Ambivalence (Star Wars)

Chapter V: Indictment

Imperial Senate, Alderaan Senatorial Office

"She's not still not answering her comlink." Bail Organa said with a sigh, putting his own comlink back into the pocket of his robe.

"It's so unlike Padmé." Mon Mothma replied with a shake of her head. "Hopefully she's not in any danger."

"Should we try her office? Perhaps she's just running behind this morning. " Supplied Bail, turning to exit his own office.

Following Bail's lead Mon steered towards the exit. "Possibly, but in the past Padmé has never been this late, it's practically noon. She always coms us if something comes up."

As they reached the front office a member of Bail's staff stopped him. Briefly asking if he needed an escort, but Bail waved him off. "It will be alright." He told the young man. Quickly, the young man bowed, leaving Bail and Mon to exit freely.

Quietly, the two senators made their way towards Padmé's office. Attempting to steer clear from other senators who had gathered amongst themselves in the Senate Hall.

We don't need a repeat of yesterday. Bail thought gloomily, thinking of the exchange between Padmé and Tallulah. Glancing at his friend, he knew Mon wasn't thinking the same thing.

As they continued walking, a few senators fell into a hushed silence when they caught sight of the pair.

"I'm wasn't aware that we were so popular." Bail whispered quietly, as he and Mon tried to advert the staring eyes. Obviously those senators were aware of something he and Mon weren't.

Mon nodded. "I wasn't aware that some beings don't know it's not polite to stare." Her statement was slightly louder than she intended, and a few senators became embarrassed. Quickly, they pretended to focus on something else.

Finally, after a few minutes of walking they made it to Padmé's office. Bail pressed a button beside the door that would alert anyone inside that they needed entrance.

"Do you think you anyone's-" Mon's voice became cut off as the door slide open. "Well that answers that question."

"Senators." A figure greeted standing in the door entrance. At first, Bail thought it had been Padmé standing in the entrance, but quickly recognized the figure to be one of Padmé's handmaidens. They were all similar in appearance after all.

"Please come in." Said the handmaiden, motioning towards the inside of the office.

"Thank you, um..."

"Moteé." The handmaiden supplied with a slight smile.

"Ah, yes. Thank you Moteé." Bail replied politely, walking into Padmé's empty front office. "We were hoping Padmé was here. We've been worried. She hasn't answered her comlink, or any messages."

Leading the two senators towards a couch, Moteé sat down, beside her sat Mon, while Bail chose to stay standing.

"I'm afraid I haven't seen Mistress Amidala," Moteé sighed, placing a hand on her forehead, "I stayed here all night, thinking she would have been released by now."

Both Bail and Mon frowned at the handmaiden's statement. "What do you mean she should have been released?" Mon asked gently placing a hand on Moteé's shoulder.

Moteé folded her hands in her lap. From her expression, both senators could tell something was obviously bothering the young women.

"Yesterday, after Mistress Amidala came back from her meeting, she was taken in for questioning. I tried to stop them... to tell them she was here the whole time, but they wouldn't listen."