Chapter Nine
The slight disorientation typically felt when a ship moves into hyperspeed went unnoticed by the two Jedi as they moved about the cockpit of the Neimoidian transport ship. Their focus, now that they had navigational controls set, was to get a message sent to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The news that they had to share would not wait the week that their voyage would take.
Obi-Wan stood, intending on helping Qui-Gon when his attention was brought back to the young woman sitting quietly, watching his every move.
"Master."He turned to the taller Jedi. "I'm going to find someplace for…Leira to rest."
"Very well, Padawan. I will attempt to contact the council."
The young woman followed Obi-Wan without hesitation to a small compartment located near the belly of the pincer-shaped transport. She remained quiet as she walked behind him, her small feet making soft padding sounds against the hard deck.
After he and his Master contacted the council, Obi-Wan had planned on talking with the young woman to reveal to her -- as delicately as possible --her true identity. He wasn't sure if she realized who she was, and Obi-Wan's main concern was to protect her from shock, in case she didn't.
They reached the small sleep cubicle and Obi-Wan placed his hands on both of Padmé's bare arms, gently urging her to sit upon the small cot located on one side of the room. Her eyes were wide, but he saw no fear in them.
"I'm going to go help my Master. Stay here and rest. I'll return shortly."
He smiled warmly as her head nodded quickly in response, her hands folded together in her lap, trembling slightly.
Obi-Wan regarded her for a moment and then reached to the head of the cot and grasped the gray blanket folded neatly there, wrapping it around her shoulders.
"Here, this should help. Space is…." His words stopped short, his eyes moving to the small hand that had grasped ahold of the blanket he offered and also his hand. Although her touch was cool, it seemed to immediately shoot a warmth into his bloodstream that was quickly traveling throughout his body.
Obi-Wan looked back up into her face -- a beautiful face still glittering with the oily slave paint. His own eyes were soon drawn to the firm, full lips stained crimson, and there they stayed.
"Thank you."
Her words broke his mesmerization and Obi-Wan flushed slightly when he realized his close approximation.
After she released his hand, he backed away, bowing slightly before turning to leave her alone.
When he reached Qui-Gon at the communications station, his master's brow was furrowed deeply.
"Having trouble Master?"
"Neimoidian technology was not a required course when I was at the academy, Padawan." A small smirk creased the corner of his master's mouth.
"Allow me." Obi-Wan grinned as Qui-Gon stood.
With an arched brow, Qui-Gon motioned for Obi-Wan to take his seat. Within minutes, the younger Jedi had contacted the Jedi Temple, and they both sat and watched as the blue images of Masters Yoda and Mace Windu appeared on the holographic imager.
"Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi. Good to see you, it is."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon both bowed their heads in respect.
"What news do you bring to us?" Mace Windu inquired.
Qui-Gon leaned slightly forward. "I'm afraid that our mission to Raxus Prime was not entirely successful."
"Discover the cause of the missing prisoners, did you not?"
"Actually, yes, we did. But a situation arose that required us to leave the planet rather quickly -- before we were able to detain the person responsible."
"And who would this person be?" Master Windu leaned forward as well, his hands coming to a steeple formation in his lap.
"The prison warden, I'm afraid. He is taking female prisoners to an underground facility called the gutter, and then selling them as slaves to the highest bidder."
"Witness these slave auctions yourself, did you?"
"Yes, Master Yoda." Qui-Gon continued. "But there is more. During the auction, I felt a disturbance in the Force. Someone is assisting the warden. Someone using the Dark Side of the Force."
Master Yoda exchanged a inquisitive look with his colleague.
"Report this to the chancellor, we will. Send a task force to Raxus Prime, we must. Report your findings to the entire council, when return to Coruscant, you shall."
"With permission from the council," Qui-Gon quickly added before the transmission ended. "We will not be coming directly to Coruscant."
"And why not?" Mace Windu replied, appearing slightly intrigued.
Qui-Gon then turned to his padawan, who had been dutifully quiet up until this moment. "Padawan?"
Quickly hiding his surprise in being asked to report on their discovery, Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "While we were investigating the prison, we came upon a female prisoner whom I recognized as the missing princess of Naboo."
Another look was exchanged between the two council members.
"Are you sure?" Mace Windu's face displayed his incredulation.
"Yes, Master Windu." Obi-Wan continued. "The warden called her Leira, but I am positive it is Princess Padmé. We rescued her from the slave auction and are en route to Naboo now."
Windu's holographic gaze moved from the young Jedi to Qui-Gon, noting the Master Jedi's affirmative nod.
"Hmmm." Yoda responded. "Permission to take the princess to Naboo, you have. Assume her title as Queen, she should."
"Contact us upon your departure from Naboo. May the Force be with you." Master Windu leaned back as he ended the conversation.
Qui-Gon bowed slightly and Obi-Wan followed. Then the holographic image flickered off.
Things were turning out better than Obi-Wan had planned. The council did not seem too disappointed in the partial success of their mission, and were even allowing them to take the princess directly back to Naboo -- the Queen, Obi-Wan corrected himself.
He watched Qui-Gon rise from the communications station and return to the navigational controls. He turned in his seat to follow, but caught a slight movement in the cockpit entrance. He turned to see Padmé standing there, still wrapped in the gray blanket.
Obi-Wan stood, trying to think of something to say. She had obviously heard their conversation with the council. Her mouth was agape, her eyes widened with shock.
Before any words came to his mind however, she turned from the cockpit and ran down the corridor.
Perhaps things weren't turning out better than he had planned after all.