Entry IV

Dealing with It

With the buzzing of alarms ringing nearby, the Naboo captain turned towards the main hangar where we would find the transports we were seeking. Everyone broke into a sprint, the Captain and Qui-Gon leading the way. I stayed towards the back.

Suddenly, Qui-Gon came to an abrupt halt. He threw his arm out to prevent the dark-skinned man running beside him from going any further. A Naboo guard before me stumbled to his knees as a result of the unexpected decrease in pace. I yanked him to his feet and pointed to another alleyway on my right. "Go!" I exclaimed. The Queen, her handmaidens, and her guards scurried past.

A look passed between my Master and I as he too rushed pass me, headed once again for the front. /I'll handle it./ I told him, already moving towards the corner that he had refused to go around. /I'll catch up./

I thought for a fleeting moment that perhaps I'd felt pride on my Master's side of the bond. It was something I could not deny—I had always craved my Master's approval and trust. Most of all his respect and pride. I longed for it.

You don't deserve to be a Padawan. Much less Qui-Gon Jinn's!

The whizzing of a blaster bolt centimeters from my ear reminded me to think of the present, not the past. Bruck Chun's taunting would have to find some other time to torment me.

Without waiting for the droids to attack me, I rushed the half dozen troops and took the offensive. My actions seemed to surprise them. It was their split-second confusion that allowed half of their group to the taken out. The remaining three turned and fled, reminding me very much of the cowards they worked for. I leapt high into the air, landing in front of the threesome.

"Uh, oh," one of them murmured.

I thrust backward with my weapon, twisted around and pulled it back in an arc, then jumped forward slightly and performed a diagonal shoulder to hip sweep. The three droids sizzled and staggered, then collapsed.

I stretched out with my feelings and discovered more droids were coming around the corner. Gathering the Force around me, I jumped for the rooftop to my left. The intricate designs the Naboo used made it hard for me to keep my balance; it was for reasons like this, however, that had made me work on my balance hour after hour at the Temple.

I reached up and grabbed the edge of a rooftop nearby, swinging my legs around to land on the next building. Casting out with the Force, I sensed Qui-Gon was close. The next few rooftops were quickly left behind as I leapt from one to the other. Within a few minutes, I could see the small band of rogues running through a back street.

I jumped down.

With my presence masked by intricate shielding, the guards at the end of the line did not notice me until they turned around. Even then, it was their own fear of being pursued that caused them to crane their necks to look behind them; my running footfalls were silent enough that only the most acute ears could hear them.

At the strangled gasps of the surprised soldiers, Qui-Gon spun around, his hand upon the hilt of his 'saber. He sent me a disapproving look. Sheepishly, I lowered my shields enough for my Master to feel me completely again. Qui-Gon nodded, giving me the only praise for a job well done that he could at the moment.

The guards continued to sneak glances at me as we ran.

For the most part, as we snuck from the streets to the hangars, the Queen and her handmaidens paid me little attention. Except one. I sensed something different about that one girl, something I couldn't quite place…

Large, double doors announced our arrival at the main hangar. I put forth a burst of speed, passing the group to come to a walk beside my Master, whom had also slowed. The Captain unlocked the doors of the hangar and Qui-Gon peered inside to assess the situation.

The soft breathing of our rescued companions cut the silence of the large hallway outside the hangar like a vibroshiv. I noticed distantly that the slightly obese Sio Bibble was breathing raggedly, his puffed out chest rising and falling quickly.

If Jar Jar's clumsiness didn't give us away, the Governor's serrated intakes of air would.

"There are too many of them."

My Master and I fixed level stares on the Naboo Captain.

"That won't be a problem."

The Captain continued to stare skeptically at us.

The stoic frown that always creased my features deepened. Why did everyone on this planet doubt the Jedi?

While Qui-Gon attempted to convince the young Queen to come with us to Coruscant, I let my eyes wander. Even the designs laid out for view in the hangars suggested the Naboo's love for peace and beauty. So what in the galaxy had possessed the spineless Neimoidians to blockade the small planet?

I involuntarily shuddered. My Master was right: There was something else behind all this.

The tangible feeling of shock and anger filled the Force. I threw a small shield up to prevent it from filling my mind. The Captain was surprised; the Queen and Bibble had sided with us, despite his protests.

My Master led the way through the hangar doors. I followed in second with the temperamental Naboo Captain scowling in third. In my many years as an apprentice, I'd found it interesting that men of importance could be reduced to tantrum throwing children when the Jedi became involved.

My Master's absent thoughts reached my mind. /Captain Panaka does not approve. He will attempt to make things difficult for us./

/Yes Master…What should we do about it/

/Humor him, as much as possible. We need his trust./

So when the Captain reached for his blaster and motioned towards a mix of mechanics, pilots, and guards, I touched his arm. "I'll deal with that," came my reply to his statement that the pilots needed to be freed. I forced years of experience into my voice to better persuade him. But the Captain, Panaka, did not volunteer to start an argument; he preferred to stay with the Queen.

I broke off from the group. My stride did not falter as I slipped behind a fuel vat. I would use the element of surprise on these droids just like I had done with the others.

Adrenaline began to surge through my blood before I could reach for my weapon. I had been trained as a negotiator, but battle always thrilled me. The Force flew into me with the swiftness of lightspeed as my lightsaber thrummed to life.

I was a conductor for the pure energies of the lightside of the Force: A learner of the great Jedi Order, a protector of peace and justice. I was one with the Force.

I had destroyed all of the bothersome battle droids before consciously realizing it, my actions guided by the will of the Force.

Lightsaber still in hand, I spun to face the Naboo captives. "Go!" I shouted. Turning and heading for the ship, my eyes sought Qui-Gon's. They met instantly; he had been watching my progress.

It seemed as if everyone would make it until one Naboo went down, then another. I squashed the feeling of helplessness that tried to overtake me with the idea that we had to escape. If a pilot or mechanic were killed…it was the will of the Force; I had to remember that.

I ran towards my Master, destroying droids along the way. By now, the only humans left in the great hangar were my Master and I. We traded glances. /We need to get the ship into the air/

I deactivated my weapon and hurried up the ramp. The Naboo pilot in charge did not need to be told. Before the ship could take off, I hurled myself into a seat near the main cabin. I strapped myself in just as Qui-Gon ran in and quickly flung himself into the seat beside me. The ship blasted from the hangar half a second later.

Watching through a viewport ahead of me, I saw the city of Theed gradually grow smaller. The darkness of space snuffed out all external light moments later. The coldness was already seeping into the ship. I unstrapped myself and pulled my cloak tighter. From the corner of my eye, I saw my Master stand. He headed for the main cabin. I followed.

Inside, bent intently over the controls was a pilot that I recognized. He was one that I had rescued. By way of greeting, he introduced himself. "Ric Olié. Thanks for helping out back there."

His eyes shifted briefly to me. It is a Jedi's duty to serve and protect, I wanted to tell him, but I kept my mouth shut and let my Master speak.

Qui-Gon tilted his head in acknowledgment, but quickly added, "Better save your thanks until we deal with what's up here."

Far off in the distance, light from the sun reflected off of something, making it wink at us. It was not a star.

Olié dropped his gaze to the control panel. When he looked up again, a grin graced his features.

I sensed another dry sense of humor.

"Copy that," he said. "What do we do about these big boys? Our communications are still jammed."

Qui-Gon scoffed. "We're past the point of talking. Just keep the ship on course."

When he spoke again, it was directed to me. I somehow managed to keep my shoulders from slumping. It was my job to make sure everyone was "settled safely in place." In other words, put the Gungan someplace where he wouldn't get in the way.

Grabbing Jar Jar Binks by the arm, I hauled him into the anteway, and with an almost desperate urgency to my movements, found a place to drop my burden off at. He protested with ardor, I'll give him that, but I merely shook my head and released the door's lock. I pushed him in and looked up at the creature that was at least a head higher than myself. I fixed a meaningful look at him. "Stay here. And keep out of trouble."

A sigh escaped my lips after the door closed behind me. I was always getting stuck with my Master's pet projects. This one was no different, except now that we were in space, he would become an even bigger thorn in my side.

Around the corner I heard the nervous chattering of women. The Queen, I realized. The noise drew me like a sweet aroma. I stopped just inside the doorway and bowed. "Your Majesty."

The Queen stood before a throne, her regal aura filling the room. My brow furrowed as I straightened. The commanding presence was not coming from the Queen. It was coming from…a handmaiden? But that didn't—

"Thank you for your help, Jedi—What is your name Jedi?"

"Kenobi," I said. "Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am Master Jinn's Padawan learner."

Queen Amidala nodded. "Thank you Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"It is a Jedi's duty to serve and protect."

"Of course," she replied, for loss of anything better to say.

I sensed imminent danger on the horizon and prepared to dismiss myself. "I must return to the main cabin, Your Highness. Perhaps you and your handmaidens should find a seat."

The Queen nodded and thanked me once more. I bowed and turned to leave. Just before turning the corner, I glanced back into the room. I could see the Queen quietly conversing with the special handmaiden and nearly called upon the Force to heighten my hearing. But before I could, the handmaiden, sensing my gaze upon her, turned to lock eyes with me. We remained like this until Queen Amidala realized she was no longer the center of attention. I broke the stare by dropping my eyes and leaving. Where the handmaiden had seen a young man, the Queen would see an empty hallway.

Realizing I had taken longer than I should have, I moved into a brisk walk. The 12-year-old boy inside of myself was battling for control again. I was fascinated by the beautiful transport I was on and longed to go exploring.

The ship shook beneath me, effectively freeing me of my curiosity. We were already under fire from the blockade battleship! My stride lengthened instantly. By the third tremble of the resplendent ship, I was running for the control area.

Page breaks now inserted where needed. (6/22/05)