PART 39
Padme and Obi-Wan awoke the next morning to hear imperial shuttles flying overhead. The Empire had come to Roon.
"What are we going to do?" Padme asked as she looked out the window to see the ships flying to the island, watching the people outside talking and scattering about back to the safety of their homes.
"We are going to stay here, it is best not to draw attention to ourselves."
"But Obi-Wan, what if they are looking for you, they are still hunting down Jedi."
"Don't worry I'll handle that, it's you I'm worried about, this could be the work of the Emperor."
"I'll get the girls" she said as she walked out of the room avoiding the subject.
Right as Padme was helping Mara with her hair she heard someone pounding on their door, she looked over at Obi-Wan fearfully.
He rushed to her side at once and took her by the arm and dragged her into their bedroom shutting the door.
"Stay calm, I won't let anything happen to you, you are going to have to hide in here, use the force."
"I don't know how to use the force!"
"Trust in the force Padme, let it guide you." The pounding continued outside the door, they heard Sola yelling for Obi-Wan.
"What about Sola and Mara?"
"They'll be fine, remember what I told you." He kissed her cheek and shut the door behind.
"Daddy, who is it?" Sola asked as her father finally came out of the bedroom.
"I don't know sweetheart but I need you and your sister to keep quiet and not say anything can you both do that for me?"
"Yes daddy" Sola said as she took Mara's hand.
"Ok, both of you go to your rooms."
When Obi-Wan finally opened the door he found 3 storm troopers standing outside weapons in their hands.
"Can I help you?"
"What took so long for you to answer the door, we heard voices" one of the storm troopers asked.
"Oh yes, I was still asleep when you started knocking, my children heard the knocking and woke me up."
"By order of the Galatic Empire we are searching the planet for any fugitives."
"Fugitives? As in Jedi?"
"Anyone who is a traitor to the Empire, we are searching every apartment in this building."
Obi-Wan knew he had to let them pass; he pushed open the door and let them in. They immediately started searching the living room.
"Where are your children?"
"They are in my oldest daughter's room playing."
"Bring them out here."
He walked into Sola's room and brought them both back out, each one holding onto Obi-Wan tightly.
"And where is their mother?"
"She is not here right now; she is out of town, a death in the family."
"Where did she go?"
"Dantooine."
The storm trooper did not respond as the other two continued searching the room, they then went into Sola and Mara's rooms and began searching.
Obi-Wan looked over to where R2 and Threepio were standing and shot Threepio a look and nodded his head warning him not to say anything. When the storm troopers came back out they walked over to Obi-Wan and Padme's bedroom and went inside.
Obi-Wan turned to Sola and whispered, "Stay here, and tell Threepio to keep quiet."
He walked into the room, watching as they searched around the room, looking in the closets and in the fresher. Obi-Wan reached out with the force to try to find Padme, he felt her presence under the bed, he couldn't see her, but he knew she was there.
"Nothing in here Sir" the storm trooper said.
"Check under the bed."
"You don't need to check under the bed" Obi-Wan said waving his hand gently.
"We don't need to check under the bed" the storm trooper repeated.
"You need to get back to the ship; you didn't find who you were looking for."
"We need to get back to the ship; we didn't find who we were looking for" all three walking quickly out of the door Obi-Wan following behind.
Once the storm troopers left the apartment Obi-Wan locked the door and quickly went over to Mara and Sola who were still standing by the droids, frightened looks on their faces.
"Daddy, why were they asking about Mommy?" Mara asked as she hugged Obi-Wan.
"I don't know Mara, but you were very brave, you and your sister both."
"Is everything all right Master Obi-Wan?" Threepio asked.
"Yes Threepio, but if storm troopers ever come in here again you are never to tell them Padme is here do you understand?"
"Why yes Master Obi-Wan of course."
"I'll go get your mother, stay here, I'll be right back."
Obi-Wan walked back into the bedroom, Padme was still hiding under the bed.
"Padme it's alright, they're gone."
He helped her stand up as she crawled out from under the bed, she immediately threw her arms around him and said, "I was so afraid they were going to find me, I had to cover my mouth with my hand I was breathing so hard. Oh Obi-Wan, do you really think Palaptine is after me?"
"Yes, it was clear the storm troopers weren't looking for Jedi."
"Obi-Wan I'm afraid, what if he finds out about Sola and Mara?"
"He won't, we are leaving tonight."