Jedi Master Arie Skywalker – "Angst is yummy." Oh boy, I'm so glad you think so because that is about to be the order of the day. And I'm glad you think the ysalamiri serum worked okay. I was a bit nervous about that but it was a key point to the story so I figured it was worth the risk. Thanks for always dropping in here and leaving me such nice reviews. It's wonderful reviewers like you that make all the hard work worthwhile!
Hellish Red Devil – Well, if you didn't like the last cliffhanger, then I have a horrible feeling you aren't going to like this one! Oh dear! Sorry this chapter didn't come as quickly as you were hoping but it took me FOREVER to get it right. The entire plot is coming to a head so I really want everything to match up perfectly. I just hope you think it was worth the wait! Thanks for reading, my friend!
stcobb – Welcome to the story! I, too, wish good things for Anakin. After all, he and Padmé are my favorite couple. But I am sticking close to the end of the RotS storyline so I understand if that bums you out. I'd be glad to have you along for the ride though if you're so inclined!
Ann Jinn – Yay! I'm thrilled that everyone seemed to think the ysalamiri serum was a good idea. I was afraid it wouldn't go over well but once again, you guys are giving me the benefit of the doubt. I'm so lucky to have such awesome readers!
meandmysharpie – Wow! What a vacation! I hope you had a great time and I also hope you had a safe trip home. Did the first week of school go all right? Hope this chapter will entertain you and get your mind off having to go back! ;-)
Seldom Darlin – Aw, unfortunately you're definitely on the right track. Like RotS, this ending will not be too pleasant. But I do hope you'll stick with it! I always love hearing what you think!
Avschick33 – Wow, your enthusiasm really made my day! Thank you! I'm sorry the next update didn't come as quickly as I would have liked but it's an important one so I wanted to make sure everything was right. Hope you like the end result!
ALL – This chapter just about drove me around the bend. I think I finally have it the way I want it! Hope you enjoy. Just a warning – we're getting ready to take a dark turn, ya'll! I think this is my cue to run away and hide!
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ABOARD TRANSPORT SHIP
Obi-wan entered the small room to find Padmé staring intently at the screen. She was worrying a strand of hair between her fingers, squirming every so often as if unable to get fully comfortable. After about the fifth shift in position, she caught a glimpse of him and blushed.
"Obi-wan," she greeted softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you standing there."
"No need to apologize - I didn't want to interrupt. However, I thought you'd like to know that the video feed has been sent." She sucked in a breath, aware of the implications. There was no turning back now. "I trust everything is in order?"
Her gaze flew back to the status screen. "I think so. According to the system, the transmissions went through successfully. All that is left is for Anakin, Bail, Yoda and Dormé to retrieve them; and I'm not budging until I see that they have."
He sought reassurance. "But you contacted their com-link ahead of time so they would know it was waiting for them?"
"Yes and before you ask, I also used the voice modifer to make the recording."
He was startled by the pained annoyance in her voice. "May I ask what's bothering you?"
She ignored the question, tapping her finger on the screen. "Dormé has opened the transmission." Beads of perspiration appeared on her forehead. "Yoda too..."
"Padmé..." he said in a warning tone.
"Give me one more minute," she demanded harshly. "I can do this. Ah, Bail has opened his... Come on, Ani..."
"I think you should lie down. You have obviously overexerted yourself."
"Come on, Ani, please open your transmission," she murmured. When several more moments passed without a response, she turned towards him and he was struck by the agony she was obviously trying to conceal. "I'm going to contact his com-link again and tell him the truth. I don't care if every Separatist in the Galaxy uses it to track me down. He needs to know what's going on."
She tried to stand; a movement that was accompanied by the trickling sound of water.
"Oh no," she moaned. "No, sweetie, please. Not today; your mama already has a big day planned... ooooooh... Sithspit, you're not going to listen, are you?"
Obi-wan was already streaking out of the room. "Eight-Bee! Come quickly! Threepio, Artoo! Somebody! Anybody!" There was a crashing sound as he knocked something over in his frenzy. "Blast!"
Despite the pain, Padmé shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Men."
THEED, NABOO - NABERRIE HOUSEHOLD
Dormé applauded, impressed with the patient skill the two Jedi Padawans were demonstrating. Though she knew the sabers they were using were relatively harmless, she couldn't help wincing with every close call.
She had become so engrossed in the struggle, she almost missed the incessant chirping of her com-link. Rummaging in the folds of her gown, her fingers finally closed around the elusive object and flicked it on in one smooth motion.
"Yes?" she sputtered.
"You have a message," a recording intoned before clicking off.
She sat up straight, comprehension dawning on swift wings. Milady! The mysterious plan was finally ready for action; and knowing the Senator's penchance for efficiency, there wasn't any time to lose.
"Master Fisto!" she warbled. She leapt up and rushed towards the Jedi, not even noticing that the sudden movement distracted Whie and earned him a zap to the forearm.
"I believe that will be all for today," Barriss called, shaking her head in bemusement.
She left the Padawans to pack up the training equipment and trailed Kit and Dormé into the house.
"I've heard from Milady," the handmaiden explained. "I need to get to the ship for further instructions."
It didn't take them long to heed her request and fifteen minutes later, Dormé found herself seated in front of the communications console. Kit and Barriss had chosen seats towards the rear, an unspoken effort to give her privacy while remaining close enough for support.
The absence of Zett and Whie was keenly felt. But there was no doubt that the decision to leave them behind was a smart one - larger groups tended to draw more attention. That didn't mean the young men were happy about it, but Jobal had come to the rescue by asking them to sample the wares she had purchased from a local pastry shop.
"Well, I suppose we'd better see what the Senator has up her sleeve," Dormé muttered, bringing up the message. There was a whisper of static before Padme's blue-tinted form appeared before them.
"Dormé! Oh, how I've missed you! But I'm sure you are enjoying your well-deserved rest. In fact, I bet my parents have been spoiling you rotten - and why shouldn't they? You've become a part of our family; another sister who has stood by my side on more occasions than I can count."
The Senator's brilliant smile suddenly faded. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid duty calls once again and this time, it calls for the performance of a lifetime... You are to impersonate Senator Amidala at the most important function she will ever attend…
Her very own funeral."
All illusions of privacy vanished as Kit and Barriss jolted out of their seats, anxious to hear the details of such a daring plan.
CORUSCANT - OFFICE OF BAIL ORGANA
"...So I think it would be in the best interest of the Delegation to have you join me. This afternoon, we will land on a planet called Mustafar..."
Before Padmé had even finished the sentence, Bail was on the move.
He pulled out a leather case and threw in a change of clothes he kept on hand for emergencies, energized by the enthusiasm in his colleague's voice. The unexpected acquisition of General Kenobi's battle strategies had been a boon to their movement indeed.
Perhaps they were finally going to catch a break.
Admittedly, he didn't relish the idea of leaving his security staff behind but understood Padmé's reasoning behind it - the fewer people who knew where he was going, the better. As such, she would only allow Bail, Cody and one other attendant of his choice to enter Mustafar's orbit. Any more than that and Master Kenobi would know, thereby allowing their hails to go unanswered.
"I'm sorry for the extreme use of caution," she apologized again. "But I fear it has become necessary. Please travel safely; we shall look forward to seeing you soon."
He jabbed at the controls, rewinding the message to confirm the rendezvous coordinates. Once they were safely committed to memory, he took no chances and erased the entire recording, snatching up his com-link.
"Captain Antilles?" he called.
"Yes, sir?"
"Something has come up and I need you to prepare the Tantive IV. You are not to contact the remainder of the staff, nor are you to file a flight plan. This journey is strictly off the record. I will meet you at the hanger within the next half-hour. Organa out."
He took one final glance around his office, ensuring he had packed everything he might need. Slinging the strap of the rucksack over his shoulder, he donned a discarded cloak and checked his reflection. Yes, the luggage was well hidden, invisible to any prying eyes.
Perfect.
It was a struggle to maintain a casual pace but the true challenge came when he had to traverse the outskirts of the Senate Rotunda. He certainly wasn't Force sensitive by any means, but the maelstrom of emotion was evident even to him. Throughout the rooms, shoulders became slumped and heads bowed in defeat.
It only took a glance at the screen to see why - Master Yoda was confirming the 'death,' contributing a sense of realism to the report. For who would doubt a Jedi? And their longtime leader at that?
Well played, Padmé, he mused in admiration. Well played.
He finally rounded the corner and entered a mercifully empty hallway, Yoda's comments following his every step.
"Took Senator Amidala's body to her parents, Master Kenobi did. In seclusion, he is now. To fully heal the Republic, much time it will take. May the Force be with us all."
Fighting a twinge of guilt, Bail didn't allow himself to look back.
CORUSCANT - CHANCELLOR PALPATINE'S OFFICE
Anakin followed Palpatine into the Senate Rotunda, trying not to appear petulant and annoyed.
When the report did not come as quickly as promised, Palpatine had decided to join his colleagues to offer any necessary support. Unfortunately, that had meant Anakin had to go as well.
He checked the giant screen that adorned the center wall but it remained stubbornly blank. Every now and again, large white letters would appear, instructing viewers to "stand by for a live report."
Someone bumped into him and he moved to the side in an attempt to get out of the way.
"Knight Skywalker, I apologize," Bail said. "I'm afraid I just received a rather urgent call on my com-link and my haste has made me clumsy."
"No harm done," Anakin replied easily.
"Thank you for your understanding. I shall see you later, perhaps?"
"If I had my wish it would be sooner," he muttered under his breath.
Bail chuckled ruefully before heading in the direction of his office. Anakin's envy was short-lived, however, due to the timely chiming of his own com-link.
"I find it odd that the Jedi don't appreciate you yet are still so unwilling to let you out from under their thumb," Palpatine noted bitterly. "I need your support right now, Anakin. The Republic needs you. The Jedi can wait."
Anakin stared at the com-link, uncertainty flooding his gaze. But the Chancellor ended up taking the decision out of his hands - literally - by cutting the power. "If they get angry, send them to me, my boy. I'll explain that you were given no choice-"
A sudden blast of music ended the conversation by heralding the arrival of the Holo-net transmission. Hundreds of Senators turned to face the screen, murmuring nervously at the somber expression on the face of the reporter.
Whatever it was, the news was clearly not good.
"Citizens of the Republic, thank you for your patience," she stated. "Approximately thirty minutes ago, we received a tip from an anonymous source. As is our policy, we launched our own investigation, unwilling to corroborate the information until we received verifiable confirmation. Sadly, we were able to obtain confirmation in the form of a recording. I must warn you - what you are about to see is very disturbing."
Padmé!
Anakin didn't comprehend the meaning behind the gasps that followed the appearance of his wife. He was simply too busy drinking in the sight of her.
But Palpatine's plea brought him back to reality.
"Oh, not Senator Amidala!"
Anakin could feel his mouth moving but no sound would come forth; it seemed his throat had swollen shut in an attempt to withold the agony. Throwing out a hand, he blindly grasped someone's shoulder in a last-ditch attempt to keep himself upright.
No, it's impossible. It isn't true! Obi-wan promised he would keep her safe! He sent up a prayer, one that was even more desperate than those whispered for his mother - but just as they had that dark Tatooine night, his prayers went unanswered... and his hoarse scream joined millions of others when the transport exploded.
His horror mounting, he reached for Padmé's Force signature with a desperation he had never known. It had to have been a mistake; he would have sensed it if something had happened. He could always feel her; she was as much a part of him as breathing...
But now there was nothing to greet him but emptiness.
"No," he whispered.
"Oh, Anakin, I'm terribly sorry."
The sound of Palpatine's dismayed voice shocked him - he had completely forgotten where he was, that there were hundreds of mourners surrounding him.
"Sorry?" he echoed. He still couldn't think... didn't know what to do.
Padmé!
"I know how close you were to Senator Amidala and I assure you, her memory will be honored across the Galaxy. The Republic owes her a great deal."
"No!" His raised voice drew the attention of several people, but he didn't care. Let them look! Let them see what she meant to him!
"Don't talk like that! Don't act like she's really gone!"
"Please, Anakin, you must calm yourself. You know Padmé wouldn't want to see you this way."
The anger on the young Jedi's face eased and Palpatine reached for him - only to be violently shoved aside when Yoda appeared onscreen. Anakin fought his way through the grieving crowd... he needed to find out what was being said!
"Move!" he shouted.
A tiny flame of hope warmed his heart, seeking to replace the icy talons that had gripped it just moments before. Surely the Jedi Master was setting the record straight... most likely telling the Galaxy that the Holo-net reporters were nothing but a bunch of liars!
"Returned Senator Amidala's body to her parents, Master Kenobi did..."
His breath leaving him in a whoosh, Anakin doubled over. His Jedi training started to kick in and he heard Obi-wan's voice reminding him to release his emotions to the Force.
But this time, he couldn't find the strength. Or the will.
Instead, he looked directly into the face of the darkness, closed his eyes... and let it swallow him whole.