The Vermicious Knid floated in front of the delegation as it led them through the chocolate factory. As it spoke, a nearby protocol droid translated it's rumblings from Knidian to Galactic Basic.
"Here is where the beans are crushed before going back into the furnace," said the droid as the Knid waved its tentacles at a conveyor belt laden with cocoa beans.
"Very interesting, very interesting indeed. It seems to be an involved procedure. How many machines does it take," said Senator Gowan, leader of the Republic delegation.
The Knid rumbled and the droid translated, "There are many machines, come and I shall show you."
"Lead on then," said Gowan.
The Knid drifted on, occasionally pointing out various stages in the process.
Further back in the party, Padme frowned, "This is too neat," she grumbled.
Besides her, Sabe responded, "So?"
"So? Where do the beans come from? Where do they grow? How are they removed from the fruit? Who is maintaining all this normally and why are they not here?" said Padme.
"We can ask the Knids at the reception later I guess," said Sabe, not particularly interested. One factory looked like any other to her eye.
"I don't think we'll get an honest answer. Let's see if we can slip off. See if we can see what they don't want us to," suggested Padme.
"I, I don't know."
"Come on. Look, there's a door. Let's have a look," said Padme before darting off to the exit.
"I don't know why I do these things," said Sabe following.
Anakin walked beside Qui Gon at the end of the delegation. While technically the security detail, there seemed to be very little danger to Anakin's eye. Still, he tried to be alert for, he wasn't really sure.
"When keeping a watchful eye, it is as important to see the things you cannot see," said Qui Gon.
"The things I cannot see? How can I see invisible things? Is that a Force ability?" said Anakin.
"Not at all. For instance, can you now see the Junior senators?" said Qui Gon.
"No?"
"Then I suggest you find them, quietly. I will watch over the others," suggested Qui Gon.
"How do I do that?" wondered Anakin aloud as he turned and began to backtrack, looking for where those missing could have gone.
"With a skill which I foresee you learning quickly due to use," mused Qui Gon as the younger Jedi left.
The two junior senators crept along the pathways between a tangle of pipes, lines and other machines. Here and there were panels, dials, switches and valves.
"Okay, this is strange," said Sabe.
"Hmm?" said Padme as she threaded through a particularly narrow spot.
"There's no way a Knid could fit in here," said Sabe.
"So who does this?" said Padme.
At that moment both women heard a mournful chorus of voices.
"Orgah, lorgah, dobita, doh."
"Did you hear that?"
"Orgah, lorgah, dobita, da."
"Yes. I think it's this way. Come on!"
They hurried through the twisting maze of machinery until confronted by a large line of vats. Fortunately, there was an access ladder leading to a walkway. They climbed up it and edged out over a vat of hot, viscous chocolate being stirred by giant rotating blades above which they were now suspended.
"Careful," said Sabe as they made their way across.
"This is tricky, why are there no safety rails? Don't the Knids care about whoever uses these?" said Padme as she concentrated on the small ledge promising safety on the other side.
"That is because we do not," came a harsh mechanical voice. The women looked up and saw a Knid floating down towards them, it's tentacles outstretched and already grasping. "In fact, we feel the occasional addition of protein rather adds to the flavour as you shall no doubt soon discover."
Anakin too heard the threat and he swarmed up the ladder only to be confronted by the sight of a Knid attempting to grab at Padme as she teetered on the walkway.
The Knid turned to address the new intruder, giving Padme and Sabe the opportunity to scramble for the other side. It twisted too late to chase after its original quarry so turned back again to Anakin. "Even better, I can see you will be more flavoursome," it said and suspensored over, its tentacles again outreached to grab the defenceless human.
Anakin was not as defenceless as he appeared. With a smooth motion and quiet hiss, he drew his lightsabre and severed the tip of the closest tentacle. The Knid howled in pain and then shot straight up, heading for a hole in the ceiling. As he looked about for the two women he heard Padme's voice.
"Anakin, come over here. We found something."
Quickly crossing Anakin reached the other ledge and climbed down. On the other side of the vats was a large cage containing some short, orange-hued humanoids. There were about twenty in all.
"Who are these people?" said Anakin.
"Orgah," said one of the aliens.
"I think, these are our missing mystery workers," said Padme.
"Lorga," said another alien.
"Who look a lot like slaves to me. We have to rescue them," said Anakin. He ignited his lightsabre again and moved towards the cage door.
"No Anakin, there will be more than just these, these,"
"Orgah lorga," supplied an alien helpfully.
"Yes, thank you. Anakin, the Knids will have far more of these Orgah Lorgas to run their factories. To free them all will require a diplomatic solution."
Anakin sighed, that didn't sound nearly as heroic but was probably the more sensible option. "Okay, we'll do it your way," he said.
Padme smiled, "Good. Okay, let's get some pictures and then bring this before the ambassador," she said. She then turned to the aliens, "Don't worry, we'll get you free."
"Absolutely not!" said Gowan after hearing Padme's description of the Orgah Lorgas and their plight. "It's a minor miracle we still have an agreement with the Knids after your little escapade. I have spent the entire afternoon cleaning up after this fiasco. I am of half a mind to have you shipped straight back to Coruscant young lady."
"But the Orgah Lorgas," begun Padme.
"Are dangerous, superstitious natives who frequently make trouble. They often infiltrate the Knid's facilities and cause mischief. They are rounded up and then released into the wild so I was told," said Gowan.
"But,"
"No more buts. Do you have any idea how important this treaty and welcoming Knidia into the Republic is? Or would you drive them straight into the arms of the Separatists? No, end of discussion. One more word of this and you're on that liner home." said Gowan.
Padme glowered but held her tongue. She looked at Anakin. Anakin, for his part, spoke to Qui-Gon.
"Can't you do something? They're slaves," he said.
Qui-Gon looked at Gowan who shook his head, "I am sorry Anakin. We are here to guard the Republic party only." he said, "As a Jedi Master I am duty-bound to obey the orders given to me by the Temple."
"But Master Qui-Gon..." began Anakin.
"No Anakin. For now, I want you to go and consider your role as a mere padawan of the Jedi Order and which orders you were given. Also bear in mind who else is here."
"But..."
"No Anakin. Go now. But take care not to stray. I know all too well what padawans get up to if they are unsupervised," said Qui-Gon pointing at the door and winking.
Anakin noticed the wink, "Okay, sure Master. I'll go," he said and walked towards the door.
Anakin had not gotten more than twenty steps from Gowan's rooms when he heard Padme behind him.
"I cannot believe you, Anakin Skywalker-Katarn, of all people are just giving up," she said as she bore down on him.
"Padme,"
"I haven't finished. We have a moral duty to help those people. You can't just hide behind duty and orders while people are suffering."
"But Padme, I'm a padawan,"
"So?"
"So? We technically are not given any orders. Except to obey the Masters. Now, I have to get away from here so I can properly get into trouble as, you might recall, Qui-Gon said I would do. Incidentally, did you know how cute you look when you're angry?"
Padme stopped, paused and tried to think of something to say.
"Also, do you want to come too? Yes? Come on, we need to hurry." said Anakin tugging on Padme's hand.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To see Mr Palpatine!"
Sheev Palpatine. Masterchef, inventor of the famous Nersmeedin and other amazing dishes regarded the two youngsters as they regaled him with the plight of the Orgah Lorgas with keen interest. He steepled his hands.
"I am sorry Anakin, there is little I can do. While it's true I am purchasing some old chocolate-making equipment from the Knids, Millicent has already requested the cargo vessels to transport it. There's no way she would be so careless as to have ordered passenger vessels instead. Certainly not ten of them, and definitely not Alderaanians, isn't that correct Millicent?" he said.
Millicent looked up after making a few adjustments to her pad. "No, of course not," she said with a smile.
"She would also not be so silly as to leave her pad detailing their itinerary where anyone could find it," said Palpatine.
Millicent smiled again, "Perish the thought. Oh, excuse me. Need to use the fresher," she said and quickly departed, leaving her pad on her chair.
"Now it would be very wrong if those passenger transports, not that they are so, that upon landing were accosted by people seeking refugee status that happened to pull at the hearts of those very sentimental Alderaanian pilots. Why, those bleeding hearts could take them anywhere, anywhere at all." finished Palpatine.
Anakin attempted to keep a straight face, "Oh yes, that would be a very bad thing indeed," he said with a huge grin as he copied Millicent's pad. "Come on Padme, it's time we go and attempt aggressive diplomacy."
"Aggressive diplomacy?"
"That's a diplomatic solution involving a lightsabre," he explained as they left.
After the two had left Millicent stuck her head around the door, checked and then entered.
"So, we are in the abolition business now?" asked Milicent.
"Well, in this specific case, vis a vis securing the cooperation of Knidia's actual chocolate experts, then yes," said Palpatine.
"Will Anakin and Padme be okay?"
"My dear, we have set those two on the path of adventure. It is the Galaxy you should be concerned about," said Palpatine with a smile.
Three weeks later Padme stood in Hyperfusion and waited till the Deliverator finished his rounds. In due course, Anakin appeared.
"Oh, hi Padme," he said.
"Anakin, I have come to say goodbye," Padme said.
"Goodbye?"
"Yes, while we did the right thing the scandal is going to result in my being sent home to Naboo. I don't regret anything, but it cost me my career," she said sadly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Padme. Perhaps..." began Anakin but was interrupted by Palpatine entering followed by several reporters and attendant hovering recorder droids.
"I am sorry, but I really had but a small part to play. All the heavy lifting, as it were was performed by these two young people, who, by chance just happen to be here. Might I direct your enquiries to Junior Senator Amidala and Jedi Skywalker," said Palpatine.
As the reporters swarmed the two, Palpatine excused himself and went to pour himself a hearty drink.