Hey everybody! Just a little hello and an update! Yes, we are now into Episode II! WOOHOO! Anyway, there's slight, but not much Anidala. I will be honest, I did use the Episode II script to get their exact phrases down. But I wrote the descriptions because I needed Aubree to show more character. So I did warn you...And I will have a big surprise with you all in later chapters that I think will love.
Disclaimer: I don't own SW. But I do own Aubree! She's my little bucket of trouble and funniness.
The massive group of vessels touched down upon Coruscant's surface. Aubree landed her personal star fighter on a nearby pad, glancing over at the other close by. Padme had begun to lower herself out, as she assumed she should do as well.
The two headed towards the edge of the landing pad, as Captain Typho briskly strode towards them. He made a short bow, as he glanced over at Padme.
"We made it. I guess I was wrong, there was no danger at all," he admitted, rather stubborn. He turned as he watched the ramp lower, the decoy, Corde, and several handmaidens with officers stepped down.
An explosion suddenly shook the pad, the entire Nubian vessel exploding. The impact threw the three off balance, as Typho shielded Aubree.
Embers engulfed the ship, leaving charred remains. Corpses lay scattered, and the blood was endless. Padme rushed forward, throwing off her helmet. "CORDE!" she screamed out.
"...I'm so sorry, Milady... I'm... not sure I... I've
failed you, Senator," the handmaiden stuttered out, her head falling and her eyes fading to an empty, glassy stare.
"No! Corde!" Padme cried out, clutching the decoy's corpse. Why had death claimed her friend? Was such destruction necessary?
"Mom!" Aubree yelled, standing up. Captain Typho clasped her arm, holding her back.
"I will fetch her. Please stay here, where it is safe," he instructed, as he ran over to Padme.
"Milady, you are still in danger here," he said quietly, his head bowed in reverence to the deaths. Padme made no response, only lowering her friend's body to the ground.
"I shouldn't have come back," she said hollowly, her voice cracking as she fought her tears.
"This vote is very important. You did your duty - Cordé did hers. Now come," Typho gently replied as he gently took her arm. "Senator Amidala, please!"
Padme slowly stood up, following as tears flooded her eyes. Had Sabe perished as well?
A loud cough was heard, as the handmaiden lifted herself from the wreckage. "Padme! Padme!" she croaked, clutching her side.
Padme broke free from Typho's grasp, as she ran towards her friend. "Sabe!" she cried out, as she gently supported her weight.
"What..happened…?" she managed to say, fighting back against the burning pain. Padme shushed her, as Typho called for immediate assistance.
"You're too weak right now. We're getting help," she answered back, as Sabe collapsed against Padme. The Senator sighed, as she spotted a medical team approaching.
"Now I am ready," she whispered, thanking the Force for sparing her dearest of all friends.
"I cannot believe it! I can't stand it!"
Aubree sat on the foot of Padme's bed, as the young woman ranted. "What do you mean, Mom?" she asked, as she jumped up and down on the cushy bed.
Padme's eyes were angry, intensely angry. "First the Senate goes off and insults the Jedi Order and denies that I was attacked. Then the Chancellor hoodwinks the Jedi into making two Jedi come and guard me! I am not eleven years old, I do not require protection!" she complained.
Aubree made a loud coughing sound and narrowed her eyebrows. "Ahem. I am eleven," she replied, earning a look from Padme.
"Well then…Sorry. But how foolish is that! You know, I think that I will set out those 'Politicians for Dummies' books out on the table next time I have a meeting here!" Padme said angrily, as she sat beside Aubree.
"I'm sorry…it's just how annoying it can be being a Senator," she said quietly. Aubree burst into laughter, shaking her head.
"See? The artist has no stress, no interactions. I see why Dad gave up politics. Traded in the data pads for the brushes, I mean," she said, grinning. Padme laughed, as she fixed her hair for a moment. "Well, now that Captain Typho has let Jar Jar in, Anakin and Obi-Wan should be here shortly.
"Who's Anakin and Obi-Wan?" the girl questioned, interested in knowing who would be protecting her mother.
Padme smiled, glad to have something decent to discuss. "Well, Obi-Wan and Anakin helped me back when I was Queen on Naboo. Obi-Wan was a Jedi Apprentice who helped destroy the Trade Federation's control. And Anakin, he helped as well. That little boy saved the planet by far…" she explained.
Aubree grinned. "How? I want to hear!" she insisted.
"Well, the crew with Obi-Wan and his Master, Qui-Gon, and myself, we had broken through the Trade Federation blockade. We were trying to go to Coruscant when we ran out of proper parts and fuel. We had to stop on an Outer Rim planet Tatooine. Anakin was a slave in a parts shop, and we had no way of purchasing them with Tatooine's currency. Qui-Gon made a bet with Anakin's Master, Watto, that if he won the pod race, the Boonta Eve Classic, he would get the free parts. In the end, the bet included Anakin's freedom. Anakin raced in the pod race, and he won," Padme said, remembering the day with a smile. "Well, Anakin was taken to the Jedi Order when we landed on Coruscant and tested. At first, the Council denied him because of his age. But before they could make a final decision, we had to go back to Naboo. When my group had assaulted the capital, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had gone to fight the Sith Lord Darth Maul. Anakin had taken command of a star fighter, and had flow to the Droid Command Vessel. In the end, he destroyed the vessel and practically won the war."
Aubree's jaw dropped in amazement, excited to meet the very boy. "Wow! And he was younger than me?" she asked, remembering the articles that her father had shown her.
"Yes. And you are meeting him today," Padme said, as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "Best manners, young lady."
Aubree rolled her eyes, as the two walked out into the living room. Standing there were two Jedi, one Master, one Apprentice.
Padme walked over with Captain Typho and Dorme, smiling as she stood in front of the Master.
"Lookie Lookiee Senator! Deesa Jedi have arriven!" Jar Jar, a Gungan that served in the Senate, crowed as his head tails wagged in anticipation.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Milady," the Master greeted with a smile.
Padme smiled back, as she placed her hand in his. "It has been far too long Master Kenobi. I'm so glad
Our paths have crossed again... but I must warn you that I
think your presence here is unnecessary," she said, her smile forming into a frown.
Obi-Wan seemed to shrug, as he calmly stated, "I'm sure the Jedi Council has their reasons."
Padme nodded, as she stared at the young man at his side. "Annie? My goodness, you've grown!" she gasped, pleased at the sight of her old friend.
Anakin gaped at her, as he tried to find the right words. His tongue tied in his mouth, causing Aubree to fight her hardest not to laugh. "So have you... grown more beautiful, I mean... and much shorter... for a Senator, I mean," he stuttered, earning himself a disapproving look from Obi-Wan.
"Oh Annie, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine," Padme said sweetly, as she glanced over at Aubree. The girl stared up at the young man she had addressed, almost embarrassed.
"Anakin, Obi-Wan, this is my newest handmaiden, Aubree," she introduced, as Padme motioned to Aubree.
Anakin smiled, reaching out to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you," he replied.
Obi-Wan gave her a kindly nod, however Aubree started chattering.
"You're really a Jedi? And, Master Anakin, you blew up that big ship? That's AWESOME!" she crowed, as she shook the apprentice's hand vigorously.
Obi-Wan was quick to correct her, as he shook his head. "Anakin is my apprentice. And indeed, he did perform the task," he stated firmly.
Anakin stared at the carpet, rather embarrassed. Obi-Wan noticed this, as he immediately turned and exchanged a smile with Captain Typho.
"Our presence will be invisible, Milady, I can assure you," the Master stated, as he glanced over at Padme.
Typho sighed almost in relief, as he nodded gratefully. "I'm very grateful you're here, Master Kenobi. I'm Captain Typho, head of Her Majesty's security service. Queen Jamillia has informed you of your assignment. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit," he stated.
"I don't need more security, I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me," Padme snapped, annoyed with the situation.
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyebrows, well aware of her stubbornness. "We're here to protect you Senator, not to start an investigation," he replied calmly, understanding her need to information. Perhaps the Senate would dispatch a team…
"We will find out who's trying to kill you Padme, I promise you," Anakin blurted out, as his gaze shot back to the ground. Padme was rather relieved to hear that, thankful that at least someone here agreed with her, though she did not show this. He realized that he had spoken out of turn, as Obi-Wan shot him a glare.
"We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner," Obi-Wan stated quietly, as he was forced to repeat an old lesson.
Anakin shook his head, thinking otherwise. "I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course," he said, trying to fix his mess.
Obi-Wan felt his patience lower, as he stared at Anakin. "We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. And you will pay attention to my lead."
Aubree watched the two go back and forth, until Padme seemed to be confused as much as her. The Senator cleared her throat, as she stood up.
"Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now, if you will excuse me, I will retire," she cut in as she headed back towards her room with Dorme in tow.
After Obi-Wan and Captain Typho finished exchanging words, the room only remained with Aubree, Anakin, Jar Jar, and Obi-Wan.
She heard Anakin saying something to Jar Jar, as she perked up her ears to hear. "Shesa happy. Happier den mesa seein her in longo
Time," the Gungan stated, he left for the turbolifts. Aubree sat over by Anakin, smiling.
"She was excited to see you. She was telling me all about you earlier," Aubree encouraged, smiling. Though he was young, Aubree did like Anakin a lot. He seemed nice and much like her. Anakin smiled back, feeling a little better about the situation.
Obi-Wan shook his head disapprovingly. "Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts. She was pleased to see us. Now lets check the security here," he ordered, as Anakin stood up.
"Yes, my Master," he replied in a droned tone, and for a moment, Aubree had sympathy for the boy.
Well, I hoped that you enjoyed the chapter. And my apologies, but Obi-Wan and Anakin will not know that Aubree is Padme's daughter. However, Anakin will find out soon. Most likely on Naboo.
Remember, 5 reviews or no update!
-Fall Out Guirl