章 86: Chapter 86
Padme visited Jial at the Colosseum later that night in his private booth. She sat in the chair next to him while looking down at the arena.
Mira, Talon, and Kroq were battling a juvenile Skullcrawler. The only thing separating them from the audience was a deflector shield that would only withstand so many blows.
"Lo-Uncle Jial," Padme called out carefully. "Wonderful match."
"Glad you are enjoying it but those three are playing around with it. Any one of them could kill a juvenile by themselves."
"The Yautja's power is as incredible as the rumors say," the queen laughed, trying to ease the tension. Jial had yet to look at her, his eyes focused on the battle
"I hate ass kissing. Just wastes times and tells me things I already know," he finally turned to her and gave her a tip. "The Senate unable to help?"
"Yes. Their original proposal would take weeks if not months, time that my people don't have.
I proposed a vote of no confidence to try and get Senator Palpatine to replace the Supreme Chancellor but it appears that too will take too long.
I wish to ask you for the Yautja's help to drive away the Trade Federation and protect my people."
"And what are you offering, Queen of Naboo?" Jial wanted to let her know that nothing came for free
"What do you and the Yautja want?" Padme was feeling frustrated. The Yautja were a galactic superpower while they were simply a single planet, of which they did not own the entirety. There was almost nothing that she could offer Jial.
"When your term as queen is over, take over as senator. You would represent our interests in the Senate."
The terms were puzzling. The Yautja had the opportunity to place a representative on the Senate like other independent systems and planets in order to keep track of Senate matters but they had refused to do. Only their vassals hadn't pulled away from the Senate itself.
This was basically asking for Padme to be acting as a spy but for no true purpose.
"Why?" was all Padme could ask
"Does the why matter?"
"Of course it matters," Padme stood up from her seat and looked at Jial in frustration. "These are politics. These are no games! You are asking me to act as a spy but one with no purpose! Am I supposed to just risk Naboo's stance as a member of the Republic so you can be entertained?"
Jial looked at her with a smile in his eyes. He liked the fire that she had. But he also had to correct her.
"I said you would represent our interests, not the Yautja themselves. And our interests are in making sure that no other corrupt officials get in positions of power with our ally."
"What corrupt official? The previous king is..."
"It is not the dead man I am worried about," he interrupted her. "I'm talking about the man who is about to have the most power in the entire Senate while we are on the brink of war. A war that could bring him even more power if the other members of the Republic live in the fear that war propagates.
I'm talking about the Vice Supreme Chancellor who has firmly been Palpatine's ally for years as well as Palpatine's close connection with the IGBC even though he is from Naboo."
Padme stopped. She hadn't expected Palpatine to be dirty but she didn't doubt him. Not because she believe fully in Yautja intelligence but she had felt it herself.
He may have used pretty words and nationalism to get her to do it but he convinced her to remove one of her closest allies from power because the rest of the Senate was preventing him from acting as he pleased.
"I made a mistake," Padme grabbed the cup of juice next to her and took a swig
"You did. But that's to be expected. He's an old monster and you have less than a third of his experience," Jial tried to comfort her slightly. He wouldn't deny that she had gotten played but that was to be expected. Palpatine used her trust in him to take advantage of the girl's desperation.
"So do you accept my condition?"
Padme looked at his profile and tried to study him. She had studied psychology during her training so she wanted to try and get a read on him but she was getting nothing. After a few minutes, she gave up and looked to see Talon giving the killing blow to the Skullcrawler.
"I accept, Uncle Jial. But since I call you Uncle, I'm expecting more support than others would get," Padme joked, trying to ease her tense nerves
"Of course. We already have a hidden fleet composed of 5 frigates that can compare with battleships in terms of firepower along with their accompanying ships that are carrying some very powerful missiles.
We also have a 2nd fleet on standby led by my oldest daughter and son with a massive army of Necrons and many soldiers that we have trained. Give us the word and we will bring hell down on the Trade Federation."
"I didn't know you had a son, Uncle Jial," Padme was shocked to hear this. Word of Nott and Mira had spread all over as well as his lover Talon but there had been no news of a son. And that he was of fighting age no less.
"Just turned 16. An arrogant, little shit!" he told her while laughing.
"So he's definitely your son."
Jial laughed again. Padme was beginning to speak casually with him and he found it quite refreshing.
"You learn fast."
"I became queen when I was only 14. I have to be one," Padme took the compliment with ease. She would never deny her studious nature
"And what will come of Senator Palpatine?"
"He will be allowed to do as he pleases. As far as what he did, that's not even corrupt. Just manipulative.
But I will keep an eye on him. And you make sure not to let him know you are aware of his actions."
"Understood. I shall try my best to seem ignorant."
She hated having to play the fool but she knew that she couldn't challenge Palpatine. She was the young queen that nearly got her planet conquered while Palpatine would be their savior if the Yautja did not provide assistance.
"Good. Sice will depart with you tomorrow morning to begin the operation. Head back with your handmaids."
"Yes, Uncle. Thank you once again."
"No need to mention it," Jial waved her off. As soon as she left, Sice appeared from the shadows.
"Well?"
"Palatine is sending his apprentice to Naboo to ambush the queen. Should we call in more forces?"
"You, Nott, and that brat will all be there. You 3 are more than enough for a single Sith. Just make sure the boy doesn't run off amd try to fight him alone."
"Understood, my lord." And then she was gone just as fast as she had arrived
Jial was alone in the booth. But his eyes weren't in the newest fighters that had entered the arena. He was staring at the Senate Building far into the distance.
"Plagueius and Sidious. I'm not sure what you have planned but you better not drag me into it."
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