Snowhere to Go: Chapter Six

I was well aware of Anakin's shortcomings; how sometimes he bit off more than he could chew. I didn't think, however, that a simple fix to a coolant system would take this long. If I could figure out how to set the autopilot, I'd go down and see for myself what the problem was.

That alone created its own new problems. It never made sense to me why these modern ship models felt it necessary to change the cockpit design. Every one of them should be standard-issue – each control in the same place. What was the point of moving around everything? It only led to confusion.

After a couple of failed attempts, I finally succeeded and rose from the pilot's seat, only to be met by Padmé before I'd made it out the door.

"Oh. Obi-Wan," she stammered, obviously surprised to run into me as well. "I didn't see you coming."

Actually, I hadn't seen her since we'd left Coruscant. Was she hiding from me for some reason?

"Is there something I can help you with?"

"Well, here's the deal. Apparently, my bodyguard took it upon herself to pull a prank on your padawan."

Padmé chuckled nervously which was out of character for her. She was usually forthcoming and honest with everyone, especially me. She was hiding something. I'd allow her to continue before I began prying.

"What type of prank, exactly?" I asked.

"You see," she nervously laughed. "Dormé saw him go into the engine room and –- you'll get a kick out of this - She locked him in. He can't seem to get out."

Instead of understanding her explanation, I was even more confused. "Of course he can get out," I explained. "He has his lightsaber with him which is capable of cutting through…"

"That's apparently the problem," she interrupted. "He doesn't seem to have it with him."

Now, I finally started to see the humor, although it was more of an annoyance. I added a chuckle of my own since the joke was certainly on them. "Of course he does. A Jedi never leaves his weapon behind. It's always with them."

It was Padmé's turn to look confused. "Even while you sleep? What about when you're in the sonics?"

I could tell from the look on her face she was messing with me, but the seriousness of the situation didn't allow additional levity.

"If indeed, he doesn't have his weapon with him, perhaps he deserves to sit tight for a while," I suggested. I couldn't count the number of times I'd had to remind him to keep his lightsaber within reach! I understood he'd come to the Temple at the advanced age of nine, but ten years and numerous lectures should've taught him better!

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

I didn't expect her to question my decision and didn't know what to say. I was grateful she quickly explained herself.

"I mean, seeing it was Dormé who locked him in there, making him stay is only going to make her think she accomplished something, and I'm not certain that's wise. In this particular situation."

"I see what you mean," I agreed while pensively scrubbing my chin. "Perhaps we should teach her a lesson."

Padmé's eyes began to sparkle, which brought a smile to my face. Her eyes were one of the things I found most attractive about her.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Dormé! I knew this was a bad idea! Hurry! Quick!"

I volunteered for my part in this lesson Obi-Wan hatched, although I was feeling a trifle guilty. Dormé took too many risks sometimes and I had never agreed for her to lock Anakin into the engine compartment. Perhaps Obi-Wan's idea would make her think twice before pulling another stunt like this.

I physically pulled her from my private cabin and rushed to the galley where Anakin was lying lifeless on the durasteel table.

The moment Dormé laid eyes on him, her face lost its color. "What's wrong with him?" she blurted out.

Obi-Wan chose at that moment to step into view. "Perhaps you can tell us. We found him in the engine compartment in this condition. Someone had blocked the exit and he apparently ran out of oxygen."

"Is he…dead?"

"We're not sure," I cut in. I didn't want to carry this thing too far. "If it makes it, I just hope he doesn't suffer any neurological damage."

I wasn't sure how Dormé would respond. She was a rather skeptical person by nature and questioned everyone's motives, so when her eyes darted from me to Obi-Wan and a smirk lifted one corner of her mouth, I realized we hadn't fooled her. At least not yet.

"Come on. You're teasing me. All he had to do was use his lightsaber to…"

"He didn't have it with him." Obi-Wan interrupted, his tone as serious as his countenance. He was a much better actor than I'd given him credit for.

I was beginning to worry if Anakin was indeed all right, although I had just spoken to himself myself a few minutes ago. He was very good at playing dead. He hadn't moved a muscle and his breathing was barely detectable. Which was a good thing, because Dormé rushed over to him and checked his pulse, leaned over to see if any air was coming out of his nose, and even pried open one of his eyes.

"Oh my stars.." she uttered, stumbling back. "I'm so sorry!"

Later, I'd have to ask Anni how he had managed that.

Dormé continued, blushing furiously, looking more contrite than I'd ever seen her. "I didn't know! I mean, I never meant to…I had no idea…"

Suddenly, Anakin shot up to a sitting position and yelled. "Gotcha!"

I jumped back in surprise, even though I'd expected it. Dormé, on the other nearly jumped out of her skin before bolting forward in a full-on attack. She belted Anakin twice in the arm, looked at Obi-Wan, appeared to consider giving him the same treatment, but changed her mind and returned to Anakin. Smart girl.

"How dare you! I thought you were dead! You scared me!"

"Good!" Anakin yelled back. "Next time, think about what you're doing before you put someone's life in danger!"

"You weren't in danger at all! How dumb do you think I am? If you died in there it would've been from your own stupidity. Why didn't you have your lightsaber…

During the heated exchange, Obi-Wan and I made our exit. We met in the hall while the verbal onslaught continued inside.

"Care for some refreshment?" I asked him. "I happen to have some Alderaanian wine in my quarters."

"Sounds refreshing," Obi-Wan replied with a smile. "After you."

As I strolled ahead of him, I couldn't help but think that somehow, despite Dormé's plan being a complete disaster, it had worked out in our favor after all.

I would have never admitted that to her, of course.