Disclaimer: Not mine. Except the OC.
Chapter 4: I Hate Politicians
The trip to Courasant was quicker than Rae thought it would be, and she was glad to get off the ship. Now she could actually get away and be alone! She could disappear here. Then the door of the ship lowered and she saw the welcoming committee. The dark one she figured was Vallourum but the other one... "Palpatine," she hissed, eyes narrowing. She sighed and made her way down the ramp, hoping that by staying in the back, she would escape notice. No luck. He was looking right at her. Crud.
"And who is this?" the smiling Sith, and wasn't that a thought to turn one's stomach, asked. She fought down a sneer.
"I am no-one, sir, merely a young woman trying to find her way in the world," she said, hoping he wouldn't sense her hate for him through the Force. His oily smile grew and she felt her jaw tighten.
"You don't seem to like me," he stated. She quirked an eyebrow.
"What gave me away?" Rae drawled, trying to be nonchalant. For some reason, she had a feeling she didn't pull it off as well as she would have liked
"A mark of a good politician is to always know when someone is hiding something," Palpatine said. Rae chuckled darkly, her eyes narrowing once more.
"And thus, you have come upon the very reason why I do not like you. I hate politicians, sir. Especially when they smile. Forgive me, but I never can seem to trust someone when they never. Stop. Smiling. Have a nice day, sir," she said, striding forward. Unfortunately for her, Palpatine matched her speed.
"My name is Palpatine. Senator Palpatine. And you are?"
"Not interested, Senator." Palpatine chuckled.
"Come now, I'm only making conversation." Rae stopped suddenly and turned to him, giving him her best glare.
"Why me, Senator? There is a Queen, two Jedi, and a contingent of Royal Guards in this entourage, so why talk to me, Senator? I am just a girl, lost in the big wide world, and you are a political figure with more important things to do than talk with me. Are you using me? Am I to be some sort of political stunt? I can just see the headlines now! 'Senator for Naboo befriends young girl of unknown origins. Vote for Palpatine, the People's Man!' Well I'm sorry, Senator, but I will not be a PR pony. Good day!" she said before walking as quickly as she could to Obi-Wan. "I really hate politicians. Especially when they smile," she whimpered as she clung to him. He looked down and quirked an eyebrow. "Save me?" she asked in a small voice. She heard Qui-Gon snickering ahead of them but paid him no mind. She really needed some moral support after being confronted by that. Obi-Wan shook his head but put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into the comfort. 'Ummm~! He smells like mint and sandalwood.'
/*/
Obi-Wan had watched the confrontation between Rae and Senator Palpatine with interest. Rae handled herself quite well against the Senator, Obi-Wan thought. But then, the Senator got clingy and the young man had to remind himself that a Jedi was not supposed to get involved in such conflicts. When she came to him and grabbed his arm, he felt a tight, warm feeling in his chest and forced himself not to flash a triumphant grin at the Senator who was way too old for Rae. Then she had looked up at him and asked for him to save her. His chest filled with that unfamiliar emotion again as he tightened his hold on her just a little. He could hear Qui-Gon chuckling up ahead, could feel his Master's amusement through the Force, but found he couldn't care less. Rae needed him, needed support, protection. And Force take him if Obi-Wan didn't provide that for her. He could feel her Force presence relax as she walked with him, could feel her take a deep breath and cast off the shadow that had come over her after her talk with the Senator. And considering that, as well as her referencing the smiling thrice, made him doubt the Senator's motives. She had told him to 'beware the Smiling Politician.' Perhaps Palpatine was this Smiling Politician? It would fit. He did smile an abnormal amount. "So, where are you going to stay while we are here, Rae?" he asked. Rae scrunched her nose and Padme jumped in on the conversation, though she was back in her royal dress.
"She can stay with my handmaidens," she said. Rae looked at her in surprise.
"Are you sure, your Highness? I would not want to intrude. And I feel I don't quite fit in with your Handmaidens," she said. Padme smiled faintly at the young woman.
"Yes, I am sure. You have given us assistance and lightened our hearts with your presence. I would not have you cut off from those you recognize. Courasant can be a rough place for one unaccustomed to it," the Queen said. Rae bowed to the girl Queen.
"I accept your good will, your Highness. When you put it that way, I feel it would be rude to decline," she said. Padme gave her a small nod before moving away toward the Senate building. Rae looked over at Obi-Wan and said, "Remember, Obi-Wan, Anakin needs a friend more than a master. He has been a slave all his life, has called everyone but his mother 'master,' and has had to follow orders or risk being blown up. After this whole thing is over, he can help you just as you must help him. I won't be there, in the Temple, for him to go to, so you must be there for him. Do you understand?" she said, worry plain in her eyes. Obi-Wan smiled and nodded. Rae was something else, that was for sure.
/*/
Rae was glad that Padme had extended an offer of lodging to her, but Obi-Wan was trying to lead her to the Jedi Temple. She gave him a pleading look. "I can't justify going to the Temple just yet. I have even less of a reason to go, seeing as I'm not even Force-sensitive. Please, just let me stay with Padme and Anakin until the Council decides they want to hear my story, alright?" she asked. Obi-Wan sighed, but let her go. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, my Shining Knight," she said before following after Anakin and Padme.
"Rae. I am pleased that you accepted my offer. I have heard that you make accurate predictions. Tell me, is there any hope that the Senate will give my people the help they need?" the Queen asked. Rae sighed. Why was everyone asking her for information now?
"Your Majesty, I make no accurate predictions, I tell what I know. And what I know is more limited than many would think. However, I will tell you this," Rae stopped and looked at the royal company with the utmost sincerity. "I do not trust politicians, especially when they smile. As I told Obi-Wan; beware the Smiling Politician." The Queen sighed.
"And who is the Smiling Politician?" she asked. Rae frowned at her.
"You honestly didn't notice? Did you not see? Did you not hear?" she asked. The Queen seemed to grow pale under her make-up. "Ah. Now you get it... or are beginning to. So, when he proposes you call for a vote of no confidence, give him a non-committal answer and seek out Vallorum. Speak with him before you make a decision, for once the Smiling Politician gains a foothold... he won't let go without great pain and sacrifice on the part of those who want him gone." A shiver went through the delegation at her words. A shiver of fear.
"If what you say is true, and it is a serious allegation make no mistake, then I will take your advice into consideration," the Queen said. Rae could only smile.
"Hey, you're the political figure, not me. To be honest, you're about the only politician I don't hate. That you'd listen to a nobody like me is more than I can ask for, your Majesty. I can only hope that our actions now can save our future," she said. The Queen, or whoever was wearing the mantle of Queen of Naboo, smiled slightly at the misplaced young woman.
"You do not give yourself enough credit, Miss Mayar. You have a way with words." Rae gave her a slightly sardonic smile of her own.
"Trust me, your majesty, in a few years, you won't be saying that." The Queen gave her a mildly quizzical look, but Rae refused to expound on her comment. The future was a mystery for a reason after all. Who was she to ruin the surprise? And really, who could say she had a way with words when they knew Obi-Wan Kenobi? He made words into weapons that could bring entire planets to their knees. A true master in the art of Talking Down the Idiots.
/*/
While Rae was walking off with the Queen of Naboo and her company, Qui-Gon was chuckling at the suppressed love-struck look on his Padawan's light pink face. "Not a word, Master. Not a word," Obi-Wan said, a faint growl underscoring his words. Qui-Gon gave him a mock hurt look.
"But Obi-Wan, I haven't said anything!" the master protested, hoping he was keeping his amusement out of their training bond. Obi-Wan gave him a Look, though it was a little less effective than usual due to the faint blush he was wearing, which told the master otherwise.
"You were preparing. I like to cover my bases, Master," he said levelly, though in such a deathly calm manner that Qui-Gon decided against teasing his Padawan further. Obi-Wan, though he didn't know it, was already developing his to-be-famous Negotiator/General voice that could make Anakin obey... at times. Qui-Gon shook his head, but let it go.
"Budding romance with the cute, mysterious, and surprisingly knowing Rae aside, are you ready to make your report to the Council?" the Jedi Master asked. Obi-Wan groaned, drawing another laugh from his Master.
"What are we going to tell them about all this? It's a mess, Master. An honest to Force mess that I have no idea how we're going to get out of," he said. Qui-Gon hummed, stroking his beard. His Padawan had a point. There was no clear way out of this mess, for a mess it was. He sighed and shook his head.
"We must not dwell on this now, Obi-Wan. Let us focus on the here and now, dealing with what is before us," he said. Obi-Wan did not seem appeased, but he didn't argue. Obi-Wan rarely argued about anything anymore. Qui-Gon remembered when Obi-Wan was a child. He had fought quite a bit back then, but over the years, Obi-Wan became a passive man. No longer did he argue his point, now he bowed to the wishes of others. However, with the sudden appearance of Rae, Qui-Gon was seeing flashes of a much more self-confident Obi-Wan. An Obi-Wan who could inspire loyalty in those around him and who always made his point known. The Master thought about the changes Rae was bringing to his Padawan and mentally smirked. Yes, Rae was a fine influence on his Padawan and he was looking forward to seeing that change completed. He could feel the Force telling him that Obi-Wan would become one of the greatest Jedi Masters of all time, respected and revered by much of the Galaxy. But for now, he was a Padawan. A brilliant one, yes, but merely a Padawan. And both Master and Padawan had a meeting with the Jedi Council to get too.
/*/
Rae was surprised when the Queen requested she stay with her rather than the handmaidens as previously stated. "Your Majesty, why ask for me?" she asked. The Queen gave a genuine smile before turning to remove her make-up. Shocked by this move, Rae simply stared.
"I asked because you are one of the few outside my handmaidens who recognizes me as a person, a human being, under the guise of the Queen of Naboo. I would be honored to call you a friend, Rae," Padme said, turning back to the still rather shell-shocked Rae.
"Well. That's a bit of a surprise. I've told you before, I generally dislike politicians with great zeal. And yet, here we are, a Queen with immense political power and skill and a misplaced broadcasting student with an intense dislike of politics, trying to be friends. The world truly is a mysterious place, is it not?" Rae finally managed to get out. Padme chuckled.
"Yes... but for now, I am not a Queen. I am just Padme, a young girl who was in need of advice and got it from a kind, reliable source," she said. Rae smiled.
"Ah, and there is the loophole. You can distance yourself from politics and live as a normal human whereas the Smiling Politician is always maneuvering, always manipulating, always trying to get his way. I know a fair bit about you, Padme Amidala of the Naboo. I have a feeling we will get along just fine," she said. Padme smiled a little shyly at the older woman.
"Even if I'm a politician?" she asked. Rae chuckled and sat down on the couch in a rather undignified manner.
"Padme, I've told you before. You're one of the very few politicians I can stand... but you're the only one I'd call a friend." Padme smiled and Rae couldn't fault Anakin for falling for her, even if their love seemed a bit o'er hasty. She was a sweet girl. Thoughts of what her fate could be invaded Rae's mind and she fought down her emotions. She was going to change all that.
/*/
A few minutes later, Captain Pankana came in and announced that Senator Palpatine was on his way. Rae bit down a growl, but couldn't stop her eyes narrowing. Padme noticed, even as she reapplied her make-up, and jerked her head toward a closet. Rae gave her a half grin and dashed into the small space. Palpatine entered and glanced around as if looking for something... or someone.
"Senator Palpatine, how can We help you?" Padme, now fully Queen Amidala, asked of her Senator. He smiled his oily smile and Rae could only wonder how he got to be where he was with such a greasy feel about him.
"It is wonderful to see you have arrived safely, Your Majesty! However, I do not think the Senate will move to give our people the help they need. As you know, Chancellor Vallorum has no real power. You could... call for a No Confidence vote against him. I'm sure you'll be able to appoint a new Chancellor easily, Your Majesty," Palpatine said. Rae did her best to keep her growl limited to inside her head, but she wasn't sure she succeeded.
"Power grubbing Sith Spawn! Oh, I know it's wrong but I wish someone would just snap your little chicken neck!" Rae thought fiercely. She hadn't really liked him in the movies, and once she knew who he was, she didn't like him in the cartoon The Clone Wars either. He was manipulating and slimy and all too good at exploiting everyone's willful blindness... and a child's insecurities. Amidala seemed to think it over, and Rae was not the only one to notice the gleam in Palpatine's eyes when he thought he had her.
"We need time to consider this, Senator. Leave Us, that We might have peace to think," the Queen said coolly. Rae grinned a rather wolfish grin, though she didn't know it was quite so wolfish, as the Senator left, pouting like a scheming child denied a sweet. She waited until she heard the door hiss closed and then waited until the count of five before she exited the closet.
"Vallorum?" she asked pointedly. Amidala nodded, face grimmer than ever.
"Yes. It pains me but... you were right. I can no longer trust Palpatine," she said. Rae smiled kindly at her.
"Yeah, he's a slimy snake with his fangs in the door. However, you may need to keep him there, to keep an eye on him." Rae paused, thinking this over. "Yes. He needs to think he has some sort of power over events. Who do you know that would listen to me if I spoke to them on your behalf?" she asked. Amidala gave her a confused look and one of the handmaidens – Sabe? – came forward.
"What are you planning?" she asked. Rae grinned.
"We make Palpy think he has the Queen's ear, and go ahead with the vote, but we let the other Senators in on the plot. Some might lose faith in Naboo for calling for and then losing the vote, but those that know would likely trust Amidala more afterward. I would tell them to subtly watch Palpatine's reaction to the vote, and when they see the carefully hidden greed and then anger in his face... well. It will be up to them, but if it were me, I'd feel grateful to the one who discovered it and trust such a shrewd mind. And then I'd help them undermine the snake while giving him enough power to keep him exactly where I want him. What do you think?" she said. Amidala nodded, then picked up a datapad and entered a message along with a list.
"Show this to the Senators on the list as well as the Supreme Chancellor. Make whatever extra remarks you feel necessary. I trust no-one else with this task, Rae Donna Mayar. I pray you do not fail," the Queen said. Rae bowed as she left.
/*/
As she walked down the corridors, Rae caught herself gazing at the datapad in mild shock. Amidala had taken her at her word. The Queen had taken her at her word. Her! A normal girl who knew next to nothing about politics and didn't want to know anything about them because she disliked them with a passion. And now she was on a diplomatic mission in the viper's den! She took a deep breath and made her way to Bail Organa's quarters. She presented the 'pad to the man and said, "I know it seems a little far fetched, but watch and you'll see. Besides, anyone who smiles that much, even when their planet's in a bind, can't be trusted." Bail looked over Amidala's message, considering both her words and those of the girl who had delivered the message. They made sense, but it was a bit hard to swallow. Still, he thought as he looked back to the fidgeting messenger, why would Amidala move against her own Senator without proof?
"I'll watch Palatine's reaction, and if you're right, I'll vote against him," he said, handing the datapad back. Rae very nearly gaped at him. Composing herself, she grinned and bobbed a short bow before leaving.
"Thank you for your support, Sir!" she called before the door shut behind her. She had just secured her first political ally, besides Padme. Shaky from her first encounter but a little invigorated, she made her way to the next person on the list, nerves still coursing through her and making her hands shake.
/*/
Three hours, twenty Senators, and a mildly cranky Chancellor later, the stage was set for Operation: Cage Snake. Rae could only smile shakily at Padme and say, "Mission Accomplished," when she returned to the Queen's rooms and when Obi-Wan came, she couldn't even smile at him. She just followed him mechanically to the speeder and fell into her seat. "I really hate politics," she moaned before she passed out, the stress and fear and shock and joy of the last three hours too much for her to handle. Anakin asked Obi-Wan if she was going to be alright and the Padawan could only smile at the boy, though there was a little bit of bitterness in the action.
"She's just a little worn out, Anakin. I'm sure she'll be fine," he said, smoothing her hair away from her face. He laid her head in his lap and held her tight as they made their way to the Temple. He hoped she would be strong enough for the Council. She had only been in the Senate building for three and a half hours and yet, she acted like she had been in battle. And the Council was worse than just being in a building full of politicians.
/*/
Anakin was glad that, at least for this once, Rae was going to the Council with him. Of course, Obi-Wan was there too, and the young man wasn't too bad, but Rae was the one he felt he could relate to. She put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, smiling when he looked up at her. "It won't be too bad, Hotshot," she said, and Anakin hoped she was right about that. The doors whooshed open and Anakin entered with Rae and Obi-Wan at his back. Qui-Gon was already there. "Ah. You must be the young woman Master Qui-Gon mentioned," a dark skinned man said, though his eyes were cautious and seemed to look deep into the younger woman. Rae stood straight under his scrutiny and Anakin couldn't help but be impressed.
"I am Rae Donna Mayar, Master Windu, and I will only say what I have to say once. My story is not one I'd like to repeat numerous times," she said. The Masters were a little surprised that Rae knew who the dark man, Windu, was. Anakin smirked to himself, as did Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Rae had that affect on a lot of people.
"Very well, Miss Mayar. Please, tell us your story," another Master, an alien, asked. Rae nodded, though Anakin could somehow tell that she didn't really want to do this. He took her hand and smiled at her when she looked down. Nodding again, Rae began her story.
"I was in my family's home in Notasulga, in the State of Alabama, on the planet Earth, in the Milky Way Galaxy, and walking into my kitchen for a glass of water, and then the next moment I was in front of Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'll admit, I broke down into hysterics. My mother, my father, my brother, my sister, my brother-in-law, my grandma, my grandpa, Grammy, my cousins, my cats, my dog... I wasn't going to see them ever again. And I was in the middle of the Naboo Crisis. And I had just thought that Obi-Wan was a cutie. There was only one explanation for it all. I am now in a fanfiction. I am in a self-insert fanfiction with Mary Sue tendencies. And Obi-Wan is the one the writer choose as my love interest. I know how most of you are going to die. I know how this Crisis is likely to end. However, most of my knowledge begins ten years from now and covers three years before skipping about nineteen years, and the three years are a bit sketchy. From there, I'm not sure how long it would take for the future I saw to play out. If I tell you something, something that has yet to happen, chances are, it will happen. At least for the three years after the first ten-year gap. After that... I hope to make a future that is a little bit brighter than the one I have seen. Do not ask me for information on your deaths, or what the approaching Darkness is. I will not tell you. Surely you know, it does not do to borrow trouble from tomorrow," she said. Anakin knew part of her story before, but hearing it now just made him think she was a very strong person. She had lost so much, coming here, and she knew so much about the future, even if it was spotty. Surely, it must hurt to carry that knowledge and know that she was going to get to know the people she had previously seen die. He took her hand, trying to will his gratitude at her being there to her, to set her at ease, and she smiled at him, though her eyes seemed clouded.
"Thank you for smiling, Rae. Thank you for helping me to not feel so alone. I'm glad you're here, even though I wish you didn't have to lose your family to do it," he said softly. She chuckled, though Anakin could hear tears in the sound. She knelt down to be on his level.
"Anakin... you are such a sweet child. Truly, you are. Thank you for trying to help me, Hotshot. I'll be alright, and if you need anything, you come find me, alright? Even if I have to sneak into the temple, I'll do what I can to help," she said. Anakin tilted his head quizzically.
"Why would you need to sneak into the temple?" he asked. Rae shook her head.
"Sometimes, people just have to do crazy stuff, ya know? Hey, I might just kidnap you and take you out flying, or enter you in a swoop race, or just take you to my place for pizza and a movie. Ya never know," she said. The Jedi Masters looked a little worried, but they were too good at ignoring and releasing their emotions to actually be full out worried. Rae smirked, then winked at Anakin, and left. "You'll do fine... Chosen One," she tossed back over her shoulder before she was completely gone. Anakin took a deep breath and faced the Council, feeling alone and yet, not. Whatever they decided, he'd still have Rae, and maybe Obi-Wan. He lifted his chin, squared his shoulders, and faced the Council's tests bravely.
/?/
A/N: and there we have the ball rolling! What do you think of the political side? And Rae's position on politics and politicians? Let me know!
Also, sorry RandomCorpse, but I'm not killing Jar-Jar... probably. I'm afraid you'll just have to make do with the violent fantasies Rae holds in her heart for Palpatine. Until next time!
