Chapter Twenty-Six
She appeared well, possibly more toned, although her mind was obviously disturbed. Why else would she be saying the words he currently was hearing in his head? Words asking him to let the Zabrak go. She did not want him to be harmed.
What Padmé didn't seem to understand was the evil the Sith stood for. The Dark Side of the Force inspired only the most malevolent intentions. Apparently, she had been brainwashed.
What choice did he have but to try and break whatever bond that may have developed between them? The best way to do so was to carry out the initiative, which the Jedi had been following for centuries: To destroy the Sith.
An advance of the Jedi resulted in the Zabrak powering up his own weapon, a red lightsaber with a double blade, and once again Padmé voiced her plea, only this time, it was directed toward the Jedi Master.
"Don't do this. Let me talk to him." Perhaps she could convince the Zabrak into surrendering, as highly doubtful as that seemed. She had to do something. Never before had the young woman seen such a hunger in Obi-Wan's eyes.
Qui-Gon paused following her request, obviously contemplating Padmé's words, although his weapon still glowed a brilliant green.
"You may attempt to lure him into our custody, but I believe your efforts will prove futile."
Qui-Gon's warning was softly spoken and although not the response she had wished for, it did offer her some hope. Hope that was quickly dissolved by the unexpected sound of a grunt of discomfort and the sight of a red 'saber piercing the chest cavity of the Zabrak warrior.
"No!"
His body hit the floor with a thud before Padmé could reach him, prying the weapon from his grasp and tossing the deactivated 'saber across the room.
"Why?"
Despair and confusion clouded her thoughts and brought tears to her eyes, until she remembered her gift. He had tried explaining to her the abilities that she would someday possess, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity to test them.
The tingling in her fingers expanded into the gaping, singed hole in the Zabrak's chest, her healing touch beginning to knit the self-inflicted wound together, until, with great effort, a gloved hand shot up and gripped Padmé's arm along with a soft-spoken voice filling her head.
/No. Let me go. My time here is finished. I have completed my mission. Now is the time for you to do yours. Go with the Jedi. Follow your destiny./
"I…" Padmé sniffed, wiping the tears away with the back of her free hand. /I don't know what that is./
Obi-Wan hadn't moved, too stunned by the events he had just witnessed to do so. It was shocking enough to discover a Sith had taken his own life, choosing to become a martyr instead of facing his sworn enemy, but what was even more surprising and terrifying to the young Jedi was what he was seeing and feeling at the moment.
Although he couldn't detect the words, he could sense the vibration along his Force sense, as Padmé and the dying warrior exchanged mind speech. A talent reserved for bonded pairs only.
The two were apparently lovers, which explained the gesture he saw earlier and now the ability for them to speak telepathically. There could be no other explanation.
A sickening feeling knotted Obi-Wan's stomach as he observed the tender gesture of Padmé closing the eyelids of the now-deceased Sith, and the way she lovingly crossed his lifeless arms over his chest.
When she rose and turned to face him, he could see the evidence of tears upon her face.
There was no gesture of appreciation for the Jedi's efforts, no outward show of relief or gratitude. If Padmé hadn't been the one to contact him in the first place, Obi-Wan would believe she hadn't wished to be rescued at all.
With a determined look upon her face, which Obi-Wan found to be cool and disconnected, the young woman brushed past the Jedi, a single command escaping her lips.
"You will take me to Naboo."
The young man had much to discuss with his Master, but for the time-being, he silently followed Qui-Gon out of the building, staring after Padmé, whose determined stride had already taken her across the clearing. She stopped at its edge just before the turn to the ridge, but apparently not to wait upon the Jedi.
From behind him, Obi-Wan could hear the crackling and groaning of the building's frame giving way until finally the entire structure collapsed in upon itself, ultimately leaving a pile of steel and lumber, and no visible evidence of the Sith who lay beneath it.
By the time Obi-Wan had gathered his wits and turned, Qui-Gon and Padmé had already disappeared down the path. He hurried his steps to follow, a new question burning in the young Jedi's heart.
How in the hell had Padmé gained the ability to do that?