To Heal Poignancy ■ TECH - The Bad Batch ■

Queen Apailana

Adla wanted to go to Naboo as soon as possible to check on everyone and everything. She noticed the suspicion that surrounded her though, so she tried to wait. After two months, she thought it was safe. She hadn't contacted anyone, she refused to let anything be traced. The stress of wanting to make sure Naboo and its residents were alright crumbled her resolve.

She tried to relax as she stepped out of her ship, in which she traveled alone. Well, she wasn't completely alone as she took TC-6O with her. Adla tilted her chin toward the sky and closed her eyes. The sun shone down across the Naboo terrain. It all felt calm. She stretched her arms above her head in an attempt to be like the rest of the atmosphere and calm herself down. She took a deep breath in before slowly exhaling and brought her arms to her sides.

The senator of Naboo took another breath before she opened her eyes and made her way to Queen Apailana's palace with her droid in tow.

"I need to seek an audience with the Queen," Adla announced as she approached two royal guards. "It is urgent."

The two guards sharply turned to face the entrance. They recognized and knew who Adla was. They took her to the Queen swiftly and without fuss.

"Oh, Senator! It is wonderful to see you," Apailana said in her accented voice once Adla was spotted. The surprise had been evident in her face. She stepped away from a conversation she had with Representative Jar Jar Binks.

Jar Jar's eyes widened in delight. "Addi! Mesa so happy to see yous. Tis been berry longo time. Mesa smilin yousa here!"

Adla bowed quickly. "Yes, hello, Jar Jar. To you as well, Apailana," she quickly turned to the gungan. "Jar Jar, do you mind if I talk to Queen Apailana alone?"

Jar Jar nodded, "Okeeday. Wesa spake later, Queen Apailana. Selongabye, Addi!"

The two girls moved into a private room. The droid was left outside to keep watch.

Adla shifted on her feet as the two women stood in the room. The Senator gestured for the Queen to have a seat. "So, how has everything been?"

Queen Apailana narrowed her eyes at the older woman's strange behavior as she sat. "More and more refugees land each day."

"Do we still have enough resources for them and our people?" Adla began to pace.

"Yes, that is not a point of concern anymore. We are in the process of expanding their region in the city," Apailana carefully watched the Senator. The woman continued to pace as she mumbled to herself. "I have to say, I did not expect you here," the Queen addressed once Adla assured no one would overhear them. She also dropped the accent behind closed doors.

"I didn't want to contact you, just in case."

Apailana raised an eyebrow. "Of?"

Adla sighed as she closed her eyes and messaged the bridge of her nose with her thumb and pointer finger. Her tongue ran over her teeth. "The Empire."

Apailana expectantly looked at her to explain herself. Adla told her about Crosshair's departure and how the Senate questioned her. She said how she felt the shift in the senators' trust in her. The Empire had constantly monitored her on Coruscant. She wanted Apailana to be prepared.

"Did you?" the young Queen questioned once Adla finished retelling the last couple of months.

Adla's eyes flickered back and forth in confusion, "Did I what?"

"Did you let your bodyguard go?"

The senator sighed and looked down. "For safety purposes, I cannot answer that question."