Chapter 1

Twelve Years Later


"Master, I'm worried. I've got a bad feeling."

Jessica sighed. "Don't call me Master, Padme. Call me Captain, if you must be formal, but please just call me Jess."

"Alright, Mas- Jess. Do you think I should send for Sabe?"

"Why are you asking me? Don't you trust the Force's guidance?"

"I do trust the Force. But you are my chief of security, and my master. I long for your guidance."

Jessica nodded. "A good answer. I've already sent for Sabe. She will be here soon. What else do you sense?"

Padme reached out with her mind, towards the obvious source of concern – the Trade Federation Blockade hanging above her planet. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "There are two Jedi! Chancellor Valorum's ambassadors?"

Sabe arrived just in time to hear the last three words. She paused outside the door, hoping to hear more.

"That is what my sources tell me, yes. Sabe, you may as well come in."

Sabe shook her head in disgust. It was impossible to sneak up on that woman! Which was actually a good thing, seeing as she was head of Security. She entered, bowing to Padme. "Your Majesty." She then turned to the room's other occupant. "Captain, you wanted to speak to me?"

"Yes," said Captain Jessica Jokonin, head of the Royal Naboo Security Forces. "I want you to play Amidala, until further notice."

Sabe nodded her acceptance. "I will do what is necessary for Her Majesty's safety." She had never been comfortable around Jokonin. There was something – different about her. She seemed to be able to sense things about people, places, objects. It made Sabe nervous. Which was strange, because Padme could sense things, too, yet Sabe had no trouble with her. Maybe it was the age difference, as well. The Captain was in her early thirties, but still looked young enough to pass for one of the Queen's teenage handmaidens – something shedid, allowing her second-in-command, Lieutenant Panaka, to be her decoy. Only a handful of people outside the Palace actually knew that who Jokonin was - and most of those were Padme's family.

"Well," said Padme, sensing Sabe's discomfort, "let's get you ready."


Queen Amidala sent a transmission to the Trade Federation Blockade ships. She sat on her throne, surrounded by six handmaidens. Her gaze was steady and direct as it took in the viceroy's leathery countenance.

Two of the handmaidens were conversing through the Force, and they were also studying the viceroy's countenance.

'Calm yourself, Padme. Anger is not useful in this situation.'

Padme closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. 'Yes, Master.'

'You don't have to call me Master anymore, Padme. I've told you that!'

"The Trade Federation is pleased you have chosen to come before us, Your Highness," began Nute Gunray.

"You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy," Amidala said flatly. "Your trade boycott is ended. I have word that the Senate is finally voting on the matter."

"I take it you know the outcome already, then. I wonder why they bother to vote at all."

Amidala leaned forward slightly, fire in her brown eyes. "I have had enough of pretense, Viceroy. I am aware that the supreme chancellor's ambassadors are with you now, and that you have been commanded to reach a settlement. What is it to be?"

"I know nothing about ambassadors. You must be mistaken."

'He must have set a trap for those Jedi!'

'Well, that explains part of the bad feeling.'

'Do you think they're alright?'

Jessica reached out with the Force. 'I think so.'

Gunray's words unsettled Amidala. She let that show on her face, but only for a second. "Beware, Viceroy. The Federation has gone too far this time."

"Your Highness, we would never do anything in defiance of the Senate's will. You assume too much."

Amidala studied him. "We shall see," she said softly.