A/N: I wanted to show the string of events that happen before the Rise of the Empire rather than just a summarization and I hope I did it justice. The next chapter will skip to our main character about a year after. Wonder where the galaxy will be in this crazy mix⌠đ
And yes, I do care for Padme` this in no way is meant to insult her. She is actually a favorite character of mine, and this send-off was meant to remain honorable.
X Enjoy and don't forget to send your love will just help re-affirm that this story isn't being left in the dust or is just awful.
22 BBY
Vote for Military Creation Act of a Republic Army-Coruscant
Amidala was no stranger to the powerful enemies thus created over the last two terms as a serving monarch. Within the same year she'd succeeded in the bi-annual election of The Royal House of Naboo's Sanandressa for Queen, the Trade Federation blockade would occur. Thus, would commence her first and true exercise of diplomacy on the Core world as Naboo's fresh Queen.
And only at fourteen years old.
The invasion would be orchestrated by Viceroy, Nute Gunray, a Nemoidian who served on the Trade Federation Executive Board and harbored an anti-Republic stance. After new taxations on former free-trade zones had been proposed at the Galactic Senate, the viceroy retaliated by holding Naboo as penance. Blockading communication and starving out her people, they'd tried to force Amidala to sign a treaty that would force the homeworld under the control of the Trade Federation. Through the eyes of a ripe fourteen-year-old, she'd dealt with war, real war. Remembering the senatorial arena in which she'd once pled for her people's lives, as Queen after calling for a vote of No Confidence to Chancellor Valorum's Leadership and Palpatine to take his place. After desperately seeking aid for her cause she'd allied with the Gungans.
Thus, led to the Great Battle of Naboo.
This would not go unrecognized. After the great victory over the Trade Federation, a solid alliance was forged between Nabooians and the Gungans. This was commemorated by the Globe of Peace she'd presented to Boss Rugor Nass; a symbolic relic during the victorious celebration. However, such a feat would only bring momentary relief from the attempts on her life in the days, months, and years ahead. It was only at the behest of Naboo's newest Queen Jamillia and all 36 of Naboo's regional star systems, had Amidala taken another role to represent the Chommell Sector. Her utter devotion and passion garnered from her efforts left her accepting the new position.
As Senator Padmè Amidala.
This left no room for retirement as Padmè Naberrie had reasoned in the months leading up to the end of her reign. Much to her parents Ruwee and Jobals apprehension, it brought her into the very cogs of the Republic itself and the Separatist Crisis. Which would unravel many and in particular, The Senate.
With each day it seemed the numbers of the Confederacy of Independent systems increased as more seceded from the Galactic Republic. It was causing a stir in such conflicts and swiftly overwhelming The Guardians of Peace: the Jedi.
It was no secret Padmè Amidala was a pacifist. Much like her father, she preferred seeking a common denominator, a peaceful and diplomatic negotiation as a senator. Especially as an honorary board member of the Loyalist Committee to gain favor for the Republic.
It had been created by Sheev Palpatine himself-who she'd helped elect as Chancellor during the Naboo Crisis. She, along with members such as Bail Organa of Alderaan and Mon Momtha of Chandrila, discussed bringing about peaceful settlements rather than a war. In her eyes, The Military Creation Act proposed a few months previous and now served to be voted upon, would only weaken the bonds of the Republic. Particularly The Galactic Senate.
This she'd made sure to emphasize to the Chancellor, himself. Exercising such a breach of power could easily be misconstrued as an overreach and invoke a totalitarian triad. Tactlessly ending the fair liberties of democracy for which she'd just as well, die upon. Further widening the chasm between sentient beings, racking up large expenses, as well as the public's trust in the Galactic Republic.
Which already grew brittle.
What limitless power and greed could be wrought even on to a politician. Politics itself was a nasty business and rife with corruption. Even once as Queen she'd been witness to it. Her homeworld had tried to amend the Constitution just to continue her reign. Touched as she was and proud of the flourishing economy she brought under her rule, she'd declined. If one wasn't schooled in such reform, it could easily bend the most just of minds to venality. After accepting her role as senator, she'd still thrown herself into such a world rank with briberies, brazen greed, and backroom deals.
Striving always to remain true to her morals.
She sighed; the stress apparent as she focused on the various ships that crested the ambiguous skies and much reflected what beavered her mind. Amongst the sea of spires below rose a domed structure that spoke of uniformed multiplicity with which she was more than familiar, the Senatorial Apartment Buildings. Adjacent was a triangular landing platform.
A large J-type custom-built, diplomatic barge circled.
It bore the royal emblem of the Naboo crest and refracted off the chrome surface. The perimeter in which they circled was scanned one final time as the last check before the sleek ship finally made its descent. The engines calmed to a soft hum as they settled in a graceful arc on four prongs.
Two starfighters followed on either side of the large opulent ship, signifying its second surveillance made for a security clearance. Two last starfighters settled behind the elongated wings, seemingly satisfied with the inspection of potential enemies in their midst.
With a small sigh of relief, Amidala exited the cockpit-unbeknownst to the crew-coming to stand alongside Captain Typho, the two bearing the crest for their home planet on their fighter pilot uniforms. Captain Typho was the appointed chief security officer following in the footsteps of his Uncle and Captain of the Royal Naboo Security Forces, Quarsh Panaka. Who had served his duties well in Queen Amidala's years for a time.
Hs nephew Typho revered and strived for the same importance, a black, leather patch draped across his left eye. He deemed such an honorary badge from his tribute in the Battle of Naboo. Beads of sweat glimmered off cropped, black hair. With his flight helmet tucked against one side, his dark eyes swept across the vast expanse of Coruscant and its glittering artificial lights. With a small nod, his stance softened.
Assured of their safety he claimed as such.
Amidala, well versed from her experiences of the near assassination attempts-narrowly avoided-kept a keen eye. The galaxy was in quite the upheaval. She was no fool to believe otherwise.
The hydraulic lifts from the Naboo cruiser elicited a hiss as the ramp unfolded. As protocol demanded, two Royal Naboo Guards appeared in synchronized order. Their young faces were taut with tension, expressions grim but eyes sharp and well trained under strategized drills. Naboo blasters were armed in their weighted, gloved grip as they felt the gravity of the situation at hand.
As finely tuned soldiers they'd been strictly trained upon one focus. The plan was to get to transport quickly, but that wasn't what had Amidala tensed, lips thinly lined with apprehension. Rather, it was the woman who emerged from the ship's main holding just then. Everyone believed it to be the formal monarch and appointed senator, Amidala. In actuality, it was her handmaiden and close decoy, Cordyn. Cordè; a dear friend of Padmè Nabarrie's.
Like Sabè, Rabè, Eirtaè, Yanè, and Satchè, each had taken a sworn oath to guard the renowned Queen. And with their lives. As Padmè had already experienced, it was easier said than done. They'd performed their duties well more as sisters than friends. Even those who had stepped down after her two terms in office, remained ever loyal to her. Vetting those who volunteered next as political aids for Amidala's next role in duty-thus cameCordè, Versè, Teckla and Dormè.
"Cordè.'" she whispered, quietly in reverence. Though a clever ruse, her use of decoys even as senator, it never was easy putting her friends in the line of fire. Especially under the endurance they'd experienced under Naboo's blockade. In the end, it showcased each other's commitment even under such harsh conditions at the camps they'd been placed in. Thickening their skins like experienced soldiers.
A small, cautious smile spread across Padmè's lips; her head still shelled inside a fighter pilot helmet. Cordè flanked by the onslaught of guards made her descent. Boring the regal stature befitting. Head held high, she was dressed in a hand-stitched black and white senatorial gown. Crowned with a headdress and foreknot that spoke of her Naboo heritage.
Only Padmè would've been able to detect the slight falter in her shoulders. Which spoke of her frailty in nature. Because Cordè had lacked in combat and eye coordination she'd been reluctant to undertake such a role for Padmè. Bearing a close resemblance under such uncertain times however, Cordè had obliged. Convinced by Satchè who'd once faced brutality at the hands of the Trade Federation and bore the scars of such. Since, Cordè worked diligently on their exercised practices to perfect Amidala's exhibition only Padmè herself carried.
A sign of budding courage had begun to emerge in the last weeks of her training. Cordè's intelligence was invaluable and her stealth to blend into the shadows when meetings at the senate, commenced. Sabè her usual decoy and friend would be impressed to hear of Cordè's performance. After she returned from the discrete mission Padmè had sent her on.
Trailing just behind the fray appeared her handmaiden Versè whom looked on with a hint of pride-
When suddenly a large explosion rippled through the ship.
The force of the impact sent Padmè rocketing into the air in a wide arc before slamming into the ground in mere seconds. Her shoulder cracked against ferroconcrete as white-hot pain lanced through the torn shoulder blade, obscuring her vision as the bone popped from its socket.
"Ahh!" An agonized cry broke through her split lips. An incessant ringing pricked her skull muddling the world before her to shadows, causing her head to sway and roll. She blinked rapidly, trying but failing to see straight as a thick, metallic substance built in the back of her throat. It caused her to nearly choke as she coughed it up, gelatinous liquid staining the asphalt.
With trembling hands, Padmè finally found the clasp to her helmet with the visor completely shattered as she flung it off. Brunette curls spilled free in their knitted tresses, showcasing her identity. Though hardly did it matter now as she struggled to sit up.
Every movement felt weighted, her vision gradually clearing. Greeted by blackened plumes of smoke billowing off the molted wreckage less than a yard from her. Fumes uncoiled into the air showered with sparks off severed wires. Chunks of debris from the ship littered the grounds and scourged the surface. The smell of fuel was pungent and stung her nose along with the acrid stench of... burning flesh.
Padmè raised a gloved hand, noticing crimson staining the scuffed leather. She placed one palm against the grounds, crying out as shavings of hard metal cut into the skin and the pressure in her dislocated shoulder exacerbated. Her lip stung as her teeth embedded the raw flesh and she fought to stand, stumbling forward as ribbons of flayed skin pulled from beneath shredded clothes. Unsteady feet sheathed in boots stumbled around several blackened and charred Naboo Royal guards. Nausea curdled in her stomach at the sight of several, decapitated limbs. She had to forcibly swallow it down, averting her gaze as klaxons blared in the background, one hand braced on her throbbing shoulder.
"C-C-Cordè!" Padme' coughed, nearly seizing from the vibration of pain. It caused her eyes to water. An audible pop resounded from the ship and nearly had her ducking for cover from the extreme heat. Yet, she refused to back down. Even as she tripped and grazed her raw knees, Padmè had to get to her friend, refusing to abandon her to fate.
"Ah...C-Cordè!"
"M-my lady?" Through the incessant ringing, Padmè managed to decipher her voice amongst the noise like a beacon in a sea of chaos. Slowly her head turned and there, she spotted her. With one charred leg inches from twisted debris, laid Cordyn.
"Cordè!"
Padmè swallowed another mouthful of blood. Shoving back the notion of her injuries being far worse than realized, she limped toward her. Although it was very probable she had significant internal bleeding, in her stubbornness, she refused to succumb. Falling to her skinned knees beside her friend, the pain was short-lived. As she took notice of the scorched fabric and soot across Cordè's comely features the shock took hold. The air around her suddenly felt suffocating as the reality surfaced. With a painful swallow, Padmè recognized the immediate signs. Death's signature was already upon her friend and rapidly approaching.
"My, my lady." She could barely talk above a whisper. Her dark, brown eyes that much reflected Padmè's began to glass over then, almost unseeing.
"I'm here, Cordè," Padmè replied brokenly. With trembling hands, she discarded her gloves and used what strength she had in one arm, bringing her friend's head into her lap. Her own pain be damned. As Cordè struggled for just a pocket of breath, Padmè felt her heart shatter.
A river of blood trickled down her painted lips as Cordè gasped out, "Milady, I-I'm s-s-so s-sorry."
"No, no, shh." Padmè shook her head one fair hand cupped against Cordè's rich olive skin now taking on a deathly pallor. Such a drastic change caused the tears to well behind her eyes while Cordè quivered, her own filled with insurmountable pain. Yet even as she suffered, her passion for her duty hadn't faltered.
Padmè could only shake her head with a hoarse, "No..." Precariously smoothing back the singed strands of her hair reassuringly.
Cordè looked on, "I failed you, Senator." Just as she released a single breath- her body went completely slack in her arms.
"No, no..." Padmè shook her head mournfully. The salty tears of her grief fell and stung her singed cheeks. Not so long ago they'd all simply been girls frolicking in the lakes of Naboo with the other handmaidens. Swimming in the lagoons of Varykino. Lying in the soft sands along the beach. Grazing in the countryside with the Shaaks. Eating shurri fruits from the canopy of trees. Excitedly they'd chittered like a bunch of porgs about their lives beyond duty.
Such times from when they'd been able to enjoy the fruits of their youth now seemed so long ago. Left spoiled and rotted to the ever-evolving reality in her position.
In politics.
Trapped by obligation in a system where death was so much more, prevalent. Many lives had been seized and accosted. How many more would there be? How many more families would she have to shell out condolences to? At what cost could democracy resume? Once she'd been asked by a young slave boy on Tatooine if she were an angel from the moons of Iego. Padme had never felt more like a fallen one at that. She yearned to squeeze the jappor snippet she often drew comfort from as a reminder of her strength. Of good fortune. Having never forgotten the boy who would grow to be a jedi.
Ani...
Unfortunately, it was stored away at her apartment at 500 Republica. Yet even to this day, her caring for him remained just as she'd promised. If ever there was a time she needed his gift if just to remind her it was now. Because she was breaking. "I... I shouldn't have come... so many lives already lost..."
Padmè vowed once she saw Anakin again she would thank him once more.
"M-My lady!" Through the hot tears mixed with her physical pain, Padmè had to squint to see the blurred figure of the Captain.
Typho was dragging one leg through the thick fumes, a deep lesion leaving a trail of blood from one gouged leg. His face was littered with abrasions that scissored down his face.
"Captain!" Padmè cried again hoarsely, barely able to find her voice as she added, "f-find Versè, p-please, we need to make sure she's okay!"
Captain Typhos one, sharp eye hid his pain well, his tone severe. "My lady you are still in danger, we need to seek transport-"
But his voice, filled with such urgency-was suddenly severed as another explosion transpired and violently shook the ferroconcrete upon which she sat. Before he could even blink, Padmè would be the very last to see the mere whites of Captain Typho's eye-before her world abruptly eclipsed in a searing, white-hot flash...
BREAKING REPUBLIC HOLONET NEWS
DATELINE CORUSCANT
THIS IS THE RULE DEVANBAY
A LARGE EXPLOSION WAS SEEN ACROSS THE UPPER LEVELS OF CORUSCANT JUST HOURS AGO AND CAUSED SEVERAL FATAL CASUALTIES. FORMER QUEEN OF NABOO AND APPOINTED SENATOR PADME AMIDALA HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN CONFIRMED AMONGST THE DEATHS ACCOUNTED. THIS LEADS OFFICIALS TO BELIEVE THIS WAS AN ASSASSINATION.
SUSPICIONS HAVE BEEN LEAKED OF THIS BEING A POSSIBLE SEPARATIST ATTACK. INITIAL REPORTS CONCLUDE THE ATTACK TOOK PLACE AT THE LANDING PORT ADJACENT TO THE SENATORIAL APARTMENT BUILDINGS.
AMIDALA HAD REPORTEDLY BEEN EN ROUTE TO THE GALACTIC SENATE TO REPRESENT THE CHOMMELL SECTOR IN A VOTE AGAINST THE MILITARY CREATION ACT WITH APPOINTED CHANCELLOR PALPATINE LATER THIS EVENING.
INVESTIGATIONS ARE UNDERWAY BY THE HIGH JEDI COUNCIL. NO FURTHER DETAILS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AT THIS TIME.
THE GALACTIC SENATE WILL BE EXTENDING SESSION HOURS IN LEW OF SECURITY OVERSIGHT. FUTURE EVENTS SPARKED DEBATES ABOUT NEW SECURITY MEASURES AT THE PEAK OF THE SEPARATIST CRISIS, TO BE HEADED BY SENATOR ORGANA OF ALDERAAN. NOW MORE THAN EVER, THE REPUBLIC FACES RISING TENSIONS WITH THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS, SINCE THE TRADE FEDERATIONS BLOCKADE...
JUST COMING IN NOW, VOTES ON THE MILITARY CREATION ACT WILL RECONVENE NEXT EVENING DUE TO THE UNFOLDING EVENTS.
NABOO WILL HOLD A PUBLIC SERVICE IN REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR FORMER MONARCH OVERSEEN BY QUEEN JAMILLIA OF THEED. CURRENTLY, THE LIGHTS OF THEED HAVE BEEN DARKENED AS A SIGN OF RESPECT FOR THE FORMER NUBIAN QUEEN. AND HAVE ASKED ALL FOR SILENCE.
CHANCELLOR OF THE GALACTIC SENATE, PALPATINE WILL SPEAK TO ADDRESS THIS TRAGIC SITUATION SHORTLY.
THIS HAS BEEN A HOLONET NEWS BREAKING REPORT
I'M YOUR HOST RULE DEVANBAY...
The mourning of Padme Amidala commences...
Rule Devanbay was one of the hosts of the Republic Holonet News. And was thus used in the animated series of The Clone Wars. Which by the way is awesome agreed?