Chapter 13 - A Change of Heart

My head pounds like a thousand drums, and my vision blurs in and out. I know I'm in trouble now. What do I do? I'm much too weak to defend myself. Where even am I?

The room is dark, a single light fixture dangling from the ceiling. It sways back and forth, with the rhythm of the large industrial fan which sits across from me, it's blades turning gently. Water drips from a burst pipe, making the floor slick and cold. All the while, the hum of a generator buzzes in my ears.

How many people were killed on that transit speeder? An entire car, at least. How brutal and cruel just these thugs be to kill of an entire transit speeder of people? I shudder at the thought.

Suddenly, a heavy metal door swings open, crashing against the concrete wall. The whole place begins to shake, and I feel my heart jump into my boots.

"Senator Amidala, of the Naboo," a sickening voice says, his smile audible on his voice.

"Who are you," I ask, in a more commanding tone than his.

"Ah, ah," he tuts, "I'm the one who asks questions here." He takes a long, black baton from his belt, and slaps it against his hand, his eyes glinting in the dark. "What is your stance on Bill 379?"

"I am opposed," I spit.

He brings his baton down, hard, against my leg, and I yelp in pain. He grins, rebelling in my agony.

"Sorry, what was that," he asks, his lips curled up into a sickly smile.

"Beat me all you like but i will not reconsider my stance-"

He brings the baton down again.

"We'd like you to have a change of heart," he says, menacingly wielding his baton.

"You won't have one," I groan. "I stand behind my decision."

He looks at me again, his face now turned into a frighteningly sour expression, his eyebrows almost touching in the middle, and his mouth downturned so far it might fall off his face.

"Is that so," he roars. "Well, I suppose you'll have to stay here a little longer." He stomps off towards the exit, his eyes burning with hatred. The door slams and echoes throughout the room, the loud noise filling my ears, making me tremble.

I may be here for a while.

oOo

Several hours pass, and by now, the restraints have cut small gashes in my wrists, making them sore, and uncomfortable. I try to breathe deeply, but the moisture and the claustrophobia are getting to me now, and each breath is like a battle. I pray for him to come back so I can try to get out, but as the hours continue to pass, I realize that I won't be getting out, not today, and I lean my head back to try to sleep.

oOo

I sleep restlessly, the thin metal of the chair digging into my spine and my ribs, and my arms going numb for moments until I wake them up. I shiver in the darkness, my breath turning to mist.

When morning finally breaks, the thug returns, this time rubbing his palms together furiously, and grinning widely.

"I hope you slept well, senator," he cackles.

"No, I didn't," I croak, trying my best to sit upright.

"All that pride," he says, "may be your downfall, senator."

"I'm willing to take a chance."

"I suppose your views have not changed," he asks.

"Never," I spit.

He shrugs, and slaps me across the face, his sharp nails digging into my skin, and some sort of device on his hand sending electrical shocks through my body. I reel back in pain, my scream echoing through the room.

"I suppose we'll just have to keep you here for now, love," he grins, his crooked and yellowed teeth showing behind his chapped and flaking lips.

"Why are you doing this," I ask, whimpering.

"Why, you ask," he smiles, grabbing me by the hair and shocking me again. "Because I'm getting paid to. You think I give a crap about politics or war? I'm just a bounty hunter, your majesty, sorry to disappoint."

"Who are you working for?"

"That's confidential, love," he smirks, "but I can tell you he's been tryin' to have you killed for years."

"If you don't care about any of this, why don't you let me go? I'll pay you anything you want."

"Except one thing," he laughs. "I get to beat a girl to her knees in this agreement. I wouldn't in anything you gave me."

I grimace as he raises his hand again, and brings it down hard across my cheek, ripping new gashes in my skin.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he laughs, pouring a glass of water down my throat, I suppose to keep me from dying of dehydration. Then he leaves, the keys on his belt jingling as he walks.

The room grows cold again, and the blood from my cheek begins to drip onto my dress. I wait there, anxious for the day to end, so I can sleep. When finally the day is over, I sleep restlessly again, and wake often.

oOo

I must be there for a week, the chill of the cold air prickling upon my skin with every morning, the dread of my torturer's return. Every day he brings a new device, which abuses me differently. And each day, he attacks me with a smile. All I can do is hope that somebody, somewhere, is looking for me.

This particular morning, the cool morning air refuses to wake me, and my eyes stay screwed shut until the thug enters.

"Asleep, are you," he laughs, striking me across the face with something that must conduct electricity.

I take it, never opening my eyes, making no noise, and staying completely limp. Perhaps if he thinks I'm dead he won't be ready for what I'm going to do.

"Wake up," he demands, this time his fear showing on his voice. He hits me again, but I hardly react, my eyes not opening, hardly breathing. He's terrified now, his breath picking up pace as he realizes what his employer will do to him for killing me. "How," he cries out, "I did everything right!"

He hits me again and again, until suddenly, I open my eyes and jump. I hook my legs around him, flipping him under me, taking my chair with me. I stay above him, standing so I can kick him in the face. I mash his nose into his face, so that its broken and twisted, his dark blood leaking out and pooling on the floor. I knock him out, then gently remove his keys from his belt and catch them in my mouth. I have to dislocate my shoulders to get to my cuffs, which makes me scream, but I somehow manage to get my hand up to my face and unlock my bonds. The restraints and the chair drop to the floor with a clang, and I pop my shoulders back in, trying not to scream as loud this time. I make my way back to the door, and unlock it.

I follow the damp and dirty corridors through the maze of rooms, and eventually come to a common room, completely devoid of activity. The chairs and tables are set like a large group of people were quickly rushing out, grabbing their blasters as they went. I follow their trail, marked by the dropped papers and bullets someone must have been carrying. Suddenly, the sound of blaster fire fills my ears, and I step back only for a moment.

"Come on, the senator is in there," a familiar voice calls.

Teckla.

"Teckla," I call, my voice cracking and fizzling out as i do.

"Senator," she calls back in disbelief. And then I hear the most beautiful sound I've heard all week. The sound of heavy boots clicking on stone concrete floor. The small troop of peacekeepers round the corner, and I'm greeted by Cordé, Dormé, Miré and Teckla, dressed in light blue combat suits. They grin when they see me, glad that I'm still alive and still ok, for the most part. They quickly wrap me in a tight, almost suffocating hug, their eyes brimming with tears.

"When we were told you were missing," Cordé begins, "we thought we'd never see you again."

"Thank goodness you're okay," Teckla sobs.

"I haven't seen you since I sent you away with chancellor Palpatine," I laugh.

"Then senator," Miré comments.

"Senator Amidala," Typho calls from the back of the group, "thank goodness you're... Your face," he gasps.

"Oh, yeah," I stutter, unconsciously putting a hand to my cheek.

"What did they do to you-" he asks, "we'll make them pay for it."

"I'm fine, captain. Just take me to a medical facility so I can get this fixed. I have a Bill to vote on."

"You mean Bill 379?"

"Of course," I reply.

"The vote is tomorrow, you haven't had any time to discuss it."

"I don't need to, captain. I know how I'll be voting."

They follow me, even though I find it hard to walk, grimacing with every step towards their military transport vehicle. As soon as I'm inside, I collapse and black out.

oOo

Two years later

The cold night air of Naboo chills my skin, and sends shivers down my spine. Even so, the lake country is beautiful in the nighttime, watching the stars dance across the surface of the gently lapping lake. I take in the night air, listening to the sounds of birds in the trees and the gentle crashing of water across the shore.

"Senator," Cordé calls from the archway, "hologram for you. It's from senator Organa."

I thank her, and take the small holotransmitter from her, watching her go. Whatever this message is should be kept secret, even from my own aids and attendants.

I click the small, circular button that plays the message, and a hologram of senator Organa appears in flickering blue lines of light.

"Senator Amidala, I'm well aware that you are taking some time off, and you are staying away from Coruscant for your own safety, but you are needed urgently on Coruscant. The senate is determining a new debate which may have dire consequences for many people, please come as soon as you can."

The transmission cuts out short, and I'm left looking at the ghost of where Bail had been.

"Captain," I call, "ready my ship!"