A/N: The conclusion to the SET UP rather than just a summarization. I hope I did it justice. The next chapter will time jump to our main character. Wonder where the galaxy will be in this crazy mix... 😉

*Warning* graphic scenes ahead more than the movie portrayed.

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2 2 B B Y╒══════════════════╕

VOTE FOR THE MILITARY CREATION ACT OF REPUBLIC ARMY—COURSCANT

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AMIDALA WAS NO STRANGER TO POWERFUL ENEMIES. The same year she'd succeeded in the bi-annual election against Sanandressa for the monarchy, the Trade Federation blockade occurred.

A fresh Queen, her first act of diplomacy was exercised on her homeplanet, Naboo.

The invasion would be orchestrated by Viceroy, Nute Gunray. The Nemoidian who served on the Trade Federation Executive Board had harbored an anti-Republic stance. After new taxations on former free-trade zones were proposed at the Galactic Senate, the viceroy retaliated. Holding Naboo as penance communications were blockaded. Her people were starved and holding cells erected as they'd tried to force Amidala to sign a treaty to relinquish control.

Yet she'd refused to be moved.

Through the eyes of a ripe fourteen-year-old, she'd dealt with a true war as a young Queen. The senatorial arena for which she'd pled for her people's lives. Calling for a vote of No Confidence to Chancellor Valorum's Leadership. She'd ordered for Palpatine, her former advisor, to take his place. And after revealing her true face, she'd allied with the Gungans in her desperation for aid.

Thus, the Great Battle of Naboo that would not go unrecognized. The victory resulted in the Trade Federations' defeat, a solid alliance forged between Nabooians and the Gungans. Commemorated by the Globe of Peace she'd presented to leader of the Gungan High Council, Boss Rugor Nass, the symbolic relic bestowed became a testament to Naboo long after her reign.

Yet in the days, months, and years ahead would follow the attempts on her life. At the behest of Naboo's newest Queen Jamillia and all 36 of Naboo's regional star systems, Amidala would acquiesce to representing the Chommell Sector. Her utter devotion and passion garnered from her efforts left her accepting a new role as Senator Padmè Amidala.

This left no room for retirement as Padmè Naberrie had reasoned in the months leading to the culmination of her reign. Much to her parents Ruwee and Jobal's apprehension and Sola—her older sister—she was catapulted into the cogs of the Republic itself, the Separatist Crisis unraveling thousands of planetary systems. In particular, The Senate.

The increasing numbers of the Confederacy of Independent systems as more planets seceded from the Republic, left the Jedi, or Guardians of Peace, swiftly overwhelmed.

Padmè Amidala was a pacifist; it was no secret. Much like her father, she preferred seeking a peaceful and diplomatic negotiation as a senator. Her days of serving in the Refugee Relief Movement, to the Academy's Youth Legislative Program would unknowingly prepare her in the near future.

Her experiences helped contribute as an honorary board member of the Loyalist Committee established by Chancellor Sheev Palpatine. Alongside members such as Bail Organa of Alderaan and Mon Mothma of Chandrila who'd petitioned for peaceful settlements rather than a war l, which was meant to gain the favor of the Republic. In her eyes, the Military Creation Act proposed—to be voted upon—would weaken such bonds. She'd emphasized this to the Chancellor, himself. The people would perceive exercising such a breach an overreach of power; invoking a totalitarian triad.

  It would tactlessly end the fair liberties for which she'd just as well, die upon, widening the chasm between sentient beings, cause the debt ceiling to mount, and sever the public's already brittle trust in their government.

Limitless power and greed made politics a nasty business rife with corruption. Once as Queen she'd been witness to it as her homeworld tried to amend the Constitution to continue her reign. Though she'd declined if one wasn't schooled in such reform, it could bend the just of minds to venality, especially in a world rank with briberies and brazen greed.

She sighed, the stress apparent as she focused on various ships cresting the ambiguous skies.  Amongst the sea of spires below, rose a domed structure of uniformed multiplicity. The Senatorial Apartment Buildings were just a hundred yards off from the triangular landing platform en route to The Senate.

A  large J-type 327 Nubian Royal Starship circled the platform, the royal emblem of Naboo refracting off the chromium surface. For her pivotal role during the siege of the Trade Federation, Amidala had the foreseeable honor of any Nubian skriff for transport from The Royal House of Theed hangar, indefinitely.

Circling the perimeter a final time, the starship made its descent. The engines calmed to a soft hum and settled in a graceful arc on four prongs. Two N-1 starfighters made a sleek landing on either side of the opulent ship. Signifying its second surveillance for a security clearance, two more fighters settled behind the elongated wings.

Sighing with relief Amidala under the pseudo of "Padmé Naberrie"—unknown to many as her birth name—exited the cockpit to stand alongside Captain Typho. The two bore the crest of their home planet on their fighter pilot uniforms. The appointed chief security officer was Captain Typho, the nephew of former Captain of the Royal Naboo Security Forces: Quarsh Panaka.

Following in his uncles footsteps, Typho strived for the same importance under Amidala's rule. A black, leather patch was draped across his left eye, an honorary badge for his contribution to the Battle of Naboo. Beads of sweat glimmered off tight curls. With his flight helmet tucked under one arm, a dark eye swept across the vastness of Coruscant and its glittering artificial lights.

With a small nod, his stance softened assumingly of their safety. But Amidala was well versed from recent and narrowly avoided assassination attempts.

The hydraulic lifts from the Naboo cruiser elicited a hiss as the ramp unfolded. As protocol demanded, two Royal Naboo Guards appeared in synchronization. Young faces taut with grim tension, their eyes remained sharp under duress armed with blasters in their weighted grip.

  The tuned soldiers were strictly trained upon one focus. The plan to get to a transport quickly.

Amidala tensed, lips thinly lined with apprehension as a familiar woman emerged from the cockpit. Believed as the formal monarch and appointed senator, Amidala. In reality, it was handmaiden and her close decoy: Cordyn.

Cordè...

Sabè, Rabè, Eirtaè, Yanè, and Satchè had taken a sworn oath to guard the renowned Queen. They'd performed their duties well as decoys that had become like sisters. Even as their lives constantly hung in the balance. Those who had stepped down after her two terms, still remained loyal. Upon accepting her senatorial role, they'd vetted the next voluntary political aids.

"Cordè.'" she whispered, quietly in reverence. This was not an easy burden to bear.

By the hand of Shiraya...

A small, cautious smile spread across Padmè's lips beneath her helmet. Cordè flanked by the onslaught of guards made her descent. Boring the regal stature befitting, her head was held high and shoulders erect. A crowned headdress and foreknot spoke of Nabooian heritage, adorned in a hand-stitched black and white senatorial gown.

Only Padmè detected the falter in her shoulders, a frailty in her nature. Because Cordè had lacked in combat and eye coordination her confidence had struggled undertaking the role. She'd abide due to their close resemblance, the decision further influenced by Satché, a scarred survivor of the Trade Federation's brutality. Her sheer bravery and resilience served as the source of inspiration for Cordè's compliance.

Thus, Cordè worked diligently to perfect the public exhibition Padmè Amidala exhumed. Her intelligence alone, remained invaluable. Stealthily able to blend into the shadows when senate meetings commenced. A budding courage had been molded as she took on the role.

Trailing just behind her handmaiden, Versè beamed with a hint of pride—

Just before a cataclysmic explosion tore through the ship.

The blast of heat sent Padmé hurtling through the air before she was slammed into the ground. Cracking a shoulder against the ferroconcrete, white-hot pain lanced through one shoulder blade as it popped from the socket.

  An agonized cry speared from her lips, muddling the world into shadow with an incessant ringing resounding in her ears. Her head swayed to one side with her senses seemingly coated in molasses. She nearly choked as a thick, metallic substance slicked the back of her throat, coughing as a gelatinous liquid stained the asphalt.

With trembling hands, Padmè blindly found the clasp to her helmet, the visor completely shattered. Showcasing her identity, brunette curls spilled free in knitted tresses.

Hardly did it matter now.

Her vision gradually cleared, blackened plumes of smoke billowing off a molted wreckage less than a yard away. Fumes uncoiled into the air with a shower of sparks from the scourged grounds. The pungency of fusion fuel stung her nose along with an acrid stench of... burning flesh.

Padmè raised a gloved hand, crimson staining the leather. The pressure in her shoulder exacerbated, her teeth embedding into the split flesh of her lip with a sharp sting.

Unsteady feet sheathed in boots stumbled around several charred Naboo Royal guards. Nausea curdled in her stomach at the sight of decapitated limbs. She swallowed and averted her gaze while klaxons blared in the background.

"C-C-Cordè!" Padme' coughed with watery eyes, nearly seizing from the vibration of pain. An audible pop resounded from the scorched ion engines, giving her seconds to dodge the blast of heat. She wouldn't abandon her mission. "...C-Cordè!"

"M-my lady?"

Even as Padmè ears rang she still deciphered her friend's voice; a beacon in a sea of chaos. Spinning around on one booted heel, she spotted her.

  One charred leg lay from the ship's mangled wreckage."Cordè!"

Padmè swallowed another mouthful of blood. Shoving aside the probability of internal bleeding she fell to grazed knees. Scorched fabric singed her nostrils.

"M-my Lady...?" Cordè could barely talk above a whisper, her dark eyes reflecting Padmè's.

"I'm here, Cordè," Padmè replied brokenly.

With trembling hands, she discarded her gloves. Curling one arm she cradled her friend's head in her lap, her own pain damned hearing Cordè struggling for a pocket of breath.

  Padmè felt her heart shatter. With a painful swallow, she recognized the signs of impending death.

   "Milady, I-I'm s-s-so s-sorry," Cordè gasped, a river of blood trickling from her painted lips.

"No, no, shh." Padmè shook her head, one fair hand cupped against the curve of Cordè's cheek. The olive skin had rapidly faded to a deathly pallor.

The drastic change caused the tears to swell.

Cordè quivered. Her eyes began to film over but her passion for duty refused to falter. "I failed you, Senator."

"No..." Padmè could only shake her head, precariously smoothing back the singed strands of hair reassuringly, looking deeply into those comely features.

Yet just as she released a breath, Cordè fell slack in Padmè 's arms.

"No, no..." Padmè shook her head mournfully, tasting the salt in her tears that stung her singed cheeks.

Not long ago her handmaidens had been girls frolicking in the lakes of Naboo. Swimming in the lagoons of Varykino became a common pastime during the final months as Queen. Lying in the soft sands along the beach and grazing in the countryside with the Shaaks. Eating shura fruits from the canopy of trees, they'd excitedly chitter about their lives beyond duty and the fruits of their youth.

Long ago did those days seem compared to the ever-evolving reality of her position.

In politics.

Trapped by obligation in a system where death was more prevalent. Many lives had been accosted. How many more families would she have to shell out condolences to? At what cost could democracy resume?

Once she'd been asked by a young slave boy on Tatooine if she were an angel from the moons of Iego. Padmè had never felt more like a fallen one. She yearned to squeeze the japor snippet if just to remind her of her strength and good fortune.

That boy was a Jedi now, wasn't he?

Ani...

Unfortunately, his gift was stored away at her apartment in 500 Republica. Life itself had kept her busy from dwelling on the lone boy, but her caring for him remained.

  Even now while she slowly broke inside. "I... I shouldn't have come... so many lives already lost..."

"M-My lady!"

Through hot tears, Padmè saw the blurred figure of the Captain limping towards her. Typho bore a deep lesion in the leg he dragged through the thick fumes, leaving a trail of blood. His face littered with abrasions and scrunched in pain, softened in relief the moment he spotted her. "Padmè!"

"Captain!" Padmè cried hoarsely, barely able to find her voice and her sense of duty returning. "Versè and Commander Oliè—tell me they're alright?!"

Captain Typho's one sharp eye honed in on her, his tone severe. "My lady being still in danger we need to seek transport—"

His voice filled with such urgency suddenly severed as another explosion transpired. It violently shook the ferroconcrete upon which she sat.

  Padmè, was the last to see Captain Typho's single-whitened eye', before her world eclipsed in a searing flash...

________________________

BREAKING REPUBLIC HOLONET NEWS

DATELINE CORUSCANT

THIS IS THE RULE DEVANBAY

A LARGE EXPLOSION WAS SEEN ACROSS THE UPPER LEVELS OF CORUSCANT JUST HOURS AGO! SEVERAL FATAL CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

FORMER QUEEN OF NABOO AND APPOINTED SENATOR PADME AMIDALA HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN CONFIRMED AMONG THE DEATHS ACCOUNTED.

THIS LEADS OFFICIALS TO BELIEVE THIS WAS AN ASSASSINATION.

SUSPICIONS HAVE BEEN LEAKED AS A POSSIBLE SEPARATIST ATTACK. INITIAL REPORTS CONCLUDE THE ATTACK TOOK PLACE AT THE LANDING PORT EN ROUTE TO THE  GALACTIC SENATE.

AMIDALA WAS TO REPRESENT THE CHOMMELL SECTOR.
IN A VOTE AGAINST THE MILITARY CREATION ACT WITH APPOINTED CHANCELLOR PALPATINE, LATER THIS EVENING.

INVESTIGATIONS ARE UNDERWAY BY THE HIGH JEDI COUNCIL.

NO FURTHER DETAILS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AT THIS TIME.

THE GALACTIC SENATE WILL BE EXTENDING SESSION HOURS IN LEW OF SECURITY OVERSIGHT. FUTURE EVENTS SPARK DEBATES ABOUT NEW SECURITY MEASURES AT
THE PEAK OF THE SEPARATIST CRISIS, TO BE HEADED BY SENATOR ORGANA OF ALDERAAN.

NOW MORE THAN EVER, THE REPUBLIC FACES RISING TENSIONS WITH
THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS, SINCE THE TRADE FEDERATIONS BLOCKADE...

JUST COMING IN NOW, VOTES ON THE MILITARY CREATION ACT WILL RECONVENE
NEXT EVENING DUE TO THE UNFOLDING EVENTS.

NABOO WILL HOLD A PUBLIC SERVICE IN REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR FORMER MONARCH. THIS IS TO BE OVERSEEN BY QUEEN JAMILLIA OF THEED.

CURRENTLY, THE LIGHTS OF THEED HAVE BEEN DARKENED, AS A SIGN OF RESPECT FOR THE FORMER QUEEN.

THEY ASK FOR SILENCE AT THIS TIME.

CHANCELLOR OF THE GALACTIC SENATE, PALPATINE, WILL SPEAK TO ADDRESS THIS TRAGIC SITUATION SHORTLY.

THIS HAS BEEN A HOLONET NEWS BREAKING REPORT

I'M YOUR HOST RULE DEVANBAY...

__________________

The mourning of Padmè Amidala...

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NOTES:
Rule Devanbay was one of the hosts of the Republic Holonet News. And was thus used in the animated series of The Clone Wars.

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INDEX

Klaxons: detonators

Ion engines: engines in ship

Blasters: laser guns

Foreknot: Nabooian hairstyle knot sits in front of forehead.

Alloy: type of metal on droids or part of ship casing/structure.

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