The senatorial bodyguard

You escort Padmé back to her apartment, her guards from Naboo are already at high alert. The whole apartment building is being heavily patrolled and manned, nobody may enter or leave, including the local residents, without the knowing of captain Typho.

Typho is the captain of the Royal Naboo Security ****, the man responsible for Padmé's protection.

In her living room, Padmé holds a holomeeting with her fellow senator friends to discuss the next course of action. They still stand against the new military act and vow to try and persuade as many senators as possible to join their cause. They all agree, that action must be taken or the chancellor will have enough clones in Coruscant to be able to turn the republic into a dictatorship overnight. Once the meeting is over, you share your scepticism with her.

Lana: I know you try your best to make peace as soon as possible but... You yourself saw that bomber, maybe... Just maybe... The capital needs a little more policing ****.

Padmé: I thank you for your concern, but, I will not start debating with you too Lana!

Lana: All I say is to think about it! Try to better understand those that support that idea! They aren't wrong, just think differently...

Padmé (smiling): If I didn't think of it like that, I wouldn't support democracy. The problem is not with their idea, it is with the possible consequences. Palpatine has been in office for way too long, his term had ended years ago... Yet, since this "crisis" is happening, we aren't going to hold elections. And his powers grow, day by day, I can see it, we all can see it! We must stop his grab for control before it's too late!

Lana: Okay, politics isn't my kind of game, if somebody won't agree with me, I ask them nicely one of two times, then comes the argument they can't beat.

Padmé: Which is?

Lana (placing your hands on your lightsabers): My two brightest and most shining arguments, ever! Nobody can beat them!

Padmé (laughing): I'm glad I didn't start arguning with you earlier!

Lana: I would have gone easy on you! At first...! But jokes aside... Do you think you and your friends will be able to convince enough senators to vote against the motion?

Padmé: We have to try. We all have our methods of convincing others. I prefear the mos tstraight way, there is. The reasoning. Though, sometimes it's not enough... Bail usually uses his political favours, connections and "secret donations", to convince others, to vote in his favour.

Lana: ""Secret donations"? Isn't that just called corruption?

Padmé: Sort of...

Lana: I see... And what do the others do if the words alone fail?

Padmé: They all have their ways, that's not up to me to judge or share them. I have already said enough.

Lana: If your "convincing methods" are similar to Bail's, what makes you different than your opponents?

Padmé: We are idealists, but even we can see that we have our voice heard if we don't bend the rules at least a little. The republic is in crisis, but not due to the war... It started way before that... The idea of all systems having a representative who will serve them best is no more but a utopia now. It used to work, long ago... But today, there are a few who have overwhelming influence in the senate and can manipulate enough senators to decide most of the sessions. We have to stand up against such figures by any means. For the greater good!

Lana: For the greater good... If I got 1 midichlorian into each of my cells every time the Jedi council said that, I would be stronger than the whole Jedi order by now.

Padmé: It may sound like a cliche, but it's true. Without sacrifices, nobody can achive what they aspire to. And for this, their somewhat unjust methods are justified and I'm turning a blind eye to them all.

Lana: Whatever you say, that's none of my business. Anyway, you may get on with your daily routine, I'll be here in the living room and meditate. I'll let no harm come to you, I swear!

Padmé: I'm having a strong deja vu feeling!

Lana: I'll do a better job than Anakin did as a padawan!

Padmé (teasing): Well, he did things I doubt you'll be able to compete with...!

Lana: Have you been told how naughty of a senator you are?

Padmé (throwing her blouse onto the sofa): Only he told me that before, but now that you too are saying, it might be true! Now, is my bodyguard brave enough to watch over me, while I'm taking a shower?

Lana (thinking): Anakin's absence must be taking a toll on her. Drek and Anakin certainly wouldn't approve if I... did stuff with her. Yet, maybe I can help her with it... Nobody would have to know...

Valare: Of course you can, she has literally just invited you to bath with her! Come on Jedi, don't spoil the fun!