Cadus knew that once Yoda called him, his own fate might be decided. His heart didn't rise nor slow at the thought that perhaps the Council had already voted to expel him. He had told Yoda in no uncertain terms what he thought about the whole situation.
He pressed a hand to his forehead. His increasing annoyance had caused him to clench his bicep. Or was his home warmer than normal? He was about to ask check the temperature when the door to the living room hissed open.
Aola stepped into the room behind Talisibeth. Tables and chairs ringed the main floor in a semicircle. Bright, orange and yellow light flooded the room from the large windows looking up into the white towers and spires of Coruscant.
Outside, the clouds looked like great pillows. An occasional flash of silver shimmered, the wings of a spacecraft catching a ray of sunshine as the clouds momentarily parted. Aola had only been in Cadus's home for a few minutes, but she was awed by the depth of the force here.
With a powerful Master in one space, the air seemed charged. Immediately her eyes sought Cadus. She was relieved to see Cadus sitting in his usual place, appearing calm and healthy while relaxing on an oversized couch.
A vibration made Cadus snap his hand into his pocket to pull out his transmitter. A hologam of Yoda appeared, gaze passing over Aola and Talisibeth both neutrally, then focused on Cadus. Talisibeth felt a sliver of worry at the quick exchange, she wished Yoda's glance had been more reassuring.
Cadus set the transmitter in the center of the room, and sat back down on the couch. As senior members of the Council, and knowing the severity of the discussion moving forward-Cadus nor Yoda wasted time on preliminaries.
"Gracious am I, that you hastily answered my call without hesitation. This unfortunate transgression has shaken us, and only few have I told. More important, though...Luminari went to the Room of a Thousand Fountains, custom of it is of her, and before reaching the hangar she sensed a surge in the dark side of the force. Hesitated she did, listening to the force, and in that heartbeat four devices planted underneath the hangar exploded. The intention was to kill her, but, easily fooled she is not."
Cadus paused.
Everyone in the Council and in the Temple depended on Luminari's and the healers' wisdom.
"When did this happen?"
"Before most of us rise. Safe they are. Here in the Temple." Yoda said gently.
"We need to implement a solution before this situation gets out of control. We don't need another direct attack on the Temple like in the past, now of all times." Cadus nodded.
"Master Unduli saw a flicker of a robe she did, hurry away they did. This person ducked underneath several waterfalls, then disappeared in the churning surf. Very strong in the dark side, they were..."Yoda trailed off, nodding.
"We know that no one besides Aola, Talisibeth, and I have left the Temple since you discovered this attack. We can't be too sure if he is an ally of Sidious or not, or a pawn of Dooku. We know there was an intruder in the Temple...Has the person been spotted again?" Cadus asked.
"No." Yoda said.
He reached for a data sheet on the arm of his chair. "This morning at sunrise, an Initiate found this. It was left outside a main meditation chamber."
Cadus looked at the datasheet held in Yoda's outstretched hand.
He read it carefully, then nodded.
Meditate on this, Jedi Masters! Next time I will not fail! The dark side rises, our revenge has been long awaited for four thousand years!
Cadus shook his head, slowly crossing his arms over his chest.
"This can't become the focus of consideration and debate, it appears that certain things are moving quickly. The dark side is getting stronger. Whoever the invader was managed to sabotage the central power structure. You may have noticed the warmer air in sparring chambers or the lights going out without any explanation. Every time one of our engineers fixes something in the tech center, there is another malfunction elsewhere, and there is the problem with our information as well. There have also been various problems with the lighting and communication systems in some of the wings of the Temple."
Aola and Talisibeth were as puzzled as they were perplexed over the fact Yoda nor Cadus had looked at either of them once during this briefing. Why were they ignored? They were technically Jedi, since Cadus had extended the offer to take them both.
At that single moment in their thoughts, Cadus and Yoda both turned to them.
Cadus's intense gaze and Yoda's eerily calm gaze both studied their faces. Both young women struggled to remember their Jedi training in composure. It wasn't easy to have two powerful Masters staring at them, and the flinty, penetrating gaze of Cadus was the most austere between the two.
"Aola or Talisibeth...Have any insights in Deo and Hanna? Know what they can and will do?" Yoda asked, his tone dropping heavily.
"I'm not Deo's friend." Aola said, confused even more.
Talisibeth looked between the two Masters. "I don't really get it..."
"You are their rivals." Cadus said.
"Even more valuable to us." Yoda replied.
Aola was really at a loss. "I don't know Deo or Hanna well. I know how Deo moves in a light-saber duel with a blindfold on.. But, that does not mean I know what was in his mind or heart."
No one said anything.
Talisibeth struggled not to say anything and remain silent. It was no disappointment that they had no valuable information, but looking around the room, she noted that Cadus didn't look friendly, calm yes, but not the least bit relaxed.
Even Yoda's solemn gaze gave no encouragement. She wanted to wipe her sweating palms on her tunic, but she didn't think of making the movement.
"I'll do whatever I can to help if I am able. Just tell me what you want me to do."
"No need, young one." Yoda said.
He laced his short fingers together over his gimer stick.
"But-" Aola started.
"Until a decision is made by the Council, you and Aola can't interfere with Temple business unless ask otherwise, do we."
Talisibeth tried not to feel miffed. "The Temple is my home!"
"You are welcome to live in the Temple until this situation is resolved." Yoda said.
"There is still much discussion to take place, but there is a real threat to the Temple, and this bounty hunter attacking as well...Things are quickly moving out of control." Cadus said quietly, focusing on his own inner observations.
"It could be a threat to the Jedi. There was no evidence of theft or anything of that sort, and we're of the few students who can be ruled out as suspects. Someone could have helped whoever broke into the Temple or left an opening. We could investigate." Aola shrugged.
Yoda's calm gaze put Aola at ease. "Manage this we can. No need is there, for you to endure harm."
"Yes, Master..."
Yoda turned his gaze to Cadus. "Until sorted this is...Remain at your home, you must."
Talisibeth and Aola both snapped their eyes towards Cadus, confusion clear on their expressions. It wasn't often that any Jedi had to remain outside of the Temple.
"Very well. I understand the situation and circumstances, Master Yoda." Cadus replied, watching the hologram fade out.
"What did he mean by that?" Talisibeth asked.
"Did something bad happen, Master Cadus?" Aola ventured further.
Cadus stared at the empty space that Yoda's hologram left, clenching his hands together as he stilled his heart. "It is something I will have to tell you later on. We don't have all the information we need right now, without getting into anything complicated."
He had a bad feeling...
Something was going to happen or was, and if it was the second, it was the greatest shame to the Jedi Order as a whole for not being able to sense it.
Bail Organa stopped cold in the middle of the Grand Concourse that ringed the Senate's Convocation Chamber. The torrent of multi-species foot traffic streamed along the huge curving halls, and he had to break himself through like a huge boulder clogging a river.
He stared up in disbelief at the numerous, huge holo-projected Proclamation Boards. He pushed his way through the crowds to a hard copy stand and punched in a quick code. When he had all of the flimsies in his hands, they said the same thing.
They read the same as Palpatine had spoken them before, and there were extensive details concerning each one.
Bail had been expecting the worst case scenario. Since Dooku was imprisoned, since the Senate had voted to give Palpatine control of the Judicial system, since the Senate voted away all of their fundamental and basic rights to privacy, he knew it was only a matter of time before the majority in the Senate voted for the Jedi to be under Palpatine's command.
He started planning for it, but these new highhanded and unreasonable amendments were going to put an even greater strain on him.
He found his way to a public comm-booth and keyed a privacy code.
Mon watched him steadily with an unflinching intelligent gaze from her aquamarine eyes. "Bail..."
Bail's elegantly thin goatee pulled downward around his mouth. "Have you seen the details of Palpatine's new laws, bills, and amendments?"
"The fact he has imprisoned the remaining six Supreme Court judges because they were on the payroll of the Trade Federation?"
"It's time, Mon. It's time to stop talking, and start doing. Palpatine is consolidating power. For all intents and purposes the Republic is no more. The Senate has no power any longer."
"We must tread carefully. Have you thought about who we can really trust?"
"I trust Fang Zar."
"Agreed, Fang Zar is bluntly earnest. I trust Chi Eekway."
Bail nodded his head. "We know where most of them stand in regards to Palpatine and holding onto emergency powers for so long. There are peace talks that will go into effect with the Separatist Council, and this is something we have to keep in mind."
"And what of Amidala of Naboo."
"Padme?" Bail frowned. "I'm not sure."
"She did agree to keep Palpatine occupied for us, Bail. She is exactly the type of person we need. The one person who can further our cause."
"She is also a longtime associate of Palpatine. She proved that when she agreed with giving him oversight of who speaks with the CIS Council and who doesn't." Bail reminded her.
"Padme earnestly wants this war to end for good. She was against the creation of a military in the first place. Perhaps you should be cautious that she will ultimately stand with him, and not with us, but shouldn't we leave that choice to her?" Mon Mothma smiled serenely.
"There's only one way we can really find out. A lot has happened since we agreed before on our course of action. Naboo was attacked, and if we are to believe what was said-Asajj Ventress had a warship that dwarfed anything either side has right now. The sheer firepower was enough to wipe out every civilized place on Naboo without a need for deploying troops or ships."
Mon nodded, not losing her smile. "Shall we ask her here or go by her?"
Bail's brows furrowed into a frown. "We may have overstayed our welcome here already, with Palpatine's new strong arm law to invade privacy."
"I am no happier than the rest of you about this turn of events. However, there is little that can be done at this point." Padme said, gesturing at the flimsiplasts of the most recent laws and amendments that laid on her table.
"I've known Palpatine for a long time. He doesn't like anyone who goes contrary to or against what he says, or wants. I believe it is his intention to do away with the Senate and if any of us show objection he is going to slap us with the crime of treason or do away with us as a whole." Fang Zar commented.
"Kill all of the Senators? Why would he bother doing that?"
"Why would he not?" Mon countered.
"As a practical manner the Senate exists to bolster Palpatine's power. He has the super majority on his side, and more are swayed to him because of his promises for stability and peace."
"Palpatine will ensure peace and stability reigns supreme at the cost of everyone's freedom." Mon countered once more.
Padme looked from one grim face to another. Fang Zar nodded his agreement. Giddean Danu nodded his agreement. Terr Taneel kept her eyes down, pretending to adjust her robes. Chii Eekway ran a hand over her hood.
Dewell Bronk simply folded his hands in his sleeves.
Bana Breemu leaned forward. Her eyes were hard as stone. "Palpatine no longer has to worry about the oversight of the Senate. By suing for peace, he will put in his own lackeys as ambassadors for these peace talks with the CIS, or one of us just to make things look good. With heightened security there will be troopers over every planet in the Republic, he now controls our systems directly.''
Bail folded his hands, and squeezed them together until his knuckles hurt. "He's a dictator. We made him a dictator. A self professed Emperor, and we gave him the seat of power and keep giving him power. He will do away with our liberty and we will all cheer!"
"And, he's the one that stripped Naboo of everything. I shouldn't even be listening to this right now. My home-world is in more trouble than I can possibly imagine." Padme said, keeping her voice even.
"What can we do about Palpatine?" Terr Taneel asked, still gazing down at her robe with a worried frown.
"That's why we have all gathered here." Dewell Bronk said.
Mon Mothma looked at everyone gathered. "We must discuss and come to a decision on how we going to deal with it."
Tendau Bendon and Fang Zar shifted uncomfortably.
"I do not like where this is going." Tendau murmured.
"None of us likes where anything is going." Garm Bel Iblis said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"That's exactly the point. We can't let the Republic which has stood for over twenty thousand years to just be done away with without a fight!" Fang Zar said.
"A fight? You will only be doing what Palpatine wants. I can't believe I'm hearing this barbaric talk. All of you with such aggressive notions be wary and mindful of what your simple presence may bring."
"Are you siding with Palpatine, Padme?" Garm asked.
"I am merely thinking of the long term. You should do the same, as my senior."
Bail stood out of his seat. "I apologize, Padme. It was not my intent nor anyone else's intent to bring this to an argument under your roof. We have all gathered here because of all the Senators in the galaxy, we have been the most influential voices of reason and restraint. We have been doing everything we can in our power to preserve our tattered Constitution."
"It has become increasingly clear that Palpatine has become an enemy of democracy and to the Republic. He has become an antithesis of what the fundamentals of the Republic are meant to be. He must be stopped."
"The Senate gave him these powers and certainly if many in the Senate come together, they can rein him in."
Giddean Danu sat forward. "I fear you underestimate just how far Palpatine's clout reaches now. Who will vote against him now with the threat of treason over their heads? He is now the Judicial System, all of the Supreme Court Judges have been imprisoned."
"I will not." Padme said.
She discovered that she meant it.
Bail's eyes snapped wide. "You promised that you would vote against him and that you would find others, too. You promised you would make as much as noise as you can to distract Palpatine. You would provide Mon and I with the cover to fund and begin our organization!"
Padme refused to go so far.
No matter how much it made these power hungry people mad. She couldn't afford to make noise over nothing. The Republic was nothing at this point. Naboo needed her, first and foremost. Besides, Palpatine all but took her power and voice away as a Naboo Senator within the Republic.
"You should be the one to do that." Padme said.
"I can't. You were supposed to make as much noise as you can. You were supposed to keep Palpatine watching what you're doing in the Senate. That was what would provide some cover while Mon Mothma and I begin building our organization."
"Stop. You will not use me just to further your own ends." Padme rose.
"We are merely-" Mon started, but Padme cut her off.
"I am afraid that I can do nothing at this point. Palpatine has taken my voice away as well as the people of Naboo, his own people. This is a bleak situation and I have nothing I am able to offer."
She tried to convey her feelings with her eyes. Perhaps Bail saw something there, and after a moment's contemplation, he nodded.
"Very well. We don't need to get into the specifics of it yet. However, this meeting must remain absolutely secret. Even hinting at an effective opposition to Palpatine at this point in time will be very dangerous. We must agree never to speak of these matters except among the people who are now in this room and in the Delegation of 2000. We must bring no one into this secret without the agreement of each and every one of us as stated before."
Padme watched everyone nod.
What could she do?
What could she say?
What chance did she have to make a difference?
I'll have to tell my Jedi husband, who will be set into motion against Palpatine by the Jedi Council who are just like you, setting me into motion against both of them. Padme sighed.
Chi Eekway awkwardly took a tube of Aqualish hoi-broth from the refreshment tray close to her. "I am still very grateful to be included in this. I speak directly only for my own sector, of course, but I can tell you that we have been very nervous. The new governors have been arriving with full regiments of clone troops...What they call security forces."
"You believe these regiments are intended to not protect us, but to do us harm." Garm remarked.
Padme looked up from the data-pad in her hand. "Count Dooku has been arrested and imprisoned. The Jedi will be moving as his ambassadors possibly. The war as we know it may be over in a matter of days or weeks."
"But what then?" Bail Organa leaned forward, elbows to knees, fingers laced together.
"How do we make Palpatine withdraw his governors? How do we stop him from garrisoning troops in all our systems? How do we return power back to the Senate?" Nee Alavar asked.
"Nobody, including myself or any of you are able to make him do anything. The Senate granted him executive powers only for the duration of the emergency which was originally the outset of the Clone Wars and since it is coming to an end—"
"Yet it is only Palpatine himself who has the authority to declare when the emergency is over. Even with Count Dooku imprisoned and peace talks going into effect Palpatine has not surrendered any of his power." Bail countered.
"If you would have allowed me to finish, Senator Organa, you would have understood that if Palpatine refuses to give up power he would need to dismantle the Republic, at its very foundations." Padme said, tone sharp.
"How do we make him surrender power back to the Senate?" Sweitt Concorkill asked, speaking for the first time since the conversation began.
Chi Eekway shifted backward. "There are many who are willing to fight so he does do that, and just not my own people. There are many Senators who are not part of the Delegation of 2000 that share our ideals and resolve. We are ready to make him surrender power."
Padme snapped her eyes from her data-reader. Her eyes flicked from Senator to Senator expressionlessly, taking in and discerning their feelings and intentions that they tried to hide. "Would anyone care for further refreshment?"
"Senator Amidala." Garm Bel Iblis said.
"Oh, Garm you are always so aggressive and abrasive. You paint two pictures with your actions and words."
"I fear you don't understand-" Ivor Drake started.
"Senator Eekway. Senator Drake. Senators Breemu and Bronk would any of you care for another hoi-broth?"
"No, that's not-" Mon began, but Padme continued speaking, completely ignoring her.
"Very well, then."
She looked up at C-3PO.
"Threepio, that will be all. Please tell Motee and Elle that they are to leave for Naboo immediately. You and Artoo are to accompany them, once you arrive on Naboo, you are both free to power down for a while after being cleaned."
"Thank you, Mistress. Artoo and I could very much use a thorough cleaning, thank you for your consideration. Though I must say, this discussion has been most tense and riveting, I never once thought that so many ideals could be in politics—"
"Threepio. That will be all. Tell Motee and Elle that they are to gather my other handmaidens when they arrive on Naboo, that is the first thing I want them to do."
"Yes, Your Highness. You can count on me to relay this. Of course. I quite understand the crucial need to be efficient." The protocol droid turned stiffly and shuffled out of the room.
As soon as he was safely out of earshot, Padme brandished everything gathered, even the flimisplasts, as if they were all weapons. "This is all dangerous. It is too dangerous, especially now. This has the propensity to turn into another war. It will be a war within the Republic..."
"That's the last thing I want and I hope it is the last thing everyone gathered here wants. Alderaan has no armed forces. We don't even have a planetary defense system. A political solution is our only option and has been our only option."
"Which is the purpose of this petition." Mon Mothma said, laying her soft hand over Padme's.
"We're hoping that a show of solidarity within the Senate might stop Palpatine from further invading our basic and fundamental rights, like our privacy. That's all we want..."
"We need to stop Palpatine, but we need to stop his super majority from presenting things having to do with the Constitution just so he can approve or deny certain things." Padme finished for her, removing her hand from Mon's.
She weighed the atmosphere, and most importantly, the people in the room.
"I am not going to present anything else to Palpatine. I am losing faith in the Senate's readiness, or even ability to look past themselves and their own waxing power. It may be in our best interest to consult the Jedi at this point. They are the only ones who can technically function and operate outside of Palpatine's sphere of influence." Padme reasoned.
Bana Breemu examined her long, elegantly manicured fingertips. "That would be dangerous."
Mon Mothma nodded. "We don't know where the Jedi stand in all this."
Bail sat forward. "The Jedi aren't any happier with the situation than we are. They may be even more wary than all of us are with these recent amendments. And, we can't forget the constant no vote of the Jedi Order being put under his command."
Senator Bronk's large nose made the look he gave Padme and Bail appear like he was snarling, more than being distant and snorting. "You seem well informed about Jedi business, Senator Organa. You also have great trust in the Jedi to help our cause, Senator Amidala."
Padme felt herself flush, and she didn't trust herself to answer.
Giddean Danu shook his head, doubt plainly written across his dark face. "If we were to openly oppose the Chancellor now or in the future, we need the full support of the Jedi Order. We need their moral and ethical authority to bolster us."
"The moral authority of the Jedi, such as it is, may not exist. The Clone Wars have made all of us tired and we've all made rash decisions because of our weariness." Sweitt remarked.
Bana Breemu hummed in agreement. "Their focus was the war, now it will be the mediation and peace talks. They will assist getting certain creatures to the Core Worlds. Any talks of rebellion may incite their suspicion on principle. I fear they cannot help us in politics, as it has been more than one thousand years since a Jedi took the helm in politics."
"One Jedi. Just a few. Not all." Fang Zar offered.
"There is one Jedi—one whom I truly know all of us can trust absolutely." Bail seconded.
Padme kept herself silent and still when she realized that Bail was talking about Obi Wan. When there were thoughts that concerned trust among the Jedi, when it became a question of a Jedi who could help, truly and absolutely help, and one she could even trust it always circled back to Obi Wan
Chi Eekway and a few others shook their head.
"Patience, Senator." Fang Zar roused, his fingers moving from his raggedly bushy beard to his topknot.
"Yes, we cannot block the Chancellor's super majority nor the Chancellor himself, but we can show him that opposition to his methods is continuing to grow. Perhaps that alone might persuade him to moderate his tactics unless he'd prefer Bail to call his ways into question again. That notion still has to be dealt with." Ivor said.
"At last we're getting somewhere in regards to a common ground." Garm said, looking at everyone gathered.
Padme's gaze was steady and direct as it took in everyone's expression. "You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Senator Garm. This so called rebellion you are all trying to start has ended before it could ever begin."
Bail fought down his shock, easily regaining his composure, and observed Padme carefully. "Really? Before you were so confident, but now you are not?"
"The Senate is finally moving as it should, but it is giving power to Palpatine that cannot be reversed. I take it you all know the inevitable outcome of this. Innocence will be hurt and killed because they are stuck between you and Palpatine. It is no different than this war."
Bail felt a measure of uncertainty take hold. "We don't want to harm innocence. We want to avoid innocence being subjugated and harassed by Palpatine's dictatorship."
Padme leaned forward slightly, and everyone present could see the burning fire in her brown eyes. "I have had enough of this pretense and posturing. I am aware that the Supreme Chancellor's ears are with you now, and that you are the only one that can do anything. What is it to be?"
Bail felt his confidence wane. "Senator Amidala you must believe me-believe us when we say we do not want a war. We only want a diplomatic resolution to our problem."
There was a flicker in Padme's eyes as she studied Bail carefully, more than everyone else gathered within her apartment. "You should be wary, Bail Organa. If you say or do one thing wrong, everyone will know you have gone too far this time and it will be known you have reinforcements..."
Padme turned her gaze to Eekway.
"Reinforcements not afraid of beginning another war."
Bail drew himself up in a relaxed posture.
"We would never do anything in defiance of the Senate's will nor would we take aggressive action."
Padme sat motionless, brown eyes fixed on everyone-as if she could see the truth they were trying to hide, as if they were made of glass and her mere gaze shattered them.
"We shall see your resolution when it comes to no conflict and the rest of your gathered comrades."
Bail drew a long breath and exhaled slowly, not caring much for how Padme made him feel at the moment.
"She's right. The Senate will never let Palpatine lose his power, it may come to us..." Garm started.
Mon lifted one hand to cut Garm short. "It's still too early to speak of conflict. Until there are invasions under way on all of our worlds we'd be moving too fast and too soon against Palpatine."
Fang Zar was silent for a moment. "Do you think he suspects an attack?"
Bail shook his head. "It is possible, but he can't move against us without hard evidence that we are cooperating behind the scenes. I still don't want to take any chances. We must move quickly to organize our coalition."
"Some work is not yet complete. We must get in contact with those who agree with us, but don't have the courage to stand up." Garm insisted, though without much force.
"If we get those people on our side we'll be able to stand against Palpatine. We would represent the future of the Republic."
"If we cannot keep things level here on Coruscant in regards to certain things, then we will have no future!" Bronk insisted.
Padme's eyes gleamed with the calm self-assurance and resolve that had drawn so many to beg her to remain Queen of Naboo forever. "You're right about that, Senator Bronk. Only Bail and Mon truly have a chance to exercise the additional power Palpatine gave to their worlds and systems due in part to recent amendments, laws, acts, and bills."
The words were smooth and easy.
Padme spoke clearly.
She radiated confidence and strength.
Bail was energized once more.
"I am not capable of moving against Palpatine or stopping his ascent to becoming Emperor. Furthermore, I intend to speak with Palpatine privately within the next week so my feelings are made clear to him and I can move forward." Padme continued, the force emanating from her in palpable waves, though no one gathered could recognize it.
"You are right. It is time for us to stand up to Palpatine. It is time to end his dictatorship before he captures enough momentum to brainwash everyone."
"It isn't safe to assume, but everyone on the Delegation will side with us. We must get the trust of those other Senators who wish to remain quiet. Speaking out against Palpatine or his policies isn't a small thing anymore, we endanger ourselves each time we do it. To share anything of this outside of those of the Delegation of 2000 and our supporters will expose them to the same danger we all face. No one can be told of what we are planning. No one." Mon Mothma added.
Nee Alavar sat motionless in the midst of the shifting group, brown eyes not quite fixing or staring, her stoic expression betraying none of the fear that held all of them paralyzed. Cloaked in her heavy purple robes, she had spoken once, and had since been content to simply regard everyone silently.
There was no hint of expression on her features, all of which were nearly or completely hidden within the folds of her cloak or her hood.
But, her rigid posture spoke volumes.
"Padme Amidala, it would seem you are in agreement with Palpatine, or at the very least you accept what he has done and plans to do." She spoke clearly and with little emotion, staring at the younger woman.
Padme fixed the older woman with a flinty gaze. "Nee Alavar, what point are you trying to make?"
"I am certain she was only-" Bail started, trying to cut in before they, or one of them, possibly became the subject of Padme's anger.
She cut him off by slashing her hand through the air.
"I have seen the Senate dissolve. Palpatine is approving laws, bills, statutes, and amendments while we just offer input and argue among ourselves. Senators are continuing to give him more power. The only thing he doesn't have control of is the Jedi Order." Nee continued, keeping her focus on Padme.
"The Judicial Department and Jedi Order worked together. By saying what you just did, I take it you already know the outcome of this. Right now you are all a caucus. If you do not watch your step all of you will be nothing more than a coterie cabal."
Nee felt a measure of uncertainty take hold. "You mean to say you have little faith in the Jedi Order...In the Jedi Master that recently kept Naboo's sovereignty."
Amidala leaned forward slightly, and Nee could see a dangerous fire in her brown eyes. "I have had enough of this posturing and pretense, Nee. I am aware that the Supreme Chancellor's Red Coats apprehended you after that special senate session and they have been watching you. Not right now of course, because Palpatine understands and respects I value privacy, for now. You need to make a decision. What is it to be?"
Nee didn't move nor blink, she appeared to be as still as a statue. "I was told to keep quiet about certain things outside of the chambers of the Senate Hall. I am not being watched. You must be mistaken."
There wasn't even a flicker of emotion on Padme's face as she stared through Nee. "Be cautious Nee, all of you. The Delegation has gone too far this time, to a point none of us can turn back from. Please, all of you, leave now."
Bail shook his head quickly, drawing himself up in a defensive posture.
"Senator Amidala, Nee is only thinking of the fundamentals and foundations of the Republic. We would never do anything in defiance of the Senate's will nor allow infighting to rot us. You assume too much."
Padme sat motionless, brown eyes fixed on Bail, then she flicked them to everyone else gathered, letting them linger on Garm, and she could see the undeniable truth they were all trying to hide. The fundamental truth she had turned away from at one point.
Just as she was made of glass, like these people at one point, she could see through them as if they were made of glass.
"Please leave. All of you, take heed and be wary." She said softly.
Padme sighed softly as the Senators left her apartment one by one, but she could hardly pay them any mind.
Now, they were going to get the Jedi involved, which meant that Palpatine would start trying to jam his stake in them and order them around.
Even worse, the cabal would start to sink their fangs into the Jedi Order.
I'm sorry for any additional trouble, even if we are prepared for it.
Forgive me, Cadus.
