Chapter Thirty-Five
While Obi-Wan swallowed the last bit of his morning meal, he could make out the distinct sound of thrusters being fired overhead as yet another ship was approaching Theed. Now that the spaceport was once again in working order, the metal birds were landing and leaving quite regularly, bringing much-needed relief, supplies, and allies offering their assistance. He had thought Padmé would be pleased about the increased flow of traffic, but once Obi-Wan had discovered the reason behind much of it, he understood the unexpected response.
People were fleeing Naboo, choosing to become refugees and starting over elsewhere. Apparently, a prince by the name of Organa from the planet Alderaan, had offered to accept and assist any and all who chose to leave Theed. Obi-Wan was sure Organa was acting out of the goodness of his heart and had no ulterior political motive to his actions, however, Padmé didn't seem to agree. She was hurt, although Obi-Wan didn't think Organa was the source of her pain.
The glory which once was Theed was fading, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
For days, the young woman had been struggling to appear optimistic and friendly, but Obi-Wan could detect the underlying battle she was struggling to win.
"Perhaps, the people will return once the city is back to normal," Obi-Wan had told her just yesterday, his offhand remark earning a look from Padmé which hinted at his ongoing naivety.
"Theed will never be the same. Some of these buildings have been standing for generations! They simply can't be replaced! Don't get me wrong - I appreciate the GRS's efforts, but their work is voluntary, and their funding is limited. It's going to take something beyond their limited resources to undo the damage the Neimoidians have caused."
Obi-Wan was doing his best to understand Padmé's despondency, although he had no frame of reference. There was nothing on Avi-Kao which held his devotion; not even his home town of Taresh. Taresh had been a dung heap in the middle of the desert, filled with unhappy souls who barely managed to scrape out a living. The only source of good there had been the Old Farmer who had raised Obi-Wan. Once he had passed, however, nothing decent remained, and Obi-Wan felt no loyalty to the village or its people.
He could tell by looking at the rubble which once was Theed, at the massive crumbled statues that had lined the streets, the proud homes reduced to pebbles, that indeed the city had been grand. But buildings were just hollow, empty structures without people to occupy them. So, perhaps, the true source of Padmé's unhappiness was that she felt as if her people were abandoning her.
During his ponderings, while dusting away crumbs which littered his attire, Obi-Wan became suddenly aware of a change in Padmé's demeanor. For the first time in a while, he detected a spark of hope breaking through the shadows which dwelled inside her.
She was excited and the news quickly spread that somebody important had arrived in Theed. Perhaps somebody who could help them.
Obi-Wan rushed through a palace he had become quite accustomed to, out into the street, and into the nearby spaceport. Once inside, he noticed a spectacular ship parked there unlike any other he'd seen. The GRS ships were essentially huge metal rectangular boxes, but this one - this particular ship had a unique shape and form, and something slightly akin to wings, which formed a vee on either side of its body. The outer layer was polished to a high sheen, and Obi-Wan decided whoever had arrived in such a bird, had to be someone of great importance.
He approached slowly once he had located the visitor on the other side of the port speaking with Padmé. It was an older man with graying hair and quite a few wrinkles about his eyes and neck. Everything else about him was hidden beneath a long robe of dark gray and black with billowing sleeves. Behind the man stood a pair of massive beings, holding tall silver Obi-Wan assumed were weapons. The one on the left had blue skin and horns not only protruding from the top of his skull, but from the large neck flaps which folded across his chest.
There had been a variety of different-looking beings coming to Theed for the past several days. Just when Obi-Wan thought he had become accustomed to the sight of them, he was beginning to think he would never quite get used to seeing such a variety, especially when they were as odd-looking as this one was.
Obi-Wan cast out his awareness upon the ferocious-appearing guards, receiving only a sense of duty and purpose in return. They meant no one any harm.
However, when he did the same toward the older gentleman speaking with Padmé, Obi-Wan could've sworn for just a moment...for a fraction of an instant, he could detect an intense amount of hatred and anger, the likes and depths of which he had never encountered before. When he tried again, however, it was if a door had been slammed in his face, and he could no longer get a reading of the man at all. It was as if all of his attempts were being blocked somehow.
It was on his third attempt, the well-dressed gentleman changed his focus and turned to gaze upon Obi-Wan as he strolled across the brand new plasteel flooring.
"Ah, I believe this is the young man you were telling me about." The man's voice had a forced charm, his blue eyes dimly lit and rather lifeless. Obi-Wan formed an instant dislike for the man, although he tried his best not to show it.
"Chancellor, this is Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan, Chancellor Palpatine."
Obi-Wan bowed curtly out of respect for Padmé and Padmé alone. He didn't wish to embarass her in front of someone she apparently deemed highly.
"The Chancellor has been recently elected as the head of the Republic. He's originally from Naboo," Padmé explained.
"Which is why it saddens me to see the city in such a state. My heart aches for you and its citizens. Truly, it does," the man's oily voice droned on. Although his words seemed kind, Obi-Wan didn't trust him. Not at all. "We flew by to observe the damage, and it is indeed heartbreaking, Your Highness."
"Let us go inside to discuss the situation, Chancellor," Padmé suggested.
Obi-Wan followed at a distance, suddenly feeling uncomfortable and out of place. The handmaidens had arrived as well, and for the first time, he was able to witness the workings of procedure and protocol of Naboo royalty, as well as for their esteemed leader. He wasn't sure he would've been allowed to walk with them anyway, and so he stayed back, though he kept his hearing attuned to everything Padmé had to say.
"The GRS have done so much to help, but in order to return Theed to its former state, much more will be required," Padmé explained as the Chancellor listened in silence. "Their funding is limited and their volunteers are tiring. The people of Naboo are fleeing to Alderaan, and we simply dso not have the resources required to continue reconstruction."
"Aren't the mines still running?" Palpatine asked as they stepped into the palace.
"Yes, they are, but only at half staff. No income has been generated until just recently, however, when the spaceport became functional again."
"I see."
The group was escorted into one of the empty conference rooms with the older man settling in a chair just to the left of Padmé, whose handmaidens stood directly behind her. Padmé sat proudly upright, her attention entirely focused on the Chancellor. Although her appearance was exactly the same as it always had been, she seemed to have grown taller in some way. Obi-Wan stayed just inside the door, leaning against the wall.
"What is it exactly you are requesting from me?"
Whatever it was the older man had asked, it had gotten Padmé's attention and she leaned forward onto the table, her dark eyes sparkling. "We need Coruscant's assistance, Chancellor. A loan, if necessary. Some substantial source of financial aid is needed in order to rebuild the city and keep the people from leaving it."
It was some time before the older leader replied. He had even taken the time to consult the blue, horned individual standing just behnd his shoulder.
"These are tough times, Your Highness." Palpatine began. "There are skirmishes all over the Galaxy. The Republic cannot help them all."
"But," Padmé intejected, some of her previous glow diminishing, "you are from Naboo. Surely, what happens here matters to you."
"Of course it does, my dear. What I've seen truly saddens me. Such a loss, for no apparent reason other than greed. But as a newly elected official, I must be careful of showing any favoritism, you understand. My heart goes out to you and those who have suffered so needlessly."
His words had stunned Padmé. Obi-Wan could see the change in her eyes as well as in her posture.
"Does this mean you will do nothing to help us?" she stammered in disbelief.
"Now, now. I didn't say anything of the sort. Upon my return to the capital, I will request a committee be formed whose sole purpose will be to look into the matter."
"A committee." Padmé uttered.
"For the timebeing, it's the best I can do, Your Highness. My condolences to you all."
She was doing her best to maintain her composure, but disappointment clouded her eyes, and Obi-Wan could sense frustration and anger beginning to boil just beneath the surface.
"Thank you, Chancellor," she said before forcing an expression to match her words - a grin very similar to the one the old gentleman wore since his arrival.
Apparently, being pressed for more important matters, the Chancellor and his entourage left nearly as quickly as they had arrived. In their wake, stood a very angry group of Naboo females, plus one scowling Captain of the Guard.
"What are we going to do now?" Sabé asked.
"I don't know," Padmé answered. "Without the Chancellor's support, we're basically on our own."
Obi-Wan was torn. He knew Padmé had been counting on help from her government, and apparently that wasn't coming. However, if help was dependent upon the actions of the man he had just met? Perhaps it was best they had been refused.
Dealings with Chancellor Palpatine could only lead to one thing, and Obi-Wan felt that Padmé and Naboo had already suffered enough.