Chapter Eight
Everett paced the room, it seemed to be quickly becoming her favorite pastime. She was always pacing these days. The Queen was standing near the window, staring out at the programed sunset. Eirtaé and Sabé were near the door, Rabé in the bedroom, getting the Queen's night garments ready.
"Yousa tinken yoursa people ganna die?" the Gungan, whom Everett learned was named Jar Jar Binks, asked the Queen.
"I don't know," the Queen answered.
"Gungans get pasted too, eh?"
"I hope not."
"Gungans no die'n without a fight… wesa warriors. Wesa gotta grand army. Dat why Yousa no liken us, mesatinks."
The door slid open, and Everett turned, seeing Senator Palpatine and Captain Panaka rushing into the room. They bowed hastily before Panaka spoke.
"Your Highness, Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor."
"A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one," Palpatine said. "Your Majesty, if I am elected, I promise to put an end to corruption."
"Who else can be nominated?" Everett asked.
"Bail Antilles of Alderaan and Ailee Teem of Malastare," Captain Panaka said.
Palpatine nodded, "I feel confident that our situation will create a strong sympathy vote for us… I will be Chancellor."
The pride and confidence radiating off of Palpatine was worrying for Everett. It was like he had already won the election before the vote took place. It was like he was guaranteed the win.
The Queen sighed, bringing Everett's attention to her.
"I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there will be nothing left of our people, our way of life."
"I understand your concern, Your Majesty; unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet."
"Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine. I've decided to go back to Naboo."
That was news to Everett. Not much of a surprise, but still news. Worrying news. If the Queen returned, she would be forced to sign the treaty. Palpatine felt the same way.
"Go back! But, Your Majesty, be realistic! They'll force you to sign the treaty."
"I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from that of our people. Captain!" Panaka stepped forward.
"Your Highness?"
"Ready my ship!"
"Please, Your Majesty, stay here… where it's safe," Palpatine pleaded.
"It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the Senate."
She swept from the room, Everett trailing after her.
"Milady is this wise?" she asked as the young woman began shedding her garments to swap with Sabé.
"I wish you wouldn't argue with me too, Everett," Padmé snapped. Everett closed her mouth, fighting back a remark.
It wasn't safe to return to Naboo. If she didn't sign the treaty, Padmé would be killed and then who would rule over their people?
"If you want to stay, Everett, I will not stop you," Padmé said softly.
"Remain here? Doesn't seem like much of an option, Your Highness."
There was no way in hell that Everett was remaining on Coruscant. Her life dictated that she would be spending a good portion of her life on this planet, but she would avoid it for as long as she could.
"Your Majesty, are you thinking through everything?"
"Yes," Padmé slumped onto the bed as Sabé started undoing her hair. "But you are not my advisor, Everett. I do not need to speak of these things with you."
"I know that I am not your advisor, Your Majesty, but seeing as he is not here, I'm your second choice. You kept me on Naboo much longer than necessary after my election. Why, if not because you need my option." There was a cold clip in Everett's voice that caused Padmé to look up
For the first time, Everett actually seemed upset. She had managed to keep her cool the entire time Padmé knew her, her options to herself, her tongue silent unless called upon.
"I was not raised to become Queen, your highness, but instead to be a voice for those who have none. I am to be level-headed at all times, to see every possible outcome from everything I say. But I cannot stop you. Do you see my problem? If possible, I would keep you here, but I know that we are needed in Theed. The people need you. But you aren't thinking through all the outcomes!"
Getting to her feet, Padmé fixed a look at Everett.
"I have thought through the outcomes, I have a plan and I will not be questioned any further, Senator Alvera." The young senator, if she was still a child, would have stomped her foot, but instead she gave the Queen a stiff bow and strolled out of the room to gather her belongings.
Storming into her room, Everett stared at the bed, wishing she could throw herself onto it, but decided against it. She couldn't let Padmé get to her head. She had things to do and accomplish.
Stepping onto the balcony, the senator leaned against the railing. She looked out at the bustling city, speeders and ships rushing about. Eleme and Jacin would have enjoyed seeing this place. Eleme would have gone to the shopping district while Jacin would just stay on the balcony, watching the speeders speed by.
She missed them. That damned fire that caught in their summer home while the family slept would always be engraved in Everett's mind. She was the only one to awake. It had been an attempt on her life just days after winning the election. But she was the only one who didn't die.
Her parents succumbed to the smoke, but Eleme and Jacin lost to the flames. To this day, the sight of fire caused Everett to grow pale. Eleme had been twelve, Jacin eight. Her mother had been pregnant with her fourth.
Everett threw herself into her work, and now, here she was, facing death herself. The Trade Federation would kill them eventually if they were caught. She knew the Queen was hoping that the Gungans would come to their aid, and whilst it was a noble idea, the Gungans wouldn't help them without a reason and without a good nudge.
A knock came at her door, Rabé telling her it was time to go. Time to be a good solider. Soon she would be back in Gregar's arms, back in her homeland, back to what she did best, listening from the background.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. We're a little over half way now!
-Amy Thorton
All Rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films.