Chapter 2

Caution and secrecy

Padme sat meditating on the lesson that she had just completed, thinking about all that she had learned so far and wondering how much longer till her training would be complete. Her training was mostly focused on the mental aspects of the Force since it would not be with a lightsaber that Anakin would be saved but with love and patience. She had already been training for almost two years as judged by the outside world although it seemed far longer to Padme both due to her desire to return to her family and the fact that time passed far faster with in this place.

As she sat there meditating she felt as if something was wrong, danger but she wasn't the one in danger. The feeling was so strong and it would not be ignored. Slowly and meticulously Padme built up her mental shields to mask her Force presence. Only once she was positive that they were secure did she reach out beyond her crystalline sanctuary. Carefully Padme focused on the source of the danger and what she saw was a parent's worst nightmare. Leia her baby girl now almost two, was being kidnapped. She could only watch as Leia struggled with her attacker trying to get away. In the end though the two adults won, sedating the little Princess that was going to make them rich.

When Padme's attention returned from the scene of the crime she found Qui-Gon sitting there watching her, he seemed to be waiting for her to tell him what she had seen. Padme took a few deep breaths and calmed herself as best as she could due to the circumstances. "I saw two men kidnapping Leia. She fought them and they sedated her. I could sense their greed like a dark cloud hanging around them. I think that they are hoping to ransom her to Bail. I don't know where they were it didn't look like Alderaan though. Leia was so scared she didn't understand what was going on. She realized that the two men were bad and almost got away from them. But in her focus to get away from them Leia ended up running away from all that would have come to her aid had they known that it was needed. All I could do was watch as my daughter was drugged and kidnapped!" Padme said her control slipping for a moment before she forced herself to calm down. Neither loosing her temper nor going into hysterics would help Leia. In fact since Padme wanted Qui-Gon's blessing to go rescue her daughter they would be counter productive. "My daughter needs me."

"You have made great progress and are nearing the completion of your training but I don't think that you should rush it." Qui-Gon said his voice grave for he feared that she would go no matter what he said. "Bail will do what ever is necessary to get Leia back safe and sound. Padme, as things stand you might be able to help Leia out of this situation but you could easily make things far worse. This would be an extreme test for anyone to deal with these kidnappers and not give in to your anger or let it cloud your judgment. There would also be the risk of someone tying Leia to you and realizing who she really is. As dangerous as the kidnappers might be, the Emperor is far worse."

Padme nodded her head, she knew Qui-Gon was right that there was a great deal of risk involved in going to her daughter's aid. Padme would be patient for the moment and hope that Bail could handle the situation. This did not mean that she had written off the option though. She just needed a plan. Closing her eyes Padme once more delved into the Force. This time she was looking for any and all information that might help her daughter. Letting the Force guide her in her search toward the best course of action for all at stake.

o O o

Four days later

Enough was enough. The police had scared the kidnappers in their attempt to catch them at the drop off spot for the ransom. Padme could sense their fear almost as clearly as she could sense Leia's, as she watched her daughter. Leia was hiding in a corner of the storage room they had her stashed in. She didn't want the bad men to see her cry or know that she was scared of them. This was the third day since the foiled drop and the kidnappers had yet to make any further demands. It was starting to look like, that if nothing was done, the kidnappers might decide to do something rash and that was not acceptable.

Qui-Gon's blessing or no, Leia needed her and Padme was not going to sit and watch her baby cry any longer. As things stood there was nothing Qui-Gon could do to hold her here, she would just have to pray that when the time came she would not regret this.

'Yet, this seems right.' She thought as she reentered her body where it rested in its memorial tomb preserved in some way that Padme didn't understand and waiting for her return. Opening her real eyes for the first time in years she was greeted by the pitch-black absence of light. Her body spasmed as it came out of its long hibernation.

Padme lay there disoriented for a moment trying to get her bearings and make sure that her shield had not slipped during her transition. Padme was glad that the Naboo had very strict traditions for the burial of former heads of state. Those traditions made her return possible. There had been no intrusive autopsy, or anything else that might damage the body. Nature was the only thing that would touch the body once it was dressed for burial. The memorial tombs built for such funerals were designed to ensure the safety of the public while allowing nature to run its course. The best of all though was that into each one of the memorial tombs was built an escape hatch encase the deceased wasn't as dead as they thought. 'This is probably the first time in millenniums that it had proved necessary.' Padme thought using the Force to silence the alarm that would have alerted the groundskeeper of the disturbance as she opened the hatch.

Padme looked around blinking rapidly as her eyes fought to adjust to the assault. She slipped the japor snippet back around her neck and removed the prosthetic that they had used to make it appear that she had died pregnant. Placing the prosthetic back in the tomb and sealing it she followed the small dimly lit corridor to the exit. Then leaning on the door to catch her breath she stretched out with the Force to see what lay beyond. The last thing she needed was some random individual to see her and recognize her. The Force was with her though and the chamber outside was empty. Using the Force Padme managed to get out of the building with out sounding any alarms. Slipping into the dark night Padme silently made her way to the home of one of the few she felt she could trust. Sabe had been her loyal friend, handmaiden and decoy for years until she had settled down to start a family. Sabe's husband had died early in the Clone Wars and by this time of night her son would be sound asleep. It was a risk, but most things were now and Padme knew that Sabe would help her. Standing at Sabe's door was a nerve-racking experience as she reached out to her sleeping friend's mind. Padme didn't want to wake Sabe's son so she made Sabe think she heard a knock at the door. This would have been a very difficult feat on a good day but with Padme's body still recovering from its long sleep it was almost impossible. Padme was just about to give up and knock when she sensed her friend's sleepy presence drawing closer.

Padme had to act quickly as the door came open and the light from within revealed to Sabe who her late night visitor was. Covering Sabe's mouth with her hand she pushed her far enough inside that she could close the door behind them. "I know this is a shock but you must be quiet."

Sabe nodded pulling Padme's hand down away from her face. "Yes, mi'lady." She said holding her supposedly dead friend's hand she could feel her trembling. When she realizing that there was so little color there was on Padme's face that she looked like she was wearing the traditional royal makeup. "Come here and sit down before you collapse." Sabe whispered into Padme's ear as she put her arm around her and helped her to a nearby couch. "Let me get you something to drink and then you can tell me what in known space happened."

"Something light to eat would be greatly appreciated. It has been a long time since my last meal." Padme said as she watched her friend leave the room. It was only with the help of the Force that she was still awake. "Thank you." Padme said as Sabe handed her a glass of blue milk.

"Take your time. It's just good to have you back." Sabe said handing her a platter of fruit and crackers. She sat watching her friend as she ate, Sabe could see some of the color returning to Padme's cheeks making her look like she was really alive.

"I wish that time and circumstances would allow it, but a life is hanging in the balance." Padme said between mouthfuls. She was so hungry, like her body wanted to make up for all the meals that she had missed. "It is vital that no one know that I have returned from the dead."

"You know your secret is safe with me. I will do what ever I can do to make sure that we don't loose you again." Sabe said seriously.

"I need some nondescript cloths and transport to Coruscant. I will also need some I.D. and money. I hate to ask for your help like this, to put you at risk. I can't even begin to tell you what is at stake." Padme said shaking her head. She wanted to tell her best friend what all had happened but her children's lives, Leia's in particular were at stake.

"Your child is the one whose life is in the balance isn't it?" Sabe asked and based on the look of fear that crossed Padme's face at the speed of light, Sabe knew she was right. "I will do what ever is necessary to help you rescue your child. But my resources are limited. Padme there are still others out there that can help you and are still trust worthy."

"I must carry out this mission alone but you are right I do need help to get to that point." Padme said closing her eyes. She had only meant to blink but exhaustion won and sleep claimed her.

Sabe smiled seeing her friend finally relax. She took Padme's shoes off and put her feet up on the couch where she would be more comfortable and covered her with a decorative blanket. Once her best friend and former queen was as comfortable as she could make her, Sabe walked over to her com-station and started making some very careful calls.

o O o

Padme awoke the next morning in a nice warm bed with no clue how she had gotten there. The last thing she remembered was talking to Sabe.

Just then the door opened and in came a very familiar person, Rabe another of her former handmaidens. "Good, you're awake. We were afraid you were going to sleep for another year." Rabe joked as she helped Padme sit up and placed a breakfast tray across her lap. "Eat now questions later. We have a lot to do if you plan to leave Naboo today." Rabe said as Padme sat there for a moment dumbfounded, and then she dug in to the meal laid out for her.

Rabe sat there and made Padme eat every bite of food on her plate before she would let her get out of the bed. When she was done Sabe came in and handed her a nice simple suit of cloths and pointed her toward the refresher with orders to take her time, as they had matters well in hand. Padme couldn't help smiling at the antics of her friends as they fussed over her.

o O o

When Padme came downstairs she actually felt human again. What she found was three former handmaidens and two former security chiefs making all the necessary arrangements to get to Coruscant safely.

Yane spotted Padme and vacated her seat all but forcing Padme to take it. Padme didn't know whether to laugh or cry as they started briefing her on what they had already done and what they intended to do. They had already managed to acquire some authentic semi legal I.D. for her use. To the outside world she would now be known as Akaiyo Accursius. Then going above and beyond the call of duty all of them except Typho had very carefully given her several thousand credits out of their personal savings, much to her dismay. Typho had instead purchased a small used shuttle under her new alias. As he put it the shuttle could take her to Coruscant and then hopefully return her back to them on Naboo.

o O o

By lunchtime barely eight hours after Padme stumbled back into their lives she was packed and ready to go get her daughter. Padme couldn't even begin to express her gratitude for all her friends had done for her as she left them. Padme hugged them all goodbye and headed for a nearby public park to meet the air taxi that would take her to the spaceport where her shuttle was waiting for her.

It was only with the aid of the Force that Padme was able to remain calm as she worked her way through the various security procedures that were now required in order to take off and file a flight plan to Coruscant. Padme would have sworn her I.D. was checked at least a hundred times before she was able to leave orbit. She also knew that the security on Coruscant would be ten times as tight and that if Leia was not in mortal danger there was no way she would be heading back there.

Setting the hyperdrive Padme sat back to meditate while she had a chance because she knew that she wouldn't have many opportunities once she reached her destination. A period of time latter Padme tightened the shields that would hide her use of the Force from the Emperor and reached out searching for her daughter's presence.

She was still in the storage room and appeared to be okay. Padme could tell that Leia was hungry but that she was afraid to make the men mad by telling them. 'Qui-Gon was right it will not be easy to keep my temper under control.' Padme thought as she watched her baby girl fall asleep hungry on the dirty floor. The last thing Padme did before she withdrew from watching was carefully making sure that Leia's dreams would be peaceful.

'The real world is terrifying enough right now without it carrying over into her sleep.' Padme thought as she stretched.

o O o

Padme dropped out of hyperspace into the space lanes surrounding Coruscant and was immediately asked for her I.D., length and reason for her stay.

"Akaiyo Accursius aboard the Shuttle Messenger," Padme said transmitting her information to the Imperial paper pusher. "I don't plan on staying over a week and I am here for pleasure."

Three hours and five bureaucrats later she was given permission to enter Coruscant's atmosphere and join the billions of other life forms trying to find a place to land. It took Padme another two hours to find a place to park her shuttle that looked halfway reputable with out charging more to park than the shuttle was worth. It was only the Jedi calming techniques she had learned that had allowed her to keep her temper this far and she still had to go through customs.

As Padme walked through the crowds of sentients in the spaceport she let her now short blond hair fall into her face. She went to great effort not even to walk like herself. Gone was the regal demeanor and purposeful stride, in their place were hunched shoulders and shuffling steps. Finally she made her way to the head of the kilometers long line. Padme approached the stormtrooper that was checking the new arrivals, trying to give an air of unimportance.

Once Padme finally got out of the spaceport she made her way down through the various strata of the city planet, down farther than she would have ever dreamt of going. As she exited the lift tube Padme found her self in an ally that hadn't seen the light of day since before she was born. This was not the Coruscant that most saw. Down here you might as well be on the other side of the galaxy from the Imperial Center. The surface might be a shining jewel but if you go far enough down there is hardly anything that couldn't been bought. From another sentient to as in Padme's case an untraceable weapon.

Padme had refused to bring any weapons with her because if her ship was searched it could raise too many difficult questions or be tracked back to her friends. So now she had to make her ways through dangerous territory unarmed. Padme knew that she had to make her purchase at the first opportunity because once someone learned that she was unarmed she would be even more of a target. Her senses were on high alert and she was almost painfully aware of her surroundings. Finally as she had been hoping a seller approached her.

"Is there somet'in' I can get for you?" The young boy asked her, he couldn't be fourteen yet but his emaciated form made him seem younger.

"I need several high ticket items and will pay well for speedy delivery," Padme stated.

The boy nodded, "We can fin' jus' 'bout anythin'."

'So he is part of a gang,' Padme thought. "I need a fast, clean speeder that won't attract unwanted attention." Padme paused seeing the young man smile in understanding. He seemed to be almost honest, the type that wouldn't stab a customer in the back, at least not immediately. "I also need a throw away blaster. Nothing flashy just effective."

The boy smirked a knowing look on his face, he asked no questions. "2,000 cred's, half up front."

Padme knew that the price was exorbitant but she would rather have him fleece her and get what she needed, then have someone try to take it at blaster point. "Deal, make sure the tank is full and the blaster is charged." Padme said pulling out the credits. If he hadn't been a part of a gang then Padme might have tried to use the Force to get a better deal but as things went this was the best she could hope for. "How long?" Padme asked pulling the credits away just before he could grab them.

"I'l be right back with the weapon, but it'll take time to fin' a speeder." He said his eyes locked on the credits. "Three hours tops." Padme nodded, letting him take the credits. The boy scurried off and returned moments later handing her a small blaster designed for easy concealment. "Be at this address in three hours." He said handing her a note.

Padme looked at the note then checked the weapon. "I'll be there." She said making her way to the safer levels of the city planet counting the minutes till she would rescue her daughter. Padme made her way back to the turbo-lift and then to a small public atrium nearby to meditate while she waited.

/What are you planning on doing now, Padme/ Came Qui-Gon's cultured mental voice.

/Well I was trying to meditate, Master./

/You do have a plan, do you not/

/Aggressive negotiations/

/Not amusing, Padme. Much as you might want you cannot go in there, blasters a blazing. It would put Leia at risk if not from stray fire then from the investigation that would surely follow./

/I do have a plan Qui-Gon, the blaster is just a precaution./

/You are not going to tell me, are you/

Padme smiled. /Patience, Master./

/You are enjoying this a little to much, Padawan./ Padme could picture Qui-Gon shaking his head in amusement.

/Well, since you refuse to let me meditate I guess I should start making my way to where I will be getting my speeder. Then you will see what I have planned./

o O o

A/N: Kaiyo Accursius means, Forgiveness To hasten.

I now have my muse taped to my computer and she is finally talking to me again. Reviews might put her in a more productive mood.

Hint, hint.