Hand of Fate
Chapter 6 / The Way Home
Naboo
The Outer Marshes
They were back where this had all started: The eerily beautiful swamplands of Naboo.
Qui-Gon Jinn contemplated the tranquil lake visible through the treeline ahead. Beneath it, Otah Gunga laid hidden from this upper layer of the Naboo world. Perhaps the answer they sought was there beneath the watery mirror surface… and perhaps not. Behind the wizened Jedi master, the just-landed starship was full of activity as the Queen's people unloaded. But for Qui-Gon, a moment of quiet reflection was needed away from everything.
His mind went back again to the mysterious adversary on Tatooine. The face of this humanoid creature had been red and black… tattooed perhaps. The sickly yellow eyes sunken deep into those slashes of color were what he remembered most clearly. Whispers of evil curled around Qui-Gon, and a cold feeling that was not physical persisted. However, answering that phantom menace, hope sang strong. Qui-Gon smiled to himself, but it was not a joyful expression. It was bittersweet. Balance. Always balance.
Some Jedi Knights had gifts of prophesy and premonition. Qui-Gon had never felt nor experienced that he was particularly gifted in either. Yet ever since meeting Anakin, it was as if a new part of himself had been brought to the surface. He was more convinced than even he understood: Truly, this boy was the chosen one. Or, more specifically… the first of the chosen ones. Anakin Skywalker was the beginning of a grand balance, a new hope. Over the past two days, Qui-Gon had seen visions of the boy, and not only of him, but his children. Vague, brief glimpses into a journey he did not understand, but did not need to. The Force would write the story. All Qui-Gon needed to do was remain faithful. It was troubling that the council refused to see or believe in Qui-Gon's conviction about Anakin. But as always, the master rested in the knowledge that the Force would find a way.
Another revelation that had been recently given to Qui-Gon: a persistent guiding notion that he would not be a part of this plane of existence for much longer. His end was near, and he could feel it keenly. Instead of feeling dread or fear, Qui-Gon only experienced fascination and openness. He was a servant of the living Force, and trusted the path completely. Nothing could deter him from living in the present moment or accepting whatever the hand of fate held for him. Regardless, it was strange. It made him feel more reflective, more full of wonder for all he had seen and been part of in this life.
Nearby, he felt Obi-Wan's approach before he heard the recognizable footfalls of his boots. His apprentice came to stand beside him, then hesitated as Qui-Gon remained gazing softly into vague distance. "Jar Jar is on his way to the Gungan city, Master."
Qui-Gon gave a subtle nod. He was still deep in his thoughts. "Good."
A brief pause. "Do you think the Queen's idea will work?"
Qui-Gon glanced sidelong thoughtfully. Obi-Wan wanted to talk, yes, but about something else altogether. "The Gungans will not easily be swayed, and we cannot use our power to help her," he replied. Two things his apprentice already undoubtedly knew. If Qui-Gon's experience were correct, he knew Obi-Wan would gather his courage and say what he really wanted to say next.
Obi-Wan's hesitant words confirmed the theory. "I'm… I'm sorry for my behavior, Master. It is not my place to disagree with you about the boy." Qui-Gon's interest was more fully drawn. "I am grateful you think I am ready for the trials."
Qui-Gon studied his padawan for a long moment, seeing their years together in the span of a mere heartbeat. When he first met Obi-Wan, he had seen something in him that no one else had. While many may have looked down on the young Kenobi and judged his more basic Force abilities and traditional sensibilities as being bland or uninspired, Qui-Gon had always seen a man of caliber. Someone loyal, steadfast, and unassumingly brilliant with a prowess that was found in a fiercely quiet strength, not showmanship and flair. Although Obi-Wan did have his moments where the last two were concerned. When Qui-Gon had chosen him, Obi-Wan had flourished like a flower given water and light. His transformation and growth so far was powerful to bear witness to. And as such, with his mortality bearing down upon him, Qui-Gon shared his thoughts so that Obi-Wan would never have to wonder. "You have been a good apprentice," he said with a fond smile, much more meaning in this moment for himself with the knowledge that he would not be here much longer. "You are much wiser than I am, Obi-Wan. I foresee you will become a great Jedi Knight."
Obi-Wan was touched by the words—Qui-Gon could both feel and see it. But in true Kenobi style, the younger Jedi sidestepped the compliments. "If that it so, it is in largest part due to your guidance, Master."
Qui-Gon smiled again, his eyes crinkling faintly as he turned to fully face his padawan and put a hand on his shoulder. "Never forget, my friend, that I have learned just as much from you, as you have from me. And for that, I shall forever remain thankful." He would not tell Obi-Wan that his time was short. But there was within the current of the Force a deep and sudden urgency to speak, a shockingly strong compulsion to leave his apprentice with words he would take to heart . Qui-Gon grew incredibly intense, speaking without thinking as if he were a mere conduit of the message. "Obi-Wan. Promise me you will follow the will of your heart," he said soft and low, searching the younger Jedi's eyes deeply. "Not only the Jedi code. Not just the council's expectations. But the deepest, purest inclinations of your soul."
Thrown off by the sudden intensity, Obi-Wan's eyebrows had moved together in confusion. "Master?" It was a lesson Qui-Gon had attempted to instill many times in his very by-the-book apprentice, but Obi-Wan found comfort in familiarity of law, tradition, and expectation. Qui-Gon had always felt that this would only hold his padawan back from his most highest calling. What that most high calling was, he could not say. But the Force would call, and perhaps not in ways his apprentice would recognize.
Qui-Gon remained severe in the most gentle of ways. "The Force is at work with you, Obi-Wan. More I think than perhaps anyone will ever know." As he held Obi-Wan's gaze, Qui-Gon's eyes began to go dull to what was in front of them, seeing instead a far away future he would never live to see. He saw a young woman with brown hair twisted into three knots on the back of her head—she had a familiar quiet but fierce strength that was immediately apparent, just as Obi-Wan's had been when Qui-Gon first saw him. The mysterious woman gripped a blue lightsaber with two hands and stood locked into combat against an angry, pale man cloaked in black wielding a red saber. He looked dangerous, broken, hollow. Snow raged around the two of them, even as the invisible energy of the Force did too. An eternal dance of good and evil, light and dark, selfless and selfish culminating with these two strangers Qui-Gon did not know. He immediately understood without knowing how that these two had something to do with Anakin and Obi-Wan. Were these their children? Their descendants? Qui-Gon was given no answer.
The Force whispered to him, warmth and light lifting him out of himself and into the transcendence of eternity and truth. He heard himself speak softly, merely above a whisper, echoing a voice he did not recognize but heard and felt in his bones themselves. "Light. Darkness. A balance."
He saw thousands of warriors in white and black and a war that engulfed the entire galaxy. A dark hooded figure, disfigured with a drooping mouth lurking behind them all. A beautiful, worried woman leaned over Obi-Wan—he held her hand to his chest, he looked about fifteen years older perhaps—the two of them were close with eyes locked and anxious expressions. Qui-Gon could sense the torn feelings off of them both. He saw cities burn and felt Anakin's rage, his grief, his trauma, his struggle with the dark side. He saw Obi-Wan fighting a dark Jedi, surrounded by flames and molten lava, he felt his padawan's grief, heard him screaming no. He saw twins without a mother, and empty desolate fields of sand, but the sound of a carefree laugh. He saw a weapon the size of a planet traveling through space that could destroy worlds, felt the fear and oppression that wracked the entire galaxy. He saw a house on Tatooine choking on smoke as a young, blonde man screamed helplessly to stop it. And finally, he saw that same woman with the three knots of hair standing at that same house, what appeared to be years and years later. All of it connected, all of it part of the balance, all of it somehow needing to happen in order to be part of the most important story ever told. All of it somehow rooted in Anakin's training.
"I… don't understand, Master."
The vision in front of Qui-Gon evaporated to be replaced by Obi-Wan's concerned, mildly apprehensive expression. A bit shaken up to be so taken from reality so vividly, Qui-Gon processed a moment longer, then nodded, keeping it to himself. He did not need to understand, and some things were not meant to be carried by others.
Obi-Wan waited with a worried expression, and Qui-Gon thought of the vision of seeing him older, in his late thirties or early forties perhaps. With that unknown woman in an unknown circumstance—that woman looked strikingly similar to the one he'd seen with the knotted hair. A feeling of compassion rose in the Jedi Master's chest and he cupped Obi-Wan's cheek briefly, an impulsive expression of fatherly tenderness. He then his hand on his apprentice's shoulder again, seeing how he had thoroughly shaken his learner with his unexplained words and intensity.
"Understanding will always come when the time is right," he counseled. Obi-Wan had a very painful and uncharted path before himself if the visions were any indication. He would need strength and trust, hope. All Qui-Gon could offer was assurance. "Take heart, my young apprentice. The Force is with you, always." Qui-Gon then began to sit down on the dry, earthy forest floor, beckoning Obi-Wan to do the same. "Come. Meditate with me for a moment." He closed his eyes and sought clarity, wisdom, and peace in the face of all that was to come.
Home again at last, but still so far from resolution. Being again on her homeworld gave feelings of hope mixed with urgency that was difficult to cope with. If Sabé had been a praying person, she would have been on her knees.
She longingly watched Panaka send a small group of officers with Lieutenant Dakana toward Theed—wishing she was one of them, wishing she could leave everything to go find her sister. But her highest duty was to the crown, and by proxy, the people of Naboo. Her personal life had been set aside the day she agreed to become principle decoy handmaiden. Dakana's mission was to find then bring back security forces and anyone else who could stand and fight with them. They would need all the hands they could get. Traveling on foot would be slow, but Dakana was resourceful. Maybe he would manage to find faster transport for his small group. The swamps they currently hiding in were only a fifteen minute speeder ride from Theed, and under an hour's walk. All of it sounded far too long to Sabé, who was ready to take action now.
It remained to be seen if the Gungans could be made into allies. The thought of persuading them singlehandedly had her feeling pressured and apprehensive, but Sabé could only hope that in the moment, the words would come. For now, they waited on Jar Jar to return. He'd disappeared beneath the nearby water's surface only a moment or two ago with a declaration of "wishee me da luck, okee day?!" then an ear-splitting yell and an impressive, if totally unnecessary flourishing dive.
Padmé, Rabé, and Eirtaé were nearby, outfitted in dark maroon and gold trimmed battle outfits. Their heads were uncovered and they were praying together, no longer hidden by shapeless cloaks and hoods. Sabé opted to stand away by a few paces and close her eyes while breathing in the comforting scent of home. The air of morning had a pleasant, brisk chill to it. Birds called, and frogas belched back and forth to each other across the water nearby. Breeze stirred the trees and carried the fresh, citrusy scent of their leaves. It could have been just another normal day if she didn't know better.
Dressed again as the queen, Sabé was thankful that she wore a more utilitarian outfit today. The headpiece with the hairpiece attached was of course heavy and impractical, and the makeup felt cloying on her face, but she wore sturdy boots, stretch leggings, and a lightweight belted red-and-black dress that was surprisingly easy to move in… and fight in, if necessary. One blaster was hidden strapped to a thigh under her dress, and another one was inside a hidden pocket on the outside of the dress. The heightened sense of danger was not lost on her. The Trade Federation would have their targets trained on her and the mysterious attacker on Tatooine could possibly be involved too.
Sabé opened her eyes, both grateful and afraid to the point of tears. A thousand 'what ifs' played through her mind… most of them negative. Her eyes drifted. Nearby, Anakin was fiddling around with the droid that had saved their ship—Artoo. The boy was in better spirits now, having had a few hours to adjust. A positive thing to be sure. Sabé's gaze wandered more and landing on the two Jedi, who sat crosslegged and facing each other with eyes closed. Their hands rested on their knees in meditation. Obi-Wan's face looked tranquil, as if he were sleeping. He had rugged but simultaneously pretty features set against olive toned skin, and a strong cleft chin that seemed to be a continuation of the cupid's bow perched right above his lips. She'd never noticed his eyelashes until now, closed and fanned out against his skin. They were sandy russet. Her eyes lingered on him longer than they should have, then glided down the length of his padawan braid to take in the rise and fall of his chest.
A sound to her left distracted her and startled her. It was Panaka, and he was indicating she come with him a few steps off. "A word, please."
Stars' sake. Silently complying with a sinking feeling, Sabé braced herself for a lecture. She could sense it coming after all these years together. Once they were enough paces off from the others to avoid being overheard, Sabé turned to her captain and tried not to assume she knew what this was going to be about. "What is it, Captain?"
He cut to the chase brusquely, his tone full of implication. "Is something going on with you and the padawan?"
Inwardly she bristled defensively. Outwardly, she only narrowed her eyes a fraction. "Enlighten me to what exactly you're insinuating," she said darkly, as if challenging him. Her pulse had picked up and her nerves were touched.
"I've seen you two speaking at length multiple times now."
A feeling akin to panic and disgrace coursed through her, even though she knew she'd done nothing wrong. Sabé was very careful how she responded to the unspoken accusation. "I haven't compromised anything, if that's what you're worried about."
Panaka raised a disapproving eyebrow. "From my perspective, it almost appeared like you two were flirting, Lieutenant."
The use of her rank was a clear jab at her, an unspoken judgment on her lack of professionalism. His words made her feel offended and demeaned, but at the same time guilty and embarrassed. "Your perspective is incorrect," she retorted icily, fully aware that angry indignant responses would only make her look worse. She diverted. "Furthermore, I'm insulted. Would you ask this if he were a female? Or another species?"
Panaka did take a pause when she said that, but didn't relent. "Well, what need is there for you to speak at length to an outsider, anyway?" he pressed. "What kinds of things is he asking you?"
She had two choices here. Double down, or just tell the captain what he wanted to know. Sabé doubled down, protective over what little privacy she had these days and also a bit enraged that Panaka was choosing to make this an issue during the most dire crisis Naboo had ever faced. "He's an ally, even if he's not one of us," she insisted, and stood a little taller, refusing to break eye contact or show weakness in any way. "You may hold rank over me but I will not be bullied into answering invasive, sexist questions just because of your unfoundedparanoia." It was a little out of line to talk to a superior that way and they both knew it, but the captain didn't say anything—probably because he knew he had been out of line first. "I haven't done anything wrong, Captain," she insisted. "Nor will I." She put out of her mind the way Obi-Wan had touched her face, the fascination she had developed, the magnetic draw she felt toward him, the way she'd just been staring at him before Panaka began this conversation. She dismissed them as nothing more than knowing that a man was attractive. "Our interactions have been friendly and cooperative," she said, feeling distinctly dishonest even as she said it aloud.
Panaka studied her with a vaguely foul expression for a long couple of seconds. "Well I don't like the way he looks at you."
A prick of something made Sabé's heart hammer a little faster and chest zing at that comment. Outwardly, she remained cryptic and shrewd. "And what way does he 'look at me'?" she prompted, her tone insinuating that the captain was being absurd. But she honestly wanted to know.
There was a long pause. "He's too interested," Panaka finally said, then raised a finger to point at her warningly. "Watch yourself, Nebira. That's an order."
Too interested. She would never admit it, but those words about how Obi-Wan apparently looked at her made her feel quite a lot of things all at once. But she immediately wrote it off and didn't even give herself a chance to believe it. She didn't think so. Jedi were famously celibate, or if not celibate, attachment free. Completely dedicated to the Order. It just didn't fit—she hadn't gotten that impression from Obi-Wan. Panaka was wrong. Paranoid. Right? Sabé looked back at where the Jedi had been meditating. They were now standing, and while Qui-Gon looked off toward the swamps, Obi-Wan was looking… directly at her. His expression was hard to place, too neutral to name, but… again, her chest zinged and stomach flipped even as he looked away casually.
"See what I mean?" Panaka muttered, earning himself a dark glance.
"Jar Jar's back!" came a call from one of the pilots, and Panaka gave Sabé another meaningful look then stalked off to join the Jedi, who already were headed toward the water to meet the dripping wet Gungan. Sabé rejoined the ladies, who all curiously watched Jar Jar interacting with the captain and Jedi a few paces off. Anakin came to stand with them, standing near Padmé, who he apparently liked best.
The Gungan gave a tremendous shake, flinging water off of himself just before he reached Panaka and the Jedi Knights—Obi-Wan ducked to avoid being splattered. "Dare-sa nobody dare," Jar Jar said, his thick accent and poor grasp of Basic making him hard to understand. "All gone. Some kinda fight, I tink. Sorry, no Gungas… no Gungas."
Obi-Wan turned toward Qui-Gon and Panaka, his profile strong and handsome against the greenery of Naboo. "Do you think they've been taken to camps?"
Panaka gave him a dour look. "More likely they were wiped out."
"No… mesa no tink so," Jar Jar said, gesturing with his long froggish limbs. "Gungan hiden. When in trouble, go to sacred place. Mackineeks no find dem dere."
The three men briefly glanced at each other. "Can you take us there?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yah-huh, follow mee!" Jar Jar said happily, already forging through them and toward the group of women waiting further back. He walked past Sabé with zero pretense, surprising her quite a bit by clapping her twice on the shoulder with huge, reptilian hands—the force of it almost made her lose her footing. He didn't notice. "Come un, Queenie, I show you da way okie day?" He was already traipsing off, his gait a strange plodding lurch as his arms gave exaggerated swings at his sides. His long ears flapped against his back with every step he took, and his head moved back and forth in a birdlike way. The Jedi and Panaka had reached the group of women now and Sabé stared after Jar Jar with a bit of dismay and reluctance at their apparent leader.
"Your Highness," Obi-Wan said, gesturing for her to go ahead. Was she imagining the trollish, inside joke she saw in his eyes? Was he laughing at her? Enjoying the fact that he knew she wasn't the real queen and that he knew? With the captain's eyes on her, she primly went ahead without any kind of response to the padawan. She wouldn't give Panaka any ammunition if she could help it. But even as she walked away, she thought about his words again. Too interested.
"How far is it, Jar Jar?" she asked as they caught up to his slow, lumbering pace. Anything to change her focus.
He grinned widely, showing two disconcerting rows of grayish teeth. "Around deez trees n through swamps n we come to da sacred place, pitty nice!"
That was the way there yes, but still quite terrible directions. Sabé tried again. "How long will it take us to get there?" No answer, only goofy grinning around at the trees around him. "Jar Jar."
He came back to reality with a goofy bulge of the eyes. "Long? Long you spake?" He gave an animated shrug. "I onno! Never tot about it, just went n dere n worship ee gads sumtimes." He craned his neck to the side, forgetting to watch where he went as a colorful bird swooped by overhead. "Ooh, birdy!" The Gungan tripped over a root with a dramatic, delicate "aahh!" but caught himself somehow, laughed nervously, and continued to lead them… somewhere.
"Imbecile," Eirtaé muttered a few steps off from Sabé. Rabé somehow looked equal parts amused and offended.
"Is this truly our last hope?" Sabé asked no one in particular under her breath. Sidelong, Padmé looked a little less confident than she had before, but they forged ahead without any other choices. The Republic wouldn't help them, so they would help themselves. With or without the Gungans.
After about an hour of walking in mostly silence and doubting if Jar Jar actually knew where they were going, they came to a part of the woods where the swamps were thicker and much more shallow. Vines hung from trees like ropes. The light had a harder time reaching into the more dense foliage, making the landscape feel a little haunting. Birds gave soulful, echoing calls, adding to the ominous effect. They at last came to an enormous weathered stone head, halfway sunken into the mucky ground. It stared unseeingly at them, and moss grew up its sides. "Dissen it," Jar Jar announced, then made a strange chattering noise that echoed disconcertingly. Out of nowhere, a handful of Gungan warriors appeared riding on Kaadus—a bipedal, lizardlike creature. The Gungans held spears menacingly at the refugees. Sabé felt the energy of the group shift to nervousness. It was immediately apparent: These were completely different kinds of Gungans than Jar Jar was. "Heyo-dalee, Captain Tarpals," Jar Jar said with a jittery grin at the one seemingly in charge.
"Binks! Noah gain!" Captain Tarpals exclaimed in a throaty voice. He was more gray in color than Jar Jar's orange, and he seemed much older too.
"We comen to see da boss," Jar Jar explained, shuffling jumpily, cringing almost.
Tarpals narrowed his eyes, looked over the group, and made a low growling sound. As if he was threatening them and deliberating at the same time. He decided to honor the request and motioned jerkily with his weapon. Surrounded on all sides by the warriors, the group made their way deeper into what became temple ruins. Staircases and columns were cracked and faded into the swamps, parts broken off and submerged, eroded by years of weather and neglect. They came to a central area with a grand staircase that ended in a large pool of water. Sunlight filtered in, casting shafts of light across the glen. There, many Gungans were gathered—a few hundred at first glance—and more could be seen peeking out from behind hiding places. Stone heads with unseeing eyes unnervingly seemed to watch them all.
Atop one of the stone heads, a large Gungan so weighty he didn't look like any of the others scowled down. He wore fancy robes and his ears were tied back. He must be their leader, Sabé thought. He did not look friendly at all.
"Hello dere, dee big Boss Nass," Jar Jar greeted timidly.
"Jar Jar," Nass growled slowly in vehement displeasure, looking scornfully down at them. "Yousa payen dis time. Who's da uss-en others?"
Jar Jar looked at Sabé with skittish eyes. So, now was the time. With no other choice, Sabé stepped forward, feeling as small as a leaf under the ire of Boss Nass. Behind her, she felt the Jedi move forward slightly in a protective way. She was given bravery by that, the queen at her side—the thought of seeing Zana again, the thought of liberating Naboo. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo," she said, following Padmé's instructions that had been given during the voyage here. "I come before you in peace."
Nass's nostrils flared. "Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks... deya busten uss-en omm. Yousa all bombad." He jeeringly grinned as Sabé tried to piece together what he was saying. He blamed them, she gathered. "Yousa all die'n, mesa tink."
Great, threats in response to the first thing I say. Sabé stuck with her script, but prepared herself to reach for her blaster if this didn't work. "We wish to form an alliance w—"
From beside her, Padmé suddenly moved forward with a quick and decisive step, standing in front of Sabé and interrupting in a clear, firm, confident voice. "Your Honor." Sabé watched with veiled bewilderment. Apparently, they were going to improvise.
Artoo gave a soft whistling sound, as if to say "uh oh."
Boss Nass frowned hard at Padmé. "Whosa dis…?" he asked suspiciously.
"I am Queen Amidala," Padmé said, then turned to acknowledge Sabé. "This is my decoy… my protection… my loyal bodyguard."
There was a murmur throughout all gathered, and Sabé knew she shouldn't, but she felt mildly stung, as if she had let her queen down or was somehow to blame for a failed plan. Nearby, Anakin gaped and Jar Jar stared. Obi-Wan had a small, knowing smile on his face even as Qui-Gon's quiet surprise showed. Panaka, naturally, was disgruntled.
Padmé's play worked. Boss Nass seemed pleased and impressed by her revealing herself to him. She then used humility to beg for help. Amazingly, the Boss made a total turnaround in his stance. Then and there, the two leaders shook hands and pledged to work together to liberate Naboo as a united front. The group of them moved out toward the edge of the woods not far from there and Panaka managed to make contact with Dakana on an old frequency. The lieutenant had hijacked speeders from an abandoned farm not far from the landing site, made it to the city, and was already en route with some officers with even more shortly to come. There remained no word on Gregar or the other handmaidens or Zana.
The first of the speeders arrived, and while Panaka went to debrief, Padmé called Sabé over, surprising her when she asked for council regarding a plan of action for taking back Theed. When Sabé asked why her of all the other officers present, Padmé smiled almost playfully and answered, "Among other things, because Eirtaé is always complaining about all the war theory you spend your time studying." She grew more serious then. "That, and you have my highest trust when it comes to a plan with the least harm incurred to us. I mean it when I say that you are one of Naboo's most valuable assets."
Any sense of shame Sabé had held previously vanished to be replaced by a touched, honored feeling. And together, the queen and her decoy began to plan a course of action to free their people and planet.
About An Hour Later
Padmé and Sabé stood together with Artoo at a speeder parked just under where the canopy of trees gave way to verdant rolling hills of green set against vivid blue sky. A few stone heads were sunk into the nearest hills, leftovers from the ruins that extended into the wooded swampy area nearby. More speeders were arriving, adding to Dakana's first wave of ragtag troops. Sabé studied the newcomers anxiously and briefly. No Gregar. No Zana. No Yané or Saché or Officer Ludo.
Panaka and Dakana spoke briefly the the speeders with the new arrivals then approached the queen and her decoy. The Jedi, seeming to sense a key moment, also approached and stood across the hood of the speeder, opposite of the ladies. They both had their hands folded inside their oversized cloak sleeves, giving them the appearance of unity and wisdom. Boss Nass also joined them. He breathed very loudly and wetly, which Sabé had not noticed before.
"What is the situation?" Padmé asked as the captain and lieutenant approached.
"Almost everyone's in camps," Panaka relayed grimly. "According to Lieutenant Dakana, a few hundred officers and guards have formed an underground movement."
Dakana gave a serious nod. "I rallied as many of them here as I could without alerting them to our presence," he said. "I don't know an exact number of allies, and the communication breakdown is proving difficult to handle."
"Any word from Gregar?" Sabé asked, trying to hide the anxiety in her voice.
Dakana looked to the captain, who looked from him to Sabé in such a way that she almost briefly wondered if he were lying. "No." He seemed weary and pessimistic. She analyzed him closely… Gregar was his nephew, she would be able to see if he knew something about his fate, wouldn't she?
Dakana seemed similarly bleak. "The Federation Army's much larger than we thought, and much stronger." Boss Nass made a deeply guttural sound of disproval, drawing everyone's brief glance.
Panaka gave Padmé a long, significant look. "Your Highness… this is a battle I do not think we can win."
Padmé remained stoic, and turned to Sabé. "Lieutenant," she prompted. Sabé did not miss the way Obi-Wan reacted to hearing her rank. Faint surprise, and something like approval. A sense of pride swelled in Sabé's chest. Papa, if you could see me now. I know you'd be proud.
"The battle is a diversion," she said, addressing and looking at everyone in turn. "If we can draw the majority of the droid army away from the cities using the Gungan warriors, we'll have less difficulty entering the city safely." She looked to the droid nearby. "Artoo." He beeped and called up the display map of the city they'd loaded to his unit as well as the live action outline of their proposed entry. "We'll use the secret passages on the waterfall side," she said, indicating them on the hazy pale blue projection. "Once we're topside, we'll stage an explosion and use that cover to enter the hangar and, by proxy, the palace. Once inside the palace, the queen and I will divide into two groups. We'll each take a different route to the throne room. We may need another diversion, or a counterattack, so having two groups each with a passing queen will work to our advantage." A readout of the palace floorplan projected now, with several possible routes to the throne room outlined. "Once inside the throne room, we'll capture the Viceroy, taking him prisoner and disabling him from command. An army without its leader easily overthrown."
Padmé nodded, taking over from her decoy. "We have also divised a plan which should immobilize the droid army. Once we're in the city and have access to the main hangar, we'll send what pilots we have to knock out the droid control ship orbiting the planet. If we can get past their rayshields, we can sever communication and their droids should all shut down on the spot." The two women looked around at the group of listeners, who all seemed to be approving of the plan. Padmé looked at the Gungan leader earnestly. "Do you agree to your part of the plan, Boss Nass? There is a possibility with this diversion many Gungans will be killed, especially so if we fail to disable the command ship."
Boss Nass gave his chest a macho thump. "Wesa ready to do aresen part."
"A well-conceived plan," Qui-Gon agreed. "I do fear that the weapons on your fighters may not penetrate the shields on the control ship."
"And there's an even bigger danger," Obi-Wan added. "If the Viceroy escapes, he will return with another droid army."
Padmé was unflinching. "That is why we must not fail to get to the Viceroy," she said firmly. "Everything depends on it."
"We will not fail," Sabé added. It simply was not an option.
The group was thoughtfully quiet for a couple of seconds. "So be it," said Qui-Gon. "We will protect you as best we can." He indicated Padmé and Sabé. "Once you two divide up, one of us will accompany each group for protection." Obi-Wan's gaze was on Sabé when his master said that.
"I'll assign groups shortly, Your Highness," Panaka said. "Then we can do a group brief." He briefly glanced around the group gravely. "In the meantime, say prayers to whatever gods you serve."
"So we plead," Danaka said, and gave a firm, militaristic nod and turn, dismissing himself from the group. Everyone else went their separate ways shortly after that for the time being.
Sabé sat alone on cracked-in-half stone head further back in the ruins, away from the noise and distraction of everyone else. The air was misty and cool, the ambience of the swampy marshes serene and calming. Overhead, vines gracefully trailed down like sashes. A huge central column was behind the destroyed stone she sat on, and to her left a moss-eaten staircase marched up an incline toward brighter light where the fields began and everyone was gathered. To her right, more dark and wooded swamp spread out, a patchwork of crumbled stones and fallen archways. Mist laid low over the water in parts. She could see why the Gungans viewed this place as sacred.
She was thinking the plan over and over again, trying to see if there were any adjustments or considerations they should make. It was as nonviolent of an approach as possible, as far as war went anyway. That was what she and Padmé agreed was best. Captain Panaka would call the entire group in for a briefing soon, then they would leave for Naboo while the Gungans advanced toward the city from the east to play their part. Sabé felt dignity and pride at Padmé's request to be the asked to help design the battle. It felt right to be in a position of action like that, and strategy came easily to Sabé. She briefly wondered if her future would involve some sort of job that more heavily utilized this skill. She idly thought it would suit her.
A little noise nearby drew her attention—it was Obi-Wan, alone, emerging from further back in the ruins to her right. He paused for a beat when he saw her, and their faces both mirrored faint surprise to see each other. He then continued his approach and gave her a nod when he was only a few steps away. "Lieutenant," he greeted, using his mildly playful tone.
He was difficult to read, and she got the distinct feeling he liked it that way. "Why are you lurking about like that?" she asked, the first thing that came to mind.
He smiled conspiratorially a little at that. "Seeking some solace before what's to come," he answered. "Same as you, I think."
He was right. But as much as she craved solace, her curiosity got the better of her. "Join me then," she said, careful to sound casual. Panaka's words ran through her mind again but she refused to give them credibility. There was nothing inappropriate about their interactions and nothing to hide.
He joined her as requested, sitting a respectful distance of about two feet from her. "That's quite the battle plan you devised," he said, eyeing her sidelong. "How is it that two pacifists came up with such a strategic, informed approach?"
Sabé had to smile at that, mostly because she understood that this was where part of their advantage laid. Many thought that all pacifists would run from conflict and would function poorly during a fight. She, on the other hand, believed in dismantling opposition with wit, skill, and brevity—as peacefully as possible. "Not all of us are the same sort of pacifist, Obi-Wan."
The informal use of his name came easily, and she couldn't tell if he had a reaction to it. She hadn't even truly intended to say it, it just slipped out. His studious eyes unnerved her. "I'm assuming you've been in the forces for some time to have earned the rank of Lieutenant," he prodded, asking her without asking her for more information about herself.
"Six years," she replied, looking off into the stone head that was across the stairs from them, "Six years putting up with Panaka's…" she caught herself and reeled her informality back in. Maybe Panaka had a point about her unprofessionalism. "He can be quite the challenge sometimes. I'm sure he'd say the same about me too."
Obi-Wan smirked lightly. "I don't think he likes me talking to you."
Her pulse leapt unpleasantly at that observation, but Sabé pushed past it, discounting the reaction as her own neurosis. "He doesn't like anything," she joked in diversion, "don't take it personally."
Obi-Wan seemed to understand, and they caught each other's glance at that moment, both of them smiling faintly. The smiles faded as their eyes held. Too interested, Sabé thought weakly. Perhaps she was the one too interested. "You'll be a primary target during this attack," Obi-Wan said softly then. "If not the primary target."
A brief silence hung as their eyes did not break gaze. "I'm aware," Sabé said, then finally looked away. "And I'm not afraid." But she was wondering what was wrong with her to be unexpectedly so distracted and fascinated with this man during such a dire time. A time when her planet's fate hung in the balance and sister's life was at risk. If Zana was even alive at all…
"No, you're not afraid," that softly accented voice said. "But… you're worried about someone."
Those words made her gaze snap back to his almost accusingly. "How do you know that?"
He looked empathetic, studying her eyes deeply. "I cannot read minds, Milady, but I can sense feelings."
A shiver that wasn't from being cold ran through her body. How strange that he could be so attuned to someone else's thoughts. She thought perhaps she should guard herself more carefully. "My sister," she said. She hadn't spoken of Zana aloud since they left Theed. No one had asked, no one had offered concern. Everyone was too wrapped up in their own problems. "I left her here alone." Her voice caught, faltering on a guilty lump in her throat. "She's only eleven."
"She's… not with family?"
A pained smile from Sabé as she looked off unseeingly. If only. "We have no family left." That was the simplest way to sum up all of the pain, loss, tragedy, and grief of her most inner world.
Obi-Wan was silent a moment. He seemed to understand the gravity of his findings and her admissions. "Qui-Gon and I will do everything we can to protect you," he finally said, and there was a gentle assurance to his voice that drew her more pained gaze to his. "All of you. And help find your sister too."
That last part shellshocked her. In response, some place in her was stirred and touched in a way it never had been before. His words had deep, resounding impact on her, so deep she had to take a moment to make sure she could keep her outward self together. She was glad for the mask of face makeup in that moment. "Thank you," she finally settled on with a faint voice, again drawn to this person in a way she couldn't entirely comprehend. Almost in a way that was beginning to frighten her. Who are you? her spirit asked, interested to see more of who exactly this Obi-Wan Kenobi was. She blinked rapidly, forcing a smile and mild laugh to hide the emotions she was struggling with. She did not like to be seen in more vulnerable light. "I suppose it's rude at this point to not introduce myself," she said, forcing herself away from deeper emotions and she put her hand out for a handshake. "My name is Sabé."
He nodded pleasantly, taking her hand and shaking it. "A pleasure to meet you, Sabé." His hand was warm, strong, a little rough. But just like before when he'd touched her face, she felt something come to life in the center of her chest: a lightness, a warmth. Deep intensity of peace and strength. Her eyebrows moved together ever so slightly. Did he feel that too?
"You as well, Obi-Wan," she said, then withdrew her hand from his, mystified. His brilliant blue gaze was impossible for her to get a read on, as far as if he felt what she did. It didn't matter—more urgent things were at hand. Either way, she recognized her growing respect for him. He was, and she was sure of it now, a good man. "It will be an honor to fight at your side," she told him honestly.
He gave her a little look that implied he could be joking around. "I've seen your aim, Milady," he returned, both with good humor and earnestness. "The honor will be all mine."
It was hard not to smile back—she lost the effort, and felt reduced to a bashful and self-conscious heap of feelings.
From somewhere up above where the fields were, a sudden booming call of, "Everyone circle up!" came.
"Ah, that would be our cue I suppose," Obi-Wan said, leisurely standing up and offering his hand to Sabé, who pointedly looked at it and then him while standing up without the help. She left him with a little challenging expression. Perhaps she was too interested and that was clouding her vision, but she was about to lead a battle charge. She didn't need help to stand, even if the chance to touch his hand again had been quite the temptation.
Already a few stairs up, she looked back at where he watched after her with a strange little expression. Entertained? Amused? She couldn't tell. "Are you coming or not?" she asked almost teasingly. He relented and followed after her.
The two of them got quite the look from Captain Panaka when they came out of the ruins together.
Author's Notes: I think this was my favorite chapter to date to be honest… all the feels. How about Qui-Gon's premonitions though? Also, writing Gunguns is like my least favorite thing ever, a necessary evil lol.
