Chapter 4: Chapter 3: The queen of Naboo

« Your Majesty! Wait! »

Advisor Antussi trots through the Hall of Monarchs until he meets a beautifully dressed girl. She stops so that he can reach her more easily. Once there, the old man noisily catches his breath:

« You are... incredibly... fast... »

« My legs are not tall, though. »

The politician laughs and then starts coughing. Queen Padmé Amidala is still a twelve-year-old child. Her dress is magnificent but cumbersome. Her long black hair has been groomed to perfection in order to meet Naboo's standard of excellency. The girl has everything of a porcelain doll. In her case, aesthetics only serves to sublimate talent. Nubians are renowned throughout the galaxy for the quality of their education. After all, one of the best universities in the Republic is located in their capital and has trained some of the most famous artists in history.

But even in a place that cultivates greatness to this extent, Padmé remains a rare gem. Her early genius was discovered through a standard intelligence test at the age of two. She was immediately enrolled in a school specializing in the instruction of young people with « high potential ». The little girl far exceeded all the expectations of her teachers. She learned eight languages, in addition to the Basic, before her fifth birthday. By the time she was seven, she had read some of the most important treatises on political economy, even making annotations to them. Finally, at the age of nine, she took part in her first public debate, which has since become known as the most impressive in the modern era. The event proved to be exceptional enough to make the future queen a prominent figure on a galactic scale.

Naboo is a direct democracy without public representation, which means that its inhabitants directly vote their laws and do not delegate this authority to elected representatives. A rare situation in a republican galaxy. However, they sometimes allow themselves to name a symbolic « King » or « Queen » when an individual becomes famous enough to attract attention from the whole universe. Its function is thenceforth to be a living advertisement for the Nubian people. Padmé obtained this status thanks to her gigantic notoriety. And here she is, therefore, even though she is not even a teenager, the monarch of a country! She obviously lacks experience, but if her progression continues at this rate, historians will still remember her name in a few millennia.

« What's going on, Advisor? »

« A ship from the trade federation has just entered orbit. Certainly their diplomatic delegation! »

« Is that so? I would like us to start the discussion with them as soon as possible, then! »

« I have taken the initiative to broadcast an alert, so that the citizens of Naboo can free themselves for the public vote. »

« You did right. Give me a moment to prepare! »

« Yes, Your Majesty! »

The little girl watches him without saying a word, as he walks away. Outside, the weather is beautiful. A superb climate. Naboo has less than 300 million inhabitants, most of them living on its only continent. There are some beautiful plains, elegant beaches and above all a massive forest. The Nubians lives in good neighborhood with a more primitive civilization, the Gungans. Where the former are aesthetes fascinated by fine arts, their « partners » are rather farmers settled on the seabed. The planet has not known any major conflict for two millennia. Its economy is based entirely on the luxury industry, including jewelry, furniture and of course ships.

While Corellia has a reputation for building extremely reliable transportation vessels, Naboo dominates the yachting market. Their yachts are everywhere. The most powerful Nubian shipowner, the Green Star Corporation, has built the vast majority of the most beautiful ships that sail in space today. They are easily recognizable by their silver hulls and the unparalleled maneuverability that Nubian engineers are proud of. Their pilots take part in all the best races, from which they often bring trophies. Naboo is also one of the founding members of the aerospace alliance and maintains a cordial rivalry with Alderaan. In the end, this planet can be summed up in one sentence: it is a discreet paradise.

« Well, Your Majesty, are we basking in the halls? »

Padmé immediately turns around when she hears that familiar male voice. The man who spoke is quite tall and wears a magnificent black beard, as well as the uniform of the royal guard captain.

« I'm resting for a minute, Dad. Nothing more. »

« It wasn't a complaint! You should relax more often, enjoy the sun, go to the beach! »

« You know I have some... »

« Responsibilities? Yes, I know you do. My little darling is a role model for every girl in the galaxy. Your mother is so proud and I am so... »

« Worried? »

« I was gonna say 'amazed', but 'worried' works too. I'm definitely afraid that you're going to end up regretting leaving your childhood aside... »

« Maybe... but there are more important things than my preferences. »

« How many parents would dream of hearing their twelve-year-old daughter say something like that? The Force has truly given us an exceptional child! »

He takes her in his arms.

« You don't have to grow up so fast, my little queen. » He adds.

« I would like to slow down a little, but time is not very receptive to my requests. »

Her father bursts out laughing and stands at attention:

« So, Your Majesty, I must prepare your office. »

He slips out through a service corridor. Young Amidala approaches a window and notices some kids playing in the palace park. It is open to public. Part of her would like to be with them, but this is not the moment to think about that. No more merchandise goes in or out of Naboo's docks. If this continues, there is a risk of starvation. The Nubians have agreed to bow before the trade federation, provided that they at least allows them to keep their faces. This negotiation is all that matters right now.

Padmé sighs and then heads for her room. It's going to be a difficult day. Her maid comes immediately to meet her as soon as she enters her quarters. A friendly gungan, whose family has been serving the palace for generations:

« My queen! Yousa ready for negotiation? »

« Almost. I would like to change my outfit for something lighter. I'm suffocating. I'd like to avoid making myself uncomfortable in the middle of an argument... »

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« That would be terrible! Mesa have an idea. »

She leaves like a tornado and comes back with something simple. It's the outfit that is worn for the civil militia ceremonies. Why not, after all? Federation officers don't know the customs of Naboo. They won't be offended if the queen wears something more... 'humble'. It takes less time to put on this garment than other dresses. It's quite comfortable.

« Yousa splendid! »

« Thank you Hitito. »

« Pleasure for me, Majesty Amidala! »

The maid makes a long reverence. Generally, the gungans avoid people from the surface, but some families of hunters have established relationships over several centuries. If the Nubians settle villages on the coast to fish in the ocean, Gungans rather build their houses in front of the coast to hunt in the forest. A fascinating contrast.

The queen adjusts her jacket and goes out. She walks quietly towards her royal office. The room is bright. An epic mural fresco depicting the colonization of Naboo is painted on the back wall. One can immediately notice the sculptures of the Nubian intellectuals who have distinguished themselves in the galactic history. The constitution has been engraved on the marble colonnades, so that the occupant of this place can never forget it. The advisors are all there, sitting on their numbered armchairs. They get up when they see their monarch approaching:

« Your Majesty! » They all say, before settling down again.

« Has the federation made contact? » Begins Padmé without delay. 

The little girl sits behind her desk and notices that her father is standing in a corner.

« No. Their ship has entered low orbit, just like any other transport. We've received confirmation that the Jedis dispatched by the Order to assist in the arbitration have just left hyperspace. »

« All the pieces are on the board, then. » Somebody add.

On Naboo, the sole function of the advisors is to give a public and reasoned statement on political affairs. Their opinion on financial governance often decides the outcome of a vote. Most are retired individuals who provide this service on a voluntary basis. The only exception is Advisor Ippolitano, who was hired to organize a postal service reform. Padmé was afraid, after her appointment, that she would be constrained by stifling protocol, but in truth her task is very informal. In the end, even this negotiation will conclude with a popular vote to confirm that the people are indeed in agreement.

The Nubian monarchy is only a decoration, but monarchs can propose new laws without having to obtain a minimum number of signatures. This power often makes the difference, because it gives an opportunity to submit a genuine project. They are often expected to monitor the negotiations and give their feedback. The Queen tries not to think about that, but this will be her first diplomatic negotiation. It's one thing to talk about it on paper, but to do it in practice is quite frightening. The slightest inappropriate word can lead to conflict. It's a good thing the Jedis are here.

« I propose that we contact the federation! » Continues Advisor Antussi, annoyed at having to wait.

« Do you think that's wise? » Asks his neighbor on the left.

« They certainly want us to make the first step. After all, it is our side that challenges their monopoly! »

« Some would rather say that they have enforced it on the whole galaxy... »

« Gentlemen, let's avoid entering into a debate on the legitimacy of the federal monopoly! » Padmé cut.

They fell silent. The queen sighs, then continues:

« Contact their ship! »

A clerk starts tinkering with a machine, but nothing happens:

« Your Majesty, we're getting no response. » He says.

« I hope they don't expect us to beg, at least! » Ironizes another advisor.

Young Amidala notices a militiaman approaching her father and whispering something in his ear. His face turns anxious. He walks towards his daughter and discreetly repeats in her ear:

« Something is wrong. Our defense system has just shut down. It's... »

A slight earthquake is felt. Fortunately, it doesn't last. A second militiaman rushes in, then a third. 

« What's going on? » Ask the queen.

« Drop pods! There are thousands of them falling from the sky! »

The little girl jumps up. Her advisors don't know what to do. Where can that come from? Why? The clerk in charge of communications reacts:

« I have an answer from the federation! They ask... »

The poor man tightens up, as if he had just heard something so absurd that his brain was struggling to make sense of it. Finally, he finishes his sentence in a muted voice:

« They ask for our unconditional surrender! »

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