Handmaiden

Chapter 14

The ride over to the Senate building was short. The bustling city around the Naboo was a sharp contrast to the near perfect silence that emitted from the speeder.

Sabé kept her eyes forward, forcing herself not to look around. She could not become distracted. Padmé was the Queen again, and the handmaidens had to be constantly vigilant. It wasn't below the Trade Federation to send an assassin to the security-heavy Coruscant. Sabé could even see them pulling off such a feat, under someone else's watch.

When they arrived at the Senate, the Senatorial Guards offered to help the Queen and the handmaidens out of the speeder. The guards were kind and serious, and led them to the front of the Senate building, where Senator Palpatine was waiting.

"Your Highness!" He called cheerfully, bowing before Padmé.

Senator Palpatine led them through the Senate, blabbering incessantly about the history of the building and how the Senate functioned.

Sabé didn't pay the Senator much mind. Personally, she found him shifty and corrupt, though voicing that opinion in their predicament was inappropriate. She merely stalked behind the group beside Rabé and Eirtaé, holding her blaster tightly beneath her cape. On her belt was also a staff, which Captain Panaka had given to the handmaidens as well, in case their blasters needed to be turned over to the Senatorial Guards.

They passed massive granite columns and sweeping architecture, and reached the red-carpeted inner halls of the Senate Building.

Senator Palpatine appeared to be very popular. He introduced the Queen to many politicians who passed by. Padmé took the greetings in stride, remaining tight-lipped unless asked about her planet's situation. When the group passed a few Neomoidian delegates, Senator Palpatine led Padmé in a different direction.

They entered the central chamber of the Galactic Senate, a grand dome-shaped room at the center of the building. In the middle of the room, a pod was raised to be at the center of attention. Three humanoids stood on it, the chancellor in the center. Around the room, hundreds of circular pods rested against the walls, like the one Sabé stood on.

"Eirtaé, stay back and keep an eye on things," Captain Panaka ordered.

Eirtaé nodded, though she seemed a bit disappointed, Sabé thought.

Senator Palpatine led Padmé to a seat on the front side of their pod. He began talking to her about the process of a Senate session.

Captain Panaka had brought two guards into the pod, along with Rabé and Sabé. They all sat down, looking around the room in awe.

Sabé's heart was racing. This was it. The next hour would determine the fate of Naboo. Padmé had to convince these people to help them, or all hope was lost.

Padmé wasn't paying attention to Senator Palpatine as he chatted. Her eyes were on the floor, and her cheeks were an unhealthy pale color.

Beside Sabé, Rabé was nearly shaking. She reached for Sabé's hand.

The chancellor got to his feet. When he began speaking, his voice filled the vast room. "Welcome! We gather here today to hear testimony about allegations brought by the Naboo about the supposed Trade Federation invasion of their planet."

There was a series of boos that rang out, but they quickly died out.

"The chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo," Chancellor Valorum said, causing whispering to break out amongst the other senators.

Senator Palpatine got to his feet and pressed a button on the front console, propelling their pod to the center of the arena.

"Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the senate, a tragedy has occurred, which started right here with the taxation of trade routes, and has now engulfed our planet with the oppression of the Trade Federation." Palpatine's voice was calm, though his venom was obvious.