"Silence, Captain." Padmé quieted him, sounding very much like a previous Queen of Naboo. Her voice was firm and strong, and her bitterness got the better of her. "I wish to first be informed as to why, if you are here, I was not awakened."
Captain Typho lowered his head for a moment, his kind face bearing a peculiar burden, before turning back to his senator. "I thought it best," he replied, well aware that Padmé would not like or agree with his response. "You had a rough night, milady. You needed your rest."
Padmé's face remained stone-like, but beneath her closed lips, her teeth clenched together painfully. "That wasn't your decision to make," she replied simply as she brushed past him to enter the lift.
He followed her lead, stepping in beside her as the doors shut and the lift began its ride in silence. He remained quiet for a few stories before Captain Typho began again. "I sincerely apologize," he eventually said. But I must inform you that there has been a commotion in the Imperial Senate. We do not have details yet, but I must stress that as Head of Security, I recommend that you stay here until we figure out what is happening."
"I care not for commotions," Padmé replied, striving to remain professional despite her bitterness. "What concerns me is that I am late."
"I thought you might," Captain Typho replied, his voice a mix of regret and bitterness. Before the doors to the lift opened, they stepped out. I will prepare your transport."
When Padmé finally arrived at the Imperial Senate building, it was over two hours later than usual. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, dread filling her at the thought of "The Walk of Shame" she would be forced to endure. She was sure she would face disapproving glances from her superiors for her lateness, as if she needed one more reason for them to doubt her. She prepared herself as she ascended the endless stairs into the building, breathing deeply with each step.
Padmé tried to disconnect from her surroundings, but as she walked through the south entrance of the Senate building and passed the many pillars within, she couldn't stop reality from creeping into her consciousness. She quickly noted that the atmosphere inside had changed. It was heavy, dark, and fearful. The next change was even more astounding: the halls that were usually filled with a great sea of people were completely empty. It was quiet. Instead of hearing arguments between senators, she heard only silence.
She looked to her left and then to her right, her eyes falling upon her security team flanking each side of her. They all shared the same puzzled look as she did as they entered the place that had become a silent tomb. She forced her feet to keep moving below her, and every sense in her body spiked to an all-time high.
"What's going on?" Padmé asked in a hushed tone, stepping to her right to get closer to her head of security beside her.
"I told you there was a commotion," Captain Typho whispered, his eyes still scanning the horizon and his jaw set in a firm expression of disapproval.
"You there, halt!"
They heard the command before they saw the figure. The voice being one that they recognized well, it was one that had been engraved into their minds, the same voice shared by thousands of chemically bred men.
A lone clone trooper approached from behind the nearest pillar. The sight of him made Padmé's stomach roll. Her security team moved into position, forming a protective barrier around her to shield her from the oncoming threat. The trooper's hands remained on his blaster, held in front of him, while her security personnel's hands moved toward their belts, hovering over their weapons in case of an attack.
"Yes, trooper?" Captain Typho asked, taking the initiative as he stepped to the side, ensuring his body was positioned perfectly between the trooper and the senator.
"You shouldn't be here," the trooper said, coming to a standstill directly in front of the group. "We cleared this part of the building hours ago. It is now restricted. All personnel must report through the North or West entrance."
"I was not aware," Captain Typho replied. "Our senator's personal landing bay was not blocked off."
"Senator?" the trooper asked, his head tilting upward as if taken aback. The captain nodded. "Yes," he replied, making no move to reveal the woman behind him as the trooper tried to get a glance. "Senator Amidala of Naboo."