Archive: My site and the m_a archive. Anyone else, just ask. I
won't say no.
Category: I'm not at all sure, but it's an AU, h/c, angst, and
POV. Yeah, I think that's all.
Rating: PG-13
Warning: I'm sure I'm not following Canon somewhere. After all,
I'm not all that familiar with anything in this universe
besides the movies, the comic adaptation and what I have been
reading here.
Spoilers: Some for TPM. This is an AU so it doesn't really
matters.
Summary: Amidala starts digging a little more in Palpatine's
past after 3PO describes what happened in Fett's ship.
Disclaimer: Everything here belongs to George Lucas, who is
god. And I'm not making any money out of this... so it would
really be pointless to sue me for it.
Content: Q/O.
Feedback: I love it. It's inspiring... and if anyone would have
time to detailed feedback, I would really appreciate it.
Notes: I'd like to thank again to my Betas, since Gaby pointed
me that there was something missing from my original draft and
to Romie who remind me of one of 3PO's most important features.
And who also gave me the first idea for the Interlude in this
part.
This has gone too far.
It was bad enough when it was clear that someone in the
Republic was paying to get a Jedi Knight enslaved; it is worse
now that we know that the orders came from Coruscant...
All of the good things I believed about the Republic have been
crushed in the lapse of the past three weeks, when the courage
of two Jedi Knights and a little child saved my planet. Now I
am convinced that someone within the Republic... within the
Senate, masterminded all this.
I wish I knew for what propose.
Who would benefit if the Trade Federation ruled Naboo?
Who would benefit if the Republic censored the Trade
Federation?
Master Mace Windu arrived two days ago. The only pleasant
surprise that I've had since all this started. I must admit, I
do not know what to think of the Jedi order anymore. Master
Jinn and Padawan Kenobi were, at first sight, just as what I
had imagined. Knights with shinning swords, fighting in the
name of justice. Filled with some invisible strength that made
them different from everyone. Unattainable, unmoved. Calm and
reserved.
But in the brief moments we shared in the trip to Tatooine, I
came to see another side of Obi-Wan... I saw him relax around
Master Jinn, joke when they thought they were alone. I saw the
mask discarded and forgotten. When Obi-Wan left us, selflessly
sacrificing himself for a young boy that he barely knew, I saw
Master Jinn collapse from the grief of having the other half of
his soul parted from him. I learned that after all, Jedi are
only human on the inside.
Then... then I meet the Council. I still have some choice words
for them as a collective entity that are not appropriate for a
Queen to mutter. Patience and Serenity be damned; I wanted to
scream with frustration after hearing them decide that they
would wait before taking any action regarding Obi-Wan's
fate... Jedi suddenly seemed worse that the bureaucratic system
of the Senate in my eyes.
But Master Windu is not at all like that. He isn't as impetuous
and headstrong as Master Jinn, but he isn't the narrow-minded,
self-centered man I thought he was. As soon as he arrived we
started discussing the possibilities surrounding Obi-Wan's
kidnapping, and I'd like to think we had made some advances
when we received the bad news from Panaka and Master Jinn.
They had been very close to rescue Obi-Wan... but the young man
had already been in his buyer's ship... I am sure that there
was more to the story than what Master Jinn told us, but after
seeing the seriousness in Master Windu's face, I decided not to
press the issue. It was clear to me that there was some history
between the two Masters and whatever that was eating Master
Jinn now would be best treated by Master Windu.
The only good thing was that they managed to get hold of C-3PO,
Ani's droid. The one who send us the distress signal that told
us where Obi-Wan was, and who now held within his memory
circuits the final destiny of the brave Jedi. As I saw 3PO
fidgeting in front of Ani and Master Jinn I smiled remembering
the first time I had seen that droid, back when everything was
simple for me. Of course, my smile vanished when I discovered
exactly where the slaver's ship was headed. Coruscant.
The heart of the Republic.
I could feel my face burn with rage, until Master Windu placed
his hand upon my shoulder. I don't know what is it about Jedi,
but their mere presence can be highly pacifying.
Then something that C-3PO said struck out in my mind. "Did you
say that you saw the man who hired this mercenary to
capture Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
"Heard him would be more accurate, your majesty..." The
protocol droid explained "Unfortunately the man talking to
Master Fett was wearing a big black cape so I couldn't see any
distinguishable features. I am very sorry that I cannot be of
any help. However, I am certain that all the operation was
carefully planed... He said very clearly 'We want him alive,
not unharmed'."
I gasp as I hear the droid's words, a very startling impression
of what Obi-Wan's captor's voice must sound like. It sounds
familiar, but between the connection, the fact that it is just
an imitation and that I am sure that the vicious man who
planned all this must have used something to disguise his
voice, I cannot identify it.
Still, I thought there was another possibility. I know that
Master Windu must have thought of something similar, as his
eyes lit. "If we provided you with different audio samples,
would you be able to identify Obi-Wan's abductor?"
"Oh, certainly so, your majesty!" I couldn't help the light
chuckle that came to me as the droid almost beamed with pride.
There is something in him that reminds me of my old teachers.
"Very well, then." Master Windu interrupted. "We have rounded
down the possible suspects to those who knew that Master Jinn
and his padawan were in Naboo. The audio samples will be sent
to you immediately. May the Force be with you."
The communication was closed, and I let out a relief sigh.
True, my beliefs had been shaken to the core, but there is
still a little hope that things will be put right.
Darkness' Interlude 1
"I'll arrive shortly, Master"
My Master nods, pleased, and cuts our communication. This
leaves me alone with his precious charge. I've been preparing
for this for longer than I care to remember, almost since I
began walking at my Master's side.
Preparing to witness the absolute fall of the Jedi Order.
At first I did not understood why my Master was so obsessed
with this one and his Jedi master, not until I was defeated by
the old Jedi, not until I saw this one naked in front of me.
The bounty hunter that my Master hired kept the young Jedi in a
cage, chained like an animal in an exhibition... and I almost
failed to contain my lust when I saw his body answer to my
touch.
Indeed, this Jedi is very interesting. I do see my Master's
point.
He is sitting on the floor of my quarters, even when there is a
bed at his side. Not very comfortable, but better than the
floor. Apparently, the Bounty Hunter did break the Jedi's body.
It's my turn to break his spirit.
I have a lot of information that my Master gathered on this one
and the great master Jinn. I know all his secret weakness, all
the places to push.
"Jedi do not care much for their own, do they?" I ask, and his
blue vacant eyes turn to me, confused. "They were not coming to
rescue you. They were trying to kill me " He bites his
lips, obviously wanting to answer. I'm usually not a talkative
person. I rather let my actions talk for me... but on this
occasion, my Master's teaching in politics comes in handy.
Without taking my eyes away from him, I smile. "What? Do you
think Jedi do not kill?" I took off my tunic, letting him see
the scar that his master's lightsaber made in my skin, a
notorious ripp in the tattoo that covers my full body. He
lowers his gaze, shamed. "You know the one who did this to
me... the same who you thought would rescue you. But it is wise
to send such an aged man with a child apprentice?" I kneel
close to him and touch his cheek, feeling his body tremble,
forcing him to look into my eyes. I can see doubt there - fear
mixed with self-loathing. My Master will be pleased. "He seemed
too young to be wielding a lightsaber..."
Now there was a glimpse of hate in his eyes. But directed at
whom? At me? At the boy?... Or at his master? There is
something about these two that can be used against each other.
Wasn't it during our battle on Naboo that the old man was
almost defeated by the thought of this one turning to the Dark?
I am glad to know that there are weakness and contradictions in
the Jedi Code.
"You know now... they do not care about you..." I finish, close
enough to feel his anger and doubt in my breath. This time, he
opens his mouth to reply.
And I capture it, with the same violence and strength that I
use in battle. It is, after all, a fight to conquer his mind
and soul.
I'll admit, I am very surprised to feel him answering to my
kiss.
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