Peace shattered!

Once-promising negotiations between the Republic and the Separatists are now in shambles, following a droid suicide bombing on the power generators on the capital city planet of Coruscant. As anger and fear prevail, the Senate overwhelmingly passes a bill to deregulate the banks, opening the gateway to additional troops and an increase in fighting.

Gabby and Boba once again stood by their mother as she was in a meeting with the Senate. A lot of senators were talking at once.

"This is so scary..." Gabby whispered.

"I know." Boba said.

"Members of the Senate, please, please..." Chancellor Palpatine called.

"How dare they?" said a Roonan.

"They attack, and now they want peace?" said a human senator.

"Chancellor Palpatine," said Padme, moving her platform forward. "may I remind the senators that the peace proposal was made prior to their assault."

"That only highlights its insincerity." said the Roonan.

"Chancellor Palpatine," Senator Burtoni came forward. "in light of this unprovoked attack on Coruscant and the vulnerabilities it raises, I propose the Republic purchase an additional five million clone troopers."

"Why not have the Republic buy everything in an entire shopping mall while they're at it?" Boba whispered sarcastically.

"Maybe you'd like to send the Republic on a shopping spree while you're at it." Queen Griselda said sarcastically.

"The Republic is already operating in deep debt." Senator Organa told the Kaminoan. "How do you propose we pay for these additional troops?"

"My people are drafting an emergency appropriations bill that would raise funds-" said Burtoni until she was interrupted.

"From the Banking Clan?" said Padme.

"Yes, of course. Do you have an alternate means of paying?"

"One alternative might be to stop the war, not escalate it."

"Traitor!" shouted Senator Free Taa, and many others.

But Gabby and Boba stepped up to the mic.

"My mother is anything but a traitor!" Boba said.

"None of you seem to consider other facts either. Think about it. The longer the war goes on, the more someone makes money off it."

"Whoever attacked the power grid wants us to continue to fight." Padme said. "It's a calculated attempt to destroy the peace process. Not everyone in the Confederacy wants this. I know this for a fact."

"You have Separatist friends, Senator?" asked a pale-skinned senator.

"Whose side are you on?" shouted another senator.

As all the senators began shouting again, Gabby's hands formed into fists. She couldn't take it anymore, and she shrieked into the mic to get everyone to shut up.

"Must all of you shout at each other?!" Gabby said. "Look at yourselves! You're supposed to be the adults here, yet you're all fighting like a bunch of little kids, and need to be told this by a four-year-old!"

"You're not four yet," Boba pointed out.

"Exactly my point. What kind of example are you setting for future generations? If any of you have kids of your own, is this how you want them to see you?"

That was when Chancellor Palpatine spoke.

"The young senator makes a point. There is no need to..."

Mas Amedda interrupted the chancellor and whispered something to him.

"We have just received a message from our opponent Count Dooku."

A hologram was put up of Count Dooku. And here was what he had to say.

"Your Republic forces have carried out a barbaric attack on our people, and among the deaths was the very sponsor of the peace accord, Senator Mina Bonteri."

Boba and Padme both gasped when they heard that. In his head, Boba couldn't imagine how Lux was handling the loss of his mother.

"With her needless death," Dooku continued. "I must formally withdraw the proposal for peace offered by our Senate."

The message was over.

"We must not show weakness!" shouted one senator. And everyone started shouting again.

"Not again!" Gabby groaned, facepalming.

Padme was soon headed down the hall and gave an important data pad to her assistant Teckla.

"I can't believe it." Padme said. "I just can't believe the Republic would target Senator Bonteri. She was the only one willing to stand up for peace."

"What if Dooku took her out?" Gabby asked. "Or a Separatist who wanted to continue fighting? Or the ones who profit from the war?"

"Your daughter is correct, Senator." Bail said. "You shouldn't believe the Republic would do such things. The Republic spies are reporting that Senator Bonteri was murdered by Dooku's thugs."

"I knew it!"

"That message to the Senate was a ploy to disguise his true actions."

"Ooh! That Dooku makes me so mad, I could just Force something on him."

Senator Farr approached Padme and offered his condolences.

"If your friend met with a violent end because of her politics," said Bail. "let's make sure her courageous effort wasn't in vain"

"What can we do?" Padme asked.

"For one, defeat this bill."

"Can we really win this war with the troops we have?"

"Let's hope we don't have to."

"Can we do anything to help, Mommy?" Gabby asked.

"For now, children, remain out of trouble. I'll start lining up support, but I'll need ammunition."

"We can't afford ammunition, remember?" said Farr. He looked down. "I joke."

"Carousella could go with you, if she's willing." Gabby said. "She's an amazing fighter. Or Remix. You haven't seen what damage his loud soundwaves can do."

"Before we put your horses at risk..." Bail looked at the other senators. "Go to the Banking Clan and see how much interest they're going to charge for the loan. The more I know about what the exact cost of this bill will be, the better I can make my case to defeat it."

"Right." said Padme. "Let's go, Uncle. You know these Banking Clan people. Plus, you owe me for telling such a bad joke. Kids, you stay here. Don't open for anyone, okay?"

"Okay, Mom." Boba said.

"Yes, Mommy." Gabby said.

"We will lend for the Republic at our standard interest rate of... twenty-five percent." said the banker.

"What?" Padme stood up in shock.

"Twenty-five percent- that's outright theft." said Onaconda, slamming his fist on the desk.

"Your previous arrangement with the Republic was ten percent." said Padme.

"Please, please," said the banker. "that was before deregulation. The same rules don't apply, my dear. The Separatists don't seem to mind a rate hike. In fact, they just secured a loan to fund an additional three million battle droids."

"They will wiped us out." gasped Onaconda.

"You would let Dooku do that?" Padme asked the banker. "You live on Coruscant too."

"We have no stake in this war, Senator." said the banker. "You know that. War is... distasteful to all of us."

Padme and Onaconda showed the interest rates to Bail Organa.

"Twenty-five percent interest." said Bail in shock. "That's a lot of credits."

"The interest alone could completely bankrupt the Republic." said Padme. "As it is, social services have suffered because of this war. Education, infrastructure, health care. If we go deeper into debt, the basic needs of our people will evaporate."

Padme worried especially what it might mean for her family. Forget being able to afford Gabby's birthday party. If the debt got any deeper, soon they might not even be able to afford to feed their kids, or send them to college, or get them the proper health care if any of them fell ill.

"This is good." said Bail, interrupting Padme's train of thought."

"It is?"

"Clearly taking out a loan on such obscene terms would essentially destroy the Republic regardless of the outcome of the war. We only need to sway another handful of senators, as long as they don't buckle to the threats."

"What threats?"

"Some members have received messages warning them not to vote against the bill. Considering what's happened to your friend Bonteri, they're frightened."

Of course, Padme contacted Carousella and told her to be on high alert.

The next day, Padme and Senator Organa talked to some other senators.

"Can't you all see this bill is shortsighted?" said Padme. "Millions of clones won't win this war. The only winner will be the Banking Clan. They want to pass this bill so badly, they're using scare tactics to sway votes."

"I am not intimidated, Senator Skywalker." said one senator.

"Then why are you voting for additional troops?"

"I happen to believe more clones are precisely what we need and my caucus agrees with me."

"Do you want me to kiss and heal that?" Gabby asked.

"No, thank you, Princess." said the senator. "I'm sorry, Senator."

The other senators left.

Gabby gasped when she saw a certain Rodian enter the room and he had his arm in a sling.

"Uncle Ono, what happened?" Padme asked

"Two thugs jumped me, but I am fine." said Ono.

"This is outrageous. Something has to be done."

Gabby had Carousella give her a boost, and she kissed the hurt Rodian's cheek, healing his arm.

"Thank you, little one. Padme, what happened will not change my mind." said Onaconda. "No matter what, I will vote against the bill."

Meanwhile, in a bar somewhere in the city, a Patrolian who previously attacked Onaconda was having a holo-transmission conversation with none other than Count Dooku.

"I see Senator Amidala, or rather Senator Skywalker hasn't given up her crusade." said Dooku.

"She doesn't even have the votes, my lord." said the Patrolian

Another thug laughed and said, "We've taken care of 20 senators."

"It may be time to send her a message as well." said Dooku.

"You want us to have a talk with her? the Patrolian asked.

"No. I think something special is called for in the case of Anakin Skywalker's bride."

"We're all ears, boss."

"Capture her children and use them to lure her to you. Then take her out of the game. If you are only able to capture one, make it the girl."

Padme worried about her children's safety with the threat of senators being attacked hanging over their heads. She told Carousella and Remix to get the kids to the Jedi Temple as fast as they could, where they would be safe. Unfortunately, today of all days, they didn't have their magical horseshoes because they were being cleaned. So, they would have to go by flight or hoof.

Meanwhile, she now stood in an office with Bail.

"As long as senators are being threatened and attacked, I'm afraid we don't stand a chance." said Padme.

"Intimidation won't work on everyone." said Bail. "Senator Farr is proof of that."

"Even so, we're still at least six votes short of a majority, and you saw how effective my plea was today." Padme sighed. "And I worry even more about my kids."

"Padme, I am sure your children are perfectly safe. And some minds can't be altered no matter what they hear."

"From my experience, it depends a great deal on who's sending the message."

"And what are you thinking?"

"Bail, you're the finest public speaker I know. If anyone can convince the Senate that voting for this bill will bankrupt the Republic both financially and spiritually, it's you."

"It will be dangerous." said Bail.

"I urge you to speak before the full Senate." Padme begged.

"I'll need some time to prepare." said Bail

Padme sighed with relief. "Good. In the meantime, I'll pay another visit to those still undecided."

Meanwhile, the children were still on their way to the Jedi Temple. Carousella had to use magical dust to help Remix fly since he didn't have wings so they could head through the air together. This way, they had a better view of where they were headed.

"Are you sure it's a good idea for us to be out at night like this?" Boba asked.

"If we had our horseshoes, we could've been there in a flash." said Carousella.

"And they don't exactly have room for horses on the taxis." Remix said.

"I just hope Mommy will be okay." Gabby said.

Padme met with Onaconda at an apartment where they would meet a Quarren senator named Christo.

"What does ideology matter at this point?" asked the Quarren as he fed his aquatic pets. "Is it worth being beaten to death? Didn't they do some serious damage to you?"

"Those wounds, with or without healing magic, will heal with time." said Onaconda. "but what about the millions who are dying in this war?"

"Who? The clones? We created them for just that purpose."

"They are people." said Padme.

"Of course, you would believe so, considering you have one in your home now." said Christo.

"Boba is my son! And this discussion is not about my family."

"The people I care about are my constituents, the ones who put me in office."

"And when was the last time you ever spoke to your people?" Onaconda asked.

"Probably the same time you did... or you, Senator."

"Senator Christo, please," begged Padme. " is there anything we can do to get you to change your mind?"

Senator Christo sighed and asked where Senator Organa stood in all of this and why he was not present at the moment.

"Senator Organa is preparing to speak before the full Senate." Padme explained.

"Senator Organa? Hmm, I'll listen to what he has to say." Christo promised.

"So you are open to voting with us?"

"I said, 'I'll listen to what he has to say.'"

The horses came to the halfway point between the Senate building and the temple when they decided to land. Carousella's wings needed a little break.

Gabby yawned as the dark was making her sleepy.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm tired." Gabby said.

"Me too." Boba rubbed his eyes.

However, the kids did not realize they were being followed. Then, all of a sudden two thugs jumped them and tried to grab the human kids.

Gabby screamed as the Patrolian tried to nab her before Boba punched the thug in the eye, picked up his sister, and began running while the horses held the thugs off.

Boba ran and ran until they found a building they could enter.

"I think we lost them." Boba breathed heavily.

"Who were those guys?" Gabby asked.

"Probably whoever's been attacking the senators."

"Oh no. Carousella and Remix. They could get hurt!"

Boba looked his sister in the eyes.

"Let's just pray they'll be okay. For now, as your big brother, I need to keep you safe."

Luckily, Boba didn't lose his communicator, and he contacted someone at the Jedi Temple to send someone to pick them up.

Padme managed to get home to her apartment safely. She decided to contact the kids to see if they were okay. But Remix beat her to it. He told Padme that bounty hunters came after the kids, just as she feared, and now he and Carousella were at the vet being checked out.

"What about Boba and Gabriella? Where are they?" Padme asked.

"Hopefully, they got to the Temple safely." Remix said. "We're both too battered and injured to get anywhere right now."

Padme hung up and contacted Anakin.

"Ani, are the kids at the Temple?" was the first thing Padme said when her husband answered.

"No, they're hiding in a bar." Anakin said. "I'm just picking them up now. They're both pretty shaken up, but otherwise unharmed. I'm getting them to safety now."

"Ani, this is very important." said Padme. "Until the issue with this bill is complete, don't let the kids leave the Temple no matter what."

"You got it, Angel." Anakin said. "Stay safe. I'll get the horses from the vet as soon as I can."

Anakin hung up and got both of his kids into the speeder, safely buckled up. And he tucked his kids safely into bed once they were settled down enough to get to sleep. Well, he tucked Boba in, anyway. Gabby was still clinging to Anakin as he sang her a lullaby and lay her in his lap, trying to get her to sleep peacefully.

Meanwhile, Padme was at home with Teckla, infuriated that anyone had the very nerve to threaten her children for the sake of getting a bill passed.

"Shouldn't you report this to the Jedi Council?" Teckla asked.

"Anakin probably has by now. Those bounty hunters attacked a child of their order. And they must have been paid to capture my children to lure me to them so they could stop me from voting against the troop increase."

Padme sighed and walked out to her balcony to think.

"What has happened to democracy?" Padme wondered out loud. "And why doesn't anyone seem to care?"

"Well, you do?" said Teckla, stepping by Padme's side. "Forgive me, my lady. Um, you're not like most politicians."

"If only that were enough, Teckla."

"Well, you actually talk to the people, people like me."

Padme looked at Teckla with intrigue.

"Good night, my lady." Teckla said before starting to leave. However, Padme asked Teckla to tell her all about how the war was affecting her and her family.

The next day, it was time for the debate regarding the bill for more clones. However, Senator Organa was attacked. Padme was horrified when she saw her friend in such a horrible condition that prevented him from even standing. Thus, while Bail was taken to the hospital, it was decided that Padme had to do it in his place.

Padme was reluctant to do it. She did not believe she could because Bail Organa carried a certain weight, according to her. But Onaconda reminded her that she too was very respected.

"As a partisan," Padme pointed out. "If they didn't listen to me before, why would they listen to me now?"

"Because you do listen." Teckla said, stepping in. "You understand what the people are going through. Please... your people are waiting for you."

"Let us now vote on Senator Burtoni's bill." said Mas Amedda. "To fund five million additional clones."

"The opposition to this bill must be allowed to speak first." said a female senator.

"Unfortunately, Senator Organa is nowhere to be found," said the pale-skinned senator.

"I will speak on his behalf." said Padme, stepping in dressed up.

"Senator Skywalker will be permitted to speak." Amedda declared.

"Teckla Minnau." Padme began, to the confusion of many. "Teckla is one of my aides. Like so many of the people that we tell ourselves we're here to serve, Teckla lives in a district that rarely has electricity and running water as a result of the war. Her children can now only bathe every two weeks, and they have no light in which to read or study at night."

Padme's speech was televised across the planet, and many were intrigued by the things she said, including her family.

"The Republic has always funded these basic services, but now, there are those who would divert the money to the war, with no thought for what the people need to survive. If not for people like Teckla and her children, who are we fighting for? My people, your people, all of our people. This war is meant to save them from suffering, not increase it. I support our brave soldiers, whether they come from the clone factories, or from any of the thousands of systems loyal to the Republic, but if we continue to impoverish our people, it is not on the battlefield where Dooku will defeat us, but in our own homes. Therefore, it is our duty and our responsibility to preserve the lives of those around us by defeating this bill."

People cheered as Padme concluded her speech.

"Well done, Padme." said Onaconda.

Teckla looked especially proud seeing that Padme was willing to fight for the people.

But, not everyone was happy that Padme was successful in her quest.

"Isn't it remarkable," said Chancellor Palpatine. "that one can have all the power in the galaxy, and yet the words of a single senator, can sway the thoughts of millions?"

"What do you plan to do about this?" Mas Amedda asked.

"For now, we must adhere to the principles of our democracy. We must let the wheels of the senate turn."