Chapter Ten
They had taken Padmé to Theed Medical Facility where the physicians had taken samples of her blood and checked her oxygen levels. Immediately, she was put on a ventilator and given fluids. Still, she slept and Obi-Wan hovered. He couldn't think straight when there was no reason why. What had this beautiful creature done to him? He had never before felt this way about an individual and was beginning to question his decision-making abilities, as well as his sudden lack of self-control. He was obviously tired and needed rest, but he also needed to meditate. However, he couldn't bring himself to leave her side. Not until he knew she was going to recover.
What he actually wanted to do was join the security team Queen Jamilla was sending to Thalladi to confront Sheev and remove his head! Which was not a Jedi thing to do! The vile Mer was the one responsible for whatever had happened to her and he knew it.
The invading violent thought convinced Obi-Wan he needed to connect with the Force and refocus. The Jedi Knight pulled over a chair next to her bedside, lay his head down on its edge, and concentrated on the energy field that surrounded him. As always, it answered his call, only to become more available once he'd reached out and touched Padmé's chilled hand.
His clearer view of things only validated his thoughts that she was the one - the one he'd been waiting for. He'd always believed that whomever the Force granted him would have to be special. Padmé checked every single box he had created in his mind listing the requirements of his potential mate. Actually, now that he'd had time to think about it, he'd been attracted to her the second he'd seen her, although there were a few things to consider. The most obvious one being that she belonged to the sea.
That didn't seem to be a problem now. If only she would wake up and tell him what had happened and assure him everything was going to be okay!
"It's called the Forsaking," a voice behind him interrupted his concentration and he lifted his head to see Sabé approaching. Her feelings for him were obvious and yet he didn't release Padmé's hand. He wanted her to see, to know. This kind young Handmaiden needed to understand that he only saw her as a friend and that his true interest was in the beauty lying on the bed before him.
Sabé was obviously disappointed by the sight, though graciously continued what she had begun to say.
"When a Mer betrays their kind, they are banned from the Kingdom. Some type of serum is injected into their veins which seals their gills and steals away everything that makes them Mer."
Obi-Wan studied the area on the side of Padmé's throat where her gills had once been to notice that indeed they were practically nonexistent. All that remained was a faint white line.
"It has been that way since the beginning and it is a cruel and painful fate. It may take days for her lungs to adapt to our air and even longer for her to learn to walk on dry land. History tells of a few Mer who gradually assimilated into Naboo culture, but their lives were never the same nor as satisfying. I feel sorry for her."
So did Obi-Wan, but Padmé would never know that. She had risked her very life for him in more ways than one, and the consequences were outlandish and unexpected.
"Thank you, Sabé," Obi-Wan said although he couldn't bring himself to turn away from his watch. "And I'm sorry for, well for…" he couldn't explain what had happened and why he had developed such strong feelings for Padmé in such a short time.
"It's okay," the Handmaiden told him softly. "I understand. She is a beautiful creature although she seems so fragile."
Obi-Wan smiled and studied the pale features closely. "She's anything but that," he explained proudly. "While I was imprisoned, she risked her life to try and help me. She's lost everything; her family, her home, the throne…"
"I hope she recovers, for your sake then," Sabé told him kindly, interrupting him, obviously not wanting to listen to any more of his adulations. "I'll see you later."
The Handmaiden left before Obi-Wan had even acknowledged her farewell. He felt guilty for that, but it was nothing like the guilt he felt for what had happened to Padmé. He swore that for as long as it took, he would remain on Naboo and help her regain the use of her lungs, her legs, and hopefully, the throne of Thalladi, no matter what the Jedi High Council said.
In fact, he was going to avoid reporting to them altogether. At least not yet. His mission was far from complete and what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.
Obi-Wan realized that Master Qui-Gon would be proud of him for this decision. Dammit. He was headed in the wrong direction and needed to correct his course, but first, he needed rest.
Glancing about, the young Knight discovered there was nothing in the room but a couple of chairs that weren't meant for sleeping. The floor was made of white marble and would be cold and hard. He'd slept on worse, but the silent invitation to join Padmé was something he couldn't ignore. The bed was wide and even though she had on a medical gown, she was so cold. He was only sharing his body heat, he convinced himself as he managed to lie on his side next to her.
The comfort he obtained as he wrapped his arm around her along with the dulling sound of the ventilator quickly lulled him to sleep.
Obi-Wan awoke early the following morning not remembering exactly where he was until he felt something thrashing against him. Turning, he recalled the situation and discovered that Padmé had pulled out her ventilator. The monitor on the wall began blaring. She was still unresponsive and he did everything he could to calm her down, eventually having to use the Force to put her back to sleep. A droid entered soon after to check on the patient and he informed the thing that he had tripped on a tube and unplugged it from the monitor.
A small white lie told to a droid. No big deal, he convinced himself. Less questions that way.
After the nurse droid had checked to make sure everything was in working order, and that the patient was stable, the Jedi sat back down in the chair. He applied his hand to young woman's arm and found it to be warmer than before. With a sigh of relief, he now had a strong feeling that she was going to pull through. After that, though was when the real work would begin.
Once more lost in contemplation of the Force's workings in his life, he was startled by a distant booming noise. From his viewpoint through the room's lone window, he watched with dread as a billowing cloud of fire and smoke emerged from the Theed Sea Port.
Apparently, a battle had begun, and here he was sitting in a med unit doting over a girl.
After one more glance at the scene, he adjusted the blankets and then left the building, heading toward the sea. The entire beach was on fire, with explosives raining down in arcs from somewhere over the water. Citizens of Theed were fleeing inland and he saw no sign of the Security Team Queen Jamilla has sent out. However, on closer inspection, he could detect a faint glow beneath the water and determined the fighting was going on below as well.
Placing the breather into his mouth, the Jedi Knight dove into the waves and headed towards the signs and sounds of blaster fire.
He discovered the men of the Queen's forces taking shelter behind a reef while an entire squadron of Mer soldiers attacked from about fifty meters out. The Naboo group was heavily outnumbered and obviously had met some resistance while attempting to carry out the Queen's orders.
He joined them and used his lightsaber to return as many of the Mer's bolts as he could, but their numbers were too great. If only someone could manage to sneak around them and intercept Sheev, then the battle would be over. With his breather on, he couldn't communicate with them and didn't want to appear to be abandoning anyone. They needed his help, but he needed to leave.
Matters only became more complicated when Obi-Wan heard the sound of a motor approaching overhead and saw the shadowy form of a large vessel moving across the water.
Numerous items then began to sink down, exploding upon impact with the city of Thalladi.
This is not what he wanted! The Mer themselves had done no wrong! Their current leader was the only one at fault. He was the one who should pay for his crimes – not these innocent beings!
As quickly as he could, Obi-Wan swam to the surface, removed his breather and yelled at the ship's crew to halt the attack, but they were busy loading the catapults and didn't hear him.
With the help of the Force, the Jedi flew up out of the water, lightsaber in hand, landed on deck and demanded to see the captain.
"Cease this attack at once!" he shouted over the cacophony of war.
"No can do," Obi-Wan was told. "By order of the Queen, we are to destroy Thalladi Palace and leave no survivors."
What? This was insanity!
Obi-Wan was left no choice and he ignited his 'saber, holding it a few centimeters from the captain's throat. "I'll ask again nicely. Stop this attack at once."
The old sailor regarded the Jedi suspiciously before he complied, although he eventually raised his hands and grinned. "It's your neck," he said jokingly before telling his crew to cease.
"Now," Obi-Wan informed him with a voice not as pleasant as before. "I'm going into Thalladi to retrieve Sheev myself. Do not – I repeat, do not bomb the palace while I'm there. Understand?"
"Sure," the captain told him, his blue eyes sparkling. "Like I said, no skin off my nose."
Obi-Wan wasn't sure he could trust the old fellow, but knew the massacre had to stop. Even though he could still see the skirmish going on below, he dove into the water anyway and headed toward the palace. He swam behind the defensive line of the Mer army and entered the rear gates. There were Mer hiding in their homes too afraid to venture out, the cries of frightened Mer podlings filling his mind, and for what? So Sheev could gain a little more authority? A little more power? It seemed like such a waste and stirred the anger in Obi-Wan's heart.
He was going to find Sheev and bring him to justice and nobody was going to stop him!
