EXTERIOR: SENATE BUILDING - DAY
The massive Senate Building glistens in the afternoon sun. Small patches of fog have still to burn off.
INTERIOR: SENATE CHAMBER - DAY
The vast rotunda is buzzing with chatter. Mas Amedda, the Supreme Chancellor's majordomo, tries to quiet things down as Palpatine confers with an Aide, Uv Gizen, riding a small one-man floating scooter.
"Order! We shall have order! The motion for the Republic to commission an army takes precedent, and that is what we will vote on at this time." Mas Amedda demands then states to all the Senators in the room. Everything quiets down. The Aide disperses, and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine steps to the podium.
"...My esteemed colleagues, excuse me... I have just received some tragic and disturbing news. Senator Amidala of the Naboo system has been assassinated!", Chancellor Palpatine informs the Senate. There is a shock silence in the vast arena as Palpatine continues, "This grievous blow is especially personal to me. Before I became Chancellor, I served Amidala when she was Queen. She was a great leader who fought for justice, not only here in this honorable assembly, but also on her home planet. She was so loved she could have been elected Queen for life. She believed in public service, and she fervently believed in democracy. Her death is a great loss to us all. We will all mourn her as a relentless champion of freedom... and as a dear friend." There is a moment of silence.
Ask Aak, the Senator of Malastare, moves his pod into the center of the arena. Ask Aak yells out to the Senators around him, "How many more Senators will die before this civil strife ends! We must confront these rebels now, and we need an army to do it." A second pod moves into the center of the area with Darsana, the Ambassador of Glee Anselm. "Why weren't the Jedi able to stop this assassination? We are no longer safe, under their protection." Darsana questions franticly. Senator Orn Free Taa swings forward in his pod. Orn Free Taa then demands, "The Republic needs more security now! Before it comes to war." Palpatine then reminds the Senators in the building, "Must I remind the Senator from Malastare that negotiations are continuing with the separatists. Peace is our objective here... not war." The Senators start to yell pro's and con's. Mas Amedda tries to calm things down.
Senator Padmè Amidala, with Captain Typho, Jar Jar, Dormé, and Dyana maneuver her pod into the center of the vast arena. Padmé glances at Dya to give a look to not speak during this, she nods in return. "My noble colleagues, I concur with the Supreme Chancellor. At all costs, we do not want war!" Senator Amidala states to her colleagues with hope that they'll see reason. The Senate goes quiet, then there is an outburst of cheering and applause. "It is with great surprise and joy the chair recognizes the Senator from Naboo, Padmé Amidala." Palpatine announces with a grandfatherly joy that seems off to Dyana for some reason.
"Less than an hour ago, an assassination attempt was made against my life. One of my bodyguards and six others were ruthlessly and senselessly murdered. I was the target but, more importantly, I believe this security measure before you, was the target. I have led the opposition to build an army... but there is someone in this body who will stop at nothing to assure its passage...," Padmé pauses to let what she said set in. Many of the Senators boo and yell at Senator Amidala, which made Dya(na) clench her hands in anger at how everyone wanted to dismiss a peaceful negotiation. The Naboo Senator continues as if the Senate's words won't affect her, "I warn you, if you vote to create this army, war will follow. I have experienced the misery of war firsthand; I do not wish to do it again." There is sporadic yelling for and against her statements.
"Wake up, Senators... you must wake up! If we offer the separatists violence, they can only show us violence in return! Many will lose their lives. All will lose their freedom. This decision could very well destroy the very foundation of our great Republic. I pray you, do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. Vote down this security measure, which is nothing less than a declaration of war! Does anyone here want that? I cannot believe they do." Senator Amidala states yet begs them to see through her eyes only to be met with disappointment. There is an undercurrent of booing... and groaning.
Senator Orn Free Taa moves his pod next to Amidala. Orn Free Taa then states with a firm tone, "My motion to defer the vote must be dealt with first. That is the rule of law." Amidala looks angry and frustrated as Palpatine gives her a sympathetic look.
••••••
Dya(na) crosses her arms in frustration, could see both sides of the arguement but agreed with Padmé. The way some of the Senator's rather choose security than peace, just yells out "CORRUPT!" Then realizes that they may be corrupt but some corruptions can be used against them. Decides to speak with Padmé in private to talk about how to gain the other Senators for support.
••••••
"Due to the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion, we will take up these matters tomorrow. Until then, the Senate stands adjourned.", the Chancellor declares to everyone in the room.
••••••
"Well, that went well." Dyana comments to her new- friends?- acquaintances for now, they head in some direction. "We may need the security but the Separatists will see it as a declaration of war. They WILL fight fire with fire unless we do something to prevent it." Padmé stresses out to her as we keep walking down many hallways.
"Do you mind if I give you some advice or words of choice to say, that could possibly gain you support?" Dyana asks the Senator that is still in her element.
She stops and turns around, didn't expect her to have any interest in politics but wishes for a solution to this. "Of course. A fresh pair of eyes and mind might help me to push for a vote of no security. What is it you wish to say?" Padmé questions Dyana, hopes she could give her an answer. "Most of the Senators in that room demanded for security. Not because of showing to the Separatists that you can fight back- but because they want to secure their image- their reputation. Not asking for a fight is being seen as cowards instead of strong leaders. You don't think that because you possibly have always been in a fight yet know when there doesn't need to be one. I may not know anything about this place and your ways, but the politics and war talks still remain the same. Quiet and Death. The talks in the Senate need to be "Hush Hush" while in battle or War there is nothing but dead bodies." Dyana advises her about what most of the Senators might have been thinking.
Senator Amidala frowns at Dyana's words yet knows that there is truth in them. Wonders what she was going with this, "The Senators in that room were giving you looks like adults would give to a naive child- annoyance. I got that look plenty of times when I would wish for something better in life but only for others to slap reality across my face. You have to earn the respect from them, take that title of yours and show that you need to be taken seriously." Dyana states to the Senator with a stern attitude as if she was disciplining a kid. "I have! The Democracy I am fighting for exists, I know it! Unfortunately the Chancellor says that the Senate is filled with greedy and corrupted Senators. I don't believe that though, I don't want to." Padmé replies back to her statement, knows Dyana may be right but denies it since she hopes to build up the Great Republic back to its original glory.
"Senator Amidala- Padmé, what you seek is not real. Not anymore, it's just fiction. You know it too but you're clinging on too tightly to the past. Focus on the now and what the citizens will need now..," Dyana pauses for what she said to sink into her mindset and continues before Padmé could respond "You want to help the Republic then help the people first. Getting their trust will help you in the long run. You want to get those votes of yours then use their own corruption against them." The Senator of Naboo is speechless at Dyana's words, didn't know she knew about politics to this extent but what she said proves otherwise in her opinion.
"Now I'm going to quote a lyric from one of my favorite songs from my world. With a few minor differences, 'Are you a Boss or a Bitch?' Or 'Are you a Boss and a Bitch?'" Dyana quotes yet questions Senator Amidala, hides a smile at her surprised look. "That is quite vulgar Dyana and I-", gets interrupted by her "That wasn't an answer. Are you a Boss or a Bitch, Senator? Or both?" "I'm not a B-..a b-word, okay. I am the Voice of Naboo, which makes me a boss- not THE Boss."
Dyana waves her hand at Padmé's words, "That is a mere technicality. Stop avoiding the questions SENATOR of Naboo, are you a bitch to the Chancellor? Or are you a Boss of your planet? If you are then start acting like it because those Senators in there were ready to gobble you up. There are times when you need to get your hands dirty, just like there are times when you need to fight. If you can't find a common ground with the Senators that can make them give you support, then you might have to resort into getting the support of THEIR people. Show the people that their Voice isn't the right canadate for being their vocals of reason, which will cause an uproar and have someone else be Senator. They will be new to the whole situation because they would need a new Voice quickly, that's when you swoop in and guide them." Dyana shrugs her shoulders as if what she said wasn't such a genius idea- manipulative but genius- Senator Amidala and her entourage were flabbergasted at the idea. Padmé didn't like the idea of lying and manipulation but knew in the world of politics, it had to happen for certain things to get over and done with.
"So this is the last time I ask, are you a Bitch or a Boss?", Dyana questions Padmé again- not caring when she flinches slightly at the curse word. Senator Amidala thinks about it and her new companions' idea then makes a decision "I'm a Boss, not the.. Bitch that others can screw around with." She blushes red at her finally saying the curse word but stood straighter to show that she was ready to do whatever it takes to stop from a war happening. Her new compan- friend- smirks at her proudly for what she said.
"Good, but let's get you out of the pilot outfit. If you're going to prove you're the Boss then we need to get you out of these clothes." Dyana says to Padmé, who looks down at her outfit and realizes that she was right. Nods to her suggestion and turns around then heads to the direction of the apartment building, where most Senators would stay at in case they're too tired to go home or have to stay for future meetings.
Luckily, Padmé's apartment wasn't too far so her entire entourage and herself didn't have to walk for long. Once they got in the elevator and got to her floor, her handmaiden went straight to the Senator's bedroom to pick an outfit for her. "Would you like to change as well, Dya? I am sure Dormé and I can find something in my wardrobe for you even though you are a bit..uhh... thicker than me. I mean no offense whatsoever, you have a-!" Padmé starts to ramble as she realized how insulting that sounded and felt guilty then stops when Dyana raised her hand. Dyana replies with a smile yet serious look, "Senator Amidala, I'm perfectly fine with what I'm wearing for now. I know you meant no offense, I'm very confident about my body and I rather change when it's time to go to sleep."
Padmé takes a deep breath then exhales in relief since she didn't want her new friend to get insecure because of the slip of her tongue. Smiles at Dyana just as Dormé comes to collect her to change out of her clothes, "Mi'lady, I have your dress ready for you." "Thank you Dormé. Lets get myself situated quickly", hurries to her bedroom- leaving Dya in the living room.
~An Hour Later~
Dyana was in the living room with an empty glass of water, when Padmé came out in an elegant dress with her hair up in some sort of metalaic hairpiece.
She stands up and puts a hand on her left hip where Dya's whip was, "Ready to go, 'Boss'?" She smiles at her own little joke only for the Senator of Naboo to roll her eyes playfully. "Yes I am. Lets not waste time." The Senator with a new mindset leaves her temporary home with her group back to the Senate to speak with Chancellor Palpatine.
"When we get to the Chancellor's office, don't show that you are standing your ground to stop any conflict from starting. Make it seem like you are starting to see how deep rooted the corruption is in the Republic, which you are. Then listen to what the Chancellor says, he might know more about the corruption. If he coddles you, it shows that he knew about it and during his time as Chancellor- he didn't change a thing. If he tries to make you not give up then he didn't know and might have been struggling with changes." Dyana, her friend and- might as well be Padmé's new political advisor, the Voice of Naboo nods at her advice.
The Senator Amidala, her new friend from a different universe (to where Padmé swore to herself that she will talk about it later in her apartment with Dya) and her entourage head to the Chancellor's office. Hoping that her mentor wasn't corruptive like most of the people in the Senate but Dya's words echoed in her head that caused her to doubt him and see the possiblities if it were true. Can only imagine what could happen with a manipulative Chancellor that knew of the corruptive Republic, a possible war coming and the request of an army for "security"...
absolute chaos.