Ashes of Our Fathers: Chapter Fourteen
There had been a storm just beyond the collapsed corridor, and it had everyone on edge. Things were much quieter now, and the noises of destruction were once again distant.
"We need to wait a little longer."
"For what?" Dormé questioned Obi-Wan's authority. "It's not like we're getting out of here any time soon. It's going to take hours to move all that rock. The entire structure is probably unstable now thanks to Master Yoda. Who knows if there won't be another cave in if we start trying to clear it."
"Clearing the path, not necessary that is."
Obi-Wan had learned long ago it was best to wait when dealing with Master Yoda, but even he was struggling. "Do you know of another way out?"
"Of course I do," a mischievous grin appeared. "Your friend," Yoda continued, directing his attention to Padmé, "patience she needs to acquire."
With another wave of his claw, a stack of crates leaning against a far wall shifted and slid, revealing a doorway.
"You know," Dormé pointed out with exasperation, "you could've said something."
"Missed all the fun, we would have," Yoda replied before hopping off his cushion and hobbling toward the doorway. "Stay with me, you should. Much to learn, you have."
"Hold on," Dormé complained, following after Yoda anyway. "My job is to protect Padmé. I'm not leaving her."
"Beyond this door," Yoda explained, his mood becoming sober, "are many. Hurt, they may be. Need your help, they do. Obi-Wan and Padmé, another destiny awaits, but young lady, with me, you will stay."
With eyes wide and her mouth agape, Dormé spun around to Padmé. What could she say?
"It will be good for you," Padmé told her friend quietly. "Take care of our friends, and try not to worry. Obi-Wan will protect me."
"Confront the emperor, you will?" Master Yoda asked Obi-Wan, who had joined them near the doorway.
"In a way. I'm still figuring out what to say, but I know what I need to do. Padmé was correct. He doesn't trust me. He never has, really. I've spent the last ten years with him and it's all been a lie. The feeling is quite mutual. I do know that he has a lot of very powerful and wealthy friends; those who will simply replace him with someone as equally wicked. Our only option is to get them all in the same place at the same time and eliminate them. As soon as I make an appearance in the palace, I'll be watched; closely. That's where Padmé comes in."
"She can't risk being recognized," Dormé was quick to point out.
Obi-Wan acknowledged the comment. An alive Padmé, a former queen who had opposed the empire, had been known to take a stand for the Jedi and the Republic would pose a possible threat to his tyrannical reign. "I have an idea on how to fix that, but first - Master Yoda, I need to borrow a few things from you."
As they ventured up to street level, Padmé had pulled the hood of her tunic over her head, but she was going to need more than this. When she was Queen of Naboo, she had made a few enemies, and Palpatine, being from her home planet, would recognize her immediately. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She had faith in Obi-Wan, but there were questions that needed answers.
"Exactly what are we supposed to be doing?" she asked as he guided her along by the hand. Yoda's doorway had led to a deserted section of the Lowers with a barely functioning service lift. A couple of times during their ascent, Obi-Wan actually had to fiddle with the wiring to get it running again, but it eventually carried them up to a rusted ramp which led to the sunlit streets of Galactic City.
"First," he replied, observing their surroundings in every direction, "I need to find a secure location where I can hide you."
"Hide me?" Padmé pulled hard on his hand to stop his advance up the ramp. If he thought for a second that she was going to stand by and do nothing but hide, he had another thing coming!
"It's just temporary," he reassured her. "I've got some shopping to do."
A suspicious brow rose high on her forehead. "Obi-Wan, you're not making any sense."
"I know, but you'll just have to…"
"I do trust you," Padmé interrupted, "but I need to know what your plan is."
"You're right. I'm going to ask the emperor to throw a party. I believe, the death of the last Jedi deserves a celebration, don't you?"
An interesting idea, except for one problem. "And I'm going to attend? How am I supposed to do that?" Padmé asked.
"Ever been to a masquerade party? You're already pretty good at disguises. It took me days to figure out that you were the actual queen." His gray eyes sparkled with mischief.
Padmé smiled along with the memory, but was still concerned. "You're not talking about cosmetics, are you?"
"I'll buy something appropriate, don't worry, and one of those big gowns you used to wear."
It had been years since she'd tried something like that on. Her wardrobe nowadays consisted of a couple of tunics and a single pair of leggings and boots.
"You'll look lovely in it, not that you don't look lovely now."
"Yeah, right," Padmé scoffed, which only caused an expression of astonishment to appear on his face; one which was quickly replaced by determination as he drew unexpectedly but pleasurably close.
"Allow me to convince you."
He pressed his lips to hers and she tiptoed up to meet him. She had never kissed a man with a mustache before and found it quite tantalizing. Or maybe it was just Obi-Wan.
It didn't last nearly long enough, but they didn't have the time anyway.
Obi-Wan withdrew, immediately turning his head to check on a noise they'd just heard above. It was apparently nothing to be concerned about and he turned back to her. "Convinced yet?"
"Maybe," Padmé teased, stretching the word out. "Although I could use some more persuasion."
"Later," he promised with a grin. "Let's head up."
Once they had arrived up top, Obi-Wan grasped hold of her hand again and turned left, leading them down a walkway to a crossing. There was a lot of traffic overhead and on street level, so Padmé ducked her head deep inside her hood. Finally, they were able to cross, and he took her into a tall spiral shaped building a few blocks away.
"Benan Palpatine!" a mixed race Fallen standing behind a counter addressed him, her voice seductive, her large bosom barely contained inside her tight blouse. "It's been a while. I was beginning to think you'd left the system, or gotten married or something."
"Zasnen, it's good to see you again. I'll take my usual room."
Padmé kept her head covered, but couldn't help and notice the way the receptionist looked at her, as if she were some homeless, diseased urchin.
"If you're really that desperate, Benan," her voice purred into Obi-Wan's ear, "I know some lovely females who would happily show you a good time."
"I'm sure you do," Obi-Wan replied, playing along. "One of these days I may take you up on that offer." He reached deeply into his pocket, withdrew a few hard credits and tossed them on the counter. "Just for the afternoon."
"Sure thing, love."