Amidala's Last Line of Defense

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 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 for 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.

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 the! ir 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 am not quite certain that you understand me," 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 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? What kind of handmaidens would we be if we weren't? How can we keep the Queen safe if we don't know what to expect here? 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 that meant 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. That, or else they assumed that since I was paired with an older man, he must hold all our finances. Under the circumstances, I refrained from pointing out the sexist nature of this sort of reasoning.

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 disa! ster 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 esco