God Save the Queen: Chapter 9 (Patreon)

A/N: This one's a doozy. 

Chapter 9: Prodigal Daughter, Prodigal Son

I woke the next day feeling groggy, but far less exhausted.

Morning light spilled through my windows; I thought I would have slept longer. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, stumbling over to my bathroom. A familiar sink waited for me, toothbrush sitting in a cup as an odd anachronism of the Naberrie family home in Theed.

I splashed water on my face, combing fingers through messy hair. I still had a mild headache from all of the negotiations and meetings and decisions yesterday, but I certainly felt better than when I’d stumbled home with barely enough energy to say goodnight to my family.

My meeting with Count Dooku, and eventually the parliament, had stretched long into the night. And really, Serenno was on the other side of the galaxy. We had exchanged mutual assurances of respect, and opened formal diplomatic channels, which was more than I expected from a first meeting.

In the end, I was happy to benefit from some increased reputation without tying Naboo too closely to the future Separatist movement… if that even happened. Since when had Dooku been Qui-Gon Jin’s master? It was just one more bit of foreknowledge that I could no longer rely on.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

I found myself in strange waters now, a tangle of paths laid out before me, and the end nowhere in sight.

With a sigh, I finished cleaning myself up. I walked out into the main room of the house, nodding to the two men guarding the door.

Sola was sitting at the table, a data slate in hand. She smiled when she saw me.

“Padme! You’re finally up.”

I blinked. “Finally…” I slid into the seat across from her. “What time is it?”

“Almost sundown.” She gave me a smile. “You slept for a whole day.”

“A day?” I started to push myself to my feet, only for my sister to reach out and grab my wrist.

“Pad, you’ve been working so hard you collapsed at the table last night. Dad had to help me carry you to bed.”

“I’ve been busy,” I said.

“Too busy.” She smiled, tugging at me gently.

“Sola.”

“The battle is over, Little Owl. You won already.”

I felt a lump form in my throat. “It’s been a while since you called me that.”

My older sister laughed. “It’s been a while since you stayed up all night reading, perched in the library chair like a gangly bird.”

I gave a rough laugh as she pulled me back into my seat. I’d stopped reading far too early in my last life. In this one, I wanted to make up for lost time. “There’s always so much to learn.”

“Like how you still need sleep?” Sola raised an eyebrow.

I huffed, crossing my arms. “The Monarchy of Naboo is a taxing position.” Sola raised an eyebrow at me, and I relented. “But thank you.”

Sola smiled wider. “What are big sisters for?”

We sat for a moment in silence.

“We were worried, you know,” Sola said. “You hardly stopped to say goodbye before racing off to Coruscant, and now you’ve come back with an army of Mandalorians of all things…” She squeezed my fingers with her own. “We worry.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry. I’ll be better next time.”

“Next time?” She tilted her head at me. “Pad, I’ve been practically glued to the news since the blockade lifted. Supreme Chancellor Valorum himself released a statement co-signed by a majority of Core Worlds condemning the Trade Federation’s act of aggression. They’re not going to try something like this again any time soon.”

“They won’t be trying something like this here,” I murmured. Sola gave me a look. I shrugged. “I’m just surprised Valorum held on to his position after the mess I made in the Senate.”

“Well, you’d probably know more about that than me…” Sola said. I waited for a few seconds, idly staring at the wall. Then, “But it was mainly because everyone was scrambling for a candidate that would let them profit out of the current situation that no side felt confident enough to pull the trigger on deposing him.”

“My sister, the political theorist.” I gave a wry smile. “Imagine my surprise when I realized you were spearheading my campaign before I even knew I was running.”

She huffed. “Can you name someone else who would have done a better job as Queen?”

“You, for one.” I shrugged. I was bad at the day-to-day of ruling. Reputation, optics, and use of force, all of that I was comfortable with. The only reason I’d done so well with Naboo is because I’d known exactly what crisis was coming. “Anything else I should be aware of, before I go back into the breach?”

“Well, you should eat something first. There’s still some braised shaak from last night, but you missed dinner.”

I nodded. “Where are Mom and Dad?”

Sola moved over to the cooling chamber and pulled out a plate. “They haven’t made it home yet. Mom’s just as busy as you are—you know how the bureaucracy gets—and I think Dad brought lunch to her and stayed out. To help her with the paperwork.”

I nodded. My family was wealthy, because how else did you get started in politics, so my father didn’t have a traditional job. Mother was a career staffer for the Parliament.

Politics really was in my blood.

“Did I miss anything important while I was out, relating to politics, Sola.”

She set the plate to reheat, humming. “I’m not sure how you’d miss anything. The entire establishment is eating out of the palm of your hand right now. Force, so is the anti-establishment, and the anti-disestablishment.” With a ding, my food was reheated, and Sola slid me a plate of shaak over green tubers with gungan vrosssna on the side. “What I’m saying is you could probably pass anything right now and get away with it.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Anything?” Politicians might promise the sky, but my sister was a political scientist, and she didn’t say things like that lightly.

She raised an eyebrow. “Before the blockade, would you have been able to pass a bill expanding the starfighter corps by unanimous consent?”

I chuckled. “Imagine having a government that reacts to crises and ensures that they won’t happen again.” I took a bite of the meat, giving a happy sigh. “Did Dad make this?”

“Of course he did, you know Mom can’t cook.”

I shrugged. “I just wondered if a droid made it; Dad doesn’t like using gungan vegetables, I thought.”

“Anything can change right now, little owl.” Sola smiled at me, our matching brown eyes meeting. “Anything.”

“You’re having the time of your life right now, aren’t you?”

“Oh, Padme.” Sola smiled. “Of course I am! This is a moment that will shape the course of our world’s history, maybe even alter galactic politics as a whole! And thanks to you, I get to be right in the middle of it.”

I shook my head. “You should have just run for Queen yourself.”

“I may live and breathe politics, but I don’t have your charisma.” She rubbed my hair. “The way you gave those speeches…” The beeping of a comm cut her off. I checked my pockets on instinct, before Sola pulled my comm from her purse. I stared at her, unimpressed. She shrugged. “Had to turn off your alarms. I promised that I’d wake you up if anyone called, so…”

She passed the comm back to me, and I thumbed it on. Captain Panaka appeared on the interface, arms folded neatly behind his back. “Your Majesty, good.” He bowed his head, taking off his sharp cap with a practiced gesture. “We have been contacted by a representative of the Banking Clans. They wish for a formal audience.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Tell them we’ll discuss it in committee.”

“I would like nothing more, my queen,” Panaka said. “But the emissary has arrived in person, and is requesting landing clearance for a personal vessel.” He cleared his throat. “The ship claims to be carrying a high-ranking magister from the Clans, who has expressed interest in providing reparations on behalf of their business partners.”

My other eyebrow joined the first. “And what form would these reparations take?”

“Apparently that is the main topic of the requested meeting.” Panaka glanced down at the data slate in his hands. “But a statement condemning the actions of former Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray is being offered.”

“Former?” I asked. “They moved quickly.”

“Ah. No, your majesty.” Panaka handed off the slate, looking at me with his lone eye. “They did not, unless, of course, you come to an agreement.”

I said nothing for a long moment. One of the leaders of the Banking Clans was offering to depose the head of the Trade Federation as an opening offer. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised.

“I see.”

Could it simply be talk? Lying about your opening position would be poor negotiation from a so-called magister of the biggest banking conglomerate in the galaxy. Then again, he was probably under Palpatine’s thumb, wasn’t he? Perhaps Palpatine thought a strong Naboo was his best path to control of the galaxy.

In which case, it was my obligation to make sure he choked on that ambition.

“Should I be here for this?” Sola asked.

I glanced over my shoulder. “If you’re going to be party to state secrets, you can at least do my hair.”

She laughed. “Just like old times.” She came up behind me as I set my comm on the table. “Hello again, Captain Panaka.”

“Ma’am.” Panaka inclined his head.

“How are you thinking, Pad?” Sola ran her hand through my hair. “Shall I try one thousand fountains again?”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I remembered trying that ridiculous set of braids as children. We’d both wound up with a head full of knots. It was… surprising, the things one missed out on as an only child. “It would be worse than the first time.” I shook my head. “No, something understated. It wouldn’t do to appear too impressed by this Magister.”

“Shall the vessel be permitted to land, then, your majesty?”

“It shall. Make sure Death Watch remains concealed. I’d like to keep that secret for a bit longer.”

Panaka gave a ghost of a smile. “I shall have them escorted in by hornet squad, My Queen.”

I chuckled at the thought. That was the squadron responsible for taking out the most vulture droids during the battle of Naboo. “Yes, in fact, have them fly past the Lucrehulk command ship, if you can manage that without being too obvious.”

His smile grew by an inch. “I shall pass that on.”

Sola’s fingers moved easily through my hair. She was no stylist, but both of us were blessed with a classical sort of beauty, and my older sister knew how to use it much more than I did. I shared a few more instructions with Panaka and applied a few light touches of makeup, then I was ready to go.

Sola gave me a hug at the door. “I can’t wait to write all about this!” I gave her a look, but she just waved a hand. “After it's declassified, of course. I wouldn’t dare undercut my sister, the queen of Naboo.”

I huffed. “You’ve made more of that title than I have.”

She just laughed, pressing her fingers to her mouth. “No, Pad, you’ve definitely made the most of yourself.”

I looked away.

Sabe met me at the door to my townhouse, along with a few more of the Royal Guard. There was a speeder waiting, and we were away to the palace before more than a few people realized that I was even out on the street.

It did not stop a cheer rising up from the street as my speeder took off. I waved as we took off into the sky.

I don’t think I’d ever been quite so popular, in this life or the last.

“The Throne Room has been prepared for the audience,” Sabe said.

I nodded. “That will suffice.” We wouldn’t even need to use the holdout blasters this time. I drummed my fingers on the armrest for a moment, before another idea came to me. “Sabe, inform Bo-Katan of this meeting.”

“My Queen?”

“If she is willing to put on some robes, I would be pleased if she attended as one of my advisors.”

Sabe had already shared her worries about the Death Watch, and so as my hand maiden, she carried out my order without complaint. I couldn’t ask for better support.

For my part, I knew the best way to blunt the threat they posed was to bring them closer to me. I still remembered how Lisa had pulled the same trick on me, a lifetime ago. If Pre Vizsla had still been running the show, I might have hesitated, but even from our few short meetings, I could tell that Bo-Katan still wasn’t used to the mantle of leader.

It was the perfect storm.

We landed at the Palace a few minutes after the Banking Clans shuttle had been allowed to set down. I refused to hurry for their sake, proceeding calmly towards the throne room and taking a moment to change into formal robes and ceremonial headdress.

Bo-Katan Kyrze was waiting at the door to the throne room.

On one hand, she didn’t look amused.

On the other, she’d left her armor behind, so I counted that as a good thing. She still had her honor guard of course, and they had not come unarmed.

“I don’t know what you’re planning with this, your Majesty.” Bo-Katan took a proffered robe in the Naboo style donning it with practiced ease. “But I don’t appreciate being summoned.”

I gave her a surprised look. “Officially, you are here as an advisor,” I said, “because as of yet, the galaxy is not aware of how we took back Naboo together. If you wish to be seen in your beskar’gam, I will not oppose you.”

She chewed that over, but as a military leader, she knew the importance of information control better than I did. “That’s a nice yarn,” she said, “what’s the unofficial one?”

“Only that you might care very much about this negotiation.” I smiled. “If you chose to.”

Bo-Kata stared at me for a long moment. “Damn your silver tongue, reminds me of my sister.” She snapped her fingers. “Nite Owls, stay out of sight.”

One of them inclined his head. “You won’t hear a whisper.”

Less two Mandalorians, we made our way into the throne room. I took in the tall windows one last time, as the setting sun bathed Theed in orange and crimson, before taking my seat. Sabe, along with my guards and other handmaidens, took up their places around the circumference of the room, interspersed by the thick marble pillars. Meanwhile, Bo-Katan and my actual advisors stood near the throne, where the stairs raised them up over the rest of the room.

I had never been involved in a negotiation with the Banking Clans, so I did not know what to expect, but what I certainly did not expect was for a lone Muun to walk into the throne room a few minutes later.

His height was the first thing I noticed. Even for a Muun, with their elongated heads, the Magister stood nearly two feet taller than anyone else in the room. His robes were elegant, but also understated, and he seemed entirely unperturbed as he glided to the middle of the throne room. The man stopped right where the shadow of the throne touched the marble floors, then dipped into a bow.

From the door, my majordomo thumped his staff once. “Announcing Magister Hego Damask of the Banking Clans.”

The throne room doors gave an echoing boom as they shut.

“Your majesty, Queen of Naboo.” The Muun’s voice was soft and cultured. He rose, looking at me with burnt orange eyes. “You have my deepest thanks for extending an audience so quickly. On behalf of the Banking Clans, allow me to extend my condolences for the hardships your world suffered beneath the Trade Federation’s farcical blockade.”

I raised an eyebrow, but if he was willing to concede that starting position, I wasn’t about to argue. “And you also received incorrect information from your sources?” My voice was dry. “We have heard such excuses several times from erstwhile allies, and bear no interest in them.”

“Not at all, your majesty.” Damask waved a hand. “In fact, several influential members of the Clans did collude, in full knowledge, with the Trade Federation.” A low murmur hissed through the room. “I am here to tell you that they are no longer of any influence.”

“Leaving yourself wholly blameless, Magister Damask?” I asked. “Truly, how fortuitus.”

“It is as you said,” he replied. “When the sovereignty of a world is thrown into doubt, we are all impoverished.” Damask spread his hands. “I assure you, had I heard of the Trade Federation’s plan to extort Naboo, I would have suggested a far simpler approach.”

I raised my eyebrow again. “Which would be?”

“Why, to become signatories of your defensive alliance, of course.” He smiled. “Alas, I was not consulted. Nor were my own warnings to the Viceroy heeded until they became prophetic.”

“Of course.” I nodded. “You were simply a helpless bystander; there could not have been any profit motive for your own actions, certainly not now, with the trade federation themselves impoverished to the tune of several Lucrehulks.”

He chuckled. “I am glad we understand each other, your majesty.”

I understood that the man was a snake. Maybe Annette had been right about capitalism all along. I held back a snort at the thought, before focusing back on the negotiations.

“It would appear that we do.” I waved my hand. “You may proceed with the reason for your audience, Magister.”

“Many thanks.” The man gave a sardonic smile. That was fine, I didn’t expect him to like me. “The Banking Clans are willing to extend a most generous loan to the sovereign world of Naboo for use in reconstruction and defense, to prevent this tragedy from happening again.” He tapped his comm, forwarding the terms. Minister Poola stepped forward with a data-slate. I tilted my head; those terms were quite generous.

“In addition,” Damask continued. “I would personally like to make a donation to the crown to be used for similar purposes, to express my own regret over the outcomes.”

I turned my gaze back to him. “And in return?”

“Return?” He waved a hand. “Is a donation not a gift? A loan is likewise self-explanatory. The Clans and myself seek nothing more than the normalization of relations with Naboo.”

I steepled my fingers. A quick glance at my advisors showed that they were wary, but that the terms of the loan were excellent, and we all knew quite clearly that Naboo could use a sudden infusion of funds to see us through the immediate term.

Exactly as what was being offered here.

“And as for Viceroy Gunray…”

“Oh?” The Muun affected surprise. “Naturally, I will put my word behind removing such an incompetent individual, and you may consider my word as good as gold.”

I met him dead in the eye. “That would be most kind, but we desire the opposite.”

Damask tilted his head.

“Promise me that you will ensure Gunray keeps his position as the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, and Naboo will gladly accept these terms from the Banking Clans.” What better way to drive a wedge between them, after all, then one man’s wounded pride. “In addition, Naboo would be willing to enter further talks with the Clans directly, after relations have been… normalized.”

Damask said nothing for a few moments, orange eyes blinking slowly. Then he laughed.

“Ah, your majesty, I believe those terms would be quite agreeable.” He inclined his head in that same sardonic way. “And here I thought to offer you advice on when to give, in order to receive. It seems you have learned that lesson quite well, quite well indeed. If I may?” He gestured to the stairs.

I considered the man. I’d expected pushback, but it seemed that Damask was far less interested in his relationship with the Trade Federation than I had anticipated. I waved at Panaka to allow him to approach.

What was I supposed to do, say no to everything I asked for?

I’m sure Panaka would prefer I keep the Magister at a distance, but he followed my orders. In any case, If Damask tried anything untoward, well, I had a Mandalorian guarding my right hand, and I knew she still had her vibroblades beneath that robe.

Despite that fear, there was no poisoned dart, or secreted holdout blaster. Instead, Damask simply pulled a data slate from his robes and walked up the stairs to stand a step below the throne. I rose, accepting the slate before handing it off to my advisors. The wording of the terms, vetted by my own legal experts of course, was quickly validated and signed by both parties. It was incredible how simple negotiations were when one side just wanted to give the other money.

I would just have to remember to pay the piper.

“Most excellent, your majesty.” Hego Damask took back the data slate, offering his hand. “As soon as I return to my ship, I shall forward this contract to the Banking Clans, and your line of credit, coupled with my own donation, will be made available post haste.”

I took his hand, only for Demask to stiffen for a moment. I almost yanked my arm back, but he quickly recovered, bowing his head in a facsimile of a kiss to the back of my hand, though his lips did not touch my skin.

He straightened, taking a step back, but there was a different look in his orange eyes now, one I did not recognize.

“It seems we shall be watching your career with great interest, your majesty,” he said, an unreadable smile slipping across sallow cheeks.

The phrase tickled something in my memory, but I couldn’t place it. Instead, I simply tilted my head forward ever so slightly. “We are pleased with these negotiations. On behalf of Naboo, we extend a formal invitation to dine in the palace this night.”

“On any other occasion, I would be most delighted,” he replied. “However, there are certain matters I must see to, in order to hold up my own end of our bargain.”

“Very well.” I nodded. “Captain, see Magister Damask safely back to his ship.”

Damask bowed once more, allowing my guards to escort him out of the room. I returned to my seat on the throne, for all intents and purposes lounging indolently, until the throne room doors slammed shut behind him.

Bo-Katan turned to me in the following silence. “Quite a negotiation.”

“The Clans wished to show that they meant business,” I replied.

“Do you?” Bo-Katan asked. “Is your offer to the Death Watch business as well, your majesty?” The word dripped from her mouth like a curse.

I met her gaze. “And what is it you do want from me?” I asked.

“Your tongue is sharper than a vibroblade,” she said. “Instead of words, I want you to show me what your meaning is. If I like it, maybe I’ll accept your offer.”

I thought about that for a second, before smiling. “See you at my speech tomorrow then.”

“I want actions, not words, your majesty.”

“Oh believe me, I will have enough of both to satisfy you tomorrow.” I leaned back on my throne. “Until then, I have to determine what to do with this sudden windfall. Unless…” I flicked a glance at her, “you want to have an input on what amount should go towards personal armaments?”

Bo-Katan snorted. “And here I thought you were deadly with a blaster.”

*~*~*

“And here,” Hego Damask said, “You informed me that she was a little girl blinded by her ideals.”

“She is only a child, my master,” Sidious replied over the comm. “Easily led.”

“Yet our plans have been upended all the same.” Damask, known only to his apprentice as Darth Plagueis, leaned back in his seat. “Finis still holds on to the chancellorship, and relations between the Federation and the rest of the galaxy have irrevocably soured.”

Naboo itself mattered little, beyond paving the way for his apprentice to become the supreme chancellor. In their defiance, though, the Naboo had upended that gambit, as well as damaged the Trade Federation as a tool beyond repair. No one would flock to the banner of the incompetent Nute Gunray now.

“How fortunate that another piece has unveiled itself.”

Sidious smiled. “Simply say the word, my master, and I shall deliver her to you.”

“Not yet.” Plagueis looked at his hand. “She still has a part to play, as do you, my apprentice.” He would allow Sidious his toy Sith a while longer. The Zabrak was a most amusing show.

And as for Padme Amidala…

Plagueis rolled his fingers shut, trying to catch the feeling of her hand, barren and yet impossibly alive. It was not every day a living being without midichlorians fell into his lap.

Why remove such an interesting diversion?