Handmaiden

Chapter 2

Saché was much smarter than people gave her credit for. Even the other handmaidens did not realize how observant and intelligent she was. But this trade dispute puzzled her. Why was the Trade Federation merely blockading Naboo, when they could easily invade and steal the considerable fortune at the Queen's disposal? Surely laws would not stop an organization like the Trade Federation?

Padmé's advisors had arrived, and they contacted Senator Palpatine via hologram. He was also confused about the Viceroy's claims. That made Saché feel a bit better.

"The negotiations haven't started because the ambassadors aren't there? How can that be true? I have assurances from the Chancellor that his ambassadors did arrive."

Senator Palpatine attempted to continue, but the signal seemed to cut out, and his hologram disappeared.

Padmé seemed startled by this, but Saché was focused on the information from the Senator. If the ambassadors did arrive, what happened to them? What did the Trade Federation do to them?

"Communications disruption can mean only one thing," Governor Sio Bibble said, "invasion."

"The Federation would not dare go that far," said Padmé, though she didn't look convinced.

Saché agreed with the governor. She glanced over at the other handmaidens. Rabé and Sabé remained stony-faced, and Eirtaé seemed distracted. Yet Yané was watching Saché for support. Saché sent her friend an encouraging smile.

"The Senate would revoke their trade franchise, and they'd be finished," Captain Panaka said.

Saché admired Captain Panaka. She knew the other girls were a bit skeptical of his militant nature, but she knew he had a job to do. And his job was born out of love for his planet. He cared about Padmé, and wanted to see her succeed, but his true loyalty was to Naboo.

"We must continue to rely on negotiation," Padmé mused, her knuckles gripping the edges of the throne tightly. Only Saché seemed to notice.

"Negotiation? We've lost all our communications!" Governor Bibble exclaimed. "And where are the ambassadors?"

It was common for political figures to dismiss Padmé. She was only fourteen, and her slight frame did not help her seem older. It was partially up to her wardrobe, makeup, and hair to dress Padmé to play the part of Queen Amidala. After that, it was all up to her to convince others of her status.

Captain Panaka stepped forward. "This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness. Our security volunteers will be no match for a battle-hardened Federation Army."

Padmé was firm. "I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war."

The advisors continued to protest, but Saché agreed with her friend. It wasn't smart to lead a planet with a penchant for neutrality into a war.

"I suggest you all get your affairs in order. If we are to be attacked, you will be targeted after they capture me. I wish you the best of luck."

One of the advisors leaned forward, brows furrowed in confusion. "You aren't going to hide, Your Highness? We have safety measures-"

Padmé raised her hand to silence him. "I will not abandon my people. When the Trade Federation arrives, I will simply reason with the Viceroy and put this issue to bed. That will be all, thank you."

The advisors filtered out, as Governor Bibble bounded forward to tell Padmé that he admired her strength, and that he would stay with her in the palace when the time came. Then he excused himself to contact his wife.

Saché supposed that Padmé giving herself up meant that she and the other handmaidens would be captured too. Her parents would worry for her, she presumed. Her father, a former politician, lived on the opposite side of Naboo with his new wife and young children. Saché's mother lived in the city with her sister and nephews. As a child, Saché knew she was loved, but her parents always seemed more concerned with her intellectual upbringing than her emotional and social upbringing. Saché could only hope that her family would remain safe throughout the invasion.