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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 20, 2007 10:32:32 GMT -4
Padme froze. Nait looked behind his shoulder just in time to see Padme kiss him full on the lips. Nait did a double take. You've got to be kidding me. He looked foreword just as Padme caught up to them. Nait turned around. "Bye, Sora! Meet us back here later!" he yelled across the hanger, waving.
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Post by hk47fan on Jun 20, 2007 11:06:41 GMT -4
Sora
I just stood for a moment after Padme kissed me. Wow.... I thought and then yelled "Uh...bye Nait!"
I turned, still trying to get back into reality after that kiss, part of me wondering if I was daydreaming. "Selas should still be inside the ship, so I guess it is off to Incom now." I said to Mariel as I began to walk up the ramp
Naos
I walked beside Nait as we walked through the halls of the Palace. I had been on Naboo before, during the Clone Wars, but I never actually went inside the palace.
As the Governor led us on, I looked at the large pillars and stone walls. This place was beautiful, it was no wonder Padme had loved it so much. She had spoken of it often during her time as Queen of Naboo, and I had heard about the incident during the Blockade of Naboo where she had to blast her way through it. It had to be hard, this place was huge. Probably as huge, if not huger, than the palace on Onderon.
We were approaching the Throne Room, where I supposed this audience with the Queen was being held. I just wondered how it would turn out. If Bail Organa had contacted her he must be sure she was going to assist us....but at the same time he and Mon Mothma could be wrong about her, or she is too afraid to join us. I just hoped she didn't report us to the Empire...because if she did, Sora wouldn't be back in time.
We finally got to the Throne Room entrance, and I saw a beautiful woman on a large chair near the window, with her own handmaidens behind her and guards all around the room, not including the ones that guided us in here.
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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 20, 2007 11:31:29 GMT -4
Stepping into the palace was like a journey back in time for the former queen. The sight of the majestic entrance hall and the sound of her footsteps echoing off the walls awakened sharp details from her days as queen: the weight of her crowns and hairstyles, the perspiration from her dresses, the coolness of her makeup. Her stance unconsciously became straighter, stiffer, more proper - the palace told her reflexes to assume her royal posture.
After the group had been searched for weapons (Nait and Fi both Force Persuaded the Guard so they could keep their weapons, anyway), they had been told to wait in the hall until they were called for, which probably meant they would be there for a while. Padme soon found herself pacing around the large fountain in the center of the hall, half-listening to the trickling water as her mind searched for the right approach to the queen. She went through rhetorical skills she had learned when she herself was a queen, thinking that perhaps her experience in the queen’s position could be an advantage.
But then again, maybe it wouldn’t. She had entered the position at an age when most people were only beginning to transition into adulthood, yearning to break away from their parents and yet at the same time nervous about what lay ahead for them. Fourteen years old...practically still a child, and yet trusted with the responsibility of caring for the planet. She remembered the naive excitement she had felt when she was first elected. Her intellect had been prepared for the responsibilities she would assume, but her teenage psyche had yet to realize exactly how much weight rested on a queen’s shoulders. It wasn’t until the blockade that the burden fully sank into her mind.
She wondered how old the current queen was. The thought that she might be kneeling to a fourteen-year-old didn’t exactly appeal to her, but then again, she supposed that some of her own subjects might have resented being outranked by someone so much younger than they were.
“Ambassadors Amidala and Jedi,” a mechanical, accented, female-sounding voice shouted, interrupting Padme’s thoughts before she could come up with a strategy to beat the queen’s arguments. She looked up to find a silver protocol droid standing at the top of the steps with an arm out to beckon the group to join her.
“Queen Apailina will see you now,” the droid continued.
After looking nervously at each other, Padme and Fi began ascending up the stairs, followed by the others.
“Oh, I don’t believe they are allowed in,” the droid said when she saw the others trailing behind her. “The queen only told me to fetch the ambassadors.”
“Well, did your queen say specifically that they weren’t allowed?” Padme said slyly. “Did she say ‘Make sure that you fetch only the ambassadors and no one else’?”
“Uh...I don’t think so,” the droid said in a confused voice.
“Then they’re allowed."
“Uh, I suppose they would be,” said the droid. She turned to the side. “Come along, follow me.”
As the group followed the droid, Nait flashed a grin at Padme. “You have a way with droids,” she said.
Padme grinned back. “Hey, when you’re around 3PO as much as I am, you learn how to mess with their logic.”
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Post by hk47fan on Jun 20, 2007 12:34:12 GMT -4
Naos
I was silent as we went into the Throne Room, slowly climbing up the stairs as we went. I had a feeling I would be getting use to meeting royalty, if Bail and Mon Mothma sent us on even more missions to coax planets into joining this new alliance.
We all walked into the room, and Sabe and I both immediately gave a bow to the Queen. She was very beautiful, and looked....actually nice. But anyone with the exception of Vader and Palpatine could look nice.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see the Killer flying away from the palace and into the sky. So now we're stuck here... I thought
***
Meanwhile, in the City of Theed....
Two figures stood in the shadows of a small alleyway outside a Cantina, one of the figures was approaching with a very large bag behind them.
"I got him. He's all wrapped up tightly in here." the figure with the bag said, it was a mechanical voice and taller than the other figure
"Good....but I already have our next goal..." the other figure said in a lower tone that almost sounded congested "Vader's got new people on his hitlist....he's offering alot of money for whoever finds them....apparently they are travelling in a Corellian freighter, some are Jedi, other two are Force Sensitives but not Jedi, one is a Captain, and he also wants any other one on board the ship....they all have caused massive trouble for Vader..."
The shorter figure then began to approach the end of the alleyway, that led back into the bright streets. The taller one followed and the shorter one stared up at the sky, and something caught his eye: a Corellian freighter coming from the direction of the Palace, and flying up into the sky.
"Interesting." the shorter figure said
"That is highly improbable, if you are thinking they could possibly be on the very planet we discovered their existance.....plenty of Corellian freighters exist in this Galaxy." the taller figure said
"But a freighter coming from the Palace? It could be a coincidence, but when rumours say the Queen is beginning to dislike the Empire more and more...." the short figure said to his companion
"Where did you get that information from?" the taller figure asked
"A local at that Cantina, while you were off in the back hunting for our previous target, said a guard was complaining how the Queen is really starting to dislike Palpatine and this New Order..." the shorter one said "We shouldn't let any chance slip through our fingers. I think we should stick around this city and once we get enough information, we should take a trip to Queen Apailana's Palace..." the shorter said as he gave a low chuckle
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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 20, 2007 13:04:40 GMT -4
The queen’s throne room was a mirrior.
A mirror that showed what one looked like thirteen years ago.
That concept crept underneath Padme’s skin like a parasite as she looked at the face of Queen Apailina. She felt that she was seeing herself of long ago. Apailina wore an elaborate green dress with a high collar that provided a wall behind her head, drawing attention to her face, which was painted with the same white makeup that Naboo’s queens wore in the days of the old Republic, complete with the tiny red dots on her cheeks and the red stripe in the center of her lower lip. She wore a dome-shaped silver crown on her head, which was decorated with multiple thick spikes in an arch, resembling half of a sun. Silver chains hung from the crown and dangled around the her face, giving a regal air to her white face with the numerous braids of thick black hair encircling it. Her advisors sat in their own chairs in an arch around her, none of whom gave any noticeable movement, as if they were droids ordered to remain still until their mistress needed them.
It appeared that Naboo’s tradition of electing young queens was still in effect - the woman before Padme looked no older than fourtenn or fifteen. Yet rather than cause Padme to feel awkward that she would be negotiating with someone much younger than herself, the sight of Queen Apailina carried out the opposite effect. Nearly by reflex, the ex-queen sank to her knees in reverence.
“Welcome, ambassadors,” the queen said stiffly in a thickly accented voice. Padme wondered if the accent was genuine or fake, as her own had been. She discreetly waved her hand to signal to the others that they should kneel too, after which she heard the men’s knees hit the floor rather loudly.
“Well, why aren’t you kneeling as well?” Queen Apailina said to Fi. Padme glanced to the side to see that Fi was still standing with her head slightly bowed.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I am in my third month of carrying my child- it is difficult for me to kneel,” Fi replied in a voice as stiff as the queen’s. "I don't think I could get back up."
“Congratulations,” said the queen.
“Thank you,” said Fi.
Queen Apailina turned back to face the others. “You may rise.”
Padme obeyed, but kept her head focusing downward - it was still difficult to look the queen in the eye. Glances at her face revealed narrowed eyes that almost appeared to be studying the ambassadors, especially Padme.
“The once Queen Amidala,” Apailina said after a moment. “The one who saved our planet from the Trade Federation. You’re still a revered hero here.”
Padme’s stomach skipped. She had been expecting to be met with contempt, not called a hero. “Your Highness,” she said, finally gaining the courage to keep her head up, “I am grateful that my planet remembers me, but I am saddened by its current status. My friends and I come here to offer you a way to pay your debts and once again receive the security and support of a large system. All we ask in return is that this planet join with the Rebel Alliance.”
The queen sneered. “Do you happen to know the reason why we are close to bankruptcy?”
“Yes,” said Padme. “I do realize that the war and the shift of government has taken a toll on some planets, but the Rebel Alliance aims to help, not to harm. All we ask for is your support.”
Apailina gave a short breath through her teeth, stifling a humorless laugh. “Well they have harmed us. As you were quite close to Palpatine, I hope that you will come to understand. The Empire is draining away most of our money on building their armies, ships, and taking our people away to work in their front lines.”
“I understand that Palpatine has no sympathy for his home planet,” Padme said firmly. “I hope you will come to understand that he supported we will help you, and other planets as well.”
The queen rose from her throne. “Just the sort of naive view I would expect from someone who has not been her for these past few months. The biased accounts of the Empire you have heard from the others are true indeed. We cannot afford to spend money on another Rebelion. This isn’t like the Blockade of Theed, Senator. That battle was over in weeks. This will go on for years.”
“The Empire has taken taken our friend,” Padme replied. “The same he is doing with your people. Palpatine wants to keep an iron hand on this planet. Speak up, Your Highness! Ask for your Senator to demand more credits to help rebuild this world!”
Apailina appeared to give the slightest of trembles before speaking again. “Do you know,” she asked coldly, “How many Senators were arrested for demanding more money to rebuild forsaken worlds? Palpatine won’t listen.”
Apailina sat back in her throne, placing one hand on each of its arms to assume a royal stance. “The fate Naboo is not in my hands any more. Ever since Queen Jamilla left the office, Palpatine seemed to rule.”
“Now wait a sec,” Nait said. “If there’s one thing I learned, it’s this: don’t take pathetic crap like this from anybody. Why should you take it from Palpatine? Demand for more credits. Make his see reason. Threaten him with secceeding if you don’t receive it. He relies on Naboo for a small part of his infantry. Good! Use that as leverage!”
Fi nodded in agreement.
Padme cringed. No matter how much she agreed with Nait’s statement, his brash attitude was likely to make the queen angry at them instead of listen to them.
Apailina turned her piercing glare towards him. “Nait Gash, the loudmouthed Jedi who got his sister killed because he didn’t go to her defense when needed.”
Padme flew to Nait’s defense. “He may be loudmouthed, but he’s right.”
Apailina gave a heavy sigh. “Let me assure you that I don’t like the Empire. I am merely saying that I don’t have the resources right now.” Her skinny eyebrows that were probably painted much blacker than their natural color twitched in discomfort.
Padme tried to steer the subject matter away from the Empire. “Then why are you hiding Jedi here?” she asked bluntly. “I know for a fact a blue-haired Jedi came and left with two more.”
“Yes,” the queen said coldly. “I am sheltering Jedi. Illegally. That is also a reason why I can’t have Palpatine doubt me.”
She raised her hand dismissively. “Clat’Ha, please show them to their quarters. They will stay there tonight. If you need anything, feel free to call. But the communications system in your room will not go outside the palace, I’m afraid.”
Padmé bowed, deciding it was better to cool down before she started a war with the Rebel Alliance and the Nabooians.
-
Waking up, the girl knew nothing of where she was, or who she was. She felt exausted, sick, drained. A shuttle engine was vibrating beneath her feet. Moaning slightly and put her hands to her head, closing her eyes against the pain that racked her.
Cerasi.
Yes, that was her name. She smiled. She had withstood Vader’s test! She knew she could do it! She remembered her name, still! And she was aboard the Tydarion. Yes, it all came back to her. She laughed out loud and looked in the mirrior. Her smile faded. She wasn’t pretty any more. Her tan face had paled, and both eyes were bloodshot. Her hair, colored purple, was the most vibrant thing there. Cuts, bruises, and scrapes could be seen all over her arms and legs. Her back hurt the most from where the whip had been used.
Embrace the pain.
She did. It filled her entire body. She shook. She took the pain and added it, added it all, to her anger as a special reserve. The Dark Side, as Vader had told her, was driven by the more natural emotions. She fell to her knees, and closed her eyes, now willing the pain away. She noticed she was dressed in sleeping cloths. She got out her Ubesse armor, and put it on. Then, she donned the helmet. Taking the two lightsabers from the box beside her bed, she activated them both to check and see if they were still red. They were.
The dreams she had sometimes.
Leaving her quarters, she took a short walk to the pilot’s station. Cay’yin G’ruusk smiled up at her. “We will be on Naboo in 2 days, m’lady,” he said. “Lord Vader asked me to give this to you as soon as you woke up.” He handed her a datapad. “For your eyes only, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Cerasi said. “I am not to be disturbed for the next hour.”
“Yes, m’lady. A question, if you may.”
“What is it?”
“Do you wish for a few bandages. I can see the blood seeping through the right arm of your cloak, in between the cracks of armor.”
“No, Lieutenant. Thank you for your concern.”
And she walked off.
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Post by Revan Jast on Jun 20, 2007 14:34:39 GMT -4
"You know, Sora," Selas said as he stood in the cockpit. "that we are going ona suicide mission? Rebeling against the Empire? Man, I'm excited. Teach them the main lesson: Dont the fuck the people over."
Turning to the wall, he typed "Incom Corp." in the computer.
"So we have to go and convice these guys to join us? What if they dont?"
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Post by hk47fan on Jun 20, 2007 14:41:06 GMT -4
Naos
I followed Padme as Clat'Ha led us to our quarters. I walked beside Nait, and thought about what had just happened. Queen Apailana seemed quite....cold, but I could expect it under the Empire. But part of me just wishes she would automatically join us, but I knew that was impossible.
I sighed. This would be tough if we constantly had to go to other systems to get them to deflect. And the outcome if they didn't deflect...we were putting ourselves at risk. I expected Apaliana, because she had hidden Jedi, to keep our presence a secret, but the more systems we went to the more dangerous things got, if that does happen.
I gave an inward groan, I was getting so tired of all of this. And I would have to deal with it for many more years, too. Without Scout. I thought
I clenched my fist. If there was one thing I was going to do, it was find Scout and bring her back so she could get out of Vader's torture chambers he has her in. She's not dead. I would know it....Vader can't kill her that easily. But I have to save her before he does. I thought
I continued on and looked to Nait "Nait...do you think we can trust the Queen?" I asked him quietly
Sora
Selas plotted the course to Incom Station once we were in space and out of Naboo's atmosphere, and took one last good look at the planet. They better be safe...all of them. If any of them die, someone will pay. I won't lose another one I care about. Not one.
I looked at Selas breifly and said with a smirk "Yeah, it is time to teach the Empire a lesson."
I thought for a moment, resting my chin on my hand "I'm not sure. It's a big possibility they won't. If they don't though, I have a back-up plan. We'll just have to steal the main fighter Bail was looking for: the X-Wing. If Mon Calamari are also providing ships, they could learn how to manufacture these fighters. But we have to try our best before we do take those measures to really convince them. But we should do it." I told him with a wink
The Killer made the jump to hyperspace, and I turned back to the viewport and looked at the controls and systems. We were twelve hours away from Incom. I sighed and then began to think of what had occured and what was occuring. There was hope, hope for Scout, hope for us, but hope could be squashed easier than it could be grown. The Rebel Alliance was still small, even including Naboo and Incom Corporation if they decided to join. We needed much more. The Pirates could help but I wasn't sure. We needed alot. Hopefully Incom could provide some, as well as Mon Calamari and Naboo...
Just about the whole crew was on Vader's top hitlist. We would have bounty hunters chasing after us everywhere we went. And there were so many out there, especially with the Empire around. But this did give me one advantage, and one advantage only......
I could finally, finally, after all these years do what I had vowed to do years ago on Nar Shadaa. I will finally be able to avenge my father's death.
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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 20, 2007 14:51:01 GMT -4
Nait looked at him. "I can't trust anybody anymore," he said coldly. his hands were clenched in a fist. "Didn't you hear what she said? It was true... I couldn't protect her. I got there too late..."
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Post by hk47fan on Jun 20, 2007 14:58:03 GMT -4
Naos
"I understand, but don't blame yourself. We couldn't control her capture, and I am beginning to become confidant Selas was right and she didn't die.....but at the same time I'm not so sure. I can't feel her anymore, I only have once since her capture on Vader's Destroyer." I said, I wasn't sure what to think anymore, part of me knew she wasn't dead, but the other part told me she was
"I don't know what would be the explanation...unless Vader or herself somehow cut her off from us. I don't get how Vader could though, and why would Scout?" I asked, but at the same time it seemed like something more Scout would do for our safety, but I still didn't understand
I just wanted her back. I couldn't accept she was dead, not after how the possibility came up she was alive after all, even though we found her "body" on Apatros. "I can't lose her......" I said out loud
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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 20, 2007 15:03:54 GMT -4
"She kept the group together," Nait muttered. "Now Jaskia's gone... I had a dream last night... I don't think she's dead. She's not!"
"I think Vader's turned her. She gave up in the end. She tried to reject it, but he got to her somehow. That's why we can't feel her..."
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