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Chapter 53
Location: Naberrie Residence
Month 2 Day 27 Year 27
0630
Padme' blows on her third cup of cafe' this morning, anticipation running through her veins. Her eyes brush over in the direction of Ashoka working through the encryptions layers one at a time. They had determined there were several layers that Rush had made sure for security purposes. Ashoka has been working nonstop since their arrival back to the apartment at around 2am this morning.
Padme's eyes lift to the rising sun in the background. It is going to be a long day. She had a brunch meeting with Sabe at eleven as it was the end of the week and neither of them had to work. Sabe' had asked her to this brunch since they hardly saw each other in the last few weeks, even though they shared an apartment together. Well- at least they had until recently.
Sabe' had been mostly staying over at Ben's and Anakin's apartment most nights, and vice versa Anakin had been spending most nights at Padme's and Sabe's apartment. Padme' knows at some point Sabe' will move in with them. She probably would be announcing those plans to her sister today at brunch. It wouldn't surprise Padme' at this point.
Padme's eyes brush over to the clock on the wall. The time was 0630, Anakin had night shift until 0800, so he wouldn't be around until later on, which doesn't leave them with many hours left before he arrives back to sleep. He can not find his two friends conspiring or looking over protected documents that were in from Rush's office.
Padme' knows it is only a matter of hours before- if not already the Inquisitors have been alerted to the break-in at the Senate. It will only be a matter of time before Raven is listed on the Inquisitor's list of bounty hunters, Rush will be livid once he hears the news of the break-in. It is doubtful he has already heard from someone within the Inquisitor offices as it is around midnight on Scipio.
Padme' fixes her gaze on a grinning Ashoka as she says joyfully, " I'm in!"
The com. link displays dates of audio files, as the comm. link was an older version- mainly used to record audio only and did not have video capabilities like most comm. links used by everyone in the galaxy.
Ashoka thumbs through the dates and Padme stops her when her eyes find dates close to the death of her daughter. The comm. link beeps as the audio file is uploaded. Padme takes in a deep breath and the first one plays.
There is static- and then voices become clear. " It is a pleasure to see you again Senator Clovis. I have come to check on your progress on the assignment we discussed." The male voice commands politely.
There is a shift in the movement under the desk, perhaps Rush tapping his foot nervously. He had a habit of doing so when he was nervous. " Yes, I looked over the documents and there are some things that concern me. This is a large amount of funding to be approved by the Banking Clan."
"Now now, Senator, you are the leader of the Banking Clan. The Emperor has put his good faith and interests that you would approve of the funding without problems." The voice soothes out calmly.
Padme tilts her head listening to the voice again. " Those concerns you have would have to be discussed in a committee and the Emperor would rather this be kept as quiet as possible."
Rush's voice is shaking as he states, " The Senate would not approve of this funding without properly reading over this document."
Whose voice is that? Padme' eyes Ashoka and asks, " Who is the other man? He sounds familiar but I'm not sure who it is."
Ashoka shrugs and suggests, " It may be revealed yet in this recording or another."
They continue to listen. " I think it would be wise if you expedite your process. Perhaps it would be in my best interest to remind you of the data we have on your election."
Rush gulps and murmurs, " I will look into, sir."
" I will check on your progress in the next few weeks, " coos the smooth voice.
Ashoka glances at Padme'. Rush had been corrupt before even he had been elected? Padme' smiles from ear to ear. This is excellent news! More corruption she can bring forward within the trial against her husband. Ashoka asks, " Which one do we listen to now?"
Padme' smiles, " All of them."
The two women sit there for about an hour, listening to every single conversation that is dated within ten days of her daughter's death. Many of the conversations are with the other members of the Banking Clan. Many of them are not important, but there are a few with the same voice of this man. Each time Rush plays off the funding as if he has trouble getting the Bank Clan to agree with the documents addressing the funding. But according to one recording, this was not the case, that the funding had been approved without being investigated.
Finally they reach the second to last file which is fairly extended length. Padme sits next to Ashoka sipping on her cafe waiting for the next file to play. The conversation starts as most of these begin with the voice asking of his progress.
" All you need to do is approve the proposal by the Emperor and approve the funds for the Banking Clan," The man comments in a sharp tone.
" I cannot without the approval of a committee on these specs for this Battle Station. There are certain aspects of this station that would concern the Senate." Rush states clearly, careful with his choice of wording.
The man dismisses, " Those specs do not need the approval of the Senator nor a committee. This project is a personal project for the Emperor himself. He will be sorely upset to know that a lowly Senator such as yourself would halt his projects."
" I will-" He begins his compromise for a bit more time, however his secretary's comm interrupts his speech.
" Yes?" His voice holds annoyance as she comes onto the comm. " Sir, your wife is here. "
Padme's heart lurches in her chest. She remembers this day very well. It was the day she found out her child was a girl. She remembers meeting that man- that man was Count Dooku. Her ears almost don't hear the rest of the conversation, as she knows it well. She had been there.
Her voice asks " Am I interrupting something?"
Rush suggests, " Of course not dear. What have you brought me?"
Padme suggests, " The Chef thought you'd like a fresh salad with fresh fish as your lunch today. I thought I'd bring it to you myself as I have some news to share with you."
We have never met M'lady. It is a pleasure to meet you and Congratulations are in order I see."
Padme's smile grows brightly. She states, " Yes, only three more months. I'm ready."
" Padme', you met this man?" Ashoka questions.
Padme' nods absentmindedly. " Yes, it's Count Dooku. I recognized his voice- but I never realized it was him on those other recordings until now."
The women listen in to more of the conversation.
" It is a pleasure to meet you, Count Dooku." Her sweet voice suggests.
He suggests, " It is a pleasure as well Lady Clovis. I do need to continue my meeting with your husband in private though."
" I only wanted to tell you I have found out the sex of our child."
Rush says, " Oh course darling, tell me."
Padme' smiles and replies, " It's a girl, so I would like you to start thinking of names for her."
Rush smiles and says, " Of course I will see you at dinner tonight."
She nods and takes her leave, before leaving she replies, " It was a pleasure to meet you Count Dooku."
Dooku bows his head slightly and suggests, " The pleasure is all mine, my dear."
Dooku proclaims, " Your wife is lovely, it's such a pity the child isn't yours."
Rush's green hues narrow and he dismisses, " You are a fool, Dooku. The child is mine."
Dooku chuckles darkly at his comment and he surmises, " That child is force sensitive, very powerful in the force. You are not force sensitive and neither is her mother, which suggests the child's father is."
Rush's retorts, " And what will you do with this information, sir?"
" It depends on your approval of the project for the funds. Or perhaps such a scandal will arise-"
Rush rises from his desk and he seethes out, " Do not threaten me, Count. It is not wise to threaten the head of the Banking Clan."
Dooku laughs darkly and surmises, " As you know it is unwise to not do the bidding of the Emperor. I may let out a scandal- but the Emperor might just send out an order for yours and your wife's heads served to him."
Ashoka stops the recording and stares at Padme'. " Your baby was force sensitive like you. But why did it bother Count Dooku?"
Padme's body won't move from its spot. She isn't sure what to believe now. Rush hadn't been in charge of trying to kill her or the baby. Corde had lied. She had orders from above Rush. But why did it matter if the baby was force sensitive? Unless it had nothing to do with her and everything to do with-
" Oh force," She whispers, realizing the truth. Her child's death had never been about threatening Rush. It had to do with her father's sheer raw power. It had everything to do with her father, Anakin Skywalker. But why did Dooku find him a threat? This is the newest question she had to unravel.
Ashoka watches her shocked expression and waits for her to explain. But she does not. She says no more than the soft whisper she had heard moments ago. Ashoka asks softly, " Padme, who was your child's father?"
Her ears ring with this knowledge. Ashoka is helping her. She knew everything that had occurred and had been helping her accomplice. She could be indicted just as well. Padme' turns to her friend's blue eyes and murmurs, " Anakin was her father."
Ashoka's eyes widened with this knowledge. She rasps out, " But what does this all have to do with Anakin? He's training to be an Inquisitor. He's a loyal subject of the Empire."
Padme leans back in her seat and surmises, " Anakin is a very powerful force sensitive in the force, perhaps the Emperor sees him as a threat to his reign. I don't know Ashoka."
Ashoka comments, " This is bigger than just your baby's death Padme'. I mean we have evidence that the Emperor commissioned a Battle Station to be built. There's specs of this Battle Station and its being built without the consent of the Senate or any of the Grand Moffs! And then there's the connection between Anakin in all of this. He's a former slave with no ties to the Empire before now. Where do we go from here?"
Padme' sighs and eyes the time. She knows they need to figure out their best plan of action. I need to get these audio files to rebellion."
Ashoka leans back and dismisses, " Why help the Rebellion? They are no match for the Empire. They have little chance of surviving another decade."
Padme sighs and mutters, " I know it's a risk, but there may come a time that we might need their help and this battle station is a threat to the innocent people in this galaxy. We need those specs to expose the Emperor's plot to the Senate."
Ashoka mutters, " You do realize that means infiltrating Count Dooku's office at some point right?"
Padme nods and replies, " We'll have to do some recon to be able figure out his security grid."
Ashoka is about to reply when they hear a voice from behind them. " Going up against Dooku is suicide."
Padme's back stiffens upon hearing her best friend's voice from the dining room area. She gulps and turns to meet the furious cold eyes staring back at them.
Kriff- Is Her last thought before wondering what her best friend is going to say to all of this mess.
To Be Continued….