Padme stood in a packed auditorium dressed in a green and brown suit.
"People of the Galaxy, hear me. Since before the Confederacy's inception I have fought for peace and justice. To give those with no voice a chance to be heard. For those who are oppressed, to stand free. For those without hope to have some. For this, the leaders of the Republic fear me and rightly so. Those they marginalise, now have a voice. Those they exploit, now can resist. Those they leave vulnerable, now can fight for their homes.
For showing how they have lost their way, for showing how democracy can work, for showing how Galactic Civilisation can be they have not ceased in their attacks. They call me a Warlord, since I fight to free those in chains. They claim I have formed a cult of personality because my words and actions have brought hope and freedom. They claim I am a Sith, since someone who fights for peace, justice and an end to oppression is somehow a mystical tyrant.
Let me remind you that it was the Republic who declared an unjust war against the Confederacy. For what? The crime of wishing to govern and defend ourselves? It is also the Republic who have employed black ships such as these to devastate a world."
A holo played showing footage from a surviving fighter of the attack on Issus.
"They have been confirmed by the Jedi as Sith warships, not any less deadly than when they were first seen. These are the allies of the Republic. For those who have forgotten their history the Sith care not for Civilisation. If they want something, they take it. Being their allies beforehand matters little to them. This is the serpent the Republic Senate lies with. How soon will it be before your world becomes their price? Because it will betray them, for that is their nature. We however will not treat with the Sith, but will fight them, resist them as we fight all who hate freedom. People of the Galaxy, rise up and resist!"
After the applause died down she spent the next few hours answering questions and expanding on the subject.
Furia watched the announcement with amusement.
"Nicely said. Unfortunately, you are one of us. All that's needed is that you wake up. Maybe this will shake some sense into you."
Furia turned her attention to the activity on the bridge.
"All ships jump."
It had been another long day. There was always something that needed her attention. Still, it was late but she could now go home.
"Ms Amidala. Palpatine is here requesting a short meeting." came Delphine's voice over the com.
Doesn't he sleep either was her first, uncharitable thought. No, Naboo's representative and her former mentor worked as hard as she did.
"Very well, send him in." she said.
Moments later Palpatine walked into her office. As usual he was smiling.
"First Citizen. As discussed I have formed a military oversight committee and I have their preliminary recommendations." he said handing her a flimsy.
Padme read it. Ship deployments, troop movements. Wait.
"They want to abandon the war against the Hutts?"
"Pause for the duration of our conflict with the Republic. Note we are not settling for peace, just a cessation of hostilities." said Palpatine.
"But all those people."
"We also are not relinquishing those systems we have liberated. Our campaign has dealt the Hutt a blow that will take them decades to recover from. We have freed billions, but now we must see to our own defence. If we fall, then it all becomes for nothing. You know the Republic will not care."
Palpatine waited patiently.
"You are right. We need to survive the Republic if we are to do any long term good. Very well. Begin the recall. Just tell me why I feel like I am abandoning all those people."
"I know it feels like a betrayal, a breaking of a promise. Unfortunately it is what is necessary. It is a strength few have. A strength that will ultimately lead to victory, both against the Republic and the Hutts."
Padme nodded and Palpatine left. He hummed a little tune as he went home.
The Senate was in an uproar following the broadcast of the First Citizen's speech. Who was to be believed? Was she lying? Telling the truth? The footage shown had been separately transmitted and judged genuine. Were there real Sith? What did they want? Where would they strike next?
"Mom!" Keira looked up from drawing as Padme staggered in.
"Mom? I'm not sure I can handle that darling. It makes me seem old."
"How about Mum or Mummy?" said Keira.
Padme walked over and sat by her new daughter.
"That, that has a special meaning here. It means birth mother. I would of have to of been fourteen when I had you."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Ask me again in five years."
"Mother?"
"Way too old. You typically call someone that when you have children of your own. Perhaps we should stick with mom."
"Look what I made."
Keira held up the flimsy. Padme froze. The picture depicted a woman in red and black, her. Besides her was a dark warrior, Anakin and there were others. Everyone had a laser sword. Hers was red.
Even my daughter thinks I am a Sith. No. There was an innocent explanation.
"Why do I have a red sword?" Padme said sweetly.
"Because you're just like this woman in the book. Look." said Keira picking up a reader and selecting an image. It showed a woman in red and black armour welding a red sword.
"Queen Artura? That was a long time ago. I am not like her at all." she said ignoring the close resemblance. The book must be recent and her image been fresh in the artist's mind.
"All right monster. We've waited up. Now everyone has to go to bed. You too Gorgeous." said Anakin. He was leaning against a doorway, yawning.
Keira kissed Padme goodnight and ran over to Anakin, who picked her up and carried her off to her bedroom. A few minutes late he returned and picked Padme up from where she was dozing off.
"Anakin?"
"What if they're right and I am a Sith? A warlord?"
"I have met Sith. You're nothing like those lunatics."
"But..."
"If you are a Sith, then I don't care. I'll help you conquer the Galaxy and do it gladly. But if you're not, if you are the bravest, most courageous person I know, then I'll also help you save it."
The Republic Fleet transitted above Marrias. As the heavy cruisers formed a line against the defenders, a small force boosted for the Orgos transit zone. Republic crews braced for the inevitable Confederacy fighter swarm.
Darth Furia closed her eyes. See everyone's fear. Now, shift. Your crew's anxieties can be suppressed, overwhelmed by your will. The enemy's, amplified. It is a small thing to grow pre-battle nerves to worry, doubt, confusion and fear. And the fearful make mistakes, they cannot coordinate. Also just a nudge, here and there, let the gun crews see through the ECM haze on their scanners, guide their hands to fire at the right time.
It wasn't much, but it was enough. Slightly more accurate fire tore apart the Confederacy fighters who, more willing to break and evade lost the opportunity for a devastating first strike. The Republic cruisers pushed through with little loss and engaged their lighter opponents. Soon the Confederacy ships were in retreat.
Now. Activating the Gravity ship the Confederacy found their main escape route blocked. Caught between two hostile forces they were quickly destroyed. The Republic returned to occupy Marrias orbit and commenced the surface invasion to take the planet.
Another day. Padme walked across the Assembly grounds when she received the news. Marrias attacked. Defensive space forces wiped out, the planet invaded. While relief forces were enroute it would still be another ten hours. The strange reports of the battle were troubling. She activated her comm.
"Anakin? I will need a meeting with the Jedi this morning." she said.
"We're already there. Um, there's someone here to see us." he replied.
Well, that was cryptic. She wondered if she could ever truly get used to the Force and its ways.
Waiting patiently in the reception before her chambers was the newcomer. A short green being.
"Good day Ms Amidala. Speak with you I must." said Yoda.
"You do? Why?" she said.
"Deliberate who you and Skywalker are, the Jedi do. Ripples, disturbances in the Force are there. A peaceful retirement, not allowed I am till resolved, this is." said Yoda.
Padme listened to the little alien's strange syntax. Was he being deliberately cryptic?
"Anakin and me? Just what are you here to decide? Is this more of those lies the Republic spreads about me? I thought the Jedi were above that." she said.
"Why I am here that is. Yes, judgement I will make, but not before seen with my own eyes, heard with my own ears have I. Your story, hear it I will. Not here though. Buildings, unaccustomed now I am. Somewhere natural, hmm."
Padme considered the request. There was so much to do today. Still, wasn't there always? Also, it would do to make a favourable impression on this being.
"Certainly, allow me to organise transport." she said.
It did not take long to do so and an hour later she and the old Jedi were sitting at the shore of Lake Varykino. Plus the platoon of troopers in a cordon, Lancer squadron overhead and a Liberator on orbit.
"Thank you Ms Amidala for humouring me. Now, your story I would hear from you." said Yoda.
"Where do I begin?"
"Search your feelings. Concentrate. Know the answer then you shall."
Was this how the Jedi thought all the time. Still, she complied with the curious request. She closed her eyes, breathed in and a memory came, was recalled.
"Found it, have you? So quickly. A pity Jedi you are not." said Yoda.
"No, it's silly. Just a random memory."
"In the Force there is no such thing as 'silly'. Merely what we do not understand yet. Begin your tale you should. Doubt yourself, you should not."
"Okay. I was just turned eight standard. There was a documentary at school about the Senate and the Republic. I was entranced. From that day I knew what I wanted to do..." began Padme.
Yoda listened to the young woman and her story. How her fascination grew to become a passion, almost an obsession. How by fifteen she had her life all planned out. How at eighteen, just as she was about to start her internship at the Senate everything had changed. How Anakin had changed everything. He asked for clarification at some points or just a pause as he concentrated. Eventually the tale wound down.
"The Republic has crafted this image of me as a Warlord, Artura reborn, a Sith sorceress. I am none of those things." concluded Padme.
"Hmm, so sure. You cannot of missed how conflict around you has grown. Greater and greater the magnitude always is. Always protecting yourself and yet with greater violence. Yes, something is at work, but you it is not." said Yoda.
"And what of Anakin?"
"Give him up, would you if I asked?"
"No!"
"What if I told you for the good of the Confederacy it was. To save them, sacrifice Skywalker you must."
Would she? Could she? How was anyone more important than trillions?
When that one person was the man she loved.
"I, I do not know. Maybe, but I would not care to live afterwards, I do not think I could live with myself. Will it come to that?"
Yoda shrugged.
"Know that, I do not. That Skywalker would set the Galaxy on fire to save you, that I do know. That is dangerous. Very dangerous." he said.
Padme could see where this was leading.
"Please, you can't do this? I love him."
"Do what, hmm. Perhaps I shall tell you a tale. I had an apprentice. As they trained and learned they met another, someone also strong in the Force. They fell in love, as people do. The Jedi was one of the strongest of his generation. Destined for great things as Knight, then Master he would be. The Jedi came to me for guidance on whether he should marry his beloved. I, advised against it. A poor, often absent spouse a Jedi makes. The Jedi was heartbroken, but my advice he took. A great Jedi Knight he became. However, sure of my decision, I was not. Who was I, to break apart two so? So retire I did."
"Obi-Wan. Your last apprentice. He never talks about it, but you get, hints, here and there." said Padme.
Yoda nodded.
"Yes. Which is why forbid you to marry Skywalker I will not. Happiness, joy, love. These are better tools against the Dark Side than ships and troops. It is past time we employed them."
Padme leaned over and hugged the diminutive being.
"Careful, old am I, such affection may destroy me. Still, be careful. For if in peril you become, Skywalker will stop at nothing to save you."
Padme nodded.
"Of course. I will take care." she said.
