Chapter 3: Duty and Order

Coruscant: 32 BBY

The planet of Coruscant was the same as Qui-Gon had left it. The same towering skyscrapers still defied the skies, reaching ever higher, and the air traffic filled the air with the background noise of uncountable lives that we're unaware of the turmoil and suffering of countless more.

The lone Jedi and the Nubians who had escaped the clutches of the Trade Federation had finally arrived on the city-planet and capital of the Republic after a night of flying through hyperspace. Queen Amidala had arrived safely and would now approach the senate in an effort to end the blockade that threatened her home planet. Although it was not the mission the Jedi had initially started with, it had still been successful. However, it had come with a price.

Qui-Gon remembered the first few moments after the jump to light speed after leaving the sapphire and emerald planet of Naboo behind. After leaving Obi-Wan.

The younger Jedi had elected to lead the N-1 squadron in a one-man fighter himself. It had been in an effort to break through the blockade as the Queen's ship would be unable to fight back and would be mostly unprotected. Despite Obi-Wan's dislike of flying, he had led the Royal Starship past the federation, only to defend his Master and Queen Amidala from an unknown ambusher.

His apprentice's final transmission had been, "Take the Queen to Coruscant. I'll keep the enemy busy." The last thing Qui-Gon had seen before their entry to light speed was of the small yellow fighter and the larger star courier racing further into space as they exchanged laser fire.

The cabin of the Royal Nubian Spacecraft had been silent. Deathly silent. The light of stars blurred together as space twisted around the ship, each streak of light leaving Obi-Wan hundreds of thousands of light years behind, along with an unknown enemy.

Qui-Gon too had been quiet. His apprentice was gone, and there was nothing he could do about it. Obi-Wan had done his duty so others could do theirs. The older Jedi owed it to him to make sure his choice to stay behind was not in vain. To go back would only render everything the two men believed to be false and bring dishonour to the Code. So the Master Jedi forced himself to remain calm, to keep his face passive, and to keep his fingernails from cutting into his skin as his hands tried to curl themselves into fists.

No one spoke, the crew's faces were tense, and even Queen Amidala's lips were pressed into a thin line. Everyone felt the loss but knew there was no going back. There were more lives at risk, the entire planet of Naboo was waiting for their Queen to save them and make a plea in the senate. Qui-Gon appreciated their feelings for a man they had barely met. They were good people, and the Jedi would do what he could to help them in their mission.

He had done that. Now he watched on a landing platform, high among the buildings of Coruscant as the politicians greeted each other. Thanks to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon had been able to continue with their mission, but it was not over yet. The Queen was still in danger. This the senior Jedi was sure of.

Someone had wanted her dead, and badly enough to send a highly trained assassin to do it. The question was why? The Neomoidians of the Federation were cowards, liars, and opportunists, but they were not brave enough, nor stupid enough to defy the laws of the Republic outright. They'd captured the Queen and held her prisoner but had needed her alive if they intended on keeping their blockade legal. They would not dare start a war. Then who had been behind the assassin? What was to be gained?

Qui-Gon's internal questions reminded him of something Obi-Wan had said to him as they had sat as ambassadors back on Naboo.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Obi-Wan had said. His eyebrows pulled down in a frown of concentration.

"I don't sense anything." Qui-Gon had replied. It hadn't been entirely true. There had been something playing in the shadows of his mind, however, there was no need to focus on it as there was nothing that could be done at the moment. He saw no reason to act on shadowed anxieties with no other information, and there were other, more pressing matters at hand.

"It's not about the mission, Master," clarified Obi-Wan. "It's something elsewhere, elusive." His apprentice had glanced around the room as if he hoped to find answers written on the walls.

Qui-Gon had gently scolded the younger man, reminding him to keep his attention on the present. Now the senior Jedi wondered if that had been the right thing to do. Obi-Wan was becoming a better Jedi than him. He was proud. He hoped that somehow Obi-Wan was alive, and his apprentice would return. For now, however, he was on his own.

His thoughts turned to the assassin who had been lying in ambush, just past the fleet of Federation ships. Besides the fact that the pilot had known exactly right where to be, the skills and equipment used had been extraordinary. They had been similar to the moves of the Jedi, but more malicious in intent. It had been unlike anything Qui-Gon had encountered before in his long life as a Jedi Knight, and it worried him.

Obi-Wan was well trained and on the verge of knighthood himself. Yet, whoever or whatever had sat at the helm of the star courier had been more than a match for the Jedi. Only someone well trained in the force could have flown in the manner the mysterious ambusher had. Not many could react so fast without being able to sense things before they happened, especially against an opponent trained in similar techniques.

So, had it been a dark sider, or something else? Something worse? There was no way to know for sure, but Qui-Gon's instincts were telling him that was what he'd seen. What Obi-Wan had fought with was no mere mercenary or common assassin. The word Sith was too close to the front of his mind for the Jedi's liking.

The approach of the Chancellor made the Jedi abandon his thoughts and he noticed the Queen, her entourage, and Senator Palpatine making their way toward the transport that would carry them farther into the heart of the city, toward the political centre that was the senate building. Qui-Gon looked at Valorum and noticed the man had a pale cast to his skin. He looked exhausted, but the man held himself well and nothing in his actions gave away anything that could be seen as weakness.

"You look tired Master Jinn," commented the Chancellor in greeting.

"Do I?" Asked Qui-Gon. He wondered if he had the same pale look as the man in front of him. He sighed. "I suppose I am, but I'm afraid there's little time to dwell on the fact. I must report to the Jedi Council immediately. The situation has become much more complicated."

Valorum's face tightened and his lips pulled down in a small frown. "That does not bode well. I see you have also returned a man short. What happened on Naboo?"

The mention of Obi-Wan's absence reminded the Jedi just how much bigger the situation seemed to be. Something that had been supposed to be a simple negotiation had quickly turned into a match that could ignite a war. "We were attacked. It appears that someone does not want the interference of the Jedi in this situation."

Shock momentarily wiped the composed expression from the Chancellor's face. "To attack ambassadors is… grounds for a war."

The Jedi looked gravely into the distance where the senate sat dominating the skyline. "I know, but we cannot let that happen. It seems someone has something more to gain than ending the taxation of trade routes to the outlying star systems."

"Then it seems we will both have our hands full," the Chancellor straightened his shoulders with a tired resolve.

Qui-Gon gave a quick bow. "May the force be with you."

"You as well Jedi. And…don't worry about your padawan. If he has learned from you, I'm sure he will be fine."

With that Chancellor, Valorum turned to follow the Queen and Senator towards the shuttle, his guard following behind.

Qui-Gon turned towards the temple and prepared to face the Jedi Council. They would not take the news of events of Naboo well.

Queen Amidala sat stoically in the luscious, yet simple compartments of the Chancellor's office as she listened to the two men before and next to her continue to argue. They had yet to cease their bickering since their arrival at the senate building. Chancellor Valorum and Senator Palpatine waged a battle of their own with polite words and political innuendos. No progress had been made and the young monarch was growing tired of hearing the same thing said in different words.

The Chancellor seemed to be feeling similar to herself as he turned to face her, rather than continuing to debate with the Nubian senator.

"You have my deepest sympathies, Queen Amidala, to both you and your people. As a Galactic Republic devoted to peace I promise you, we will find a solution within the limits of the constitution."

"My thanks, Chancellor," replied the Queen, glad that Valorum seemed tired of debating procedure endlessly rather than discussing the issue.

She understood the importance of procedure, but there was a time and place, and discussing such things while her people were suffering only grew her feelings of impatience. Of course, she knew Senator Palpatine had her and Naboo's best interests at heart, but decisions needed to be made, so action could be taken.

Ready to move forward with the conversion and learn what steps needed to be taken to free her home from the oppression she asked, "What options have we?"

"I'm afraid none of them will be easy." Valorum looked directly at the Queen with experienced eyes and gave the impression he was weighing her resolve. It was as if he was able to look past her heavy traditional make-up and into her mind.

For a moment the ruler of Naboo was reminded she was Padmé, a young girl who had little real experience of politics, especially compared to the people around her. It was one thing to understand something and another to put it into practice. Doubt crept into her mind. Could she do what needed to be done? She still had so much to learn after all. However she was a Queen, and she had come this far. There was no room for uncertainty now. Padmé was stronger than that. Age, gender, and experience had little to do with doing what was right. She had been elected to represent and lead her people, and that is what she would do. Too many people had sacrificed themselves so she could be here. The faces of the pilots who had been freed from the hangar, the governor who had stayed behind on Naboo, and even the face of the young Jedi who had fought the mysterious pilot floated through her mind.

The Queen of Naboo firmly returned the Supreme Chancellor's gaze. "I didn't come here anticipating easy. I came here to fight for my people and all life on Naboo. I came to fight against injustice."

"Wonderfully said my lady," said Palpatine from her left side. "You represent our planet well with your words. Very well, whatever you choose to do, I will do my best to give you all the support you need."

Padmé nodded to him in appreciation and returned to look at the leader of the Republic.

Appearing satisfied by her answer, and her determined demeanour, Valorum continued to explain the situation before them. "If you wish for things to be resolved in the Senate you will have to plead your case and gain a majority vote to have the Trade Federation leave your system. It will be imperative that you convince the senate that your people are indeed suffering because of this regime and that it exists at all."

Palpatine cut in with his thoughts. "I'm afraid I must be frank Your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act immediately to settle the invasion. Understand that if you make such accusations with so little evidence the Neomoidians will likely demand an investigation before you can call for a vote. It will delay any decision likely to be made." The Senator nodded towards Valorum who looked grim. "I'm afraid even the power of the Chancellor can do little to deny that request as it is well within their legal rights."

"Is this true?" Asked Queen Amidala looking once more at the Chancellor. Moments ago she had seen a well experienced politician when she'd sat under his gaze, but now as she looked at him she also saw an old and tired man weighed down with the responsibility of every life in the Republic, not just a single planet.

His response to her question only made her respect him more as he replied honestly, "It is. This is still a democracy and I cannot favour any one system. Understand that the Trade Federation will do whatever they can to protect their interests within or outside the law. If you oppose them, you will likely oppose all those who support them as well. Malastar for example has a close relationship with the Neomoidians and will likely back them. Systems like these a far bigger and more influential than your own and have the power to sway the opinions of others."

Refusing to be daunted by someone bigger than her, Padmé was quiet as she reviewed what she had learned. Her people were dying, but there was no immediate way to help them. Patience was something she could not afford, and yet it seemed the only thing she could do was rely on the goodwill of others. Never had she imagined being a Queen would mean being so powerless.

But there was no giving up. Not now, not as long as she remained Queen. So what could she do?

Distantly she heard Palpatine say. "We could submit a plea to the courts."

"They take even longer to decide things than the senate," murmured Padmé.

"Then perhaps it would be best to accept Federation control for the time being." Palpatine sighed sadly as if grieving the very words that had just come out of his mouth.

"It may be that doing so would spare the Nubian people, but if nothing is done quickly it will be more than the taxation of trade routes that are in dispute." Pointed out Valorum, diplomatic as always.

But something the Chancellor had said had sparked an idea in Padmé's mind. There would be no reason for the blockade if the tax dispute was settled. But could she do it? It would be difficult and she didn't have a lot of time.

"Senator, Chancellor, in your opinion what are my chances of success if I were to request action immediately?"

The Chancellor paused to consider. "Honestly, the vote would be close. Ultimately it will come down to those who support the taxation of trade to outlying systems versus those who do not. There are a few systems of course who would abstain."

"Indeed," agreed Palpatine. "However there are those among them who would easily be swayed if they were offered monetary compensation. And against ones as rich as the Trade Federation, buying their votes would be difficult."

The thought of buying votes almost made the Queen scowl. Was this really the state the Senate and the Republic were in? The thought sickened her, but she held the thought. One battle at a time.

"We do not need to buy votes. There is something else I have in mind."

The Queen began to explain her plan, and as she spoke the faces of the men who listened went from incredulous to thoughtful. When at last she finished there was a brief moment of silence.

Then a laugh filled the room, and the Chancellor smiled at Padmé. It was the first time since her arrival she had seen him do so. "That is quite ambitious. I can see now why you were elected despite your age. Your dedication to finding a diplomatic solution represents your planet's values quite well. But I'm afraid there is little I can do to help you in this."

"I understand. I'll only need a few days." "My Lady, for such a proposal, such a thing usually takes months, if not years. I promised my support but this is insanity. Please, I beg you to be reasonable. This is a gamble we need not take. I'm proud you would go so far, but you are still young and beg my pardon for being upfront, but naive as well." Palpatine pleaded. His face was plastered with sincerity.

"This is a gamble I must take Senator. I must have faith in the Republic and if I fail, my fate will be no different from that of my people."

Palpatine was agitated and although his face remained sincere. "Your Majesty, I know you wish for this matter to be resolved quickly, as do I. If this is the course of action you want, then perhaps it would be best to request military assistance?"

Queen Amidala shook her head. "That is something I cannot do. I will not risk an outright war, nor will I go against my belief to minimize militarization even in times of need. I shall put my faith in democracy to uphold justice."

She looked into her Senator's face, dark eyes watching cool blue ones. "Will you help me, Senator?" Her question was as heavy as her gaze.

From behind his desk, the Chancellor watched.

Then it was Palpatine's turn to laugh. "It appears it is I who is naive. Forgive me for doubting you, My Lady. Perhaps it is you who will have a thing or two to teach me during your time here."

"Thank you, Senator. I hope to learn much from you as well." The Queen responded regally.

"It is decided then. The Senate will convene in two days to hear your proposal." The Valorum declared.

The Nubian Queen stood and gave a courteous bow to the Chancellor. "I will leave you now, as I have much to do." She turned and her dress swept behind her as she exited the room, her handmaidens quickly flanking her, their cloaks red as blood.

Yes, I intentionally never explained Padmé's plan, because I have no plan. It is a problem for future me, and I have no doubt future me will hate present me. As always, feel free to avoid your problems, and don't hate yourself.