Star Wars 2.0
Episode 6: Vengeance of the Sith
Chapter 4
Sessions of the Senate had grown more and more chaotic as the war raged on. Though military matters were being handled primarily through Chancellor Palpatine, his armies and navies, and the Jedi; rulers of systems and governors of regions still had autonomy over their borders, and votes on galactic matters. Most of all, they wanted safety from attacks by the Separatists, and everyone demanded more troops to protect them.
This made Padme's current efforts all the more difficult. She wanted to reduce the number of clones being produced, not increase them. Her concerns were the same as the Jedi; too much militarism creates a police state; one that destroys liberty rather than protects it. Plus, the entire system was terribly unethical.
She rode her platform to the center of the Senate chamber where she gave a passionate speech on the wrongness of birthing millions of people whose only purpose in life was to fight a war they did not begin, that they did not have any choice over, and from which they would not benefit. "When this war is over, what do you hope to do with them?" she asked. "They are people, as worthy of citizenship as you and I. More even, as they have been the ones suffering for our liberty! And we will owe them our gratitude. But what shall they do when there is no more enemy to fight? How do we treat the perpetually wounded? The permanently scarred? WE must provide for them. WE must make a place for them in society. And WE must answer to them as to why we gave them life only to fight for OUR freedoms."
Padme allowed her voice to echo through the chamber for dramatic effect, and to let it soak in to all those listening before she continued. "But most tragically, we can never give them all they deserve, for they were programmed and trained for one thing only… war. We have not given them the tools to adjust to normal society. But adjust they will have to; for one day this war will end. One day they will each grow old. And when that day comes, we will all owe them everything they need."
Another pause. Then she ended by saying, "And I say this to you now. If we cannot afford to give them that, then we cannot afford this war. Send a message loud and clear that says this war must be brought to an end. Make peace with the Separatists. End this destructive conflict. And restore order to the galaxy."
Her words had not brought forth the cheers that she had hoped to inspire; but there were a handful of utterances of agreement. By the time she returned her platform to its location, she was convinced that no one would join her, and nothing would change.
Her fears were confirmed by the next speaker, and the next, and every other speaker the entire rest of the day. Sovereigns were too afraid of being conquered by the Separatists. And they were afraid of any other enemy that may come along after them. So they hoped to keep the clones right where they were after the Separatists were defeated; and they seemed to intend to keep pumping more of them out.
The last speaker of the day even seemed to mock Queen Amidala's concern for clones as people. He spoke about them the same way the Separatists referred to their robots. They were manufactured for one purpose, to protect the people. Or, more specifically, the sovereigns.
Back at her office, Padme was ready for some alone time. Other senators seemed determined to let their liberties die in favor of what seemed like safety in the moment. She considered whether she was in the wrong. After all, the Separatists were dangerous. Contrary to their self-proclaimed title, the Separatists were not just about separating and being free of the Republic. They wanted to force others to join them, and to live under their dictatorship. But, she kept reminding herself, what good is it to defend one's self from one thing just to become that same thing?
Her solace was interrupted by a ring at the door. She bid them come in, and Chancellor Palpatine entered. He was the person she least wanted to see, but she plastered a smile onto her face in any case and greeted him. He wore a plastic smile as well and pretended to be impressed by her speech.
"So you're making plans to de-escalate the situation," she said.
"My dear girl, the war is far from over," he answered in as patronizing a voice as the words implied.
"The war will always be far from over if neither side takes steps to end it," she said.
"We… are taking steps to end it," he said, stepping closer and quieting his voice. "I cannot say publically, but the pieces are in motion to destroy their capabilities to make war."
"How is this possible when it wasn't before?" Padme asked.
"They used up their forces on their attack on Coruscant. They will rebuild quickly, but right now they are at their weakest. If we strike fast and hard enough, they will have no choice but to sue for peace. If we give up now; if we drop our funding and don't back the cloning program, the Separatists will rebuild and come at us again; and this war will truly be unending."
The passion in his voice was driving Padme backwards, but it was also convincing her of the wisdom of his plan. He followed her, the intensity on his face growing with every word. By the time they came close to the opposite wall, he had convinced her. "Very well," she said. "I will withdraw my proposal."
Chancellor Palpatine now relaxed and a sly smile grew across his lips. "When our planet was threatened, I would have done anything to protect it."
"Me as well," Padme said.
"I'm sure that is how most sovereigns feel," Palpatine said. "You are returning home today, are you not?"
"I'm leaving later today," she said. Then she added, "So when these battles are complete, I assume you will be discontinuing the cloning program," she said.
The smile disappeared from Palpatine's face, then half regrew again as he faced her. "Of course, milady." He lightly bowed, then began to leave again, but stalled just long enough to say, "Oh, and by the way. Anakin Skywalker is to be one of our noblest heroes."
"Oh?" Padme said, trying to appear uninterested.
Palpatine turned to her and said, "He will be attacking one of the most important bases of the Separatists. I mention this because you seem to be very close to him." Padme said nothing, and Palpatine lowered his face with a knowing grin as he said, "You should be very proud." He then turned and exited the room.
Anakin had just finished speaking with Owen on his room comm. He was originally going to take Padme back to Naboo himself and perhaps spend some time with her there under the guise of protecting the senator in uncertain times. But the upcoming mission had complicated things, and now he needed to prepare to leave and he wanted to make sure Padme would get home safely.
Just then he heard his door unlock and Padme entered. She marched straight to him, fire and fury in her eyes. For a moment he was confused, but then he realized why she was angry. She had heard.
"A secret mish…" she started.
Anakin interrupted, "I was about to tell you."
"It sounds dangerous."
"It is dangerous. That's what the Jedi do."
"This sounds more dangerous."
"It could bring an end to the war."
Padme pursed her lips. She had no comeback, but she did not want him to go. Her forehead wrinkled with worry.
Anakin smiled both in comfort and in joy that she loved him so much to be this concerned. He started to speak as he approached her.
"I'm pregnant," Padme blurted.
Anakin froze. "You're…" he started.
Padme nodded and said, "Twins."
All was silent for a moment save for the distant humming of traffic outside. Finally Anakin pulled himself together enough to say with a smile, "We'll have a family."
"But… your Order," Padme said, stepping back.
"I will quit the Jedi after I return from this mission. The war will be over and they and I will have no need of one another anymore."
"The war," she said with disgust and frustration. "I don't trust the Jedi. Or Palpatine. Oh, Anakin, I have this feeling that something terrible is going to happen."
"Then trust me," Anakin said, putting his arms around Padme. "Trust that I will return to you. And we will raise our family. Together. Away from all this like Owen and Baroo."
Padme grasped his arm tightly. She wanted what he was saying to be true, but she could not trust it. She feared what was to come.
Long lines of clone troopers formed toward the bulky transports they would be boarding. Smaller lines slipped into thinner vessels that sat closer to the two crafts of the Jedi. What had been a mass of white armor was now streaked with colorful stripes on the helmets which denoted units, and graffiti which denoted individualism.
Though the clones had begun their lives identical to one another, unique experiences had separated their personalities, which they expressed through artwork on their clothing and in the form of tattoos. Some had even gone so far as to give themselves names rather than numerical designations.
Anakin was making Obi-wan laugh about something despite himself. Few people could bring out a chuckle from Obi-wan, let alone all-out laughter; but Anakin knew just how to press his buttons. They sobered when they realized how close they were to their ships; private fighter-craft they would each be flying to separate destinations with their own armies.
Both men stopped and stared a moment. They had flown many dangerous missions; some more risky than this. But it was different now; they would each be on his own; something the Jedi did not normally do. Obi-wan was about to give some advice, but Anakin beat him to the punch, "Looks like you've got Cody with you. If you get in any trouble, turn to him."
Obi-wan looked around confused. "Who is Cody?"
Anakin pointed at one of the clones, who saluted in response. "You know clones' names?" Obi-wan said.
"Some of them. I've got Fives and Echo coming with me, so we'll likely be wrapping up early so we can head over to save you just in time."
Obi-wan half smiled again, but there was worry on his face. "Don't let your confidence be your undoing," he said.
"Don't let your worrying be yours," Anakin responded.
Obi-wan nodded, then held out his hand. He usually just gave a slight bow, but not today. Anakin took the opportunity and shook that hand. As soon as he did, Obi-wan sensed something; something he did not fully understand. The smile disappeared from his face.
Anakin did not notice the change in Obi-wan's demeanor, and he headed for his ship. Obi-wan went to his as well and crawled inside. As he took one last look at his friend across from him, Anakin began to say something, but then he stopped.
"What is it?" Obi-wan asked.
The shuttles were revving up their engines, and it was getting loud. Anakin shouted just before his voice could no longer be heard, "I'll tell you when we get back!"
Obi-wan nodded, and the two Jedi closed their cockpits, and readied for take-off.
To be continued…
