Silver-Tongued Company Devil Ch.2 (Patreon)

Mab wasted no time in fulfilling the terms of our renegotiation. She picked out my Defenses for me, actually. I couldn’t really protest, considering they were being paid for by Favors Owed. And her choices made me confident she knew what she was doing.

Body, Information, and Trace. All three Defenses up to the immunity level. I was a bit surprised Maki-Mom’s Owed Favors paid for the higher-tier Defenses. That was 160 points in total. Certainly nothing to scoff at.

Once they were purchased (plus Sexual Calibration and Added Potential with an eye-roll from Mab), my Catalog Access was revoked and sold back to the Company. I wouldn’t be able to buy back in. But if my gamble paid off, I wouldn’t need to.

Then out came the Essence. It made me feel slightly better that Mab didn’t have it on hand. That meant that even Maki-Mom didn’t predict the full extent of my plan. But it didn’t take long to secure.

The Company was a multiversal entity, and not even the only one, at that. It could get anything. Essences were common enough. They were the product of another multiversal company called META. And most importantly, they were sold openly, available to anyone who was actually aware of the multiverse.

The prices were extreme for any single being to afford but to the Company? They were barely even worth writing off as a business expense. Mab did so anyway because even the Company didn’t fuck with the IRS (Interuniversal Revenue Service).

Then I was left staring at the vial of silvery liquid. It resembled mercury, shiny and smooth. Even contained in the vial, it was supernaturally tempting. As if whispering to me, asking to be drunk. Just holding the vial, I knew everything about the Essence.

[Essence of the Silver-Tongued Devil]

[You are the Silver-Tongued Devil, Master of Words. With this Essence, you can convince anyone of anything. All that is required is the correct amount of pressure and suggestion, fueled by the intangible power of your words. With enough power, effort, and time, anything can be yours.

Unnatural Charisma. Your voice is beyond charming. Your inflection is beyond impeccable. Your words could sway reality itself. Confidence and security flow through your being, never crossing the line into arrogance and insecurity. Even your mistakes are endearing.

Seduction Incarnate. A body to match your Charisma, perfect in all things. Appearances are half the battle. Attractive? No, exquisite. All-consuming, obsession-inducing, impossible beauty and the grace to match.

Suggestion Manifest. Your ideas are good. Great. Wonderful, even. How did they not think of this before? Yes, your suggestion will be followed to the letter.

Manipulation Risen. It is simple to pull people’s strings, to manipulate them into doing whatever you desire. You do not take away their free will, instead convincing them that your desires were what they wanted all along.

Intimidation Tangible. When all else fails, you have your bluff. Or perhaps it’s not a bluff. Who could tell? Either way, you feel dangerous. Deadly. Frighteningly powerful. The world cowers before your perceived wrath.

Intent Realized. Your cool will not falter. Your focus will not waver. Stress is for those who are not in control. Corruption is for those who do not know who they are. You must have a firm, unshakeable sense of self to bend the world to your every whim.

A Silver Tongue lies in your mouth. Sharp and gentle, direct and subtle, cutting and soothing, you have a Siren’s Song for every situation. Silk-Soft Whispers. Will-Shattering Shouts. Sweet threats. Bitter Compliments. You are the Devil who hides behind words, the Master of every social situation.]

I didn’t hesitate to drink it down. It tasted like smoke, mirrors, and honeyed words. I’d come this far. The ‘buy-in’ for my gamble had paid off. Now, I just needed to make sure the rest did. Something made a bit more difficult by Mab’s ‘extra credit’. Extra credit that I couldn’t refuse.

Somehow, I just knew this was Maki-Mom’s fault. Especially after learning she’d called in a Favor Owed for me. And that she knew exactly what department I’d end up in. Plus, the situation just reeked of her Control. Not directly. But subtly, in a way that told me Maki-Mom had gotten the Fae — Queen Mab, at that — on her side for her little ‘test’.

To be honest, I was more than a little conflicted about this. On one hand, I wasn’t one to spit on any help my parents offered me, no matter how circumspect it was. On the other, I was supposed to be setting off on my own.

At least — as always with Maki-Mom — there was a give and take to her offered aid. She’d known I was going to be trying something a touch crazy and pulled some strings to ensure my ‘gamble’ was at least heard. But she’d also set an extra challenge for me. Or convinced Mab to set the challenge for me on her behalf. There wasn’t much of a difference.

I’m sure when I inevitably survived and returned to boast of my accomplishments or seek comfort for my partial failure, Maki-Mom would listen and nod indulgently like she didn’t have a single finger in the situation. It was frustrating but it didn’t diminish my motivation at all.

No matter the impossible test set before me, I would succeed. There was no other outcome in my mind. Mostly to prove how ridiculous Maki-Mom was to even consider failure an option. Then… I’d let her scheme slip to Dad to get my ‘revenge’. I knew she loved me but this kind of thing deserved a spanking at the very least. Whether that spanking would be punishment or reward, I didn’t want to know.

As for the test itself, it wasn’t actually as impossible as Mab made it sound. As with all the Fae, she had a healthy appreciation for theatrics. She said I had to Capture ‘the Force itself’. The Mission she gave me said I ‘just’ had to Capture four Tier 10 beings. The Father, The Son, The Daughter, and Abeloth — The Mother.

It was still a blindingly difficult task. But one made much easier by the fact that the targets had physical bodies for me to sway. Though… with the Essence of the Silver-Tongued Devil, it might technically be possible for me to Capture the Force itself.

The Essence of the Silver-Tongued Devil could convince anyone of anything. It could convince anything of anything with enough power. If mastered and taken beyond its limits, it could convince reality itself to change with a few simple words.

It didn’t grant much physical or direct personal power, but it was still an Essence. Its strengths just lay in a different field than most Essences. For the son of the Control Devil though? It was perfect.

It wasn’t the usual route to power for Contractors. But that’s partially what I was counting on. I was playing to the strengths that made me unique to evoke interest in my story.

Because even in a Company with a wide variety of ways to enforce ultimate loyalty, most Contractors didn’t use that to their full advantage. At least, not in ways outside of their personal harems. I thought that was, quite frankly, an utter shame.

Why would I need to punch the big bad into submission when I could talk him down with ‘the power of friendship’? Or seduce the evil witch back onto the side of good? Or rule a kingdom through charm and political power instead of threatening physical might?

With graduation, my Chainsaw Man Devil heritage and potential were uncapped. The Essence did give me a tiny boost as well as a part of making my body ‘perfect in all things’. But even those things and the Added Potential would only go so far without any Talents to back it up. I’d never be a physical powerhouse. That was okay. I didn’t need to be.

Direct combat wasn’t going to be my last course of action but it certainly wouldn’t be my first either. To some extent, it was unavoidable. And to that extent, I was confident I could hold my own.

I had still been groomed from birth for this role. Momma 21 would flip her shit if I couldn’t hold my own in a fight. But even after a lifetime of combat training, I preferred to handle things more… subtly.

In a universe of magical laser-sword-wielding space wizards, that preference would already set me above the ‘chaff’. In the same group as Palpatine or Yoda, at least as far as our methods of dealing with problems went. Though without the Essence, I’d be hard-pressed to match them. Still, I’d certainly be better off than the canon Anakin — whose favorite method was to bash his problems really hard with a space-magic sword that could already cut through nearly anything.

The Star Wars universe — especially this particular time period — was a pretty good universe for me to start in. Maybe not as good as, say, Pokemon where I could get capital-G God on my side by simply channeling the power of friendship. But the Prequel Era was basically one massive scheme or conspiracy. A game board with only one real player.

It was chockful of politics and intrigue, agreements and alliances, betrayal and backstabbers. On a galactic scale, no less. With Maki-Mom’s good grooming? I’d already be better off than four-fifths of the galaxy’s politicians.

Add in the meta knowledge provided by a posh Company Finishing school and given enough time, I’d be able to utterly dismantle Palpatine’s plans.

With a specialized Essence and Defenses on top of it all? Palpatine would tear his hair out, begging to learn my secrets and how his perfect plots kept failing.

The goals for my first insertion could be separated into three sections. Officially, according to the Company, my mission was to keep the Jedi Order from falling. Naturally, that would lead to keeping the Republic at least somewhat intact. The two organizations were intricately tied together at this point in time.

That didn’t mean I had to maintain the status quo completely but I likely would to some extent. A galaxy ruled by fat, corrupt, content idiots was remarkably similar to one led by a ruthlessly militaristic, xenophobic dictatorship. For example, some of the Outer Rim planets never even noticed the transition from Republic to Empire.

Regardless of the similarities between the Republic and the Empire, a good portion of the galaxy’s valuable targets were a part of the Jedi Order. And it and the Empire didn’t get along, to say the least. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The Empire would present its own advantages and opportunities. But it depended on the Jedi Order falling to rise. So one could exist without the other but not the other way around. The valuable Empire Era targets would still be available for ‘harvest’ without the Empire rising, though in different circumstances, — not including the Sequel/New Republic Era targets. It was just simpler if the Republic/Jedi Order never fell.

Then there was Mab’s Mission for me. I had to Capture four Tier 10s. The only Tier 10s in Star Wars (according to the official Catalog). Thankfully, there wasn’t a set time limit on my first insertion. I could take as long as I needed to work my Essence up to mastery or beyond and figure out how the Hell I was going to Capture a quartet of literal Force Gods. Overall, I was firmly classifying that Mission as a ‘later’ problem.

Finally, there were my personal objectives. I wanted my own place in the sun. My own universe to rule. It would certainly get me out of my parent’s house, at least…

Officially, this version of the Star Wars universe wasn’t mine, per se. But the difference was scarce enough to be indiscernible.

The Company wasn’t poor or petty enough to meddle in a Contractor’s insertion-conquests. While some of its employees were that petty — especially in Class B —, with Mab’s support behind me, they wouldn’t be an issue.

So I was going to carve out my own niche in the galaxy. Nothing big. A few dozen planets or so. Barely worth mentioning on even the galactic scale, much less multiversal.

But it would be mine. Built from the ground up, the start of a greater legacy. The first book of my story…

I brushed a hand through my hair as the insertion process took hold. Everything was ready. My Defenses were set, my Potential Added and uncapped, and a Silver-Tongued Devil settling into the Essence of my being.

I could practically feel the proverbial cameras on me, recording my story to broadcast to the multiverse, beings — higher and lower — tuning in to see if I caught their interest. My initial gamble had paid off. Now, I just needed to ensure that its dividends paid dividends as well.

My surroundings shimmered. For the briefest of moments, I floated between realities. Then my feet were on solid ground once more, standing in a whole new world.

The initial influx of sensations was… intense. There were the senses I was used to, briefly shocked by the transition. And then there was the new sixth sense that came along with Added Potential.

Reality was alive in a way I’d never felt before. A flood of information I shouldn’t know and didn’t at the same time. Dancing on the edge of my mind, the Force was all-encompassing. It filled everything in this galaxy and I could feel it rushing in to fill the void I once was.

Still, I shook it off after a moment or two. I wasn’t about to act like some Stacy. At Finishing School, everyone’s parents had a story of Stacy from Boot Camp. Hell, some of the parents were Stacy! Nice girls, according to the stories, but you wouldn’t want to be them.

Now, where had I been dropped in? Not Tatooine. That much was obvious. I was in a city but not a city planet. So Coruscant was out as well. Alderaan, perhaps?

No, with the Droids marching through the streets below the balcony I found myself on, I knew where I was. Naboo at the start of the Phantom Menace. I felt a dastardly grin grow across my face. Perfect~

IIIII

Padme Amidala knew hopelessness. Her planet was being invaded. Her people would be enslaved. Taken to camps at the whims of the callous Trade Federation and its obedient Droids.

Camps! She didn’t know she could feel so much outrage and helplessness at the same time!

She was elected Queen of Naboo and on the first major crisis of her rule, she failed. She was young and naive, overly optimistic even. That much had been made clear to her. But surely, there should be something more she could do!

This whole situation was a mess. The Trade Federation hadn’t even given a concrete reason for their original blockade. According to Senator Palpatine, it was random retaliation for a Tax Proposition that had been passed by the Senate. Naboo was merely collateral damage to the colossal corporation. Padme had, of course, stood her ground, holding fast against the corruption and senseless conflict of it all.

Her resistance only seemed to escalate tensions. The negotiations had fallen through. The Trade Federation was no longer just blockading them. This was now a full-scale planetary invasion.

The Ambassadors Senator Palpatine had promised to aid her plight were nowhere to be found. The Senate had been frustratingly silent, tacitly allowing Naboo to be blockaded illegally without allowing Palpatine or Amidala so much as a word in their planet’s defense.

And now, Droids marched through the streets of her beautiful city. Citizens were being led off to who knows where to be kept in camps and subjected to who knows what atrocities. The Trade Federation was not known for its moral backbone. Padme felt it would be lucky if the majority of her captured citizens escaped slavery!

Yet, Padme could do nothing. Nothing to stop this disgraceful violation of the Republic’s laws from taking place. Naboo was not a militaristic planet. They were woefully unprepared to defend against an invasion of this scale. The only thing Padme could reasonably do was surrender in the hope that her citizens would be spared.

It seemed even that last hope had failed her. Padme’s eyes lingered on her body double’s back as the Royal Retinue was led off to an unknown fate. Sabe had done a wonderful job acting in her place. But more than a small part of Padme wished she could spare her closest friend the attention, taking it back unto herself where it belonged.

“Ho, there!” A shockingly smooth voice called out, interrupting their group as even their escorts stopped in confusion. “Would anybody be kind enough to tell me what’s going on?”

Was one of her citizens trying to play Hero? Padme’s heart wilted. Would she be the cause of even more harm, this time a death directly in front of her as the Droid guards gunned this well-meaning man down?

Her other handmaidens gasped. Actually gasped. Even Sabe broke the decorum expected of her disguise. Padme understood why when she laid eyes on the man.

He was gorgeous. Exquisite. Perfection of the Human form. All of the art of Naboo couldn’t have measured up to his face and figure. Even the air around him seemed charmed by his presence.

Padme had never seen hair of that color in person. It was a deep, rich, crimson color that spoke of royalty and passion. His eyes — so deep and blue that anyone could have drowned in his gaze. The sharp, handsome features of his face should have been intimidatingly beautiful. But they were softened by a laidback, carefree, almost silly smile that gave the man a much more approachable aura.

The Captain Droid stepped up to address the man, “Stand aside, Citizen. The Queen is being escorted to Camp 4 on the orders of Viceroy Gunray.”

“Queen?!” The man gasped in shock. Shock that was quickly shown to be a very convincing act by the wink he shot the Royal Retinue. “Surely, you must be mistaken, good Droid! Why, a woman with this much lovely makeup could only be the finest of circus performers! An actor, I say!”

Padme found herself suppressing a smile. The poor attempt at persuasion wouldn’t work but she was thankful for the effort on their behalf. Something about this man was just so instantly likable. Her handmaidens giggled. Sabe coughed into her hand politely to cover giggles of her own.

Another of the Droids broke rank to stand next to its Captain, scratching its head in eerily Human-like confusion, “Wait, Cap, I thought we were supposed to have the Queen?”

The Captain Droid dope-slapped his subordinate, “Duh, you ‘roger-rogering’ dimwit! How’d you guys screw that up? Come on, we’ve got to find the Queen before the Viceroy has my backup memory banks!”

Padme gaped at the Droids in utter shock. The others of the Royal Retinue weren’t far behind. The strange man just maintained his casual, carefree smile as the Droids scrambled to begin their search for the Queen who was right in front of them.

Thinking fast, Captain Panaka cleared his throat to get the man’s attention. He then motioned with empty hands and looked pointedly at the Droids’ weapons. The man nodded.

“Ah, good fellows! One more thing,” He said. “You wouldn’t mind leaving some of your blasters with us, would you? Dangerous times, and all that. I’m sure you understand.”

Again, impossibly, the Droid accepted the man’s words as fact, “Roger Roger. RR-39-C through RR-42-C, give the good citizen your blasters!”

A few of the other Droids chorused, “Roger Roger,” and moved to comply. They easily handed the blasters over to Panaka and the few men he still had with him. Captain Panaka blinked, obviously not expecting that to have worked out so well.

With the Droids leaving to conduct their futile search for the Queen, Panaka turned his attention onto the man, demanding, “What was that? Are you Trade Federation?!”

The man laughed, light and easy, the sound sending tingles into places Padme didn’t want to mention at the moment. By the blushes of her handmaidens, they felt the same.

“No, no, not Trade Federation. If I was, I’d look quite a bit more amphibian, wouldn’t I?”

“Then how did you convince them to stand down? Did you use the Force on them?” Sabe — as Queen Amidala — asked the man.

The man blinked as if the idea was preposterous and Padme suddenly felt silly even considering it. She knew Sabe likely did as well.

“No…? I’m not a Jedi,” The man said. And they believed him wholly. “I simply spoke to them as if they were Humans. Appealed to their common sense of reason and explained away the obvious misunderstanding. Not enough people treat Droids with any sense of decency. Utter shame that, if you ask me.”

Padme nodded. Unfortunately, even with how diverse the Republic was, Droids still weren’t seen as proper sentients. It was a shame. Mentally, Padme promised herself she would do better on that front in the future.

N-Not for this man’s approval, o-of course! It was just the right thing to do! Yes, the impossibly handsome man expressing a desire for equality certainly didn’t do things to Padme that she didn’t know how to deal with. It certainly wasn’t just about the hottest thing she’d ever seen. No, she didn’t need new panties. Why do you ask?

“Who are you then?” Sabe questioned imperiously while Padme was busy ‘totally not swooning’.

The man smiled and bowed, “Dick Jackson, at your service. Traveler, tourist, a prince without a kingdom, and definitely not a Jedi.”

Padme’s heart skipped in the background at the man’s mention of princehood and she was sure Sabe’s did too. She was playing Queen right now, after all. But her body double had to present a calm and collected front, raising a single eyebrow at the man’s introduction, “You are royalty?”

“I could be,” Dick Jackson answered with a roguish grin, one that seemed directed at both Sabe and Padme, despite their disguises.

“How does a prince lose his kingdom?” Sabe asked. Padme was impressed she could still manage full, calm sentences after that gorgeous grin.

“I must have left it in my other pants. No matter. I’ll just build a new one,” Dick Jackson chuckled. Something about the way he said it so surely sent tingles up Padme’s spine. She would be a fool to not believe him.

“Ahem, as interesting as this introduction is, we should really get moving,” Panaka interrupted. “Your Highness, we don’t want other Droids stumbling across us until we’re confident we can fight back.”

“I suppose,” Sabe sighed, still eyeing Dick Jackson slightly. Padme could certainly understand why. She almost wanted to switch positions with Sabe for a completely different reason now. What a fascinating man…

“Lead the way,” Dick Jackson offered. “I’ll just tag along. Help get you fine ladies and gentlemen to safety. It’s the least I can do.”

The Royal Retinue continued on. Some of Padme’s handmaidens seemed to gravitate toward Dick but he just smiled and didn’t engage them. Padme and Sabe didn’t, of course. It wouldn’t do to have the Queen stoop so low, body double or not.

Unfortunate… Padme shook her head subtly, clearing those petty thoughts from her mind. There were much more important things at stake right now. The fate of her planet and people wouldn’t wait for one impossibly handsome older boy.

Though… if he helped save Naboo during its time of crisis somehow, that would change things. Thankfully, she kept the thrilling shudders to a minimum this time. And he had claimed to be royalty. She had no reason to disbelieve him. That would certainly get the stuffy royal spinsters off her case about potential matches…

Ah, a girl could dream… Even if it was an impossible dream of a handsome, charming stranger helping her to save her planet. And then ruling together side by side as Naboo’s power couple afterward.

The Royal Retinue came across a street with an enclosed bridge stretched over it. They proceeded as normal, noticing nothing out of sorts. Once they were under the bridge, three figures stood up and leaped down before them.

Well, two leaped down. The third got stuck — somehow — on the bridge before falling. The other two were the epitome of grace, landing smoothly with lightsabers already out and ignited. Lightsabers? Jedi?! And a… Gungan?

The Jedi paused with their legendary weapons ready, seemingly confused. The younger one broke the silence first, “Uh, Master? Where did the Droids go?”

The Master Jedi hesitated, “I… do not know.”

The Queen’s advisor was eager to reveal what happened, “Saved! Twicely so! Thank you, Master Jedi, for coming to our aid! This princely young man did so as well, liberating us from our captors with astounding charm and charisma!”

Dick Jackson just shook his head and chuckled at the praise. The Jedis’ attention was drawn to him by the noise.

“I did not sense any disturbance in the Force,” The Master Jedi stated. “How did you deceive the Droids, young man?”

“I didn’t use the Force,” Dick Jackson insisted. “That much I’m sure of. Just the power of my words and common understanding.”

The Master Jedi chuckled and Padme couldn’t help but feel it was slightly patronizing, “I’m sure you believe that. But the Force works in mysterious ways. I can see no other way you would convince the Droids to abandon their mission.”

“I’m not a Jedi. And I don’t particularly want to be, even if I might be Force-sensitive,” Dick Jackson said firmly, clearly marking the end of that discussion by changing the subject. “We should really be getting off the street before another patrol comes across us.”

“Ah, of course. Follow me, Your Highness,” The Master Jedi motioned, leading the way into an enclosed hallway off to the side of the street.

“Now, quick introductions,” The Jedi said once they were safely out of the way. “I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. This is my Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. We’re here as ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor.”

“Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador,” The Queen’s advisor couldn’t help but snipe slightly.

“The negotiations never took place,” Qui-Gon corrected.

“What?! That’s a cruel injustice!” The Advisor raged. “We must inform the Senate!”

“Communications are down with the invasion,” Panaka pointed out.

“Are there any available ships?” Master Qui-Gon asked.

Panaka nodded, “In the main hangar. This way.”

The Royal Retinue — now complete with two Jedi and a dashingly heroic traveler — began to move again, heading for the main hangar and the chance for escape that lay there. Padme found herself walking beside that dashing hero. Dick Jackson was much closer to the Queen than what was normally allowed.

Thankfully, he was completely harmless. Padme was completely confident in that opinion. After saving them like he did without a single shot being fired, she felt justified in placing her faith in him. She was sure the others agreed. Not even her normally stuffy Advisor was objecting to his presence.

“You know, I’m impressed everyone’s managed to keep their cool so far,” Dick Jackson said.

Padme startled slightly as he addressed her. She smoothed out her handmaiden robes as the group held their quick-walking pace, replying to him, “It is only natural. A Queen must lead by example. I’m sure she was just as afraid as the rest of us before your timely intervention but showing such weakness would do more harm than good. I’m sure you understand, Prince Jackson.”

“I do, at that,” Dick Jackson smiled. “The Queen is very wise for someone so young. She does her planet credit. Most rulers could certainly learn to display half of the grace and nobility I’ve seen from her so far.”

Internally, Padme preened at the praise. And while the validation was much appreciated, externally, her face didn’t shift all that much. She merely smiled ever-so-slightly, acting as a handmaiden whose royal mistress was complimented. She didn’t consciously notice that Dick Jackson’s words for the Queen were directed at her specifically.

“And there’s no need to address me so formally,” Dick Jackson continued. “I can hardly let myself be called a prince without anything to rule. Please, call me Dick.”

“… Padme. Padme Naberrie,” Considering her current disguise, Padme returned the introduction by telling Dick her real name instead of the one she used as Queen.

“Well then, forgive my boldness,” Dick said, giving Padme plenty of time to stop what he did next. “It’s my ~pleasure~ to make your acquaintance, Padme~”

Even with the warning of boldness, Padme didn’t stop him. Her breath felt like it was coming in sharp pants of anticipation. Ever-so-slowly, the handsome older boy took her hand. His eyes were locked onto hers as he did. Something roguish sparkled within his gaze as he gently kissed the back of her hand.

Somehow, he didn’t trip or stumble despite his distraction as they continued to walk with the group. Padme felt like she might at any moment though. Flustered, all of her focus was currently on Dick and his lips brushing her skin. Electricity raced down the nerves of her arm and up into her brain. Something fluttered in her core.

“T-The pleasure is all mine,” Padme stuttered, returning the formal — if unorthodox — greeting.

Pulling back, Padme could have sworn his touch lingered just a second longer than it had to. He chuckled, “I assure you, that’s not the case.”

Padme resisted the urge to touch the spot Dick had kissed, “Then we’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

“I suppose we will,” The corner of Dick’s lips twitched and Padme thought the tiny expression was just as charming as his full smile.

They walked the rest of the way to the hangar in an agreeable silence. Padme could practically feel her other handmaidens smiling at her back. Even Sabe! Thankfully, they didn’t giggle. Padme would have just about died of embarrassment if that was the case.

Reaching the hangar, Panaka and the Jedi peeked through the outer doors. The Royal Starship waited for them inside. It was fueled and ready for take-off already. A fact the hangar crew and pilots had paid for, having been taken hostage by the invading Battledroids.

“There are too many of them,” Panaka said.

“Leave the Droids to us,” Master Qui-Gon reassured. “Your Highness, with the situation here, I must suggest you come with us to Coruscant.”

“Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is here with my people,” Sabe insisted.

“They’ll kill you stay,” Qui-Gon’s reply was blunt.

“They wouldn’t dare!” The Advisor insisted.

Panaka agreed, “They need her to sign a treaty to make the invasion legal. They can’t afford to kill her.”

“There is more at play here, Your Highness. There is no logic behind the Trade Federation’s actions. My feelings tell me they will destroy you if you stay,” Master Qui-Gon advised.

“Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us,” The Advisor said. “Senator Palpatine will need your help.”

“Either choice presents great danger… to all of us,” Sabe subtly glanced at Padme.

Just as subtly, Padme signaled for her body double to agree, “We are brave, Your Highness.”

“If we are to leave, we must do so now,” Master Qui-Gon said.

“Then I will plead our case to the Senate.”

Dick muttered something off to the side as the decision was made, “I suppose I’ve always wanted to see Coruscant.”

With Sabe’s agreement, Master Qui-Gon led the Royal Retinue into the hangar. They walked quickly and with purpose, acting as if they had every right to be there. Padme found herself staying close to Dick. The other handmaidens did the same as their disguised Queen.

“We’ll need to free those pilots,” Panaka’s suggestion was just short of an order.

The Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan confidently took responsibility for the task, “I’ll handle it.”

The Royal Retinue was stopped by a Captain Droid before they could board the ship, “Halt.”

“I’m an Ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor. I’m taking these people to Coruscant,” Master Qui-Gon said. Padme didn’t know why he even bothered.

Things happened so quickly after that. The Droid called for their arrest. As was to be expected. Then in a flash, it was sliced in twain. The Master Jedi became a blur of supernaturally quick movements and glowing sword swipes. The rest of the Droids barely had enough time to open fire.

Off to the side, Obi-Wan did the same to the Droids guarding the hangar crew. If he was any slower than his master, Padme couldn’t tell. She and her handmaidens were quickly ushered onto the ship by Panaka’s men.

The last thing she saw before being safely ensconced inside the ship was Dick. He walked as if he were out for a midnight stroll, casual and confident as can be. He appeared completely unbothered by the blaster bolts flying around him. He even took the time to gently push one of the Droids, toppling it over without worry or care.

By the time he casually strolled up the ramp into the ship, Padme and her handmaidens were staring at him with more awe than they directed at the Jedi. Dick just smiled, a worry-free thing that set their hearts at ease.

“Nothing like a bit of danger to get the blood pumping, eh, ladies?” He joked.

“You could have been hurt!” Padme sputtered.

Dick raised an amused eyebrow, “By a B1? They couldn’t hit the broad side of a Star Dreadnought. Still, your compassion is a wonderful thing, Padme~. A balm for my soul!”

Padme tried to ignore the way he said her name and how it sent pleasant tingles fluttering through her body. She pouted, “Hmph! You still should not be so free with your life and safety. Be more careful! Y-Your Queen demands it!”

Dick smirked for some reason, turning his attention to Sabe, “Is that so, Queen Amidala?”

Padme froze, suddenly realizing her mistake. Sabe gracefully hid a smirk at her best friend/royal mistress’ lapse in concentration. Still, she cleared her throat and came to Padme’s rescue as was her duty.

“Ahem, yes, I believe it is, Prince Jackson. When it comes to matters of life and safety, Padme speaks with my voice. Worry not, she has my complete and utter trust. You will be in good hands.”

Dick looked Padme up and down, “Good hands, indeed.”

Padme turned her nose up at him, ignoring the blush that threatened her cheeks and putting up a confident front even though she felt anything but, “With the Queen’s blessing, perhaps you’ll listen to me next time.”

Dick chuckled but the ship shuddering beneath their feet cut off his intended reply, “… We should find somewhere to strap in. We still have to run a blockade.”