Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Chapter 11: Only Two There Can Be

The next morning, a shuttle arrived from Coruscant to take Viceroy Gunray and Rune Haako away. Queen Amidala and her entire court, along with the Jedi, were outside to see the two criminals off.

"Now Viceroy, you're going to have to go back to the Senate to explain all this," Amidala told Gunray with satisfaction.

Captain Panaka stepped forward and also addressed Gunray. "I think you can kiss your trade franchise goodbye."

Gunray and Haako were then taken away.

While the Queen and Panaka had been speaking to Gunray, another ship from Coruscant arrived; this one carrying the new elected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Before coming over to her, he stopped in front of Anakin and Obi-Wan, who were standing a few feet ahead of her.

"We're indebted to you for your bravery Obi-Wan Kenobi." He then turned to Anakin. "And you young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest."

As Palpatine approached her, Padme made sure to put on a self-satisfied, yet gloating expression on her face as if to say, "I told you so." He seemed to get the hint, but still wore that arrogant smirk/smile which clearly said he too was still gloating to himself about his election. He nodded to her, and despite herself, she had to admit it'd been all too easy for him to be elected. But was of course happy that everything was going as planned.

"Congratulations on your election Chancellor," she said with a smile.

"Your boldness has saved our people your majesty, it's you who should be congratulated," Palpatine said. "Together we saw bring peace and prosperity to the New Republic."

The Queen nodded and everyone then proceeded into the palace to eat the luncheon that had been prepared for them.

During the meal, Amidala insisted that Anakin and Palpatine sit on either side of her; not Sabe and Sache. She chatted with both, and introduced Anakin to Palpatine.

The boy was still a bit in shock about her being the Queen, and so wasn't as talkative as he usually was. Whenever she'd ask him something he'd answer with "Yes, your majesty" or "No, your majesty."

"Anakin, I hope you don't feel uncomfortable around me now," she said after about the tenth 'your majesty' answer from him. "After all, I am the same person you knew before you found out I was Queen, right?"

"Yes...of course your majesty," was his brisk reply.

"And please Anakin, just call me Padme," she said. "You are my friend, and as such my equal."

"Ok...Padme."

Anakin was much more comfortable after that, chatting merrily about when he was flying in space.

When the luncheon ended, Padme went outside to the palace's rear, looking out over the backyard gardens, which were encircled in the form of a courtyard. Palpatine soon joined her. They were alone, with no guards or security cameras to interfere.

"So, Baynetta…"

She turned to face him. She'd been half dreading, half looking forward to this meeting for a while now.

"Yes...Sidious?"

"What exactly did you mean by foreseeing the outcome on Naboo?"

She began to walk off the porch and into the gardens. He followed. "I thought I'd made myself clear. I had a vision of the future."

"An actual premonition of the future?" he asked slightly surprised.

"Of course."

"And everything that happened went according to your vision?"

"That's right Senator. Oh yes," she gave a mock bow, "I mean Chancellor. I'm going to have to get used to calling you that."

A moment of silence went by before she spoke again. "I uh-also saw Maul being killed before the effect. I can't tell you how pleased I was at that."

Padme never much liked Maul, and the feeling was mutual. Though they never saw much of each other, they had always been something sort of rivals for Sidious' favor. She hoped, now that Maul was gone, that she could be Sidious' main apprentice until they had the Chosen One in their grip.

By now they were in the middle of the gardens, around an elegantly carved white stoned water fountain which several birds could be seen bathing in.

"Hmm, do not become so arrogant in your abilities Lady Baynetta," he advised.

She gave a huff. "Me?! Arrogant?! If anyone's arrogant it's you. I wouldn't call you a very good role model when it comes to not having an ego."

Sidious gave her a simple smirk. "No, I suppose not. But you Baynetta, notwithstanding that your plan was a success, should not grow accustomed with disobeying orders. That causes punishment."

The Sith Lord took that moment to strike his daughter down with Force lightning. She'd been expecting this. The impact of the lightning threw her to the ground, but she did not scream. She had grown accustomed to pain over the years of him doing this to her. She merely laid there with a triumphant smirk on her face.

"You may want to stop doing this Chancellor," she thought in a slightly singsong tone. "Remember, there are about a dozen Jedi here, and they might just be able to sense your use of the dark side, even here."

Sidious halted the Force lightning, but continued to glare down at her. She helped herself up and nodded to him.

"Well Chancellor," she said raising her voice a bit, for she sensed the presences of Sabe and Sache quickly approaching, "If you'll excuse me, I really must be going. But it's been nice talking to you again under better circumstances."

Sidious had also sensed the approaching handmaidens and went along with what Padme was saying. "Of course your majesty," he bowed. "I must also be going."

By then Sache and Sabe had arrived before them. "Oh your highness, there you are," Sache said.

"Chancellor," both girls said curtsying when they spotted him. He nodded back and strolled off.

"What were you doing out here by yourself?" Sache asked in a panic. "And why didn't you request one of us to accompany you?"

"Why didn't you request one of us to accompany you?" Padme mocked with an eye roll. "Honestly, I am quite capable of protecting myself; I began training in the military arts at the age of two."

"Yes, yes your highness we know. Please don't be upset," Sache begged.

"Upset? Whose upset?" she asked in mock confusion.

"Your majesty, we know you are quite capable of things and are not an invulent," Sabe said. "But we are here, and it is our job to protect you. At least, please, tell someone before you go off by yourself again. Alright?"

"Yes, yes I suppose," Padme said with a sigh. "Well come on girls. We should get ready for the funeral."

Like all funerals, she supposed, Jinns was filled with sadness and loss. Padme felt no remorse or pity whatsoever at Qui-Gon's death. She didn't like him much anyway.

Being as she was standing between Obi-Wan and the Chancellor, she was easily able to overhear Anakin and Obi-Wan's quiet conversation.

"What will happen to me now?" the boy asked.

"The Council has granted me permission to train you," Obi-Wan informed the boy. "You will be a Jedi, I promise."

Anakin didn't respond, but she sensed from him happiness that was soon overwhelmed with sadness. He began to cry silently.

At least he'll be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a Jedi, she thought. For a while there, I wasn't sure if they'd let him be trained or not.

For Anakin had told her about his time at the temple, and all that had transpired there. They didn't want to train him because he was "too old", and his future was filled with "clouds".

"It'll be easier to turn him to the dark side once he's a Jedi, ah Sidious?" Padme thought leeringly to her master.

"Yes...I suppose so, Baynetta."

She took the hint and stopped communicating, turning her attention back to the flickering flames that licked around Qui-Gon's dead form. She then overheard Jedi Masters, Mace Windu, and that little green frog, the several century year old Yoda, conversing nearby.

"It's no doubt this mysterious warrior was a Sith," Windu commented.

"Always two there are," Yoda stated. "No more, no less. A Master, and an Apprentice."

"But which was destroyed?" Windu pondered. "The Master or the Apprentice?"

How dumb can the Jedi be? Padme thought in disgust. Do they honestly think a Jedi Padawan could defeat a Dark Lord of the Sith Master?! And that dumb frog Yoda talking about how there can only be two Siths at a time.

"The Jedi are foolish Baynetta," Sidious thought to her, breaking into her thoughts. "Let them believe what they wish. If they want to believe there can only be two Sith at a time, let them. It'll be easier to catch them off guard that way when we strike."

"Of course, master," Padme replied.