Chapter 10
Location: Galactic Confederation Base 1, Alderaan
Day 20 Month 1 14 BBY
( Padme' Naberrie's POV)
Anakin and I had continued our studying over the past three days. But no mention of the document I had translated for him had come up. It is as if he had paused at the mention of Amidala. I can understand why she is a hot topic with the Rebellion at the moment.
I inhale a nervous breath as I watch the clock on the wall. The digital time signals to me that the results of our exams would be posted on the board. I had taken three exams that day: Kata , handling combat weapons and targeting systems and my all-time least favorite piloting. Anakin hadn't said anything about how difficult his exams were. I hoped I passed with at least the bare points needed to stay in the program. I don't know where I would go if I am kicked out.
Ferus and the rest of our squad are surrounding the table, watching- praying to Gods and the force for decent results. I know I passed my katas, and weapons training. Blasters are second nature for me.- piloting not at all.
My eyes watch the holo screen as our names display on the screen as they were a day ago. I had been fifth in line and I needed to stay that way or move up in our little group. By the end of the ten weeks, only four of us would go on to become soldiers of the Rebellion. The rebellion isn't as desperate as they once were for soldiers.
The top flashes and new names are displayed at the very top of the board. My eyes catch Tarkin's name in the top spot in our squad. Ferus is second on the board and Tarkin's little band of groupies names' follow. My eyes drift to the fifth spot- it reads-
Naberrie 5000 points.
I mutter a cheer under my breath and Ferus pats my back and replies, "Your studying has paid off! It's time to celebrate this accomplishment. We're going out tonight to pick up some women and drink until we pass out."
My eyes widen at the mention of picking up woman like they are pieces of meat. I stammer on my words and state, "I- don't think that's such a good idea, what's if we get caught drunk outside the base?"
Ferus chuckles and mumbles, "Who cares? The Commanding officers will probably be out picking up some tail too."
I attempt to protest while Ferus begins to drag me back to the entrance of the base to celebrate our victories….
Location: Galactic Confederation Cantina, Alderaan
Day 21 Month 1 14 BBY
( Padme' Naberrie's POV)
Apparently there is a local cantina within the base's walls. We never have to leave the base entirely. I sip on the odd looking class of Cornelian whiskey as Ferus and Commander Watson play darts beside be. My eyes observe the other people in the Cantina.
Several woman who wear little clothing or the shortest dresses I've ever seen in my life pass by Watson and Ferus. They cat call wildly as the two woman pass by. I sulk back in my bar seat as Ferus begins to flirt with the brunette who has started flirting with him by swirling her hair and battling her eyes. It is a bit embarrassing watching him make a fool out of himself and his friends surrounding him. In my circles of aristocrats this would be shameful to be seen with men that acted on their sexual frustations.
I stare down my drink and take another sip. The harsh liquid is not the easiest to slip down, but it has begun to warm my insides. The boys have been drinking several of these an hour. I had chosen to sip on the same one for the past five hours. I had played darts and discussed the latest news flying throughout the galaxy which had to do with Vader's recent marriage to Amidala the daughter Palpatine. I had to suffer through my two companions's comments of how "fine" the princess had looked in her wedding dress and that Vader was one lucky son of a Sith.
I roll my eyes at the fake laughter coming from the red head on Watson's arm. Sluts, they can't wait to get their dirty hands on those morons and their pockets.
"You know it's not polite to think that way of a lady," His booming voice catches me off guard and I turn my gaze on Anakin Skywalker perched beside me.
I intake sharply as I observe his clean look for the night. His hair is gelled back and his uniform gone. He wears a simple black tunic and pants to match. His blue eyes shimmer in amusement at my thoughts. I mutter, "Did your mother teach you that reading people's thoughts is impolite?"
He smirks and his brilliant white teeth form that perfect mouth of his. My heart beats into my chest as the memories of when we were together come flooding back. I dart my eyes swiftly back to my drink and take a swig of the harsh liquid.
I cough and choke on the burning liquid and Anakin pats my back. He says jokingly, "Didn't your father teach you to choose your drinks wisely?"
I cough and attempt to inhale the brisk air around us before replying, "My father wasn't really the best father. He was too busy conquering the political arena. What about you?"
Anakin's gestures for the bartender to pour him and me a glass of vodka from Couscant. He slides the clear glass down to me and replies changing the subject, " Why aren't you chasing any tail with your friend?"
My cheeks burn at the mention of my roommate, hitting on the pretty slut in the corner of my eye. I stammer out, " I don't think chasing tail is the proper way to treat a lady."
Anakin coughs back the liquid in his mouth and swallows hard. He implies, " I didn't take you as the gentlemen type."
I smirk into my drink as I mutter, "Well- I think finding the perfect mate takes time."
Anakin chokes on his drink with laughter. His hand slams into his chest to stop from coughing up his drink as I frown at him. I retort, "I take it you don't believe in finding love."
He stops coughing and his laughter has subsided. His expression is playful as he comments, " I don't think it's possible to find the perfect mate and besides love is unrealistic. I take it you've never been a relationship before.
My cheeks are red at this point at the mention of my last relationship. I attempt to hide my shocked expression and reply, " I don't have too much experience with—the opposite sex."
It wasn't a lie. I hadn't been with too many men- two in fact and one of them sitting beside me at the moment. I fan my hot cheeks as Anakin's laughter can be heard again filling the room. I turn to him and mumble out, " So why aren't you chasing tail either? If your against monogamy relationships, why don't you pick up one of the ladies here?"
Anakin's smirk grows as he replies, "Monogamy is for those who want to be blind-sided. The women here are nothing more than looking for a one night stand and I don't have time for complications."
I raise my eyebrow and question, "So- who was she?"
His eyes darken at the mention of a woman and he asks, "Who was who?"
My smile grows as I state, "Who was the woman who broke your heart?"
His navy eyes express less playfulness as they glance down at the nuts on his plate. He fingers them as he mumbles, "She didn't- she died."
I lean in interested in this knowledge- perhaps I had meant something to him. Or some other woman had caught his attention and his love. I question,
"So who was she?"
His eyes watch the almonds float underneath his fingertips and they keep floating a few inches above the bar's countertop. His voice has toned down to a mere whisper as he mumbles, "A girl I met right before the Clone Wars. I had been a Jedi. I hadn't meant to start a relationship with her- but it happened and with the Jedi Code... She was killed in a freak accident."
My heart pounds in my chest as I realize he had kept his feelings for me all these years as well. I bite my lip and question, "If you had a second chance with this girl, would you take it?"
His eyes drift onto mine and his eyes shine with amusement. He casually states, "Definitely, but she's dead."
My mind switches back to the task at hand. The holonet had a way of twisting the flying stories of my marriage to Vader. I mumble under my breath, " I'm sorry for your loss."
He scoffs and replies, "I'm past all of the drama. What she and I had doesn't matter now."
My eyes sink to my drink and I gulp down the familiar liquid I drank on occasion at parties my father forced me to go to. The liquid doesn't burn like the fiery whiskey Ferus had bought for me hours ago. I mumble, " I think I've had enough to drink, and I'm in need of some sleep before katas tomorrow."
Anakin eyes his drink and suggests, " Your too smart for your own good kid. You can go far."
He pats my back and I leave my warm seat beside the man I had loved for many years. I stroll back to the quarters which I know are empty just right about now- lost in thought.
Anakin had never let go of our relationship is what it sounded like to me. He was vague about the details, but who wouldn't be? If people had known Anakin Skywalker the Hero of the Republic had been involved with a handmaiden of the Queen of Naboo. the holonet would have had a field day at the time.
I wish I could explain the truth to him. Tell him who I am and the reasons I'm using an alias name to join the rebels. My thoughts travel back to the datapad I was suppose to translate for him. The data pad that had information written in it about the Battle Station. I needed to turn those plans into the right hands- perhaps Anakin would turn them over to the Council members- if he allows me to translate more of the pieces, I can gain his trust and persuade him to provide the in-tell to the right Council members. They needed to know the risks that will be taken. Someone has to stop my father from creating that battle station.
And if that someone is me? Well- I wouldn't mind that and using his own light-saber to slice through his body….
To be Continued.