Padmé drew her shawl around her and double checked the fastenings on Junie's sling as she stepped out into the corridor. Dawn was breaking outside, but within the darkness of Imperial Palace, it still felt like the middle of the night. Looming out of the shadows, Vader was waiting for her, and at his side was a well-built man with brown curls and tawny skin that reminded her a little of a clone.
Dressed in shabby civilian clothes that matched hers to keep their cover, it was clear he was the 501st soldier entrusted with delivering her safely to the rebel alliance. Vader must have an extremely high opinion of the man to trust him to such an extent.
"Padmé, meet Lee," he said and they exchanged a polite nod. "He will be helping you escape to Dorin. I have prepared two chain codes and fake identities for you both. They will get you off-world. The docking bay is on level twelve at the spaceport."
She gave him a grateful smile, knowing he had worked all through the night to get her the documentation needed to escape under the radar.
Lee came forward and took her meagre luggage, which was almost entirely baby supplies, and left the dark corridor to give them some privacy.
"I have an update on the location of the twins," he said to her as soon as they were alone. "My sources have revealed that the academy was recently visited by two Jedi. They have been safely extracted and are no doubt on their way to the rebel base as we speak."
Padmé released a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding. Obi-Wan had them. They were safe. She wondered who the other Jedi was that helped save her children. Whoever they were, she owed them her thanks.
"Their commlinks were reported missing from their dormitory rooms. It is likely they still have them on their person, and so you may be able to contact them when you arrive on Dorin. The spaceport will have a signal transmitter powerful enough to do the job."
Padmé nodded, memorising his plan.
"Do you remember when I told you earlier about the rebel cell operating in Dorin's capital, Dor'shan?"
"Yes."
"Once you have made contact, I would suggest asking the twins to put someone more authoritative on the line, someone who can contact the Dor'shan cell. That will authenticate who you are, and the cell will trust you enough to take you to the base…Of course, this all depends on whether or not they answer your call."
"I'll take that chance."
"As will I. Lee will return to me once you're safely with the rebels. This way, the location of the base won't be jeopardised."
She was struck by just how much he'd changed, and for a moment Padmé couldn't find any words. Not only was he freeing her, he was also making sure the rebel alliance stayed hidden when he had a golden opportunity to find their base. Hoping her trust in him wouldn't be betrayed, she listened as he continued.
"Padmé, I have been scheduled to meet my master in three days' time. I imagine he suspects treachery and it will be a confrontation. I will be using the meeting as my chance to finally kill him. However," he turned from her. "I doubt that my own power will be enough to defeat him, even with the support of my men."
"And if you fail?"
"Then it will be up to the rebel alliance to protect Luke and Leia. If my master gets them in his possession again…it is highly unlikely you will ever see them again."
"The alliance might be able to help you," she stepped forward. "They want to see the end of the Emperor as much as you do. But I don't know if they would ever agree to side with you in a battle that will cost them so many resources. Besides, they would see it as replacing one dictator with another. How would they even land to infiltrate Imperial Palace? Coruscant's atmosphere is the most well defended in the galaxy."
"My men are planning to shut down outgoing communications, including chain-code clearance for incoming off-world traffic. You will be able to land without a problem."
Padmé thought it all over. "I still cannot be sure if they will agree to help."
The dark Lord nodded. "I understand. However, regardless of aid, I will face him. I have no choice. My 501st legion will be loyal to me, even if they are a pitiful number of men compared to the Emperor's millions."
Padmé inwardly vowed that she would do all she could to persuade the alliance to help. It was their best chance at defeating Palpatine once and for all, and the opportunity may never come again.
"There is something else I must tell you. This child," he gestured to her baby. "I have a suspicion that she is Force sensitive. At first, I could not be sure, but as the days go by I am beginning to sense it."
Padmé stared down at Junie. "Another one?"
"Another reason why you must leave. The Emperor will soon sense it too."
She nodded, feeling another wave of gratitude towards the man who stood before her. Realising this may be the last time she would ever speak with him, Padmé struggled to find the right words. There was so much she wanted to say, needed to say, but nothing came out. How could she ever encapsulate with words all that had passed between them as people; the wonderful, the beautiful, the heart-breaking, the horrific, all brought to a close with this final departure? The gravity of the situation left her numb.
"I…I cannot thank you enough for your help. I didn't get to say goodbye, the last time you…" she took a breath. "You've done terrible, awful things. I'm not going to pretend you haven't. But right now, you've made a choice to save me and my children. Thank you."
He simply stared at her, before looking away slightly. "When you see Kenobi tell him…tell him that I am…"
Nodding in understanding, she wrapped her arms around Junie and marvelled at the transformation in the man that stood before her. It hadn't been long ago when Vader was hellbent on killing her husband, but now after his realisation about Palpatine, it seemed he had let go of that anger.
"I will. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Padmé."
With one last lingering look over her shoulder, she left to join Lee, and Vader disappeared from sight.
Using her skills to push all of her emotions aside, Padmé focused on the job at hand. Lee guided her through a series of secret maintenance tunnels at the bottom of the Imperial Palace which Vader had somehow known about. Padmé suspected it was because Anakin had used them to sneak out of the temple when he'd been a teenager. Decrepit and crawling with scrap rats, she was glad when they came out in a dark and disused hangar bay far below the wealthy surface levels of Coruscant. From there, they made their way swiftly through winding streets and boarded a busy train shuttle, packed full of humans and aliens on their morning commute.
There was no air conditioning, and a bitter wind swept through the carriages as it rattled along through endless grey city blocks, shaking and leaning with every bump and turn. Although they'd barely talked, Lee was kind enough to give her his jacket for warmth. To any other train passenger, they looked like a typical poor couple with a new-born baby. Thanking him, Padmé adjusted her grip on the hanging strap and looked down at Junie's sleeping face.
If the call did get through to Luke and Leia, which she desperately hoped it would, that would mean Obi-Wan might answer the call. After being parted for so long, she would finally get to speak to him.
The train jolted and Padmé was brought back to the present. They'd reached their stop. Zig-zagging through the bustling carriage and out into the spaceport terminal, they headed to the docking platform and passed through layers upon layers of security checkpoints. Appearing as calm as she could despite her nerves at being discovered, the two of them made it through with their fake chain codes and ID passes. Vader had done a good job, and again, she mentally thanked him for his help. Without him, she would've never been able get away.
They boarded the refugee transport bound for Dorin via the Namadii Corridor. Boarding and finding a seat in the crowded and noisy waiting room, they set down her meagre luggage and got comfortable for the journey ahead. Just like in her memories of travelling with Anakin to Naboo, it was dirty and cramped. The air was filled with the sounds and smells of families, crying babies, and the general kerfuffle of humans and aliens in transit. There were piles of luggage and various service droids cluttering up the hold, and small groups of children were wandering around, making friends with other young passengers and playing games.
Listening to the hubbub of voices and the clinking of cutlery against metal trays, Padmé wondered what Obi-Wan was doing. She could picture his elation at being reunited with Luke and Leia. The twins had been desperate to see him. Wherever they were, she hoped they were safe and hidden.
When the ship had lifted off and entered hyperspace, Lee went to get her some food from the small canteen aboard.
"They only had one type of soup, hope you like it," Lee said, placing a bowl of steaming goo before her with a fluffy polystarch roll.
"I'm sure I will," she said, detaching Junie from her sling so she could eat without risk of getting hot soup on her, but she started to fuss at being removed from the warmth of her chest and Padmé wondered how she was going to eat.
"I can hold her for a bit," he offered, looking a bit unsure of himself.
Handing her most precious possession over to one of Vader's ruthless soldiers wasn't what she particularly wanted to do. Padmé had wanted the first man to hold her to be Obi-Wan, but the man seemed trustworthy, and she did need to eat. Warily, Padmé handed Junie over, and he awkwardly accepted the child, holding her with a strong forearm and adjusting the blanket that she was coddled in. Her cries lessened and Lee looked amazed that she'd calmed down because of him.
"Thank you. Do you have any children?" she asked whilst sipping her soup.
"No, my job is pretty dangerous. No time for a family."
"Do you risk your life for Vader on a regular basis?" she asked in a hushed tone, hoping no one would overhear.
"Every day."
Padmé pondered what Vader had told her, about his men from the 501st being loyal to him and staging a coup. Would that really be possible? Would they turn against the leader of the galaxy to be loyal to someone just as ruthless?
"So you follow him, no matter what he asks you to do?" she asked as she took a sip of soup, trying to sound uninterested and naive.
"I'm loyal without question," he replied, looking up at her with a straight set to his mouth. "My whole legion is. We would die for him."
"And you would side with him no matter who your adversary was?"
He was looking at her suspiciously. "Of course. Why are you asking?"
Padmé wasn't sure what she should reveal. She decided to answer simply. "Just because he isn't exactly the most popular of men. I'm curious what his personal soldiers think of him."
"Well, he's certainly been gracious enough to help you escape," he reminded her quietly.
"Yes, he has," Padmé dunked the bread into the soup and decided to lever the man's good opinion of Vader even more. She wanted him to have all the help he could get to defeat Palpatine. "He's a good man. He helped me escape from the Emperor."
"The Emperor is after you?" he whispered in shock.
She nodded and drank some more soup. "He's after me and my child, and he's going to try and kill Lord Vader."
Lee looked deeply affected. "Why is my Lord going to such lengths to keep you safe? Who are you?"
Padmé met his brown eyed gaze and looked down at Junie, sleeping soundly in the crook of his arm. "Someone from his past. Someone he cares about."
The soldier went quiet, probably contemplating the improbability that his ruthless commander would ever care about a woman.
Padmé continued on. "When you get back to Coruscant, please stand by him, no matter what happens."
"Of course I will. That's my reason for living," he gave her a small smile.
They continued to talk and Padmé finished her meal. It wasn't long before a bad smell was starting to emit from Junie and Lee was quick to hand her back. Padmé cleaned her up, asking Lee to pass her various bits of cloth and cleaning wipes from her bag. This was an experience he wouldn't likely forget. She wondered if he'd mention this in his debrief to Vader later.
Many hours passed, and eventually the ship descended on Dorin. The spaceport was busy with families catching connecting transports or heading off into the capital city Dor'shan. For many, the gaseous atmosphere was harmful, but luckily for humans, it was only toxic with a long exposure period, and inside the spaceport, it was breathable for all. Finding a secure location without any prying eyes or ears, Padmé held her HoloProjector in her palm and the port's transmitter was able to beam the signal across the galaxy.
Hoping and praying, she waited. It called only for a brief moment and then, to her utter relief, Leia's small face appeared, looking surprised, and there was something dark smeared on her cheek, was that blood?
"Mommy? Is that you!?"
"Leia! Are you hurt?"
"Huh? Oh this?" she wiped it and Padmé breathed out in relief. "We just had some cake! Threepio got it for us! Where are you mom?"
Before she had time to answer, she heard a familiar male voice in the background. "Leia, please pass me the comm."
Padmé's breath hitched when, after a few moments of scuffling, her husband appeared in the projection, looking both relieved and fraught.
"Ben!" she cried, keeping his alias name as she was aware Lee was somewhere behind her.
Obi-Wan's face lit up in recognition and she could've wept with relief at seeing him alive and well. The last time she'd seen him, he'd been moments away from death. Lying unconscious in Vader's hangar bay with broken ribs and a bicep torn in two, it was an image that had haunted her for weeks. Now, he appeared in perfect health from what she could see over the low-quality Holo image. Thank the Force.
"Priya! Where are you?"
Padmé felt her heart soar at just hearing his Coruscanti accent and seeing his concerned face, which was now beardless. He looked so handsome, and she ached to see him, to touch him, to kiss him, to hold him and reassure him she was safe and unharmed.
"I'm on Dorin."
"Dorin? Are you safe? Who are you with?" he looked over her shoulder suspiciously at Lee.
"I'm with a 501st bodyguard called Lee, and I'm alright, we both are. Me and the baby."
"The children told me," he began, looking lost for words.
Padmé took a shaky breath. "He let me go."
"He let you go?" Obi-Wan repeated, looking stunned.
"Yes, and I have so much to tell you my love. I'll have to send a message ahead of me," she began, knowing time was of the essence. "There's a rebel cell operating here in the capital that could take me to wherever you are, but they'll be suspicious if I arrive unannounced, and they'll never believe my story. I need you to tell someone to contact them on my behalf, so that they'll trust me and take me to wherever you and the others are. It'll be the quickest way back to you."
Intelligent as Obi-Wan was, he took in all the information and answered quickly. "Of course my dear. I'll pass on the message, hang on tight."
It didn't take long for the operation to be organised, and soon her, Lee and Junie were making their way through the dark and dusty city, following Vader's coordinates. The streets were lined with coloured lights and there were many life forms traversing between the small squat buildings. Ringing the door comm, Padmé waited as strong winds buffeted her clothing. She'd said her goodbyes to Lee, who was waiting nearby in case of trouble.
The house itself didn't look shady at all, and Padmé wondered if somehow Vader had been given the wrong coordinates, but her worries were dispelled when she was welcomed inside by a friendly human female. With one thankful glance over her shoulder at wherever Lee was, she entered the house. After being introduced to a small crew, she was guided onto their ship and after a short while the cell had lifted into Dor'shan's dusty sky, and then out into space.
Finding a quiet place to sit in the back of the ship, Padmé began to mentally draft her appeal to the base on Dantooine. Somehow, she had to convince them to help a man who was hated and feared by the entire galaxy. Somehow, she had to bring him the aid he needed to defeat Palpatine once and for all. Somehow, she had to compose a moving rhetoric, as bold and as persuasive as her speech to enact a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum had been.
Time was swiftly running out, but if she could beam this message ahead of her, hopefully by the time she arrived, her friends would be ready to come to a decision.
She set up the HoloProjector and began to record, adjusting Junie in her arms.
"This is Padmé Amidala of the Royal House of Naboo. I am sending this urgent message ahead of me in hope that you will aid me in a matter most important…"