Chapter 23
When Shmi Skywalker awakes once more, she is surprised to what she awakes to. What in the name of the twin suns is the Jedi from Tatooine doing here, giving her the biggest scare of her entire life? If he was apprehended too, wouldn't he have been in chains?
'Oh.' Clarity strikes like the back of an engine in her mind. 'He had something to do with this.'
Anger soon rises, her mind putting the pieces together quickly. Shmi has never felt so much rage towards an individual in her life even to the slavers that would abuse her and her son. No, that was more being terrified of them, but by the looks of it, the Jedi Master have ordered her captured so she would be brought here.
"What. Have. You. Done. To. Me?!" She shouts, glaring daggers into the Maverick's eyes. She could be intimidating at times whenever she is angry, but this is the angriest she has been than never before, especially since he has just given her the biggest scare in her entire life.
She hardly ever even grows publicly angry with someone out of fear that speaking out of line would make the matter worse for her son and her, but as of now, she cannot find it within herself to fear the Jedi, even if he is taller and more muscular than her. Even if he physically attacked her, she would not be able to bring it within herself to care.
Besides, she has just undergone a quite painful procedure. Speaking of which, did the doctors survive and was unharmed? The kind woman doctor who was nothing but gentle to her, who might have had a heavy possibility of dying from the might of a bounty hunter that has been paid off to collect her from Coruscant and bring her to wherever she is now.
"Answer me, damn you!" Shmi demands after a moment, growing angrier and angrier with his lack of speaking. "I want a full explanation and I want to know where my son is now!"
"You had to be escorted off Coruscant, ma'am," Qui-Gon retorts sombrely, grimacing slightly at the fact that he has to be placed with the angered Skywalker, making him externally wonder what the boy is like when he's angry especially when he would grow older, "and the only way we would have done it without placing more lives in danger was by means of the bounty hunter even if it meant some Jedi would have to die. On top of this, Anakin is safely in the custody of someone we trust to keep him safe, the individual who freed you both on Tatooine and have orchestrated. The Jedi was going to send you back to Tatooine to lure us into a trap, and the bond between you and Anakin are like something I have never seen before so we would have fallen for the balt."
"So you brought me here... to allow me to see my son? But aren't you a Jedi? Are you suppose to follow all their commands?" Shmi queries, feeling the anger within her softening though she isn't willing to allow them off the hook so easily.
"While I am a Jedi, I must confess I do not agree with their methods and choices sometimes," Qui-Gon replies, reluctance flooding over his expression, showing that he is far from comfortable to admit the Jedi being incorrect in such a way. "I am not going to pretend that the Jedi are perfect despite how I wish wishing otherwise. No life form would ever be perfect, but this is going too far, thus I supported in arranging your kidnapping and brought you here to save you from a life of suffering once more."
The door opens, revealing two forms at the door, the younger running up to his mother upon seeing that she is awakened while the older's eyes regard the scene.
"Mom!"
Shmi feels her anger decrease as she melts under Anakin's embrace, not wishing to allow him to see the brunt of her rage because he is too innocent and pure to encounter something like that. His embraces have always had that effect on her even when she was with him, which is why he hardly has any parental punishments, though the slavers sure as hell made up for that.
"They saved you!" The boy cries, tears becoming unbidden in his eyes, trembling in her grip, arms around her like he was going to lose her, something which he would never allow. "We saved you!"
Shmi chuckles, running her hands into his hair, replying. "Of course they did." She passes off a mini glare towards Qui-Gon and Vader, the former appearing intimidated but the latter remaining in the same posture. She would definitely have words with Vader and the Jedi later for that bounty hunter's tactic though despite how she is naturally appreciative. "Well I assume I could only thank them for saving me and allowing me to see you again."
"Yeah, and Vader is going to begin teaching me in the Force soon," Anakin replies eagerly, his lifelong dream of becoming a Jedi may be in flames but that doesn't mean that he wouldn't be allowed to learn the foundations of what defines the Jedi which is also good.
Shmi doesn't know much about Vader or who he is but he is most definitely not a Jedi and is a lot more powerful than the two Jedi and perhaps all the other ones that she has encountered, at first worrying her, especially since the things he has done onto Tatooine but now is a reassuring presence to be around.
"Do not worry, Mrs. Skywalker, you'll never have to step on Tatooine again," said Force User declares with finality, his eyes narrowed with determination that she has never seen before besides in the eyes of her son, but there is also a deeper intensity in the eyes. "You are going to remain far away from that planet as far as I am concerned and the Jedi would not drag you back into a life you do not deserve."
Shmi finds herself relieved that at last after all those years of torment and abuse, it pays off in the end. Tatooine would never be a location she would have to worry about, the slavers that may have wanted her and her son for greedy means would be long behind her as they would not know where in the galaxy they are, and the Jedi that seems to have intended using her as bait to lure them out have been taken care of.
In the end, their life of slavery is over, and now is the time for them to start a new life. The freedom that both mother and son have always desired but was never granted...
Until now...
"But where are we supposed to live?" Shmi asks, grateful that they don't have to travel back to that horrible planet that has caused so much pain in her life, but she doesn't want her and her son to be homeless without means of civilization. That is possibly a worse fate for not only her but Anakin.
"We would have to fight, train, and defeat those who opposes us as well as liberating more slaves and bring them a new purpose," Vader replies smoothly, knowing that the Jedi nor Plagueis would do nothing about that any time soon, and if the latter does do anything, he may wish to have a servant that he could exploit for his own means due to his position as a Sith. "I wish there was a different means of persuasion but unfortunately the Jedi have brought this war to themselves, meaning that we would have to build bases and you both would have to be taught."
"I don't sense the Force is strong with Ms. Skywalker," Qui-Gon replies, appearing to be uncertain at what Vader has just said which isn't surprising, given he is thinking wrongly about the meaning of those words.
Vader plants a hand on Shmi's shoulder before turning to the Jedi Master, replying matter of factly. "I am not suggesting that we train her as a Force User like we would do with her son, but there are different means of teaching. She needs to learn how to physically defend herself or disarm individuals in a life or death situation, something that I alone would be honored to teach her to do so."
"You seem to have your work filled out for you." Qui-Gon quips, a smirk coming behind his bearded lips. "First, with teaching me and my student to learn more about the Force, teaching the boy as an apprentice, and now intent on teaching Madam Skywalker in terms of physical combat."
In a rare trait of his, Vader laughs slightly, something that nearly shocks all of them since none of them have thought it possible - aside from Anakin for reasons that escape him - for him to have a sense of humor or would be able to quip with the Jedi.
"I am a working individual who works hard and gains progress as well as my goals in what I want. Going through obstacles and challenges are keys for succession, unless one may not learn from them. We have years ahead to plan and defend ourselves should the Jedi be brushed and harbored their Order after us which would be a problem eventually."
"I trust you, Vader," Qui-Gon replies, his face now morphed with decisiveness, having gotten used to sticking up to Vader and telling him off, though many times did Vader have ways to counter him. "But I would not, under any means, condone you killing Jedi if they are defenseless and unless it is truly necessary and there are no other chances nor shall I endure you torturing students and captured Jedi over to the dark side.
"I have no plans to, Qui-Gon," Vader retorts, all humor reinstated by a strain in his voice, sounding angrier at that implication that he would allow such torture and twisting over those who give refusal to any of his plans over to the dark side. He has other plans for them that would not involve any torture of any type and force them to fear him. "But you have to understand, no war is pacifistic no matter how much we crave for that to be a contradiction. In battle against the best of the Jedi, you would have to accept that not always would you be able to prevent deaths."
Vader, in all honesty, needs time to think profoundly for him to be able to form any plans without appearing desperate. In his time travel to the past, he has been harrowing in gaining control of this timeline, something that could have been successful had events occurred as he have expected for them to do so when he awoke on Naboo.
The timeline is officially becoming different from that of what Vader has planned and remembered which may be a proficient event since he has managed to save Qui-Gon from death but they are not many events he was anticipating. First, Obi-Wan is tasting the dark side of the Force. Second, Skywalker is not going to be trained as a Jedi this time around, becoming Vader's responsibility than what had been planned initially. Third, the entire Naboo palace exploded into flames and so much more deaths.
Legitimately, Vader is going to relish this challenge as he always enjoyed being in one, meaning that whatever comes in the future would also test his abilities over the Force as he gains more comrades and rivals in the future. Aside from the corresponding part with Obi-Wan potentially falling and becoming someone who relies on the dark side instead of the light this time around, Vader has little concern with anything else as of yet. The rejection of his younger self has only been beneficial to his future plans as he could now teach him without concerning himself with the fact that the Jedi would breathe down his neck.
Yes, he would have to raise him on a different planet, perhaps on a planet in exile from the rest of the galaxy, but Vader knows that everything is going according to planned. It is not the Jedi that intimidates him because they would not be able to stand against his decades of power, but there is the fact that he is going to be placing not only his younger self who is still untrained but his mother from another timeline who is malnourished, in unnecessary danger, given the Jedi would be looking for them endlessly.
Not to mention, Obi-Wan still hasn't honed the dark side, meaning that he could become uncontrolled in the middle of a battle between him and the Jedi or any other Force User he may encounter in the future as of now. He could be another Darth Maul - someone who is nothing but little more than a powerful beast whose only qualified part of him is his lightsaber combat - if Vader is not careful with how he teaches him, so facing the Jedi would not be a wise idea as they would only grate onto his inner emotions Vader have unintentionally provoked.
Besides, Vader is not completely adamant Qui-Gon is absolute in what he wants to do as of now. At the end of the day, as much of a Maverick as he was, the man has been taught by the Jedi for his entire life, having to abide by their codes and protocols, so both he and Obi-Wan living outside of the Order is something that they have yet accustomed to.
While Vader has plans to show the Jedi he would be able to and those that would listen to him the true side of the Force, he would have to start from a foundation, building more and more ground as the times pass, he has no plans to corrupt those over to the dark side at least not completely.
"Also, we would need a permanent shuttle where we would be able to travel and gain knowledge of our own. We have a crew but we need to sustain supplies." Vader speaks once more, mostly talking to himself as he thinks over what he could do about that dilemma. He needs to start somewhere and using the small shuttle that could only fit two or three of them in is not one of Vader's prominent ideas.
For all of Han Solo's irritating charisma, one of his substantial charms was able to gain possession of such a ship like the Millennium Falcon, managing to escape from the Empire to the point where the fools in the Empire had to lure him into a trap. That could also be useful to Vader now because the Jedi do not yet know of Vader's piloting skills and the knowledge he knows about mechanics, something that shall soon be their mistake if they indeed become his enemy.
Piloting has always been a natural feat that only improved through time. His son has been a close second behind him. Anakin has more feats than Luke. He may have destroyed the Death Star, but aside from that preeminent achievement, Anakin was able to podrace even while being untrained in the Force. In the other timeline, the Jedi were complacent but at least they were not doubting his powers.
Granted, that came with the fact that they knew of his status as the Chosen One whereas in this timeline all they see is a menace, a menace that they would need to be able to contain and imprisoned before it is too late. To them, as of now, he is nothing better than Sidious and has recruited two of their students over to his side and would only corrupt more.
Vader has a bizarre idea, something that would definitely shake this timeline more than it already has but it would also build up an opportunity to form together with a crew and travel across the galaxy while beginning to save it from the upcoming war.
Hindsight is always 2020.
The Force indeed does work in mysterious ways. It is already altering the timeline to the point where Plagueis have been the Sith Lord having his own plans with the Republic. The Muun is different from his Master from another timeline and would abolish the rule of two, though Vader has no plans to participate in becoming another Acolyte of his.
After all, tracking down the Millennium Falcon would not be a bad idea.
That ship has been underestimated by that of the Imperial Navy and even by Vader himself. Han Solo was quite an evasive individual who couldn't be captured until Calrissian had been left with little option but to lure him into a trap. Such a ship would not be only useful to benefit Vader as well as allow him to have the sentimental connection he shared with Luke in a future past.
Vader smirks. 'Besides, the timeline has been kriffed up from my own. Let's kriff it up more.'
When the news of Sheev Palpatine's death breaks out, chaos ensues, havoc and protests breaking out at the footsteps of the Jedi Order. Many are calling for an investigation, discovering what motive they would have for eliminating someone like the newly founded Chancellor ranging from suspicions to jealous opponents during his election to the Jedi, the latter being stated that they threaten the stability of the Jedi to the Jedi losing their way and is now declaring war against the Republic.
Whatever the reasoning, as pathetic as each of them are, many have found fertile soil among their reasoning.
To add further wound to injury, Nute Gunray has managed to escape with the estimation of 50 senate guards being discovered dead, meaning that the Trade Federation would be able to regain their forces and possibly send another attack onto Naboo if not on any other planet if the Federation was found guilty.
Mas Amedda would have to admit that he doesn't believe the Jedi are the ones responsible. They are not idiots enough to engage in war with the Republic that they have protected and served for decades, but there are also parts of him that always hated the Jedi, hated them for their peacekeeping ways which prevented him and many others from gaining their fair share of profit, something that he would not allow.
So if he could control the people's hearts, intensify their temper against those Force Mongers, he would be able to gain the appreciation of the people, thus the system could become as he wills it. He would have to endure Valorum's lectures, his beliefs which irritate him, and the ineptitude of him and those who are coming pass him in terms of leadership and power.
There is a sudden knock on the door, causing him to sigh as he approaches the door and clicks the button, allowing those outside - the Senate Guards to be exact - to enter the office, appearing to scan it until they are certain nothing is not present.
"What are you doing?" Mas Amedda demands, irritated at the fact that they appear intent on searching his office. He also has important files which mustn't be disturbed and the fact that there are plenty of them that still aren't completed, thus grating on his nerves further.
"I am sorry, sir, we have been given orders to investigate every individual highest in power by the possibility that their opponents would wish to eliminate them." The Senate Guard declares, sounding uncaring to the evident irritation linking from Mas Amedda, thus annoying him further.
"Under whose command?"
"Under the command of the Senate, sir," the Guard retorts, sounding more darker when he speaks now. "Many have already been detained out of suspicion and we are here to decide if you have any motive to wish your supposed ally eliminated too."
"The newly founded Chancellor was my friend, and I am Vice-chair so I have no reason to kill him," Amedda declares furiously, glaring into the mask of the Senate Guard, hating how he is being labeled to suspicion when he of all was the closest one to the Chancellor. "I agreed with him multiple times before. I would have never ordered for him to be assassinated nor do I view the Jedi Order in a positive manner. If they are indeed involved, I have no part in it."
"We would discover that soon, sir, now you would have to stand aside and allow us to check your coms as per have been warranted by the Republic's High Command or you would be detained for suspicion of murder." The Senate Guard retorts, the demanding tone in his voice not to be taken for question. "This is your choice, sir. On top of that, you would be charged for obstruction if you interfere any further than you already have."
"Can I at least ask who is going to run the Republic now until a new Chancellor have been selected?" Amedda snarls, hating to have been told what to do by the asshole Senate Guard that is currently standing in front of him.
"Yes, sir, the Republic has decided Valorum will finish his term should he is clear of suspicion," the Senate Guard informs, obviously growing tired of explaining himself, something which he soon shall regret if Amedda has anything to say about it. Many who underestimate him shall soon be under his boot when at last he creates an oppressive rule.
"I still fail to see why I am suspected."
"Look, sir, I have little patience for you. There is also a possibility that the Chancellor could have had supposing allies that would have called for him to be assassinated simply because they were envious that he was the highest in power. These are not accusations to you, but we have been given little option. Now allow us to investigate."
Sighing and leaning back, the Vice-Chair sits down on the couch, allowing the Senate Guards to work, ranging from the paperwork to all of his communication links. Each is being securely investigated over and over again, but at least the Senate Guards has the courtesy to put things back into place, possibly meaning that they have some value.
"Thank you for your time, sir," the Guard says once the investigation is finished after an hour. "It is heavily advised by Republic's High Command that you remain behind safety for the next few days while these matters are currently being observed. The protection of more lives are on top of our priorities."
Amedda nods, hating how Palpatine was not able to help the Republic from its destruction. Palpatine's intentions have always been genuinely a good rule in Amedda's opinion, given he has spread many ideals and their agreements about what the Republic has become is also aligned, meaning that his death was heavily unfortunate and it would also be harder to transform the Republic.
Now it is time to fix the Republic on his own. He would have to fight for his position just as Palpatine had, cementing his position in power, and now it is up to Mas to do the same.
'Mas Amedda: the Supreme Chancellor.'
The idea is almost exclusive to his mind's eye, especially since he has never imagined himself being forced into this complicated dilemma. He isn't an individual that is as politically powerful as Palpatine was, thus meaning that he would have to instill his position as Palpatine had for decades from the moment he came to Coruscant with intentions to prove himself as Senator of Naboo and that he is not a feeble individual.
The Senate, the Capital of the Republic, the planet of Coruscant: that is where he would be elected and would rise to power. He would not be just another weak and feeble Chancellor of the Republic, as Palpatine's own conversations and ideals have passed onto him, meaning that Mas would be the one who would have to continue his legacy. His contingency plans have been shared with him, and that is where he would have to start.
Palpatine had been the flawless vessel for his plans. That was why he had allowed him to become as powerful as he had over the past years, that is why he has allowed him to become the Chancellor of the Republic and voted him in to stand as a beacon of hope to transform the Republic from within, becoming a system far stronger and superior than what the Republic has been for decades.
Who else would the people that would have grown to call an individual into power? The likes of Sheev Palpatine could have been a symbol of a stronger Republic, the exact Republic Mas Amedda desired more than anything. A man that has suffered the most from all, rising from the ineffectiveness and corruption in order to fix those syndromes, those disorders that have filled one of the strongest systems in the galaxy, only to fall victim by not only being betrayed but also being murdered simultaneously, at last becoming nothing but a lost hope who would never be able to unleash what he wished he could have been able to.
Someone has to stand up to the ways of the Republic and bring out a stronger system. Mas Amedda will work securely to be able to be granted with power and at last accomplish his goal to make a stronger system.
His legacy as the man that would amend the Republic, the man who would put the Jedi in their final stages for the straw to finally snap and explode thus not allowing them to stand in the way or be among this golden age, the man who would be the most powerful influential man in history no matter who, what, or how anyone would get in his way as his intentions are set in stone.
He would have to manipulate events much like Palpatine in his favor was able to do so.
'Where do we start?' The fleeing thought comes to him in that second, his grin meeting his eyes but not his face. He would have to become as influential and powerful, not a daunting fool that would slip up and allow anyone like the Jedi to become known of his plans before it is too late.
'No one would be able to stop me when my rise of power is complete.'
"Do you understand what I ask of you all?"
On the ledge, Vader is standing outwards. Ironically enough, he is standing on the ledge, the sun illuminating him in darkness. The atmosphere strangely creates a solemn state about the scene, but they are standing in a secluded area.
"Yeah, you saved Naboo and we owe you for what you have done, Vader," Padmé replies.
There are bitter emotions within her. A small part of her feels like a fool for she putting too much of her trust in his powers and it backfired in her face. Worse yet, Padmé lost so many of her friends within the palace and that is something she cannot forgive from those who have aided in the conspiracy.
Another part of her lusts for revenge, wishing the head of Nute Gunray and to avenge all those lives. She wants revenge against those scum that backs him, but she also wants to change the system and make it stronger. To make not some other children lose their friends and family as she has lost plenty of her's. She doesn't want those terrorists to ruin other lives and other hopes and dreams. She has thought so much of the Republic and the Jedi, only to have her beliefs shoved in her face cruelly and mercilessly.
"I... i have to leave for now," Vader replies, sounding conflicted in his words. "Please, do what I ask. There may come a time when I need you all to be the beacon on this planet and perhaps my most loyal allies. I would need the Nubians to march at my side. I have to go, good luck, girls."
And Vader walks off, leaving behind the ladies and off to another destiny. Padmé feels betrayal at Vader leaving, but she knows it is something to do with the Jedi. Without him, she knows that she would have to be successful and be better for not the Republic and the Jedi but for the only one man who ever came forward and helped her reclaim Naboo.
Vader has so much trust in her and her handmaidens, and they wouldn't be right in abusing that. Padmé would not fail him as she has failed Naboo. Like he said, they would be his most loyal allies until the end...
He would hopefully be the one who find a foundation for a better system.
The Jedi would hound him, but Vader would always fight no matter if the entire galaxy turned against him.
Padmé has been shaken for the past week. Not only has she lost some of her best friends, but there is also the fact that one of Naboo's strongest Senators that have managed to stand against the Federation and be successful until the end died in her term as a Queen.
No doubt about it, Nute Gunray was the one who got Naboo's Senator killed.
Not only does she feel like the most incompetent Queen in history despite her handmaidens insisting otherwise, but her trust in the organizations has also been fractured completely as they have shown themselves lacking in her time of need.
Even when they have finally admitted Gunray's villainy and his crimes, no surprise that Neimoidian scum was able to escape.
A small voice in the back of her head taunts her that she should have killed that fool when given the opportunity which would have saved more lives. She had a blaster to his face, and if only she had pulled the trigger...
Or she could have had Sabé blast his fucking brains onto the deck of her palace and could have covered it up. Either way, those hopes of the past, so many innocents on Naboo would have been aggrieved and those who have been massacred in the palace would have been spared.
Clarity makes it clear that Sabé is not to blame. She only did her duty as a decoy and she was successful in protecting Padmé and all the handmaidens she could have. Besides, what happened a week prior is beginning to highlight on her closest friend - there are times where she would sit excluded from the rest in depression, as if she was the one who failed the entirety of Naboo.
'That should be me... not her... she did what she could to help me... to help Naboo... it was I who had failed her.'
Padmé feels helpless when her friend is in this state but she knows she would not be able to change her mind.
Sabé does her part, and Padmé is doing hers. At the end of the day, Padmé is the Queen of Naboo, not Sabé who is just someone who has been signed up, who is Padmé's childhood friend that has been called to war because she has many similarities to her. Now, both of them are emotionally tormented, enduring the agony that Vader has only warned them about.
Through the Holonet, she watches as Sheev Palpatine is buried on Naboo, wishing to be there herself but as always a decoy had to fill her position. It wasn't Sabé, due to her still being ostensibly emotional about what happened, but another one handmaiden she had under her service that she didn't knew that much personally. The said appointed fake Queen having to place on a mask as one of the most respectable man that Naboo never deserved to have.
She has been too weak and it has cost many their lives.
If she had been stronger, so many people would have been alive and her handmaidens wouldn't be going through pain. Pacifism, while surely a beneficial outcome, is not something that is involved in a war. All there is pain and death whereas the so-called democracy she has been raised around is nothing but a farce.
As shown with the attack of the Trade Federation, democracy is flawed, leaders need to fight to maintain their position or to get elected. Politicians need to make unfeasible promises to get elected then when they are in office they need to spend money recklessly and achieve short-term goals.
Democracy forces politicians to focus on short-term goals and not worry about long-term consequences because as soon as someone is voted out they don't have to worry about the repercussions of their policies. In short, the constant pressure to keep people happy and to stay in power makes it impossible to run a planet or the entirety of the Senate in the Republic.
All of those prospects are surely horrible as Padmé doesn't like the thought of war because as shown what happened to those in the palace and those many who have died and been imprisoned by the Trade Federation but it is a necessity. The Jedi who could have done something about it but they didn't appear to care, their opinions being swayed by the fact that going into war would only cause the death of much more.
While that is true, it was not right to leave Naboo in the cutter.
'Just like those slaves in the Outer Rim.' Padmé thinks bitterly, glaring at no one in particular, her teeth ground together like an animal that has just hunted their prey. She has seen for herself what was happening to Anakin and Shmi, a child and an innocent woman who have been nothing but gentle to them despite everything and took them in when they didn't have to, and yet gentle people like that...
'They are nothing but possessions for a master to exploit and the Jedi and Republic do nothing because they don't care. Just like with Naboo and the other planets that are not sworn fully to them, they don't care until the core of the Republic is invaded and the Jedi only don't get involved because they are nothing but sad little police forces for that Republic. They don't do anything because they allow the Republic to tell them what is right and wrong.'
Padmé has been failed by not only the Jedi Order and the Republic but by her own beliefs. Everything that she believed was nothing but a hot white lie, not only being brainwashed by those who only wanted to use her for their own accomplishments and not allowing her to see life for itself until it was too late.
Padmé, in the end, was a fool.
'The Republic is not what it once was. The senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good.'
Loathe as she is to admit it, the former Senator of Naboo - that traitor brings out the worse in her - has been absolutely correct when he has told that to her. The Republic could only barely even control their own system that they have been running for centuries which only proved Padmé's newfound view. It is only a matter of time before the Republic would be absolutely destroyed by their own if not by those of a powerful base like the Trade Federation.
Their ineffectiveness and refusal only demonstrate to her that the Republic has no army thus making them weak and incompetent. While she may not be able to save the Republic, at least not now, it is time for Naboo to create their own army. Many would call for it after what happened to assure another attack on their planet would not only be countered but also mean that they don't have to rely on the system that has failed them.
Reliance on the Republic would only lead to major failure is something that Padmé has learned.
"It is all their fault," Padmé murmurs, her voice strained and infuriated as she stares into the mirror where her face coated with tears are staring back. "Ugh damn it! It is the Republic's fault for what happened to Naboo and the fact that Panaka and the other guards are dead. It is the Republic's fault for Yané and Saché being tortured! It is the Republic's fault that Nute Gunray managed to escape! It is the Republic's fault that a serpent like Palpatine was able to take over!"
As her voice gets louder and louder, she pounds her fists against the mirror, not caring about the glass that bloodied her hand. Sure, it would hurt later, but she is too furious to care about whatever pain that is coursing through her body.
Padmé screams as the glass finally shatters all around her.
How is she going to face her parents and sister when they have their inevitable meeting at the end of all of this? How is she going to look at Panaka's family's eyes and tell them what happened to the captain that served her, the same applying for all of the guards that have perished in the palace? How is she going to be able to face the people of Naboo who have, without a shadow of a doubt, heard about what happened and are probably shaming her name for her failure to save those lives?
The mirror breaking more and more is almost a sort of symbolism. It is as if Padmé has just beaten that foolish Padmé Naberrie Amidala who believed that democracy is the answer as is the Republic, her screaming as she is finally killed from within.
She has been too weak, and so Panaka died- so Naboo has nearly been destroyed, and so her innocence was killed.
A new Padmé Naberrie Amidala is born that day as the old one, full of disillusionment and believing that democracy is the only way to solve issues is shot figuratively in the back by the new Padmé.
Now is the time to fix this broken galaxy starting with Naboo and Padmé would see it through, even if she has to sacrifice all the beliefs she once shared.
She would fix this galaxy if she has to do it with it kicking and screaming.
'What a mournful loss.'
Tarkin has always secretly adored the ways of Sheev Palpatine, his beliefs in transferring the Republic from a weak system to a stronger one have been appealing to him, though Tarkin was one who craved for the power to do that himself, and has even gone as far as attempting to gain the favor of the systems to win supremacy
Suffice to say, he has lured the hearts of many aside from the young man and has even won among those countless systems, outgoing Valorum despite himself.
'Now, he is dead, assassinated by those Force Sensitives fools.'
Tarkin has a personal distaste for the Jedi quite a number of reasons. In his eyes, they always were weak, incapable of being those whom the galaxy must depend on protecting them. Take away a Jedi's Force power and their lightsabers, and what are they?
Little more but nothing but a fool waving their lazor sabers.
While Palpatine hardly spoke of the Jedi in a negative light, he clearly had his own fair share of disagreements and disappointment to how they operate their hold over the galaxy, something that also intrigues Tarkin and partly wanted to be intended onto growing close to Palpatine's administration.
But that chance have been stolen from him the moment Palpatine was murdered.
Tarkin's original plan in becoming a heavily loved politician would have to suffice for now. The Republic's weakness cannot last no matter the circumstances, and while Palpatine could have been the symbol of hope that would have made the Republic escalating more powerful, many would have to come to terms that they would have to continue to operate without the Chancellor who could have been the most powerful one in history.
He walks into the Senate Building standing tall and proud as always, noticing the security detail moving about and asking all for their ID before allowing them access. While this is not something done before, they are not going to allow anyone to enter without proper detail, and there is no doubt those who have been patrolled outside to prevent the common people from being given access out of fear that assassins would come in and attempt to kill others in a higher power.
As Tarkin walks up to the elevator, he hands his ID to them which is inspected before the guards allow him to pass, making way to his office. His little stroll did leave him to think, and now he would be able to write future strategies onto his personal datapad.
As he enters his office, Tarkin sits down and begins typing, his hand reaching out for the coffee and downing it every so often but not taking his attention off his current task.
After some time, an aid walk up to him. "Mas Amedda is here to see you, sir."
Tarkin arches an eyebrow, wondering why the Vice-Chair would wish to see him especially since they hardly ever even interacted before. Scratch that, Tarkin hardly even noticed him when he had his talks with Valorum, but it was said that he was extremely close to Palpatine before his death even when he wasn't a Chancellor as of yet which is another one of many accomplishments.
"Let him in."
Mas Amedda walks in, both hands folded behind his back, obviously wishing to have a conversation with Tarkin. For all his silence, the Vice-Chair does appear to be taller, and there is no denying the analytical expression that is flashed across his eyes. While Tarkin doesn't know much about him, his position in power, as well as his competence, is not something that should not be taken for granted especially given he has been operating in the Senate for quite some time.
It isn't long before the doors close behind him, leaving the two men in the room alone, and given how Tarkin isn't fond of security cameras, this conversation shall not be discovered by those outside.
"Welcome, my Vice Chair friend, I am honored by your presence but I'm afrId it doesn't appear that we have an appointment for you. May I ask why are you here?" Tarkin speak, truthfully not interested in anything he has to say.
Amedda's lips twist upwards. "I am here to discuss the passing of late Chancellor Palpatine."
'Don't remind me.'
Tarkin have to admit that the loss of the late Chancellor has been a major blow against that of the stability of the Republic, and there is no doubt that it would be a matter of time before the Galactic Senate would collapse as an entirety and the Republic would be replaced from within, the foundation from centuries ago being deleted completely.
"As you know, he was the former Senator of Naboo who could have created wonders had he still been alive," Amedda continues, sadness flashing through his eyes, something that is not surprising especially given that the former Senator was close to many and so the people are grieving as it is.
"He was heavily respected and admired by the Nabooians and many within the Senate which is why it is no question that he has won the election," Tarkin responds. "But I fail to see why that has warranted this meeting between us, my friend."
"I have reviewed his database and it appears that he was observing you and had a personal interest in you." Amedda replies, a grin forming on his lips. "We both know what Palpatine had planned involved the Republic eventually changing the Republic as an whole, and we both agree with it given we have similar views. I can see one way we can go about with this: that we would have to form alliances of sorts. I am currently reviewing his intel in private to see what he wishes to accomplish."
Tarkin smirks. "You are playing a gamble: there is the possibility that the Jedi would sense your treachery. Palpatine hardly played it safe but he was someone who was influential and had gained the trust of the population."
Amedda narrows his eyes. "The Jedi are the ones who are being labeled responsible for what happened to Palpatine. At this time, we could use this to turn this against them as a means of leverage while ensuring they do not stand in the way of our plans. We would perform an excellent Alliance."
"The Trade Federation attacked once," Tarkin replies, putting his hand over his mouth. "They would do so again, next time against the Republic once their armies are bigger, which would grant us the opportunity to gain the favor of the common people only by a militaristic approach. We would require not only the source of an army and someone powerful in the Senate but a way to sustain our power, a Super Weapon where we can still install fear into those who dare to rebel against us."
"Indeed."
A figure from the shadows emerges, unseen to both of them aside from the two pairs of golden orbs staring out. There is a shadow from in the corner, an anthropomorphic individual who appeared to made the entire atmosphere darkened in turn and sucking all air from the room.
"The Jedi have murdered Sheev Palpatine. I could help you get your revenge and finally bring the Republic's law down onto them."
"Who are you?" Tarkin asks, admittedly finding himself intrigued.
"I am Darth Plagueis, and I wish to change the Republic before the Jedi could be allowed to continue to commit transgressions unchecked."
"How should we know to trust you?" Amedda inquires, staring suspiciously at the dark figure.
The dark figure takes a step forward and sits down in a chair among them both.
"Let's have a chat, shall we, gentlemen?"