QM Prompt #51: Danger
QM Prompt #51: "Danger always strikes when everything seems fine." - Seven Samurai
You know, the strangest thing about the attack on Coruscant was that it happened so suddenly. No one expected it, which I suppose is why it worked so well for the Separatists. We thought that the Core was invulnerable to attacks, that the Home Defense Network would take care of whatever did come along, and we fooled ourselves into believing that even though over half our warships were stationed on the Outer Rim. Who did we think was going to protect us? The remaining Jedi? Well, perhaps, but they certainly did not manage to prevent Palpatine's kidnapping. Nor should they have been expected to, quite honestly.
I wanted to cry when I heard that the Chancellor had been snatched. That sounds like such a terrible thing to admit, but it's true. Sometimes I just get so tired of being the hero, of dodging all the danger in order to emerge victorious. I imagine my husband must feel the same way at times. And especially now, with the baby to protect, I have to be careful. I did so many things in my early life. I freed my planet from the Trade Federation's grip with the help of a small but determined band of mercenaries. I fought for the Republic's ideals in the Battle of Geonosis. During the Clone Wars I've undertaken more than my fair share of dangerous operations, and I'm not even a soldier or a Jedi! I just want a rest. I just want to let someone else do the strategic planning and the fighting. I've had it.
But while I wanted to cry, I knew all those around me were expecting a brave face. So I put one on. I clasped my hands to my stomach and looked to the skies, watching the furious fight being waged by the Republic and Separatists over Palpatine. I felt the baby kick and wished I could reassure him. Wished I could tell him that everything was going to be okay. The trouble is I didn't know that for sure. I still don't.
Vague reports are coming in now that he's been rescued, and that Obi-Wan and Anakin might be involved. But then, other reports have come in stating that they've all been killed, so no one is quite sure what they should believe. I'm not sure what to believe. But I know what I want. I want safety. I want safety without the threat, real or implied, that we might be attacked at any time. I want to live with Anakin on Naboo and raise our child, and not ever have to worry about sending him off to war again.
I fear that we have already paid too high a cost for all of these desires.
Padmé Amidala
Star Wars
456 words
You know, the strangest thing about the attack on Coruscant was that it happened so suddenly. No one expected it, which I suppose is why it worked so well for the Separatists. We thought that the Core was invulnerable to attacks, that the Home Defense Network would take care of whatever did come along, and we fooled ourselves into believing that even though over half our warships were stationed on the Outer Rim. Who did we think was going to protect us? The remaining Jedi? Well, perhaps, but they certainly did not manage to prevent Palpatine's kidnapping. Nor should they have been expected to, quite honestly.
I wanted to cry when I heard that the Chancellor had been snatched. That sounds like such a terrible thing to admit, but it's true. Sometimes I just get so tired of being the hero, of dodging all the danger in order to emerge victorious. I imagine my husband must feel the same way at times. And especially now, with the baby to protect, I have to be careful. I did so many things in my early life. I freed my planet from the Trade Federation's grip with the help of a small but determined band of mercenaries. I fought for the Republic's ideals in the Battle of Geonosis. During the Clone Wars I've undertaken more than my fair share of dangerous operations, and I'm not even a soldier or a Jedi! I just want a rest. I just want to let someone else do the strategic planning and the fighting. I've had it.
But while I wanted to cry, I knew all those around me were expecting a brave face. So I put one on. I clasped my hands to my stomach and looked to the skies, watching the furious fight being waged by the Republic and Separatists over Palpatine. I felt the baby kick and wished I could reassure him. Wished I could tell him that everything was going to be okay. The trouble is I didn't know that for sure. I still don't.
Vague reports are coming in now that he's been rescued, and that Obi-Wan and Anakin might be involved. But then, other reports have come in stating that they've all been killed, so no one is quite sure what they should believe. I'm not sure what to believe. But I know what I want. I want safety. I want safety without the threat, real or implied, that we might be attacked at any time. I want to live with Anakin on Naboo and raise our child, and not ever have to worry about sending him off to war again.
I fear that we have already paid too high a cost for all of these desires.
Padmé Amidala
Star Wars
456 words