Padmé and Sabé switched places again since we are in Coruscant. Padmé, in her regal clothes sits on a couch in Palpatine's quarters. I stood behind her to her right while Eirtaé stood to her left. Sabé and Rabé were off preparing the Queen's quarters.
Palpatine is pacing back and forth in front of the Queen, explaining things, and Captain Panaka enters. "The Republic is not what it once was," the senator says. "The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves. There is no interest in the common good. No civility, only politics. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion."
Padmé didn't have it. "Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope," she counters.
"If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power. He is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now."
"What options have we?" Queen Amidala asks.
"Our best choice will be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who could control the bureaucrats and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum," Palpatine suggests.
"He has been our strongest supporter."
"Our only other choice would be to submit a plea to the courts."
"The courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator." One could slightly hear the pleading hidden in her voice. "We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."
"To be realistic, Your Majesty, I'd say we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being." How can he even say that?
"That is something I cannot do," Padmé tells him sternly.
Later, we were in Padmé's quarters. Eirtaé and I were organizing the Queen's clothing to get her ready for the Senate debate. Rabé greeted someone. Looking up, I realize it is simply Anakin.
"I'm sorry, Ani," I hear Rabé say. "But Padmé is not here right now."
"Who is it?" the Queen asks, walking to the wide doorway.
"Anakin Skywalker, to see Padmé, Your Highness," Rabé tells hers. Anakin bows once he sees her.
"I've sent Padmé on an errand," Padmé lies since he doesn't know she's the Queen.
"I'm on my way to the Jedi temple to start my training, I hope," the boy explains. Padmé doesn't say anything so he continues. "I may never see her again, so I just wanted to say goodbye."
"We will tell her for you," Amidala assures him. "We are sure her heart goes with you."
Anakin bows again and replies, "Thank you, Your Highness." The Queen walks away without another word, and Rabé shows the young boy out. He's smitten with her, that much is obvious.
Once in the Senate chambers, I realize just how many systems there are. Thousands of senators and their aides sit in the circular assembly area. Chancellor Valorum sits in an elevated area in the center. The Queen, Rabé, and I are seated with Senator Palpatine and Captain Panaka in the Naboo congressional box.
"The Chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo," Chancellor Valorum announces.
The platform floats towards the center. Palpatine stands and addresses the crowd. "Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the Senate, a tragedy has occured which started right here with the taxation, and has now engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the Trade Federation."
A second box floats to the center of the Senate. The senator of the Trade Federation, Lott Dod, stands. "This is outrageous!" he exclaims. "I object to the Senator's statements!"
"The Chair does not recognize the Senator from the Trade Federation at this time," Valorum states. The Federation delegates reluctantly move back to their place.
"To state our allegations, I present Queen Amidala, recently elected ruler of Naboo, to speak on our behalf," Palpatine introduces.
The Queen stands and steps forward as the senator takes his seat. "Honorable representatives of the Republic, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade-"
She is cut off by Lott Dod, who brought his platform forward yet again. "I object! There is no proof! This is incredible. We recommend a commision be sent to Naboo to assertain the truth."
A third box, Malastare, moves forward. "The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation. A commision must be appointed," Aks Moe, the Malastare ambassador says.
"The point," Valorum begins. He then confers with his aides. Palpatine whispers something to Padmé. "The point is conceded. Will you defer your motion to allow a commision to explore the validity of your accusation?"
"I will not defer," Queen Amidala replies angrily but composed. "I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now." The crowd began to murmur. "I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a commitee. If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a 'vote of no confidence' in Chancellor Valorum's leadership."
That simple statement causes an uproar in the assembly. Valorum is stunned and takes a seat. His Vice Chair, Mas Amedda, takes over. "Order! We shall have order!" he proclaims.
The hall quieted and another voice spoke. "Alderaan seconds the motion for a 'vote of no confidence' in Chancellor Valorum," Prince Bail Organa says.
The assembly began to chant, "Vote now! Vote now!" We are then told that the vote will begin tomorrow.
