Chapter 7
It took Padmé only a few moments to piece together the meaning of so much outside light. The palace's grand entryway, along with all of its symbols of Naboo's culture and history, was gone. The loss was enough to make her feel physically ill, but the realization also filled her with a galvanizing sense of urgency. They had to find a way out of here now before even more was lost! She took a deep breath and tried to take stock of their situation analytically. The first and most deadly obstacle in their path was the unit of six droid guards.
What they needed was a distraction. Her eyes passed quickly around the room finding nothing that might be of use. Not surprising. Even under the best of circumstances this room was austere. The Queen's desk and throne sat on a small dais in front of the now-shattered windows. She knew there would be a blaster hidden in the arm of that chair, but reaching it without being shot would be almost impossible. The audience chairs, arranged in theater style semicircle around the throne, were lovely, but their thin wood and cloth construction wouldn't serve as a shield to flying blaster bolts.
She considered the control panel built into the inner wall of the safe room. It was an old style lever switch for the door: up to open and down to close. While it opened fairly slowly, it was designed to seal in the blink of an eye. If only they could throw that switch. The blast-shielded door would nullify the four droids standing just outside.
Glancing across to Noalé, then to Jamillia, she met each woman's gaze. She nodded almost imperceptibly toward the wall switch, then to Noalé. The girl's eyes snapped to focus on the panel and she inclined her head a fraction. Good! She understood that throwing the switch was her job.
Slowly and methodically the young handmaiden adjusted Danel so he was leaning on the wall and not on her shoulder. It would appear she was seeking a more comfortable position when in reality she was freeing herself to move on a moment's notice.
Padmé looked back at Jamillia. The Queen's dark gaze flickered to the guard closest to her. Clearly she intended to take on that particular droid. A part of Padmé wanted to insist that she stand down, but there was no way to keep Jamillia from acting at this point. Padmé knew from personal experience such warnings would go unheeded anyway. She was forced to admit she'd been just such a Queen herself. It was both fortunate and unfortunate that Naboo tended to elect strong, willful monarchs. Thankfully the planetary government made sure its rulers were well trained in order to compensate for such brave, reckless tendencies.
Just as Padmé was preparing to give the signal to move she heard one of the side doors to the Throne Room slide open. She leaned forward a little, but couldn't see past her droid guards. The other four droids standing at attention turned to face the sound. There! That was the distraction she'd been looking for and there wouldn't be a better time! She nodded firmly to the other two women before launching herself at the guard closest to her.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Noalé and Jamillia leap at the same time. She could feel the droids hesitate as they registered the three moving targets. Instantly the air around her was alive with multiple rounds of blaster fire. A split second later her body impacted the droid's lower torso. Balance had always been a weak point of battle droid construction and the unit teetered before crashing to the ground. Unable to stop her forward momentum, Padmé ended up on the floor alongside it. In that same instant the door to the small room slammed shut. Noalé had managed to trip the switch!
Gritting her teeth, Padmé fought the waves of blinding pain radiating from her shoulder. The droid's gears whirred noisily as it fought to regain its equilibrium on the slick floor. She rolled towards it, grabbing for the blast rifle and kicking its mechanical arm with her booted foot. The confused droid quickly lost its purchase on the weapon and the butt of the gun snapped into her waiting hand. She pulled it back into firing position and aimed at the chest unit of the soldier, squeezing off two quick shots. Plasma bolts sizzled into the center of the metal body compartment and traces of energy skipped over the droid's durasteel surface just before its limbs dropped lifelessly to the floor.
Rolling to her knees, Padmé was just in time to see Noalé pull at the laser rifle held by the other droid soldier. That one was also prone on the ground and Jamillia strained from a position half underneath it. She had an arm looped around the metal limb holding the blaster and appeared to be using the weight of her body to keep it immobile. Not the prettiest method of disabling that Padmé had ever seen, but she had to admit it was effective. The droid couldn't target anything.
Padmé aimed her own blaster at the struggling machine, then thought better of it and dropped the muzzle of her weapon. There wouldn't be a clear shot. Best to let the two women finish what they started. From what she could see they appeared to have things well in hand.
As she guessed, it didn't take long. Once Noalé had possession of the blaster rifle she immediately backed into the closest corner to regroup. Seeing that the droid was no longer armed, Jamillia pushed the heavy metal body away from her as hard as she could. Its weight was considerable and the effort didn't yield much, but Padmé didn't miss a beat. She took the opportunity to deliver a deadly accurate shot to the exposed chest cavity. The droid jerked spasmodically a couple of times before lying still.
In the relative safety of their hiding place the three women could hear blaster fire echoing through the adjoining throne room. Padmé said a quick prayer for Anakin's safety, hoping that the door she'd heard moments before hadn't heralded the arrival of more battle droids, or worse, droidekas.
She noticed Jamillia glancing around and knew she was looking for an extra weapon.
"Your Majesty, you might have gotten away with that maneuver a second ago, but don't think I'm going to stand by and let you risk your life again! Remember, if anything happens to you I'm stuck with your job." She smiled slightly to take the sting out of her words. There were times when a Queen's penchant for heroism just had to be squelched.
Jamillia gave the long-suffering sigh of a monarch who recognized, but didn't want to acknowledge, the validity of a warning.
"Such impudence from a Senator!" She flashed Padmé an answering grin. "I'll listen to you this time, but it has more to do with the shortage of weapons than my sense of duty, or" she added under her breath "your reluctance to take up the royal mantle again."
The idea of Amidala returning to the throne was a standing joke between the two of them. In a galaxy where most politicians and royals held tightly to power Padmé had been something of an anomaly. She'd made it abundantly clear to her successor that she was more than happy to relinquish her title and Crown. She had instantly become one of Jamillia's most trusted allies and confidantes.
The Queen, knowing the futility of arguing, did the only thing she could think of to help – she found a place to stay out of the way. Pulling Danel's limp body back into the least accessible corner of the room she tucked him behind her own slim form as best she could. Padmé's heart swelled at the gesture. She'd had occasion to wish she could repay a loyal guard's sacrifice and understood Jamillia's desire to shield Danel from further harm.
Padmé rose to her feet, cradling her arm gingerly. She didn't think anything was broken, but her bruises were going to be colorful. Noalé fell in beside her and together they rushed to the door. Listening carefully, Padmé could hear that blaster fire on the other side had become intermittent. She nodded once and Noalé pushed the lever up. Slowly the wall edged its way open again.
Both women breathed a sigh of relief at the sight that met their eyes. One droid soldier lay on the floor, smoke rising from a black hole in the side of its head. The other three were advancing slowly towards a group of standing columns beside the door in the far corner. Every few seconds a rapid burst of green plasma energy would flash out from behind the pillars in the general direction of the droids.
Padmé wasted no time. There was an ally in the room and she would show her appreciation in the only way she knew how – by drawing a bead on the nearest droid soldier with her own weapon. Her aim was true as ever and the closest target dropped instantly as an energy bolt seared through its cranial cavity.
Noalé wasn't as lucky with her volley of fire. Though one of her shots hit the second droid, it glanced and only succeeded in scorching the unit's outer covering. It was enough, though, to cause the two remaining droids to stop and turn in one fluid motion in order to target the newest threat. Senator and handmaiden dropped back behind the wall as another round of laser fire came from behind the distant columns.
Padmé was just preparing to resume her own attack when a sudden explosion rocked the room. They felt a wave of heat as bits of metal and rock blasted through the open doorway into the small cubicle. Noalé abandoned her position at the door, swiftly moving to shield the Queen's body with her own.
At the ignition of Obi-Wan's saber blade every droid soldier at the bottom of the stairs turned, blasters ready, to face the three men.
Anakin silently thanked the Trade Federation for the limited intelligence of their battle droids. Droidekas responded to lightsabers instantly with torrents of offensive fire. These lesser droids clearly needed a command to act – one they hadn't yet been given.
"Master Kenobi." The Count inclined his head politely. "Come to rescue your apprentice?"
"My apprentice doesn't need rescuing, Dooku." The Jedi replied coolly. "My role is merely advisory. I'm here to tell him that Republic troops are even now cleaning up the remnants of Federation soldiers you sent to the Gungan cities."
Anakin's eyes met those of his master. The Jedi were here? On Naboo? With reinforcements? Evidently Obi-Wan could sense his confusion, if not the actual questions, and sent back a wave of reassurance through the Force. Aloud he said, "I thought that might ease his mind a bit."
Anakin couldn't stop the smile that curled his lip. It did help to know. The Council had sent fortifying troops to Naboo because he had said they were needed. And Obi-Wan had come as well! Despite their differences, his Master had come to his aid. Suddenly he felt not so alone, almost as if he really was part of a greater whole.
Dooku seemed to take the news in stride. He raised an eyebrow, looking sidelong at Kenobi. "I find it surprising that the Jedi would waste resources here when other worlds are suffering far worse fates."
"Oh, I assure you we have the other situations well in hand." Obi-Wan radiated haughty confidence. "Much as this one has been brought under control."
"But to what end?" Dooku's mask of insolence slipped momentarily and his impatience became apparent. "The Confederacy will continue to find ways to prove its supremacy over the Republic. Other worlds will fall before being forced to admit that the Jedi and their army can no longer protect them." He turned to face Obi-Wan, his deep voice carrying an air of unmistakable finality. "Both the Republic and the Jedi Order are corrupt and unsalvageable. Qui-Gon suspected it; you refuse to admit it and your Padawan has known it for quite some time. I think that he - " Dooku broke off suddenly as an explosion was heard from inside the palace.
Anakin spun towards the hall in surprise. Color had drained from his face and he whispered one word as if it were a fervent prayer, "Padmé!"
Dooku stepped between Anakin and the doorway, waving his hand towards the squadron of battle droids. "Kill the Jedi!" He shouted. "Kill them now!" The droids opened fire as Dooku ducked back towards the Throne Room.
Obi-Wan managed to avert the barrage with his lightsaber, reflecting shots back into the midst of the droid regiment. Anakin was delayed only for the seconds it took to ignite his weapon, narrowly managing to avoid being hit by executing a perfect flip into the air. He landed solidly on his feet next to his Master, azure blade flashing in tandem to Obi-Wan's movements. They instantly dropped half the number of droids with deflected fire before walking in unison to the edge of the stairs and Force-pushing the remaining units to the ground. Anakin seized the advantage and wasted no time, using the power of the Force to pull one of the fractured concrete pillar bases down on them before they could rise.
Seconds later both Jedi had followed Dooku back into the building. They found the Count on what remained of the grand staircase, using the Force to move huge chunks of rock that blocked the entryway to the Throne Room. Apparently the blast they'd heard had brought down even more of the crumbling marble ceiling. Dooku's efforts had almost cleared the doorway. Just one more large rock to go. Drawing on the Force, master and padawan vaulted up towards the second floor.
Padmé leaned around the edge of the door, stunned to see a small crater in the marble floor where the droid soldiers had been standing only moments before. Acrid black smoke filled the chamber, creating a dark haze that cleared slowly as it was sucked out the open windows.
The room was deathly quiet for a moment before an unmistakably feminine voice tinged with disappointment call out. "So, is that it?"
Padmé knew that voice. She strained to see through the dissipating fog. It wasn't easy. There was no powered lighting in the room and the sky outside was red with approaching dusk. Her eyes lit on the pillar where laser fire had been originating only moments before. Just then, a dark head leaned out from behind the column. The girl's face was familiar, almost like looking in a mirror.
"Sabé!" Padmé moved warily out of the safe room while her former handmaiden abandoned all pretense of caution and ran over to her. They met in the warm embrace of long-parted friends.
"Padmé, I've missed you!" Sabé smiled, drawing back to study her friend.
"How did you -?" Padmé started.
"Dormé." Sabé's one word explanation quickly pre-empted her question. "She shot me a coded message this morning saying you were forcing her to leave Naboo. She told me what you were planning and asked if I might fill in for her. How could I refuse?" Sabé's honey brown eyes sparkled. "It took me half the day just to get here. Of course, if I'd realized you would have things so well in hand I might've saved myself the trip. One thermal detonator seemed a bit of overkill for two battle droids, but I was losing patience."
"Believe me, you were more help than you know!" Padmé motioned towards the back of the safe room where Jamillia was rising to her feet and Noalé was taking closer inventory of Danel's wound.
Sabé's eyes widened as she recognized the Queen of Naboo. "Your Majesty!" She quickly dropped to one knee, lowering her head in a gesture of respect before raising her eyes to Jamillia's. "All the world has been fearing the worst!"
The monarch's piercing black eyes glinted with humor and her generous lips curved wryly. "As you can see, reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated. Rise, Sabé. I think you've more than earned a respite from court formalities."
Sabé stood, excitement bubbling from her at finding her Queen alive and well. "This will mean so much to the people!"
"We don't dare tell anyone yet." Padmé muttered, checking the power setting on her blaster rifle. "We need to get Her Majesty to safety first."
"Agreed." Sabé nodded. "What about the lieutenant?"
Noalé piped up from her position on the floor. "He seems to be stable. The blaster wound is superficial, but he took a good knock on the head when he was shot. He hasn't been conscious since."
"We will carry him out." It was the Queen again, her tone brooking no argument. "I don't care about delays or additional risk. The shot he took was meant for me." Jamillia knelt and helped Noalé raise the young soldier to his feet. They each ducked under an arm and tried to divide his considerable weight between them. Danel Panaka had his father's stature and neither of them were small men.
Sabé exchanged a glance with Padmé. It would indeed be slow going with two women trying to carry an injured man. "What about the Jedi, Skywalker?" Sabé asked. "Dormé told me he was with you."
"Anakin is dealing with the biggest threat to our safety." Padmé's expression was neutral but her eyes spoke volumes. "Count Dooku is here."
"The Jedi idealist? The man organizing the Separatists?" Sabé seemed a little incredulous, as if she couldn't fathom why a leader of such importance would be here leading a small-scale attack.
"Actually, he's a former Jedi, not that it makes much difference. If Anakin's last run-in with him is any indication, he's just as lethal outside the Jedi Order as in. He would definitely rather kill us" Padmé nodded to indicate Jamillia in particular "than look at us."
"Well, then," Sabé intoned in her best Amidala of Naboo voice, "we shall avoid him at all costs."
Just then the door to the entryway was flung open and the topic of their conversation strode grandly into the room.
Count Dooku paused as he entered the hall, as if surprised to find things weren't as he'd left them. His hesitation lasted only a moment before he resumed his long strides toward the group gathered in the back corner.
Padmé saw him come through the doorway and unceremoniously pushed Jamillia, Noalé and the wounded Danel back into the safe room.
"Shut the door!" she shouted as she raised her rifle to her shoulder and fired several shots in quick succession.
Though at least a dozen strides away Dooku stopped, his hand extended, palm forward. Laser bolts impacted on his glove with a sizzle before dissipating in a harmless shower of white sparks.
Padmé hesitated, more than a little awed by the display of power she'd just witnessed. Sabé ran to her side as the door to the safe chamber slid shut behind them. They exchanged a look, each reading the fear in the other's face as they shared the realization that their powerful energy weapons were useless. Both turned to run for the nearest cover, the pillars along the wall.
"Oh no, Amidala. I have other plans for you!" The Count's voice maintained its façade of politeness, but there was anger in it too, simmering just beneath the surface.
Padmé heard him shout and felt her feet leave the ground as she was thrown towards the dais by a powerful unseen force. She landed hard at the base of the Queen's desk, anguish exploding through her body. An instant later Sabé slammed into her and the world went black.