Chapter 10
Qui-Gon lay, panting, on the floor of the hold. Jessica had braced herself against a wall.
"Are you alright, Qui-Gon?"
He nodded, too out of breath to speak.
Obi-Wan and Anakin rushed in.
"Are you alright?" asked Anakin, his face and voice mirroring his concern.
Qui-Gon nodded again. "I think so."
"What was it?" asked Obi-Wan.
"I'm not sure," panted Qui-Gon, "but it was well-trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is it was after the Queen." He glanced at Jessica, but she shook her head.
'No, Qui-Gon, don't ask me now. I've got an idea, but I'll tell it to you later.' thought Jessica.
"What are we gonna do about it?" asked Anakin. Obi-Wan caught the "we". He turned to glare at the boy, but almost immediately returned his gaze to Qui-Gon.
"We will be patient," Qui-Gon advised. "Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
They shook hands. "Hi. You're a Jedi too? Pleased to meet you."
Qui-Gon would have laughed if he'd had the breath.
Qui-Gon had retired to an empty chamber to meditate. Jessica followed him.
"Jessica," he said. He refused to let her surprise him again. "I sense you have an idea?"
Jessica nodded. "I'm not sure, but… did you notice the lightsabre?"
Qui-Gon gave a hollow laugh. "I was fighting the blasted thing. I think I noticed it."
"Did you notice the colour?"
Qui-Gon thought back to the fight. "Red. It was red. So?"
"The only Order that used red lightsabres was the Sith Lords."
"The Sith? Are you sure?"
Jessica sighed. "Unfortunately, yes."
Obi-Wan stepped in from the corridor. "And what would a handmaiden know of the Sith Lords?"
Jessica studied Obi-Wan. "This handmaiden knows more than you'd think, Padawan."
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. "How?" he demanded.
"Obi-Wan," reprimanded Qui-Gon. "You –"
Jessica raised a hand to stop him. She was staring intently at Obi-Wan. "No, Qui-Gon, I think I should tell him," she said slowly. "It wouldn't do for him to show his shock to the Jedi Council now, would it?"
Anakin and Shmi went to the cockpit to see Coruscant.
"The entire planet is one big city," the pilot told them. He pointed out a docking platform, floating high in the air, where Senator Palpatine and Chancellor Valorum were awaiting them.
The ship docked with a soft bump. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan led the procession to the Chancellor and the Senator. The Queen was surrounded by five of her handmaidens. Jessica was hanging back. She wasn't wearing the handmaidens' uniform, but an outfit similar to what she had worn on Tatooine.
After everyone had bowed, the Queen stepped forwards.
"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty," said Palpatine. Relief could be heard in his voice. "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
"Welcome, Your Highness," Valorum greeted her. "It's an honour to finally meet you in person."
"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor."
"I've called for a special session of the senate to hear your position."
"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor."
"There is a question of procedure," interjected Palpatine, "but I'm confident we can overcome it."
Palpatine lead the Queen and her handmaidens away. Anakin and Jar Jar went with them, but Anakin stopped when he realised Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Jessica were still standing with Valorum. He glanced back. Padme realised, and called to him. Jessica waved him on.
Qui-Gon said to Vallorum. "We must speak with the Jedi Council immediately. The situation has become much more complicated."
