Audreidi Thank you so much for reading! I'm so enjoying 'Tatooine Engagement' and I'm honored to have you among my reviewers. Obi-Wan will make his appearance, don't worry.
Fudge Thank you so much!!!
Athena Leigh I'm so, so glad you're reading and 'keeping it real', so to speak. I very much appreciate your reviews, although I think you already know that.
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Senator Palpatine of Naboo stood at the main doors of the Palace, wrapped in thick, violet regality and a very small smile. The crisp staccato of Amidala's footsteps reverberated against the walls, signaling her arrival before he saw the creamy sweep of her gown or the spark of glitter in her eyes.
She was caught in the crossfire of exaltation and devastation, the man knew, proud of her people and their unexpected victory, yet mournful for the lives sacrificed in the fight. The conflicting emotions were held in perfect balance on her features. As a monarch, it would not fare well for her to surrender fully to either feeling.
Palpatine had been in politics since he was nearly as young as Amidala. It had not taken him long to realize that to lead a people, one must also captivate them, a specific kind of enchantment that went beyond an attractive face or gentle voice. Palpatine had learned the fine drama of government, and with time, became as seasoned an actor as any that appeared on film. He could manipulate the issues held tenderly by the public, so that he gained a place in gullible hearts--or even win over his fellow senators with a few well-worded sentiments.
He watched with pale cobalt eyes the Queen's advancement. The young woman was surrounded by a distinctly different entourage this morning. Jinn, his Padawan. And the boy.
It was certainly not the first time he had come in contact with the revered rogue of the Jedi Temple. Naboo's struggle against the Trade Federation had brought Palpatine into the man's company on several occasions. Each meeting had renewed the acrid contempt bubbling inside the Senator. Qui-Gon Jinn had tested his skills repeatedly. And more than once, Palpatine had come close to revealing a grimace or uttered curse.
But he held tight to the reins. It would be quite foolish of him to construct an elaborate tower of such fatal beauty, build it above all else, only to leave it to ruins with one moment of weakness. So he was civil, cordial, disarming as was humanly possible. His performance was award-winning, as Qui-Gon Jinn was unaware of the dupe, oblivious of the impenetrable cage closing around him and his beloved Order.
Something was changed in the man today, Palpatine noted with a private smugness. The mask of serenity had fractured, as seams appeared where there had been an aloof, smooth expression. Shadow ringed the eyes that came to settle on him.
Was sleep elusive, Jedi? Laughter rasped within his mind. Did your conscience come to call after all?
Amidala stopped before her colleague and smiled warmly. "Good morning, Senator."
Palpatine took her slim hand in his, grasping it tight between bleached fingers, then lifted it to graze his lips. "Praise to the gods, my dear friend, that I find you alive and well today." He bowed, his gaze straying from her face to that of Qui-Gon. "And double that praise, for your Jedi protectors are safe as well."
"Thank you." The Master stood at Padme's shoulder, his formidable form enhanced by the long drape of grayed chestnut and the reserved air of his chiseled countenance. He studied the elated Senator a moment before responding, "I would like nothing more than to believe Naboo's safety is secured. But our survival was a near thing. During the battle in the palace, my apprentice and I were engaged in combat by an…extremely skilled warrior. I am absolutely sure," Palpatine watched as the man was forced to pause and collect breath, "He was targeting the Queen."
"That's despicable." The older man drew back in feigned shock. "An assailant of the Federation, I would assume?"
Qui-Gon did not allow the contractions of agony to reach his face. "No. I don't…I don't believe so."
"Oh." The intrigue ran rich in Palpatine's voice. "A bounty hunter, then?"
Padme glanced up at Qui-Gon with acute compassion. She saw the torture playing out in him. And after laying his life, and that of his student's, down for her world, the Queen knew she could do this much. "He was a former pupil of Master Jinn's, Senator." She informed him with admirable stoicism. "He left the Jedi and never returned."
"How…odd." Palpatine commented, a fingertip touching to his chin. "I am unfamiliar with such a situation. I was under the impression that Jedi were severely dedicated to their purpose." It rolled from his mouth like an afterthought, quickly abandoned in favor of new inquiries, "No one was brought to harm from this threat, were they? I would be most upset to hear of more casualties from this bloody little war."
"No. I was able to take him down, Senator," Bruck interjected with obvious gloat, taking a half-step forward. Then, as if he suddenly remembered, "After Master Qui-Gon had sufficiently distracted him, of course."
Palpatine smiled at the Padawan, hiding his derision behind counterfeit approval. "Of course, my young comrade." His focus was shifted by the small form that had wedged itself between the Queen and the Master Jedi. The Senator drew his eyes downward to Anakin Skywalker's face. "And my younger comrade, I have heard quite an earful about you."
Panic stirred in the wide azure eyes, and he saw a small hand start to clutch the fabric of Qui-Gon's legging.
The Senator laughed. "Nothing bad, I assure you, lad. Quite the opposite, in fact."
Anakin flushed. "What?"
Palpatine sensed the tentative pride lifting shyly in the child. He patted the blonde head. "You seem to be the savior of our people, Anakin Skywalker," He nodded toward Padme, "Many thanks are owed to you."
"Oh," Relief shone in the boy and his grip eased on Qui-Gon. He was comfortable in the collective embrace of his accomplishment, albeit accidental. "Everyone's saying I'm a hero." Anakin grinned.
"And they're correct." Palpatine enthused, all the while observant of Master Jinn's attention honed in on him. He didn't feel the suffocation or claustrophobia of the intense focus. If only you understood how much longer I have kept my eye on YOU, Qui-Gon Jinn. Perhaps the man wasn't the complete imbecile Palpatine liked to believe, but still, it was merely a faint precaution on Qui-Gon's part.
Nothing to be overly concerned about. Yet.
Palpatine cleared his throat and regarded the Queen again. "A sweeping celebration has been planned, your Highness. The Gungans wish to extend a hand in permanent alliance to you through a formal tradition. And the people crave a public outlet for their rapture."
Padme smiled the strange smile of a Naboo royal, lips unevenly painted. "I will be more than glad to attend," Lines intruded the soft skin of her forehead, "But my heart will be heavy, with those who won't want to see streamers or hear music just yet."
She felt Qui-Gon's large, warm hand rest on her shoulder. "It is natural to feel that way, your Highness. But it is better to revel in morning, than hold to the night."
Padme stared out the window, a slow smile dawning on her, while a moist gleam formed in her eyes. "You're right, Master Jinn." She turned to the man, and to his surprise, favored him with a shallow curtsy. "Be sure to hear your own words." It was on the verge of a whisper, meant for him alone, and then the young woman resumed her professionalism.
Bruck moved closer to his Master, as if to question the unusual action, but he thought better of it.
They spoke in depth of the day's scheduled proceedings, a companionable dialogue, until the Queen's trusted bodyguard, Captain Panaka, joined the small group. He was dressed in his normal uniform, and commanding his usual presence.
"Good morning." He said, a little breathless, foregoing individual greetings, "Milady, Master Jinn, the attacker has been isolated on a floor of Theed Hospital."
"An entire floor?" Padme's brows were sewn.
Panaka nodded. "It's akin to quarantine, I was told. Only authorized individuals are allowed to enter the floor. And, as a precaution, they are encouraged to be…armed."
"Armed?" Qui-Gon's voice had gone noticeably dry, "Has he not been subdued by his injury?"
The Captain shook his head, unable to offer a better response "It was a deep wound. The bolt has been removed and he's been administered a powerful sedative. The head physician wants him to remain in a state of catatonia until…until you've arrived, Master Jinn."
Qui-Gon's eyes closed for a brief second. "Alright."
This time, Bruck couldn't restrain his concern, or his mild flare of irritation. "Master?"
"It will be alright, Padawan. As a Jedi, I've dealt with far worse things." Qui-Gon had to dampen the blaze through the Force brought on by the outright lie. He squeezed the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry yourself."
"I'll come as well." Padme said, brooking no argument in her tone.
Palpatine spoke up, "I'll join you, Milady. I believe I need to be appraised of this warrior for myself."
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