*** Chapter Nine ***
When Padme first took office as Queen she was almost always in her books for answers. It was Palpatine, a senator on Naboo, who first told her that she needed to actually spend time with her constituents to learn how to solve their problems. Books would only get her so far. Padme would later be quoted saying this was the best advice she had ever received.
The Life and Times of Amidala, the People's Queen, By: Softa Jiane, Oralist and Historian
Palak did not leave her office until after the sun went down and the building had mostly cleared out. She knew that her name along with Luke's Skywalker's were flying around the center and she was in no hurry to recount the death of Gerty Rea.
Palak boarded the mostly empty Maglev that was occupied by mostly tired looking commuters that had been caught late at the office. Palak found a seat on the back of the train and pressed her forehead against the cool window and watched the city float by. Her mind full of a very unusual day.
After just a few minutes, the Maglev arrived at Palak's stop and she excited the train and walked the last few blocks to the flat she shared with her sister.
"Hey Bridge," Palak yelled, as she walked through the door.
"How was your day?" a slightly older, slightly blonder version of Palak asked as she walked out of the kitchen.
"Interesting." Palak said, a sort of excitement in her voice.
"What happened?" Bridg asked, specially.
"I met Luke Skywalker." Palak replied with a wince.
"Little sister, this only going complicate things. Dealing with off worlders is not going to help at all."
"What if we could use him?" Palak questioned.
"Palak, this is the man the destroyed a death star with an X-Wing, I doubt we are going be able to use him." Bridg responded.
"But, what if…"
"Stop," Bridg interrupted her younger sister. "Look, Mother has clear instructions of what we're supposed to do. You're supposed to continue your work with the Isolationists and I'm supposed to keep an eye on threats. It's worked well up to this point."
"What if I have plans to see him again tomorrow?" Palak asked.
Bridg sighed and then said, "You may as well keep them, but just keep your distance. You tend to get to wrapped up into fantasy."
"Fine." Palak said with a roll of her eyes.
"Oh, blast, the beans, their burning." Bridg said, turning back to the kitchen. Her hair flying up to reveal a bit ink on the back of her neck.
By the time Luke returned to the palace, it was late. He had decided to take a walk around the city to clear his head of the scene at the center and look for additional information on the Isolationists, he had failed at both.
Back at the wing of the palace that had been commandeered by the New Republic contingent, he found Leia sitting alone in a conference room.
"How'd today go?" he asked, taking a seat across from his sister.
"Not as well as I expected." Leia said, "There's an entire species on the planet I didn't even know about and one trading house controls 90% of the commerce."
"Ouch." Luke responded
"Actually, you be able to help me. I'm going to the House of Madden tomorrow to try to figure out what's going on, can you go?" Leia asked.
"I have a lead the Isolationists." Luke explained.
"You think there an actual threat, imperial sympathizers?" Leia questioned.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure yet," Luke responded and proceeded to tell Leia about his day, including the dead Oralist.
"I can cancel," Luke offered, but it was insincere, we wanted to see Palak again.
"No, that's fine, I can take a New Republic guard. You keep on with what your doing." Leia responded.
"Thanks for that." Luke responded.
"Oh, I almost forgot, I got something for you." Leia said and started digging around her bag. She pulled out three little white flat square plastic packages and handed them to Luke.
"What is this?" Luke asked as he started examining the back of the package.
"Anti-Allergy Patches, if you accidentally eat any of the beans you just put one on your arm and it counter acts the allergen. I got it from one of the palace med droids." Leia explained.
"Useful, it seems this whole planet is practically made of favttie beans." Luke replied, thinking back to lunch.
"I know." Leia agreed, "of all planets for us to have been sent to, we get the one where the main food source is likely to kill us."
"It least we get to leave this planet when all is said and done. I'm not sure where I actually settle one day, but I can guarantee it will not be Naboo." Luke exclaimed.
"Agreed, lovely planet, killer food, Literally."
The conversation waned, and Luke started to leave the room. But then turned back to Leia and asked, "Have you ever seen a picture of Queen Amidala without all of the makeup and head dress and stuff?"
"I don't know, it's not really something I've ever paid attention to." Leia admitted, "Why."
"Oh, no reason, that's just how her painting was at the Oralist today," Luke said, bade Leia good night and then exited the room.
Leia was confused at Luke's last question by brushed it off quickly and instead turned her attention back to the House of Madden. She was not able to find out much about the trading house, only the required financial disclosures which were limited on Naboo.
Leia was about to leave to find New Republic Security guard when a young ornately dressed handmaiden entered the conference room door with not so much as a courtesy knock on the door.
"Princess Leia, the Queen would like for the dignitaries to march in a parade when they arrive." The Handmaiden said, her voice innocent.
"At such a last minutes, with all of the protestors, that poses a bit of a security risk." Leia explained, mostly exhausted at the thought she was going to have to deal with this. Leia had not been a fan of sending dignitaries to worlds to consummate the relationship with the New Republic, it felt too imperial. Leia liked the concept of a more equitable entrance with less pomp but again, the older politicians with more experience won out.
"Yes Princess, the Queen thinks the display is very important. Can you please address with your Security team?" The Handmaiden requested.
"Of course, I'm headed that way now." Leia replied, with a forced grin. She disliked the idea but arguing with the Queen via this handmaiden could mean the difference between a New Republic deal and Naboo not joining, potentially crawling back to Imperial remnants. Accommodating a parade was a small price to pay.
"Thank you Princess, the Queen appreciates the effort." The Handmaiden said with a slight bow and then left the conference room.
Leia packed up her materials from the day and went to find the security guard on duty to discuss both the visit to the house of Madden and the parade.
The New Republic Security had a small office and quarters with in the wing the diplomatic contingent had been given while they worked to bring Naboo into the new government. The only guard Leia could find was Commander Erickson. He had not made a great impression the night before, but maybe he had just been in sour mood.
"Commander?" Leia asked, pulling him away from a data pad he was reviewing in the small lounge.
"What," He snapped look up at the Princess.
"I need to review some additional security needs." Leia explained, careful to keep her voice even. She had become more and more aware of her anger the past few months. In addition, she also needed Erickson's help and Bail, her father, used to say, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
"Fine." Erickson's curt demeanor continued.
Leia then proceeded to tell the commander about her visit to the House of Madden tomorrow and the parade when the dignitaries arrived.
"Seriously, we barely have enough staff for the parties that slated next week, left alone a parade." The commander replied.
"I understand, but unfortunately this is something we need to do." Leia kept steady, this moment, while frustrating drew on her experience as a princess.
"And tomorrow, you want to take field trip?" He scoffed.
"No, I want to figure out what's going on with the biggest economic driver on this planet. I'd gone alone, but I promised to stop doing stupid things." Leia shot back.
"Where's your Jedi?" Erickson volleyed.
"Commander Skywalker is working on something else for me."
Erickson rolled his eyes, "Fine, I'll meet you after the morning meal."
"You?" Leia questioned.
"I'm the one who gets to take the field trips."
"Fine." Leia shook her head and then left, she was had lost her patience for anything else today. She was ready to go to her room and lock the door away from the world for the night.