Chapter Six
Pushed far back in my mind was the real reason for our sudden departure. The news report had caused enough stir to call for an emergency vote on the Balance Initiative, and the way things were going, I was certain it was going to pass by a landslide margin.
It was what was behind the Initiative that scared me. Because of Qui-Gon's supposed attack, the Jedi were now considered an enemy of the Galaxy. They were "rogue and dangerous criminals who ignored the laws of the Republic and acted on their own judgments and regarded their own self-interests."
These words came from the Chancellor himself. I'd been able to see through the falsity of his spoken sympathies when he shared how the news had saddened him. His eyes were too eager and his mouth threatened to curl into a smile at any second afterward.
How had I ever trusted him?
Bail had been part of the committee and had been the one to motion for me to leave while he tried to calm down those who'd erupted in angry accusations. As far as I could see, we had two choices: Subject Obi-Wan to receive a vaccination which would diminish his midichlorian count and take away his connection to the Force or flee the system. I wasn't about to let an underhanded political maneuver be the cause of my husband's downfall. I really didn't believe he could survive without the Force to guide him. It would change everything he was.
I doubted I could either. I'd grown quite accustomed to the connection we shared and relied upon our ability to communicate with each other from a distance. It was a gift I didn't wish to give up. In fact, I refused to, and if that meant turning my back on the Republic to hide somewhere safe? Then so be it. Obi-Wan meant more to me than anything.
I would adjust. I would learn to live a new type of life. As long as he was by my side.
Someday soon, perhaps, things would settle down, the Chancellor would be disposed of, and a new democracy would rise; one that would embrace the Jedi and everything they stood for.
I was mentally exhausted and slept most of the trip. Obi-Wan had joined me for a short while, but had been in the cockpit most of the time. He woke me with a kiss and a smile as the ship shuddered and landed. Immediately I recognized the sound of sand pelting against the hull and realized we'd arrived.
"Are you sure we should just show up on her door unannounced?" he asked.
"We don't really have a choice, do we?"
"Then we'll offer her more than we could the first time. Perhaps something from the galley or some credits," Obi-Wan suggested.
"She'll only refuse. She's a proud woman."
"Like someone else I know," he told me before leaning down to kiss me gently, the touch of his hand doing sensual things to my upper arm. In response, I pulled on his collar to deepen the kiss.
The bed dipped and I heard the sound of the door to my suite being shut, realizing that Obi-Wan had asked the Force to close it. With everything that had been happening lately, the numerous worries set in my mind, we had neglected each other. The bond was demanding, and I was more than willing. Tatooine could wait. Captain Typho could wait.
The galaxy could wait.
Reality set in quickly afterward and we dressed hurriedly, kissing in between each item, and rushed out of room to find Typho standing at the foot of the ramp, arms crossed, wearing a scowl.
"It's bad enough you picked this place, but then you make me stand here and wait."
"Here," Obi-Wan played along, tossing him his duffel, which smacked the Captain hard in the chest and caused him to grunt. "Carry this. I'll take the Senator's things."
"A pack animal as well. That's fine. I see how it is."
When the ramp lowered and a hot wind swept sand across it, Typho growled in contempt and shielded his eyes.
Obi-Wan chuckled at him. "You do realize its springtime on Tatooine. Just wait until summer. You're gonna love it!"
The three of us trudged off in the direction of Mos Espa. We bypassed the market and headed toward the slave district where we searched out Elda, the kind old woman who had offered us shelter before.
"Oh my! Look who it is! How handsome you all are, and you brought a guest!"
Her appearance was just as I recalled. Her skin was like worn leather, her long gray hair was wild and unkempt, blown about by the hot, arid winds, and most of her teeth were missing. But her heart was golden, and she was an absolute darling.
"If I wasn't already married, Elda, I'd sweep you off your feet and carry you off this sandheap," Obi-Wan told her sweetly.
Her chuckle was loud and throaty, and revealed her pink gums. "Honey, you couldn't carry me! Such a flirt! How do you put up with him, my dear?"
"One day at a time," I told her. "This is my security officer and pilot, Gregar Typho."
"Oooo, another handsome young man. How lucky am I?" the old woman cackled.
"Elda, I'm afraid we're in a bit of a jam and need a place to stay for the night. Tomorrow, we'll be able to get settled. I've brought some food items and can offer you credits for the room…"
"Nonsense!" Elda said, swatting away Obi-Wan's handful of payment. "What I have is yours, and what you have, young man, I would love to take!"
Her last statement had been directed toward Captain Typho, who blushed dramatically. He attempted a response, but apparently could think of nothing to say. Therefore, Elda got exactly what she wanted and chuckled loudly.
"I'm teasing, young man. If I had a daughter though, I'd set you up good. Come. The suns will be going down soon and we should be getting inside."
Elda closed down her shop, and Obi-Wan helped her as she slowly made her way down the street. We had to duck low to enter her modest home, which had been carved from the stone across from the rows of slave houses. The interior was sparsely furnished, but filled to the brim with knick-knacks from all her years of trade.
"You have an interesting collection," Typho commented as he banged his head into an artistic mobile of random sun-bleached bones that rattled musically together before he grabbed them, demanding their silence.
"Why thank you! I've been dealing with visitors for many years and have gathered things from all over the galaxy. Come, come, I have a surprise for you."
We ducked once again into the next room which I knew was the kitchen and dining area only to see someone familiar sitting at the far end of the table. He somehow looked a little older, and on the side of his head was a bandage, but he was alive and apparently, hiding out just as we were.
"Qui-Gon! Thank the Force! You made it out." Obi-Wan reacted while I stepped closer to inspect his wounds. Someone had done a good job nursing him, but at one point, his lip had been busted and his left eye was still swollen.
"It wasn't easy going, was it?"
"I was hoping to meet you all here," he told us tiredly as we all took a seat.
Elda was moving as fast as she could to provide something to sit on, which included crates, a camtono, and an empty metal bucket turned upside down. Qui-Gon was seated in the only chair.
"The damage was already done when I arrived," he explained. "Obviously, I was set up. Someone went to a lot of trouble to make it look like I'd gone rogue."
"Palpatine," Obi-Wan suggested. "As soon as news spread, he called for a vote on the Balance Initiative. The Jedi Temple was attacked. I'm sure a lot made it out, but I'm also sure we've scattered to the wind."
"It was Dooku," Qui-Gon claimed.
Obi-Wan and I exchanged concerned glances. "Dooku's dead. I watched his ship burn."
"That may be, Obi-Wan", the older Jedi said in a mentoring tone. "But that doesn't mean he was on board. I recognized his handiwork. The damage at Csila was done with a lightsaber and the victims died in ways I know he favored."
I didn't want to hear the details and was glad he had stopped.
"It would explain a lot," I interjected, "although it is disappointing to hear he's still alive. You're wanted, Master Jinn. Bounty hunters will most likely be looking for you."
"All Jedi are wanted," Obi-Wan corrected sadly.
"Which is why I came to this spa-like atmosphere," he replied, smiling, in an obvious attempt to keep the mood light. "And besides, Elda here is my favorite gal. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to spend more time with her."
The old woman chuckled in response as she worked away at the counter, obviously preparing something for us to eat. I just hoped it was something edible. Curiosity getting the best of me, I took the supplies we'd brought from the ship and joined her, providing some vegetables and a dehydrated protein to the meal.
"A feast for kings!" she exclaimed proudly before presenting a tray to the table while I set out some carved dishes.
"So, what do we do now?" Obi-Wan asked after a few moments of silent eating.
The broth-based soup Elda had provided was surprisingly good, although I wasn't about to ask what was in it.
"Stay put until things settle, although some place a little more remote. I'm afraid we stand out like sore thumbs."
"That's easily rectified," I suggested. "A change of clothing, perhaps a shave."
"No one is touching this beard," Qui-Gon announced with a gleam in his eye. "I've had it most of my life."
/As stubborn as his Padawan,/ I teased Obi-Wan silently.
/Where do you think I learned it from?/
"All right then," I leaned back, willing to compromise. "Perhaps a trim then and a new hairstyle."
"As long as it doesn't involve scissors," he agreed as a compromise.
"We'll need to start seeking shelter to rent tomorrow morning," Obi-Wan mentioned.
"You lovelies can stay as long as you require. It's no problem."
I smiled at our hostess and reached out to pat her blue-veined hand. "Your generosity is why we love you so much, but we don't want to impose, and besides, such a large group would look suspicious."
"She's right," Obi-Wan agreed. "As much as I don't want to, we'll need to separate for the time-being. Padmé and I will head south to Mos Eisley. Typho?"
The man had been silent and I was sorry we had put him in such a position.
"I'll return to the ship," he replied quietly. "Someone needs to guard it from those damn Jawas."
"It looks like things are settled," Qui-Gon announced. "I'll stay here in town. If anyone encounters any trouble, be sure to inform the others."
There was just one thing left to say. "May the Force be with us all."