Welcome back everyone to the second installment of The Naboo Chronicles series: For the Love of the Queen. Our story jumps ahead almost four years where Anakin is nearly 18 and Padme is already 22 years old. My thanks to everybody for all their support and suggestions throughout NC and hope you will continue as this story progresses. For those of you who are new, I highly recommend reading The Naboo Chronicles so that you get all the pertinent background. However, if you are anxious to read FLQ, in summary, after the Jedi refused to train Anakin, he was given a great honor by the Naboo which allowed him to live there permanently. He's received a top education and has become close friends with Padme and her handmaidens. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan has gone behind the Council's back by training Anakin in the ways of the Force in secret. Anakin would go on to free his mother by winning another Podrace on Malastare and has foiled two attempts on Padme's life. Also, the Jedi Exile (from the KOTOR series), who was punished with the curse of immortality, was sent to Naboo by the Force to help Anakin and the Naboo as they build a new military to defend their sector of the galaxy.

My profound thanks goes out to my wonderful beta reader, Geo3 for all her help and her great insight.

Now, without further ado...

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Unrest is building within the galaxy as the once feeble outcries from the Outer Rim have formed into the growing faction calling for the dissolution of the Republic. Its leader, Count Dooku, has traveled tirelessly from system to system rallying further support. Most of the stalwart institutions of the Core, including the Jedi Order, paid little attention initially, have now become concerned about the growing influence of the Serreno Count; but have done little to squelch it. Several worlds loyal to the Republic such as Naboo, Malastare, Alderaan, Onderon and Kashyyyk have formed a cooperative to discuss how to best deal with the escalating tensions peacefully.

During the past three and a half years, Anakin Skywalker has grown both in body and in strength with the Force. His Master, the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, has continued to secretly train Anakin, but Obi-Wan's other duties, both to the Jedi and to his wife, have made their interactions fewer over time. Meanwhile, Anakin has become a brilliant military tactician and strategist under the tutelage of the Jedi Exile Ilianya Tro. Naboo's military has grown steadily. Ellisé Bibble's starship designs were approved by the Royal Court shortly after the attempt on Queen Amidala's life. However, the first prototypes remain in development as numerous problems continue to plague the project.

Tensions have remained high between the Naboo and the Trade Federation, prompting Queen Amidala to initiate negotiations with the Mon Calamari in hope of exchanging technologies for the production of a capital ship fleet. Their dealings have been slow, but promising. And despite her vehement objections, Naboo's Parliament, voted to amend the constitution increasing the length of term in office from four to five years. The law was made retroactive, adding two additional years to Amidala's service.

While the Senate has become increasingly plagued with corruption, Chancellor Palpatine has taken full advantage of their greed and has covertly appropriated more power into his office. Meanwhile, as the Kamino clones near completion, and the work of his apprentice, Darth Tyranus, grows in success, Sidious scours the cosmos for other beings who will serve his bidding without question as he patiently waits to take the Chosen One as his apprentice

The Geonosians have completed several successful tests of the ultimate weapon's superstructure, but the arms dealer, Valkin Ord has had only limited success in constructing the station's main cannon. As a result, Palpatine has dispatched Darth Tyranus to check on Valkin's progress….

Chapter 1 will begin next week!