"I want none of that, Captain," Padmé interrupted. "You're dismissed. Please return to your work." She surveyed the room. "Everyone."
Every being in the room was compelled to bow their heads before resuming their duties, each restraining their personal opinions while faithfully listening to their leader. A knock sounded at the door sometime later, with one of Palpatine's stooges standing just on the other side.
Padmé's heart instantly froze at the sight of him, her stomach dropping and her skin turning cold as she outwardly struggled to maintain her composure. "Yes?" she asked, pleased with the false confidence in her voice.
"The emperor is calling an immediate gathering of the Senate," the blue man replied, his voice stern and professional. "All remaining senators must be present." "Very well," Padmé replied as the man turned and left, her gaze shifting to Dormé, where they both exchanged the same troubled anxiousness.
Padmé sighed deeply, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as Emperor Palpatine concluded his disquisition, the man feigning mournfulness while describing the "atrocious and disheartening" situation in the Senate, followed by an incessant stream of lies that flowed from his lips. The scene was as tumultuous as witnessing Bail, Mon, and many others absent from their seats. Her uneasiness grew one moment, then stalled in undeniable anticipation the next, only for the assembly to be dismissed with the leader in question never once turning to look at her, never once making her feel out of place, or hinting that she was the next target of his twisted witch hunt.
She found herself walking to her room in a daze, sickened by the smiles and delighted whispers about the "pleasing effort and progress" made by the Imperial forces, as spoken by the senators who had come to regard the Empire as their beloved government.
"Did you see Bail at the assembly?" Dormé asked the moment Padmé entered the room. Padmé simply shook her head before taking a seat at her desk.
She took a deep breath as she settled into her seat, finally allowing a small amount of emotion to surface from the heavy burden resting on her shoulders. She frowned, leaning her head into her hands, her elbows resting on the table, with the stress flowing down her back like a nauseating waterfall.
"I'm sure there is no reason to panic," Dormé attempted to reassure, but she was a far less graceful liar than her political best friend. Padmé did not believe the first syllable out of her mouth, choosing to remain silent as she raised her eyes from her desk to give her friend a small, doubtful glare. A small amount of quietness descended upon them as Padmé continued to work and Dormé maintained her watch. In truth, neither woman excelled at the task at hand, but they persevered as if it were a normal day. A few delegates passed in and out of the senator's office, each wearing the same expression of fear followed by a sigh of relief upon seeing one another alive. Padmé had sent multiple messages to her fellow Rebellion leaders within the Senate but received no responses.
The minutes ticked by painfully, drawing ever closer to her indubitable doom. The weight of the entire situation rested heavily on Padmé's shoulders, and the tightness in her chest made it hard to breathe. She tried to stay busy with her work but couldn't silence her mind from envisioning the worst possible outcome for them all. That was until a beep broke through her shell of madness, almost like a song from the Force itself... the notification of a new message. Padmé pushed her work aside and grabbed her personal datapad, her fingers racing to open the screen and find the message. Her eyes widened at the contact's name as her heart leaped for joy.
"Dormé! Bail sent me a message!" Padmé exclaimed, relief instantly washing over her worries as she read the message on the screen.
Senator Amidala,
I apologize for my delay, as I have been occupied elsewhere. Please accept my sincerest apologies for my rude behavior. Regarding the documentation in question, since my focus is needed elsewhere, feel free to finalize it without my presence. Distance and silence are essential for my current endeavors. Once I am finished, I will be sure to reach out to you. Senator Mon Mothma will soon provide information about our additional undertaking. Until then, I hope all is well. Senator Organa
Padmé took a deep breath and reread the message before sinking back into her seat. "Everything is fine," she announced, sighing with relief. "Everyone is fine."
"Then where are they?" Dormé asked, taking the datapad to read the message herself. "Why didn't you see them at the assembly?"
"I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation," Padmé said, snatching the device back. "You can see it written there for yourself. They're fine, and the orders are to act as if everything is normal. We need to be smart now– smarter than the Empire. Bail's right; staying low and keeping our distance is our best bet."
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