Making Plans

Padme's mouth drops open in shock while Qui Gon looks between the two of us in confusion. "The queen? But the queen is back onboard the ship, Padme is her handmaiden."

I roll my eyes as I explain. "It's not uncommon for royalty to disguise themselves as their attendants if their life might be in danger. I've encountered it enough times that I can pick up on their tells."

Of course I don't mention that I encountered them when I was conquering their planet and hunting them.

My words shake Padme out of her shock and she questions me. "Tells? What tells? I was under the impression that my acting was perfect..."

I snort. "It was good, but there were a few things that gave it away; you hold your head high, not like someone who serves another. There were instances where you acted above your supposed station. And you're too passionate when you speak of your people, not as the people of your planet, but as those you are to protect."

She looks down, a mixture of pride and disappointment on her face. It's a hard thing for her to hear that her love for her people is the reason her disguise failed her.

Qui Gon clears his throat. "Putting that aside, what do you mean by heading back to Naboo?"

"Exactly what I said. The Republic won't be sending aid to Naboo any time soon, if at all."

"What!?" Padme shouts as she rushes to her feet. "Why wouldn't they send help? We're a part of the Republic!" Next to her, Carth gives me a dirty look for implying that the Republic doesn't care for its people.

I lean against the projector and cross my arms. I say only one word. "Politics."

At that, Carth's face falls. The rest of the crew also nod their heads. Qui Gon and Padme though, just look confused.

'Huh, I wonder where the Skywalkers wandered off to?' I'm not sure when, but they apparently left the discussion at some point. I just shrug and address their confusion.

"How long do you think it would take to put together a fleet capable of destroying the blockade?"

Padme looks taken aback, but immediately answers. "No more than a week, surely?"

I barely hold back a laugh, it coming out as a snort instead. "Yeah, no. Even if there isn't any pushback, the bare minimum is two weeks, and that's being optimistic."

Her faces pales as she opens her mouth, but I continue before she says anything.

"Now, that's not even considering the fact that there's bound to be people who're supporting the Trade Federation, or are looking to take advantage of the situation. So even if you show them a thirty minute vid of the horrors they're enacting upon your people, unless it touches a bottom line, there's going to be strong pushback." A thought hits me. "Actually, what kind of evidence do you have to support your case? We can see if it's compelling enough to get them moving."

Her jaw still dropped, she doesn't respond. It's not until Mission tosses a grape in there that she reacts. After a brief moment of choking and swallowing, followed by a glare directed at the Twi'lek, she answers me.

"We don't have evidence. We left without communicating with any of the towers to try and avoid potential leaks." She looks down.

I stare at her, not saying anything for a moment. Not even Carth has anything to say to this.

I speak slowly, making sure she hears me clearly. "If you show up to the largest gathering of intergalactic ambassadors, each of who is looking out for their own people, and tell them that one planet is under threat, there is no way they will do all they can to help you if you can't even provide proof. Speaking of, does the Trade Federation have an ambassador on the Senate?"

She nods quietly.

"Then they've probably been making deals, bribes, and threats to ensure that the situation is as unfavorable to you as possible. Meanwhile, you show up claiming that the Trade Federation simply attacked your planet out of nowhere? Yeah, you'll probably be laughed right out of the meeting."

She glares at me, tears in the corners of her eyes. "What would you have me do then? We have no force strong enough to repel them, we MUST rely on others for aid."

I shake my head. "You have the people, they just need the determination. And for that," I point at Bastila," we have her."

Padme tilts her head in confusion, and I can see the same look on Qui Gon's face. I gesture for Bastila to explain.

"I am a master of a Force technique called 'battle meditation'. With it, I can increase the morale of our troops, as well as provide the slightest of guidance with the Force for the path to victory. While at the same time, I demoralize the enemies and subtly guide them to defeat. My reach with this technique can easily be the size of a small planet in space, or around a quarter of a medium sized planet while on the surface."

Both of their mouths drop open in shock at her explanation. "I have never heard of a technique like this before, how have you come to master it?" Obviously the Jedi would find it suspicious. But luckily I have the perfect answer...

"It's an ancient technique, and she was taught by one of the few who had knowledge of it. She was a prodigy and mastered it quickly. Unfortunately, Bastila's teacher has passed, so as far as I know she is the lone practitioner of it."

While dubious, Qui Gon accepts my answer.

Padme looks at us, hope shining in her eyes.

"Can you really save my people?" The desperation is clear in her voice.

A wide grin crosses my face. "It wouldn't be the first time we've saved a planet."

She stares into my eyes, and finding only confidence, breathes out slowly. "Then I'll be in your debt." And she bows her head.

Qui Gon looks like he wants to say something, but before he can we hear the sound of people coming up the boarding ramp, as well as arguing. They're voices are muffled until they enter the room.

And in their arms are two unconscious and bound Jedi.

I can't help but facepalm as I wonder how this happened.