A/N: I do not own Star Wars Republic and Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil.

Chapter 9: Aquatic Coup

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Crisis in the Republic!

After the incident with Rush Clovis and the Intergalactic Banking Clan, all banks were placed under the direct leadership of the Supreme Chancellor. A group of senators, however, are concerned about the Chancellor's continued usage of emergency powers.

As the Chancellor passes another bill, expanding his authority, these very senators discuss the state of the galaxy and their future plans. Understanding that right now they are a minority, Senators Mon Mothma and Bail Organa desperately look for allies…

Senate Dome on Coruscant. 19 BBY.

"This is outrageous!" yelled Fang Zar, the senator of Sern with a long, graying beard and a diamond-patterned lilac robe. "He has gained more and more centralized power!"

Mon Mothma and Bail Organa sighed but nodded in agreement. It was no secret that Fang Zar was an outspoken opponent of the centralization of power, while Bail Organa was Palpatine's direct opponent since they were candidates for Chancellor during the Naboo Crisis. Right now, the three of them were concerned about Chancellor Palpatine, the former senator of Naboo, gaining more power as the war went on. Not to mention that he has been in office far too long, and he was not re-elected. For Bail, his former colleague was violating the rules and principles of the Republic, of democracy.

Right now, they were walking through the corridors of the Senate Dome, with the Senate guards standing on duty in their blue armor and robes. A meeting in the senate has just ended as another bill has passed; the Chancellor has decided to form armies and appoint governors for each sector across the galaxy. Although Sheev Palpatine assured the senate and the public that these were necessary measurements to prevent galaxy-wide conflicts such as the Clone Wars, dealing with pirate gangs and drug cartels, while also in order to encounter a possible invasion from the Unknown Regions or from another galaxy. To Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, it meant one thing; Palpatine was building a dictatorship.

"I also do not welcome this," Mon Mothma told Fang. "But you saw that almost the whole senate approved this bill with applause. Right now, we are a minority."

"How could they support this?" Fang asked, his voice was still filled with rage. "Are they blind, have they forgotten the principles of our Republic? Our civilized galaxy is built on democracy, not dictatorship and tyranny!"

"I'm afraid the answer to your question is a harsh truth, Senator Zar." Bail interfered. "Right now, there is a war going on. A war that started because of the corruption within our senate. Let me remind you that the majority of the senators that have joined the Confederacy, did that because the Republic allowed various corporations such as the Techno Union and the Commerce Guild to hold seats in the senate, only to abuse the power given to them by terrorizing, occupying, and exploiting the planets of these senators."

Bail took a breath and continued.

"Palpatine was once a senator of Naboo, a planet that has been abused by the Trade Federation, one of these very corporations. With the Chancellor originating from a planet that has become the victim of the Federation, most of the senators honestly believed that he would rid the government of corruption. As for the public, they are tired of this war. It has taken away their friends and families, their homes, their lives, their jobs. For them, sector armies and sector governors are to ensure that there won't be another war like this, that the governors, of moffs, will ensure peace and stability in the sectors and systems."

"And yet, we cannot allow this to happen." Mon argued. "I see this as a sign of oppression and tyranny. We are a parliamentary government, not a military police state. Though I agree with you, Bail. We are a minority right now."

"So, we just sit back and watch for the Republic to fall?" Fang asked in annoyance. "No, Senator Zar. We need allies. Both within the senate and the local planetary governments." Bail stated.

"For years, Chandrila practiced democracy," Mon Mothma stated. "I will have the support of my planet and my people."

"Alderaan will support us as well." Organa stated.

"But that's not enough." Fang Zar stated.

"I think I know some senators that may agree with our views." Organa interjected.

"We also need senators that have large influences, senators whom the people will listen to." Mothma added.

"I propose we recruit Padmé to our cause." Bail immediately declared.

"What?" Fang Zar asked in disbelief.

"She is a good politician, the people like her, and believe in her." Bail answered.

"Anyone but Amidala, or anyone from Naboo!" Fang Zar declared.

"Why?" Bail asked.

"Let me remind you, Senator Organa, that just like Senator Amidala, Chancellor Palpatine is from Naboo. If my memory is correct, he represented his home planet in the Senate before acquiring chancellorship. Next, we have Jar-Jar Binks, another representative of Naboo, who has given Palpatine emergency powers and has started this very war! Not to mention that thanks to the lately actions of your friend, all banks are now in Palpatine's clutches."

"I know that Padmé's actions gave Palpatine more power." Bail Organa admitted. "But she has admitted her mistakes and regrets committing them. She was used. I can assure you that Padmé can be trusted. You know her better than I do, Mon, I think she's the kind of senator we need. She is smart, and able to clearly express her thoughts, she has the principles and heart of a fighter."

"She's also a long-time supporter of Palpatine," Fang Zar pointed out once again. "He was the senator during her reign. How can we be sure that she will take our side and not his?

"There's only one way to know for sure," Senator Mon Mothma replied calmly.

Republica 500 on Coruscant.

"I don't like it any more than you do," Padmé said, waving at the document with the Sector Governance Ordinance on Bail Organa's desk. "But I have known Palpatine for many years; he was my trusted advisor. I'm not ready to believe that he intends to destroy the Senate."

"Why should he worry about it?" retorted Mon Mothma. "From a practical standpoint, as of this morning, the Senate no longer exists.

Padmé looked from one grim face to another. Giddean Danu, the senator of Kuat, nodded in agreement. Terr Thaniel, the female senator of the Senex Sector, kept her head down, pretending to straighten her clothes. Fang Zar ran his hand through his unruly grey hair, tied in a knot at the top of his head.

Bail leaned forward, looking around at everyone with a prickly look.

"Palpatine doesn't have to worry about the Senate anymore. Having placed his sycophants to rule every planet in the Republic, he controls our systems directly. He became a dictator. We made him a dictator." Bail clenched his hands so hard that his knuckles ached.

'He is my husband's friend and teacher,' Padmé thought. 'I shouldn't even listen to all this.'

"But what can we do about it?" Terr Thaniel asked without looking up. Her face was gloomy. "We have invited you here to discuss this," Mon Mothma told her calmly.

"I'm not sure I like where this is all going," Fang Zar squirmed.

"None of us likes where everything is going in general," Bail Organa rose. "That's it. We can't let a thousand-year-old democracy sink into oblivion! We must fight for it!

"Fight?" Padmé asked. "I can't believe my ears… Bail, you sound like a Separatist!"

"I…" Bail slowly sank back into his chair. "I apologize, Padme. I didn't mean it at all. I invited you here because of all the senators in our galaxy, you four have been the most enduring, and influential, voices of reason and restraint all along, doing everything you can to keep our poor, battered Constitution. We don't want to harm the Republic. With your help, we hope to save it."

"It's becoming increasingly clear that Palpatine has turned into an enemy of democracy." Mon Mothma has taken the initiative. "He must be stopped."

"The Senate gave him authority," Padmé replied. "The Senate should stop him."

Giddean Danu moved to the edge of his chair.

"I'm afraid you underestimate the level of corruption in the Senate. Who will vote against Palpatine now?

"I will," Padmé retorted, and realized that she would indeed do it. "And I will find others who will do the same."

She will have to. No matter how much it hurts Anakin. 'Oh darling, can you ever forgive me?' she thought.

"Do it." Bail agreed as Mon Mothma added. "In fact, we have a favour to ask. We want Mon Cala to join our cause and you have quite pleasant relations with both the Quarren and the Mon Calamari."

"You want me to go to Mon Cala and persuade them to join us?" Padmé asked.

"Yes." Bail Organa answered for Mothma. "Then you will continue with the other senators. Have Palpatine monitor your actions in the Senate. This will distract him while Mon Mothma and I start building our organization…"

"Wait," Padmé stood up. "Some things are better left unsaid. Right now, I'd rather not know about... about anything."

Don't make me lie to my husband, her eyes said. Please, Bail. Don't make me lie to him. Lies will break his heart. Perhaps he somehow heart her silent plea; hesitating for a moment, he nodded.

"Good. We leave the rest for the future. This meeting must be kept a closely guarded secret. Even the hint of effective opposition to Palpatine can be, as we have seen, very dangerous. We must not speak of what has been said here with anyone but those present. We must not let anyone in on our secret without the consent of everyone and everyone in this room."

"That applies to everyone, including those closest to you," Mon Mothma added. "Even to your families. By telling them about our meeting and the issues discussed here, you will expose them to the same danger that threatens us all. Nobody can know about this. Nobody."

Everyone nodded, and Padmé realized there was nothing she could do. What could she say?

She sighed.

"Yes. Yes, I agree."

And as the little group wandered into their own offices, she only thought of one thing; Oh, Anakin... Anakin, forgive me... Please forgive me...

Jedi Temple Meditation Gardens.

For the first time since travelling back into the past, Leia could finally relax as she sat in the lush meditation gardens of the Jedi Temple. Fives was right, she was lucky enough to get a vacation like this as Leia was filled with joy once she found the generally cool, sun-drenched chambers filled with dense foliage and moist grottoes, benches lined dirt and stone paths that cut through them, with the chambers being jungle-like. From what Leia understood, the Jedi used them to meditate amongst the foliage and trickling streams. Leia leaned against a tree right beside a fish-filled pond connected to a sandy beach, smiling as the butterflies fluttered over the gently lapping waters.

Her time of peace ended once she was approached by Master Yoda.

"Enjoying the peace within the garden, are we?" Yoda asked the girl. Leia immediately stood up. "Master Yoda, sorry. I was just relaxing. I found this garden, and I've never been here before…"

"No need to apologize, you have." Yoda interjected. "Wonderful place, this is, built thousands of years ago, was it."

Leia could not disagree, as she was infatuated with this place. She noticed that there were plants from various planets across the galaxy. She even found some from Alderaan.

"You were looking for me, master?" she then asked the ancient grandmaster. "Yes. Mission for you I have, little one." Yoda answered.

"Is Master Skywalker back?"

"No, still on a mission of his own, he is. Introduce you to someone, I must." Yoda spoke and with that, he walked to the exit, with Leia following him. Soon, they approached a woman in her late twenties. She was tall and had brown hair. Leia gasped as she looked quite beautiful. She wore a pale, yellow-colored dress, which gathered up at the waist with clasps made of tassels and pearl. This was then draped over her arms, where it was hemmed with a wide ribbon. The dress was held up by five layered pieces of metal resembling shells, with the top one reaching part way around her neck, tied off with a piece of ribbon. Similar pieces of metal adorned her upper arms.

"Lena, Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo, this is." Yoda introduced. Leia froze. Right in front of her was the infamous Senator Padmé Amidala, who was an outspoken critic of the war and her idol.

"Hello, Lena." Padmé spoke in a gentle voice. "So, you are Master Skywalker's new padawan?"

"Yes, Mistress Amidala." Leia answered, bowing in front of the senator.

"You can just call me Padmé. Anakin is a good friend of mine."

Leia tried her best to keep her smile once she heard that. Instead, she decided to turn to Yoda. "So, what is my assignment, master?" she asked, only for Padme to answer instead.

"I will be attending some negotiations on Mon Cala, and I will be needing a Jedi to protect me from people that would want to assassinate me."

Leia looked at Yoda, who nodded. To be honest, Leia didn't mind going at all. It was better than spending the whole days at the temple. Not to mention she wanted to talk more with her idol.

Sometime later, the two were heading to Mon Cala on a Consular-class cruiser. Aside from Leia and Padmé, there was Padmé's handmaiden Elle, her chief of security Captain Typho and a batch of clone troopers to assist Leia in protecting the senator. During the course of their journey, Leia asked question after question about Padmé. Once she asked her last one, Padmé decided it was her turn.

"Enough about me. Let's talk about you." She said to the girl. Leia froze, the last thing she wanted to do was to tell about herself. Padmé, however, seemed to notice that.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Uh… I'm fine." Leia responded but she saw how the young senator frowned her eyebrow, not entirely trusting her words.

"You look quite pale, Lena." Padmé commented.

"Sorry, it's just, I am slightly different from other Jedi." Leia answered.

"How?"

"I was recently found by Master Windu and Master Mundi. They immediately decided that I should be Skywalker's padawan." The 14-year-old answered.

"That sounds odd." Padmé responded to that. "You're from Alderaan, right?" she then asked. Leia nodded. "Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan is a close friend of mine just like Anakin Skywalker. He is an honest man and a wonderful politician."

Leia genuinely smiled, generous for Padme's opinion on her father. "Yes. Yes he is." Leia agreed.

"Who were your parents then?" Padmé suddenly asked. Leia sighed heavily as she told that lie once again.

"Both of my parents were from Alderaan. My father was a navigator for spice trade. My mother was a dance girl."

She then looked up at Padmé, who immediately noticed the fearful look on the girl. "Lena, if you think I'm going to judge your mother for being some dance girl, I can assure you I wouldn't. It may be not her fault to end up like that. I will admit it, for years, the government of the Republic has become corrupt, allowing slavers and pirates to prosper across the galaxy, particularly in the Outer Rim. So, if your mother was a dance girl, she may did that because of the economic situation. I actually feel sorry for her."

"Thank you." Leia answered. "She was a wonderful woman. Beautiful, but kind and loving. Just like my father."

"He raised you too?" Padmé asked, slightly surprised. Leia nodded in response. "So, what happened to them? Was it the war?" Padme then asked, much to Leia's surprise. They sat in silence until Padme noticed tears streaming down from the 14-year-old girl.

"Oh, Lena. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." Padme told her as she pulled Leia into a hug.

"They… they were killed." Leia finally answered, stammering. Despite meeting her only today, Leia already began trusting Padmé. "By a Monster."

They sat like that for some time as Padmé comforted Leia. They then talked about Padme's life.

"So, Master Skywalker is a close friend of yours." Leia asked. Padme nodded with a smile.

"Yes. I have known him since I was fourteen. Back then he was only nine years old; a sweet, little, but kind boy." Padmé took a breath. "We have been through a lot together."

Leia nodded to herself. She had not expected that Padmé and Anakin would have known each other for so long, when Anakin, or Vader was only a child.

"How old is Master Skywalker then?"

"He will turn twenty-two very soon." she answered. Padme then chuckled as Leia frowned her eyebrow, obviously disbelieving the young senator. "I thought he was older."

"I know, many people think he's too young to have accomplished all he has. But they don't call him the Hero with No Fear for nothing." Padmé explained. "Mainly because of him the war is being won."

Leia immediately noticed that Padmé said that without conviction. She recalled the holorecords of Anakin Skywalker's heroic deeds during the war she saw when she was a little girl. She then believed that it was all lies of propaganda, but she remembered her father, Bail Organa, had always spoken proudly of Padmé and her political beliefs, along with her fight against the war. However, Leia also noticed that Padme seemed to care and be worried for Anakin.

Their conversation was interrupted when Captain Typho approached them, reporting that they were approaching the Calamari system and must change their clothes. This surprised Leia, but Padmé explained that while some of the cities on Mon Cala, a planet Leia never visited before, were on the planet's surface, most of the cities of both the Quarren and Mon Calamari are located underwater. As they headed to get their scuba gear, Leia noticed that the clones were already wearing their SCUBA trooper armor.

Planet Mon Cala.

Wearing her scuba gear, Leia watched as basically the whole island was filled with vast oceans. Padmé told her that there were some islands and atolls here, but Leia didn't see them at all. She was surprised that they stopped in mid-air as Padmé motioned for her to follow. Once the doors opened, Leia gasped even more as they saw a few Mon Calamari, an officer in white and a few guards armed with energy lances standing atop a tale of some large sea creature merging from the water.

"Greetings, Senator Amidala. Welcome to Mon Cala." The officer spoke.

"It is a pleasure to meet you again, Captain Ackbar." Padmé answered. Leia, meanwhile, looked in disbelief as right in front of her was the future Admiral Ackbar of the Rebel Alliance. She then remembered her manners and bowed to Mon Calamari.

"Captain, this is Padawan Luce. She will be assisting me in the negotiations." Padmé introduced Leia to Ackbar.

"Very well." Ackbar nodded and gestured for the two females to jump onto the tail. Leia hesitantly did so before the tail submerged into the ocean, with the SCUBA troopers diving from the Consular-class cruiser.

As they swam through the ocean, Leia had time to look around and awed as she watched the oceanic world filled with wonder. Rocks and cliffs filled with reefs, while various sea creatures swam across the ocean. She was even impressed with the capital city of Mon Cala, which, just like the ocean, was full of life.

Once they entered the throne hall, Leia saw it was filled with both the Quarren and Mon Calamari. On the throne sat a teenage Mon Calamari with yellow skin, wearing a blue uniform with white epaulet and a crown which resembled a seashell. He sat between a female Mon Calamari and a male Quarren in white, compared to the other Quarren that wore more redder outfits. Leia immediately noticed that Padmé was shocked and unpleasant at the Quarren's presence, though she wasn't sure why.

"His royal majesty, King Lee-Char of Mon Cala." Captain Ackbar announced, and both Leia and Padme bowed as they were floating in the middle before the throne.

"Your majesty." Padmé Amidala spoke. "

Senator Amidala, welcome to Mon Cala. We are honored with your arrival." Lee-Char answered.

"It is an honor for me to represent the Republic in our negotiations, your majesty." Padmé responded.

"And who is this young child?" the female Mon Calamari asked.

"This is Jedi padawan Luce." Padmé introduced Leia once again. "Lena, this is King Lee Char, to the left of him is Senator Meena Tills," the Mon Calamari female nodded. "And to the right," Padme reluctantly spoke, "is Tikkes. Though, I do not understand what he is doing here."

"Senator Amidala, Tikkes is the provisional chieftain of the Quarren." King Lee-Char answered her question.

"Where's Nossor Ri?"

"I regret to report that Nossor Ri was found murdered in his own office." Lee-Char told the Naboo senator, as Leia felt the sorrow in his voice. "He was a great politician, and a wise, honorable man." The young king added.

"How did this happen?" Padmé asked, shocked to hear of Nossor Ri's death. "We have reason to believe that he was killed by the Separatists for siding with the Republic against Riff Tamson." Ackbar told her.

"I understand of your awareness in regards to me, Senator Amidala." The Quarren, Tikkes, suddenly spoke. "I admit that I was a high-ranking official within the Confederacy. However, I have seen the errors of the Separatists and while I am still wary of the Republic, I have decided to fully pledge my life to the benefits of my people and home planet."

"Very well." Padmé responded with doubt, before turning to the young king. "Your grace, I would like to discuss another important matter with you and Senator Tills personally. The Mon Calamari king nodded and motioned for the court to be dismissed before swimming away to his private office with Senator Tills and Amidala following her along with Leia. They spoke again once the doors closed behind.

"Your majesty, Senator Tills." Padmé began. "You have seen what the Senate and the Republic has become. Chancellor Palpatine has passed the bill to appoint sector governors across the galaxy and before that he acquired full control of the Intergalactic Banking Clan. I do not like what I am about to say, but the Supreme Chancellor is beginning to abuse his emergency powers. Some senators fear that he is trying to install a dictatorship."

"And what is your request, Senator Amidala?" Lee-Char asked.

"As I have mentioned, some senators do not welcome the increase in Palpatine's power, and they have their home planets to support them." Padmé Amidala answered. "However, there is still not enough of us. We fought together during the Battle of Mon Cala. We helped you to liberate your planet. You are a true follower of democracy, Senator Tills, and you are a wise king, your majesty. The people of Mon Cala will follow you. I only ask for your support."

Once she finished speaking, Padmé waited in silence for the Mon Calamari to answer. Leia Organa, meanwhile, floated nearby, smiling as she looked at the young senator in admiration. She was just like her father described; a just and honest politician who stood up for what was right.

"I respect you and your ideals, senator. But Mon Cala will stay out of it." King Lee-Char answered, much to the shock of both Leia and Padme. Not waiting for a response, the young monarch continued.

"You must understand, senator. My people, both the Mon Calamari and the Quarren, have suffered greatly from the civil war between the two tribes, and right now, my greatest concern is the well-being of my people, and the restoration of the planet's economy."

"Not to mention that right now, it is not the time to deal with Chancellor Palpatine." Senator Meena Tills added. "With the war, still going on, the Republic needs a leader to believe in. Not to mention, Senator Amidala, what you are proposing, maybe considered as treason."

"If we leave this until the war ends, it will be too late!" Padmé protested.

"I am sorry, senator. But as I said, we will not participate." King Lee-Char told her. Sighing heavily, Padmé left the king's office with Leia following her. As they swam through the corridors of the Royal Palace, they did not notice a Mon Calamari spying on them before dashing off in a separate direction.

Coral City on Mon Cala.

"I have received my first task from the delegation, and this is how it goes." Padmé muttered to herself once they reached her temporal apartment chambers within the Coral City on the water's surface. "But I will not give up that easily. We need Mon Cala to support us."

"So, what now?" Leia asked as she took off her helmet. Despite not being that well acquainted, Padmé already began trusting her. The girl agreed with Amidala's view on the Chancellor and his abuse of power. Though, she is surprised that the Jedi Council still did not see it.

"Senator Tills is not the only representative of Mon Cala. The Quarren have a senator of their own within the Republic." Padmé answered before leaving. While Padme left to take a shower, Leia decided to take a look at the view from the terrace of their apartment. She smiled, enamored with the beautiful view of the ocean with coral reefs and small islands, partly filled with Mon Calamari buildings, also part of the Coral City, the planet's capital. Despite having districts above sea level, the 14-year-old girl noticed that most of the city is located underwater, which was logic, since the inhabitants were usually sea creatures, while the buildings on the surface were for guests and embassies from other worlds.

Her chain of thought was disrupted when she heard the door opening behind her. Turning around saw Padmé coming out of the bathroom fully dressed.

"Lena," Padmé whispered. "I would like you to use the Force to sense any bugs in the chambers. They're maybe spying on us."

Nodding, Leia closed her eyes and used the Force to sense for any bugging devices. Surprisingly, there were none. Once she told that, Padmé activated a com-device and a hologram of another Quarren appeared before her.

"Senator Tundra Dowmeia." Padmé greeted.

"Senator Amidala, how can I help?" the Quarren bowed in response.

"I am on Mon Cala now," Padmé answered. "I've spoken with King Lee-Char and Senator Tills. Both of them have rejected my proposition."

"That is unfortunate." Dowmeia muttered before asking. "What kind of proposition."

"A handful of senators are forming a delegation to object to the increasing power of Chancellor Palpatine," Padmé told him. "Some believe he is planning to become a dictator of the Republic and break the principles of our constitution."

"I'm not happy with Palpatine's increasing influence, Senator Amidala, but I'm afraid I cannot help you too." Tundra Dowmeia answered. "Our government has been gridlocked and unable to function."

"Is there anything you can do?"

"My apologies, senator, but I cannot." Dowmeia answered. "I'm already having a bad reputation. When I took the role as senator of the Quarren, I had to replace all the members of my office." Dowmeia continued. "Even now, I sense that some of my men are Separatist spies."

"Thank you senator for answering my call anyway," Padmé politely told the Quarren, before the hologram was turned off.

Command Station of Count Dooku on Planet Bakura.

Pressing the button on the com device, Dooku bowed, as he was kneeling while the hologram of Darth Sidious appeared. The Dark Lord of the Sith was once again hooded, his face covered.

"Why have you summoned me, Lord Tyrannus?" Sidious asked.

"My master," Dooku began explaining. "One of our sources report that young Senator Amidala is present on Mon Cala."

"What are her goals?"

"I know not," Dooku answered. "But my source confirms that the Jedi assigned to her is no other than young Luce, the padawan of Anakin Skywalker."

"Ahh." Sidious hummed. "And you propose to orchestrate the deaths of the two females, which will bring Skywalker closer to us?"

Dooku nodded, confirming. Darth Sidious rubbed his chin, thinking about the possible outcomes. It was a chance that they should not miss. "Very well, Lord Tyrannus," the hooded Sith answered. "Give the order to our Mon Calamari friend to gather his men. I'll make sure Skywalker was the first to be sent to Mon Cala after the operation will end successfully."

"Right away, milord."

Quarren City, planet Mon Cala.

It took a long time for Padmé and Leia to reach the Quarren settlement. Leia immediately noticed the huge contrast between the cities of the Quarren and Mon Calamari. First of all was the architecture. Also, from what she saw during the time of the Rebellion, while Mon Calamari settlements were at the water's surface, and compared to the Quarren villages, it was brighter there during day. The Quarren City, on the other hand, due to being located in the Alopia Rift and the sun rays barely reaching, was filled with darkness. The only source of light were the lights from the numerous buildings, seen through the windows.

Yet, she did not have the chance to see it again as the meeting with the Quarren leadership was to be happen within the Quarren City on the planet's surface. Due to this, both Padmé and Leia held their helmets, not having the need to wear them. Captain Typho and his guards followed them, ready to protect the senator. The courtyard on which they stood was filled with Quarren guards as Tikkes and members of his court approached the humans.

"Senator Amidala, to what to I owe the pleasure of your presence?" Tikkes spoke as Padmé bowed to the Quarren chieftain.

"I'm here to discuss some political matters, Chieftain Tikkes." Amidala answered.

"Be our guest," the Quarren told her and motioned for her to follow. Padmé did not mind leaving Typho and his squad, for she had Leia, a Jedi padawan, to protect her if something happened. Once they were inside Tikkes' office, which wasn't filled with water, the Quarren sat behind his desk.

"How are doing as the new leader of the Quarren?" Padmé asked.

"Oh, there are many complications, but I'll shall not fail my people," Tikkes proudly answered. "I shall be a great leader like our dear, late Nossor Ri." Stroking his tentacles, he spoke. "I have received information, senator, that you are searching for allies for your political struggle against Chancellor Palpatine. I can assure you, milady, I am not your enemy." Tikkes immediately raised his hands in the air. "For I 'm also against Palpatine's authority and increasing power. It was the first reason I joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems. I was wary of Palpatine the moment he became a candidate for the seat of chancellor after Valorum resigned from office. His corruption was the reason separatism was found among the numerous worlds of the Republic."

"From what I heard, you have been involved in a slaving ring. Once you were put under house arrest, you escaped and joined Count Dooku once you had the opportunity." Padmé argued.

"These are nothing more but abominable lies!" Tikkes objected. "Lies created by your chancellor in order to get rid of me. I had no other choice, but to join Dooku and his cause. Many honorable people have joined."

"And criminals like Nute Gunray and Wat Tambor." Padmé interjected. "Not to mention, you have started a civil war on your home planet."

"Your senate is not ideal too." Tikkes simply stated. "As for Mon Cala, you are aware that the Quarren were oppressed by the Mon Calamari for years, with the government backed by your Republic. But enough of this, let's get straight to business. Since I have been elected as the provisional chieftain of the Quarren, I offer you what King Lee-Char refused to give you, the support of my people."

"You mean the Quarren only." Padmé simply told him.

"Sadly, I don't have any friends among the Mon Calamari." Tikkes explained to her. "Despite my people electing me, the Mon Calamari, especially those of the royal court, do not trust me."

"Why I am not surprised." Padmé remarked.

"Still, as leader of the Quarren, who are also the people of Mon Cala, I will support you." Tikkes assured. Leia stood silent, not knowing whether to trust him or not.

"Your proposition is interesting, Tikkes," Padmé finally gave a response. "But I would like to have the planetary government supporting the cause also."

"For this, I have another proposition," the Quarren answered. "Once I became the provisional leader of my people, I have managed to find some contacts among the Mon Calamari. In two days, we are having a session and we could try to encourage the people and the king of Mon Cala to support you."

"Just so you know, I am not planning a coup." Padmé warned him.

"Oh, senator, you offend me!" Tikkes playfully answered. "Everything what we shall do will be legal, under the laws of Mon Cala."

"Alright, we'll attend your session, chieftain." Padmé answered. Nodding to the Quarren, both Padmé and Leia left. Unknown to the two female humans, a Mon Calamari was stalking them since they left Dac City.

Mon Cala Council Hall.

"Order! Order!" Lemcke, the Mon Calamari chief-councilor, demanded. Leia sat right beside Padmé Amidala, watching in wonder and curiosity as the hall was filled with both Mon Calamari and Quarren. King Lee-Char was floating alongside Lemcke, Senator Tills and Tikkes.

"The right of voice is given to Chieftain Tikkes of the Quarren!" Lemcke announced, before allowing Tikkes to swim towards the center, with everyone paying attention.

"My fellow kin, both Quarren and Mon Calamari, brothers and sisters, friends," he began. "Today I have come to discuss the issue delivered to us by Senator Amidala of Naboo."

"As we already made our decisi-" Tills was about to speak.

"Please, may I explain," Tikkes asked before he continued. "I agree with Senator Amidala's views on Chancellor Palpatine and his abuse of powers. As representative of the Quarren, I am distraught to report that we have been gridlocked. We have been stripped of our voice within the senate, the heart of the Republic. But at least we have a right of voice here on Mon Cala, so I say we support Senator Amidala and her delegation. We cannot allow this injustice!"

His words was met with different reactions. Some of the attendants, both Mon Calamari and Quarren, reacted with applause, supporting Tikkes. However, most Mon Calamari, including the young king, met with negativity. King Lee-Char began speaking, with Senator Tikkes flanking him.

"May I remind you, chieftain, that there is a war going on," he said. "Our Republic is now fighting a dangerous, and cruel foe that shows no mercy. Not only to the clone troopers of the army, but also to citizens, and we now is not the time to play the dirty games of the senate. Not to mention that right now, we must use our dependance on the Republic to restore our planetary economy."

Leia sat beside Padmé as she continued to watch the meeting. As they argued, Tikkes then said the following. "If you will not take the initiative, your majesty, then may I have the honour of doing so."

Saying this, the Quarren turned to a Mon Calamari and nodded. Nodding in return, the Mon Calamari took out a device and pressed the button. In a second, explosions were heard outside. King Lee-Char, Padmé Amidala, Senator Tills, Captain Ackbar and Lemcke swam towards the window. They were shocked to see some of the buildings crumbling from the explosions.

"What's going on?" Padmé asked.

"That's the garrisons destroyed!" Ackbar yelled as he pointed at one of the sites of the explosion.

"And that's the comm towers!" Senator Tills added.

While Leia continued to float where she was, she saw the doors opening as armed squads of both Mon Calamari and Quarren burst into the council hall and began killing the royal guards. King Lee-Char tried to grab a blaster spear, only for a Mon Calamari officer to suddenly hit the king hard in the forehead with the stock of his blaster pistol, knocking his crown off. The young king stared at his fellow kin in shock and disbelief as the officer aimed his firearm at him. Leia finally reacted, grabbing out her lightsaber and igniting it.

"Kill the Jedi!" Tikkes ordered, and the usurpers began firing their blaster spears at her. She began blocking the shots, trying to reach Padmé, only for the young senator to yell.

"Run, Lena! Warn the Republic! You know what to do!"

Reluctantly, Leia swam away from the hall, with the insurgents following her. Outnumbered, the hall attendants, King Char, Tills, Padmé, Ackbar and Lemcke raised their arms as a sign of surrender. Tikkes swam towards the Mon Calamari officer who hit Lee Char.

"A job well done, Tikkes," the Mon Calamari told him. "Though giving the order of killing the Jedi was a mistake. She needs to be taken alive. Those are the orders."

"What orders!" Padmé imperiously asked, anger filling her.

"The orders of our superior," the officer answered and pressed the button of the comm device in the center of the hall. In an instant, the hologram of Count Dooku appeared.

"Dooku," Padmé spoke in a deadly tone. "So, you bring war back to Mon Cala again."

"Senator Amidala, we meet again." Dooku simply answered. "I can see you've already met Admiral Sorrel of the Confederacy of Independent Systems."

"At your service, Count," the Mon Calamari, Sorrel, bowed, earning a glare from Ackbar, who stared at him with rage since the coup began.

"Son of a bitch! How could you?!" Ackbar finally yelled. "How could you betray your own people!"

"The only traitors to our people here are you, Gial." Sorrel answered. "My commanding officer, now dead, has joined the right side of this war; the true followers of democracy, not the rotten Republic."

The captured Mon Calamari raised their eyebrows in recognition. "You're commanding officer, he was Commander Merai." Senator Tills spoke. "An officer of the Separatist Navy. One of the galaxy's most greatest military leaders."

"Correct, senator," Sorrel nodded. "I served under him during the war until he perished during our assault on Kamino. He sacrificed himself so that we could evacuate our droid control ship. He was one of the most honest officers in the galaxy, and you killed him!" the accusation was directed at them all, but it was clear Sorrel meant the Republic. "And you continue to serve a government filled with corruption."

"Dooku is far no better," Lee Char objected. "He tried to enslave our planet and give it to Riff Tamson."

"Yes, that was a mistake," the count interfered. "Which I intend to not to repeat. Now, Mon Cala will be a member of the Confederacy of Independent Systems ruled by a joint rule of Mon Calamari and Quarren."

"Mon Cala will never kneel to you, Dooku!" Lee Char proudly declared.

"Oh, they will," Dooku answered, chuckling darkly. Just then, a Quarren swam towards Sorrel.

"Commander, four C-9979s are above the surface of the water and are already releasing the first batches of aqua droids."

"Very good." Sorrel answered, when a Mon Calamari swam urgently towards them.

"Sir, three Republic cruisers have jumped out of hyperspace!" he reported, his snout filled with panic, but Sorrel only grinned as he took a look at the captives.

"Good thing we've some hostages," he said.


After losing the pursuers, Leia quickly swam towards a small island where the Consular-class cruiser was landed shortly after both Leia and Padmé left. On her way, she saw Separatist aqua droids merging into the water as they swam from above, lining up. She heard about those AQ-series battle droids, designed for combat underwater. Particularly used during the Battle of Kamino and both Battles of Mon Cala. Leia knew now what was going on; a Separatist-backed coup.

Merging out of the water, she ran towards the shore, where she was met with the clone troopers assigned to her.

"Commander Luce, what happened? Where's the senator?" a clone sergeant asked.

"Sarge, the Separatists have orchestrated a coup. King Lee-Char and Senator Amidala are captured." Leia answered, taking off her helmet. "In case of emergency, she ordered to get help using this frequency." She gave a card to the clones. One of them gave it to the members of the Naboo guard. Taking her breath, Leia sat on the sandy beach. Some time later, she heard one of the clone troopers speaking as he looked up.

"We got backup."

Looking up, Leia saw three Venator-class Star Destroyers jumping out of hyperspace. Just then, Captain Typho approached her.

"Commander Luce, General Skywalker is asking for you," he said. Leia mentally yelled. Why him? Of all members of the Republic military, Padmé chose to contact him. What was between him and her. Still, Leia immediately followed Typho. She immediately saw the hologram of her mentor.

"Lena? What is going on? How come you are on Mon Cala?" Anakin immediately asked, surprised to see her.

"Master Skywalker," Leia began, she knew that arguing with him was not the right time now. "I was assigned to protect Senator Amidala during her visit to Mon Cala, only for the coup to begin."

"Who had the authority to assign you to this mission? You're mine padawan." Skywalker asked when Kenobi appeared behind him.

"Master Yoda."

"Of course," Anakin calmly said. "And where's the senator?"

Leia was about to answer, only for a clone deck officer to approach Anakin. "General Skywalker, we have received intel that Senator Amidala is in Separatist custody at the capital along with King Lee-Char and Senator Tills."

"Darn it," Anakin cursed before turning to Leia. "How is your condition, Lena?"

"Um, fine… I guess so." Leia asked hesitantly.

"Alright, listen carefully," Anakin told her. "I'll try to breach the orbital defenses of the enemy as quick as possible, but I'm afraid I won't have time to reach the hostages. I need you to infiltrate and free the hostages with the clone troopers assigned to you. Please, Lena."

Leia looked at Anakin baffled. She was really surprised that Anakin was in despair, caring for the young senator. She had never seen him so desperate. Leia noted that she needed to know what was between him, the future Darth Vader, the Emperor's fist, and Padmé, a true follower of democracy. Still, Leia knew that she could not let her new friend die. At least, both of them agree on something here.

"I'll try, master."

"Thank you, Lena." Anakin answered before ending the call. Ignoring Typho, Leia put on her helmet again before calling the clones to come with her. Together, they dived into the water again, returning to the Separatist-occupied capital.

Legends Trivia Notes

Return to Mon Cala

When Lucasfilm Ltd. was sold to Disney, The Clone Wars was canceled, ending with season 6 of thirteen episodes until Filoni made the finale season. As a result, many story arcs were canceled, not to mention some of them were related to the Legends universe, such as a story arc where they Yuuzhan Vong, a deadly Force-sensitive alien race originating from another galaxy and that would be a major threat during the era of the New Republic, would make their first appearance on screen.

This chapter is based on the Mon Cala arc. It would have starred Padmé Amidala working against Chancellor Palpatine's prolonged stay in office. Padmé and Anakin Skywalker returned to Mon Cala to meet with King Lee-Char once again. While there, they found out that the leader of the Quarren, Nossor Ri, had been murdered, and Tikkes had been appointed provisional leader in his place. Padmé hoped to gain support from the Quarren to remove Palpatine from office. The Quarren Senator Tundra Dowmeia explained to Padmé that their government was gridlocked and unable to function. They would meet with Tikkes, who expressed frustrations with Palpatine.

Sadly, the arc was not produced nor released, so, I decided to make up the story myself, based on some elements from Legends, such as that some Mon Calamari were working for the Separatists. Instead of Anakin, it is Leia who joins Padmé.

Mon Cala during the Clone Wars

In Legends, there wasn't one, but two battles of Mon Cala between the Mon Calamari, supported by the Republic, and the Separatist-backed Quarren.

During the Separatist Crisis, Mon Cala was represented in the Galactic Senate by the corrupt Tikkes, who allowed Thalassian slavers to operate in the Calamari sector for a share of their profits. He was exposed in 22 BBY. He escaped Republic custody on Coruscant and fled to Geonosis, where he became a member of the Separatist Council as leader of the Free Dac movement, which sought to cut ties between Mon Calamari and the Republic.

During the Clone Wars, the world was attacked multiple times by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. First, Count Dooku devastated the world with the Force Harvester. Later, Tikkes's Quarren Isolation League attempted to overthrow the Mon Calamari Council. Tikkes's actions led to a conflict between the two native peoples, but the League was defeated by Kit Fisto and the Mon Calamari Knights, as shown in the 2003 Clone Wars show.

In 21 BBY, tensions between the Mon Calamari and Quarren began to escalate again, with many Quarren especially being dissatisfied with the planet's Mon Calamari–controlled monarchist government and their close relationship to the Republic. While Yos Kolina, the eighty-second and current King of Mon Cala, mediated the dispute, the Separatist leader General Grievous prepared an invasion of the Calamari system. Dac held strategic importance to the Republic's war effort at this time, due to the planet providing Republic shipyards with a special ore to strengthen cruiser armor plating. As part of their invasion plans, the Separatists sent Commander Riff Tamson to assassinate Kolina and push the Mon Calamari and Quarren towards civil war. In the wake of Kolina's death, the Quarren began a dispute with the Mon Calamari regarding their sovereignty and the monarchy's line of succession. Hoping to break free from the rule of the Mon Calamari, the Quarren challenged the monarchy, wanting one of their own on the throne instead of the heir apparent Prince Lee Char. As the diplomatic crisis continued to unfold, Gial Ackbar, captain of the Mon Calamari Guard, asked the Republic to send representatives to help mediate the situation. Senator Padmé Amidala and Jedi General Anakin Skywalker were sent to Dac, but the Quarren Chieftain, Nossor Ri, responded by asking for an envoy from the Separatists' side to be present for the negotiations as well, a call that was answered by Tamson. Exploiting the tensions between the Quarren and Mon Calamari, Tamson convinced Ri to side with the Separatists so that the Quarren could claim control over Dac. Unbeknownst to the Quarren, however, Tamson had made a deal with Dooku to become Mon Cala's ruler after the planet fell under Separatist control.

Following the failure of a peace conference, the Separatists, led by Tamson, and the Quarren, led by Ri, began a combined assault on Mon Cala's capital, Coral City. The Mon Calamari and their Republic reinforcements continually lost ground, with all of them eventually being captured by Tamson and put to work in prison camps for Dooku and the Confederacy. Tamson then took Kolina's throne for himself, much to the shock of Ri and the Quarren, who began to regret their alliance with the Confederacy. When Lee-Char and his Jedi protector, Padawan Ahsoka Tano, were the only ones who had evaded capture, Dooku sought to finish what he had begun with Kolina's assassination: the termination of the royal bloodline through the execution of the prince. Despite the fear of living up to his father, Lee-Char took his place as leader of the Mon Calamari, using his father's old friendship with Ri to convince the Quarren to re-side with them and the Republic. This led to the defeat of Tamson and the removal of the Separatist presence on Dac, and Lee-Char succeeding his father as Mon Cala's ruler.

After the Republic loyalty of the planet was cemented, the Loyalist inhabitants agreed to a new arrangement: dual representation in the Senate, with Tundra Dowmeia representing the Quarren and Meena Tills representing the Mon Calamari.

Commander Merai and Separatists Among the Mon Calamari

"You honour me, Duke. I'm just glad to have a chance to aid the cause of freedom in the galaxy. When do we strike?" – Commander Merai accepting the mission of assaulting in Kamino during the very early stages of the Clone Wars.

In this chapter, I have introduced Sorrel, an original character, but the character under whom he served, Merai, is a Star Wars Legends character.

There were also Separatist Mon Calamari, led by the heroic Commander Merai, backed by Passel Argente and the Corporate Alliance. Without the approval of Count Dooku, the Mon Calamari led an effective assault during the First Battle of Kamino, using their amphibious fighters and Merai's personal assault ship, the Shark. Ultimately their assault failed, as Dooku betrayed them. Most of the Mon Calamari forces were able to escape the disaster due to the sacrifice of Merai. Sorrel is one of those Mon Calamari and continues to serve the Confederacy.

Considered one of the greatest Calamari commanders of his time and one of the most decorated heroes of the Quarren War, Merai joined the Confederacy following the attack on his homeworld by the Force Harvester. Passel Argente quickly gave him his first order: to strike at the heart of the Republic's clone army—Kamino itself. He acquired the coordinates for the main reactor of Tipoca City from the Corporate Alliance, enabling him to cut off the supply of clone troopers for the Republic. The fact that the information had little background and no supporting evidence didn't bother Merai, who went with his gut instinct and attacked Kamino. His starfighters engaged with the Jedi protecting Kamino, and the battle began to go well for the Separatists.

Suddenly, Merai's ship was shot down, though the commander didn't give up. He piloted his starfighter, Shark, out of his downed command ship to destroy the main reactor himself. It was then he realized he had been fooled. The information was false, and Merai found himself surrounded by Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptors. Merai drew the Jedi away from his forces who were still attacking the Kaminoan defenses, though he knew the battle was lost. In a last-ditch effort, he flew Shark into the midst of the hyperdrive docking rings used to transport the Jedi Starfighters to and from Kamino. He sacrificed himself by blowing up his ship, taking many hyperspace rings out and allowing his forces to retreat.

Little did he know that he has been a tool of the Sith from the very beginning. The attack on Mon Cala by the Force Harvester was orchestrated by Count Dooku. He was given false information on Kamino on the orders of Darth Sidious himself. The reason for this was that compared to most of the Separatist commanders, both army and naval, Merai was a honourable officer, who even valued the battle droids as soldiers, not as expendables, while he viewed the Mon Calamari crew on his ship as his family. Just like the members of the Separatist Parliament, such as Mina Bonteri, Merai believed in what the Confederacy of Independent Systems stood for and believed it to be the galaxy's only hope for freedom.

That is what led him to be killed on the orders of Sidious.

Palpatine needed the Separatists to be seen not just as traitors to the Republic, but also as terrorists, savages, and war criminals among the Republic citizens. In order for this to happen, the Separatist officers had to commit various atrocities and war crimes. While most commanders such as General Grievous, Assajj Ventress, Admiral Trench, Commander Riff Tamson and Commander Durge did them without questioning, it was clear that Merai would not commit them, as he was a man of honour, and everyone knew that, both Republic and Separatist. Even Yoda admitted that his death was a terrible loss to the galaxy, and so, he had to go, in order for the Sith's plan to succeed.