The Phantom Menace (AU)/Chapter 23

Back at Senator Palpatine’s apartment, Queen Nalanda was preparing to address the Senate. Here it was apparent that she wanted to show the sovereignty of Naboo with all its due glory and majesty.

She wore a blue gown embroidered with the royal symbol, over that was a cloak of turquoise shimmersilk held in place with a heavy gold collar. Aside from the customary red and white face paint, her hair extended sideways either side of her head, ending past her shoulders.

Yet despite all of this splendour, Nalanda was nervous about addressing the Senate. Palpatine’s words had hit home to her and she wondered not only if they were true, but what effect they would have on her people. Could the Senate be of no help? She considered these fears for no more than a moment before she dismissed them. Instincts served well at certain times, but facts were what made the universe. It never boded well to delve too deeply into the realm of possibility.

“Your Majesty,” Palpatine was outside the door, “we must leave now.”

Nalanda walked towards him with her head held high, aloof and serene like a goddess descending from the crowds to walk among mortals. Even Palpatine was taken aback by the presence that radiated from her.

Anakin stood in awe as he watched Queen Nalanda pass by with her handmaidens. Even Danta was impressed, muttering unintelligible things under his breath.

But Anakin wondered what he was supposed to do. Go with the Queen and the Senator, or stay here? A moment later he was presented with a third option.

“Hello, Annie,” Padmé walked up to him. Even now it was somewhat strange to see her in the garb of a Jedi. Padmé turned to Danta. “Queen Nalanda says you are to come with her.”

“And me?” Anakin asked in a small voice just as Danta slunk off.

“You’re coming with me, Annie,” Padmé said.

“Where are we going?” he asked, taking her hand and walking with her.

“The Jedi Temple,” Padmé said as they left the apartment and headed for the turbolifts.

Anakin’s smile was as warm as a Tatooine dawn, he couldn’t believe his luck. We wasn't just going to where the Jedi lived, Padmé was going to take him there!



“Please lead the way,” Nalanda said, Palpatine needed no encouragement. In the Senate he was clearly in his element.

They walked down a long, curved corridor and through a doorway into the Senate chamber. Nalanda let her eyes look up and around, the ‘chamber’ was enormous. Hundreds upon hundreds of pods were stationed around the large cone-shaped room and as many species filled them. In the centre a tall column supported the Chancellor’s podium where Valorum and the Vice-Chair Mas Amedda sat.

Palpatine led Nalanda down into the Naboo pod, Danta went to follow her but one of the handmaidens waved him back. To console him she handed the Gungan a small viewscreen so he could watch the proceedings then entered the pod herself.

“Your Majesty, if the Trade Federation moves to defer you must push for a vote of no confidence,” Palpatine whispered to her as the pod broke its couplings. “It may be our only chance.”

“You do not think that Chancellor Valorum will put this forward to a vote?” Nalanda asked, despite everything she still had hope.

“I do not think, I know,” Palpatine replied.

Nalanda set her teeth, wishing the senator had more faith. All I have to do is try, she reminded herself.

“The chair recognises the senator from the sovereign system of Naboo,” Valorum said, his voice echoing through the chamber.

The Naboo pod sped up and began a circuit of the chamber, trailing it was the transmission droid so the pod and those in it were brought up on the viewscreens of senators as well as several Holonet stations. Palpatine got to his feet, giving those droids his full attention.

“My noble colleagues,” he began, “I come before you in the wake of a tragedy on my homeworld of Naboo which you are no doubt aware of.” He paused for effect, then continued. “A tragedy that began right here in this very room with the taxation of trade routes. It has turned to a senseless, oppressive and above all lawless occupation of my homeworld. The Trade Federation, who is responsible for this injustice, have a lot to answer for—”

That was as far as he got before Lott Dod, the representative of the Trade Federation, entered the arena and bellowed out his objections.

“This is outrageous!” Lott Dod shouted. “I reject Senator Palpatine’s ridiculous claims and ask that he be silenced at once!”

“The chair does not recognise the senator from the Trade Federation,” Valorum asserted in a cold voice. “Return to your place.”

Reluctantly, Lott Dod retreated.

“To state out allegations in full,” Palpatine said as if there had been no interruption, “I present Queen Nalanda, recently elected ruler of Naboo, who will speak on our behalf.”

Nalanda rose and stared straight ahead, looking at no one lest she falter. Soon, her voice filled the chamber.

“Respected delegates of the Senate,” she said, “I am Queen Nalanda and I come before you under the gravest of circumstances. Recently my world has been invaded and my people subjected to the oppression of the Trade Federation. They have also caused—”

Nalanda got no further before Lott Dod interrupted again.

“These accusations are baseless!” the Neimoidian roared. “Where is the proof?”

“The chair requests the senator from the Trade Federation to hold his peace,” Valorum said, this time there was no hint of firmness in his voice, it was blatantly obvious.

Again, Lott Dod returned his pod to its coupling, glowering and muttering to himself.

“They have also caused,” Nalanda repeated, “the death of the Jedi Knight Shakya Devi. I ask you, is this not grounds for—”

“I object to these groundless allegations!” Lott Dod bellowed. “I repeat, there is no proof that the Trade Federation has any presence in the Naboo system. Queen Nalanda has not only accused us of invading her world, but of murder as well!”

“I ask the Senator from the Trade Federation if he think if I am lying,” Nalanda retorted.

Lott Dod ignored this. “Queen Nalanda of the Naboo needs to understand that she cannot make such scathing accusations without proof,” he said, not pausing to allow Valorum to interject. “I recommend that a committee be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth behind these allegations.”

Valorum shook his head. “Overruled.”

But the Neimoidian would not relent. “Your Excellency, you cannot allow use to be condemned as such without an impartial observation,” he said. “This is against all rules of procedure!”

“The ruling is—” Valorum broke off to confer with Mas Amedda.

“And here, Your Majesty,” Palpatine said in a low voice to Nalanda, “is where the Chancellor’s strength will disappear. You will be asked to defer so the Trade Federation’s motion can take precedence. Just you watch.”

Nalanda didn’t speak, so far what Palpatine had said was true. Would the Chancellor continue to vouch for them, or would he surrender in favour of the Federation?

“The point is conceded,” Valorum said reluctantly. “Article 523A takes precedence here.” He turned to Nalanda. “Queen Nalanda of the Naboo, will you defer your motion to allow as Senate commission to explore the validity of your accusations?”

Nalanda could feel a lump rising his her throat, this couldn’t be happening! She could almost see Lott Dod’s satisfied smile and wanted to scream with frustration. There was only one thing to be done then, and it was the closest she had ever come to a betrayal.

“I will not defer!” Nalanda declared, the anger rising in her voice. “I have come before you to solve this conflict now, not to watch you discuss it in committee!” She paused, noticed Valorum stiffen and pleaded a silent apology. “If this body is not capable of action I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum’s leadership.”

She might as well have thrown a thermal detonator into the chamber for all the effect her words caused. Senators jumped to their feet shouting, some in support, some in protest. Valorum’s face paled as he watched Nalanda, the full weight of her words dawning on him.

Mas Amedda immediately took charge. “Order!” he shouted. “We shall have order!”

His voice had the desired effect, the noise subsided to a reasonable level. Then another box floated into the centre of the Chamber, Senator Edcel Bar Gan of Roona.

“Roona seconds the motion of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum,” he said.

“The motion has been seconded,” Mas Amedda said, he was not pleased.

Aks Moe of Malastare then entered the fray.

“There must be no delays,” he urged in a loud voice, “the motion is on the floor and will be voted on at once.”

Lott Dod had something to say about this. “I move that the motion be sent to the procedures committee for further study—”

At this the Senate erupted again. Delegates standing, shouting, “Vote now! Vote now!” Mas Amedda had not even attempted to quell this storm. He was deep in conversation with Valorum. Trying, no doubt, to convince the Chancellor that the situation was not as bad as it seemed.

“You see, Your Majesty, the tide is with us,” Palpatine said triumphantly. “Valorum will be voted out, I assure you, and a new Supreme Chancellor will be elected. A strong chancellor, who will not let our tragedy be ignored.”

Danta looked up from the viewscreen he held shaking his head.

“Very bombad,” he muttered, even he knew betrayal where he saw it.

But high in the pod for the Mamphra system there was a very different reaction. Senator Dunai stood silent as he watched the Senate, remembering Palpatine’s proposition earlier that day. Was this what he intended, or was it simply answering to the situation? He wasn’t sure.

“What does this mean, Senator?” Litany asked, she sat next to him and looked rather worried.

“I’m not sure,” Chiron replied, shaking his head, “but it’s not good, not good at all.”