Again, sorry for the long delay in between posts. Here's the jumbled and barely coherent mess that I will call Chapter 9 though.
Chapter 9
Dinner was served in the Naberrie household under the hazy twilight of the Naboo sunset, the colors of the dusk overpowered only by the aroma of the eight-course meal and the tensions of those who gingerly picked at their food.
"So Padme, how long are you staying here?" As Jobal spoke, Anakin had the chance to glance down at her plate. He found it strange that the woman who cooked the meal had barely eaten any of it.
Finally becoming cognizant of her question, Anakin looked uncertainly at Padme. She had not shared with him what she planned for the future yet. The protector took his orders from the protected, especially when the protected was a queen and the protector was a fugitive.
"We will be staying the night," Padme responded authoritatively, "but tomorrow Ranakin will be accompanying me to the Lake Retreat until things settle down." She ignored the wayward glare she received from Sola as she uttered the false name.
"Oh Padme, stay with us," protested Jobal. "At least a few more days. I never get to see you anymore. This is the first time you've been back in half a year!"
"But mom, if I stay here I could be putting all of you in danger!"
Ruwee finally broke his silence on the issue. "How serious is this threat?"
"We don't know yet," replied Padme reluctantly. "I need to be updated on the investigation before I can say for sure."
"It'll be much better for you if you stay here," Sola said pointedly. "It'd be easier for me to look after you."
"And why would a Queen need to be baby-sat?"
"You're my little sister, Padme. I don't need an excuse to look after you."
"This bickering is getting us nowhere," interrupted Ruwee. He turned a heavy gaze to the only non-infant party at the table who had not uttered a word throughout the duration meal. "Master Jedi, what do you think should be done to protect my daughter?"
"Well…um," Anakin hesitated as he cupped his chin with his hand, trying to back his words up with intellectual validity. "The motives behind the assassination attempt are still unclear, and until we determine them with absolute certainty it would be difficult to accurately assess where and when a threat to the Queen could present itself."
"You didn't answer the question." Sola's eyes glared at the young Jedi as she interrupted his analysis. "What should Padme do?"
Anakin stared dumbly at the concerned eyes of the Naberrie's until the Queen finally intervened for his benefit.
"Ranakin's job is to protect me from physical harm, which he has done already. As the native Queen of Naboo, I am more familiar with the local political situation and the risks associated with each course of action. Therefore, it is up to me to make the decision and it is up to Ranakin to protect me regardless of what decision I choose to make."
Sola still wasn't satisfied. "Look at you, Padme," she blurted out angrily, "acting so Queenly around here. Don't you forget your place in this house! You're my little sister, and you're going to give me a straight answer or else…"
"Or else what?" Padme's entire body tensed up as her patience finally gave way and she lifted herself up from her chair so that she stood menacingly over her older sister. To her side, Anakin slouched even deeper into the chair, trying to lose himself forever in its soft fabric linings.
"Sola! Padme! My daughters will not talk to each other this way, especially not during dinner." Jobal put special emphasis on the last word. "Sola, you're a mother now. Is this an example you want to set for little Pooja? And Padme, we all know you're a Queen, but you're still our daughter."
Padme sat back down in her chair, and the two recipients of the lecture both stayed silent as they listened to their mother reproach them.
"You will apologize to each other right now." There was no room for argument in her voice.
"Sorry," Sola muttered, not even glancing up from her food.
"I'm sorry, Sola," Padme stated. "I'm sorry mommy, daddy, for putting such a strain onto your shoulders. And I'm sorry, An-…Ranakin, that you had to see our family this way. We're usually much better than this, I promise you."
Padme placed her hand Anakin's as she spoke to him, hoping to infuse some confidence into the quickly deflating boy. Anakin's back straightened slightly in response. Satisfied with her work, Padme turned her attention back to her family.
"But my decision stays the same, and it's final. We will leave tomorrow for the retreat, and I will be safe there, and so would you. You will not be endangered by my mere presence in this house."
"It's a sad day when my daughter is the one protecting me," Jobal said reluctantly in defeat.
The rest of the meal was finished without a word from anyone.
"Viceroy Gunray, I am most honored that you have agreed to this conversation."
"And what reason would I have to talk with the Governor of Naboo," asked the holo-projection depicting the leader of the Trade Federation.
"I know that our past alliance did not work out in your favor," replied the supplicating Governor as he stood on two knees in front of the Viceroy's image, "but I have another offer for you that will be mutually beneficial for both of us."
"What is your offer?"
"May I present my colleague, the honorable Cnal-Ides Broos."
"Thank you, Governor." Broos chose not to follow the Repsaj's example as he stood tall and poignantly in front of the holo-projection. "Allow me to introduce myself to you, Viceroy Gunray. I am Cnal-Ides Broos of Naboo."
"I have heard of you, Broos. I understand you are a poet. I also understand you were not in favor of our acquisition of Naboo five years ago."
"Much has changed since then, honorable Viceroy. I am still not in favor of any acquisition by your organization of my home, but despite that I believe that we have some common interests."
"What may that be?"
"We both want Queen Amidala dead."
The Nemoidian's blank eyes lit up upon hearing that statement. "You are correct to assume so. She has been relentless in her persecution of me."
A persecution you deserve. Cnal dismissed the irrelevant thought. "She is a threat unlike any that Naboo has ever seen. She must be deposed of."
"So what do you want the Trade Federation to do?"
Broos winced inside as he prepared to speak. He knew that with his next words he would be condemning thousands of innocents to their deaths. But he could not hesitate; he was acting on behalf of thousands of future generations.
"We need to discredit the Queen before we kill her. Another invasion of Naboo will aid us tremendously in that effort."
"My last invasion resulted in a fifteen billion credit loss for the Federation."
"We will do our best to compensate you for your efforts. Let me be clear though; I am not handing over our planet to the Trade Federation. What I am proposing is a limited show of force in a few select cities, such as Theed."
The Viceroy chuckled and blinked his large eyes several times. "You should be informed of the fact then, poet, that the Republic has stripped the Federation of its inherent right to enforce its Trade Routes."
"Ah, but I hear rumors," interrupted Repsaj slyly, "of contracts with the Genoisans. They have quite the reputation as engineers of the more deadly types of machinery."
Nute Gunray stared viciously at the two conspirators for moment, then stated flatly: "And what of the Republic and the Jedi? Do you think that the Supreme Chancellor will sit idly by as his home planet is taken over?"
"The Republic and the Jedi will have nothing to do with our business, honorable Viceroy. Don't underestimate my powers. Whereas I was only able to serve as a lowly spy five years ago, today I am the government. Our proposed invasion will be backed by the full and complete authority of the sovereign planet of Naboo. I promise you that. The Republic and the Jedi will have no reason to intervene."
"And the Queen?"
"She will be made irrelevant," answered Cnal-Ides coldly. "And then she will be dead."
"I like your proposal so far, but one factor is missing."
"What may that be?"
"How does this temporary invasion benefit the Trade Federation?"
Repsaj reached into his pocket and pulled out a small datapad. "The Trade Federation will be granted an 85 share of all government-owned businesses and 75 share of all privately-owned businesses on the planet of Naboo at a 70 discount. We will finance your sale with a 2 interest rate. You will also be awarded free-of-charge any put or call options you would require if you were to buy or sell any stakes on our planet."
"You won't occupy Naboo," added Cnal-Ides gruffly, "but you will own it for all practical purposes."
"Allow me a moment." The transmission cut off instantly, leaving Cnal-Ides alone with his thoughts. As he contemplated his fellow conspirator, still on his knees, Broos wondered if the Governor was too eager and too prepared in his wholesale giveaway of the planet. Killing the Queen, mused Broos, would be the easiest part of this operation. Getting rid of the mess left in the aftermath of Broos and his Nemoidian allies would present Cnal-Ides with his most difficult challenge.
The image of the Viceroy reappeared on the projector. This time Gunray read off of a datapad of his own.
"Cut the interest rate in half, and we have a deal."
"Done," chirped Repsaj.
"I was betrayed," hissed the Viceroy, "the last time I invaded your planet. If this invasion does not go according to plan, expect to have every bounty hunter in the known Galaxy after your heads."
The transmission ended abruptly again.
You look so complacently satisfied, thought Broos as he stared at the pathetic form of the Governor. If only you knew that the end of the line is approaching for you. And that the real work is just beginning for me.
Warmed only by the flames coming from the fireplace, Anakin laid on the floor with the comforting bristles of the carpet caressing his back, contemplating whether to meditate or sleep. Drifting along in between those two states, he was surprised to sense Padme walking around the house. Hearing her approach, Anakin curled his body up into a ball and pretended to be asleep. The Queen soon emerged into the central room holding an infant in her arms.
"She is so beautiful," Padme whispered to the fire as she laid herself to rest on the couch.
"What are you still doing up," Anakin asked, keeping his eyes shut for the moment.
"I can't sleep."
"I don't blame you." Anakin rolled around on the carpet so that he was facing Padme and finally opened his eyes to the most beautiful image his dreams could ever conjure up. "I rarely sleep anymore."
"Why not," asked Padme as she softly stroked Pooja's round cheeks with her finger.
"Nightmares."
"Of what?"
"Visions."
"What kind of visions?"
Anakin turned again to avert the Queen's eyes, sitting down on the floor leaned up against the base of the couch.
"Pain. Suffering." He paused. "I don't want to talk about them. I'd rather talk about y…"
"What?"
Anakin turned his head to examine at the sleeping infant on the Queen's lap. "You're right. She is beautiful." He went to tousle her hair but pulled his arm back sharply when his hand accidentally bumped into the soft skin of Padme. Anakin's throat groaned involuntarily, and Padme looked away in embarrassment for the boy. The blushing teenager searched for a way to break through the awkwardness.
"The Force is strong with Pooja," he finally stated authoritatively. "She is destined for great things."
Padme giggled softly. "I'm sure Sola will be thrilled to hear such wise words from a Jedi Master."
"She knows, doesn't she?"
Padme knew better than to lie to a Jedi, no matter how young or rogue. "She knew from the very beginning, before we even said a word." Seeing the sweat beginning to form on Anakin's head, she quickly added: "Don't worry. Sola's my sister. She won't tell anyone."
"I will keep you safe, Padme. I promise."
Padme flinched nervously as she noticed Anakin's blue eyes were now staring right at her.
"I believe you." She sighed. "Do you think I made the right decision?"
"Yes. Yes I do." Anakin said this without the shadow of Ranakin lurking in the shadows. "That Governor knows you're here, and I don't trust him."
"Me either."
"He was lying. I know it. I just don't know what he was lying about." Anakin slammed his hand on the floor in frustration. "I should be Theed right now, keeping an eye on that Governor and trying to find your killer."
"Do you really think he's behind the attempt? He's not an honest man by any means, but is his integrity really low enough to stoop to regicide?"
"Everything about him is low. I can't explain it. It was almost as if the Force was sending me warning signals every moment he was in my presence. I should be in Theed right now. But then…if I were actually there, I would say that I should be with you, protecting you. Poodoo!"
"Don't second-guess yourself, Anakin. No one can be all-powerful, no matter how strong they are in the Force."
"I guess you're right."
"But you're here, and I know you won't let anything happen to me."
"No." But I don't know what I would do if anything did happen to you. If I failed to protect you. Again, Anakin averted the gaze of the one he loved and switched his attention to Pooja. Padme noticed this and appropriately changed the subject.
"You know, she's the reason I serve. So children like my niece will have the brightest future."
"It's a worthy cause. And you're doing a great job."
"Sometimes I wonder. I just wish I can know now whether I'm making the right decisions or not. Just so I can be certain of whether I'm actually doing the right thing."
"No one can be all-powerful, Padme. No matter how many people they rule over."
Anakin was relieved to hear Padme laugh. "You're right."
"Of course I'm right. I'm a Jedi Knight."
"Well, Master Anakin," Padme said as she got up from the couch, still cradling the infant, "I believe this Queen is going to try for some sleep again. You should get some rest too."
"I'll try." He watched the two walk out of the room. He felt for their presences in the Force and found comfort both in the already familiar one Padme as well as the gentle one of the sleeping baby. He wished to no one in particular that he could trade places with the latter.
To Duu Repsaj's disappointment the helmet had just barely clanged down onto the armor when the Governor walked into the recuperation room. He had hoped to see a face that few in the Galaxy had ever laid eyes on, but realized that Jango Fett's true features will continue to remain a mystery for him.
"I am ready, Lord Governor. I will not fail you this time."
"No you will not. And you will not be given an opportunity to fail." Jango winced inside; he had never lost an assignment before.
"I will finish the job I was assigned to, Lord Governor," he pressed with increasing hostility. Jango Fett was not one to beg.
"Save your anger for the Queen, Fett. Of course you'll finish the job. But the plan is fail-safe this time, and success is guaranteed."
"What are my instructions?"
"The Queen is hiding along with her Jedi Protector in Valkryno, her native town. You will go there and await my signal, which will follow the upcoming invasion. My agitators are already placed in the village. Once the riots begin, you will emerge out of hiding and complete your task amid the chaos. You must wait until my signal though, or you will not be paid. Is that understood?"
"Yes," Jango muttered, barely able to restrain himself from striking at a man foolish enough to lecture the deadliest bounty hunter in the Galaxy as if he were a schoolboy.
"Get on with it then."
Thoughts of patience tormented his mind as Jango cruised towards his destination. He will exercise patience. But once his time was up would exercise cruelty beyond his normally professional standards. He would have no mercy for the Queen and the boy that had embarrassed his trademark for decades to come. No mercy for them or anyone who stood in his way.
Well, at least the Chapter was fairly long. I will have a new and better post up by Sunday night at the latest though. I promise!