"As soon as we land, the Federation will arrest you, and force you to sign the treaty." Panaka's features were hard and grim.
Once in hyperspace, Amidala had wasted no time in calling for a tactical meeting. All three handmaidens were present, as well as Panaka, the two Jedi, and, to Sabé's surprise, a very bewildered Jar Jar Binks. Anakin seemed to have taken up permanent residence in the cockpit, where he had begun studying every move the pilots made with hungry eyes.
"I agree," said Master Qui-Gon. "I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by this."
Amidala was resolute. "I will take back what's ours."
Panaka's lips tightened before he said stiffly, "There are too few of us, Your Highness. We have no army." He sounded more frustrated than Sabé believed she'd ever heard him. She imagined that right now he must be going through a severe internal conflict of interest. He wanted to trust the queen, but right now he could see no sense in her actions.
"And I can only protect you," Qui-Gon added. "I can't fight a war for you."
Sabé supposed that, had Amidala not already confided to the handmaidens some of her mind, she would have been just as confused as the men standing before her. As it was, she kept her face serene, trying to act professional, despite the heavy tension in the room.
"Jar Jar Binks," called the queen in her most regal voice.
Jar Jar jumped slightly, and looked around the room before pointing to his chest. "Mesa, Your Highness?"
Sabé successfully suppressed a giggle.
"Yes," said the queen. "I need your help."
"It's an awful risk." Eirtaé said when they were alone again.
"How so, handmaiden?" The queen seemed thoughtful.
"After hundreds of years of mistrust, do you really think the Gungans are just going to drop everything and say, 'Yes, we will help you fight your war'?"
"Ties with the Gungans should have been established long ago. If it must take place under such circumstances, we have no one to blame but ourselves."
"I agree," said Rabé. "I have great faith in the plan."
"Sabé?"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Would you please go check on Anakin for me?" When Sabé hesitated, the queen added, "He doesn't need to see you, I just want to know how he's doing. I need to talk to Rabé and Eirtaé for a few minutes."
Sabé found this statement quite puzzling, but she got up off the bunk where she had been sitting. "Does anyone want something from the galley while I'm out?"
"Just water, if you don't mind?" Rabé asked. With a nod, Sabé slipped out of the cabin.
Expecting to find Anakin in the cockpit, Sabé went there first. She glanced in, and was surprised to find only Ric Olié and another pilot she did not know. Then she set off for a quick round of the ship. There were only so many places he could be. Perhaps he was with Jar Jar.
He was not in the galley when she stopped for Rabé's water. Lost in thought, she poured a small cup and found her mind wandering back to the cabin, wondering what Padmé needed to discuss with the other handmaidens that she could not hear.
"My lady."
Sabé jumped, spilling water all over her robe. She had been so absorbed in thought that she hadn't heard anyone else come into the room. She whirled around, and found the doorway filled with Kenobi's frame. "Pada… er, I mean, Obi-Wan." She nodded curtly, trying to recover some sense of decorum.
Great, she thought, annoyed. Just who I need to be running into.
"I was looking for Anakin," she said. "Have you seen him at all?"
"He is with Qui-Gon. Learning breathing exercises." Obi-Wan sighed and folded his arms. He glanced briefly back towards the corridor. There was a strange expression on his face, of unease mingled with hurt. "He's not supposed to teach Anakin anything, but I suppose as they're not strictly using the Force, the Council will never even know." His words were quiet and murmured under his breath. Sabé wondered briefly if he even remembered she was there.
"Well," she said awkwardly, brandishing her half-empty cup in front of her, "thank you for the information." She stepped boldly forward, hoping to brush him aside with her cup and her imposing presence. She was not very effective.
"So why isn't Padmé looking for him?"
Sabé froze, eyes widening. The manner of the question had not been one of idle small talk. Years of court life had taught her that this question was very carefully chosen and timed.
He suspects something. "What do you mean?" she asked carefully.
Obi-Wan glanced out into the corridor, then shut the galley door with a quiet swish. He then crossed his arms and gave her an appraising glance.
"I find myself in the midst of an intriguing mystery, my lady. You see, I'm not quite sure who you are." He paused, and when Sabé did not reply, he continued. "I know you are the queen I spoke with in this very room while we were on Tatooine. Even if your face did not confirm it, your signature in the Force would."
Sabé was so angry, she was sure there was steam coming from her ears. She was angry at herself for being so foolhardy with Padmé's secret. She was angry at Kenobi for his arrogance. She was angry at the loathsome, kouhun-infested Neimoidians for invading Naboo in the first place. Dark eyes flashing, she sat down at the table's bench and glared up at him, simmering.
"My lady, the use of a decoy bodyguard is not an uncommon practice. And I must confess that I've rarely seen one so well executed. I do not believe anyone else has caught on. Maybe not even Qui-Gon. And there is still one thing I myself do not know."
"What's that?" Sabé spat.
He blinked, and gave a small smile of surprise. "Why, who is the real queen and who is the decoy, of course. Not absolutely. You both have a very regal bearing. Yet I very much doubt the real queen would have used a decoy for giving out those orders just now."
Sabé's shoulders slumped in defeat. "She wouldn't have," she mumbled. Then she straightened her shoulders, stuck out her chin, and stood up, extending her hand. "My name is Sabé Vána Naberrie, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Princess of Theed, Handmaiden and Sister to the Queen." Then she couldn't help adding, "And I'm glad you're so clever as to have figured us out, Padawan Kenobi."
He seemed unfazed by her taunting. He took her hand and shook it, nodding solemnly. "It is a pleasure, Princess. And I'm not trying to taunt you. But it is our commission to protect the queen above any other. If there was some doubt as to whom we should be protecting, I decided I needed to know."
Sabé sighed. "So you'll tell your master, then?"
"Yes. But you may rest assured that the secret goes no further. As I said, I highly doubt anyone else is aware. Which is something of a surprise, actually."
"What do you mean?"
"The queen's disguise. She goes by her real name- Padmé. Why is it none of your guards or pilots connect that name with the queen?"
Sabé smiled smugly, glad that he was still at least a little confused. "Because Padmé's royal name is Amidala. That is what the public has always known her as. She is Princess Amidala, and I am Princess Vána. Our first names are private, for our family and close friends. It has always been so. If any of the aristocracy had been aboard with us, she likely would not have taken her real name for disguise. But the guards and pilots only know the queen as Amidala."
"I see. An interesting custom."
"It is an old one in our family. Having a royal name and a family name helps to more clearly define the two functions and keep them separate."
"I can understand that."
"Please don't tell Captain Panaka of your discovery, Obi-Wan. I will be in an awful lot of trouble."
Kenobi grinned. "In that case, you may be assured of my silence."
Sabé headed towards the door again, and was relieved when he stepped lightly aside to let her pass. As the door slid open again, she turned back. "I'm upset with myself, sir, for not having been more guarded, but… I must confess that I rest easier knowing my sister has that much more protection. Perhaps it was no accident that you should know."
"All things are the will of the Force."
Sabé wasn't sure she agreed with this statement, but she nodded politely and took her leave.
The journey home did not seem half as long as that to Coruscant. A mounting dread of what was to come seemed to speed the minutes and shorten the distance. Sabé did not have the luxury of deciding how to occupy her time, for her thoughts were already on Naboo. Her body only needed to catch up with them.
Mostly she worried about her family. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Claria, Richard, and her father. Had her brother and sister escaped the palace undetected? Was her father even still alive?
Eventually her thoughts drifted to other loved ones as well. She thought of Saché and Yané and Jon. She thought of Danae Trillium's steady hands and the care she put into her work. Was so much art, love, and beauty to be destroyed just because a few stuck-up Neimoidians wanted lower prices on iren ore? She thought of Camille Daris, and wondered if she would ever get the chance to apologize.
What if she herself was killed and she never saw any of them again? Safe on Coruscant, it had felt so easy to say they must fight for their freedom. Now the prospect was a most immediate concern, and Sabé began to realize her own mortality.
On the second day, she watched Rabé teach Anakin and Jar Jar how to play dejarik, and she found herself thinking of the Gungans. Long had they concealed themselves in their marshes and swamps, content to live among themselves and hide away from the outside galaxy. Yet the galaxy had found them anyway. Sabé was still not entirely sure how she felt about Gungans. They were so foreign to her. It was suddenly shaming to realize how little the Naboo knew of their very own neighbors. But she certainly knew they did not deserve death. Perhaps that was why Padmé was so confident that the Gungans would help her. Their very existence would depend on it.
The only small ray of comfort in the entire situation was the Neimoidian's droid army. Or rather, the fact that it was a droid army. It was vast, and it was dangerous, but it was not human. If by some means Sabé was able to survive this battle, perhaps she could do it without drawing blood. As much as she despised the Neimoidians, the thought of killing any creature, even in self-defense, made her feel cold inside.
I would do it if I had to, but I hope the chance never comes at all. On the last day, as they made their approach to Naboo, Sabé found herself alone with her sister in their cabin. It was Padmé who helped her into the queen's battle gown. Sabé marveled that her hands were so steady as she worked.
Sabé brushed a hand over the septsilk that covered the bodice of the gown, in two layers, one of red, the other of black. It had not been designed as a battle gown, though that was what she and the other handmaidens had come to call it. Danae had designed it and the accompanying handmaiden outfits to at the behest of the queen when her hopes for liaisons with the Gungans had been fledgling.
"The gown will serve its purpose," Sabé said. She gave the smallest of smiles as Padmé caught her eye. "Though not exactly the way you had intended, I imagine."
Padmé smiled weakly back. "The irony of it all." Then she sighed. "Are you sure you want to do this, Sabé?"
"It's not a question of wanting, Your Highness. This is my duty. But if you want to be specific, yes, I do. I want to contribute to my planet's freedom every bit as much as you."
"From what Jar Jar has told me of this Boss Nass, I don't think he'll be easily convinced. I wish I knew better how to guide you. Our ignorance is highly frustrating."
"It will be fine." Sabé paused for a moment, then said, "Padmé, why did you wish to speak to Rabé and Eirtaé without me?"
Padmé's ensuing silence was riddled with a distinct impression of guilt. Her shoulders tightened ever so slightly, and her eyes were suddenly jumpy. At last, however, she seemed to break whatever barrier had been holding her back, and said, "Only to tell them to guard you equally as they would me."
"Why?" Sabé exclaimed. She opened her lips, wanting to protest, but Padmé's answer was swift and sure.
"Sabé, if I die defending this planet, then the people will give you the crown. One of us needs to survive. I hope you've acknowledged the possibility."
Sabé hadn't. The thought of living a life without Padmé was so alien she hadn't even been subconsciously trying to avoid it. She honestly had not thought of it at all. She stood there, stunned. "Oh," was all she managed to say.
"I hate being the Queen sometimes," Padmé said in a dreary voice. "I have to sit here and think of my own loved ones as pieces on a political dejarik board. It just doesn't seem right."
"Claria could be Queen."
"If Claria survives, yes, she is eligible." Padmé looked straight at Sabé. "I wish I could give her extra protection too, but she is not here. You, I can protect."
Sabé pulled her sister into a tight embrace. "You are going to live through this," she whispered fiercely. "And I'll do anything to keep you alive." Pulling back, she looked at Padmé with a smile. "Because if you think there's any way I want your job, you can forget it. Just pretending to be Queen is hard."
Padmé gave a soft laugh, wiping the beginnings of tears from her eyes. Then she looked serious again. "I love you, Sabé. If something happens, tell Father-"
"No, Padmé. None of that. You'll tell him yourself. And I love you too."
Padmé looked as though she wanted to argue the point, but eventually conceded. Instead, she reached over to the bureau and opened a drawer. "Here's your pistol," she said, handing Sabé the sleek silver weapon.
"Oh, joy," Sabé said sarcastically. She wrinkled her nose as she slid the weapon into its holster on her waist. "Well, I don't know what we're so worried about, anyway. Thanks to all that target practice with Naboo's favorite Security Captain, I'd say we could knock out every droid on the planet without breaking a sweat."
With her first step back onto Naboo soil, a subtle sense of calm settled on Sabé's shoulders. Although nothing about their situation had yet improved, it just felt good to be home again. Even in peaceful times Sabé rarely found herself off Naboo. She was not accustomed to being away for very long.
Despite all this, however, in many ways she was not really home at all. Otoh Gunga, the capital city of the Gungans, was very far from Theed, almost on the opposite side of the planet altogether. The closest major city was Keren, close to the moor regions, where Rabé was from. It was hotter here, closer to the equator than Theed, which was in more of a temperate zone.
Standing with Padmé and the other handmaidens outside the ship, she concentrated on not wiping her forehead, beaded with sweat from the humid afternoon, and waiting for Jar Jar to return from the city. According to the Jedi, it was not incredibly far under the water, so it would not have taken him long to reach it. How long he was delayed in his return was another question altogether.
While she waited, Sabé tried to focus on her upcoming task of opening talks with the Gungan leader, Boss Nass, as Jar Jar said he was called. The prospect was daunting, but at the same time a little exciting. It was just the sort of thing she might be called upon to do if her desires to become an ambassador were ever fulfilled. She peppered Rabé with questions about any Gungan encounter she'd ever had, and wished the Jedi could answer her questions too, but they seemed caught up in dealings of their own.
Though Sabé kept a watchful eye open for any break in the Jedi's low and very serious-looking conversation, she never got the opportunity for questions, because Jar Jar's return was surprisingly prompt.
"Deysa nobody dere!" he exclaimed, almost the moment he surfaced. Panaka and the Jedi instantly flocked around him, and Sabé couldn't hear what was said after that.
"They're so thoughtful," she muttered under her breath to the other girls. "I can't imagine why we should be included, can you?"
"Beats me," Rabé replied, and Eirtaé giggled. "But I'd think that you would be used to it, Sabé," Rabé added with a wink. "Panaka does this every time you're playing decoy."
"Sssshh!" Eirtaé hissed, breaking off mid-giggle to jerk her head in the direction of Anakin, who was standing three feet away, trying to listen in on the waterside conference. He did not appear to have overheard Rabé's slip.
At that, the girls quickly sobered, and before long Panaka came to give them an update. "Your Highness, Jar Jar believes the Gungans have fled to some sort of haven near here. We're heading there now."
"Exactly how close is this haven, Captain?" Sabé asked in her Amidala voice.
"Within walking distance, apparently. Either way, it's safest to walk, so walk we shall." At that, he sauntered off to arrange the queen's escort.
"What does he mean, safest?" Eirtaé asked as they watched him walk away again.
"Think about it," Rabé replied pointedly. "Would you want a starship or speeder piloted by your less-than-trusted neighbors bursting into your refuge unannounced?"
"Ah."
The walk was pleasant enough, if somewhat warm. Sabé could feel the septsilk sticking to her back as she walked, and soon her makeup began itching terribly. But the lush foliage and wildlife were enough of a distraction that these small discomforts were easily ignored.
They walked for nearly an hour before Jar Jar hushed all conversation and began walking softly and carefully, looking constantly in all directions, obviously on the watch for something.
When they did appear, Sabé was taken totally by surprise. She had idly been scanning the trees for signs of other Gungans, but they'd been so still and silent she never would have spotted them if they hadn't made their presence known.
"Stoppa dere!" shouted their leader, a middle-aged Gungan with feelers on his snout that reminded Sabé of whiskers. From his perch atop his kaadu, he pointed a vicious-looking spear directly at the lead guard. The other Gungan sentries followed suit, and swiftly surrounded the whole party. "Whosa are yousa?" he asked accusingly. "Where yousa goin'?"
At this moment, a nervous Jar Jar poked his head out from behind Qui-Gon and gave a wavering smile. "Heylo-de dere, Captain Tarpals."
The chief Gungan's eyes bulged in momentary disbelief. Then his shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head, shaking it sadly. When he looked up he said, "Jar Jar, yousa askin' for da crunchin? Yousa vex da Bosses bombad."
"Captain," said Qui-Gon, stepping forward with authority, "it is a pleasure to see you again. Jar Jar brought us at our request." He looked meaningfully at Sabé, who took the cue.
"Captain Tarpals," she said with authority, "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo. I request an audience with Boss Nass, if you would be so kind as to take me to him." Then, as an afterthought, she added, "Please."
Tarpals sat back slightly on his kaadu, giving her an appraising glance, which he then extended to the whole company, taking in the guards, pilots, handmaidens, and Jedi. His eyes narrowed with curiosity when he noticed Anakin, but he made no comment. At last, he returned his gaze to Sabé. "Yousa da big'un?" he asked skeptically. "Yousa only sproutin'."
"My people have chosen me," Sabé replied. "As I know the Gungans choose their leader. We have come in peace. May I speak with Boss Nass? Time is very short."
After one more long moment, he finally nodded. "Okeyday," he said, hitching up his reins and prompting the kaadu into motion. "Yousa all follow me. And no gibberin'." It took Sabé a moment to realize he meant 'no talking.'
They did not walk far before they reached what was clearly an important clearing. There were Gungans everywhere she looked, and their muffled surprise was evident as frantic whispers rippled along the crowd like a wave. Crumbling ruins cropped up out of the ground in several places, covered with moss and dirt. Perched atop the largest was a Gungan of imposing size who oozed suspicious authority. He too was watching the newcomers with unabashed interest, and his gaze sought out Captain Tarpals with expectation.
"Your Honor," the Captain said, gesturing with a hand towards Sabé, "Queen Amidala of da Naboo."
Sabé wondered if she was expected to speak first, but the chance was taken by Jar Jar. "Uh, h-heylo da, dee Big Boss Nass, Your Honor," he muttered with obvious reluctance.
"Jar Jar Binks," answered Nass in a booming voice, "who's da uss-en uthers?"
Did he just insult us? Sabé thought with indignation. It sounded like he'd called them 'ocean hor d'oeuvres. Well, she couldn't let him get very far on that track, and she certainly wasn't about to let Jar Jar answer his question. She stood up straighter. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo," she said with confidence. "I come before you in peace."
"Ah, Naboo big'un." Nass did not looked pleased to see her. "Yousa bringin' da mackineeks. Yousa all bombad." He waved a pointing finger over the group of humans.
This is not going well. Sabé wasn't quite sure how she was supposed to react to this pronouncement, so she decided to just stick to formula. "We have searched you out, because we wish to form an allia-"
"Your Honor."
Sabé closed her mouth and stared as her sister pressed easily around and in front of her. "You did well, Sabé," she murmured. "But this I must do." She turned back to Boss Nass, who was looking at her with confusion and a great deal more suspicion.
"Whosa dis?" he finally demanded.
"I am Queen Amidala," the queen declared. The expectant wave of surprise from the assembly, both Naboo and Gungan, was not unexpected. Padmé turned and gave Sabé a comforting smile as she gestured, "This is my decoy. My protection. My loyal bodyguard. I am sorry my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself."
Boss Nass didn't look convinced, but he said nothing, so Padmé seized the moment. "Although we have not always agreed, Your Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace."
"Mmn," the Gungan leader said, his face betraying a little interest at last.
"Now the Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build," Padmé continued. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever." She took a breath. "I ask you to help us."
He's not buying it, Sabé thought, doing her best to keep her hands calm and flat against her gown as she waited.
Padmé apparently sensed his recalcitrance as well, for she dropped to her knees. "No," she said, "I beg you to help us."
Sabé did not hesitate. If the queen knelt, they all knelt. Knowing that anyone who hadn't already followed Amidala's lead would follow hers, she too dropped to a knee, never taking her eyes off the Gungan leader's face. "We are your humble servants," the queen said. "Our fate is in your hands." She said no more.
In the tense silence that followed, the chirp of insects and braying of distant beasts were the only sounds, while everyone breathlessly watched for Boss Nass's reaction. He gave another thoughtful Mmm, causing Jar Jar to whimper slightly. Then something happened that came as quite a surprise.
Boss Nass laughed. And he kept laughing, long and heartily. Sabé was somewhat confused, but the laughter did not seem malicious, so she allowed herself to relax a little. "Yousa no tinkin' yousa greater dan de Gungans?" he cried. "Mesa lika dis." He smiled, showing a mouthful of large, square teeth. "Maybe," he added, "wesa… being friends."
The Gungans cheered and jumped as the Naboo got to their feet, and it was hard to find a face without a smile.