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Chapter Two
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Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Newest Part
"A message for the Queen," the tall, dark-skinned man in uniform said, standing at attention outside the Queen's private chambers.
The handmaiden looked up at the Captain of the Queen's guard. "I will relay it, Captain. The Queen is dressing," Padmé said. It amazed her how easily Panaka kept any look of recognition from his eyes. She could never have joined the military, but she certainly respected, and even emulated, the discipline that Naboo's military officers showed so effortlessly.
"The Pax Corusca came under fire in the outer system It was made to look like a pirate attack."
"Survivors?" She asked.
"!00%, Ma'am. They do have some wounded who will need medical care."
"Give them the best available care and have their ship repaired. Who's on this?"
"Lieutenant Typho's wing spotted them, and Captain Witts is bringing them in on the Pride," the Captain said.
"The Queen will want to speak with Captain Witts at the first opportunity, and will most likely want to speak with any officers of the Pax," she told him.
"Of course. I will arrange for them to contact the Queen as soon as possible."
"Queen Amidala," began the Neimoidian Trade Federation representative. "We will be discontinuing our negotiations at this point."
"I beg your pardon?" the Queen asked. This was hardly what she had expected from the representative.
"A matter has come to our attention that we feel would be best handled in other circles. The Viceroy will be departing for Coruscant presently. The bulk of our blockade will maintain its position. It is recommended that you do not attempt to interfere with them."
"Would this have anything to do with your recent attack on a Republic vessel?" asked Panaka, stepping forward from his position behind the Queen's chair.
"What attack?" asked the alien, his huge eyes blinking slowly in a gesture Amidala had come to recognize as one of astonishment.
Panaka began to reply, but went silent at a small gesture from his Queen. "I apologize for Captain Panaka's outburst, Representative Marnay. A Republic vessel was attacked a few hours ago, and we have reason to believe that some part of your blockade force was involved."
"Preposterous," the alien declaimed. His posture was a caricature of outrage. "To make such baseless accusations is a mockery of civil discourse."
"We make no accusations," The Queen said, her voice carefully modulated. "But there will be an investigation in this matter."
"Ridiculous! Such insults will not be forgotten," the alien said, standing from his seat. "Bodyguards - we go."
Amidala watched impassively as the Federation rep left the room with his droid entourage. "What do you suppose he meant, Governor?" she asked, turning to the heavy-set man on her right.
Before the older man could answer, the Neimoidian strode angrily back into the room. "What is the meaning of this attack on our ships?" He shouted.
"What attack?" Asked Panaka. His commlink went off. Turning aside, he spoke quietly into it.
"Members of the Naboo Defense Force opened fire on our blockade vessels. Why would you do something so foolish?" the alien asked. "Do you wish war?"
"There will be no war on Naboo," the Queen stated. The sheer force of authority in her voice took the alien slightly aback.
"According to our people, Mister Representative," Panaka began. "Your vessels provoked the attack. Now, if you will excuse us, we will be removing the Queen to a safer location. Please leave."
The Neimoidian and his droid guards, surrounded by Naboo Defense troops, did not protest as Panaka led the Queen and her advisors out of the room.
Once safely away from the prying eyes of the Federation, the Queen turned to Panaka and asked, "Did our planetary sensor stations get a recording of the battle?"
"Two of the stations on this side of the planet did. The third was down for repairs."
"Any report from the vessels involved?" she asked.
"The Pax Corusca's crew abandoned ship - it was too damaged to fight, and our forces were too heavily engaged to assist in the evacuation. The escape beacons seem to be fully functional," he added, listening to an update on his commlink. "Three of our fighters were destroyed, and the corvette Minaashi was damaged, but has managed to land at Theed Central."
"Have their sensor packages, and those of the surviving fighters dumped to TC's central computer, and have their captain and tactical officers report to you within the next hour. Send out as many rescue ships as necessary to bring in the crew and passengers of the Pax. Have them brought to - where are we going? the Lake Country estate."
Panaka caught the look of approval in the handmaiden Padmé's eye as he relayed the Queen's orders.
