'ello, peoples of the earth!
Of course, first I must say thank you to the reviewers - katierosefun, CaylithTheGolden, and Lux's Sister. Thank you for your continued support!
Also, in case you haven't figured out the pattern, I've been updating on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I know, it's a weird pattern, but oh well. *shrugs*
Now, with all that out of the way, I present to you Chapter 5 of I Know Places! Hope y'all enjoy!
Kira did her best on her defense of Humbarine, but it was quite hard to concentrate when the handmaiden (not Cadena) came in every few minutes to ask if Kira needed something. It was also hard to work when the security officers kept checking up on her. On top of that, her thoughts continued to stray to the Temple, and she would look out the window in that direction, disturbed by the massive smoke cloud still shadowing the Order's sacred place.
In short, it was a very distracting, unproductive morning.
By lunchtime, Kira wasn't in the best of moods. The debate would start in less than a few hours, and she was horribly unprepared. So, along with being distracted, she was distressed and irritated.
Obi-Wan had seen some of Kira's worse days, but she was glad he wasn't here to see this one. When she got stumped, she got up and paced the room, occasionally bouncing on the balls of her feet. When she couldn't figure out how to word a particular thought, she either leaned back in her seat or placed her head in her hands, wracking her brain for a way to express her thought. Trust your instincts, young one, Obi-Wan would've told her.
Obi-Wan's advice really wasn't helping. Her writing instincts were nonexistent.
Cadena was the one to bring Kira lunch, a plate of fried nuna and a bowl of rice. "How's it coming?" she asked as she set down the tray.
Kira wanted to plop her head down on the desk. "Not great," she mumbled. "I've never been a good writer."
"Let me see."
Kira handed the holopad on which she was typing to Cadena, who scrolled through what Kira had written. "This is actually okay. I would suggest that you move the guilt trip to the end of the speech instead of keeping it in the middle." She handed the holopad back to Kira.
Kira blinked. "I thought there was some unspoken rule that Senate speeches had to be long and boring."
"In case you haven't noticed, some of Senator Amidala's speeches have defeated bills," Cadena pointed out. "And most of them are short and sweet."
Kira thought about that and glanced down at her holopad, looking over her speech again.
"So just write up a conclusion and you'll be done." Cadena grinned and tapped the edge of the tray. "And try to eat something."
Kira looked up from the holopad. "Thanks, Cadena. Make sure you get something to eat, too."
"I will."
After Cadena left, Kira typed up a conclusion, saved the speech, and set aside the holopad. Then she dug into her food. She was ravenous, as she hadn't had anything to eat or drink since the mug of tea she'd had that morning.
Kira downed the food in minutes and went to return the tray to the kitchenette. She left it on the counter and made her way to the balcony. When she looked in the direction of the Temple, she bit her lip, noticing at that moment that the smoke cloud was coming from an area close to the location of the Bergruutfa sector.
Don't think about it. There is no chaos, there is harmony. Kira exhaled and closed her eyes, opening herself to the Force and trying to release her worry, all the while mentally repeating that particular line of the Code.
No such luck. Images of Caleb, injured or even dead, flickered through her mind.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
Next was Ahsoka, limbs twisted in grotesque positions and her eyes rolled up into her head. What if she'd been sparring in one of the training rooms?
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no blasted chaos!
"Ugh!" Kira pounded her fist against the balcony railing, opened her eyes and shook her head to clear it of the horrible pictures. She rested her head on her hands, sighing heavily.
"Ki - Senator?" Cadena made her way outside, closing the door behind her so no one could hear them. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing," Kira replied. "I'm fine."
Cadena checked to make sure no one was eavesdropping, even though she'd shut the door. "Your Force signature didn't feel fine."
Kira held up a hand. "I'm better now. I promise." She changed the subject. "How much longer do I have until the debate?"
"About an hour."
"Worst part of being a senator: there's nothing to do." Kira adjusted her head covering.
Cadena shrugged. "I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, there's not much for me to do, either."
The two girls stood in silence for a moment, looking out over Coruscant. Then Cadena stood up. "We could go ahead and get you ready for that debate."
Kira raised an eyebrow. "Do we really need an hour?"
"Got any other ideas?" Cadena asked sarcastically. "Besides, they're going to expect you to wear some really elaborate outfit. From what I've seen of Senator Breemu's wardrobe, you'll be lucky to get in one of those dresses in less than ten minutes. Then there's hair, makeup..." Cadena started ticking them off on her fingers.
Kira got the point. "Alright," she said, standing. "Let's go."
"That's the spirit," Cadena said, leading Kira back into the apartment.
Kira and Cadena sat in the speeder on the way to the Senate building, talking in low tones so they couldn't be overheard. Kira wrung her hands nervously, her holopad in her lap. "Let's hope I can pull this off," she mumbled.
Cadena reached over to squeeze Kira's wrist. "Don't worry," she whispered back. "You'll be fine. You were great when we practiced back at the apartment."
"But this is different," Kira replied. "Practicing in a room with one other person is one thing, but presenting to the entire Senate is another thing completely." She straightened her skirt. "How do the senators do it?"
Cadena shrugged. "I don't know, but I think you're about to find out."
The speeder passed through security and pulled up to the curb. The driver climbed out and opened Kira's door for her, stepping back so she could easily exit. Kira stepped out and promptly caught her long cloak on the hinge. "Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised.
"Allow me, my lady," Cadena offered, kneeling to untangle the cloak. "You wouldn't want this to tear, would you?"
"Of course not." Kira nodded to Cadena, as a senator would, and Cadena bowed her head, as protocol dictated.
Kira, Cadena, and the procession of guards made their way toward the entrance of the building. Inside, they were faced with a row of personal turbolifts. Kira inclined her head toward Cadena. "Which one is Senator Breemu's turbolift again?" she mouthed.
Kira could see her friend was trying not to laugh. "Number fifteen." Cadena whispered back.
"Ah." Kira cleared her throat. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The girls - and two guards - stepped into the turbolift marked fifteen. Cadena pressed the button.
The ride was a silent, awkward one, and Kira was glad when the doors finally opened. She and Cadena exited first and entered a bright, sunny room, complete with two sofas and a small table. Kira seated herself on one sofa and motioned for Cadena to sit on the other. "Leave us," Kira told the guards, who obeyed and left the room.
Kira exhaled and clutched the side of her holopad so tightly her knuckles turned white. Cadena tilted her head. "Is there something you wanted to talk about, Senator?" she asked.
Kira shook her head. "No. I just don't like the security." She pushed aside her cloak and patted her hip, on which a holster rested. "I've got some of my own right here."
Cadena's eyes widened. "Do not tell me you brought your lightsaber," she hissed.
"Relax." Kira returned the cloak to its original position. "It's just a blaster."
The turbolift opened again, and Kira looked up to see the intruder. Senator Amidala entered the room, flanked by only one aide. Kira stood to greet the senator. "Senator Amidala," she said politely as she discreetly gestured for Cadena to stand as well. "What brings you here?"
"Senator Breemu," Senator Amidala replied with a smile. "I wanted to wish you luck today. I truly hope that we can get some more help for Humbarine."
"As do I." Kira coughed a little. "Reports are saying that it gets worse every day. Many of the main districts have been completely obliterated."
"I'm sorry." Senator Amidala did look genuinely sorry.
"It's not your fault, Senator. Besides, I'm going to get that support, no matter what it takes." Kira offered a smile, hoping to seem optimistic.
Senator Amidala reached for Kira's hand and gave it a squeeze. "We're going to get that support," she gently corrected. "I've been pleading your case to several other senators. Some have changed their mind about the situation."
"I thank you for your help, Senator Amidala," Kira said. "I'm more grateful for it than you know."
Senator Amidala smiled. "We should probably start heading to the Senate Arena. Do you mind if my aide Teckla and I walk with you?"
"Of course not."
Senator Amidala and Kira approached the turbolift, Cadena and Teckla close behind. They passed the turbolift ride and the walk to the massive Senate chamber with small talk and just a touch of gossip. By the time they separated to head to their respective repulsorpods, both were in stitches and doing their best to keep their laughter to a minimum. Kira was actually humming when she and Cadena reached the entrance to the repulsorpod reserved for the delegation from the Humbarine sector.
Cadena, unfortunately, did not enjoy the walk as much as Kira had. "I think Teckla's suspicious," she murmured to Kira. "I tried to make small talk, and she started asking all sorts of probing questions."
Kira pressed her lips together. "Alright. We'll try to stay clear of Teckla. In the meantime, did she say anything about me?"
Cadena shook her head. "Nothing."
"Okay." Kira checked her hand for her holopad, which she had luckily not lost. "Maybe it'll blow over and she'll forget about you."
"I don't know." Cadena looked uncertain. "She seemed more like the type to tell her mistress."
Kira sighed. "I'll think of a cover story, just in case. In the meantime..." She looked out at all the repulsorpods in the high chamber. "Let's get this speech over with."
"Good luck."
Kira looked over her shoulder at Cadena and smiled at the hidden meaning in her statement. In fact, she could sense it as clearly as if Cadena had said it out loud. May the Force be with you.
"Thanks, Cadena." With that, Kira stepped into the repulsorpod and sat down, waiting for the debate to begin.
When Mas Amedda finally called the meeting to order, chaos broke loose as senators shouted above each other for the chance to speak first. Chancellor Palpatine eventually raised his hand for silence. "Let us first hear from the senator of Humbarine herself," he suggested, "for it is her that the decision we are making will affect the most."
In response, Kira maneuvered the repulsorpod to the middle of the room, stopping in front of the Chancellor's stand. "Thank you, Chancellor," she said. She took a deep breath, then began.
"My fellow Senators, as you well know, my home planet of Humbarine has had the misfortune of becoming a target of the Separatist leader, General Grievous. Our men have fought valiantly but have not been able to stop the Separatist fleets. In the course of these battles, Grievous has managed to obliterate half the planet, murdering much of our population and leaving few survivors to flee to friendly space.
"The citizens we have left - the survivors - are now crying out for help in search of hope, something they have always turned to the Republic for in times of need. Why do they petition us, the Senate, to protect them? Why do they call out to the Republic when they need help?
"Because the Republic has been a symbol, the symbol, of the galaxy Humbarine wishes to be a part of.
"We have much to offer and have not kept our resources from you. We have donated our tears, our sweat, and our effort to your cause. We have donated the oil to make fuel for your gunships and win the war that has been dragging on for far too long. The best of our captains and soldiers have enlisted in your service, eager to fight to keep the Republic standing strong. And for thousands of years, you have had our unwavering pledge of loyalty.
"The people of Humbarine see the Republic as a beacon of hope and a light in the darkness. We have done our part to serve this Republic and the people that live in it - now will you do your part to assist us?"
Kira was so focused on the words in her speech and the people she was representing – if only temporarily – that she was startled when the end of her speech was met with thunderous applause. While the other senators clapped, she moved the repulsorpod back into place and sat down.
Kira couldn't help feeling at least a little proud of herself. She hoped that if Obi-Wan could've seen her, he would've been proud, too.
I cannot take full credit for Kira's speech. You can thank katierosefun for the basic outline. All I did was flesh it out a bit.
Kira: When are you going to do anything on your own? Almost nothing in this story is yours!
Me: ...Kira, that's what fanfiction is. You take your favorite fictional world and you play around with it. That's basically all I'm doing.
Obi-Wan: The only thing Amy owns here is you, Kira. I think she's said that plenty.
Kira: Okay, sorry! When do I get to do something amazing?
Cadena: What about me? I'm bored to death over here!
Me: You're a youngling at this point, Cadena. You're lucky the Council even sent you on a mission.
Cadena: But...
Me: *glares*
Cadena: ...
Me: Do my ears deceive me? Is Cadena actually not talking!? I should get a medal.
Kira: Amy, you are too egomaniacal for your own good.
Me: Yes, I am. Do the review notice.
Kira: But I-
Me: Obi-Wan did it yesterday.
Kira: So why can't Cadena do it?
Cadena: Hey, don't drag me into this!
Me: Because I said so. Now, Kira. You may begin when ready.
Kira: -_- Please review if you liked it, hated it, or wanted to light it up and watch it burn. Or don't. The latter works for me.
Me: She means the former.
Kira: No, I-
Me: I'll see y'all on Thursday! May the Force be with you all!