Chapter XVIII –
Secrets – Part II
The Supreme Chancellor focused her attention on her
colleagues and awaited their thoughts and expertise
regarding the situation. They sat in a semi-circle
in her office chamber with Bail to her left while on
her opposite side sat the two Jedi Masters. Padmé’s
eyes flitted from one person to another, trying to
assess what they may be thinking. It was Prince
Organa who spoke first:
“It is my belief that the mission should continue
without interruption. The antidote can be easily
retrieved when Mr. Sindre is in custody. We may not
have another chance to capture him. Additionally,
our informant could be discovered and disrupt the
entire operation.”
“What of the comatose women? They should be under
medical care and would require transportation to a
facility.”
Master Tir’sa interjected, “That is a valid
observation, Master Misheita, but I also must
question Master Kenobi’s continued participation.
Clearly his mind is pre-occupied and not equipped to
handle this objectively.”
“Obi-Wan Kenobi is a very capable and trustworthy
Jedi, Sir’ei. In spite of Sakoya’s condition he is
mission ready,” Padmé argued.
“I
mean no disrespect, Madame Chancellor, but your
association with Master Kenobi may…restrict…your
judgment in this situation,” Sir’ei Tir’sa retorted.
Bail Organa looked at Padmé out of the corner of his
eye to see her reaction and was relieved to find her
subdued. Your diplomatic courtesies never cease
to amaze me, my friend. “I fought alongside
Master Kenobi throughout the Clone Wars – I can
assure you that he will endeavor to accomplish his
mission in spite of any obstacles.”
“Yes, his accomplishments are noteworthy,” Ciirian
Misheita agreed, and then added, “What better
advocate for these two women than Obi-Wan?”
“Aside from the fact that his emotional attachments
may prove to be detrimental?” Master Tir’sa shot
back. “Jedi should never have been allowed to form
attachments such as these. It derives from the
purpose of the Jedi Order and the Code.”
Internally, Padmé wanted to gouge out those blue
orbs belonging to Jedi Master Tir’sa for her
insulting comments but she knew that would be of no
benefit. Instead, she ignored the ice-cold glare
cast her way by the Jedi Master and simply stated,
“It appears we have a majority rule. Jedi Master
Obi-Wan Kenobi will continue his mission and
accompany Senator Organa to the arranged meeting. If
there is nothing further?” She glanced at each
person in turn, her only unvoiced objection coming
from Sir’ei herself judging by the look on her face,
and then said, “This meeting is concluded.”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
Padmé waited to speak
with her old friend, Senator Bail Organa,
until Jedi Master’s
Tir’sa and Misheita had left to confer with the Jedi
Council.
“Walk me
to my apartment?” she asked him, rising from her
seat.
Bail
stood up and smiled. “Of course.”
Other
than casually greeting other politicians and aids as
they walked through the Senate building, they had
remained silent and Bail could tell that a certain
Jedi Master’s comments had disturbed his friend.
“Are you
alright? Sir’ei was pretty acerbic.”
Padmé
tilted her head to look up at her friend. “Yes,” she
answered.
“She’s a
staunch defender of the old order.”
Padmé
nodded. “Yes, she is. I remember Anakin telling me
about his resignation from the Jedi Order during the
war and how disapproving she was of him. She has
always been one to point a finger.”
1
“She has
a very logical mind and doesn’t take into account
the human condition. I believe that is one reason
the Jedi were able to be fooled by Palpatine so long
ago. Their hauteur clouded their judgment and they
couldn’t see him for what he truly was.”
“Logic
can be useful when employed properly. The Jedi have
begun to thrive since they were nearly wiped out by
Dooku and his cretins. They have come to realize
that suppressed emotions can be disadvantageous,
aside from Sir’ei. As with all emotions there is
risk involved, but instinct and knowledge can guide
you.”
2
Bail
nodded, if anyone understood the Jedi it would be
Padmé having been married to one for over two
decades.
Outside,
the city-streets of Coruscant were bustling with
activity. People of all species and walks of life
scurried here and there, living peacefully and
happily.
“You
created this,” Bail pointed out as vehicles and
people whisked by them.
“We
all created this, my friend,” she countered.
“But you
are the ‘Angel of Light’, remember?”
Padmé
felt her cheeks flush at the remembrance of her
‘unofficial’ title. Citizens throughout the galaxy
had bestowed this name upon her for all she had done
as leader of the Rebel Alliance. “You, Anakin, and
Obi-Wan were always at my side, serving as my
conscience as well.”
3
“It was a
difficult time, but we persevered and triumphed.”
“Yes, we
did, my friend.”
“Would
you like to continue walking or shall I hail a
taxi?” Bail asked her in concern for she appeared
tired.
“No, this
is good. I enjoy these walks.”
__________________________________*****__________________________________
“Here we
are at last,” Bail stated as he keyed in the code
that would allow them to enter the building. As a
close family friend, the Senator had visited this
building on several occasions.
Accepting
the code, the thick durasteel door slid aside and
the duo walked in together. They strode forward and
a security guard greeted each of them in turn.
“Good
day, Madame Chancellor, Senator Organa.”
“Good
day,” Padmé replied. She moved a few feet to her
right where an electronic device had been placed to
perform retinal scans on every individual who
entered the building. She placed her chin on the
lower support and rested her forehead against
another so her identity could be confirmed.
The guard
activated the scan and within seconds it was
complete.
“Thank
you, Supreme Chancellor Skywalker. Your identity has
been confirmed.”
Padmé
stepped away from the device and Bail took her place
for his scan.
“Thank
you, Senator Organa. Your identity has been
confirmed. You both may proceed,” the guard politely
stated.
Walking
around the desk, Padmé passed through the next
security measure which would detect any weapons or
volatile devices on her person. Once she was clear,
Senator Organa followed and they were allowed
further entrance into the secure building.
Padmé
suddenly chuckled causing Bail to look at her
strangely as they walked toward the turbolift.
“What’s
so funny?” he asked.
“Oh, I
was just remembering the first time Anakin had to go
through these security measures.”
Bail
arched an eyebrow. “And?”
Padmé
lightly chuckled again before answering. “They
didn’t want to allow him to carry his lightsaber
through.”
Bail
found himself laughing as he envisioned such a scene
in his mind. Even he knew that a Jedi’s lightsaber
was near and dear to them and to expect them to
voluntarily separate was not a wise assumption. “Oh
yes, I remember you telling me about that after you
accepted the Chancellor’s position and all of you
moved in here. I suppose they’re not used to Jedi
taking up residence in this building.”
The two
friends shared a bright smile and stepped into the
awaiting turbolift.
“Are you
sure you’re alright?” Bail inquired as the lift
ascended.
Padmé
glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and
replied, “Yes, I’m fine. I’m just worried about
Sakoya. Her honeymoon has turned into chaos.”
Bail
slowly nodded his head and cast his gaze to the
floor. “I don’t think the Jedi will allow her to
die. We have to be optimistic.”
The lift
began to slow as they reached the Skywalker
apartment and then stopped. Almost immediately the
doors opened and the two walked out into the foyer,
decorated in subtle hues of color that were both
soothing and pleasing to the eye.
“This is
true,” Padmé finally replied as they walked. “Sakoya
is a wonderful friend and I care for her very much.
To have this happen…”
“I can’t
imagine what she is going through. I sympathize with
her.”
“She’ll
need our support. I don’t think her Jedi training
took this kind of scenario into account,” Padmé said
with a sigh.
During
their conversation, they had traversed the apartment
and were now entering the main living area. Padmé
walked over to the slightly curved and elongated
sofa and promptly sat down.
“You
really are worried,” he noted as he sat down next to
her, “and I don’t think it’s just about Sakoya.”
“As usual
you are correct. Obi-Wan is also in my thoughts –
this can’t be very easy on him,” she softly said and
then her eyes grew dark and venomous as she
considered the torment her friends were enduring. “I
will ensure Reynard Sindre atones for his crimes.
Too many have suffered from his ‘creations’,” she
seethed.
Bail
shook his head as he gave his friend a knowing look.
“Padmé, I know you and Sakoya are close but you have
to maintain your objectivity.”
Padmé
gave him a sideways glance. “You sound like a Jedi,”
she smirked.
Tilting
his head slightly to the side, he responded,
“Perhaps. But we don’t want to ruin our chance at
capturing this madman. If we let our emotions rule
our judgment he could escape.”
Padmé
closed her eyes and listened to her longtime
friend’s wise words. He was right and she knew it.
With a sigh that signaled her resignation, she
lightly rebuked, “You are right, of course. I may be
married to a Jedi but that doesn’t imply that I
think like one.”
“I always
considered your resolve to persevere as one of your
best attributes.”
Padmé
chuckled. “Flattery will get you no where, my
friend.”
Bail was
about to offer a sly retort when Anakin and Luke
walked into the main living area.
Padmé
looked up and smiled brightly at each man. She
possessed a natural elegance that had honed itself
over these many years and it showed as she
gracefully lifted herself off the sofa to greet her
husband and son. She happily glided over to Luke and
embraced him, kissing his cheek as she always did
when he returned home. Long ago family replaced
politics as her main focus in life and she would
have it no other way.
“Where’s
mine?” Anakin gave her a mock frown.
“Ohhh,
are you feeling left out, beloved?” she playfully
retorted as she let go of Luke.
In the
next instant, Anakin was beside her and she found
herself unexpectedly being dipped backwards, his
lips upon hers in a fiery kiss.
Bail and
Luke exchanged glances and rolled their eyes. This
was far from an isolated incident.
“Think we
should leave them alone?” Luke snickered.
“Mmhmm,”
Anakin mumbled, continuing to kiss his wife.
“If we
watch maybe they’ll stop long enough to breathe,”
Bail quipped.
1
Alliance Ch15
2
Alliance Ch1
3
Alliance Ch20
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