The ship began to spiral out of control Anakin tried to keep some stability but it was no use. Their attack was anticipated and the separatists had a dozen droid ships waiting. Obi-Wan, Anakin, R2D2 and a handful of clones were currently trying to land their ship, Anakin as lead pilot. His time as a pod-racer certainly helped in situations such as this. After realising there was no way to stop the ship from crashing, he flew low to the ground for everyone to evacuate. Setting it on autopilot, Anakin slowly released the controls and ran across the ship to the exit. He jumped, just as it hit a pile of large rocks, peeping out above the sand dunes, landing on the ground as the debris shattered around him. When he didn't get up after several moments, Obi-Wan and clones ran over to him.
Anakin lay flat on his stomach, face turned to one side. Obi-Wan noticed a deep cut that ran across his face, just barely missing his right eye.
"Anakin, can you hear me? Anakin..." Obi-Wan shook his shoulders, turning him over to face the sky. The Jedi and the clones let out a sigh of relief as Anakin grimaced.
"I beginning to think I shouldn't come to this planet," he joked, trying to sit up. Obi-Wan helped his former Padawan to stand up, Anakin leaning heavily on his shoulder. Besides from the cut on his face, Anakin seemed uninjured. There would be few cuts and bruises, but nothing major. Spotting a small cave, cutting into one of the mountain sides, the clones lead the two Jedi and the little droid inside, giving them time to regroup. Formulating a new plan, the clones scouted the area for any droids or separatist forces while Anakin and Obi-Wan searched for Dooku. With little transport available R2 tried to get in touch with some one who could come and get them. Obi-Wan tried to get Anakin to rest, with a head wound that deep it wasn't clear how much damage had been done. However, his former Padawan was too much like himself. After a couple minutes of arguing that he was fine, Anakin won, so both Jedi went in search of the rumoured Sith.
The representatives from the Trade Federation argued their case. The floor was their's. Padmè was desperately fighting to stop 'Emergency Powers' from being granted. She held her composure as they explained why the powers should be used, before quickly defending her plea. Palapatine was an old friend, and had served her well during her time as Queen, but she didn't feel as if the war was that serious. The way everyone was panicking made the War seem like it had been happening for years instead of three weeks. Luckily her friends from Alderaan, including Senator Bail Organa, had come to her defence and the bid for emergency powers was declined. Padmè noticed the Chancellor's slight dismay when the vote had passed but quickly regained his composure before he closed the Senate meeting. As the hovering seats of the Senate rotated back to the docks, the Senators gathered their belongs. Padmè was first out of the door.
"Senator Amidala," a call came. She wished so much that she could correct everyone on her new name, her friends at least. She wanted nothing more to announce: 'I am Padmè Skywalker'. Instead she had to still appear to be Senator Amidala, and her connection to Anakin was purely a childhood friendship.
"Senator Amidala," the voice came again.
"Senator Organa," Padmè said as he caught up with her. "Thank-you for the support, I am glad I'm not the only one hasn't lost their mind since the War began," She smiled as they fell into step together.
"Someone has to be brave enough to stand up against the Chancellor and the Trade Federation. Not the most likely pairing but formidable all the same. Can I ask a personal question Senator?" Padmè paused, stalling their walk.
"You Know you can ask me anything,"
"How are you? It must be hard to be away from your family, and the only familiar faces are those who serve you," Bail Organa asked. Padmè was shocked at the question to say the least.
"It is no different to any other Senator in the Galaxy," Padmè stated, a bit too harshly when speaking to an old friend.
"Forgive my bluntness Senator... Padmè... but every other Senator has at least 5 to 10 years in age compared to you, Myself included. Pardon the phrasing, but you are the child of the Senate, the youngest the Republic has ever seen. It makes you an easy target, an as your friend I feel it would be a concern of mine if you are unhappy, or were being..." Organa explained, stopping as Padmè intervened. She recognised that he was trying to justify his question, and be a good friend, but it just made Padmè angrier at his conduct. She was furious at his implication that she was a child, incapable of handling the duties of the Senate.
"I appreciate your concern, Senator, but I am perfectly fine. If you'll excuse me, I will retire I have a long day tomorrow," Padmè replied with dignity, her posture and tone the same as it would be during Senate sessions. "I have to prepare for a trip back to Naboo," She added as she walked away from the Alderaan Senator.
Pausing by one of the big windows that looked out of Coruscant Padmè took in a deep breath, admiring the beautiful skyline of Coruscant in the evening. The sun setting behind the buildings, casting long dark shadows. Her eyes wandered to the Jedi Temple, just down the road. One of the few buildings that wasn't a tall skyscraper, reaching high into the sky. A simple building that was large in size, but quite small when compared the buildings around it. Her thoughts trailed off to her Husband and his former Master. It took nearly one standard day to get to Geonosis form Corascant, even in Hyperspace. The duo had been gone for three days, so with any luck, Anakin would be home safe withing the next couple of days. She absentmindedly brought her hand to her stomach, thinking of all the happy moments that were to come for her and Anakin. Wishing for her Husband's safe return, she made her way over to the Jedi Temple. Just the next duty in a long list she would have to complete in the week before her return to Naboo. Since the Battle of Geonosis, the Jedi had asked Senator Amidala to convey anything important that could effect the outcome of the war. Padmè was happy to agree, seeing first hand how important it is that Jedi know the actions of the Senate, especially anything that could effect their plan for the War. After the Clone incident, it was clear the Jedi have been kept in the dark about a number of things. While the Clones were not an action of the Senate, it had revealed a few more secrets that the Senate had kept, that could have lead the Jedi astray in their mission of keeping the peace. Master Yoda had asked for Padmè's help on the way back to Coruscant just a few weeks earlier. Padmè agreed almost instantly but explained that she would have to infotm the Chancellor of this favour she was doing the Jedi. Feeling that she owed her life to the Jedi, after protecting her on countless occasions, she thought this would be a good way to repay them for what they had done. Chancellor Palpatine hadn't been too impressed when Senator Amidala had approached him on the subject, but she gave him no choice but to accept the situation. Padmè saw the flash of anger that crossed his eyes when she first told him, but it was so quick she couldn't explain what it was. Dismissing it she had given a slight bow of the head to the Chancellor then left his office.
"Senator Amidala, a pleasure to see you, it is," Master Yoda greeted her as she walked into the Temple.
"Master Yoda," She replied smiling, both bowing to each other respectfully.
"Here to update us on the Senate you are hmmm?"
"Yes Master,"
"Come then," Yoda took Padmè through the corridors of the Temple to one of the private Meditation Rooms.
After discussing the newest Senatorial developments the Master Jedi escourted Padmè back to the hanger.
"Thank-You Senator, grateful for your help, the Jedi are,"
"Anything that will help you end the war and resume peaceful diplomacy Master Jedi,"
Padmè turned to leave but soon hurried out of the way when a new vessel came into the hanger. She watched as the clobe troopers unloaded in quick military fashion, relaying details of what was needed. Master Windu and Master Kenobi helped somebody from the aircraft. Padmè carried in preparing to leave, not wanting to get in the way.
"General Skywalker needs immediate medical attention and..."
'General Skywalker? Oh My gosh, Ani!' Padmè thought, spinning one the spot to see Anakin being placed in a holobed before being rushed off with Obi-Wan following close behind.