Title:  Amidala's Last Line of Defense
Author:  Maren Jensen

Email:  Barcleycat22@yahoo.com

Rating:  PG

Disclaimer:  This story is based on characters and situations created and
owned by George Lucas. No money is being made and no infringement is
intended.

Sources:  
The movie (of course!)
TPM by Terry Brooks
Amidala's Journal by Jude Watson
Inside the Worlds of Star Wars: Ep I by Kristin Lund
Incredible Cross-Sections: Ep I by David West Reynolds
The Visual Dictionary: Ep I by David West Reynolds

Note:
I've tried to stay as true as possible to canon with the exception that it is
mandatory for children born with a high Midi-chlorian count to be sent to the
Jedi Temple. Jedi do marry on occasion. I have also taken some liberties in
defining Naboo culture, however it is not inconsistent with the manner in
which the Naboo have been presented by GL.

Summary:
Events of TPM as viewed through the eyes of Sabé the Decoy Queen, including
the unexpected friendship she develops with Obi-Wan.  (Yes, I know *another
one* but hey, mine's different!) Rabé and Eirtaé are also featured.




PROLOGUE

My name is Sabé Nabish and I am sixteen years old. I used to study music
theory at the Academy. Now I am a trained bodyguard. As Principal Handmaiden,
I serve and protect Queen Amidala of Naboo along side my four sister handmaidens.
They are not my real sisters, of course. My real sisters live in the Thera,
where my father Vason the Fifth, is Prince. But we call ourselves sisters 
because we have formed a close bond together in dedicating our lives to the
Queen. 

A handmaiden's life is never dull since even ordinary tasks take on a greater
meaning. For instance, we decide what is proper for the Queen to wear, which
isn't so easy. Because Amidala is fourteen years old, she relies on ornate
fashion to make her appear older, stronger and more noble in stature.  Helping
her into these lavish gowns can take hours. Those are the days when I wish I
wasn't a handmaiden – principal or not.

Rabé has this amazing talent and matching enthusiasm to groom and coax the 
Queen's long hair into elaborate styles, which Amidala decided right away to
use in place of a crown. Eirtaé, with her patient, steady hands, is especially
skilled in painting Amidala's face creamy white, adding those special dots of 
red on each cheek and a red mark on her bottom lip. 

But don't be mistaken – choosing clothes and doing make-up is not all we do. 
(Thank goodness!) We also serve as Queen Amidala's secret, unobtrusive
protection, ready to guard her with our own lives. Our combat skills are
continually honed by Captain Panaka, the Queen's head of security who
personally recruited us. 

"Blisters, bruises, broken bones, and bacta packs are all in a good day's
work," he told us on our first day of training. Rabé raised her hand and
asked to resign right then and there. But it turned out that while Captain
Panaka is an exacting taskmaster, he is encouraging as well. He pushes our
limits, but keeps the injuries at minimum – well, some days more than others.

After Queen Amidala's coronation had taken place, we learned that combat is
not the only way to save the life of a queen. Deception plays a distinct
advantages as well. My sister handmaidens and I look alike... on purpose.  We
are all the same age: sixteen, except for Rabé, who is still fourteen, but
tall for her age like Amidala. In fact, all of us resemble Queen Amidala in
form.  (We even share her long brown hair, except Eirtaé's hair is a plain
platinum blond, although Eirtaé herself can hardly be called plain.) But no
one can tell what color a handmaiden's hair is underneath her deep hood. Or
what her face looks like for that matter, which is exactly the point. 

Should danger threaten the life of Queen Amidala, I step in as her decoy,
while she disguises herself as a handmaiden. I am considered her last line of
defense. It is because of my uncanny resemblance in both appearance and voice
that Captain Panaka specifically sought me out to be the Principal Handmaiden,
and therefore the Decoy Queen. 

It is a risky situation that both thrills me and chills me. After all, who
wouldn't want to be Queen? She is the ultimate public servant. Furthermore,
should Amidala be unable to communicate with me, she has granted me full
authority to act in her name. Yet, should our ploy be revealed it could cost
both our lives – something I'd rather not think about. But I know where my
duty lies. My first day at the Palace I swore an official oath to serve and
protect Queen Amidala. We all did. 

Captain Panaka hadn't been the first to notice my similarity to Amidala. Two
years ago when Queen Amidala was still Princess of Theed, Thera held a
special festival, which happens once every twenty years. Music is very
important to the Naboo, in fact, Thera is a whole city devoted just to music. 

Practically all of Naboo descended on our little city, swarming the streets in
happy parades. Colorful make-shift tents were erected in the surrounding
countryside for artists to show off their works. My mother had her own
display of intricate toy flutes, which she hand carves from brandine wood. My
two little sisters looked so cute in their matching outfits, playing sweet
duets to woo the attention of fair goers.

As Prince, my father hosted a special feast for all the assembled Royalty.
Princess Amidala arrived, wearing a beautiful pink gown decorated with
pearls. Simply stunning. Of course, she was continually surrounded by people,
some of whom I suspected just wanted to be seen in her presence. But she
handled everything with such grace and poise. I spent the first half-hour
rather envying her, until... I suddenly discovered I was surrounded by my own
small crowd of well wishers! Not even my older sister Leesol, Duchess of
Thera's Third District – that's the operetta district – had attracted so many
people.

Fame went straight to my head. I decided the attention was only natural. After
all, I was probably considered a sort of musical celebrity, having directed
the previous night's choral ensemble. 

It took me all of two minutes to realize it was not celebrity status that had 
attracted the attention, but my pink dress. As the daughter of a Prince, I
also wore royal clothing to the event. And it really was a lovely pink dress 
pink because I had currently been researching the subliminal effect of pastel
hues in District Four of Thera, the Aria district, on recent compositions. I
doubt that was the reason Princess Amidala had chosen to wear pink, but we
did look rather like twins.

I never even had a chance to speak to Princess Amidala. Instead, I spent the
entire feast trying to tactfully explain to my fawning mob that I was not, in
fact, the Princess they mistook me for. Leesol kept casting amused grins my
way, which I thought awfully unbecoming of a Duchess. I tried not to take the
showers of disappointment all around me personally. Honestly, I did. Instead,
I smiled nicely while silently composing a satirical musical on the senseless
death that would shortly befall certain party goers... At least my kindhearted
father had not served kwonzo burgers. Otherwise I would have left the feast
early to start writing that musical.

Later Captain Panaka told me that he had also attended the feast on security
detail for King Veruna. In fact, he had remembered that night quite well upon
Amidala's election and knew I would make the perfect decoy. 

However, appearances weren't all that had impressed him. He was pleased by my
high marks at the Academy, which made me blush. I told him I worked hard to
study music theory, not to earn high marks. The Captain also liked that my
friends and I were the youngest ever to scale Keebol Cliff bare-handed, in
what had turn out to be a much publicized event. He said it showed
initiative. That made me blush more, remembering how we had done it for the
challenge, not the holo-vids, although certainly that had made it more fun –
until I saw how hideously sweaty and grimy we all looked on the late night
news.

Captain Panaka was also very aware that as the daughter of a Prince, I already
knew how to conduct myself around royalty and all the ancient customs of
Naboo etiquette and ritual – a definite plus. And my father has taken my
family along on many diplomatic trips, that had doubled as family vacations.
All of these factors combined convinced Captain Panaka that I was the best
possible candidate for Queen Amidala's Principal Handmaiden. But first he had
had to convince me. Well, not that I needed much convincing...

**********

It took Princess Amidala minutes to overthrow the corrupt King Ventura in an
electronic landslide election. My Father was greatly pleased, since he had
been one of her staunchest supporters, personally composing the symphonic
theme for her campaign. He had hummed it all day long.

However, he was not so pleased to learn why Captain Panaka had come to the
Royal Mansion the very next morning seeking an audience with me, with my
parents present as witnesses. Once we had been sworn to secrecy, and Captain
Panaka had requested my permission to become Principal Handmaiden to the
Queen Elect. He revealed many of the duties it entailed, but it wasn't until
later that he revealed to me my special role as decoy. That secret is known
by a select few. Not even my own family knows.

My parents were stunned by the news. On the other hand, I was both elated. I
was in awe at the prospect of living in the capital city of Theed, and in the
Palace no less! I couldn't believe my good fortune. 

However, my parents wanted me to continue my education at the Thera Academy of
Musical Arts. The Academy is ancient – one of the first of the great
Academies established on Naboo. It is considered a high honor to be accepted
as a student. I had been studying there since I was eight. 

And yet... I was getting a little tired of it all. I will always be in love
with music, but I yearned to do more things and to see things besides the
musical arts. In Thera, that's practically criminal; however Captain Panaka's
offer provided me with an honorable way out.


Furthermore, there was some personal pride involved in my decision. My family
comes from a long line of devout public servants. For twelve generations the
Nabish have reigned in Thera. My father was elected Prince before I was even
born. And Leesol had been groomed for a position in government since she was
four years-old. Someday she will no doubt be Princess – and she'll probably
be a very good one at that. 

But after eight years at the Academy, I wanted a taste of political service,
too! I knew that serving as Principal Handmaiden would gain me an immediate
advantage to the Throne. Moreover, as Queen Amidala's handmaiden I would be
able to observe important matters of government and meet people from other
worlds an official capacity – just like my father. And by serving the Queen I
would be serving my whole planet as well. Who could possibly say no? I knew
an opportunity of a lifetime when I saw one.

I also knew that by accepting the position, I was making a serious commitment.
I wasn't so starry-eyed that I couldn't think straight. Captain Panaka
himself repeatedly stressed that being the Queen's Principal Handmaiden would
not be easy. If I agreed, I could be placing my own life at risk. He made
certain that I understood this. 

But back then, any thoughts of danger seemed silly to me. After all, Naboo is
a small, peaceful planet. We don't even have an army, only the small number
of volunteer soldiers who guard the ruling Monarch. For the most part we had
always been an isolationist planet by choice and we had no standing quarrels
with anyone. 



ONE

Queen Amidala had been on the throne just six months when the trouble began. 

I was still getting used to my new life as a handmaiden. Things were
completely different for me. Even though I had boarded at the Academy since I
was a child, I had had frequent visits with my family. Overnight all that was
gone. No comforting mother and understanding father. No domineering Leesol or
sweet little sisters to make me smile.

I quickly learned that handmaidens have little time to themselves. Our lives
revolved around the Queen and her schedule. At first that took some getting
used to. Afternoon picnics in the countryside – a traditional Naboo pastime –
were a thing of the past. Captain Panaka had been right when he said that the
role of a handmaiden was no easy task. I had to keep reminding myself that I
was at the Palace because I wanted to be there. 

Fortunately, things became easier as I made friends with the other
handmaidens. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that despite our
different personalities, our tempers evenly matched. I found Rabé to be
bouncy and enthusiastic, while Eirtaé was more reserved and formal. Saché was
an unbridled optimist and Yané liked to quietly ponder. All in all, we got
along well with one another, although separate living quarters may played a
part in that – it's nice to go back to your own room after you've spent the
entire day together. Very nice.

But it was with Queen Amidala that I developed the closest friendship. As her
Principal Handmaiden and Decoy Queen, I made sure to watch her very
carefully... the way she said things, the way she held her head, and her calm,
cool manner. Queen Amidala was glad for my company. Of all her handmaidens,
she counts on me to be the most open and honest with her – even if it means
privately disagreeing, which I admit is more often than one might think. But
Amidala says it helps fuel her own convictions. That's me... Principal
Handmaiden... Decoy Queen... Personal Sounding Board. All in a good day's work. 

Funny how two people who look so much alike are complete opposites in so many
ways: her pacifist idealism versus my more pragmatic nature. She has the
amazing ability to skillfully negotiate a trade settlement between the kossal
fruit farmers on the neighboring planet of Umbal with our pickyard fisheries.
It was all I could do to keep from yawning during those negotiations. Yet at
the same time she's completely at a loss to diagram Verorsé Vindikella's new
symphony into linear mathematics, and must rely on me to provide the dinner
conversation when the Palace is entertaining dignities from Thera or
important musicians and composers. 

Necessity born of secrecy bade us adopt our own special way of communication.
That way she could tell me what she wanted without anyone else knowing,
should I take up my decoy disguise. We always practice in private. It doesn't
matter if we speak about planetary events or trivial matters. For instance,
if the Queen is thirsty she might say, "I am concerned about the drought in
eastern isles." From the beginning it was like a game to us – a code game –
albeit a serious one. Soon we even began to work in gestures and body
movements.

Oh, the trouble that I mentioned? That would be the Trade Federation, or more
specifically, their battleships. The Trade Federation is a greedy
organization that holds a monopoly of commerce over much of the galaxy. It
despises anything that cuts its profits, but the Galactic Senate of the
Republic had done just that. The Senate had recently placed a tax on shipping
routes to the Republic's Outer Worlds, one of which is Naboo. The Federation
didn't take long to retaliate.

Unfortunately, for us that we were the target of retaliation. Overnight, the
Federation invaded our space with their warships and blockaded our planet,
cutting us off from the essential trade with other planets that we rely upon.
No more kossal fruit. Food grew scarce and our people suffered while the
stagnant Senate debated what to do. Queen Amidala called daily upon our own
Senator Palpatine for help. She also met with the Royal Advisory Committee
every day, ever hoping for a peaceful resolution to the blockade. 

Nearly a month passed with no results. Each day Amidala was losing the
confidence of her people. And, privately, she was losing mine. By now I
understood all too well Amidala's noble desires for peace and her wish to
avoid any confrontation that would lead the Naboo into war. 

But how could she sit so passively while our people starved? All right, I
admit to being biased. Thera was one of the hardest cities hit. A city
devoted solely to music has no farms. No farms – no food. Nothing. One day,
after receiving a particularly grim communication from my father, I could no
longer hold back. 

That night, brushing the Queen's hair alone, I told her, "There is a time for
talking and a time for action. Pacifists must not fear change." 

Amidala was not swayed. She looked me directly in the eye and didn't even
bother to respond in code. "Sabé Nabish, you would have me be the first
Monarch to trade centuries of peace for the horror of war? The Naboo came to
this planet to live in Harmony with nature. It was their painful reality to
have to take up arms with the Gungans, but we surrendered our weapons long
ago. Why do you think I wear this bloody scar on my lip every day? You know
it symbolizes our sufferings before the Time of Great Peace."

She took a deep breath. "And anyway, I have already conferred with Captain 
Panaka on taking a more... active stance. You needn't look so surprised, Sabé.
But it all comes down to this: What would we fight with? Hire an army from
Umbal?" She shuddered. "No, Naboo needs no army… Negotiation is our best –
our only – option. We must be patient and have faith in the Senate. That is
the sensible thing to do. I will hear no more on this subject from you." 

I threw the brush down on her boudoir and left her room, fuming. Yes, she was
my friend, but why did she have to be so blamed self-righteous all the time?



TWO

Two days later I discovered even a self-righteous Queen has her limits. (Thank 
the Gods for that!) Amidala placed a private call to Supreme Chancellor 
Valorum, leader of the Senate. Whatever she said obviously worked, because he 
promised to send official ambassadors right away. His news gave us hope 
because everyone knows that the Nemoidians – the alien race leading the 
Federation – are fawning cowards at heart. The very presence of the 
ambassadors should sway their retreat. Their conniving, credit-minded Viceroy 
Nute Gunray, would back down and agree to a settlement to end the blockade. 

Finally some results! It's not as if the Federation had been here long enough.
It's not as if the food shortages were now starting minor riots in Thera and a
number of other small cities as well! Popular sentiment voiced increasing 
dissatisfaction with Queen Amidala. Of course, no alternatives had ever been
suggested, except perhaps among the families of the volunteer Palace guards. 
Like music, color and fashion are important to the Naboo. Both are considered 
a form of communication and can say many things. These families wore burgundy 
all the time – a clear color vote cast for war. 

Yet at the time, a small, troubled voice inside of me wondered. The Federation 
had invested so many ships in the blockade of our planet. How easy would it 
really be to persuade them to leave? Disturbed, I tried to brush that thought 
away. They were cowards, remember? *Cowards.*

And it really was good news to learn about the ambassadors. It cheered
everybody up from Palace officials to the citizens outside, some of whom had 
already begun to celebrate in the empty market squares.

But a terrible shock was in store for us all. 

When the day of the ambassadors' arrival had come, the Queen decided to 
contact the Viceroy herself to see what kind of settlement had been reached. 
The blue holographic form of the Viceroy appeared before Her Highness. He was
an ugly one all right, with bumpy skin and large insect-like eyes. And he 
looked smug to me – too smug.

Queen Amidala informed him, "You will not be so pleased when you have to hear 
what I have to say, Viceroy. I have word that the Chancellor's ambassadors are 
with you now, and that you have been commanded to reach a settlement." It was 
the first time I'd heard Amidala sound so satisfied all month.

That satisfaction pretty much ended when he told us point blank, "I know 
nothing of any ambassadors. You must be mistaken." 

*No ambassadors?*  What in the galaxy was going on? The Supreme Chancellor
wouldn't have lied to us? A terrible thought came to me: Could Queen Amidala 
have misinterpreted what he had said? No. She was much too careful for that. 
And apparently, she finally decided that she had had enough. It made me want
to cheer when the Queen warned Nute Gunray that the Federation had gone too 
far. 

He practically purred, "We would never do anything without the approval of the 
Senate." What a line. 

Queen Amidala abruptly terminated connection with the Viceroy. I wondered what 
she was going to do. I knew that she had great faith in the Senate. Even after 
a long month of stalled talks, she did not believe it would ever approve the 
Federation's blockade as legal. 

She turned to Governor Sio Bibble, a dear old man with a long pointed beard, 
who was the leader of the Royal Advisory Committee. Next to Queen Amidala, he 
occupied the second most powerful position on Naboo. "Suggestions, Governor?" 
she asked.

"This is outrageous!" he declared. "The Senate would never support the Trade 
Federation's unjust actions."

"And the ambassadors?"

Captain Panaka spoke. "It's possible, Your Highness, that they were delayed 
for some diplomatic reason we don't know about. Then again, Naboo's a long way 
from Coruscant. They could have been intercepted by space pirates. Or, been 
caught in an asteroid storm, which become more frequent approaching the outer 
regions of the Mid-Rim. Or, even have had difficulty navigating that slight 
bend around Bastion Four. Or," he added unenthusiastically, "maybe they were 
never sent at all."

"Many possibilities. I think it's time we find out," said Amidala,
tight-lipped. "Captain Panaka, please contact Senator Palpatine."

It was such a relief to see his kind, fatherly face standing before us. He had
been stalwart throughout this entire crisis, keeping our case open before the 
Senate, pushing for aid. Unfortunately, when Queen Amidala asked him about the 
ambassadors, he seemed as puzzled as we were. 

"The ambassadors aren't there? How could that be true? I have assurances from 
the Chancellor, his ambassadors did arrive—" Suddenly Palpatine's holographic 
form flickered as static interrupted his voice. Without warning he disappeared 
altogether.  

"Senator Palpatine!" Queen Amidala called. Then she turned to Panaka. "What's 
happening?" she asked. My question exactly. Naboo may be an Outer World, but 
our technology is among the finest. Captain Panaka was already ordering the 
transmission generator be checked.

But it was Governor Sio Bibble who supplied the alarming answer, 
"Communication disruption can mean only one thing: Invasion." We all stared at 
him as though he'd grown a second head. 

"The Federation would not dare go that far!" proclaimed Amidala. I wanted 
desperately to agree. This entire situation was spiraling way out of control.

Panaka concurred with the Queen, trying to supply a voice of reason. "The 
Senate would revoke their trade franchise and they'd be finished." 

Amidala remained calm, another voice of reason, "We must continue to rely on 
negotiation." I stared at her. How could she miss the obvious? I didn't relish 
the idea of having to correct my friend in front of the entire Royal Advisory 
Council but—

"Negotiation?" exclaimed Sio Bibble. "We've lost all communications!" Whew,
thank you Governor Bibble! I promised to never make fun of his cooking again. 

Practically minded, Bibble continued, "And where are the chancellor's 
ambassadors?" Wait, hadn't we already gone over that? Space pirates, asteroid 
storm, wrong turn near Bastion Four...

Captain Panaka immediately changed his tune, and also tried to approach the
Queen sensibly. "This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness." He warned flat 
out that our small volunteer royal security force would be no match for 
hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Federation battle droids. *Thousands?* 

I felt a chill pass through me. What would happen to Naboo now? Moreover, 
Queen Amidala's life was now in serious jeopardy. My mind was jumping all over 
the place. When I looked at my sister handmaidens, I saw they were just as 
jumpy and anxious as I was. 

Ever the pacifist, all Queen Amidala said was that she would not "condone a 
course of action that would lead to war." Noble sentiment, *but what galaxy 
was she living in*? I bit back the bile of resentment in my throat. Only the 
fact that I had pledged my life and service to Amidala kept me from retorting. 
If not war, where else could an invasion lead to? It wasn't enough to starve 
us to death, now the Federation was going to decimate the very fabric of our lives. Well, at least the Gungans would be happy...



THREE

Captain Panaka did not look overly pleased by the Queen's decision. He 
abruptly told her that she must be ready. Once our cities had been taken over 
by the droid armies and our planet secured, the Viceroy would come to arrest 
her. "Lady Sabé, you must also be ready," he said meaningfully. I understood 
at once. 

The Queen did something surprising then. She ordered everyone out of the 
Throne Room so she could have time alone to think. Captain Panaka wasn't crazy 
about the idea, but got dismissed anyway. My sister handmaidens and I were 
forced to wait outside the Throne Room's locked entrance. It was some time 
before we had a last chance to change and refresh ourselves in our personal 
quarters.

Meanwhile, I struggled with a swirl of desperate emotions. I was worried.
Actually, I was frantic. I wanted to contact my family more than anything. But 
as long as communications were jammed, that was impossible. What was happening 
to them now? Were battle droids already marching through the streets of Thera 
as they were in Theed? Had they arrested my father yet? Had they arrested 
Leesol? She had always been outspoken and I was worried it would get her 
killed. 

When I was at last alone in my quarters, I slumped down on the edge of my bed 
and shed hot tears into a pillow. Why was all this happening? Why couldn't the 
Senate have acted sooner?

My comlink beeped and I stared at it for a moment without comprehension. It 
was Queen Amidala. She needed me. I wiped at my eyes furiously with a facial 
cloth before entering her adjoining private chamber. 

My first thought was how sad my friend looked, then how ordinary. Her face was 
plain, not painted white. She wore an orange robe, like I had earlier 
instructed my sister handmaidens to do. She was trying to make her mouth work, 
but no words came out.

I took her by the hand. "Don't worry, Your Highness." 

"I have no right to ask this of you," she said. "Disguising yourself as me 
will put your life in grave jeopardy." 

I shook my head. "No, I am ready, Your Highness." I think I must have cried 
out all my fears because now all that remained in me was steely resolve. My 
loyalty was to Queen Amidala. All that mattered to me was keeping her safe and 
alive.

Her next words caught me by surprise. "And it's an awful present to give a 
friend on her seventeenth birthday."

I stared at her blankly for a moment. Who's birthday? 

She smiled weakly. "Surely you haven't forgotten, Sabé. My handmaidens and I 
were going to give you a private celebration this evening. Perfect timing, we 
thought. The ambassadors would have ended the blockade... Now, everything's 
ruined. How could I have let things go this far?"

"Your Highness," I began, a wretch of sympathy in my heart.

"Lady Padmé," she corrected. "Padmé Naberrie. That is the name my parents gave 
me. That is what you and all others must call me now."

I cringed. It would be all too easy to give myself away with a simple slip of 
the tongue. That was something I could not afford to do.

"We must hurry if we are to trade places before the Viceroy gets here," she 
said. 

I took a deep breath. Time for me to become Queen. It felt strange as we 
smoothed the white make-up on my face. I wasn't used to it and felt like I was 
wearing a mask. 

Amidala chose a black dress to wear, one with a full skirt but relatively easy 
to move in. It made me look very formal, very proper, very regal. It was also 
the color of deep mourning. I riffled through her shelves and found a black 
head scarf and headdress topped with a row of black feathers that made me look 
taller than I really was. At the time I thought it a little tight, but then 
again it had been made to fit Queen Amidala's head, not my own. As a finishing 
touch, we fastened a chain of red jewels on my forehead. No one would 
recognize me as Sabé now. Or her as Amidala.

I turned to go, but the Queen stopped me. She was holding out an amulet. My
eyes widened in surprise since it was the one she always wore under her royal 
gowns. Her parents had given it to her. Her father had polished the stone. Her 
mother had strung it on a gold chain. That amulet meant everything to her. I 
couldn't believe she was offering it to me.

"I – I can't," I stammered. 

"Please take it, Sabé," she pleaded. "It's all I have to give you." She 
clasped the amulet around my neck and tucked it safely away.

I placed a hand over where it lay. "I'm only keeping this safe for you, Padmé, 
not really keeping it. When Naboo and her Queen are free again, I will return 
it."

We left her chambers. Standing outside waiting was Captain Panaka with six 
Palace guards, Governor Bibble, and my sister handmaidens.

Bibble scrutinized us closely, then said to me, "Lady Sabé, this must work. 
Your performance must be flawless." 

"Yané, Saché," the Queen called two of my sister handmaidens and instructed 
them, "I pledge your allegiance to the Governor. You must aid him as you would 
me." 

Governor Bibble started to protest, but Amidala held up her hand. "No 
arguments," she said flatly. "You are the Governor of Naboo. If anything 
happens to me, the welfare of our people is in your hands. You will need the 
added protection and assistance my handmaidens can offer you." 

"Your Highness," Captain Panaka said anxiously. "We must go. Nute Gunray has 
ordered you to the Throne Room." The Queen made a sour face.

When we entered the Throne Room, I barely recognized it. It room was filled 
with conniving, loathsome Nemoidians and their battle droids. I wrinkled my 
nose. They smelled even worse than Gungans. 

The Viceroy arrogantly addressed me. "Queen Amidala," he stated, looking 
positively satisfied. He did not bother glancing at my sister handmaidens – 
Padmé included. Our ruse was working!  

I made sure to reply using the Queen's low voice and formal manner. "You do 
not belong here, Viceroy. The Senate will never sanction your actions." 

"Oh, but I think it will," he assured me in his silky tone. Why that pompous, 
fish-headed, profit-minded... I had to work hard not to clench my fists.  

Then he ordered us out of the Throne Room. His battle droids surrounded us and 
forced our exit. He walked with us part way, savoring our capture.

Governor Bibble was outraged. "How will you explain this invasion to the 
Senate?" he demanded.

Nute Gunray smiled. "The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will make it 
legal." *A treaty?* I don't think so.

"I will not cooperate," I declared, icily.

"Now, now, Your Highness," the Viceroy said with perfect confidence. "In time 
the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view." 

Wonderful. I was looking forward to it already. Then he ordered his droids to 
take us to camp four, wherever that was. As we walked outside, I saw other 
groups of people rounded up by the battle droids. Naboo had done nothing to 
deserve this cruelty! 



FOUR

Four battle droids led us out of the Palace. Four more joined us on the
streets. How did they know they were supposed to join us? No one had called 
them over to us or spoken a word to them. Then I remembered that the battle 
droids don't think for themselves. 

// Droid control ships must be orbiting our planet //, I thought. If only we 
could destroy them, then the battle droids wouldn't be able to function.  

The droids marched us through a narrow courtyard off Palace Plaza toward the 
Royal Academy, where Amidala had been groomed to lead by government tutors and 
philosophers. As we approached the end of the courtyard, two men suddenly 
leapt down from the overhead bridge in front of us. They both wore the 
traditional brown robes of Jedi Knights. Jedi! Jedi never came to Naboo. And 
they were followed by a… was that a *Gungan*?  

"Just when things couldn't get any worse," Padmé whispered behind me. 

We barely had time to react to the Jedi's presence and that went double for 
the battle droids. Thank goodness Tamé had taught me how to keep my mental 
shields up at all times, otherwise I would have been caught off guard. And 
with the Jedi so near... I shivered inwardly to think of the consequences. 

The Jedi had already powered up their lightsabers. They moved so fast that 
they were almost a blur, slashing left and right, sending droid limbs flying. 
I was astonished. In seconds, the battle droids lay in scattered debris all 
around us. The taller, older Jedi addressed me, "We should leave the streets, 
Your Highness." He motioned toward a side alleyway. 

Governor Bibble instantly ushered me off the street, while the Queen and my
sister handmaidens quickly followed. Captain Panaka and his soldiers grabbed 
the weapons of the fallen droids. When we were all safely out of sight, the 
taller Jedi spoke again. He gestured toward himself and the younger Jedi. "We 
are ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor."

*These* were the ambassadors? Just what kind of settlement had these Jedi 
negotiated for us? The Federation had settled all right – onto our planet! 

Echoing my thoughts Sio Bibble scoffed, "Your negotiations seem to failed, 
Ambassador."

"The Negotiations never took place," the tall Jedi replied calmly. "It's 
urgent that we make contact with the Republic."

"If it were that simple, we would have done it ourselves," Padmé fumed 
quietly. 

Captain Panaka shook his head. "They've knocked out all our communications."

"Do you have transport?" the tall Jedi asked. 

Transport... of course! I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe the Jedi ambassadors 
still had some use after all. Of course, it would be very risky, trying to get 
past the blockade. But if they made it back to Coruscant, they could 
reestablish communication to the Chancellor and Senator Palpatine for us. 
Surely, owing to our present crisis we would get the necessary support from 
the Senate to both end the blockade and get the Trade Federation off Naboo! 

Captain Panaka had caught on, too. "In the main hanger. This way!" 

Luckily for us, Captain Panaka knew every secret back street and hidden 
overhead walkway of Theed. We reached the main hanger in no time at all. 
Captain Panaka opened a side door. Inside I saw a couple dozen battle droids. 
At the far end of the hanger, I spotted Ric Olié, the commander of Bravo 
Squadron that possessed the finest pilots in the Naboo Space Fighter Corps. 
They had been taken prisoner by the battle droids along with some security 
guards. That was actually Amidala's doing. 

Surprised? After Queen Amidala had dismissed everyone from the Throne Room, my 
sister handmaidens and I had waited for her outside the closed doors. 

Within moments, couriers from all over Theed bore down upon us with urgent 
news. My sister handmaidens and I recorded it all on our datapads, which we 
always carry in the long pockets of our robes. Queen Amidala would need to 
deal with these messages… if she ever came out of the Throne Room.

The people were frightened and didn't know how to respond. Who could blame 
them? Tanks were seen headed toward the city with long lines of battle droids. 

The Naboo Space Fighter Corps was shocked by the size and scale of the Trade 
Federation's forces, which our sensitive radar arrays had detected upon the 
arrival of the Federation's landing ships just before all forms of 
communications had been scrambled. The Corps had only experienced simulated 
attacks before, nothing close to anything on this scale.

How could they have? I thought bitterly. Nothing in the galaxy had prepared us 
or a military takeover.

But a message sent from Ric Olié, the commander of Bravo Squadron said he was 
awaiting the Queen's order to attack. 

When the entry hall became so full that I felt like I was at a stubok ball 
game, I knew it was time to interrupt Amidala's private contemplations. 
Gathering the datapads from my sister handmaidens, I told them to go on to 
their quarters to change from our fine dresses into more sturdy robes. I 
instructed them to wear fiery orange because I wanted to show the Trade 
Federation that even though they had captured our planet, our spirits were not 
broken. 

I punched in the proper override code and the doors to the Throne Room slide 
open to admit me before closing again. Queen Amidala was standing by one of 
the far bay windows. I hastened to her side. "Your Highness," I began.

"Look," she said sadly.

It was a depressing sight. Tanks were now rolling along the main avenue of 
Theed with battalions of battle droids marching at their side.

"Queen Amidala, your people need you," I said urgently, trying to shake her 
stillness. "They want to know how to respond to all this."

The Queen turned her head sharply toward me. "My command as Queen is that the 
Naboo will not resist..." Amidala, noticing my growing agitation, added, "You
will not question me in this, Sabé. I will not bring war and bloodshed to our 
world. Not while I am still searching for a peaceful alternative, and rest 
assured, there *is* a peaceful alternative. It is just a matter of letting 
reason prevail." 

But the upshot of all this peaceful submission had effectively put Ric Olié 
and his pilots out of commission along with the few security guards in the 
hanger. Battle droids also guarded the entrance to the Queen's personal 
transport, a sleek, silver starship. I knew the Jedi would choose it. They had 
to. It was the only ship in the hanger that could hold more than one person. 
Sure enough, the tall Jedi nodded, "That one will do." I wondered briefly if 
he would bother returning it.

Captain Panaka looked grim as he pointed out the obvious. "The battle droids – 
there are too many of them." 

But the tall Jedi barely even glanced at them. "That won't be a problem," he 
said. We stared at him in disbelief.

The tall Jedi ignored everyone but me. "Your Highness, under these 
circumstances, I suggest you come with me to Coruscant." 

I was taken aback. Abandon Naboo? "Thank you, Ambassador," I replied. "But my 
place is with my people." I knew Amidala. Her dedication to Naboo was such 
that she would only choose to leave if there was no other alternative.  

"They will kill you if you stay," the tall Jedi told me bluntly.

Kill me – *kill Amidala!* My sister handmaidens pressed closer behind me, 
Padmé tightly in their midst.

"They wouldn't dare!" Governor Bibble cried.

"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal," 
Captain Panaka argued. "They can't afford to kill her!"

The tall Jedi spoke intently. "There is something else behind all of this, 
Your Highness. There's no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings 
tell me they will destroy you." 

Governor Bibble must have felt the same thing because now his eyebrows shot up 
in alarm and he spoke earnestly, "Your Highness, our only hope is for the 
Senate to side with us. Senator Palpatine will need your help. You must 
leave!"

Stay here on Naboo or go with these Jedi Ambassadors to Coruscant? This was 
not my decision to make. I chose my next words with care. "Either choice 
presents great danger... to us all." 

Upon uttering those last three words, I turned to look at my sister 
handmaidens. They were good. They were real good. Their eyes swiftly darted 
back and forth to divert attention from my own gaze, which rested upon Padmé.  

"We are brave, Your Highness," she stated swiftly. For a secret code, I 
thought that a bit obvious of her. 

"If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now," the tall Jedi pressed. 

I turned back to him, hoping I looked as though I had come to the decision 
myself, not some pushy handmaiden. "I will plead our case to the Senate." 

Warning the Governor to be careful, I signaled for Yané and Saché to go with 
the him. I felt a sharp pang of guilt, seeing their teary eyes. Did they 
resent being left behind? But it couldn't be helped. Governor Bibble needed
them.

As we entered the hanger, Captain Panaka informed the Jedi, "We'll need to
free those pilots." He pointed to the twenty-some pilots and soldiers held 
captive. Even as the Captain began to ready his weapon for the fight, the 
younger Jedi casually pushed it aside. 

"I'll deal with that," he said, veering off. 

I briefly wondered if the young Jedi was a touch mad, but had no time to 
ponder his mental state since the tall Jedi was marching us boldly to the 
ship's entrance ramp. Just as we reached it, a battle droid commander ordered 
us to halt. The tall Jedi actually tried talking sensibly to it! Now I began 
to wonder if perhaps the tall Jedi was the mad one. Naturally, talking with 
the battle droid did no good. Instead it wanted to arrest us, bringing its 
weapon to bear. 

All of a sudden, the tall Jedi had cut the commander in half with his whirling 
green lightsaber. Before I could blink, five more battle droids were reduced 
to rubble.

Instantly, there was blaster fire all around us. My first instinct was to 
shield Amidala. But the tall Jedi yelled at us to get in the ship. I knew the 
Queen would be safer inside. Ducking laser fire, I grabbed my skirts and ran 
into the ship. Just behind me, Rabé and Eirtaé sped Amidala safely aboard. 

"Hurry, Your Highness," Rabé said, pushing me forward. "To the Throne Room!" 

We rushed into the ship's Throne Room. At the same time, guards and pilots 
poured into the ship. The guards took up sentry positions while the pilots 
headed off to their stations. Two Palace guards ran into the Throne Room with 
us. 

"Your Highness!" one of them cried. "You must be seated for take off." But he 
wasn't talking to me. He was talking to Amidala. I realized Captain Panaka 
must have informed the six Palace guards that had accompanied us to the Place 
Throne Room about our switch so that the 'real' Amidala would receive extra 
covert protection. Protection she did not care for. 

"Call me Lady Padmé!" Amidala snapped. "I want no special treatment. There is 
your Queen." She motioned brusquely toward me as she sat. 

Rabé and Eirtaé were already helping me onto the throne. They took care to 
spread my long, full skirt flawlessly about me demonstrating that even under 
duress, handmaidens pay attention to details.

"No, seat yourselves!" I ordered. Not a moment too soon. 

The Throne Room is completely enclosed. Its walls are made to muffle any 
sounds, so we felt, rather than heard, the sound of the engines start. Next 
came a sudden jolt forward and then upward. Then all was calm.

"We made it!" cried Rabé. She and Eirtaé sat on either side of the Queen.

"No," said Amidala through gritted teeth. "There's still the blockade."

A second later we felt the ship go through a series of loops and spins. 
Fortunately, the ship's interior gravity compensated for every turn.  But 
suddenly a red light started flashing.  An alarm blared.  We'd been hit!  The 
deflector shields were down.  I was in the grip of panic when I looked at the 
Queen.  I couldn't believe how calm she was, her expression perfectly still. 
Then I noticed how she held hands with Rabé and Eirtaé.  She clasped their 
hands so tight, I could see their knuckles turn white. 

I expected death any second, but prayed we would make it through.  Then the 
alarm shut off and the ship leaped forward. 

"It feels like we've just made the jump into hyperspace!" a guard exclaimed in 
triumph.  Ric Olié confirmed it a moment later via the guard's comlink. 

At last we were on our way to Coruscant. Or so we thought...



FIVE

"I can't stand this!" Amidala exclaimed. 

She had abandoned all illusion of being Padmé, my handmaiden. She couldn't 
stand patiently behind me, like Rabé and Eirtaé did. Instead, she paced the
floor relentlessly. "I can't stand being stuck back here!" she continued. "I
don't have the slightest idea what is happening in the rest of the ship –
*my* ship!" 

"I'm sure everything's fine now—" Eirtaé tried to interject. 

"Fine! How can you say that? I have no idea what the ship's status is. And in 
case you hadn't noticed we have 'guests' aboard!"	

She paced even more furiously. "Guests I want to keep an eye on. Take those
Jedi ambassadors. I'm not so sure about them yet. They can take out dozens of
battle droids with their lightsabers, rescue us from the Trade Federation,
yet they can't even do us the simple favor of negotiating a peace treaty! How
can we trust them if all they can do is fight?" 

She took a deep breath. "And in case you forgot, there's also that *Gungan*
lurking around somewhere. What the galaxy is a Gungan doing with us?
Shouldn't he be under water with the rest of his miserable kind? What help
have they ever been? They slaughtered our forefathers. And were they ever
concerned with the Federation's blockade? No! Have I mentioned those Jedi
ambassadors?" 	

Amidala stopped dead in her tracks and pointed her finger at me. "And you,
Sabé," she said almost accusingly, "Don't you let down your mental shields
for one second around these ambassadors! We've got enough problems as it is
without them learning the truth about Naboo's people!" (As Queen, Amidala had
access to all of her handmaidens' medical records and therefore knew how high
my midi-chlorian count was.)

Now *that* offended me. I decided to return the favor. "I'm no more likely to
slip than you are… Padmé." How nice not to have to use her royal title for
once. 

Her cheeks flamed red as she glared at me. But I didn't care. Or at least I
tried not to. 

Amidala turned away. "I have to leave this room! Now!"

"But you can't leave the Throne Room, Padmé," Rabé pointed out. I know she was
trying to be helpful but it did nothing for the Queen's mood. "Remember: a
handmaiden's duty is to stay with the Queen." That's true. It is part of the
Handmaiden's Oath and Creed that we all had learned by heart on our first day
at the Palace.

"It would seem strange if you left," added Eirtaé, sensibly.

"I know!" Amidala said, crossly. "But even so, we must find a reason."

I took a deep calming breath, and then another one. Quarreling was not going
to get us anywhere. So I reconsidered our options, and then realized we had
to look outside the Throne Room for a solution. "I'm sure Captain Panaka can
provide some task worthy of a handmaiden."

Amidala perked up at my suggestion. (Apparently, she had taken a few cleansing
breaths of her own.) I fished through the deep pockets hidden in my dress
where I had stashed away my personal comlink. A handmaiden must always be
prepared. In fact, that's the first line in the Oath and Creed. I found my
comlink and signaled the Captain.

"Panaka here." His deep voice sounded small coming from the little 
communicator.

"Captain, Lady Padmé desires the freedom to move about the ship, but without
attracting any undo attention. Is there some chore she can attend to?"

There was a slight pause before we heard the Captain's thoughtful reply.
"There is a droid that saved us when we were trying to get past the blockade.
It was scorched pretty badly. It could probably use a good cleaning."


"Perfect. Bring it here." I hesitated a moment, remembering what Amidala had 
said about the Jedi. "Bring the Jedi too," I instructed. "We need to know
their intentions." 

I turned off the comlink and looked at Amidala.  She was smiling. "Thank you,
Sabé." That was one nice thing about the Queen, she never held a grudge very
long.

Shortly, Captain Panaka arrived with the Jedi and the droid. It was an 
astromech droid with a round head, white body, and blue markings. Actually, I 
was somewhat familiar with it already, since I had been the one to oversee its
installation along with the other astomechs on board, which is a lot easier
and more non-technical than it sounds. I had simply asked the Chief
Technician for the best R2 units and told him to reassign them to the Royal
Starship.

I assumed my most regal manner while the two Jedi introduced themselves. The
taller and older Jedi was Qui-Gon Jinn. He had a dignified air about him and
projected an such aura of innate confidence, I suspected he walked his own
path through life regardless of rules. The younger one was his Padawan
Learner named Obi-Wan Kenobi. He seemed more formal than his Master, yet at
the same time I sensed a wry humor beneath his stoic demeanor. I had no idea
why I would sense something so personal from a total stranger, yet it seemed
to suit him. Both Jedi stepped back and stood patiently while Captain Panaka
gave us his report. 

"Your Highness," the Captain began, "thanks to Ric Olié, we got past the
Federation's blockade. Unfortunately, our hyperdrive is badly damaged. The
ship is losing power."

I had to work hard to keep my face impassive, covering the sudden anxiety I
felt. I heard a quiet rustling as my handmaidens shifted uneasily at the
news. But I knew Queen Amidala would not have shown fear, so neither would I.

Captain Panaka next motioned the droid forward. It tipped its body forward in
a little bow and whistled. Captain Panaka spoke with appreciation. "We never
would have made it this far without the help of this droid. Without a doubt,
it saved the ship back there. Not to mention our lives."

"It is to be commended," I said. "What is its number?"

Captain Panaka wiped a bit of smudge off the droid. "Artoo-Detoo, Your
Highness."

"Thank you, Artoo-Detoo," I said solemnly. The droid gave another little bow
and whistled. I guessed that was droid speech for 'Your welcome.' 

I didn't like Amidala standing behind me with my sister handmaidens. Of
course, that was exactly where Padmé should stand, but it hindered our
private form of communication. And I didn't want there to be any mistakes. 

"Padmé," I called. The Queen stepped forward, ready to do my bidding. 

"Clean this droid up the best you can," I told her. I let my stern, regal
expression drop to smile at Artoo. "It deserves our gratitude." 

Next, Qui-Gon stepped forward. "Your Highness, with your permission we are
headed to a remote planet called Tatooine to make our repairs. It's in a
system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation."

Captain Panaka was unhappy. "I do not agree with the Jedi on this," he
proclaimed. "Your Highness, Tatooine is very dangerous. It's controlled by
the Hutts, who are gangsters and criminals."

"You must trust my judgment on this, Your Highness," Qui-Gon said firmly.

"Oh, really?" I said. "Must I?"

Behind him Padmé gave me a short bow, before turning to leave with Artoo. I
understood perfectly.

"Very well," I told Qui-Gon, sternly. "You shall have my trust." 



SIX

The Throne Room was now empty except for the pair of Palace guards and my
sister handmaidens. The guards stood at attention in the entranceway, in case
anyone suddenly appeared. Not everyone on board realized I was a Decoy Queen
– the Palace guards, yes, since these were Captain Panaka's most trusted
soldiers and skilled bodyguards of the court. But there were regular security
officers and guards, plus the pilots, who didn't know. Not to mention the two
Jedi and that stray Gungan. 

I sighed inwardly. It was lonely posing as the Queen. I was used to looking
out for Amidala. Now Rabé and Eirtaé were looking out for me. Just when I was
wondering how much longer it would be before Amidala came back, the Throne
Room door slid open and she entered. She ordered to guards not to let anyone
in behind her while she conferred with us.

"Your Highness, you're back!" Rabé cried. 

"We were getting worried," added Eirtaé with a slight frown in her otherwise
pleasant voice.

"How is Artoo-Detoo, Your Highness?" I called out with a smile. I was also 
relieved to see her again. 

Amidala grinned right back. "Perfectly polished and looking like new." She was
clearly in much better humor. I wasn't the only one who wondered what she had
been up to. Rabé and Eirtaé quickly drew forward. "What's happening on the
rest of the ship?" Eirtaé asked eagerly. 

"Did you see the Gungan?" asked Rabé, quick to the point.

"The Gungan's all right," Amidala told us, with an amused smile. "He's a funny
fellow. His name is Jar Jar Binks. I had a hard time understanding him but I
think Qui-Gon saved his life when the Federation army landed. Jar Jar says he
owes him a 'life debt.'"

"What's that?" asked Rabé, ever curious.

"It's a matter of honor, I think. He said the gods demand that any Gungan who
has his life saved by another person then becomes that other person's servant
until he has a chance to redeem himself by doing something heroic in return." 

Rabé frowned in puzzlement. "I didn't know the gods demanded that. I've never
heard anything like it."

"Gungan gods, silly," I said, suppressing an eye roll. "Not *real* Gods."
	
"A life debt?" Eirtaé asked, interested. "I thought the Gungans were
barbarians. I didn't know they had such a sense of honor."

"Neither did I," Queen Amidala admitted, shaking her head. "But he's very
sincere. Harmless, really. Except... well, he's a bit clumsy."

"Clumsy?" Rabé laughed.

"What about the Jedi?" I asked. 

Amidala issued another grin. "Oh, they're not clumsy at all. In fact, I think
the younger one is pretty cute. He's serious and dedicated, and obedient. He
does whatever his Master tells him. Come to think of it, I think Sabé could
benefit from his example." She winked at me.

"Ha, ha," I said sourly. "I'll keep that in mind, Your Royal Exaltedness."

Amidala chuckled, then her demeanor became serious. "We're nearly at Tatooine.
Qui-Gon is planning on leaving as soon as we land. I had Captain Panaka turn
over the entire ship treasury to him. That way he can buy whatever we need.
Obi-Wan will stay here to help with the repairs."

I sensed my friend's mood grow dim. "What is it?" I asked Amidala. 

She frowned. "I do not like this idea of Qui-Gon going off on his own. Captain
Panaka likes it even less. I've put a lot of trust in someone we don't know." 

I had a feeling I knew what was going to come next.

"I'm going with him," Amidala said.

"What?" Rabé asked, round eyed.

"Your Highness, you cannot," Eirtaé immediately protested. "It is too
dangerous."

"No," said Amidala firmly. "The danger is letting Qui-Gon go off unsupervised.
I can disguise myself as a peasant. There's no reason for anyone to suspect
that Padmé is anything more than a simple farm girl." Amidala then looked at
me with concern. "It's you, Sabé, who will be exposed to the greater danger.
Your life is at risk as long as you continue to pose as me."

"Your Highness," I said. "Don't worry about me. Just concentrate on getting
the parts we need to fix the hyperdrive."

Amidala's eyes shone with a mixture of friendship and gratitude. "Then it is 
settled," she said. "Eirtaé and Rabé will stay with you. They'll be your
protection."

Rabé still objected. "What if Qui-Gon doesn't want you to go with him?" she
asked. 

One look at Amidala was all it took. I realized this possibility had never
crossed her mind. As Queen, she was used to people doing what she said. 

"If it comes down to that, take Captain Panaka with you to see Qui-Gon before
he leaves," I suggested. "Our good Captain can pretend I commanded him to
make sure you are part of the landing party."

"Excellent idea," said Amidala, nodding. Then she looked at me dead serious.
"Sabé, while I'm away, I will trust any decision you make as though it were
my own. Keep a watch on that Obi-Wan Kenobi. I have already informed Captain
Panaka that you're the one in charge here."

For once I was glad of the white mask that I wore. I felt my cheeks flush with
the praise my Queen had just given me. "Your amulet is safe with me, Your
Highness," I said softly in our traditional word game. Amidala smiled to show
me that she understood.

// Your amulet is safe with me, Your Highness. Your trust is safe with me,
Your Highness. I will watch this ship and crew with your care and wisdom. //

"Your Highness," urged Eirtaé, "it's best you change now. Time grows short."

Amidala gave Eirtaé and me a brief hug, then she was out the door with Rabé.
While the Queen changed, Rabé would braid her hair in a suitable style.
Eirtaé dutifully resumed her position behind the throne. Once again, I was
Queen. A distinct feeling of unease wrapped itself around me like a cold
shawl. In everything I said and did, I had to play the part of Amidala
perfectly.

Eirtaé whispered softly, "Are we wise letting Ami— Er, letting Padmé go to a
strange planet without us? It would be better if one of us accompanied her."

I shook my head slightly, answering in a low voice. "If she had wanted one of
us to go with her, she would have said so. Padmé can take care of herself.
And a smaller group will draw less attention. We'll just have to wait." 

It wasn't long before we felt the ship leave hyperspace. Our landing was swift
as it was discrete – or so I hoped. One of the Palace guards answered a call
on his comlink. He confirmed that we were on Tatooine. Moments later, the
younger Jedi entered the Throne Room. He approached me and gave a slight bow.
Ah, I thought, remembering Amidala's words, here comes Mr. Serious, Dedicated
and Obedient Kenobi. Mind shields up. 

"Your Highness," he addressed me. "I thought you might like a report. I'm
afraid we need a whole new hyperdrive generator. Qui-Gon has just left for
the nearest settlement with Artoo-Detoo and Jar Jar to find one."

Artoo and Jar Jar? *What about the Queen*! 

I struggled to keep urgency out of my voice. "I have commanded my handmaiden
Padmé to accompany them. Were you not aware of this?" I let an ominous tone
creep into my words.

The blasted Jedi remained undaunted. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. Qui-Gon felt
it best she that remain behind. Tatooine is no place for a Naboo handmaiden."

No place for a Naboo handmaiden! Then what about a Naboo *Queen*? 

"We shall see," I said curtly. "Thank you for your report, Jedi Kenobi.
However, next time please deliver it in a more timely fashion." Like
immediately! I was sorely annoyed.  

He nodded his head in a short bow, then left. The instant the doors closed
behind him, I was fumbling in my dress for my comlink. The Queen would not be
happy to learn they had already gone without her. 

Eirtaé swiftly supplied me with her own comlink. Handmaidens are always
prepared. I grabbed it and signaled for Captain Panaka. "Captain, I'm told
Qui-Gon has already left the ship with Jar Jar and the droid."

"What!" I could hear Captain Panaka's voice explode. "He takes a *Gungan,* but
leaves behind Her Royal Highness! He's disobeying a direct command! We'll 
have to hurry to catch up with them now. Panaka out." He abruptly terminated
the call.

A moment latter, Rabé appeared breathlessly in the Throne Room, one hand still
clutching several long hair pins. She gave a quick bow before me. "Padmé's
off, Your Highness," she said. "No thanks to Qui-Gon Jinn. I barely had time
to finish pinning up her braids." She scowled slightly, pocketing the pins as
stepped behind me. "I had no idea Jedi were so rude," she added in a low
voice. "Master Jinn had better watch his step around Padmé." 

I gave a brief, wry smile.

Now all we could do was wait.



SEVEN

As a handmaiden, I had become accustomed to waiting. I wait while the Queen
meets with the Royal Advisory Council. I wait while the Queen negotiates
disputes. I wait while the Queen entertains foreign dignitaries. I even wait
while Rabé shapes the Queen's hair into yet another complicated style.

But never before had waiting been so unbearable and I felt every long,
torturous minute of it. Our delay in reaching Coruscant translated into
further suffering for our people. I felt Amidala's former frustration at
being penned up. I wished that *I* had been the one to go with Qui-Gon.
Anything to keep from conjuring images of my family rounded up like shaaks,
herded off to a camp, imprisoned upon our own world… I heard Rabé whimper
once and wondered if she was thinking about her own family, too. But they
lived in a small village in the mountains so perhaps they were still safe,
yet I doubted it. With its invasion of Naboo, I believed the Federation had
proved itself ruthless, merciless and thorough.

"How long has it been?" I finally asked.

"Since Padmé left?" said Eirtaé. "About two hours."

"Two hours, we've been sitting like this!"

"No," said Rabé. "Two hours *you've* been sitting like this. Eirtaé and I have
been standing." Was that her grumpy voice?

This was no good. I was about to suggest we make better use of our time and
start meditating when a more radical idea occurred to me. I decided it was
time to spread some cheer. "Anyone for a game of sabacc? I think there's a
deck of cards stashed away in one of pockets inside this dress."

"Sabé!" Eirtaé scolded, while Rabé giggled. Eirtaé continued, "how can you
even think such a thing?" 

"Eirtaé, my good sister, you worry far too much. It's not as if anyone is
going to walk in here—"  The entrance doors opened and I think my heart
skipped a beat or five. I frantically shoved the deck of cards I was holding
in my pocket even deeper then I had found them. 

Our intruder turned out to be the younger Jedi. Staring at him, I suddenly
forgot all about how cross I had been with him earlier. I also forgot about
being a Queen, concentrating on his clear blue eyes, his smooth, handsome
face, and that spiky hair with its long side braid... Galaxy, what was I
thinking! Two hours of both bored and worried waiting had obviously wrecked
havoc with my sanity. It's not as though I was interested in him.

Once I had got hold of my senses I realized that something about him seemed
off. His approach was rather hesitant.

"I have some good news, Your Highness. Qui-Gon has contacted me. He's found a
parts dealer who has the Nubian T-14 generator we need," the Jedi said after
executing a short bow.

Then why did Jedi Kenobi seem so hesitant? This *was* good news, right?

"Unfortunately, Qui-Gon lacks anything to pay for it."

I was dumb-founded. "He lacks… but we gave him over twenty thousand credits!"
What was Qui-Gon trying to pull? He should be able to buy a starship with all
that!

"Twenty thousand Republic credits, Your Highness," Obi-Wan corrected gently.
"We are in Hutt controlled space. They do not honor the Republic out here."

Wonderful, I thought dryly. Perhaps you could have thought of that before you
and your Master stranded us here? 

"Might there be something else of material value aboard?" Jedi Kenobi
prompted. 

I almost laughed. "Jedi Kenobi," I explained, "the election of… of myself was
so recent that the Royal Starship we are aboard hasn't even been named.
Welcome to her maiden interstellar voyage. I have barely had time to see it
outfitted with astromech droids and a treasury." 

All of this was true. One of the duties of Principal Handmaiden is to make
sure the Queen's Royal Starship is properly supplied. Thank the Gods that
proper nourishment was one of the first things I had thought to supply – of
course that was in the time of plenty before the blockade induced famine. 

I added, "There are some cargos of my wardrobe but their value is considerably
less than a hyperdrive generator."

I stared at my hands folded on my lap and realized I was practically wringing
them. I forced them still and thought I was doing a good job of reining my
alarm, but Jedi Kenobi must have still sensed something. He hastened to
reassure me, "It's not yet time to worry, Your Highness. Some other solution
is bound to present itself. With my Master it always does. Let him worry
about getting the parts we need. You are troubled enough about Naboo." 

Then I looked at him. Could it be? He sounded more concerned about me than our
current situation. I felt a warm reassurance flow from him. How could this
be? He nodded and exited the room. But before I had time to ponder anything a
small sob sounded behind me. 

It was Rabé. "This is my fault, Sabé," she cried. "Queen Amidala asked me over
a month ago to help you supply the Royal Starship. But then the Federation
came and the blockade began and… and it didn't look like we'd be going
anywhere anytime soon… and there were so many things to take care of..."

Eirtaé, bless her, already had her arms around Rabé's shoulders and spoke
calm, reassuring words to her, which soothed me as well. We had more or less
composed ourselves when Captain Panaka entered the Throne Room with Jedi
Kenobi. My heart leapt. Could they have obtained the generator so soon?

"Bad news, I'm afraid, Your Highness," began the Captain. "A sandstorm is
brewing. We have to seal the ship." 

Oh.

"It's a big one from the looks of it," added Jedi Kenobi. "We must hope that
Qui-Gon and the others can find shelter somewhere." 

I swallowed, hard. "Have you not hear from Master Jinn?" I asked.

"Not yet, but I expect to shortly. I'm sure they'll find some place to stay."
Jedi Kenobi's calmness in the face of swift uncertainty did wonders for my
own confidence. Of course Amidala would be smart enough to find shelter. If
Qui-Gon and Jar Jar had any common sense, they would go along with her.

"Your Highness," said Captain Panaka, said somewhat urgently. "There is
another matter. We've received a communication from Naboo. With your
permission I will relay it here."

I nodded. The message was from Governor Bibble. His holographic figure
appeared life size, pleading directly before me. It was rather unnerving.
"Your Highness, the situation has grown intolerable. The Trade Federation is
now withholding food from the detention camps unless you sign their treaty.
In accordance with your will I have refused to give in, nor do our people
wish to submit, but we pay a terrible price. Queen Amidala, I beg of you to
help us. Our people are starving. The death toll is catastrophic. We *must*
bow to their wishes. You *must* contact me." Every word he spoke carved
itself like a knife in my heart. Naboo's plight was even worse than I had
imagined. 

But Jedi Kenobi waved it all off. "It's a trick. Send no reply. Send no
transmissions of any kind." He abruptly left the room. Galaxy, had the man no
compassion after all? Didn't he just hear that the Naboo were starving to
death?

I swallowed a lump in my throat. What should I do? Was Obi-Wan, in fact,
right? Was the message a trap? He certainly indicated that it was. How could
he be so sure?

Amidala had instructed me to trust the Jedi, but in this instance I knew it
was up to me to decide. I would follow her instructions. Besides, what if the
Federation intercepted and recognized our signal? I turned to Captain Panaka.
"Send no reply," I said quietly.

"I do not like this, Your Highness," countered Captain Panaka. "I know
Governor Bible. He would only contact us under the most dire of
circumstances."

"Send no reply!" I countered myself, nearly rising from the throne.

Captain Panaka did not look happy, but after a few moments dismissed himself
to check on the progress of the repairs. I was left to sit in silence with
Rabé and Eirtaé as my only companions. This time, instead of sabacc, I
suggested that we meditate in order to preserve our sanity after shaking
experience of having witnessed Sio Bibble's pleading figure. Like all Naboo
children, we had been well trained in the art of meditation. 

Meditation is no mere rote exercise, but is considered a necessary nourishment
for the Naboo. It is as powerful and profound as it is peaceful and placid,
helping to keep our spirits centered on Harmony.

Myself, I tried to focus on the lines of an ancient sonata but visions of
battle droids kept creeping in between the notes. 

A fidgety, fruitless hour, I spoke out loud, causing Rabé to jump. "It's not
working. I can't remain here any longer." 

"There's nothing to do but wander the halls," said Eirtaé, logical as ever.
"And outside is a sandstorm."

"So I'll wander." I stood up. Ah, it felt good to be on my feet. But even
before I had stepped off the dais, Eirtaé had hold of my arm. "I don't think
that's a good idea, Sabé. We've gone over this before. Queen Amidala would
never wander."

"Thank you, Eirtaé, when I need your opinion I'll ask for it!" I snapped, then
regretted it. I was worried about Naboo and taking it out on her – not a very
nice thing to do. "I'm sorry, I know you're right, we all do. It's just..."

"Just what," she prompted, letting go.

We all jumped slightly upon hearing a large growl. 

"...just that it's past time for evening meal!" I laughed as Rabé rubbed her
stomach with an embarrassed expression.

Eirtaé immediately took the fun out of things by saying she could have
something brought to us.

"No way," Rabé said, shaking her head for emphasis. "Not another of your
salads."

Eirtaé frowned. "What's a matter with my salads?" 

Rabé started to laugh and then her face fell. "I feel so guilty thinking about
eating while our people having nothing."

"We all do," I said, sympathetically. "But starving ourselves when we have a
mission to accomplish is not the best way to help them." I gave her what I
hoped was an encouraging smile, then began walking toward the exit,
dismissing the two Palace guards with a gesture. They seemed quite relieved.
Obviously they had been having as much fun guarding the Throne Room as we had
had meditating in it.

Rabé and Eirtaé caught up with me. Eirtaé said, "I still don't think this is a
good idea but where you go, we go."

"Appearances, appearances," I sighed dramatically. As a handmaiden, I was used
to doing the trailing so it felt odd be continually trailed myself. We headed
toward the ship's lounge where several pilots and guards were conversing over
a make-shift meal of kwonzo burgers. They immediately stood at my entrance. 

I shook my head. "Please do not let my presence disturb you. We merely wish to
see that all is well."

Rabé snickered behind me as we heard Eirtaé's stomach rumble this time
sounding like distant thunder. I worked hard to maintain a dignified, queenly
expression.

"Thank you, Your Highness," one of the pilots answered. They all bowed their
heads respectfully before resuming their seated conversation. 

"There's extra here, Your Highness..." a guard ventured, gesturing at the
food. "That is, if you or your handmaidens would care for any." 

I noticed how Rabé looked longingly at their meal. Kwonzo burgers were her
favorite. Even Eirtaé was know to indulge from time to time. "Hungry?" I asked
my sister handmaidens in a low voice.

"Starved," they confirmed in unison. 

"Please," I told them in Amidala's formal voice so that all could hear. "Stay.
If I have need of your assistance, I will let you know."

Eirtaé shot me a wary glare. "Are you dismissing us for the evening, Your
Highness?" She added in a quieter voice, "I don't believe—"

"I think know my way around the ship, Eirtaé," I said more sternly than I had
intended. 

"Of course you do, Your Highness" Eirtaé said curtly. "Shall Rabé and I await
you here? Or will you be in your own quarters?"

I realized I had offended her and whispered an apology. "Sorry, Eir—I just
can't stand kwonzo burgers. Rabé can tell you all about it. Honestly, I can't
think of anything more unappetizing."

"Except for my salads?" Eirtaé whispered back, arching an eyebrow and trying
to suppress a superior smile.

"Look," I said in a low and very annoyed voice. "I am just going to walk
around the ship a few times and wait for the aroma in here to fade. Then I'll
join you here."

Rabé looked at me sympathetically. "Don't bother, we can bring you something
to eat in the Queen's quarters." Then she practically elbowed her way past me
to get to the counter. 

Good old Rabé. The first time I had met her, she had been eating lunch in her
Palace quarters. She offered to split her kwonzo burger with me and thought
me insane for refusing a Naboo favorite. So I confessed how when I was four,
Leesol found out I that I had composed my very first symphony to The Glorious
Kwonzo Burger, my favorite food. She teased me about it for a whole week.
Embarrassed and upset, I vowed never to have anything more to do with music –
the most horrible threat a child can utter in Thera. My greatly alarmed
parents stepped in and made Leesol apologize. She did her best, bringing me a
whole platter of burgers to make up. But the damage had been done and I've
detested them ever since. 

"Are you certain about—" Eirtaé began, her forehead crinkled in worry lines. 

I made sure no one else was looking then rolled my eyes at her. 

Eirtaé took a quick look around herself, then stuck out her tongue at me.
"Very well, Your Highness," she said tartly.

It made me want to laugh so I quickly exited. Rabé barely seemed to notice,
she was too intent on building her own burger.



EIGHT

I wandered through the corridors unsure of my destination. There really *was*
no place to go, except back into the Throne Room or to the Queen's quarters.
That was the problem. My stroll took me around the ship to where the repairs
were being still being carried out. Nothing new there. Not that I was
expecting anything new – like, say, a Nubian T-14 generator...

My comlink beeped softly signaling a coded call from Ric Olié. I stared at the
flashing light and realized that he wanted me to receive only – not reply.
Curious.

I stood still, straining to hear the quiet voices coming from my comlink...
saying words that caused my blood to freeze.

"'It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace.'" Wait. Wasn't that the
older Jedi's voice? Qui-Gon?

"'What if it is true, and the people are dying?'" That was from the younger
Jedi. The handsome Jedi. The handsome Jedi I currently wanted to throttle.
Had Kenobi's words in the Throne Room been nothing more than false bravo? I
had in part made the decision to forbid contact with Governor Bibble based on
what he had said!

"'Either way we're running out of time.'" Qui-Gon again. 

There was no more and my comlink signaled off. I was grateful for Ric Olié's
quick thinking in relaying me the conversation and would have to remember to
tell Amidala.

Trying to keep my temper to an appropriate Queenly level, I hurried down the
corridor toward the cockpit, nearly running into Ric Olié. 

"Apologizes, Your Highness," he said, looking mortified, believing that I was
indeed the Queen who he had almost mowed over.

"No pardon necessary," I replied. "Thank you for your transmission just now."
I studied him for a moment. "You look tired." He nodded. I figured he needed
some decent food in him – if kwonzo burgers indeed qualified as 'decent' –
and a good night's sleep. 

"Should you need me, Your Highness, I'm always just a comlink away," he told
me.

I realized he had probably been waiting in the cockpit all that time for
Qui-Gon's final contact of the day with his Padawan. Again, good solid 
thinking.

We parted, and I began to feel my anger return with each step I took toward
the cockpit. I slapped my hand hard on the entrance panel, stepping in the
lift. Two seconds later I entered the cockpit in a whirl of black skirts and
flashing eyes. I felt pleased to see that I'd made the young Jedi startle.
Weren't Jedi supposed to always be aware of their surroundings?

"Jedi Kenobi," I greeted, my demeanor calm, masking the lava boiling in my
veins.

"Your Highness," Jedi Kenobi replied. "I hadn't expected your presence here." 

"That much is clear," I said icily. I deliberately let an uncomfortable
silence ensure before saying, "so, Jedi Kenobi, now it appears you think that
Governor Bibble was telling the truth and that his transmission wasn't a trap
after all."

The young Jedi's stared at me. "How..." His voice trailed off as I held up my
personal comlink. He looked at a loss for words. 

I was too angry to back down. "Are you Jedi even capable of truth? Was that
transmission we received bait or was it real? I am sure that I would like to
know! Or can you tell me how many of my people you think have already died
due to starvation and even now how many contin—" and then my properly
practiced, accented voice caught. In an unexpected rush, I realized how close
to tears I was. 

*... and even now how many continue to die?* My mother... my father... 
Leesol... my sweet little sisters... They couldn't already be dead! Oh,
Galaxy, they couldn't! Because if they were, then it wouldn't matter how fast
we arrived at Coruscant and how many times Queen Amidala petitioned the
Senate for help. It would always be too late. Too late! 

I abruptly turned away, fists clenched tightly. I would not allow myself to
cry. Besides, my face paint would smear, wouldn't it? That did it. Trying to
be logical brought the opposite reaction. A slight sob escaped me. My eyes
were tearing. I needed to flee—

It was then that I felt a light touch on my shoulder. "Perhaps you would you
care to sit, Your Highness?" Jedi Kenobi said quietly from behind me. His
voice was so gentle and his presence, so... soothing? 

I began to breath easier. My anxiety ceased whereas seconds ago I had tossed
about in a sea of flooding emotion. Was this some sort of Jedi mind calming
trick? Probably so, but I didn't care. All I knew was that I didn't want to
leave this new found place of peace. 

I gathered my skirts to seat myself in the Pilot's chair. I noticed for the
first time that the silver shields had been sealed over the view port. It
made the cockpit seem smaller somehow. Then I realized I had never been in
such close proximity with a man alone by myself – except for my father, but
fathers don't count. 

The Jedi sat in the co-pilot seat. I glanced at him and marveled to see his
concern for me once more. The first few times we had interacted, he had been
more detached than anything else. 

He spoke to me, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, it never our intention to fail you
as ambassadors to the Trade Federation. Nor was it mine to deceive you 
earlier."

I nodded stiffly, but refused to allow myself to be so easily swayed.

Jedi Kenobi looked at me intently. "You deserve the truth, Queen Amidala. Yes,
I admit there is the possibility that the message we received from Naboo was
genuine. And knowing the Trade Federation, they probably are withholding food
from the camps. But my master had instructed me not to allow any
transmissions to be sent."

"Thank you for your honesty, Jedi Kenobi," I stated in a most proper tone of
voice.

He smiled. "Please, Your Highness, I'd prefer it if you just call me Obi-Wan.
Jedi aren't much for titles."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then I suppose 'Queen Amidala' seems rather pretentious
to you?"	

He replied hastily, "It's not that titles aren't important, Your Highness. In
certain contexts they're quite necessary. And 'Queen Amidala' is, well,
sounds really, really nice and well—"

I couldn't hide my grin. "Please, Obi-Wan, stop while you're ahead."

He returned a rather embarrassed chuckle. "I suppose I should."

This couldn't be. I was actually responding to him on a personal level, not 
professional.

"I have a high respect for the Naboo," he said, catching me off-guard. "Your
planet withstood the blockade of one of the most formidable forces in our
galaxy for over a month, while you remained dedicated to a pacifist
resolution. That says much for the character of the Naboo and about you as
their Queen."

"No," I said, sadly. "You don't understand Naboo politics at all. Didn't you
see the colors and fashions worn by some of our people as they were herded
off to camps? I was surprised by how many wore burgundy. Not everyone
supports the Queen." It took me a beat to remember that I was, in fact, the
Queen and it wouldn't look good to refer to myself in the third person. 

But that wasn't what puzzled Obi-Wan. "Burgundy?" he asked.

"It symbolizes confrontation. No, more than that: aggressive confrontation," I
explained. "It was the color worn thousands of years ago as our ancestors
marched into battle against the Gungans – but those wars are long since over.
Still, even now our Palace guards wear burgundy in their uniforms."

"So every color has its own symbol?"

"Yes. For instance, ever since the Trade Federation blockade, my handmaidens
and I have been unable to wear plain white, because it expresses the pure
happiness of peace," I said desolately. 

I think Obi-Wan saw my downcast face and meant to distract me with his next
question. "What about brown?" he asked, looking at his robe. "What does brown
symbolize?"

"Well," I said with a straight face, "it's really a color we are discouraged
from wearing, especially as children."

"Why is that?"

"It's been known to have damaging effects one's mental capabilities and
physical growth..." I stopped, unable to keep from smiling.

"You're teasing me," Obi-Wan accused with his own smile. 

By now I realized that he, too, was responding to me on a personal level. It
made me feel flushed and warm. I suddenly wished I could talk all this over
with Amidala, these strange new and wonderful feelings that being near him
evoked.

Amidala...

My face must have fallen again, because Obi-Wan frowned with concern. "Your
Highness?" he asked.

"I'm worried about Padmé," I admitted.

"But why? She and the others are perfectly safe tonight."

"You know where Padmé is!"

"Yes. I thought you had overheard..."

"Apparently not enough. I'd assumed they had found shelter, but do not know
the details."

Obi-Wan smiled. I was actually getting rather fond of that smile. "She and the
others are safely waiting out the storm in the slave quarters of Mos Espa."

"Pardon?" 

"Mos Espa," he enunciated. "It's the nearby settlement. The name is Huttese,
not Basic, which is why it may sound strange to you. It means—"

"Pardon, but did you say 'slave quarters?'"

He nodded. 

"Obi-Wan, you must be mistaken! The Republic's anti-slavery laws are most
stringent and—"

"Your Highness," he interrupted gently. "We are in Hutt Space." If Obi-Wan
found my naiveté amusing, his expression remained kindly neutral. "I assure
you, Your Highness, they are all quite safe for the evening." 

// Safe? Are you insane? You tell me they're housed in slave quarters and you
say they're safe! //

Out loud I managed, strangled voice and all, "Oh. Well, as long as they're
safe... Thank you, Obi-Wan."

I was realizing more and more what sheltered lives we Naboo led, tucked away
in our small quadrant of the galaxy. I was thankful that Obi-Wan could not
see the growing flush underneath my white facial paint. He must think the
Queen of the Naboo incredibly inexperienced. I prayed that I had not just
made Amidala look like a complete idiot. I sure felt like one.

Suddenly I wondered what it would be like to have a conversation with Obi-Wan
Kenobi as myself: a regular handmaiden, not some dressed up decoy with
feathers on her head. Would he find me interesting? Attractive? I blushed
anew at the thought, glad once more for the white paint. But of course,
Obi-Wan thought he was talking to the real Queen Amidala, and that was the
way it had to be.

A soft rumble in my stomach brought me back to the moment. "Are you hungry?" I
asked. "They're serving kwonzo burgers in the crew lounge." I couldn't help
making a small face.

Obi-Wan grinned. "You don't seem to think much about them."

"I don't. But I can make something else for us."

"A queen who cooks?" He raised his brows.

"Oh, yes. The culinary arts are very important to the Naboo." It's true, they
*are* very important. 

Then I realized that as well as I knew Amidala when it came to large issues,
there were still some small things I had yet to learn. *Did* the Queen know
how to cook? Or had she been too busy growing up a politician all her life? I
knew she had joined the Apprentice Legislature at the same age I had joined
the Academy of Musical Arts. It was only due to Leesol's patient persistence
during the weekends that I had learned to cook. Had Sola done the same thing
for Amidala? I made the decision for my friend: she cooked.

We rose and exited the cockpit together. I was surprised to see that the
lounge had already emptied out. My sister handmaidens were probably eating in
the Queen's quarters. I peeked through the various containers and managed to
find enough of edible interest to put together a real meal for the two of us. 

"This is very good," Obi-Wan told me from his position across the table. "I've
never known a world leader who cooked before. At least not one so young," he
amended in afterthought.

"Young?" I said indignantly, arching an eyebrow. "I happen to have just turned
seventeen. How old are you?" 

He smiled. "Twenty-four, Your Highness."

Seventeen! What was I saying! Sabé Nabish was seventeen years-old. Queen
Amidala was fourteen! How could I have been so careless? I was extremely 
horrified, yet strove to maintain a pleasant expression. 

Obi-Wan put down his fork. "What is it?" he asked in sudden concern. "What's
wrong?"

"Nothing," I lied through a smile. 

He shook his head. "Terror is pouring off you like a fountain of water.
Something is wrong."

Oh, galaxy! In my moment of horror, I had let my mental shields slip! He could
sense now my every emotion through the Force! And that wouldn't be very hard
to do considering we both had high midi-chlorian counts. Amidala was going to
kill me.

Although Naboo complies with the Republic's mandatory midi-chlorian testing of
infants, no child has ever been lost to the Jedi Temple, which has authority
to automatically claim every baby with a high enough count. But for the
Naboo, family is not just important, it is sacred, and for a very important
reason: Harmony. So those who are born with high counts are taught early on
by special instructors to wall off our minds. 

However, shielding is all that we know and all that we do. We do not have a
Jedi's ability to manipulate the Force. We cannot make objects fly or see
into the future (although ever since the Federation invasion I had since come
to see the advantage of that trick). And we certainly don't build
lightsabers! As a result, the Jedi have never sensed anything remotely
special from Naboo, no 'disturbance' of any kind.

Until now. I was positive I was causing a great deal of disturbance as far as
Obi-Wan was concerned.

Obi-Wan pushed away his plate to come around the table and seated himself
beside me, worry plainly showing. "No, something is very wrong, Your
Highness." 

I was having a hard time re-establishing my mental guard with him so near.
With both our minds so open, so connected, I just wanted to melt into the
warm safety he promised to offer. Just as he could feel my fear in waves, he
was allowing his natural caring and compassion to wash over me. I was
treading on dangerous ground. If I couldn't keep my mind properly shielded,
then I had to exit. And fast.

I abruptly stood. "Forgive me, Jedi Kenobi," I said formally. I cast about for
a viable excuse and remembered Rabé. "I suddenly find it difficult to eat
while my people starve in camps." And then I fled.

**********

"What is it? What's wrong, Sabé?" Eirtaé asked upon witnessing my wild
entrance to the Queen's quarters. She was already in a silk nightgown,
lounging on one of the side beds with a datapad in her hand. Rabé looked like
she already asleep.

"Kwonzo burgers," I lied swiftly. "I was eating in the lounge and the smell
just got to me."

"Well, that's no good," she said, coming over to me. "Did you have anything to
eat at all?" 

"Enough. Here, can you help me with this please? I want get out of this
thing."

"Of course." She came over and as bit by bit we took away the layers of
Amidala, I began to feel better. I could be Sabé now. I sighed as I slipped
into a plain, silk nightgown of my own.

"Here, sit down," she motioned toward the boudoir. "Your face still needs
cleaning."

I sat obediently, letting Eirtaé chatter and trying not to let my thoughts
wander toward a certain Padawan on board...

"...so at least we know where Her Highness is spending the night. I'm sure
she'll be safe enough with Qui-Gon Jinn around, but I wish they had found
better quarters."

That caught my attention in a hurry. "Her Highness? How do you know where
she's staying?" I had deliberately decided not to tell my sister handmaidens
about the slave quarters. No need to burden them with extra worry. 

"Haven't you been listening to me? Ric Olié told us where she was when he came
to the crew lounge to eat. He said Jedi Kenobi had received a communication
from Master Jinn." 

I was irritated that Ric Olié had forgotten to tell me this part when we had
met in the corridor. These are the things a Decoy likes to know. Had I known
about the slave quarters earlier, I would not have made myself look like such
a fool in front of Obi-Wan. I groaned and couldn't wait to dive under the bed
covers for the night.



NINE

"Not today. Not today I won't."

"But you have to."

"No!"

"You know you have—oh, never mind. Rabé, see if you can talk some sense into 
her."

"Please, Sabé," Rabé said. "You have to wear the feathers and ear covers. 
You're the Decoy. Remember, this is your sacred duty." 

"All right!" I said crossly. "Let's put on the stupid headdress. It's just 
that the band pinches my head. I don't know how the Queen puts up it." I 
submitted unhappily.

Eirtaé smiled. "Now just tilt forward so I can – that's it. Now waggle your 
head. Can you feel it slipping?"

I winched. "No, it's on like a rock." A heavy rock. Feathers may be light, but 
the headband and red ear covers they were attached to were most decidedly not.

"Just what I wanted to hear. Now look in the mirror. See, don't you look 
nice?"

"Eirtaé, I look like I did the day before."

"Exactly!"

It was morning. We had eaten breakfast in the Queen's quarters, but we
couldn't stay locked up forever. I had put up the most protest, not looking 
forward to getting all dollied up again in that huge black gown. Yet my sister 
handmaidens had accomplished that feat with coaxing and threats. I began to 
rue the day I had ever attended my Father's feast in a pink dress.

At last we situated ourselves in the Throne Room. Captain Panaka came to give 
me a status update. Nothing had changed – what a surprise. 

Shortly after, Obi-Wan came in and requested a private audience with me. I 
wondered what he could possibly have to say that was so important as to 
require a private audience, and tightened my mental barriers so much I started 
to get a headache.  He was just about the *one* person I should probably never 
be alone with. I couldn't afford anymore more slipping up. All the same I 
couldn't help feel a tad eager to see the handsome Jedi alone. 

"Request granted," I said with regal detachment. 

"Are you craz—I mean, this is just not done, Your Highness!" Rabé sputtered 
behind me.

"Don't be silly, Rabé," said Eirtaé. "A private audience is without the 
presence of the guards, not without the Queen's handmaidens."

"Your Highness, this is a matter of some delicacy..." began Obi-Wan.

"Granted," I said again, firmly. "Rabé, Eirtaé, please vacate the Throne Room 
with everyone else."

For a moment, I didn't think they were going to move. Then as they walked past 
me, Eirtaé whispered, "behave." I shot her a withering glare, but it was too 
late. Her back was already to me.  

As soon as the room had been emptied, I started to lose my nerve. What was it 
about Obi-Wan that had me so completely in circles? 

"Your Highness, you recall our conversation last night." Oh, Galaxy, had I 
said anything to offend him? 

"I said that you deserved the truth."

"Yes, I remember," I swallowed nervously.

"I should have told you this earlier, but I didn't know how you react. I 
wasn't even sure if you would *want* to know what I knew." He wasn't sure...?
Well, I wasn't sure I liked the sound of things so far.

"After all, you've taken such a dangerous gamble." Oh, no… was he implying 
what I thought? I rose to my feet in alarm.

"Your Highness," he asked. "Is something the matter?"

"How long have you known?" I asked faintly. Probably before we had even left 
Naboo.

"Since last night. Qui-Gon contacted me one more time after you had left and 
told me." So, Qui-Gon knew, too. This just got better and better.

"How did he know?" I demanded. "Was it something I did?"

Obi-Wan was speechless for a moment. Had my performance as Decoy Queen been so 
bad that he didn't want to risk hurting my feelings?

"Your Highness, I think we may have a misunderstanding," he finally
said.

I blinked. "But the gamble..." Taking on the role of Amidala *was* a dangerous
gamble.

"I meant the gamble you took by placing your faith in Qui-Gon."

Oh, *that* gamble. "Yes, yes, of course." I thought I would faint with relief, 
instead I sat back down. "The purpose of your audience then?"

Obi-Wan ran his fingers through his hair. Why was he the nervous one now?

I took a deep breath. "Why don't we dispense with the formality." Saying this 
I got up and walked to one of the side benches. Obi-Wan looked surprised, but 
sat down next to me.

"I don't think you'll like what I have to say," he warned. "You might find it
a bit... reckless."

"Please," I said, putting up a hand. "End the suspense."

"My master has told me of his plan to bet the ship on a race that's taking place tomorrow. He says the winnings will pay for the parts we need." 

I blinked. A race? "So he knows we'll win?" How could he know? Through the 
Force?

"He was quite confident we will win."

"Confident? That's not the same as knowing! I can't believe this." 
Unconsciously I balled my hands into tight fists. "You Jedi take too many 
chances!" I was so angry that further words escaped me. I wanted to shake 
Obi-Wan by the shoulders and demand why he had not stopped his master from 
doing such a stupid thing!

Obi-Wan flinched as though struck. I noticed how he tried surreptitiously to 
slid sideways away from me.

// Oh, Galaxy, // I panicked. // Did he hear my thoughts just now? Jedi can 
read thoughts, can't they? *Can they?*//

"What is it?" I demanded.

He looked at me and I saw pain in his eyes. "Your anger," he said quietly. "For a Jedi, anger only serves to fuel the dark side of the Force. Your anger
is... surprisingly intense."

No, surprisingly unshielded. I couldn't believe it! Twice I had slipped 
because of this Jedi. Twice! How could he do this to me? What was happening to 
my control? I was mortified. Never mind that Padmé would kill me anymore. 
Tamé, my old instructor, would cut up my remains and feed them to the garzels.

After a few moments, Obi-Wan spoke again, carefully. "Your Highness, have you 
ever had a midi-chlorian count taken?"

"Of course," I said in a choked voice. "Don't all infants? Mine was barely, 
uh, a hundred."

"I cannot believe that."

"But you must, Obi-Wan." I was painfully afraid and had to draw my thoughts 
deep inside of me to keep my fear walled off from the Jedi this time. Why had 
I ever allowed a private audience? What idiocy had possessed me? 

"Why must I?" 

"You must," I now whispered with pleading eyes. No one could know that the 
Naboo routinely gave false readings on newborns, least of all a Jedi. Too many 
families would be split apart. The Harmony we had strived so hard to achieve 
would be shattered and Discord would reign.

Obi-Wan was silent, his gaze intense. Then before I could say anything more, 
he executed a short bow and left the room. For a moment I sat quietly 
believing that I had ruined everything. I nearly drove myself insane playing 
centuries-old funeral symphonies in my head until the guards and my sister 
handmaidens filed back in. Eirtaé gave my shoulder a concerned, little shake 
and escorted me to the throne. 

Rabé wasn't much for patience. "What did he say to you?" she whispered.

"Nothing important. I think he was just lonely."

"Lonely!" That came from Eirtaé. "Your Highness, do you realize how improper 
your private audience appeared to everyone?" No longer so concerned, she was 
practically hissing now. "This is not a pretty picture for the Queen. It 
spells scandal!"

I gritted my teeth. "Take it easy, Eir. I'll tell you what he said as soon as 
we're alone." That would be during noon meal, which we would eat in the 
Queen's quarters. Insanely, part of me wanted to laugh. Eirtaé thought my 
meeting with Obi-Wan was too scandalous for Queen Amidala? Wait till she heard 
what Qui-Gon had done with the Queen's Starship!



TEN

I took noon meal early – very early – with my sister handmaidens so I could 
tell them what Obi-Wan had come to tell me, minus the part of him wanting to 
know my midi-chlorian count.

"So, I see it's 'Obi-Wan' now – not Jedi Kenobi," Eirtaé remarked dryly, when 
I was done.

I looked at her, peeved. "You can call him that, too, you know. Jedi aren't 
much for titles."

"Such the Jedi expert, are we?"

"I am not. It's just what he told me."

"Ah. And was that before or after he taught you the ways of the Force?"

"Eirtaé! Would you stop!" I pushed my plate away and stood. "All right, I 
quit. You can be Queen. Get ready to dye your hair." I ripped off my 
headdress, sighing as my head came free of its vise-tight grip.

"Sabé!" Rabé screeched, scrambling for the feathers and muffs. "Eirtaé, take 
it back! Sabé, stop it!"

"No way," I said, reaching around my neck to release myself from Amidala's 
black travel gown. "Eirtaé is the Queen now. Rabé, get the dye."

"Sabé," Eirtaé said desperately, "I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

I gave her a fierce look, then started laughing. "I know, silly Eirtaé. But I 
have a better idea than this dress or your orange robes. I've given it some 
thought. If Tatooine isn't enough too dangerous for Padmé, then why shouldn't 
we take a look ourselves? This waiting is killing us, if the boredom doesn't 
first."	

"There are a million of reasons why not!" Rabé cried. 

But ever since Obi-Wan had informed me of Qui-Gon's dangerous plan, the idea 
had taken shape in my mind – and it wasn't just about alleviating boredom, 
either. I began rummaging through wardrobe containers for less conspicuous 
outfits.

Rabé's eyes grew round. "Are you really serious about leaving the ship? Going 
to Mos Espana or Espin or whatever they call that place?"

"Espa. And why not? According to what Obi-Wan said, we could be stuck here a 
long time if Qui-Gon doesn't win his race and we lose our ship. Isn't it 
better to be prepared? How can we keep the Queen safe if we don't know what to 
expect here? What kind of handmaidens would we be? What we need is a little 
reconnaissance mission. Here." I began tossing peasant outfits similar to what 
Padmé had worn, except that ours had rough woven ponchos with hoods. Rabé 
didn't even bother to catch hers.

Eirtaé surprised me by saying, "I think this is a bad idea and yet it seems to 
make sense. However, Captain Panaka would never let us off the ship – least of 
all you. And if what if we ran into Padmé and the others? She would not be 
happy to see us."

"I am not leaving this ship!" Rabé stoutly declared.

"Fine, then," I said, a bit crossly. "Eirtaé, Captain Panaka doesn't have a 
choice in this matter. My authority supercedes his. But still... no need to 
worry him. Rabé can simply tell him that we are retiring for an afternoon nap 
or something equally unsuspicious. As for Padmé, I think as long as we avoid 
the slave quarters we should be relatively safe from her – well, as safe as 
one can be in Mos Espa, that is." 

"Agreed," said Eirtaé. "Maybe we can visit the race tracks and learn more 
about what it is that Master Jinn has got us into. If it's too dangerous, 
maybe there's still some way out. Why didn't you ever think to ask Jedi Kenobi 
what kind of race it was, silly Sabé?"

I blushed. "I think I was too busy being angry. But never mind. We'll find out 
soon enough. Galaxy, can someone help me get this white stuff off my face? It 
sticks like glue!"

Eirtaé, the make-up expert, rolled her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell 
you? That's because it *is* glue!"



ELEVEN

As I stated previously, handmaidens must always be prepared. We had already 
learned a sore lesson about the value of Republic credits – or rather their 
lack of value. We didn't need to learn it twice. Before we left the ship, 
Eirtaé and I had visited the cargo hold and opened some wardrobe cases to 
strip minor jewels and ornaments off their cloth finery. I didn't want us to 
be without a means of currency should we need it.

After we had changed into our peasant garb, Rabé had braided our hair in a 
crown around the top of our heads. She had wanted to braid it the same way she 
had braided Padmé's but I pointed out that then our heads wouldn't fit under 
our hoods very well. We bade her good-bye, as she promised reluctantly to 
cover for us. With her help, we had avoided any guards and slipped out of the 
ship into an inferno.

The heat was the most intense I had ever known. I wondered how Padmé could 
stand it when she and Captain Panaka had set off after Qui-Gon. Then again, I 
wondered how Eirtaé and I could take it as we set off on our own mission. But 
we trudged onward nevertheless, and were a good sixty paces away when I felt 
him coming. 

I knew it was him. It had to be. He was the only person I had ever known who 
could cause the walls in my mind to slip. At least I was getting better 
because this time I had barely felt my mental shields weaken. Having a 
midi-chlorian count of about twenty, Eirtaé couldn't have sensed my error. 
Thank goodness. 

I stopped walking.

"What is it?" asked Eirtaé.

"Behind us," I said tonelessly.

"It's the Jedi!" Eirtaé exclaimed. "He's leaving the ship. Oh, dear, I think 
he's spotted us."

"Of course he's spotted us!" I snapped. "That no good, obnoxious, baby 
snatching—"

"Sabé!" Eirtaé cried. "You ought to have more respect, even if Jedi do take 
babies. It's too late for them to steal you or Amidala now. Besides, remember, 
he was once taken, too." I gritted my teeth in response. 

We waited until he approached us. It was then I noted that like Qui-Gon before 
him, Obi-Wan had also shed his brown robe for a more conventional farmer's 
cloak. So, it looked like our Jedi friend was out to do some sight-seeing of 
his own.

"Your Highness, Lady Handmaiden," Obi-Wan greeted. I couldn't help but notice 
his glance rested upon me longer than on Eirtaé.

But that's because he's never seen me without all that paint, I thought. 
Right?

He continued, "Might I ask what you are doing?"

"Isn't that obvious?" I replied. Since I was wearing peasant clothes, I didn't 
bother to use my regal voice but spoke my own native accent of Thera – it has 
sort of a musical lilt to it, as one might expect. "We're on our way to Mos 
Espa." I gestured toward the low buildings in the distance.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Leaving the ship is a bad idea."

Eirtaé turned to look at me. "It really is a bad idea," she said before I 
could protest.  

"You should return at once," the Jedi continued.

"I think we should return at once," agreed Eirtaé, nodding.

And that's when I felt it. Obi-Wan was reaching out with the Force, trying to 
alter our thought patterns to match his. How dare he try to manipulate us like 
this! One look at Eirtaé and I realized she was beyond saving; however I would 
not give in so easily. 

"Absolutely," I agreed. Then more to the point, "Eirtaé, you go back to the 
ship and wait for us there with Rabé. Obi-Wan and I will be back by dusk."

Watching her hurry back toward the ship, Obi-Wan then looked at me and said 
dryly, "That wasn't exactly the response that I had hoped for."

"Too bad," I said, already resuming my walk toward Mos Espa. "You got half of 
what you wanted, didn't you?"  I felt him clasp his hand above my elbow. 
However, I discovered quickly enough that it wasn't necessarily a pleasant 
grip. 

"Your Highness," he said seriously. "How can I protect you as my Master 
instructed me, if you insist upon making this frivolous outing?"

Frivolous? Now that irritated me. I promptly jerked my arm free and continued 
walking. Frivolous? This was no jaunty tune I was playing on one of my 
mother's toy flutes. In fact, I was very concerned about Amidala and what 
would happen to Naboo if we winded up spending the rest of our lives here. 
Then it occurred to me…

"Protect me! And just how were you planning on doing that, Jedi Kenobi, while 
you were off running your own frivolous errand?" I pointedly gazed at his 
cloak. "Somehow I doubt that reclaiming Eirtaé and myself was your original 
intention when setting out." 

"I can assure you, Your Highness, that my errand is far from frivolous."

"So is my mission!"

"You're on a mission?"

"There's no need to sound so skeptical. And I can take care of myself, Jedi 
Kenobi." Having said that I promptly stumbled over a hidden rock in the sand, 
one large enough to cause me to unexpectedly teeter backward. In the split 
second it took for me to realize that I was going to fall, Obi-Wan shot out 
his arms to catch me. I supposed that was what they meant by 'Jedi reflexes.' 
We stayed poised that way for a brief moment and I noticed his gaze upon me 
was unexpectedly tender.

Then I remembered what I had just said about being able to take care of myself 
and blushed. My pride rapidly kicked in. I put my arms on his shoulders and 
pulled myself upright. "Jedi Kenobi—"

"Obi-Wan."

"Obi-Wan. My prior statement stands. I assure you that I am not defenseless 
even if I don't go twirling around a blue lightsaber every time I fight."

Obi-Wan didn't take well to having his fighting style critiqued. He said 
tightly, "Well, short of carrying you back to your ship, Your Highness—"

"You wouldn't dare!" 

Obi-Wan gave me a half-smile. "No, I don't think you'd be very happy about 
that. If there's no dissuading you, then stay close to me and keep out of 
trouble." 

It irked me how he was treating me like a child. "You realize, it's customary 
for the Queen to give the orders."

Now, the Jedi favored me with a full smile. "But, Your Highness, you don't 
look like any queen I've ever seen."

I glanced at my peasant clothes and laughed, before sobering. "You're right, 
you know. I am not a queen." If only he knew how true that was.

"How should I address you then?"

Amidala's alias was Padmé, but since that was already taken by my supposed 
'handmaiden,' I chose to say, "Sabé. My name is Sabé Nabish. 'Amidala' is an… 
is my official name."

"Official name?"

"Yes. Many Naboo public servants adopt a new name upon taking office for the 
first time and then use it for the rest of their life." Leesol had done that 
when she had been elected Duchess. Only our family called her Leesol now – to 
everyone else she was 'Tallia.' 

"How long have you had yours?"

Good question. "Um, since I was… eight. Yes, eight, because that's when I 
joined the Apprentice Legislature."

"All right, Sabé Amidala. May I inquire as to what your mission is?"

"What's your errand, Obi-Wan?" I countered.

Obi-Wan looked embarrassed. "Qui-Gon has asked me to purchase a power charge 
for him. With only Republic credits, he has no means."

"A power charge? What for? Not for the ship?"

"No, no. Nothing like that."

"Well, then what? And where have you found money you didn't have yesterday?"

I watched his cheeks flush red, and doubted it was from the sun. Then I 
remembered where Eirtaé and I had got our emergency currency and said, "Oh." 
There was no way I could berate Obi-Wan without feeling like a hypocrite.

"Your handmaiden, Lady Rabé, she assured me it would be all right," he said, a 
touch defensively.

"Then I stand by her word. But why does Qui-Gon need a power charge?"

"It's... for a pod racer."

"A pod racer! What in the galaxy for? Surely, he hasn't bet the Royal Starship 
on a pod race!"

Obi-Wan gave me a curious look. "You know what a pod race is?"

I understood his skepticism, given how until last night I hadn't even known 
that slavery still existed. "Of course I know. They're very fast, very 
dangerous. I saw one when I was little." So little that my younger sisters 
hadn't even been born yet.

"I consider myself well-traveled, but have never seen a pod race before."

"And you wonder how I have? You should know by now not to judge people by 
appearance, O Great Jedi," I teased. Then I added by way of explanation, "My 
father took us on a family vacation to Malastare. They have plenty of pod 
racing there. Plenty."

Obi-Wan now gaped openly at me. "Your family went on vacation to Malastare? 
That isn't exactly known as a pleasure planet."

"My father had his reasons." He was bringing formal charges against a criminal 
who had visited Thera's Royal Mansion under the guise as a foreign dignitary, 
then stolen the royal harp. At the time I couldn't understand why, seeing as 
it hadn't played a note in tune for four centuries. Later I learned that its 
jewel encrusted platinum frame was what the villain had been after.

The government on Malastare had given us very nice accommodations but 
unfortunately wouldn't turn him or the harp over; instead we had to settle for 
free tickets to a pod race. At least we had V.I.P. seating and a translator to 
explain everything. Not that there had been much to explain. The first racer 
to survive three large laps won. Of the thirty pod racers, only five crossed 
the finish line more or less intact, and all of them had cheated. 

Thinking back on our visit, I realized that there were probably slaves on 
Malastare, too. It seemed like it would be that sort of world. But our V.I.P. 
treatment would have kept us well away from the "nastier elements" of the 
planet. If my parents had known about slavery there, they obviously had not 
told Leesol or me. 

"So why does our pod need a new power charge?" I asked, wondering if I should 
already regret the answer.

"It doesn't need a new one. It needs one. Period." Obi-Wan said wryly.

It was my turn to gape. "Don't tell me this pod racer has never been tested!"

"Will that be a problem, you think?"

I stopped and stared at him in utter shock, until I saw the twitch at the 
corners of his mouth as he tried unsuccessfully to keep his lips from turning 
upward. 

"Oh, you're terrible, Obi-Wan!"

"I do my best."

"I can tell. Well, who's our pilot? What race?"

"Human."

I laughed so much that I suddenly pitched forward in the sand and would have 
stumbled, were it not again for Obi-Wan's steadying grasp. I began to see the 
practicality of having a Jedi on hand. I thought he would tease me but his 
expression was not playful. "Our pilot is a local boy," he said. "A nine 
year-old slave. Qui-Gon believes he is the cause of the disturbance in the 
Force that we both felt upon landing here."

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. All in all, Obi-Wan had sprung a lot 
on me. It's a good thing there was still plenty of distance between us and Mos 
Espa's outermost buildings. I wanted to make sure I had everything down pat 
before I started yelling at Qui-Gon once we met up with him.



TWELVE

Mos Espa was much less than I had expected. In fact, there was hardly anything
to it at all. I wondered what Amidala had thought when she had first entered 
the settlement with Qui-Gon. It was a strange place of domed huts scattered 
about in confusion, street venders displaying dubious wares, and shabby humans 
and aliens of mixed backgrounds going about their business – business better 
left unmentioned.

"Where in the galaxy are we going to find a power charge for sale?" I asked 
Obi-Wan.

"Don't worry. The Force will guide us."

"You've got to be kidding."

He pointed. "What does that shop look like to you?" he asked, a superior 
twinkle in his eye.

'Shop' was a glorified name for the run-down establishment that I eyed with 
dismay. "It looks like a spare parts shop, I think." 

"I think so, too. Let's have a look."

But once inside, I found the shop to be surprisingly neat and orderly. We 
spotted a shelf of power charges and walked over to them.

"Do you think any of them work?" I asked doubtfully as I picked one up.

"Dey woppa woppa!" roared a large, angry… something, as he stepped out from 
behind a supply closet. He was humanoid but that was all I could tell. An 
equally strange female of his species appeared from behind a curtained 
doorway.

"Put it down," Obi-Wan hissed. 

"I get the picture," I retorted, hurriedly dropping the part.

Obi-Wan proceeded to converse with the shopkeeper in what I assumed was 
Huttese. The humanoid grunted and handed over a hefty power charge.

Obi-Wan turned it over several times. 

"Well?" I asked impatiently. "What's the problem? Let's get it and go." 
Somewhere out there was a nine year-old boy who desperately needed that power 
charge – a nine year-old whose unaided future would spell our doom. 

Obi-Wan turned to me with a slightly humiliated expression. "It occurs to me 
that my master never specified how strong a charge to get. I don't know if 
this is too little or too much for Anakin's pod."

I stared at him in disbelief. "So, why don't you just contact Qui-Gon? Unless 
you left your comlink back on board the ship."

"Of course I have it with me. It's just that Qui-Gon wasn't expecting me to 
contact him before we met again. He's turned his comlink off."

"You Jedi never make things simple do you?" (So much for Jedi practicality.) I 
shook my head, then couldn't help but tease a little. "What does the 'Force' 
tell you?"

However, Obi-Wan took me seriously. "I think this is the wrong one, but I wish 
I knew for sure. The shopkeeper insists it's the right one."

"How much does he want for it?"

"More than we have combined."

"Typical." I rolled my eyes, then I grew serious as well. "Actually, I think I 
can help."

"How?"

"I take it that Anakin's pod racer is your regular, average variety?"

"As far as I know. Why shouldn't it be?"

"Well, then the proper power charge shouldn't be too hard to find. Tell him to 
show us the charge on that one." 

I read the counter and mentally hummed. One of the first reports I'd ever 
written at the Academy was entitled, "Music, Mechanics, and Me." (Well, I had 
only been eight at the time.) I couldn't believe it was actually coming in 
handy. 

I looked at Obi-Wan dryly. "Our shopkeeper either has a wicked sense of humor, 
or else he truly doesn't know anything about pod racers. This charge is much 
too powerful. It would blow any pod away. Qui-Gon would be picking up little 
pieces of Anakin all over Mos Espa."

Obi-Wan looked at me in surprise.

"There's a corresponding pitch for each charge," I went on to explain. 
"Remember that pod race I told you about on Malastare? I'll never forget the 
deep sound of the pod racers' engines as they thudded around each turn. They 
could only have been generated by a charge within a certain perimeter. There," 
I said, pointing. "Tell him to try that one."

Obi-Wan argued with the shopkeeper. The charge I had pointed to was much 
smaller and less powerful, therefore much less expensive. The shopkeeper was 
reluctant to show it. 

Meanwhile, the female humanoid never spoke but a word, she spoke volumes with 
her eyes and tiny gestures to the shopkeeper. I doubt I would have noticed, 
had I not been so finely attuned to the minute nonverbal aspects of the 
communication due to the code game that Amidala and I played. Perhaps this 
female was simply mute. Or perhaps not.

All this bickering was getting us no where. I gave the shopkeeper my nicest 
smile and headed toward the exit, tugging on Obi-Wan's cloak. "Never mind. 
We'll take our business elsewhere, thank you. Come on, Obi-Wan, there must 
be—"

"Muddu poppa," the shopkeeper said unpleasantly. "Ugah jugar lessa figo 
yowanda leedolama."

"He says he'll check," said Obi-Wan in an amused tone. "What's more," Obi-Wan 
continued, "as a mark of good faith, he'll check a more fully charged one of 
the same type." 

I watched as the he checked the voltage on a cleaner looking power charge. 
Perfect. I nodded. Obi-Wan took some jewels out of a pouch on his belt to pay 
for the charge.

"Wait!" I cried. "You can't—" That was the Jewel of Partha he was about to 
barter with! How he had managed to pry that free from Amidala's silver 
headdress was beyond me. I hoped he hadn't used his lightsaber. That headdress 
was over four hundred years old, fabricated in the famed mountain village of 
Theyla, where Rabé called home. Come to think of it, Theyla was responsible 
for producing many of the Queen's more intricate headdresses.

Obi-Wan glanced at me, his brows raised. I settled down, somewhat embarrassed. 
After all, the Jewel of Partha was no where near the price we'd pay if Anakin 
should lose this race.

Around the same time three large men entered. They were practically giants. 
And when I say giant I mean that Qui-Gon would look small next to them, which 
is saying a lot. They stopped to stare at the small transaction that was being 
waged.

Meanwhile, I wandered toward the end of the shelf where the power charges were 
more worn and rusty even. This time when I poked among them, I was not 
stopped. Everyone's attention was focused on Obi-Wan and the shopkeeper 
haggling over the price of the smaller power charge. Obi-Wan, to his credit, 
seemed determined to at least walk away with some jewels remaining. 

I picked up a similar power charge – similar except that it appeared to be 
much worse for the wear. 'A handmaiden must always be prepared,' I recited in 
my head and stealthily tucked it under my poncho. In return, I deposited a 
fair amount of blue zeloid gems on the shelf, which Eirtaé had painstakingly 
picked off from a scarf. 

After we had left the shop, purses lighter but pockets heavier, I noticed 
Obi-Wan eyeing me every so often as we walked toward the rendezvous site. "You 
are full of surprises, Sabé," he finally said. His mouth quirked. 

"How so?" I asked. I wondered if he had seen me 'purchase' the second power 
charge. Or if he was curious as to how I knew about the pitches of power 
charges.

"I never expected I'd see you without your official face paint," he said, 
surprising me.

"Is that a good thing or bad?" I asked guardedly.

He hesitated a moment and then said, "Am I allowed to give the Queen my honest 
assessment?"

"Of course," I said, dreading the worst, "here I'm just Sabé, remember?" 

"Then I think you are beautiful, just Sabé," he said quietly. His answer both 
embarrassed me and made me feel like the happiest person alive.

Interesting how Mos Espa might not be much, but at least it allowed me to be 
myself. At times just being next to Obi-Wan was enough to start making me 
dizzy. Why should he make me feel this way? He was only a Jedi. A handsome, 
charming Jedi. A handsome, charming Jedi whose attentive smile was enough to 
take my breath away…

Get a hold of yourself and your infatuation, I scolded. Remember that this 
handsome, charming Jedi isn't so handsome and charming when he's stealing 
someone's baby and ruining a family. Ouch. Now there was a sobering thought. A 
slight shiver ran through me and I didn't feel the desire to follow Obi-Wan 
quite so closely anymore.



THIRTEEN

We were to meet Qui-Gon at a cantina outside the Mos Espa slave quarters. 
Every once and a while Obi-Wan turned to look back at me, his face a mix of 
mild curiosity and concern. Apparently, he did not like nor understand why I 
now chose to trail him at a distance of five to seven paces. But I needed the 
space to remind myself of several 
important lessons I seemed to forget in his presence.

The Naboo hold family sacred, but the Jedi do not hold this opinion – instead, 
they steal children. All it takes is a high midi-chlorian count and that 
infant is gone for good. 

No, I decided, I could not afford to like this Jedi. I steeled myself within, 
closing off any feelings of affection, replacing it with the image of his 
taking an innocent child from the arms of its loving family.

As we drew closer to our rendezvous with Qui-Gon, and hence closer to Mos 
Espa's slave section, the look and feel of the settlement grew steadily 
seedier. For me the term 'slave' had conjured up images of broken and helpless 
creatures toiling under the cruel prodding of ruthless masters. Well, the 
masters might be ruthless and their prodding cruel, but the result was far 
from a broken and helpless people. The beings that we encountered seemed both 
hardened and tough, completely inured to life's demands on this desert world. 

As if to prove this point, when we rounded a small alley way (Obi-Wan's 
insisted "short-cut"), we were suddenly accosted by two particularly mean and 
very large individuals – ones that I recognized as customers from the shop. 
They must have taken a short-cut or two of their own. Obi-Wan motioned for me 
to back out, which I had no problems doing until I backed right into a wall. 
What the—? It hadn't been there before! When I found myself in the grip of two 
large hands, I realized why. The third giant had been waiting, hiding 
somewhere outside the entrance.

"This is some short cut!" I hissed irately at Obi-Wan.

"Shut up!" said one of the giants in poor Basic. He was probably the leader. 

"We don't want any trouble here," said Obi-Wan smoothly. "Let the girl go and 
leave." 
If he had been trying to hypnotize them into obedience, he had picked the 
wrong individuals.

They all laughed roughly. I was rudely shoved forward into the alley so hard 
that I was sent sprawling on the sand. More cruel laughter. Indignantly, I 
scrambled to my feet.

"All right," said Obi-Wan, less patiently. "What is it that you want?"

"You got something of ours," said the leader.

"We don't even know you!" I protested.

"Pretty stones," said the leader. "Now." He held out his hand. Obi-Wan gave me 
a sideways glance. I nodded.

"As you wish," said Obi-Wan dourly told the leader. He handed over his money 
pouch. All three of them grunted with delight. Fortunately they must not have 
noticed that I cared "pretty stones," too. 

The leader put out his hand again. "Battery," he said.

"I don't have it anymore," Obi-Wan lied.
	
"Battery!"
	
"No," said Obi-Wan flatly. "You've got what you asked for—"

Before I knew what was happening one of the giants grabbed me and put a 
vibroblade to my throat. He clamped a hot, dirty hand over my mouth, 
presumably to keep me from screaming for help. Before I had time to really be 
afraid, I saw Obi-Wan reach for his lightsaber. Now I began to panic. The last 
thing I wanted was all of Mos Espa abuzz with the news that Jedi had come to 
visit. If word got back to the Federation, Amidala could be in grave danger. 
Obi-Wan's hand was firmly clasped around the hilt of his lightsaber as he 
calmly asked for my release. I sensed disaster in the making.

I had to get Obi-Wan's attention. For the first time in my life, I 
purposefully let my mental shields fall. I shut out the stress, the danger, 
the tension, the vibroblade at my throat – the last one was the hardest, but 
thank the Gods for proper meditative techniques! Instead I focused all my 
attention on Obi-Wan. I felt a sudden thrill as a warm, electrifying ping went 
off inside of me. I knew I had made a connection.

// Let them have the power charge. //

Obi-Wan stopped in the middle of a sentence and looked at me, shocked.

// Let them have the power charge, Obi-Wan. //

I could see him hesitate. I hated to pull rank but…

// As Queen of Naboo I order you to give them that power charge! //  I hoped 
he hadn't figured out that I was just a decoy.

Apparently he hadn't. Shaking his head like I was crazy, he held out the 
charge. The leader tried to grab it, but Obi-Wan pulled it back lightening 
quick. "Release her first," he said.

The creatures grunted to each other in their own language, then shoved me 
forward right into Obi-Wan's arms. He tossed them the battery at the same 
time, then grabbed my hand. I heard his voice in my head, just like an old 
friend.

// Run, Sabé! Run! //

We sped off through the streets. It was all I could do just to keep up with 
Obi-Wan, he ran so fast. He was practically tearing my arm from its socket. I 
tucked that piece of information in the back of my head as we sprinted: never 
race a Jedi. Finally, he slowed to a brisk walk. "We've lost them," he said, 
letting go of my hand.

"You mean we lost them five streets, three alleyways, and two market places 
ago!" I complained, rubbing my sore shoulder and panting. 

Obi-Wan smiled. "Actually, I believe it was seven streets and four alleyways 
ago. But you're right about the markets."

"Gee, thanks," I said, dripping sarcasm. 

He smiled again, steering me over to an outdoor cantina. It was such a relief 
to sit down under a shaded canopy that it more than made up for the awful 
smells coming from the open doorway. A sullen woman appeared and took our 
orders. I had to pay up front and parted with yet another precious stone.

"Why did you tell me to give them the power charge?" Obi-Wan asked with a 
slight accusation. "I could have saved both you and it. Now we'll have to get 
another one with less time to do it in and with less money."
	
"Actually, I feel rather sorry for those thugs—well, not for stealing the 
jewels."

"Then you have a generous heart, Sabé," said Obi-Wan, shaking his head. "In 
your position, pity is the last thing I would feel for 'those thugs.'"

"Ah, but then you don't know what I do," I said with an uppity smile. Despite 
my earlier steely resolve not to like him, I found myself relenting. After 
all, he had saved my life back there.

"What don't I know?" he said crossly, obviously not enjoying being toyed with.

"The battery they took has only about an hour's worth of charge left in it. 
It's virtually worthless."

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. "How do you know this? And if you knew it, why did 
you let me purchase it?"	

"Because I was too busy purchasing my own power charge," I said, placing the 
power charge I had in my pocket on the small table between us.

Obi-Wan stared at it and then stared at me. "Where in the galaxy did you get 
that?" 

"The same place you got yours."

"You stole it?"

"Of course not! I left a handful of zeloids in its place. A fair trade." I 
pocketed the battery. No use tempting any more thugs.

"Is it fully charged?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Oh, yes. I think. That is, if I read the signals right."

"What signals?" Obi-Wan became even more exasperated.

I suddenly bit my tongue. This conversation was headed toward dangerous 
territory. Even if I liked Obi-Wan, he was an outsider and had no business 
knowing about the code game that Amidala and I played. The same sort of code 
game I saw the woman in the shop play with the shopkeeper.

"Um, body signals," I said vaguely.

"Whose body?" Obi-Wan scrutinized me carefully. "Okay, so you don't want to 
say anything more. I won't press you. But once we're out of this lovely 
settlement, I want to talk about what happened in the alleyway."

Great, and oh what fun. I realized that I would have to get Obi-Wan to promise 
not to tell anyone about our being accosted. If Queen Amidala ever found out 
that I'd actually dropped my shields to deliberately make contact with a Jedi… 
I had no problem believing I'd be out of a job and placed on trial before the 
Royal Advisory Council.

Shortly after our drinks appeared, Qui-Gon made an appearance as well. He 
seemed surprised to see me. Disapproval was clearly written on his face. He 
acknowledged me with a slight incline to his head since bowing would obviously 
look out of place here. Then he turned to Obi-Wan. "You have brought the power 
charge, I assume."

"No."

Qui-Gon's eyebrows shot up. "No?"

Obi-Wan grinned. "She brought it. And bought it, too." I was relieved that 
Obi-Wan didn't say anything to his Master about the mugging. Then again, that 
didn't mean that he wouldn't later.

Qui-Gon turned around to me in genuine surprise. I handed him the power 
charge. "Just a little something I picked up," I told him. I couldn't help the 
slightly superior tone that crept into my voice. I would not have Master Jinn 
think the Queen entirely useless.

Qui-Gon returned a stiff smile. "Then we are all indebted to you," he said. He 
turned back to Obi-Wan. "Once I return to the ship, we have much to discuss."

Obi-Wan made a wry face. I realized he would probably get in trouble for 
'allowing' me out of the Starship. After all, Master Jinn hadn't even wanted a 
handmaiden to accompany him to Mos Espa. He was surely less than thrilled to 
see the Queen with his Padawan Learner.

I felt I had to come to Obi-Wan's rescue. I told Qui-Gon, "One thing I trust 
you will not discuss is my presence here. I am here because I want to be."

Judging by Qui-Gon's look of amusement, I don't think I made much of an 
impression on him. "At any rate," he said smoothly, "I think it best that you 
return now. Obi-Wan, you *will* escort her safely back."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan stood and offered me his hand. I took it and he pulled 
me up to stand. Then he clasped hands with Qui-Gon. "Be careful, Master." With 
that we were on our way back. However, this time Obi-Wan would not allow me to 
trail him, but kept his arm lightly on my back. Funny that I should feel such 
happiness among this grubby, grimy and frankly dangerous place.



FOURTEEN

Once we were a good many paces away from Mos Espa, Obi-Wan stopped. "All 
right, Your Highness," he said quietly, "now will you tell me what happened in 
that alley if you only have a midi-chlorian count of a hundred?"

I knew I didn't have to tell him anything; however, since our talk last night 
he had been nothing but honest and kind with me. I would be risking my whole 
future telling him the truth. In fact I was risking Naboo's future, if indeed 
we still had one. But something way down inside of me told me that I could 
trust Obi-Wan. I decided to trust that feeling.

I took a deep breath. "Let me ask you something first. What is *your* 
midi-chlorian count?"

He told me and I nodded. I said, "my official count was 97. My real count is 
about two hundred less than yours."

Obi-Wan stared at me. "You should have gone to the Temple, Your Highness," he 
said pointblank. "You should be a Padawan by now. And I doubt you're the only 
one on Naboo. You've been shielding your minds from us all this time," he 
continued, both thoughtfully and accusingly at the same time. "That's why the 
Council has never sensed anything from Naboo. Your Highness, your world is in 
serious violation of Republic law."

"If anyone's in violation, it should be the Jedi Order. They take innocent 
children away from their families."

"To give them a better life!"

It was my turn to stare. "A better life? How can you even say that? What gives 
you the right to break up a natural family?"

"You must understand, Your Highness. It is a rare gift to have a midi-chlorian 
count as high as we do. There are so few Jedi, yet so much need for us, so 
many missions to accomplish in the galaxy."

"And that's your excuse? Forgive me if I find it rather poor." 

Obi-Wan got a little testy. "It's not an excuse. It is our right to claim 
gifted children. I told you, we need and welcome every one of them."

"What about the preservation of Harmony?"

"Harmony?" He seemed surprised. "The children *do* learn in a very harmonious 
setting. The Jedi Temple is—"

"And what about the families that you've broken up? What about *your* family, 
Obi-Wan?"

"They recovered as all families do."

"How can you know that?"

"I've visited my own. They were very polite."

"And what about the families of other children – have you visited all of them? 
Do they really recover? Think how devastating it must feel when the Jedi 
authorities came to take children from their natural home. What must it be 
like for a mother to have her child forcibly ripped from her arms? Did you ask 
your parents what it felt like? What Harmony is there in that!"

A shadow crossed his face and to his credit Obi-Wan seemed disturbed by my 
words. At last he said, "No, I never asked. I have to believe they gave me 
willingly."

"But you cannot be certain. Understand that for the Naboo, family is sacred. 
The love we receive from our families strengthens Harmony, the one thing we 
value above all else. It is the heart of Naboo society. Harmony is what allows 
us to live in tune with ourselves and our planet. 

"In fact, some believe that the ancient civilization, whose ruins dot our 
countryside, failed to respect this union and were destroyed by greed. We will 
not let the Jedi's greed – or as you would say – the 'need' for our children 
tear the Naboo apart.

"When a family is broken up, Discord occurs. If this happens too many times, 
we would no longer be at peace, our society would falter. Don't you see, 
Obi-Wan? No Naboo monarch could ever allow that to happen. Not ever King 
Ventura and he was very, very corrupt."

Obi-Wan was silent for a long moment, pondering my words. "I understand now. 
Still, what you are doing is wrong, Your Highness. Altering midi-chlorian 
counts is a serious offense."

I felt deflated. I had trusted Obi-Wan with the truth and had shared with him 
our deepest religious values. "And what do you plan to do about our 
'offense?'" I asked, already knowing and dreading the answer. The Jedi Temple 
would be alerted, of course. I would become an outcast, remembered as the 
destroyer of Naboo's civilization.

"Nothing."

"Pardon?"

"I may not agree, but your secret is safe with me, Your Highness."

I was so relieved, it felt like I was floating. "Do you promise, Obi-Wan?"

"I promise." Saying that he shook my hand and smiled. I closed my eyes and 
silently thanked the Gods.

**********

It was evening by the time we made it back to the ship. I reluctantly bade 
farewell to Obi-Wan in order to find my sister handmaidens. I didn't have to 
look far. They were lounging in the Queen's quarters, eating some fruit and 
shaak pie for evening meal. Both of them jumped up at once and ran over to 
embrace me.
	
"Your reconnaissance mission has taken forever!" Rabé complained. 

"We were getting very worried," said Eirtaé. "I was beginning to wish I had 
gone with you after all. I don't know why in the galaxy I changed my mind at 
the last minute. At least you had the Jedi with you."

"Um, I think, Eirtaé," I said, "that the Jedi was precisely why you didn't go. 
He used the Force to put that suggestion in your mind."

Eirtaé's cheeks flamed with angry red spots. She began to sputter, "Why that 
no good, obnoxious, baby snatching—"

"Eirtaé!" I exclaimed, pretending to be completely shocked. "You ought to have 
more respect, even if Jedi do take children. Besides, remember, he was once 
taken, too." 

She returned a ferocious scowl, before tartly sticking out her tongue at me.

"Never mind the stupid Jedi. Tell us all about Mos Espa," Rabé said excitedly, 
grabbing my hand and pulling me down on the queen-sized bed upon which they 
had been eating. "And don't leave anything out!" she warned. 

"Rabé, let's wait a moment, she's probably hungry," Eirtaé scolded mildly.

"Here, eat!" said Rabé impatiently, pushing her fork and the remnants of her 
pie onto my lap.

I laughed. "All right, Rabé, don't worry, I'll tell you everything—" well, not 
everything, "—just let me eat. Galaxy, I'm starving. Tell me about what 
happened while I was away?" I began to spoon Rabé's pie into my mouth. 
Delicious. But then again, shaak meat always was.

"That horrible Jedi," said Rabé, her eyes flashing indignantly. "Do you know 
what he did? I gave him permission to take some of the jewels from Amidala's 
wardrobe for money. Later when I went down to check what was missing, I saw 
that he'd taken the Jewel of Partha!"

I choked out, "He didn't!"

"He did! I was so mad I wanted to scream."

"You did scream, silly," said Eirtaé. "That's how I found you." 

"Here," I quickly said, feeling guilty and handing my small purse over to 
Rabé. "He doesn't have any left, but I still have these. We can put these back 
on later." But I knew it was a small consolation for Rabé.  

After I'd finished eating her pie and shared some of Eirtaé's fruit, I told 
them about my small adventure at Mos Espa. However, when it came to time to 
tell about the mugging, I neglected to mention there was horrible hand across 
my mouth which had prevented me from speaking out loud.

Rabé was properly impressed. "Galaxy, Sabé, you ordered a Jedi around!"

"Nothing to it. Besides, he's just a Padawan."

But neither she nor Eirtaé were terribly happy to learn that the race Qui-Gon 
had entered us in was a pod race – after I had explained what one was to them.

"He entered us into a... a pod race?" Eirtaé looked aghast. "But that's so 
terribly reckless..." She looked as though she might faint.

"What did he bet on?" Rabé asked eagerly.

"A slave boy, Anakin Skywalker."

"Is he any good?"

"We'd better hope so."

The rest of the evening was rather disappointing, I barely saw Obi-Wan at all. 
My sister handmaidens and I spent most of the time fixing little jewels back 
on the clothes and headdresses they had come from. For some reason it had been 
a whole lot easier taking them off than it was putting them on. By nightfall 
my eyes were crossed and my fingers sore. I found myself yawning constantly 
and was glad when Eirtaé suggested we turn in for the night.

But after I had showered and started to pull on the plain nightgown I had worn 
the night before, Eirtaé stopped me. "I think you should wear this one," she 
said, handing me the Queen's elaborately embroidered gown. "Just in case. You 
don't stop being a Decoy just because its night." I shrugged, too tired to 
argue and drifted off to sleep with no problem.

**********

It was dark. I was running. I had to get to Amidala! She was in danger, but 
she didn't know it. Something evil was pursuing her. But the faster I ran, the 
slower I went. Each time I redoubled my efforts, I fell that much more behind. 
Amidala! Amidala!

"AMIDALA!"

"Galaxy, Sabé, what's wrong?" Rabé was roughly shaking me. 

Eirtaé was at my other side, concern etched in caring eyes. She said, "We've 
been trying to wake you. You've been calling for Amidala over and over. What 
is it?"

I gasped for air and struggled to sit up amidst sheets were now sinuously 
twisted – my body held tight in their grasp. I felt damp and realized that I 
was drenched in perspiration. The pounding in my heart was only now beginning 
to fade. But somewhere in the back of my mind the nightmare lingered on. 
Something just felt wrong. I felt trapped. I couldn't catch my breath 
properly.

"Sabé?" Eirtaé asked.

I wrenched the covers off of me, pushed past her, and stood on shaky feet. "I 
can't stay here," I panted. "I'm going out for some fresh air."

"We'll come with you," said Eirtaé.

"No, it's all right. I don't want to disturb your sleep anymore than I already 
have."

"But it's no bother," insisted Rabé.

I shook my head. "I'll stay close to the ship. I'll be all right." 

They tried to argue with me some more until I grew cranky and pulled rank on 
them, ordering them not to follow me. Furthermore, I told them that if they 
sent Captain Panaka out after me, I would never speak to them again. Then they 
grew cranky, too, and we did not part on the best of terms.

My bare feet padded lightly through the ship as I raced to the cargo hold. As 
the ramp lowered, I stepped out and a rush of cold wind greeted me. I had no 
idea a place so hot could become so cold once the suns were down. I walked 
forward into the night, hugging myself for warmth. The dampness of my 
nightgown caused it to cling to my body, freezing me.

Everything was so silent, so still. There was no one. Then why did I still 
feel so jumpy? There was something out there, just beyond my field of vision. 
But what? I had to know. I had to be prepared. Cautiously, and bit by bit I 
let the walls in my mind drop. Now I was sure of it – something evil was out 
there. Was Amidala really in danger? I shivered.

// Cold? Take my robe. // 

A warm and comforting robe was place around my shoulders.

I think I jumped about ten clicks in the air. "Obi-Wan!" I cried, whirling 
around. Why hadn't I sensed his approach? 

"You were too busy meditating, reaching out with the Force to see beyond your 
eyes." 

"I-would-never-use-the-Force-for-anything-and-don't-read-my-mind!" I exclaimed 
in an indignant rush.

Obi-Wan looked at me for a moment, then reached out a hand to stroked my cheek 
lightly, setting off electric tingles inside of me. "Then don't leave it so 
open to me," he smiled gently.

With a start I realized that I had not yet raised my shields and did so at 
once. "What are you doing out here anyway?" I asked. "It's late."

Obi-Wan gave a wry smile. "Your handmaidens sent me after you. They are very 
concerned about you, Your Highness."

I made a face. "Yes, well, I'm perfectly fine as you can see."

"They said you had a nightmare."

I pulled his robe closer about me and shuddered. "There's something out 
there," I confessed. "Don't ask me how, but I could actually feel it in my 
dream and then again out here. Something nefarious. Something that's after us 
– and I don't just mean the Trade Federation. I don't like it," I added with 
another shudder.

Obi-Wan looked grave. "I know, Your Highness. I've felt it as well. It's as 
though we were being tracked… pursued."

"Do you think Padmé and the others are safe?"

"Yes, I would know if there was anything wrong with my Master."

I breathed a sigh of relief. So Amidala was safe, then. We stood for a moment 
together in the desert night, and I savored every minute of it.

At last, Obi-Wan said, "Please, Your Highness, I think we should turn in. 
Besides, Ladies Rabé and Eirtaé are nearly frantic with worry."

I nodded. We walked up the ramp together. Once inside the cargo hold I grew 
reluctant to give up his robe. It carried his comforting, secure scent and I 
unconsciously hugged it closer around me.

"Keep it until morning, Your Highness," he said. Then he walked me back to my 
quarters. The remainder of that night I had nothing but good dreams.



FIFTEEN

The next morning was a stressful one for my sister handmaidens and me. We had 
decided not to tell anyone else about the pod race, less they worry for 
nothing. But as for ourselves, we were nervous and fidgety.

"This will never do!" I fretted, poking at my morning meal. "How am I ever 
going to be able to keep still in the Throne Room all day?"

"Not all day. Just until noon," said Eirtaé cheerfully. Meanwhile her 
complexion was turning green.

"Let's just go outside and play a game," suggested Rabé, dumping the majority 
of her meal into the recycler. She accidentally let the plate fall in as well.

"Or we could make kwonzo burgers," I suggested. They both turned to stare at 
me, then burst out laughing.

Of course we did neither, but duly took our places in the Throne Room. Captain 
Panaka reported no change in ship status, naturally. I had Rabé return 
Obi-Wan's brown robe to him, since Eirtaé had now developed a firm dislike for 
the Jedi. By mid-morning our anxiety was running high. My suggestions of 
meditation were met with stares of disbelief. Who could blame them? I wasn't 
in the mood for meditating either. I wished that Obi-Wan was with us, but he 
was outside the ship able to burn off his own anxiety twirling his lightsaber. 

My sister handmaidens and I had finally resorted to playing word games. 
"Book," I said, trying to think of a hard one to start the new round. Even 
among the Naboo traditionalists, not many had antiquated books of paper.

"Tree," Eirtaé decided after a moment.

"Leaf!" Rabé deduced Eirtaé's secret word in a second – she had a sharp mind. 
"That was too easy, Eirtaé! Your turn to start."

Eirtaé looked at me and smiled. "Jedi," she said without hesitation.

Rabé thought for a long moment, then she supplied, "Two."

"Master and Padawan," I tried.

"No, besides that's three words, not one."

"All right. Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Technically that was two words but it was one 
name.

Rabé looked disappointed. "Oh, you guessed it too easily," she said.

Before we could resume, that very Jedi entered the room looking exalted. 
"We've won!" he said with a satisfied smile. "Qui-Gon has just contacted me." 

The guards looked puzzled as Rabé squealed with delight, hugging Eirtaé and 
myself. Eirtaé actually started weeping.

I stood dizzily and stepped off the dais toward Obi-Wan. Standing in front of 
him, our eyes locked. I felt a surge of happy emotion, yet I spoke ever so 
calmly. "Please thank your master for me, Obi-Wan."

**********

The afternoon found me sitting on the throne, quietly conversing with Rabé and 
Eirtaé when the door suddenly slid open. It was the Queen. She had come 
directly to see us and was still in her blue and gray peasant clothing, dusty 
with sand. Her face look worn, but she greeted us with a happy smile.

"Your Highness!" I exclaimed. I hurried forward to embrace her. Then she 
hugged Rabé and Eirtaé also. She turned to give me a second hug. We both 
laughed, so happy to see each other again.  "Thank goodness, you're all 
right!" I told her. "It's been so hard, just waiting."

"So Anakin turned out to be a good pilot after all," said Eirtaé, smiling. 	

"An incredible pilot. We owe him everything," Amidala said. I wondered why she 
didn't seem surprised that we knew his name. 

"Oh, I met up with Obi-Wan on the way in and he said he told you everything," 
she said, 
guessing our thoughts.  

"So we have the generator now?" Rabé asked excitedly.

"Yes, they should be installing it now. We leave as soon as the repairs are 
finished and Qui-Gon gets back. He's returning the eopies."

"What are eopies?" asked Rabé, curious. 

"The Tatooine beast of burden... quite useful for pulling a T-14 generator 
across the sand." Our peasant queen smiled wryly. She was sure in good spirits 
today. 

"How was everything here?" the Queen asked. "Did anything happen while I was 
away?" 

Yes, I think I've developed a crush on a Jedi – who, by the way, I just 
happened to reveal Naboo's biggest secret to. But that wasn't what she had 
meant. I exchanged sudden looks with Rabé and Eirtaé. Rabé bit her bottom lip 
while Eirtaé cast her eyes downward. Our bubbly feelings of delight dissipated 
into gloom.

"What is it?" asked Amidala. Her glad expression fading. 

"We received a transmission from Governor Bibble," I told her. "He said the 
death toll is catastrophic. Our people are being starved to death. He wanted 
you to contact him immediately. Obi-Wan thought it was a trap. I told Captain 
Panaka not to reply. The message is saved, of course. You can view it anytime 
you like."

Amidala was quiet a moment. Then she said, "You did well, Sabé." She pushed 
back a stray braid that had fallen loose from her bun. "I think I'd better 
change. But first I'm going to track down Captain Panaka. I want to hear his 
status report. And I want to check on the repairs myself." 

Amidala managed a grin. "Wait for me here, Sabé. That is, if you don't mind 
being Queen some more."

I sighed heavily. "Well, you know how it is, Your Highness. It's a hard job 
but *somebody* has to do it…" Rabé snickered and Eirtaé rolled her eyes. But 
Amidala and I smiled at each other. It was good to have her back.

 

SIXTEEN

I was in good spirits as we waited for Amidala to return. At least I was until 
I felt a low humming. The ship's powerful engines just had ignited. "I think 
we've just taken off," Eirtaé murmured in surprise. "It's strange that Ric 
Olié didn't notify us first."

"I have a bad feeling about this," added Rabé with a low voice.

So did I. We looked to the sentry at the entrance door. One guard was already 
in contact with the cockpit, having hailed them with his comlink. He turned up 
the volume so we could hear Obi-Wan's terse reply. "Qui-Gon's in trouble. 
We're moving to intercept."

*Trouble!* Up to now, the Jedi had acted like they didn't know the meaning of 
the word. What was so bad that even a Jedi considered it trouble? And did I 
really want to know? 

Although it wasn't much later, it felt like an eternity until I had my answer. 
Captain Panaka was wearing the grimmest expression I had ever seen as he led 
Qui-Gon into the Throne Room, accompanied by Obi-Wan and the Queen – still 
disguised as Padmé. All of them looked disturbed. They were followed by a boy 
I'd never seen before, dressed in dirty clothes. Was this Anakin?

Like the Queen, Qui-Gon was also still dressed in his Tatooine disguise. He 
had on a gray shawl, filthy with sand. His skin and long hair were damp with 
sweat and he was breathing hard. 

"Your Highness, Qui-Gon has been attacked!" Captain Panaka announced, clearly 
upset. 

"He believes *you* were the target, Your Highness," Padmé added, pointedly.

// Me? She means the Queen… she means herself! // 

I felt my throat go dry. Every muscle in my body went tense. I was poised to 
spring. My nightmare had come true! But what could I do? Behind me I heard 
Eirtaé draw a sharp breathe. I forced myself to relax, to think calmly. 

// Knowledge is power. // 

I needed to learn about Qui-Gon's opponent to better defend the Queen. "Master 
Qui-Gon, do you know the identity of this attacker? Was it an agent of the 
Trade Federation?"

Qui-Gon shook his head, tired and puzzled. "I have never encountered anything 
like it before, Your Highness. He fought with Jedi skills and was well 
trained. But he was no Jedi, that much is certain."

I didn't like the sound of that. An assassin with Jedi skills but not a Jedi? 
How was that possible? I looked at Obi-Wan. Although his face was calm, I 
could see the upset in his eyes and feel his concern for Qui-Gon.. 

"What does this mean?" I asked, warily.

Qui-Gon only shook his head again. "I am not sure yet. Obi-Wan and I will 
contact the Jedi Council when we reach Coruscant. Until then we must meditate 
on the situation. And I must rest."

Behind him, I watched as Padmé briefly closed her eyes: a tacit message. I 
rose, "We will leave you both to your privacy, Master Qui-Gon Jinn. I shall 
retire to my quarters." Both Jedi bowed formally. 

My sister handmaidens and Padmé followed me out of the Throne Room. I motioned 
the Palace guards and the boy out as well. The guards went with us to stand 
watch in front of the Queen's quarters. I don't know where the boy went, and 
frankly, as long as he stayed out of trouble, I did not care.

Once we were alone, all pretense of formality was dropped, replaced with a 
high-pitched sense of urgency. I quickly strode over to a special compartment 
and began its unlock sequence. 

Rabé grabbed hold of Amidala's arm, clutching it tightly. "Your Highness!" she 
exclaimed with a touch of panic. "This can only mean war! The Trade Federation 
means to destroy you. Then they will destroy Naboo!"

"I agree, Your Highness," Eirtaé added, her hand on Amidala's shoulder. "There 
is little hope for peace now. We must—" 

"I will not act rashly," Amidala interrupted stubbornly, putting her hand up. 
"We have yet to make an official appeal before the Senate. I'm sure Senator 
Palpatine can help—"

"Senator Palpatine can't help you if you're dead," I said bluntly. "Here, arm 
yourselves." I began tossing small, silver blasters to everyone including the 
Queen. They had been specially designed for us by Captain Panaka. They were 
small enough to hide in the deep pockets of our robes, but like all Naboo's 
weapons, they fired deadly green plasma bolts. 

I continued, "From now on we each carry a weapon, day or night. Rabé, Eirtaé 
and I will rotate our sleeping schedule. That way one of us will always be 
awake and at your side, Your Highness. Furthermore, I don't care how many 
hyperdrive generators this ship needs. We will not let you out of our sight 
again!" I looked Amidala straight in the eye and did not back down. 

She looked at each of us in turn. She saw the same fiery determination on each 
of our faces. "I am lucky to have you as my friends," Amidala said softly. 

My sister handmaidens and I smiled back at her. "We wouldn't have it any other 
way," Eirtaé told her.



SEVENTEEN

It was late. I had kept hoping that Obi-Wan would emerge from the Throne Room, 
but both he and Qui-Gon stayed put. More than once I wondered what could be so 
awful that they needed to discuss the situation privately for such a long 
time.

My sister handmaidens and I were also going over the matter, while Amidala was 
quietly bent over a datapad, reviewing issues she wanted to discuss in her 
upcoming meeting with Senator Palpatine and the Senate. She had changed back 
into Padmé's orange handmaiden robes. We all sat on the Queen's large bed with 
me on the edge owing to my full skirts. 

My sister handmaidens and I had refused to let Amidala appear as Queen with 
the assassin still on the loose, nor did she veto us. Of course, that made 
*me* the natural target when it struck again – an idea I wasn't terribly fond 
of, yet an oath is an oath. 'My life for hers...' I silently recited from the 
Handmaiden's Oath and Creed.

But I had never expected it to come true! Then I chided myself. Amidala was 
not only my Queen, but my dear friend. I was closer to her than anyone else, 
even if it was solely due to our constant companionship. But no, it was more 
than that. We did not always agree, but we always respected the other's right 
to disagree. '...queen's private advisor and public supporter...' That is what
I was, and my sister handmaidens as well. However, it was to me that Amidala 
turned to in the moments of her greatest doubt and deepest fear. Usually she 
went ahead and did what she had originally decided, but it is a Personal 
Sounding Board's job to listen.

No, I did not want to die – I wasn't ready to die! But if I *had* to die, then 
my death had better have meaning. So yes, I would give my life for hers, if it 
came down to it. She was too important to Naboo to loose and she was too 
important to me that I should fail to protect her. 

Although I was scared, I did my best to hide it. Rabé and Eirtaé were also 
worried. They had the tremendous job of working over-time to surreptitiously 
protect a sister handmaiden without appearing to protect her – for that would 
draw unwanted attention to Padmé – *and* they had to protect me as if I were 
the real Queen Amidala. In other words...'their lives for mine...' Before 
Amidala had begun working with her datapad, she had made Rabé and Eirtaé 
promise to protect me with that same oath and creed that bound a handmaiden to 
the ultimate sacrifice.

I saw fear in Amidala's eyes as she had them swear, and realized in a rush 
that she was just as afraid of loosing me as I was of losing her – and to
be honest, our reasons were more personal than they were political.

I hadn't expected Rabé or Eirtaé to pledge their lives for me, and tried to
protest. But that only had the opposite affect of strengthening their 
commitment.

"After all," Eirtaé had said, "we are all sisters and we love you, Sabé, just 
as we love Amidala."

Tears sprang to my eyes and I embraced all three of my good friends in a 
emotional moment, but then I had to grow stern. As Principal Handmaiden I 
ordered them not to sacrifice themselves for me if it left Padmé unprotected. 
Having a Decoy Queen is rather pointless if the true Queen is dead.
	
"It could only have been sent by the Trade Federation," Rabé was saying. "No 
one else would benefit by the Queen's death."

Eirtaé sighed. "That's the one thing we all agree on, Rabé, but *who* the 
assassin was is what we're trying to figure out. Not who hired him. It was a 
he, wasn't it?"

Amidala didn't even bother to look up from her notes. She was lying back, 
propped up on her pillows. "It looked like a he from the cockpit, so I assume 
it was. But you might want to check with Qui-Gon to be sure."

"No way," said Rabé. "'Never wake a sleeping dog' they say and I say, 'never 
interrupt a mediating Jedi.'"

"Actually, if the Trade Federation still needs Amidala's signature on their 
ridiculous treaty, then why would they send an assassin?" I asked, slowly 
turning a new idea over in my mind. "Captain Panaka and Governor Bibble were 
right, they can't afford to kill her."

"So what are you suggesting," asked Eirtaé impatiently. She liked to have 
everything all squared and boxed away. When something new came her way, 
improvisation was not her forte. 

"Maybe he wasn't from the Trade Federation?" asked Rabé timidly.

"Oh, Rabé!" cried Eirtaé.

"No, listen to her, Eir," I said. "What if some other faction altogether hired 
him? One that would benefit more by her *death* than by her signature?"

"Like who?" Eirtaé asked exasperatedly.

To that answer I had no clue. "I think Amidala's had the right idea," I said. 
"Let's ask the Jedi." Of course, none of this stemmed from my desire to 
Obi-Wan again – I was far too professional for that. At least, that's what I 
told myself. Out loud I added, "They've been closeted in the Throne Room long 
enough to have figured out *some*thing."

"Since when are Jedi smarter than us?" asked Eirtaé indignantly.

"They knew about slavery," Rabé pointed out, trying to be helpful.

"I was asking a rhetorical question!" said Eirtaé, even more indignantly.

"Peace!" I said. "All right, let's go over the puzzle once again."

Everyone groaned.

"It was a he," Rabé began.

"He was after the Queen," I said.

"He wasn't a Nemoidian," Eirtaé added, "so he was probably hired by them."  
Then she looked at Rabé and me and gave an impatient sigh.  "Okay, or maybe he 
works for 'some other faction.'"

"And let's not forget he thinks black is a gonzo color," said Amidala. We 
stared at her and she must have felt the weight of our combined gazes because 
she looked up after a short moment and said, "That was a joke. I was joking."

"Ha, ha, that's not so funny, Your Highness," said a cross Eirtaé. "This is 
your *life* we're talking about."

"And yours and Sabé's and Rabé's," Amidala said calmly. "And I don't want to 
lose anyone of you." She waved off any further replies and once more 
concentrated on her datapad.

"The best clue we have," I said after a moment's consideration, "is what 
Qui-Gon said. Someone who fights like a Jedi but isn't one."

"That doesn't make sense," said Rabé. "Unless… maybe he was *once* a Jedi but 
left the Order?"

"Then don't you think that Qui-Gon would have recognized him?" asked Eirtaé.

"Not with over twenty thousand Jedi running amuck in the galaxy, I don't," 
retorted Rabé.

"It still doesn't make sense," I interjected. "It's probably a rare Jedi who 
falls away.  You know they're trained practically from birth."

"But still, it could be possible," insisted Rabé. "And it's our best guess so 
far. Maybe we should alert the Jedi Temple or something."                      

"I'm sure Qui-Gon will," I said.

"But they might not believe it was a fallen Jedi. They probably think that 
Jedi are too perfect to fall. Besides, didn't you just say that they should 
have guessed something by now? I want to know what." Rabé crossed her arms.    
                                   

"Go and see," said Amidala eyes still fixed on her datapad. 

"No way," said Rabé, shaking her head. "Sleeping dogs… meditating Jedi, 
remember?"

Eirtaé laughed mirthlessly. "They would probably just use the Force to tell me 
to come back here and not worry. I guess that leaves Her Highness or Sabé." 

Amidala threw her datapad on the bed, got up and stretched. "Well, I can't put 
this off any longer," she said.

"The Jedi?" Rabé asked. 

"No, Sio Bibble's message." Sadness settled in her troubled eyes.

"Would you like me to go with you, Your Highness?" I asked, even though the 
thought of seeing the Governor's frantic pleading wrenched my stomach.

Amidala hesitated a moment. "No, you go see the Jedi on an official visit as 
Queen. They may refuse a handmaiden, but they wouldn't dare refuse me—um, you. 
 That is, you as me.  And I need to see Governor Bibble's transmission by 
myself."

Amidala and I walked outside together and then parted ways as I headed 
straight back toward the Throne Room. Two guards trailed me to there, but I 
bade them wait outside. I was suddenly nervous about interrupting the Jedi, 
despite what Amidala had said about their not daring to refuse me. I couldn't 
help but think that Rabé's policy was probably best.

I sounded the door chime and waited. And I waited. Then I sounded it again. 
And waited some more. A little more impatiently, I sounded it twice in a row 
and waited… Again. Now I was more irate than nervous. I punched in the lock 
override but the doors stayed shut.

// Wonderful. They've changed the lock sequence.//

They had to be really good in order to do that. So I tried the chime one last 
time. Nothing. Were they even *in* there? Would nothing distract them from 
their meditations, or were they just purposefully ignoring the chime? 

It suddenly occurred to me that I had a way of finding out and I smiled 
deviously. But what if I was discovered? Did my two guards have high 
midi-chlorian counts? But even if they did, their mental shields would be well 
enough intact not to be able to sense the sinful crime I was about to commit.

I took a deep breath, then let it all go.

// Obi-Wan? //

Nothing.

// Obi-Wan, you're obviously in there. // 

He *was* in there, right? 

// It's me, Sa— Amidala. //

About three seconds later the door slide open, and Obi-Wan appeared. "Your 
highness," he said courteously, evidencing a slight smile. "I believe you 
called for me."  

I lifted my head. "There is an important matter that I have come to discuss."

Obi-Wan nodded solemnly, all traces of smile gone. "Regarding your safety. I 
understand, please come in."

I would have liked to have pointed out the irony of me being invited into *my* 
Throne Room – after all, I was posing as Queen – but did not wish to appear 
petty in front of the guards. I also hoped they would not make much of his 
comment that I had called for *him*, oh, say as opposed to him *and* Qui-Gon. 
Motioning for them to stay behind I entered the room as the door slid shut 
behind me.

I was half-expecting to see Qui-Gon occupying the throne, but he merely sat at 
a side bench, his hands on his knees, his eyes closed. He looked a lot better 
than the last time I had seen him. An overt sign of their self-imposed 
quarantine was that he still wore a peasant's cloak. I don't know where he had 
left his brown robe. I was about to volunteer to go get it for him, when I 
realized that was a job for a handmaiden, not a Queen.

I thought it wise to give Qui-Gon a wide berth since he still looked deep in 
trance.

Behind me, Obi-Wan laughed. // He won't bite you if you interrupt him, Your 
Highness. In fact, he's very much aware of the fact that you've just entered 
the room. //

I turned around and was about to give an angry reply, when Obi-Wan held up his 
hands in a 'don't-shoot-me' gesture. He walked close to me, so close it set my 
heart to beating rapidly, and said kindly, "You aren't used to this, are you, 
Your Highness?"

"What in the galaxy are you talking about?"

"Letting your guard down to share yourself, share your thoughts with someone 
else, and to receive in turn from that same person – actively reaching out 
through the Force, instead of passively using it to shield your thoughts… and 
your potential for growth."

Was Obi-Wan crazy? Surely the Jedi Master could hear our every word!

"Last time I was checked, I was perfectly sane. And Qui-Gon is still too 
deeply focused inside himself for our conversation to register."

Now, really, this was getting annoying. "Obi-Wan, would you please stop 
reading my mind?" I said crossly.

Obi-Wan looked at me with tender amusement. "Your Highness," he said. "In 
order for that to occur, you must raise your mental shields again. Ever since 
you called me from outside the Throne Room, I've been very attuned to you."

That made me blush furiously. I tried several times unsuccessfully to 
reestablish my shielding but kept failing with his presence so near. He gave a 
slight smile and backed away.

But as I frantically worked to raise what wasn't there anymore I thought back 
to his comment. He said he had been 'very attuned' to me. Oh, galaxy, no! That 
meant he was perfectly aware of my crush on him. How unseemly for the leader 
of a planet to have a crush on a Jedi Padawan! Hold on… how 'attuned' is 
'attuned?' Attuned enough to realize that...

"You know," I whispered, "don't you?"

He nodded slowly. "I've known for quite some time now."

I swallowed. "Qui-Gon?"

"No, I haven't told him."

I turned away feeling very defeated and old. "How long?"

"I suspected the first time you dropped your guard and I could suddenly see 
your deepest fear: betraying your Queen by exposing your deception. I probed 
your mind again when you were angry – and got blasted for it – but then I knew 
for sure."

I felt terrible. As childish as it might seem, I felt like crying. I said 
hoarsely, "Amidala trusted me and I failed her. You trusted me and I deceived 
you... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Saying this I rushed to get out of the Throne 
Room but Obi-Wan stepped in front of me.

"Sabé, I would never reveal your secret," he said kindly. "And I understand 
why you pretended to be what you were not. It's all right."

"No, no, it's not." Tears welled up at the corners of my eyes, making 
everything into a watery blur. Nothing made sense anymore. I should be more 
concerned that I had blown my cover, blown Amidala's cover. So then why was I 
so worried that Obi-Wan would no longer be interested in me if I weren't the 
Queen?

"Disappointed?" I asked, hushed. 

"Of course not, why should I be? I know that the person I've been with all 
this time has been Sabé, even if she did appear to be another. And I happen to 
like Sabé very much."

His sudden voice of warning in my head was the only indication that I had that 
Qui-Gon was coming out of his meditative state. 

// Qui-Gon's becoming aware. You might want to raise your shields again. //

This time I had no problems reestablishing control. I closed my mind so 
tightly, I felt like I was losing my vision. Obi-Wan steered me to the throne 
where I seated myself as regally as possible.

"Your Highness," Qui-Gon greeted without the slightest trace of surprise.

As soon as he said that I realized Qui-Gon would no doubt guess the truth 
about Amidala and myself sooner or later and since his Padawan Learner knew, 
it made sense for the Master to know as well. That way the *real* Queen 
Amidala would benefit from both of their protection. Although at this point, I 
wondered who would need the greater protection: Amidala from her mysterious 
assassin, or me from her when she found out what I'd revealed to the Jedi. 

I took a deep breath and said in my Thera lilt, "There is no need for that 
title, Master Jinn. I am Sabé Nabish the Decoy Queen, Principal Handmaiden, 
and secret bodyguard to Her Royal Highness."

He nodded. "Yes, I thought as much – although you have done your job well, my 
young handmaiden. But you have no need to address me as Master Jinn either. 
Qui-Gon will do fine. But which of you *is* the real Amidala?"

"It's Lady Rabé, Master," said Obi-Wan.

"Rabé?" I gasped. "Why do you think it's Rabé?"

"Of all three handmaidens, she was the only one never to leave the ship."

I almost giggled. So our ruse had not been entirely without success, even if 
it had not worked as we had intended. "No, no," I said, shaking my head. "Rabé 
Berette is a handmaiden like me. Padmé Naberrie is Amidala."

"Padmé!" they said in unison.

I nodded.

"What was she thinking, setting off for Mos Espa with me? Has she no concept 
of danger?" Neither Qui-Gon nor Obi-Wan looked happy.

"She didn't trust you, Qui-Gon. My pardon, but none of us did. You would have 
been hard pressed to leave without her." 

"And what brings you here, Lady Sabé?" asked Qui-Gon, setting things back on 
track.

"Oh, yes," I said promptly. "I came to speak with you about Amidala's 
assassin. Have your meditations proved fruitful?"  Master and Padawan glanced 
at each other. They knew something, I was sure of it. 

"Perhaps so," said Qui-Gon.

"I've consulted with my sister handmaidens. You may not like to hear our 
guess, but we believe it is valid nonetheless. The assassin may be a fallen 
Jedi – one who left the order."

The Jedi now looked at me in surprise. Qui-Gon next spoke, with greater 
respect. "I do not wish to alarm you, but after a good deal of thought, 
Obi-Wan and I have concluded there could only be one being who fit the 
description of the Queen Amidala's attacker. A Sith. Are you familiar—"

I sucked in my breath. "Are you sure?" I nearly whispered. Galaxy! How could 
he say that word so casually? Especially in connection with Amidala's name! 

Qui-Gon gave a wry smile. "It appears you are already familiar with the Sith. 
Although it puzzles me that such an idyllic planet so far from the core would 
have knowledge of this ancient order."

"Oh, we know about the Sith all right," I said. "Our planet is called Naboo 
because it was named after its founders: the Naboo. But the Naboo did not 
always live where we do now. Our most ancient records tell of group of 
colonizers who fled from a core world as the final battles were being waged 
against and among the Sith themselves. The Naboo realized the only way to find 
a truly peaceful settlement was to live as far away from the core as possible, 
yet still within the bounds of the Republic." Of course, they had not reckoned 
on the Gungans, I added silently, and centuries more bloodshed had occurred.

"But surely the Sith perished long ago," I could hear myself plead. "How could 
one return now and why would he want to kill my Queen? The Federation needs 
Her Highness alive to sign their treaty. A Sith assassin would do them no 
good. And as you say, ours is a remote and isolated planet so why should any 
Sith be after Queen Amidala?" That thought chilled me to the bone. 	

Qui-Gon shook his head. "These are troubling questions I cannot answer. 
However, rest assured that Obi-Wan and I will notify the Jedi Council of this 
situation as soon as we get back. They will not let the matter rest until it 
has been resolved. And I am certain that they continue to provide Jedi 
protection for Her Highness as long as the Sith hunt her." 

// You mean hunt *me,* // I thought. For as long as the Sith hunted Amidala, 
she would never be safe to be herself again. It was like the final movement of 
a Never-ending Symphony, which could last for weeks. The audience was free to 
leave whenever they chose until only one was left and then the performers 
could at last go home. But who knew how this new Symphony of the Sith would 
end? And who would be left alive when the final note struck?

"How is Anakin?" Qui-Gon suddenly asked. "Do you know where he is?" 

Ship rumor was that Qui-Gon had promised Anakin's mother that he would become 
a Jedi. That puzzled me since Jedi begin their training before they are one, 
yet Anakin was at least nine. At any rate, it was impossible for us to go back 
to Tatooine. The boy would have to stay. 

I shook my head. "I think he's in the cargo hold. Padmé… that is, Her Highness 
went there as well. She might still be there."

"It's time I looked in on him," Qui-Gon said, rising.

"May I escort you back to your quarters, Lady Sabé?" Obi-Wan asked me. 

I was about to tell him that I already had a pair of guards for escorts, when 
I held my tongue and nodded, wondering what he wanted.

In the corridor, I dismissed my guards, telling them that Obi-Wan would see me 
safely back. It's not like there was any great skill required in doing that. 
Just down the length of the ship to the Queen's quarters. But to my surprise, 
Obi-Wan stopped me before I could enter. 

"Sabé," he said softly. "I may not have the chance to tell you this tomorrow – 
in fact, we may never see each other again after we leave ship. But I'm 
grateful for the time we spent together. You're a special young lady."

I felt a lump form in my throat and found that I could not speak past it.

"Please take care of yourself." Saying that, he bent his head and brushed his 
lips against mine, giving me warm tingles. "Goodnight, Sabé," he whispered 
into my ear and then with a swish of his robe was gone. I stood there for 
countless moments, feeling that a part of my heart had left with him.



EIGHTEEN

Fortunately – and to my ever-lasting gratitude – Amidala did not kill me. 
Instead she expressed surprise Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had not realized I was 
playing the role of Decoy Queen earlier. (Naturally, I left out the part of 
just *how* Obi-Wan had figured out who I was and just said it must have been 
due to keen 'Jedi observation.') Amidala confessed that she thought her coded 
speech back on Naboo, "We are brave, Your Highness," had been a little too 
obvious. Well, it was more than a little, but who was I to argue with a 
monarch who had just pardoned me? 

The next morning presented my greatest challenge yet. At last we had reached 
our destination: Coruscant, the central system of the Republic. Senator 
Palpatine was awaiting our arrival on the landing platform and we had been 
told the Supreme Chancellor would be on hand to greet us as well. That gave me 
a stab of hope. If he wanted to meet the Queen in person, he must consider 
Naboo's plight significant.

Actually, it would be me that he would greet in person. Our landing platform 
was suspended mid-air among the city tower tops. I was not overly happy about 
this situation because it made Amidala an easy target, being right out in the 
open. For that matter, I would also be an easy target, since I was the Queen. 
She was still Padmé Naberrie, handmaiden. 

Rabé and Eirtaé worried that Senator Palpatine would see through my disguise, 
and identify Padmé as the true queen. Fortunately, aside from holographic 
transmissions, Senator Palpatine had only met Amidala once at her coronation 
ceremony. He had seemed pleasant enough, yet something told me he had not 
looked beyond her white face paint and royal dress. 

I followed the Jedi and Anakin down the ship's ramp. I was glad that Obi-Wan 
and I had said our farewell last night. We had barely had time to speak to 
each other this morning, and what little that was said had been spoken with 
others present. 

But I had had little time to mourn the loss of my new friendship amidst all 
the last minute preparations to be made before we reached Coruscant. My sister 
handmaidens and I had to go over security procedures with Captain Panaka and 
his officers during Amidala's stay and notify a surprised Senator Palpatine of 
our fourth coming arrival – notifying him any earlier would have alerted the 
Trade Federation's attention, which could have brought disastrous 
consequences.  And of course, we had to which wardrobe containers would be of 
best use during our stay.

On the landing platform next to Senator Palpatine stood another man, dressed 
in blue with silver hair and a kindly face. I had only seen pictures of him, 
but knew this was indeed Supreme Chancellor Valorum, ruler of the Republic. 

// Surely he will help us. // I stepped forward. 

Senator Palpatine greeted me with a short bow and welcoming smile. "It is a 
great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. With the communications breakdown, 
we've been very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation." 

I watched him carefully, but no, it was as I expected. He greeted me with full 
confidence that it was certainly Queen Amidala he addressed and hadn't even 
bothered with ordinary Padmé. He then continued, "May I present Supreme 
Chancellor Valorum."

The silver-haired man inclined his noble head. "Welcome, Your Highness. It's 
an honor to finally meet you in person."

I took extreme care that I spoke using the Queen's same low voice. "Thank you, 
Supreme Chancellor." 

He began walking us to a waiting air taxi. "I must relay to you how distressed 
everyone is over your current situation. I've called for a special session of 
the Senate to hear your position."

Now I knew he would help us! I stopped walking for a moment to face him. I 
wanted him to know how much I appreciated his aid. "I'm grateful for your 
concern, Chancellor."  

But Senator Palpatine ushered me away, informing me, "There is a question of 
procedure, but I'm confident we can overcome it."

"We must, Senator," I stated resolutely. "The fate of our world lies in our 
hands." Yet inwardly, I seethed. *A question of procedure?* Didn't the Senate 
know what was happening? Couldn't they see? The Trade Federation was obviously 
no longer satisfied with its commercial monopoly. It wanted to occupy small 
planets as well! I was sure Naboo was only the first, although why we were 
chosen was unclear to me. No, the Federation had to be stopped here and now, 
or else other worlds would surely suffer.	

I was already in the air taxi when I heard Amidala call Anakin's name, which 
surprised me since I thought he would be going with the Jedi. We waited for 
Anakin and Jar Jar to catch up and climb into the front seat. I couldn't help 
smiling at what I heard next.

"The Queen's being grossly nice, mesa tinks," Jar Jar said to Anakin. It was a 
historical moment. That was the first time a Gungan had ever complimented a 
Naboo ruler.

**********

Senator Palpatine had given us a nice apartment to stay in. A nice little 
prison for me, that is. As soon as we arrived Amidala and I had switched 
roles. To hide our identity, my sister handmaidens and I had draped ourselves 
in similar red cloaks. The orange gowns had served us well for travel, 
however, now it was time for a more majestic appearance. Like all our cloaks, 
each had a heavy, deep hood to mask our faces. We had changed in a closet that 
was the size of a room. 

Then Rabé and Eirtaé had gone with the Queen Amidala to meet with Senator 
Palpatine, but I had to remain behind. It wouldn't do for Senator Palpatine or 
Chancellor Valorum or anyone else to recognize me as a handmaiden – not when 
they had seen me as Queen! 

To fill time I went through our wardrobe. The Queen would appear before the 
Senate soon so I needed to have something ready and wanted to make sure it 
looked impressive. Everybody knew that Naboo was a far planet in the outer 
region of the galaxy's mid-rim territory, but I wanted them to see that we 
were no backward world. (Unlike certain desert planets I could name…) I 
carefully chose the most regal attire that I could find: a red gown and 
matching robe with gold trim. But something was missing… I wanted Amidala to 
wear something that would give her great confidence. Ah, I found a black cloak 
with shoulders nearly as high as her head. 

// Perfect. //

I was sorting through hair ornaments when Amidala returned with Rabé and 
Eirtaé. All three wore the same subdued expression.

"What is it?" I asked, a sinking feeling in my heart. 

"Awful, Sabé," said Rabé, shaking her head. "Senator Palpatine doesn't think 
the Senate will help us."

"But—"

"He says it has grown greedy and corrupt," Amidala cut in, tired and 
frustrated. "Even worse, it seems Chancellor Valorum holds little power these 
days. We cannot count on him for aid."

I dropped a pair of long, red suspensas. "I don't believe it," I whispered. I 
had been so certain the Supreme Chancellor would help us! After all, he had 
sent Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to Naboo.

"Here, I'll take those," said Rabé quickly. She carefully picked up the 
suspensas, murmuring something about "careless hands" and "Theyla 
masterpieces." 

"You've done enough here," Eirtaé kindly said. "Let us take over." I could 
tell she was trying to make me feel better. She and Rabé had already had time 
to digest the bad news, I was just getting the first bitter taste.  As Amidala 
began to unfasten her wide sash, Eirtaé quickly moved to help her. 

"We do not have many options," Amidala continued with a frown. "Senator 
Palpatine wants me to push for the election of a new Chancellor. One who would 
give us justice. *Or,* we could submit our case to the courts."

"But the courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate!" I declared 
irately. 

Amidala smiled dryly. "That is precisely what I said, Sabé. You'll like our 
final option even less."

"What's that?"

"To accept Federation control for the time being."

"No!" I nearly shouted. Now, that was the final blow. How could we have come 
so far just to have things fall apart? "But you haven't even been to the 
Senate yet, Your Highness! We cannot just give in." 

"Don't worry, Sabé," Amidala assured me, "I will never accept Federation 
control. Never!"

Rabé and Eirtaé were already helping the Queen into her red gown. They spoke 
something nice about the selection I had made, but I hardly heard them, being 
still too troubled. I waited while they dressed Amidala, then we put on our 
dark blue robes. 

However, we hadn't quite finished with Amidala yet: our next challenge was to 
prepare her hair. This time, Rabé really outdid herself. Amidala sat patiently 
while we helped Rabé part her long hair into two great side horns and then 
banded them with gold hair bracelets. Then Rabé carefully hung one of the red 
suspensas that I had dropped earlier on the end of each horn. She was rather 
pleased with herself since the whole ensemble – except for Amidala's hair of 
course – had come from Theyla. 

"Now you look magnificent," Rabé told Amidala proudly. 

"*Now* I have a heavy head," Amidala replied with a wry smile.  Then a 
mischievous grim lit her face.  "What happens if I were to tilt my head way to 
the side, like this—"

"No, don't!" screamed Rabé in a dead panic.  "Somebody stop her!"

Eirtaé, Amidala and I burst out laughing.  Rabé pulled a face.  "I don't see 
what's so funny!" she pouted and stomped out of the closet.  

We started to laugh again when unexpectedly, the Palace guard outside 
contacted us. It was Anakin Skywalker, who wanted to see Padmé. My sister 
handmaidens and I looked at one another warily, concerned that he might 
recognize her as the true Queen. Eirtaé was already shaking her head 'no.' 

But to our discontent, Amidala nodded her permission, so Rabé told the guard 
to let him in. Amidala spoke to Anakin in her formal manner, explaining she 
had sent Padmé on an errand. Anakin replied that he was on his way to the Jedi 
Temple and wanted to say good-bye. The Queen told him she would let Padmé 
know. He bowed and left. Eirtaé breathed a sigh of relief.

"Was that wise, Your Highness?" I asked. "Surely the boy can count! Only three 
handmaidens left the ship. Now, he has seen three handmaidens here. But if 
Padmé is off on an errand… that would make four of us altogether."

Amidala gave a slight smile, and answered in Padmé's gentle voice. "I know. 
But I wanted to say goodbye, too. I care for him. I hope the Jedi Temple 
accepts him." A moment later her wishful mood had passed. Instead, I saw a 
fierce resolve flash in her eyes. "It is time I concentrated on my speech to 
the Senate."

"How can we help?" asked Eirtaé. "I've studied Senate procedures and protocol. 
I can tell you what to expect. How a session is convened." Although Eirtaé was 
from a remote river valley, her family were wealthy merchants with ties to 
other planets. As a result, she was more well-versed in intergalactic 
etiquette than any of us.

"Thank you, Eirtaé. I welcome your aid." The Queen was already reaching for 
her datapad with which contained the notes she had made last night.

Rabé spoke supportively, "I know you can convince the Senate to help us, Your 
Highness." 

"You must, Your Highness," I added gravely. "Naboo is counting on you."	



NINETEEN

I had never been so miserable before and had never felt such fierce rage! 
Senator Palpatine had been right. The Senate had refused to help us. Instead, 
they wanted a committee to investigate if Naboo had really been attacked by 
the Trade Federation. 

*A committee!* 

They wouldn't even listen to Queen Amidala so she had been left with no other 
choice. She had done what Senator Palpatine had advised: she had called for a 
vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum's leadership. Leaving the Senate 
in a uproar, she returned with Rabé and Eirtaé. They had changed clothes 
again, and in the case of Amidala, hairstyle. The Queen being so sad and 
somber had insisted upon wearing black. "I have failed Naboo," she told me 
dismally. 

My heart ached seeing the Queen's misery. She accepted blame for everything 
that had happened to our world and there was nothing anyone could say or do to 
make her feel better. 

As for Rabé, I had never seen her so angry before. Her face had been dark with 
fury. She could not believe the Senate had brushed off Amidala's words so 
casually. She could not believe that Senator Palpatine had just stood by and 
let it happen. 

Eirtaé had mainly been discouraged and spoke only in whispers. Things had not 
proceeded as she had anticipated. As any of us had anticipated – except, 
perhaps, for Senator Palpatine. My sister handmaidens had left some time ago 
with Amidala to wait for the Senator's return. 

It seemed all of Coruscant had come alive, and the atmosphere ablaze with 
excitement. The great Galactic Senate was in turmoil. Secret meetings were 
being held. Bets were placed on who the new chancellor would be. Rumors flew 
like crazy. And the Holonet News broadcasted every single one of them. But 
nothing was said about Naboo. *Nothing!*

I struggled with my temper. I wanted to lash out at the universe for this 
great injustice! I wanted to shout and to scream for the Senate to wake up and 
take action, but I knew it didn't matter how loud I yelled. We would not find 
justice here. The Republic no longer functioned as it should. No one cared 
about the plight of one small planet.

// If only we had an army, then we could force the Federation off Naboo 
ourselves. //

The Gungans had an army, I suddenly remembered. That's why many Naboo still 
resented them so much, although their smell alone was reason enough for some. 
I thought that a little unfair myself. I had since been around Jar Jar enough 
to know that he didn't really smell that bad at all.

Once again I found myself alone in our large closet. I decided to organize our 
wardrobe for lack of anything better to do. Soon I realized that I was mostly 
tossing and throwing things around. It may have been a little hard on the 
clothes, but it sure made me feel better. I had just started on the shoes when 
Queen Amidala returned. 

I approached her eagerly. "What's happening?"

"Senator Palpatine has been nominated for Supreme Chancellor along with two 
others," Amidala said brusquely. She started undoing the multi-twisted coil 
atop her head. 

I watched, puzzled, as Rabé and Eirtaé hurried into the closet and immediately 
began packing. I didn't understand. "Isn't this good news? If the Senator gets 
elected he can do something to help us."

"*If* he gets elected," emphasized Amidala. "I cannot wait for what might not 
be."

I stared at her. "Your Highness, you aren't thinking of taking on the Trade 
Federation all by yourself? It's too dangerous for you to go back to Naboo!" 
But even as I spoke, I felt a tremendous rush of relief. I sensed that Amidala 
was no longer reacting to events – she was finally taking charge.

The Queen smiled tightly. "We leave at once. I suggest you help us pack, 
Sabé." She stepped into the closet, then gave a brief frown. "Things seem to 
be a bit messy in here."

"Never mind that," Eirtaé said smoothly. She was sorting through the orange 
travel robes. "I've found your robe—"

"I won't be wearing that," Amidala said quietly. We all stared at her.

"What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly suspicious.

"I came to Coruscant disguised as a handmaiden," said Amidala, "believing in 
the wisdom of the Senate to uphold justice. I have found none. So, I will 
leave this world as my true self. I want all who see me leave to know that the 
Queen of Naboo rejects the evil corruption in the Senate."

Her words moved me but I couldn't let her idealism get herself killed. It was 
my duty to keep her safe. "You're only setting yourself up as a target," I 
insisted. I looked to Rabé and Eirtaé for support. They nervously continued to 
pack. "Your Highness," I argued, "what about that mysterious assassin who 
attacked on Tatooine? The Jedi Council has stated plainly that it has no idea 
who he is. If everyone knows that you're leaving, then so will he. Let me be 
your Decoy. This is the perfect opportunity for him to strike! And if he 
doesn't get you, then the Trade Federation will."

"Then I must rely on you and the others as my protection. No, Sabé," she said, 
raising her hand to stop my objections. "I have decided. This is the way it 
must be."

We locked eyes for a moment. I knew there would be no swaying her. Although I 
loved Amidala as a sister, I felt myself grow hot with anger. She was being so 
stubborn! Didn't she see that as Queen she alone embodied the hope of our 
people? Governor Bibble had been captured. The Royal Advisory Council was in 
camps. There would be no one left to lead Naboo if she was killed! Our 
millennium-old three-tier system of government could be overthrown in a day.

I had always admired Amidala for clinging to what she believed was right. Now, 
I was frustrated by it. "Fine," I said, unhappily. "But if you're walking to 
certain death, you might as well dress for the occasion." Saying this, I 
seized a purple gown and plucked its lavender veil out of a trunk. I thrust 
them into Amidala's arms, ignoring Rabé and Eirtaé's shocked expressions. They 
were right to be shocked. I had just handed the Queen funeral clothing.

I held my breathe. Had I gone too far? Yes, Amidala was my friend, but she was 
also the ruler of Naboo. Her decisions ought to be respected – not debated by 
a defiant handmaiden. But Amidala graciously accepted the dress with a sorrow 
in her eyes. "Thank you, Sabé. You have always been honest with me. I value 
your opinion now more than ever. But you must trust me in this matter. I 
cannot do the things I am about to do unless I have your full support."

I felt my anger deflate into shame. "I'm sorry, Your Highness," I apologized, 
trying to take back the dress. "Please let me find something else for you."

"No, Sabé. You have chosen well. For I *will* wear funeral dress. Today in the 
Senate, I witnessed the death of compassion and reason. I fear that without 
these two things, we shall soon see the death of peace in our galaxy as well."
	

		
TWENTY

I was on edge throughout our entire flight back in the air carrier. With every 
building we passed, I expected an attack. But nothing happened. Not even when 
we approached the landing platform. It was with a sigh of relief that I 
spotted Qui-Gon's large frame down below. I was disappointed not to see 
Obi-Wan but assumed he must already be on board the ship.

The Jedi Council had contacted us just before we left. To my delight, Qui-Gon 
and Obi-Wan had been assigned to accompany us back to Naboo. They would be the 
ones to provide Jedi security for the Queen until the mystery of her attacker 
was solved. 

I thought that their mere presence might keep the assassin from attacking in 
public. After all, it would be risky for him because he would be intercepted 
by the Jedi – just like Qui-Gon had done on Tatooine. No, I did not believe 
the assassin would attack in public, but I had no doubt that he would continue 
to hunt Amidala on Naboo. We had to be ready. I had to be ready.

I also saw Anakin standing next to Artoo on the landing platform. From his 
plain look of disappointment, I guessed the Jedi Council had rejected him. So 
now he was tagging along with us again. What would we do with him once we 
returned to Naboo? It would be dangerous for him there, dangerous for all of 
us. It would have been much safer for him had he stayed behind in Mos Espa.

As we walked to the ship, Qui-Gon approached Queen Amidala and bowed, saying, 
"Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you."

"I welcome your help," Amidala told him. "Senator Palpatine fears that the 
Federation means to destroy me."

"I assure you, we will not let that happen," Qui-Gon vowed. 

"Neither will *we,* Master Jinn," Eirtaé murmured with quiet resolve. 

We boarded quickly, and shortly afterward the ship took off. Straight off a 
concerned Captain Panaka and the two Jedi confronted Queen Amidala in the 
Throne Room. It was good to see Obi-Wan again, although his attention was 
mainly centered on Amidala.  But he had looked at me and smiled as he had 
entered, which became a rapid frown as Jar Jar Binks managed to trip on his 
trailing robe.

Captain Panaka and Qui-Gon immediately tried to talk Her Highness out of 
returning to Naboo. "As soon as we land, the Federation will arrest you and 
force you to sign the treaty," Captain Panaka stated bluntly.

"I agree," Qui-Gon chimed in. "I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by 
this." 

The Queen did not appear discouraged. "I will take back what's ours," she 
replied evenly.

"There are too few of us, Your Highness," the Captain protested. "We have no 
army."

"And I can only protect you," Qui-Gon added. "I cannot fight a war for you."

That irked me. Did Qui-Gon and Panaka really think so little of Amidala? 
Obviously, we had no army. Of course, the Queen would not expect the Jedi to 
fight for her. 

"Jar Jar Binks," the Queen said unexpectedly.

"Mesa, Your Highness?" Jar Jar looked startled. Every head in the room turned 
to stare at him.

"Yes," Amidala said. "I need your help. As soon as we land, you must contact 
the Gungan city for me."

It was then I knew what she had planned. 

**********

I could scarcely believe that my pacifist Queen was actually using words like 
"allied forces" and "strike force" and "sneak attack." Plans were being set in 
motion that would change the course of history. To free Naboo, the Queen had 
decided to go to war. We were all out of peaceful options – every attempt at 
negotiation had failed. The Senate had rejected our plea for aid, leaving us 
to ourselves. Yet we still had hope. Unlike the Naboo, the Gungans had an army 
– a large army. If we could unite with them, together we might stand a chance. 
Together, we might be able to force the Federation off our world. 

However, that would mean setting aside centuries of prejudice. A few days ago, 
Queen Amidala never would have considered it. But Jar Jar Binks had changed 
her mind. Yes, he was a clumsy fellow, but he was also her faithful and caring 
friend. I only hoped the Gungan leader would be as friendly to her. Gungans 
were not really fond of the Naboo.

Queen Amidala had refused to include Captain Panaka in our talks. 

"We need a fresh approach to this situation," she had told us privately. 
"Captain Panaka is convinced the Battle for Naboo is over before it has even 
begun. We cannot afford that to think that way." 

Although I would have liked to have spent more time with Obi-Wan, for the 
remainder of the flight back my sister handmaidens and I were holed up in the 
Queen's quarters with Amidala, going over battle plans – more like terrorist 
strategies, since we would be so few against so many. But so much depended on 
our meeting with the Gungan leader, Boss Nass.

Queen Amidala was disguised again as Padmé in her orange robe, which meant I 
got to wear the same funeral dress that I had picked out for her on Coruscant. 
I couldn't help but think that my decision had been a wee bit hasty. Wearing 
purple felt like a bad omen. 

During one brief break we had taken Amidala had encountered Anakin, who was 
sure happy to see Padmé again. On the other hand, Amidala was not so excited. 
Like me, she wondered at the Jedi's common sense in bringing a boy into an 
explosive situation. 

During that same break I had encountered Obi-Wan in the cargo hold as Eirtaé 
was searching the wardrobe containers for uniforms we had never thought we 
would wear. Since no one else was around I had temporarily suspended the 
charade of majesty and was helping her search.

I stopped two seconds before he entered the hold, somehow knowing it was him. 
As soon as Obi-Wan approached us, Eirtaé sniffed and left. It was all I could 
do to keep from laughing.

"She really doesn't like me, does she?" Obi-Wan asked sheepishly.

"Not one bit, I'm afraid."

"And I'm such a *nice* guy."

Now I did laugh. "So you say."

"It's true! I promise." Obi-Wan walked over to where I was and sat on an 
overturned container. "So what are you looking for now?"

That sobered me up. "Burgundy."

"I see."

I slammed a wardrobe container shut. "I don't understand what's wrong with me, 
Obi-Wan. For over a month this is what I've been wanting: for the Naboo to 
take an aggressive stance. For Her Highness to take an aggressive stance!"

"And now?"

I sighed. "And now everything is suddenly upside down. I'm confused. The plans 
we're making... I feel like I can barely keep up with her anymore." I looked
at Obi-Wan, anxiety in my eyes. "I think I'm scared, Obi-Wan," I admitted in a 
low voice.

A soft expression came over his face. "It's all right for you to be scared, 
Sabé. I'd be surprised if you weren't." He stood and walked over to where I 
was. 

"But I'm not supposed to be!" I cried.

He frowned. "Says who? Your Queen?"

"No! Not her. Me..."

He gave a little smile. "I thought so. Did you know it's also all right for 
you not to be perfect?"

I shook my head. "I can't fail her. Not now. Not when she needs me the most. I 
just can't fail her. You don't know what we're heading into. You don't know." 
I closed my eyes and shook my head again.

"I think I have a fair idea," said Obi-Wan. Then I felt him gently take me 
into his arms and hold me. Feelings of comfort and support washed over me in 
dizzying waves.

Oh, galaxy! I wanted that moment to last forever! How could I have come to 
care so much for this one man, this Jedi? I rested my head on his shoulder and 
breathed in deeply, savoring everything he offered: quiet peace, gentle 
warmth, carrying...

Abruptly Obi-Wan pushed me away, all connection to him suddenly cut off. My 
eyes flew open, not comprehending. I felt crushed beyond all disappointment, 
the good feelings inside of me falling apart, leaving me uncertain and empty. 

Qui-Gon entered the room. "Padawan," he said coolly.

"Master," replied Obi-Wan with a hard voice. He was a completely different man 
than I had known seconds ago. Had he violated some sort of Jedi Code? Were 
Jedi not allowed to show affection? But, no. That couldn't be. One of the 
greatest romantic poets had been Jedi. And on occasion Jedi were even known to 
marry.

It was an uncomfortable, awkward moment. Then Obi-Wan gave his excuses and 
departed, barely glancing at me.

Another awkward, uncomfortable moment ensued. Then Qui-Gon broke the silence, 
"I apologize for any inappropriate behavior on my Padawan's part."

I flushed. "There was no inappropriate behavior," I said. Then I rushed to get 
out of the hold and away from Qui-Gon's stern presence.

It was only later that night as I showered that I let myself break down in 
tears. Why had Obi-Wan pushed me away like that? It wasn't fair! All his talk 
on Tatooine about opening up to someone meant nothing. But maybe Obi-Wan had 
suddenly decided I was becoming too close to him, and that his loyalty to his 
Order superseded all else.

Whatever the case, I realized sourly, Obi-Wan obviously didn't care for me as 
much as I had thought – had hoped – he did. If this is what heartache was, 
then I decided I had had enough and ruthlessly crushed any feelings for him 
under weight of duty to my Queen. I had been right when I said that Amidala 
needed me now more than ever. Just like I had needed Obi-Wan's support...

// Stop it! // I screamed at myself. // This line of thinking will get you no 
where. Liking him was a mistake that never should have happened. For Galaxy's 
sake, he was a Jedi – a Jedi! // 

No sane Naboo had any business liking a Jedi, much less being held by one.  
The more I convinced myself of my error, somewhere inside of me I could feel a 
part of my heart growing colder. 

**********

In the hour before we reached Naboo, Amidala had broken down and wanted to 
lead our party as Queen. It was my sister handmaidens and I who had insisted 
that Amidala and I remain switched. We knew the Federation would do anything 
to capture Amidala. And we were determined to stop that. We had all shed our 
fine robes for something more practical. Padmé, along with Rabé and Eirtaé, 
wore the burgundy and black military uniform of a handmaiden – black to 
represent the mourning of peace, burgundy because of the aggressive course of 
action we were about to pursue.

But there were no hoods this time to conceal handmaiden faces. We couldn't 
afford to let anything get in the way of our vision. I helped pull their hair 
back into large buns. We didn't conceal our weapons anymore either, but kept 
them strapped at our sides – ready for use.

As Decoy Queen, I wore Amidala's deep red and black battle dress. Rabé crowned 
my head with a halo turban, intertwining it with my own hair, then pulled it 
all back in an elaborate ponytail. I had caught Padmé looking at me sadly and 
knew the reason why. I was clad as a Warrior Queen from Naboo's distant past, 

from the tumultuous era of Discord that scarred our history before the Time of 
Great Peace. The Great Peace that King Jafan had strove so hard to foster that 
a temple had been erected in his honor in the Palace.  The Great Peace that 
was now fast unraveling. Who knew if his temple would even be standing at the 
day's end?



TWENTY-ONE

Trudge, trudge, trudge. 

We plodded our way carefully through the swampy forest. We were heading west 
toward the Gallo Mountains but that was about all I could tell. This was a 
part of Naboo I had never experienced before – deep in Gungan territory. The 
air was filled with flying insects, and was so damp that moisture clung to our 
clothing like sticky perspiration. The trees were tall and their leaves formed 
a thick canopy that blocked the sunlight but also hid us from the droid 
starfighters that zoomed by overhead. 

Right after we had landed, Jar Jar had visited Otah Gunga, the Gungan 
underwater city, and found it deserted. The droid armies had already attacked, 
but Jar Jar was not discouraged. He told us that in times of trouble, Gungans 
went to a "sacred place." 

He seemed totally at ease as he led us through the marshy forest, swinging his 
arms casually. I was just the opposite. Our ship had been spotted as soon as 
we had entered Naboo's atmosphere. We left it behind knowing it would be 
raided, no doubt search parties were already after us.

Suddenly, Jar Jar stopped causing me to bump into him. As 'Queen,' I lead the 
others, so when I halted our entire group came to a standstill. He sniffed the 
air and nodded. "Dissen it," he confirmed. He cupped his hands around his 
mouth making a funny chattering cry. We waited. It was an uneasy wait since we 
didn't know what the Gungans would do when they saw us.

The bushes parted and an older Gungan appeared riding on a kaadu. Several 
Gungan warriors also on kaadu appeared after him. All of them carried 
dangerous weapons: electropoles and energy spears. But Jar Jar greeted the 
older Gungan like a long-time friend. "Heydey ho, Captain Tarpals!"

Captain Tarpals' eyes bulged at the site of Jar Jar. "Binks!" he cried, 
slapping his hand on his forehead. "Noah gain!"

Jar Jar shrugged innocently. "Wesa comen to see da Boss," he explained.

Captain Tarpals looked us over. "Ouch time, Binks. Ouch time for alla yous, 
mebbe."

// Ouch time? //

Behind me, Rabé and Eirtaé stepped closer to Padmé. We could hear our own 
soldiers shifting uncertainly. This was not a good sign, we had not expected 
them to be so hostile. I cocked my head slightly.

Padmé understood and said softly, "We are not afraid, Your Highness."

I took a bold step forward. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo," I proclaimed. 
"I seek a meeting with the honorable Boss Nass."

Captain Tarpals stared at me a moment then turned his kaadu around. "Followen 
mesa," he commanded. 

The other Gungans surrounded us on their kaadu. I led as they herded us 
through the woods. Soon we saw the remains of ancient statues and broken 
pillars. Giant heads with blank stares. Crumbling steps that led to nowhere. 
These were made by the first inhabitants of Naboo. The greedy ones who lived 
so long ago that nobody knows who they were, except that they brought the 
chaos of Discord upon themselves by neglecting the balance of Harmony between 
themselves and their environment. I wondered if we were about to do the same 
thing. 

We entered a large clearing where there were hundreds of Gungans. More than I 
had ever seen in my entire life! There were children, mothers, fathers,

warriors, and little babies. They looked tired and desperate. They gathered 
around us as we moved, lining our path. Some looked angry but more seemed 
curious. 

Captain Tarpals stopped. "Your Honor," he called out. "Queen Amidala of the 
Naboo!" He appeared to be speaking to an enormous tree, then a large Gungan 
appeared from behind it. He did not look very happy to see us, in fact he 
looked downright mean.

Jar Jar waved. "Uh, h-heyo dadee, Big Boss Nass, Your Honor," he greeted 
nervously.

"Jar Jar Binks!" shouted Boss Nass. "Who's da uss-en others?" He sounded angry 
and upset.

I spoke carefully. We were in a dangerous situation and I didn't want to make 
any mistakes. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo. I come before you in peace." 

Boss Nass glared at me. "Ah, Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks. Yousa 
all bombad." He gestured fiercely.

That wasn't the response I had hoped for. I remained calm and tried again. "We 
have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance with—"

"Your Honor," interrupted Padmé. In a surprise move, she stepped in front of 
me.

Boss Nass tisked angrily. "Whosa dis?" he boomed.

"*I* am Queen Amidala," announced Padmé. 

Rabé and Eirtaé gasped. They couldn't believe Amidala had just revealed 
herself! But I understood what my friend was doing and admired her for it. To 
unite the Gungans with the Naboo, she was willing to risk her own life. She 
would not hide behind a secret identity. If her plan failed, *she* would be 
the one to suffer the consequences.

Queen Amidala turned and gestured toward me. "This is my decoy, my protection, 
my loyal bodyguard." We shared a private smile. There were murmurs of surprise 
and startled faces all around us. I saw Anakin's jaw drop open while Jar Jar 
did a double take.  

Then Amidala faced Boss Nass again. "I'm sorry for my deception, but it was 
necessary for me to protect myself. Although we do not always agree, Your 
Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace." I saw that Amidala 
had gained his interest. She proceeded to speak in earnest. "The Trade 
Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do 
not act quickly, all will be lost forever. I ask you to help us… No, I beg you 
to help us." In one swift motion, the Queen fell to her knees. 

I heard startled sounds coming from Gungans and Naboo alike. Never before had 
a Naboo ruler humbled herself before a Gungan. I immediately recognized that 
the Queen needed support and dropped to one knee, which prompted Rabé and 
Eirtaé to kneel as well. Like a wave in motion, Captain Panaka also knelt, 
followed by our pilots and soldiers. Even the Jedi were swift to follow 
Amidala's example. Jar Jar looked confused, then knelt as well. The loyal 
Gungan had cast his lot with ours. 

Queen Amidala let forth one final plea to the Gungan leader. "We are your 
humble servants. Our fate is in your hands." 

Now it was all up to Boss Nass. There was a moment of dead silence. I held my 
breath. All of a sudden, Boss Nass laughed. "Yousa no tinken yousa greater 
than the Gungans?" he asked.

Queen Amidala shook her head, my sister handmaidens and I doing likewise.

Boss Nass smiled broadly. "Mesa liken dis. Maybe wesa bein' friends." The 
Gungans broke into cheers and threw their hands into the air. I was so excited 
that I jumped up and hugged Jar Jar. 

Now we had our army. Now we could take back what was ours. Now we could free 
Naboo!



TWENTY-TWO

I, Sabé the Warrior Queen, checked over my plasma weapon. I wanted to make 
sure its cell was fully charged. It was. Just like the last fifteen times when 
I had checked it. I told myself I was eager to start our mission. 

But the truth was, I was just plain nervous.

Captain Panaka had drilled my sister handmaidens and me on battle procedure 
many times. So I knew how to aim and fire, duck and run, dodge and roll. I had 
fought off assassin droids. I had faced soldiers in arm-to-arm combat. Only 
this time it was different. We weren't just playing war games. We were playing 
for keeps. If we failed, there would be no second chances.

I stood on the edge of the forest far from the others, staring into the softly 
undulating fields of grass sprinkled with yellow flowers that seemed to 
stretch on forever. It was funny, because even though everyone knew I was the 
Principal Handmaiden and not the Queen, they still kept their distance. A 
respectful one, like what Padmé Amidala was being given. It must be the 
make-up and the uniform. The only difference was that my sister handmaidens 
had given up the charade and stopped following me around. Instead they walked 
about freely conversing with the other pilots and guards. I felt a pang of 
envy. New respect formed in my mind for Amidala. I was always with her so I 
had never truly appreciated the loneliness of her station, the monarch of an 
entire world.

I sighed, feeling lonely. Everything looked so peaceful. Yet the biggest war 
of Naboo's history was about to take place. I hugged myself and prayed that 
all would go as planned. For all that I had encouraged Amidala to take an 
active stance in Federation affairs, I had never really pictured this. A lot 
of Gungans were going to be killed today on our behalf. I felt... guilt... and 
fear. Not fear for myself anymore, but of how many wouldn't be going home at 
the end of the day, and for what their loved ones would have to face.

And yet at the same time I unexpectedly felt a glad, slightly nervous 
anticipation... of caring... of desire... What the Galaxy? These weren't my 
feelings! I whirled around to face Obi-Wan. He smiled. "You sensed me," he 
said. 

"You mean through the Force?"

"Of course."

"I did no such thing! I heard you—"

"Didn't make sound."

"Well, anyway I was about to head back over there," I nodded toward the 
distant assembled Naboo. "So of course, I had to turn around."

"If you say so."

"So!"

"There's no need to be defensive," Obi-Wan said with typical Jedi calm. "It's 
all right to use the Force for more than a mind shield. Use it to feel this 
instead." Before I could protest he had already stepped forward and was softly 
caressing my face.

I marveled. His touch, so tender, so smooth, stoked a warm fire of yearning 
from some cold place I had let die in me. Suddenly, I no longer cared if he 
was a Jedi. And I didn't care if he could see into my mind... or my heart. I 
wanted him to know me for who I was – to know everything about me and not hold 
back.  

He smiled gently, his eyes shinning, "You're so beautiful, Sabé," he said. 
"Inside and out." Then he smiled again, now tracing his fingers along my 
carefully painted lips. "But I suppose I'd better not risk kissing you and 
ruining your perfect lipstick or I'd suffer the wrath of your handmaidens – 
and I've seen their shiny pistols."

"Hey, enough of that," he said, frowning, sensing my disappointment. "There 
are other ways." He pulled me closer to him, then leaned forward and lightly 
kissed my forehead. I gasped. A surge of emotions charged through me, none of 
them mine. Masculine, aggressive desires wanting to claim me, yet tempered 
with tender feelings of compassion and respect. 

When he pulled back I had tears in my eyes. He slid his hands down my back and 
clasped them behind my waist. I reached up and grasped his tunic. I couldn't 
quite bring myself to look at him. "I didn't know…" I stumbled. "I didn't know 
you felt that way about me."

He brought up a hand to tilt my head so he could look into my eyes. "Yes, I 
do," he said quietly.

"But... the ship, when we met in the cargo hold and then Qui-Gon entered and you 
pushed me away and..." 

// ...and for a moment I thought my world had ended. //

He looked at me with sad blue eyes. "I'm sorry, Sabé, that had nothing to do 
with you. My Master and I were involved in a disagreement at the time. I 
shouldn't have let it affect the way I treated you."

"Are you still arguing?"

"No. Everything's fine now." A sheepish look passed briefly. "In fact, Master 
Qui-Gon sent me over here to make sure you were all right. But I would have 
come anyway," he quickly added.

I shook my head. "You Jedi. You just have to ruin all Naboo stereotypes of 
greedy baby-snatchers in brown robes."

He smiled. A nice one that spilt his face from cheek to cheek. "I should hope 
so." But suddenly his eyes grew distant. He gave me an apologetic look. "I'm 
sorry, Sabé, I have to go. Qui-Gon is calling me."

"I think I know why," I said. "Look!" I took a few steps back from him to 
indicate the far landspeeders rapidly approaching our direction. "Good," I 
said, mostly to myself. "Amidala will be glad Captain Panaka got through to 
the resistance leaders." 

We walked back over to where Amidala waited with Qui-Gon and Artoo, by a 
stationary landspeeder. Obi-Wan went to stand next to his Master while I 
excused myself to speak with my sister handmaidens.

However, when I realized they were both in flirty conversation with a few of 
the pilots, I quietly backed away and stood by myself again. Instead I watched 
Queen Amidala out of the corner of my eye as she revealed the plan we had 
carefully formulated to Captain Panaka, the Jedi, and Boss Nass with Anakin 
eagerly listening in. 

I went over everything again in my head. The Gungan army would emerge from the 
swamps and with their presence draw the battle droid armies out of the cities. 
With the droid army gone, Theed would be practically deserted. (So would 
Thera, for that matter – something to be grateful for.) We would sneak into 
the city using the secret passageway behind the waterfall. 

Our first goal was to free the main hanger, so our pilots could get to their 
fighters. Their mission was to knock out the single droid control ship that 
orbited our planet. If the droid control ship was destroyed, the battle droids 
could not operate. The Gungan army would be spared further fighting. And the 
Viceroy would have no use of his droid guards. 

Our next goal was to capture the Viceroy. Amidala would have him sign a new 
treaty – one that would keep the Trade Federation off Naboo for good and 
terminate any further blockades.

"Heylo dere!" A Gungan interrupted my thoughts. I recognized him with his gray 
hood and ceremonial robes. He had stood near Boss Nass when we had first 
arrived. Jar Jar told me he was an important advisor. 

"Mesa Rep Been," he said. He looked at me funny. "My wonderen," he said, "if 
yousa not da queen, then whosa are yousa?"

"I am Sabé," I said. Then I remembered my manners. "It's nice to meet you, Rep 
Been."

"Mesa honored." He bowed. "Yousa job so bombad dangerous. So why yousa servin' 
da queen?"

"She's a great leader," I said. "I admire her very much.  And I wanted to help 
the Naboo. That's why I left the Academy to serve her."

He looked puzzled, so I quickly added, "I study at the Thera Academy of 
Musical Arts. That is, I used to study there. Music is an important part of 
Naboo culture."

"Ah." He seemed to approve. "Gungans also liken music. Wesa gotta grand brand. 
Augie's Grand Municipal Band.  Theysa can play and march." He spoke their name 
with pride.

I felt a little embarrassed. We knew so little about the Gungans. "I'm sorry," 
I said with regret, "I've never heard of them. But it would be nice to hear 
them play someday."

Rep Been looked at me intently. He was about to say more when Captain Panaka 
called for me. He was still in conference with Queen Amidala, Boss Nass, and 
the Jedi. Only now, a few officers and my sister handmaidens had joined them. 

"I'm sorry," I said, "but I need to go."

Rep Been nodded. He gave my shoulder a little pat. "Yousa taken care, Sabey. 

usa no gettin' crunched, okee-dey?" 

His concern warmed my heart. I wondered why I had ever considered the Gungans 
to be barbarians? I told him I hoped to see him again soon. He returned a sad 
smile.

I walked over to join Captain Panaka and the others in conference around the 
speeder.

"We will divide into two groups. Red and blue," the Captain explained. "Blue 
will divert the droids' attention from the hanger. Red will use this 
opportunity to get inside the hanger. Its task is to provide cover fire for 
our pilots, so they can launch their fighters."

"Just so," approved Amidala. "I will command Red Group. Captain, you take 
Blue." 

"Agreed, Your Highness," Captain Panaka said. Then he turned to me. "Sabé, you 
will go with Red Group as Decoy Queen. It will be dangerous for you. You must 
draw the droids' fire away from Her Highness." 

"No," I said. Everyone looked at me in surprise. "Captain, let's make this a 
*real* diversion. I will go with Blue Group. Once the droids see me, they will 
believe that I am Queen Amidala and attempt to capture me. That will keep 
their attention off the hanger even longer." 

Amidala looked troubled. 

"Don't worry, Your Highness," I told her. "I am not afraid." 

"Then Rabé and Eirtaé must go with you as your handmaidens," Amidala replied 
straight away. "They can protect you while they maintain your appearance as 
Queen."

"No!" I protested. "Your Highness, that will leave you unguarded!"

"Obi-Wan and I will be her protection," Qui-Gon interjected. "We will go 
before her and shield her from any fire."

I looked at both Jedi for a moment. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan returned my gaze with 
a steady calmness. I knew by now that I could trust them. And yet…

"With all due respect to the Jedi," I told Amidala, "it is a handmaiden's duty 
to stay with her Queen." I could see Amidala about to argue with me. "At least 
take Eirtaé," I coaxed. Eirtaé was an excellent shot. "The Jedi can shield 
your front, but Eirtaé will cover your back. Rabé can come with me."

"Then it's settled," Amidala decided. She paused, and then looked me straight 
in the eye. "Sabé, should anything happen to me or Captain Panaka, I'm 
counting on you as my Principal Handmaiden to stop the Viceroy. You must not 
fail."

I felt a solemn surge of pride. "I won't let you down, Your Highness," I 
promised.

"Your Honor," Amidala said to Boss Nass. "You must assemble the Gungan army 
now." She smiled grimly. "It is time to teach the Federation a lesson they 
won't soon forget."



TWENTY-THREE

Blue Group was in position. We were on the far side of Theed Hanger Plaza, all 
et to destroy the tanks that guarded the entrance to the main hanger. That 
was sure to get the battle droids' attention. Across the plaza I spied the 
Queen flashing her signaling unit. Red Group was ready to go. This was it! My 
whole body tensed and I gripped my gun tightly. Captain Panaka motioned for 
the security guards in the Gian speeder to open fire. The closest tank in 
front of the hanger exploded. Four battle droids were knocked clear off their 
feet. 

We had their attention all right. "There they are! Open fire!" I heard a droid 
say. Then its voice was swallowed by the loud sounds of battle. The entire 
egiment of droids ran our way, firing as they went. We returned fire. More of 
the droids went down. 

Then I saw Amidala and the Jedi making a break for it, running for the large 
hanger entrance, Anakin in pursuit. Eirtaé, Ric Olié, and the pilots of Bravo 
squadron were right behind them. I couldn't let them be spotted! I left my 
post and ran out into the open, quickly crouching down and firing away. Rabé 
dropped and rolled beside me.

"It's Queen Amidala," I heard the nearest droid say. "She must be captured!" 
another one commanded. Just like that, it seemed that every battle droid was 
headed my way.

"Protect the Queen!" Captain Panaka yelled. Several soldiers ran up beside me 
and Rabé. 

The battle droids were everywhere – too many of them. They were coming at us 
too fast. A guard cried out in pain as he was hit. Then the Gian speeder fired 
its cannon again. Another tank was hit. More droids went down. Again the 
speeder fired. Throughout the confusion I kept myself in plain sight. I wanted 
the battle droids after me not Amidala. Rabé stayed faithfully by my side, 
together we shot fast and hard. 

I wanted to cheer! We were making progress. There were fewer and fewer droids 
left. Within minutes all the tanks were smoking and fallen droids littered the 
plaza. 

"Blue Group, advance!" Panaka ordered. We shot the remaining droids as we ran 
across the plaza. My feet pounded hard on the paved stone. There was a strange 
second of quiet before we entered the hanger. All the battle droids had been 
destroyed.

But inside the fighting was worse than ever. It raged everywhere. Red Group 
valiantly attacked the droids in the hanger, providing protective fire for 
Bravo Squadron. Pilots hopped into their ships right and left. I fired at a 
droid who was advancing on a nearby pilot preparing for launch. We had to get 
those pilots safely underway. They had to destroy the Droid Control Ship in 
orbit. The lives of over two thousand Gungan warriors were counting on it. 

Not to mention our own. 

Laser and plasma fire sizzled through the air as minor explosions took place 
all around us. Engines roared to life as yellow fighters took off. Rabé and I 
had taken cover behind some crates near the entrance.  I searched rapidly for 
Amidala and found her way ahead of us, behind the Jedi, with Eirtaé at her 
side. More battle droids were closing in on them. She needed help.

"Stay with the Queen," I ordered Rabé, pointing to Amidala. "I'll draw the 
droids away."

Rabé looked stricken. "You'll be alone—

"No, I won't," I interrupted. "Now go!" Rabé took off. I looked around me. The 
nearest man wore the blue and brown uniform of a security officer. It was 
Teejo, one of Captain Panaka's best officers. I called over to him. "Officer 
Teejo, you're with me!" 

"Ready when you are!" he shouted back. 

"Now!" I yelled. I ran further into the hanger. Enemy laser fire blazed all 
around me sometimes singeing the sides of my skirt, making me grateful for its 
blast-damping fabric. Suddenly, I skidded on the slick marble floor, crashing 
into a large crate. I felt a sharp pain in my elbow. Officer Teejo was 
promptly at my side. "*Your Highness!*" he cried loudly, knowing perfectly 
well who I really was. "Your Highness! Are you all right?" He pulled me up 
with swift yank. 

Obviously, that was not how I had planned things but it did the trick. Several 
battle droids stopped their advance on Amidala when they heard him. They 
turned around and began firing at me. Ignoring my sore elbow I shot back, 
hitting one. Officer Teejo shot another. A security guard ran past me, then 
yelled in agony as he was struck. Even as he fell, I took aim and blasted the 
droid who had hit him. Then I ran forward again, firing as I went. Another 
droid went down.

I saw Rabé duck with other soldiers as the last fighter flew over them and out 
the hanger. Now it was up to Bravo squadron to destroy the droid control ship. 

// I hope they succeed. //

Then I stopped running. In fact, everyone had come to a standstill. The eerie 
calm I had experienced just outside the hanger had now settled inside. There 
were no more droids left to destroy. I looked in dismay at the still forms of 
fallen Naboo soldiers – too many of them. But we could not yet afford to 
mourn.

Queen Amidala looked at the Captain. "My guess is the Viceroy is in the Throne 
Room." 

Captain Panaka agreed. "Red Group! Blue Group!" he called. "Everybody, this 
way!"

We strode rapidly toward the outer doors. Out of nowhere I heard Anakin cry, 
"Hey, wait for me!"

I spotted him in the cockpit of a fighter. He had taken cover in it during the 
fighting. But a battle is no place for a boy, we didn't even slow down. 
Qui-Gon called back to him, "Anakin, stay where you are. You'll be safe 
there."

Anakin sure didn't like the sound of that. "But I—"

Qui-Gon was firm. "Stay in that cockpit."

We had almost reached the outer doors, but something was wrong. They had 
already begun to slide open on their own. I felt a chill go up my spine as I 
discovered the reason why. Standing outside was a man dressed all in black. 
His face was tattooed in a scary pattern of red and black and his yellow eyes 
burned like live embers. I knew who he was at once. This was the mysterious 
assassin who had attacked Qui-Gon on Tatooine. This was the assassin who was 
after the Queen. We halted, unsure how to proceed. 

But Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were already stepping forward. "We'll handle this," 
Qui-Gon said.

Amidala promptly turned left. "We'll take the long way," she announced.

I saw the Jedi power up their lightsabers, as we followed the Queen to the 
side doors. I didn't have time to worry about their fate because seconds later 
I was too busy worrying about our own. Without warning three droidekas had 
rolled into the hanger and opened fire on us. Everyone dodged for cover behind 
pillars and crates. I brought my blaster up and fired furiously but to no 
avail. Droidekas are supreme killing machines. Unlike regular battle droids, 
they have deflector shields that can repel minor fire. They wrecked havoc on 
our forces. I saw two security guards go down in a mighty explosion and was 
rightened that Queen Amidala might be next. She was right up front.

"This is no good!" I said to Officer Teejo. We had taken cover behind the same 
far pillar. "I'll have to run and distract them." 

Maybe if I ran across the hanger the droidekas would focus on me believing 
that I was Amidala. It was worth a try...

"Wait!" cried Officer Teejo. He latched onto my sleeve. "Look, there! One of 
our fighters is starting up."

"It's Anakin," I said in disbelief. The boy was piloting the fighter toward 
the droidekas. At first I thought he planned to run them over. Then he fired 
the ship's laser cannons. All that was left of the droidekas was scattered 
bits and pieces.

Let's go!" I heard the Queen shout ahead. She led the way running for the 
side doors. 

As I followed I shot a parting glance at the Jedi. They were fighting hard for 
their lives against the evil assassin, who wielded a red lightsaber with 
dangerous double-blades. 

// May the Force be with you, // I silently wished. 

Then I ran through the open door bringing up the rear of the group. 

It was time to get the Viceroy. 



TWENTY-FOUR

Like fleeing fugitives we kept to the back alleyways and side streets. 
Fortunately, the Gungan army had played its part well. Apart from the hanger 
Theed was almost empty of droids. We had a few quick skirmishes, nothing more. 

But that all changed once we reached the Palace. Patrols were everywhere, 
alerted to our presence. Finally, we had to creep into an old watchtower built 
more for show than for actual use. We traveled along its connecting tunnel to 
slip into the Palace. Once inside Amidala threw caution to the wind. She led 
us in a rapid sprint to the Throne Room and as we tore through the Palace 
ceremonial halls, I felt my excitement mount. We were getting ever closer to 
our goal! I could see the main stairway ahead of us. 

Then red laser fire streaked through the air. The droid sentries at the far 
end of the hall had noticed our approach. We hastily dove for cover behind 
large pillars lining both sides of the hallway. At first there were only four 
battle droids. Then four more appeared, and four more after them. I lost 
count. It was absolute chaos. Laser and plasma shots streamed up and down the 
corridor in a steady barrage of fire. 

I had to duck often to keep from getting hit. Once Officer Teejo pulled me 
back just in time to avoid a near miss but the security guard behind me wasn't 
so lucky. I was getting frustrated and fast. Fighting these droids was taking 
too long! I winced as an officer went down in front of me. It seemed every 
time we shot a droid, two more took its place. 

I was too far back from the Queen to hear what she said but saw her gesture 
angrily to Captain Panaka. I knew she was every bit as frustrated as I was. 
Suddenly the Captain raised his weapon and took aim at a large bay window 
across the hall. 

*Bam, bam, bam!* 

The window was in pieces, leaving a large opening. He and Amidala dashed 
across with Red Group. They were out on the sill in a flash. Eirtaé tried to 
get across, but the fire was now too thick. I saw them use their ascension 
guns. Cables flew upwards, then pulled them up as well taking them on a direct 
short cut to the Throne Room still several floors above. 

With Amidala and the Captain gone, that put me in charge. My face was grim. I 
was determined to break through. I wanted to rejoin Red Group as fast as 
possible, knowing the Queen would need our extra help. I fired and scored a 
hit while Officer Teejo scored two more. The battle droids were beginning to 
fall back. I had to seize this opportunity.

"Advance!" I ordered. Pillar by pillar, we fought our way forward, taking out 
as many droids as possible. Soon there was less than a handful. We were nearly 
at the stairs when my comlink beeped. It was Queen Amidala and her message was 
brief and I felt myself pale. 

"We need to get to the Throne Room… *Now!*" I shouted. "Red Group has been 
captured and they need a diversion!" 

I pointed to two security guards. "You two, cover us! Blue Group, let's go!"

The two guards provided covering fire for us, aiming at the few remaining 
battle droids. I charged up the stairs first, heedless of any danger; all I 
could think of was getting to the Queen. 

Rabé and Eirtaé were right behind me. We raced up three stories, passing pairs 
of droid sentries on each level. Caught by surprise, the droids were slow to 
fire. We let the others behind us handle them. Luckily, everyone had caught up 
by the time we reached the final floor. 

At last, I could spy the Throne Room! It was down a long corridor. Things 
didn't look good. Even as I ran forward, I watched Nute Gunray confront the 
Padme, taunting her as though he had figured out that she was the real Queen.

That made me angry. "*Viceroy!*" I cried, drawing his attention. "Your 
occupation here has ended!" 

I raised my blaster and let loose two quick rounds. Down went the nearest 
battle droids. Then I was off and running down another corridor, just like 
Amidala's message had instructed. Rabé and Eirtaé were fast at my side and our 
guards came pounding after us.

"After her!" I heard Nute Gunray rage. "This one's a decoy!" He meant Amidala, 
of course. I felt a flash of triumph. I'd fooled the Viceroy! A dozen battle 
droids poured out of the Throne Room in rapid pursuit. We led them on a swift 
chase, dodging their fire. The Throne Room would be practically empty now, so 
all Amidala had to do was access the blasters hidden in the throne itself.

// That, and negotiate a new treaty... //

The battle droids showed no sign of stopping. That meant Bravo Squadron was 
having problems knocking out the droid control ship. I *had* to buy Amidala 
more time. 	

We reached a branch in the hallway. "Split up!" I commanded. 

Eirtaé sped right, taking half of the guards with her. I went left with Rabé 
and the rest of our men. It worked! The number of our pursuers was now halved. 

I looked back. It was time we turned the tables on our attackers. I was about 
to order us to halt and to return fire when Officer Teejo cried: "Droidekas! 
Dead ahead!" 

Three droidekas wheeled into view and assumed their attack stance. Great.
Hadn't we just been through this already? Where was Anakin when we needed him?

"Drop!" I shouted. 

We slammed down hard onto the floor. Not a moment too soon as the droidekas 
opened fire. Laser bolts whizzed over us and hit the battle droids behind us. 

But this was no time to cheer. "Take cover!" I ordered. 

Rolling to the side, I found refuge behind a large pillar, firing rapidly at 
the droidekas as I did so. Again, our weapons couldn't penetrate their 
shields. However, *their* weapons were extremely effective. Besides dodging 
laser fire, we also had to protect our heads. Their shots exploded against the 
marble pillars in showers of sparks. We were sprayed with shattered stone. 

Rabé cried out and stumbled backward. There was a large, bloody gash on the 
side of her forehead. I fought to keep down a rising sense of panic. 

*How much longer could we hold these droidekas off?* 

// As long as it takes, // I told myself grimly.

I pulled my trigger again… and nothing happened. Nothing. 

The last charge of my blaster had been spent. I felt my stomach drop. It was 
the end of the world. I threw my useless blaster at the nearest droideka and 
to my surprise it hit its head.

Their shields had been deactivated! Abruptly, the droidekas ceased firing. 
Bravo Squadron had done its job! Hope surged anew. 

"Finish them!" I called out. 

A few swift shots and they lay in pieces.

We all cheered like crazy. The soldiers let out loud whoops of joy. Officer 
Teejo threw his hat sky high. Rabé and I hugged each other hard. "We did it! 
We did it!" she screamed over and over again, jumping up and down. "WE DID 
IT!"

The Battle of Naboo was done. Victory had never tasted so sweet.



TWENTY-FIVE

With every war, there is always a price to be paid. For us, it was the lives 
of three hundred Gungan warriors, nearly two dozen Naboo soldiers, and half of 
Bravo Squadron. 

And Qui-Gon. 

The brave Jedi Master had been killed in combat with a Sith. From ancient 
past, the Jedi's most fearsome enemy had indeed arisen. A chilling thought.

We were lucky that Obi-Wan managed to defeat this Sith Lord. He had been in 
great peril. They fought in the power generator plant and Obi-Wan had been 
pushed over the edge of its deep core, but had managed to hang on. Using the 
Force he calmed himself, leapt up, then sliced Sith Lord in two with Qui-Gon's 
lightsaber.

Of course, I did not learn all of this right away. After our triumph in the 
hallway, Rabé and I sped back to the Throne Room with Officer Teejo and the 
others, meeting Eirtaé and her soldiers along the way. The doors remained 
locked until I contacted Queen Amidala on my comlink and she allowed us 
entrance. I'll never forget what I saw. Amidala was holding a newly signed 
treaty high in her hand like a trophy. Rabé squealed, ran over and hugged her 
tightly.

Nute Gunray and the other Nemoidians stood together in a tightly packed 
circle, surrounded by our security guards. He actually did a double take when 
he saw me. I gave him a wide smile and strolled over toward him. Using my best 
Queen Amidala voice I addressed him, "I warned you that you did not belong 
here, Viceroy. A pity you would not listen."

The Viceroy gave me a dark look but dared not reply with all the guards 
around. He realized who I was now – the decoy who had deceived him. The 
corners of his mouth curled down in a sour expression. 

"Rabé, your forehead!" Amidala exclaimed. I saw that Rabé's wound had not 
stopped bleeding and blood was now streaming down the side of her face.

"Oh, Rabé," cried a distressed Eirtaé. "Can you make it to the med center with 
me?"

"What's wrong with my forehead?" asked Rabé. I guessed she was feeling too 
high from our hard fought victory to feel the pain of her injury. "I'm fine." 
Or at least she was until she reached up and touched it. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, 
ouch!" she cried as Eirtaé dragged her out of the Throne Room.

Meanwhile Amidala was swiftly issuing orders. "Captain, escort our 'guests' to 
the detention area. I want Ric Olié report to here as soon as he lands. I also 
want communication established with General Tarpels to learn the status of the 
Gungan army. And I want Boss Nass contacted. We'll need all the Gungans he can 
spare to help us demolish the prison camps and liberate our people by the end 
of today. There aren't enough of us to accomplish that job alone." She looked 
at me. "Sabé, I want you to lead a contingent of soldiers – what few we can 
spare – to track down the Jedi and that assassin. Be careful, do not 
underestimate the situation."

I nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. Officer Teejo?"

"I'm already there," he replied. Then he pointed at some half-dozen men. 
"You're with us. Lady Sabé, lead the way."

Before I knew it, I heading briskly for the nearest exit. We took a 
landspeeder built for speed to the Main Hanger and did excellent time. But 
what I saw there made me shudder and sicken. All of us who had been outside in 
the square had made it in safely despite the barrage of laser shots from the 
small battalion of battle droids. But inside was another story. Before our 
friendly neighborhood assassin had made his dramatic entrance, I had briefly 
glanced at the fallen, but hadn't the time to properly assess them. 

Debris from the recent battle we had fought still littered the floor 
everywhere and smashed droid parts were all over. But the worst sight was the 
watching as the remainder of Bravo Squadron pulled the dead into one long 
line. The pilots had removed their yellow trench coats to place them 
respectfully over the bodies. Unfortunately there weren't as many pilots as 
there were fallen soldiers and officers. 

I walked over and knelt by the nearest one soldier. He wasn't a Palace guard, 
but a regular security guard so I didn't know his name. His dark skin was 
still sweaty and his eyes bulged wide open in shock. The left half of his head 
had been blown away.

"Gods...," murmured one of the Palace guards behind me.

I placed my hand over my heart. "May the Gods protect his life force," I said, 
reciting the traditional Naboo prayer for the newly dead. "May his journey be 
swift. May he be led with joy and honor unto the place of everlasting light. 
May the Gods keep his life force until we meet again." 

I no longer worried about the tears that ran down my cheeks – I come to learn 
from my experience posing as Queen that Eirtaé was right about the make-up 
being like glue. It didn't smudge at all. 

"Does anyone know who he was?" I asked in a hoarse voice. I stood up and 
realized that I had attracted the attention of several pilots. "No, Your High—Lady Sabé. We haven't yet I.D.ed everyone." A yellow coat was placed over 
the unfortunate but valiant soldier. I was thankful for that small blessing. 

I looked around me. "Is Ric Olié here?"

"No, you just missed him. He left with the boy a few minutes ago. It's 
amazing, Lady Sabé, the boy actually—" 

"What of the Jedi?" I interrupted. "Has anyone seen them?" 

"We have their cloaks but that is all."

"Give them here," I said, taking one as Officer Teejo took the other. Mine was 
too large to be Obi-Wan's, which meant it was Qui-Gon's. A rush of worry 
overcame me. I wanted to run, to start tracking them immediately.

Now I saw the wisdom in Amidala's having appointed me for the task. She must 
have realized that I had consistently brought up the rear of our two groups. 
And although she might not have known it, figured that I had been the last one 
to see where the Jedi had headed fighting with the possible Sith assassin.

I did run then, surprising those around me, causing the Palace guards to run 
after me. I knew exactly where to head, the entrance to Theed's power 
generator. The generator runs day and night to mine and stabilize the 
naturally occurring plasma from within our planet's core. This same plasma is 
our main power source, our most interstellar trade export, and our fuel.

I paused several feet onto the main catwalk, noticing small scorch marks that 
looked like possible evidence of a lightsaber duel. I looked straight ahead of 
me down to the security hallway that lead to the generator core and suddenly 
had a hunch that was where the assassin had been leading Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. 
The generator core is a long pit built for the purpose of disintegrating 
plasma slough, or waste. 

But there was one way to tell for sure and in the past few days I had become 
increasingly better at it. I closed my eyes and briefly let down my mental 
barriers, reaching out with my mind to see beyond what my natural eyes could 
see as I had done on Tatooine; then nearly choked on overwhelming, 
gut-wrenching pain. For a moment I stumbled on the catwalk and might have 
fallen off if not for Teejo's steadying grip – a good thing, because it would 
have been a mighty long fall.

"What is it, Lady Sabé?"

Oh, galaxy, how could I even begin to tell him? That pain had come from 
Obi-Wan. Staggering forward, I gasped, "The core, they're in the core," and 
then with a sudden surge born of desperation, I ran faster than ever. 

// O Gods, // I prayed, // please don't let Obi-Wan be hurt! //

I reached the corridor entrance and ran past the first security laser gate. 
Fortunately it and the other five were deactivated, which meant that there was 
no worry of a potentially lethal power output that sometimes occurs during the 
continuous plasma activation process.

The six laser gates leading to the core were deliberately numbered to reflect 
the ancient Naboo belief that Chaos, or Discord are held back by six 
impenetrable gates. The first gate I sped by represented Family, which is the 
basic foundation of all other gates culminating in the final gate: Harmony. 
This is the central reason that we refuse to let family units to be broken up 
by the Jedi. If it occurred too often, the first gate would no longer be 
impenetrable, leaving only five weakened gates to ward off Discord. 
	
I had just reached the final gate when suddenly the red laser shield locked 
into place just in front of me. All other gates closed as well, responding to 
a power surge from the Main activator. I hoped that Officer Teejo and the 
place guards didn't just get deep fried. I had run so fast that they were 
caught one gate behind me.

I spun around, but they waved at me to show me all was well. I wish I could 
have said the same for the heartbreaking scene that greeted my eyes in front 
of me. I went as close to the last shield as possible and peering to the side, 
saw the source of my prior pain. A humbled and bent Obi-Wan was kneeling over 
his Master, his shoulders slightly shaking, crying his name. Seeing them like 
shocked me and that tore at my heart. At least there was no sign of the 
mysterious attacker... yet.

"No," I mouthed wordlessly, my hands balled into tight fists. Qui-Gon was only 
injured, wasn't he? He wasn't... dead? 

"Obi-Wan!" I called out. "Obi-Wan!" But the young Jedi was too far gone into 
his own despair to respond, or perhaps, to even hear me.

Was it five seconds more or a minute or an eternity that I had to wait before 
the security shields finally opened again? I ran over and letting go of 
Qui-Gon's robe, dropped on my knees beside Obi-Wan. It was at that moment that 
I realized Qui-Gon was indeed dead. A singed hole lay just under his heart, 
intruding upon the whiteness of his Jedi tunics. Yet the Jedi Master's face 
was so serene, so fully at rest, all traces of battle weariness removed.

Battle weariness? That brought me back to my original purpose in finding the 
Jedi, and with some urgency, too. "Uh, Obi-Wan?" Nothing. Darn! I hated to be 
obtrusive during so personal a moment, but the life of my Queen could still be 
at stake.

// Obi-Wan... Please answer me. I need to know— //

// He's dead, Sabé... dead. //

I swallowed, tears that I could not hold back were falling down my face. "I 
know Qui-Gon is dead, Obi-Wan," I said softly, delicately placing my hand on 
his shoulder – unsure if he would appreciate the contact. 

// The Sith is dead, Sabé. I killed him. He fell into the pit. //

"Oh." So the attacker *had* been a Sith.  Qui-Gon had been right all along.
 
It was probably too late, but... "Officer Teejo," I instructed in a tired voice. "Inform the Queen of our situation and quickly take your team to comb
the bottom of the core. If anything remains of him, that's where you'll find
our Sith." It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.

"Lady Sabé?"

"Go! There's nothing anyone can do here now." // Nothing… // I added to myself 
silently, // absolutely nothing. //

Pausing briefly to hand me Obi-Wan's robe, Officer Teejo and the Palace Guards 
hastened past us to the nearest lift opposite the security laser gates. I 
numbly placed the robe on top of Qui-Gon's cloak, grateful that Teejo had not 
paused longer to question me how I knew the whereabouts of the fallen Sith 
Lord. Perhaps he assumed that Obi-Wan had told me in a voice pitched so low 
that only I could hear. Now, I simply waited. 

His final tears having fallen, Obi-Wan became motionless, then looked at me 
for the first time. The purity of his grief and pain was mirrored in his gaze. 
It shot through my heart with a physical force, and I cried out in pain.

Obi-Wan grabbed me first with his free arm that had held his Master and pulled 
me to him. "I'm sorry, Sabé," he said. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's all right," I managed past the lump in my throat. "It's okay." Still 
beside him, I wrapped my arms around him, holding him, and at the same time 
terribly self-conscious of my large headdress, which only allowed me to hold 
him so far. I would have ripped it off, except for the fact that it was 
intertwined with my own hair. Stupid headdress.

Leaving myself open to his pain, I gently kissed his temple, expecting another 
surge of mourning to overcome me. But to my surprise there was nothing there. 
No feelings, no emotion whatsoever.

"Obi-Wan," I murmured in quiet alarm.

"I didn't want to hurt you again, so I've walled off my mind to you."

"It's all right. It's—"

"No," he said flatly. Saying this, he attempted to disengage his arm from me 
to hold his Master again, so I drew back. Then I remembered the robes, and 
thought back to the main hanger and what I had seen the pilots doing. 

Ever so carefully I draped Qui-Gon's robe over him, until just his head was 
left uncovered. If seeing his Master's face gave Obi-Wan some small measure of 
solace, I would not take it away from him. Obi-Wan seemed surprised, but not 
unappreciative of my actions.

For the second time I found myself placing my hand over my heart. "May the 
Gods protect his life force. May his journey be swift. May he be led with joy 
and honor unto the place of everlasting light. May the Gods keep his life 
force until we meet again." I felt better just for having chanted the ritual 
words.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan whispered. "He is one with the Force now. I must accept 
that."

I didn't understand what he meant by that, but said nothing. Obi-Wan slowly 
covered Qui-Gon's face with the rest of his robe and then stood. "Do what you 
will," he said tonelessly. "The Jedi have no special funeral ritual. I just 
ask that whatever is done, it is done with respect."

At that my heart ached anew. "Of course, Obi-Wan. Do you really think so 
poorly of the Naboo? If you wish to leave it up to us, he must be cremated 
within two days in Theed's Funeral Temple, then his ashes cast into the Solleu 
River. That way a small part of him – a part of his life force – will always 
be with us, nurturing our world."

Obi-Wan looked at me, then clasped my hand. "I apologize, Sabé. No, I do not 
think poorly of the Naboo. But if it is to be within two days, I must contact 
the Jedi Council immediately." He gave a bitter shake of his head. "I must 
contact them immediately anyway to tell them... of all this."

"And I need to contact the Priestess of the Funeral Temple. She will send her 
novices to collect Qui-Gon's—" Oh, galaxy, I couldn't hold it back then. A dam 
of grief burst inside of me and hot tears streamed down my face as I tried to 
say the word "body." Because until then it had mainly been Obi-Wan's sorrow 
that I had been experiencing, more than my own. But saying the words 
"Qui-Gon's body" suddenly personalized what his death meant to me. He had been 
a good man. He had rescued us from the battle droids.  He had saved our ship 
on Tatooine. He had defended the Queen. And, considerately, he had sent 
Obi-Wan to see me in the Gungan forest.

I couldn't stop crying. Obi-Wan grabbed me in a sudden, tight hug, holding me 
while waves of sobs flooded over me. Now he was the one comforting me. All I 
wanted to do was to lose myself in his arms forever.



TWENTY-SIX

The rest of that day, as well as the next, was spent liberating and 
demolishing the prison camps as well as administering aid. I wondered what our 
people thought when they saw that their rescuers were Gungans. 

Poor Governor Bibble had nearly been executed by the Trade Federation! He had 
been brave, refusing to bow down to the Viceroy. Governor Bibble wanted to 
assist the Queen but she ordered him home to his villa. The first thing he did 
was to eat a bowl of his favorite soup.

In a surprising turn of events, I learned it had been Anakin who had destroyed 
the droid control ship! A nine-year-old boy had saved the day and won the 
battle. I was glad then that we hadn't left him back on Tatooine.  

Meanwhile, we had a joyful reunion with Yané and Saché. It felt wonderful to 
have them with us again. I think they felt the same way because after some 
rest and plenty of nutro-fluids, they trailed the Queen closer than ever.

On a horrible note, it turned out that Governor Bibble's message, although fa
se, had not been so far from the truth after all. A couple hundred Naboo 
had starved to death in the camps. I was sick to learn that many had been from 
Thera. Thera's Funeral Temple was open around the clock to accommodate these 
numerous deaths. The Tabal, Thera's own special river, ran gray with ash.

So I remained on edge until my father was able to contact me. He was happy to 
see me alive and proud to learn that I had fought in Battle of Naboo. However, 
I had not reveal my role as Decoy Queen to him. It's true the Gungans knew, 
along with the remaining pilots and soldiers who had been present at the 
historic meeting with Boss Nass, but Captain Panaka and Amidala were reluctant 
to reveal to the general population that she had an important last line of 
defense: her Decoy Queen. Therefore, those who had discovered the truth were 
forbidden to mention it.  And Boss Nass, may those Gungan Gods bless him, had
issued a similar command to all those Gungans who had overheard us.  

Of course, Queen Amidala was not daft. We knew that some news would likely 
come out, a slip of the tongue here, a careless word there… Yet as long as the 
majority of the Naboo remained ignorant of this ploy, it could continue to be 
practiced in the years to come.

I was disappointed that my father was unable to speak very long. He and Leesol 
were busy organizing relief aid in Thera. My little sisters were sick and 
weak, but thank the Gods they were still alive and would get better. My mother 
was tending them. Thus, my family was safe again, and for the first time since 
before the blockade had cut off Naboo, I felt safe, too – I grieved for all 
that had happened, but I felt a warm security inside me. 

I just wished there was something I could do for Obi-Wan. He had spent the 
whole time holed up in the quarters we had provided for him, meditating. His 
only appearance had been to contact the Jedi Council regarding Qui-Gon's death 
and recent events.

At dusk, on the day of the battle, we had received the communication from the 
Jedi Council, which we had had to relay to Kenobi's quarters. Members would be 
setting out immediately so they could arrive in time the day after next for 
Qui-Gon's funeral. Afterwards, they would return to Coruscant with Viceroy 
Nute Gunray and his accomplices, taking them directly to the Senate where they 
would stand trial. 

Also arriving with the Jedi would be the newly elected Supreme Chancellor of 
the Republic – Senator Palpatine! I could not believe Naboo's good fortune. Of 
course, he had been Senator over a sector of space that encompassed more 
planets than simply Naboo and with still feel a responsibility to them; but 
having a Supreme Chancellor who was also a native citizen of our world 
couldn't hurt.

The next day my sister handmaidens had been excused from our regular duties 
and were in a tizzy, trying to get the victory celebrations and parade 
together that would occur the day after the funeral. Normally that would have 
been the job of the Royal Advisory Committee, but they had all been placed 
under the same strict bed rest orders that Sio Bibble had received – except 
for Hela Brandes the Music Advisor, who being a rather stout woman, had 
survived the camps with much less hardship that the other three advisors.

It was when we were discussing arrangements for various marching bands from 
Thera to come play, that dissention first occurred.  For a city in mourning, I 
knew that the people of Thera would find a victory parade anything but 
celebratory. However, Hela Brandes kept insisting that only the best and 
biggest should play, and that meant a band from Thera, since few cities on 
Naboo had one. Knowing how I felt, my sister handmaidens sided with me and the 
argument mounted. It was then I suddenly remembered speaking with Rep Been. 
So, we handmaidens took a quick vote and Augie's Grand Municipal Band it would 
be! The only hard part was convincing Hela Brandes to accept a Gungan marching 
band. But when Yané pointed out that Gungans had liberated the camp where her 
son had been dying, her tuned changed sure enough.

Rep Been looked positively tickled pink when I contacted him, and for a 
moment, I thought he would start hopping around like Jar Jar. Fortunately, he 
was much too dignified for such shenanigans. I was glad things worked out this 
way. No victory celebration would be complete without the Gungans, our former 
enemies and truest allies.

Speaking with him had been my last great accomplishment of the day. My sister 
handmaidens and I were exhausted, and on top of everything, I was spent with 
additional worry. Obi-Wan had yet to emerge from his chambers. I wondered if 
he would stay pent up in there until the Council members arrived. I also 
wondered if we should try to break his silence to at least offer him something 
to eat. But my sister handmaidens and I held another vote, and this time 
Rabé's policy of "let meditating Jedi meditate" won. 

To tell the truth, I was kind of glad. I was still worn out both physically 
and emotionally from the battle as well as the events during the day after. 
Two seconds after my head hit the pillow, I was asleep.

For someone who was supposedly very sleepy, I was up before dawn, unable to 
sleep any longer. I supposed my body was all out of kilter with all the 
different planet time zones we had encountered over the past few days. After 
ten minutes worth of tossing and turning, I gave up trying to get back to 
sleep and just got up. 

I clothed myself in a simple, nondescript green dress, not even bothering with 
its corresponding hooded robe.  It was early, who would see me?  I tip-toed 
into Amidala's room to discover her still sound asleep. I raised my eyebrow. 
She was not alone. Her arms were wrapped around Anakin, who upon close 
inspection, looked like he had been crying before sleep over took him. The bed 
was still made, so I guessed that he had come to her late last night because 
he was homesick. The two had fallen asleep, with her trying to comfort him.

// Poor thing, even though he's a world hero to the Naboo, all he really wants 
is the safety of his mother. //

I could understand that, having experienced that feeling myself. Amidala had 
told me privately back en route to Coruscant that after she had viewed the 
supposed message from Sio Bibble, she had come across Anakin, who was unable 
to sleep. She had covered him with a cloak, exchanged gentle words with him, 
sitting up with him until he had finally fallen asleep.

I left the room as quietly as I had entered and went outside to the hallway of 
our adjoining quarters. If I kept walking down that rounding corridor, I would 
reach the doors to the chambers of my sister handmaidens, one by one. The 
light over each door was out, signaling that none of them were awake yet, or 
if they were, they were unable to receive visitors. Mine was the only one on.

Since the sun had yet to rise, the Palace was still dark. I meandered my way 
out of the royal turret, passing the turret which housed the dormitories, 
offices, and exercise rooms of the Palace guards. Their living area had been 
deliberately placed in a turret adjacent to the Royal tower in case of 
trouble. Hopefully, all our troubles were now over.

But they were not over for one. I paused for a moment, then deliberately set 
off toward the guest chambers that had been supplied for Obi-Wan Kenobi. I 
stood outside his door biting my bottom lip, feeling foolish. He was probably 
still asleep like everyone else.

I stifled a cry of alarm as his door suddenly slide open before me, blocked by 
Obi-Wan. He looked terrible – as though he had been up all night, complete 
with dark circles under his eyes. "I thought it was you," he said dully. "I'm 
sorry, Sabé, I'm not in the mood to receive visitors."

I was about to agree when I found that I could not. "Obi-Wan, please don't do 
this to yourself. Is this what Qui-Gon would have wanted? For you to lock 
yourself away and brood?"

"Thanks to that Sith, I'll never know what Qui-Gon would want again," he said 
roughly. "Go, Sabé. I don't mean to be rude, but please go."

My shoulders slumped. "All right. But if you need—"

The door slid shut, causing me to jump back in surprise. I was terribly hurt. 
I had only wanted to help him. He'd seemed to welcome my presence earlier when 
I had first found him with Qui-Gon in the core. Besides which, I now 
recognized that I had developed strong feelings for Obi-Wan, feelings which I 
had tried to squelch, feelings that he had coaxed out of me in the Gungan 
forest, feelings that I did not want to grow cold again. But maybe this was 
the way things had to be. After all, he was only a Jedi.

The door slid open again to my unexpected surprise, nearly stopping my heart. 
"And just when will you stop thinking of me as a Jedi and start thinking of me 
as a person?" Obi-Wan asked, clearly irked.

I gulped. How could he have known what I'd been thinking? Quick check: yes, my 
mental shields were raised.

Obi-Wan surprised me again by then giving the slightest of smiles as he 
reached out with a hand to lightly gaze my cheek with fingers. "It doesn't 
matter anymore, Sabé. I'm too in tune with your Force signature for you to 
hold back on me."

"Oh."

He sighed heavily. "Would you like to come in?"

"Are you sure?"

"Just come in," he replied testily. So I hastened inside the fore chamber. He 
had been given a large suite. 

"What's a Force signature?" I asked, turning to face him

"What?" he asked, brow raised in mild surprise. I guess he had been expecting
me to talk about Qui-Gon. But I surmised that he had been dwelling enough on 
his former master. He needed some distraction, however momentary from his pain
"You said you were too in tune with my 'Force signature?'"

"Yes," he nodded. We walked into the main living area. Off to the side I could 
spy into the bedroom. As I suspected, the bed was still made. He had been up 
all night. There was an open balcony at the end of room, onto which I followed 
Obi-Wan. Far upon the eastern horizon, I could see the inky blackness of night 
turn a deep blue as dawn began to draw near.

"You might call it a 'mental beacon,'" he said. "A ripple in the Force which 
only you project and no one else."

"But my shields!"

"I know. But it's too late for that now. You've let them down enough times in 
my presence to know when you're around and…"

"And what?"

Obi-Wan almost seemed embarrassed as his mouth twisted into the smallest of 
ironic grins. "…and I seem to have an unusually strong connection with you. 
Like the bond between a Master and Padawan."

"So I'm your new Padawan now, am I?"

Obi-Wan answered sternly, "You should be *someone's* Padawan now, Lady Sabé."

A tiny spark of panic lit up in me. "You promised you wouldn't tell!"

"And I won't. But the Naboo are committing a great crime."

I rolled my eyes in exasperation. "We're doing what we have to do in order to 
protect ourselves and our way of life. Please, let's not go through this all 
over again."

He nodded and placed his hands on the balcony, eyes scanning the horizon. Soon 
the sun would be up and my day would commence. I found myself resenting the 
sun, I would much rather it go down so I could spend some more time with 
Obi-Wan. Then I wondered…

"Obi-Wan? How is it that you have this connection with me if we aren't Master 
and Padawan?"

The slightest flush reddened his cheeks as he turned to face me. "I should 
think it has something to do with the way I've come to feel about you… and the 
way you feel about me."

Now I was the one who flushed. I cleared my throat trying to think of a 
response.

// You don't need to say anything. //

Very slowly, very carefully, Obi-Wan took me in his arms and bent his head 
down toward my upturned face. My heart was on fire, pounding like the 
legendary racing horses sculpted on our oldest Triumph Arch. I closed my eyes 
to receive his tender kiss. His lips, so soft, so sweet against mine, 
capturing my mouth ever so gently as I melted into his embrace.

In the horizon beyond us, dawn lit the sky with all the promise of a new day.



EPILOGUE
	
The day of Qui-Gon's funeral was an eventful one. I witnessed the departure of 
Nute Gunray. Before he had boarded the Republic ship that would take him and 
his cronies back to Coruscant for trial, he spotted me among my sister 
handmaidens. He had stopped and given me a long, hard stare. Then Captain 
Panaka had given a shove forward. I tried not to smile too broadly.

At the same time Nute Gunray left, I also got to witness the arrival of the 
nearly the entire Jedi Council. I'd never seen so many different Jedi before. 
They had all come out of respect for Qui-Gon. It was both amazing and 
frightening. The Queen had issued a special proclamation that any Theed 
denizen with high midi-chlorian leave the city. The Palace had provided 
transportation to the nearest surrounding cities where they would be housed by 
the ruling Prince of Princess.

We held Master Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral that night in the temple, after the 
Council had conferred upon Obi-Wan the level of Knighthood and allowed Anakin 
to become Obi-Wan's Padawan Learner. Anakin Skywalker will be a great Jedi 
someday. I am sure of it.

In the evening of the funeral, my sister handmaidens and I had prepared 
ourselves by dressing in simple purple robes, over which we put on special, 
velvety black cloaks lined with purple satin; symbols of both mourning and 
funeral attendance. Next we had prepared Queen Amidala in her own funeral 
gown. I never dreamed she would wear it again so soon and once more felt 
guilty for my rash action back on Coruscant.

Eirtaé smoothed the Queen's veil so that it lay gracefully over her hair. 
"Qui-Gon was a good person for a Jedi," she had said in quiet consolation. 

"He was a good friend," Amidala corrected softly. She sighed.

I looked at the time. I knew that Qui-Gon's death had affected the Queen 
deeply. "Would you like a moment alone, Your Highness?" I asked, respectfully. 
Amidala nodded. 

However, as we walked out door, Amidala had called for me to return. Then she 
said, "I should have told you this before, Sabé. Chancellor Palpatine praised 
my boldness today, yet your boldness must also be praised. You were there when 
I needed you most. You risked your life posing as my decoy." Her eyes began to 
moisten.

"And I would do it all again," I replied without hesitation. I removed the 
amulet she had given me and placed it in her hand. "I have kept this safe for 
you, Your Highness."
	
Real tears formed in Amidala's eyes. "Thank you, Sabé. You are my truest 
friend." We embraced.

**********

Now it has been several weeks since the Trade Federation was defeated. Without 
the trade boycott, we enjoy peace and prosperity once more. The streets of 
Theed are alive with people, and full of the happy hum of life. In Thera, the 
Academy of Musical Arts has produced three new symphonies and an opera. 

I should be perfectly content. 

Yet there are still unanswered questions which haunt me at night. Why was a 
Sith Lord after the Queen? What had been his connection to the Trade 
Federation, if there had ever been one at all? And why had the Viceroy chosen 
to blockade *our* planet? 

Sometimes, I sense that something much larger than Naboo's future was at 
stake... and may still be at stake. I think it will be a long time before we 
discover where the truth lies.

But meanwhile, we've gained valuable new friendships. Old walls of prejudice 
have broken down and the Gungans are welcome everywhere in our cities and 
towns. Boss Nass even led the victory parade to Theed Palace while our people 
cheered him on. Queen Amidala was recently the guest of honor at a reception 
held in Otah Gunga. Together, there is much that we can accomplish. 

As for me, the new friendship I've gained has been far more personal. There 
are brief moments when I wonder how different my life would have turned out 
had I been sent to the Jedi Temple. Of course, I wouldn't trade my life on 
Naboo and the happiness it has given me for anything. And I love what I do: 
serving my best friend who just happens to be Queen.
	
Yes, I should be perfectly content.