Padme waited while the peasants stood and stared. Wait, what?

"Is that a photon cannon? I haven't seen one outside of a museum. As for the armour, that only appears in holos. " said Borric, interrupting her rather confused thoughts.

"I suppose we all just fall into line and obey now?" said Laina, folding her arms.

Padme slumped. Laina was right. She wasn't anyone to be followed. She would just make things worse.

'Allow me.' said a voice. Her voice. Padme had the sense of being forcibly made to sit down while those more able took charge.

"That would be acceptable." she heard herself say. "Yes. This is my weapon, my armour and you stand in my fortress on my planet."

Laina turned red. "Acceptable? Listen up little miss whoever you think you are. You are not in charge any more. You do as I say or you can leave." she said.

Padme felt and saw herself walk past Borric and Laina.

"What, what are you doing?" said Laina.

Padme saw herself turn, heard herself speak.

"Acceding to you desires. I am leaving. Follow me or stay. I care not." she said and resumed walking for the surface.

The others followed.

Padme tried to make sense of what was happening. How was she possessed?

'You can't do this.'

'Why not?'

'This is my mind, my body. You can't just take it over!'

'I differ. This is my body, or a reasonable representation thereof. It will do.'

'Will do?'

'Yes. You didn't want it so I will find a use now.'

'And what do you want it for.'

'I believe I made myself clear. I want my planet back. Same as you. Unsurprising really.'

Padme was taken aback.

'Who are you?'

'I rather thought that was obvious. Especially given what has just transpired. I am you. Or rather, you are me. Now quiet. The grown ups are talking.'

They had reached one of the galleries where the Resistance cell mostly stayed. People stirred at the sight of a young woman in ancient armour. Padme could only watch as she moved among them. She saw herself help people up while she spoke.

"Listen to me, sons and daughters of Naboo. Too long have you cowered under these invaders. Too long you have felt the whip and feared them. Now however, it is time to resist. To take back my land, to show these fools who believe that might makes right what true strength is. It is you. It is the brave men and women who will show that we are stronger. Follow me and," here she heard herself pause.

'What is the capital?' the voice asked.

'Theed.' Who didn't know that?

"Soon we shall stand in Theed triumphant." she completed. Several people cheered.

'Really? Theed? Whose idea was that?' she heard the voice say to her.

"Who are you?" called a voice.

"I am Artura. I have returned. I, with your help will take my planet back!"

Cal Var drove the lead hauler through settlement nineteen. Where was everyone? Hopefully they were just cowering inside their homes and not scattered throughout the countryside. That made fulfilling the quota so much harder. He activated the hauler's comm.

"Anyone see anybody?" he said on the local channel.

He was answered by a chorus of negative replies.

"Aw hell. Why do they make it hard on themselves." he said and activated the scanner.

That's strange he thought examining the readings.

"Alright, they're all in this building in the on the right." he called.

"Awfully conscientious of them." came the reply from Vorak, driver of the second hauler.

"Yeah. I guess so. Maybe they're learning." said Cal.

"Maybe. Just keep your eyes out. Just in case." said Vorak.

The three haulers took the turn and soon entered a clear space. Opposite was the building with the villagers Some sort of temple. Standing in front of it was a figure in black and red armour. It was carrying some sort of spear.

Great some opportunistic wierdo who thought they could just stroll in and take what they liked. Cal switched the comm to broadcast.

"Alright. Clear off. Nineteen is our turf." he said.

"No." said the figure before jumping high. A few of the more alert of his gang had the sense to fire but the leap had been too sudden and unexpected. The spear flared and the middle hauler exploded.

The hauler rocked as it was thrown forwards by the blast. Cal grabbed his blaster and tumbled out of the vehicle. A series of shots from the temple forced him to keep his head down behind the now open door. Some of his men returned fire. Where was the armour suit? He tried looking past the smoke blocking the view to the rear. What the hell was happening?I

I should be terrified, thought Padme as she flew though the air, incinerated a vehicle and landed on the deck of the rear one. Her foot lashed out at the Rodian and she heard its leg snap. As the alien collapsed she knocked the Human off with a sweep of her cannon. I shouldn't be enjoying this.

'Why not? It's a good warm up.' came Artura's voice.

Her body leapt off the hauler and sprinted for the cover of a building.

'Why are we hiding?'

'We are not hiding. We are waiting.'

'Waiting? For what?'

A few seconds passed and then there was a trill from the cannon. She leaned round and fired, destroying the rear hauler.

'Recharge.'

It did not take long for the survivors to surrender after that.

She was speaking again. Behind her were the Resistance cell and villagers. In front of her were the three survivors.

"You have taken from me. You have stolen from me. None of this is yours. What made you think that it was?"

The survivors were kneeling with their hands on their heads. They looked at one another.

She walked over to Karan and handed her cannon to him.

"Hold this." she said.

Then she walked over and picked up a blaster from where they survivors had thrown them down. She found herself checking the charge as she walked over to a villager. She handed them the weapon.

'What are you doing?' said the woman.

"Here." She said handing the woman the weapon. "What would they have done to you, were you taken?"

The woman mumbled something.

"I know. We can make sure that never happens. Here, ready like this. Safety off, sight down the length and fire." she said guiding the woman through shooting a captive. As the woman looked at the weapon she added, "Keep it. It's yours now."

She walked back and retrieved another blaster.

'Are you going to murder prisoners?'

'Me? Did I kill that beast? Besides, the word is execute.'

She approached another villager, a man.

"You, they would send to the mines. Briefly, because you would not live long. Want to stop that?"

Again she guided the villager through the execution. Then again.

"You see. They are nothing. Those of you who can, arm yourselves and make ready. This is only the beginning!" she said.

The crowd cheered. She walked over to Karan who was still holding the cannon.

"Thank you. Now, help me with this armour." she said before waking towards a building.

Inside what used to be a sweets shop Karan assisted with removing the armour sections. Once done he turned to leave.

"I'll let you get out of the body sleeve alone." he said.

She reached out her arm and gently turned him round. She then clasped her hands behind his neck.

"You can help me with that as well." she said.

'What are you doing?'

'Isn't it obvious?'

'Yes, but please, not this.'

'Really? Is it him? I can find someone else.'

'No. Please stop.'

'Not listening.'

She leaned forwards and kissed Karan aggressively.

'No! Stop!'

Padme's viewpoint changed. She was no longer detached but was in control. She was also wrapped around Karan, staring into his eyes with her tongue...

"Arrggh!" she said and backed away. "Go now."

Karan looked stunned,

"I'm sorry, are you..." he began.

"Yes, just go. Now." she said.

Karan hastily left. Padme sank to her knees.

'Well, there's a learning experience for us all.'

'What is happening?'

'Don't ask me. I remember being floated out into the lake, dying from my wounds. Next, I am haunting my throne room and my body is in possession of someone who does not deserve it.'

'This is my body.'

'Looks like mine. Fits my armour. Moves like mine, well, a bit. We really need to work on an exercise program.'

'Well. I'm back in charge now.'

'For the moment. All those people out there. They want me, Artura. Their once and future Queen. I can command, fight and lead them to victory. What is it you bring to our little lance again? What use is Padme? Broken, useless, pathetic little Padme. So just let go, cry in the corner and I will get things done.'

'No. Not again. Not ever.'

'Really? Going to save our world yourself? How?'

'You will help me.'

'And why would I do that?'

'You said it yourself. We want the same things. By helping me you help yourself.'

'Very well. My first piece of advice is we find some clothes. Then we need to talk to our confused young man.'

'He is not ours.'

'Whatever. Can we also agree on a bath?'

Karan wandered through the village in a daze. What had happened? He sat down, trying to sort it all out. Artura had made a pass at him. Padme understandably couldn't. Her personality had reasserted itself in defence. Possibly. His hazy recollection of half remembered lessons wasn't accurate. Can a personality know things it was impossible to know, like how to open sealed doors and use ancient weapons?

He became aware of someone sitting beside him. It was Padme. She was dressed in a long yellow dress. She had drawn up her knees and then wrapped her arms round them.

"I want to apologise." she said.

"You've done nothing wrong. So, no apology needed." Karan said.

"But Artura..." began Padme.

"Was stopped by you. You're in control. That's what counts Padme." said Karan.

Padme stared ahead.

"Am I? I've got Artura in my head. The legendary Warrior Queen. She's easily capable of taking back the planet. What can I do?" she said.

"Yes, she's wonderful and gave us all the push to get us started, but long term we're going to need you, not Artura." said Karan.

"You think so?"

"You stood up to Jabba for years. You came back instead of dying. You never give up and you do the right thing, no matter how hard it looks. Artura may be hero we want, but you are the one we need. Don't sell yourself short Padme." said Karan.

"Okay." she said as she stood up. "It's probably time to take the sleeves out from soaking."

Karan rose too.

"Need a hand with that?" he offered.

'Is he offering any other body parts?'

"No! Sorry, not you. Yes, that would be nice." Padme said.

Walking back Karan wondered exactly he was getting into.

'Ten more.'

'No, I can't.'

'Ten more and I won't ask till tomorrow.'

'Promise?'

'Sure. Now, ten more squats. Use your knees. Everyone's watching."

Padme grimaced and continued with the exercise routine. All about the field the other revolutionaries followed suit.

"If she can, I can." came a voice. Then another, and another as people struggled with Artura's gruelling exercise regime.

Padme got through the last of the squats. There done.

'Not quite. Half hour run. Quick pace.'

'No. Just let me rest.'

'Tell those mercs you're too tired because the battle is going too long. They'll grant you a nice rest, I'm sure.'

Artura may of been a self-centred egomaniac, but she was right.

"Okay everyone. Twenty minute run. Quick pace." she yelled as she started, legs burning.

The others groaned but complied.

'I said half hour.'

'I don't think they can hear you.'

Artura stopped grumbling when she encouraged everyone to keep going for a little bit longer.

"What's the delay!" yelled Artura over the comm. She sighted with the cannon and the walker's turret melted.

"Repeaters on access two." came a voice

"Alright. On it." said Altura and leapt. She landed boot first on a Weequay and punched the Twilek beside her in the weapon pit.

'Down.'

Artura threw herself flat as repeater bolts scythe overhead.

"Pit one clear. Need help with two. Advance. They're focused on me." said Artura into her comm.

'When aren't they?'

Artura waited until she heard an explosion.

"Pit two clear." chirped the comm.

Artura got up and ran towards the objective. As the cannon trilled, she sighted and fired.

'What do you call this place?'

'Midorn. Secondary comm Station.'

'Never heard of it.'

Artura limped into her tent, armour smoking. She removed her helmet to look about.

"Squire!" she bellowed.

Karan hurried up and began assisting her out of the armour.

"I do have a name." he said.

"Only to her. To me you're my Squire. Unless of course, ow! Careful there." she said as two plates pinched her left thigh. "You did that on purpose." she added accusingly.

"Sorry. It was melted onto the sleeve." said Karan removing another plate.

"Be careful. It's her body too. Is the bath ready?"

"Yes, Artura."

"Care to join me?"

"No, Artura."

"Your loss." said Artura, slipping out of the sleeve, dropping it and walking over to step in the bath.

Karan sighed, moved the privacy screen round, picked up the sleeve and moved it to it's bowl. He then found a dress for the evening and slung it over the screen. Finally he sat down and began counting. He reached eight this time.

"Ah! Ow! Karan?" said Padme.

"Still here." he said.

"We took Tariz Starport and four light cruisers. Well three actually. Artura still has trouble understanding the word airlock. Yes you do." said Padme.

"So two to go?" said Karan.

"Just two more Karan, then the Hutts are as good as gone." said Padme.

Then you're good as gone too.

"What? I didn't hear you, sorry." said Padme.

"I, I didn't say anything." said Karan.

"Was certain you did, oh well. Thank you Karan."

"You're welcome Padme."