The bedside chrono blared its annoying sixth hour alarm as a hand blindly reached out from beneath layers of thick coverlets in order to silence it.
Only a deep sleep meditation had allowed the young knight to drift away in slumber just a few hours before. It seemed that the entire pathetic Gungan race had set out to enjoy the festivities for as long as possible; their raucous activities once more stretching into the early morning hours.
Obi-Wan had managed very little sleep, but he was determined to rise in time to prepare his ship for takeoff as 0700 -- the time Captain Panaka had informed him he could leave Naboo. He had therefore not trusted his own instincts to awaken, and decided to set the chrono.
Finally, reaching the switch that deactivated the incessant alarm, he expected glorious silence, but was roused from bed by yet another commotion. An all-too-familiar racket apparently coming from the streets of Theed.
"What the…" The knight mumbled as he rolled out of bed and onto his feet, staggering toward the shuttered window. The celebration was supposed to be over last night! He could maybe understand the festivities stretching out past mid evening, but this was ridiculous. It was now dawn and Unity Day was officially over. Wasn't it?
His hand spread the shutters and the young man peered through them, glaring confusedly at the sight he beheld. The streets were lined with people, both Nubian and Gungan, and the Gungan band was once more forming on the platform next to the palace steps. The Unity Day flags, banners, and costumes were once more apparent, and Obi-Wan was perplexed.
Perhaps he had missed something in the festivity schedule. Was there another activity occurring today? Something that he should be attending?
Not wishing to be late for it, like he had been yesterday, the knight moved away from the window and hurriedly showered and dressed. He grabbed his cloak and palmed open the door. His momentum however, was thwarted by the appearance of Governor Bibble, who once more blocked his doorway.
"They say that it's the early Gungan who gets the gooberfish." The older man stated and Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut against the overwhelming deja-vu.
"What?" He asked the man incredulously, whose blue eyes twinkled with humor in response.
"A tog in a well shaft still sees the sky."
"Wait a minute." Obi-Wan responded with a finger pointed at the elder to halt the flow of annoying riddles. "Didn't we do this yesterday?"
"I don't know what you mean." Bibble replied, his brows creasing in confusion.
Okay. That was it. The man was definitely delusional. Obi-Wan remembered this conversation very well. It had occurred just yesterday morning. The man said such strange things to him, how could he not remember?
"People can dream different dreams in the same bed." The governor continued as Obi-Wan simultaneously mouthed the last few words.
Before he left Naboo, the knight decided that he was going to personally speak with the queen about Bibble's obvious mental lapses. A man of such questionable senility should not be leading an entire planet's government.
"Sio Bibble." The man announced with an outreach of his hand.
Obi-Wan stepped forward, bypassing the offered gesture. "Yes, I know. Excuse me." He brushed by the shocked governor and strolled down the hall.
"Allow me to escort you to the banquet hall for first meal!" The elderly gentleman yelled out after the knight's retreating form.
"I know the way." Obi-Wan hollered back, lengthening his stride, heading toward the banquet room where he hoped he was in time to meet with Queen Amidala.
He reached the crowded dining area and craned his neck to see over the line of beings filling their plates, but was disappointed to not see the Queen among the crowd. Perhaps he could leave a message for her with the Head of Security about Bibble before he left.
Obi-Wan smiled as he saw the man he needed to speak with walking toward him.
"Good, I needed to speak with you." He began, but was abruptly interrupted by a quick bow and an unnecessary introduction.
"Captain Panaka, Head of Security, at your service, Knight Kenobi."
"Yes, I know." Obi-Wan murmured, his face now contorting from confusion to slight worry.
Panaka immediately transformed into his posture of duty and began speaking. "It is my duty to inform you that guards have been posted at regular intervals along the main thoroughfare leading to the palace, with two posted guards at the entrance to the palace, three fly-bys scheduled for 0800 hours, and I, myself will be in attendance, two meters from the queen. All of my men are equipped with blasters, the most efficient and long-range communicators, and longer range blaster rifles."
Obi-Wan's mouth gaped open. Maybe he was dreaming. Or maybe it was yesterday and he was dreaming. Maybe he was still on board his ship heading for Naboo and he was dreaming. Or maybe he had never made it to Naboo and his ship had been sucked into a black hole or something.
His troubled thoughts were once more interrupted by the Captain.
"We do not expect any trouble, mind you, but it never fails to be safe. Naboo is typically quite peaceful, but sometimes the festivities lure out those who are, shall we say, a little less righteous in their behaviors. And like I've always said – "
"Caws on any planet are equally black." Obi-Wan finished for him, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"That's right! You're a philosopher! But of course, you are. I hear Jedi Knights study all manners of the arts at the Temple. Come, I'll escort you to the queen."
Obi-Wan followed numbly behind the Head of Security, his mind scrambling to justify his knowledge of the captain's thoughts, and his knowledge of exactly where they were going and what he would see when they got there.
He had experienced Force visions of the future before, but this was completely surreal. If he were still meditating in his room, there would be a mental route of escape, a passage to return back to consciousness.
The young man searched out with the Force and was alarmed when the realization came to him he was not meditating. What was occurring around him was all too real.
But there had to be an explanation.
His wandering mind had distracted his movements enough so that the Captain had moved far ahead of him and the young knight failed to notice the tall being approaching him from the side. Once more, his hand was being gripped and his arm being vigorously shaken. Obi-Wan turned to face his greeter, but already knew who was offending his joints.
"This is the first time meesa meet a Jedi!" The lanky Gungan declared excitedly. "Weesa excited to be seeing you here, Jedi!"
"Jar-Jar Binks?" Obi-Wan mumbled out.
"Woa!" The energetic Gungan exclaimed. "Yousa knows my name! Jedi are bombad!"
"Of course I do. We met yesterday." Obi-Wan glared at the creature.
"No weesa didn't." The taller Gungan glared back in confusion.
"Yes weesa….Yes, we did." Obi-Wan insisted.
The Gungan's large mouth quirked in puzzlement before his spotted shoulders shrugged in acceptance. "Okay. Meesa be honored to escort the Jedi."
"That won't be necessary." Obi-Wan walked away quickly.
"But meesa insist!" Jar-Jar followed.
The knight abruptly stopped and spun toward the surprised Gungan. "Listen! I don't know what's going on here, but I don't like you. Get it? I don't want you helping me. I don't want you near me! So go away!"
The creature's head darted back in surprise and then his large ears drooped in disappointment as he turned with his shoulders slumped and slowly moved down the steps in the opposite direction.
A momentary flash of a victorious smile appeared on the young knight's face, but was immediately replaced by a frown of guilt.
Obi-Wan couldn't figure out what was going on yet, but whatever it was, obviously wasn't Jar-Jar's fault. Perhaps he had been too cruel. He would apologize to him later.
After he had a chance to speak with the queen.