~~~
Javier came out. "Miss Napola! What a pleasant surprise!" He said.
"Not so pleasant when you hear what I have to say." I shook my head, I've been spending too much time with Amidala, I was beginning to pick up her speech patterns. "Leave the speeder out, Javier, I can't stay long, and assemble all the staff. There is something you need to know." And with that, I ran inside. NATAN! I screamed at the top of my lungs.
Rabé? Came Natan's quiet voice from the left, where he stood in the doorway, a datapad in his hand and looking at me confused. I ran over to him and flung my arms around him.
I don't have much time. There is an invasion army on its way to Theed.
What?! He asked.
The Federation has invaded Naboo. I need to be with her highness, so I came to say goodbye.
"They are assembled, Miss Napola." Javier said from the dining room doorway. I went in there with Natan and our staff of twenty watched us. I smiled at them, comfortingly.
"Now, I haven't much time, so please do not interrupt me." I took a deep breath. "The Trade Federation has invaded Naboo, and it is only a matter of time before they reach Theed. Do not resist. Her highness wants as little bloodshed as possible, so that means giving in for now. Thank you." The staff erupted into babbling amazement and Natan and I went outside to my speeder.
I need to see Riv and Dek and Joss also. I said to him. He nodded, we hugged, and I started to get back into my speeder. I froze though, unsure, and turned back to him. Oh, Natan, I'm so afraid! I cried as I ran into his arms. I had to be strong for so many people; Natan was the only one left I could be weak with.
I know baby sister, but you mustn't let them see your fear, it only gives them strength. He broke apart from our hug and pushed me gently into the speeder. Be strong Rabé Aleen Napola. For yourself, and for us. I nodded, wiping away tears and drove away, leaving my brother standing on the front steps of our home. I drove to Dek's home, were Riv had been staying most of the time with Joss, who came for a holiday visit and had gotten stuck, and were Yané told me they were when she went to say good-bye. A servant answered and I ducked under him and ran up to Dek's room, where all three of them sat, playing a simulator game. They all looked up at me, surprised.
"Rabé!" Riv said with a smile on his face and they all got up to greet me. "What's-"
"Dek! I need to speak with everyone in the house. Right now!" I ordered. Dek nodded and ran out of the room. I hugged Riv and Joss. "The Federation has invaded Naboo." I told them as their jaws dropped open. "There is an army on its way to Theed at this very moment."
"What?!" Riv said, shocked.
"Brace up boys, we are about to become Prisoners of War." I said as Joss sat down, overwhelmed. "I cannot stay long; I need to get back to Amidala, so I came to say good-bye." Dek popped his head in.
"We're all assembled, waiting for you." He said. I ran out the door and into the main hall, where they all stood, waiting. Dek's parents, brother, sisters, and servants. I stood on the stairs to be taller than them. I spoke loudly, just enough for them to hear me, and me not to be shouting.
"I have something very dire to tell you. I ask that you not interrupt, for my time is short, and I need to get back to her highness." I took a deep breath again, telling people that their doom is coming doesn't get easier the more you do it. "The Trade Federation has invaded Naboo and an army is on its way to Theed at this very moment. Her Highness, Queen Amidala, gives word for you to go with them. She does not wish for innocent bloodshed. Try to stay with your family and friends, hid your valuables, and may the force be with you." And with that, I walked through the crowed and outside to my speeder. Riv, Dek and Joss followed me. "I have to go." I told them. Joss understood, he always understood. He came up and hugged me first.
"Tell my father to be safe and not do anything foolish." He said.
"Of course." I said. Dek came up next.
"You be careful, and take care of Yané for us."
"You be careful too, and Yané can take care of herself."
He kissed me on my hood, where my forehead would be. "You know what I mean."
Riv came up to me last. "If they hurt you-" He said, then hugged me tightly.
"I know." I said. I broke apart from him and got in my speeder. "Don't do anything stupid." I warned them, unshed tears in my eyes and in my voice.
"Would we do that?" Dek asked innocently, trying to relive the dark mood. Riv just stared at me, then he leaned down and kissed me on my cheek.
"You either." He said and squeezed my shoulder. I smiled one last time at them, gunned it, and drove back to the palace, parked, and ran up to Amidala's room. I wiped the tears from my eyes. If I am scared, just image how Sabé must feel. I told myself. Or Eirtaé or Saché or even Yané, who aren't trained as well as I am. Sith, imagine how Ami must feel. I got to Amidala's room, just in time; the Viceroy had landed in Theed.
We were brought to the throne room, where the Viceroy, Sio Bibble, and Captain Panaka were waiting for us. I could see the fear in Sabé's eyes, but she was determined not to give Amidala, 'Padmé', away.
I was stripped of my gun before we entered the throne room, by a skinny excuse for a droid, who had a weapon scanner, which made me angry, Panaka and the six members of the Queen's personal guard were also stripped of their guns. I felt off-balance without it. Nute Gunray and the some other Neimoidian were waiting for us. If anything, Nute Gunray looked slimier in person than over the holonet.
"I have brought you here for a reason-" He began to Sabé, who cut him off.
"I was not brought here." She said coldly, her voice slashing through his like a vibro-knife through cake. "This is my throne room, Nute Gunray. I do not recognize your authority." Good burn Sabé! I thought to myself. I worked hard to keep the smirk off my face, on either side of me, Padmé and Yané tried hard to do the same.
"Come." The Viceroy said, and he led us out of the throne room and down the stairs. Sabé, Bibble and Nute Gunray walked in front, followed by a Neimoidian I didn't recognize, and Panaka, then finally us handmaidens and then the guards.
"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Bibble demanded. Trust him to speak out, regardless of the consequences.
"The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I have assurances it will be ratified by the Senate." Assurances from who? I wondered.
"I will not cooperate." Sabé announced firmly.
"Now now, your highness, in time, the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view." We reached and alcove where some battle droids waited for us. "Commander?" Gunray said.
"Yes sir."
"Process them." Gunray said in a awful voice.
The droid took a quick look at us, then looked to another battle droid. "Captain, take them to camp four."
"Roger roger." The captain said, and led us away. Padmé and I walked right behind Panaka, with Eirtaé, Saché and Yané behind us, and the guards behind them. We walked outside, and I was shocked. People walked around in groups, surrounded by battle droids, I looked around and much to my surprise, I saw Riv, Dek and Joss being lead away by a group of droids. Riv looked up and saw us, and I wished I could have waved to him. I watched them being lead away and my concern grew for Natan. What if he died? What if I died? I decided right then, that I would not die lying down. If they wanted me, they were in for a fight. If they wanted Amidala, they would be in for a fight. If they wanted Naboo, they were in for a fight.
~~~