Author Note: Thank you, everyone,for the welcoming and thoughtful replies:) Hm. Does the story end happily? As happily as can be expected, given that I try not to conflict with anything in the canon films. My original intent was basically to fill in some empty space between AOTC & ROTS. In other words, I think I end this story on an upbeat note (yes, the end is already written), but then you've got everything that happens in Episode III to bring you crashing back to earth.
Chapter 5
Once through, they found themselves facing a narrow bridge in one of the starship complex's main generator rooms. It was a vast, cavernous place filled with mazes of criss-crossing catwalks on every level. The clatter of heavy machinery from below and the pressure release valves releasing steam every few seconds were deafening. The entire room was unbearably hot and filled with moisture that hang heavy in the air.
Enormous pillars of energy stretched from generators many stories below all the way up to receptors in the ceiling. These pale blue columns of light created a glow that cut through the misty haze.
Padmé consulted her datapad before sliding it back into her pocket. Shouting to be heard over the din, she pointed to the opposite side of the structure. "Unless I miss my guess, we want to make it all the way over there."
On the other side of the room, two levels up and far to the right, was a fairly large platform boasting several possible exits. It did indeed appear to be the most likely way into the hangar bay.
Anakin surveyed the room for the most direct path through. The catwalks themselves were lit and easy to see, but it was clear that even those closest together were still several meters apart – much too far for anyone without Force powers to jump.
"Let's cross here and then find a way up." He suggested, taking off in approximately the right direction over the bridge they stood on.
Padmé arched a brow towards her friend. "At least he didn't suggest swinging over on a cable."
Dormé conveyed her gratitude with a small smile. "Yes. I truly am grateful for the little things." They chased after Anakin, catching up to him where the bridge ended in front of a magnetically sealed hatchway.
Anakin pointed out small built-in handles protruding from the wall next to the portal. They led up several meters to a narrow ledge that circled a good portion of this side of the chamber; the ledge itself passed directly under the platform they sought.
"You go first." He nodded to his wife, who quickly started upward. Dormé gamely hitched up her skirt and pursued. Anakin hesitated, giving her space to maneuver her bulky garments, before following them both.
Once they made it up to the ledge it wasn't difficult to slide around the rim until they were directly under their objective. Another of the built in wall ladders enabled them to easily reach their destination. As they stepped onto the platform they quickly took stock of their surroundings.
The area was bigger than it had seemed from the other side of the chamber. A stairway on the far side led to some unknown location further into the generator complex. Directly in front of them was a large blast door marked for access to the hangar bay. Opening it would announce their arrival in no uncertain terms.
An idea occurred to Anakin and he turned to Padmé. "Where are the Nubian vessels kept compared to where we are?"
She drew out her datapad once more and pulled up a schematic of the hangar. Pointing to the long bottom edge she said, "We're here." Then she drew an imaginary line across the main body of the hangar bay to the far top corner, the one closest to the palace. "The Queen's vessels are here. My ship is in a private bay just in front of them, closer to the fighters."
"So we need to cross the hangar to reach any of them." It was more a statement than a question.
Padmé nodded. "My yacht has recently been equipped with a hyperdrive upgrade. It isn't much, as lightspeed goes, but it will get Dormé out of the area fast."
"Not to mention that I can actually fly it on my own." The handmaiden pointed out wryly.
"That's the one then." Anakin turned back to the door as Padmé put away her datapad. He tried reaching out with the Force to sense if there could be danger waiting for them immediately on the other side. Nothing came back to him. He reminded himself that droid soldiers didn't give off any Force signatures. Then he noticed a small lift to one side of the door.
"Where does that go?" He motioned toward the platform.
Padmé glanced over at it. She'd never taken much notice of utility accesses. "I think it goes up to the racks. It's something of a second level storage area just under the roof, a housing of sorts for equipment, spare parts and non-functional crafts.
"So, this could take us somewhere we can cross they main hangar undetected?" His blue eyes sparkled at this new possibility.
"Yes, now that you mention it, the upper level area covers the entire bay…" Padmé's voice trailed off as she followed his train of thought. It could work. "We should be able to go up to the second story and cross the width of the building. With any luck, a lift on the other side can take us down to the access corridors just outside the private hangars."
That was good enough for Anakin. "Let's go then!"
As they climbed onto the platform Padmé pushed the green button on the lift control. Immediately they found themselves whisked upward to a small metal catwalk just below the ceiling. Stepping off onto the walkway they saw it led to yet another small hatch.
Anakin pulled out his saber. Odds were that they wouldn't run into anything up here, but he only bet on sure things where Padmé's life was concerned. He waved at the access panel and the door slid open.
The first thing they noticed was the expanse of blue sky visible through gaping holes in the roof.
Padmé gasped audibly. Dormé, already familiar with the damage, put a steadying hand on her friend's shoulder. Aside from billowing smoke as they approached the city, this was the first real evidence of destruction they'd encountered. Cautiously they stepped into the storage area.
Far to their right, towards the mouth of the hangar bay, huge chunks of the ceiling were simply gone. The floor under those areas was gone as well, leaving the hangar below open to their view. It was obvious from the severity of the damage that this facility had been a primary target for AAT missile attacks. From their vantage point they could see that much of the marble floor at ground level was pitted and covered in charred debris. Twisted pieces of metal were everywhere, barely recognizable sections that only hinted at yellow paint and mirror polished durasteel. Padmé turned away from the sight, back to the hatchway that would lead them back down the other side.
Anakin stepped ahead of both women, proceeding forward slowly, checking the floor as he went. So much of the roof had fallen there was no telling if what remained was solid.
They clung to the interior wall, the one furthest from the damaged area, doing their best to blend in to the shadows. It was slow going as they detoured to avoid weak patches in the structure, but they made it across without incident.
As they went through the small hatchway on the other side Padmé couldn't resist looking back over her shoulder.
"Since the war started I've seen this kind of destruction so often on other worlds. I thought I knew what to expect. I never knew it would hurt this much - " Her voice broke as she turned away again from the sight of so much crumbling stone. It wouldn't do to dwell on this right now. There was too much work to be done before taking stock of what was left of her home.
They took a lift down to a small service room that exited into a lengthy hallway. Decorative arched windows all along the exterior side of the passage were blown out and glass shards covered the marble floor, glittering in the late afternoon sunlight.
Padmé, familiar with this section of the palace, didn't hesitate to dash towards a specific door. Anakin and Dormé followed as she entered a code on the security panel. The portal opened instantly and they rushed inside.
Her Nubian yacht was there. The tiny mirror-finished ship appeared untouched in the darkened private bay. Closed durasteel blast doors made up the entire wall across from the entrance. Apparently the doors had done their job, shielding the ship well from the damage so evident in the main hangar bay.
Anakin quickly turned to the access panel inside the door, removing the cover to expose the electrical system underneath. "Just a quick adjustment here and this door should stay closed for a while." He pulled a small tool out of his belt, cutting several wires before selecting two and twisting them together. "That should do it."
Padmé spoke from just behind him, "There is a surveillance monitor in here that feeds to the main control room. Fortunately it only covers the ship from one angle. As long as we stay here by the entryway we shouldn't be visible." She turned to Dormé. "You know how to access the override code to open the blast doors from inside the ship." Dormé nodded. "From the look of things in the hangar you won't have any trouble making a getaway. Most likely there will be tanks outside, but their guns won't be able to track you if you can burn out at full throttle."
The two women embraced for a long moment. Neither was comfortable with the situation and their reluctance to part was obvious. For Dormé, leaving her charge in danger went against every rule of her training. Padmé simply hated sending her friend out into danger.
"I promise we'll find out what happened to everyone," Padmé murmured as they parted, "especially Noalé and Danel."
"Thank you m'lady." Dormé's eyes swam with unshed tears at the mention of her sister and her husband. "Coruscant is too far. I'll be heading to Alderaan. I have a feeling Senator Organa will be anxious to know the situation here. This could so easily have happened on his own world."
"You're right." Padmé agreed. "Alderaan is the perfect place to seek sanctuary and help. If I know Bail, he'll take word of this outrage directly to the Senate floor." She kissed Dormé's cheek. "Be safe."
"You too, m'lady." She turned to go.
"Dormé." Anakin called softly from his position by the door. Eyes so like his beloveds flashed back toward him. "May the Force be with you."
"And with you, Master Jedi. Keep her safe!" With a final tearful nod towards Padmé the loyal handmaiden turned and ran to the ship. She had barely climbed aboard when heavy metal footsteps could be heard rushing in the corridor outside.
Anakin ignited his lightsaber, flattening himself along the wall to the left of the doorway. Padmé curled into a small crevice between two concrete pillars on the other side, blaster held at the ready.
In moments Dormé managed to fire up the engines on the silver cruiser. Less than a minute after that the huge blast doors began to open into the main hangar. Daylight spilled into the small bay as laser fire angled in from the slowly widening gap. The makeshift lock on the door was holding, though Anakin and Padmé could hear droids working furiously at the security panel on the other side.
"We've got to get out of here. I'm not sure how long the patch I set up will keep them out." Anakin scanned the room for an alternative exit, his eyes finally lighting on a ventilation cover in the corner closest to them. He deactivated his saber and ran over to it. One good yank pulled the grate from the wall to reveal a dark opening less than a meter square.
Anakin looked back at his wife. Padmé couldn't seem to take her eyes off the departing Nubian vessel. They both felt the wave of heat from the afterburners as the ship lifted from the floor and turned toward the main bay. Laser blasts from battle droid rifles below glanced harmlessly off the mirrored surface.
"Come on!" Anakin shouted. "She'll be fine!" Padmé looked dubious, her gaze darting between her husband and the ship.
The yacht cleared the small dock and moved into the main hangar. Suddenly, full thrusters engaged and it roared out of sight.
Padmé's relief was palpable and she ran to Anakin's side. "Through there?"
He nodded, motioning her toward the opening in the wall. She scrambled into the darkness as Anakin crawled in behind her. He pulled the grate back into place behind him not a moment too soon. The jury-rigged lock on the door gave out and battle droids could be heard pouring into the hangar from the now unsecured doorway.
On hands and knees the pair rapidly made their way through the pitch-black crawlspace, the sounds from Padmé's hangar bay receding behind them. The tunnel wasn't long and they soon found themselves emerging through an identical grate in a neighboring docking bay.
In the relative darkness of the storage facility it took a moment for Anakin to recognize the familiar outline of the ship sitting in front of them. It was his own starfighter! He circled it quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when it appeared to be undamaged.
"My ship!" He explained. "I can send a coded transmission to Coruscant! Maybe even ask them to send reinforcements!"
Padmé nodded, hardly daring to hope. Dormé's words were still ringing in her head: fifty tanks, six hundred droid soldiers, STAPs everywhere. Still, it would be best to try all available avenues of help.
Anakin canceled the security code lock on the ship before jumping topside. As the starfighter came on-line the R4-P unit activated, whistling a chipper greeting.
"No time to chat Arfour." Anakin slid into the cockpit as it opened, putting on the comlink headband. "I've got to send a message to Coruscant, scramble code 5, for Master Windu." The droid pulled up the comm system, boosting the power automatically. Anakin waited for the link to open, tapping his fingers impatiently on the console. The code he'd used was for emergencies and he expected a quick response.
"Padawan Skywalker." Mace Windu's voice was clear as a holo of his face flickered above the cockpit console. Though the video transmission wavered, Anakin could make out lines of worry on the Council leader's face. "We are aware of the situation on Naboo. It is good to see you safe."
"You know of the attack?" Anakin was incredulous. "Why haven't clone reinforcements been sent?"
"Naboo was only one of many systems to see hostility today. Ryloth and Calamari in the outer rim, Bothawui and Kashyyyk in the mid rim and Taanab in the inner rim were also struck. Our forces were already stretched beyond thin, but we tried to marshal troops to send to each world. Just as we were about to dispatch them we discovered Kamino was also under full-scale assault." The Jedi Master shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Anakin, but we had to send the units there to protect the cloning facility. They've got to get the next generation of clones off-world to safety."
Anakin couldn't hide his disillusionment. "You're protecting soldiers while civilians are dying?"
Mace was clearly growing impatient. "We're protecting the future of the Republic, padawan. There isn't time to debate. I know Naboo is special to you, but we have to consider the greater good of the galaxy."
"Master, the Queen of Naboo is missing." Anakin tried to keep his voice neutral as he explained. "Senator Amidala is with me, but she is adamant about trying to rescue the ruler of her people."
Master Windu gave a long-suffering sigh, looking down. Anakin could imagine him pressing the fingertips of his hands together contemplatively. "It is inevitable, I suppose, that you assist her in that endeavor."
The younger man nodded with a degree of confidence beyond his years. "I believe it is essential to the survival of the Naboo civilization."
"I trust your judgment in this matter." Mace decided. "Please keep us informed of your progress."
"I will Master." It wasn't much by way of encouragement, but it was enough. He had the Council's blessing and confidence.
Master Windu raised his gaze again. "Padawan Skywalker, these are dark and dangerous times. Take care to tread lightly, and may the Force be with you." A breath later the holo disappeared.
Anakin climbed from the cockpit to find Padmé examining her datapad. She looked up at him as he dropped to his feet beside her.
"They aren't coming." There was a wealth of resignation and weariness in her voice.
"No, they aren't. Something about an assault on Kamino and protecting the future of the Republic." He tried very hard not to sound bitter or angry, though he certainly felt both. "One day I'm going to happily say to hell with the galaxy and do what is best for us."
A ghost of a smile hovered on Padmé's lips, as if she could imagine making just such a decision herself. "I'm sure the Council and the Senate are doing what they feel is best." The familiar mantra about duty came easily, through years of practice. For the hundredth time that day she squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. "Now we need to do what we came to do."
He dropped an arm around her shoulder, peering at the datapad in her hands. "On the up-side," Anakin murmured in his off-hand way, "the council gave me their blessing to stay and help you."
"That's certainly different." She did smile then. Anakin was here with her and the council approved. All was not lost.
"Here's a schematic of the castle grounds." She angled the viewer so he could see it better. "There are several places security might take the queen if her life was threatened; safe rooms, lined so heavily that no life sign readings show from outside. I think they were built around the same time as the tunnels." She pointed to four general areas as she spoke. "This one is near the throne room. This one is on the top floor, near her sleeping quarters. This one, in the basement and the last is near the exit to the garden."
"I think we should start at the top and work our way down." Anakin suggested. "It seems as good a plan as any."
She turned her face up to his and he couldn't resist dropping a firm kiss on her lips.
"What was that for?" she breathed as he pulled away.
"That was because I still believe in luck." He hugged her tight. "I love you."
"And I love you." She gave him an answering squeeze before sliding her datapad back into her pocket. "Thank you." Her voice was so soft he almost couldn't hear.
"Hey now, none of that. My place is here with my wife. When she needs me I wouldn't be anywhere else." It was his turn to give her an encouraging grin before he turned to pitch his cloak into the cockpit and reset the security code on the starfighter. "Arfour?" The little droid beeped a reply. "Make sure the ship stays on lock down and keep her in one piece." The response was a dubious whistle. "Yeah, I know. Try not to worry too much. I promise I'll be back."
With that, he and Padmé took off for the upper levels.