Mace Windu sat in the security center of the Jedi Temple bringing up and viewing various holographic security recordings of the healer's wing over the past six hours.
From Healer T'Pal's information, he had narrowed the search down to within the fourteenth and sixteenth hours, when T'Pal had reportedly left Padmé to attend to an emergency in a training room. By the time the healer had returned two hours later, Padmé was missing.
Somehow during that time, someone had entered Padmé's room and taken her.
He watched the recording replay for the third time. Frustratingly, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Various Jedi healers in their traditional blue cloaks moved about the halls, initiates and knights as well.
However, on the third viewing something caught his eye and he suddenly sat forward, glaring at the repeated images appearing before him. "Stop!" He called out his voice command to the security terminal. "Replay 0.75, half speed." There. Right there. Just for a second, he saw movement through the door to Padmé's assigned room. "Replay 0.5, one-quarter speed."
The images before him played once more. "Stop."
Mace's fingers steepled under his chin. The image was blurred even with ehancement, but it was definitely the hooded blue cloak of a healer he saw entering the room. Whoever it was had been moving at Force enhanced speed.
He released a long sigh. So, the kidnapper was a Jedi - possibly a healer. This was bad news. He must tell Yoda. There was obviously a traitor among them. But who? Who could possibly hold such a grudge against Kenobi and Padmé that they would do such a thing? Who could possibly benefit from it?
He closed his eyes momentarily, rubbing his temple with his fingers in an attempt to ease the headache that was beginning to form there.
Mace then continued watching the recorded images, knowing that there was nothing more to see. Whoever it was, had used another exit to escape from, taking Padmé with them and the only other way out of that room was through the environmental control vents.
"Suspect I did. Darkness I have felt in the Temple." Master Yoda's ears drooped in his sorrowful admission.
"Why would you suspect one of our own to commit such an act? Who could possibly gain from abducting Senator Amidala? She hasn't even officially taken office yet."
"Not the senator, the kidnapper is after." Yoda's voice was quiet in the stillness of the council room.
"Who? The child? Why would..." Mace's words stuttered to a stop as the Force flowed to him. "There's something you're not telling me about this child."
"The Chosen One he is. Find him, we must."
Mace buried his head in his hands. The situation had become much more grim. He wanted to verbally lash out at Yoda for keeping this information from him, but what good would that do? He sighed heavily and sent his emotions into the Force. He must focus all of his energy on the task ahead of them. They must find and rescue Padmé Amidala, thereby rescuing the child waiting to be born, the one who would bring peace to the galaxy and a balance to the Force.
Mace exited the councilroom in a determined stride and ran right into Obi-Wan Kenobi. The young man held a fierce look, his eyes red rimmed, his hands clenching at his sides.
"Tell me what you know."
"You are too close to this one, Kenobi. Let us handle it."
"Damnit Windu! You let me help you find her or I'll do it by myself." His eyes bore into him, his voice was steel, and Mace knew he meant every word. What right did he have to refuse him?
"I saw an image on the security monitor of someone entering Padmé's room." Mace began walking back toward the healer's wing and Obi-Wan quickly matched his long stride.
"Who?"
"It was either a healer, or someone pretending to be. Whoever it is, Master Yoda feels that it is the baby they are after, not the senator. Apparently, your son..."
"Is the Chosen One." Obi-Wan finished and Mace stopped in his tracks.
"Yoda told you?"
"No. I just...knew. We have to find her Mace."
The tall Master Jedi placed a hand to Obi-Wan's shoulder. "We will do all we can Knight. Come. We need to check the ventilation systems. It was the only way that whoever did this could have left with her."