Amidala was fatigued.
It was a fortnight since the siege of Dantooine, and she could not rest properly, despite her severe injuries. Her body beneath her heavy dress, concealing the scars, still throbbed with pain.
Every day since she arrived at Coruscant, she attended the Senate and the Council, met various moffs, governors and senators during the day. And when retired to her senate apartment to be treated by a medical droid, she ended up sleeping alone in her hollow chambers, weighed by gessepany and loneliness.
In the days of the Republic, she had friends, allies and a husband. During her days in the Alliance, she still had Sabe and Dorme. Spending days and nights without anyone to associate with were far unpleasant than anticipated.
And now, she, as the Imperial Chancellor, stood in front of this Alliance council, or the Alliance civil government they called themself.
Mon Mothma, the Chancellor of the Alliance and the Secretary Cabinet, Bail was present with his wife, Breha. Both still held their titles as Imperial Senators. Tynnra Pamlo, Senator of Taris and the Minister of Education of the Alliance, sat next to them, with Senator Vasp Vaspar of the Taldot Sector, well known as the moderates.
Silya Shessaun of Thesme and Garm Bel Iblis, the Senator of Corellia, gazed between them and Amidala. Even Raddus and Ackbar, with the other two Mon-Calamaris, were present.
This was the first consolidated Alliance Council.
Amidala, gazing out of the viewport with her still blushed eyes, leaned onto the transparasteel. The snowline of the high mountains above the plains was a beautiful sight to see, but she disrelished the planet's natural beauty. It treacherously reminded her of Naboo, the place she could not visit for eight years and will never possibly be able to set foot again.
"I see you have founded a secret government during my absence". Amidala accused. "You are indeed quite eager to provoke the Empire".
"Padme, we were so worried for you", Breha said, trying to change the subject. "Has Vader ever hurt or threaten you"?
"I could have died on Dantooine if he decided so". Amidala answered.
"Has Vader asked about the children? Or anything about the Alliance"? Bail asked.
"He didn't ask me of anything".
It was not a lie. Vader did not show any signs of guilt, sorriness, sorrow, not even resentment or lust for her in the past weeks. He monotonously reported the ongoing war, discussed the budget spending, and evaluated her legislative bills in his low, brisk voice. The rare occasions he showed his feeling was when he was mocking his generals and officers for their incompetence.
"What does he want"? Mothma asked this time. "What is his intentions? Why did he force you to be the Chancellor"?
"He said he wanted to take over. I am to content the people so they could buttress him when he becomes emperor". Padme answered in her distant voice.
Silence lingered.
Amidala throed. Was the overture was the last shred of humanity or a vestige of humanity left within him, intending to possess her? Or was it a part of a stark political scheme of a monster?
Mothma answered. "You should be careful of his notions, Padme. He is proven to be illusional. He was capable of concealing his dark ambitions from the Jedi Order, from the Senate, from you for years during the Clone Wars".
"Maybe it is Palpatine scheming all this. Maybe he is luring the insubordinate to rally under Vader, to wipe them in a singular strike". Tynnra Pamlo suggested.
"I must disagree", Bail said. "Vader has shown signs of ambitions before. He believes he could bring peace and order to the Galaxy by him wielding control. He initially agreed on the Tarkin Doctrine since he viewed it as the method to stabilise the Galaxy. Now that Tarkin's way is proven to be ineffective, he is trying to establish his new order".
"I agree on Bail". Silya Shessaun said. "Darth Vader's act is to enhance his popularity, not the Emperor's". She pointed out. "After the first few years, Darth Vader did not even appear in public to oppress people. It was only then when Starkiller emerged from nowhere to replace his former role. And when the Galaxy is in chaos, Vader reappeared as if he was the saviour to cease the unrest. Now the people regard the Emperor as their oppressor and holds him responsible for the instability, while Vader is being the monument of justice and lenity".
"The fact that he was a former Jedi famous for his victories in the Clone Wars doesn't help. It seems his influence over the government is even far surpassing Palpatine". Bail appended. "We will never be able to triumph if Vader continues to delude and corrupt people. We have to think of solutions, solutions to show the people who he really is".
"We need to gather our forces and resources first and transfer it into weapons. We have a few industrial core worlds under our banner, like Corellia I represent". Garm Bel Iblis suggested.
"Gather our forces"? Vaspar exclaimed. "Admiral Raddus has already blown up Imperial fleets. Darth Vader's mad dog burnt Dantooine to dust in retaliation"!
Vaspar, Senator of the Taldot sector, was not a coward. Far from it, actually. His sector was an industrial powerhouse, especially in terms of civilian products. Enough people were willing to bribe Vaspar with millions of credits for approving investments on his sector planets. He graciously accepted their bribery and dedicated them to the Alliance budget, and Amidala remembered the days the Alliance barely existed on donated funds of some affluent Senators. However, he clearly was frightened now at the thought of another war.
"We have other bases". Garm Bel Iblis explained. "Our losses on Dantooine were not significant. Yavin Base will be a better alternative to control both the Hydian Ways and the Perlemian Trade Route".
Amidala did not find his words appealing. Coruscant was already suffering from economic crises, and blockades would make the situation worse. Besides, news of Rebel assaults on civilian trades will be a good source of propaganda for the Empire.
"I say we fight"! Raddus finally exhaled his words. "We can't just give in. We should make an opportunity and strike"!
"Is that why you attacked our own base on Mako-Ta and abducted Chancellor Amidala"? Shessaun pointed out. "You attacked an Imperial fleet with no approvement of the Council".
"It was a decision to be made". Raddus said. "I was not going to sit down forever like a coward she is"!
"Courtesy, everyone". Mothma interrupted. "There is no point in blaming each other for past events".
"War should not be an option". Tynnra Pamlo said in horror. "Do you think we can actually win the Empire with our old Venators retrieved from scrapyards and those Calamari Cruisers"?
"We have joined the Alliance, not a suicide pact". Vaspar asserted.
"If it is a war you want, Raddus, you will have to go it alone". Palmo said.
"If it is that how it works, we won't have an Alliance at all". Vasper retorted. Though fearing, he did value the cohesion of the overall Alliance.
"Raddus's action of war will only make people's support on Vader far more solid". Shessaun said. "They will view us as terrorists, as extremists. It will be another Clone War. We will be playing the role of the Separatists while now Vader will play the role of Palpatine".
"Shessaun is right". Mothma interrupted. Her face was dark, but her eyes brightened with confidence. "But the war has started now. There is no turning back. The Empire will not compromise. We should mobilise and utilise the assets we have to best of our capabilities to win".
"And what assets do we have"? Palmo questioned. "What assets do we have, against the might of the Empire"?
"We can't expect to fight and win the Empire on a full-scale war now". Vasper added.
"Yes, but we have powerful allies high in the Imperial ranks to aid us in this war". Mothma answered. "Padme is given the power to govern the Imperial heart planet and is also given the authority to control the Coruscant defence fleet. She is also present in the Imperial High Council where they discuss their war efforts".
"Not only Padme, but we also have Director Gideon of the ISB and Moff Clovis of the Albarrio sector". Bail pointed out. "With those assets, we could hinder Imperial advances and screen their movements. And when the time is right, the Jedi Order will provide aid for a possible uprising on Coruscant".
"The Jedi Order"? Vasper asked. "Why would we need them"?
"It is not only Vader's political power we should be concerned of". Bail responded. "We need the Jedi to ...subdue him when he resists by force".
"Is it the Emperor are we opposing? Or is it Vader"? Everyone's eyes lanced on Amidala's back as they halted. Time seemed to be stopped as she still stood to face the viewport.
"They are both our adversaries, Padme". Mothma said, glaring Amidala with a suspicious look. "And since Vader is a more dangerous enemy, we decided to eliminate him is our priority".
"And what of the Aftermath"? Amidala alluded. "Did you ever think about it? Do you truly believe killing Darth Vader would bring back the Republic? Democracy"?
"What do you mean by that"? Mothma asked.
"As my short experience as the Imperial Chancellor, I should say Darth Vader is the only one keeping the Empire in a single form". Amidala said.
"Yes, that is why we should target him primarily". Mothma said.
"Darth Vader is not our only enemy". Amidala continued. "If we take over without proper preparation to replace the power void, the ambitious Moffs, Governers, and Admirals will be uncontrollable, civil wars would break out. And for the worst, Palpatine will try to reclaim his Empire. Do you expect him to be hiding at Byss when his major threat is gone? Neither us nor the Jedi can't deal with Palpatine. I see that is proven since we couldn't even hold him checked back then when the Republic was remaining".
"Then what do you suggest"? Vasper asked.
"Work for Vader. Work for the Empire. Make others work for them too. Be good Senators. Mind courtesy and keep your heads down. Aid Vader in destroying his adversaries, make him kill Palpatine and grasp power. When he seizes his Empire, that is when we will strike".
Amidala remembered the way Padme speaking, pleading to the people's minds, but now her words seemed cold and tedious in her low, whispering voice.
"I don't see your suggestion as wise, Padme". Mothma said. "We should strike Vader when his position is still unstable. You tend to underestimate Vader's cruelty, but when he gets uncontested power, he would be a far more dangerous foe even compared to Palpatine".
"We will not let him until his powers get uncontested". Amidala retorted. "I am saying that now is not the time. I am saying that this hopeless war you are about to start is irrational. Likely, we are ultimately be going to lose. And either if we do win, that victory of yours will lie on the corpses of billions of innocents. A military conflict should be our last resort. Why are all of you so eager to start a war"?
"As Mothma said before, we have already chosen to start a war. We have to fight, and we need a plan. There is no alternative". Garm Bel Iblis riposted. "Besides, a war against the Empire might be the fastest method to liberate the Galaxy".
Amidala realised she had to know from the moment the Alliance valued Raudds over her, war was inevitable. Raddus has raided the Mako-Ta base where Amidala used as a command centre, and likely, at least dozens of men would have been killed in the incident. Probably including Sabe and Dorme. Yet no one in this council but Shessaun has accused Raddus of that, and Mothma quickly dismissed it.
"I see your ...intercourse with Darth Vader and conflicts with Admiral Raddus has clouded your judgement". Mothma judged, her voice cold as ice. "Breha, would you kindly take Padme out of this hall? I assume Padme needs some time to regain herself".
Breha approached Amidala to take her arms to escort her out as she impatiently looked between Mothma and Amidala, a little shocked by Mothma's personal remarks. Thankfully to her, Amidala walked out of the chamber without uttering another word.
—✥—
Padme looked into her daughter's eyes, amber, like hers. Her brown hair inherited from her mother was made into a double, sided bun. She viscerally wondered what Luke's eyes and hair would look like and soon formed a bitter smile, remembering she didn't want to know it.
She did not speak with any of the Jedi after they were born. Bail imparted to Amidala that Obi-wan took Luke to raise as a Jedi, and they said that as a descendent of a Chosen one, Luke was the only hope to bring balance to the Force.
Padme vaguely knew what the Jedi meant by bringing balance to the Force. By exterminating the Sith with a lightsaber. That was what Obi-wan and Plo Koon nearly did on Mustafar. What Yoda and the other four Jedi Master failed facing Palpatine.
And they would want it done by her son she barely had the opportunity to see with her own eyes. She feared the possibility the next time she would see her son would be him facing Darth Vader with a lightsaber. Would Luke kill Vader? Or would Vader be far too powerful for Luke?
Padme shook her head to dismiss her evil forebodings. She should not taint her time with Leia. Though she could not dare describe herself as happy because of those ill-omened thoughts weighing her mind, at least she felt close to content at this moment. While she listened to Leia's chattering as she sat on her laps, caressing onto her mother, smiling, she did not have to think about anything else. Leia's attraction to her mother was unnaturally strong, considering Padme could only see her once in weeks or even months, and Padme had to correspond it for her best of her abilities.
She was so saturated in her moment of peace that she did not realise what Leia was doing.
"Look, mom. I can float things now"! Padme's lips trembled in bewilderment as Leia struggled to hover a marble, barely keeping it from the floor. It didn't last long since the marble dropped back on the bed, Leia climbing back to her mother's knees as she cuddled in.
For minutes, Padme did not know what to do.
She then slowly clasped Leia in her arms, gently stroking her hair.
Padme realised she was dreading. She had feared before. She feared lots of things, and she was always brave enough not to avert her eyes to her fears. She suffered her worst fears of the Republic crumbling coming true. She endured the bone-chilling, primal fears presented by Starkiller, but this was not the same. Padme simultaneously felt anxiety, bile, and visceral protectiveness. She could not lose Leia, the only thread of dim light left allowed in her life.
"Mom, are you crying"? As Leia's naive, concerned voice rang her ears, Padme recognised strokes of tears were dousing Leia's hair.
"No", she lied. "No. No one's going to hurt you". She spat out an incoherent reply.
"What the matter, mommy"? Leia wriggled in her arms.
Padme deliberated whether she should answer Leia or not, but she decided to be honest with her.
"There are bad people who want you away from me". She whispered in Leia's ears. "Bad people, who will never make you see me or any of your family again. Who would never let you love anyone anymore".
"Why would they do that"?
"They want you to fight for them. To be one of them".
Padme held her daughter up straight until she met Leia's face, eye to eye, absorbing her curious glow.
"Leia, you should not tell anyone about this. About your powers. It may make you dangerous. Bad peoples will come to get you. Promise me, promise me you would not tell anyone besides me about this".
"Not to uncle Bail and aunt Breha"? Leia asked.
"Yes", Padme answered assuredly, though she paused a second. "Do you promise with your mother, Leia"?
"Yes". Leia replied, after a weighty silence.
Padme susurrated as she placed her hand on Leia's cheek, lying down on the bed with her. "I will never let them take you". She chanted.
She held on to Leia until she started to hear her soft, regular snoring.
Hours passed until she was sure Leia was deep asleep. Amidala carefully laid her daughter back on the bed, walked out to the corridor, lightened by moonlight, trimming her hair and creased dress to meet Bail and Breha waiting for her.
"Padme, we have something to talk about". Breha said, giving a searching look on Amidala. She was ...annoyed, to say the least, to feel the photogene of her daughter being shattered.
"What might that be"? Amidala asked while returning her gaze.
"After you left, the council decided to contact Rush Clovis. At the council's decision, he will lure the Imperial fleet to Mygeeto on false reports that there was an impending Rebel Strike". It was Bail who delivered the news.
"So they had chosen violence". Amidala murmured.
"Ackbar's decoy fleet has currently occupied Mygeeto, and Clovis ordered the Imperial Garrison to abandon the planet without resisting. When the Empire comes to reclaim it, Raddus shall strike with our main fleet".
"Darth Vader and his councillors are far more intelligent to be fooled by that". Amidala said sarcastically. "He will be suspicious about the fact that Clovis did not offer a stand".
"Ackbar's fleet consists of fifteen Calamari Cruisers and a captured Star Destroyer, and nearly a hundred auxiliary ships. Clovis's sector fleet would have stood no chance. Vader will understand that". Bail explained.
"Maybe when you get back to the capital, you can divert his attention from this battle". Breha interpolated.
"This is an act of serious aggravation". Amidala hooted. "You send the largest armada since the Clone Wars to attack a major Imperial planet and expect me to disperse Vader's attention from it"?
"Well, In fact, Vader actually did not seem to suspect this matter". Bail excused. "Moff Gideon told us Vader decided to dispatch Starkiller to take back the planet in an emergency council held an hour ago. Responding fleets consists of the Assertor, twenty Imperial Star Destroyers, two interdictors and dozens of support ships".
"He knows the value of quick actions. That does not mean he will not have reservations". Amidala said before she started to the landing pad. How was she to drive Vader's attention from this matter, concealing their conspiracy she barely knew its extent, while Vader was well aware she was a part of the Alliance? Amidala was well aware the Alliance were using her, and she was frustrated not only at their audacity, but at their trifling attempts to burden her with heavy duties, she was not so eager with.
"Padme ...there is one more thing". Breha said, her voice becoming more cautious.
"What is it"?
"There was ...a condition for Clovis's cooperation, Padme. He wanted you to meet him in private as soon as possible. He said there are urgent matters to discuss with".
Amidala did not answer, forcing Breha to stammer out an excuse, fretting.
"Mothma already made a deal with him, Padme. It was a ...generous terms, and we thought we could not decline this offer. It was our best opportunity".
Breha muttered while Amidala silently walked onto the ramp of her starship, departing from the planet, leaving the concerned Organas behind.