Chapter Three – Frustration.
Padmé and Panaka had been gone for almost ten minutes when Obi-Wan Kenobi entered the room. Sabé felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach and she wondered where the feeling had come from. At the same time she remembered that Jedi could sense thoughts and she blushed beneath her heavy make-up. If the young Jedi had sensed anything he didn't show it, for which Sabé was eternally grateful.
As it was, Obi-Wan was so preoccupied by the sudden responsibility that Qui-Gon had placed upon him, he wouldn't have sensed a Sith dancing in front of him.
Sabé pushed the unusual feelings aside and focused on her duty. She had once attended Padmé at a meeting between Naboo and the Hapes cluster. Not even the Hapans, famously the most beautiful race of humans in the galaxy, had distracted her then and she would not allow one ordinary Jedi apprentice to distract her now.
"Your Highness," he began, "as I'm sure you are aware, my Master has travelled into town to find a new hyperdrive."
Sabé tried to curb her surprise. "A new hyperdrive? Was it damaged that badly?"
"I'm afraid so, Your Highness."
"Hmm. Captain Panaka failed to mention that. I have sent my handmaiden along too. She will report back to me about the planet. I have never come across Tatooine, it's not a system that is spoken about much in the Senate. I would like to know more."
"If you'd wish I can bring you the technical information from the data files."
Sabé shook her head carefully, aware that a vigorous shake would probably cause the feathers in her headdress to topple off.
"Thank you, Jedi Kenobi, but a technical readout will not tell me anything about this planet's culture, its people, its atmosphere and moods. Those things are rarely seen on a data pad. They must be experienced. As I cannot, for obvious reasons, experience them myself I must trust my handmaiden's descriptive talents."
Obi-Wan inclined his head slightly. "I understand. I also wish I had the opportunity to travel into town myself. But on the other hand it is a privilege to serve you, Your Highness. If there is anything I can do while we are delayed here please ask."
"Thank you, Jedi Kenobi."
Obi-Wan bowed and left the room, feeling more confused about the Nabooian monarch than when he had gone in. Reports of Queen Amidala had portrayed her as very beautiful but very serious, with as shrewd a political mind as many Senators twice her age. The way she had spoken about the planet did not seem to fit in with either of the latter two remarks. However, reports weren't always right and Obi-Wan had learned long ago that the policy of 'don't believe everything you read' was a truthful one.
He had sensed from the Queen a feeling that could almost be described as interest directed towards him. But she certainly didn't have any reason to be interested in him. It simply wasn't in her regal character. Obi-Wan suspected that he was merely picking up on her gratitude towards him. After all, he and Qui-Gon had just saved her life. Reassured by the peace of mind that only logic could bring, he walked towards the cockpit in search of Captain Panaka.
Back inside the Queen's chamber Sabé continued to blush furiously, grateful for the white face paint and the shield it created.
"You don't think I went a little over the top with that, do you?" she asked the other two.
"Maybe a very little," Eirtaé said truthfully, "but only someone who knows her Highness well would pick up on it. I have heard her speak that way once or twice."
"Lucky for me."
Sabé slumped in the throne. Rabé and Eirtaé stepped forward from their places behind her and perched on the benches surrounding the room.
"Don't slouch, you'll crumple the dress."
"Be quiet, Rabé," she growled.
Rabé winked at Eirtaé. Saché was the comical one of the handmaiden group and often took the job of lifting everyone's spirits, but Rabé also adopted this role once or twice and could often be just as amusing.
"Do you know how long it took to de-crease that?"
"Actually yes," Sabé said dejectedly.
"Oh don't be such a misery," Rabé snapped. "I know the situation is serious but we will not help ourselves or the Queen by becoming swamped in remorse."
Sabé let out a sigh. "I suppose you're right, but I'm afraid that I'm making a horrible mess of being decoy."
"No, no, you're fine," Eirtaé soothed. "And you look so much like her Highness, not even the Council of Governors recognised you."
"First the Trade Federation invades, then I'm forced to wear a feather duster," she gestured to the headdress, "and to top it off I embarrass myself in front of the Jedi. This is turning out to be a really bad week."
She resisted the urge to clasp her hand to her forehead, not wanting to smudge the make-up. She couldn't understand how Padmé could stand to wear it almost every day. It was already starting to make her skin itch and she'd only had it on for a few hours.
The handmaidens paced around the room for a further three and a quarter hours, playing pointless word games to pass the time, before footsteps were heard approaching and there was a mad scramble to get back to their places. Sabé had only just made it back on the throne when Obi-Wan, Captain Panaka and one of his officers entered.
"Your Highness," Panaka began. "We have received a message from Theed."
"Transmit it here," Sabé ordered at once.
Shortly a poor-quality hologram of Governor Bibble materialised in the middle of the room. Obi-Wan, Panaka and the officer moved to sit down on the benches to watch.
The hologram buzzed. "…The death toll is catastrophic…I must bow to their wishes…you must contact me…" Bibble's image flickered and vanished.
Sabé felt as if her heart had been doused in ice water. The words 'death toll' and 'catastrophic' repeated themselves over and over in her head. She couldn't help wondering how Padmé would feel when she saw it. More importantly she wondered what she would do now. She wasn't sure whether they were expected to answer the poor man or not. Sabé turned to Obi-Wan, her eyes asking for guidance.
"It's a trick," he said walking towards the door. "Send no reply. Send no transmissions of any kind."
Then he was gone.
Sabé shifted her attention to Panaka. "Do you agree with the Jedi on that front, Captain?"
"Yes, I think he's right. Transmissions would give away our position."
"I know that, but it's so hard to watch that and not be able to send a reply."
"You must be strong, Sabé," Panaka said, checking that his officer had left the room. "Let us hope that Queen Amidala returns safely from Mos Espa."
"Of course she'll return safely, Captain. What could possibly happen to her if Master Jinn is with her?"
Panaka did not answer, merely shook his head slightly and left.
"He needs to lighten up," Rabé observed.
Sabé rose from the throne and began to pace, her long gown making a gentle swishing sound as she walked. She absent-mindedly tugged a bead off the elaborate skirt and began to rotate it between her finger and thumb.
"I can't believe we're just going to sit here."
"There's nothing we can do," Eirtaé said in her soft voice.
"I think this room is starting to get to me. I'm going for a walk."
Eirtaé and Rabé exchanged a glance.
"A walk where exactly?" Rabé asked.
"Wherever. I don't care as long as it's not here. I won't leave the ship, don't worry."
Before the two handmaidens could say anything more, she had disappeared out the door.
