Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to Disney not me! This is just another preview for an upcoming chapter in my story.
Padme Amidala sat on one of the few couches within her apartment. She wore a loose green dress that touched the carpeted floor and her hands were placed on her round belly that stuck out of her petite form. Padme's eyes looked down at her round belly, the mind wondering about her future child inside and paying little attention to her apartment.
Her current home was given to her by her old friend, Bail Organa, as a favor for many of the times she assisted the Alderaanian viceroy. Padme's apartment was small but comfortable and placed near the outskirts of Coruscant's Upper Level. It gave Padme the peace and quiet she needed to undertake the last few months of her pregnancy. At the same time, it allowed Padme to be near the politics affecting the Galactic Republic as a whole.
Raising her head, she could see the multiple skyscrapers that covered entire surface of the Republic capital. The city scape of the planet was so vast that it eliminated any sign of flourishing flora or fauna. In the far distance, Padme noticed the round dome of the Senate Building, where delegates of the Galactic Republic met to discuss terms of the galaxy. With the Clone Wars spreading the galaxy, the meetings were more frequent, as stated by the holonet news channels.
What stood apart from rest of Coruscant's metropolis was the Jedi Temple that housed many Jedi Knights. From her apartment, Padme could see the four spires set on top of a large ziggurat that made up the base of the Temple. For centuries, the Jedi Temple served as a symbol of peace and justice the Jedi stood for. Like the Senate, the Jedi felt constant pressure of trying to win the war for Republic and its citizens.
Padme turned to one of her droids Bail left to tend to her needs. Instead of the medical droids, it was a protocol droid with silver platting and yellow photoreceptors that stared at Padme. "Mistress, there is a visitor for you at the door," the droid announced in a synthesized voice. "She wishes to speak with you."
"Did she say who she was?" Padme inquired.
The protocol droid answered, "She said her name was Mon Mothma."
The name took Padme by surprise. The senator was a close friend to both her and Bail both, ever since they first met in the Senate years ago. Within the past few months, Padme heard how Mon Mothma often kept close tabs on politics between the delegates of many worlds, and she was a well-known fervent speaker for the refugees who suffered from the ongoing conflict.
Almost immediately, Padme told the droid, "Let her inside."
Without question, the droid left Padme and few moments later, she heard the footsteps behind her. Padme turned her head around and she could see Mon Mothma entering the apartment.
A woman in her mid-thirties, Mon Mothma was as youthful as she was when Padme first met her. The short hair still had its auburn color, and the light reflected off of her blue eyes. Mon Mothma was dressed in her white gown she always wore to Senate meetings, which meant she just came out of one.
As Mon Mothma continued her way into the apartment, and gave a welcoming smile. "It is good to see you, Padme," she said.
Propping her hands on the arms of the couch, Padme attempted to slowly raise her, but Mon Mothma simply raised her hand in assurance. Thus, Padme remained seat and returned Mon Mothma's smile with her. "You too, Mon Mothma. It has been a while since I last saw you."
"It has been," she agreed with Padme. Her eyes fell upon the bulging stomach and Mon Mothma continued, "I see you'll be expecting soon. Congratulations!"
"Thank you." Padme nodded in appreciation to her friend. "So what brings you here?"
The smile on Mon Mothma's face turned into a frown as she took seat across from Padme. "I'm afraid this isn't a social visit."
"I thought it wasn't." Padme's own smile faded away, already guessing what the senator had to say. "More reports from the front lines?"
Mon Mothma nodded. "The secessionists have kept their forces strong along the border on the Outer Rim. Many of the Mid-Rim worlds are slowly returning to the Republic." The senator paused, her hesitation almost preventing the words from touching her lips. "However, Naboo still remains under their control."
As Mon Mothma expected, Padme's eyes closed as she lowered her head and let it hang. The senator could see her friend trying to suppress the old painful memories, but failed as a frown appeared on Padme's face. Mon Mothma sympathized with her, remembering the circumstances that brought Padme to Coruscant in the first place.
She raised her head and her eyes met with Mon Mothma's. "I'm afraid I can't do anything about it. I'm no longer its queen nor I am a part of the Senate," Padme paused for a second before she almost stated in a whisper, "I gave that up when I ran away."
The somber tone of her words brought silence to the air of the apartment. Mon Mothma remembered very well that the young woman had recently been appointed queen of Naboo five years ago. Padme swore to defend its people from the war, but a few of the nobles made a secret arrangement with the secessionists. The clone armies marched into the streets of Naboo's capital city of Theed, forcing Padme to seek refuge on Coruscant.
Mon Mothma allowed air to escape through her nostrils, breaking the silence. "Padme, Naboo had already been taken over by the clones," she told Padme with the utmost assurance and sympathy. "There was nothing else you could do."
The former queen brought one of her hands on the armrest of her seat. Her eyes turned to the vast metropolitan landscape of Coruscant, watching the landspeeder and other hovercrafts pass by the window. "I know, but it still pains me. My world is so far away and could be in danger," Padme stated, her tone almost making it sound like a confession.
The senator knew mere thought of abandoning Naboo did not bring any joy to Padme. It saddened her at knowing she was enjoying a safe and luxurious life, while her people were under the rule of the secessionists. It had been difficult on Padme's conscious for almost a year.
Fortunately, the same sadness that plagued Padme left her as she faced Mon Mothma, her lips curved into a small smile. Her tone lightened as she returned her gaze to Mon Mothma. "However, I am glad that I still have the will to live on."
Mon Mothma felt a teasing smile appeared on her face as she spoke, "That would be thanks to that Jedi husband of yours."
Much to Mon Mothma's joy, a small laugh escaped Padme's lips. "That's true," she spoke.
The young Jedi known as Anakin Skywalker originally was a bodyguard of the former queen. He took the time to notice her sadness and helped Padme stand on her own two feet. In time, a bond grew between the two and they eventually married, without the knowledge of the Jedi Order.
There were those who already know about it. Anakin's mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, was aware of the relationship and even encouraged it. As for Bail, the viceroy of Alderaan had the same opinion as Obi-Wan, and even held the marriage. Mon Mothma eventually learned of Padme's secret, and agreed to keep it to herself.
Padme's laughter slowly faded away as she gazed at Mon Mothma. "So how are things in the Senate? I hope it hasn't been too difficult."
"It's not that bad," she assured Padme, but her own voice with filled with uncertainty. "Still, there have been a few problems. Much of the Senate has been sympathizing with the anti-Jedi protests."
"I have heard about that," Padme acknowledged with a sigh. "I still find it surprising. The Jedi have been trying to help us win this war. They're our protectors."
"Unfortunately, not all think that, Padme. The public is getting tired of the war and they feel the Jedi haven't been helping," Mon Mothma reminded her. "That's why there's all these protests in the first place. In fact there's one, right now."
A look of surprise appeared on Padme's face as she sat up straight in her seat. "There is? Where?" Padme asked Mon Mothma.
"In front of the Senate Building," she answered with a sigh.
Padme was curious about that. The Senate Building was where senators from all over the galaxy discussed and debated over issues that scoured the galaxy. Normally, protests would not take place in front of the Republic's seat of government. Then again, the movement had been gaining widespread popularity, so it would have been only a matter of time.
Slumping her arms on the chair, Padme simply let out a soft sigh through her nostrils. "I just hope things will get better soon," she spoke, hers hands affectionately rubbing her belly. "I don't want my child to be growing up like this."
Mon Mothma simply nodded in agreement. The Senate meetings became difficult, and were filled with the bickering bureaucrats who did not offer any solution. It seemed like nothing would get done. All anyone could ever do at this point was hope.
AN: Alright, please leave your thoughts in the reviews and if you have any criticism, please let it be constructive! Since this is just a preview for an upcoming chapter of my story, this is NOT up for adoption! Thank you.
Raika out!