Soon enough, the voting day came.
I was walking through the corridors alongside Davis with Jon and Robb guarding us. Holding their force staffs in a ceremonial stance.
However, we also had 2 Senate Guards with us. It was quite entertaining to drag those poor souls around. Well, I guess I saved them from a few Senators. After all, I feel bad for whoever is assigned to Orn Free-Ta.
That fat blue monster is truly an eyesore. Can't believe a Senator of an under-malnourished species is so over-malnourished. Truly exceptional, and it shows the prime of Senatorial corruption, self-preservation, and self-pleasure.
As I was about the enter our pod. Which luckily was beside Padme's I was approached by said person.
Outfitted in her Queen attire, she stepped up to me while Palpatine stood behind her.
"Greetings, Queen Amidala, Senator Palpatine." I said as I bowed slightly, and they returned the gesture.
"Greetings, Count Thalron." Padme said with a smile.
"Hello, Young Count." Palpatine said, always trying to become a big grandfatherly figure.
"So, what will you be doing?" I asked and Palpatine stepped forward.
"We'll plead our case to the Senate. And if that doesn't work then we'll call a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum." He said and I acted shocked, albeit not too shocked as Palpatine would sense that shit within 0.223 seconds.
"But Chancellor Valorum has been your supporter all the way?" I said and Padme looked down, I knew she didn't truly want this but didn't have a choice due to Palestine's corruption, putting in the belief that it is the only way.
But in the end, it didn't even help her, she took it back by force without the support of the Republic. So only Palpatine won by calling the vote of no confidence.
"Yes, but the Corporations and bureaucrats have too much power over him, Young Thalron. His motive may be noble, but his means do not match his motives." He said and I nodded.
"Well, if that's what you believe is the correct choice. We'll support you as promised." I told Padme and she walked back into her pod.
But Palpatine waited.
"Young Thalron, I suppose you've seen the Queen's naivety?" Palpatine asked, and I looked at him with narrowed eyes.
Is he turning me against Padme?
"I have, she's green and young. But I suppose It will grow with experience and when this event is over. She'll have learned a lot." I said and Palpatine nodded in approval, having come to the same conclusion.
"I know you have led wars, killed people and I respect you for that. But Padme hasn't. She doesn't have the stomach to fight, and I don't know if she has the stomach to put through this action. After all, she's young and she has an emotional bond with Chancellor Valorum." Palpatine said as he looked sad, but I bet he's laughing beneath all that.
Ah, I see what it is. He wants me as a backup plan. He fears that due to my interference in his plans that I might have grown the seed in her mind that she can do it herself. And by doing that she won't call the vote of no-confidence against Valorum.
"So, you want me to call a no-confidence vote against Valorum if Queen Amidala doesn't have the stomach to do it?" I asked.
"Yes, I trust you understand that it is for the greater good." He said. He had probably already guessed that I was selfish, but I doubt he had come to the reason I did this. Maybe to get closer to him, or to get the Plasma reserves on Naboo. But he knew I was selfish.
"I see, I can. But what will I get for this?" I asked Palpatine.
"I shall support you in whatever endeavor you require. Whether it is making your own faction, attacking a certain planet, or getting a permit for a larger military force." He said with a smile. He knew I couldn't refuse.
It was a great deal on paper, I could use him to let my navy continue to grow, to make my own war faction, or alliance, or to legalize an invasion.
I studied his expression and I noticed he had a big ass smile plastered onto his face.
He knew he had won.
"Very well, but is this only 'if' I do it, or is this still in motion if Padme does hold the vote of no confidence?" I asked him. I knew Padme would do it and I'd rather keep my relationship with Valorum. Maybe I'd bring him onto my team later.
"It will happen either way, due to your show of loyalty and support for the greater good." He said and I smiled. I would get a free golden ticket. I ain't gonna say no.
"Very well, I'll do it." I said and he nodded.
"Thank you, Young Thalron." He said before turning around and walking towards his own Senatorial pod.
I too did the same, and when I arrived, Jon, Robb, and Davis were sitting on it.
Or more so Davis. Robb and Jon stood on both sides of the control disk, where I would usually stand. While the Senator stood at our Pods dock, not quite on the pod.
But instead of walking to the control, I simply sat down with Davis.
"Davis, gather every single ally you can get, preferably from the Core Senate but also general. A vote for a new Chancellor will soon begin." I said shocking him.
"W-what? How do you know this?" He asked after calming himself.
"Padme is calling for a vote of no confidence against Supreme Chancellor Valorum." I said, which broke him out of his shell.
"It's a solid move, but not the best." He analyzed.
"So many things can go wrong. If the Trade Federation supports the new Chancellor then Naboo is truly fucked." He said and I nodded.
"But if they get their own situated then they can get support quickly," I said and he nodded.
"High risk, high reward." He said, but then Supreme Chancellor Valorum began speaking as Padmes pod began moving forward.
"The chair recognizes the senator from the sovereign system of Naboo." He said as the different senators began murmuring.
Palpatine stood on the controls as he began speaking.
"Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the senate, a tragedy has occurred… which started right here with the taxation of trade routes and has now engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the Trade Federation." He said, just in time for the Senator of the Trade Federation to step forward, Lott Dott.
"This is outrageous! I object to the Senator's statement!" He shouted.
"The chair does not recognize the senator from the Trade Federation at this time." Vice Chancellor Mas Amedas said as he stood up.
"To state our allegations, I present Queen Amidala, recently elected ruler of the Naboo, who speaks on our behalf." Palpatine said as he sat down, and let Padme step forward.
"Honorable representatives of the Republic. I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade-"She tried to speak before being interrupted.
"I object! There is no proof!" Lott Dott shouted. "This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth." He said again, and he got support from Malastare.
"The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed." He said.
I turned to Davis.
"Get us into the discussion I have something to say." I said as I took out my Holotransmitter.
Davis stood up and took us forward.
"Are you ready to speak about the happenings on Naboo?" I asked in the comms and I got a response.
"I am." The response came.
"Prepare, I'll set you up soon." I said as I put it back.
As Valorum was about to speak I stepped forward.
"Why would we send another commission, when we already have the proof from a credible and neutral source." I said as I stepped forward, and even more of an outburst came from the senate stands.
"And what source is this, Count?" Lott Dott said with anger.
"Supreme Chair, with your permission I wish to enter a communication between us and the witness." I said and he nodded.
I put my transmitter into my controls and soon enough a big blue Hologram of a man came up.
It was none other than Qui Gon Jinn.
"Greetings, honorable delegations of the Senate. I am Master Qui Gon Jinn. Recently, I was sent by the Supreme Chancellor to Naboo to discern the truth of these accusations." Qui Gon said and Lott Dott knew this was bad.
"This must be faked!" He shouted as a picture came up.
"We captured this picture as we escaped from Naboo, after me and my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi alongside a Judicial warship was shot down in the hangar by the Trade Federation. We barely managed to rescue the Queen and escape before we were shot down and forced to Tatooine." He said.
I saw Padme look at me with appreciation in her eyes, but it would soon fade.
"This must be fake! The Jedi are not neutral but well known to be against the Corporations!" Lott Dott exclaimed, pulling multiple accusations.
"In light of recent events, I must send a fleet of Judicial For-" Valorum said, but Amedas whispered into his ears
I could see Palpatine did the same to Padme.
"The point is conceded." Valorum spoke. "Delegate of Naboo, will you defer your motion to allow a neutral commission from the Judicial Force to explore the validity of your accusations?" Valorum spoke and I sat down.
I did my part, Valorum truly fucked up for himself. He was stupid to listen to Mas Amedas, well not much I can do either way now.
"I will not defer. I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee. 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 said and I saw a slight smile enter Palpatines face.
"Lead us back, Davis. We're done." I said and he nodded. Flying us back to our small dock. But we could not leave yet, Padme did as she was not a Senator.
"A 2-hour preparation will begin. In 2 hours we will all come back and nominate for election, including the general senate." Mas Amedas said as I left my pod.
I barely saw Padme turn around a corner, walking with anger. Not that shocking to be truthful.
I stood outside looking at the roof, the true battle will begin. This next battle I can't rely on canon, I need to defeat those ships. On my own, no future knowledge.
"Ah, Young Thalron!" Palpatine exclaimed as he came out of his small dock.
"I presume you'll wish to become a candidate?" I asked Palpatine and a sly entered his face.
"Yes, if I become Chancellor then perhaps, we can save Naboo." He said and I nodded, it was a reasonable assumption.
"Well, you have my nomination and my allies. I have a few senators on my payroll and hundreds wanting to buy Bacta. I can get something done for you if you require." I said and he smiled.
"I would greatly appreciate it, Young Thalron. I shall owe you one." He said as he walked away. I turned the Davis.
"You heard the man, gather our allies" I said and Davis responded with a nod.
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