I am fighting to vote down the Act because I don't want Naboo to suffer any more. When the Trade Federation invaded Naboo, I was heartbroken and fought back. I do not want to see anyone else go through what I saw" she confesses. Satine smiles as the two share a hug
"Thank you Padme and it was nice to see you and Anakin" she smiles as Padme smiles back at her.
"That's very kind of you Satine. Anakin and I thank you for your kind hospitality during our stay" she tells her just as Anakin enters the room
"And perhaps Obi Wan will join us next time" he grins as Satine simply smiles before she starts to head from the room.
"I'll see you out on the landing platform" she says as Padme notices Anakin's concerned face.
"Is everything alright Anakin?" she asks as he moves over towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist. They shared a tender kiss together before he sighs.
"Captain Typho has informed me that the next assassination attempt on your life will end with your death which I won't let that happen but Captain Typho wants to use a decoy for your journey back home to Courscant" he explains. Padme's eyes widen as she knew what that meant. It would mean putting either Sabe or Dorme in danger and while that is what they were trained for, Padme hated putting those she loved, in danger for her.
"No!" she cried "I cannot put Sabe or Dorme in that danger. They're my best friends. If this happens, I can't lose one of my best friends" she replies as Anakin rubs her shoulders gently.
"Padme, I can't lose you and I promise you they'll be fine" he assures her as Padme takes a deep breath. She wanted to believe Anakin but she hated putting one of her friends in danger. Anakin looks down at her
"Which one of your friends do you want as the decoy?" he asks breaking the silence as Padme thought for a moment.
"Sabe. She was the first handmaiden to be trained for me and is ready" she replies. Anakin nods. He gives her a soft kiss.
"I'll go arrange it. Captain Typho is bringing you a pilot's uniform. You'll be flying back with me" he informs her exiting the room leaving Padme alone. She couldn't wait to get back to Courscant but would she lose a best friend as well?
An hour later, the gray clouds came into view as Padme watched Anakin bringing the ship into Courscant's inner atmosphere. They were flying in a smaller shuttle with two fighters flying either side of Padme's silver ship with Sabe inside as Padme. Padme felt a lump in her throat as she saw the outlines of some of Courscant's tall buildings coming into view through the clouds.
Anakin slowed the ship's speed down as they were given clearance for landing on the landing platform. The two small fighters landed on two outer platforms close by as the silver ship landed in the middle. Anakin and Padme, with her helmet on, exited their cockpit and moved down the landing platform just as Captain Typho joined them.
They watched the silver ship's landing ramp open as Anakin remained on alert. It was eerily quiet for the morning and Anakin didn't like it. He stepped away from Padme and Captain Typho just as he saw Sabe led the small group down the landing room.
Then he felt it. A disturbance in the force and raced straight for Sabe. "Get down!" Anakin called out at the moment Sabe reached the end of the landing ramp. He went to force push her at the moment there was a large explosion knocking him, the landing party, Captain Typho and Padme onto their backs.
Alarms began to rang out. Anakin felt the ringing in his ears - he could see bodies everywhere and prayed he had gotten Sabe out of the way in time. "Sabe!" he heard a voice cry out. As he tried to ignore the ringing in his ears once more, he recognised the voice as Padme's who had removed her helmet and raced past Anakin in the direction he had pushed her. As Anakin got to his feet and raced after her along with Captain Typho. He saw Padme kneeling before her friend who wasn't moving.
"Sabe!" she cried placing a hand on her shoulder shaking her lightly "Sabe!" she repeats turning her over, she had a nasty head wound, cut lip and bruises forming. "M'lady" she weakly spoke "I failed you..." her voice trails off as Anakin kneels beside her.
"She has a pulse but its weak. Captain Typho, get her to a medical centre!" he orders her seeing him nod
"Yes sire but we need to get the Senator out of here. She's still in danger" he points out as Anakin helps Padme to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her. He watched as guards escorted Sabe from the landing platform. Padme was still in shock "This was a bad idea" she cried as Anakin rubs her back gently
"You were needed back here for this vote. Sabe was trained for this and she has done her duty" he remains as he sees Captain Typho moving towards them. He was eager to get them off the platform. He raises her chin so that her brown, red eyes were looking up at him "Come on, we need to get you out of here" he insists. Padme paused looking around at the destruction and bodies while medics tended to the wounded then without another word, Padme allowed Anakin to lead her away towards a nearby speeder.
Deep within the Senate chamber, the Senate had already convened for the vote on the Military Creation Act. Bail and Mon Mothma both knew that they did not have the numbers and with Padme's trip to Mandalore not ending the way they had hoped, they were running out of options. Padme had still not arrived to the Senate and there was news that her ship had been attacked and there were casualties. Bail only hoped that Anakin had saved her in the attack.
Bail sat in his podium and watched as Chancellor Palpatine in his deep red robes stood in his podium. A sombre look on his face as he stood in between his aide Sly Moore, a pale bald headed woman dressed in long blue robes and speaker of the Senate, Mas Amedda. "Senators, I must inform you all that the Senator from Naboo has been assassinated" he reveals hearing a collective gasp amongst the chamber. Bail sombrely lowers his head as Palpatine went on
"The news comes a shock to me, for I have known Senator Amidala since she was an aide while I was Senator for Naboo. She may have only been Senator for a few months but she will be missed" he admits right before they all heard a voice
"My noble colleagues" came the voice. Bail recognised it instantly as Padme's voice. He looked over to see her pod move out into the middle. Anakin stood by the entrance, arms folded across his chest as Padme cleared her throat and went on. "There was an assassination attempt on my life and it gravely injured both of my handmaidens and killing six guards" she informs the chamber "It is clear that I was the target and had it not been for Jedi Skywalker's plan, I would not be here addressing you in this chamber" she reveals
There was a collective gasps and murmurs amongst the Senators as Anakin watched the Senators whispering and arguing back. He knew some of them were for this act which meant they disagreed with Padme "This security measure before you has divided all of us!" she exclaims going on "I am one of the leaders leading the opposition to building this army and someone will stop at nothing to secure its passage!" she declares.
Bail looked around the chamber. The murmurs increased and some of them sounded angry at the fact that Padme was accusing someone within the Senate for the assassination attempt as Padme was becoming more frustrated. "Wake up Senators!" she cries "You must wake up!" she insists "If you offer the Separatists violence, they will only show violence in return!" she explains. "When my home planet was invaded, I saw many people suffering and dying and if we allow this creation of an army, many others will lose their lives and freedom and I cannot believe there is anyone here who would want that!?" she asks in disbelief.
"Vote down this measure which is nothing less than a declaration of war" she warns them "Does anyone here want that?" she asks shaking her head "I cannot believe they do?" she adds. The Senators started arguing once more right at the moment the Senator from Sneeve, Jollin Resbin - a short furry blond haired, green eyed male stood up in his pod looking over at Padme.
"I refuse to listen to this nonsense and insist we defer the vote on this matter" he insists. Padme glares over at him - Senator Resbin was one of the supporters for this Act and it was clear to Padme that support for the Act was falling due to her speech just now which is why he wanted it deferred.
Mas Amedda attempted to silence everyone "Order!" he calls out "Order!" he insists. Anakin cautiously watches as Palpatine stands before everyone as Padme remains strong but silence before he spoke
"Due to the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion we will take up this matter tomorrow" he informs them adding "Until them, the Senate is adjourned" he concludes.
Anakin watches Padme's pod return to its station as he moves forward towards her. He gives her a soft kiss. "You did good out there angel" he tells her "I could sense the fear some of those Senators have" he informs her as Padme sighs
"I just wish that the Chancellor didn't have to adjourn the Senate without a vote" she admits right at the moment Captain Typho came up towards them. "Senator, I've just received a message that Chancellor Palpatine wishes to see you in his office" he informs her. Padme exchanges a glance with Anakin. She hoped he wasn't going to suggest she run off and hide somewhere till this bounty hunter was caught.
Padme gripped his hand before she looks back at Captain Typho, "Let's not keep the Chancellor waiting" she says before Anakin and Padme follow Captain Typho out into the hallway heading towards the Chancellor's office.
Whilst at the same time, Chancellor Palpatine was meeting with members of the Jedi Council including Master Yoda, Master Windu, Master Mundi, Master Koon, Master Undoli, Master Jinn and Obi Wan. True to his word four months ago to Padme, Qui Gon was showing the Jedi would remain peace keepers.
"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote my friends" Chancellor Palpatine regrettably explained "More and more star systems are joining the Separatists" he reveals as Qui Gon then spoke up
"Yes, but Chancellor, do you really want a creation of an army while trying to prevent a war?" he asks as Palpatine then answered him
"I will not let this Republic that has stood for a thousand years be split in two" he assures them as Obi Wan decided to speak up
"Chancellor, in all fairness, Senators are leaving the Republic every day. The Republic is already splitting in two" he points out as Mace Windu then added
"And remember Chancellor, we Jedi are keepers of the peace, not soldiers" as Chancellor Palpatine then looks over at Yoda
"Master Yoda, do you think it really come to war?" he asks him as Yoda lowers his head, clears his throat
"The dark side clouds everything" he begins to reply looking up at him "Impossible to see, the future is" he concludes as Obi Wan exchanged a glance with his father right at the moment the comm. on Palpatine's desk chimed before they all saw a small hologram activate with Palpatine's assistant.
"Chancellor, Senator Amidala is here to see you" he informs him as Palpatine nods.
"Good, send them in" he tells him. He looks at the Jedi. "We'll discuss this matter later" he assures them. Chancellor Palpatine rose from his desk as the Jedi got up from their seats as they saw Anakin and Padme enter the room. Qui Gon smiled at seeing his youngest son. It had only been five months since his son got engaged and he could see he was happy although the threat of losing Padme gave him strength to protect her even more.
Master Yoda spoke first as he moved over towards Padme. "Senator Amidala, your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible" he admits "It is good to see you even more" he adds. Padme smiles.
"Thank you Master Yoda" she replies right at the moment, Chancellor Palpatine, having moved over towards Padme and Anakin, gave her a warm sincere smile.
"My dear child, it is a relief to see you safe" he tells her taking her hands in his however she was quick to pull back. Two months may have past, but Padme was still angry with the Chancellor over not keeping Ruwee and Palo in a prison cell. They may have been ordered to leave Courscant though the persuasion of Master Jinn but Padme would have preferred to have seen them both on trial.
Padme moves back beside Anakin, " It is thanks to Jedi Skywalker here that I and my handmaidens are still alive" she reveals. "I do want to know who is behind these attacks on my life" she insisted just as Qui Gon spoke up
"There hasn't been any sighting of the Viceroy Nute Gunray since the prison escape, although that was rumoured to have been carried out by the Separatists" he reveals as Anakin straightens, his arm around Padme's waist.
"With both your handmaidens in the medical centre, we'll need to tighten security for you Senator" Master Windu pointed out as Palpatine had a thought
"Master Jedi, while I believe that Jedi Skywalker has protected the Senator as best he can, perhaps an additional Jedi assigned will help catch this assassin" he suggests looking back towards them "Perhaps Obi Wan?" he asks. Obi Wan nods as Qui Gon agrees
"I think that is a good idea. Both Obi Wan and Anakin make quite the team and will protect the Senator and catch the assassin" he assures them adding "And perhaps in return, Padme, your sister and her girls can stay with Shmi and I at the Temple" he insisted.
Padme nods "Thank you. That is a good idea to keep them safe for now" she agrees. Palpatine smiles
"Excellent and knowing that Obi Wan and Anakin are both protecting you will make me feel relieved to know you are safe my dear" he admits as Anakin gave him a cautious glare. He didn't trust Chancellor Palpatine ever since he had revealed the night Padme was made Senator, his friendship with her father. Anakin then spoke up
"Well, let's head over to your apartment now where Obi Wan and Anakin investigate the security arrangements and dad can take Sola and the girls to the Temple" he suggests. Padme nods. She wanted to meet with Bail and Mon Mothma but due to the assassination attempt, she knew it would be best to head back to the apartment
One hour later and with the sky a light orange and pink, Obi Wan, Anakin and Padme arrived back at her apartment. Sola had been relieved to see her sister alive. She didn't like leaving her sister alone especially without her handmaidens but trusted that Anakin and Obi Wan would never let any harm come to her and so she left with Qui Gon and her daughters for the Temple.
Padme then retired to her quarters leaving Anakin and Obi Wan to check security. Obi Wan had headed downstairs to talk with Captain Typho whilst Anakin remained close to her room. He watched the sun slip beyond the buildings as darkness filled the city and the lights flicked on in the buildings around them. That was when he heard the elevator chime and Obi Wan entered the room slipping off his cloak as he enters the room
"Captain Typho has more than enough men downstairs" he informs him "No assassin would dare try to get in that way" he goes on. He places his cloak on the couch and moves over towards his brother "Any activity up here?" he asks as his brother as Anakin shakes his head
"Quiet as a tomb, except for Padme covering the cameras facing her bed" he replies as Obi Wan looks concerned, raising an eyebrow at his brother
Anakin goes on "Don't worry brother, I'll be in the room with her and you'll be right outside in case an assassin strikes" he reminds him as Obi Wan looks over towards Padme's room
"It's too risky, but I know you won't let any harm come to her so I hope this doesn't back fire" he points out. Anakin straightens up. He was grateful to have his brother entrusting him - he just hoped that the next time this assassin attacked, it would end in their capture.
A short distance away from the Senatorial district, Jango Fett stood awaiting his companion. He used that word loosely because he usually preferred to work alone however on his last assignment, he encountered another bounty hunter who he was forced to team up with.
He watched as Zam Wesell's speeder pulled up alongside the building where he had been waiting. She lowered the mask off her face as she exited the speeder. She looked like a human but she was really a clawdite, a shapeshifter and so her appearance changed for her missions. When Lord Maul assigned this mission to him with assassinating Senator Amidala. Jango accepted but knew the Jedi would be protecting her closely especially Skywalker and so he entrusted Zam with the majority of the assignment.
As she moved towards him, he saw she kept a serious expression. "I hit the ship" she assures him "But, unfortunately they used a decoy who were only wounded due to the Jedi's early inference" she reveals
Jango shakes his head. He knew his client and Lord Maul were growing impatience and needed to speed this up. This was now the fourth attempt in four months and they couldn't afford another failure. "We'll have to be more subtle this time Zam, My client is getting impatience" he reveals before he pulls out a long narrow tube with two medium size poisonous kouhuns
Zam takes the tube from Jango "Be careful, they're very poisonous" he warns her seeing her nod before she moves away just when he decides to warn her once more "And Zam, there can be no mistakes this time" he warns her seeing her pull her mask over her nose and mouth and moves away. Even with the Jedi around the Senator, he hoped the kouhuns would catch them off guard.
When Anakin entered the room, he found Padme still at her dresser. She had changed into a long, light blue night gown and hair in flowing curls down her back. He moved over to place a hand on her shoulder startling her. He leans to kiss her gently on the cheek before he looks at her.
"Are you alright?" he asks her as Padme sighs
"Yes" she softly replies before she turns around getting to her feet, she moves away from Anakin before she snaps "I just can't take it anymore!" she exclaims "I have had to deal with my father, Palo, various Senators telling me I shouldn't be here and now someone is trying to kill me!" she cries as Anakin moves over towards her. He places his hands on her arms
"Padme, I promise you I will ensure no one will hurt you. Your father and Palo aren't even on Courscant anymore. Obi Wan and I will find and capture your attacker before they can strike again" he promises her holding her close. His arms around her waist as she rested her head against his chest.
"I know I am always safe in your arms" she confesses before they both share a passionate romantic kiss before they moved over towards the bed. R2 had powered down for the night however little did they know, their night wasn't over yet.
One hour later, Anakin and Padme had fallen asleep whilst Obi Wan remained outside in the living room. He remained on alert but still nothing which he couldn't understand. The assassin must have heard that she was still alive so where were they? He didn't like this - he had a bad feeling about this. He glanced down at the datapad seeing half the room which showed R2 only before he then takes out his small holo projector.
An image of Hannah appeared before him. She had heard about what happened on the landing platform and Obi Wan's assignment with Anakin to protect Padme but he could sense her nerves.
"You look troubled, Obi Wan?" she notes as he sighs
"It's too quiet here even though security is on alert and Anakin's with Padme but it doesn't feel right" he confesses seeing her giggle.
"Obi Wan" she sighs "You need to learn to enjoy the quietness because the assassin is probably planning an attack and then when he strikes you'll be wishing for the quiet" she teases as Obi Wan shakes his head. He continued to talk not aware of what was approaching the window of Padme's bedroom at this very moment.
At the same time Obi Wan remained out in the living room and Anakin and Padme slept peacefully with R2 nearby, a lone droid was approaching the bedroom. Unknown to them, it was the droid belonging to bounty hunter Zam Wesell. It was carrying the two poisonous kouhuns that Jango had given her. The droid slowly approached the window, attaching itself to the window where the droid then proceeded to cut a small hole in the window letting the kouhuns through the hole and dropping onto the carpet.
The kouhuns began to move towards the bed right at the moment R2 turned himself on, giving a low whistle and turned on his light. They slid underneath and to the side of the bed as he scans the room finding no disturbance and switched back off. The small creatures were on the move once more, crawling up the bed making their way towards the sleeping Senator.
At the same time...
"Anakin wouldn't let any harm come to Padme. He loves her Obi Wan" Hannah reminds him once more "This Military Creation Act is important to Padme and whilst she is here for the vote..." she was quickly cut off as Obi Wan leapt to his feet
"Sorry Hannah, I sense a disturbance" he tells her rushing off in the direction of Padme's bedroom.
Whilst...
Sensing the disturbance at that moment, Anakin's eyes snapped opened before he called his lightsaber, which had been placed on the night table beside him to his hand. The blue blade blazed to life seeing the kouhuns ready to attack his beloved.
Anakin swiped his lightsaber at the creatures sending them across the room having cut them in half at the same time Obi Wan comes reaching into the room, lightsaber in hand just as Padme is awoken to the disturbance.
"Stay here Padme!" Anakin tells her looking around the room for any more intruders just as Obi Wan spots the droid attempting to leave and without another word, Obi Wan rushes straight for the window, breaking the glass and grabbing onto the droid just as it disappeared into traffic.
Anakin smirks. And the council thought he was too reckless. He knew he would have to go after his brother. "Stay here Padme" he tells her rushing from the room just as she got out of the bed upon Captain Typho and three of his guards rush into the room
"M'lady?" he asks as Padme attempted to compose herself
"There was another assassination attempt, Captain" she informs him looking out of the broken window. "Now, we wait and hope Obi Wan and Anakin capture the assassin" she informs him. She follows Captain Typho back out into the living room whilst Anakin chased after his brother in the hopes of finding out who is behind the assassination attempts.
Next Time: Obi Wan and Anakin give chase through Courscant after Zam then Obi Wan is given the task of going after the secondary bounty hunter whilst Qui Gon and the council suggest to his son to escort Padme off Courscant for her safety. Will they head to Naboo and is another encounter with her father and Palo coming?