Sabé and her parents had one last private moment before the transport took
her to the station. They had agreed beforehand not to go all the way to
the station, thinking it better that Raisa miss the actual launching of
the ship.
At the station, Obi-Wan and Anakin were the first to board. Sabé and Meira were to follow a few minutes later after a last conversation with the Queen and the Handmaidens. The two Jedi were about to settle in, when Obi-Wan sensed a disturbance. He wasn't sure, but it could have come from Meira.
"Anakin, let's go near the hatch where we boarded. It seems to be that Sabé and Meira should be there in a moment if they're not already on board," Obi-Wan said.
As they got closer to the hatch, the uneasiness grew stronger. Now there was tension from Sabé, and she seemed to be concentrating on whatever was happening, so Obi-Wan decided against communicating through the bond.
When he got to the door, the Jedi peered down to catch sight of the people at the end of the ramp. Sabé was holding Meira tightly and speaking to someone in a stern tone of voice.
"But we checked. Baris Calle had no close relatives. And you've had two years to file any complaints. Why did your clients choose to come forward now?"
Obi-Wan moved so as to see more of the scene playing out on the tarmac. The handmaidens were standing between her and a contingent of Theed security, an officer of the court on Naboo, and a social worker. The security looked embarrassed to be there, the court officer and the social worker were pink with anger.
The social worker spoke. "Minister Calle, you didn't make more than a perfunctory search for the family of this child's father. Just because he didn't list any next of kin in his personnel file doesn't mean there aren't any. In fact, we charge that you did what you could to avoid the family. Baris Calle did have parents, and they wish to claim the right to be involved with their grandchild. Therefore, they have sought and been granted a court order prohibiting the transport of Meira Calle from the Naboo system. They also seek custody of the child."
Obi-Wan almost left the ship to join Sabé, but she glanced up at him and shook her head. //Let me see if I can get out of this without having you seen.// He nodded in reply.
Sabé's eyes turned cold. "They seek custody? I grant they have the right to ask for visitation, but there is no basis for a custody hearing. You can see for yourself that Meira is well cared for."
"We can't see anything with the handmaidens standing between us, Minister. Why are they here? You are not the Queen, so they don't have the authority to protect you. Officer, kindly get the handmaidens to step aside so we make take the child with us."
The security officer winced and cleared his throat. "They do have the order. I'm obliged to carry it out. I'm sorry, Ladies, but I must order you to step aside."
"I think you will find that you have no authority over us, Officer," Saché answered. "We take our orders from Captain Hugh Panaka and Queen Amidala. The Queen considers the Minister one of her duly appointed representatives, so we are here to see her safely onto the ship."
"This is an outrage!" screamed the court officer. "I'll have you all cited!"
Meira gripped Sabé tighter. "Nooo!" Obi-Wan felt a surge of the Force from her that was driven by fear and anger, and again almost stepped out to join them. Seeing that the handmaidens still didn't budge from their protective formation, he settled for sending a calming influence to the girl through the bond.
The Queen stepped out from a side door. "Is there a problem here?" she asked in her formal stoic tone.
At the sight of the monarch in full court dress, everyone bowed. "Y-y-your Highness," the security officer stammered, looking quite relieved. "It seems there is a court order preventing this child from leaving the planet. The plaintiffs also request custody of the girl."
"Your Highness, the the child's paternal grandparents are within their rights. They merely seek their day in court," the social worker said, her attitude much less arrogant now.
"I see," Amidala replied. She sent a sad look up the ramp at Obi-Wan and Anakin. "In that case, Meira Calle cannot leave Naboo before the case is settled."
"Thank you, Your Highness," the social worker replied. Stepping forward with a smug smile on her face, she gestured toward the handmaidens. "Now, should it please your Highness, I request that you order your handmaidens aside, so that we may take the child into custody..."
Amidala turned her face toward the social worker and glared. "It would not please Us at all. Sabé Calle is the child's mother, and you have no evidence that she has neglected or abused her daughter. Meira will remain with Sabé throughout these proceedings."
The court officer took the social worker's arm and pulled her back. "Yes, Your Highness. Your decision is wise and fair, as always. Here is the information on the case and when the Minister and her daughter are required to appear in court." He handed the data crystal to the Queen. She passed it to Rabé, who in turn passed it to Sabé.
"Thank you. Now, Security, clear this area. I have some things to discuss with the Minister in light of these developments." The security officers smiled as they saluted Amidala, then turned to escort the officer of the court and the social worker away.
When the platform was clear, Obi-Wan and Anakin rushed down the ramp. By then, Sabé and Meira were in tears. The Queen shook her head. "I'm sorry. I must let the matter go through channels or I'll appear too partial in this case, even though I know it has no basis. Obi-Wan, will you stay?"
"I can't," the Jedi said, gathering Sabé and Meira into his arms. "I must be careful of appearances too. Anakin and I will proceed to Corellia and prepare for Sabé and Meira's arrival there. Do you think this will take long?"
"I'll do my best to expedite it. I can say the Minister is needed in her new job as soon as possible, and that will clear the way to get it done quickly. We'll take care of them until they can join you." Amidala inclined her head in respect. She and the handmaidens turned and left the four of them alone for a brief moment before the Jedi had to board the ship again.
They turned to face Sabé and Meira once the ship had taken off. The Minister had a hankerchief and was wiping her child's face with it as she made comforting sounds.
"Your Highness...," Rabé started.
"Take them to your quarters," Amidala told her. "Together we found a way to save a planet. Saving this family should be a piece of cake."
At the station, Obi-Wan and Anakin were the first to board. Sabé and Meira were to follow a few minutes later after a last conversation with the Queen and the Handmaidens. The two Jedi were about to settle in, when Obi-Wan sensed a disturbance. He wasn't sure, but it could have come from Meira.
"Anakin, let's go near the hatch where we boarded. It seems to be that Sabé and Meira should be there in a moment if they're not already on board," Obi-Wan said.
As they got closer to the hatch, the uneasiness grew stronger. Now there was tension from Sabé, and she seemed to be concentrating on whatever was happening, so Obi-Wan decided against communicating through the bond.
When he got to the door, the Jedi peered down to catch sight of the people at the end of the ramp. Sabé was holding Meira tightly and speaking to someone in a stern tone of voice.
"But we checked. Baris Calle had no close relatives. And you've had two years to file any complaints. Why did your clients choose to come forward now?"
Obi-Wan moved so as to see more of the scene playing out on the tarmac. The handmaidens were standing between her and a contingent of Theed security, an officer of the court on Naboo, and a social worker. The security looked embarrassed to be there, the court officer and the social worker were pink with anger.
The social worker spoke. "Minister Calle, you didn't make more than a perfunctory search for the family of this child's father. Just because he didn't list any next of kin in his personnel file doesn't mean there aren't any. In fact, we charge that you did what you could to avoid the family. Baris Calle did have parents, and they wish to claim the right to be involved with their grandchild. Therefore, they have sought and been granted a court order prohibiting the transport of Meira Calle from the Naboo system. They also seek custody of the child."
Obi-Wan almost left the ship to join Sabé, but she glanced up at him and shook her head. //Let me see if I can get out of this without having you seen.// He nodded in reply.
Sabé's eyes turned cold. "They seek custody? I grant they have the right to ask for visitation, but there is no basis for a custody hearing. You can see for yourself that Meira is well cared for."
"We can't see anything with the handmaidens standing between us, Minister. Why are they here? You are not the Queen, so they don't have the authority to protect you. Officer, kindly get the handmaidens to step aside so we make take the child with us."
The security officer winced and cleared his throat. "They do have the order. I'm obliged to carry it out. I'm sorry, Ladies, but I must order you to step aside."
"I think you will find that you have no authority over us, Officer," Saché answered. "We take our orders from Captain Hugh Panaka and Queen Amidala. The Queen considers the Minister one of her duly appointed representatives, so we are here to see her safely onto the ship."
"This is an outrage!" screamed the court officer. "I'll have you all cited!"
Meira gripped Sabé tighter. "Nooo!" Obi-Wan felt a surge of the Force from her that was driven by fear and anger, and again almost stepped out to join them. Seeing that the handmaidens still didn't budge from their protective formation, he settled for sending a calming influence to the girl through the bond.
The Queen stepped out from a side door. "Is there a problem here?" she asked in her formal stoic tone.
At the sight of the monarch in full court dress, everyone bowed. "Y-y-your Highness," the security officer stammered, looking quite relieved. "It seems there is a court order preventing this child from leaving the planet. The plaintiffs also request custody of the girl."
"Your Highness, the the child's paternal grandparents are within their rights. They merely seek their day in court," the social worker said, her attitude much less arrogant now.
"I see," Amidala replied. She sent a sad look up the ramp at Obi-Wan and Anakin. "In that case, Meira Calle cannot leave Naboo before the case is settled."
"Thank you, Your Highness," the social worker replied. Stepping forward with a smug smile on her face, she gestured toward the handmaidens. "Now, should it please your Highness, I request that you order your handmaidens aside, so that we may take the child into custody..."
Amidala turned her face toward the social worker and glared. "It would not please Us at all. Sabé Calle is the child's mother, and you have no evidence that she has neglected or abused her daughter. Meira will remain with Sabé throughout these proceedings."
The court officer took the social worker's arm and pulled her back. "Yes, Your Highness. Your decision is wise and fair, as always. Here is the information on the case and when the Minister and her daughter are required to appear in court." He handed the data crystal to the Queen. She passed it to Rabé, who in turn passed it to Sabé.
"Thank you. Now, Security, clear this area. I have some things to discuss with the Minister in light of these developments." The security officers smiled as they saluted Amidala, then turned to escort the officer of the court and the social worker away.
When the platform was clear, Obi-Wan and Anakin rushed down the ramp. By then, Sabé and Meira were in tears. The Queen shook her head. "I'm sorry. I must let the matter go through channels or I'll appear too partial in this case, even though I know it has no basis. Obi-Wan, will you stay?"
"I can't," the Jedi said, gathering Sabé and Meira into his arms. "I must be careful of appearances too. Anakin and I will proceed to Corellia and prepare for Sabé and Meira's arrival there. Do you think this will take long?"
"I'll do my best to expedite it. I can say the Minister is needed in her new job as soon as possible, and that will clear the way to get it done quickly. We'll take care of them until they can join you." Amidala inclined her head in respect. She and the handmaidens turned and left the four of them alone for a brief moment before the Jedi had to board the ship again.
They turned to face Sabé and Meira once the ship had taken off. The Minister had a hankerchief and was wiping her child's face with it as she made comforting sounds.
"Your Highness...," Rabé started.
"Take them to your quarters," Amidala told her. "Together we found a way to save a planet. Saving this family should be a piece of cake."