A year later...
The massive goblet made a small clink as Palpatine tapped his vessel against it. "Cheers," he said. He was in the kitchen of Grissols. Despite being the overlord of the ever-expanding Hutt Pizza, Grissol still preferred his small diner from where it had all begun. Admittedly he also owned the adjoining buildings which were filled with beings and droids working on maintaining said fast food empire, but Palpatine saw the value in maintaining the humble posture. Certainly from an advertising perspective.
It was joined with a lower clunk from a mug wielded by Bron, "Cheers," he added.
There was a squelch as Ithil added the small, definitely non-sentient mammal to the toast, "Cheers?" she said.
"Heh, cheers indeed," boomed Grisol, the Hutt. He raised the goblet to his lips and drank noisily from it, "Business is booming. I shall soon be greater than Orgolla!"
"For us too. We have been successful in expanding off-world. Beings welcome Burger Thing with open arms and not plasma casters and flame units," said Ithil. She made a small bite into her prey and took a small sip.
"Good, good. How about you Bron?" said Palpatine.
The Mandalorian shrugged, "So, so. Mandalore is undergoing one of those bouts of traditionalism. The youngsters are listening too much to idiots boasting of our great crusades. Commerce and cooking are looked down upon as not for true warriors. Still, those of us with working brains can convince most Galactics of the benefits of a McMandos in their neighbourhoods."
Palpatine raised an eyebrow, "Most?"
Bron took a sip from his mug, "Well, we will never get a footing on Sullust. No love lost there though. Still, my cousin mentioned being denied permission to open branches on Naboo. Which is odd considering our shared ancestry and all. Say Sheev, you're from there aren't you? Any ideas?"
Palpatine thought about it for a while, "I like to think of myself more as a citizen of the Galaxy than just an ex-patriate. Still, yes, I see two barriers at work. The first is temperament. The Naboo are pacific by nature with a distrust of all things martial. The second is aesthetic, Naboo is moved by beauty. The stark brutalism favoured by a typical McMandos would be as welcome in one of their cities as an outbreak of Denobian slime worms. So that is where we should concentrate. Work on the aesthetics, a few plants, more flowing curves, that sort of thing. As for the other? Well, I know someone in their government who I feel will listen." he said.
Padme ground her teeth and repressed a scream. She looked at the desk covered in flimsies and pads in her office and, not for the first time today considered sweeping it all to the floor, marching before the Queen to resign and then retire to, what exactly?
Sabe, her assistant looked up from her own work, "Don't even think it, P."
Padme looked over at her, "And what exactly was I thinking?"
"You know. Just repeat to yourself. One hundred and seventy-five days. One hundred and seventy-five days before this blows over, the Queen makes you an Ambassador or something and we get our careers back on track." said Sabe.
Padme sighed, "You're right S. One hundred and seventy-five days. One hundred and, no, I can't stand it! This is humiliating. Reduced to Master of Ceremonies. Organising this cultural festival! Which is just a front for those damn Separatists! Hosting that oily Count Serrano. He'll have all his cronies and their corporate allies peddling their wares seducing our people! And I have to organise it." she said, the anger rising with each sentence. She stood up.
Sabe rose and moved towards the door, the better to restrain Padme. Girl needs a damn restraining bolt, or to get laid. "Now, now. Let's not be hasty. Breath. We can do this. We just need some subtle reminders of what the Republic has done for us. Like, like..." Sabe floundered as she struggled to think of something before spying a purple wrapper on her desk. "Like that Chocolatier. We invite them and a few other examples of Galactic cuisine to persuade hearts and stomachs and people will think twice about secession. Especially if chocolate looks to be off the menu."
Padme paused, "Yes, good idea. Thanks Sabe," she said as she sat down and picked up a pad. "We invite the right people, plus a few more examples of Galactic High Culture like the Miralakan Ballet and we can fight off the Count's slimy advances,"
Sabe relaxed, relieved she wouldn't be tackling her boss today. "Don't forget the Republic's Guardians of Peace and Justice. We could ask them to send your hot Jedi, whatshisname?" she suggested since a restraining bolt was not an option.
"Anakin," breathed Padme before starting, "No. Anakin is a Jedi. He..."
"..is a hottie. They'll probably send him anyway. Being, you know, The Hero of Naboo and all."
"Yes, that makes sense," said Padme pointedly ignoring the first part. "And it will be a good reminder of why we should remain with the Republic. Come on, we need to get to the comm station." Padme said and rose again. Soon the women were headed to the Palace comm station to send the requests.
The duty guard at the comm centre blinked in surprise as the two women entered.
"Uh, your, um, Master of Ceremonies. I was just about to comm you. You have a live message from Coruscant. A Mister Palpatine, maam. But, since you're here you can use booth three," he said directing them to the appropriate chamber.
Soon they were settled and listening to the holo image of the wily restauranteur. They quickly recounted their predicament. There was a brief moment of lag before he replied,
"Why I have several ideas to showcase Galactic cuisine and as such shall be delighted to assist. Of course, I can also arrange for Milicent to display her wares as well. Hmm, perhaps a demonstration of our waterfall mixing. What would our fellow Naboo say when confronted by a river of chocolate?" said Palpatine.
"Did you say a river, of chocolate?" said Sabe.
"It would be a smaller scale version of our main production factory, but essentially, yes. Would that be a convincing enough demonstration do you think?" said Palpatine.
"Yes, I believe that will do. You did have a reason for calling though yourself?" said Padme. She tensed, wondering what trades or sacrifices would be requested.
"You are as perceptive as ever. I was calling to see if some business colleagues could have their applications to extend their franchises to Naboo reconsidered. Even though your star is at its nadir, I felt your influence would be considerable." said Palpatine.
"Which colleagues?" Padme said.
"McMandos, Hutt Pizza and Burger Thing. I suppose one would consider them rivals, but I find competition brings out the best in us all," said Palpatine.
"I, see." said Padme as Sabe worked with her pad to call up details of the three franchises, "Can you wait while I consider this?"
"Of course," said the image before winking out.
The two women regarded the data on Sabe's pad.
"Hmm, Mandos and Hutts. Not the nicest beings in the Galaxy," mused Sabe.
"But making a solid contribution all the same. Everyone deserves a second chance. Who owns this Burger Thing?" said Padme.
A few taps revealed the appropriate data,
"Matriarch Naktul? She's a Gigeri!" exclaimed Padme. "Palpatine cannot be serious."
"Says here that the Naktul hive of Coruscant is transforming itself into responsible citizens," said Sabe as she read. "They're a species made good story,"
"That's not the issue," said Padme wringing her hands. "This is everything I hate about politics. The trades, the sacrifices, the deals in shadowy cubicles."
Sabe wondered if pointing out that the booth was well lit would help, but probably not. She saw the plan falling apart. "Now, now. Palpatine is just lubing the AG plates. For species that traditionally have a hard time gaining trust,"
Padme grimaced, "I know that it all looks good, but what about the next time? A little more compromise, a little more looking the other way? How long before I too become the thing I swore to fight?"
Slightly longer than the estimated lifespan of the universe was Sabe's guess. She declined to share that though. "These people need our help P. We used to be Mandalorians, I know our history. This could be what brings our cultures together. Like you did with the Gungans."
"And the Hutt, the Gigeri? Surely your not suggesting any cultural commonality with them?"
"All the more reason to be shown extending our hands in friendship. Show everyone what the Republic is all about. People of all species come together for the common good. A show of unity in the face of divisiveness." Sabe said.
I, don't know?"
"Palpatine is helping us. This is for the Republic Padme,"
Padme straightened, "Yes, I suppose you're right," she said. She then resumed the connection and the image reappeared. "Thank you, Palpatine. We have considered your offer and we accept. Furthermore, to facilitate matters would your associates be amenable to attending the festival as well?"
"I'm sure I can persuade them to do so. In fact, I think I shall accompany Milicent and Anakin myself. This should be entertaining," said Palpatine.
"Anakin?"
"Of course. He's the only person who can get the waterfall working. Don't worry, I'm sure the Jedi can spare one random apprentice. Thank you, Padme. Sabe." said Palpatine before the image winked out.
"So Anakin will be attending first as a private citizen and second as a Jedi. Wonder how long he can remain stoic and chaste in the face of every Naboo maiden and not a few matrons," observed Sabe.
"What?"
"Hero of Naboo. Jedi. Hotter than a neutron star. Just saying. Good thing he has that laser sword. He'll need it to fight them off."
"You're being absurd. No one would, think..." said Padme trailing off as reality warred with principle.
"You know, it will probably be your hostly duty to protect him. For the good of the Republic. Even to the point of throwing yourself upon his sword,"
"Sabe!"
"What?"