Chapter 14 Confrontation

"The moment we land, the Federation will arrest you and Force you to sign the treaty." Captain Panaka was adamant.

To Jesse, it seemed a little late to be arguing, but he wasn't even paying much attention. He was still reeling over the fact that Padme was Queen Amidala. Now a lot of things made sense. He couldn't help but smirk, remebering his comment the first time they met. He'd had it figured out all along then; he just hadn't known it.

"I agree. I'm not sure what we can accomplish by this." Qui-Gon was saying.

"I'm going to take back what's ours." the queen said firmly.

"There are only twelve of us, Your Highness. We have no army." Panaka argued.

"I cannot fight a war for you, Your Highness, only protect you." Qui-Gon added.

"JarJar Binks." the queen said, ignoring their protests.

JarJar looked up, puzzled. "Mesa, Your Highness?"

"Yes. I need your help. I have a plan."

"Yes, Your Highness?" Panaka looked slightly interested.

"We will find the Gungans and convince them to make a mock battle as a distraction. Then while all the droids are out of the city, we will capture the viceroy. Without their leader, they will not be able to fight back." the queen explained.

Qui-Gon nodded. "It is a sound plan."

"The may I rely on your help?"

"You may, Your Highness."

Jesse watched Qui-Gon and the others leave, then, mustering his courage, he approached the queen.

May I speak with you in private, Your Highness?"

She hesitated, she must have known he knew, but she nodded. "Leave us." she said to the others.

"Padme." Jesse said when they were gone.

"You figured out my secret." Padme said, switching to her normal tone.

"Yeah, I guess I did."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"What do you mean? I'm not your enemy. I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you. I never even imagined I'd be on my way back to Naboo again."

Padme smiled. "I couldn't very well leave you behind when everyone else was going."

"Padme, do you think this will work?" Jesse asked after a pause.

"I'm just worried about the Gungans. I really don't think they'll listen, but I have to try."

"Why won't they listen?"

Padme smiled grimly. "They don't like us. You know that."

"They think you think they're better than them. They won't like you going there demanding their help." Jesse acknowledged

"I'm not demanding, I'm asking."

"They won't see it that way. Maybe if you didn't wear your robes..."

"I won't be." Padme interrupted.

"Meaning?" Jesse knew what she meant.

"Sabe will go as me the second we land."

"I'm just saying maybe if you approached him on a personal level..."

"If I dress as the queen I need to wear the trimmings or I'll be recognized. It's the same with Sabe."

"So what if you're recognized?"

"So what?" Padme looked incredulious. "So what? That's my last and only defense!"

"Maybe you need to step out on the limb of faith."

"Profound, Jesse, but I can't." Padme looked down. "I just can't." she looked up again. "Is our truce still intact?"

"Of course. But remeber what I said. You can't let fear stop you from doing what's right for your people. Promise me you'll think about it."

Padme nodded. "I will."

Later on there was a knock at the cabin door.

"Enter." Queen Amidala called.

Anakin poked his head in. "We'll be coming up on Naboo shortly." he said.

"Thank you."

Anakin nodded, briefly glanced around the room, probably looking for Padme, then left.

"Jesse, you may go to the cockpit, if you wish." the queen said.

Jesse knew she wanted him to leave so she and Sabe could switch places, so he nodded and left.

"Anakin, wait up!" he called.

The blonde boy stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"Where's Padme?" he asked.

"She was in the other room." Jesse was amazed at how quickly the lie came to him. That didn't make him like it though, but a promise was a promise.

"So, I heard Qui-Gon might train you." he changed the subject.

"Maybe. It depends on what the council says. To tell you the truth, they're pretty intimidating. I can't believe Qui-Gon canstand upto them like he does."

"He's something else." Jesse agreed. "Are you going back to the cockpit?"

"Yes. I want to see Naboo from space."

"It's amazing. The queen said I could go to the cockpit too." Jesse started back down the hall.

Naboo looked the same, but it felt different. Sadder, emptier. Jesse felt a lump rise on his throat.

"The blockade's gone." Panaka pointed out.

"The war's over; no need for it now." Obi-Wan told him.

"I have one battleship on my scope." the captain said.

"A driod control ship." Obi-Wan surmised.

"They've probably spotted us." Panaka said.

"We haven't much time." Obi-Wan said.

Anakin and Jesse looked at each other doubtfully as the ship entered the atmosphere.

"I'd better be getting back." Jesse said ducking out into the hall and practically sprinting back to the queen's chamber. All of a sudden he needed to be away from Panaka's pessimistic declarations of doom, Obi-Wan's matter-of-fact replies, and Qui-Gon's brooding silence. Padme still had hope, and that was where he needed to be. Just before he reached the door, it opened.

"I was looking for you." The queen said. "We will disembark."

"Yes, Your Highness." Jesse said, struck by how alike Padme and her decoy were.

Well duh, that's kind of the point.

They entered the main hold where the others were waiting. Immediately, Anakin noticed Padme.

"Hi! Where have you been?" he greeted her enthusiastically.

"Annie, what are you doing here?" Padme carefully avoided giving an answer.

Anakin didn't even notice. "I'm with Qui-Gon, but they're not going to let me be a Jedi. They say I'm too old, but Qui-Gon says he'll train me himself. I don't know what they'll decide about that."

"This is going to be dangerous, Annie." Padme tried to calm the ecstatic boy down.

"Is it? I can help. Where are we going?" Anakin seemed to perk up even more.

"To war, I'm afraid. The Queen has had to make the most difficult decision of her life. She doesn't believe in fighting, Annie. We are a peaceful people."

"Sometimes, there's no other option." Jesse murmured reflectively.

Padme looked even sadder. "I know."

Anakin shifted uncomfortably. "I want to help." He declared stoutly.

Padme managed a small smile. "I'm sure you will."

"Your Highness." Panaka addressed the queen. "We will disembark now. Then the captain will hide the ship while JarJar Binks goes to the Gungan city."

"Thank you, Captain."

Anakin gave Jesse a conspiratorial grin and went back over to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Then they descended into the swamp.