*/*/*/*
Coruscant's shimmering skyline filled the viewport of Padme's ship as it hurtled toward the bustling city planet. Spires of steel and glass glistened in the blinding sun, rising high like the ambitions of the planet's countless inhabitants. The neon-lit airways were crowded with ships of every size and make speeding in a ceaseless pursuit of power, wealth, and survival.
It had been many years since Padme last visited Coruscant, but she secretly thought it had not been nearly long enough. The capital city/planet was a far cry from her beloved home of Naboo. Besides the congestion, Coruscant was corrupt from the very depths of the underworld to the highest echelons of political power. Hidden within the depths of the galaxy's polished crown jewel were poisonous intentions, silent and lethal. Everyone had an agenda, everyone was after something, and nobody could be trusted at face value. It was exhausting.
As their ship made its final approach to the planet an announcement was made over the comms and a knot of anxiety twisted in Padme's stomach as she thought of the task ahead. It would not be much longer now. Padme disembarked from the ship, accompanied by her most faithful companion. R2-D2 beeped with a sense of comfort. "Let's do this, R2," she said, the determination in her voice cutting through the uncertainty as she rushed forward to meet the delegation from Naboo.
"We made it," Captain Typho said. "I guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all." Padme was inclined to agree, but before she could respond a thunderous explosion shattered the illusion of safety. Padmé was thrown back by the force of the blast and nearly deafened as the world spun around her and a fiery mushroom cloud swallowed the ship. Amidst the chaos, she spotted her loyal handmaiden, Cordé, lying motionless on the platform.
"Cordé!" Padme stumbled towards her. The usually vibrant, lively eyes of her friend were clouded with pain. As Cordé's frail hand reached up, Padmé clutched it, blinking away tears.
"My lady. I'm so sorry. I failed you, Senator."
"No!" Padmé cried. No. She didn't remember what happened immediately after that. All she could see was Cordé's face, her blank lifeless eyes staring back at her.
Back in her apartment, the scene on the landing platform replayed in Padme's mind as she prepared to meet Chancellor Palpatine. The dangerous game of galactic politics had claimed another victim. Who could have done this? And why? Why Corde and not her? She looked at her reflection in the mirror, the face that Cordé had imitated and died to protect.
The Naboo people had a long-standing tradition of using decoys and lookalikes in court. In the distant past, they were needed to protect the queen and high-ranking members of the Naboo court from assassination attempts. Today Naboo was a safe and peaceful planet. The need for such decoys in court was but a distant memory and they were used mainly for tradition and pomp, until now. Now the whole galaxy was upside down and in chaos. Everything had truly gone mad when a humble senator, a servant of the people from an unimportant planet was getting death threats and assassination attempts.
Whoever had targeted Padme had made a fatal error. They had intended to silence and intimidate her, but they had only made her resolve stronger. She would honor Cordé's sacrifice by fighting for what they both believed in - the Republic, democracy, and peace. She would cast her vote against the Military Creation Act and do her utmost to halt the galaxy's slide into war.
*/*/*
The Jedi Council summoned Obi-wan and Anakin to their chamber for a meeting to discuss their newest assignment. The atmosphere in the council chamber was thick with unspoken worries and concerns over the recent assassination attempt on Senator Amidala and the encroaching darkness clouding everything around them.
"Requested the Jedi's assistance, Chancellor Palpatine has, "Yoda informed the duo. "Protect Senator Amidala, you shall."
Anakin's eyes lit up at the mention of Padme's name and he barely heard the rest of the announcement Master Yoda made. His heart thumped wildly in his chest and he could hardly wait to see the beautiful angel he met on Tatooine again. A gentle nudge through the Force from Obi-Wan brought his attention back to Master Windu speaking.
"Your mandate is to protect the Senator at all costs. Do not interfere with the Queen's security force or their investigations," Mace instructed.
Obi-Wan acknowledged the mandate with a solemn nod and, with a respectful bow, turned to leave the chamber. Anakin turned with Obi-Wan to make a hasty exit, but Mace halted his departure, requesting a private discussion with the young Jedi.
"A moment, young Skywalker," Mace's calm voice called out. Obi-Wan gave Anakin a sympathetic look but continued on his way, leaving him to his fate. "Please meet me in my office in a quarter-hour," Mace continued. "I will speak to you before you depart for the mission."
Anakin dreaded the meeting but respectfully bowed. "Yes Master."
Within the austere confines of his office, Mace sat behind his desk with his hands steeled, deep in contemplation as he awaited his padawan and the conversation they would have. He didn't wait long before Anakin stepped into the room, anxiety sketched across his boyish face. He hesitated just inside the door, the memory of the spontaneous kiss burning his memory.
Mace Windu's deep calm voice, however, greeted him like a warm caress, chasing away some of his apprehension. "Anakin, come in. Take a seat."
Anakin sat in the chair in front of Mace's desk, his head bowed while his hands twisted nervously within the folds of his robes as he awaited his punishment.
Mace saw his discomfort and took pity on him. "Peace, my young apprentice. You are not here for a reprimand. I wanted to speak to you before you depart on your mission. Regarding the... incident between us..."
Anakin swallowed, his pulse quickening. He had been avoiding this very conversation and the possible repercussions since his argument with Obi-Wan but Mace's next words surprised him.
"I want to reassure you, Anakin. You're not in any trouble," Mace said, breaking into Anakin's thoughts. His tone was calm and as steady as always, devoid of any animosity or judgment. "I understand it was an impulsive act and I won't hold it against you."
Anakin's shoulders sagged, relief washing over him. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Thank you, Master Windu."
Mace nodded, offering a small smile. "There is nothing to thank. I was recently reminded by a good friend that this kind of thing is not unusual for padawans your age. As your Master, it is my job to be a guide in the light. My focus is your development into a good Jedi. I'm here to teach you, not just lightsaber skills but also the mental discipline and Force awareness you will need to accomplish your goals. You are still young and mistakes will happen."
Mace's words, meant to reassure Anakin, triggered an unexpected response. His gratitude quickly turned into resentment. Here he was again, being treated like a lost, confused youngling. The taste of the patronizing undertone was bitter on his tongue. He was tired of being perceived as a project to be fixed rather than an equal Jedi. Anger burned in him as he listed to Mace.
"Do not concern yourself with anything except guarding the Senator, that is what is needed at the moment. Release all your frustrations and doubts to the Force and regain your focus on the task at hand."
"Yes, Master," Anakin answered, his voice tight with anger.
"Our time is almost up, Anakin. Stay focused, listen to Master Kenobi, and keep the senator safe. May the Force be with you."
"And with you," Anakin said in a subdued monotone and quickly left the office.
With Anakin's departure, Mace was left alone with his thoughts. He felt the turbulence of the Force all around him. The changing currents, the strengthening Darkside, and the fog of uncertainty around Anakin's future were leading to a shatterpoint, he was sure of it. But all Mace could do now was to have faith in the Force and hope that their training would suffice. This mission held significant implications for Anakin. It could either mold him into the true Jedi he was meant to be, or break him and lead him to the Darkside.
*/*/*/*
Things had been awkward between Obi-Wan and Anakin since their discussion about Anakin's feelings for Mace Windu and their kiss. Anakin had been even more moody than usual and Obi-Wan didn't know how to breach the subject so he'd put it off until now, when they were more or less trapped in the close confines of the lift leading up to Senator Amidala's penthouse suite.
The air was thick with tension. Anakin's gaze was fixed on the lift doors, but Obi-Wan sensed his thoughts were a million parsecs away by his vacant expression. Yet there was also an undercurrent of anxiety surrounding him.
Anakin's thoughts were in fact not on Obi-Wan or the tense lift ride. His mind was overwhelmed with confusing thoughts of Mace and their recent conversation in addition to the impending meeting with Padmé. What would she think when she saw him? Would she be pleased to see him? What would he say after so many years apart?
Standing next to Anakin, Obi-Wan was caught in his own discomfort. He fiddled with the sleeves of his Jedi robes, an action uncharacteristic for his usually serene demeanor. The weight of the silence in the lift was like a giant rancor in the room demanding attention. His gaze fell on his young Padawan. It seemed only yesterday when the frightened boy had fallen into his care. It pained him to see the distress etched on Anakin's face, turmoil that Obi-Wan had caused.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan began, his voice wavering slightly. He took a calming breath, reinforcing the emotional shields that Jedi Masters were supposed to maintain. "About our argument... I may have been... harsh in my words. I didn't mean to dismiss your feelings. I apologize." The words hung suspended in the air between them.
Anakin remained silent for a few moments before finally turning to face Obi-Wan. He searched his master's face and saw genuine remorse reflected in Obi-Wan's clear blue eyes. "Apology accepted, Master," he replied, his voice back to its usual soft tone. He couldn't stay upset with Obi-Wan. He valued their relationship too much. Over the years, he'd come to think of Obi-Wan not only as a mentor but also as his best friend and confidant.
Obi-Wan exhaled in relief, but then noticed a thin layer of perspiration on Anakin's forehead. "You're sweating," he said, aiming to lighten the mood with a hint of humor. "Relax, Anakin. Take a deep breath."
Anakin inhaled slowly and stood taller, straightening his clothing. "I haven't seen her in ten years, Master," Anakin replied, a note of anxiety creeping into his voice.
Obi-Wan nodded in understanding, but he was starting to wonder if it was wise to assign Anakin to guard Senator Amidala so soon after his reckless behavior. The boy had been distracted since the announcement was made. He would be wise to keep a close eye on his inexperienced apprentice and his ill-concealed emotions. Obi-Wan knew from firsthand experience how attractive and deceptive politicians could be, especially to a naive padawan.
The lift halted with a gentle lurch and the doors slid open. Anakin took a deep breath straightened his shoulders and charged forward. He was determined to prove himself on this mission. To Obi-Wan, to the Council, to Mace, and to everyone who didn't believe in him.
They were enthusiastically greeted by their old friend Jar Jar, and then they saw her. Padmé greeted Obi-Wan warmly before she turned to Anakin.
"Ani? My goodness, you've grown," she said, looking over with a surprised grin.
Padme's smile was just as radiant as Anakin remembered. Awestruck, her greeting left him flustered and he fumbled the greeting he had rehearsed in his head just moments ago. "So have you. Grown more beautiful... f-for a senator, I mean," Anakin said nervously.
Padme grinned, "Oh Ani. You'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine."
With that, Padme turned away to discuss the mission with Obi-Wan. Anakin wanted to rip his own tongue out of his head for betraying him. He sat next to Obi-Wan on the sofa silently berating himself. She thinks I'm still a little boy! Well, he'd have to prove to her that he had grown up, that he was a capable Jedi and not a kriffing fool.
Padmé's conversation with Obi-Wan captured Anakin's attention. "I don't need more security. I want to know who's trying to kill me," she declared. Obi-Wan, ever the diplomat, reiterated their mandate. "We are here to protect you, Senator. Not to start an investigation."
Emboldened by his determination, Anakin cut into the conversation. "We will find out who's trying to kill you, Padme," he promised.
Obi-Wan frowned at Anakin's emotional outburst. "We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner," he chided his apprentice gently. But Anakin could not be deterred from his ill-advised attitude and openly defied him. This brought a stern reprimand from Obi-Wan. "We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. You will pay attention to my lead. We will do exactly as the council has instructed. And you will learn your place, young one."
Disconcerted by the reprimand, Anakin fell silent, his cheeks turning red. Obi-Wan had not meant to be so harsh, but he could feel Anakin's chaotic emotions through their force bond clouding his judgment. As the meeting concluded and Obi-Wan moved away to converse with Captain Typho, Anakin lingered, confiding his disappointment to Jar Jar.
"She hardly even recognized me Jar Jar," he said, disappointment evident in his subdued tone. "I've thought about her every day since we parted and she's forgotten me."
Obi-Wan, ever watchful of his apprentice, approached and chided Anakin for his emotional outburst. "You're focusing on the negative, Anakin. Be mindful of your thoughts." He tried to soften his tone when he added, "And she WAS pleased to see us. Now let's check the security."
He watched Anakin walk away with a disgruntled expression and sighed. He hadn't intended to belittle the boy, but Anakin's impetuous nature was a concern. This mission was of utmost importance and their priority was protecting Padmé, not solving crimes and certainly not showing off to impress her. If past experience had taught Obi-Wan anything, it was the folly of such behavior. The combination of an attractive politician and an impressionable Padawan learner? Obi-Wan had a bad feeling about this mission.
