longest shapter yet, thanks for all your reviews everyone.
Chapter 7
In the space craft, everything was down to it's lowest use of power. All the lights were dim, and most people were asleep. Apart from Padme. She walked over to the monitor in the main room. JarJar was asleep on the floor, and Obi Wan was quietly meditating in the corner. Padme yawned, exhausted from everything that had happened. She turned around, sensing that she was being watched. Anakin was sitting in the on a bench at a table, trying, unsuccessfully to get to sleep, racked with shivers from the cold. As she approached him, he looked up, his arms were wrapped around himself to keep warm.
"Are you all right?" she asked
"It's very cold." he said, teeth chattering. Finding a blanket she tucks it over him.
"You're from a warm planet, Annie. Too warm for my taste. Space is cold." She said, trying to reassure him.
"You seem sad." Anakin said intuitively.
"The Queen is...worried. Her people are suffering...dying. She must convince the Senate to intervene, or...I'm not sure what will happen." Padme said, with a catch in her voice.
"I'm...I'm not sure what's going to happen to me. I dunno if I'll ever see you again." he said, pulling a pendant from his pocket. "I made this for you. So you'd remember me. I carved it out of a japor snippet. It will bring you good fortune." He handed over the wooden jewellery. She looked at it and put it around her neck.
"It's beautiful, but I don't need this to remember you. Many things will change when we reach the capital, Ani. My caring for you will always remain."
"I care for you too." he replied, smiling at her.
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Once they arrived at Coruscant, Ani looked out of the window in awe. The planet was one giant city, Anakin had never seen anything like it before. Once they had landed, Supreme Chancellor Valorum, Senator Palpatine and several guards stood waiting. Anakin, Qui gon and Obi Wan left the ship, with everyone else close behind. He bowed to the two men, but was largely ignored as Queen Amidala descended from the ship. As Anakin and JarJar stood to one side, they could see Amidala addressing the men. Padme by her side, smiled at Anakin as Palpatine bowed to Her Highness.
"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum." Palpatine said respectfully. Anakin looked at him, and felt something off about him, but was careful not to show it. The force was trying to warn him about Palpatine, but until Ani knew the reason why, he would have to keep his mouth shut. After all, who would believe the feelings of a 9 year old ex-slave.
"Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the currant situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position." The chancellor addressed the Queen.
"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor." The queen replied formally as she started to walk beside Palpatine to the waiting taxi, her retinue following closely behind.
"There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it…" Palpatine was telling the queen. Amidala waved for Anakin and JarJar to follow her, leaving the two Jedi Knights and Obi Wan talking with the Chancellor. Qui gon nodded that it's okay for Ani to go on. And they all piled into the taxi and left.
As Qui gon looked at the Chancellor, "I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, Your Honour. The situation has become more complicated." Qui gon said.
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As Anakin sat outside the anteroom, he used his force hearing to snoop on what they were saying. Interesting thing he discovered though, was that the Queen Amidala sitting there, was not the Queen who left the ship. In fact, the presence was one he knew well, it was Padme. He wasn't really surprised though, he had known from the start that Padme was someone special, he just didn't know then how special.
"...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and their home systems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility, only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion." the senator was saying.
"Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope." the queen countered.
"If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now."
"What options do we have?"
"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforces the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."
"He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?"
"Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the courts…" Anakin detected some sort of manipulation on the senators part, but he did not know to what end.
"There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."
"To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being."
"There is something I cannot do." Amidala said, looking straight at the senator.
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Inside the Jedi temple, Qui gon stood, facing the council of twelve. Turut Mi was already elsewhere, having made her report earlier and was preparing to leave with the Queen. Obi Wan waited outside, knowing that his fate was being decided. He had been in earlier describing what he had done for the last ten years, including the warrior ith a sword he saw years ago.
"...my only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord." Qui gon finished said about the stranger he fought.
"A Sith Lord?" Mace said, shocked at the suggestion.
"Impossible! The Sith have been extinct for a millennium." Ki-adi said, an alien to the left of Yoda.
"The very Republic is threatened, if involved the Sith are." Yoda said.
"I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing." Mace said, overconfident of their powers.
"Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must." Yoda said.
"I sense he will reveal himself again." Ki-adi said.
"This attack was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Queen is the target." mace said.
"With this Naboo queen you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her." Yoda said.
"We will use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker... Now onto another matter, your returned padawan." Mace said.
"Pleased we are by his return, and having with him talked, we detect no reason can, why his training should not continue," Yoda said, "Wise he is, and the time alone, only made him more so it has. Great Jedi will he be. Take him with you to protect the Queen. May the force be with you."
"May the force be with you," Mace said, dismissing Qui gon from the room. But Qui gon stayed.
"Master Qui-Gon more to say have you?" Yoda enquired.
"With your permission, my Master. I have encountered a virgence in the Force." Qui gon said respectfully.
"A virgence, you say?" Yoda said.
"Located around a person?" Mace countered.
"A boy... his cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life form. It is possible he was conceived by the midi-chlorians."
"You're referring to the prophesy of the one who will bring balance to the Force...you believe it's this boy?" Mace said.
"I don't pressume…" Qui gon said
"But you do! Revealed your opinion is." Yoda interrupted.
"He has lived with Obi Wan in slavery since he was born, Obi Wan took it upon himself to train him on instincts by the force." Qui gon continued, "I request the boy be tested."
The masters looked at each other and nodded, they then looked at Qui gon. They had decided to hold off Obi Wan's punishment till they saw the boy.
"Trained as a Jedi, you request for him?" Yoda said after a pause.
"Finding him was the will of the Force...I have no doubt of that. There is too much happening here…" Qui gon said.
"Bring him before us, then." Mace said.
"Tested he will be." Yoda said, not optimistic about the boy's chances.
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Anakin walked down the corridor outside the senators quarters. He stopped in front of a door with two guards on either side. "May I help you, son?" one of the guards asked.
"I'm looking for the handmaiden, Padme," Anakin asked without a quiver.
"The boy is here to see Padme." The guard said into a comlink.
"Send him in." Rabe, one of the handmaidens said.
Anakin walked through the opening doors to face Rabe, who bent down to talk to him.
"I'd like to speak with Padme, please."
"I'm sorry, Ani. Padme is not here right now." Sabe said, apologetically. But Anakin could feel her presence in the room, she must be the Queen, instead of Padme.
A voice came out of the side room, though disguised, Anakin knew straight away who it was. "Who is it?"
"Anakin Skywalker, to see Padme, Your Highness." Rabe replied respectfully.
The Queen, in all regalia moved into Ani's view. She studied him as he bowed politely. He looked at her slyly, knowing that, even though she looked fairly silly with all that make-up it might be the last time he would see her.
"I've sent Padme on an errand." the Queen said.
"I'm going to the Jedi temple to start my training, I hope." Anakin said, when the Queen did not reply, he continued, "I may not see her again...and... I just wanted to say goodbye."
"We will tell her for you. We're sure her heart goes with you." The Queen said with the feeling of Padme peaking through.
As Anakin bowed again, he made his apologies for disturbing her, leaving as the Queen disappears from view.
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In a large room full of people, Palpatine leaned over to talk to the Queen who sat next to him in preparation for her talk to the Senate. Eirta and Rabe sat close behind her as her faithful body gurads. "If the Federation moves to defer the motion...Your Majesty, I beg of you to ask for a resolution to end this congressional session." Palpatine said as he leant over to the Queen.
"I wish I had your confidence in this, Senator." was the only reply.
"You must force a new election for Supreme Chancellor...I promise you there are many who will support us...it is our best chance... Your Majesty, our only, chance." he continued.
"You truly believe Chancellor Valorum will not bring our motion to a vote?" Amidala said.
"He is distracted...he is afraid. He will be of no help."
"The Chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo." Valorum introduced. Their box floated to the centre so that all could see them.
"Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the Senate. A tragedy has occurred on our peaceful system of Naboo. We have become caught in a dispute you're all well aware of, which began right here with the taxation of trade routes, and has now engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the Trade Federation." It was clear that Palpatine was straight forward.
The Federation box came beside the Nubian box, it was filled with trade barons, lead by Lott Dod, their senator. "This is outrageous! I object to the Senator's statements!"
"The Chair does not recognize the Senator from the Trade Federation at this time. Please return to your station." Valorum said firmly. Lott Dod returned, albeit reluctantly to his station.
"To state our allegations, I present Queen Amidala, the recently elected ruler of Naboo, to speak on our behalf." Palpatine continued.
Amidala stood up to address the assembly. In the recess, applause could be heard. "Honourable representatives of the Republic, distinguished delegates, and Your Honour Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by force. Invaded...against all the laws of the Republic by the Droid Armies of the Trade…"
"I object!" Lott Dod interrupted, "There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth."
"Overruled." Valorum said with steel behind it.
"Your Honour, you cannot allow us to be condemned without reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure." Lott Dod stated.
A third box came to the centre representing Malastare. Aks Moe addressed the senate, "The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honourable delegate from the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed...that is the law."
"The point…" Valorum started before bending to listen to his aides.
Palpatine turned to his Queen and whispered in her ear, "Enter the bureaucrats, the true rulers of the Republic, and on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear." Amidala watched with disappointed eyes.
"The point is conceded...Section 523A take precedence here. Queen Amidala of the Naboo, will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?" Valorum finally said.
Amidala was enraged by this, but did not allow it to be shown, she now knew what had to be done. "I will not defer...I have come before you to resolve this attack on Our Sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee. If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a "vote of no confidence"...in Chancellor Valorum's leadership." the last came out as quiet as a whisper.
"What?...No!" Valorum said shocked. Uproar and wild shouting ensued the assembly. Valorum speechless, forced Mas Amedda to take over.
"Order! We shall have order…" things only settled down a little. As the Federation box settled next to Amidala's, Bail Organa moved to the centre.
"Alderaan seconds the motion for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum." the senator from Alderaan said.
"The motion has been seconded by Bail Organa of Alderaan." Mas Amedda intoned. When he turned to the confused chancellor he whispered something.
"There must be no delays. The motion is on the floor and must be voted upon in this session." Bail continued.
"The Trade Federation moves the motion be sent to the procedures committee for study." Lotto Dod said.
As Valorum talked to Mas Amedda, the assembly chanted loudly, "Vote now! Vote now! Vote now!"
"You see, Your Majaesty, the tide is with us...Valorum will be voted out, I assure you, and they will elect in a new Chancellor, a strong Chancellor, one who will not let our tragedy continue…" Palpatine said to Amidala.
"The Supreme Chancellor requests a recess. Tomorrow we will begin the vote." Mas Amedda finally said.
Ignoring the furious Federation, Valorum turned to Palpatine. "Palpatine, I thought you were my ally...my friend. You have betrayed me! How could you do this?"
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Obi Wan and Qui gon stood outside the council room on a balcony, waiting for the verdict on young Skywalker. They talked about everything and nothing as they watched over the people's movings and wanderings.
"Do you think he is alright?" Obi Wan asked Qui gon.
"Anakin will be fine, he had a good teacher," Qui gon said, smiling at Obi Wan.
"Do you think he will pass the tests?" Obi Wan said concerned. He wanted Anakin to do well, he knew that Anakin had the potential to be the greatest Jedi ever.
"Anakin will be a Jedi, I promise you," Qui gon said with conviction.
Obi Wan smiled, "It seems weird to be back in these clothes with my hair braided again."
"You'll get use to it soon enough," Qui gon said with a smile.
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Not far away, in the council chambers, Anakin was being tested in front of twelve Jedi masters. Already he had shown his balancing abilities, and performed various stupid tasks, testing his patience and ability to remain calm. He had passed so far with flying colours, and the council were considering that he become a Jedi. The only thing left was the test he was doing now, but the council were already making their decision, unknown to the boy.
Mace was holding a viewing screen, across it various images were flashed, Anakin was saying what they were without hesitation.
"A ship...a cup...a speeder." Anakin said.
Turning off the screen, Mace nodded at Yoda.
"Good, good, young one. How feel you?" Yoda asked.
"Cold, sir." Anakin said, shivering.
"Afraid are you?" Yoda probed.
"Not really, sir." Anakin replied respectfully.
"Then what?" Mace asked.
"Anxious, sir" Anakin replied.
"Hmmm," Yoda said, sensing only that emotion from him.
They continued the tests, leaving Anakin not knowing that he had passed the most crucial test. The mental war between the council members continued, Anakin was to become and apprentice, but to whom?
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Over at the other side of the city, Queen Amidala looked over the cityscape. She did not know what was going to happen, or what to do next. Looking at JarJar's last comment, she knew what she had to do.
Palpatine and Captain Panaka then rushed in with a bow and huge smiles.
"Your Highness, Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor." Panaka said.
"A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. I promise, Your Majesty, if I am elected, I will bring democracy back to the Republic. I will put an end to corruption. The Trade Federation will lose its influence over the bureaucrats, and our people will be freed." the senator promised.
"Who else can be nominated?" she asked.
"Bail Antilles of Alderaan and Ainlee Teem of Malastare." Panaka replied.
"I feel confident...our "situation" will create a strong sympathy vote for us... I will be Chancellor, I promise you." Palpatine said, sitting down with a self satisfied smirk.
"I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there will be nothing left of our cities, our people, our way of life…" Amidala said.
"I understand your concern, Your Majesty; unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet. The law is in their favour." Palpatine said, seeming only to willing to give up the planet for lost.
"With the Senate in transition, there is nothing more I can do here...Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine. I have decided to go back to Naboo. My place is with my people." Amidala said, walking out of the room.
"Go back! But, Your Majesty, be realistic! You would be in danger. They will force you to sign the treaty." Palpatine said shocked.
"I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from that of our people." she said, only pausing in stride, "Captain!"
"Yes, Your Highness?" Panaka said to attention.
"Ready my ship!" she ordered.
"Please, Your Majesty, stay here...where it's safe." Palpatine said worried.
Amidala stopped her walk to turn to address the senator.
"No place is safe, if the Senate doesn't condemn this invasion. It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions as a democracy. If you win the election, Senator, I know you will do everything possible to stop the Federation. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the Senate," she said before leaving. Palpatine sat down again with a smirk.
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