A/N: For those of you who've been eagerly awaiting this chapter: joke's on you, it's been on AO3 for almost a week. Oops. Anyway, this story is caught up with the AO3 version now, and I plan to update again Sunday for the final chapter of the first book. Don't get used to these fast updates, usually I'm at least a week between chapters. This'll be a trilogy of three chapter stories, so follow me to be notified of the next in the series when it comes out. As a little teaser, it will be named Amidala…

Luke's thoughts raced as he swept out of the palace, slipping into his hovercar and bidding the driver to take him home. On his way back to his apartment, what Luke had done sunk in. Idlare Dalné, or rather, Idlare Jemmot now, was no longer Queen. One of the Governors would become the ruler of Naboo, and each had their own dangers. Mernic and Eddichi were obvious Empire supporters, and Peladc was a secessionist. He was barely popular enough to get elected in his own city, and wasn't likely to win governor reelection, much less election to the highest seat in the land. Thestoto was too timid, and like Dalné, would be pressured into giving control to this Moff Panaka. It seemed hopeless, but at least Luke had bought himself time.

pon reaching his apartments, Luke was greeted by his steward, Cirl Atiall, who had been hired by his family to manage Luke's meager household and employees while Luke was governor.

"Good evening, Luke. How was today?" Cirl greeted him kindly, as he did every day.

Luke huffed, "It was madness. The results of the meeting will likely be on the Holonet any minute, right now I need to go run an errand. I'll need to talk to you later." With that, Luke whirled past Cirl to his bedroom, shedding the elaborately embroidered clothes he attended court in and donning a gray tunic that slowly turned dark teal in an ombre effect as it reached his knees, slit up the sides to the waist with dark gray pants underneath. Luke disguised his golden hair, distinctive among typical brown-haired Nabooians, with a matching dark teal cloak, and observed himself in the mirror. Enough color to fit in, but not enough color or flourishes to be memorable. As a precaution, Luke seized a decorated but functional silver knife, the silver blade engraved with artistic flourishes but kept sharp against attackers.

Slipping on leather boots, Luke left his apartment, making his way to the hangers where trading starships docked while on Naboo. Luke knew exactly where he was going, checking over his shoulder as he ducked inside the hanger, where a familiar ship sat.

The Millenium Falcon.

Ducking through the hanger doors, Luke took a second to peer down the (thankfully) empty corridor he had just left behind. If anyone saw him, unpleasant questions would be asked.

As Luke briskly walked closer to the Falcon, it became obvious that both captain and crew were inside, as there was no one working on the Millenium Falcon but the ramp was down. Luke quickly made his way up the ramp. "Han!"

Han poked his head out of the cockpit, clearly having been taking a nap in the captain's chair by the tousled hair he was sporting. "Luke? What's going on? You're not supposed to be here until-"

"Never mind that," Luke cut in impatiently, "I need to comm Leia now. It's an emergency."

Despite Han's confusion, he moved toward the comm and began to set up a holocall. "What's the emergency?"

Luke sat down with an exhausted sigh. After the intense vote and his paranoid flight through the city to Han, he was bone-tired. "I'll tell you along with Leia. It's- it's big. I need the Alliance's help, or Naboo will be lost." Coincidentally, the call had connected right before Luke spoke and he found himself face-to-face with rebel princess Leia Organa's concerned face.

"What do you mean, Luke? What's happened?" Leia and Luke had grown up as friends, the Naberrie family having been friends with the Organas and in similar political situations. Even though the Naberries did not truly have any governing power on Naboo (at least until Luke became governor and Pooja became senator) they were a well-known and influential family that had been staunch supporters of the Republic.

Because of their childhood closeness, when Luke had been elected governor of Theed, Leia had reached out and confessed that her family was closely tied to the Rebel Alliance. She asked for his support for the Alliance, and while Luke had not joined the Alliance, he agreed to feed them any pertinent information and assured Leia that he would have done his best to guide Naboo away from the Empire's restrictions, Rebellion or no Rebellion. Luke's sisters, Ryoo and Pooja had also agreed to secretly support the Rebellion, even though Pooja was the only one who held public office. Leia became Pooja and Luke's contact, Han checking in on Luke every few weeks to make sure Luke wasn't in danger and to provide an escape to the Rebellion if the Empire became suspicious.

Unfortunately, just Han and Chewie were no longer enough. Luke sighed and explained the day's events to Leia, Han, and Chewie, who had appeared from the engine room to listen.

"The Empire has decided to occupy Naboo, and replace the government with Moff Panaka. Queen Dalne was going to cooperate, but I instigated a vote of no confidence, and the vote went through. Now, all five of us governors campaign to-to be ruler of Naboo, I guess. Oh, and Lord Vader's going to be here soon, he was supposed to be overseeing the transition of power, but he's going to get here a little after the next monarch is elected."

Han leaned forward. "Wait, wait wait. Kid, you're saying that you might end up king of Naboo?"

"Theoretically, I guess." Luke leaned his forehead on his hand. "It's a straight election of the people to determine the next monarch. I hadn't thought that far ahead- it was far-fetched enough to actually have the vote of no confidence go through. I was mostly stalling for time, but that only bought us a week of campaigning to put off the occupation."

Leia leaned forward, a gleam in her eye that Luke knew from prior experience was a sign of trouble. "I think Han may be on to something."

"Thank you Your Worshipfulness," Han snarked, "Uh… what exactly am I onto?"

Leia rolled her eyes. "We could get Luke elected king."

Luke's protestations were drowned out by Han's excited queries and Chewie's growls.

"Hear me out!" Leia continued. "Luke's already very popular. It shouldn't be that hard to get him elected, right?"

"It shouldn't be that hard to get me elected king of the whole planet?" Luke asked sarcastically, a hysterical note in his voice.

Han looked thoughtful. "Well, who's your competition?"

"Eddichi and Mernic, they're Imperials through-and-through. Thestoto is neutral, easily bullied, but she cares for her people and will stand up to Eddichi and Mernic with enough on the line. Peladc wanted to somehow get his city to secede from Naboo, but he hasn't accomplished much and is extremely unpopular. He doesn't like the Emperor, but he wouldn't get reelected governor, much less king."

Leia cracked a grin. "So two Imperials to split the vote, a candidate that could be swayed to back you, and someone who hates the Empire but has no shot at being king himself. This sounds like if Peladc and Thestoto back you… Luke, you could win."

"But-but," Luke spluttered, "they have so much more experience, and-"

"It sounds like experience won't be an issue," Leia cut in, "if anything you being younger should help, what with Naboo's monarchs being traditionally young."

Luke sat back, gobsmacked. "I mean yes, but-"

Han looked Luke steadily in the eyes. "Luke, I know this is hard to contemplate, but whenever I've been here I always hear support for you from the people. The people of Theed love you, not just because you're Padme Amidala's nephew, but because you fight for them. They've seen that conditions have improved since you beat the old Imperial governor, and they love you for it."

"Besides, Luke, if you don't do it, who else will? Eddichi and Mernic will gladly hand Naboo over to the Empire, and Thestoto would be pressured into it as much as Queen Dalne was. If you want to keep Naboo independent, this is the only way." Leia gently pushed.

Luke met Chewie, Han, and Leia's eyes, then ran a hand through his hair. There truly wasn't another candidate. There was no older, wise, statesman like Mon Mothma or Bail Organa, there was no passionate firebrand like Leia to run. There was just Luke. Luke, who just wanted to do what was right, and was tired of his people being pushed around by the Empire.

Luke raised his head, looking Leia squarely in the eyes. "Alright. I'll do it. For Naboo."

Han whooped, and a smile curled on Leia's face. "Good. Now, we have speeches to write and we have to figure out how to make sure Peladc and Thestoto side with you. With Vader on his way, I also think you'll need more than just Han and Chewie to keep you safe during this, so I'm sending you our Ghost team. They should get there just before the election." Leia pulled out a datapad, and briskly opened a document shared with Luke.

Luke realized he wasn't likely to be returning to his bed tonight, not when the election was one week away and holonet channels had just begun reporting the vote of no confidence.

"Let's get started."

Shoutouts to Pink ranger 13, brookeey14, ChloeSkywalker7791, and Fangtasia21 for commenting! Fangtasia, I can't tell you much but you're on the right track! If you want a shoutout, please leave a comment and if you have an account I will pm you back!