AN: "aaaa" - talking through a holocommunicator or comlink. 'aaaa' - talking through a bond
Chapter Three
The next morning, Padmè woke up and got out of bed. Once she had finished her morning routine and had breakfast, she was back in her bedroom with Dormè by her side. Once she had closed her blinds, as she wanted to ensure that she had complete privacy while she was getting dressed, she turned around and smiled as she saw her handmaiden emerge from the closet with her Loyalist dress. Dormè laid the outfit on the bed and headed back into the room, only to re-emerge a few minutes later with a neckband and hairpiece that would conform her hair in a style that screamed diplomatic etiquette.
Then Dormè helped her get dressed and did her hair while Padmè put on the neckband, which she had received from the Naboo Council when she had accepted the role of becoming the planet's Senator. Once she was ready, both Padmè and Dormè made their way out of the Senator's bedroom.
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Captain Typho had just finished speaking to someone on his commlink. As he was putting the device away, he glanced up and saw both Padmè and Dormè walk into the room. "Senator, I believe we should leave now so you aren't late for your meeting with the Chancellor," he told her.
She nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. Typho nodded, turned around and led both Padmè and Dormè to the elevator. Once it arrived and the doors opened, they entered and let the doors close behind them. Then the elevator descended to the lobby. Once the doors opened, he led them both outside to a waiting speeder. As soon as they had all piled in, the driver pulled away from the curb and headed to the Senate building.
Once they arrived, they got out and headed inside, briskly walking through the lobby and entering one of the lifts that would take them straight up to the Chancellor's office.
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Palpatine held back a sigh as he leaned back in his chair and regarded the members of the Jedi Council who were sitting and standing in front of him. To his right stood Sly Moore, who was his Senior Administrative Aide and Chief of Staff.
Master Yoda, Mace, Qui-Gon, and Ki-Adi Mundi were sitting in the seats that were directly in front of his desk, while Plo Koon, Kit Fisto and Luminara Unduli stood behind them. He also saw that Luminara had brought her Padawan Barriss Offee with her.
If there was one thing that made him happy, it was the fact that none of them, including Yoda, who was the Grandmaster of the Order, could sense that he knew how to use the Dark Side of the Force. He knew that if they were to ascertain that he had been the one who had ordered the blockade of his home planet, and the fact that he was Darth Sidious, then his plans for the galaxy would be ruined.
He checked to see if his shields were in place. Once they were as strong as he could make them, he sat up straight and calmly folded his hands together on his desk. "I don't know how much longer I'll be able to delay this vote, my friends," he said. "An increasing number of star systems are thinking of renouncing the Republic and joining this Separatist movement."
"If those planets do end up leaving-" Mace spoke up, only to be abruptly cut off by the Chancellor.
"This Republic has stood together for a thousand years. I will not allow it to be split into two different governments. I will keep my negotiations going as they haven't failed me yet," Palpatine said, not caring that he had stopped the Jedi Master from finishing his sentence.
Mace, sensing that the Chancellor had finished speaking, nodded as he spoke again. "If they do, then you must realize that we do not have enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"There aren't enough Jedi?" Palpatine asked as he was slightly shocked by the news. "But I thought that your numbers would have been growing ever since the Order voted to renounce its rule regarding attachments and families."
"Chancellor, our numbers are growing," Qui-Gon said in response to Palpatine's statement. "But that growth has been slow. With so many of our fellow Jedi out there in the galaxy resolving disputes and other things, we haven't been able to focus on the needs of the Order."
Palpatine listened to what Qui-Gon had to say and then turned to face Master Yoda. "Master Yoda," he said, watching as the Grandmaster turned in his seat to face him. "Do you believe it will come to war?"
"Hmm," Master Yoda said as he closed his eyes and reached out into the force, hoping to get an answer. Sensing nothing but darkness, he opened his eyes and softly sighed, causing his ears to droop a little. "The Dark Side of the force clouds everything. Impossible to see the future, it is."
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Padmè took a deep breath as the lift that she, Dormè and Captain Typho were in ascended towards the Chancellor's office. She mentally reviewed her notes that she had gone over the day before and then smiled when the lift stopped and the doors opened to admit Jar-Jar, who had arrived the day before with the rest of Padmè's staff. The Gungan smiled as he entered and immediately began to talk to her, Dormè, and Captain Typho.
The lift began to move again and three stops later, the rest of the Loyalist Committee had joined them. Padmè smiled the best that she could and thanked her fellow Senators, some of whom were her friends, for their concern as they expressed their sorrow over what had happened yesterday.
As soon as the lift dinged, signalling their arrival, and the doors opened, Padmè strode out, the rest of the committee fanning out behind her. They stopped at the reception desk and informed the Rodian that they were here for their meeting with the Chancellor before continuing down the hallway towards the doors that led to Palpatine's office. Mas Amedda stood outside, as he was also waiting for the current meeting that the Chancellor was having to come to an end.
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Suddenly, the holotransmitter that was built into the Chancellor's desk came to life. "The Loyalist Committee has arrived, your Excellency," the Rodian said in Huttese.
"Good," Palpatine responded. Then the Rodian said something else in the same language. "Send them in."
The hologram vanished.
Palpatine had just gotten out of his chair as the door that led to his office slid open, allowing Padmè, the rest of the Committee, and Mas Amedda to enter the room. Then he shifted his focus to the remaining members of the Jedi Council who were still in front of him. "We will have to continue this discussion later."
Master Yoda had already gotten out of his seat and was slowly making his way towards the stairs. Mace, who hadn't yet left his seat, placed his hand on his chin and appeared to be in deep thought about everything that had been discussed.
Sly Moore headed down the steps as she knew that she wasn't needed for this meeting between the Chancellor and the Loyalist Committee. Mas Amedda took her place beside Palpatine's desk. Qui-Gon, Plo, Kit, Luminara and Barriss made their way out of the office and stopped to wait for the other members of the Council.
Master Yoda was on his way as well but stopped to speak to Senator Amidala. "Senator Amidala," he said. "Your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. Warms my heart it does, seeing you alive."
Padmè softly smiled and inclined her head towards the Grandmaster. "Thank you, Master Yoda," she said. "It's wonderful to see you once again." Then her smile all but vanished from her face. "Do you have any idea who would go out of their way to have me killed?"
Mace finally got out of his seat and turned to face the Senator. "Our intelligence has led us to believe that a small group of dissatisfied miners on the moons of Naboo are responsible," he said as he made his way over to her left side.
Padmè raised an eyebrow, as she looked at the Jedi Master. "With all due respect Master Jedi, that idea seems a little ill-conceived and unbelievable. I don't think it was any of the miners. I know they're not very happy with some of my more recent policies regarding trade between them and the Naboo, but to go out of their way just to try and kill me, doesn't seem possible. I believe that whoever is after me is not happy that I am opposing this bill that would see the creation of a Grand Army for the Republic. Like Count Dooku, for instance."
"He is a political idealist," Master Mundi gently told her. "Not a murderer."
"Senator, you should know that Count Dooku was once a Jedi," Mace told her, a calm tone in his voice. "He couldn't assassinate anyone as it's not in his nature to do so."
Padmè said nothing as she looked at Master Windu.
"But for certain Senator," Yoda said from where he was still standing, causing both Padmè and Mace to look in his direction, "in grave danger, you are."
"Master Jedi," Padmè, Yoda, Mace and Ki-Adi looked up to see that Palpatine had moved over to the wide window that overlooked Coruscant and was looking out of it. "Might I suggest that Senator Amidala be placed under your protection for the time being?"
"Do you really think that's a wise decision under these stressful times, Chancellor?" Bail asked cautiously from where he was standing.
Padmè took a step forward, not at all happy with what the Chancellor had just suggested. She didn't need any more protection, she wanted answers. "Chancellor, If I may comment, I do not think…" She said, a protesting tone to her voice.
"That this situation is serious?" Palpatine said, interrupting her as he had done with Windu earlier. "No, but I do Senator." He dismissed the seemingly ominous glare that Master Yoda was giving him as he walked towards his desk while continuing to speak. "I do realize that the additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps if it was someone that you are familiar with. Like Master Kenobi and his padawan."
"That does seem like a good idea Chancellor," Mace said. "I happen to know that they have just returned from dealing with a border dispute on Ansion."
"Senator please," Palpatine said as he took a few steps away from his desk. "If you won't do it for yourself, then do it for me. Please. The thought of losing you is unbearable."
Padmè remained silent, bringing her eyes up to meet the elderly man who had once been her mentor when she had first stepped into the world of politics. Then she was forced to break eye contact with Palpatine, turning to look at Mace as she heard him speak.
"I will have Obi-Wan and his padawan report to you immediately Senator," He told her, giving her a small bow when he finished speaking.
Padmè nodded back politely. "Thank you, Master Windu," she said.
Behind them, her fellow Senators walked off to the side as they made their way to the Chancellor's desk.
Palpatine made his way over to his chair as he watched Padmè make her way over to her fellow Committee members, while Mace, Yoda and Ki-Adi Mundi left his office. Then he sat down in his chair and began his meeting with them.
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Master Yoda, Qui-Gon and the rest of the Council got back to the Temple and made their way up to the council chamber. Once they were all seated, Mace summoned both Anakin and Obi-Wan to come see them.
When the Master and Padawan duo arrived, they both bowed to the Council. "You've summoned us, Masters?" Obi-Wan inquired.
"Yes," Mace told them. "We have a new assignment for both of you."
"Yesterday, someone tried to assassinate Senator Padmè Amidala," Qui-Gon spoke up. "She survived, due to her use of a decoy for her trip into the capital. Chancellor Palpatine has requested that she be placed under our protection, so we are assigning the two of you to be her bodyguards until we can figure out who is trying to kill her."
Both Jedi turned to face Qui-Gon and nodded.
"If there is another attempt, are we to investigate?" Anakin asked.
Mace shook his head. "No," he said. "If another attack does occur, then we will reassess the Senator's safety. I'm sure you know why she is here?"
Both Jedi nodded.
"She's here to vote against the creation of a military force for the Republic," Obi-Wan said. "I also know that Senator Amidala has been quite the vocal voice against the legislation."
Mace nodded. "The vote is scheduled to take place within the next few days after both sides have laid out their arguments," he said. "You both are dismissed. Good luck and may the force be with you."
Again, both Jedi bowed to the Council. Then Obi-Wan turned and left the Council chamber with Anakin walking behind him.
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After the meeting with the Chancellor had finished, Padmè and the rest of her retinue bid goodbye to the rest of the Loyalist Committee and went back to her penthouse. The moment that they stepped out of the elevator and walked into the common area, Dormè turned to the Senator. "Milady, are you sure about this?" She asked. "I am grateful that you will be under the Jedi's protection as it alleviates many of my worries, but I fear for how this will affect you."
"What do you mean Dormè?" Padmè asked as she made her way over to one of the couches and sat down, knowing that this was her friend's way of asking if she was alright with her current situation.
"Ever since I came into your service, I've seen that you have never cared all that much for being protected, and while I know you don't want to hear it, you are prone to running headfirst into danger, as well as being reckless when you feel upset," Dormè told her as she walked over and sat down on the couch to Padmè's right. "I don't want you to put yourself at risk over the Chancellor's decision."
Padmè knew that her handmaiden was not wrong with what she was saying. She softly smiled in her direction. "Dormè, it's alright," she responded. "I may not like it, but things could be worse. I could have been assigned a different pair of Jedi instead of Anakin and Obi-Wan. It's been ten years since I've seen them and it will be good to catch up while they are serving as my bodyguards."
Dormè, Captain Typho, and Jar-Jar all smiled.
"I'm glad to see that you now have a positive outlook on this Senator," Captain Typho said.
"What time do you think the Jedi will arrive Captain?" Dormè asked, glancing over at Typho, who was standing by the balcony door, which was currently closed.
Typho glanced down at his datapad as it pinged, indicating that he had received a message. "They won't be arriving until after lunch," he responded.
"Good. That gives me enough time to make a quick lunch for us then," Dormè said as she stood up.
Padmè shot her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Dormè," she said.
"You're welcome, milady," Dormè replied as she returned it with a gentle one of her own, then headed off to the kitchen to prepare the food.
Once it was ready, Dormè called everyone into the kitchen, where they sat around the island and began to eat.
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Once they were outside the chamber and walking towards the turbolift, Anakin fell into step beside his Master and older brother. "Are we going to head straight over?" He asked.
"Realistically, we should, but we haven't eaten yet. Let's go have lunch and then we'll head over," Obi-Wan told him as he reached out and pressed the button that summoned the lift. "Does that sound good?"
"Yeah," Anakin responded.
Obi-Wan smiled and clapped his younger brother on the back as the lift arrived. After entering, they took it down to the floor that was designated for families. Once the door opened, they got off and headed to their apartment for lunch.
Anakin finished first and decided to call his mother as he wanted to talk to her before they left for the Senator's penthouse as he didn't know when he would get another chance. Obi-Wan gave him permission to do just that as he was still finishing his own food.
By the time Obi-Wan had eaten and done the dishes, Anakin had finished his talk with his mother. Once they were ready to go, both Anakin and Obi-Wan left their apartment, heading to the hanger bay. There they grabbed a yellow speeder and flew over to the highrise where Senator Amidala lived.
AN: Up next! Anakin is reunited with Padmè! How do you think it will go? Here's a small hint: (It's not as bad as it was in the movie) Please don't forget to leave a review!