Episode III: Attack of the Clones

Chapter 5: The Cruelty of a Sith

Anakin slept for the next seven and a half hours, in which time Padme continued reading her A Self-help Guide of How to Get Even Richer When you're Already Rich novel.

It was around this time, while reading about how to bribe people into giving you access codes to their bank account, that Anakin muttering in his sleep suddenly interrupted her.

"No."

She stopped reading. However, when Anakin didn't say anything else, she went back to her book.

"No!" Anakin said louder this time. Padme shot a glare over at him above her book, but continued reading all the same.

"NO!"

Padme jumped this time, for Anakin had nearly shouted. Muttering a curse, she resumed reading her book.

"Mom," Anakin muttered.

What?

"Mom, no."

What the hell?

"Idiot. Shut up." She knew he couldn't hear her, but somehow it just made her feel better to reprove him aloud. She was just going back to her book, when Anakin continued to mutter even more in his sleep. She angrily snapped her book shut and glared over at him.

"No. No, no please."

She was now starting to get a bit worried. As Anakin continued to plead with whoever was in his dream, she got up off the floor and shook him awake.

"Anakin! Anakin, wake up!"

He finally woke and rolled from his side to his back. He sat up when he saw her. "Padme!"

"Are you alright Anakin? You were muttering in your sleep."

"Yes. I'm…I'm fine."

He said this not looking at her, and she knew he was lying again, but chose not to push it. Instead, she changed the subject.

"Well I figured we have about two hours and some change left on our journey. What would you like to do to help the time go by?"

Anakin glanced around the room a moment before setting sights on the Holovision. "I think I'd like to fix that."

"Well I can't help you with that," she said. "As I told you before, I'm not good when it comes to mechanics."

"Then what are you supposed to do while I work on it?"

"I'm sure I can find something to do what with the things I have in my suitcase."

"Such as?"

"Oh you know, some basic necessities: a few Holodiscs, books, notepads, my journal, photo albums, and my trusty holocamera. I enjoy taking and looking at stills. It's one of my hobbies."

"One of my favorite hobbies is looking at myself in the mirror," Anakin quipped.

Padme playfully swatted him before she proceeded to rummage through her suitcase, figuring out what she was going to do. In the end, she decided to continue reading her book. Anakin, meanwhile, kept himself occupied with the Holovision.

Just as he was finishing up with it a few hours later, an announcement was made over the loud speaker.

"Attention all occupants: we are now entering the atmosphere of Naboo. All remaining passengers are to report to the main hanger of the ship and await exiting."

Gathering their things, the Senator and the Jedi did as instructed and exited the ship once it landed at the Theed Central Transport Center.

They, that is to say Amidala, were to report to the Theed Royal Palace as soon as they arrived. The Senator was to meet with Queen Jamilla about the assassination attempts and the comings and goings of the Senate, mainly concerning the Military Creation Act.

On their way to the Palace, Padme and Anakin busied themselves with conversation.

"I never enjoyed wearing the customary white makeup that's required of electoral Monarchs while I was Queen," she was saying. "It took so long to do, and I just didn't like it."

"I think it's strange actually, since no one in the original Royal House was required to wear makeup during their rule," Anakin commented. "I never quite got what was up with that. In my eyes, it makes them look stupid. Especially the elected Kings; in particular King Phinueos."

Padme laughed. "Well, Phinueos was a pitiful airhead. The makeup just went in stride with that."

Anakin laughed. "I still don't see how he could've ran for two terms. I think he must've paid someone off."

"Probably," she laughed.

"But from what I've read Padme, you did an amazing job as Queen. The people you served thought you were the best Monarch they'd had since the Royals died," he informed. "They even tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office."

The former Queen rolled her eyes. She remembered all too well. "I was relived when my two terms were up. Not that I didn't enjoy being Queen, I did. It's just that after eight years, I got bored with the job and wanted to move on to something else. Something more challenging. So when Jamilla asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse her."

"I agree with her," Anakin responded. "I think the New Republic needs you. I'm glad you choose to serve."

"Of course you are," she said with a sly smile. "Otherwise you may have never seen me again."

Anakin blushed a little and stared at the ground. The rest of the trip to the Palace was spent in silence, as a result.

When Jedi and Senator arrived at the Palace threshold, the Royal Guard stationed at such snapped to attention and saluted them. "Welcome Senator Amidala. Master Jedi. You are expected."

No joke!

He opened the door and ushered them in. On their way to the throne room, he announced their presence over a comlink, so when they arrived, Padme wasn't surprised to see Queen Jamilla waiting at the door to greet them.

"Senator Amidala! It's so good to see you alive!"

What'd you expect me to do, suddenly croak?

Nonetheless, she stepped forward and embraced the Queen.

After more greetings were done, and she introduced Anakin to the court ("Naboo's hero has returned!" Governor Bibble exclaimed, to which Anakin smiled proudly), they got right down to business.

"If the Senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to lead to a Civil War," Amidala began.

"It's unthinkable!" Governor Bibble exclaimed. "There hasn't been a full scale war since the formation of the New Galactic Republic."

"Do you see any way through negotiations to bring the Separatists back into the Republic?" Queen Jamilla asked.

"Not if they feel threatened," the Senator replied. "My guess is they'll turn to the Trade Federation or the Commerce Guild for help."

"It's outrageous!" Bibble exclaimed again. "That after three trials on the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. I feel the Senate is powerless to resolve this crisis."

Shut up old man.

"We must keep our faith in the Republic." Queen Jamilla rose from her throne.

Amidala soon followed suit, but silently snorted at what the 'Queen' had just said. "The day we stop believing democracy can work," Jamilla continued, "is the day we lose it."

"Let's pray that day never comes," Amidala commented.

"In the meantime we must consider your own safety," Jamilla said.

Governor Bibble then spoke up. "What is your suggestion Master Jedi?"

"Master Jedi?!" Amidala laughed. "I'm sorry Governor, but Anakin isn't a Jedi yet. He's still a Padawan Learner. However, I was thinking-"

"Hold on a minute," Anakin suddenly interrupted.

Amidala turned to look at the irritated Padawan. All the while she'd been 'mocking him', in actuality, merely clarifying a simple error, she'd sensed his irritation towards her growing more and more by the second. His facial expression only confirmed this.

"Excuse me," she said and turned back to Jamilla, as if there had been no interruption. "I was thinking I'd stay at my beautiful mansion in the Lake Country. That part of the planet and Lake Country is very isolated."

"Excuse me," Anakin said interrupting once more, the anger quite obvious in his tone now. "I'm in charge of security here, milady."

Amidala openly scoffed at the sight of him, with hands on his hips. "Need I remind you Padawan Skywalker that this is my home and I know it quite well that's why we're here. I suggest you keep your fat mouth shut when no one's speaking to you. And besides, it would be wise for you to take advantage of my knowledge in this instance."

Anakin nodded his head respectfully and smiled a sick, forced smile. "Sorry milady."

She smirked triumphantly at Anakin before turning back to Jamilla with a gentle smile.

"Perfect. It's settled then," the Queen said.

"Yes." Padme threw another smirk over at Anakin, but he had his head down. She addressed Jamilla once more. "I wonder if I could use one of your handmaidens' rooms to change out of these," she coughed, "refugee clothes?"

"Of course," the Queen replied. "You may use Eirtae's room. Whom if I remember correctly, was one of your own handmaidens as Queen."

"Yes," she said somewhat distantly, not at all caring. "I do think I would remember that your highness. After all, it's only been two years since I stepped down from the throne."

"Of course," Jamilla said, giving her a slight nod. "Then you won't need direction to it, I'm assuming?"

"Naturally no," Padme replied with a nod. She then turned to look in Anakin's direction.

"Come Padawan Skywalker!" she said more as a command than a request, and proceeded towards the room without even looking to see if he was following or not. She sensed rather than heard him follow nevertheless.

Once changing into a beautiful sky blue, two-piece long sleeve mini top and double slitted skirt costume with a matching silver/blue jacket/cape, Padme exited the room to smirk at Anakin.

"Come Padawan," she once again commanded, turning her back to him, for she knew by last time she'd called him that he didn't like it.

Who cares? I enjoy aggravating people.

Leaving the Palace, they began to walk the streets of Theed.

Padme turned to find Anakin staring at the ground, refusing to make eye contact with her. Taking on a smirk once more, she queried in a mock baby tone of voice, "Aw, what is wrong little baby Padawan Anniekin."

The look of Anakin's face was priceless as he looked up at her; quite disgusted with the way she was treating him. "You think I'm still the little boy I was when we first met," he spat. "Well the truth is I've changed. I've grown up."

The Sith Lady snorted. "Whatever Ana-I think I'm all grownup-kin."

"Where are we going?" he abruptly asked in a would-be calm voice.

"To Theed's central shopping center downtown for groceries," she answered.

"Can't we just catch a shuttle or something?" he asked a bit agitated.

"What's wrong with walking?" Padme wanted to know. "It's a beautiful day out. Besides, why should I pay some fat, freaky alien to take me someplace I can walk to?"

To this, Anakin had no reply. He just kept looking ahead in silence. Padme sniffed her noise in the air at this in victory.

Upon arriving at the Theed Central Shopping Center, approximately a half-mile south of the Palace grounds, Amidala strolled up to a police officer scouting the docking bay surrounding it and introduced herself.

"Senator Amidala!" the policeman exclaimed, shaking her hand with a firm yet vigorous touch. "Wow! This is quite a surprise and honor."

"Yes," she said dryly. "But I wonder if you could do something for me?"

"Anything," he replied.

"Well you see, me and my Jedi protector here," she jerked her head in Anakin's direction (he was standing a few paces away, taking in the sights and sounds that were Theed, Naboo once more) "have some grocery shopping to do before we go to my lovely lake country mansion to hide." She added in a dramatic whisper, "You know, the assassination attempts."

"Oh yes, yes I heard," the policeman, whose nametag read 'Cedric', also whispered.

"Anyway," she raised her voice again, "I was wondering if you'd hold our things," she pointed to the suitcases, "while we shopped."

"Of course, of course." Cedric opened the driver's side passenger door to his land speeder. "You can put your things right in here."

Padme handed over her things, took off her jacket/cape due to the high humidity, thanked Cedric, and went to a nearby Supermarket – Bistro Foods – for purchases.

Since neither Padme nor Anakin knew how long they'd be staying on Naboo, the Senator decided to stock up on a large amount of food. She hoped they wouldn't be here too long. Yet all the same, it was better to buy too much, compared to too little.

Afterwards, the duo, with help from Bistro Food workers, loaded the over a hundred purchases made onto Cedric's police speeder outside, since the officer suggested taking Padme and her things to the docks of the Lake Country and the offer was graciously accepted.

Upon reaching Theed's Boat Docks roughly an hour later, the weather had completely made a turn for the for the worst in hotness. So while Cedric and Anakin loaded the groceries onto Amidala's own personal yacht, Princess Padme, she changed into yet another luxurious costume. But this one being a flowing multicolor white open-back dress, and equally white flat sandals.

Being as the Amidala Lake Estate was far out into the ocean, on an island with some other properties Padme owned, she'd acquired a yacht to get to and fro her home privately by land if she wished it. Though, usually she just flew in via starship.

By the time Padme was finished changing in her quarters aboard Princess Padme, Cedric and Anakin were finished loading everything on deck. Cedric was bid adieu with a 500 credit from the Senator, and she and her Jedi protector were off to the Amidala Lake Estate: a beautiful lakeside mansion that she sometimes referred to as a Palace.

Padme manned the yacht, being as it belonged to her, and had been made especially for her. A fact she made quite clear to Anakin, who'd insisted upon driving it himself.

On the way there, she told him how they'd have servants and such at the estate to wait on them, and a few security guards. She also told him all about her home and the surrounding property she owned.

Her mansion was located on the Lake Country Island of Miabi. The other property she owned on the island surrounded her house as a way of keeping her place of residence private. It was a mixture of land and small houses where her servant girls and security personnel stayed when she was not there. Besides her properties many other people lived on Miabi, though, it was a very isolated and expensive area. It only featured a few small convenient stores and an upper class boarding school for higher learning. Besides that, if residents wanted anything, they'd have to return to the main land via small boats down at the dock.