Distraction: Chapter Six
Naboo. Strange name, but for some reason, it tastes bittersweet on my tongue. Anakin reminds me we've never been there. If that's true, how can I picture it so clearly? It has waterfalls, marshes, and lots and lots of trees. I like trees – don't see many of them on Coruscant. Perhaps I came across pictures of it during my early studies, although there is a feeling of remembrance in the back of my mind. There's more to it than just a few glances in a datareader. What I feel is tangible, almost as if I've breathed its air or felt its soil beneath my feet. Accompanying the comfort of familiarity, however, is a sense of tragedy. Something awful happened there. I wish I could remember exactly what.
"This isn't an invasion," I heard Anakin instructing our pilot. "Land in the port of the main city."
"Better yet, land just outside the palace," I altered the boy's decision. "There's plenty of room on the main thoroughfare. We might as well make a grand entrance and let everyone know we've arrived."
Anakin looked at me strangely. "Are you sure? The scans aren't revealing that as a reliable option."
"Trust me," I announce with a smirk. For some reason, I can't shake the feeling that I know this place.
I'm proven correct when our ship sets down without any issues in the capital city of Theed; home to a humanoid race of peaceful people. Which made me wonder why we were summoned to come here. Rumors these days often merit an investigation which typically results in an invasion. I didn't think the current monarch would take such risks, but yet – here we were.
"These negotiations aren't meant to be aggressive," I remind my comrade as we exit the ship together. I can feel all eyes of the city upon us. Most of them are nervous, although there are a few who wish us harm. I sense nothing dangerous, however. At least not yet.
"We'll do what we need to in order to ensure the Queen's loyalty," Anakin informs me. There are many steps leading to the palace, and we're about halfway up them. I stop at that point in order to gain his attention.
"There's no need to threaten or harm anyone here." Again, I am shocked to hear such words come out of my mouth, but I can't seem to stop them. "Let's just do what we need to do and get out of here. This place gives me the creeps."
If only he knew the truth of what I was feeling. I know exactly what lay beyond those doors just ahead of us. I knew what the throne room looked like, how my footfalls would echo down the corridors lined with marble columns. If I were going mad, Theed was only making it worse.
"I don't sense anything," Anakin informed me. "Just fear."
Worry is sometimes mistaken for fear. These people were worried about their leader, as they should be. Usually, our reputation preceded us and we weren't known to visit any place just for tea. They were right to be worried.
"Come on," Anakin prodded. "I have a few questions I need to ask."
I knew what that meant – how the boy's hand was itching to hold his saber in his grasp, how he felt when it neatly sliced through flesh and bone. I understood the false sense of power it and the Dark Side provided.
What I didn't understand was why I had no interest in any of these things anymore. I was going to have to watch Anakin carefully. He had blood hunger in his eyes.
We were taken to a conference area with a circular table. At the head of that table sat a highly decorated queen; Neeyutnee, I believe her name was. Her face was painted in traditional style and an elaborate headdress covered most of her hair. I gazed at her steadily, obviously making her uncomfortable, though I couldn't help myself. She wasn't who I was expecting. She was too thin and small, and although she met my scrutiny with equal intensity, she was nervous. This wasn't right. She shouldn't be sitting there.
Anakin had started speaking and I made an effort to concentrate on his words. Already, his demeanor had changed to reveal his cockiness, and I stepped up to take over the line of questioning.
"It's my understanding that Naboo is a peaceful planet, not one to risk engaging in war. "
"We do not wish to fight the Empire," the queen stated flatly.
"If that were true, then we wouldn't be here, would we?" Anakin angrily spat out, at which point I cautioned him with my hand. I had this. He needed to back off.
"You are a proud people, and not one prone to be taken advantage of." I felt compelled to say. "Your streets are lined with monuments of past hierarchy not known merely for their intelligence and wit, but for their bravery and courage. Am I wrong?"
The young queen lifted her chin in defiant agreement. She wasn't about to admit to anything.
"Your actions are being watched very closely," I gently reminded her. I could almost hear Anakin's teeth grinding together. "It would be wise of you not to show any favoritism toward any rebellion leaders, or to send financial aid in support of a rebellion. Am I clear?"
"Yes." The queen answered curtly.
"Although your planet has a history of fighting to preserve its independence, you won't win this time. Surely, you understand this. You are an intelligent young woman and are surrounded by equally intelligent advisors. Don't make the stupid mistake of causing us to come back here. Next time, the results will not be in your favor."
I turn and walk out. Anakin has no choice but to follow me, but I can feel anger radiating from him. He waits until we are outside the conference room to share his thoughts while we leave.
"What in the hell was that?" he quietly says through clenched teeth. "That was not what we came here to do! You can't just slap them on the wrist and leave it at that!"
I keep walking, despite the temper I've grown accustomed to, but come to a stop at the newest creation erected at the base of the palace steps.
"This is a lovely place and it shouldn't be destroyed." I insist, barely recognizing my own voice. "They've already been through so much." I'm gazing up at the statue before me.
"What are you talking about?"
"The Trade Federation takeover. Don't you remember anything from your galactic history studies? Nute Gunray and his thugs placed a blockade in Naboo space. Half the population starved to death while the others had to battle his droid army. The queen at the time; this one here: Padme Amidala," I say, reading the inscription at the base of the statue, "took a stand and defeated them along with the help of Naboo's native population. Gungans, I believe they're called. She managed to save her city as well as mend the relationship with her people and the native race."
Anakin gawked at me in absolute perplexity. "So what! What do I care about gongons or some stupid queen!" The boy stepped up closer to me. I knew it was his way of trying to intimidate me, but it never worked. "If these people don't start proving their loyalty to the Emperor, there will nothing left in this city but ash, and this time, you won't be able to stop me."
Once the boy had shared his opinion, he left me alone in the street. I knew I should follow him, but I couldn't tear myself away from the beauty of what was rising up before me.
Queen Amidala. I say in my mind before reading the inscription. "Queen Amidala. Born 46 BBY, Death 19 BBY. Reign: 32 BBY to 22 BBY."
I silently wondered what had happened to her. I focused my memory but couldn't come up with anything. Apparently, I knew nothing about her, but I couldn't help but feel a connection to her. Even through a sculpted likeness, I could tell she had been a beautiful woman. It was a shame she had died so young.
My reverie was interrupted by a loud but friendly voice. I turned my head to see a dark-skinned man bounding down the steps. He greeted me in a familiar fashion by clapping my shoulder.
"Kenobi!" he said, stepping back and revealing a straight line of white teeth. "I thought that was you! You look a little different. Your hair is darker, but it's definitely you!"
I decided to play along. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You are...?"
"Now, come on," the man chuckled, revealing mock irritation. "After everything we went through?"
When the man finally noticed I wasn't responding as he'd apparently expected, his mannerism sobered.
"So, it is true," he stated with sudden disappointment. "We often wondered what had happened to you. I guess this answers the question. My guess was that you died along with all the other Jedi, but I see I was wrong."
"I'm afraid you've made a mistake," I try telling him. "I'm not who you think I am."
The man begins shaking his head with disagreement. "I'm pretty bad with names, but I never forget a face. I'm Captain Panaka of the royal guard. We've met before; during the Trade Federation occupation when you came here to help us."
"Can't say I remember anything of the sort," I calmly inform him although my head is exploding. His words are ringing true, but they can't be! Can they?
"Well," Panaka continued. "You may have switched sides, but at least you're still alive. It's good to see you again, Obi-Wan."