I couldn't stand much longer of waiting in an apartment, so when Padmé was called to a senate meeting, Dormé and I joined her. The topic of discussion was what should be done about the neutral system of Mandalore. Padmé had been informed that the duchess had made the trip to Coruscant to argue her case for continued neutrality. Apparently, while on the trip, and accompanied by none other than Obi-Wan and Anakin, there had been an attempt on her life, undoubtedly to stop her.

Padmé, Dormé, Threepio, and I join the other senators and representatives, taking the usual seat in the repulsorpod for Naboo.

The Chancellor, forever creeping me out, stands tall in proud in the center of the chamber, with Duchess Satine in front of him in her own viewing platform. "It grieves me to say it, but Death Watch is now a significant deadly threat," he explains, leaning forward to convey the seriousness of the matter.

"Mandalore is making great strides to find the leaders of this terrorist movement," the duchess points out, obviously not wanting the chancellor to sway the crowd towards sending troops to Mandalore. "They are not powerful enough to destabilize our government. We will resolve this without conflict. If the Republic gets involved in our affairs, it will only lead to further violence. Thus, I shall reassert our position of neutrality."

Mas Amedda is a character I never want to be in the same room as since he infuriates me with his lust for power. "Talk of an idealist," the Chagrian remarks.

"No, those are the words of a pacifist," Satine corrects sternly, "and a people who have chosen non-violent action."

Palpatine looks to his vice chair as he speaks. "That may be so, Duchess; however, this message was delivered to my staff just this morning. I think you shall find it most illuminating."

A holorecording of a man dressed in Mandalore clothing appears large in the center of the room as well as from a holoprojector on each viewing platform. "The actions by our government," the man begins, placing a hand on his chest, "have taken us into a period of civil war." Padmé, always curious, moves the repulsorpod forward, hovering next to the duchess. "To acknowledge it would be to invite panic in the streets."

"Duchess," Padmé gently calls over the noise of the holo. "Do you know this man?"

Satine nods slowly, not looking at the senator but rather at the recording. "Yes," she answers. "Deputy Minister Jerec. He's a dear friend." Sadness and confusion creeps into her voice.

"It is more than mere possibility, more than eventuality, it is here," Jerec continues.

"Stop!" Duchess Satine exclaims. "Deputy Minister Jerec is an honorable man. He would never commit such lies to the record. The Mandalorian government holds no secrets from its people."

"If only that were true," Palpatine says. Mas Amedda then plays the recording again.

"Death Watch is far stronger than we once thought. If we are to combat them affectively, we must have Republic assistance," the holo insists. Padmé glances at me with uncertainty. This isn't going well for Satine. "Instead this government acts out of pride and rejects the help of the Jedi."

"It's not true! It's not true!" Satine pleads.

"Duchess Satine will ultimately cause our defeat," Jerec carries on. "Make no mistake, Republic intervention is absolutely necessary."

The finished holo fades away. "This isn't right," the duchess mutters. "Something here isn't right," she says louder. "I wish to speak to Jerec immediately."

"Sadly, Deputy Minister Jerec perished this morning," the chancellor informs. That's oddly convenient. "In a Death Watch bombing on Kalevala. Let us insure that his death was not in vain. Let us commit our military might to defending the Madnalorian people." Even if they don't want it? That sounds more like an invasion than sending aid.

"Defending?" Satine questions. "You mean to occupy our home. You would trample our right to self determination." I grin at her words, just as strong and correct as Padmé's had once been when pleading for aid against the Trade Federation.

"We mean to save your people." The chancellor couldn't be more wrong. I frown at his words. He'll send in troops to invade a world under the guise of protection without the consent of the people. That is the definition of invasion. I've never agreed with Palpatine. I probably never will.

The duchess was simply getting angrier. "You will turn our planet into a military target, which will bring the war to us. Mandalore must remain a neutral system."

Instead of replying, Palpatine spoke to the senators and representatives. "The vote will commence in the next session."

Any repulsorpod hovering in the chamber returns to it's station. I turn to Padmé. "You are with the duchess, right?" I ask.

She huffs like she was offended at the thought of not agreeing with Mandalore. "Of course I am. Who are we to decide whether or not to make a world join the Republic? If they wish for neutrality, then they should receive that. If they wish for aid, then we can help. But if we defy their wishes, we are tyrants and no better than the Separatists."

Together, we begin to walk side by side in the hall with Dormé and Threepio following us. My little senator is growing up. I look at her with a proud expression. "What?" she inquires, uncomfortable with my action.

I chuckle lightly. "I remember your first day as Queen of Naboo," I reminisce while avoiding collision with a senator walking in the opposite direction. "You were so hesitant and unsure, but you tried your hardest not to show it. All of your training hadn't quite prepared you for the real experience of ruling. But you didn't show it. You held your head high, exuding more confidence and power than any other person I had known at the time. That was the moment I knew you would follow your heart and do great things, never letting anyone step over you without a fight. Duchess Satine is lucky to have an ally like you to plead with her and show reason. I'm very proud of everything you've accomplished, Padmé Naberrie. You never cease to amaze me."

Padmé had never blushed harder in her life, even though it still wasn't much. "I feel like your sudden sentimentality is caused by your current physical state, but thank you. I'd have never made it without you, any of you. I'm pretty certain Dormé has a hard enough time keeping me sane." Padmé winks slyly at Dormé walking behind us. "Now, let's return to the apartment. My head is starting to hurt from wearing my headdress all day."

Dormé and I laugh at her statement, but nonetheless we return to Padmé's penthouse apartment. The moment Padmé had dressed in something else, a call was received requesting her presence for an emergency vote.

A grumbling Padmé dressed in clothing fit for her status once again and returned to the Senate Building with only Threepio this time, saying, "It should be quick."

Moteé and Ellé were in the kitchen preparing dinner as I enter. "What are you making?" I ask.

"Padmé's favorite," Moteé answers. "Shaak pot roa-" She was unable to complete her statement as the scent of meat hit me like a brick. I rush to the trash as vomit travels up my esophagus, burning my throat as I puke into the container.

I hear the clash of a pan on the stove before feeling gentle hands rubbing my back. "I'm so sorry," Moteé apologizes from my right. "I didn't know what your sensitivities were."

"My mother told me she couldn't stand the smell of alcohol when she was pregnant," Ellé shares offhandedly.

I breath heavily before answering. "I wish I had that instead since I shouldn't have alcohol anyway," I joke.

"We should get you out of the kitchen, either to the bathroom or your room," Moteé offers. Instead of replying, I nod shakily. "I've got her." Moteé slings one of my arms over her shoulder, helping me stand, as Ellé backs away, slowly returning to the food.

Moteé lays me down to rest on my bed and leaves, sending Teckla in to stay with me. Teckla sits down beside me with a few damp washcloths. She places one on my forehead and uses the other to wipe the corners of my mouth.

"You know, I can clean myself up," I tell her.

"I know that, but you just vomited. I think someone can take care of you," Teckla says as she pulls a blanket up to my chest. "I'm going to get you some water and fruit. Hopefully you won't be able to smell the food cooking from here."

As I rest and slowly eat a bowl of fruit Teckla had brought me, my com beeps. I press the button to answer the call. "Yes?" I ask.

"Cattleya?" Padmé checks.

"What is it, Padmé? Is something wrong?" I inquire, sitting up in my bed.

"The senate voted in favor of occupation," she relays.

My heart grows heavy. "What? You can't be serious. I thought the senate might see reason."

"That isn't all." Her voice was grave and disturbed. "Satine is now wanted for murder. They're hunting for her now in the streets."

I shake my head, despite Padmé not being able to see it. "That can't be. She's a pacifist. She could never kill anyone."

"I know, but she was found with a blaster standing over a dead man. Republic police are stopping people on the streets asking if they've seen her."

Poor Duchess. It was probably Death Watch framing her. She had probably found something that could keep the Republic off of Mandalore. "Can you keep me updated?" I plead.

"Of course."

"And Padmé? As long as she's at the heart of the Republic, she won't be able to hide forever. If she comes to you to help her plead her case. . ." I trail off.

"I'll do anything I can. I know she's innocent," Padmé reassures. "I'll return as soon as possible."

Later that night, Padmé returned with a spring in her step. Dinner was long over, so I felt immensely better sitting on the veranda with Dormé, Teckla, Moteé, and Ellé.

We all look up as the senator enters. "Milady, are you hungry?" Dormé asks.

"Not now," Padmé declines. "I was brought food at my office." She turns directly to me for her next words. "I have good news and bad news." Padmé sits next to me. "Duchess Satine has turned herself in." My face twists into concern. The duchess does not belong in jail. "It's okay, though. As she turned herself in, Obi-Wan came to me with something that will help. The recording of Jerec was doctored, and the person who had been killed was giving Satine the original version. She got it to Obi-Wan, and he brought it to me. I then showed it to the Senate. A session will be held in the morning."

I beam brightly. "That is good news. Mandalore doesn't deserve to be treated the way they have," I remark.

"I know," Padmé answers. "I also know that the senators voting to revoke the occupation include Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Onaconda Farr, Meena Tills, and Riyo Chuchi."

"All very respectable. Satine seems to be in good hands." I stand, a burden having been lifted from my heart. "I'm going to sleep now. Thank you, Padmé."

Despite the assurance the duchess would be safe and secure, I can't help but feel uneasy regarding her as I lay in my bed, trying to fall asleep.