Note 43

Master Yoda,

I wish that I could say that the extra security measures that I consented to were not necessary. However, I am sure that you have heard of what happened on the landing platform. Corde, my decoy, died in my place. She was a good friend of mine, and she was telling me that she was hoping to marry a Senator that she had been seeing for some time. Now that marriage will never take place. I feel like there is no time to mourn her either.

It is nice to see you again, but I wish the circumstances were more pleasant.

The Chancellor has practically ordered me to request additional protection from the Jedi Order, so I am formally requesting that you send someone to protect me. I do not like the idea of it, but I know that I cannot argue with the Chancellor. I also know that I am in danger.

Do you have any idea who is behind these attacks? I think that it is Count Dooku. If it is not him, then it is someone who has connections with the Senate who will see to any measure that the Military Creation Act passes.

There was a Senate meeting earlier in which I had the opportunity of addressing the entire Senate. I do not know how well my speech was received by my fellow Senators, but it did seem that there are many who I was able to persuade. Although the attempt on my life was by no means good, at least it should help the Senate wake up. This measure cannot pass because if it does, this would only make the war inevitable. It is good to know that at least the Chancellor is against the act. War must be prevented if it is at all possible. If the Separatists attack the Republic, then the Republic will have no choice but to fight back. But if the Separatists can be persuaded to keep peace with us, then we can avoid a war. If we create the army, the Separatists will only consider this to be a threat to them.

I hope that your own meeting with the Chancellor went well. It is obvious that something must be done, though I do not want that something to be war. I hope that you are right about Count Dooku wanting peace. I also hope that he is able to control those in his fold.

Well, it seems as though I will get to see Anakin after all. Chancellor Palpatine has insisted that Obi-Wan be assigned to protect me. I assume that he has also presented this request to the Jedi Council. If Obi-Wan is still Anakin's master, then will they both protect me? Or will Anakin be staying at the Jedi Temple while Obi-Wan protects me?

Thank you again for everything.

Senator Amidala

Part 2

Some time has passed since I sent you the last part of the message. During that time, some of my questions were answered. I see that Anakin and Obi-Wan will both be protecting me. I do not know how necessary that is, but I was grateful that they were there. There was another attempt on my life last night. The Jedi were able to stop it. You'll probably be hearing all about it from them shortly.