Chapter 11: Chatting with the Queen
I went to the cockpit, I saw the three main seats of the cockpit with the pilot's seat on the left side of the holomap thats placed in the front middle of the cockpit, a copilot's seat on the right side and a third chair for the captain placed right in front of the holomap.
I sat down in the pilot's seat and started the Defender up. Thanks to the [Intermediate Piloting] Skill I got from one of my level ups, I know how to fly to this ship. The ship started to lift off the ground, and I started flying it towards Theed.
As I was flying in the sky, the view from the ship was magnificent. It was like looking at the picture of a utopia, Theed and its surrounding rolling green hills and plains was very picturesque , it made me think that this planet was the perfect place to live if you don't consider the sea monsters living in the planet's oceans.
In another direction, far, far away I can spot some waterfalls which also added more beauty to the planet. It's no wonder why Padme tried to protect her planet and her people so much. It was beautiful and peaceful here. It made me sad to think what will be happening here soon with the Trade Federation but I need it to happen for my plans for the future.
I am now approaching Theed in my Defender, and choice to fly around the city and down the cliff. I then approach the Royal Theed Hangar; where they kept the Royal Starship and 27 N-1 Starfighter. I slowly approached the Hangar and soon I landed it inside the hangar.
I got up from the pilot's seat and walked out of the cockpit, down some stairs into the lower deck and down the loading ramp. As I walking down the ramp, I notice Captain Panaka and Queen Amidala walking towards me.
"This is a very nice looking ship," said Captain Panaka gazing at the Defender "Looks brand new too"
'It is basically brand new since I just got it a few minutes ago.' I thought to myself
"Thanks, its a called the Defender. Its a Light Corvette, designed just like its name to defend the owner. It has the latest equipment and everything equipped to give her a edge over other starships" I replied "It's a old ship but I try to keep her maintained and clean. It's like I always say 'Take care of your ship and she will take care of you'."
"It is a nice ship" said Padme "I have never seen a ship like this before."
"Of course you haven't seen a ship like this before. This ship was designed and built during the Old Republic." I said "This ship probably the last one in the known universe. It's also the perfect ship for diplomatic missions and as a base of operations."
"That's amazing" said Padme with amazement on her face "It seems to be an amazing ship."
"Your Highness, do you need something? I asked
Yes" said Padme "I have a meeting with some officials and I want you by my side during the meeting."
"Yes, your highness." I said to her
"Come with me, and let's walk and talk." said Padme
"As you wish, your highness." I said while bowing my head a little.
As I said that, RED and HK-47 were walking down the ramp after they were finished inspecting the Defender.
"RED, HK head back to my room" I commanded
"Confirmation: Affirmative, Master." said HK-47
"Okey-dokey Master" said RED cheerfully
When RED spoke the people around turned their heads and were shocked with surprise since they have never seen an Astromech talking without using beeps and boops.
As the surrounding people were staring, RED and HK ignored everyone and headed out to my room.
"Your little droid can talk" said Padme with surprise and curiosity " That's amazing, I've never seen an Astromech talk with out beeps and boops"
"RED is a little special, I modified him to be able to talk." I said "Also he has a very cheerful personality, you will like him a lot."
As we were talking, we were also exiting out of the hangar and walking through the corridors while continuing chatting.
"I look forward to getting to know your little droid but what is with your other droid? Why does he want to kill people so much" asked Padme
"HK-47 is a little special as well, he is a Hunter Killer Assassin/ Protocol Droid" I said "He is designed that way."
"Why don't you reset or change his personality so that he would be more peaceful?" asked Padme
"I choice not to do that because I feel that a lot of droids in this universe have some sentience in them, and their personality is who they are." I said "It's like forcing someone to change against their will by brainwashing them, would you be willing to brainwash people to become more like you want."
"You have a good point there." said Padme
"Plus his personality and abilities made him a good fighter which comes in handy when you are in battle." I said
As we continue chatting about things, we soon arrived at the throne room so Queen Amidala had to stop chatting with me and focus on governing her world.
That's how everything continued for the next two and half months. I would guard her, and we would walk and talk through the palace and a lot of times we would walk through the palace gardens. We chatted about a lot of things some where about politics, philosophy, government, military , the force but we mostly talk about life. Through our talks, we became a lot closer and learned a lot about one another.
She even told me about her dreams for the future. She hopes to be able to create a better and more peaceful world for the citizens of the Republic.
After our long walks and talks, she grew closer to me and found me intriguing and mysterious.
When one day, she asked me a question
"Jerid, may I see your face please?" asked Padme
"As you wish" I said
I brought my hands to the back of my mask, and undid the fasten straps that strapped the Revan mask to my head.
Very slowly, I was taking off my mask.