Palpatine's Theta-class shuttle descended as a giant eagle, gracefully gliding onto the landing pad. Its engines whirred and whined as the landing gear ejected; its articulated wings rising into formation as if in a triple point. Teek had never seen any other design except the sleek, rounded designs of the Naboo star fighters. To him; this ship seemed bulky as if it were a throwback to a more uncivilized time; a time of war and a time of barbarism.
Naboo had been spared from the greater conflict surrounding the galaxy. Teek had never seen the horrors of the battlefield since the Holonet became censored; only used to relay vital military communications; confirming Teek's suspicions about the Chancellor. Sio Bibble stood by his two students, his cerulean robes whisking slightly in the crisp mountain air. Queen Apailana positioned forefront to the Governor. The regal crimson dress adorned her full figure, the horned headdress curved to the sides and down to her neck as a previous successor, Amidala had worn it once before during the invasion of Naboo.
With a whir and hiss, the loading ramp descended from the belly of the shuttle. Hydraulic mechanisms governed the speed of the door as Teek witnessed the Chancellor's entourage. A slight bump against the durasteel platform echoed into the mountains; an octet of crimson robed guards emptied onto the ground. Chancellor Palpatine exited his craft as the Royal Guards flanked a walkway for him. As he approached the foot of the ramp, Palpatine inhaled the crisp mountain airs while the wind stirred his salty hair.
Teek glanced into Palpatine's eyes. His steadfast attention became unnerving as the darkly-robed Chancellor scanned this greeting party. To him, Palpatine seemed an odd old man; a man of quiet demeanor yet scolded quickly if the temper was touched.
Sio Bibble and Queen Apailana steadied themselves as Palpatine approached. He lifted a hand to greet the Queen.
"We are humbled by your presence, Chancellor Palpatine."
"Queen Apailana, what a pleasure it is to be back home; away from the bustle of the war. A chance to reflect on my roots and the future of the galaxy," his crisp voice consoled her. His darting eyes caught the attention of Rité and Teek as he drew near them. Their Academy uniforms were as crisp and clean as the day they were acquired. Rité had scolded Teek earlier in the day to clean his uniform in the hydropresses supplied to them so that he may look respectable for the Chancellor.
"I suppose that you two are the fine students recently acquired from the Academy? I have heard all about your exploits."
Rité's hand was in Palpatine's firm grasp, and as a sign of respect, she bowed and placed a kiss on his aging grip. Palpatine formed a fatherly smile, "You must be Rité Jaderrie; a fine droid programmer and valedictorian of your class. Your skills would be very useful for the Greater Republic."
"Yes, sir," came the reply, her fiery hair whisking in the crispy breeze.
"I assure you, I am but a humble man, and there is no need for you to bow to me."
Her posture regained to a standing position.
"And you must be Teek Epilani; what a fine fighter you became. I suspect you will be training my security forces in no time."
"No disrespect, sir, but I'm hoping my strengths will come in handy here on Naboo first."
"Oh, of course," Palpatine was taken aback by his response. Surely such a bright young mind would rather serve the greater Republic; to fight the Confederacy led by the Sith. The Chancellor had presumed.
Palpatine returned another fatherly smile toward the boy before turning to more important matters, "Ah, Governor Bibble, come, there is much work to discuss here on Naboo. I understand you have prepared a formal dinner in my honor of my presence these next few weeks."
Palpatine strode slowly, placing a crinkled hand upon Bibble's shoulders, gesturing a warm smile. The aging man proceeded behind the young adults into a sliding door that led into the greater palace. His crimson Royal Guard followed into his Naboo home. Queen Apailana ensued, behind them; Rité, E3-T4, and Teek. Palpatine commissioned this construction shortly after his appointment to the Supreme Chancellor. High in the Naboo mountain plateaus overlooking the Naberrie family retreat rested this resemblance of off-world marvel. The citizens of Naboo rumored that Palpatine would retreat here, but never suspected as such.
Teek and Rité continued behind the entourage, marveled by the pristine tan marble and golden scones of light draping from the ceiling; their luminance bubbling on the floors. Banners of vermillion had been suspended along the walls as reflected in Palpatine's guards. Teek suspected Palpatine's choice of color, but had read in his early holobooks that the senator in his days had likened to the affect.
Natural light flushed into a new hallway as they entered, adorned by windows larger than those of the Naboo Royal Palace marked in the same grand design. E3 whistled a long tone, his droid sensors reflecting the intake of this grand structure. Palpatine strode into his home almost as guiding a tour. Teek could see that Governor Bibble and the Queen were discussing matters with the Chancellor and urged Rité to keep up.
"Teek, it's not our place to know what they are discussing. Palpatine is here to honor our achievements; we should not be disrespecting that."
"They could be discussing important matters that could have implications on Naboo, aren't you interested?"
"Teek, it's not my place and it is definitely not yours. It is best that we only know what we are told."
Sio Bibble approached the pair and the droid.
"Students, your articles will be delivered to you in a few hours; Palpatine has requested your presence in his Palace during his stay."
Sio Bibble and Apailana continued past the pair, moving into an elevator platform to a lower landing bay. Teek could see the Chancellor and his guard transgressing into another room of the Palace. In their place, a trio of clone troopers marched toward them.
"The Chancellor has asked us to escort you to your rooms; he hopes you find the stay satisfying." One of the clones stated in his template-style voice unwavering and monotone.
The troops moved into an elevator platform in the opposite direction that Palpatine had entered. Rité and Teek slightly behind them, while E3 spun around into the platform, his sensors caught a glimpse of Palpatine's chamber as the doors eerily bunged. E3 lingered for a moment, capturing the data he saw during the closing of the doors.
"What is wrong with your droid?" One of the troopers asked.
"Nothing, he is slightly marveled by this place it seems. He's been acting like this since we walked in here. E3, come on!" Rité commanded. E3's head revolved into the forward position, his middle leg extended back out as he leaned into his roll. Two crimson guards positioned themselves in rigged attention outside Palpatine's chambers.
Rité awed at the jewel-encrusted emerald dress laid out on her chamber's bed. The garment flowed as the plains of Naboo, surely the dinner event was more than just a meeting, but an extravagant gala but for what accord she wondered. E3 chirped as he scanned his surroundings. Rité's bed rested upon marble floors, a closet overlooking the room was built off to E3's right. Glimmers of light vibrated off the walls, dancing off of the dress as she grabbed it, and placed it in front of her. Certainly this room was built for dignitaries, Rité wondered if Teek had been given similar treatment.
E3 whispered, taking in the sudden deluge of sensory projections. He chirped again as the door opened; Sate Pestage strode into Rité's chambers.
"Greetings, I am Sate Pestage, advisor to the Supreme Chancellor, I hope I'm not interrupting anything ma'am?"
Sate Pestage was a stern man, an elegant man. He had served Palpatine before his election to Senate during his campaigns on Naboo. He had grown close to Palpatine, almost more of a friend, than an advisor. Rumors in the Republic stirred that perhaps he was the Chancellor's only, true friend in this age of increased securities. His lavender garments hid his features save his face and hands, of which he extended one to greet the fire-brand woman.
"No, you haven't interrupted," she returned the handshake.
"Wonderful, the Chancellor expects you and your friend to join us this evening. I have already been introduced to your friend, Teek. A brash young man, who has the interests of his home world in mind, his talents would serve the Republic. However, it is not my place to hold opinion on the matter."
A pair of clone troopers entered Rité's chambers carrying a locker box.
"Your belongings, ma'am," Sate announced, "I will leave you to prepare for this evening's gala."