The two and a half day trip to Naboo was made longer by the fact that Moss and Hooka had to stay in the same seat throughout the trip. Hooka would occasionally try to start a conversation, but the conversation would end quickly because Moss wouldn't know what Hooka was saying. Moss was still grieving over the loss of CP-30, but he was starting to get over it.
An alarm started to ring and Hooka pulled the hyperspace lever back. The star lines collapsed into stars and they were out of hyperspace. "So, that's Naboo," said Moss, staring at the greenish orb hanging in space.
A voice came on the comm, when they were about to break into the atmosphere. "Attention, Imperial craft." The voice sounded somewhat familiar to Moss. "Identify yourself, and your business being here."
Hooka was about to respond, but Moss stopped him. "Allow me. I have had experience with this kind of thing." He pushed the button and said, "This is Trando L'oro." He pulled the name from the back of his mind. "We are—"
Moss was cut of by the man. "Impossible, I am Trando L'oro." And suddenly Moss remembered where he heard the voice and name before.
"Trando? It's me Moss, from the school on Coruscant," Moss said, choosing his words carefully.
"No. The only school I went to was the ones on Naboo, and the Academy for the Royal Security Force," said Trando. "However, if you are who you say you are, then the queen will want to see you. You have clearance to land in Theed."
Hooka growled. "It could be a trap," said Moss. He thought he was agreeing with Hooka. "Land in Theed but be wary."
Hooka piloted the stolen TIE gracefully to the Theed star port. When he landed on a landing platform, Moss expected a whole convention of stormtroopers waiting for them, but only a man was. "Still could be a trap," said Moss. Hooka growled, shaking his head. "It's not too late to go back if you want." Hooka growled this time the noise vibrated the craft. "Something tells me that we are on two different pages. Let's go."
Moss hopped down from the TIE and walked over to the man. As he got closer, he could make out a familiar face. "Trando! It's you," said Moss.
"Moss! I am so happy you survived," said Trando. He engulfed Moss in a hug. "You have to tell me how you did it."
"You have to tell me what's going on. Like why the clone troopers turned on my master and me during our mission to Bestine." Trando held Moss out at arms length. "What is it?"
"It's… It's nothing," said Trando, finally. "I am just so happy to see you. I see you brought a friend," said Trando, acknowledging Hooka. "But we must hurry; Queen Apailana is waiting for us." Trando led Moss and Hooka out of the star port, to a parked air speeder. They all climbed and took off towards the Palace.
Moss' fur rippled as the wind blew. "So why does Queen whats her face wants to see me?" asked Moss.
"Queen Apailana is harboring Jedi refugees. She doesn't believe that former Queen Amidala was murdered by the Jedi, like the Empire says. This is her way of defying the Empire," said Trando. "Only top officials at the Palace know of what she is doing."
"It seemed like everyone in the galaxy hates us," said Moss.
"It would appear that way," said Trando. He lowered the speeder at the foot of the stairs that led to the Palace. At the very top, past the towering statues of warriors, Moss could see a whole entourage of people. Moss got out and walked up the stairs behind Trando. Hooka followed on the side of Moss.
When they reached the top, Moss studied the entourage of people more carefully. A young looking woman wearing an elaborate blue dress with a matching head piece and excessive make up, no doubt the queen stood in the middle. Flanking her right side was an obese balding man wearing a robe of some importance. Moss didn't know who he was. And on the right of him were four of the queen's handmaidens. On the left of the queen was a black man wearing a Royal Security Force uniform. And continuing to the left was the other four handmaidens.
Trando and Hooka bowed, leaving Moss to do a belated bow. "Welcome," said Queen Apailana as Moss rose. "I am Queen Apailana, elected Queen of Naboo. To the right of me is Moff Sio Bibble."
"Please, I prefer the term Governor. Moff is a bit to Empire for me." The obese governor held out a hand for Moss to shake.
Moss shook it and the queen started again. "And to the left is Captain Panaka of the Royal Security Forces." Moss shook hands with the Captain Panaka. "And on the sides of them are my handmaidens." Moss waved to both groups of the handmaidens. "Are you," she turned to Trando, "positive that he is a Jedi?"
"Yes, we were close friends during the Clone Wars," said Trando.
" Well, then, I expect Trando told you about the situation? About the refugees?" said Queen Apailana to Moss.
"Yes, he did," said Moss. "And if you don't mind me asking, but why are we meeting out in the open in broad daylight?"
"No one will suspect a Jedi. They will just think you are an ambassador from some planet. And for the Wookiee, they will think he is just the ambassador's slave," said the queen. "But if we stay out too long, someone will think this is more than a diplomatic meeting. Let's go in the Palace shall we?" Queen Apailana was the first to enter giant palace. It reminded Moss of the Jedi Temple, as far as the size went. Everything was so huge. Queen Apailana turned around and said, "I must go now, but Trando will show you to your room, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask Governor Bibble, Captain Panaka, or any of the other Jedi. But do not keep bothering the governor or captain, as they have other important things to do." The queen nodded and walked off, her handmaidens following her. Governor Bibble and Captain Panaka nodded and went their own separate direction. Which just left Trando and Moss.
"This place is magnificent," said Moss, looking straight up at the ceiling.
"Isn't it?" said Trando. He started to walk to the room and Hooka growled. Trando and Moss looked at each other. "I will get you a protocol droid so we know what your Wookiee friend is saying."