Good morning, Milady. Dorme came into the room, with Padmes headpiece that she was going to be wearing this morning.
Morning, Dorme. Are arrangements all set for the bodies? Padme sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
Yes, Milady. The arrangements are made and Queen Jamilia is sending a Royal Guard here, to escort the bodies home. They will be here tomorrow morning. Dorme put the headpiece on the head bob. Then, went over to the closet, went inside and pulled out the dress that she will be wearing for the day.
Ok, that sounds great. Please, make sure that I am off for Cordes funeral. Padme got out of the bed, grabbed her robe and put it on, before she headed out of the door.
Padme walked into the living room, looked out the window and saw the light orange hue of the sky, as the sun was starting to rise.
Mistress Padme, your breakfast will be ready in a couple of minutes, but I do have your tea ready for you. C3-PO came out of the kitchen area, as he saw Padme stop in front of the huge window, that was located in the living room.
What? . . . Oh, ok. Thanks, 3-PO. Padme shook her head, as she came out of her deep thought.
Padme walked away from the window and walked into the small dining area, in the kitchen. The smells of bacon and herbal tea were blending together, in the air of the kitchen.
Good morning, Milady. I have your breakfast right here. One of the service droids turned and looked at the Senator, as she sat down at the small table.
Good morning, P-7. Ok, thank you. Padme slightly smiled at the droid, just as Dorme came into the room.
Typho will be here in a couple of minutes. Dorme came over to the table and sat down next to Padme.
Ok, that sounds great. So, are we meeting the other delegates here in the lobby, or at the Senate Building? Padme turned and looked at Captain Typho, as he just walked into the room.
We are to meet them at the Senate Building. Good morning, Typho. How are things going on, so far? Dorme looked up at the head of the Security.
Morning, Milady, Dorme. Everything is doing good so far and I just got news on what caused the explosion yesterday. the Captain came over to the table and took his seat across from Padme and next to Dorme.
Three service droids came up to the table and poured the two teas for Padme and Dorme and Caf for Captain Typho.
Really? Was it inside the ship? Padme took a sip of her tea and looked over to the head of security.
No, it was outside the ship. Um . . . it was created by a blaster fire. Typho took a sip of his Caf.
Really, a blaster fire? A person would have to know the ship and where the fuel tanks were located, to hit it and make it explode, like it did. Padme added the sauce to her eggs.
Yes, that is true, but it could be that someone had done their homework. Something tells me that this was done by a professional. Typho took a bite of his eggs.
I do believe that Count Dooku is behind this attack. Padme took a bite of her eggs.
He may be behind this attack, but it was someone else, who blew up the ship. I have a feeling that it was a paid assassin. Typho began eating some more of his breakfast.
" All we have do, is find out who this person is and who hired him. Padme stabbed into her eggs with her fork.
We are working on it, Milady. Typho started eating his breakfast again.
They just sat there, eating and making plans of what they were going to be doing, after the meeting with the Supreme Chancellor, really early this morning.
An hour later, Padme was dressed and stepping on to the air transport that will take her to the Senate Building. Walking into the grand lobby of the Senate Building and standing there in the middle of the room, was the two other members of the Loyalist Committee.
Senator Amidala, it is so great to see you. I had heard what happened and I am deeply sorry for your loss. I know that Corde was very close to you. Senator Bail Organa came up to Padme and gave her a welcoming hug.
Thank you, Bail. Yes, we were very close, and I hope that your wife is feeling better. Padme returned the older mans welcoming hug.
She is doing a lot better, thank you. Well, if you are ready, it is time for our meeting. Bail Organa smiled at the young Senator, as the other members of the Committee began to head for the Turbo-lift, that will take them to second floor, to where some of the Senators and Supreme Chancellors offices were located.
Once the turbo stopped on the second level, the Committee got off the lift and headed down the hallway, to where the Chancellors office. They walked into the room and saw the office Aide sitting behind his desk, working on a few items and looked up, when he saw the people come into the room.
Good morning. The Chancellor is in a meeting with some of the Jedi Council, but I will let him know that you guys are here for your meeting. the Aide nodded to the group, before hitting the button of the Holo-Com.
The Loyalist Committee has arrived, my Lord. Dar Wac let the Chancellor know in Huttese.
Send them in. was the answer the Chancellor gave, before the Hologram disappeared.
The office Aide nodded for the doors and the leader of the Committee went to the door and opened it and walked in, just as the Chancellor and the Jedi Council stood up to welcome the group. Along with Padme, was Captain Typho, Dorme and the Gungan Jar Jar Binks and with them, was Bail Organa of Alderaan, and Horox Ryyder, along with the Chancellors Majordomo Mas Amedda. Everyone moved to exchange pleasant greetings, and Yoda pointedly tapped Padme, with his small cane.
With you, the Force is strong, young Senator. Your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. To see you alive, brings warm feelings to my heart. the old Jedi Master looked up at the Senator and gave her a smile.
Thank you, Master Yoda. Do you have any idea, who was behind this attack? Padme looked down at the little green Jedi Master and gave him a small smile.
It was her question, that had everyone in the room was turning to regard her and Yoda directly.
Senator, we have nothing definitive, but our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo. Mace Windu cleared his throat and stepped forward.
Padme turned and looked at her head of Security, who shook his head, having no answers. They have both witnessed the frustration of those spice miners back on Naboo, but all those demonstrations seemed a long way from the tragedy that had occurred on the landing platform here on Coruscant. She turned her attention back to Mace Windu and gave him a hard stare. She began to wonder if it would be wise to voice her hunch at this time, and she knew the controversy she might stir, and knew that the blatant illogical ring to her claim, but still . . .
I do not wish to disagree, but I think that Count Dooku was behind it. Padme stared at the Jedi Master and saw a surprised look come to his face.
Not only was he surprised, but the other three Jedi Master exchanged looks, that ranged from astonishment to disapproval.
You know, Milady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He would not assassinate anyone. It is not in his character. Mace resonant and calm voice, as he looked down at the young woman standing before him.
He is a political idealist, not a murderer. Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi looked at everyone in the room.
There was a tapping sound and everyone looked down to saw Master Yoda tapping his walking cane, as he was trying to get everyones attention.
In dark times, nothing is what it appears to be. The fact remains, Senator, in grave danger, you are. the little green Jedi Master looked straight at Padme and his eyes had a worried look come across his face.
Master Jedi, may I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces? Supreme Chancellor Palpatine gave a dramatic sigh and walked over to the window and stared out at the Coruscant dawn.
Do you think that is wise to use our limited resources, at this stressful time? Thousands of systems have gone over fully to the Separatists, and many more may soon join them, and the Jedi are our . . . Senator Bail Organa was quick to interject, as he began stroking his well trimmed black goatee.
Chancellor, if I may comment. I do not believe the . . . Padme interrupted and turned to the Chancellor.
Chancellor, please! I do not want any more guards! Padme began to plead to the older man.
I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps, someone that you are familiar with, say an old friend: Master Kenobi? Palpatine stared at Padme, as an overprotective father, before looking at the older Jedi Master and gave him a smile.
Mace Windu looked at the Chancellor and gave him not only a nod, but a smile too.
That is possible. He has just returned from a border dispute on Ansion. Mace Windu nodded, before he confirmed that the Jedi Master would look into the assassination tempt on the young Senator.
You must remember him, Milady. He watched over you, during the blockade conflict. Palpatine grinned at the young Senator, like the deal was totally done.
This is not necessary, Chancellor. Padme really did not like the idea, but knew that she did not have choice in this matter.
Do it for me, Milady. Please. I will rest easier. We had a big scare last night and the thought of losing you is unbearable. He gave her sad eyes and was begging her to take the Jedi guard.
Padme started to respond, but how could she possible say anything, to deny the Supreme Chancellors expressed concern? So, she gave a great defeated sigh, and the Jedi rose and turned to leave.
I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, Milady. Mace Windu bowed his head to her.
Too little about yourself, you worry, Senator. Too much about politics, but be mindful of your danger, Padme. Please accept our help. Yoda leaned in close to Padme and whispered, so that only she could hear him.
Then, they all left the room and Padme just stared at the door and then flanking guards for long while. What they did not know, was that the Palpatine just sat there, in the back of his office. He just watched them all as plans were forming in his mind.
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After a long day of listening the two Senators and the Chancellor, go over some of the ideas that they all came up with in the Committee, Padme sat at her vanity table, brushing her long curly hair, waiting for the Jedi Master that was supposed to come and watch over her. So, now, she all she can do is wait, hoping that he will get her soon, so that way, she can get some sleep. But little did she know, that Master Kenobi was not going be by himself. He has the one person with him, that has been haunting her dreams and heart for the past ten years, and soon they will be together again.
(pgs. 56-59 from the book Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore)