Chapter two
Mace tapped his foot impatiently on the floor as he waited for Obi-Wan. He had contacted the man on his com-link, telling him that he needed to see him immediately, but even though Obi-Wan wasn't taking long to get there, it still seemed like forever to Mace.
He was in a hidden room in the Jedi Temple—one that only the Jedi Masters knew of. And now that tragedy had struck in the form of order 66, Mace thought that it was the safest place for them to meet in Coruscant.
He looked up when he heard the door slide open and was relieved to see Obi-Wan enter.
"You sounded very desperate on the com-link Master Windu," Obi-Wan observed, wondering if things had gotten any worse.
"Please…have a seat," Mace said. He knew that the current topic concerned neither him nor Obi-Wan, but it had to be discussed.
Obi-Wan quickly closed the door and sat across from Mace.
The room was small and squarely shaped, and their only light in the small room came from a dim light. Obi-Wan couldn't imagine the entire Jedi Council trying to squeeze inside. Yet Obi-Wan was a little surprised that it was just he and Mace.
"Where are the others?" he asked quickly.
Mace looked grim. "Most of them were able to survive the ambush. But it's too risky for them to come to the Temple right now—if ever."
Obi-Wan frowned though he knew that Mace spoke the truth. "Then why did you call me here?" he asked suddenly, wondering if they would have a harder time getting out of the Temple.
"Because I must talk with you about Padmé Amidala; we know that she isn't safe here. Anakin—Darth Vader can return here and find her easily."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I've been thinking the same thing."
"I suggest that you take her somewhere where he won't look," Mace began.
Obi-Wan was beginning to get an idea. "Somewhere crowed and overpopulated."
Mace arched an eyebrow. Obi-Wan already had a location in mind.
Obi-Wan wasn't one who preferred overpopulated places, he preferred quiet and tranquil places. It was Anakin who preferred that sort of thing; but he would bear with it for the sake of Padmé's safety. "Nar Shaddaa," he said. He knew that Mace would like the idea, because it would be hard for even a Sith lord to track someone down on that moon.
Mace nodded. "It would prove difficult for Vader to find out she was on Nar Shaddaa, and it would prove even harder for him to find her exact location. I think that that can guarantee her safety—even if it's only temporary."
"And I'll go with her also to ensure her safety."
"Very well; it's decided, now the only person who needs to be informed is Padmé."
"I'm sure that she won't put up any resistance to the arrangement. She'll know that it's for the best."
"Let's hope so," Mace said.
"And where will you be Master Windu?" Obi-Wan asked, for he was worried about Mace's safety.
"I'll keep in contact," was Mace's reply. "I suggest that you and Padmé get out of here as soon as you can. There's no telling when he'll be back."
"You're right, Master Windu," Obi-Wan said, rising from his chair. "I hope to see you as soon as possible. Until then, please be careful."
Mace chuckled despite their dire situation. "I should be telling you that, Master Kenobi."
àß
A little while later, Obi-Wan sat in Padmé's quarters. He had come to tell her of their emergency departure, but now he wasn't so sure if she would take to the arrangement.
"What is it, Obi-Wan?" Padmé asked. She knew there was something that he wanted to tell her, but she didn't have the slightest idea of what it might be.
Obi-Wan decided to just say it; even if she didn't like the idea, she would have no choice.
"We have to get out of here today, Padmé," Obi-Wan began. "It isn't safe. Master Mace Windu and I have decided that it would be safer if you went somewhere that was crowed and well…overpopulated so that it would be harder for…" he cleared his throat, knowing that it was a sensitive topic for Padmé. "…Anakin to find you."
Padmé looked down. Deep in her heart, she knew that it was the right thing to do; but yet she loved him and knew that if she was given the chance, she might be able to get through to him and make him see the light again.
But she also knew that the safest thing to do at the moment would be to go to this overpopulated place. It didn't mean that she would have to give up on Anakin.
"Where are we going?" she finally asked.
"Nar Shaddaa," was Obi-Wan's reply; but when he saw the look of shock on Padmé's face, he was quick to speak again. "It's only temporary. And I'll be going with you of course."
"Have you ever been there?" Padmé asked. She wasn't even fully concentrating on the conversation, her mind was still set on Anakin and the twins…she wouldn't be able to live without them.
"Yes, I went there a few times with my late master Qui-Gon; I will not deny that it is a haven for criminal activity, but I assure you that I will protect you and no one will harm you."
"Thank you," Padmé began, "for doing this for me. I know that you're also in danger, and it's dangerous for you to be here in Coruscant right now; so thank you."