Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Chapter 3: Conversations with Mother Skywalker and Sidious
Upon returning inside the Skywalker home late that night, Shmi told them she had it arranged that Qui-Gon and Jar Jar would stay in the spare bedroom, while Padme stayed in her room. She, meanwhile, would sleep on the couch.
"Oh, are you sure?" Padme asked of Shmi after she announced that. "Because I don't mind sleeping on the couch and I don't want to be a bother."
"You're not a bother dear." Shmi's smile only proved this. "And besides, you are our guests. I can't have you sleeping on the couch."
On her way to the room, Padme heard Shmi call to Anakin, "Ani. Bedtime."
When he didn't respond, Shmi called again. "Ani! I'm not going to tell you again."
Hmm…I wonder.
Padme tapped into her Sith senses and began eavesdropping again. She was curious to discover what Qui-Gon was telling Anakin, and if he was going to contact Obi-Wan again.
"Checking your blood for infections," Qui-Gon was saying. "Go on. You have a big day ahead of you. Sleep well Ani."
By then Padme had reached the room, climbed into bed, and turned the light out. There was a moment of silence before Qui-Gon spoke again.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Yes, Master."
"I need an analysis on this blood sample I'm sending you."
'Aha.'
"Wait a minute," Obi-Wan said.
"I need a midi-chlorian count."
There was another moment of silence before Obi-Wan spoke again in tone of astonishment. "The readings off the chart! Over twenty thousand! Even Master Yoda doesn't have a midi-chlorian count that high."
'Of course you fools.'
"No Jedi has," Qui-Gon agreed.
"What does that mean?" Obi-Wan asked in curiosity.
"I'm not sure," his Master responded gravely.
Padme heard Qui-Gon abruptly end the communication, as if he sensed he was being watched. This caused her to quickly cut off the eavesdropping. He couldn't have sensed her though. No, it was probably just Shmi walking by, and he didn't want her to hear his conversation.
Padme got more comfortable in bed and was about to contact Sidious when she sensed Shmi approaching the room. A few moments later she was at the doorway; there was no door.
What does she want?"All comfortable Padme?" Shmi asked.
Padme sat up. "Oh yes, quite. And once again thank you."
"Oh, you're quite welcome dear. It's nothing much. Nothing compared to what I'm sure you're used to on Coruscant, but…" she trailed off.
"Oh it's fine," Padme assured her. "And I'm quite comfy."
"Well, all right dear. Good night." She looked like she wanted to say something else, but changed her mind and made to leave.
"You look like you wanted to say something else." Padme stated.
Shmi stopped and turned around.
"Come here," Padme gestured toward the edge of the bed.
"Sit down," she added. Shmi hesitated a moment, but finally came in. Padme got up and turned the light on.
"Now tell me," she said settling down next to Shmi. "What's on your mind?"
"Hmm. Well-" She abruptly stopped herself.
"Yes?" Padme urged.
"I was just going to ask what it's like on Coruscant," Shmi said in a rush.
Padme smiled. "It's quite nice actually. I've only been there a handful of times myself but, the entire planet's one big city and-"
"You don't live there?" Shmi cut across her.
"Oh no, I live on a planet called Naboo. It's a very beautiful place, full of flowers, lush green grass and beautiful waterfalls."
"Wow," Shmi gasped.
Padme then told Shmi what all she knew about Coruscant, all about Naboo, and her job as a Handmaiden to Queen Amidala. In turn, Shmi told her about growing up on the Mid Rim planet of Malastare, her life there, raising Anakin, and their life on Tatooine. A few times Sidious tried to enter her thoughts and communicate with her, only she dismissed him with, "Not now master. Later!"
After three tries he finally stopped, but she knew he wasn't pleased.
After about two hours of talking, Padme yawned and Shmi noticed the time. "Oh my! I didn't realize it was so late!" she said getting up. It was 2300. "Well it was nice talking to you dear, but you must be exhausted."
Padme yawned again. She didn't realize how tired she actually was until then. "I am actually." She climbed back in bed and Shmi tucked her in before turning the light out.
"Goodnight dear."
"Night Shmi."
Padme waited a few moments until there was complete silence and darkness in the house before contacting her Master.
"Master."
There was no response; she tried again.
"Master."
She sensed that he was aware of her trying to contact him, yet simply choose to ignore her.
"Fine. I guess you ah…aren't interested in the fact that I spent the entire day with the Chosen One."
"What?!"
That got his attention. "I'll just ah, go to bed than. Night master, or perhaps I should say 'good morning' since it's morning there on Coruscant as of the present."
"Lady Baynetta, did I not tell you not to go looking from him?"
"I didn't go looking for him. We kind of just…ran into him."
"What do you mean? Explain yourself young lady!"
"Oh very well." And so she told him everything.
Upon finishing, Sidious was silent a moment.
"Indeed, very interesting. You have done well, Lady Baynetta."
"But of course I have," was her arrogant reply.
Sidious chuckled at the response. He had trained her well. "I shall alert Lord Maul not to look for the Chosen One any longer and you, Baynetta, had best keep your eyes on him."
"Oh don't worry, I shall. And I will report to you again sometime tomorrow. Hopefully I shall see you the day after next."
"Yes…""Until we converse again master..." And with that Darth Lady Baynetta (Padme Amidala) fell into slumber.