A series of binary codes flashed across the screen aboard the small Jedi starfighter's control panel, a grin appearing on the young pilot's face.
"No, that's correct R4." The Knight by the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi replied to the astromech droid situated in the outer hull of his ship. "I want to bypass the traffic lanes and reach the lunar side of Naboo."
Another series of codes appeared on the screen.
"Because it's a shortcut." The young man responded with a quirk of his brow. "As soon as we reach the other side and break orbit, we'll go back to hyperspeed."
The knight paused as the astromech droid continued to question his somewhat suspicious navigational choices.
"I know this is not the usual route to Coruscant, but it will save us some time. I'll keep it on manual for now."
The Jedi gripped the controls of the his starfighter and steered clear of the heavy trade barges that littered the space surrounding Naboo.
Newfound wealth apparently had its price, he thought as his ship sped by what appeared to be a Neimoidian trade vessel. It seemed that every greedy trade merchant was present today, obviously wanting their share of the crystallique mining.
If the discovery had occurred in any other system, there would be cause for worry, but the King of Naboo was a fierce competitor and a wise and highly respected leader. Having learned that along with the economic development, the King had chosen to spend part of Naboo's new wealth in upgrading the planet's security, Obi-Wan sped past the planet, comfortable with his belief that Naboo and its people would be safe when it came to dealing with the Trade Federation, who were known to deal rather underhandedly.
Obi-Wan had been receiving bits and pieces of news over the past year while he had been away. Having recently been knighted, he had been assigned a series of missions along the Outer Rim, and frankly, he was tired and quite eager to return to the Temple; the only home he had known since his Master, Yoda, had brought him there at the age of three in order to train as a Jedi.
Straining his eyes to remain focused ahead, Obi-Wan neared the planet's atmospheric border, intending to use the gravitational pull to speed his transition back into hyperspeed, but his eyes caught sight of something ahead, close to the one of the planet's two moons. At first, he thought perhaps his weary sight was playing tricks on him, but a quick study of the Force confirmed a disturbance just ahead.
He maneuvered his ship closer to the vessel he had seen, which appeared to be an older model Nubian-class diplomatic ship, and noted with alarm that it apparently was under attack. A Corellian pirate cruiser had damaged the smaller vessel's engines and were threatening to board.
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth and swung his ship to approach on the opposite side. Weary or not, he couldn't ignore someone who needed his help.
He skid his small fighter to a stop just inside one of the Nubian ship's two docking bays and slipped quietly through the hangar.
The ship was modest, but large enough to accommodate several small fighters, but not the cruiser that was attacking it. The pirates would more than likely attach their cruiser to the hull and attempt to blast their way through.
A loud clanging of metal caught Obi-Wan's attention and sparks began flying from the durasteel hangar door, which confirmed his initial belief on how the pirates would probably board.
The knight quickly exited the hangar and headed down a single wide hallway. He wasn't afraid to face the pirates alone, especially if they were Corellian. They were usually too drunk to even hold their blasters straight, much less aim with any precision.
Instead, he was much more interested in acquiring information in what the pirates were after. An old, somewhat rusted ship bearing no cargo and just a few passengers wasn't their usual target.
He reached the bridge doors which opened readily to his hand, but was surprised to see it was apparently deserted. At least to the naked eye. His Force sense however, told him there were several beings in the room, who were obviously hiding.
He de-activated his lightsaber, keeping his grip firm on the handle and his hearing focused on the hangar he had just left. The pirates had nearly broken through the hull. It was just a matter of time before they would board the vessel.
"I mean you no harm. My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm a Jedi Knight. I was passing through your system and thought you might need some help."
Within a few seconds, a lone, thin female stepped out from her crouched position behind the co-pilot's chair. She timidly approached him.
"I'm Padmé Amidala, Lady of Lonessa, traveling to Naboo."
Obi-Wan took in the young lady's demeanor. He had heard the story of the beautiful young orphaned ruler who had quieted all of her critics by her courage and wisdom.
He looked upon the young woman standing before him. This was not her. Whoever this was, she was scared to death. Her voice had trembled when she had spoken and when the ship shuddered as the pirates finally broke through the hull, her body started with fear.
"Do you have any weapons?"
"No." The blue-eyed girl answered shakily. "We don't believe in them."
Obi-Wan sighed, recalling his past research of the system. Lonessa was a peaceful planet whose inhabitants did not believe in violence.
"Then go back to your hiding place and stay there." He commanded the girl. He could hear the approaching thunder of footsteps of at least a half dozen men heading toward the bridge, but he couldn't help taking the time to glance once more about the room, his eyes finally locking onto a pair of dark brown ones that peered at him from underneath the control panel. Eyes that widened as several pirates stepped onto the bridge.
"You there!" The gruff voice stated and Obi-Wan turned slowly as the room filled with more men. Five, to be exact, each holding a repeating blaster, long vibroblades attached to their thighs.
"We've come for the Lady of Lonessa. Hand her over." The apparent leader demanded, pointing his blaster directly toward Obi-Wan's face.
The Knight responded cooly, smiling coyly, his dark brown cloak disguising his true identity. "I'm sorry to disappoint you gentleman, but I don't believe she wishes to go with you."
A rumble of laughter issued forth from several of the pirates and one toward his right scoffed. "What are you, some kind of comedian? Or are you just crazy?"
"Not a comedian." Obi-Wan replied with a grin. "Just a Jedi."
The pirates barely had time to lift their blasters before Obi-Wan's lightsaber hummed to life.
Rapidly fired blaster bolts were accurately reflected back across the small space, as each pirate began falling to the floor one by one. However, the leader soon proved his cunning by dropping the useless weapon and drawing his vibroblade instead. The pirate's gnarled teeth were revealed in a feral grin and Obi-Wan's brow rose in surprise when, with a flick of a finger, the vibroblade lengthened to twice its normal size.
The brown eyes peering out from underneath the control panel widened even more in awe and trepidation.
After a few quick maneuvers to dodge the swinging blade, the knight's lightsaber came into contact with the pirate's weapon, shattering it to the handle.
The surprised villain backed away, reached down and grabbed his blaster, turned, and fled back down the hallway.
Obi-Wan powered off his lightsaber and moved to the pilot's seat to begin pulling wires out from underneath the control panel, prompting the young woman to come out from her hiding place.
"Are you just going to let him go?"
"He won't be gone for long. That size of a ship can carry at least a crew of twenty."
"Twenty!" The young woman declared. "And what do you plan on doing? Sit here and wait for them to come back?"
The young knight smiled. "You may want to take a seat." He said, glancing back to the variety of people who had decided to reveal themselves. There were two women who looked remarkably like the one who was addressing him, except for their eyes, an elderly man with a white beard, and a younger man with dark skin.
Obi-Wan waited while the passengers secured themselves and then urged the ship in reverse, knowing that his temporary repairs would only provide just enough power to free themselves from the pirate vessel. Landing the ship on the surface of Naboo was another matter entirely.
The distinct screeching of metal against metal resounded through the ship, the bridge doors automatically sealing shut as the smaller vessel peeled away from its captor, leaving a gaping hole in its side and the pirate ship temporarily stalled in space as Obi-Wan slammed the throttle forward to push themselves down and away from the Corellian cruiser.
Once entering the atmosphere of Naboo, Obi-Wan knew that the pirates would be unable to lock onto them. Now, if only he could land them safely. But his hopes in doing so were lost as his repairs failed and the smell of burning wire filled his nostrils and the sound of blaring warning signals filled his ears.
Thankfully, the passengers remained silent through the ordeal, except for the young woman in the co-pilot's seat, who began rapidly spouting her concerns. Obi-Wan relished in his discovery that he had just apparently met therenowned Lady of Lonessa.