Padmé, a native of Theed, led everyone into Syd University. Padmé was only there to audit the professors' lectures.
As the highest educational institution on all of Naboo, Syd University allowed anyone to come in and audit classes. So, here you could not only see students, but also people interested in the course sitting in the public hall, auditing.
"Then let's listen to their classes at Syd University," Honkar said, sitting at the front of the classroom with the four children. But soon he regretted it a little, because he didn't understand any of the politics and could only sit there, staring blankly.
Bo-Katan, as a member of the Mandalore royal family, listened quite attentively. Zeta also listened very carefully to the old professor on stage lecturing about the differences between Republic politics and local politics. Anakin, meanwhile, spent the long hour looking at Padmé sitting beside him.
"It was very enlightening," Padmé's notebook was densely filled with analysis and key points of the lecture. She then looked at Anakin, "What are your plans next?"
"No plans, so what about you, Sister Padmé?" At this point, Anakin had already taken control of the group's direction, as the others had no ideas anyway, so they might as well follow Anakin.
"Hmm... Later, I plan to join the Legislative Youth Program, which is inside Syd University. Do you want to come with me?" Padmé said to little Anakin.
Anakin nodded vigorously, indicating he wanted to go!
Meanwhile, at the Naboo Royal Palace, Governor Kote had completed the plan for Mandalore and Naboo to train pilots, signed the contract, and it was effective immediately, with Kray's squad providing the instruction. Furthermore, Naboo also wanted to purchase Mandalore's viking fighters. After all, they had never seen a starfighter that could serve as an ace in the air and also provide ground support. However, Governor Kote temporarily declined the idea, as now was not the best time to sell.
After the invasion of Naboo, the people of Naboo would realize the combat power of the viking fighter, and that would be the best time to sell them.
Furthermore, Palpatine had asked him to stay until after the Festival of Lights before leaving Naboo, to experience the local customs and traditions of the Naboo people. Governor Kote agreed, as Naboo was much more scenic than Vadir. Moreover, there was another race, the Gungans, underwater. It would be great if he could meet Jar Jar, who was someone he liked very much.
But after going out, he found that Honkar and the others were nowhere to be seen. However, he still headed towards Syd University based on Honkar's location. On the way, Governor Kote thought it would be wonderful if the world was always like Theed is now, without war, only the innocence between people. The entire Galaxy was full of schemers, and he even counted himself among them.
He walked into Syd University, followed the location to the dedicated meeting room for the Legislative Youth Program, opened the door, and quietly slipped in. He saw many children, some in their teens and some not even ten, discussing the recent matters concerning the Trade Federation and the Wookiee regarding Alaris.
They discussed whether the Trade Federation had violated the Republic's laws and whether it should be restrained. The young people were completely in agreement, believing that the Republic had been making mistakes in recent years, that the Senate had no jurisdiction over the Outer Rim, and that there were even many pirates within the Mid Rim.
Governor Kote sat in the corner, listening to the opinions of his peers. Although he felt that most of what they said was correct, he disagreed with the part that mentioned Mandalore. They stated that the Mandalorians' actions interfered with the internal conflict between the Trade Federation and the Wookiee, and that the Wookiee should fight to reclaim Alaris themselves.
But Governor Kote merely smiled at this. They were not very familiar with the internal affairs of the Wookiee, so misunderstandings were normal. They discussed various other internal matters of the Republic for nearly an hour.
After it ended, Anakin, who had been listening intently, didn't notice Governor Kote at all, too busy looking at Padmé. But Honkar spotted Governor Kote, stood up and saluted, expressing that he was finally done with taking care of the children, and handed the children over to Governor Kote. It was only then that Anakin noticed Governor Kote's presence.
"If I were a bad guy, I would have just captured all of you," Governor Kote said, looking at the children who had no vigilance.
"But there are no bad guys, are there?" Anakin said with a chuckle.
He then asked Governor Kote to squat down to whisper something, leaned close to Governor Kote's ear, and said, "I like Padmé," and his own ears turned red.
After hearing this, Governor Kote was immediately surprised. Children these days developed quickly enough, but perhaps this was fate, the meeting of the child of the force and the destined girl.
"Then train well, and you'll have opportunities to meet often in the future," Governor Kote patted Anakin.
Padmé also saw Governor Kote's arrival and saluted, "Hello, Governor Kote. I was in discussion just now and didn't see you arrive. I am Padmé Naberrie."
"It's alright, it's alright. I haven't thanked you yet for taking care of Anakin, and what you said earlier was very good. I agree with most of it," Governor Kote smiled.
"If you have time, I have a banquet tonight. Could I ask you to continue looking after Anakin and the others for me? Honkar will protect you all," Governor Kote asked Padmé.
"No problem, after all, I also really enjoy taking care of Anakin," Padmé accepted Governor Kote's request without a second thought.
"Bo-Katan, you also have to go tonight. At least meet the King and dignitaries of Naboo," Governor Kote said to Bo-Katan, who was trying to sneak away.
Bo-Katan paused, then sighed in resignation, "Alright."
Governor Kote, with Bo-Katan, bid farewell to the others, then took Bo-Katan to get dressed in standard Mandalore attire for the evening banquet.
At the banquet, Governor Kote, with Bo-Katan, met various nobles and ministers of Naboo. Eventually, he sat tiredly on the roadside platform, while Bo-Katan had already been sent back to rest.
After all, he was almost half-dead from exhaustion. Indeed, diplomacy truly requires professionals.
Palpatine saw Governor Kote sitting on the roadside platform, approached with a drink, and said, "Governor Kote, you must be tired. I imagine this is your first time attending such a banquet," and handed the drink to Governor Kote.
"It is. I never imagined diplomacy could be this exhausting. It makes me realize how tiring your life must be, Senator Palpatine," Governor Kote expressed his admiration for Palpatine.
"Perhaps, but for the people of the Galaxy, for the people of Naboo, this is all what I should do, just as you, Governor Kote, protect the Mandalorians. It's just a difference in perspective," Palpatine said with a benevolent expression, like a kind old grandfather.
Governor Kote sighed, thinking Palpatine was truly a great actor, constantly playing the benevolent old grandfather to win him over. But he also had to repay Palpatine; when the time came, he would go to the Death Star and give him a quick end.
Governor Kote replied to Palpatine verbally, while in his heart, he was thinking about how to kill him, and make him believe he was his man, giving him more resources, and then not having to reciprocate. What a wonderful thing that would be!
And Palpatine was also thinking about how to draw Governor Kote to his side and make him his Disciple. Give him money? Give him resources? It felt a bit too superficial. And the two children he brought, though less talented than Governor Kote, were also promising, but he needed to win over Governor Kote first.
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