A/N: It took a bit more time than I anticipated, but I hope you'll like the chapter.

9. Determination.

Padme stood on the bridge of the largest vessel of the fleet. The Vigilant-class dreadnought was a monstrous four kilometre long vessel designed by Mission Vao, inspired, ironically, by the dagger-shaped starships of the long gone Sith Empire.

Although the design was nothing like the ships manufactured by the Nubia Star Drives for the rulers of the Naboo, Padme found it beautiful in its own way. The thought was, however, disgusting. How could anything made for war, for killing people be beautiful? She clenched her fists, cursing silently the Trade Federation and the corrupt Senators for forcing her to go against all her beliefs.

Truth be told, Padme was scared to give a green light to the fleet. She hadn't realized until now, how tremendous would be the consequences. She couldn't just hide or destroy the fleet after the war against the Trade Federation and pretend that nothing had happened. The whole Republic would know about the fleet and they would act accordingly, expecting the warmongering queen to conquer the Republic. Although she had to admit the idea was appealing in the light of inability of the Republic to protect her world.

Padme sighed and looked at Revan, who was sitting on the middle of the room, deep in meditation. Thank the Stars he had been with her all the years and didn't leave her even during these difficult times. She could only wonder why the Force sent Revan to her. An ally, a teacher, a saviour, her Royal Knight. Her eyes turned to Mission and she blushed, embarrassed that she forgot about Mission for a moment. Just like Revan, the Twi'lek was there for her too.

She turned her head to look at the Jedi who stood right before the panoramic window studying the fleet. She had been wary of him at first, but Padme was pleasantly surprised. She had still expected him to react badly when he saw the fleet, but it seemed as though Dooku was excited at the sight.

"Shouldn't Jedi maintain peace?" she asked Dooku.

"Peace, Your Majesty?" Dooku said thoughtfully. "The Jedi Order became nothing but a tool in hands of the Senate, which is drowning in corruption and bureaucracy. If the Senate is controlled by lobbies and the Jedi Order by the Senate, what kind of peace would the Order forge? Or rather for whom? For people of the Republic, for oppressed words like yours, or for those who can pay more credits? Do mercenaries have any right to speak about peace?"

Her eyes almost widened at these words, but she suppressed her emotions. "You're talking as if you weren't Jedi yourself."

"I'm Jedi... for now," he said quietly. "Tell me, what are you going to do, when you reclaim the Naboo?"

Padme hesitated to reply, but Dooku waited patiently. "I have yet to decide that."

"You declared war on the Trade Federation, and it won't be over when your fleet reclaims your world. Everyone in the Republic will turn their eyes to you. The Senate will demand to stop war, perhaps even going as far in their fear of the might of this fleet as to blame you for instigating this conflict."

Trying to stay impassive, Padme clenched her fists harder, her nails dug painfully into her palms.

"While those oppressed by the likes of the Trade Federation will look at you hopefully," spoke Dooku, "begging you to lead your armies further to fight injustice born in corruption and impotence of the Galactic Senate. Are you aware of consequences?"

Civil war. As much as she hoped that it wouldn't lead to more bloodshed, she knew that the moment she had agreed to use the fleet, gears of war which had lain dormant for many hundred years began to turn again. All she wanted was to see the Trade Federation surrender and leave her world alone, but would she be able to ignore the pleas of those in need? That would make her exactly the same sort of person as the Senators, who had refused to help her.

"I'm well aware of the consequences and I'm ready to bear them," she said firmly.

Dooku nodded and said, "Then my lightsaber is yours."

"Are you saying that you want to be part of the Royal Knights?"

There was a glint of amusement in his eyes as his answered, "Don't take me for a fool, I know that it's a ruse. I'm willing to go along with it, however, as long as it serves purpose."

Padme was wary to agree. She hadn't asked Revan before "founding" the Royal Knights and was still unsure why she had done that. Accepting another member into her "Royal Knights" without asking him would be inappropriate.

"He'd be a welcome addition," Revan said, as if reading her thoughts. His eyes remained closed.

"However, you're still a Jedi," she reminded Dooku.

"I was thinking about leaving the Order for years already," the Jedi said.

"A ship dropped out of hyperspace," Mission interrupted them. "It's the Naboo Royal Starship. Hailing them… I believe you're better suited to talk to them, Your Majesty. The Jedi aboard might react badly when they see me."

Padme nodded with a smile as she recalled Mission's and Revan's history with Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan. She had learnt about them during her stay at the Jedi Temple. A holoscreen appeared right in front of her. She recognized her handmaiden. Captain Panaka stood behind her with another man in Jedi robes.

"Your Majesty," they greeted her. Padme saw that they were confused and wanted to ask about the fleet, but she would answer the question later.

"I'm glad that you could make it in time," Padme said. "Disable engines, we'll use tractor beam to bring the ship into our docking bay."

Revan and Dooku left the bridge to meet the guests, leaving Padme with Mission. She looked at the Twi'lek and sighed.

"What do you think about the Jedi?" she asked. "Do you think he was telling truth?"

"I didn't sense deception, Padme," she said. "Neither did Revan. However, we're inclined to believe that he's really deeply disappointed with the Order and the Republic. We don't have access to the Jedi Archives, but we have access to the archive of the Judicial Department.

"On the way here I found and read as much information as possible about Dooku. As you know the Jedi Order is, theoretically, an apolitical organization, its goal is to maintain peace, not to fight wars for the Republic. Long story cut short, the Jedi Order should serve the greater good, paying little regard to politics.

"Instead the Council allows the Republic to use Jedi as bantha fodder in conflicts that require military intervention, not Jedi. Furthermore, Jedi should resolve the conflicts in the different manner. It's as though they forgot the Jedi Code: there is no ignorance, there is knowledge. They shouldn't blindly trust politicians and do horrible mistakes in their ignorance. But that's exactly what the Jedi Order does.

"The prime example, but not the only one, would be the Galidraan, where the Gouverneur hired True Mandalorians to eliminate rebels, and then tricked Jedi Order into killing the Mandalorians; Jedi killed almost all of them, leaving only one alive. Just as Dooku said, the Jedi were dying to forge peace for the corrupt politician, completely disregarding the interests of other people, and even killing innocents.

"Truth be told, I was shocked, when I read about Galidraan and other debacles. Unlike Revan I do respect the Jedi Order for what they're trying to do, but I don't understand what the Jedi Council is thinking. It's no surprise to me that Dooku wants to leave the Order. However, Revan and I agree that he isn't to be trusted explicitly yet."

Padme turned around and looked through the panoramic window at the fleet thoughtfully. She had made a difficult decision to use the fleet, but was it the right one?

"I want to defeat the Trade Federation, I want them to surrender and leave my world alone. I'm forced to use the fleet, because there is no other way. The Naboo is a peaceful world; we don't have enough forces to fight for our freedom and sovereignty. And so I use the armies you give me, but what if I'm doing it out of ignorance? What if I'm doing a horrible mistake just like Jedi on Galidraan?"

"I trust Revan," Mission answered. "I know, that even during his time as a Sith Lord, he still was trying to do some good. Of course, many would disagree... but he was trying to prepare the Republic for an inevitable invasion. Maybe there was another way… most likely, there was another way, if he hadn't descended so deep into the Darkness. But we aren't omniscient, we're prone to make mistakes, nevertheless we must try to avoid them and minimize the consequences of our mistakes. Do you have another choice, Padme?"

She shook her head. "No, but perhaps you could resolve the conflict without this fleet."

"So, you propose we take our lightsabers and fight the Trade Federation alone?"

"No!" Padme answered, looking at Mission again. "That's not what I..."

"It's all right. You know…" Mission stopped talking and sighed. Her face was still covered by the hood and the mask, but Padme could tell that her friend was very distressed. "By the Force! I'm sorry, Padme. It's our fault, we shouldn't have let you make the choice. Perhaps, you're right, and we should simply infiltrate…"

Padme came closer and put her arms around the Twi'lek. "Mission, it's not your fault, to blame are the Galactic Senate and the Trade Federation. Infiltration is risky…"

"We can handle a bunch of droids," Mission argued.

"Maybe, maybe not. I made my choice already. I spoke before the Senate and can't go back on my word, otherwise I will never be taken seriously again. Besides, if I don't fight, who will?"

"We will, Padme, you shouldn't..."

"I must," Padme interrupted the Twi'lek with a newfound resolve. "I went into politics to change things, to do some good. I won't sit idly as a coward, while you're risking your lives doing my job... for it's my job, as a politician, to work hard for the better future of the people who had elected me and had trusted me to make the hard decisions. This fleet will crush the Trade Federation and their defeat will be our warning to all those who mean to oppress the defenceless."

Mission stood silent for a few seconds and then nodded respectfully. "They'll be here in a minute, Your Majesty."

Padme smiled. "I appreciate the warning, Knight Arven."

Soon the door opened and she saw Revan walking in the head of a large group. Behind him were three Jedi: Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. She hadn't seen the latter two before, so she studied them, trying to judge their characters by the appearances. The older one, Qui-Gon Jinn, looked very calm as though he wasn't aboard of the flagship of her fleet, but somewhere on Alderaan, enjoying a nice day.

The younger Jedi wasn't as emotionless as his Master. Even she noticed that he was unnerved by the fleet… and her Royal Knights. She caught Obi-Wan looking suspiciously at Revan. When he saw Mission, the Twi'lek got the same look. Right behind the three Jedi walked a Gungan and a young blond boy holding hands with Yané. Padme raised an eyebrow for a brief moment. How had the Gungan and the boy ended up on board of her starship?

A faint smile crept onto her lips as she saw her handmaidens. She had been so worried for them and now seeing them alive and well, she wanted to hug them. Especially Sabé, who had risked her life posing as the Queen. But Padme stood in the front of the room, looking at her people, her friends and her allies. What a strange company.

"I hope you had an uneventful journey from the Tatooine," she said after introductions were made. "Will Master Jinn and his padawan stay?"

"For the time being, we decided to stay," Qui-Gon answered.

She nodded. "Good. As of now, the Trade Federation didn't make any move to concede to my demands, but they still have two hours."

A/N: I promise there will be some action in the next chapter :)