Dormé laughed and shook her head. "Without Padmé?"
"What about Bail?" Padmé pressed, stepping between them to avoid another showdown. "Dormé mentioned that he was here, but he had a visitation with Palpatine." "I wouldn't know," the captain answered honestly, and Padmé could tell he was disappointed with himself. "The Empire has jammed all transmissions, making it impossible to know what is truly happening within the Senate walls. Apparently, the Empire has also delayed the press release, claiming it is for urgent security matters."
"They're locking us in," Dormé whispered, her eyes darting to the door as a cloud of white moved past outside. "They wanted Padmé here."
The group huddled closer together, stepping out of the direct line of the open doorway.
"Well," Padmé pressed, gesturing once more to the empty room. "Where are the rest of our people?" she inquired, adding, "None of our delegates even attended the party, yet they are missing as well. That makes no sense." The captain's eyes moved towards the ground, almost as if unable to face her. "I don't know." He shook his head, the pain and humiliation clear in his voice. I'm truly at a loss. We've never experienced anything like this before. We're completely and utterly blind. "
Before any more words could be exchanged between them, the door to her office swung wide open, the wooden frame shaking from the forceful shove and the loud bang followed by the sound of frantic boots. "Captain! Milady!" the guard– Anthony- practically screamed as he tripped over his own feet into the room.
"What is it, Anthony?" Captain Typho asked, transforming back into the confident leader.
"We found Representative Binks," the man panted, the words spilling from his lips like harsh, rapid breaths until he steadied himself and regained his composure. "We found Representative Binks, sir." Padmé, Dormé, and Captain Typho exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting for a long moment before shifting back to the young guard.
"Bring him in!" Padmé and Captain Typhp said in unison, as the guard immediately turned on his heels and ran outside the door.
A moment later, he and his partner, Kasé, returned, walking inside as they pulled the quivering Gungan into the office. Jar Jar, although never fully confident, seemed to be in a state of shatter, his long legs flailing beneath him and his eyes unable to stay focused on one place. At least, until he saw Padmé. The moment Jar Jar saw Padmé, it was as if a new light had ignited within him, even a small smile gracing his long face as he fought to stand.
"Senata' Padmé!" he screamed in obvious relief. "You'sa here! You'sa safe!"
"Yes, Jar Jar," Padmé replied with a polite smile, relieved to see her friend but maintaining her professionalism. I'm fine," she continued, desperate for answers as she approached him. But I need to know what happened. What did you see? Where is everyone?"
Jar Jar shook his head and fell into the nearest chair, wiping his brow. "Missa don't know," the Gungan answered, his long arms gesturing clumsily around the room as he recalled the frightening memory. "One minuta der was a storm of whit'a, and da next, missa in'da rafters."
Captain Typho furrowed his brow. "You were hanging from the rafters?"
"Uh hu." He nodded, smiling. The Gungan did not realize the weight of his words as Captain Typho made up his mind.
"This is crazy," he exclaimed. "I've seen and heard enough. We need to go. Now."
"I second that," Dormé agreed, but Padmé paid no attention to her security and handmaiden. Her eyes locked on the Gungan, and her thoughts were only concerned about her comrades—about Bail.
"What else, Jar Jar?" she pressed, gripping his amphibian skin as she gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Is there anything else you can tell us?"
"Uhh…" the Gungan stuttered, his long finger reaching up to his mouth as his lips circled into an "O." The Gungan searched his short-lived thoughts before shaking his head. "No…" he answered confidently, before his eyes widened and his head bounced up and down. "Wait! Yes'a! Yes'a!"
"What is it?" Padmé asked, moving closer as if the Emperor himself were in the room. "What is it, Jar Jar? Is it about Bail?"
"No," Jar Jar said, shaking his head. "But'a Senator Mon said to'a relay da message dat you'sa should'a stay ha'ir." "Stay here?" Padmé and Dormé repeated, both somewhat surprised to hear the command.
"That's ridiculous!" Captain Typho argued, gesturing toward the scene outside the door. "How can Senator Mon Mothma ask her to stay here when this kind of craziness is happening in the Senate? If she is to stay, then where is everyone else?"
"Captain, please," Padmé attempted to soothe him, but her attention was diverted by the sight of the two very pale Nubian guards entering her room.
Captain Typho's gaze followed Padmé's, as did everyone else's in the room. All eyes settled on the two guards as they paused just inside the door, looking pale and unsteady.
"Marcus, Felix," Captain Typho said, his voice stern. "Return to your post. You can't leave the senator's office unguarded." Typically, the two young men were attentive listeners, never disobeying an order– they were also excellent guards who would go above and beyond to do their job well. Padmé couldn't recall a single instance in which she or Captain Typho had been dissatisfied with their performance. They were the best of the best: brave, resolute, and dedicated…until now. At this moment, the two young men remained still. They no longer appeared brave or undeterred. They didn't respond faithfully and resolutely to their captain's commands; instead, they simply stood there. They stood there like statues, frozen to the ground.
"Marcus, Felix," Captain Typho said again, trying to keep the worry from his voice as he stepped towards the guards. "What is it?"
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