Chapter One : Through a Mirror Darkly

Theed, Naboo

32 BBY

On any other day the streets of Theed would be gripped with the spirit of impromptu celebration.

It was the first fine day after the three-month rainy season, and the air was cool, sweet, and clear. Every leaf, every stone, every face in the city was sharply delineated by bridal white sunshine. The planet of Naboo was blooming, with starflowers and blood tulips uncurling in every free patch of grass.

On any other day the people of Theed would be crowding the avenues and promenades, their children filling the air with high laughter. All would have silently thanked the Force for the blessing of being born on such a planet.

But on this day the sun was mocking. It beat down on their bent heads. The flowers were crushed by the tread of metallic feet, the air polluted with thick belches of exhaust from tanks. The children of Theed were silent as they, like their parents, were led in chains by throngs of battle droids.

War had come to paradise.

Meters below, a presence moved in the shadows.

There were few who knew of the complex network of tunnels below Theed, and fewer still who could navigate them. She knew them, as she knew her own hands and her own mind. They hid her secrets as well as she hid theirs, and opened themselves to those of her senses far more keen than sight. She used no light; she needed none. Her steps were sure as she followed the twists, turns and dips in the path without even feeling for the walls.

On any other day she might have lingered. But today it was not solitude she sought.

The dim vibrations she heard through the stone walls of the passages quickened her steps. Her heart beat fast beneath her velvet cowl. At length she came to a dead end and reached her hand to press the panel she knew was embedded in the stones. The stones groaned and rumbled as they slid aside, spilling a shock of brightness over her. Blinking, the royal handmaiden Sabe stepped into the light.

She was fifteen years old, slight, slim, and all but completely obscured by a flame colored robe with its hood pulled low over her face. But at times when she moved, a wisp or two of tawny hair escaped the hood, and the light caught her piercing brown eyes or revealed her delicate features.

She had entered the Throne room of Theed through a passage that opened in the base of the statue of Cestus on his horse. The high, pillared ceiling echoed the handmaiden's steps as she crossed the marble floor. Before her, the round seat of the throne and the council chairs circling it were empty, the holograph quiet. The room was abandoned except for a slim figure across from her, watching the activity out of the window with a bowed head.

The handmaiden sank to her knees. "My Queen."

Queen Amidala turned. She was resplendent in red and gold, with her brown hair coiled around her elaborate headdress. Her face was a doll-like mask of white. The only color in it was her dark eyes and the crimson scar of remembrance that split her lower lip. But though her costume succeeded in making her imposing, none of it hid her extreme youth.

"My Queen, time is short," Sabe said.

"Yes," the Queen said, her voice unnaturally deepened and accented. "The droids are preparing to storm the palace."

"Our plan must now be put in motion," the handmaiden said.

The tiniest of sighs escaped the Queen's lips. "I follow your lead."

Sabe stood and made her way back to the open passage, the Queen close behind. When the stones slid shut again, Sabe felt for the Queen's hand. Still, she heard Amidala's sharp intake of breath as the darkness enveloped them. The Queen's hold on her hand was almost painful as the sounds of marching droids and rolling tanks filtered through meters of rock to where they scurried through the tunnels like mice.

Soon enough they reached the Queen's private quarters. Within, four girls dressed identically to Sabe stood from the curved lounge where they had been sitting stiffly. Their movements were almost choreographed as they bowed. Rabe, Sache, Yane, Eirtae.

Sabe made five. Five girls to surround her majesty at all times. To comfort her, advise her, aid in all her daily affairs, but most of all to shield her in just such situations as this.

Sabe avoided the others' eyes as she moved to the Queen's dressing room. As the Queen removed her headdress and gown, Sabe pulled her own cloak over her head and handed it to her.

From the racks of gowns Sabe selected the dress the Queen had specified. It was black, a color of protest and mourning, but with the stylized star flowers that were the symbol of Naboo royalty defiantly embroidered on the hem. It was more than appropriate, though not Amidala's usual style. Sabe reflected that it particularly suited her. It matched the shadows she preferred.

She slipped on the gold watered silk under robe, cinching it tight at her waist and slipping a dagger and blaster into the band. It would be nearly impossible to get to them quickly, but they comforted her all the same. Over the under robe went a shift of black silk lace. Lastly, Rabe and Yane helped her into the heavy velvet gown. Sabe tied back her auburn hair carefully, knotting it tightly at the nape of her neck. Usually she darkened it with dye or covered it with a wig, but there was no time now. Rabe pulled up the hood with its heavy gold ear coverings and adjusted them around her face. Sabe frowned. The towering feather headdress made her feel as if her head would bend backwards, and the hood dispensed with her peripheral vision. But it was just the costume for a decoy. She was hidden as surely as if she was back in the tunnels, and suddenly she felt like a warrior, well armed for a coming battle. Her posture straightened.

"Come," the Queen said. She had transformed while Sabe had been dressing. Her makeup was gone, and in the simple flame-colored handmaiden's gown she appeared as the fresh-faced girl Sabe had come to know as Padme.

Drawing Sabe to the vanity, Padme used powder to whiten her face. She painted the scar of remembrance on Sabe's lips. Then she put the makeup aside and stood side by side with Sabe as they looked in the mirror together.

"The threat is on you, now, handmaiden," Padme said softly.

Sounds from outside reached them; blaster fire, and the shattering of transparisteel. Sabe turned toward the passage. "They are drawing near. You must go now. Straight, to the left, and then a quarter mile to the cliffs. I will alert Captain Panaka to meet you there."

"The Captain has been apprehended," Rabe said.

Sabe whirled around, her gown rustling. "Are you sure?" she demanded.

Rabe nodded.

Sabe clasped her restless hands, thinking. "Then you must go with her. And you, Yane. There will be guards there who can take you to the lake country."

Padme shook her head. "Forget it, Sabe. My council is captured and my people are in chains. I cannot flee."

"But my Queen—" Sabe protested.

Cloak or not, Padme was still the Queen. "My decision is made, handmaiden," she said, automatically assuming the court accent.

Sabe shook off the start it always gave her. Padme Naberrie was duality; Amidala and herself. She could switch on one or the other as easily as most people turned on a light. Sabe took a breath and tried again. "My Queen…"

"A ruler is a servant of the people," Padme said, repeating what she'd insisted on many times before. "Her life has no special value in itself."

"You are a symbol," Sabe said. "How will they keep up hope if they see you in chains?"

"We will keep up the protocol," Padme replied. "Besides, no symbol ever turned back an invasion."

"With all due respect, my Queen, this invasion cannot be turned back," Sabe said in a low voice.

Padme's eyebrows drew together, her countenance stormy. The other four handmaidens exchanged uncomfortable looks, except for Eirtae, who looked ready to explode. Padme opened her mouth to rebuke Sabe, but a pounding at the door drowned out her words.

It was too late now. There was no longer time to hustle the Queen away. Sabe took a shaky breath. All they could trust in now was her ability to deceive.

Shifting easily into the role of a handmaiden, Padme went to answer the door. It burst open, and Padme was thrown to the floor by the force of the droids flooding into the room. Sabe stifled a cry and resisted the urge to cover the Queen's body with her own. To her relief, the droids ignored Padme entirely, surrounding her and the other handmaidens instead. Within a few moments, a creature appeared behind them, a Neimoidian with dull grey skin and a slack, expressionless face. His bulging, rose-colored eyes were alight with what Sabe could only assume was pleasure. He swept into the room, rich blue robes fluttering around him.

"Your highness," he simpered. "What a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

Sabe drew herself up to her full height. "You will pardon me if I do not share the sentiment, Viceroy Gunray," she said in perfect imitation of Amidala's court accent.

The Viceroy's eyes glittered. "If only your disdain had not made this course of action necessary." He turned to the droids flanking him. "Secure her!"

The droids did not shackler her, a small blessing. A droid just behind her dug the point of his blaster into the small of her back, and the circle tightened around them, herding them outside like a herd of helpless banthas. Sabe spotted Captain Panaka waiting in the corridor, as well as Governor Bibble. She wondered if the stone-faced men felt as dizzy as she did at Theed's turmoil.

Without further ado, the party descended down the main staircase.

"How will you explain this invasion to the senate?" Governor Bibble's voice was steady, but Sabe noticed the temper burning in his eyes. His fiery nature was the stuff of local legend.

"The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I have assurances it will be ratified by the Senate," the Viceroy replied smugly.

Sabe bit her lip, tasting blood. "I will not cooperate."

"Now, now, your Majesty. In time the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view. Commander," The Viceroy turned to one of the droids, his voice dropping ominously. "Process them."

"Yes sir," the droid replied in metallic monotone. "Captain, take them to camp four."

Sabe was shoved forward. She glanced over her shoulder. Padme forced a reassuring smile beneath her hood.

Sabe gasped as they exited the castle and descended the stairs to Theed Palace's plaza. Tanks and droids were everywhere, leading guards and civilians alike in chains, to the camps. She caught a glimpse of the Palace's famous gardens around a corner, trampled. Here and there she even saw a body or two. By their uniforms she recognized them as guards. Probably they were guards who could not bear the capture of their Monarch. She tasted bile as they passed near to one of the twisted, smoking corpses.

They turned from the plaza onto a side street. She was beginning to despair. What did it matter whether Padme had a decoy or not if they were both to be tortured in camps?

Suddenly a pulse of energy stopped her in her tracks. The others looked at her curiously and the droid just behind her gave her a sharp jab in the spine with his weapon. But the droid never had the time to give any order, for at that moment, two figures in dark brown dropped from the walkway above.

There were two of them, moving almost faster than the eye could follow. They used shimmering blades made of light, one green and the other blue. One leapt into the air, taking down a droid with each foot, slicing two more with his glowing weapon as soon as his feet touched the ground. He twirled his lightsaber back into readiness, stopping just in front of Sabe. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, his hair short and spiky in the manner of a Jedi apprentice. His Master, a strikingly tall man with flowing, grey-streaked hair, finished three droids nearby, tucking his saber away and force-pushing two others against a rock wall. Oddly enough, a Gungun was also with them. The creature was practically dancing with terror.

The padawan stared at her, a look of curiosity flickering behind his stern mask.

She stared back in horror. It can't be. It just can't be…

Before she could collect her thoughts, the older of the two Jedi was beside her. "We must leave the streets, your highness."

Sabe didn't move until she felt Governor Bibble's hand on her back, guiding her into an alcove to the right.

"We are the ambassadors for the supreme chancellor," said the man she knew to be Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

Sabe was barely listening.Ghost-like fragments of memories were coming to her, one on top of another. Desperately, she hoped that the ceremonial makeup sufficiently obscured her features. But she knew nothing could conceal her tumult from the Jedi.

At least Governor Bibble was still paying attention. "Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador," he observed wryly.

"The negotiations never took place," Qui-Gon Jinn replied without pause. "It's urgent that we make contact with the Republic."

Panaka moved from behind the still-dazed Sabe. "They've knocked out all our communications."

"Do you have transport?"

Panaka nodded and indicated the way to Amidala's sleek Nubian. "This way. To the main hangar."

Moving quickly, they crossed the street again and slipped inside the level one-story adjoining the palace. Sabe found it was difficult to keep up with the others in her heavy skirts. But Panaka and the handmaidens, including Padme, hung back to be sure she was not left behind.

They stopped, concealed from the Federation guards inside, and surveyed the scene. On the left side of the hangar, a group of pilots was surrounded by droids opposite their own fighters. The sleek chromium Royal Starship itself was guarded by a group of perhaps ten droids in formation, weapons at the ready. Sabe felt dismayed as she wondered how they could possibly get past so many without loss. She risked a cautious glance over her shoulder at Padme.

Captain Panaka seemed to share her assessment. "There are too many of them."

"That won't be a problem," Qui-Gon replied with the perfect confidence Sabe remembered so well. For only the second time he met her eyes, but he showed no sign of recognition. "Your highness, under the circumstances I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."

She had to force out the words, but she knew Padme's mind. "Thank you, Ambassador. But my place is with my people."

"They will kill you if you stay." Qui-Gon said without hesitation. Sabe blinked.

"They wouldn't dare!" Governor Bibble exclaimed.

"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal," Panaka agreed. "They can't afford to kill her."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "There is something else behind this, your Highness. There's no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you."

Sabe's eyes slid to the floor. If Qui-Gon felt that something was amiss, she knew enough to trust his instincts. And if she were killed, where would that leave the real Queen? As soon as they removed her hood and saw her red hair it would be evident that she was a decoy. Or the Federation might just execute them all, indiscriminately.

"Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us," Governor Bibble said after a moment. He looked up at Sabe. "Senator Palpatine will need your help."

"Getting past the blockade is impossible, your highness," Captain Panaka interjected. Unlike Bibble, he was aware of the ruse she was playing out. He looked at Sabe intently. "Any attempt to escape will be dangerous."

Sabe favored him with a tiny nod.

"Your highness," Bibble said. "I will stay here and do what I can. They will have to retain the Council of Governors in order to maintain control. But you must leave."

Sabe set her jaw and stared again at the floor. "Either choice presents great danger," she locked eyes with Padme. "To us all."

Padme raised her head a little so Sabe could see her eyes glowing determinedly in the shadows of the hood. "We are brave, your highness," she murmured.

Sabe knew that Qui-Gon had not missed the exchange, but he gave no sign. "If we are to leave, your Highness, it must be now."

Sabe raised her chin. "Then I will plead our case to the Senate. Be careful, Governor."

She followed the Jedi out into the hangar. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Padme put a hand on Sache and Yane's arms and shake her head slightly at them. Sabe realized with a jolt that they had to be left behind. Governor Bibble stood with them behind the door. Sabe's heart ached as she wondered whether she would see any of them again.

"We need to free those pilots," Panaka muttered to Qui-Gon in front of her.

"I'll deal with that," said a crisply accented voice. She watched Obi-Wan Kenobi as he stopped Panaka with a hand and advanced toward the group of pilots and the guards, drawing his light saber.

But she had no chance to see what happened next, for a moment later they were face to face with another group of droids. "Halt!" one of them commanded.

"I'm Ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor," Qui-Gon said without a falter. "I'm taking these people to Coruscant."

Sometimes, Jedi mind tricks even confused droids momentarily. "Where…are you taking them?"

"To Coruscant," Sabe could detect a hint of humor in his voice.

"Coruscant…uh…that doesn't compute…wait…" the droid pointed a metal finger right in Qui-Gon's face. "You're under arrest!"

In seconds the droid lay in a smoking pile of debris at Qui-Gon's feet, and within a minute Captain Panaka was shoving Sabe, Padme, Rabe, and Eirtae up the ramp of the Nubian. Sabe would have liked to remain and see what was happening outside, but Panaka's hand on her back was firm. "Get to the throne room!" He shouted. "And fasten yourselves in!"

Together, they all hurried down the corridor into the room Amidala used as a receiving chamber during her voyages to Coruscant. It was long, white, and windowless with the throne in the center of the room and low benches to either side. "To the throne, Sabe," Padme said, once she was assured they were alone. "There is a safety harness under the cushion!" She and Rabe and Eirtae buckled themselves in at the benches.

"I've got a really bad feeling about this," Eirtae said as they all listened to the sounds of blaster fire and the humming of light sabers from outside. The older girl had trained as a pilot before becoming a handmaiden, and had made it her business to know everything there was to know about the Royal Starship. "How are we going to get past the blockade?"

The obvious answer was that they couldn't. The Nubian vessel was unarmed, with merely adequate speed from a civilian grade hyper drive. But none of the blockade ships had Jedi aboard. "Master Jinn will find a way if anyone can," Sabe murmured.

The eyes of her three companions were suddenly fixed on her. "Master Jinn?" Rabe asked. "Sabe, do you know him?"

Her reply was cut off by the sound of the entrance ramp closing and the engines firing beneath them. "We're taking off!" Rabe exclaimed. They all took a collective deep breath.

Eirtae translated the sounds they could hear only dimly through the walls of the control room. "We're in atmosphere," she explained as they began to feel fine vibrations all around them. Soon their flight became smooth again. Eirtae's face was anxious. "It won't be long now."

A few moments later a tremendous explosion rocked the ship. Sabe's safety harness dug into her abdomen as she was thrown about like a rag doll. "What was that?" Rabe cried.

"The Federation, of course," Eirtae said grimly. "We've reached the Blockade."

"Why haven't we gone to light speed?" Padme asked, looking more irritated than frightened.

Eirtae listened carefully as more explosions jolted the room. They could all hear the sounds of distant alarms from the direction of the cockpit. What Eirtae heard from the engines seemed to displease her greatly. "Our shields are down," she said tensely. "And the hyper-drive sounds off."

Sabe suddenly disliked the blonde handmaiden even more. Clutching the armrests of the throne until her fingers turned white, she decided it was better to not know that they were sitting ducks if they were to be vaporized anyway.

Suddenly there was a great bump and a buzzing sound and the alarms from the frontward part of the ship silenced. Rabe gave a gasp, no doubt thinking that this was their last minute alive.

But after a tense moment, Eirtae's face lit up. "That sound—the astro-mechs bypassed the main power drive!"

"And!" Sabe snapped, losing patience with Eirtae's technical jargon.

"Our shields are back up!" Eirtae cried, adding, "Thank the Force for astro droids!"

Sabe couldn't agree more when they finally entered lightspeed a moment later.