Chapter 5: Heading For The Desert Of Destiny
As quietly as wraiths, the two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, slipped from the shadows and walked half the length of a roofed bridge that crossed over a street in Theed, the Capitol city of Naboo.
Two more figures followed the Jedi...but less quietly. One figure was a tall, clumsy Gungan named Jar-Jar Binks...the other a sixteen-year-old human girl from another Universe called Nicole.
Below them, being led and guarded closely by a squad of droids was the royal procession. Queen Amidala led the procession, followed by her handmaidens, her advisors, and a few personal guards that had been with her inside the palace.
Qui-Gon turned slightly to his Padawan, Obi-Wan, silently telling him to ready his lightsaber. When the guarded procession was below them, Qui- Gon and Obi-Wan lept gracefully from the bridge with their lightsabers drawn, cutting down most of the droids upon landing. The few that had been missed were taken down by Obi-Wan, who simply pushed the Force towards them...causing the droids to fall and break.
Nicole and Jar-Jar had made a less graceful decent, hanging from the edge of the bridge before tumbling to the ground in a heap. When Jar-Jar disentangled himself and rose, he saw the quick destruction done by the two Jedi and said in an awed voice:
" Oh! Yousa guys bomb bad!!" Nicole dusted herself off when she got up, and then grabbed a blaster...which was quickly taken away by Qui-Gon, who handed it over to a royal guard.
Nicole shot the Jedi a angry, questioning look...but she only got four quick words as Qui-Gon ushered the Queen to a nearby alley:
" Stay close to me." Nicole grudgingly obeyed Qui-Gon's order, glancing around for any sign of more droids.
Once inside the slight safety of the alley, Qui-Gon felt it was safe to talk, but first made sure that Nicole was between he and Obi-Wan. He was not sure why, but Qui-Gon suddenly felt very protective over the teenage girl...the way a father would be protective over his daughter.
" Your Highness, we are Ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor." Sio Bibble, the governor of Theed stepped forward to voice his opinion...
" Your negotiations seemed to have failed, Ambassadors."
" The negotiations never took place," Qui-Gon quickly replied, seeing a flare of anger in Nicole's blue-green eyes at what Sio said, " Your Highness, we must make contact with the Republic."
" The Trade Federation has knocked out all our communications," explained Captain Panaka, head of the Naboo Royal Security Force.
" Do you have transports?" Nicole was passively listening to the conversation, running it over in her head while glancing around at their surroundings, knowing that she might never get a real chance to look at the city's beauty. She happened to look over at Obi-Wan and saw that he was looking suspiciously at her left shoulder. That's when Nicole realized that her shirt had become slightly crooked from her fall off the bridge, leaving her newly acquired scar to be seen.
Nicole quickly adjusted her shirt, covering the scar and looking away from Obi-Wan. She desperately hoped that he didn't ask her about it. If Nicole was to say anything about Darth Maul, or any Sith for that matter, it would be in front of the Jedi Council...but Nicole wasn't sure if she should...Nicole didn't know if the knowledge she told them would affect this Universe for good or bad.
" We have them in the main hanger. This way." Qui-Gon ushered Nicole to follow Panaka, while he followed close behind her. Nicole looked back, hoping Jar-Jar would come stand by her, and seeing her look for him, he did quickly move to her side. Jar-Jar was Nicole's rock right now since she knew that she could trust him in a way different from trusting a Jedi because he would feel things like a normal person instead of a warrior.
As their newly enlarged troop silently made their way to the hanger, Qui-Gon noticed that Nicole was being unusually withdrawn...and his Padawan was keeping an unusually close eye on her when he should have been using his senses in searching for danger. Though Nicole's sudden attitude change unsettled him, for some un-named reason, Qui-Gon mentally filed the matter away for later analysis...his first priority was the Queen's safety and making contact with the Chancellor.
When they had all reached the main hanger and peered inside, they saw that there were at least fifty more droids standing guard over several bound pilots. Captain Panaka stared at the sight before turning to Qui-Gon, his face a clear sign of worry.
" There are too many of them." Panaka spoke with reason and logic...at least for a palace guard who had never been accompanied by Jedi Knights before.
" That won't be a problem," Qui-Gon said reassuringly before turning to address the Queen, " Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us." Though Qui-Gon kept his words addressed to Queen Amidala, Nicole received the distinct feeling that he was speaking to her as well.
" Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is with my people." Nicole looked at the Queen...or was it her body-double bodyguard? It didn't matter, Nicole looked at her and saw that she seemed completely calm...not only on the outside, but as if her feelings were calm and under control as well.
' I wish that I could be that calm,' Nicole randomly thought to herself, ' then maybe I could figure out something to do.'
" They will kill you if you stay, your Highness." Sio Bibble seemed appalled at the notion that someone would attempt to kill the Queen and once again interrupted Qui-Gon's conversation:
" They wouldn't dare!!" Captain Panaka was the one to speak up this time in order to keep the peace among their small troop that Bibble seemed to upset so easily...
" They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill her!" Qui-Gon sighed in frustration, not believing that so many people were doubting the word of Jedi Knights.
" The situation here is not what it seems. There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you." Nicole flinched at the words and remembered bits of Episode II.........and the bounty hunters sent after Amidala.
" Please, Your Highness, reconsider. Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us.........Senator Palpatine will need your help," Sio Bibble said, trying to persuade the Queen to go with Qui-Gon.........but Captain Panaka brought everyone's mood down by stating the bad situation they were in with the blockade:
" Getting past their blockade is impossible, Your Highness. Any attempt to escape will be dangerous."
' He sure is cheerful,' Nicole thought, rolling her eyes. Nicole saw the Queen turn her eyes towards one of her handmaidens.........Padme.........or was it the Queen in disguise?
" Either choice presents great danger.........to us all." The Queen seemed to bow her head for a moment, as if the seriousness of the situation finally dawned upon her.
" We are brave, Your Highness," Padme said in reassurance to the Queen.
" If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now."
" Then, I will plead our case to the Senate," the Queen said, giving in to everyone's plea, " Be careful, Governor." Since everyone had finally made up the Queen's mind (heh heh), they made their way into the hanger.
Inside the hanger Obi-Wan stepped away from the group, going to free the pilots by himself. Qui-Gon, on the other hand, led the rest of them towards the few droids standing guard in front of the transports. The droid commander saw the group of humans, not counting the Gungan, and stepped forward to question them.
" Halt."
" I'm an Ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor and I'm taking these people to Coruscant." Why Qui-Gon had said that much to the droid commander, Nicole did not know.
" Where are you taking them?" the droid commander asked them, raising his blaster slightly in confusion.........if droids could feel confusion.
" To Coruscant," Qui-Gon repeated, seemingly unphased by everything.
" Uh Coruscant.........uh, that doesn't compute.........uh, wait. YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!!" That's when the commander finally realized that these people were prisoners trying to escape, and the other droids opened fire upon the troop.
Nicole was quick to hide behind a barrel, with Jar-Jar close behind her, while the fighting was going on. Obi-Wan quickly destroyed the droids standing over the pilots, telling them to head to their ships.........which only a few of them did. One or two of them ran out of the hanger to join the other rebels that had escaped the Trade Federation.
Qui-Gon also quickly eliminated his share of droids, knocking a few down by way of the Force. He saw that Nicole was hiding and beckoned her to his side once again as they began to board a J-Type Seven Nubian transport ship. Nicole pulled Jar-Jar along after her, not wanting him to be left behind in all the confusion.
Once upon the ship, Ric Olie quickly took up the captain's seat, starting the ship. Nicole stood uncertainty behind Obi-Wan inside the cockpit, wondering where she should go. And, Nicole's feelings were once again picked up by a Jedi, this time Obi-Wan.........he turned around and saw both Nicole and Jar-Jar standing just inside the doorway, looking scared and confused.
" Follow me," he said, not really clarifying which one was to follow.........but both Nicole and Jar-Jar followed the Jedi Padawan into the lower level of the Nubian ship. A door slid open for them and Nicole saw all of the little repair droids lined up neatly in their mechanical cubicles. Nicole quickly spotted R2-D2.
" I want the two of you to stay here. And stay out of trouble Jar- Jar," Obi-Wan ordered before heading back to the cockpit.
' Well,' Nicole thought, ' at least he trusts me not to get into trouble.'
Jar-Jar looked around a bit, even greeting the little droids before ambling back over to Nicole, who had sat down next to the door.
" Dis'n some cawasy happen goin' on! Don't chu tink?" Nicole laughed softly, glancing at her new, strange friend.
" Sure is, Jar-Jar. Craziest thing that's ever happened to me." Jar- Jar didn't know that Nicole was referring to both their current situation and the secret she kept about Darth Maul.
" Hey, whata yousa home like?" Nicole looked at Jar-Jar in surprise before smiling and complying with his question:
" Well, I don't really think there's much to tell. It's kind of a small planet, third one from our sun. There's several different types of climates there: tropical forests, pine trees, deserts, frozen waste lands, and a lot of in between stuff."
" Unfortunately, humans.........my kind, are the only sentient beings back home on Earth. We're kinda a sheltered planet. Many humans don't even believe that there is life on other planets beyond ours."
" But I can't say life there is bad 'cause there is no end to the human imagination. Though we lack the friendship of other intelligent races, humans seem to get by okay.........though, after meeting you Jar- Jar, I think that we could do with help from other races." Jar-Jar seemed to think for a moment about the information that Nicole had just given him.
" Hey! Mesa got a great idea! Why not talk to da Jedi an have dem come to yur home. I betin' dat dey could help yousa race berry much!!"
" I think I'll try that when this is all over Jar-Jar," Nicole said with a weak smile, but feeling bad for lying to Jar-Jar.
Not much later, the two of them felt the entire ship rock violently from an unseen blast. The repair droids suddenly came to life at the shock, all of them rolling to a small lift near the back of the room. R2-D2 gave a short whistle and a beep at Nicole and Jar-Jar before he left last.
" Whatsa goin' on?"
" The ship's under attack, Jar-Jar! Keep sitting down or you'll just fall over!" Nicole cried out to Jar-Jar, who had been trying to walk around the room.
The two of them sat huddled on the floor for several more tense moments as more explosions rocked the ship. But the explosions soon stopped and only one little droid came back from outside..........R2-D2. And upon R2's return, Captain Panaka came down there as well to get the little droid.
" Uh.........Captain Panaka? Is it alright for me and Jar-Jar to go back up now?" Captain Panaka nodded his head and left, followed by R2.
Nicole followed them, but made a detour, stepping into a resting room to wait out the rest of the trip to Tatooine. Jar-Jar on the other hand, continued to wander around the ship.
Nicole sat down on a couch and laid her head down on the high table, trying to rest and think the recent happenings over.........but only succeeded in falling to sleep again. Thankfully though, there were no dreams with Darth Maul in them, only regular sleep.
When Nicole woke up, she was not sure how long she had been sleeping but she heard two voices speaking in the room and the soft vibrations of the ships engine was gone.
' Oh no. Don't tell me that we've already got to Tatooine!'
" I don't mean to be disrespectful, Master, but why is it important that the girl should go as well?" The voice was Obi-Wan's, held low in a whisper at the other side of the room near the door.
" The question is, Padawan, why do you feel protective over her?"
" It's not that I feel protective, Master, it's that I sense there is something she is hiding from us.........something that's of great importance."
" I sense that too, Obi-Wan, but I trust that she will tell us what it is in time. Now, go and check the hyper-drive while I wake her up."
" Yes, Master," Obi-Wan complied. Nicole heard the door whoosh open and close as Obi-Wan left. She then heard Qui-Gon's soft footsteps come close to her.........a strong warmth radiated from Qui-Gon's form as he stood over her, his breath ruffling her hair as he peered down closely at Nicole.
Nicole could feel her face grow uncomfortably warm at Qui-Gon's presence and hoped that her spreading blush could not be seen.
" Nicole...wake up, little one." Feigning sleepiness, Nicole raised her head slightly while rubbing her eyes. Thankfully Nicole could use sleep as a reason to rub her face and try to hide her blush that still had not gone away. Qui-Gon had stepped away from her some as well, giving her space to stand and stretch.
" Where are we?"
" We are on a planet called Tatooine. We will need to pick up some parts here to repair the ship before we can head to Coruscant. I would like you to come with me." Nicole stared at the Jedi in shock.
' Why does he want to take me with him?!'
" But you will have to change your clothes first. I believe that one of the Queen's handmaidens has something for you to wear." Qui- Gon led Nicole to another resting room where an unidentified handmaiden was waiting with Nicole's new clothes.
After shooing away the handmaiden, Nicole changed quickly into her new clothes. It looked very similar to what Padme wore on Tatooine from the movie, but with a few differences. The boots were dark leather brown, like Padme's, but came up to Nicole's knees instead of mid-shin. Her pants were of the coarse brown material from the movie, with no changes in it. She also wore the matching vest but the blue shirt she wore was paler and the sleeves were much shorter, cutting off at Nicole's bicep...Nicole liked it!
Nicole left the resting room in search of Qui-Gon...and found him at the front of the ship waiting with Jar-Jar and R2-D2.
" Yousa comin' too? Wahoo!!" Nicole gave Jar-Jar a friendly slap on the back while holding in her laughter. Giving Qui-Gon a quick look of confused thanks, Nicole stood ready to leave the ship and head into the desert heat that was Tatooine.
~Fin of Chapter 5~
As quietly as wraiths, the two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, slipped from the shadows and walked half the length of a roofed bridge that crossed over a street in Theed, the Capitol city of Naboo.
Two more figures followed the Jedi...but less quietly. One figure was a tall, clumsy Gungan named Jar-Jar Binks...the other a sixteen-year-old human girl from another Universe called Nicole.
Below them, being led and guarded closely by a squad of droids was the royal procession. Queen Amidala led the procession, followed by her handmaidens, her advisors, and a few personal guards that had been with her inside the palace.
Qui-Gon turned slightly to his Padawan, Obi-Wan, silently telling him to ready his lightsaber. When the guarded procession was below them, Qui- Gon and Obi-Wan lept gracefully from the bridge with their lightsabers drawn, cutting down most of the droids upon landing. The few that had been missed were taken down by Obi-Wan, who simply pushed the Force towards them...causing the droids to fall and break.
Nicole and Jar-Jar had made a less graceful decent, hanging from the edge of the bridge before tumbling to the ground in a heap. When Jar-Jar disentangled himself and rose, he saw the quick destruction done by the two Jedi and said in an awed voice:
" Oh! Yousa guys bomb bad!!" Nicole dusted herself off when she got up, and then grabbed a blaster...which was quickly taken away by Qui-Gon, who handed it over to a royal guard.
Nicole shot the Jedi a angry, questioning look...but she only got four quick words as Qui-Gon ushered the Queen to a nearby alley:
" Stay close to me." Nicole grudgingly obeyed Qui-Gon's order, glancing around for any sign of more droids.
Once inside the slight safety of the alley, Qui-Gon felt it was safe to talk, but first made sure that Nicole was between he and Obi-Wan. He was not sure why, but Qui-Gon suddenly felt very protective over the teenage girl...the way a father would be protective over his daughter.
" Your Highness, we are Ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor." Sio Bibble, the governor of Theed stepped forward to voice his opinion...
" Your negotiations seemed to have failed, Ambassadors."
" The negotiations never took place," Qui-Gon quickly replied, seeing a flare of anger in Nicole's blue-green eyes at what Sio said, " Your Highness, we must make contact with the Republic."
" The Trade Federation has knocked out all our communications," explained Captain Panaka, head of the Naboo Royal Security Force.
" Do you have transports?" Nicole was passively listening to the conversation, running it over in her head while glancing around at their surroundings, knowing that she might never get a real chance to look at the city's beauty. She happened to look over at Obi-Wan and saw that he was looking suspiciously at her left shoulder. That's when Nicole realized that her shirt had become slightly crooked from her fall off the bridge, leaving her newly acquired scar to be seen.
Nicole quickly adjusted her shirt, covering the scar and looking away from Obi-Wan. She desperately hoped that he didn't ask her about it. If Nicole was to say anything about Darth Maul, or any Sith for that matter, it would be in front of the Jedi Council...but Nicole wasn't sure if she should...Nicole didn't know if the knowledge she told them would affect this Universe for good or bad.
" We have them in the main hanger. This way." Qui-Gon ushered Nicole to follow Panaka, while he followed close behind her. Nicole looked back, hoping Jar-Jar would come stand by her, and seeing her look for him, he did quickly move to her side. Jar-Jar was Nicole's rock right now since she knew that she could trust him in a way different from trusting a Jedi because he would feel things like a normal person instead of a warrior.
As their newly enlarged troop silently made their way to the hanger, Qui-Gon noticed that Nicole was being unusually withdrawn...and his Padawan was keeping an unusually close eye on her when he should have been using his senses in searching for danger. Though Nicole's sudden attitude change unsettled him, for some un-named reason, Qui-Gon mentally filed the matter away for later analysis...his first priority was the Queen's safety and making contact with the Chancellor.
When they had all reached the main hanger and peered inside, they saw that there were at least fifty more droids standing guard over several bound pilots. Captain Panaka stared at the sight before turning to Qui-Gon, his face a clear sign of worry.
" There are too many of them." Panaka spoke with reason and logic...at least for a palace guard who had never been accompanied by Jedi Knights before.
" That won't be a problem," Qui-Gon said reassuringly before turning to address the Queen, " Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us." Though Qui-Gon kept his words addressed to Queen Amidala, Nicole received the distinct feeling that he was speaking to her as well.
" Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is with my people." Nicole looked at the Queen...or was it her body-double bodyguard? It didn't matter, Nicole looked at her and saw that she seemed completely calm...not only on the outside, but as if her feelings were calm and under control as well.
' I wish that I could be that calm,' Nicole randomly thought to herself, ' then maybe I could figure out something to do.'
" They will kill you if you stay, your Highness." Sio Bibble seemed appalled at the notion that someone would attempt to kill the Queen and once again interrupted Qui-Gon's conversation:
" They wouldn't dare!!" Captain Panaka was the one to speak up this time in order to keep the peace among their small troop that Bibble seemed to upset so easily...
" They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill her!" Qui-Gon sighed in frustration, not believing that so many people were doubting the word of Jedi Knights.
" The situation here is not what it seems. There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you." Nicole flinched at the words and remembered bits of Episode II.........and the bounty hunters sent after Amidala.
" Please, Your Highness, reconsider. Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us.........Senator Palpatine will need your help," Sio Bibble said, trying to persuade the Queen to go with Qui-Gon.........but Captain Panaka brought everyone's mood down by stating the bad situation they were in with the blockade:
" Getting past their blockade is impossible, Your Highness. Any attempt to escape will be dangerous."
' He sure is cheerful,' Nicole thought, rolling her eyes. Nicole saw the Queen turn her eyes towards one of her handmaidens.........Padme.........or was it the Queen in disguise?
" Either choice presents great danger.........to us all." The Queen seemed to bow her head for a moment, as if the seriousness of the situation finally dawned upon her.
" We are brave, Your Highness," Padme said in reassurance to the Queen.
" If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now."
" Then, I will plead our case to the Senate," the Queen said, giving in to everyone's plea, " Be careful, Governor." Since everyone had finally made up the Queen's mind (heh heh), they made their way into the hanger.
Inside the hanger Obi-Wan stepped away from the group, going to free the pilots by himself. Qui-Gon, on the other hand, led the rest of them towards the few droids standing guard in front of the transports. The droid commander saw the group of humans, not counting the Gungan, and stepped forward to question them.
" Halt."
" I'm an Ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor and I'm taking these people to Coruscant." Why Qui-Gon had said that much to the droid commander, Nicole did not know.
" Where are you taking them?" the droid commander asked them, raising his blaster slightly in confusion.........if droids could feel confusion.
" To Coruscant," Qui-Gon repeated, seemingly unphased by everything.
" Uh Coruscant.........uh, that doesn't compute.........uh, wait. YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!!" That's when the commander finally realized that these people were prisoners trying to escape, and the other droids opened fire upon the troop.
Nicole was quick to hide behind a barrel, with Jar-Jar close behind her, while the fighting was going on. Obi-Wan quickly destroyed the droids standing over the pilots, telling them to head to their ships.........which only a few of them did. One or two of them ran out of the hanger to join the other rebels that had escaped the Trade Federation.
Qui-Gon also quickly eliminated his share of droids, knocking a few down by way of the Force. He saw that Nicole was hiding and beckoned her to his side once again as they began to board a J-Type Seven Nubian transport ship. Nicole pulled Jar-Jar along after her, not wanting him to be left behind in all the confusion.
Once upon the ship, Ric Olie quickly took up the captain's seat, starting the ship. Nicole stood uncertainty behind Obi-Wan inside the cockpit, wondering where she should go. And, Nicole's feelings were once again picked up by a Jedi, this time Obi-Wan.........he turned around and saw both Nicole and Jar-Jar standing just inside the doorway, looking scared and confused.
" Follow me," he said, not really clarifying which one was to follow.........but both Nicole and Jar-Jar followed the Jedi Padawan into the lower level of the Nubian ship. A door slid open for them and Nicole saw all of the little repair droids lined up neatly in their mechanical cubicles. Nicole quickly spotted R2-D2.
" I want the two of you to stay here. And stay out of trouble Jar- Jar," Obi-Wan ordered before heading back to the cockpit.
' Well,' Nicole thought, ' at least he trusts me not to get into trouble.'
Jar-Jar looked around a bit, even greeting the little droids before ambling back over to Nicole, who had sat down next to the door.
" Dis'n some cawasy happen goin' on! Don't chu tink?" Nicole laughed softly, glancing at her new, strange friend.
" Sure is, Jar-Jar. Craziest thing that's ever happened to me." Jar- Jar didn't know that Nicole was referring to both their current situation and the secret she kept about Darth Maul.
" Hey, whata yousa home like?" Nicole looked at Jar-Jar in surprise before smiling and complying with his question:
" Well, I don't really think there's much to tell. It's kind of a small planet, third one from our sun. There's several different types of climates there: tropical forests, pine trees, deserts, frozen waste lands, and a lot of in between stuff."
" Unfortunately, humans.........my kind, are the only sentient beings back home on Earth. We're kinda a sheltered planet. Many humans don't even believe that there is life on other planets beyond ours."
" But I can't say life there is bad 'cause there is no end to the human imagination. Though we lack the friendship of other intelligent races, humans seem to get by okay.........though, after meeting you Jar- Jar, I think that we could do with help from other races." Jar-Jar seemed to think for a moment about the information that Nicole had just given him.
" Hey! Mesa got a great idea! Why not talk to da Jedi an have dem come to yur home. I betin' dat dey could help yousa race berry much!!"
" I think I'll try that when this is all over Jar-Jar," Nicole said with a weak smile, but feeling bad for lying to Jar-Jar.
Not much later, the two of them felt the entire ship rock violently from an unseen blast. The repair droids suddenly came to life at the shock, all of them rolling to a small lift near the back of the room. R2-D2 gave a short whistle and a beep at Nicole and Jar-Jar before he left last.
" Whatsa goin' on?"
" The ship's under attack, Jar-Jar! Keep sitting down or you'll just fall over!" Nicole cried out to Jar-Jar, who had been trying to walk around the room.
The two of them sat huddled on the floor for several more tense moments as more explosions rocked the ship. But the explosions soon stopped and only one little droid came back from outside..........R2-D2. And upon R2's return, Captain Panaka came down there as well to get the little droid.
" Uh.........Captain Panaka? Is it alright for me and Jar-Jar to go back up now?" Captain Panaka nodded his head and left, followed by R2.
Nicole followed them, but made a detour, stepping into a resting room to wait out the rest of the trip to Tatooine. Jar-Jar on the other hand, continued to wander around the ship.
Nicole sat down on a couch and laid her head down on the high table, trying to rest and think the recent happenings over.........but only succeeded in falling to sleep again. Thankfully though, there were no dreams with Darth Maul in them, only regular sleep.
When Nicole woke up, she was not sure how long she had been sleeping but she heard two voices speaking in the room and the soft vibrations of the ships engine was gone.
' Oh no. Don't tell me that we've already got to Tatooine!'
" I don't mean to be disrespectful, Master, but why is it important that the girl should go as well?" The voice was Obi-Wan's, held low in a whisper at the other side of the room near the door.
" The question is, Padawan, why do you feel protective over her?"
" It's not that I feel protective, Master, it's that I sense there is something she is hiding from us.........something that's of great importance."
" I sense that too, Obi-Wan, but I trust that she will tell us what it is in time. Now, go and check the hyper-drive while I wake her up."
" Yes, Master," Obi-Wan complied. Nicole heard the door whoosh open and close as Obi-Wan left. She then heard Qui-Gon's soft footsteps come close to her.........a strong warmth radiated from Qui-Gon's form as he stood over her, his breath ruffling her hair as he peered down closely at Nicole.
Nicole could feel her face grow uncomfortably warm at Qui-Gon's presence and hoped that her spreading blush could not be seen.
" Nicole...wake up, little one." Feigning sleepiness, Nicole raised her head slightly while rubbing her eyes. Thankfully Nicole could use sleep as a reason to rub her face and try to hide her blush that still had not gone away. Qui-Gon had stepped away from her some as well, giving her space to stand and stretch.
" Where are we?"
" We are on a planet called Tatooine. We will need to pick up some parts here to repair the ship before we can head to Coruscant. I would like you to come with me." Nicole stared at the Jedi in shock.
' Why does he want to take me with him?!'
" But you will have to change your clothes first. I believe that one of the Queen's handmaidens has something for you to wear." Qui- Gon led Nicole to another resting room where an unidentified handmaiden was waiting with Nicole's new clothes.
After shooing away the handmaiden, Nicole changed quickly into her new clothes. It looked very similar to what Padme wore on Tatooine from the movie, but with a few differences. The boots were dark leather brown, like Padme's, but came up to Nicole's knees instead of mid-shin. Her pants were of the coarse brown material from the movie, with no changes in it. She also wore the matching vest but the blue shirt she wore was paler and the sleeves were much shorter, cutting off at Nicole's bicep...Nicole liked it!
Nicole left the resting room in search of Qui-Gon...and found him at the front of the ship waiting with Jar-Jar and R2-D2.
" Yousa comin' too? Wahoo!!" Nicole gave Jar-Jar a friendly slap on the back while holding in her laughter. Giving Qui-Gon a quick look of confused thanks, Nicole stood ready to leave the ship and head into the desert heat that was Tatooine.
~Fin of Chapter 5~