Chapter rewritten 10/2/2020


32 BBY

Shortly after landing, Catlé and Rabé helped Padmé get ready in desert clothing. While none of the handmaidens nor Captain Panaka liked it, Padmé was curious about Tatooine and wanted to see more of the planet, so she decided to venture beyond the safety of the ship along with Master Qui-Gon.

"Stay out of trouble," Catlé pleaded quietly, as she straightened Padmé's tunic.

With the slightest hint of a smile, Padmé said, "I can't make any promises, Leya."

Catlé's mouth dipped into a frown as she watched Padmé leave the room to join Captain Panaka waiting outside. "Unfortunately," she muttered.

"You'd think a politician would prefer to be cautious," Rabé said, eyeing the door.

"Something tells me she'll never be cautious." Catlé turned to face Rabé. "We should check on Sabé and Eirtaé." Rabé nodded and followed the elder handmaiden out of the room and back to the throne room.

Sabé and Eirtaé were conversing quietly in the room when they arrived, but since they didn't need anything, Catlé decided to venture around the ship once again, restless on her feet. She walked aimlessly around the ship until she found the Padawan fiddling with the hyperdrive on the lower deck. She stopped at the entry to the engineering area, unsure of walking in and disrupting him during his work.

He wasn't very tall, especially compared to his master and only a few inches taller than her, and Catlé wasn't sure how she felt about the Padawan braid as it reminded her of a rat tail, but she had to admit he was quite handsome. His brown hair had a reddish tint and was cropped short. The cloak he wore made him seem more hulking than he actually was. And his eyes reminded her of the blue of a Naboo sky.

She contemplated turning around and returning to the upper deck to be with the other handmaidens, but the Padawan's deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"You can come on out," the Padawan said, still focused on the hyperdrive generator in front of him. "I don't bite."

Catlé felt a blush creeping up her neck before silently chiding herself. First, she scolded herself for allowing herself to be so lost in thought that she had practically been hiding, and second, for letting herself blush. She stepped forward into the room, wondering how he had even known she was there. Due to her training, she was incredibly light on her feet and practiced the habit even when it wasn't needed.

He looked up at her, meeting her eyes. "You're worried," he said bluntly. Her eyebrows furrowed at his observation. He immediately grew sheepish, bowing his head a little. "I apologize. It's a Jedi trick. The Force allows me to feel basic emotions. It also allows me to tell when someone or something is near."

"That must come in handy," she said, walking forward more. She turned her gaze to the generator.

"The whole thing is shot," he explained. "We need a replacement. Master Qui-Gon will be looking for one."

Catlé folded her hands behind her back, picking at the velvet sleeves where he couldn't see. "So why are you still messing with it?"

"To see if I can salvage any of it for other damaged areas of the ship."

He didn't say anything else, so Catlé took the moment to study him. He had a sophisticated accent that was more common in the Core Worlds than the Mid Rim or the Outer Rim Territories. He looked every bit as Jedi Knight as his master did, but she noticed the displeasure and irritation behind his stoic expression. The tenseness of his gaze, the clenching of his jaw, the twitching of his brow.

"You're irritated," she pointed out just bluntly as he had to her.

His lips had the slightest uptick in amusement. "Jedi don't always like every assignment we get sent on."

That piqued her interest. "What don't you like about this one?"

"I've never cared for the Trade Federation," he confided. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to answer honestly rather than playing off the question, but the handmaiden before him would understand his thoughts towards the Federation more than many others, especially given the circumstances. And sometimes having only Qui-Gon to confide in felt stuffy. "They are power-hungry yet cowardly. Something feels off about their ploy on Naboo."

"Maybe it's the new Viceroy?" Catlé suggested, tilting her head to the side.

"No, it's something else," the Padawan said with complete confidence. The corners of her mouth twitched, amused at the confidence and surety. He noticed she had the same reaction to him that he had toward her. Amusement littered with a sense of trust and secrecy. "What's your name?"

That was a good question. Did she answer honestly or honestly? Both answers were truthful, from a certain point of view, though she couldn't bring herself to have him call her by the name she went by in public while serving Queen Amidala. "Cattleya Aput."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi." He bowed his head in respect, and she curtsied in return. "If I may say so, you seem quite a bit older than the Queen's other servants."

She could tell due to his wording he hadn't meant it as a slight or anything similar. "That's because I am," she answered, setting a hand on the generator and walking around it while she continued to speak. "While the Queen is fourteen, I am twenty. Not only was I trained to protect Her Highness but also to be someone she could confide in, like an older sibling." She stopped on the opposite side of the generator and dropped her hand, looking up at Obi-Wan again.

"If she needs help, I am there for her. If she needs advice, I aid in that too. My age lends me more experience than the others, but it also lets me stay close to her side as a handmaiden." She paused, looking him over. "What about you? How long do Jedi stay at the rank of Padawan learner before advancing to Knight?"

"It takes quite a bit of time." He fiddled with the wrench in his hand as he explained. "First we start as younglings, Jedi Initiates, around the age of three. We learn the ways of the Force and basics such as mathematics, science, and history. Around adolescence, we participate in the Initiate Trials to see if we would continue on to become a Padawan or not. If we pass and a Knight or Master chose us, then we become their apprentice, learning from them and going on missions together. We usually stay with our masters for about a decade, but there is no set time. We are at the rank of Padawan until the Master sees fit that we are ready for the Trials or simply they have taught us all they could. If we pass the Trials, the Council grants us Knighthood."

"That's quite a lot," Catlé said, her eyebrows rising, though she supposed it had to be due to the nature of the life of a Jedi. They spent their lives dedicated to protecting people and promoting peace throughout the galaxy.

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "It is tedious and hard work, but I'd say it's worth it."

"I can imagine. Jedi Knight. That is a high honor."

"I believe so."


The Padawan intrigued Catlé, to say the least, but she couldn't tell what had grabbed her attention. She had just met the man after all. Perhaps it was her lack of interacting with others outside of people who worked in the Theed Royal Palace. Or it could be due to her having never met a Jedi, regardless of their rank. Yes, that made the most sense.

Not long after she had left Obi Wan's presence, the ship received a message from Naboo during the middle of a sandstorm. Captain Panaka and Kenobi were called into the throne room to hear the message. Once everyone was accounted for, the message was played for the group.

The transmission showed Governor Bibble. ". . . cut off all food supplies until you return. . ." he said. The message continued to cut out at parts, and the hologram flickered. ". . . the death toll is catastrophic. . . we must bow to their wishes, Your Highness. . . Please tell us what to do! If you can hear us, Your Highness, you must contact me. . ." The hologram cut out.

Almost immediately, Obi-Wan stood abruptly from where he had been sitting next to Panaka. "It's a trick," he said sternly. "Send no reply. Send no transmissions of any kind." Without another word, he walked out of the room. The door slid shut behind him, leaving the room as quiet as a graveyard.

"Captain?" Sabé said tentatively.

Panaka shakily stood, still taking in the contents of the message. "The Jedi is right, Your Highness. I don't like it, but it's likely a trap."

Sabé then looked at Catlé, hoping for some words of reassurance. There were times when Catlé forgot their ages as they tended to act so much older and wiser than normal adolescents, but there was fear hidden in each of their eyes despite the masks they wore.

Catlé had no doubt that it was sent as bait, but what if the information was true? That the people were dying? She couldn't bear the thought of her own people dying. But she needed to set aside her thoughts and feelings for the moment.

Most do not realize just how much the title handmaiden entailed. Sabé was more scared than the rest of them. She was afraid Padmé wouldn't stay safe. She feared for the people of Naboo. The others felt the same pressure, but not nearly as much as the Queen's decoy, especially since they did not have direct contact with Padmé at the moment.

Catlé took a deep breath in and held her head high. "Our people will persevere. They are strong. We must instead focus on our mission. That's how we will win."


By the next day, the group on the ship hadn't had much contact with Master Qui-Gon or Padmé, though they tried to keep a peace of mind knowing Padmé was safe with a Jedi Master protecting her. He might not have been aware of her status as the true Queen of Naboo, but there was no doubt in their minds that he would keep her safe to the utmost of his ability.

Eventually, Sabé, Eirtaé, and Rabé had unanimously urged Catlé to leave the throne room due to her pacing. While excellent at providing comfort and advice, she wasn't the best at hiding her inner thoughts and feelings.

While strolling through the ship, she found Kenobi again. He sat with his arms on his knees and his head in his palms on a chair in the main hold.

Walking closer, Catlé asked, "Is everything all right?" Her expression showed a slight worry.

Obi-Wan brought his head up to look at her. He sent her a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, so he gave up on it and sighed. "I'm worried about my master." He sat up straight. "What's drawn you to wandering?"

She grinned, inching closer. "The others would say it's because I constantly ache for something interesting to happen."

"And you?" he pressed.

"I'd have to agree with them." He chuckled quietly, a sound that was good to hear in the time of stress and loss. "It sounds terrible, I know, especially at a time like this."

"Not necessarily," he assured. "There's nothing wrong with craving excitement. It's not like you wished for catastrophe. And I'd argue that you actually wish to be useful, not stuck on a ship."

With a small shrug, she nodded. "You might have a point."

They then continued about their merry way, doing whatever was required of them.

It wasn't until the day after the next that the Queen returned from her trip into the settlement. Obi-Wan had kept the group up to date regarding Qui-Gon's efforts with a podrace, or at least the bare minimum.

When they arrived at the ship with the parts, Rabé and Catlé were the ones who greeted them, especially greeting Padmé with a hug. Then they helped carry the supplies on board. But as Catlé walked out of the ship to continue the job, she noticed Qui-Gon riding away on an eopie.

She looked at Obi-Wan who was also watching his master. "Where is he going?" Catlé asked.

Obi-Wan turned at the sound of her voice. He had sensed her presence when she stopped near him, but he had been lost in thought over Qui-Gon heading out yet again. "He's off to fetch the boy responsible for getting us these parts," he said. "Do not worry, he says he'll return soon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get to work on fixing the hyperdrive." They nodded to each other before he walked back on-board, and Catlé continued to carry supplies in with a few of the pilots and Rabé.

True to his word, the Jedi Master returned soon with a young boy. Much to everyone's dismay, they were not alone. The boy raced onto the ship as Padmé, Captain Panaka, and Catlé are talking in the main hold.

The blond boy was disheveled and clearly out of breath after running to the ship and up the ramp. "Qui-Gon's in trouble. He says to take off, now!" he exclaimed.

As Captain Panaka gave him a questioning look and Padmé looked shocked, Catlé sprung into action and hurried to the cockpit, followed shortly by the others.

"Qui-Gon's in trouble," she announced the moment she saw Obi-Wan.

He moved over to the pilot, gazing out the window. "Over there," he pointed. "Fly low." Olié started up the ship.

A short distance away, a small cloud of smoke barely clocked Qui-Gon and a dark figure. The green and red lightsabers clashed visibly through the haze.

Olié flew low with the ramp still down so Qui-Gon could jump on, and Obi-Wan and the boy went to the main hold for when he hopped into the ship. The moment the cockpit got the notification of the ramp closing, Olié flew into the atmosphere and out into open space. Not long after, the stars streak past as they entered hyperspace, leaving the desert planet behind.

Catlé and Rabé helped Padmé don the sunset robes she had worn before while they heard the story of the trip from her. Catlé certainly wished she had gone with as watching a podrace sounded incredibly interesting, though she hadn't minded getting to know the Padawan during that time either. Though she did wonder how the young boy, named Anakin Skywalker, would fare in Coruscant on his mission to join the Jedi Order.


Hours later, the ship dropped out of hyperspace near Coruscant, the capital of the Republic, and Olié landed the starship on a platform on the upper level. The Jedi were the first to descend the ramp, followed by Anakin and Jar Jar. They bowed before Chancellor Valorum and Senator Palpatine, who had made the trip to the platform to greet and escort the group from Naboo. After greeting the chancellor and the senator, they stood off to the side.

Captain Panaka was followed by Sabé, who was still dressed as the Queen, and following close behind were the other handmaidens and Padmé. Catlé's eyes met Obi-Wan's and she quietly smiled at him, receiving a small nod in return.

Palpatine bowed to the Queen. "It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty," he greeted. "With the communications breakdown, we've been very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation." He nodded to the man beside him. "May I present, Supreme Chancellor Valorum."

"Welcome, Your Highness," Valorum greeted. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person."

"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor," Sabé replied. The two men turned and Sabé walked between them.

"I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation," Valorum said. "I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."

"I'm grateful for your concern, Chancellor."

The senator then began to lead them away. "There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it."