God Save the Queen: Chapter 4 (Patreon)

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Chapter 4: The (Hyperspace) Road Less Traveled

“Your majesty, are you seriously considering their offer?”

Panaka was a good captain of security. For better or worse, that did not make him a good politician.

I tilted my head. “Have you managed to establish contact with the Parliament?”

He gave a grimace. The two of us, along with my handmaidens, were sequestered in my suites. Palpatine hadn’t seen fit to join us, likely in hopes of limiting what damage I could do to his plans. Unfortunately for him, the most dangerous opportunity had already been dropped in my lap.”

“Our agents have only managed to ping off comm buoys that are clearly in the hands of the Federation,” Panaka said. “They’ve been thorough. If we were in system, tight beam communications might be possible, but nothing else.”

I gave a wry smile. “We’re truly on our own then.”

He pulled a face like he’d just bit into a lemon. “You’ve been authorized to make any decision or deal,” he said. “I just wish we had one better than this.”

“You’ve always been a bit of an isolationist.” I tapped my lip, even as he gave a little jerk. “We don’t have any other offers, do we?”

He gave a sigh, brushing off my little jab. “None worth mentioning.” He sprawled through his holopad. “If we decide to offer up every speck of plasma production for the next decade, we’d barely get a cruiser, three frigates, and a handful of corvettes in material assistance.”

“A pittance, and one we might not even be able to pay for.”

“Yes.”

I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers. The choice came down to me: return with nothing but two jedi—if I hadn’t butterflied away their aid—or take the Deathwatch’s offer.

On one hand, I knew that if Anakin flew his starship, we would win. On the other, the Gungans would lose in open battle against Federation forces on the ground, and I’d almost forgotten what trick Amidala had pulled in the movies; something to do with holding Nute Gunray hostage? He wasn’t even on the planet this time.

Without that ploy, would the Gungan army even come to the field?

“We could pin the droid forces against the walls of Theed.” I drummed my fingers against the arm of my couch. “The batteries might turn the tide.”

The captain was not a politician, but he was a soldier. “The droids will never give ground, your majesty,” he said. “Last we saw, they were positioned a good distance away from the capital, and no matter how much of a disadvantage it puts them in, they won’t feel the need to budge.” He gave a grim chuckle. “If anything, they’ll charge. They’re just droids, after all.”

“And there are always plenty more in orbit.”

Where the entire battle would hinge, here as it had in the film.

For that, I needed more than snub fighters and a boy with a dream. The Naboo were my people now, and I could not bet them all on things going according to plan.

Not when I had a better alternative to offer.

“Ready my ship.” I stood. “And inform the Jedi that we are heading back to Naboo, if they intend to see this through until the end.”

Panaka frowned, but he was loyal to a fault. He nodded, quickly barking out a series of orders on his holo comm. If nothing else, being allied to the Mandalorians would likely sour the republic on Palpatine’s bid for Supreme Chancellor.

I slipped into a comfortable robe, cut for movement. For this, I disdained my ceremonial gown and headdress, because they’d only make it harder to slip out of the city. It would mean informing the rest of my guard about my identity, but then, a body double was never supposed to be a guard against one’s own retinue.

At my side, Sabine bowed. “Shall we inform Senator Palpatine about our plans?”

I shook my head. “If Coruscant has taught me anything, it’s that we have few friends, and everyone is listening.” I sighed, putting on an aggrieved expression. “Even though his loyalty is assured, our plans could find our way back to the Federation’s ears.” I intended to take that excuse with me to the grave. “Inform him that we travel to the various worlds who offered us aid, in an attempt to garner more support.”

“By your will.”

The Jedi met us at the landing pad. I’d expected them to be there, but even still, it was a relief.

I blinked at the absence of Anakin’s mother. “Where is Shmi?”

“Your majesty.” Qui-gon bowed. Anakin’s head whipped around so fast it nearly popped off. “One of the conditions for accepting Ankin into the Jedi order is that he must be separated for his training, as all initiates are. His mother will be well provided for.”

I frowned at that. “Make sure she knows that she’ll have a job on Naboo, one that offers more… opportunities than the AgriCorps.” I allowed myself a wry chuckle. “That is, if there’s a Naboo left after we’re done.”

Qui-Gon’s smile deepened. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“You’re a Queen?”

I laughed, turning to Anakin at his outburst. “Well, I couldn’t exactly go around saying it, or else every bounty hunter on Tatooine would have been after my head.” I reached out, ruffling his hair. Anakin shifted back, awe giving way to childish annoyance. “Besides, I’m elected.”

He tilted his head at me, fingers smoothing out his blonde hair. “…Elected?”

It hit me again that the boy had truly been a slave. “It means the people of Naboo voted to make me queen. At the end of my term, I’ll be just another citizen of Naboo.”

“But a citizen that was queen.”  Anakin breathed. “Wizard.”

“Well,” I said, “I’m glad someone thinks so.” I gave the three of them a weak smile. “In truth, I’m glad that you came. This is going to be hard enough even with two and a half Jedi on my side.”

Qui-Gon dipped his head. “We are at your service.”

Anakin tilted his head. “I don’t think I count as half a Jedi yet, your… majesty?”

“Don’t be silly.” I pinched him on the cheek. He blinked up at me, confusion plain in his gaze. “Obi-Wan is the half Jedi.”

The apprentice took it in good humor. “Are we certain I cannot undergo my knight trials before leaving Coruscant, Master?” he asked. “Otherwise, the locals might not respect my authority.”

“The Jedi hold no authority, save over themselves.” Qui-Gon smiled, a serene lake in a mountain valley. “Even still, I doubt we have much time to lose. Once more into the belly of the rancor, your majesty?”

I raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think we’re not simply making the rounds of allied worlds and asking for additional commitments of aid?”

“Because such a thing can be done better from Coruscant.” Qui-Gon smiled. “And when given the option between a slow and steady path and a dangerous gamble, the Queen instead decided to bet her life against a slave’s and came out the better for it.”

I quirked my lip, even as it was Obi-Wan’s turn to chuckle. Behind me, the ramp of my shuttle lowered, and my staff began loading the vessel for our voyage. Most notably, they held unmarked crates of weapons and rations, instead of gaudy gifts that one might give to entice a world into alliance.

“I don’t like being so easily read,” I told Qui-Gon.

“You should speak to less Jedi, perhaps.”

The thought formed a cold knot in my stomach. I could only hope Palpatine hadn’t cared enough to dig too deep into my motivations. Sith or not, Palpatine was a citizen of Naboo; he knew me far better than Qui-gon.

I pushed the thought away. Instead, I asked, “How do you feel about Mandalorians?”

Qui-Gon raised a brow at that. “I never had the misfortune to cross blades with one. They have become a peaceful people, under the Duchess Satine.” Obi-Wan shifted slightly as Qui-Gon stroked his beard. “Even though some clans still keep to the older ways, their transition from the enemies of the Republic to another member in good standing is all but complete.”

I nodded. “Not a bad party line,” I said. “But that’s not the whole story.”

I placed my comm down on the table, pulling up a holo of the Mando’a who’d contacted me. “There are still those who long for forgotten glories, and they want access to an easy source of plasma.” I paused on the image of the Mandalorian warrior’s mask, with the three claw marks of the Deathwatch. I looked at the two Jedi who regarded the holo with interest. “The difference is that they’ve offered to pay for it.”

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. “How much support?”

“A dozen ships, and nearly two hundred trained Mando’a with Beskar Armor.” I tapped my comm, bringing up another picture of a familiar donut shaped ship. “More than enough to take a Lucrehulk.”

“Who are they?” Qui-Gon asked. “We have no knowledge of such forces.”

“Probably because they intended to keep it that way. They’re called Deathwatch, and they stand against the current direction Mand’alore has taken.” I frowned. “From what I managed to gather, this might be close to their whole strength. A desperate offer for a desperate queen.”

“And what do they want in return?”

“Exclusive rights to that trade deal I put on the floor of the Senate,” I said. “It will be enough to arm them, if they do decide to reclaim a lost empire, after the battle.”

Qui-Gon gave me a droll look. “That seems ill-advised, trading one enemy for another.”

“As you said, I’m the queen of ill-advised wagers.”

“That does not mean you ought to take them.”

“Qui-Gon.” I pointed to Anakin. “If I had followed your lead, that boy’s mother would still be in slavery on Tatooine.” Anakin winced at the thought. “Maybe I should ensure she knows there are alternatives to the AgriCorps more directly.”

He raised an eyebrow, but Qui-Gon Jinn was no staid institutionalist. “By all means, your majesty,” he said. “I have always been of the opinion that much good in the galaxy could be accomplished, if we all reached out to those in need.”

I looked over my shoulder. “Sabine, would you make sure that’s seen to?”

She dipped into a slight curtsy. “At once, my queen.”

“Good.” I rubbed my brow. “I hate leaving things half done. Honestly, this job is going to give me gray hairs before I turn twenty.”

“I am told they make one look quite distinguished.” The Jedi master ran a thumb across his own beard, which had the lightest touch of silver.

I snorted. “That means you’re still on board?”

Qui-Gon simply smiled. “As I said, much good can be done, if one only extended a hand to those in need, whenever and however they might be found.” With that, he breezed past me up the ramp of my ship.

I watched him go, nonplussed, before turning back to Obi-Wan and Anakin. “He’s always like that, isn’t he?”

Obi-Wan laughed, before choking it back and clearing his throat. “Ah, that’s… Master Jinn is quick to turn anything into a lesson.” At my long-suffering look, he added, “In my experience, he’s right more often than not.”

I sighed. He was a wise master with a literal connection to the living force. “You’re in for a fun time, aren’t you, little Ani.”

The boy blinked, looking up at me with guileless blue eyes. “Everyone says Jedi are missing connectors in the regulator.”

This time it was my turn to laugh. “I’m sure you’re bright enough to fake your eccentricities until they come in naturally. Worse comes to worst, just start speaking in Bocce.” Anakin giggled.

“Please don’t,” Obi-Wan said. “The Librarian might actually be able to understand.” He shuddered. “She speaks every other language I’ve heard of.”

I smiled at the both of them. If Qui-Gon survived, they might not become master and apprentice, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t be close. “You know, Ani, now’s the perfect time for Obi-Wan to tell you what to expect from the Jedi Temple.”

“Why can’t I stay with you?”

I held back a sigh. Looks like he got over his shock rather quickly. “Unfortunately, there are several discussions I need to have, and plans that need to be made.”

Obi-Wan gave a wan smile. “Even if I were there, Master Jinn would not be swayed from his own council.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say it like that,” I replied.

Anakin pouted. “I can be helpful!”

“Which is why we need you in the Engine room.” I gave him a small smile. “The ship is still barely out of its shakedown voyage with the new hyperdrive. It needs a steady hand to make sure nothing malfunctions.”

He was suspicious for a moment, but that quickly gave way to excitement. “You can count on me!” He scampered off down the halls without a backwards glance.

I leaned over to Panaka. “Have someone keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“I assumed you’d be more worried about the ship.”

I shrugged. “Anakin Skywalker was able to build a protocol droid in the desert, with a box of scraps.”

“Fair.”

I patted him once on the shoulder. “Are we ready for takeoff?”

He nodded. “We’ve just received clearance and our flight plan from Coruscant Control.”

“Excellent.” I turned back to Obi-Wan, offering my arm. “Shall we?”

He looked at me for a moment, eyes wide, before training won out and he slipped my arm into his own. “Please, allow me to escort you to the bridge, your Majesty,” he said. “Then I’d best keep an eye on Anakin. From what I’ve seen, he might just take your ship apart if you aren’t looking.”

“Like I said, if he does to this vessel what he did to that podracer of his, I’d consider it a fair trade.” Of course, while pods were mechanical masterpieces akin to tinkertech from my last life, starships were an order of magnitude more complex. “I’ll make sure he has a minder that lets him stretch his wings without causing too much trouble.”

Obi-Wan gave me a confused look. “You are awfully considerate of a child you only just met.”

I blinked. Of course, right now he was just a child, not the main character. I should try to remove that bias from my thoughts.

Out loud, I replied, “On Naboo, we have universal child care, education, and medi-services.” Many of those policies were my own, but even more had already been on the books since before I was born. “When I look at Anakin, I can’t help but wonder… what if he’d received even half of the opportunities I was given without a second thought?” I shook my head. “I’m not so naïve to think I can help everyone. Perhaps it’s selfish of me, to focus so much on the people who are right in front of me.”

I felt Obi-Wan’s gaze on me as we continued to walk down the hall. “I think,” he said at length, “that her Majesty doesn’t know what ‘selfish’ means.”

I blinked at that, turning even as the padawan stepped back with a bow of his head. To my right, the door to the bridge hissed open.

“I shall go to the engine room,” he said.

On autopilot, I snapped my fingers. “Panaka, make sure the engineers know to let Anakin see how the ship works, within reason.” Then I turned and marched onto the bridge.

The ship’s captain stood, saluting as I walked forward, taking in the view of Coruscant’s unending skyline.

“Captain, you have my permission to depart.”

“As my Queen commands.”

He returned to his seat, and the ship rumbled once as the helmsman took us from the landing pad smoothly tipping the Nubian up towards the sky. The artificial gravity kicked in, and with a whisper, we shot forward on our flight path, shedding the bonds of Coruscant’s gravity like one would brush off a cobweb.

“They know we’re leaving, your majesty,” Panaka said.

“Take us towards the Core worlds,” I said. “Then we’ll turn and make our way back to the Mid-rim.”

Panaka nodded. “We have permission to enter the hyperspace lane.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Then what are we waiting for?”

“Jump to hyperspace in three,” Helm announced. “Two. One.” Ahead, the field of stars blurred into lines of light, and we shot away down a tunnel of light.

I felt a weight slip from my shoulders as we left Coruscant behind. All that remained was a few hyperspace jumps, and a meeting that would change the course of the galaxy. “The die has been cast.”

“Indeed.”

I turned as Qui-Gon drifted away from the wall to stand at my side. His hands were folded into his voluminous sleeves. The blue light of hyperspace reflected off his pale features and long brown hair, even as the rest of the bridge crew rose to attend to other tasks.

No reason to steer the ship when it would travel a million miles in the time it took you to adjust the controls.

“The Mandalorians will not respect the Naboo as you are,” Qui-Gon told me.

I smiled. “I have a plan for that, actually.”

He nodded. “And do you have a plan for the Mandalorians as well?”

I cocked my head. “Is this about that ‘lesson’ you gave me earlier?”

“I find that many things are connected.” He smiled. I scoffed, turning away.

That didn’t stop me from turning his words over in my head as we made several jumps, leaving the well-traveled hyperspace lanes of the core for back routes that took us towards the Mid-rim. I conferred with my advisors, made plans, and thought.

At some point, Anakin and Obi-Wan drifted up to the bridge as well, the child asking if we were almost back to Naboo. We weren’t going to Naboo.

Instead, we emerged into real space near a nameless moon in an untraveled system. Stars returned to their places around us in a flash.

In the shadow of the moon, a single corvette, long and sleek as a hunter’s blade, drifted forward into our line of sight. I heard the sound of our instruments recognizing a target lock, then the opposing ship turned and descended towards the moon. We followed.

Obi-Wan swallowed. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

I laughed.

“And Cut."