Chapter Five
Mira

The chilly air of the metallic chamber on Naboo seemed to thicken with anxiety as Nute Gunray and Rune Haako awaited the projection of Darth Sidious. Their nervousness was palpable, their eyes darting around the stark, unadorned walls and the gleaming conference table that reflected the harsh lighting above. The room was eerily silent, save for the faint buzz of the holographic generator and the distant echo of their shallow breaths.

The holographic image of Darth Sidious materialized before them with an unsettling flicker, his dark silhouette dominating the space. The hood of his cloak cast deep shadows over his face, obscuring his features and leaving only his piercing, glowing eyes visible. His presence was a tangible force, suffocating and intimidating, even in the form of a projection.

Nute, his voice quivering despite his efforts to maintain a façade of confidence, spoke up, "Lord Sidious, we have secured control over all the major cities in the northern region of Naboo. Our forces are actively seeking out any remaining settlements to ensure complete domination."

Sidious's voice, cold and precise, sliced through the tension. "And what of the high-ranking officials? Have they been dealt with according to my instructions?"

Nute's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "All are being systematically eliminated, my Lord, as we speak. We are taking care to maintain a veil of secrecy to prevent any uprisings."

The dark figure leaned forward, the shadows playing across the folds of his cloak. "And the Queen? Has she signed the treaty?"

Nute's face paled, his eyes darting to the floor. "There has been a complication. Queen Amidala has gone missing, my Lord. A Naboo cruiser eluded our blockade."

The Sith Lord's displeasure was unmistakable, a ripple of malevolent energy that seemed to cause the very air around them to quiver. "But you have secured someone of value, I presume?"

With a tremble in his hand, Nute gestured to a droid standing sentinel nearby. The droid, a sleek model with gleaming chrome plating, stepped forward, revealing its captive. A young woman, her wrists bound in cold, unyielding metal cuffs, eyes flashing with defiance.

The holographic Sidious' gaze narrowed as he took in the prisoner. "Princess Mira Selene," he murmured, a twisted smile playing across his hidden features. "I had not anticipated encountering you here, on Naboo, after what transpired with your father."

My eyes locked with Sidious', and I felt a surge of hatred, a fiery torrent that had been simmering in me for years. "Your apprentice," I spat, the words tasting bitter on my tongue, "murdered my father!"

A chuckle, low and mocking, resonated through the room, emanating from the shadowy depths of Sidious' hood. "Ah, yes, the unfortunate demise of your father," he said, his tone a mockery of sympathy. "Such a regrettable loss, indeed."

My gaze slid to the man standing at Sidious' side—a terrifying specter in a black robe, his face a canvas of red and black tattoos, his eyes burning with a malevolent yellow and red light. He regarded me with a disturbing curiosity, his head tilted slightly, as though studying me for the first time.

The room grew colder, the atmosphere heavier, as Sidious' attention returned to the two Trade Federation leaders. "Ensure she is placed in secure confinement," he ordered, his voice as frigid as the air in the chamber. "Keep her bound. As long as she remains compliant and does not meddle in our affairs, she may yet be of use to us."

The exchange was fraught with unspoken threats, and Nute and Rune's uneasy glances betrayed their fear. They nodded hastily, eager to obey the Sith Lord's command.

The droid holding me tightened its grip, its cold metal fingers digging painfully into my flesh. The coldness of its touch was a stark contrast to the heat of my anger. I remained steadfast, my jaw set, refusing to show fear, even as the Sith apprentice's gaze remained locked on me.

I was escorted through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, the echo of my footsteps on the hard floors the only companion to my furious thoughts. The droid's grip was relentless, a constant reminder of my captivity. We arrived at a chamber that was not a cell in the traditional sense—no bars, no visible means of confinement—but rather a storeroom of sorts, its shelves laden with dusty, cobwebbed bottles of ancient wine. The air was stale, thick with the scent of decaying stone and forgotten time.

The droid shoved me into the room, and I landed hard on the cold stone floor. "Stay put," it hissed, its synthetic voice grating on my nerves. "Resist, and I will not hesitate to use force."

The door slammed shut with a finality that sent a shiver down my spine, plunging me into a deep, suffocating darkness. My breaths grew harsher, filling the small space with the sound of my fury. But amidst the rage, my mind remained sharp, fueled by a burning need for vengeance. The silence was a cocoon, allowing my thoughts to fester and grow, my hatred for Sidious and his monstrous apprentice swelling with every pulse of the Force.

-

Anakin

I meandered aimlessly through the labyrinth of Watto's cluttered shop, the cacophony of his endless stock echoing off the walls. The shop was a treasure trove of mechanical oddities and space junk, with items piled so high they threatened to topple at the slightest disturbance. The air was thick with the scent of grease and metal, a constant reminder of the grime and grit that permeated every corner of Mos Eisley. My thoughts swirled like the dust motes dancing in the beams of light that pierced through the grimy windows.

My idle musings were abruptly interrupted by the sharp sting of my master's voice, slicing through the air like a vibroblade. I had been so lost in my own world that I had barely registered the two towering figures that had materialized in the doorway, casting long shadows across the floor. Their presence was imposing, and the very fabric of the shop seemed to stiffen in deference to them.

Watto's leathery wings began to buzz with irritation as he glided over to me, his eyes narrowing to slits. "**Coona tee-tocky malia?**" he barked in Huttese, his voice a harsh growl that seemed to rumble in the very air around us. *(What took you so long?)*

I offered a meek response, "**Me cassa cho-passa...**" *(I was cleaning the bin like you asked...)*, my voice barely audible over the whine of his wings.

With a gruff "**Chut-Chut! Ganda doe wallya.**" *(Never mind! Watch the store.)*, he waved a hand, dismissing me. His attention had already moved on to the new customers, a greedy glint in his eye.

The taller of the two men spoke in a language I didn't understand, but his tone was serious. Watto's crooked smile grew wider as he led them into the shadowy depths of the store, his voice a syrupy sweetness that belied his usual gruffness. "**Me dwana no beta.**" *(I've got some selling to do here.)*

I watched from the shadows of the corner, my curiosity piqued by the mysterious air that surrounded these strangers. They exuded a sense of importance, of secrets untold and destinies unfulfilled. Yet, I knew better than to pry.

As the echoes of their footsteps faded, I returned to my duties, my mind racing with the tales I had heard from the deep space pilots about angels that graced the moons of Iego. These beings were said to be so breathtakingly beautiful that even the hardest of hearts would be moved to tears by their very presence.

It was then that I saw her—a vision in the dusty chaos. Her movements were fluid and graceful, as if she were floating rather than walking. Her beauty was such that it seemed to cast a soft glow around her, making the grime of the shop seem almost beautiful by comparison.

Without a moment's hesitation, I blurted out, "Are you an angel?" My voice was filled with the awe and wonder of a child discovering magic for the first time.

The girl looked at me with a mix of confusion and amusement. "What?" she replied, her voice musical, like the tinkling of wind chimes.

I repeated my question, more certain now. "An angel. Like from the stories. The ones who live on the moons of Iego. They say you're so pretty you could make a spice pirate weep with joy just by looking at you."

Her laugh was like a gentle summer breeze, and she shook her head. "No, dear boy," she said with a warmth that seemed to envelop me. "But I know an angel, and her name is Mira." Her eyes took on a distant look, filled with affection as she spoke of her friend.

"Mira?" I questioned, my heart racing with excitement. "As in, the legendary Princess Mira of Lothal?"

Her smile grew wistful, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her friend's name. "Yes, she's everything the legends say and more. As beautiful as a sunrise over the desert."

The thought of meeting such a fabled person filled me with a thrill that was almost overwhelming. "Do you think she'll ever come here? To this... this... dingy place?" I gestured around the cluttered shop, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

The girl looked around, her smile never wavering. "One can never be sure, Anakin," she said with a knowing look. "The galaxy is vast and full of surprises."

The men returned, and with a quiet exchange of words, she began to leave. "I'm glad to have met you," she told me, her voice dropping to a whisper, and for a moment, I saw something in her eyes that I couldn't quite place.

"I was too," I murmured, watching her retreating figure.

As the group disappeared into the desert landscape, leaving only a cloud of dust in their wake, I heard Watto's gruff commands in the background. "Ootmians. Chasa hopoe ma booty na nolia," he grumbled, his voice thick with Huttese. *Outlanders. They think we know nothing.*

"La lova num botaffa," I called back, smiling. They seemed nice to me.

Watto snorted in disbelief before ordering me to clean the racks. "Fweepa niaga," he said, his voice trailing off as he retreated into his office.

My spirits soared. "Yippee!" I shouted, racing toward the back of the shop, eager to complete my task and return home. The encounter had left a spark of excitement in me that not even the drudgery of cleaning could dampen.

Behind me, I heard Watto's skeptical snort, but my mind was already racing ahead to the endless possibilities the galaxy held. The day had indeed taken a brighter turn, and I couldn't wait to see what other surprises it had in store.