Chapter 50

Padmé sat at her desk, deep in thought. Her conversation with Rayna had troubled her deeply. She had dealt with people trying to kill her before; bounty hunters had tried to kill her when she was a senator, the separatists had tried to kill her in the arena on Geonosis. But this was different. This wasn't because of any political differences that Julie wanted her eliminated, this was personal. In addition, it wasn't simply Padmé's life that was at risk; there was another life, a tiny, precious life growing inside of her whose existence was also threatened. And that was something Padmé could not abide. An idea was forming in her mind as she waited for Yoda to arrive. He was the only one of the Council who was on the capital, and it was he that she needed to rely on for help.

"Your Excellency, Master Yoda is here," Rayna announced over the intercom.

"Show him in," Padmé said. She stood up and walked over to meet the diminutive Jedi Master, who gave her a warm smile upon seeing her.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Master Yoda," Padmé said.

"I live to serve, Madame Chancellor," Yoda said.

Padmé nodded. "Please sit down," she said, as she took a seat herself.

"What is the trouble?" Yoda asked.

"It seems that I have made an enemy," Padmé began. "A young woman by the name of Julie Banks."

Yoda nodded. "How know you this?"

Padmé told Yoda everything that Rayna had told her. He listened without comment, nodding every so often.

"Jealous, she is," Yoda said.

"She's obsessed with Anakin," Padmé said. "She seems to think that he has some interest in her, which he doesn't."

"A Jedi protector I will assign," Yoda said. "But most are off planet on assignment."

"I know," Padmé said. "I have another idea," she said. "But I will need help to make it happen."

"What is your idea?" Yoda asked.

"I want to be proactive," Padmé said. "I don't want this girl to get the upper hand," she said. "She doesn't know who she's dealing with, and it's time she learned."

Yoda smiled. "Tell me what you need," he said.

Planet Carlac

Carlac's surface was covered in forests and mountains, with a cold climate. Anakin and Obi-Wan headed to a small village outside of Ming Po Town, which was the planet's largest habitation.

The Ming Po were a simple, trusting people who had seen their share of hardships during the Clone Wars. Ahsoka had saved the Ming Po from the Death Watch, who had established a base on the planet and had bullied and kidnapped the Ming Po people.

"I hate being cold," Anakin complained as they walked from their ship towards a small homestead.

Obi-Wan smirked. "I know," he said. "You've told me so every time we've been on a cold planet."

Anakin looked at his friend. "Well, it's true," he said. "How can people live in a place like this?"

Obi-Wan chuckled. "They're obviously hardier than you are," he remarked.

Anakin looked at him with a shake of his head.

The two Jedi were welcomed into the home of a large family who had eight children. It was the youngest child, 5-year-old Vopri, who had attracted the interest of the Jedi.

"Welcome, Master Jedi, welcome," Permin, the father of the candidate, said as he ushered Anakin and Obi-Wan into the large central room in the house. "Please, sit down. Madra, bring our honoured guests something to drink!"

Madra hurried over with a tray of drinks, and placed them on the table before the Jedi. Then she called for their son in a loud voice. The young boy ran into the room and sat on his father's lap, grinning at the two Jedi excitedly.

"Hello Vopri," Obi-Wan said. "How are you today?"

"I'm very good, Master Jedi," he said.

"Are you excited about becoming a Jedi?" Anakin asked him with a smile.

"Oh yes, Master Jedi, very excited!" the young boy replied.

"We'd like to conduct some tests om young Vopri," Obi-Wan said to the boys' parents. "If that is acceptable to you."

"Yes, of course," Permin said. "Let me show you to a quiet place where you can do your Jedi tests."

Coruscant

Mika Marinz was rather nervous as he was shown into the Senate building. As the owner of a rather notorious nightclub, The Outlander, he was worried that the shadier part of his business had been discovered. But why have I been asked to come to the senate? He wondered as he rode up the lift with one of the senate guards. Why not the Jedi? He looked up at the guard, who remained silent and intimidating. Mika wanted to ask him why the Chancellor herself wanted to talk to him, but he decided not to try. I guess I'll find out soon enough, he reflected as the lift stopped.

"Follow me," the guard said as he stepped off of the lift. Mika had little choice but to do so. The guard led Mika down the corridor to the offices of the Chancellor. He accompanied him in, where the guard spoke briefly to the receptionist. They were told to enter the Chancellor's office at once.

Padmé looked up as the guard entered her office, accompanied by a rather nervous looking man. She glanced at Yoda, who was in her office, and was watching the man closely.

"Your Excellency, Mika Marinz," the guard said, bowing to Padmé.

"Thank you, captain," Padmé said. The guard stepped back, and stood by the door.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Marinz," Padmé said.

"Your Excellency," Marinz said. "I'm not sure why I'm here."

Padmé smiled. "You're not in trouble, if that's what you're afraid of," she said. "Please be seated."

Marinz relaxed marginally as he took a seat. "What can I do for you, Madame Chancellor?"

"You are the owner of the Outlander nightclub, correct?" Padmé began.

"Yes Ma'am," Marinz replied.

"I need you to help me with something," Padmé said. "You will be financially renumerated for any money you lose."

Marinz was puzzled. "I'm afraid I don't understand," he admitted.

"Need your club, we do," Yoda said.

"Let me explain what I want to do," Padmé said.

Planet Carlac

Anakin was growing frustrated as he tried to contact Padmé. He had calculated that it was late evening on Coruscant, and knew that she was still awake. Why isn't she answering? The twins are in bed by now…what's going on?

"No luck?" Obi-Wan asked as he entered the room.

"No," Anakin said. "I don't know why she isn't answering."

"I wouldn't worry, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "Perhaps she was called into a meeting. She's the Chancellor, remember."

"I know she is," Anakin said. "You're probably right," he said, deciding to give up.

"I was encouraged by young Vopri's test results," Obi-Wan said.

Anakin nodded. "I was too," he said. "I just hope his parents are willing to let him join the Order."

"Allowing them to come to the Capital with him was a good idea," Obi-Wan said. "Good thinking, Anakin."

Anakin shrugged. "Well, being a father has given me a new perspective," he said. "I can imagine how tough it would be to just let one of my kids leave with people I just met. I don't know if I could do it."

Obi-Wan nodded. "You know, I have to admit that I'm rather jealous of you," he said. "I know it's rather un-Jedi like, but it's true. When I see you with Luke and Leia, it makes me wish I had a family of my own."

Anakin was surprised by his friend's admission. "Well, you're still a young man, Obi-Wan," he said. "Not as young as me, of course," he added with a smile. "What's stopping you from having a family? The edicts are gone."

"Well, a woman for one," Obi-Wan replied with a smirk. "Small detail."

Anakin chuckled. "Well, I'm going to bed," he said, standing up. "Early start tomorrow."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes indeed," he said. "Good night, Anakin."

Outlander Club – Coruscant

Music was pulsating as Julie made her way through the dimly lit club. She needed a hit, for it had been a long day. Julie's uncle seemed to be working her harder than ever, perhaps in an attempt to punish for what he deemed poor life choices. Even Julie's best friend, Aimee, had been annoying her lately. Yes, a hit was what she needed. Badly.

"Anyone here selling tonight, Mo?" Julie asked the bartender as she took a seat.

Mo shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "Why are you asking me?"

Julie frowned. This wasn't the first time she'd asked him, and he'd always helped her out.

"I'm selling," a large man sitting at the bar said. He turned to Julie. "What do you want?"

"Death sticks," Julie said, moving closer to the man. She'd never seen him before, but figured if he had what she wanted what did it matter. "You have any?"

"I might," the man said, and then took a long drink of his ale. "You got money?"

"Uh huh," Julie said, pulling a bunch of credits from her pocket.

The man took them, counted them briefly, then handed her a pair of death sticks.

"Anything else you need, gorgeous?" the man asked, giving her a smile.

Julie didn't answer immediately as she was desperate for the sweet release of the narcotic. She lit one up and took a long drag, closing her eyes as its affects filled her senses. "I might," she said finally, opening her eyes to look at the man. "What else you offering?"

The man smiled. "Plenty," he said. "I cater to needs of all kinds," he added.

Julie watched him as he took another drink of his ale. She had a significant buzz on thanks to the death stick, and her thoughts were quickly becoming erratic. "All kinds?" she asked as she lit up the second stick.

The man nodded. "You need something in particular?" he asked.

Julie looked around, and moved closer to him. "I do, as a matter of fact," she told him in a low voice. "I need a hit put on something."

The man smirked. "A hit? You've been watching too many holovids, sweetheart," he said.

"Well, whatever you call it," she said. "You know what I mean."

The man nodded, "I do," he said. "Big money for that, sweetheart. Can you manage it?"

"Of course," Julie lied. "Can you do it?"

"Depends," the man said. "Who are we talking about here? Ex-boyfriend? Annoying neighbour?"

Julie hesitated before telling him, and then leaned close to whisper in his ear. "The Chancellor," she said.

The man said nothing for a moment, and simply took another drink of his ale. "Come again?" he said finally.

"I said the Chancellor," Julie said. "You know, Chancellor Amidala."

The man looked at her, and then gave a nod. At once the music stopped, the lights came up, and clones appeared from everywhere aiming blasters at Julie.

Julie looked around, knowing enough to be terrified, even in her stupefied state. "What the hell? What's all this?"

"What do you think it is?" the man, whose name was Rex, said to her. "You're under arrest for conspiracy to assassinate the Chancellor."

Julie looked at him as two clones came and put her in binders. "You set me up, you son of a bitch!" she shouted angrily.

Rex smiled. "Smart girl," he said. He activated his commlink. "All clear," he said. "Before we haul you off to detention, there's someone who wants to talk to you."

Julie frowned. "Who?"

"I think you might know her," Rex said. "Kind of a big deal. Here she comes now."

Julie turned and felt her stomach drop when she saw Padmé walking towards her, accompanied by two Jedi knights.