Some hours later Obi-wan and Qui-gon were in the audience chamber with the Queen discussing the course of action once they reached Naboo. Obi-wan had been listening to the argument for some time. And none of them were getting anywhere. Qui-gon wanted them to all stay together. The Queen wanted her handmaidens to stay put. The handmaidens wanted to go. And the Queen's chief security officer wanted them to spilt up. Obi-wan had been silently walking the web during this discussion, and had seen that Panaka's idea was the most likely to succeed. He decided that after staying silent this long he had the right, and the obligation to speak up.
Obi-wan was not the only one to think his input was needed. Just as he came to his decision Padme spoke up. "Well what to do think, Jedi Kenobi?" He looked around at all of them and said, "Well I agree with Captain Panaka. His idea is the most sound and had the best chance at a positive outcome." Qui-gon nodded reluctantly. He was able to see that logic. Obi-wan continued speaking. " I think you should have two groups. One group will contain the decoy Queen." He nodded to the Queen on the throne. "And the other will contain the real Queen." He nodded at Padme. "The decoy unit will go in flashy and loud. Hopefully they will distract the guards in the palace. The real Queen will go in a back way and try not to do anything to bring attention to them selves. Quo-gon should go with the decoy and I should o with the real queen." With that said he sat down and waited for the fire works. They were not long coming.
Qui-gon erupted. "No we will not split up!" The decoy on the throne gaped, Padme sat down with an oath, and Panaka yelled, "You knew?" Then what Obi-wan had said was processed by Qui-gon who had been hung up on the separate part. "Decoy? The Queen is a Decoy?" Padme stood and turned to Qui-gon. "I am sorry Master Jedi. I did not want to deceive you, but my guards felt it was best to keep the deception. If you didn't know about the switch then no one else would either. Sabe is a loyal handmaiden and my chief body guard." Qui-gon looked at them. "Well I don't appreciate being kept in the dark but I can understand why you would do so. At lease now the odd behavior you two displayed makes sense." He turned to Obi-wan. "How did you know?" He looked at Qui-gon and said, "I walked the webs." While the others were confused by that statement Qui-gon nodded. He understood now. But before anyone could relax he started a new argument.
"Obi-wan I don't believe we should separate. That leaves the Queen with only one Jedi protector." Obi-wan nodded. "That's true. But for our deception to work, the decoy needs a Jedi with her. And you are two large to do stealth very well. And they know you because of the mission that started this. They would instantly assume you are guarding the true Queen. After all why would you be protection just a bodyguard? Which will leave the true Queen and I, with a small group of guards, much more freedom to get to the throne room." Qui-gon still didn't like it. "I know you don't like it, But this is the only way we have a chance of winning." Qui-gon backed down. "Fine. We will go with your plan for now. But you have to promise you will try and find another way." Obi-wan nodded. Padme spoke up. "We all will try to find another way. I like this idea even less than you do Master Jedi." Panaka after looking at the strain of everyone's faces spoke up. "I believe we should retire for the night. We have a very long day ahead of us." And everyone nodded and headed to their respective cabins. If not to sleep, to think on the day to come.
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