Chapter 13
Meanwhile…
Clad in robes of crimson and gold, Queen Padme Amidala of the Naboo stood before the Senate. She had recounted the invasion of the Trade Federation. Now, as Palpatine had said, the bureaucrats were at work.
Palpatine had suggested that she call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum. Padme really didn't want to do this. Valorum had always supported her. But it seemed to be as Palpatine had said: Valorum had very little power, and the bureaucrats were the true rulers of the Republic.
Valorum was speaking to her, "Will you defer your motion in order to allow a Senate commission to explore the validity of your accusations?"
Padme closed her eyes. She longed to reach out with the Force, to seek her Master's guidance. But she couldn't. Jessica was speaking to the Jedi Council. 'Master Jessica trust me to make the right decision,' she thought to herself. 'I should, too.'
Amidala opened her eyes. "I will not defer," she declared. "I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty. I was not elected Queen to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee. If the chancellor is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed."
She paused. 'I'm sorry, Valorum,' she thought. 'I really don't want to do this.'
"I move for a vote of no confidence in the supreme chancellor."
Uproar broke out in the Senate of the Galactic Republic. Chancellor Valorum stared at Amidala in shock. Padme met his gaze, trying to convey her sorrow to him.
Mas Amedda, one of the bureaucrats, moved to take charge of the Chancellor's Podium. "Order!" he bellowed. "We will have order!"
There was more discussion, and the vote was called for immediately.
"You see, Your Majesty, the tide is with us," said Palpatine. "Valorum will be voted out, I assure you, and they will elect a new chancellor, a strong chancellor, one who will not let our tragedy be ignored…"
Padme wasn't listening to Palpatine.
A recess was called.
Amidala's retinue left.
A/N: Yes, I know the chapters are short. I'm sorry. But I'm trying to draw it out a bit. The good side is I'm likely to post more than one chapter each time I update.
I'll be changing the title of this fic to "Grey Jedi Episode I: Padme's Master".
