Darsant Avat

Palpatine

The Senator of Naboo was a benign-looking middle-aged man with a pleasant smile and gentle demeanor. Qui-Gon's gut instinct was to look past all this because true politicians could look like a variety of things, but that does not mean they actually were those things. The difficulty was that Naboo had a twelve-year-old Queen who was a normal child by all accounts, which meant that he had no idea what kind of senator the planet might elect into office. At least they were sensible enough to vote for an adult, he supposed. A twelve-year-old would not survive the circus that was the Senate.

On the other hand, there was Andwé, and if the child was afraid of the senator, that was reason to be cautious in of itself.

"This is very troubling!" The senator said with all the composure of a proper politician who was also internally alarmed by the issue. "A Dark Side user, on planet! Was anyone hurt?"

"No," Qui-Gon reported, since Authsola was not actually hurt by the Sith, "And he has apparently left the system, so all is safe for now."

"Why would he have come here? There is nothing on Naboo that could possibly attract him."

A fair question, if the senator were not the suspect, but Qui-Gon easily misdirected, "There is no way to tell for sure, sir."

"Ah," The man's eyes gleamed a little, "Pardon me, Master Jinn, but out of curiosity, what are you doing here? All members of the Jedi Order are of course welcome on Naboo, but I sense this is not a mere social call."

Sense? Something in Qui-Gon tingled, before he instantly crushed it. You imbecile. Sense was a perfectly normal word. Just because Palpatine may not be a Force-sensitive did not mean that he could not still "sense" in the traditional sense of the word. Maybe Qui-Gon needed a vacation. "I was here because I was investigating a case on Telos IV and found out that the government there had been associating with yours, so I was hoping you might have some insight. As it turns out, however, my fellow Jedi had just reported resolving the case. I remained because I heard you were returning and wanted to ease any fears you may have about the Dark Side user's presence on this planet."

"Ah, you are very generous, Master Jedi." The senator smiled jovially. "I'll admit, it does help that you are here. A Dark Jedi, on Naboo! It must have been a coincidence—a good thing nothing came out of it."

Qui-Gon plastered a smile on his face. This man had charisma; Qui-Gon could feel himself being drawn to the senator's affability. A younger, more naïve Jedi might give in and trust this man, but Qui-Gon had too much experience, seen too much of other people's experience, to believe in this amiable nature, and once more his gut churned with unease. Just how should he gauge this man? He could not get a read on him.

"I heard you recently made a trip to the temple," Said the Jedi Master.

"Oh, it was quite good, quite good."

"Was there anything we could do for you? My colleagues were worried that you left without resolving what you went there for."

"Ah, I was just…curious. It was nothing, no need to trouble yourselves. Do send my apologies if I had worried them."

Pressing any more would raise suspicion in a smart man, so Qui-Gon let the matter drop just in case Palpatine was not a fool. He decided he could act affable too, as long as he gained information. "Of course. I notice that Naboo has a tendency to elect very young Queens—can you enlighten me on this?" He grinned to show his authentic curiosity.

"Ah," Palpatine nodded, "A quirk of our culture, I would say. Children are pure sentients, untainted by evil. We cannot have corrupt leaders, or else the entire society collapses."

"But how do you protect against naïveté?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Well, naturally the rulers cannot be just any child," Palpatine replied, "There is an intense selection process to measure a child's moral strength as well as their intelligence. Afterwards, they are taken to Theed where they are trained, in this case, as a princess and a future candidate to be Queen." He smiled at the Jedi. "It is a system that has worked well for us."

"Hm," Qui-Gon nodded. "Still, though, and forgive me for being presumptuous, but I do find it confounding. Children tend to be so inexperienced, even the wisest of them can miss what older individuals intuitively know. It is amazing. Naboo must produce formidable prodigies."

"We scout the entire planet for the best of the best," Palpatine nodded, "Such a feat is not as impossible as it seems. In any case, while children might lack in experience, their intuition is by no means limited. Young Padawan Kenobi, I am told, has a very strong intuition, does he not?"

"…" Qui-Gon kept his face neutral. "I would say so. How did you know of him?"

The question appeared to catch the senator off-guard. "Ah, I heard of him when I was at the temple."

Lie. Qui-Gon did not actually sense it in the Force, and after this he intended to meditate on it, but he knew that the senator was lying because Kit and Shaak Ti would have told Qui-Gon if there had been interest in his padawan or any mention of it—they knew his neurosis by now. Certainly, they would have mentioned if they had discussed Obi-Wan enough to mention his keen intuition and Unifying Force talents. "Really? What occasion? Did you meet him?"

"Ah…no. It was brought up. I can't quite say how, it has been a while and I admit I was preoccupied with other matters."

"Oh. What else do you know of him?"

"That he is your padawan," The senator smiled and Qui-Gon felt he could detect a bit of unease in the expression, "He was not at the temple when I visited. I assume he is here on Naboo? I would like to meet the young man."

Yes. This was actually what Qui-Gon wanted too. The senator was not likely to do any harm to his little one, and certainly the Force did not warn of an immediate danger, but he could learn something from the interaction. If anything could prove whether there was something wrong with the senator, it would be the Kenobimeter, although at this point Qui-Gon only wanted confirmation; good people can lie just like bad people, but the senator was not really earning himself points, friendly mannerisms notwithstanding. "Of course, Senator. Currently he is with my former padawan, as she had taken ill."

"Oh my," The senator frowned, "I trust my people are ensuring the best care for her."

"Yes, Senator—Naboo does not lack for hospitality." Qui-Gon nodded.

OoO

Qui-Gon sensed Obi-Wan's unease through the bond. The child was normally quite bold around adults, but he withdrew and only answered Palpatine's questions with one word responses, or even non-word responses.

"How are you liking Naboo, my young friend?" The senator asked with all the kindness one would expect from a gentleman, but Obi-Wan just shrugged and tried to hide behind Qui-Gon.

That was really all the evidence Qui-Gon needed.

"I think he is just worried about Authsola," Qui-Gon said to the senator, "He is normally more…gregarious than this." There was no point in hiding it, considering that the senator would likely hear it from his aids who got to know Obi-Wan before Palpatine returned from Coruscant.

"Ah, that is very understandable," Palpatine nodded, though Qui-Gon was not sure what there was to understand—his excuse had not made any sense whatsoever and he had not intended for it to.

How to protect the Queen? She could not ward against what she did not know, and in the mind of a twelve-year-old, what reason could there be for her own senator to work against her? He considered his own child. He could not leave the Queen unattended, but what else was there to do?

He had until Authsola got better, at least, to figure out how to warn the Queen without upending the entire government of Naboo. He could come straight forth and tell her, but that would not go over well—despite the Senator's explanations, he was not confident that she would react wisely, and any wrong action on her part could result in tragedy.

"How popular is the senator?" He asked Andwé.

"He is very popular here."

"Here as in Naboo, or here as in Naboo's government?"

"Well, popularity has a different meaning here. He gets things done."

"Like what?"

"Oh, lots of things. He…" Andwé trailed off suddenly. "Actually…I'm not sure, to be honest. He always gave the impression that he accomplished a lot of things but everything is really ongoing. It's been that way ever since he was in office."

That honestly sounded like the perfect candidate for a Sith Lord to manipulate: an incompetent politician with some say in the Senate, who happened to work with the Jedi. Palpatine was charismatic enough to mask his ineptitude, which meant he could be charismatic enough for other things as well. It still did not give Qui-Gon much to work with, however.

"What would stay his hand?" He asked. "What would prevent him from acting on the Queen?" The man was unmarried, which was strange for a politician, but it meant he had no familial ties to exploit. The Queen, on the other hand, did have a family.

"As long as Her Majesty is useful to him," Andwé replied honestly, "In addition, the planet does favor her. She has made no mistakes, and removing her would cause a sort of turmoil he would not be able to contain. All he'd accomplish is that someone else would be elected Queen, and there really aren't any prepared candidates right now."

Qui-Gon rubbed his face, trying to get over the idea that these children from Naboo all spoke so…professionally.

"It can't just be that," The Jedi Master noted, "He has outside ties. His tie with a governor," He did not elaborate which, "There has to be some outside force. You are right that ousting the Queen now would accomplish nothing. This means he is trying to accomplish something. Has there been any record of older Kings on Naboo?"

"Yes," Andwé nodded, small face concerned, "But the reason we changed our custom was to avoid the corruption that came with it. There is no way Senator Palpatine could possibly take the throne. He is ineligible, and the people will not condone it."

"That means he is targeting the Senate," Qui-Gon mused, "It's the only other possibility."

This mess would be easier to clear up if it were one of the core planets. Qui-Gon was not too familiar with Naboo or the relations it had with everyone else. It was something he might have to get more help for.

He needed to ensure the Queen's safety, however, and that of her family.

Obi-Wan's giggle transmitted down the hall, and Qui-Gon was struck by how bright it sounded, and must sound, to people who had never met the boy. He was truly unusual, this boy—no other Jedi initiate was even close to being as bright and full of cheer as he was.

At another round of giggling, interspersed with raucous shrieks, both Andwé and Qui-Gon were baffled enough that they broke off from the conversation to see what was going on. It turned out, the Queen was chasing the boy, apparently trying to tickle him, and Obi-Wan was demonstrating his Jedi athleticism, moving just out of reach at the last possible minute but never running too far for her to actually catch, if she had been quick enough. The Queen was not wearing her regalia, but contained her mirth far more than her companion, even though her normally serious face was sporting a grin wide enough to split it.

"She really likes him," Andwé observed, "It's been hard for her to make friends as Queen."

If the Senator were interested enough in Obi-Wan that he would go to Coruscant as soon as Qui-Gon left him, then the Queen's friendship with the padawan might be sufficient. It was harmless for Obi-Wan, as far as Qui-Gon was concerned, as long as he monitored the two, and a good way to protect another child not much older than his own. In the meantime, they could see exactly who Palpatine was being influenced by, and how.

"I think I have a way," He told Andwé. "Don't worry."

OoO

"We will miss the little one dearly," Palpatine smiled fondly at Obi-Wan, "We are very sorry to see you go, Padawan. If time permits, do have him visit again. I am sure the Queen will appreciate that."

Obi-Wan had not exactly warmed up to the senator, but the prospect of leaving right after this seemed to brighten the child's spirits that he was willing to put up with the man's attentions. "Thank you, Senator!" He remarked, "Naboo is a lovely planet, like Alderaan, except different, and with less nerfs."

The senator uttered a chuckle that sounded faintly disgusted, while Obi-Wan chose to ignore him entirely to focus on the Queen.

"Thank you, Senator," Said Qui-Gon, "You have tolerated our presence well, despite our appearance without invitation."

"All Jedi are friends of Naboo," Palpatine smiled. "Those two have become fast friends, yes?"

"Yes," Said Qui-Gon, "I have encouraged my padawan to maintain connections with the Queen, if only on friendly terms. It would do him good to know planets out here."

"Yes," Said Palpatine, "And the Queen, too, would do well to have friends in Coruscant."

There was a way to tell when people were scheming, Qui-Gon realized. It was not always easy to tell what they were scheming, but it was easy to tell that they were if one knew what to look for. Right now, the senator was musing over this development and considering his options, while completely missing the fact that the Jedi Master noticed. For his part, Qui-Gon could see his own plot being inserted into all the right places. With such a solid confirmation of their relationship, the senator would not be so hasty to remove the Queen if it meant cutting off a tie to his padawan. Meanwhile, through the Queen, Qui-Gon could actually monitor the senator right back, and best of all, Obi-Wan was secure and safe despite being the conduit. Three things accomplished all at once.

"Thank you very much, Senator," Authsola was still a little pale and feeble, but she had recovered well under the care of the healers in Theed. "We have imposed on you greatly."

"Not at all," The Senator inclined his head, "I foresee great things from you, Knight. We are fortunate to host such guests."

Authsola thanked him again, while Qui-Gon called Obi-Wan. It was time to leave. They bid their hosts farewell. The Queen looked a little longingly at Obi-Wan but was unable to do much because of her heavy wig and garments. She stood very stiffly in order to keep everything from falling off and Qui-Gon felt very sorry for her. Andwé stood close to her, waving goodbye to the Jedi.

"They have twelve-year-olds as Queens," Authsola complained when they were out of earshot in the ship, "And then hire twelve-year-olds as decoys. Decoys, Master! These poor girls are expected to die for each other. That is barbaric. Why, when we were twelve years old, we were just chosen as padawans and we are not even allowed to go on missions that are potentially dangerous, while these folks are sending prepubescent younglings to die for each other. What a messed up culture."

"Maybe they grow up faster," Said Obi-Wan, "And it's not like the Jedi are that much better. Just because we risk our lives when we're older doesn't mean it's good."

Qui-Gon looked at his little one, stunned.

"And besides," Said the child, "She wanted to rule, and her handmaidens were volunteers. They get to do great things, even if they might die. That's no different than Jedi. There is no death, there is the Force. What I don't like is that Senator. He's so slimy and his smile is so wrong. I hope he goes away soon because I'd like to visit Naboo again, but I don't want to while he's around. Naboo is like Alderaan, except with less nerfs. And less people, in general. They don't really have a lot of people here. Maybe the Jedi Temple should come here instead, no one else comes here and the planet's like a giant Thousand Fountains! They even have natural ones, the waterfalls, and they just fall and there aren't any bridges or anything. I think we should move here. But we should only do that when that Senator goes away."