...
" . . . How many times do I have to say I love you?"
...
*Naboo Palace, Throne Room*
Queen Amidala sat on her throne drumming her fingernails on the left armrest of the chair. Bored as hell, she continued to listen to Naboo's most famous
politicians. At the moment they were in the middle of a very boring debate about the local Rivertree Festival that was held each year in honour of the
Nubian Water Goddess, Rivertree.
It's not that the Queen wasn't interested in the endless debate of which city should host it this year - her mind was on more pleasurable things like running
through the grass, screaming and yelling just for fun.
Or getting up and dancing the middle of a political parade just for the hell of it. Amidala was tempted to yawn, but goodness knows what would happen if
she showed how uninterested she was in their conversation.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Martin Green - one of the newest additions to the subject of politics. He seemed to be staring at her, dumbstruck.
He, of course, was paying no attention to the conversation and keep sneaking glances at her.
Martin Green was in his early twenties and was quite tall for his age. His hair was cut short and he wore a polite smile on his face.
Men, you think they'd learn to close their mouths when they stared at somebody, makes it look so obvious, Amidala thought.
Sache and Sabe sat attentively in two chairs beside her - keeping an eye on everybody in the room. Sache grumbled as her gaze rested on Green.
She was obviously disgusted with the impolite gestures.
Sabe, on the other hand, was actually listening to the conversation. Amidala smiled and rest her head on the headboard. She watched her handmaidens
carefully, as both of them seemed to be directing their attention to two different things.
But now Sache had grumbled a few times and even given Green the evil look, which made him immediately look the other way and join in with the
conversation again. It had been much like this for the past couple of months.
All the young Nubian men seemed to give Amidala a coaching smile whenever she walked by them. Many people were saying that it was about time for
the young Nubian Queen to be married and have it over and done with.
At the moment, she was the about hottest catch on two legs and men would do anything to get her attention. The only man on Naboo who seemed
to be not interested in her seemed to be Captain Panaka.
His attention was mainly focused on keeping all the potential suitors away from her.
I will chose to marry when I want to and whom I want to. Nobody can make that decision for me!
Amidala shifted positions uncomfortably as she straightened her headdress.
"Your highness, I wonder if you would kindly like to make a suggestion as to which city the festival will be held at this year?" Senator Bibble asked.
Amidala quickly sat up straight and put on the cold mask of the Queen again.
"Of course, Senator. I would prefer to have the festival held in Theed this year, as it was held on the other side of the planet last year. Also, I would think
that the residents of Theed would be very excited to hear news of the festival being held here yet again, "Amidala replied in her usual monotone Queen's
voice.
Bibble smiled, "Well, I think we have our answer ladies and gentlemen. Shall we move onto the next subject?" Senator Bibble was about to continue
when Captain Panaka interrupted him quickly.
"Your Highness, we are receiving a transmission from Mayor Antillies of Yarmia Province."
Amidala frowned for a quick second as she regained her composure. Yarmia Province was all over the other side of the planet. She had visited there
only once during her time as Queen and even then it was desolate place and nothing much happened there except the local emu races which were held
every second Sunday.
Amidala had made it her business to know everything about Naboo and it's cities, as that information might be needed later on.
Why would he be contacting me? From our last reports there seems to be no problems emerging from that area of Naboo.
"Patch it through," Amidala commanded. She quickly glanced over at Sabe, who meet her gaze and they both shrugged in unison. Sabe flashed a
reassuring smile. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Mayor Antillies appeared in hologram form.
"Your majesty, I am sorry to call upon you like this," Antillies stated. Amidala nodded. "That's quite alright. Please go on what is the nature of this call?" she
asked. Idol chit-chat, I hope.
Antillies sighed and bowed his head, "There has been an attack on one of our local military bases. Twenty soldiers were killed in that attack, Your Majesty.
We have no idea who would wish to attack us."
Amidala closed her eyes briefly paying tribute to the dead warriors. She then studied Mayor Antillies for but a second. He seemed to be in his late 70's and
wore dark black robes. His eyes gave off an evil yellow colour that made Amidala's skin crawl. His whole being gave off this look of real evil.
"I know not of anybody who would want to do that either. A rebel group maybe . . . "
Antillies glared at Amidala and continued as his inhuman yellow eyes looked the Queen up and down.
"Your majesty, since we do not know about this . . . rebellious group, I encourage you to watch yourself - they might strike against you next," Antillies
hissed.
"I thank you for your concern, Mayor. I will be fine. Do you wish me to send any reinforcements?"
"No, I will be perfectly alright. If you would excuse me I have --," Antillies stopped as he seemed to be whispering to somebody who was beside him and
out of view of the holo-picture, " . . . other matters to attend to. Your Majesty, I wish you well."
"As I you, Mayor Antillies."
The hologram seemed to be fading as the conversation ended. Amidala continued to stare at his holo frame. Just before the holo flickered into nothing,
Amidala swore that she saw the Mayor smile and even let out a small chuckle.
Nothing adds up. Why would somebody want to attack a small military base in a small province? What was to be gained? Kill a few people . . . yes, but
unless there was some special project going on at the base . . .why wouldn't I know about it then? Antillies, I don't trust him something tells me that he
hiding something, covering up for someone maybe. Covering up for his mistakes most likely. she thought.
Amidala signaled to Sache for her to come to her. Sache nodded and got out of her chair quickly.
Amidala pulled Sache close and whispered, "I want you to find out all you can about the Yarmia Province Military base and what they do there. Oh and
also dig deep into the databanks and try to find some information on our friendly Mayor Antillies."
Sache nodded and ran out of the room towards the library and databank area. Amidala cocked a smile as an evil thought flashed through her mind.
Since Sache was now gone, Green was back to his usual timed glances at her.
Amidala waited for a few seconds, when Green shifted his head to look at her. She smiled and winked back at him. He gasped and blushed deeply.
Amidala grinned childishly.
I've had my fun for the day. Time to get back to more important matters like Mayor Antillies and his irregular military base.
Like it? I tried to show that Amidala was a human being by putting a little bit of humor in there. Don't worry fans of Queen Amidala she will get more
stubborn, serious and get right down to the point the later chapters. Meanwhile we will flash back to Anakin and Obi-Wan. Feedback please!
Also I'd like to add a subject that Pallas-Athena brought to my attention after beta reading this chapter. The 10th Anniversy over the win of the Trade
Federation is in two months and is not the purpose why Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent to Naboo. Just wanted to tell everybody that..so Enjoy!
" . . . How many times do I have to say I love you?"
...
*Naboo Palace, Throne Room*
Queen Amidala sat on her throne drumming her fingernails on the left armrest of the chair. Bored as hell, she continued to listen to Naboo's most famous
politicians. At the moment they were in the middle of a very boring debate about the local Rivertree Festival that was held each year in honour of the
Nubian Water Goddess, Rivertree.
It's not that the Queen wasn't interested in the endless debate of which city should host it this year - her mind was on more pleasurable things like running
through the grass, screaming and yelling just for fun.
Or getting up and dancing the middle of a political parade just for the hell of it. Amidala was tempted to yawn, but goodness knows what would happen if
she showed how uninterested she was in their conversation.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Martin Green - one of the newest additions to the subject of politics. He seemed to be staring at her, dumbstruck.
He, of course, was paying no attention to the conversation and keep sneaking glances at her.
Martin Green was in his early twenties and was quite tall for his age. His hair was cut short and he wore a polite smile on his face.
Men, you think they'd learn to close their mouths when they stared at somebody, makes it look so obvious, Amidala thought.
Sache and Sabe sat attentively in two chairs beside her - keeping an eye on everybody in the room. Sache grumbled as her gaze rested on Green.
She was obviously disgusted with the impolite gestures.
Sabe, on the other hand, was actually listening to the conversation. Amidala smiled and rest her head on the headboard. She watched her handmaidens
carefully, as both of them seemed to be directing their attention to two different things.
But now Sache had grumbled a few times and even given Green the evil look, which made him immediately look the other way and join in with the
conversation again. It had been much like this for the past couple of months.
All the young Nubian men seemed to give Amidala a coaching smile whenever she walked by them. Many people were saying that it was about time for
the young Nubian Queen to be married and have it over and done with.
At the moment, she was the about hottest catch on two legs and men would do anything to get her attention. The only man on Naboo who seemed
to be not interested in her seemed to be Captain Panaka.
His attention was mainly focused on keeping all the potential suitors away from her.
I will chose to marry when I want to and whom I want to. Nobody can make that decision for me!
Amidala shifted positions uncomfortably as she straightened her headdress.
"Your highness, I wonder if you would kindly like to make a suggestion as to which city the festival will be held at this year?" Senator Bibble asked.
Amidala quickly sat up straight and put on the cold mask of the Queen again.
"Of course, Senator. I would prefer to have the festival held in Theed this year, as it was held on the other side of the planet last year. Also, I would think
that the residents of Theed would be very excited to hear news of the festival being held here yet again, "Amidala replied in her usual monotone Queen's
voice.
Bibble smiled, "Well, I think we have our answer ladies and gentlemen. Shall we move onto the next subject?" Senator Bibble was about to continue
when Captain Panaka interrupted him quickly.
"Your Highness, we are receiving a transmission from Mayor Antillies of Yarmia Province."
Amidala frowned for a quick second as she regained her composure. Yarmia Province was all over the other side of the planet. She had visited there
only once during her time as Queen and even then it was desolate place and nothing much happened there except the local emu races which were held
every second Sunday.
Amidala had made it her business to know everything about Naboo and it's cities, as that information might be needed later on.
Why would he be contacting me? From our last reports there seems to be no problems emerging from that area of Naboo.
"Patch it through," Amidala commanded. She quickly glanced over at Sabe, who meet her gaze and they both shrugged in unison. Sabe flashed a
reassuring smile. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Mayor Antillies appeared in hologram form.
"Your majesty, I am sorry to call upon you like this," Antillies stated. Amidala nodded. "That's quite alright. Please go on what is the nature of this call?" she
asked. Idol chit-chat, I hope.
Antillies sighed and bowed his head, "There has been an attack on one of our local military bases. Twenty soldiers were killed in that attack, Your Majesty.
We have no idea who would wish to attack us."
Amidala closed her eyes briefly paying tribute to the dead warriors. She then studied Mayor Antillies for but a second. He seemed to be in his late 70's and
wore dark black robes. His eyes gave off an evil yellow colour that made Amidala's skin crawl. His whole being gave off this look of real evil.
"I know not of anybody who would want to do that either. A rebel group maybe . . . "
Antillies glared at Amidala and continued as his inhuman yellow eyes looked the Queen up and down.
"Your majesty, since we do not know about this . . . rebellious group, I encourage you to watch yourself - they might strike against you next," Antillies
hissed.
"I thank you for your concern, Mayor. I will be fine. Do you wish me to send any reinforcements?"
"No, I will be perfectly alright. If you would excuse me I have --," Antillies stopped as he seemed to be whispering to somebody who was beside him and
out of view of the holo-picture, " . . . other matters to attend to. Your Majesty, I wish you well."
"As I you, Mayor Antillies."
The hologram seemed to be fading as the conversation ended. Amidala continued to stare at his holo frame. Just before the holo flickered into nothing,
Amidala swore that she saw the Mayor smile and even let out a small chuckle.
Nothing adds up. Why would somebody want to attack a small military base in a small province? What was to be gained? Kill a few people . . . yes, but
unless there was some special project going on at the base . . .why wouldn't I know about it then? Antillies, I don't trust him something tells me that he
hiding something, covering up for someone maybe. Covering up for his mistakes most likely. she thought.
Amidala signaled to Sache for her to come to her. Sache nodded and got out of her chair quickly.
Amidala pulled Sache close and whispered, "I want you to find out all you can about the Yarmia Province Military base and what they do there. Oh and
also dig deep into the databanks and try to find some information on our friendly Mayor Antillies."
Sache nodded and ran out of the room towards the library and databank area. Amidala cocked a smile as an evil thought flashed through her mind.
Since Sache was now gone, Green was back to his usual timed glances at her.
Amidala waited for a few seconds, when Green shifted his head to look at her. She smiled and winked back at him. He gasped and blushed deeply.
Amidala grinned childishly.
I've had my fun for the day. Time to get back to more important matters like Mayor Antillies and his irregular military base.
Like it? I tried to show that Amidala was a human being by putting a little bit of humor in there. Don't worry fans of Queen Amidala she will get more
stubborn, serious and get right down to the point the later chapters. Meanwhile we will flash back to Anakin and Obi-Wan. Feedback please!
Also I'd like to add a subject that Pallas-Athena brought to my attention after beta reading this chapter. The 10th Anniversy over the win of the Trade
Federation is in two months and is not the purpose why Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent to Naboo. Just wanted to tell everybody that..so Enjoy!