A/N: Ridiculous (in length and, also, content ha!) author's note below :) Man, it's been a while since I said that. :D

To Change the Galaxy

Chapter 40: Duty

Our 'new' ship was not nearly as nice as our old one had been. Saché had, apparently, not been kidding even slightly when she said it looked like it was only a few jumps away from disintegrating. It had half a galley attached to half a living space with one small fresher to share between everyone. There was one dorm with two sets of bunk beds built into the walls. And the ship itself creaked and moaned nearly every time someone took a step.

Obi-Wan, his face utterly blank and polite, had almost immediately excused himself to run a diagnostic on the ship, which seemed like a very good idea. I told the children to pick out their beds and see what kind of food the galley had. Then, after they obediently set off to do as I asked, I sat down at a very small chair at an equally small table crammed into the corner of the living area. I pulled out Padmé's pack and began to go through the information and resources that we had been provided.

The children trickled back in after barely any time had passed at all. But they diligently went to the galley half of the living space and began poking around the cabinets. Trinna produced a datapad from somewhere and, soon, they were not only recording what food was available but also reorganizing it. They took turns holding Hydaak who seemed a little on edge but overall fairly happy and calm.

I kept going through the pack, only occasionally glancing up to make sure they were still intent on their task.

I had just finished reading Yané's directions for her newest communication device—this one appeared to be made of the same type of material as Naboo's throne and had more buttons on it than anything could possibly need—when Obi-Wan strode back into the living space. I felt myself freeze even as my heart seized in my chest. Which was stupid. I forcibly attempted to relax my muscles as Obi-Wan spoke quietly to Jewsi, who was currently holding Hydaak.

I couldn't tense up and get nervous every time I saw Obi-Wan. That was absurd and ridiculous and a good way to get us killed or caught. I forced myself to breathe in and out evenly as Obi-Wan turned away from Jewsi and started to slowly, steadily walk towards me. My heart sped up despite myself.

Obi-Wan was getting closer. And he was definitely heading towards me. And he was probably going to say something and I knew we had to talk eventually but I was not ready for it to be now because what if—

"I think we should start with Alderaan," I blurted.

Obi-Wan blinked at me, his head turning slightly as he slid into the seat across from me. "Pardon?"

"For the children. I looked through the pack, and I think we should start with Alderaan. There's definitely a clone presence on the planet but I know Senator Organa and, seeing as he was actively helping Master Yoda, we know he won't betray us. He'll probably even help us find them a place. So I think we should start there." My face felt hotter than a furnace but I kept my eyes locked on Obi-Wan's through sheer force of will.

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "I do see the sense in that. May I…?" he reached for the datapads in front of me.

"Oh!" I hurriedly grabbed the one containing information about Alderaan and handed it to him, purposefully holding onto as little of the pad as possible.

Obi-Wan took me from me with seemingly equal care, his hands coming nowhere near mine which was a relief.

"That's the information about Alderaan. There're a few transcripts from the Queen's conversations with Senator Organa and Queen Breha from both the public link and through the more secure link we used when talking to Master Yoda. It sounds like something happened to compromise Alderaan's side of the secure connection shortly after we broke through the blockade, if you look at folder seven…?" I did not lean over to grab the datapad back and open the file for him because Obi-Wan could figure it out. And it was good to practice patience. And those were absolutely the only reasons because any other reason would have been absurd. "And, looking at the news reports they clipped from the holonet for us, that was around the time the clone presence on Alderaan increased as well."

Obi-Wan hummed his acknowledgment as his eyes scanned across the datapad.

My hands twisted tight around my tunic, which was stupid. I forced my hands open and slid them over my pants, wishing rather inanely for a shapeless, hooded cloak or, failing that, a dress. One of the ridiculously pretty yet still sturdy ones that Wicaté always used to shove at me while trying to convince me to burn some other item in my wardrobe. Somehow, the practical tunic and pants I was wearing didn't seem like adequate protection. Although I didn't need protection from anything right now. Everyone in the ship was a friend and an ally. I was perfectly safe. There was no good reason for my roiling stomach or pounding heart or—

Across the room, Hydaak let out a small whimper.

My head snapped over to the galley section of the living space.

"Trinna?" Jewsi called, bouncing the baby togruta in her arms.

"One second." Trinna's voice was understandably muffled, seeing as she was kneeling on the floor and had seemingly stuck the entire front half of her body inside one of the cabinets. "I just want to document—"

Hydaak's whimpers grew louder.

"Trinna," Jewsi huffed.

"Fine," Trinna huffed back, withdrawing from the cabinet, dusting off her skirt and sticking her arms out, looking annoyed.

"Happy thoughts, Trinna," Jewsi scowled as Hydaak continued to whimper.

Trinna heaved a loud sigh and then took a deep breath in through her nose.

Hydaak started to cry quietly.

"Really?" Zett demanded, striding over and plucking the baby from Jewsi's arms. "Hush, Hydaak, you're safe, we're fine. Everything's fine."

Hydaak didn't seem to believe him as, instead of quieting, he let out a full-on wail.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying desperately to scoot my seat out far enough to let me stand up. "Does he need anything?"

"No," Zett sighed nosily. "He's just over sensitive to everything. He needs someone calm. Are either of you calm? Do you think one of you could take him?"

I felt my face slowly heat up again. 'Calm' wasn't exactly the word I would use. Unable to help myself, my gaze darted towards Obi-Wan. Who was staring back at me, face perfectly, politely blank.

"Um." It felt like my brain had stalled out. "Not—not exactly? Uh. Obi-Wan, are you…?" my face heated up even further, which I hadn't realized was possible.

"Trinna, why don't you retrieve a blanket from the dorm room? Perhaps, he can lay on the floor for a while," Obi-Wan suggested, his eyes staying locked on mine.

Which was weird. This was weird. I didn't like it.

Zett mumbled something inaudible as Hydaak continued wailing. Trinna scurried off, hopefully in search of a blanket.

"Hydaak's going to be a problem," Jewsi announced loudly, crossing her arms over her chest and staring at me pointedly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that Obi-Wan was also still staring at me. Which was entirely too many eyes my way.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Hydaak's great and all," Jewsi said, still talking over the baby's cries,
"but we're pretty sure he was sent to the Temple so young because of how sensitive he is to other people's feelings. If he ends up with a family that doesn't know, he's going to be crying all the time."

"That is something we will have to consider," Obi-Wan agreed, finally looking away from me to look at Jewsi.

"I don't think we should be split up," Jewsi announced, narrowing her eyes at us. "I think Hydaak needs to stay with people he knows. Us. And we should stay with you."

"Found it!" Trinna ran back into the room, brandishing a blanket.

"Get it on the floor then," Zett called out. "And don't be stupid, Jewsi. You know we can't."

Trinna spread the blanket out and Zett carefully lay Hydaak on the ground. Trinna and Zett took two steps backwards. Hydaak's wails receded back into whimpers.

"I'm not the one being stupid," Jewsi muttered. "I got to use the fresher."

Then, without another word, Jewsi stormed out.

Trinna stared after her. "Do you think I should—?" she trailed off as Zett shook his head.

"How many dried berry packs do we have?" Zett asked instead.

"Alderaan and Bail would make sense as a starting point," Obi-Wan said quietly.

My head snapped back towards him. "Yeah? You think so?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "I do. Of course, we can't simply walk into the palace and we'll need a way to land on Aldera without arousing suspicion."

"Point," I grimaced. "But I honestly—" I hesitated a moment before speeding ahead, "Well, I do have an idea for getting into the palace."

Obi-Wan waited patiently.

Resisting the urge to squirm, I told him.

He didn't sigh or make a joke, like I expected him too. Instead, he slowly nodded his head. "Yes, that could very well work."

For a moment, I floundered in response. "Uh, good—that's good—I, uh, I think it could work too? I mean, of course I do I—" I slammed my mouth shut, my face once again burning.

Obi-Wan just stared back at me, that awful, stupid polite look on his face. I had no idea what he was thinking. He had to be thinking I was an idiot, though. Why couldn't I stop myself from babbling and blushing like a moron? Why couldn't things go back to—inwardly, I winced and then, very pointedly stopped myself from finishing that thought.

"Sabé," Obi-Wan said very quietly, "Eventually, we will need to talk."

I cringed. "Yeah. I—I know."

"Miss Sabé, we're done!" Trinna trilled, bouncing over to us and presenting us the datapad. "All of the food is on there. We separated it by food groups, then by tastiness and then by how healthy it is."

I took the datapad from her. "Wow. That was fast."

"I know," Trinna said smugly.

"Where are we going next?" Zett asked from where he stood in the galley, a few feet away from Hydaak who was still laying on the floor and now appeared to be mostly calm.

"Aldera, the capital of Alderaan," Obi-Wan answered. "We will be meeting with Senator Organa and Queen Breha. The ship is entirely space worthy, despite appearances. Have either of you had any flying lessons?" Obi-Wan asked the little Jedi.

"No! Can we?" Trinna looked ready to burst.

"I had a few," Zett said. "But I'd like to learn more."

"Then why don't we go to the cockpit together?" Obi-Wan smiled at them. "Miss Sabé can stay and keep an eye on Hydaak while we set course for Alderaan."

"Of course," I smiled. "And if Jewsi comes back, I can send her your way too."

"If she would like," Obi-Wan agreed, gracefully rising to his feet. "Come, younglings. This way." Obi-Wan glided off.

Once he was gone, I gave the table a good push. It screeched across the floor, finally giving me space to maneuver my chair and stand up. I walked over to Hydaak. He waved a hand in my direction.

"Hello little one," I murmured to him, leaning on my cane and smiling down at the little togruta. His blue and white montrals looked a little larger than I remembered them being. He continued to wave in my direction as he started babbling happily.

"Does that mean you want to be picked up?" I asked him, wondering rather vaguely how best to accomplish that.

When he simply waved his arms and babbled more enthusiastically, I took it as a 'yes' he did want to be held.

After a moment's thought, I carefully lowered myself to the hard, scuffed floor, my leg wincing only a little in protest. Equally carefully, I picked him up.

He cooed at me, which was encouraging. I didn't know how long I lost myself in playing with the little darling but, next thing I knew, Jewsi was hovering nearby, her face scrunched up in thought.

"You like babies, huh?" Jewsi asked when I finally noticed her.

"I do, yeah," I smiled back, carefully bouncing Hydaak up and down on my lap. "I'm a midwife, by trade, so babies are kind of my thing. Well," I added after a moment's consideration, "That, and pregnant women but the babies are usually the best part."

"I thought you were a handmaiden." Jewsi frowned as she plopped down across from me.

"I was. Or, I suppose I still am. I don't know if you can actually quit being a handmaiden, even if you resign. But my full-time job for the last few years was being a midwife."

"Huh," Jewsi said, still frowning my way.

"Obi-Wan's in the cockpit showing Trinna and Zett how to fly, if you want to join them."

Jewsi's scowl intensified. "I don't."

"Okay," I said as Hydaak reached for Jewsi's long blond braid. "Maybe don't grab that, wee one," I told him. "I don't think Jewsi would appreciate it."

"He always tugs at it." Jewsi scooted closer to us and offered her braid to him. "I don't mind. He hasn't pulled any hair out yet."

"Oh, well, never mind then," I shrugged as Hydaak snatched hold of the braid and made happy sounds.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Jewsi asked abruptly.

I blinked at her. "What"

"Zett said I was stupid," Jewsi scowled. "For thinking we should stay together. Do you think I'm stupid?"

I paused. Hydaak stopped making any noises, seeming to tense a little in my lap. Why couldn't anyone ever ask me easy questions?

"No," I said slowly. "I don't think you're stupid. I understand why you think staying together would be better." Jewsi's eyes lit up and I hurried on before she could latch onto false hope. "I don't agree, but I understand. I wanted to stay with Saché and the handmaidens back on Naboo." Something seemed to catch in my throat but, when Hydaak loosened his grip on Jewsi's braid, I forced myself to keep talking so we could get past this and back to happier things. "They know me better than anyone and I can always trust them to have my back. They'll look out for me, the way you, Trinna, and Zett would look out for Hydaak. But splitting up from my friends made the clones suspect my friends less. They'll be safer, with Padmé and me gone. Just like if you four split up, it will harder for the clones to find you. You'll all be in less danger."

"We wouldn't be in danger if we stayed with you," Jewsi insisted. "You and Master Kenobi could protect us. And if we use the ship to keep flying around, they wouldn't be able to find us!"

"That's no way to live, Jewsi. You deserve homes."

"This could be our home. It's a little smelly and kinda dinged up but we could make it nicer. Really! We'd all help."

"Perhaps." Obi-Wan's voice had me near jumping out of my skin and Hydaak snuffled in protest. "But Jewsi, the galaxy and everyone in it is in grave danger from Darth Sidious. So long as he is in control, no one is safe. Miss Sabé and I are needed, to fight against him and protect the people of the galaxy from harm. How are we to do that, if we are attempting to protect you?"

Jewsi frowned for a minute. Then she said, quite determinedly, "We can help."

"Someday, yes," Obi-Wan agreed. "But for now, it is your duty to remain safe. You and your friends are the future of the Jedi Order. To risk you, is to the risk the entire Order. Is that what you want?"

"No, but—" Jewsi slumped.

Obi-Wan gave her a small but kind smile. "Often times, it is not easy to do our duty. There is nearly always something we would rather do instead. But as Jedi—as those who wish to restore peace and justice to the galaxy—we must do it, nonetheless. Do you understand?"

Jewsi was quiet for a long moment. Then, softly, with downcast eyes, she said, "Yes, Master Kenobi."

"Good," Obi-Wan said. "We have set course for Alderaan. We are due to arrive in nine standard hours. It would best to catch some sleep before we arrive. Your clanmates have already used the fresher."

Jewsi nodded, her eyes still fixed on the floor. Then she slowly climbed to her feet and trudged out of the room.

"Sabé, we need to talk," Obi-Wan said, sinking to the floor next to me.

Cuddled in my arms, Hydaak whined quietly.

Expected Update Time: Hopefully before April 26th; Almost definitely before May 17th

Ridiculous Author's Note: So. Uh. Crazy world we're living in, huh? I don't know how coronvirus is impacting all of you -hopefully, you're all alright and so are the people you love! With any luck, the worst that'll happen to any of us is that we get a little stir crazy from being stuck in our houses and end up reading or writing more fanfic than usual. ;D But, like-I'm going to be honest, this an almost totally selfish note ha! Because I get stupidly attached and guilty about my deadlines for this fic. So, this is kind of like a blanket-I'm planning to meet my (self-imposed) deadlines but I may not. Me and my entire family work in healthcare. I mean, I'm an occupational therapist in a nursing home, so, like, MY main job right now is not getting my vulnerable patients sick but the rest of my family is way more frontline than me. With any luck, the next chapter and all the chapters after that will go up, same as usual. But. It's a wild world out there and they might not. So now if I do end up missing my expected update time I won't feel guilty about it, ha! Because I gave fair warning ;) So. Yeah. That's it, basically. This chapter's up, and the next chapter will, hopefully, be super fun and posted before the end of April! But it might not even be up by mid May, and this is me saying that. Also, probably more importantly and definitely less selfishly, my thoughts and prayers are with all you and yours, however you may be impacted by everything that's going on!

(PS I'm sure in a few years, I'll re-read this and laugh at myself but, like, I REALLY HATE missing an expected update and now I'm absolved of all guilt if it ends up happening, haha! :D Also, I really, really do hope all of you are doing okay. There's kind of a lot of potential consequences, even outside the whole actually catching it thing, so. Be safe! Be well! See you all next chapter! :D)