CHAPTER ONE
Night had fallen in Naboo. Senator Padmè Amidala stared bewildered through the cell walls of her cage. Large fishlike creatures swam bye, some illuminating the water with lights, others slithering menacingly through the water. Sighing she turned away from her window. Twas such a shame to be held captive on the very planet you once ruled. Although, she technically wasn't in captivity. She had been placed here without her knowledge and the polite suggest was made, once she had regained enough strength to determine her surroundings, that she remain in the swamps of Naboo, under Gungan protection. Seeing as how she was being held under water in the Gungan's hidden city, she was positive that, had she disobeyed or not agreed with the suggestion of remaining, there would have been little she could do to escape.
She walked slowly to the other side of her large room. The bedchamber, to the left of the room she was currently in, was already being made up for the night. Her gown hung on the door, waiting for her to reach for it, and her maids straightened the room, pulling back the large covers, dimming all lights, and closing all portals that would allow anyone access into her private bedchamber.
Before her a large semi-circled blue couch faced the large hologram platform. She turned away from it toward the washing chambers and the dinning area. Neither comforted her but she made do with what she had.
Life here wasn't as bad as it could have been. She was free leave her quarters whenever she whished. She made a habit of visiting the children's school, with Jar Jar always at her side. It was amazing how much the Gungan had not changed in the course of time she had been with him. But nevertheless, the always lighthearted Gungan seemed to sense her distress when she visited the children.
It was her favorite time of the day. Because for that brief period, she could imagine that, perhaps, her children were somewhere learning about the world and politics and right from wrong.
Leia certainly would be learning by now. She should be almost a grown woman. Living on the world of Alderaan with Bail Organa. She would be a Princess, by birth. And Luke, surely he would be learning the ways of the force under Obi-Wan's watchful eye. It pleased her to think that the man raising her son was the same man who had been like a father to her husband.
Suddenly a wave of pain hit her. "Ani," she whispered. It had been so long ago since they had last seen each other. And it had not been pleasant. He seemed almost possessed by something. Obi-Wan had called it the Dark Side. She could still feel his grasp around her neck just as well as she remembered his caresses. That hadn't been Ani. Ani would never have hurt her like that. Never. She closed her eyes and recalled the first day she had arrived in Otoh Gunga.
She had been in bed. And the first question that had popped into her head she had cried. "Where are my children?"
To her surprise Captain Panaka had stood before her. Her eyes must have widened because he had smiled at her. "I thought you were dead." She had whispered but he shook his head.
"The Jedi Council contacted me, informing me you were coming here. I was to meet you, explain things, and then make sure your living arrangements had been met."
"Explain things?" she repeated and glanced around her for the first time. Where was she?
Instead of answering he handed her a hologram. With a questioning look she slowly sat up, leaned against the headboard, and pressed the button. Obi-Wan's face came clearly into view. He was standing, holding two bundles. Her babies.
"Meet Luke," he gestured to the first, "And Leia." She had named them, of course she remembered her children. Then the screen went blank and he appeared again, baby-less. "You must understand something, Padmè. Anakin has…gone to the Dark Side. You may not recall but he attempted to kill even you. He murdered countless numbers of Jedi and younglings. He is…was a threat." Her heart had almost stopped. Was?
Obi-Wan continued. "Before you gave birth, back on Mustafar. Anakin attacked you. He believed you had betrayed him. You were knocked unconscious for some time. During that time…we fought." Obi-Wan's handsome features fell and his eyes were filled with grief and sorrow.
"He tried, in vain, to kill me. In the effort, he destroyed himself." Padmè's heart fell. Her Ani was dead. Anguish, pain, desperation, all these emotions flooded all of her senses causing her to gasp and sob. After a while, she was able to control these emotions long enough for her to continue the hologram.
"The twins, as you saw, are fine. Bail Organa has taken the girl, and I myself will take the boy. I'm truly sorry it had to be this way. But there must not be any chance that Darth Vader will find the twins, or even know of their existence. I am truly sorry Padmè. I assure you both children will know of you, and your late husband. No one shall ever know or acknowledge Anakin's dark side. That will not be a memory the children will bear."
And with that the transmission had ended.
Many times Padmè had tried to contact Bail Organa. But this was also to no avail. So in utter helplessness she had agreed to remain hidden. Hidden from this Darth Vader creature. But tomorrow, tomorrow would be her day. The many years between the birth of her children and now were beginning to wear on her. She appeared much older, but still just as beautiful as ever before. She had also remained obedient; never giving the Gungan's any trouble.
She prayed that because of her corporation, perhaps they would trust her to have a quick tour of Naboo, just to have long lost memories revived. Just so she could make her escape.
Darth Vader stood silently aboard the Galactic Cruiser. He watched as those around him squirmed uncomfortably in his presence. This is how it had always been and should always be. Everyone, save the Emperor himself, feared Vader. He would have it no other way.
He turned at the sound of approaching feat and smiled. It was a shame no one could have seen that ruthless smirk. His black mask aided to allowing him to conceal his emotions. Had anyone seen the smirk, they would have perhaps run away in fright.
Around the corner walked a group of storm troopers. In-between those, hands cuffed with Senator Leia Organa. He moved soundlessly to stand in front of her, but she took no heed. Instead she was glancing down an open hallway, as if looking for someone to rescue her. When she did finally acknowledge him she did so without fear.
"Lord Vader…I should have known. Only you would be so bold-and so stupid. Well, the Imperial Senate will not sit still for this. When they hear that you have attacked a diplomatic miss…"
"Senator Leia Organa," Vader interrupted. "Don't play games with me, Your Highness," he mocked ominously. "You aren't on any mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted system, ignoring numerous warning and completely disregarding orders to turn about-until it no longer mattered." For a moment there was silence and he leaned in closer. The only sound was the hiss of the machine that helped him breath.
"I know that several transmissions were beamed to this vessel by spies within that system. When we traced those transmissions back to the individuals with whom they originated, they had the poor grace to kill themselves before they could be questioned. I want to know what happened to the data they sent you."
No matter how harsh his words have been, or how intimidating he appeared, Leia seemed unchanged. At one point he believed she was going to role her eyes. "I don't know what you're blathering about," she snapped, looking away from him. "I'm a member of the Senate of a diplomatic mission to…"
"To your part of the Rebel Alliance!" Vader interrupted, his tone accusing her of that very crime. Without another word to her he ordered, "Take her away." He watched as she was pulled reluctantly away. A smile touched his lips. The only being in the universe that dared challenge Darth Vader. Those around him seemed almost in shock. Then, a tall, slim soldier bearing the sign of an Imperial Commander approached Vader.
"Holding her is dangerous." He informed Vader, his tone nothing but respect. "If word of this does get out there will be much unrest in the Senate. It will generate sympathy for the rebels." When Vader remained silent the Commander added, "She should be destroyed immediately."
"No. My first duty is to locate that hidden fortress of theirs," Vader replied calmly. "All the rebel spies have been eliminated-by our hand or by their own. Therefore she is now my only key to discovering its location. I intend to make full use of her. If necessary, I will use her up-but I will learn the location of the rebel base."
"She'll die before she gives you any information." The commander replied. Vader turned to look at him this time. His reply was deadly enough to give the man chills.
"Leave that to me."
Padmè nearly leapt for joy when Jar Jar and Captain Panaka had agreed to her proposed idea. She had presented it well enough, although years as a Queen and then a Senator had taught her how to propose things without seeming to have an ulterior motive. She current sat inside something Jar Jar called the Bongo. There had been a long argument between Jar Jar and Captain Panaka about rather or not to take a route called The Core. Jar Jar won. They didn't take the Core.
Padmè wondered now if perhaps they should have gone the other way. She almost believed it would have been faster. But then again, maybe that was because of her nerves. She was already working things out when Jar Jar lifted the craft out of the water and into Naboo.
Her eyes widened as her home appeared, just as it always had been. It was beautiful, perhaps more beautiful than the last time she had seen it. But that was too be expected. She mustn't think on beauty at the moment. All the mattered was finding a ship and finding Bail Organa.
First, she would have to relieve herself of her bodyguards. Though these thoughts raced through her mind her outer façade revealed nothing of her thoughts. There was a slight smile on her lips that those escorting her might have believed was for Naboo. But it wasn't. It was for her children. She would finally see her children.
Jar Jar helped her out of the Bongo and onto solid land. All of her instincts told her to run. But there was no place for her to run to. Not yet at least. She turned toward Captain Panaka and pleaded, "Could we not spend a day in the market. It is such a lovely day." Yes the market! There were plenty of places for her to run. Then, once she escaped she would head toward the hangers and see if she could find someone she recognized.
Captain Panaka agreed and her plan was set into motion.
Vader entered the holding cell with a sick smirk on his face. Inside, cowering in a corner, sat Leia Organa. He turned briefly to the machine hovering behind him. At his gesture, the machine hummed slowly in front of him. A large needle protruded from one side of the machine, and was pointed toward the cowering Senator.
Vader waited as she studied the machine, taking in all the different torture devices attached to it. After a moment he motioned to the machine. "Now, Senator Organa, Princess Organa, we will discuss the location of the principal rebel base." The machine moved slowly toward her.
She had done it! She had escaped the annoying bodyguards. Her eyes stared out into the large space around her. Stars twinkled here and there. But those were of no concern to her. The only thing that matter was contacting Bail Organa.
"Senator, I'm receiving a transmission from a Bail Organa." Padmè barely glanced at the pilot as she leapt from her seat. "I'll take it in my cabin." she replied, rushing to her cabin. She nearly missed the button she was so excited.
Immediately the image of Bail Organa stood before her. Never in all her life had Padmè been so happy to see someone in all her life. Bail smiled softly at her, his features calm and diplomatic.
"Greeting Senator Amidala." He greeted and she returned the greeting. But before he could continue with protocol she interrupted. "Senator Bail. You must understand how eager I am to see my daughter." Bail nodded and frowned.
"I regret to inform you, Senator Amidala, but my…Senator Organa was captured by none other than the Imperial Lord, Darth Vader."
Padmè's heart sank. Her daughter, captured by the very man that killed her husband.
"As you said, Senator, it has been a while. I am sure you have not been updated on recent events so allow me to inform you."
Quickly he told her about the Alliance against the Imperial army. And how Palpatine became the Emperor and destroyed all the Jedi. Then came the shocker. Luke had been sent to live with members of Anakin's family, specifically Owen Lars.
"But Leia." She had interrupted and he shook his head. "The very man that murdered my husband has my child" she had whispered. He looked up sharply and asked, "Surely you know." She glanced up at the screen, curiosity written across her features.
"Obi-Wan was thought to have killed Skywalker. But he didn't. Lord Vader…is Lord Skywalker."
Padmè felt as if she had been slapped. The very person that Obi-Wan had told her was hunting her children was her own husband. But how could that be?
"He believes you died in childbirth. Luke is the only child he knows about." Her eyes widened. Her husband, alive, after all this time. Without anther thought she ended that transmission. There had to be some way of contacting him. Perhaps she should go to Alderaan. Yes, there she would fully understand.