Anakin held Satele's hand as they wandered down the bustling streets of Coruscant, beneath all the gleaning skyscrapers and in the midst of a marketplace, where there were peddlers trying to sell assortments of strange fruit, jewelry and other trinkets.
"Where are we going?" Satele questioned, to which Anakin just grinned mischievously. "I don't like surprises."
"Fine fine," Anakin conceded as she gave him an exasperated pout, "senator Palpatine, the representative of Naboo, he invited me along to meet the Queen of Naboo."
"Okay...so why are you bringing me along?" Satele questioned amusedly. "I'm not going to wingwoman for you just so you can hit up the queen."
"No," Anakin rolled his eyes, "Palpatine's one of the good politicians if there ever was one. I've had a few chats here and there with him, helped him out with a few small errands. I'd like to introduce you to him, I think you'll enjoy talking with him."
"A politician," Satele's face stoned as she hissed, "you know how the council feels about that. We aren't supposed to have any unauthorised contact with outsiders, especially not with one's so prominent as the senator and queen of Naboo!"
"What the Council doesn't know won't hurt them," he waved off, giving a sigh at her continued frown. "I'll take the heat if it comes to it, but we won't have to worry. He wants us to meet at Lyanik's. It's supposedly private there, now if only I could find where it is."
"Lyanik's!" Satele nearly squealed, causing Anakin to halt in his tracks, looking at her oddly. She shook her head with amused exasperation as she explained, "Lyanik's is the place to be, it's kinda an open secret that it's where all the elites meet. The food there is supposedly to die for, and reservations are years long unless you know someone."
"Ah I see," Anakin ducked his head blushing, causing Satele to chuckle fondly.
"Only you, Skywalker, could be so knowledgeable yet clueless," she ruffled his hair affectionately, before leading him towards one of the turbolifts. "Here, it's this way."
At his raised eyebrow, Satele explained, "I went there once, master Vos was meeting one of the Hutts, and I got to try the food. It's exquisite!"
"So you're glad I took you on this trip after all?" Anakin jibed teasingly. Satele merely let out an amused huff. "Ah, I suppose it's in this inconspicuous building?"
The two stepped up to the door, where an old man dressed in a silk robe stood imperiously. Upon seeing the two approaching, he frowned, peering down from behind his desk. "Can I help you?"
"We're here for senator Palpatine," Anakin answered. The man eyed him critically before letting out a bellowing laugh, wiping a tear from his eyes as the two Jedi shuffled on their feet awkwardly.
"You two children? For senator Palpatine? Please, do you take me for a fool?" the man jeered. "Scram, before I call security!"
"Ah, Anakin," the calm voice of Palpatine called out warmly, "perfect timing, I was just wondering if you had stood me up."
"Senator...these two are with you?" the server asked uneasily. At the senator's nod, he hastily made off with an excuse, causing Palpatine to chuckle.
"Apologies for that, my friend. Many people forget the importance of respect these days," Palpatine lamented before brightening. "But I see you've brought your friend, Satele Shan, was it?"
"Yes senator," Satele nodded demurely, only to be taken aback at the chuckle.
"There is no need for formalities with me. Any friend of Anakin's is a friend of mine! Come, come, allow me to introduce you to my companion." He led them to a private room, passing two uniformed guards until they came across a small table.
"Your majesty, may I present Anakin Skywalker, Jedi padawan, and his friend, Satele Shan," Palpatine introduced with a flourish. The young woman dressed in royal regalia eyed them critically as Anakin bent down in a bow, while Satele curtsied.
"Come, join us," she offered, gesturing towards the seats opposite. Palpatine took a seat dutifully by her side, offering an encouraging smile as the Queen looked towards them expectantly.
"Thank you, your majesty. I admit to being most excited to meet you, after the many discussions with Sheev, it's almost if I know you."
"I admit feeling similar," the queen commented neutrally, giving a playful glare to an innocent looking Palpatine. "Were you not a Jedi, I might well suspect that someone was playing matchmaker."
"I wouldn't dare to dream of it," Palpatine denied smoothly, taking a sip of tea from his cup. The Queen merely hummed thoughtfully, sipping on her own tea before offering a smile.
"Regardless, let us dispense of the pleasantries, just call me Padme," she offered with a smile. "It's not everyday I get to meet a Jedi, perhaps you could indulge some of my curiosity?"
"Only if you would be kind enough to indulge mine for politics," Anakin returned amusedly, ignoring the chortle Satele gave. Padme gave him a stern gaze, though when Anakin remained unfazed, she broke out into a tinkling laugh, waving off Satele's worried look.
"A fair compromise. I suppose the story of Naboo is as good a place as any to begin. My predecessor, under suspicious circumstances, signed off on joining the Trade Federation. Unfortunately, there are far too many concessions for my people to bear, and yet the terms to leave are far worse. My people are trapped, held hostage, and yet the Republic won't do anything about it."
"But surely the Republic wouldn't stand for such exploitation," Anakin pondered. "If any organisation could manage to amass such leverage over systems, they would be able to form an galactic coalition to undermine the Republic itself."
"Ah, but you see, it is the leverage they hold over many worlds that ensures any vote against the Federation would never pass," Padme laughed bitterly. "The executive authority won't do anything that goes against the Senate, so we're left at the mercy of the Federation."
"That's outrageous! Wouldn't the lack of Consideration be enough to have the contract void as illegal?" Anakin protested. All the occupants in the room looked surprised, and Anakin shrugged. "Spend enough time around politicians and you pick up a thing or two."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Palpatine laughed easily despite the slightly uncomfortable look on Padme's face. "The fact is, Naboo did receive much needed aid during a food crisis, so such an argument is void."
"And why did Naboo not just pay for the food?" Satele queried.
"We couldn't afford it at the time," Palpatine replied after Padme remained silent. "Her majesty's predecessor had used up much of Naboo's reserves in a series of expansions to the capital's royal facilities. With the decline in export revenue around that period due to greater competition, the only option was for a bailout."
"But the Republic has an emergency assistance fund precisely for this," Satele interjected, to which Padme gave a frustrated sigh.
"Yes, but the utilisation of such requires the senate's approval…I couldn't let my people starve to death," Padme admitted painedly. "A part of me still wonders if it was the right decision, given the suffering my people now face."
"Surely the people would not blame you for that!" Anakin exclaimed.
"It's not about blame," Padme rebuked gently, chuckling at at his confused expression before her eyes became more sombre. "Most of the people don't blame me...perhaps it would be easier if they did. If them blaming me could offer some respite to the pain...I would gladly encourage it."
"Are you sure you're not a Jedi?" Satele teased as the tension in the room grew palpable. All the others chuckled at this as Padme shook her head.
"Alas no, though how I wish I had the force to choke the smug looks off those Federation bureaucrats," she snarled, the vehemence catching both Anakin and Padme off guard. "Apologies…it's just hard."
"What exactly is the situation?" Anakin probed. At the others' confused looks, he shrugged defensively, "Angering the Federation shouldn't be sufficient to cause the current crisis."
"Yes, but alas, the Federation has decided to blockade Naboo," Palpatine explained knowingly. Anakin gave an incredulous snort, causing Palpatine to nod grievously, "Indeed, that the trade federation probably is more effective a military force than the Republic judicials...it leaves many unanswered questions."
"How did they amass such power?"
"Salami tactics, my dear," Palpatine answered. "First it was merely as security details for their VIPs, which was nothing out of the ordinary all things considered, so it was ratified. Then it was for protecting facilities. The security droids would never leave well defined areas without permission. And so it was ratified. After that it was for protecting convoys from pirates. Again, a valid concern and not something the Republic wanted to increase funding to the Judicials to deal with, and so it was agreed. A few more amendments and restrictions removed...and the Federation has the single largest military force in the galaxy."
"But surely they wouldn't blatantly attack the Republic," Anakin proffered. "It's bad business, and very few individuals would side with a business over their government."
"Indeed they are...unlikely to begin any further action, but the Republic is in deadlock. With such a weak executive and the senate rife with corporate interest…"
"It's hopeless," Padme lamented, tears swelling in her eyes. "Our only hope is for a settlement, but they hold all the cards. We're hostages essentially."
"But surely your allies wouldn't stand for this!" Anakin protested. "There must be people out there willing to act on behalf of Naboo."
"To engage in a potential conflict with the Federation...even Alderaan would only send a mercy mission if under a senate mandate. No one wants to incur the wrath of the Federation."
"You could just throw a stink up about it, surely the publicity would hurt the Federation," Anakin mused.
"And give up our only bargaining chip?" Padme laughed sardonically. "The fact that we managed to get several reporters streaming from Naboo constantly is probably the only reason harsher measures weren't taken."
"Dura Lex, Sed Lex," Palpatine soberly affirmed.
"This is outrageous! The law should defend the people, not enslave them," Anakin decried. Satele offered him a strange look, but Padme nodded pensively. Palpatine merely adopted a thoughtful look, observing the two Jedi keenly.
"Perhaps...there might be another way," he mused, almost basking in the attention the other three gave him. "The Jedi could be sent in. I doubt the Federation would attack a member of the other, perhaps if we can convince the chancellor to send a Jedi…"
"Valorum is our ally, surely he would comply," Padme rused hopefully.
"I'm sure I'll be able to convince him," Palpatine assured firmly, before glancing down at his communicator. "Please accept my apologies, your majesty, but I must tend to my duties now."
"I too should be returning to the temple, my master will be expecting me soon," Satele lamented, offering a smile to the others before leaving the room.
"So...tell me more about the Jedi," Padme asked, eyeing him closely. He frowned slightly at the scrutiny, gesturing for her to go on. "What's it like being a Jedi? Surely you must have gone on many missions, seen so many planets…"
Anakin laughed slightly at that, causing her to duck her head in embarrassment. Hastily, he stopped, explaining, "Forgive me, your majesty, I'm not laughing at you, but rather the...absurdity of the situation. I've scarcely left the planet since arriving. I've yet to be on a single mission."
"Is that...normal? By all accounts the order is being stretched thin with all the senate assignments," she frowned. "And you're master Kenobi's student, aren't you?"
"You know of him?" Anakin asked with askanced surprise.
"He's attended quite a few senate briefings along with the council. I've had the displeasure of talking to him once. One too many times, in my opinion. He has far too high an opinion of the Jedi and too low of everything else...oh I apologise, I shouldn't speak of your master that way-"
"Oh absolutely, he's just playing politics," Anakin agreed, "and guess who's stuck on the planet because of that?"
"I thought Jedi didn't condone politicking."
"Officially no. Unofficially, there are many factions. There are those in the order who believe we're too entrenched into the Republic, that we should live in exile away from everything. There are those who believe the Jedi should rule the Republic, as was the case before the Reformation. And you have those in between."
"And where do you lie?"
"No one's asked me that before...I suppose I believe the Jedi should take a greater role in the galaxy. We have this power...this ability to do some much good. And yet we choose to lock it away, hide it as though it were some wealth to be hoarded or as some monster to be kept chained. The agricultural corps are sequestered away in isolated greenhouses, shamed into believing they can only be caretakers for plants when they could be out there helping the starving. Healers are guarded jealously in private facilities, accessible only to our own or those wealthy and influential enough in the bureaucracy. The Jedi allow themselves to be chained by the bickering bureaucrats because they don't have the will to do what must be done. And to what end? The order has grown used to the stench of corruption, such that they no longer see the galaxy's people as individuals, only the slavers, the bureaucrats, the politicians and the businesspeople. And all those with such a power are taken from birth from their families, anyone trained outside conveniently labelled dark and hunted down. How can we claim to live in a Republic, let alone serve it, when such a core institution cannot be held to account?"
"And I thought I was the politician," Padme said in awe, causing Anakin to blush as he realised the rant he had gone on. "You could go into politics with such conviction."
"No interest," Anakin shrugged, "the game of licking the boots of those with more power while stepping on those without is one I refuse to partake in."
"They say that the best leaders are those who don't want to be one," Padme mused, eyeing him critically. "Truly...if you want to make a difference, then learn to be a leader."
"Will you teach me, then?" he asked. Her eyes glazed over for a moment before clearing.
"Of course, anything for a friend," she laughed at his beaming smile, "let's retire to my apartment."
-Break-
"I sympathise truly, your majesty, but there is nothing I can do," Valorum sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly. Padme looked toward Palpatine pleadingly, but the senator merely let out a sigh, discreetly shaking his head. Slumping down, Padme sighed.
"My people are dying! And all you can talk about is convention. Do you not remember what the people of Naboo did for your homeworld, oh...three decades ago?"
"Your majesty," Valorum gave a forced smile, "while I am of course grateful for Naboo's support during the Tipan Famine, I cannot break the laws which form the foundation of our Republic."
"But the laws are unjust! Surely even you can see that!" Padme pleaded.
"My opinion on the law is irrelevant, your majesty," he answered patiently, "as the Supreme Chancellor I am expected and will continue to maintain the neutrality expected of my position."
"Then it seems we have nothing more to discuss," Padme spat before standing up, storming out of the room. Palpatine muttered a goodbye before he and Anakin too followed out of the room, only the former noticing the troubled look the man wore.
"My apologies, your majesty," Palpatine solemnly lamented, "it seems my faith in Valorum was misplaced."
"Do not be hard on yourself, senator, even I dared hope. But the chancellor has made it clear that he is no friend of Naboo," Padme noted gravely. "What can we do?"
"It seems we are without recourse," Palpatine mused sadly. "If you will pardon me, your majesty, I must return to my office and hopefully convince others towards our plight."
"Of course," Padme agreed, slightly too quickly if the hint of a smirk Palpatine wore as his gaze flashed briefly to Anakin was any indication. Once the senator had left, accompanied by his retinue of guards, Anakin offered his hand to Padme, who giggled slightly before taking it. They walked through the private hallway towards the hangar, where the sleek silver plated royal transport was waiting. Several of her guards fanned out, checking the area as the duo walked towards the ship.
"Thanks for this again," Anakin smiled, their hands shyly linked.
"I should be the one thanking you," Padme returned with a grin of her own. "Very few people would be willing to keep me company during those tedious meetings."
Suddenly, Anakin felt a tingling sensation warning him, and dived on top of Padme as a sniper bolt hit where her head had been just a second ago. "Sniper! Lay down cover fire!"
Despite being so young, none of the veteran guards hesitated in following the orders, turning to where Anakin pointed and raising their blasters, firing away while Anakin ignited his lightsaber, deflecting several shots.
"The transport is ready," Captain Panaka, head of the Royal guard, yelled. "Get her majesty out of here."
"No," Anakin denied, much to the man's visible confusion. "This is a setup. They bypassed security, the ship could be trapped. Find us another exit!"
"Anakin is right," Padme agreed, causing Panaka to nod in agreement as he barked for the guards to secure a small side exit.
"Through here, majesty!" one of the guards yelled, waving his hand to beckon them over. Anakin grabbed Padme, scooping her onto his shoulder despite her protests.
"You're in heels, dear," he chided while deflecting a bolt, before rushing forward the exit. As they neared the door, the transport exploded, sending debris hiring through the entire hangar as several guards were knocked off their feet, while an unlucky individual died immediately in the fireball.
Finally, they made it through the door, after which Anakin ran his lightsaber through the controls, sealing the door behind them. "That should buy us a few minutes," Anakin nodded to Panaka as they continued travelling down the corridor, a trio of guards screening ahead. As they made it to a smaller side hangar, one of the guards boarded a small transport, while the other two boarded speeders. Anakin placed Padme in the middle seat, before barking, "Get us out of here, pilot!"
"Yes sir," the man responded, tapping the ignition and sending their speeder careening out of the hangar. Only when they had left the senate Rotunda far behind and made it back to the confines of Padme's safehouse did the guards visibly relax.
"That was...intense," Anakin noted dryly. Padme gave a light snort, though Panaka erupted into chuckles. "Seems the Federation wants you gone."
"You suspect the Federation?" Padme rused.
"They have the motive, method and means. They fit the profile perfectly. Her majesty has little involvement in other disputes, and targeting a member of the senate would require clearance as well as resources out of most people's reach."
"I'm inclined to agree," Panaka murmured, "though without evidence, this investigation will be shut down like the prior ones."
"Prior ones?" Anakin all but demanded. A silent glance was exchanged between the captain and Padme, before he bowed, leaving the duo inside the room.
"This is hardly the first time I've nearly been involved in accidents," Padme laughed bitterly. "Though this is the most grievous as of now."
"Surely something must have been done about it!"
"Official investigations are too marred to be of any use, and any evidence private investigators found were circumstantial at best, nothing that could hold up in court."
"Why do they want you gone though?" Anakin pondered. At her incredulous look, he shrugged. "The way I see it, they hold most if not all the cards. Your compassion for your people is well known, if I were the Federation, I would merely tighten my grip and squeeze the population until you conceded. While frowned upon, it's far less of a call of action than attempting a daylight assassination of a member of royalty."
"That's very cold logic coming from you," Padme observed worriedly.
"A corporation does not care for morals, only credits, your highness," Anakin shrugged. "You don't have to like it, but you must understand the game being played if you are to win it. Otherwise, you will find yourself on the losing end."
"Better to lose with dignity than win with such...such deplorable tactics," Padme spat.
"And condemn your people to suffer?" She paused, looking at him hesitantly. "You might be willing to bear the costs if directed against you, but the Federation knows that, and they'll target those around you."
"Senator Palpatine has...quite similar views to you," Padme frowned, giving him an inscrutable glance. "Have you two been talking?"
"Occasionally," Anakin shrugged. "The senator is often busy, but we do have some chats. He's a very insightful man."
"That he is," Padme agreed, before grinning. "But enough of that, there's only the two of us here, and I am loath to waste the opportunity. SIt, I'll make us some tea."
"You and your teas," Anakin teased, to which Padme stuck her tongue at him. "Imagine if someone saw us like this."
"Heh, wouldn't that be a scandal," she giggled, "the Queen and her Jedi. How scandalous. The tabloids would have a field day."
"What of it?" Anakin shrugged. Padme delicately quirked an eyebrow, drawing a chuckle out of him. "I've been having...doubts about the Jedi. Isn't it wrong...to reject our emotions completely?"
"I...it isn't my place to say," Padme shrugged. "I can't pretend to be the least bit familiar with Jedi dogma, secretive as your order are."
"But it seems wrong, doesn't it, to have children forcibly taken from their families because of what amounts to a birth defect?" Anakin pondered. "How can we claim to be a free and open society when we allow for what is tantamount to child kidnapping?"
"Many consider it an honour to have their children selected for training in the order," Padme defended, though her heart was clearly not in it.
"And many more do not, yet they are given little choice. Besides, the Jedi are so indoctrinated from youth most do not know to leave, while those that do want to leave aren't equipped with the necessary skills to survive like an ordinary citizen. That basically turns us into indentured servants, does it not?"
"I...suppose it does," Padme frowned, before admitting, "I've never quite thought about things like this. You're quite insightful, you know that?"
"Now if only I could actually make a difference about it," Anakin lamented.
-Break-
"What do you mean the investigation is being dropped?" Anakin demanded. Obi Wan frowned at him, though the effect was largely lost through the hologram. Anakin was also too agitated to care about his master's disapproval.
"The matter was...decided to be too sensitive to continue pursuing. There isn't enough evidence, it was decided that dropping the matter would be prudent," Obi Wan responded with dispassion. "The high council agreed."
"A sitting monarch was attacked in broad daylight! And the council decides the matter doesn't need to investigate?"
"Don't take that tone with me," Obi Wan lectered sternly. "The council's resources aren't infinite, and we're stretched thin as it is. It's not as if you were able to apprehend the sniper."
"I was focused on defending the Queen!"
"She has security for that! Well you made your choice, either way, good job," Obi Wan snarked. "But that isn't why I called. You've been assigned to guard her majesty. By her request, it seems."
"You disapprove, master?"
"The Council has voiced their agreement, so my opinion on the issue is irrelevant. You're to accompany the Queen for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure why she insisted on you for an appointment...but nevermind, that doesn't matter."
"Master...do you have any advice?"
Obi Wan sighed. "Didn't you want to be assigned a mission?"
"Yes of course, but I still value your advice."
"Well, trust in the force, don't do anything against the code, and you'll be fine."
"Master?" Anakin queried at the frowning look Obi Wan was giving him, "you are...disturbed?"
"Just what were you doing with senator Palpatine and Queen Amidala? I thought I told you not to consort with politicians and their ilk. It isn't right!"
"I could hardly reject the senator or the queen. I don't want to cause a diplomatic incident. Besides, it's good practice for me, isn't it?"
"You should trust in the wisdom of the council! They've dictated it ill advised for padawans such as you for a good reason. Even knights rarely meet with them outside the presence of a master."
"But you often meet with senators! How is that fair?"
"This conversation is over, Anakin," Obi Wan snapped, cutting off the communicator. Anakin sighed, his grip tightening into a fist that trembled before he took a deep breath, relaxing. Turning around, he saw Padme offer a commiserating look and flinched slightly.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Padme."
"No, no, if anything I should be apologise for listening in...but...I suppose...are you alright?" she offered him a worried glance. Anakin merely sighed tiredly, forcing a smile.
"I've grown used to it," he resigned, "but first, I must ask, did you really insist on my appointment?"
"I did," Padme admitted, offering a worried glance as he walked over, "did you not…"
Anakin cut off Padme's response by embracing her in a tight hug.
"Thank you, you have...no idea what this means to me." Relaxing at this, Padme returned the hug, running a hand through his hair and listening to his heartbeat.
"Anything for a friend," Padme assured. "Besides, it just makes our lessons easier."
"What are we learning today?" Anakin asked eagerly.
"Leadership...it's not something concrete. There are characteristics generally agreed upon...but in truth, no one can claim they truly understand leadership, not even those who practice it," Padme lectured as Anakin listened enraptured. "To be a true leader...it is to have a vision, it is to inspire, to bring hope, to guide. A leader aims to make the best of their followers, to empower each to be the best they can be. But more than that, a leader does what they believe is right. To be a leader, is a contradiction. To listen to the advice of others, but ultimately, to make the decisions."
"That…"
"Doesn't seem to make sense?" Padme asked teasingly. Anakin blushed slightly, causing her to chuckle. "Don't worry, I'm a leader and I still don't fully understand it. But I suppose in a twisted way, it does make sense. If us beings don't make sense with our decisions, then why should leading us be any more sensical?"
Anakin blinked several times before nodding in agreement.
"I know it may seem hard to understand, but I truly believe you have the makings of a leader. That you remain firm to your beliefs is...a rare quality that deserves to be nurtured. You've taken to our lessons far better than I did when I learnt."
"Perhaps that's because I have a great teacher."
"You even have such a silver tongue," Padme laughed. "If only you weren't a Jedi...we could do so many things together in the political arena...perhaps even make a difference."
"You flatter me."
"It's not flattery if it's true," she retorted playfully before sobering. "But I do have something to ask of you."
"Anything in my power," Anakin immediately promised.
"Just wait until...you hear it first," Padme insisted. "I...need to return to Naboo. The situation on planet is dire...and I'm prepared to make sacrifices to try and prevent it. The Federation has offered a face to face negotiation, but they want this hushed as one of the conditions."
"Sounds like a trap."
"True, but what option do I have?"
"Spring the trap," Anakin answered unwaveringly, to her surprise. "There are far easier ways to get rid of you. Right now, every passing day should play into their hands, and they know it. There must be something we're not seeing...some unknown factor…"
"What do you think it is?" Padme asked curiously. "I wouldn't have even considered that possibility…"
"I'm not sure. As you say, a leader must trust their own judgement." She offered a flickering smile, pondering several moments before her gaze hardened.
-Break-
"What do you mean you're going to Naboo?" Obi Wan exclaimed angrily over the holoprojector. "This isn't a Council approved mission! You're supposed to be guarding the Queen, not running off on some adventure! I-"
"Her majesty decided to leave for Naboo yesterday night. I've only just been able to deal with the logistics of security," Anakin replied annoyedly. "I am doing my job."
"Her majesty did what?" Obi Wan sputtered. "Impossible!"
"I am on the ship that her majesty is travelling on master," Anakin responded dryly. "Perhaps you could have some faith in me."
Rubbing his beard thoughtfully, Obi Wan responded, "I suppose it's too late to do anything about it now. Just carry on. I'll have to inform the council of this...development."
"Master that would be ill advised...the Federation demanded that this be kept hushed, it is only...in case anything happens that I want someone to know."
Obi Wan let out a frustrated sigh. "No, Anakin, you don't get to defy convention. The Council will be informed. I pray to the force you don't do anything stupid before I can arrange to have someone replace you."
Doubtful of his own ability to contain his anger, Anakin switched off the communicator before his master could continue on his tirade. Turning, he saw Padme once again leaning on the doorframe, just outside the view of the holoprojector's lens, and a smile involuntarily wormed its way to his face.
"You ok?"
"My faith has been...shaken, but don't worry about that. You have more pressing matters to focus your attention, my issues with my master should not be one of them." Padme frowned but allowed the point to drop, waving for him to follow her.
"I've informed the good senator, while he is concerned for my safety, he respects my decision. It's too late to change our mind, anyways, we're here."
"Already? A Two point hyperdrive costs a fortune!" he exclaimed, much to her amusement. "Right, royalty, it's so easy to forget...you're always just Padme in my head."
"And I prefer it that way," Padme assured.
"Your majesty...you should probably come see…" the aide trailed off, clearly unable to find the words. With concern, the duo followed the handmaiden through the corridors until they were able to look out the viewport, at which time Padme couldn't help a gasp.
"Those warships are massive! How did they manage to acquire so many of them?"
"I am far more concerned about that," Anakin pointed to a squadron of fighters slowly approaching. Thankfully, the fighters, resembling an insectoid given its angular droid cockpit was flanked by four pincer like wings, only veered past the ship, before assuming an escort pattern.
"They're really playing up the show of force," Anakin muttered to himself, to which Padme could only nod solemnly, both of them not commenting on the worried glances exchanged by the crew. As if hearing this, one of the flanking Vulture droids turned its metallic head, the red glow eminating from its three slits disconcerting even to Anakin.
Author Note:
Thank you for all the support thus far! I'm truly moved! For those of you wondering, Satele is the name of one of the Jedi Grandmasters in the Old Republic Era (Legends), a distant descendant of Revan and Bastila Shan. Most of you will know her from her fight against Darth Malgus, in which she uses her hands and the force to stop Malgus' lightsaber blade. I admit I had a real struggle with this chapter. Initially, I had around three chapters worth of content, but I decided that a lot of it really wasn't necesarry, and given the expository nature, I decided to trim it down to this. Unfortunately, this means line breaks. If anyone has any feedback on how I could make the transitions, please leave a comment! Alas, this exposition is a necessary evil in my point of view, setting up the relationship between Anakin and Padme as well as giving context to the problems of the Republic. The next chapters will have far more action, rest assured.
To the reader curious about an update schedule, alas I cannot provide you with one. Aside from dealing with my final high school exams in the form of the IBDP, my writing has not matured to a point where I can consistently write on bad days. There are times when I can sprint out a thousand words an hour, and other times where I can be looking at maybe a hundred after three. Over the summer, I'm definitely hoping to ramp up my writing speed. I'm hoping to get at least this and episode 2's content worth completed, though only the force knows if I'll be able to achieve that.