Sorry I was unable to update last week. Work was particularly busy and I needed the weekend to catch up.
Chapter 43
Xanatos stood in silence, but appeared attentive, as Senator Amidala and the Queen of Naboo discussed the issues facing the Senate. It was common knowledge among the Jedi that the Galactic Republic possibly stood on the brink of war. Still, there were still those like Amidala that stood firm in their resolve to avoid conflict and seek the route of diplomacy. Xanatos had been careful to keep all thoughts and opinions to himself as the Jedi had not established a position on the escalating tensions. He respected her courage, something he had lacked when he stood beside his father and watched civil strife tear Telos apart. And just as Qui-Gon had been forced to intervene, Xanatos wasn't sure the Order would be able to remain a neutral entity much longer.
The Jedi turned his thoughts to his apprentice. Anakin had been more than a little subdued since arriving. On top of the pressure of this assignment and worry over his mother, Anakin was now where his journey with Xanatos had begun. Naboo was where they had lost Qui-Gon. Xanatos was certain that was now pressing in on his apprentice's already jumbled thoughts and feelings, and he wondered how much more Anakin could take. A concerned pulse through the Force caused his padawan to look up at him. Although Anakin offered his usual lop-sided grin, his eyes confirmed that he was hurting.
"In the meantime, we must consider your own safety," Queen Jamillia finally said.
As various advisors and attendants filed out of the room to give more privacy, Sio Bibble turned to Xanatos. "What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?"
"Senator Amidala seems to have ideas of his own." Xanatos was becoming well acquainted with the headstrong nature of their charge the more time he spent in her company. "She says that there are some places in the Lake Country that are very isolated, which will suit our purposes just fine."
"Perfect. It's settled then."
The young queen rose from her throne, pausing to say, "Padmé, I had an audience with your father yesterday. I told him what was happening. He hopes you will visit your mother before you leave... your family is very worried about you."
"Thank you, your Highness."
Xanatos bowed respectfully as the queen began to leave, relieved that his apprentice was aware enough to also extend the proper respect. They turned to follow Padme from the throne room.
"Senator," Xanatos began. "I was wondering if you knew of a place where Anakin could make a transmission to Tatooine."
Padme flashed a bright smile, her eyes lighting up. "Of course, you can make a call from my parent's home.
"Thank you," Anakin offered hurriedly, shooting his master a glance that was full of gratitude.
"Do they live in the Lake Country?" Xanatos asked.
"No. They are right here in Theed. I would like to see them before we leave. In fact, let's walk."
"I am not sure walking is such a good idea," Xanatos said sternly in an attempt to remind her of her circumstances.
"It's not far … no farther than we walked from the transport," Padme challenged.
Xanatos decided that he was growing soft as he reluctantly began to follow the young senator. She led them out of the palace and through the main plaza, chatting amicably about the beautiful capital of Naboo. Though Xanatos appeared to be enjoying the tour, his every sense was alert and his hand was not far from his weapon. Padme may have been completely comfortable and at ease in Theed, but a crowded plaza was just the place where disaster could strike. Fortunately the trip was uneventful and soon, the young woman stopped.
"There's my house," she called out triumphantly, acting more like a young girl than a dignified senator.
As she hurried forward, Xanatos shared an amused glance with his apprentice. The shared sentiment was broken as he heard two shrill cries of glee and turned to see Padme scoop up two small children. Xanatos let out a sigh. He would rather take on an army of assassins than have to deal with children. Much to the Jedi master's relief, the two girls passed by, giving only curious glances, and remained outside to play with Artoo.
As the trio stepped through the front door of the house, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Padme entered from the kitchen area, shouting something over her shoulder. She turned to face them, and a wide smile spread across her face.
"Padme."
"Master Marojni, Anakin, this is my sister, Sola," Padme said.
Xanatos and Anakin bowed in greeting before an older woman swept into the room with a steaming bowl of food.
"And this is my mother, Jobal," Padme continued.
"You're just in time for dinner," the woman said pleasantly. "I hope you're hungry."
"We're starving," Padme answered. "And I promised them a home-cooked meal."
"You came to the right place at the right time, then," an older man said, entering the room.
"My father, Ruwee," Padme supplied quickly.
They sat down at the table, the feeling not that different than when Xanatos was at the Lars residence with Anakin. Bowls of food were passed around the table, while everyone chatted. The conversation seemed destined to focus on how worried everyone was about Padme, until Sola decided to liven it up a bit.
"I just know that we will all be the talk of the neighborhood now."
"Why is that?" Jobal asked.
"What will everyone say about Padme bringing two men home?"
"Sola!" Padme protested.
"Or maybe it's a suitor and his father calling," the older sister added teasingly.
Xanatos nearly choked on his food. Glancing to the side, he saw a betraying blush stain Anakin's cheeks.
"Grow up, Sola," Padme said, shielding her face with a hand. "They're Jedi, assigned by the Senate to protect me."
"Bodyguards?!" Jobal said with alarm. "Oh, Padme! They didn't tell us it was that serious!"
"It's not, Mom, I promise."
Jobal began to furiously push her food around her plate, her thoughts obviously far from her meal. "Honey, when are you going to settle down? Haven't you had enough of that life? I certainly have!"
"Mom, I'm not in any danger."
Xanatos wished there was a way to make a graceful exit before he and Anakin were pulled into a family squabble. It was an awkward position, to say the least.
"Is she?" Ruwee asked, pinning Xanatos down with an intent glance.
Too late, Xanatos thought. As much as he didn't want to take sides, Jedi didn't lie. "Yes ...I'm afraid she is."
"But not much," Padme added quickly, sending Xanatos something that was the cross between a pleading gaze and a scornful glare. "Dad," she continued before anyone could say anymore. "Anakin needs to send a transmission."
"Certainly," Ruwee said. "He can use my study."
Padme jumped up and showed Anakin to her father's study. While the ladies of the family cleaned up from the meal, Xanatos found himself in an outdoor garden with Padme's father. The conversation started innocently enough, but then Ruwee asked the inevitable.
"Master Marojni, be honest with me. How serious is this thing? How much danger is my daughter really in?"
"There have been two attempts on her life. Chances are there will be more," Xanatos answered truthfully. "Another team is tracking down the assassins, and I have complete faith in them. I'm sure they will find out who is behind this soon."
"I don't want anything to happen to her."
"She's a strong young woman …"
The surge of emotion hit him like a giant wave, obliterating his minimal shielding and flooding his mind with grief, fear, and anger. Clutching his head with one hand, Xanatos reached out with the other to steady himself as he tried to order the onslaught without cutting off his bond with Anakin.
"Master Jedi, are you okay?" Ruwee asked worriedly. "Is there danger? I have heard that Jedi sense these sorts of things."
"No, something's wrong with my apprentice."
Turning without apology, long-legged strides carried Xanatos to the study without him even having to ask where it was. He found Anakin seated at the desk, clutching the corners with white knuckles as he stared at the holographic image of Owen Lars.
"Anakin?" Owen asked. "Talk to me, Anakin."
The young Jedi's body began to tremble, and it looked as though Anakin was struggling to draw in a breath. Xanatos rushed to his side.
"Owen, what happened?"
"Mom was taken by the Tuskens - the sandpeople. We gathered a group of about 30 to go after her, but only four of us made it back. Dad lost his leg in the attempt. I tried to contact you after we failed to bring her home, but there was no response at the Temple."
"We were on our way here and must have missed the message in transit."
"Dad is determined to go back as soon as he is able, but with his leg …"
Anakin suddenly grabbed Xanatos' arm in a durasteel grip. Anguish filled the young man's eyes as he simply whispered, "Master," in a lost and bewildered tone. The conflicting emotions were dizzying as they continued to pummel the Jedi master across the bond he shared with his apprentice.
"Tell your father that help is on the way," Xanatos said to Owen before ending the transmission.
"I'm sorry, Anakin," Xanatos said softly as he wrapped one arm around his apprentice and gathered the youth to his side.
His first inclination was to deliver a sleep suggestion and rescue Anakin from the shock and pain, at least, for a brief amount of time. But they were in a strange home with Padme near, and Anakin would want to maintain his dignity. Instead, the Jedi master just held his apprentice quietly for a moment, offering what comfort he could as he decided on a course of action.
"I'll be right back, Anakin," Xanatos finally said softly, standing to leave. Anakin grabbed on to his arm again, pain-filled eyes asking him not to leave. "I promise … just a minute. I need to speak with Senator Amidala."
He slipped his arm away from Anakin and made his way across the room. As he opened the door, Padme stumbled back a few steps and guiltily avoided looking Xanatos in the eyes.
"How much were you able to hear?" he asked wearily.
"Enough to know that we are going to need a ship," Padme answered.
"Yes, Anakin will need a ship."
"Just Anakin?"
"Our mandate is to protect you," Xanatos answered. "So, one of us will have to remain here with you."
"So, you are saying you can't protect me on Tatooine," she challenged.
"It is controlled by the Hutts, full of hostile primitives, and …"
"And Master Jinn and Obi-Wan thought it was a good place to hide a queen."
"You are missing the point," Xanatos said, trying to keep his voice calm and even. He had neither the time nor the energy for more defiance and frustration.
"Without Shmi's kindness and willingness to help, who knows how long we would have been stuck on Tatooine, and who knows what would have happened to Naboo. I want to help," Padme said calmly, but with an edge that indicated she had no intention of backing down. "You yourself said that Anakin was still emotional and easily confused. Don't you think he's going to need you?"
Xanatos hated it when his own words came back to haunt him, and he could think of no counter to her argument. The fact was that sending Anakin off alone in this much emotional distress could be disastrous.
"Gather your things. We will leave as soon as we get a ship."
The streaks of light that were the constant companion of lightspeed travel dissipated as the twin seated starfighter dropped from hyperspace.
"There it is, Padawan," Obi-Wan said. "Right where it should be, our missing planet, Kamino."
"I would say that I'd love to see Master Nu's face right now," Ben answered before adding a mimic of the archivist's words. "If it is not in the Archives, it simply does not exist." A sigh escaped the padawan. "But, this means that someone did alter those files."
"I know, Padawan."
Obi-Wan disengaged the ship from the hyperspace transport ring before starting toward the planet. "Let's go see if we can find some answers as to 'who' and 'why.'"
The ship descended through the densely clouded atmosphere. Heavy winds threatened to toss it around like a small toy. Ben groaned as the first sheets of rain pelted the starfighter's canopy.
"What's wrong Padawan?"
"I don't think I've ever seen this much rain before."
"There are worse things than rain," Obi-Wan said as he settled the ship on the landing platform.
"I know, but it's always rain … the mission to Tir'en … Wari …Hamur …"
"I'll try to arrange a nice blizzard for our next mission."
The two Jedi shared a laugh before pulling their hoods over their heads. Obi-Wan opened the canopy, and they hurried to a tower on the far side of the platform. As they approached, a door slid open. They briefly exchanged a glance before Obi-Wan entered the structure with Ben on his heels.
The light in the room was blindingly bright, and the two Jedi blinked to adjust their eyes as they pushed the hoods of their soggy robes away from their faces. A tall, pasty white alien soon stepped gracefully into the room.
"Master Jedi, so good to see you," the alien said, acknowledging Obi-Wan. "The Prime Minister expects you."
"We are expected?" Obi-Wan asked, looking to his apprentice again.
"Of course! He is anxious to meet you. After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren't coming. Now please, this way!"
Obi-Wan followed, exchanging one last glance with his apprentice before the young man fell into step behind him. The brief, wordless communication held one very important thought.
"Follow my lead."