Sabé had barely breathed the Naboo air before she was back into hyperspace heading towards the planet Alpheridies. She knew her hope to speak with Padmé for a brief moment was futile, knowing she would be on Coruscant. Something had been off in their conversation. She only wished for even a brief explanation for Padmé's demeanor, but it would have to wait.
Sabé usually enjoyed travelling alone, finding a peace in piloting her own ship for once. It wasn't often she was just Sabé. She could count on one hand the number of times she had been alone or not acting as decoy. However, the usual peace eluded her, her mind feeling more tense and groggy with every passing moment that she came closer to her destination.
The planet, Alpheridies, was located at the edge of a giant molecular cloud known as the veil, a vast nebula that almost overtook the presence of the planet that lay deep in the Abron system. It was near the vast nebula that Sabé founding herself struggling to avoid it, as if it crept more closely to her the more she tried to keep it from her path. It had an eerie presence to it; an unspoken mystery lost in the white clouds that darkened more the deeper that one looked. Just beyond the nebula, Sabé could make out the small swirling blue planet that was her destination. A shiver of cold rattled down her spine, causing a startled breath to leave her lips in a crisp fog of air. Space was often cold, but Sabé had adjusted long ago. This was a cold radiating from the planet before her, a strange happening, the tense nature of her muscles only stiffened more. Her head felt faint, and her mind groggy as her ship descended into the atmosphere. She felt as though she was having visions before her; despite the blue mountains contrasting greatly against the orange skyline of the setting sun, casting shadows over the plains below, it all felt blurred together. Sabé's eyes followed the skyline to her landing site down below, where she could make out a few smaller figures as she flew down closer. Her ship hummed as she initiated her landing gear, trembling slightly as it met the ground below. A shiver ran threw her again as she pulled her thicker cloak around her and made her way to the ramp and the planet below. The setting sun cast an orange glow around her, reflecting back from the silver of her ship. The air was crisp and cold, each breath she took billowing out as a fogged cloud in front of her. The mountains she had observed from the skies now towered above her, casting strange shadows over the planet surface and over the faces of those that awaited her. At a quick glance she noted a few clone troopers, their white armor accented with green, and a woman dressed in from head to toe in black. As she walked closer she recognized the woman as Mirialan, the green color of her skin and her bright blue eyes contrasting greatly with her dark gown and headdress. The woman had been looking towards her since her ship had landed and had not moved an inch in her direction until Sabé's feet had touched the rock below. Now that she had, she moved as if she was floating on air, graceful and intentional. Sabé had only ever seen Jedi move so elegantly and assumed this woman was the Master Jedi she had been directed to meet. Sabé took a low bow as the Master Jedi came to a stop before her, wrapping her cloak around herself further as she then leant forward and extended her hand in greeting.
"Captain Naberrie. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." The woman greeted her. Her voice was smooth and calm; it reminded Sabé of Obi-Wan and how he spoke so eloquently in his own negotiations. If there was anyone else that embodied the very ideals of a Jedi, Sabé thought she stood before her. The Jedi's demeanor was dignified and peaceful as she extended her own hand into Sabé's.
"The pleasure and honor is mine, Master Jedi." Sabé responded, giving her hand a firm shake, not at all surprised by the firmness given in turn. As their hands touched, Sabé felt a distinct feeling of confidence and empathy wash over her, as if it was emanating from the woman whose hand she now clasped.
"Please, I am Jedi Master Luminara Unduli. Though I do not believe formality is necessary on this mission, Captain." She said as she inclined her head in final greeting, a small smile lighting up her face, interrupting the feeling Sabé had felt as her hand left hers.
"Sabé, thank you. I am grateful to have your assistance. I am also very hopeful that you have further information for me. My briefing was cut quite short." She responded, gathering herself and her thoughts back to the moment.
"So I was told. Come, I will show you where we will be staying and I will try my best to relay all that is expected of us." With that final statement, Luminara waved her hand towards the clone troopers behind her. The Master Jedi waited long enough for her troopers to return to their ships and then led the way down a beaten path to the mountains that lay beyond.
Despite her growing wonderment, Sabé's face remained neutral as her eyes roved around the small settlement that Luminara was currently leading her through. The Miralukans seemed a resourceful people, having carved homes out of the mountainside, leaving the plains free for their agricultural affairs. They used every nook and cranny to its greatest benefit, no stone left unturned and useless. They seemed a humble people, living with meaning. Not in the same boastful, prideful air that those on Coruscant lived with their monumental skyscrapers that gleamed in the night skyline, speeders and transports filling the space around them, and nightclubs that never ceased. Instead the Miralukans used everything to its greatest potential: water irrigated through practical streams to their crops, animals treated as more than just mere cattle, and everyone seemed to know and respect one another. Their agricultural success and lack of industry is not what intrigued Sabé the most, however; it was the Miralukans themselves. For just in that moment, a woman had stumbled before Sabé, her basket tumbling with her. Sabé had reached down to her, retrieving her basket as she helped to pull her up. Only in the moment that she went to meet the young woman's gaze did she realize that these seemingly humanoid beings were not as she expected. For as she sought her eyes with her own, there were none waiting for her; where eyes would have been, a dark cloth was wrapped around her head and beneath it remained a human face made of nose and lips.
"Thank you." She said, grabbing onto Sabé's hand. Sabé was grateful when the young woman's voice broke the silence. For just as Sabé was feeling shame for her lack of response, she felt a different kind of gaze upon her. It was similar to the feeling of Master Yoda delving into her mind. It was one of curiosity and identification, and suddenly Sabé realized the woman was seeing her in another way, in the same way Obi-Wan had felt her presence in the force. At first Sabé assumed this woman was perhaps force sensitive, but as they continue their way through the settlement, she felt the curiosity radiating from every being in their presence, and that same feeling pulsating against her mind with each gaze. It was fascinating. Luminara seemed to sense her interest and began regaling her in the history of Miraluka.
"The Miralukans had immigrated to this planet, after their own had become uninhabitable. However, the dwarf star in the system emitted such an intense infrared spectrum, that the people gradually lost their ability to sense and process visible light waves. Eventually, their normal sight was replaced, as their long dormant capability to 'see' through the force awakened and grew stronger, allowing them to use it subconsciously." Luminara Explained.
"Does this mean that all Miralukans are force sensitive?" Sabé asked.
"Not necessarily. Not all can use the force in addition to their sight. But many that are have been known for their prophecies and seeing deeper through the force. They can often sense the presence of the force of those around them."
"I see." Sabé responded, pondering her own experience since coming here.
"Thankfully we should not be here long enough for the dwarf star to affect us." She continued while Sabé nodded along, as they finally reached their destination.
Sabé looked up to the small home carved into the side of the mountain. It rested more awkwardly than the others, almost as if it might crumble away at any moment. Its edges rested farther out than the mountain, supported by metal beams to keep it in place. The beams gave Sabé little confidence as they ascended the first flight of many zigzagging stone stairs to the home above. What breath Sabé might've been holding on to, was stolen as she reached the entrance. For what this home might lack in appearance, it had the best view of the village she had seen yet. It was higher than most of the other homes, giving her an almost total aerial view of the rest of the village. The entrance, or what she could gather was similar to having a balcony, allowed a view of the mountainside that was bathed in golden light from the setting and rising suns. Each rough edge of the mountain now looked smooth yet striking. The light gleamed and reflected at every turn, highlighting the fields and people below. While no place would ever compare to Naboo for her, Sabé could admit she could get used to a view like this. Luminara's hand on her shoulder guided her from the view and to a small doorway. While the home was made of stone, a wooden door swung from the makeshift hinges. Before either woman had the chance to knock, the door clattered back unceremoniously as a Miralukan woman stepped through it. She was a more elderly woman. While she had the same worn black cloth over her eyes and the same grey and silver hair as the others, the lines in her face gave her away. Despite the telltale signs of aging, the woman exuded confidence and strength. Her arms and legs were like those of everyone else she had seen, lean and muscular from the hard work of farming.
"I wondered if you would ever arrive." She let out gruffly, her breath huffing the few strands of short silver hair out of her face. She wrapped her dull brown cloak further around herself and she stepped from the doorway. "Feels like I have been waiting for months instead of a few days."
Sabé felt the same sensation again as this woman's 'sight' swept around them both.
"Elder Aeldarr Kayur, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Jedi Master Lu—"
"I know who you are!" The woman stopped Luminara short, coming to stand closer to her, as if inspecting her, her voice gruff and deep. "You Jedi know nothing. I know you have come Master Unduli. I have been awaiting you. And you…" She said then turning to Sabé more abruptly, coming mere inches from her face with her own. "We have been waiting for you a long time, Iizarr."
Sabé blinked a few times, a few questions floating through her mind. Sabé chanced a curious glance at Luminara, their eyes meeting, receiving a nod in return before she obeyed the Miralukan woman's motions to follow her inside. Sabé took a few moments to glance around the room, as the Elder led them to a set of chairs in the center. The walls reflected the stone they were carved out of, a little rough around the edges but smooth and firm. She had decorated the walls with various plants from the fields and mirrors that reflected the golden light from the suns across the room. The floor had been draped in a moss like grass that was soft against Sabé's aching feet. The furniture Sabé now sat at was worn and rustic but had been made out of the wood in the surrounding area with great attention and care. She briefly heard Luminara commenting on its grand architecture, just for the woman to shut her down once more, lecturing her to skip the pleasantries.
Luminara took a deep sigh. "Perhaps you have heard of Prosset Dibs?" Luminara inquired of the older woman, continuing after receiving a nod. "He recently turned on his own Jedi comrades and has gone missing. There are rumors that the Miralukans are now questioning their ties with the Republic as the planet falls into more dissent. The Senate is worried that the people may wish to join with the separatist cause." Luminara had spoken so carefully, each word chosen specifically to remain neutral, yet it did little to keep the woman from voicing her suspicions of them.
"So you came to make sure we are good little followers, eh? To keep your so-called peace? The Republic has always kept out of our business and us out of theirs. Suddenly they want everyone to bow to them and throw their loyalties in. The Miralukans need no one, we never have. We live in our own peace. You Coruscant people would never understand, living in your large skyscrapers, having already squashed the entire natural world from beneath you. You have nothing left to protect, but we do, from everyone. Perhaps Prosset Dibs was right to turn and flee."
Sabé was suddenly very aware of her purpose for this mission. She lifted herself from the rugged chair and walked to the closest window, silence following in her wake. It was not much warmer in the house than it was outside, the small fire doing little to warm her at this distance. Her breath was still able to fog the small windowpane.
"Elder, have you ever seen Naboo?"
The woman remained silent, but somehow Sabé knew the answer was no. It was unlikely this woman had ever left her own planet.
"It is a beautiful planet, much like your own. There are mountains and plains, a sun that glistens off of them with the same golden glow. There are waterfalls all around the capital city, where an abundance of flowers grow. The people are gentle, peace loving. They have no army, there isn't… wasn't… any need." She paused, allowing her own sorrow at the past settle in the air between them. "I lost friends then; and I have friends that are now lost in other ways, that will never be the same. They were prisoners in their own home." Sabé turned from the window to face the woman, eyes meeting where her eyes should have been. "It is true. The Republic has come to ask allegiance, but it is not only for us, but also for you. The Separatists will not ask. They will take. They will take everything you have, even at the cost of your lives."
"The Elders have already decided." She responded gruffly, turning to look away from Sabé.
"Then perhaps we will have to change their minds." Sabé responded softly, turning once more to the window as the last rays of sunlight fell below the surface.
Sabé was glad to finally rest her head, the feathered pillow felt like her own personal heaven. After flying several hours solo and spending the entire full waking day walking through the settlement with its force seeing citizens, she was worn down. It felt like her sessions with Master Yoda, except it continued for the whole day, much longer than she usually participated. She wondered if perhaps Master Luminara was unfazed as she herself was a force user or if she was just hiding her fatigue very well. Of course she was a Master Jedi. Obi-Wan had once told her long ago that the Jedi could go days without sleeping.
Sabé's thoughts shifted to the Elder, Aeldarr Kayur. She was a strange woman. Sabé was glad they were being granted council with the elders. Luminara had finally been able to brief her after their conversation with the Elder. Once they were tucked away in their own quarters, she revealed Sabé had been selected, as Padmé would be unable to come at this time. She was to be seen as a representative of the Senator. The Jedi Council and the Chancellor hoped that their own planet's experience might be enough to reignite the relations with the Miralukan people.
"I do not think they will take kindly to occupation." Sabé had lamented to Luminara. The one part of the diplomatic mission she was certain would fail. If the people were like any of those on Naboo, they would see it as a threat, not a service.
"Then we shall hope it does not come to that." Luminara had responded, before leaving for her own room.
Her thoughts cycled back to the Elder once more. What did she mean she had been waiting for her? Luminara had explained that many of the elders saw visions and could prophecy about the future, but in Sabé's mind, it did not make sense to be waiting for her. The Jedi perhaps, but for her? And what was it that she called her… and what did it mean. Sabé brushed her thoughts aside as an added curiosity to the nature of the planet and its people, allowing a peaceful meditation to take its place.