Chapter 2 – Senate Chaos
Author's Note: In which Anakin is a Senator. :)
~ Amina Gila
It's been six years since Anakin last saw Padme. (And since Qui-Gon died, but that's not something he talks about.) He's seventeen now, and the newly appointed Senator of Tatooine. He's young, yes, but it's not like anyone knows what they're walking into. If he'd known, he never would have agreed to this.
This is a nightmare.
The Senate is one of the most chaotic places he's been to in a long time, and that's saying something. He's only half following most everything people are talking about, and the times he does, he has no idea why everyone else is being so stupid.
"Ani?" Padme exclaims, surprised.
"Padme," he replies, awkwardly. He hasn't seen her in years, even if he has heard plenty about her, and he doesn't know how much she's changed.
"My goodness, you've grown."
"So have you," he replies automatically, flushing when he realizes it's not really true. She's different though. She's older, more mature in some ways.
Padme laughs. He missed hearing it. "How did you get from being a little boy to a Senator?"
"My i- my father made himself the leader of Tatooine, and I became the prince, and when we were established enough, I was the best choice. Better me than Mom." He almost laughs at the image off his mother being in this place. Oh, she'd be so much better than him, but for as comical as it would be to see her yelling at the Senate or trying to make treaties with people, she's safe on Tatooine with Obi-Wan. Anakin knows the intricacies of politics on his planet, of course. He's one of the few who rebuilt it, after all, and it's much safer him to be the one here on Coruscant, representing them. He has Force-training, and it's enough to protect him from any enemies he could have here.
"I agree," Padme says, looking amused, "And I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Honestly, I don't see how you get anything done here," Anakin deadpans.
"It takes time, when you're one of the newer members," Padme admits. "People are far more willing to pay attention to what well-established Senators have to say. I imagine it's harder since Tatooine is still establishing itself."
"Was it this... complicated for you?" Anakin asks.
"Well, initially the Senate didn't look fondly on the fact that I'd called for a Vote of No Confidence in the last Chancellor, and then Palpatine had become the Chancellor, so it was... difficult," she admits.
Anakin winces. "I can see why that would cause such a commotion." It would have likely looked like a setup, after all.
"It's gets easier, though," she promises, "You have to find the right allies. And Naboo and Tatooine have already worked together plenty in the past, so..."
"Yes, we have," Anakin agrees. And he knows that at least he'll be able to work with Padme to try and get things done, but that's only one person.
"So, what's Tatooine like now?" Padme queries, "I'm sure it's changed a lot since I was there."
"It's a little more civilized," he answers. "The slavers who survived had to accept it or move out if they weren't already killed. Many of them were. We're weeding out criminals, but it's still a good place for anyone to disappear."
"On a planet with that much corruption, I'm sure it's going to take a lot of time," Padme says, "You've made a lot of progress already."
"Yes, we have," Anakin agrees. He can't imagine how things would have turned out if he had decided to leave with Qui-Gon that day and go on to become a Jedi. Would he have gotten to know Obi-Wan this well? Would anyone have come to free Tatooine? The Jedi certainly haven't been any help to them. It's a battle they had to fight all on their own, and he hasn't forgotten. The only one who was there for help when they needed it was Naboo. He imagines that things are going to stay that way, even here in the Senate. But at least having Padme and a few other Outer Rim worlds they've been dealing with over the years as allies is a good start.
**w**
The Separatist movement is diving the galaxy, and Obi-Wan knew it would be a matter of time before it had an effect on Tatooine as well. That doesn't mean he expected it when Dooku himself decides that he wants to meet with him. In truth, he agrees with the Separatist ideals. He knows – as does Anakin – that the Republic is full of corruption. Likely, there is no way to weed it out, but it's not his concern, so long as his planet and family are safe.
The first thing Obi-Wan notices the moment the Count steps into the room is how he feels in the Force. Obviously, he knows Dooku used to be a Jedi, but for some reason he feels... dark. In much the same way that Obi-Wan himself does, even if Dooku is shielding himself well. One thing Obi-Wan realized about embracing the Dark Side is that it makes him far more attuned with the Force in a way he never has been before, in a way he never knew was possible.
If Dooku notices that Obi-Wan is a Dark Sider, he doesn't comment, instead trying to focus the topic of the conversation on how it would be in Tatooine's best interests to join the Separatists.
Obi-Wan might actually agree with him, if not for one not-so-slight problem.
"Are you a Sith?" he asks bluntly, because if he is, there's absolutely no way Obi-Wan is making deals with him of any kind. First of all, he knows he'll be betrayed in the end anyway because that's the way of the Sith, and secondly, he won't have anything to do with the line of Sith that's responsible for his master's death.
"I am," the Count answers, after a moment.
Obi-Wan's eyes narrow, his anger flaring. "I will not make deals with Sith, Count."
"You yourself are a Dark Sider," he replies, calmly.
Yes, and that doesn't mean he has to want to have anything to do with the line of Sith responsible for Qui-Gon's death. "I'm not the kind of Sith you are," he retorts, "I want you off my planet, immediately."
"It would be inadvisable for you to destroy an opportunity like this," Dooku warns, ominously, "The Republic will abandon your planet in time, as they do to all others."
Maybe they will, but he knows the Separatists won't be any different if they're being led by the Sith. The people who are part of the movement are definitely doing it for the best – and Obi-Wan does still support them, honestly – but they have no idea what they're actually getting themselves into. "You heard my decision, Count."
"You're making a mistake you're going to regret," Dooku warns, before he turns, leaving the palace without another word.
Well, that went well, all things considered.
**w**
"I don't see how the Senate can believe forming a military like this is going to solve the problem," Padme rants, for hardly the first time that evening.
"The Outer Rim Alliance will all vote against it," Anakin points out. It's beyond frustrating for him too. The Senate always seems to think that reacting with violence is the only answer to everything the moment that the Republic as a whole is being questioned, but when individual planets need their help – and could use some military aid – suddenly no one wants to do anything.
"Hopefully that will be enough," Padme sighs.
"At least it guarantees a certain number of votes against it," Anakin declares. The Outer Rim Alliance is the group of planets in Tatooine's general area which are all closely allied with Tatooine. They have an alliance of sorts in the Republic itself, and for the most part, they all have common interests. "We just need to focus on getting more to our side."
"I have a few ideas on that," she replies.
Sabe clears her throat from behind Padme, where she's working on braiding her hair. "Did you two forget something?"
Anakin blinks. "What?"
"It's literally your wedding night," she says flatly, "Like one hour away, and all you're talking about is politics."
"Hey, this is crucial to the fate of the galaxy," Padme protests.
"All of your work is," Sabe replies, "But you've been discussing it for hours already. Maybe now would be time for at least a little break? Maybe think about your plans for the future?"
"Our plans for the future most urgently involve defeating the Military Creation Act," Anakin insists, although privately, he has to admit he does see Sabe's point. Still, there's too much on his mind right now to try properly relaxing. At least when there's such pressing matters to deal with. If Anakin had known it was going to be such a problem in the Senate right now, they've might've considered postponing the wedding a little longer, but... It's been planned for so long now, it was too late to change the date.
Sabe sighs dramatically. "You know what I mean."
"I'll let you two finish preparing," Anakin decides finally, "I'll be waiting with the others."
He slips out of the room, leaving the girls alone for now. He long since finished his own preparations but Padme...
Well, she does tend to take quite a long time. And he had some urgent Senate matters they needed to discuss, so he figured why not stop by in the middle to talk about it.
They're at the Lake House resort now, along with the other guests who have been invited.
He steps out onto the balcony of the house, staring out at the shimmering lake below, drawing in a deep breath of the fresh air. For a moment, he tries to let the pressing matters from the Senate fade from his mind and actually think about what's about to happen.
He's become steadily closer and closer with Padme over the years as they worked in the Senate together, and now they're... going to become so much more.
Excitement floods him again as he thinks about what's about to happen. It will be... complicated for them to have a marriage when they live on and work for two totally different planets, but they can make it work. They've both awaited this day for so long. He might still be young, but... for Tatooine, it's not really that young.
"Are you ready?"
Anakin looks up at the sound of Obi-Wan's voice. He's standing in the doorway watching him, a fond smile on his face.
"Suddenly, I'm nervous," he admits. Even he's hardly sure why, except that this is... one of the most significant events in his life.
"You've handled a Senate full of imbeciles, trained as a Sith, evaded angry krayt dragons, and fought off Tuskens for years. And you know her very well. You really don't need to be."
Anakin chuckles in spite of everything. "I know, Ipa." It's the slave language – called Amatakka – word for father, one of the titles which he's bestowed on the man who trained and helped raise him.
Behind Obi-Wan, Shmi steps into view, smiling brightly. "It's almost time, Anakin."
He looks between both of them, his... parents, for a long moment, before nodding. He doesn't get to spend as much time with them as he wants to, as he used to, ever since he became a Senator, but he'll always be glad for the time he does get with them.
He can't imagine it: a world where he was raised as Jedi without being able to have this.
It isn't long before Anakin finds himself standing across from Padme with sun sinking down to the horizon, as the Nubian holy man stands close by, his hands raised as he recites the marriage texts.
When the man finishes speaking, the ceremony is officially over. Anakin reaches forwards taking Padme's hand in his.
It's over.
They're officially married. He can't believe it. He can feel her happiness in the Force, only serving to magnify his own.
They won't have long here, because the next morning, they'll have to leave for Coruscant again to deal with this Senate bill, and his parents will be returning to Tatooine, but at least for now, he can enjoy the time they'll have together.
**w**
"I don't need more protection," Padme declares adamantly as she sits facing the Jedi... bodyguards. "I want to find out who's trying to kill us."
They had expected something was going to happen on the way back to Coruscant after their marriage, but Anakin hadn't expected a sniper to try taking them out. He had reacted in time to get himself and Padme to safety, but by the time they could reorient themselves, the shooter was already gone.
And that is how the duo end up under Jedi protection, a thing neither are happy about. Anakin understands it though; the Jedi don't know that Anakin is a trained Force-sensitive who's stronger than any of them could ever hope to be. (Not that he's bragging. It's just... the truth.) Anakin is perfectly capable of protecting them both, but he hopes maybe, this way, they'll find out the truth.
"That is outside of our mandate," the Jedi Master Aayla Secura replies, "But if another attempt is made, we may find a lead with which to track."
"Very well," Anakin agrees, though Padme doesn't look much happier. His gaze is still on the Togruta padawan – Ahsoka Tano. She feels very bright in the Force, her wide blue eyes darting around the room, as if taking in everything at once.
"I've heard of you," Ahsoka remarks to him once they're in a slightly less formal setting. "The take-over on Tatooine was..."
"Well heard of and very controversial?" he supplies. In truth, Tatooine became a bit of a legend. For many people it was inspiring, a symbol of hope, but there were just as many who didn't benefit from it and were upset. That's why Anakin highly suspects many people in the Senate would be perfectly happy with him gone, and Padme has just as many enemies. Tracking down the person trying to eliminate them would be hard, especially after the recent formation of the Outer Rim Alliance – an alliance of systems Anakin formed. They work closely together.
"It was amazing!"
He smiles at her enthusiasm. "Yes, it was. It was all I'd wanted since I was young."
"Almost everyone knows about you," Aayla Secura tells him, "But an investigation would be... hard."
"Why?" Ahsoka asks.
"We have many enemies," Anakin answers vaguely.
"Enemies?" Ahsoka repeats incredulously. "Why?"
She's still so young and has every bit of the innocence Anakin himself never had. She may be a Jedi, but she has no idea how the real-world works. "When the Hutts were chased off Tatooine, a lot of things changed, and a lot of people lost money. And Padme is... good at uncovering injustices."
"You both are," Aayla speaks up.
Anakin acknowledges it with a nod. "Padme believes the Republic can be saved despite its corruption," he tells them. He doesn't know for sure whether or not he believes that, but he's willing to give being a part of the Republic a chance, at least.
**w**
It was Padme's idea to cover the cameras with hopes of luring the assassin out again, to which Anakin and Aayla firmly agree. All things considered, Anakin is unsurprised when he awakens to the Force screaming of danger.
By the time the Jedi arrive, the threat has already been eliminated by Anakin throwing the poisonous worms onto the floor with the Force and Artoo zapping them into oblivion.
Ahsoka has other ideas, though. She spots the droid outside the window almost immediately and runs to the window, jumping out straight through glass and blinds and everything, trying to catch onto the droid.
"Windows aren't cheap, you know," Anakin yells after her as she scrambles clumsily onto the tiny droid. He can't deny a mild concern for her safety – she's not very experienced.
Aayla lets out a sigh of exasperation, lifting a hand and catching the droid with the Force before it can fly away with Ahsoka on top of it, and drags them both back in through the window.
"Neither are blinds," Anakin adds as Ahsoka lands on the floor again, looking grumpy.
"I had to stop it somehow," she protests, climbing to her feet, shaking herself off. Frankly, he's mildly surprised the shards of glass all over her clothes didn't injure her more seriously than it appears.
"We can crack into its memory banks and trace the signal," Aayla declares, lifting the droid. "I will take this back to the Temple. My padawan will remain with you in case there is another attempt."
As if. Anakin is far more capable of eliminating threats than she is. It's not as if the Jedi know it, and he's not foolish enough to let them know, so he keeps his objections to himself. (He's still disturbed about how long the padawan will survive being so reckless though. The galaxy isn't an easy place.)
**w**
Anakin can think of a lot of words to describe his situation right now, none of which he'll voice. The Chancellor ordered him and Padme to return to Naboo while the Jedi investigate, and that's not something they can go against. Personally, Anakin would very much like to. He doesn't like the Chancellor much – they never got along well. It's nothing personal, it just is – but he still has to follow the rules, so if the Chancellor tells him to leave Coruscant temporarily, well... He has to listen.
"You seem upset," Obi-Wan says over the hologram.
"You wouldn't believe this," Anakin begins.
"You just got married, and you're already getting in trouble?" he quips.
"Ipa, this isn't funny!" The Sith constantly alternates between being frustratingly chipper and exceedingly cranky, and it seems right now he's the former.
"Then what is it?"
"An assassination attempt," Anakin explains grudgingly. "The Chancellor ordered Padme and I off-planet – we're returning to Naboo – while the Jedi investigate. But we're going to miss the vote, and you know what that means."
"I do," Obi-Wan sighs, looking none too happy, "But I would be more concerned over your safety."
"Obi-Wan, you taught me. I can take care of us."
"Perhaps." He's not playing anymore. Anakin can see and sense it. "But the other Sith are still out there, and I do not want you anywhere near them."
"They wouldn't come to Coruscant if they wanted to kill me," Anakin replies. He knows how much this means to Obi-Wan. After all, it was a Sith who murdered his father's former master, the closest thing he'd had to a father himself. He knows how much his father fears losing him. When he was young, it had been to the point of not wanting to let Anakin out of his sight. He had appreciated it so much then. He still does now. "I'll be fine. I promise."
"You don't know that," he replies, seriously.
"I'll take the hope that it's just someone with a random, petty grudge," Anakin shrugs, "But it could be worse, and we will be careful. I always am."
"And yet," the Sith says dryly, "Trouble always finds you."
"Me or you?" Anakin asks, smirking. "It follows you everywhere, too."
"It never attracted me until I met you," he defends.
Rude. "Anyway, I'll be hanging around some Jedi for the next few days," Anakin continues. "They don't seem so bad."
"They sometimes appear to be what they are not," Obi-Wan warns, "Be cautious."
"Of course. I'll see you soon, I hope."
Obi-Wan nods. "Stay safe, and may the Force be with you."
"And with you," Anakin echoes, before the hologram flickers off.
Sometimes he thinks he wants nothing more than to abandon politics and go live with his family. He misses his mother and Obi-Wan and really, really wants to spend more time alone with Padme without constantly stressing about the galaxy's chaos. Sabe was right about that.
**w**
This is one of Ahsoka's very first missions, so yes, she is excited. She doesn't know what to expect, but it's the thrill of something new that gets to her. She and her master are accompanying the duo to Naboo now, and the planet catches her attention almost immediately. She's known a little about it, but the Force here is extremely peaceful in a way she's never truly known. It's calm at the Temple, yes, but here it's in an even more natural way here.
"I think this is my new favorite planet," Ahsoka chirps as they look around the Lake House retreat, as she was told it's called.
"It's one of the only planets you've ever been too," Aayla points out, mildly amused.
"Well, it's certainly a lot nicer here than it is on Ilum."
"Where's that?" asks Padme.
"The place we get our kyber crystals from," she explains, "And it's freezing there. I nearly fell into an icy river."
"Doesn't sound like the most ideal place to send younglings too," Anakin says dryly.
She shrugs. "It's part of first learning to fuse the Force when we're on our own." It was... scary at the time, but one of the biggest milestones into becoming a Jedi. She leans against the railing, looking out at the view surrounding them. "I don't think anyone will be sneaking up on you, here."
"That is why we came here. Tatooine would be... a little too potentially risky," Anakin informs.
"Why?"
"There's still plenty of... criminal activity there, and there's a limited number of places to even go there. All settlements are located around the same areas."
"Oh," Ahsoka says, "I'd like to go there, some time."
"I imagine we may have a mission in that area, eventually," Aayla tells her.
The rest of the day passes relatively smoothly. They have about all the free time in the world, and Ahsoka is more than happy to spend it getting to know Anakin and Padme. They're the first politicians she's ever met and honestly, they're nothing like what she's always heard about the way politicians are.
She might have been hoping for a little more action on one of her first missions ever, but she finds she's not in any hurry for this to be over.
**w**
Ahsoka isn't sure it's technically appropriate to be... fooling around like this with the people she's supposed to be protecting, but she can't find it in herself to care. Besides, if her master had a problem with it, she would've said something. Although Aayla did make it clear that she has no intention of joining them out here in the water.
"And here I thought you were from a desert planet," Ahsoka puffs, diving out of the way as Anakin swims past her again.
"That doesn't mean I don't know how to swim," he retaliates.
"We spend more time here than we have on Tatooine," Padme calls, from a little further away in the lake.
"I guess that explains a few things."
Ahsoka swims closer, splashing water in Anakin's face. Or trying to, because he always manages to anticipate it and get out of the way in time, first.
"How do you keep doing this?" she huffs.
"I would've expected Jedi to have faster reflexes," he teases.
Hey. "I would've expected someone from the desert to be a little slower in the water!"
"I learn quickly," he says, smugly.
"Race me to the other end of the lake," she shoots back, turning around and streaking away across the water as fast as she can. It's probably only a result of not waiting for them to start at the same time that she reaches the other end first.
"Beat you," Ahsoka smirks.
"Did you... Snips?" he teases.
"Hey!" She splashes out of the water, settling on the bank, right as Artoo rolls up, beeping furiously.
"There's an incoming message from Master Vos," declares Aayla, standing up, "Come on."
Ahsoka immediately scurries after her, pretending that she isn't still trailing water behind her. They can worry about that... later. Whatever this message is, it must be important.
And as it turns out, it definitely is.
The Jedi Master gives them a very brief summary of the situation, that apparently, he found out of an alliance between Dooku and some of the commerce guilds, and it appears that the assassination attempts are courtesy of Gunray. And also, the Separatists are building a droid army. He doesn't get further than that, telling them that the Geonosians have spotted his ship, and if they don't hear from him in a few rotations, it's probably because he's stuck there needing a pick-up.
The transmission breaks at that.
"Stay where you are. We will handle the situation," Windu instructs Aayla.
"Yes, Master," she confirms, though Ahsoka can still see a hint of concern in her eyes as the call disconnects.
Anakin and Padme approach from behind them, looking worried.
"I should have known Gunray was behind it," Padme growls.
"I suspected as much," Anakin admits, "But if he's allying with Dooku, that could prove to be... an even bigger problem in the future."
"That's why we're here," Ahsoka chirps.
"I know," Anakin says, "And while I appreciate your efforts, we can't have Jedi guards forever, and we're needed in the Senate – especially now – not out here in hiding."
"The threat should be over soon," Aayla offers.
"I hope so," Padme says, expression still grim.
**w**
As it turns out, they end up spending the next entire week here on Naboo. Anakin is more than a little relieved that now they're finally able to head back for Coruscant, but now, it hardly matters.
Everything is already said and done, and... he can hardly believe everything that's happened in the past couple days.
There was constant debating in the Senate – with plenty of protests from the Outer Rim Alliance – but in the end, Palpatine was given emergency powers and basically decided to start a war with the Separatists. They sent Jedi to invade Geonosis and rescue Vos, along with newly purchased clone troopers.
Purchased.
And because they're "clones" apparently that means they don't qualify as slaves, so it's legal.
And yes, Anakin is furious. "I can't believe the Republic is supporting this," he rants as the starship streaks through hyperspace, heading back to the capital.
On second thought, yes, he can, because it isn't like the Republic has never made deals with Huts or slavers in the past either, and conveniently forgotten that their own laws don't allow things like that.
"I don't see how they could start a war like this, either," Padme replies, equally incensed, "Now there's definitely no chance of getting the Separatist systems to stay in the Republic peacefully, anymore."
"The Senate has already asked the Jedi for their assistance in the war," Aayla declares, gravely.
"Will the Council agree?" Anakin asks.
"I imagine they will," she replies, "Someone needs to defend the Republic in this conflict."
Or they could have not started the conflict in the first place, but he withholds the retort. It isn't Aayla's fault this happened, after all. "There's some things we can try in the Senate," Anakin says, looking to Padme, "But at this point, I don't think it's going to get anywhere."
"It's worth a shot, at least."
He decides to keep any further rants to himself, as it instead crosses his mind that they're almost back to Coruscant now, which means it's time to say goodbye to their Jedi escort.
Or Ahsoka, anyway. He'll admit that he's become quite fond of the padawan.
"Looks like we'll see each other later... Snips," Anakin says, looking down at her. Or so he can hope, at least. He doesn't know if he'll ever end up running into the same Jedi again.
"Looks like it," she says, with significantly less cheer than she's been showing this whole time. "I can come by the Senate some time, maybe, if you don't mind."
"We don't," Anakin assures her, "I'd be happy to have someone to talk to other than another politician."
"You're welcome to come by any time," Padme promises, right as the ship jolts out of hyperspace.
Time to get to work.
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