Chapter Four
It is the bonds of family that are the most binding, but it is those bonds that cause the most pain when they are broken.
--Old Naboo proverb
"The Naboo have always treasured peace. Ever since the legendary King Jafan established the Great Time of Peace, the Naboo have done their utmost to respect his work. But we also know that there are times when we must take up arms and fight. The Trade Federation Crisis, as well as the Clone Wars. We do not relish in the violence, but we will protect with our lives that which we treasure the most: democracy and the free will of the people."
--Terris Apailana, Preface of Principles of Peace and War: Naboo in the Last Generation
Pooja loved Theed. Despite her conflicting memories of the capital, it was perhaps one of her favorite places on Naboo, second only to the Lake District. The roar of the waterfalls filled her with contentment, along with the many parks and gardens that dotted the city's landscape. Only the faintly-remembered sorrow of Aunt Padmé's funeral shadowed her joy.
But most of all, it was her family's presence that buoyed her spirits. Looking up at the home she had visited so many times as a small child, Pooja rather thought that her feelings about the house mirrored her opinion of Theed itself. She could recall so many happy memories in this place, Life Day celebrations, holidays, and all the like. But with the good, the bad joined with it hand-in-hand. Aunt Padmé's wake, as well as the more recent tributes of Grandfather Ruwee and Grandmother Jobal stuck out in he rmind, even now after so many years.
After Queen Kylantha and the Council had heard her report, they had decided to take a recess to allow the information to sink in before choosing a course of action. Once she had been free to do so, Pooja had dismissed her people and ordered them to visit their families, to assure them of their safe return home. She would call upon the relatives of those who had not made it by herself.
That had been a task that had nearly torn her apart.
But now she was at her own home; the house that had been home to four generations of Naberries.
Stepping up to the door, Pooja entered her keycard into the security scanner. Almost instantly, it beeped in approval as the door slid open.
The front hall was still fully lit against the growing darkness outside and she could see several cloaks hung up on the coat rack to the left of the door. Quietly, Pooja took off her own cloak and added it to the rest. Soft laughter came from the direction of the dining room. Making her way down the hallway, Pooja came to a halt outside of it to stare at the group within.
Sola Naberrie – Mama, she thought with a sudden wistfulness – sat at the head of the long table, her grey-lined hair pulled back in an elegant twist, shining in the golden light. Off to her right sat Ryoo, smiling happily and clearly glowing radiantly. One of her hands sat atop the table, clasped in her husband's, who sat next to her, while the other rested on her abdomen, which was, much to Pooja's great surprise, gently rounded by the presence of a child. Mydrin, a tall man in his late thirties with red hair and blue eyes, sat next to her sister, his expression just as elated as Ryoo's.
To her mother's left sat Mydrin's parents. Dale and Vala, if Pooja remembered correctly. Vala's face was turned towards her mother, indicating an on-going conversation while Dale sipped on a glass of wine.
The scene before her was the very picture of normalcy. Pooja could remember when she had first met Mydrin and his parents. Ryoo had met him during her time at the University. Both had focused their studies in Philosophy and had found they had much in common. She could remember that first dinner, watching them bandy back and forth, quoting obscure texts that no one else present, all well-read people, had heard of before.
After finishing at the University, they had continued to see one another, planning a small, efficient wedding. Standing up beside her sister as she and her betrothed took their vows, Pooja could remember thinking that there was no other couple so suited to one another. They'd both, in a surprise for the other, prepared their own vows, full of metaphors and riddles that alluded to their devotion to each other.
She thought them both incredibly odd, but their love was firm and true. And as she watched Mydrin squeeze Ryoo's hand and give her an adoring glance, Pooja knew their love had not faded in the time she had been away.
It was a peaceful family celebration. And as Pooja watched them, she began to feel like an unwelcome intruder.
That is, until her mother looked up and their eyes locked with one another.
"Pooja," Sola whispered, her brown eyes growing wide. Immediately, all of the room's occupants became silent. Pooja smiled slightly at them.
"Hello," she said softly. "I hope I am not interrupting your supper."
Ryoo jumped out of her chair and hurried over to her, throwing her arms around Pooja enthusiastically. "Dear little sister," she cried joyfully. "You're home!"
Pooja blinked in surprise at such an outward display of affection from her sister, but warmly returned her embrace. Feeling the swell of Ryoo's stomach, she pulled back and looked down. "Look at you," she said in wonder, resting her hand lightly on her sister's abdomen. It must be the hormones, Pooja decided quickly. She could not remember another time when her sister had ever been so affectionate with her. By the time she had reached the age of ten, Ryoo had become a solemn young girl who spoke in a very quiet and reserved manner, often expressing herself in riddles of some sort. She often made Pooja feel loud and obnoxious in their younger days. Now, Ryoo was acting, well, normal, she had to say for lack of a better term.
"It was a surprise to us all."
She looked up to see that Mydrin, along with his parents, had vacated their chairs to come and greet her. Laughing and feeling more comfortable than she'd felt in a long time, Pooja replied, "I'm sure it did."
After receiving a gentle hug from her brother-in-law and a kiss on each cheek from Dale and Vala, Pooja allowed her gaze to drift beyond them. There, holding tightly onto Mydrin's empty chair, was her mother, who was staring at her almost desperately.
Barely noticing that the others had cleared her a path, Pooja stepped forward quickly and wrapped her arms around the older woman, burying her face briefly in her shoulder.
"Mama," she breathed, tears beginning to fill her eyes. "Mama, I'm home."
Pooja felt her mother's familiar arms tremble slightly as they held her close. "My dear girl," Sola whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "Thank the Great Mother. You are safe."
Once they pulled away and dried one another's tears with handkerchiefs, the entire family sat back down at the table. Pooja took the only remaining seat, at the end of the table opposite from her mother.
"When did you get on planet," Ryoo inquired as she filled an extra plate that had somehow appeared at the table. Handing the plate over to Mydrin, she continued, "With the communication's blackout with Imperial Center, we've been so worried."
Pooja took the plate from her brother-in-law, thanking him quietly. She then replied, "Just a few hours ago. I had to meet with Her Majesty and the Council the moment we landed. After a recess was called, I told my people to go home and visit their loved ones so then I came here."
She watched her sister nod in understanding, along with her husband and his parents. But yet again, Pooja's eyes were drawn back to her mother, who was staring back at her with an intense, yet guarded, expression on her face.
"And just why," Sola asked calmly but firmly, "has there been communications disruption at the capital?"
Pooja winced inwardly. She really did not want to explain everything that had happened to her in the last few days. She did not want to see the fear in her mother's eyes if she told her that the Emperor had sought to target Pooja specifically.
Carefully, after taking a moment to scramble for a slightly plausible excuse, she said, "I should not say anything just yet, Mama. The Queen will undoubtedly address the people and I don't want to cause a premature panic."
Sola's lips tightened and Pooja could see that she wanted to argue the point. Quietly, she added, "Please, Mama, I just want to forget for a little while. Please."
A tense silence hung over all of them for several seconds. Finally, Sola nodded in acceptance. Giving her a small, relieved smile, Pooja turned to Ryoo and changed the subject of conversation to something more comfortable for everyone present.
"Tell me about the baby," she said, genuine excitement filling her tone. "When did you find out?"
"A few months ago," Ryoo answered, her brown eyes lighting up as one of her hands dropped down to rest on her growing stomach. "I'm due at the end of the year."
A proud grin spread over Mydrin's freckled features. "The healers also told us a little something else. We need to get double of what most parents buy."
Pooja nearly choked on her food. "Twins," she gasped, her expression astounded.
The couple laughed exuberantly. "A boy and a girl," Ryoo supplied.
She shook her head, delighted beyond words. She was going to be an aunt. Twice, to be accurate. A niece and a nephew.
"Have you thought of names," Pooja asked curiously.
Her older sister nodded. "Our son will have the name Talesin, after Vala's father," she said, flashing her mother-in-law a smile, who returned it with a kind one of her own.
Pooja grinned in approval. "And the girl?"
Silence fell for just a second before Mydrin answered her query. "We had thought to name her Jobal, after your grandmother."
She stared at him. Or rather, she thought silently in growing sadness, after the woman she was before the death of her daughter and grandchild drove her to madness.
"That sounds wonderful," she said aloud.
The conversation continued beyond dinner until an escort arrived with the Queen's instructions to return her to the Palace. She hugged her mother tightly and promised to return as soon as she could. Congratulating her sister and brother-in-law one more time, Pooja bade Dale and Vala farewell before taking off into the Naboo night.
She did look back once, just before the house faded from sight. Ryoo, Mydrin, Dale, and Vala had all, apparently, returned indoors. But her mother still stood in the doorway, staring after her, her face as pale as the moons.
Pooja couldn't help but shiver.
Upon her arrival at the Palace, Pooja was again met by one of the Queen's handmaidens, along with Niaé, Amarié, and Meliaé. The three donned in black cloaks and formed up around her as the fourth handmaiden led them down the brightly-lit hallways.
They traveled across the Palace, towards several of the private conference rooms. When Pooja followed the handmaiden into one, she found Queen Kylantha, two of her other handmaidens, and Moff Panaka waiting for her, already seated at the table that took up much of the area.
Pooja eyed them warily, greatly disliking the feeling that she had been purposely put at a disadvantage. Both of the main occupants had inscrutable expressions on their faces, but she had a keen idea of what was going on. They wanted to ask more about the events that had taken place on Imperial Center. And one of them – or perhaps even both – wanted to catch her off-guard in the hope of obtaining more information.
Despite this, she curtsied to Kylantha and nodded respectfully to Panaka before taking the seat the Queen indicated, the one directly across from the Moff.
"Pooja," the Queen's voice was professional, but not as stringent as it was in the company of large groups of people, "The Council has agreed to meet tomorrow evening with the District Governors. However, there is much to prepare until then and I need your assistance."
Pooja stared at her blankly, then nodded. "Of course, Majesty. I will help in any way I can." Even as she said this, her eyes flicked in the Moff's direction and then back to the Queen, clearly questioning his presence.
Both noticed her awareness of the situation, causing Panaka straightened slightly in his chair, his expression growing even stonier, if that was possible. The Queen then turned to glance at him briefly. Whatever she saw that Pooja did not, it caused a note of warning to enter her gaze. When Panaka seemed to relax slightly, she turned back to her, Kylantha began to explain.
"The Governor has been greatly concerned by the recent events that have unfolded," she said. "He has also volunteered to assist us in preparing a proper response."
Pooja snorted inwardly. One of the Emperor's closest allies wants to help someone who His Majesty wants dead. I'm sure that's why the good man is here.
"I see," was all she said in reply.
If the Queen seemed to sense her misgivings, she gave no sign. Changing the subject, she asked, "Was there any warning of the Emperor's actions concerning the Senate?"
Pooja shook her head. "No, nothing official. When His Majesty called the Senate together, nearly every Senator was present. Given the charges he leveled, if it had been known ahead of time, half of the Senate would probably already fled the capital prior to his address."
Kylantha nodded slowly. "That does make sense; but what about the actual dissolution of the Senate? This is clearly without precedent.
"Yes, it is. And it clearly exceeds the boundaries of his power and authority," Pooja stated firmly.
"Where?"
Both women blinked in surprise and turned their heads to look at Panaka. He had been silent ever since Pooja had entered the room and chose only now to speak.
It was the Queen who broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Governor?"
"Where does it state that removing corruption is beyond the Emperor's power?"
Pooja didn't have to see her friend's face to know that she was surprised. But she wasn't. She'd almost been expecting him to say something in the Emperor's defense.
"Article Two, Section Four, Clause Seven, Your Excellency," Pooja stated coolly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "If a Senator or any other official is found engaging in unlawful practices, he or she shall be removed from office to answer for his or her crimes. The accused shall also be replaced either by their immediate superior or by the group they represent."
Tension permeated the room as both Pooja and Panaka attempted to stare one another down. He said nothing to refute her statement.
Still not taking her eyes off the man, she continued, "No one has the power to disband an entire branch of government. The Emperor, in accordance with the written law, should have brought forth his evidence and removed the accused from office. They would have been replaced by their worlds' new representative and the functioning government would have received minimum upset."
"I have to agree," Kylantha said as Pooja finifhed her mild tirade. Almost simultaneously, both the Senator and the Moff turned to her. To Pooja, her friend seemed far older and wearier than she was. She could see it, even through the thick face paint. "What about when you left the capital, Pooja? Your report said that you were fired upon?"
She nodded, biting her lip slightly. "I received word that there was going to be charges leveled against me for being a member of the Rebel Alliance -"
"Are you?" Panaka demanded, cutting her off. "Did you flee from the consequences of your actions, Lady Lydonia?"
Pooja wanted nothing more than to slap the man hard across the face. She knew what he was implying.
So did the Queen. "Hugh," Kylantha snapped harshly, "that was unwarranted and completely uncalled for!"
When Panaka continued to stare at her, trying to provoke her, Pooja said simply, "My first responsibility is the people of Naboo, Governor. I would never do anything to jeopardize their well-being." Inwardly, she couldn't help but wonder at how calm she sounded.
Turning away from his gaze, Pooja continued her explanation. "After I learned of the plans to wrongfully charge me of treason, I knew it had become paramount that I return to Naboo to warn you. After all," she added without so much as a glance in Panaka's direction, "to accuse me is to accuse Naboo. There could be some form of retribution for our world.
"Knowing those who sought to frame me would be watching, my people were told to board our ships ahead of time. By nightfall, only several of my security guards, Captain Peoly, my handmaidens, and myself were left. We divided into two groups and went separate ways to the ships. My group made it unscathed, but the others came under fire before they reached the rendezvous."
"They opened fire on your people?" Kylantha asked sharply.
She nodded. She continued to speak, ferociously forcing her emotions down when she told of how Corr Lassiter had sacrificed his life for hers. The Queen lowered her eyes in sympathy, knowing of her friendship with the man. Even Panaka, who did not know, paused in his constant glaring in her direction.
"This is… unconscionable," Kylantha said at last. "To fire on them when they had not even been charged with a crime…" She shook her head.
"It makes you wonder," Pooja said quietly, her gaze falling to the table where her hands lay. "The Rebel Alliance has charged Emperor Palpatine with crime after horrible crime. Now he has done this. Was much of what they said really lies?"
On the edges of her eyesight, she saw both the Queen and Panaka look towards her.
"You would trust the words of terrorists," Panaka hissed angrily.
"It is not as though it is safe to trust the Imperial government," Pooja snapped back. "They've tried to both frame and kill me, which does not exactly inspire loyalty."
"What are you suggesting, Pooja," asked Kylantha in a more reasonable tone, though her eyes were growing wary. "That we join the Alliance?"
"Your Majesty," she said firmly, meeting her eyes squarely, "I am suggesting that we do whatever is necessary to protect Naboo. That has always been my aim and I know yours as well."
"Would you have us commit treason?" Panaka inquired heatedly. Pooja opened to respond, but he instead muttered, "I should have known…"
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. She'd had enough of this. "What, Governor Panaka? What should you have known? What have I done to earn this all-powerful enmity?"
As Pooja watched, Panaka seemed to almost grow taller in his chair. His black hair streaked with grey did nothing to soften his appearance when his dark eyes suddenly blazed with fury.
"I should have known you would be just like her! Blood calls to blood. Your aunt always spoke of protecting Naboo, of doing what was best for this world. But that did nothing to stop her from involving herself in dangerous situations, something she had absolutely no business doing! Retaking the Palace from the Trade Federation, involving herself in the Battle of Geonosis, all of it! She was reckless with her safety and the safety of those around her! And in the end, that was what got both her and her child killed!"
Pooja stared at him, dumbfounded at his outburst. But as shocked as she was, she had not forgotten the subject at hand.
"I am not my aunt, Governor," she growled. "My aunt and I grew up in two very different times and we are two very different people. But she is gone. Let the dead rest. What happened to her has no bearing on the here and now. "At least, none that she was going to admit.
Pooja could tell Madlyn wanted badly to stop their argument, but kept right on speaking. She was going to bring them back to the relevant subject.
"Getting back to the matter at hand, what choice do we have, Governor? Would you have Naboo, the greatest advocates of democracy, your own homeworld, bow to the lies and greed of a dictator who sits in the shadows of his palace on Imperial Center? The Emperor has veritably torn up the Constitution of Government and spit on its remains. If there is a traitor within the Empire, then it is not me or my fellow Senators, but the Emperor himself!"
"You could drag us all into a war," he demanded, ignoring her words about Aunt Padmé. "We will be destroyed. That is what will happen if we openly stand against the Emperor. That -"
Pooja had a vague idea of what Panaka would have said had he been permitted to continue. But he was cut off when the door burst open. The three of them, along with the silent handmaidens – whose presence she had forgotten about – turned to face the intruder.
It was another of Kylantha's handmaidens, her hood down and revealing a head of wild dark curls, honey-colored eyes, and a white, frightened face.
"Eloisé," the Queen said reprovingly. She sounded remarkably calm for a woman who had been dealing with two colleagues who had been roaring at one another for the past several minutes. "I said that we were not to be disturbed."
"M-Majesty," the handmaiden said breathlessly, "we received a communiqué from the envoy we had sent to the Alderaan system."
Pooja's mouth went dry. She stared at the woman, her ire at Panaka fading for the moment.
"What is wrong," the Queen demanded. "What has happened?"
"It… It's Alderaan, Majesty," Eloisé answered, visibly trembling.
"It has been destroyed."