Hey, you guys! It's me again - and yes, Thanksgiving break is here, which means that I can pig out to food and kick back to get some writing done. (And reading. I got two new books today - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. I'm really pumped to read both books - not to mention that To All the Boys I've Loved Before has a Korean protagonist, so...*pumps arms* Yes for representation!)

This chapter takes place briefly after The Phantom Menace, I think - but you don't really need to know a lot about the movies to understand this chapter. Just know that in this chapter, Senator Amidala is still pretty new to the Senate...and just like any woman in power, there's always going to be lots of speculation around her viability. Enjoy!

Badlands two.

Power

("they shush me")

Padmé Amidala was one of the dangerous ones, and though not everyone caught onto it, she knew it the moment she decided she was going to be a senator instead of a queen.

She wasn't sure what had originally compelled her into taking such drastic measures in politics. All she knew was that she couldn't tolerate being waited on by hand and foot – she couldn't stay in a suffocating palace for too long – and she most certainly couldn't be expected to make decisions in a place where words were chosen for her.

So perhaps being a senator was the brightest move she had ever made. It had certainly come with its disadvantages – the constant busy schedule, the death threats, the competitiveness…

But Padmé knew this was the best chance she would get at speaking for herself.

She thought of this now as she stood before Senator Gume Saam. She wasn't sure why she bothered to see him in the first place – he had been the one to call together a private meeting with her in the first place, claiming that he would like to become "a guiding hand for such a new senator."

Even at a young age, Padmé most certainly wasn't a fool. She knew when there was someone who wanted something from her – and she knew when someone had ulterior motives to any plan.

But still, Padmé was careful to keep her face a cool mask. She couldn't afford showing what she was truly feeling – that much was the game of politics. (And lying.)

Padmé could see herself in Senator Saam's eyes – a young, innocent, bright-faced woman with hands tucked over her lap and curls spun into a ridiculous up-do. No one would suspect the way Padmé's brain was in constant motion – calculating, strategizing, and looking for the best way to counteract on whatever someone had in store for her…

Well. Padmé's mother always did tell her to use all of her gifts – and if looking innocent was one of them, then she figured she had that particular gift down just fine.

"You gave an impressive speech about Naboo's standing with the Republic today," Senator Saam said, pouring Padmé a glass of rich, dark red liquid. She had no doubt it was wine – and though she smiled when she took it, she didn't bother drinking from the glass. She only ever bothered to drink around people she truly trusted and cared about – and frankly, Senator Saam didn't seem to be the type to make it on that particular list anytime soon.

"Thank you," Padmé replied warmly. "It means much to hear that."

"I would think so," Senator Saam smiled. It reminded Padmé a little of the time she saw Watto smile – with eyes cold and narrowed and lips stretched into a haughty, thin line.

A shudder ran through Padmé's spine. She adjusted her fingers over the glass, her own smile – her own shield – guarded over her face. "I apologize for being so blunt," she said delicately, "but you called me here for a private meeting – is there something you would like to discuss with me?"

"Besides your obvious skills in making public speeches?" Senator Saam asked. His words were light, but Padmé could sense danger simmering in his voice. She felt her heart jump in speed just a few notches, but she let her shoulders relax.

Calm.

She must look calm.

Padmé let out a quiet laugh. "Besides that, I would hope."

"How quick you are to get to the point," Senator Saam observed, taking a sip from his glass.

Padmé slowly set down her glass on the table sitting between them. "I would hope I'd be," she replied, choosing her next words with care. "If I am ever to make a true difference, I would think it's necessary for me to get to the point with precision."

"Spoken like a true politician." There was something gleaming in Senator Saam's eyes now, though Padmé couldn't decipher what it was. She shifted a little in her seat.

Senator Saam set his wine glass down. "Well, Senator," he said – Padmé didn't miss the way his voice seemed to hurry over the word senator (as though he didn't want it to be addressed. As though the title alone didn't seem to make too much of a difference). – "I called you here to discuss what your next moves might be."

Padmé furrowed her brow. "I made my points in my speech just a few hours ago," she said slowly.

"Oh, I know about that," Senator Saam said, shaking his head. "You misunderstood me – I meant I wanted to discuss what your next moves would be if you were to…change your mind."

Padmé felt something in her stomach grow cold. She was grateful she hadn't drunk anything from that wine glass. "Change my mind," she repeated emotionlessly.

"Yes," Senator Saam replied. "You see, I am aligned with the Separatists –"

"I know."

Senator Saam smiled again. (The same Watto smile.) "And I couldn't help but to notice that you wish to align yourself with the Republic. And to be honest, Senator…" The senator sat down directly next to Padmé – and though he was a respectable distance away from her, she couldn't help but to brace herself. "I thought – well, it must be because you're young…and inexperienced that you would come down to make such a decision."

Padmé didn't like where this was going. Still, she locked her eyes onto Senator Saam's, her voice frigid.

"You called me here so I could change my allegiance."

"Would that be so bad?" Senator Saam asked, his eyebrows lifting. "The Separatists have made some excellent points, you know."

"The Separatists see wealth and money as the true governors and leaders," Padmé replied. "And with all due respect, Senator Saam, I see no appeal in that." She stood up. "Now, I think I'll be taking my leave. I have much more to prepare and plan."

She only just got away from the couch before Senator Saam called after her, "You are still a child compared to the rest of us, Senator. You have much to learn – much to experience. I wouldn't expect so much from the Republic at such an early time."

Padmé was getting closer to the door now. Not looking back, she said over her shoulder, "You wish to quiet me. You wish to undermine the authority I have over my own planet. If those are the ideals of a Separatist such as yourself, well…" She reached the door. As the metal slid open, she finished with some satisfaction, "I think my expectations of the Separatists at such an early time like this have already started out at a low point."

There was silence from Senator Saam's end.

Good.

"Goodnight," Padmé added over her shoulder, not really meaning it. "And oh – thank you for your suggestion, but my stance remains as sure as ever."

Spoken like a true politician, Padmé thought smugly to herself as she headed down to her own apartment.

A/N - I felt that I wasn't really playing too much on the whole role of patriarchy in this chapter (though there are definite hints at it) - but more so on the whole obsession of power. After taking note of Padmé's actions (and the actions of many other female politicians/in seats of power today), I figured that she would have to fight a little harder for people to start taking her seriously. I mean, there was that whole thing where she was really young and seen as more of a figurehead than an actual ruler - so I thought it would make sense to see her own little struggle for power. (And by power, I mean the good kind of power. The authority kind of power. Not the "I'm the only one you have to listen to because I'll kill you otherwise" type of power.)

And just so you guys know, this story won't just be focusing on women - because while women are extremely important in The Clone Wars (which is so fantastic), my plan for this story was to point out the 'badlands' of war - not just the struggles women face. (Though those two points can totally co-exist and cross multiple paths.) The next chapter will be focusing more on Rex's character, too, so...I'm kinda looking forward to that aspect of the story.

As always, reviews are great! Constructive criticism is tolerable, but flames are not! (And for my fellow Americans, happy Thanksgiving!)