Chapter Two
She paced her room nervously, waiting anxiously for her summons into the Queen's chambers. From her window she could see the army in the distance, making their trek towards Theed. Towards the capital city. Towards where the Queen and the council resided.
A hurried knock came on her door and one of the Queen's handmaidens opened the door before Everett could say anything.
"They are coming," the handmaiden said quietly. She held out a length of bright orange and soft yellow fabric. She gestured to Everett's vanity, forcing the young lady to sit. "You will be called Moteé," the handmaiden said, doing up Everett's hair a simple updo, hiding it behind the fabric that partly shielded Everett's eyes. "We must all be alike in order to fit in."
"I understand." The handmaiden gently squeezed Everett's shoulders.
To most, it would be seen as a reassuring gesture. To Everett, it seemed like a warning. Don't speak up, don't show your hand. She was a bargain chip, one that didn't need to fall into the enemy's hand.
"You will tell no one who you really are until the Queen permits it," the handmaiden continued. "Everett… it will be difficult." Everett met the handmaiden's eye in the mirror.
"I understand, truly I do."
"Good… I'm Padmé, I sorry, I didn't introduce myself earlier."
"It's all right. Desperate times and all."
Getting to her feet, Everett followed Padmé to the Queen's chambers. Another handmaiden was putting the finishing touches on the rest of the Queen's makeup. She gave a low swooping bow.
"It will do," Queen Amidala said, glancing at Everett's outfit.
Head low, mimicking the rest of the handmaidens, Everett followed the Queen out of the room. Viceroy Nute was waiting in the throne room, a platoon of droids behind him. He gave a faux bow to the Queen, who held her head up high.
In the back of the group with, Everett ignored the prodding of the blaster that was pushed into her back in order to keep her in line. The Viceroy led the Queen through the palace, with Bibble close beside her. Captain Panaka and Gregar stood near, Gregar's presence comforting to Everett.
"… how will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Bibble was asking.
"The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I assurances it will be ratified by the Senate."
"I will not co-operate," the Queen said firmly.
"Now, now, your Highness. In time, the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view. Commander?"
A droid stepped forward.
"Yes, sir!"
"Process them," the Viceroy ordered.
"Captain," the droid said. "Take them to Camp Four."
"Roger, roger." Everett tried to even her breathing as they were led away.
They were led out of the palace by ten Battle Droids. Gregar put a hand Everett's lower back as they passed through the plaza. How he identified her in the sea of orange and yellow fabric, she didn't know. But he was there, always protecting her.
The Plaza was filled with tanks and Battle Droids, causing her to faulter sightly.
"Keep walking," a droid ordered. It's robotic voice was emotionless. It was created to follow orders.
She startled when two men dropped from an upper balcony. They both held lightsabers meaning they were Jedi. At least for the moment, they were safe. Four Battle Droids were instantly cut down and the Jedi managed to keep the rest at bay until only a Sergeant remained. The droid tried to run but was pulled back and cut in half.
"We should leave the streets, your highness," the elder one said.
Immediately, Bibble led the Queen's party away.
"Get their weapons," Captain Panaka ordered his guards, including Gregar. Gregar did as ordered, He moved away from Everett, and for a moment, she missed the feeling of him being close to her. She resisted the urge to look back at him, keeping her position as a humble handmaiden.
"Woah! Yousa guys bombad!" a gungan said, having joined them. She stared at him in shock and the gungan shrugged it off.
The elder Jedi, a man with long brown hair pulled back, spoke again.
"We're the Ambassadors, for the Supreme Chancellor."
"Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador," Bibble snapped.
"The negotiations never too place," the Jedi said calmly. "It's urgent that we make contact with the republic."
Stepping forward, Captain Panaka voiced his concerns.
"They've knocked out all our communications."
"Do you have transports?"
"In the main hanger, this way," Panaka said.
He led the group towards the central hanger, cracking open one of the many doors. The elder Jedi looked over Captain Panaka's shoulder.
"There's too many of them," Captain Panaka said.
"That won't be a problem," the Jedi said. He turned to the Queen. "Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."
"Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is here with my people."
"They will kill you if you stay."
"They wouldn't dare," Bibble disagreed.
"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal," Captain Panaka informed the Jedi. "They can't afford to kill her."
"There is something else behind all this, Your Highness," said the Jedi. "There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you."
"Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us," Bibble sighed. "Senator Palpatine will need your help, my queen. With the capture of Senator Alvera, there is no one else to help speak for us."
"Either choice presents great danger… to us all."
The Queen looked to her handmaidens and Padmé spoke for them.
"We are brave, Your Highness."
"If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now."
The Queen sighed, "Then, I will plead our case to the Senate." She looked to Bibble. "Be careful, Governor."
Gregar pulled Everett over to the side for a moment.
"Ette," he whispered. "Promise me you'll be safe. My Uncle doesn't know of your disguise, he will not be able to protect you."
"I do not need his protection, only your vow to be here when I return," she whispered back. Glancing around and seeing no one's eyes on them, Gregar pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
At the sound of commotion, Gregar moved away from Everett, going to be by his uncle. Everett missed her blaster that was always hidden under her skirts. She had been searched like the rest of the handmaidens when they had been captured. Gregar had given it to her when she became Senator, and she missed it. Missed the feeling of protection.
A group of them were chosen to stay behind, Gregar, Bibble, Yané and Saché. Gregar gave Everett a small head-bow, grief in their parting evident in his eyes.
"We need to free those pilots," Captain Panaka said. The younger Jedi, with short light auburn hair and a long singular braid looked to his partner. His teacher.
"I'll deal with that." The elder Jedi nodded and led the rest of the group towards the ramp of the Queen's ship.
"Halt?" a guard droid said.
"I'm Ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor, and I'm taking these people to Coruscant," the Jedi said.
"Where are you taking them?"
"To Coruscant."
"Coruscant? Ahh, that doesn't compute… ahh, wait!... Ahh, you're under arrest!"
The Guard Droid drew his weapon, but before any of the droids could fire, the Jedi's green lightsaber cut them down. From across the hanger another blade, this one blue, freed the pilots, guards, and ground crew. Many of them rushed on board the ship while the rest raced to Bibble.
Sitting with the rest of the handmaidens, Everett couldn't tell what was going on outside. Other than the alarms blaring that the shield generators had been hit and then shutting off once they passed the blockade, Everett knew nothing.
It drove the Senator in her crazy.
When the two Jedi and Captain Panaka finally arrived in the Queen's Chambers, Everett felt restless. Captain Panaka introduced the group a blue and white astromech. "An extremely well put together little droid. Without a doubt, it saved the ship, as well as our lives."
"It is to be commended," Queen Amidala said. "What is it's number?"
"R2-D2, Your Highness," Captain Panaka answered.
"Thank you, Artoo Detoo… Padmé!" The handmaiden beside Everett stepped forward, bowing to the Queen. "Clean this droid up the best you can. It deserves our gratitude… Continue Captain."
A nervous glanced at spared at the elder Jedi, who stepped forward.
"Your Highness, with your permission, we're heading for a remote planet called Tatooine. It is a system far behind the reach of the Trade Federation."
"I do not agree with the Jedi on this," Captain Panaka cut in.
"You must trust my judgement, Your Highness."
The Queen looked to Everett.
"Moteé, you have ventured to Tatooine before, correct?"
"It is not a pleasant planet, my Queen," Everett answered, voice quiet and meek. "But it could hide us for at least a few days until we are noticed."
"Then we shall land there," Queen Amidala said. Everett barely caught the look of contempt that Captain Panaka sent her.
Ah! Another chapter done! I hope you are enjoying!
-Amy Thorton
All Rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films.