The magnificent palace of Theid, the capital of Naboo, was in chaos. Many magnificent buildings were destroyed, and the sounds of battle were as clear as day, echoing in the windows and entrances.

There was a group of people in the magnificent hall, all of whom were guarded by Naboo Security Guards and Clone Troopers.

Anti-aircraft guns were put to good use, as were the protective shields installed soon after the outbreak of the war.

While it protects the group from stray bullets, the droid starfighters can easily penetrate the shield, so they need to use their guns to fight off the fighters.

Clones and security personnel were stationed at every entrance and exit, holding their ground against wave after wave of robot attacks.

The palace guards and security forces fought back fiercely, as it would be a serious dereliction of duty for them not to allow even an inch of the palace to fall into the hands of the separatists.

At the center of the group stood a beautiful woman, who was Padmé Amidala, the Galactic Republic Senator mentioned by Sergeant Buck, and her friend, Senator Bail Organa, her student and new Senate Representative, Rio Chuchi, her brother-in-law, Darede Naberri, and his young daughter, Puja Naberri.

Like Darede, she found the CIS's brazen attack on Naboo in disbelief, especially now that her sisters Sora Naberri and Leo were missing.

Padmé held her blaster, her eyes focused and stoic, but she was heartbroken and angry that her home planet of Naboo had been attacked by battle droids again.

From all the Separatist actions, Padmé could vaguely guess who had launched such a brutal war against her homeland.

She wanted to go out and fight, but she knew it would be wiser to stay here and assist the queen in maintaining security within the halls.

"This is not the 'diplomatic' outcome I expected." Rio Chuchi said with a wry smile, looking a little nervous.

"Well, this isn't the first time I've faced the Separatists," Padmé said dryly. "This is the second time they've tried to invade Naboo."

"The first time was ten years ago, right?" Rio Chuchi asked.

Padmé nodded.

"They must have been holding a grudge since the failed first invasion ten years ago. This was a long-planned war of aggression," Padmé said, painful memories of the Trade Federation's oppression of the people of her home planet coming to mind.

"Reinforcements from the Galactic Republic will arrive soon," Bail Organa interjected, his expression grim. "However, we will lose countless lives before that happens."

"We'll get through this," Padmé said firmly, placing a hand on Bail's shoulder to comfort her friend.

There weren't many people gathered in the hall, just some nobles and Gungans, and other nobles from the royal family.

"Padmé, on the way to the hall just now, I heard a guard say that there was an intruder in the palace as well." Chuqi's words shocked Padmé.

"What?" Padmé snapped in horror.

"I believe Captain Panaka might know," Chuchi said.

Padmé walked over to the captain of the security guard, Panaka, and asked seriously, "Captain, Rio Chuchi just said that an intruder broke into the palace. Is this true?"

Panaka frowned but nodded and said, "Yes, there was a mysterious intruder who broke in, but we don't know who it was because he disappeared before our eyes when the attack began."

"What do you mean by disappearing?" Bail Organa asked. "Like becoming invisible?"

"I don't know how to describe it," Panaka said, frowning. "It's more like..."

"Is anyone there? Please reply if you hear me, Captain Panaka?" A voice suddenly came from the communicator.

Panaka recognized the voice immediately. "Gregor?!" Panaka said with relief. "Thank God, you're okay. Where are you? How's the city?"

"Captain Panaka, it's chaos out there, but we're holding on," Gregar replied, "I'm on my way to the palace right now with my squad, a group of clones, and a bunch of civilians, including Senator Lady Padmé's sister and niece."

Hearing this, Padmé finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Panaka continued to ask into the communicator, "Gregor, how far are you from the palace now?"

"Not far away, just a few more..."

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire came from the communicator.

"Gregor!" Panaka shouted in panic.

"Artillery fire is coming!" Gregar's voice came from the communicator, and then the voice in the communicator became another person.

"You three, and Gregar, are responsible for protecting the civilians. We will handle it." The voice ordered in a steady tone.

"Gregor? Gregor?! What happened? Is everything okay?" Panaka tried again to talk to his nephew.

"I'm still alive, uncle, don't worry." Gregar murmured in response.

"Who is with you?" Padmé couldn't help but ask.

"Senator Amidala?" Gregar asked, then said respectfully, "It's nice to hear your voice. That was Captain Rogers just now. He and his comrade, Lieutenant Wilson, have been assisting us in bringing civilians and your family to the palace. He has saved us several times, and these two men are as capable as Jedi Knights, Madam Senator."

"I will thank them both in person when they arrive at the palace," Padmé said. "And you, Gregor, you bring everyone here. It's safer here for now."

"Guaranteed to complete the mission!"

Gregar hung up the communicator, and Padmé clenched her fists tightly.

"We should find a way to help them," Padmé said firmly.

"If the palace is occupied by the enemy, we will have no choice but to escape, and the result will only be worse. So please don't be impulsive, Senator. We should hold the palace and wait for reinforcements from the Galactic Republic to support us," Panaka said.

In order to convince Padmé, Panaka added: "Your friend Senator Organa thinks so too."

Padmé remained silent with an expressionless face. She knew that Panaka was right. If the palace fell, there would be no safe place on the entire planet Naboo.

"He has a point, you know," Organa said with a shrug.

"Senator Organa, why didn't I realize you were so eloquent before?" Padmé said with a glare.

The humorous banter between them made the whole atmosphere light-hearted and cheerful, but soon the protective shield at the entrance and exit of the palace was penetrated by the army of robots.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like