Author's Note: I don't own Star Wars, George Lucas does.
Chapter 3
This was not part of the mission objectives. This was supposed to be an easy mission. Just fly to Naboo and negotiate with Neimoidian's for a release of the blockade of Naboo and return home. However that also did not make sense to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. There were hundreds of planets that would have been hurt more by a blockade by the Trade Federation than Naboo. In fact in his opinion if they had blockaded a core world instead of a mid-rim world like Naboo they would have succeeded in their goals of having the taxation removed. Whatever their real goal was, for he did not believe that it was this straightforward, he knew what the results were. Here he was with his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi traveling with the Queen, her handmaidens, and here security on a small ship toward the small planet Tatooine. Although he himself had never been to the desert planet he was familiar with it. When Obi-Wan recommended it as a possible safe haven for them, Qui-Gon heard the living force say "go to Tatooine." So here was meditating trying to find out why the living force was sending them to Tatooine. Yes is was small and out of the way, where the Trade Federation had no presence so it made logical sense, but the force did not usually act that way, it lead him when he was at a crossroads not when he was about to confirm a decision. Qui-Gon determined that he was at a crossroads that was of greatest importance. If he was more of a believer in the Unifying Force and destiny he would say that he was at the point where his destiny comes to him.
"Master, we are coming out of hyper-space at Tatooine," Obi-Wan told him oblivious to what Qui-Gon was trying to find. Qui-Gon thought that Obi-Wan spent too much time listening to the Jedi Council, yes there were good for advice, but there were not all knowing the way Obi-Wan treated them. Still he was ready to take the trials and become a full Jedi Knight, perhaps it will help him get away from the council, he will have to mention next time he talks to the council. Although they would most likely disagree since he was so young.
"Thank you Obi-Wan, we should head up to the cockpit and aid our pilots in choosing a safe landing zone," Qui-Gon said as he came out of his mediation and stood to head to the cockpit.
As the ship came out of hyper-space two separated individuals stopped what they were doing and froze. Anakin stopped work in the shop as he had this unusual feeling that a great sense of wisdom and peace had come to Tatooine. If he had been trained he would have recognized this as an experienced Jedi Master. However, Qui-Gon Jinn was trained and he mid-step froze and sensed a massive source of power. He had never sensed anything like this in all his life. He quickly tried to recall the last time a Jedi was on Tatooine and found his knowledge of a Jedi presence on Tatooine severely lacking. Qui-Gon know new the reason he was on Tatooine, he knew his primary mission was to protect the Queen and see her safely to Coruscant, but the force was screaming for him to investigate this power source and he always followed the will of the force.
"Is something wrong Master," Obi-Wan concerned as Qui-Gon seemed to have gone into a trance.
"Do you sense the power that is coming from the planet Padawan," Qui-Gon replied.
Obi-Wan bowed his head, closed his eyes and open himself up to the force. "What could be giving a signature reading of the magnitude?" Obi-Wan asked his voice in awe.
"I do not know Padawan, but I would like to find out."
(Little while later, still on ship)
"Do you know what the situation is, Sabé?" Padme asked.
"From what I have gathered Your Highness we are heading to a small planet named Tatooine and our hyper-drive is damaged," Sabé replied.
"What can you tell me about Tatooine?"
"I am afraid that I don't know much about it," Sabé confessed, "other than the fact that it is a desert planet very different from our own."
"I have always wanted to visit other planets Sabé I just always imagined it would not be under these circumstances," Padme said.
"Well why don't you ask the Jedi if you can accompany them," Sabé suggested.
"I highly doubt they would approve of having the Queen of Naboo walking around a strange planet," Padme replied.
"Well you could always go as my handmaiden to see the planet and tell me about it since I am curious about it and they didn't seem to notice that I am not the Queen" Sabé countered pleased at the thought of having outwitted the famous Jedi.
"Captain Panaka would not approve and would not let me hear the end of it if I was to put myself in danger without his permission," Padme said obviously struggling for words.
"At which point you can point out that you would be completely safe under the protection of a Jedi Master and if he agrees to it what can he do, and besides what's the harm in asking," Sabé pointed out.
"I suppose it is worth a try." Padme said the stress of the past few days now catching up with her.
"It is, it would do you good to get out and try to have a day or two of peace, before you go tackle the senate," Sabé offered.
"I'll ask him as he is leaving that way making it harder for him to say no," Padme said ending the discussion.
What neither of them knew was that Qui-Gon was standing outside preparing to tell the queen that he was leaving to go pick up supplies, and had overheard their discussion. His first reaction was to say no that the Queen should not go to Tatooine that it was too dangerous for her, but than for the second time that day the force spoke to him and told him that the Queen should go with him. He did not understand why the force would want the Queen on the planet, but the force had never failed him before and he would stop listening to it now.
(AN) I suspect that Padme could have beaten Sabé in a debate if she really wanted to, but since she wanted to go onto Tatooine she sort of gave up. This also explains why Qui-Gon allowed a fourteen year old girl to travel with him into a place where slavery was common and a fourteen year old girl would be the prime target for a slaver. Anyway next chapter the two parties meet.