A Parallel Universe

A/n: Hello! My second Star Wars fic (Written down and posted, that is) and my first ever serious fic! (Written down and posted, that is again. All the others are up here (taps head))

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. Wait... YES I DO! I have watched it 53 times!

Random Dude: Uh, Snaitf that's a DVD. You don't own Star Wars...

Snaitf: Huh? Oh, yeah... drat!

Summary: Very big AU. I got this idea from a quote in Ep 3 the book in a conversation between Padme and Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan tilted his head, and a hint of a rueful smile showed through his beard. "You should have been a Jedi."

She managed a light laugh. "And you should never go into politics. You're not very good at hiding your feelings."

Does that not scream "Story idea" to you? It did to me...

Padme Amidala could only stare as the ship glided closer to the colossal hangar of the Trade Federation's battleship, only one of many that blockaded the small, out-of-the-way planet of Ord Mantell. In her time as a Jedi Apprentice and Qui-Gon Jinn's Padawan, she had only been aboard smaller cruisers. Never had she seen a ship such as this.

"Captain, tell them we wish to board at once," her Master ordered.

Her Master turned to her, a small smile on his lips.

"Let us review what we know, Padme." He said.

Padme stifled a groan. Not again! "With all due respect, master, are you sure we need to go over this again?"

Qui-Gon only smiled. "The Senate has voted for taxation laws for trade routes to outlying star systems, as a way to counter piracy."

"The Trade Federation has blockaded Ord Mantell because their strongest adversary in the Senate, Senator Obi-Wan Kenobi, is a representative of this system. We have been sent by the Supreme Chancellor in secret to try to negotiate with them." Padme finished in a rush, impatient to be boarding. Why was she suddenly having a very bad feeling about this?

Qui-Gon gave a surprised smile. "Obviously, we don't need to go over it anymore." Then his expression turned serious. "And be patient."

"Yes, Master," Padme said obediently.

Making sure her lightsaber was safely tucked on her belt, she followed her Master out of the ship and into the docking bay.

"We'll wait here for you, ambassadors. Good luck," Said the pilot as they made their way out. Soon after they entered the hangar bay, a silver droid walked up to them.

"I am TC-14 at your service. This way, please." The droid said in a wavering tone. The droid led them to a small room with a window looking out onto the planet.

"We are greatly honored by your visit, Ambassadors. Please make yourselves at home. My masters will be with you shortly." It droned before walking out.

Padme frowned at the droid as it exited the room. "Something's wrong here." She said absently. Qui-Gon frowned at her.

"I don't sense anything."

Padme allowed herself a slight smile. "Not any danger, just... wrong. Just politically wrong."

"How so?"

"For one thing, Senator Kenobi is not one to submit to blackmail, or back down. That's probably the last thing that anyone that knows anything about him would expect. So why would the Trade Federation try to scare him by blockading his planet? For another, Ord Mantell has almost no strategic value whatsoever, given the circumstances. It's located on the edge of a fairly commonly used free trade route and is a... fairly decent vacation spot, but other than that, there is nothing specifically valuable about it."

Qui-Gon was slightly confused at his Padawan's narration. He had never been one for politics. Still, he understood most of what she was saying.

"I think it is not the senator that they are trying to aim at, Padawan."

Padme looked confused. "What do you mean, Master?"

Looking out the window, he answered slowly. "It is a vacation spot, as you say. And fairly common, as well. Many quite popular casinos and hotels. And with supplies cut off from the planet, many people will starve. 4 billion locals, if I recall correctly, plus the entire tourist crowd."

Padme stared at her Master, surprised. "So that's their plan, is it?" She asked with a frown. Slowly, she asked, "How do you feel this trade viceroy will deal with the Chancellor's demands?"

"These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short."

Something told Padme that it wasn't meant to be...

TBC...

A/n: Sooo... "I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again!" Hehehehe... I love that line... It's the second time I've seen this part today... and yes, it is 4:08 in the morning... But what'd you think? Ya, I know it's kinda short, but if ya'll like it, I'll make a longer one for the next chapter... Review, or I won't continue it... well, I might, just to spite flamers, but... yeah... I might update sooner...