A/N: Oh dear. It all goes downhill from now on.

Chapter Forty-Six – Incursion.

After the meeting ended, Padmé remained subdued. She would give no details about her conversation with Obi-Wan, other than that he had said he was worried about Anakin. Determined to forget about it for a while, she decided to put the politician aside and let the young woman emerge by going about choosing a suitable robe for the appointment with the Chancellor. Somehow, she always felt it more important to hide her pregnancy from him than others, especially in light of her growing distrust.

While she was busy doing that, Sabé had received a letter from Saché and was composing a reply when the door chimes rang out. Seeing as both Moteé and Ellé were engaged in helping Padmé, she opened the door herself. It was Anakin, looking tired and haggard. "Hi," he greeted.

"Hello. Padmé's trying on clothes. We have a meeting later."

Anakin nodded and entered the room, just as Padmé stuck her head around her door to see who it was. She was wearing a dark blue dress that had not been altered, and therefore showed her condition. There were a few buttons undone at the back, suggesting that that particular garment was about to be rejected. "Ani," she began in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Before he could answer, Sabé cut in, "I'm going to go and look for an appropriate gown." Beckoning to Moteé and Ellé, she disappeared into her own room.

There, the three sat gossiping until Anakin left and Padmé called for her handmaidens once more. "I thought you said you were going to look for another dress," she commented, seeing Sabé in her unchanged clothes.

She shrugged. "Well, I lied."

Padmé eventually settled on a shimmersilk gown of blue and reddish brown, and sat thinking about recent events as Moteé fussed over her hair.

Downstairs, Sabé was pretending to listen to 3P0's chatter whilst finishing her letter to Saché, writing that Ben had had to leave on an important mission, when there came an incoming transmission from Bail.

"I hope you're well prepared for the meeting, Sabé," he said.

"So do I. But it's Padmé's preparation that really matters here."

"That it is. I'm calling to inform you that I've managed to find a further three senators to join you."

"Have they signed the petition?" Sabé asked.

"Yes. There's Malé-Dee from Uyter, Nee Alavar, representative of the Kanz Sector of Lorrd, and Meena Tills from Mon Calamari."

Sabé nodded. "Added to Padmé, myself, Fang Zar and Jar Jar. That seems to be a reasonably-sized party."

"Yes. I'm counting on you for a full report afterwards."

"You'll have it. I'll tell Padmé the news. We're nearly ready to leave."

"The senators will meet you in the lobby." They exchanged pleasantries and Bail's blue image faded.

She informed Padmé about the other senators and the party left for the Senate building. The gathered politicians followed Padmé up to Palpatine's office. The Chancellor had always favoured large windows and the ones lining the corridor to the office were no exception. The view was awe-inspiring, showing the setting sun reflected in almost every building so that it looked as if the entire city was painted a warm pink hue.

Moteé and Ellé were required to wait outside with Captain Typho, which they were not happy about, but they did so without grumbling. The Chancellor's aide sent the committee in, where Palpatine greeted them cordially. Padmé and Sabé were somewhat shocked to see Anakin flanking him, but they hid it well. There were four chairs set out, which Padmé, Nee Alavar, Malé-Dee and Fang Zar took. Sabé, Jar Jar and Meena Tills stood behind.

Padmé began by presenting the petition to the Chancellor and explaining that some in the Senate were concerned at the increasing moves away from democracy. She also made sure to mention that they were not happy with the appointment of the overseeing governors. This she conveyed in one polite speech, somehow managing to fit in all the issues addressed without making herself sound like a Separatist.

"I understand your reservations completely, Senator," Palpatine said, "and I assure you, the appointment of governors will in no way compete with the duties of the Senate."

"May I take it then that there will be no further amendments to the constitution?"

"I want this terrible conflict to end just as much as you do, my lady, and when it does, I guarantee an immediate return to democracy."

"You are pursuing a diplomatic solution to the war then?" Sabé prompted.

"You must trust me to do the right things," Palpatine told her. "That is why I am here."

Fang Zar sat up straighter. "But surely–"

"I've said I'll do what is right," the Chancellor snapped. "That should be enough for your committee."

Padmé stood up, the beading on her robe tinkling softly. "On behalf of the delegation of Two-Thousand, I thank you, Chancellor."

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention, Senator."

Padmé raised her eyebrows sceptically and gave the slightest nod. She could not help glancing over at Anakin before leading the party out of the office.

"Well," Sabé commented once they were out. "That took all of ten minutes."

"When the Chancellor says that his word should be enough for our committee, we're supposed to take it as case closed," Nee Alavar said.

"Too right." Sabé sighed. She glanced over at Padmé and Fang Zar. "Bail won't be happy with how that went."

"There was nothing more I could say," Padmé defended. "Not without completely turning him against me, anyway."

"I'm not blaming you, Padmé, I'm just making an observation."

"Mesa wonderin," Jar Jar voiced, "why Ani was there."

Malé-Dee nodded. "Yes. Why did he have a Jedi in there?"

"Presumably he's trying to tell us that he has the Jedi on his side."

"Do you believe that, Senator Amidala?"

"No, I don't. Anakin Skywalker is good friends with the Chancellor and he does not represent the entire Jedi Order."

This seemed a surprising thing for Padmé to say, and Sabé couldn't help shooting her a confused look.

"Either way," Padmé continued, "we'll need to see how things look in the Senate now that we've made our feelings known. Thank you, Senators, for taking the time to be here today." They had by this time reached the lobby once more.

The group parted. Padmé made her way back to her speeder, Typho and the handmaidens in tow. Sabé paused. "I promised Bail I would report to him on how the meeting went," she said. "I'll be back later."

Padmé nodded. "See you later."

Sabé moved on to a place where she could easily hail an air taxi. While she was waiting for its previous occupant to pay and tip the driver, she glanced at some of the others waiting there, spotting Cherek not far away. He was speaking urgently into a comlink, nervously running one hand through his greying hair. He clearly hadn't noticed her. Fortunately, as soon as he did, she was getting into the taxi, far too occupied to acknowledge him.

As she had predicted, Bail was not happy about how the meeting went. He was, however, very understanding about Padmé's reasons for not pressing the matter.

"Oh, there was something else," Sabé said, recalling the afternoon's events. "Anakin Skywalker was there the whole time, standing at Palpatine's right hand."

Bail frowned. "Why would he do that?"

"Padmé thinks it was to suggest to us that the Chancellor has the entire Jedi Order on his side."

"What do you think?"

Sabé shrugged. "I don't know about most of the Jedi, but I know of two that I'm pretty sure would agree with us and one that I'm almost convinced would."

"Which one?"

"Master Yoda."

He nodded. "I agree. Who were the other two?"

"Master Kenobi and Master Windu."

"I thought it would be. I agree with you there as well. Not Jedi Skywalker then?"

Feeling as though she was betraying Padmé, she shook her head. "No, I'd have to say not, old friend though he is."

"I fear we may have to approach them and ask."

"Well, Master Yoda has gone to Kashyyyk and Obi-Wan…Master Kenobi has gone to fight Grievous. I'm not sure where though, he couldn't disclose the information to me."

"But Master Windu is still here, yes?" Bail asked.

"I haven't been told otherwise."

"Perhaps we should go and see him."

"I'll go," Sabé offered. "He knows Yoda trusts me, which might work in our favour. I'll go back to the apartment and tell Padmé what I'm doing, then I'll go and see him."

"Alright. Just let me know what you're up to."

She smiled. "Of course. You're in charge of this committee."

"I'll contact Mon Mothma and report everything you've told me."

It was still not yet dark when Sabé left. Sunsets tended to last much longer on Coruscant than they did on other planets. When she got back to 500 Republica, Padmé had changed back into her green gown and was sitting deep in thought on the sofa in the upstairs lounge. A curious hush had fallen over the apartment and Sabé didn't like to disturb it. She tiptoed downstairs to the marble sitting room and wandered out onto the veranda to look up at the slowly appearing stars. Obi-Wan was somewhere out there, perhaps fighting for his life against Grievous. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. She couldn't afford to think about it too much, it would only overwhelm her. She had other important matters to deal with. 'Duty first. Always duty first.' Sometimes she felt tired of following that pledge, but she knew she would never change her ways.

She stood out on the terrace for a further ten minutes, watching the sun dip down below the collection of buildings. The sky was an interesting shade of green tonight. Padmé walked quietly up behind her, her velvet skirt sweeping softly on the marble floor. "I didn't hear you come back," she said.

Sabé turned. "You were having a quiet moment."

"I was thinking."

"You're troubled. I can tell."

Padmé looked down, her tightly curled hair falling over her shoulder. "I don't want to talk about it."

Sabé resisted a sigh. She was getting used to her cousin's secrecy. "I need to go over to the Jedi Temple. I have to speak with Master Windu."

"What about?"

"The loyalist committee."

"I thought it might be. When will you be back?"

"I don't know," Sabé said. "But I'll try not to bother you."

Padmé simply nodded, and Sabé made her way outside to flag down an air taxi. She was passively quiet as they approached the Temple, the strange feeling from that morning still lodged in her stomach.

Inside, a small number of Jedi were going about their business. Sabé remembered the first time she had entered the Temple, in search of Anakin at Padmé's request. It had been far more populated then. Many Jedi had been killed through the war and several were away fighting on other planets.

She made her way up several levels to the room that Yoda had used to teach the young Padawans to use the training lightsabres. There, a Calamarian Master was holding evening meditation for the younglings. It wasn't one she was acquainted with. "Excuse me," she began politely. "Could you tell me where I might find Master Windu?"

He turned to her. "I'm sorry, you've missed him. He and one or two others went to see the Chancellor, to ensure his return to democracy."

Sabé frowned. "Why?"

"In light of the destruction of General Grievous they thought it the best possible action. I'm afraid I don't know the details."

Her heart leapt. Obi-Wan had succeeded. "Thank you, Master." She was about to ask another question, but the Jedi wasn't listening. Instead, he had snapped his head towards the window. Sabé had been around Jedi long enough to know that he had sensed something in the Force. "What? What is it?"

"Something's here." He hurried over to look outside.

Sabé followed, just in time to see a large squadron of troops making their way up the steps, lead by a dark figure in a hooded robe. "It's an invasion," she said grimly.

The Master concurred and turned to the younglings. "Hide!" he barked. "Up to the Council Chamber, quickly. Stay there, no matter what you hear."

The children nodded, looking pale and scared, and ran over to the turbolift. The Calamarian Master ignited his lightsabre and glanced at Sabé. "You should leave. Get out while you can."

"I have a blaster," she offered.

"They have fifty," he replied. "Go. Please."

She met his eyes. "Thank you. May the Force be with you." She ran as quickly as she could towards the turbolift. It had not escaped her notice that in order to leave she would have to wait for the troops to come in. She didn't like the idea of that, but there was no alternative. The only other exits were through the landing platforms. To get out that way, she would be taking a gamble on there being an available ship.

Before she could reach the lift, the doors opened and several troops stepped out. Sabé backed further into the shadows. Nearby Jedi reflected bolts with their sabres and battled bravely, but there were simply too many troops. They fell quickly. Sabé considered retrieving her blaster, but she knew it would be of little use. She glanced around for a hiding place, pulling up all knowledge she had of the Temple's plan. There was a small hangar directly above her, she was sure of it. If she could just get there, she might be able to find a ship.

She pulled out her blaster and studied how many troops lay between her and the lift. Most of them had moved through into other areas. The Calamarian Master had just fallen, shot through the head by a Captain. The turbolift doors opened once more and the hooded figure stalked through. Sabé ducked down behind a pillar, closing her eyes. For some reason she couldn't explain, the figure struck terror into her very soul.

He did not stop on this level, but walked straight into the turbolift for the Council Chamber. Sabé's heart twisted as she thought of the younglings hiding up there. But to try and fight the hooded figure would result in dying fruitlessly. Sabé had seen Sith before. First the tattooed menace on Naboo, then Dooku. This faceless creature was certainly one. She would bet her life savings on it. She wondered if it was the elusive Darth Sidious that Obi-Wan had spoken about.

Smoke began drifting through the Temple from fires the troops had started and Sabé realised just how dangerous her situation was. She was a witness to this unprecedented attack. A non-Jedi witness at that. There was a cold feeling of dread seeping into her chest as she began to comprehend the reason for it. The Chancellor must have ordered it.

Four troops now stood between her and the turbolift. She would have to risk it. She doubted very much that the odds would improve. As quietly as she could manage, she slipped out of her heavy velvet gown, thankful that she had her jumpsuit underneath. She left it in a pile and took a while to calm her breathing before planning her shots. She fired at two troops from where she was, hitting them in the back. The other two began shooting and she darted behind the pillar for cover. Her next shot missed, but the following one took out the third. She took a quick look to see where the fourth was, pulling her head back just as a bolt took off a lock of her hair. She took a deep breath, leapt out and fired, managing to hit him in the arm. Running up, she kicked his blaster out of reach and levelled hers at his chest. She fired.

Taking a hurried look around to see that there were no other troops, she stepped into the lift and took it up to the next level. She instinctively receded into the shadows as soon as she reached it, and glanced around to see what was going on there. The bodies of several Jedi littered the floor, accompanied by some of the troops that had so unexpectedly turned against them.

The hangar entrance was near enough for Sabé to reach it without detection and she began scrutinising ships. Several troops guarded the doorway out to the landing platform, providing potential trouble, but she knew if it came to it she would be perfectly happy to run them over.

As she studied them, a speeder came into view, eventually coming in to land on the platform. Sabé nearly fainted in relief to see Bail hop out of it. The troops came out to meet him.

"What's going on here?" he asked in a commanding tone.

"There's been a rebellion, sir," the Captain told him. "Don't worry, the situation is under control."

Bail frowned and tried to push past only to find a blaster barrel raised.

"I'm sorry, sir," the trooper said. "It's time for you to leave."

Admitting defeat, he nodded. "And so it is." He began a slow walk back to his speeder and Sabé felt her heart sink.

Her chance of getting out alive was about to go with him unless she did something fast. Summoning all her courage, she stepped out of hiding and walked up to the troops. "Senator Organa, thank the gods you came!"

Several blasters pointed at her. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

It had worked all those years ago. Could she pull it off now? "I am Senator Amidala," she announced, "and what I was doing here is none of your concern, Captain. I'm very glad to see you here. The Jedi are out of control."

"Did you ask him to come here?" Gesturing at Bail.

"Yes. Once I realised that the Jedi were trying to take over the Senate, I called Senator Organa for help. I've been hiding." The Captain studied her for a long while and she added, "Is the Chancellor alright?"

"Yes, M'Lady. There was an attempt on his life, but he is relatively unharmed. Luckily the Jedi assassins were all killed."

She swallowed her horror. "I'm glad to hear it. Now, may I leave?"

He nodded. "Yes, Senator. Go now. Both of you."

As soon as Sabé had slipped between them and joined Bail she felt she could breathe again. They had turned to head back towards the speeder when there came the sound of a lightsabre. It came from a young Padawan, who was fighting for his life, cutting down trooper after trooper.

"Get him!" one of them yelled.

The child fought for as long as he could, but eventually suffered a shot to the chest. He crumpled to the ground.

Someone shouted, "No!" Sabé wasn't sure if it was Bail or herself or both.

The remaining troops rounded on them and they leapt up into the speeder, dodging blaster bolts. Bail piloted the vehicle away as fast as its small engines would allow. Sabé looked back at the Temple as they went and was appalled to see flames bursting not only from the level she had been on, but all over. The smoke was thick and black and curled far up into the sky. Tears stung her eyes and she bit her lip to keep them back. Her hands were shaking from the shock of her narrow escape. She dreaded to think what might have been if Bail hadn't been there.

"I would thank you," she said, "but it doesn't seem enough."

"As soon as I saw the smoke I had to come and see what was going on. I presume you didn't get to speak to Master Windu."

"I fear we must assume he is dead."

Bail nodded grimly. "I don't think this is happening just here."

Sabé looked at him, eyes widening. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I think this is happening all over the galaxy. The Jedi are being killed off."

She simply sat there in stunned silence. She didn't want to think about what it might mean. The tears spilled out onto her cheeks.

"I'm going to take my ship out and see if I can find any survivors," Bail said. "I'll drop you off first."

"No," she protested at once. "I'm coming with you. I have to."

Bail shot her a sideward glance, noting her tears. "Alright."

She retrieved her comlink from her boot and punched in Padmé's number. "I need to tell Padmé though, she knew I was going to the Temple."

Padmé answered almost at once. "Amidala."

"Padmé, it's Sabé. I'm alright."

There came an audible sigh of relief and Padmé's slightly wobbly voice said, "Where are you?"

"I'm with Bail Organa. There's something I need to do. I don't know when I'll be back. I was just letting you know I'm safe."

"Ok. Just be careful."

"You too."

Neither woman asked about the two Jedi that were on their minds, but the hope that they were alive was hidden within their worried tones. Sabé signed off and took one last look at the burning Temple, once a place of beauty and peace. Her husband's beloved home. 'He has to be alive,' she thought. 'I would know if he wasn't. Wouldn't I?'