The Clone Wars: One-shots

Challenges of the Senate (P2)

Context: The Banking Clan was a neutral party during the Clone Wars. Padme goes to Scipio to find evidence to prove the Banking Clan favored the Separatists by not charging them interest.

The ship entered the atmosphere and then descended past the wispy white clouds. Scipio was a beautiful planet; snow-covered mountains extended for miles before fading away into the soft haze, the setting sun's heat giving the snow a subtle shine that made it all the more pleasing to the eye.

Padme inserted the coordinates to the Banking Clan's fortress and sent the false transponder codes the Republic plugged into the ship before setting the vessel to autopilot, allowing herself to rest- providing a sense of calm before the upcoming storm ahead.

A beeping noise woke Padme from her short nap, indicating she was almost to her destination. She quickly sat up, put on her white head covering, and readjusted her servant robes.

The fortress soon came into view. It was truly an architectural masterpiece; an enormous metal dome sat in the center, suspended above many diminutive silver towers, and massive steel struts reached toward nearby mountains for support like the roots of a growing tree. The metallic materials glinted from the now-set sun, and specks of light shone throughout the stronghold, making Padme think of Coruscant's cityscape at night. In turn, she remembered Sabe's mission in the Senate.

She hoped it was going well for her.

The ship landed with a soft thump, jolting her back to reality and away from her running thoughts. She walked out of the cockpit and to the ramp, which she lowered. Below her were two armed Muun guards, tall and slim as always, with an advisor standing between them. She strode down the ramp, stopping in front of the Muuns towering above her small figure.

"Greetings, Advisor," she said formally, offering a bow.

"Right on time, as expected. Maiden of Senator Bonteri, correct?" he questioned, refusing to return the bow Padme offered. She forgot how arrogant people can be to those under them in status.

She kept her head down, refraining herself from letting out any unorthodox remarks. "Yes, sir. She sent me to exami- to observe your operations before she agrees to do any business with the InterGalactic Banking Clan," she simply stated, hoping that observe sounded less invasive than examine. 

It was a Muun's nature to think highly of themself, and Padme planned to use that against them in any way she could.

"You are to go to your assigned chambers and prepare for your dinner with the Core Five." One of the guards stepped up, handing Padme a keycard. "There, you will find fitted clothes for your stay. Only after our repast shall you see the Main Vault, as the Senator has requested."

And with that, the advisor and his escorts left Padme alone at the landing platform.

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She wore a lengthy purple dress with an almost black scarf around her neck. Her sleeves were loose, falling beyond her hands, and her garments dragged across the carpeted flooring as she made her way to the Main Vault. Thankfully, her apparel wasn't very revealing, or else her husband would be furious. Padme also kept her hair down and wore makeup much different from Senator Amidala's to avoid any suspicions of her true identity.

However, before going to the Main Vault, she needed to make a quick stop. Down the hall was the control room, where the entire fortress was powered. Padme had a tiny timed detonator clutched in her hand beneath her sleeve she would use to cut power from the vault when the time was right.

Most Muun guards had posts near the dinner with the Core Five, so she had a small opening before they returned to their usual positions.

She hid around the corner from the sliding door and waited until one of the technicians walked out. She quietly tip-toed as he walked the other way and slipped into the control room, the door closing behind her. Padme felt around, her eyes adjusting to the dark room until she found the electrical panels.