Early in the morning Anakin left the side of his wife. He hated pulling his body away from hers and hated having to untwine their laced fingers, but duty called. He kissed her on the cheek and she stirred slightly. They said their goodbyes but she remained in bed. He had insisted. It was very early hardly after sunrise.

In these wee hours of the morning even Coruscants never sleeping airways were a little more settled and it was easy to get his speeder over to the Senate building. He couldn't miss the Chancellors elaborate cruiser from miles away, The Imperial was its name. It was gorgeous. It glittered in the hint of light of the sun. Several of the dignitaries had servants and droids loading trunks and trunks into the storage area and Anakin wondering if they realized that the cruise was only scheduled for a week.

Anakin hopped off the speeder and was immediately greeted by Breha Organa, Senator Organa's wife, a royal woman. "Master Jedi," she called while having a servant droid hold her things. "Will you be joining us?" she asked happily.

"Yes my lady," he bowed to her.

"Splendid!" she beamed at him. "It is good to see you. I did not get to talk to you after the funeral services," she began. "They were lovely," she explained. Anakin nodded unable to say thank you. "I am sorry for your loss," Bail Organa's wife offered sincerely. She was a sweet woman, she had thanked Anakin and Obi-wan personally for their efforts and success at stopping the blockade that had been around Aldeeraan. She had thrown a wonderful banquet for them. Anakin and Obi-wan had tried politely to decline, but she had insisted so, that they conceded.

"Yes, thank you, milady," Anakin choked out. Luckily he was not forced to endure anymore such talk when her husband stepped forward.

"Breha, darling I have just had the servants put some last things into our room, won't you go see if it is to your liking," he offered to her. Anakin envied how he was able to call his wife darling and share a compartment with her publicly while he and his wife were forced to keep up the charade of a mere friendship and one that was kept at arms length at that. "Oh Anakin," he said as he approached. " I was wondering who was this dapper stranger that had stolen my wife's attention," The senator quipped.

"Oh stop it you," Lady Organa replied back and slapped her husband across the chest.

"I had heard it rumored that maybe you would be on the cruise, but now I see that it is not just vicious rumors" Organa expressed. "Shame how Senator Amidala couldn't make it though," he muttered.

"Yes, I was looking forward to seeing her," his wife chimed in.

"As was I," Anakin said truthfully. "It would be one more familiar face," he covered.

" Master Jedi you mustn't feel shy" the senators wife gasped. "Why for goodness sakes you are 'The Hero With No Fear' everyone has been practically buzzing about you being on board. Its such a treat such a treat indeed. You must sit with Bail and I tonight at dinner and regale us with an exciting tale!" she insisted grabbing Anakin's gloved hand and practically pleading.

"If you insist your ladyship I am only here to serve," he bowed to her.

"Well then it is settled,' Bail confirmed. "We'll be most pleased to be seated with you tonight Anakin. " he nodded and then escorted his wife onto the cruiser.

As they parted company Anakin walked around to the docking area of the cruiser and was checked in by one of the senate guards who would also be accompanying the barge of dignitaries. "Master Jedi, we are so happy to have you aboard the Imperial. Do you have any suggestions for how we can tighten up the security? We will be heading to some very poor systems we suspect the most of our concerns will be petty theft." The Senate Guard explained.

Just as Anakin was about to give a reply he felt bony fingers grip onto his shoulders. "None of that will be necessary Guard Arn," the cool elderly voice stated. "Master Skywalker is here as my honored guest and not as a part of your security staff," The Chancellor explained as Anakin turned to face him and the older gentlemen put on a kindly smile while patting Knight Skywalker affectionately on the back.

"Chancellor," he sighed with relief and then bowed. "You know I will not hesitate at a moments notice to make sure the Imperial is safe and secure," Anakin offered.

"Of course my boy, but that is not why I have called you to join me. Although I must admit that even nervous Taya Chu, has settled down quite a bit since I told him that you will be accompanying us on this voyage," The Chancellor snickered pointing out one of his advisers and very elderly man.

Anakin laughed as well as he watched the older gentleman wipe his sweating brow when he looked up and stared the young Jedi dead in the eye. "It is my honor to be here," Anakin stated politely.

"No Anakin the honor is mine. I think you will be very helpful to me in some of the endeavors I am attempting to accomplish here." The chancellor smiled convincingly.

The Chancellor asked Anakin to stand with him on the boarding plank while some of the straggling delegates made their way aboard. Anakin stood with the Chancellor, the head guard of the Senate and the speaker of the House. Many Senators, nobles, businessmen, and soldiers made their way up the plank to be greeted by the Chancellor. Some came with their families (even children).

"Captain Tarkin so good of you to join us aboard the Imperial," The Chancellor said politely to the esteemed military leader.

"I was most excited to get your invitation Chancellor," Tarkin said a smile just barely creasing over his thin lips. "And General Skywalker, I see even you were able to pull away from the business of this war to attend a more civilized function?" Tarkin commented inclining his head toward Anakin.

"I believe it was you Captain Tarkin that pointed out that Jedi were peacekeepers. Therefore it would seem that my business is much more suited for this peaceful ambassadorial cruise," Anakin replied without much strain.

"Hmm, quite so," Tarkin remarked nodding. "Well let us hope that this peaceful mission can help bring about a more decisive end to this war," He snorted a curt reply. "With your leave gentlemen," He stated before parting their company and heading on deck with a few of his counterparts.

"Captain Tarkin had a very one tracked mind," The Chancellor said quietly to Anakin.

"His focus is always on battle," Anakin nodded slightly chuckling.

"And you disagree with this my boy?"

"No, not at all. I think we need people like him. If the Republic is to win this war then we need people with good military minds. We need strategist who can look at a battle from a wide view," Anakin explained to the Chancellor. Who masked well his own pleasure at hearing young Skywalkers words.

Others slowly followed in entering the cruiser. One of which was Oshnee Patadu, the newly appointed Senator from Naboo. He was well dressed. He came clad in the latest Naboo fashions. He wore an impressive chain about his neck and had jeweled metals on his chest, but from the looks of it this pompous young politician had never tasted any battle that would qualify him fro such metals of honor. Of all that he flaunted the most notable were the two giggling Twi' lek girls that he sported on his arm.

"Chancellor Palpatine!" he called as he walked up the platform with the two Twi' lek females hanging on his muscular arms.

" Oshnee I see you have become well acquainted with some of the staff who will be serving us on the Imperial," The ruler of the Republic looked at the young senator and his companions with a slight curl of dissatisfaction on his face.

" I can report Chancellor, that we will be given fine care on board your vessel, sir." Oshness said while one of the girls stroked his chin and he struggled to maintain his balance.

"Did you expect the Chancellor to give you less, Senator?" The Speaker of the House uttered with annoyance.

" No, sir." Oshnee stated back loudly.

"Senator Oshnee do allow me to present Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker," Said the Chancellor with pride in his tone.

"Master Skywalker," the drunken young Senator managed to pry his hand from the Twi'lek female in order to shake the hand of the Jedi. "I can't believe we are just meeting now. After all you have done much in the service of Naboo. Padme…Senator Amidala has mentioned your name to me before."

"Likewise she mentioned you Senator Oshnee, she did you much honor when she spoke of you." Anakin strained not to say she made you seem much better than you appear to be. It was no wonder that when Padme spoke of the matter she leaked off waves of confusion and frustration. How could this playboy be chosen in place of his wife a woman who took her office seriously and upheld it with dignity?

"She's a charming woman," Oshnee offered with laughter while stroking the pink head-tail of one of the Twi Lek servant girls.

"Why don't you go and rest now Senator Oshnee. Breakfast will be served in only a few hours," The Chancellor explained. With that Oshnee bowed and practically toppled over it was only the two Twi'lek women who kept him from being sprawled out on the boarding platform. He got his footing back and wobbled side to side with the stewardesses on his arms. Anakin watched him with calculating eyes. For this buffoon his wife had been passed up. For that drunkard he and his wife were forced apart once more.

"Chancellor, with all due respect," Anakin began, 'I cannot see why you would prefer Senator Oshnee over Senator Amidala. I think she is much more qualified to handle matters of diplomacy."

"We have many fine diplomats coming with us my lad. Senator Amidala is a fine politician, Oshnee's appointment to this assignment is in no way intended to slight her skill." The Chancellor said through the side of his lips and he politely managed to wave and shake the hands of the others who were boarding.

"Then why…"

"Anakin, Senator Amidala is a little old fashion in her approach to policy wouldn't you say?"

"I wouldn't say all that, sir. I… I…I think she is firm in her beliefs."
"Hmm yes perhaps, but all beliefs need to be reexamined every now and then. Even the oldest traditions must sometimes give way to new ideas, that is the very nature of progress," The Chancellor stated wisely. "I think that Senator Oshnee will be able to provide this group with more open mindedness and less rigidity. I'm sure you are not opposed to that." Now indeed Anakin wasn't opposed to that. Perhaps if the Jedi Order were more open minded he wouldn't be forced to keep his marriage a secret. Nor would have to accept the death of his apprentice as just the will of the Force and be expected to move on from it in a matter of days and preferably hours if truth be known. "Besides," The Chancellor's voice broke through his thoughts. "Oshnee offers something very valuable that Senator Amidala does not possess."

"What would that be, sir?" Anakin asked

The Palpatine turned his face toward the younger man slowly and the said, "Naboo's purse," he smiled after uttering the revealing statement.

Before Anakin even had time to process the implications of Palpatines confession He found himself being introduced to another dignitary who would be a passenger on this goodwill voyage. She was adorned in royal colors of deep purples and amethyst; lovely rings were on her fingers and belts of gold on her thin waist. Her neck lined with jewels. She smelled intoxicating like flowers from the fragrant jungles of Felucia. She wore a covering over her head, but her hair was pulled into a tight ponytail underneath the wrapping and even that ponytail could not hide her lovely mane from peaking out beneath the scarf. Her hair was straight and thick and fell to the small of her back. It was a silky smooth black color and dark as night. Her features were concealed though. He face was hidden by a veil, but her piercing green eyes would be hard to conceal even through 100 cloaks. Her eyes were greener than any Anakin had ever seen and they were shaped like crescent moons. If the eyes were any indicator of the beauty that this woman must possess than it was a pity that she was covered in so much garb Anakin thought. He immediately hushed and quieted his thoughts. He had come across many beautiful women in his time, but never would any of them compare to the loveliness that his own wife possessed.

"Chancellor," the emerald eyed beauty said as she bowed before the leader of the republic. She came with a small entourage and they did the same. Her group consisted of a few guards, one male attendant and 3 female handmaidens "it is so gracious of you to include me in this and offer me safe passage to my people." She explained gracefully her voice carrying an exotic accent.

"You are a most worthy guest my child." The Chancellor as he extended his wrinkled fingers toward her and she bowed her head toward it and took it in her hand bringing it up to touch her forehead. After she had paid him his due respect he patted her on the head as if she was much younger than Anakin had assumed she was; he introduced her to the speaker of the house and then Anakin, "Hadarah, this is Jedi Knight,"
"Anakin Skywalker" she finished the statement.

" Why yes," The chancellor said with a please grin.

"You know me, my lady?" Anakin asked the veiled girl curiously with his eyebrow raised and his own blue eyes staring at her green ones trying to see if possibly they had come across each other at another time.

"Why of course, you are the 'Hero with No Fear' are you not?" she asked and the servant girl who was by her side started giggling. "My people may live on rocks, but we do not live under them, such news of your exploits has even reached our remote corner of the galaxy." Hadarah explained and her eyes seemed to glow with a smile.

"And who are your people, my lady?' Anakin asked.

"This is Hadarah, she is the ambassador from the Bantku Tribes," The Chancellor introduced.

"The Bantku Tribes?" Anakin repeated.

"The people who live on the asteroid belt in the outer rim," she stated proudly.

"Oh yes, you are a nomadic people are you not?" Anakin asked.

"We were." She stated with a hint of anger in her tone. "We chased the Anju," she continued. Anju, yes Anakin had heard of that species, a rare bovine like creature with thick pelts, delicious meats and valuable tusk. "They have become so scarce that our people have been forced to change their way of life." She almost growled.

"It is for systems like Hadarah's that this goodwill cruise will benefit the most," The Chancellor whispered to the Jedi.

"I came to Coruscant to plead the case of my people before the Senate and now the Senate comes with me to see our sorry plight for themselves. How ironic is that?" she snickered. "But that is not the end of the irony no, my father was very worried about me traveling to Coruscant you see I have never been this far from home, but then the Chancellor most graciously offered to return me safely to my home. My father felt a little better but he still worried on thinking that the Chancellors cruiser would be a target for pirates and Separatist, but here now I can assure him that I am safe because a Jedi is on board. And not just any Jedi, but you Anakin Skywalker," She gestured her jeweled hands with grace as she explained.

"You will get home safely Ambassador Hadarah," Anakin assured her

" Of this now I feel most assured. If you will excuse me Chancellor," she bowed once again before pressing pass him into the cruiser. She and her escorts walked slowly on to the cruiser and Anakin couldn't pull his eyes away from the long dark tresses that slipped from under her veils and scarves.

"She is a beautiful young woman Anakin," The Chancellor mentioned as he saw how the young Jedi's eyes were still following her.

Anakin felt his face flush and he was sure it was turning an even deeper shade of red for the embarrassment that he felt at his intrigue being so plain to the Chancellor. He simply replied back in an accent that imitated Hadarah's "Of this now I feel most assured." The Chancellor patted him on the back as they finally boarded the Imperial