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Chapter Three: Quid infantes sumus

- what are we, babies?

"I'd say I'm impressed, Senator but I'd be lying." he spoke slowly, crushing the weapon in his iron grip until it laid shattered before his boots, his hand moving back to his side.

She looked at him as if he had lost his mind but he felt her fear skyrocket under the facade. It gave him power, he craved the fear, the terror. He could just raise his hand and end it all, leave Coruscant with one less problem and continue with the actual work that his Empire demanded. But his Master had different plans.

"I'm certain his Majesty placed me under your protection, Lord Vader. But that gives you no reason to trespass and invade my privacy." she straightened her back, jaw locked as her emotions faded into anger and humility, the latter confusing Vader.

It was intriguing and almost funny seeing this young woman's temper rise like a switch. His amusement died as soon as it flared, mentally debating whether he should bother answering her or simply let her drop to the ground and let his troopers get her. Then again, her security would barge in and he'd have another problem to take care of. He kept from groaning under the mask that covered half of his face.

"It seems," he started, taking a menacing step to her only for her to take a step back. "you have forgotten who you're talking about."

She didn't reply because she, indeed, knew what Vader was talking about. Protection and Darth Vader didn't belong in the same sentence. She couldn't look into his eyes so she turned her gaze to the pillar behind him, self consciously pulling the silk robe tighter around herself. He didn't seem to notice nor did he seem to care.

"Now, disrespectfully," his arms crossed over his chest impatiently. "Pack your things and get in that speeder."

So Palpatine meant what he said. He actually came to pick her up.

All sorts of scenarios started to play out in her head. Some of her getting tortured in the cells they specially kept for members of the Alliance, some of Vader hunting down every person that meant something to her just to get information out of her. The latter sent a shiver down her spine. Her family and friends meant everything to her. She could withstand all the torture in the world but she drew the line at her loved ones. Then the nasty voice in her head spoke. Even for the rebellion? Even for the greater cause?

"Your thoughts betray you."

That made her snap her eyes to him, that burning anger coming back to life, nevertheless starting to walk inside and she heard him follow her inside.

No reply came.

It felt wrong, horrifying, that this monster was in her apartment trying to abduct her while her friend slept in her room in blissful ignorance. Although, abduction was hardly the correct term for the situation she was in.

Most of her belongings were already in the suitcases she had prepared. She figured since she would be taking them with her, the interrogation cell seemed unlikely now. She entered her room with him close behind her, and Artoo's little dome snapped to the direction of the door.

He all but screeched at the figure behind her and Padmé had to rush forward and shush him to make him keep quiet and not wake up the entire building. The last thing she wanted was for every person in 500 Republica to die with a snapped neck. "Shh, Artoo, stop! Don't make any sound, everything is alright."

"Today, Senator." he growled before she could let her mind overwork itself again. "I heard your handmaiden is at home."

"You will not touch her." she whispered harshly with her brows furrowed angrily at him, patting Artoo's dome before moving to place her cosmetic items into a smaller bag.

Won't I? he mused, his annoyance flaring right afterwards when he saw her pack items he considered to be completely unnecessary. How incompetent did she think the Empire was? They could give her all the hygiene supplies she needed, his time was being wasted here.

She was practically shoving them into her bag now with the unnerving yellow eyes practically drilling holes into her back. For a short moment, she considered purposely slowing down to test his patience which, by the looks of it, was just a hair from being over.

Finally, after what seemed a good hour to Vader, she closed her bag and the realization of what was happening dawned on her. Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith and slayer of worlds was standing in her apartment, let alone her bedroom and about to take her to a place away from the rest of the Galaxy to do force knows what.

Was she misinterpreting this? Was this not about the Alliance but about Vader's own... personal interests? He was, after all, second in command. Anything he wanted, he'd have at his feet.

No, that didn't make any sense. Desires were typical for sentient lifeforms. She didn't even know if he was anything close to that, he looked and acted more machine with his mannerisms and the mere fact that he took lives without a second thought. His voice sounded artificial and deep, too.

But those eyes...

"Senator." he snapped, and she realized she had been staring at him.

"I'm done. You'll need to carry those with me if you want to leave quickly. Which seems like the case, judging by your—" she bit her tongue, stopping before he would snap and snap her neck next.

When did she gather enough courage to speak this way, and with the most dangerous man in the galaxy, too?

Sola always told her her sharp tongue would be the death of her. But he didn't seem to notice, his hooded head tilting just slightly.

"Did you invite any guests over?"

Huh?

"It's night time, Lord Vader. Why would I invite anyone over?" she mimicked his stance, arms crossed over her own chest as well, raising a brow. "Unless you're implying something, then you're—"

"Shut up." he cut her off, probably annoyed at the unusual amount of conversation he was being confronted with and her brows furrowed, about to beg his pardon when the door slid open and he stepped outside.

Was he really going to leave now?

He strode into the living room where dim, nubian lights slowly lit up the walls and she saw him halt in the middle, her belongings now abandoned in the bedroom as Artoo followed her as well. Confusion was written all over her face, so many things she wanted to ask but instead kept her eyes on his back, waiting for an explanation. Who was here? Was she in danger?

"Get in the speeder, now." as if sensing her thoughts, he pointed to the staircase behind her and set off into the opposite direction. He wasn't coming with her. Was she simply to wait while he slaughtered whoever came to visit, in her own apartment?

He didn't turn to look at her again but rather let the force guide him through the Senator's home. If he wasn't so focused on finding the other, uninvited and trespassing man with murder clear on his mind, he'd probably appreciate the architecture. It felt rather ironic, the description could fit him just as easily. He began to hear sounds of furniture trashing, confusing the Sith too, now.

The Senator, he sensed, hadn't moved towards the speeder at all but quietly, almost hesitantly, followed him instead. Her pathetic worry for anyone but herself would get her killed, he was surprised she was still standing on both legs.

Then all of a sudden it was completely quiet. He stopped, realizing what was about to happen. Turning, he saw the Senator standing closer than he thought she would've followed him, her confused brown eyes staring at him.

A loud pang startled her, gasping as the unmistakable sound of a blaster being fired echoed off the walls. Her hand went up to cover her mouth, eyes wide and Vader was sure she realized what he had a moment before. "No."

Before she could run past him, Vader took her upper arm in his grasp, holding her back. "Don't be foolish, Senator. I told you to go to the speeder unless you have a death wish." he growled, his grip only tightening when he saw her wince.

She recovered quickly, though, her foot coming down to slam onto his boot unexpectedly. He didn't falter but his grip loosened slightly which she took to her advantage, practically tearing her arm out with a surprising amount of strength. As soon as she was free she started down the hallway, into Dormé's room.

He knew the man had already left by the time she arrived but he supposed that would be the least of her worries now. He heard the faint sound of the Senator dropping onto her knees, most likely next to the body of her handmaiden, a sob escaping her lips. He had heard of that emotion, grief. He internally groaned, knowing he won't be hearing the end of this anytime soon.

When he entered the room she gave no reaction to acknowledge him, mumbling a series of sorry's and sobs racking her body that was leaning over the handmaiden. Dormé, he guessed.

He watched her for a moment before moving to stand next to her. "Senator, get up."

Her startled eyes looked up into his cold, emotionless ones as if she had forgotten he was present, too.

"Why do people die because of me? My own friends?" she managed to tear out of her throat in a way Vader didn't like, her face streaked with tears. He assumed she wasn't expecting him to answer because she wasn't going to receive one. "Who was this?"

"If I tell you, Senator, you will spend all night crying and quite frankly, I don't have the time for that."

"So you do know...Did-" She ignored his tone, eyes widening as if she had just jumped to a conclusion. "You were threatening to kill her, were you behind this?"

Her droid rolled into the room, whistles that sounded almost sad filling the room. "Lord Vader, answer me. Was this your doing?" She stood, wiping her face with her sleeve as she looked into his eyes, chest heaving before he even replied. "Answer me, damn it! What did she do, she was innocent!"

He didn't reply, she assumed he mentally was going over his options. Enraged, she pulled out a fist, ready to strike him, make him feel her pain.

He wasn't having it. He grabbed her wrist before it could reach his hood, pulling it down as his eyes flashed with barely suppressed anger and impatience. "Foolish woman. Do you really think I have the time to play assassin games on Coruscant?" she stared at him, not fully realizing what she had just attempted to do. "Get out of here before I make you."

"What about Artoo?" she whispered, feeling the droid's presence next to her.

"Now."

She looked onto Dormé's beautiful face one last time, her heart breaking into pieces. She looked so peaceful, as if she was in a deep slumber. Only this time, she wouldn't be waking up.

Pulling herself together, she left the room, her feet feeling like heavy weights trying to keep her from leaving.

A rough shove on the back pushed her forward and she quickened her pace, not having the energy or the desire to die by arguing with him.

Vader's speeder was parked on the edge of her veranda, expensively black with stripes of golden plating, most likely custom made. She climbed onto the passengers seat, brows furrowed as she realized Artoo had been complaining all the way and now was staring at her helplessly. If it won't get him in any danger, Padmé would make sure he'll be with her in no time.

Vader got into the drivers seat and without sparing the droid or the place a second glance, he started driving. She was tired, her dear friend got murdered in cold blood and there was nothing she could do, her career would go downhill and currently, she was in a speeder with perhaps the most dangerous man alive. Who, she remembered, tried to punch not five minutes ago. She froze, cursing her impulsiveness.

"Wait, what about my stuff? It's still at my place." she spoke with the firmness returning to her voice. She refused to continue letting him see her in a vulnerable state.

"My troopers will come get them. For the foreseeable future, you won't be returning."

She turned in her seat, about to ask him what he was talking about but he seemed to sense it because the next moment, Vader broke out of the line of traffic and picked up speed. The wind slapped into her face, making it difficult to breathe properly, yet somehow she still managed to curse out loudly.

"Are you trying to kriffing get us killed, Vader?! Slow down and go back!"

He didn't bother doing so, his voice laced with dark amusement. "Us, Senator?"

What? So, this would be how she was going to die. She supposed that at least her death wasn't boring. Darth Vader, heir to the Empire, drove Senator of Naboo into her death during suicidal joyride for being an absolute pain in the-

He made a very uncharacteristic sound next to her and Padmé's head snapped to him with already wide and horrified eyes, not sure if he even realized it. Did he just... snort? "If I had any plans of getting you killed, Senator, I wouldn't be the one driving the speeder."

The ride was fairly quick given the speed they were driving at. The platform where he motioned for her to get on had a large shuttle waiting. She got her request, she realized with a bitter chuckle, she was going off-planet after all.

The ramp opened as Vader went ahead with her right behind him and a stormtrooper walked out. "Milord, welcome back. We have everything prepared and-"

A loud, cheerful exclaim cut him off and caught their attention. "Oh, Master! You're back! And Senator Amidala, it's wonderful to make your acquaintance!" a golden plated protocol droid said, arms moving in visible excitement.

Great, now they were four and she was dressed as unfortunate as the Holonet-Reporters would want her to be.

"Good. Threepio, shut up and show the Senator her chambers." he waved his hand towards the inside of the shuttle, dismissing the droid before he could talk any more.

Padmé attempted to smile at him apologetically, watching Threepio stare at his Master but obeyed nonetheless. "Trooper, comm the ship, tell Ozzel we'll leave right after I contact the Emperor."

The trooper left with a salute, leaving Padmé with Vader and Threepio. They followed him inside, Padmé turning around one more time to look at Coruscant for perhaps the last time.

Was Vader telling the truth? Would she never return? She was hesitant to call this place home because home had always been Naboo. But in a way, with everything she had achieved and every memory she had collected here, it was close enough.

She inhaled deeply, tearing her gaze from Coruscant's night and stepped inside completely. Vader started to walk in the opposite direction to where Threepio stood, waiting for her, and before she could think any better of her actions her hand shot out to stop Vader.

"Wait!"

He snatched his arm from her touch, brows furrowed as he looked at her in confusion. But he hadn't chopped her hand off so she continued. "Where are we going?"

"None of your business. Now get out of my way."

Padmé looked like she begged to differ, so she did.

She opened her mouth, fist clenched by her side and oh, Darred Naberrie wasn't wrong when he said Naberrie women were scary when they were angry. But Vader, here, would be amused if he wasn't in such a hurry.

Was he even listening? He stepped towards her and reached out with his gloved hand.

Her eyes widened. "What are you- No." she said firmly, holding her hand up, knowing what would come next.

But it was no use, his fingers touched her temple and all went dark before she even felt her head hit the ground.

Vader stared at her lying on the ground, unconscious. She talked a lot, it would be a problem. He supposed he'd just have to avoid her because the next time she threatened to get on his nerves like this, he'd snap her neck, consequences be damned.

Not much later than when she boarded the shuttle, or so she thought, she regained consciousness somewhere else. Somewhere surprisingly comfortable. It irritated her, feeling as if she was reliving a memory, or having a déjà vu.

She didn't dare peel her eyes open yet. And force knows if that Monster was watching her right now. Was she supposed to wake up, rub her eye and ask herself what happened, like in those Holovids she had stashed in her room in Naboo?

Padmé remembered exactly what happened, it wasn't something she'd forget just like that, especially right after getting shut down by a Sith Lord as if she was some datapad of his. Her heart felt heavy, now seeing Dormé's face behind her closed eyelids. Her beautiful, long hair sprawled out and a large blaster wound in her abdomen.

It seemed Padmé couldn't force herself to be alone with her thoughts any longer, needing to understand and see where she was. Rolling onto her back, she prepared for the brightness to practically blind her but she found the task far more easily done this time.

The room was gray. No windows. Walls a dark, military gray and the furniture a deep black. Who was she kidding, this was Darth Vader she was talking about. She pushed herself into a sitting position, her legs hanging over the edge with one, elegant twist and took in the details of the chamber.

The wall on her right had a rather simple door that she assumed led to the 'fresher. On her left, a black glass table with two rather comfortable looking seats and a large, opaque closet in the same black material. The wall in front of her was disgustingly empty, save for smaller panels on the far sides, nothing but gray.

After she stood and took a look around her room, she changed into the neatly folded clothes she found on the table, not wanting to walk around in a silk robe that she had wrapped around herself like a second skin.

She was surprised that this time, it wasn't anything gray. Black pants and a fitting jacket, also in black along with an imperial hat.

It would have to do for now, even if it made her feel dirty. But she felt the cold, metal object she secretly took with her against her thigh, and immediately felt somewhat safer.

At this point, she was more than certain this was an imperial flagship she was brought to.

Which one, she'd have to find out.

FInally, she walked through a small extension between the fresher and the plain gray wall that led to a living room-esque room, far bigger than the bedroom. A comlink was in the middle of the room, probably for her to contact her executioner.

Why was she receiving such good treatment? Was it because of her status? To say suspected rebels or rebel sympathizers didn't receive such a warm welcome before their death was the understatement of the millennium.

She picked the small device up, pressing the only button and waited as it blinked. It had to be limited to a direct communication to keep her from contacting people she wasn't supposed to, Padmé assumed.

"Good Morning, Milady." the person on the other side spoke, his voice reminding her an awful lot of Commander Cody. "This is CC-1119, you may exit your room if you desire, your trooper will lead you to the bridge."

Without waiting for her response, he cut off the communication, leaving Padmé two options as she stood in the middle of the large room.

This one, she noticed, actually even offered a holo-projector as well as a screen opposite to the kitchen island. So if she decided to say, she would at least have something to spend her time on.

What was going on here?

Sooner or later she would have to leave her room anyway, so she should just be done with it now.

Besides, if she was to prove her allegiance to the Empire to keep the Rebellion safe, she might as well look the part.

The door slid open and she was greeted by an elegantly black, polished floor, bright white walls and much movement, droids and people walking from one hallway to another.

She stepped outside and almost immediately, a muffled male voice cheekily spoke up next to her.

"Rise 'n shine, your highness."

The stormtrooper assigned to her looked like every other she had seen, the typical helmet and a classic E-11 blaster rifle held close to his chest plate.

"Hello, Trooper— and please, just call me Padmé."

"Oh, kriff. Right. TK-421, at ya service."

He nodded his head to the side and she took the hint and started walking. "And no can do, Milady. Protocol."

"I see." she hummed, taking her eyes off him and in front of her instead, not fazed by his foul language. "Tell me, then. Where exactly am I?"

His helmet turned to look at her as if she had gone mad. "The... Executor, Senator."

She nodded. It made sense, the Executor was Vader's personal flagship. Again, none of this made sense to Padmé. She'd have to squeeze it out of anyone but Vader on this ship, unless she wants her life squeezed out of her, that is.

"You're taking me to the Bridge, then? Your commander told me."

He nodded his head yes. "Lord Vader's command, actually. You seem... disoriented, I'm sure Milord will have a few things to say to you."

Oh, the feeling was very mutual.

AUTHORS NOTE:

A shorter chapter today! I'll try to make them longer as the story goes on. As always, feel free to share your thoughts with me! xX
Special shout-out to The Confused Fallen, your detailed review made me so happy, you really paid attention to the details ;)

I wish everyone a blessed weekend, take care!