Chapter 4
Timeframe: Many posts in this part of 'Fallen Angels' take place during key
points in AotC.
A/N: Anya, there's a nod in this chapter to the RHS
Chapter 4, Post 1
Obi-Wan and Anakin stood in the center of the Council Chamber, awaiting the Council's decision about what they should do next about assassination attempt on Senator Amidala. Three years ago, Obi-Wan had been assigned to act as his wife's bodyguard, now her best friend was the one in danger. Even though he barely knew Padmé the situation still troubled him. Someone in the Senate wanted to create an army for the Republic at any costs, but who was it and why?
"Track down this bounty hunter, you must, Obi-Wan." Master Yoda said.
Mace leaned forward on his chair. "Most importantly, find out whom he's working for."
Obi-Wan shook his head, glanced at his apprentice and then looked to the Council. "What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting."
"Handle that, your Padawan will."
That was not the answer Obi-Wan wanted to hear. He trusted Anakin, but in his opinion, Anakin wasn't ready to take on such a bold mission, and especially guarding the woman he had an emotional attachment with since he was nine years old.
"...Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees." Mace finished, looking at Obi-Wan briefly.
Master, he's not ready for this assignment..Obi-Wan sent to Mace, but he ignored his complaint.
Anakin bowed and stepped forward. "As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the Capital."
"Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect," Yoda said firmly, and looked pointedly at Obi-Wan. Respect our decision too, Obi-Wan, you must.
You must trust in the Force Obi-Wan that your apprentice will do the right thing. Mace said, sending his final thoughts to him. "Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her."
"I heard about the attack on the platform," Sabé started as Obi-Wan watched her shuffle around the apartment. She always busied herself whenever he was getting ready to go on another mission. "I met Cordé one time at a formal function. I talked with her about my experiences at Padmé's decoy, although she talked very little about herself. It's the handmaiden code, never talk about your current handmaiden status to outsiders. It's a secret society, a royal handmaiden society, if you will.." Sabé paused and looked at Ben. "But it's a tragedy that some senators will stop at nothing to push the military creation act for approval. I'm against it too, Ben, but the only reason Padmé's being targeted is because she's the force against the creation of the act. But I admire her for standing up for what she believes in, we Nubians tend to do that a lot."
Ben shrugged, smiling. "Yes, I noticed that, being married to an independent Nubian woman myself."
She blushed and then frowned as she looked at him seriously, sitting down at the small table across from him in their apartment. "Ben, please, be safe on this mission. I know I've gone through this many times but Mara's almost three years and she's too young to loose her father.."
Sabé was suddenly silenced Obi-Wan put two fingers on her lips and smiled. "Hush, darling, I promise you, I will be safe. If I sensed any danger about this mission that would prevent me from coming home to you, I would have told the Council not to send me. But there is no danger to me, my love, so there's nothing for you to worry about, and Mara will never loose her father, either."
"Once again, Ben Kenobi, I have to play double duty, watching Mara and teaching classes in the afternoon. I hope you realize how hard it is for me.."
"I know," he whispered, "but we're not an..."
"Ordinary couple?" Sabé finished and smiled to herself. "I know, Ben."
"I do not like this idea of hiding." Padmé vented as she helped Dormé pack her clothes for their departure from Coruscant. She'd been working for months to stop the creation of the military creation act. The Senate was divided on the issue and the vote to either give power to those who wanted to act or let it die was only weeks away and instead of being there herself, she was forced to leave the capital.
"Don't worry. Now that the Council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter." Anakin replied, walking around her room.
"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act not to be here when its fate is decided!" Padmé fumed.
Anakin shrugged. "Sometimes we have to let go of our pride and do what is requested of us."
Padmé turned to him, her temper slowly cooling down as she looked at him. "Anakin, you've grown up."
He grinned, walking towards the large window, mumbling, "Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it.."
"Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow."
Anakin shrugged, levitating a circular object using the Force. "Don't get me wrong.. Obi-Wan is a great mentor, as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu. I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. In some ways.. a lot of ways.. I'm ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials. I know I am! He knows it too. But he feels I'm too unpredictable.. Other Jedi my age have gone through the trials and made it.. I know I started my training late.. but he won't let me move on!"
"That must be frustrating."
Anakin roamed around the bedroom, his temper rising. "It's worse.. he's overly critical! He never listens! He just doesn't understand!"
Padmé smiled, crossing the space between them and looking down at him as he sat on the corner of her bed. "Anakin..." He raised his gaze from his fidgeting hands to her eyes. "Don't try to grow up too fast."
He shrugged, smiling partly as he stood up, looking down at her small form. "I am grown up. You said it yourself."
"Please don't look at me like that." Padmé found herself whispering as she noticed that he was staring intently into her eyes.
"Why not?" he asked, a mischievous grin on his face.
Padmé stepped away from him, her stern demeanor returning. "It makes me feel uncomfortable."
His gaze followed her as she continued to pack her clothes and his smile remained. "I'm sorry, M' Lady.."
tbc
Chapter 4, Post 2
"We're here." Anakin mumbled, grabbing Padmé's bags from the top shelf above her and taking them and walking to the front of the transport. Padmé sighed, grabbing the other half of the luggage and turned to Obi-Wan and Sabé, staring especially at Sabé. Sabé smiled, leaned forward and hugged her. Obi-Wan smiled wryly, watching his wife and best friend hug each other.
"At least this time, I don't have to hide myself behind white make-up and pretend to be you," Sabé whispered and let go of her. "But all the same, I wish there was something I could do to help you, Padmé."
Padmé shrugged, turning to Captain Typho and Dormé. "I know, but you're a mother now, Sabé," she said and smiled at Obi-Wan, "And I don't think Obi-Wan would like it if you suddenly became a decoy again."
He smiled in return and then frowned again as he and Sabé watched Padmé and Dormé say goodbye. Unlike other Senators, Padmé always became close to her handmaidens. She and Sabé became quick friends after she was elected and to this day, were still good friends.
"Be safe, milady," Captain Typho said. "I know the Jedi will take good care of you."
Obi-Wan flinched at the mention of the Captain's words but didn't say anything about it. Sabé turned to him, smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.
Padmé smiled. "Thank you, Captain. Take good care of Dormé...the threat's on the two of you now."
"He'll be safe with you." Dormé smirked and then her lips turned downward and she started to cry.
"You'll be fine..." Padmé reassured her, bracing her shoulder.
Dormé nodded, barely looking at her. "It's not me, milady. I worry about you. What happens when they realize you've left the Capital?"
Padmé turned briefly to Anakin, smiled and then looked again at Dormé. "Then my Jedi protector will have to prove how grown up he is."
Anakin smiled, listening to the exchange and then frowned as Obi-Wan pulled him aside. "Anakin, don't do anything without first consulting either myself or the Council."
"Yes, Master," he whispered, smiled goodbye to Sabé, and started off the dock as Padmé once again grabbed her things, following him.
"I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, Milady. You'll be back here in no time."
Padmé smiled to him. "I will be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi." She glanced again at Sabé, smiled and then frowned as Anakin passed her, whispering it was time to go. Padmé gave him a silent, "I know," and they walked towards the refugee transport.
Sabé watched as Padmé and Anakin's bodies vanished amongst the crowd and then turned to Dormé and Captain Typho. The two women looked at each other and smiled sourly. "She'll be safe with him," Sabé said and Dormé nodded.
"I know she will be," Dormé answered and looked at the captain. "We better get back to the Senate building." The Captain nodded goodbye to Sabé and Obi-Wan as they left the dock. Sabé watched them walk away, handmaiden and bodyguard, but she nearly jumped when Obi-Wan touched her shoulder. Sabé turned to him briefly and smiled, grasping his hand. "I know I don't have to say this, but please be safe, my love. May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan kissed her cheek, wrapping his arms around her. "May the Force be with you." Sabé barely felt Obi-Wan remove his arm from around her waist and then left the dock.
Despite her own objections, Sabé cancelled her afternoon class, paid for a hover tax and found herself at the Senate building. It had been years since she had been involved in the world of politics but times were different now. The galaxy and the ways politics worked were different. And as a former politician, Sabé could not sit back and watch her former colleagues slowly destroy themselves as they fought over the creation of an army.
iEven if my husband is investigating these attacks against Padmé, I need to know myself who wants this legislation passed so badly, they'd kill for it.Sabé thought to herself, entering the Senate building.
Surprisingly, the Senate building had not changed too much since the last time she was there. She had been able to visit with Padmé briefly after Mara was born, but after that, she was too busy to make the trips. And Sabé always felt if she did, she'd be tempted to listen in on the Senate hearings and maybe voice her own opinion, even though she was out of that arena.
"Excuse me, milady, can I help you?" a deep voice asked. Sabé swirled around, facing a tall tanned man with black hair and a goatee.
Sabé smiled. "Um yes, I'm looking for the Chancellor's office..."
The man lowered his head, a dark shadow crossed his face and Sabé knew he was one of the few that didn't approve of the military creation act. "The Chancellor's office is this way, milady," he said and ushered her towards in that direction. "If you don't mind my asking, why do you need to talk to the Chancellor?"
"My husband is investigating the attempts on Senator Naberrie, but I would like to know about the political reasons behind these horrible attacks," Sabé paused and turned to him, smiling coyly. "The Senator is a good friend of mine."
Bail stopped, turned and looked at Sabé, rubbing his goatee and then smiled. "Madame Foreign Ambassador Sabé Maberrie?"
Sabé took him aside, lowering her voice, "It's former Foreign Minister, milord. I'm married now and have a daughter..."
"Yes, I heard rumors you left the Senate to marry," he whispered. "Congratulations. Most of us don't have the will to leave because we believe so strongly in the needs of the Republic, putting those needs above our own." Sabé sighed as they moved along the corridor and the man gestured to the Chancellor's office. "My name is Bail Organa, milady."
"Bail Organa? Bail Organa...You worked with Padmé on prevention of the military creation act? She's talked about you briefly in her holos to me." Bail blushed and then moved aside as Sabé entered the office. The Chancellor's office was exactly what she expected, a grand view of Coruscant, stretching across the room and a large floor with a small desk against the vista window. It disgusted her he kept a large office, in comparison to other Senators that had smaller ones.
"Can I help you, milady?"
Sabé shrieked and turned to the itchy voice. She'd met the Chancellor before, on Naboo ten years ago after the Trade Federation and then in Padmé's office when she visited her. But now the Chancellor was aging, moles and wrinkles around his face. He looked like a dead man walking. "Chancellor, my name is Sabé Maberrie...we met three years ago..."
"Oh yes, the former Foreign Ambassador Sabé Maberrie. It's a pleasure to see you again, milady, and how is your little girl, Mara? Anakin's talked with me about her. He speaks of her like a proud big brother."
Sabé blushed as he gestured she sit down. "Thank you milord. Mara's doing fine, but she's not the reason for my visit. As you probably know, Senator Naberrie left early this afternoon for Naboo in regards to the assassination attempts ...These attempts, as I understand, are because she is part of a group against the creation of an army. I am against the idea as well, but I want to know if you can tell me of anyone in the Senate that wants desperately to see this legislation pass."
The Chancellor shrugged. "I'm sorry milady but I'm afraid you're wasting your time. As much I admire your concern for Senator Naberrie, I am not permitted to discuss with you about the going-on's of the Senate..."
"Is it because I left that arena a long time ago?" she questioned.
"...Yes, my dear. You have no political power here. You're not a Senator and therefore, I cannot discuss with you the situation. I, myself, do not know who is behind these attacks, but I assure you, if I did, I would tell the Jedi Council immediately."
Sabé nodded, stood up and smiled faintly to the Chancellor. "Thank you for your time, Chancellor, and I appreciate your answer." The Chancellor stood there as he watched Sabé leave the room, and then he scowled.
tbc
Chapter 4, Post 2
"That was a quick meeting," Bail commented as Sabé met him outside of the Chancellor's office. "I suppose he danced around your questions about the military creation act." Sabé shrugged as he escorted her out. "I'm sorry you made this trip only to be told you can't interfere."
Sabé turned to him and smiled mischievously. "I cannot interfere, but maybe you can help me. You work with Padmé, you know what's happening in there and who is on who's side..."
Bail stepped back, waving his hands. "Sabé, I cannot question thousands of Senators on their position in this matter."
"I don't expect you to. However Senator, you are Padmé's friend and colleague. You want to see her here, home and safe as well as I do. All I need is a list of Senators who are behind the act."
"There are a couple who are hell-bent on passing this legislation, I will talk to them for you," he promised, "but in the meantime, I would keep a low profile around here, Sabé. By all rights, you're not supposed to be here because you left office..."
Sabé waved her hand, walking towards the entrance of the building. "I know, milord, but I had to come..." As she started towards the door, she noted that the door to the Senate floor-viewing balcony was open and she looked at Senator Organa. "May I?"
The Senator turned to the balcony, sighed and gestured she could. Sabé walked calmly to the door and Bail followed behind her as she rested her hands on the balcony railing. The Senate was just reconvening from a short lunch break. The Chancellor motioned to Mas Amedda to calm the Senators. "Once again, the debate over the military creation act has caused grief for many. As Senator Naberrie stated earlier, someone in this forum will stop at nothing to see it passed and so, I come before you today, asking if any responsible come forward so we can put an end to this debate."
Sabé watched and listened as Senators whispered among themselves but didn't point any fingers at each other, raising what Sabé would a "red flag" that anyone was responsible. The Chancellor sighed heavily. "This session is adjourned, but I do ask anyone who is responsible to come forward. There is no more need for bloodshed on this matter."
Sabé huffed, walking down the halls of the Jedi Temple, glancing at the chrono near the entrance. It was early, too early to pick up Mara from her training session with Master Yoda, and she had cancelled her afternoon classes. She didn't know what it would be like in the Senate building so she cancelled her classes, but now she didn't have anything to do.
Sabé massaged her forehead, following wherever her feet would take her, which consequently took her to the Hall of Fountains. The former handmaiden breathed slowly as she walked inside the hall and sat down on the grass, near a fountain. She didn't know why she came there but she had a feeling, the Force had something to do with it. And then her mind went reeling back to a year ago when she found Mara in this place, claiming to have talked to the ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn.
Those were confusing times for everyone, herself included. Qui-Gon wouldn't tell her anything about what was going on. He hinted that Mara's powers played a key role but other than that he wasn't very helpful and then there was vision she had of Mara going with a man in black. The man could have been anyone. Later, the Council concluded that no such Sith Lord ever existed which lead her to believe that the Jedi did not yet know his presence.
Sabé now had so many unanswered questions, but somehow she knew all these events were intertwined with each other somehow. She began to list the facts.
Qui-Gon knew something big was coming, but wouldn't tell her because he thought no matter what was said or done, it couldn't be stopped. He sent her that vision of the man in black that took Mara with him, so she knew Mara was somehow going to be involved with whatever was coming. Chancellor Palpatine is a creepy old man...Creepy...When he first met Mara his presence scared her. Mara sensed something dark in him but that wasn't the first time.
There was another time, not too long after Mara was born. She cried whenever Anakin went near her. Sabé passed it off as her simply being scared of him because he was bigger than her, dark, wore black...Sabé froze, remembering the vision Qui-Gon sent her.
Anakin...
No, it was impossible! Sabé scolded herself. She knew he wasn't a Sith. How could he? He obeyed the Jedi and followed Obi-Wan, listening to his teachings (well, most of the time anyway). No, Anakin could not be a Sith. The Jedi would have seen it and would have warned Obi-Wan about it, so he could turn him back to the light. No, there was something else she was missing..
What about the Chancellor? Since the day Sabé met him, she always had an uneasy feeling about him. It wasn't that she didn't like politicians. She wasn't one then but still there was something about him that made her be wary of him.
Sabé realized she could sit there for days, thinking about how all these events were connected as a normal Jedi would, but she wasn't a Jedi. She was a mother and Basic teacher and this was by far, out of her perception of understanding. Sabé sighed and glanced down at the small pool, and then yelped as she saw Qui-Gon's reflection in the water.
"The least you can do is warn people before you suddenly appear!" Sabé cried, glaring at him.
Qui-Gon shrugged, I'm sorry milady, but I felt you needed someone to bounce ideas off of.
Sabé stood up from the grass, wiping her dress, "No, thank you. You wouldn't help me a year ago; why would you help me now?"
Because you're so close, Sabé, you just don't realize how close you are.
Sabé tilted her head, looking at him and grunted, "Anything you say doesn't really help matters, Qui-Gon Jinn. Why can't you tell me how all of this is connected? I mean, you know by the time the Jedi figure this stuff out, it'll be too late."
Perhaps. Maybe you're right, maybe I am wasting your time and theirs. I could tell you everything but then I will have altered history dramatically...The future is already in motion now that Obi-Wan and Anakin are away on this mission.
"That's very interesting, but once again, it doesn't solve the problem," she muttered, "and I'm not going to stay here and argue with a ghost. It's late and I have to pick up Mara from her lesson with Master Yoda."
Qui-Gon laughed. You are a very stubborn woman, Sabé Maberrie. But you're also very smart, and I know, you will put the pieces together.
Sabé huffed and looked at him seriously, "I know, eventually I will, but until then, this is one mystery I cannot solve on my own and no, I don't want more cryptic meanings from you either." she said bluntly, leaving the hall.
"...Had another visit from Qui-Gon you did," Master Yoda said. Normally, she would speak with her husband on these matters, but Sabé didn't want to bother him with this when he needed to be focused on his current mission. "Believe you do, that you were close to solving the mystery of the Sith, you were?"
Sabé shrugged. "I'm not sure what to think, Master. But after everything that has happened these past three years, I know points to something," she paused, "...After Mara was born, and Anakin came to visit us, his presence scared her. Of course, I didn't think much about it. I thought Mara was simply being fussy but then, when I brought her to meet Padmé at her office and when the Chancellor came to visit, Mara reacted the same way."
"She was not a trained then," Mace added as Yoda paced around the room and then finally settled on his seat next to him, "There are many signs pointing to the fact that something big is coming, milady but I doubt the Chancellor is a Sith."
"Why do you doubt that?" Sabé asked.
Mace shrugged, "Because, of the Sith we have seen, they are younger in age and therefore, more swift and agile. We have not seen an old Sith Master, much less know if a man as old as Palpatine can handle Sith powers."
"I still don't see why you wouldn't consider it as a possibility," Sabé continued. "I visited with the Chancellor. I wanted to see if there was anyone he knew that is for the military creation act and is very desperate to see it pass through the Senate."
"And?" Yoda asked, "Tell you, he did?"
Sabé looked down and frowned. "No. He said because I am no longer a politician, he could not discuss with me such issues," she whispered. "I don't trust him, Masters. I haven't trusted him since the day I met him."
Mace sighed and glanced at the little Master beside him, Yoda rubbed his chin briefly. "If deceiving us, the Chancellor is, know it about, we would."
"But that's what I'm saying, Masters!" she cried and Mace frowned at her. "I'm sorry to raise my voice, but I think the Chancellor has been deceiving you for years. I think he is a Sith Lord, and considering how long he has been in office, he may already have a cult following in the Senate."
Mace leaned forward again. "Milady, we understand your concern but if the Chancellor is a Sith Master, he would not have been able to hide under our radar for so long," he paused and sat back. "Now, I believe your daughter is anxiously waiting for your meeting with us to be done."
Sabé smiled curtly and bowed before leaving the chamber in silence, furious and dumbfounded why the Council couldn't see what she saw. She was certain the Chancellor was hiding something, wearing the mask of a politician while he sat back and played with the Senators, twisting and molding their perceptions. Politicians were like that—good politicians told the people they were working for what they wanted to hear but then turn around and act the complete opposite.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid.. Sabé wondered as she found Mara playing with Master Unduli. Sabé smiled, approaching the Jedi Master that had become her adopted mother over the years. "Mara, it's time to go. My meeting with the Council is over."
The three-year-old red head turned to her mother. She had grown so much over the year, her red hair thicker and her blue eyes had become green. "Will Daddy join us for dinner tonight, Mama?"
"No angel, he won't," Sabé whispered but then smiled. "He's on a very important mission. You know how daddy has all these important missions to help people, angel? Right now, he's helping a friend of mine, your aunt Padmé."
The girl nodded, saying goodbye to the other children as Sabé greeted Luminara. "Thank you again, Luminara, for watching Mara."
"It's always a pleasure to play with Mara, Sabé, and I pray to the Force for your husband's safe return, and that this mystery is solved quickly for all those concerned."
tbc
Chapter 4, Post 3
It had been years since he made the trip from the upper part of Coruscant to the "tough part of Coruscant." He smiled, remembering when Sabé dragged him to go clubbing in industrial part of Alderaan's capital. He was against the idea, of course, mainly because as her bodyguard at the time, he didn't think it was going to be very safe. She forced him to wear a tight leather pants, slit shirt and messed up his nicely groomed hair, but the only problem was that he didn't know how to dance in leather pants. Sabé, on the other hand, had no problem moving in leather and she wore her black leather dress very well, the corset wrapping around her waist...
A smug grin stretched across his face as he remembered how beautiful and sexy she looked that night and then frowned, remembering he had an assignment to focus on. Obi-Wan continued down the street and then stopped as he came upon his destination, smiled again and walked quietly inside the diner. A waitress droid, carrying plates of half-eaten food rolled around the counter as Obi-Wan sat down at a window booth.
"Is Dex around?" Obi-Wan asked..
The droid blinked, studying Obi-Wan carefully as he studied her as well. Droids were hard to read, but he knew she was trying to figure out his intentions in wanting to see Dex. "Yeah, what' ya want with him?" the droid finally asked.
"Oh no, he's not in trouble." Ben said as the droid turned back to the counter.
"Someone to see ya, honey," the droid called to the back, and then turned her gaze again back to Obi-Wan. "A Jedi, by the looks of him." she added quietly.
Steam billowed out from the kitchen hatch behind the counter as a huge head poked through. "Obi-Wan, hold on. I'll be right with ya." The alien vanished again and Obi-Wan smiled, fixing his robes
The droid scooted around the counter in Obi-Wan's direction, carrying plates of half-eaten food scooted by the booth and then stopped. "You want a cup of jawa juice?"
Obi-Wan told her "no" and the droid went along, attending to other customers. He glanced around the diner, noting the lower class aliens, humans and alien construction workers enjoying their meals. Finally, Dex left the kitchen and waddled over to him. Obi-Wan stood up, bracing his old friend as he spread his arms, enveloping him in a big hug. Obi-Wan settled back into the booth as Dex squeezed himself in.
"So, my friend. What can I do for ya?"
Ben removed the dart from his pocket and showed it off to him. "You can tell me what this is."
Dex rubbed his chin, looking the dart over. "Well, whaddya know..." he paused as he picked up the dart delicately between his puffy fingers and peered at it. "I ain't seen one of these since I was prospecting on Subterrel beyond the Outer Rim!"
"Can you tell where it came from?"
Dex grinned, putting the dart down again between them. "This baby belongs to them cloners. What you got here is a Kamino saberdart."
Obi-Wan examined the dart before hiding it again in his small pack. "Kamino saberdart? I've never heard of a planet Kamino before."
"Ya see, it's these funny little cuts on the side give it away.. Those analysis droids you've got over there only focus on symbols, you know. I should think you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom." he continued.
Ben smiled, taking one more look at the dart, "Dex, if droids could think, we wouldn't be here, would we?" He paused, looking seriously at his friend. "Kamino... doesn't sound familiar. Is it part of the Republic?"
Dex shook his head, rubbing his chin again. "No, it's beyond the Outer Rim. I'd say about twelve parsecs outside the Rishi Maze, toward the south. It should be easy to find, even for those droids in your archive. These Kaminoans keep to themselves. They're cloners. Damned good ones, too."
"Cloners? Are they friendly?"
Dex grinned again, chuckling deeply. "It depends, Obi-Wan,"
"Depends on what Dex?"
His grin widened. "On how good your manners are.. and how big your pocketbook is.."
"Bail, I wasn't expecting you so early," Sabé muttered as she opened an inch of her apartment door. Bail smiled at her and then frowned. He had never been inside the Jedi Temple before, but to Sabé, walking the familiar halls and greeting the many Jedi Masters wasn't new to her. Sabé smiled, rubbing her forehead as she stepped aside and let him in. "I'm sorry, do you want some refreshments or something?"
Bail shrugged, walking down the hallway until he came to the main room, which consisted of a small kitchenette, dining room and living room, and a small hallway to the left led to two bedrooms. "No, that's all right Sabé. I tried talking to some people about who might be for the military creation act. I was given some names, but if I may be honest, I think the real players in this operation are the parties that are still on the banking roll of the Trade Federation."
Sabé moaned, sitting back on the couch. The Trade Federation. It had been ten years since they tried to invade Naboo. Sabé had been Padmé's decoy then, but still, ten years later, it was still difficult to convict them of treason. "Who is on the banking roll of the Trade Federation?"
"The Banking Clan, the Techo Union...Sabé, I was thinking about something while on my way over here," Bail paused. "I know the reason you left the political scene was to start a family of your own, but what if you worked as an aide in the Senate?"
"An aide?" Sabé questioned. "You mean become some Senator's personal secretary? No offense milord, but I already have a job here in the Temple. I'm a Basic teacher, and I love my job. I'm closer to Mara and Ben. I don't want to be working late hours in the Senate building, filing papers and recording speeches."
Bail waved his hand and smiled. "It was only a thought, milady, nothing more," he gasped and the stood up. "I only brought it up because you'll have more access to records as an aide."
Sabé smiled. "Thank you, milord but I made a vow to Ben when I married him that I would leave that life behind, and I have," she paused and then stood up from the couch. "Thank you for coming Bail, and I'm sorry I had to refuse your suggestion."
"I understand milady." he said.
"A senatorial aide?" Luminara questioned Sabé as they both grabbed their lunch in the Temple cafeteria. "If you told the Senator no, why are you still thinking about it, Sabé?"
Sabé grabbed a bread roll, removing some credits from her purse and paying the cashier as Luminara followed behind her. "I'm not thinking about it, Luminara. I dropped out of that scene before because I wanted a family of my own."
"Yes, but you still visited the Senatorial building to talk to the Chancellor."
"I did. I won't deny that, but the visit doesn't mean I want to be a politician again. I know how politicians work, Luminara, and I know what a dangerous life it can be, too."
The blue-eyed woman smiled, eating her soup. "A Jedi's life can be dangerous too, milady, but we don't stop what we do because it's dangerous. We do what we have to do because it's our life."
"But I'm happy with my life, Luminara," Sabé cried, "and I know if I become an aide, politics will consume my life again and I'll be a stranger to Mara, and I don't want that ...I already worry because of Ben's missions that he'll become a stranger to her."
"Sabé, Ben is not a stranger! He's Mara's father and she knows who he is," Luminara smiled. "I know Mara is young but she must understand that her Daddy has the obligation to help people."
Sabé huffed, playing with her food. "She does but it still worries me that one day if he came home, and what would happen if she didn't recognize him?"
Luminara smiled and placed her hand on Sabé's. "Sabé, Mara knows her father. He'll never be a stranger to her." Sabé smiled but in the back of her mind, the fear still lingered.
For days, Sabé kept herself busy grading papers and revising lesson plans. A long time ago, she had accepted as the wife of a Jedi Master Ben would be gone for periods of time on missions, but it still worried her how Mara felt about any of it. One night during dinner, Sabé studied Mara. The girl smiled at her a couple times and then stopped eating, studying her instead and Sabé smiled. "Hopefully Daddy will be home again in a couple days. You'd like wouldn't you Mara?"
"I miss Daddy." she said, a big grin on her face.
Sabé played with her food. "Um, Mara, how do you feel about Daddy's missions? I mean, you know he has to be away sometimes helping other people. How do you feel when he's away? Are you angry, are you sad?"
Mara shrugged. "I worry about him for a day and then remind myself, he's the most powerful Jedi ever and he'll be all right."
"Do you ever feel angry when he's not here?"
She shrugged again, confused by the question. "Why would I be angry with Daddy for doing what he does? Are you angry with him?"
Sabé nodded no profusely and stood up from the table, leaning on the counter instead. "Of course, I'm not angry with your father. I just worry sometimes how his long periods of time away from you affect you emotionally."
"It bothers me sometimes but I know he's doing good things to help people, 'cause that's what Jedi do. We help people in need."
"Yes, we do darling," Sabé whispered and turned back to her daughter. "Finish up and then I'll tell you a story before going to bed."
Mara giggled. "Mama, I'm too old for bedtime stories…unless you're going to tell me about one of Daddy's missions."
Sabé smiled. "Of course." Mara ate some more of her food and then darted from the table, running to her room. iAt least I know she isn't resentful of him and loves him unconditionally, as I do too.i Sabé set the dishes in the sink, cleaned herself up and then joined Mara in her room.
Ben smiled, remembering that around this time, Sabé would be putting Mara to bed and telling her a story. Even though the three old always protested that she was too old for stories, secretly, he knew Mara still loved them, especially when they were about his past missions with Anakin. It pleased him that stories about his life entertained her and she aspired to be like him one day, the daughter of the greatest Jedi ever, as she would say.
And then he frowned as ship came out of hyperspace, hovering over the small dark blue planet of Kamino. He tapped his navigational finder. Before he left, he went to see Master Yoda about his missing planet and the younglings suggested that maybe someone within the Order deleted the planet's entry from the Temple's database. That was the part that disturbed him; that someone would hide this important information from the Jedi.
"There it is, Arfour, right where it should be. Our missing planet, Kamino."
The droid behind beeped as Obi-Wan set a course towards the planet.
Heavy rains and hard-driving winds lashed Obi-Wan's as it approached the platform. Its hull, a shade of green and gray were marked with scratches and scorches from unwanted followers. The ship made a roundabout and settled on one the city's platforms. Arfour turned to the side window, looking down at the city. Tipoca City, capital of Kamino, rested on a stilted platform that kept it above the pounding and ever-present waves that covered the surface of the watery world.
Obi-Wan raised her hood before crawling out of the craft as he made his way through the howling wind to a tower on the far side of the platform. As he passed through the tower door, a shaft of brilliant light pierced his eyes. Ben muttered a curse as he started to look around. His investigation was cut short as he noticed a tall blue alien slowly approach him.
The blue alien tilted its' head slightly, waving its hand. "Master Jedi, so good to see you." The alien paused for a moment, as if recollecting its thoughts and then continued. "The Prime Minister expects you," Taun We continued.
"I'm expected?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Of course! He is anxious to meet you. After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren't coming. Now please, this way!"
Obi-Wan grunted, a small uneasy feeling developing in his stomach as he followed Taun We. It seemed to him that they walked forever, circling corridors they'd already passed until they arrived at the Prime Minister's office. Obi-Wan entered first, followed shortly by Taun We.
Lama Su rose, gesturing that he sit down as an extra chair lowered from the ceiling. Obi-Wan frowned slightly, realizing these people were an advanced and highly sophisticated race. He sat in the chair as Taun We stood beside the minister, standing nearly motionless.
"May I present Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino... and this is Master Jedi.." Taun We said and then turned again to Obi-Wan.
Ben smiled. "Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"I trust you are going to enjoy your stay. We are most happy you have arrived at the best part of the season." Lama Su said, smiling.
"You make me feel most welcome."
"...And now to business. You will be delighted to hear we are on schedule. Two hundred thousand units are ready, with another million well on the way."
Ben frowned slightly, the uneasiness returning to his stomach but he still smiled despite himself, "That is.. good news."
"Please tell your Master Sifo-Dyas that we have every confidence his order will be met on time and in full. He is well, I hope."
"I'm sorry? Master..?" Ben asked again.
Sifo-Dyas. Obi-Wan flinched slightly, he was familiar with the name. Sifo-Dyas was a powerful Master, one of the best in the Order before he left. He had heard many stories about him from other Masters that had worked with him on missions.
"Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. He's still a leading member of the Jedi Council, is he not?" Lama Su questioned.
"Master Sifo-Dyas was killed almost ten years ago," Obi-Wan whispered.
Lama Su sighed and frowned. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. But I'm sure he would have been proud of the army we've built for him."
"The army?"
Su smiled. "Yes, a clone army. And, I must say, one of the finest we've ever created."
Ben raised her eyebrow, resting his hand on his right knee as he leaned forward. "Tell me, Prime Minister, when my Master first contacted you about the army, did he say whom it was for?"
"Of course he did. This army is for the Republic...But you must be anxious to inspect the units for yourself." Su said quickly and rose from the chair.
"That's why I'm here."
Lama Su smiled, leading him to the door as Taun We left her place and followed behind them.
Sabé was shocked to find herself yawning as she sat there on the edge of Mara's bed. Despite her effects, Mara was still awake, anxiously waiting to hear the rest of the story. Sabé rubbed her forehead, glancing at the wall chrono and began to stand up. "Sorry, Mara, but it's late now and you have an early tutoring session with Master Windu."
Mara moaned and hid her face beneath her blanket. "Why do I have to keep going to those sessions when I already know how to control my powers?"
"We've been though this before, Mara. You're not like all the other Padawan Learners, you're special," Sabé said and smiled at her. "Do you know why you're special? You're special because your father is a Jedi, and I'm not. But since you were born, you had possessed very powerful gifts, gifts that are meant to be used to help people."
"I've heard this speech from Daddy, Mama. I just don't see why I have to keep going…?" Sabé gave her a look and Mara quieted, "But I know I have to because you and Dad won't allow me to stop going, right?"
Sabé nodded yes, smiling as she leaned down and kissed Mara's forehead. She stood up, shutting down the lights and left the room.
With several long hours to herself, Sabé decided to take a bath. So many things still worried her, the future, what evil was lurking about and Mara's true feelings of her father, but for a couple hours all she wanted to do was forget all of it. The tub filled and Sabé poured in some soap mix and then stepped in herself, removing her robe and relaxed.
She smiled, remembering the boat ride on Alderaan, where she asked Ben to help her write a poem. He wasn't very good at it, he was horrible, in fact, but that didn't matter. He was a Jedi Master, so she didn't expect him to be a poet, but Sabé, on the other hand, was a natural poet. The words seemed to flow into her head and then somehow make their way on paper, flowing as languidly as a waterfall.
If Sabé hadn't become a politician, she could have become a writer. It had been her dream, in fact, to be a famous poet and writer, but the dream didn't pan out exactly the way she wanted. She found it was hard for someone to recognize her talent and talk to the right people about publishing her work. Sabé later realized that as much as she loved writing, she needed a career that would actually show results. Politics was the only career that fit into that category, but it was still a very stressful life for her. When she first started out, she knew absolutely nothing about the way things were done, and then Padmé helped her get the job as Foreign Ambassador.
But she had given up that life for a reason, many reasons in fact. Politics took her away from Naboo and her family, and prevented her from having a family of her own. Before Ben, she had dated off and on, but those were never serious relationships. Her career always came first, no matter how much she wanted the relationship to work.
Sabé sighed and slipped beneath the water, blowing bubbles and then surfaced again. If Mara saw her like this, her daughter would call her behavior silly but Sabé didn't really care. How many times in her life did she actually get to enjoy her privacy?
Sabé grumbled, finding herself again in the Senate building. Bail had comm'd her early that morning, letting her know there was going to be a big meeting in the Chancellor's office about the Clone Army debate. She didn't want to go and sit there for nine plus hours, watching and listening to senators mindlessly debate whether or not the Republic really needed a clone army. As the former Foreign Ambassador, Sabé knew how senseless some of these meetings could be and didn't want any part in it. But still, she went anyway and met Bail in the lobby of the Senate building and he escorted her to the Chancellor's office.
The Chancellor's secretary was surprised to see her but Sabé brushed it off as Bail explained she was a former political official of Naboo and deserved to be in the meeting. iFormer political official,i Sabé reminded herself. iI'm only a Basic teacher, I don't belong here but then again, why did I come? Because I care about Naboo and the Republic.i
"Milady Sabé," the Chancellor started, "I wasn't expecting you would join these proceedings.." He glanced at Organa and the two men glared at each other.
Sabé stepped forward, clearing her throat. "I wasn't expecting to attend this meeting, Chancellor, but Senator Organa can be very persuasive."
"Thank you again for involving the former Ambassador," he said and turned to his aide, whispering something to her. The aide nodded, bowed to the senators and quietly left the office. "Now, please if we may begin."
The Senators sat down, Sabé taking the chair next to Bail. She asked herself again why she was there but the voice inside her head reminded her it was because she cared about Naboo and worried about the fate of the Republic. They all turned once the representative from Naboo, Jar-Jar Binks, arrived. He smiled at everyone and then stood beside Sabé.
"...Also in this meeting, we hope to have update about the status of Master Kenobi's investigation, which we expect later this afternoon."
Sabé immediately looked up, a slight smile on her face. That was why she had to be there, to hear from her husband. She always worried about him when he was away on missions.
"…But also to discuss the split in the senate over the military creation act," he added as Sabé and Bail exchanged looks. "It still disturbs me that some senators will stop at nothing to see this act passed. With the growing threat of the Separatists, however, it seems less and less likely this act will be forgotten and another solution will present itself," the Chancellor paused and looked at Sabé. "Ah, former Ambassador, what do you think of the creation of the act?"
Sabé frowned, looking at the Senators around her. She hadn't expected to be put on the spot. Bail assured her on their way over that she was only going to listen in on the conversation and that she wasn't expected to be involved. But now, that had changed. "Where do I stand? I oppose the act of course. Padmé --- Senator Naberrie is a good friend of mine and I hate that she is being singled out amongst many Senators that strongly oppose this legislation. If the act is approved by the Senate, I fear the coming dark days the Republic will face..."
Many of the Senators laughed, dismissing the belief. The Chancellor himself nodded, silencing everyone. "I fear too, M' lady, that if the act is passed, there will be many dark days and much sadness."
"With no disrespect M' lady," Mas Amedda interrupted, "but you are married to a Jedi, and are starting to sound like them. You don't know what the Republic will be like if the act is passed."
Sabé smiled, turning to the senator. "With no disrespect to milord, but I know from experience, greed can make Senators act and do things they wouldn't normally agree to if the act would profit them in some way," she paused. "Or do you not forget that nearly ten years ago, the Trade Federation illegally invaded Naboo over the issue of taxation of trade routes?"
"No M' lady, we have not forgotten about that horrible crisis," Amedda mumbled, "but you do bring up a good point about the Jedi. As you may know, many of them are scattered throughout the galaxy and very few in the Temple itself. The Republic depends on the security the Jedi provide, but you and I know the Republic consists of more than one planet or system. How can the Jedi provide the security we need if they are so sparsely scattered?"
Sabé felt like strangling the senator. How did a debate over the creation of an army for the Republic turn to the Jedi's abilities to protect the Republic? It disgusted her, especially since she was the wife of a well-known Jedi Master. No doubt he knew she would side with the Jedi because of her attachments. "And if I hadn't come to this meeting, Senator, would the Jedi's abilities still be the focus or the matter we're supposed to be discussing?"
Bail nervously cleared his throat, cracking the harsh tension in the room. "If we may return to the original discussion senators about the act?"
The Chancellor fidged, obviously threatened by Sabé's remarks. Her character and attitude was exactly like Senator Naberrie's, but unlike her, Sabé was more blunt with her words. "Thank you milady for your words," he said and glanced at Bail, the two of them exchanging glares. "But I believe M' lady Maberrie has a point. If the Republic wants a clone army to defend it, I'm afraid there will be many dark days to come."
Sabé sighed as she leaned against her chair, glancing at Bail. Somehow, she felt powerless to convince the Senators.
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth as he examined the transmitter dish. He left Kamino less than an hour ago, following a bounty hunter and tracking him to Geonosis. Everything was moving too fast. Someone hired the bounty hunter to be the original host for the creation of a clone army, and somehow, he knew whoever deleted the existence of Kamino from the Jedi archives was the same person who ordered the clone army into production.
"The transmitter is working, but we're not receiving a return signal. Coruscant's too far. Arfour, can you boost the power?" he asked the red droid behind the pilot seat. Arfour rotated his red head, assessing the situation and then told him no. "We'll have to try something else."
Ben jumped off the wing and then climbed back into the cockpit, touching his fingers to the navigational screen. "Maybe we can contact Anakin on Naboo. It's much closer... Anakin, Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi." He waited awhile for the transmission to go through but nothing happened. "He's not on Naboo, Arfour. I'm going to try and widen the search. I hope nothing's happened to him."
Elsewhere, a Geonosian fluttered his wings, spying on Obi-Wan as he sat in his star fighter, and then vanished.
"...That's Anakin's tracking signal all right, but it's coming from Tatooine!" Ben moaned, leaving the cockpit again and jumping down onto the ground as Arfour fixed the transmitter to Anakin's coordinates. "What in the blazes is he doing there? I told him to stay on Naboo." He checked the transmitter again and furrowed his brow. "All right. We're all set. We haven't much time. Anakin? Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi."
R2-D2's whirled his domed head around as the holo recorder suddenly came on. "Record this message. Anakin, my long-range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant." The droid dutifully listened to the desperate message as Obi-Wan's voice cut off, and R2 whistled in dismay.
"Bail," Sabé started. Bail smiled and stood up, quietly excusing himself as Sabé left the office and he followed in suit. The senator watched and waited until they were gone but Amedda started to mumble curses in his language and pace around the room. "I can't stand this!" she cried. "I swear, if I stay here any longer, I'm likely to commit murder. I can't stand sitting in there and listening to them, especially senator Amedda. He makes me sick and I hate to say it, but the Chancellor seems to be the sensible one in the mix!"
Bail knew Amedda was a hardened politician, so he knew her feelings were just. "I'm sorry you have to leave Sabé," he said and then smiled. "But before you go, I must applaud on your attitude and character in there. Sabé, you were wonderful. You're very passionate in your beliefs, more so than Senator Amidala. You're very brave to say the things you do. I'd wish you'd stay to keep Amedda in his place."
Sabé laughed and blushed. "Thank you, Bail, but I can't stay. Besides, it's getting late and Mara's tutoring session was probably cut short because we're all waiting to hear from Obi-Wan."
"All the same, Sabé, I still think you were wonderful and if you ever decide to be a politician, I will be the lead sponsor in your campaign."
Padmé squinted as the sun blazed heavily over head and stood there beside Owen and Beru, all of them staring at the lone headstone. She knew when she and Anakin arrived at the homestead and found Cliegg and Owen, and learned Shmi had been kidnapped by Tuskan Raiders, Padmé feared they were too late. Ten years ago, Ani invited her, Qui-Gon and Jar-Jar to stay at their homestead while Tatooine's sand storm moved about wildly outside. But it was that time with Shmi that she knew that she had given her permission to take her place and care for Ani.
Shmi knew no matter what happened, Padmé would always care for her boy. Now, she and Ani were reunited again, she still cared for Ani, but now she was realizing he wasn't little Ani anymore, but a man. And she was beginning to feel…she was beginning to feel…
Padmé shrugged and directed her gaze to Anakin as he left her side and walked solemnly to his mother's grave, kneeling before it. He picked up a handful of sand, letting the fibers run through his fingers.
"I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom," he said and let more grains of sand fall. "I wasn't strong enough. But I promise I won't fail again.." Anakin let the rest of the sand fall from his hand as he stood up. "I miss you so much."
Silence. Padmé glanced at Anakin as he stood there before her grave. He was hurting so much, and for once, she wished she could forget they both had responsibilities, run to him and promise him everything was going to be all right. Padmé nodded and then turned as R2 approached them. "Artoo, what are you doing here?"
The droid beeped and whistled as C-3PO translated for him, and he turned back to Padmé, Anakin, Beru and Owen. "It seems that he is carrying a message from an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Master Ani, does that name mean anything to you?"
"…I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid factories on Geonosis…The Trade Federation is taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala." He breathed and continued, "The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an…"
Obi-Wan suddenly removed his lightsabre, sensing a disturbance nearby. Anakin and Padmé watched him as he moved about, looking in all directions as he was suddenly overwhelmed by Droidekas.
Yoda sighed and then turned to Mace, leaning on his gimmer stick. "More happening on Geonosis, I feel, than has been revealed."
Mace turned back to the hologram, looking at Anakin and Padmé as they waited for his instruction on the situation. "Anakin, we will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority."
"Understood, Master," he whispered. He heard Padmé turn in her chair and check the coordinates for Geonosis.
"They'll never get there in time to save him. They have to come halfway across the galaxy," she said and Anakin leaned closer on the console. "Look, Geonosis is less than a parsec away." Before Anakin could respond, Padmé started to hit buttons and switches.
He shrugged, leaning again on the co-pilot chair. "If he's still alive…"
Padmé frowned and turned back to him. "Ani, are you just going to sit here and let him die?? He's your friend.. your mentor.."
"He's like my father!" he cried back and huffed, "but you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here."
"He gave you strict orders to protect me..." she turned and flicked some more switches, grabbing the navigational stick as the engines fired outside, "...and I'm going to save Obi-Wan. So if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along."
Then, Anakin realized that this wasn't just for her. It was for Sabé and Mara. Padmé and Sabé were more than friends or colleagues, they were sisters and a part of her family.
tbc