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| - “Wow!” Anakin stood behind Ric Olié in the cockpit of Nalanda’s royal transport as they made their final approach to Coruscant. It was a sight unlike anything in the galaxy. Most planets from space looked like swirls of clouds; normally before you set foot on a planet you met its weather. Coruscant had no cloud cover at all, it didn’t even have any weather to greet on the way down other than what was artificially simulated. The planet gave off flashes of light, tracing curious patterns on its surface. “That’s Coruscant,” Ric told Anakin, “the bright centre of the galaxy and the capital of the Republic. The entire planet is one big city.” “It’s so BIG!” Anakin murmured as the tall buildings came into view. “And look,” he nodded to a floating platform where a speeder bus was disembarking several figures. “Senator Palpatine is waiting for us.” When the ramp was down Queen Nalanda—still in her veiled black—emerged encircled by her handmaidens and Captain Panaka. Behind were the Jedi and Anakin Skywalker; last of all was Danta Pela not taking any interest in what was going on. Senator Palpatine was not alone, as well as the blue Senatorial Guards was an older man who carried himself with a distinct sophistication. As always, Palpatine was quick to jump off the mark. “It brings me great pleasure to see you alive, Your Majesty,” he said gushingly. “The pleasure is all yours, Senator,” Nalanda said cuttingly. “May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum,” the Senator went on, not hearing or ignoring Nalanda’s remark. “Welcome, Your Highness,” Valorum said with much more sincerity than Palpatine. “It is an honour to finally meet you in person. I have arranged for a special session of the Senate for you to petition your case.” A few more cursory words were exchanged before Palpatine very subtle escorted the Queen and her retinue to the waiting airspeeder. Valorum remained behind, talking with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Anakin took a few steps after the Queen, yet stopped when he saw Padmé wasn't coming with him. “Anakin,” she gave him a push forward, “you’ll have to go with them. You too, Danta.” The Gungan made no protest, but Anakin did. “But I want to stay with you!” he whined. “We’ll see each other later,” Padmé promised, pushing him again. “Go.” With a sad face Anakin trailed after Danta. “With all do respect, Your Excellency,” Qui-Gon was saying, “the information we have at present is too little to decide on anything. That’s why it is of importance that we see the Jedi Council.” “Of course,” Valorum said, he turned to Padmé, “I am sorry for your loss Padawan Naberrie and express my condolences. I was acquainted with Master Devi.” “Thank you Chancellor,” Padmé said absently, her eyes on a speeder leaving the landing platform. In the crimson confines of Palpatine’s senatorial apartment, Anakin felt lost and bewildered. Yet Danta did as well so they stuck together, bonded by the feeling of alienation. Nalanda’s handmaiden Sanné had left them in the small room an hour ago, and while the window afforded a view of the city Anakin didn’t feel comfortable. He wanted to see Padmé, but according to Rhadé it wasn’t possible since she had gone to the Jedi Temple. “I am afraid, Your Majesty, there is not much can be done,” Palpatine said, pacing the red reception room. Nalanda sat on the settee, serene in the purple and green robes she wore, her eyes following the obviously agitated senator. For a moment she looked hesitant. “But is it not straight-forward, Senator?” she asked in a cold, clear voice. “The Trade Federation’s occupation is illegal, the Senate will make him withdraw.” “If it were that simple, Your Majesty, it would have already been done without any of the suffering to our people that has happened.” Palpatine paused in his pacing to face her. “Chancellor Valorum is well-intentioned, yet he is blinded by the bureaucracy. Any assistance that he can offer will be ineffectual, and by the time it arrives on our world it will be too late.” “We need to do something now, Senator,” Nalanda rebuked. “If I knew I was going to watch you and your colleagues politick the whys and wherefores of this invasion I would have stayed behind with our people. Is there any hope?” “Well,” Palpatine said, sinking into a chair opposite her, “you could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum’s leadership.” “But Chancellor Valorum had been our strongest supporter,” Nalanda protested. “Or we could take the matter to the courts,” Palpatine continued, though they both knew it was an empty option. The courts took even longer than the Senate to decide anything. “If I may say so, Your Majesty,” he said slowly, “we may have to accept the Federation control, for the time being anyway.” “That is something that I will never do, Senator,” Nalanda vowed.
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