Chapter 14 - Protection
Typho keeps a close eye on me as we speed through space. I try to ignore him and focus on the transport ship where Cordé, my most trusted handmaiden, is acting as my decoy. I stay away from danger, acting as her escort pilot, Typho on the other side of the ship as her second escort. It's been two months since I've been back, and I'm nearly sure that the threat is gone, and that I will be alright. I'm more than ready to come back. We approach Coruscant, needing to do a quick flip as the gravitational pull makes us feel like we're upside-down, and we move into a smooth descent down to the landing platform. A safe arrival. I land my ship gently, and quickly jump out of the cockpit to see my friend and decoy, Cordé, safely descend the ramp to the surface of Coruscant,
"We made it! I guess I was wrong," Typho says, gladly. "There was no danger at all."
Suddenly, the ship bursts into flames, and explodes, the wings cracking off, and my guards, as well as Cordé, are thrown off the ship violently.
"Cordé," I call, rushing over to her, to save her.
"M'lady... I'm so sorry..." she forces out, her voice feeble and tired. "I failed you, senator." With those words, she grows limp, and dies in my arms.
"No..." I reach back out to her, trying to bring her back. "I should not have come back."
"M'Lady, you are still in danger here." He pulls my arm, trying to get me to follow him, but I stand firm, refusing to leave her.
"I shouldn't have come back."
"This vote is very important. You did your duty and Cordé did hers. Now come." I don't respond, but I keep staring and the wreckage and death I brought upon my friend, upon my most trusted servant. "Senator Amidala please!"
With a sigh, I follow him, and we make our way into the transport which will take us to the senate building.
oOo
"Senator Padmé," calls Teckla from down the hall. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Teckla," I tell her, "but-"
"Where is Cordé?"
I pause, unable to force the words out.
"Senator Amidala, where is Cordé?"
"She... She..."
"She didn't make it," Typho explains. "There was an attempt on the senator's life, and Cordé's life was lost."
Teckla falls silent. Her eyes well up with tears, which spring over and run down her face in rivers of salt. She nods, silently, then walks me into my room.
"Were you hurt, M'Lady," asks Miré, who clutches a medical kit in her hands.
"No, I'm fine," I reply with a breath, "but there is a debate today that I simply can't miss."
"Of course," she replies, placing the medical kit on the countertop and rushing to my closet for a change of clothes. She returns with my blueish violet satin senate gown, along with the golden headpiece and golden hoop necklace. Cordé used to dress me in those clothes every chance she got.
"As a memory to Cordé," Miré explains. "So you can take her with you today."
I nod, glad of the simple gesture.
Dormé rushes in from the kitchen with a bowl of hot water and a towel, and without asking, places the towel over my face, trying to get rid of any redness or swelling I may have in my eyes. Meanwhile, she helps Miré dress me, pulling the long dress and jacket over my body and making sure everything is in place. When they've finally finished putting me in the dress, they remove the towel, and begin my hair and makeup. Miré does my hair for me, rather than Teckla, who is having a harder time. Dormé takes Cordé's place of putting on my makeup, a task that Cordé had relished doing every day. A single tear falls from my eye, and Dormé wipes it away, with a gentle smile. Then she gently kisses my forehead, and whispers encouragement.
"You can get through this day."
oOo
After the short debate, chancellor Palpatine summons me to his office, to discuss today's events on the landing pad.
I walk with my friends, senator Organa, captain Typho, Jar Jar, Mas Amedda, Dormé, Orn Free Ta, and Horox Ryyder. We talk quietly as we march to the chancellor's office.
"It's good to have you back, Padmé," Bail says, clasping my shoulder.
"I'm glad to see you again, my friend."
"I heard about the landing platform, and I'm sorry for your loss. You must have been close to that handmaiden," he says as he waves at the chancellor's messenger. The messenger immediately makes a holotransmission to the chancellor, to notify him that we are coming.
"We were close. I trusted her best. She had the most responsibility, and I treasured her. I can't believe she's gone." A single tear spills over my eye, and another threatens to spill on the other.
"It's alright, senator. You'll be ok. But you must keep your chin up, at least until tonight."
"Yes, I agree," I croak. "I'll be alright."
We approach the door, and Bail puts a gentle hand on the small of my back.
"You can do this."
I smile at him, and open the door.
Waiting behind the door are several members of the Jedi council, as well as the chancellor, dressed in deep red. They stand, silently watching us as we walk in. A short, green-skinned Jedi hobbles forward to see us first, a glimmer of joy in his large, round eyes.
"Senator Amidala! Your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. Seeing you alive, brings warm feelings to my heart." Master Yoda approaches me with a smile.
"Do you have any idea who was behind this attack," I ask, still furious from before.
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo," says Mace Windu, speaking as though its a certain thing.
"I think that Count Dooku was behind it."
The room is silent, an intake of breath. Surprise.
"He's a political idealist, not a murderer," protests Master Ki-adi Mundi.
"You know Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He couldn't assassinate anyone, it's not in his character," master Windu adds.
"Mm, but for certain senator," interrupts master Yoda, "in grave danger, you are."
"Master Jedi," wonders Palpatine, "may I suggest the senator be placed under the protection of your graces?"
"Do you really think that is a wise decision," asks Senator Organa. "Under these stressful times?"
"Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe the-"
"Situation is that serious," interrupts Chancellor Palpatine. "No but I do, senator. I realize all too well that the additional security may be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone that you are familiar with... An old friend, like... Master Kenobi."
The name brings back memories of the Naboo invasion. I remember the young man with dirty blond, almost brown hair, the young padawan who lost his master all too soon in the attack.
"That's possible," says Master Windu. "He's just returned from a border dispute on Antion."
I remember the young Jedi I met two years ago, the one who told me that the boy had grown into an attractive young man. They were already there, on Antion.
"Do it for my M'Lady, please. The thought of losing you, is unbearable."
I realize that anything I say or do in protest is useless, so I sigh, and give up.
"I'll have Kenobi report to you immediately, M'Lady," says Master Windu.
"Thank you, master Windu," I tell him, wanting only to leave and get back to my flat.
He smiles as I leave, gently waving.
He's not the last Jedi I'll see today.
oOo
Back at my flat, I wait anxiously with a mug of hot tea in my hands, my feet tapping against my living room floor. I lean out against the railing which separates me from my window, looking for the transport that might be bringing my new security. Typho waits too, trying to hide his nerves under a calm exterior. It's been a few hours since our meeting with the chancellor, and it's almost suffocating to be alone. I feel much safer surrounded by my friends. Unfortunately, senator Organa needed to go speak with some other members of the senate, and lobby them to vote with him. I gave him my blessing to go, and soon, everyone else followed. Then Jar Jar was much too excited to sit around and wait, so he decided to watch for them, by the window which lets you view the elevator. Not that he'd be able to see much.
Suddenly, a familiar sound fills the living room, and moves through the hall to our room. She sound of Jar Jar, full of excitement. The Jedi must have arrived.
"Senator Padmé! Deesa palos here! Lookie lookie senator, deesa Jedi arrivin'!" Jar jar ushers the two Jedi in with excitement.
I recognize Obi Wan immediately. His dirty blond hair and winning smile could never be mistaken. However, the new beard and mullet were quite different from the last time I saw him. He looks much more mature now, no longer wearing that padawan braid, and dressed in light brown robes, with an off-white sash and brown leather Obi belt. To his left stands another Jedi, devilishly handsome and tall, a small cleft in his chin, and short, darker brown hair. He has bright blue eyes, like the sea after a storm, and wears a similar, but darker version of what his master wears. He smirks when he sees me, obviously remembering me, but I don't seem to remember him.
"It's a great pleasure to see you again, My Lady," says master Kenobi, taking a bow.
"It has been far too long, master Kenobi," I smile, glad to see him again. Suddenly, something clicks, and I turn to look at his padawan.
"Ani?"
He grins now, smugly.
"My goodness you've grown," I gasp.
"So have you," he says, obviously trying to be suave. "Only more beautiful, I mean."
Obi Wan shoots him a look, his eyes like daggers.
"Well, for a senator, I mean."
I laugh.
"Oh Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tattooine."
He looks down, his cheeks flaring red. I smile to myself, and notice captain Typho grinning as well.
"Our presence here will be invisible, my lady," Obi Wan says, following me up the steps to the living room. "I can assure you."
"I'm caption Typho of her majesty's security service. Queen Jamilia has been informed of your assignment. I'm grateful that you're here, master Kenobi," says captain Typho. "The situation is more dangerous than the senator will admit."
"I don't need more security," I tell him, "I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me."
Obi Wan frowns, confused, but carefully choosing his words. "We're here to protect you, senator, not to start an investigation."
"We will find out who is trying to kill you, Padmé," interjects Anakin. "I promise you."
Obi Wan kicks him, and Anakin whips his head around to face him.
"We will not exceed our mandate, my young padawan learner," Obi Wan scolds.
The room grows silent and awkward as the couple continue their squabble.
"I meant in the interest of her protection master, of course."
"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. And you will pay attention to my lead."
"Why?"
I lean back in my chair a bit, uncomfortable with the conversation.
"What," asks Obi Wan, incredulously.
"Why else do you think we were assigned to her, if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security, not Jedi. It's overkill, master. Investigation is implied in our mandate."
"We will do exactly as the council has instructed," orders Obi Wan. "And you will learn your place, young one."
I see an opportunity to end the discussion, and take it.
"Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now if you will excuse me, I will retire."
I rise, and Dormé follows me, as we retreat back to my room. Outside the sun is beginning to set, and I've already had too much excitement for one day.
That boy is certainly interesting.