*** Chapter 11 ***
While Padme would end her time as Queen with some of the most support of the populist ever on recorded, not everything she did was with the support of her people. Padme had always seen strength in joining with the galaxy and often through unquestioned support toward intergalactic initiatives.
The Life and Times of Amidala, the People's Queen, By: Softa Jiane, Oralist and Historian
As the Millennium Falcon zipped throw Lightspeed, Han Solo worked to repair the few parts of the ship that could be worked on while the ship was in use. Han had taken careful study of this years ago when he had decided the time spent in lightspeed was too valuable to waste not doing anything productive.
"RRRRRRRRWAER," Chewie said to Han while ripping out the comm system to start the rebuild they had been talking about the last few months.
"Yeah, I know Leona is far away and a nothing planet." Han replied, frustrated Chewie felt the need to bring this up.
"RRRWADEDDRRRRRES."
"Well, if you don't like, you don't have to come." Han replied, instantly regretting the comment.
"RRRRRRRRRRRWETTTTTTERRRR."
"Chewie, I didn't mean it. This whole mission has gone belly up. I'm not even sure what I'm doing out here." Han replied.
"RRRRRRRWEW." Chewie said dismissively with the wave of a paw and then took the Comm Unit back to the living quarters for repair.
Han waived him off, living in such tight quarters can bring even the best companions to blows from time to time. Han went back to working on a jammed blast deflector. His hand so familiar with the work it allowed his mind to wonder. Chewie was not necessarily wrong in his judgement about heading to Leona. Even Han could point to his own stubbornness as to why they were chasing down the trade issues. The New Republic was not like the Empire, he was unlikely to be punished for bad news and working for the New Republic was unlike being self-employed, an incomplete mission did not have financial consequences. Han could have easily returned with this information to the New Republic and a group of actual trained spies would be sent out to investigate. Instead, Han elected to stick to the mission.
Han sighed at the thought. No one, not even Leia, would fault him for turning in his commission and returning to life as a private citizen. Han wondered what life as a private citizen would even look like. The bounties that had been on his head had been discontinued for one reason or another, so he would have the freest movement of the Galaxy he had ever had in his life. He could also see Leia more. With competing schedules, they had had to make astronomical efforts, literally, to meet, in some cases for just a few hours at time. If Han left, he could start a small trading company and he could see Leia whenever she was available. Maybe even, they could talk about the next steps in their relationship if Han was not so out of control of his travel schedule he could actually commit to something.
Han turned his attention back to the blast deflector and continued to work out the jam. He did not have to make a decision now, but in his heart, he knew that neither he nor the New Republic were getting enough benefit out of the deal to be worth his time attempting to serve.
"They are expecting us, right?" Toula danced around nervously in the back garden of the palace. She was an academic and even this sort of benign meeting was beyond her comfort zone.
"Yes Toula, I spoke to someone yesterday afternoon, I'm not really sure what to expect, but we'll at least get some additional idea, no matter how sanitized." Leia explained yet again to the professional the who had been endowed as an interim Minister in the newly formed New Republic.
Leia and Toula were waiting for Commander Erickson at the side entrance of the palace that her contingent had been using. He was already nearly 10 minutes late which was something Leia did not have the tolerance for. She was about to head into the palace to find him when an ornately dressed handmaiden distracted her.
"The Queen has invited a friend from a local holovid network to document the dignitaries time on the planet. She thinks it will make a good impression on the people of Naboo. Each event telling the story of the entrance into the New Republic." The Handmaiden stated in a monotone drawl that seemed odd for someone so young.
"I don't think that is necessary, it's really not all that exciting. There is a couple of receptions, and a banquet to formalize the union." Leia laid out.
"Oh, yes, about that, the Queen would like to add a few events. Do you have time to review?" the Handmaiden questioned innocently.
"Not really, I'm headed out now and tomorrow I'm supposed to sit down with the Queen and work out the particulars of the Planets entrance in the New Republic." Leia countered.
"How about this evening, after dinner?"
"Fine," Leia agreed defeated and then reminded herself, if all it took was a couple of extra dinner parties and parades to continue to the valuable work of building the New Republic, then she would go along with it. If the Queen was this particular about the dignitaries, Leia was worried she would even be more demanding when it came to actual negotiations.
"Enjoy your day, Princess." The handmaiden said with a little bow and then walked away.
"Alright, let's get this over with." Commander Erickson said as he walked up to where Leia and Toula were waiting, passing the Handmaiden as she left to attend to her duties.
"Well good morning to you," Leia shot back, already peeved by the Commander's ton.
He just rolled his eyes and started walking toward the parked speeder that would take them to The House of Madden.
The ride was only about 20 minutes, the House of Madden was headquartered just outside the City of Theeds. Erickson drove while Leia and Toula reviewed the limited data should had been able to find.
The House of Madden was in the grand tradition of Naboo. No one actually lived in the in the trading house headquarters. The name was taken from the tradition that a household that also conducted a business. Use of the prefix house denoted that a business was or at one point had been a family business. The actual building was another large ornate green roofed structure. Without the confines of the city limiting its sprawl, there were gardens spanning out kilometers from the actual building.
Leia looked down at her chosen outfit a bit worried. She had chosen a pair of wide breeches made from a gauzy material and a tunic to match. She had a blaster tucked in the interior of her tunic, hidden from sight. The wardrobe she had adopted since starting as a diplomat fulltime was functional and mostly formal enough for the worlds she visited. Since the galaxy was still in a great amount of distress, she often found herself in situation where the benefits practical outfit that allowed movement outweighed the benefit of a more formal dress. She'd been on over 20 worlds and the logic had not yet failed, but looking at this sort of House, she wished she still had some of the more elaborate dress she had worn on Alderaan. They would most likely be very much appreciated in the House of Madden.
The trio entered the main entrance, greeted with a sleek metallic exterior that did not at all match the antiquates exterior. In addition, Leia expected the occupants of such a building to be dressed in the same opulent attire that seemed to be a norm in the palace. Instead, Leia found that in a very busy entry way, the occupants were dressed in steely gray uniforms that seemed almost militaristic. While reminiscent of the Imperial officers, the Uniforms had quite the shine to them that would have made even Darth Vader chuckle.
Leia looked at where they could announce themselves when a young woman, also dressed in the same steely gray approached the party in a quick stride. She stood straight, her shoulders back and her head up.
"Princess Leia, Minister Tippion and you must be security?" The young woman asked, her speech quick and clear and then continued with her own introduction before anyone could provide an answer. "I'm Nigella Spicher, I'm chief officer of public relations. We're very honored that you would visit our humble trading operation."
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Leia acknowledged back, falling into easy mannerisms and ignoring the fact that this obviously massive operations had been called humble.
"I'd like to give you a short tour of our operations and then Madam Rajal Madden would like to speak with you as well. She runs the operation here."
"That would be lovely, thank you so much for the offer." Leia continued the word dance with a smile she hoped did not feel forced. Leia did not actually want a tour of the facility, though Toula may find it intriguing, it would do nothing for either the house of Madden or the New Republic. While never explicitly stated, this meeting was about evaluating a potential threat, and that went to for both parties. Leia hope that everyone would find that there was nothing to worry about. That in fact, Naboo's entering the New Republic would prove beneficial to the trading house, allowing easier access to intergalactic trade.
Toula nodded expectantly but did not bother to speak. Toula may be brazen in her writing, but it did not translate well into her interpersonal relations.
Erickson held a bland expression that could be interpreted as either stoicism or boredom depending on the context.
"We'll start in our ship bay, and then we'll take a look at the warehouse. I think you'll find the tour very enjoyable." Nigella chirped, either unaware or uninterested in the less then exuberant response she was receiving from her tour group.
Two hours later, Leia was ready to gouge her eyes out, so she did not have to look at another spaceship component. The tour was dead boring, and Leia suspected it was meant to take up time until Rajal Madden was ready to see them or until Leia and the rest of her party got fed up and elected to leave.
So, it was almost a shock when Nigella said, "That concludes our tour. We have 15 minutes until your appointment with Rajal Madden, would you like a cup of Caf, or maybe some tea?"
"Caf is if fine for me." Leia paused to give the rest of her party a moment to answer.
"Tea," Toula responded, her voice small and barely audible.
Commander Erickson just help up his hand in rejection of a beverage.
Once the beverages were consumed and the 15 minutes they were required to wait had elapsed, Nigella lead the group up a winding staircase to a small lounge decorated more like the palace with brightly colored couches covered with plush pillow and lush wall coverings.
"We ask that your security wait outside." Nigella directed to Erickson.
"Understood," Leia replied, but it sent a bit of a red flag. What was going to happen where this woman did not want her security in the room. She pushed if off, Leia was equipped to take care of herself, regardless.
At Nigella's direction, Leia and Toula entered the office of Rajal Madden. She was sitting behind her desk, her back perfectly straight. Her near black hair pulled up into a chignon was streaked silver somehow adding to elegance rather than making her look old. Her complexion was the color of burned cream and only marred by small crows feet her at temples. She stood to great Leia and Toula and she was wearing the same steely gray of her employees, but instead of the simple jackets and breeches of her staff, she was wearing a near skintight dress, displaying a near flawless body. In fact, the only thing that marred her skin besides for distinguishing laugh lines was a small tattoo on the nape of her neck in the shape of crescent moon that contained a nine-pointed star.
"Princess Leia and Minister Toula, it's very nice to make your acquaintance. I am sure you found the tour this afternoon agreeable." Her voice was sickly sweet, the simile felt forced. She stayed seated, not bothering to great her guests. She did not let her posture lapse and she kept her hands well contained in clasped position on the desk in front of her. "Please take a set" She motioned to the two hard backed chairs in front of her desk.
Leia sat and then directed her attention behind the deck, "Madam Madden," Leia addressed, having discussed the etiquette at length with C-3P0 beforehand. "We have found your facilities truly amazing. The work you've done here is commendable. I have been to nearly 20 worlds the past year and I have not seen anything like this."
Madam Madden gave a closed mouth smile that exaggerated the laugh lines around her mouth, "Princess, your praise is appreciated, but I can assure you we are nothing more than a humble trade operation."
Leia nodded slowly, mostly to give herself time to consider her next words very carefully. The conversation already felt tricky and coded and Madam Madden had the home world advantage. "While I respect your modesty, we both know that the House of Madden is anything but humble. I am not here as an adversary, Naboo is about to join the New Republic and my job is to understand any threats." Leia explained and paused, waiting for understanding Madam Madden.
Madam Madden made a small grimacing sound and said, "It is not our intention to be an adversary either. All we wish to be able to do business as we have been with taxes that do not become burdensome."
"You must have strong opinions then on Naboo entering the New Republic?" Leia questioned. It was perhaps a counter intuitive question. She was sure Toula would later tell her that she should have requested 10 years of financial documentation, but Leia was more interested in this response.
"Your mistaken Princess, I am agnostic to your New Republic, not only did I survive the Empire, I thrived, No, I am not worried about your pseudo utopia." Madam Madden had dropped the pretext they had started with. "But, I already know the New Republic is worried about the House of Madden, or else you would not be here."
Leia looked at the Madam with the same sort of determination she had when Tarkin had led her to the bridge of the Death Star, but it was mostly to hide her own embarrassment. Han had often advised Leia to hold her card closely to make sure your enemy was not privy to your plans. Leia had undoubtedly ignored the sentiment and instead walked into an easy trap.
"We don't see the House of Madden as threat, but we do find it highly unusual that one company would control so much of the planets commerce with very little notice from the rest of the plant." Leia explained.
"And I can assure you we have practiced sound business and avoided any sort scandal that would require us to provide additional disclosure. I am sure your minister has plenty of question she would like ask, surely she understands how a sound business operates much better than war time politician." Madam Madden directed her gaze to Toula.
"Ohh…..Yes… Madam, we would be interested in a list of your vendors, customers and business partners and 10 years of financials records." Toula stuttered nervously.
"Excuse me, but that's proprietary. Once Naboo was entered the New Republic and legislation has been written enforcing such disclosure I will happily abide, but until then, I respectfully decline to turn over such confidential and valuable information to an unproven government."
"Unproven," Leia let her anger get the better of her once again.
"Yes Princess, just because a couple of your pilots got a few lucky shots in, does not mean your government has legitimacy, especially while my world has yet to formally join." Madam Madden countered back.
Leia looked for something to counter, but could not think of anything. Madam Madden, while insulting was not incorrect.
"Princes and Minster, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I am not interested in giving away my trade secrets and I have a feeling where not going to get anywhere productive. Unfortunately, I do have another meeting to attend to. Nigella will show you out." Madam Madden said while adopting the same smile they had started the conversation with.
"Madam Madden, your time was very much appreciated," Leia said in an attempt to end the conversation with the same forced decency in which it started.