Hello again! As always, many thanks to julesley for being such an awesome editor and appreciating the little hints I threw in the story. Also, many thanks to those who have followed the story so far and left such kind reviews. You all make writing this story even more enjoyable. :) Guest reviews will be addressed at the bottom!
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars
The universe, for the better part of almost sixteen years, has had plenty of laughs at my expense.
Like the time the Academy had an end of term dance where I accidentally smacked my date in the face while demonstrating my superior dancing skills ─ he only had a mild black eye! ─ or the time I was first introduced to my Great Aunt Bryn and got stuck listening to her stories about her supposed illicit relationship with King Tapalo. ("Those ceremonial robes he wore always accented his cute tush. Sabina, you can always tell the measure of a man by his posterior curve.")
It's amazing I have any grasp on sanity after that conversation. When I told Halleth about it afterwards she laughed for three days.
I miss her.
However, this moment ─ no, that word's not strong enough ─ this life-changing event nearly makes up for everything I've experienced; I get to meet R2-D2! Otherwise known as the best-kriffing-droid-this-galaxy's-ever-seen, I'll have you know!
I can't help but beam when Artoo rolls in with Panaka. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stand off to the right, arms crossed in what I assume is the Jedi version of at-ease ─ though in my opinion, it's anything but relaxed.
"An extremely well-put-together little droid, Your Highness," Even Panaka, the most hard-nosed man I've ever met, can recognize greatness when he sees it. I shall call this the 'R2-D2 Effect.' "Without a doubt, it saved the ship, as well as our lives."
Internally stamping down the urge to squeal, instead I say: "It is to be commended. What is its number?"
Artoo replies with a series of beeps and trills ("This unit is happy to serve Naboo Queen-unit.") as Panaka searches for his identifying number. Queens do not squeal, Sabé. Queens do not squeal. "Artoo-Deetoo, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Artoo-Deetoo." As he rocks back and forth in an imitation of a bow, I have a sudden revelation. Should I be this petty… no, I should be mature and diplomatic and revenge is never the answer ─
"Padmé." I call her forward, catching her surprised look when she walks over to Artoo. "Clean this droid up as best you can." Her surprise turns to amusement. This will be more than enough payback for all the luncheons she made me sit through as her. Revenge is sweet. "It deserves our gratitude."
Sabé, you are a bastion of maturity. "Continue Captain," I see his raised eyebrow at my antics and choose to thoroughly ignore it. He turns toward the Jedi and fixes them with an annoyed expression I'm quite familiar with.
"Your Highness, with your permission, we're heading for a remote planet called Tatooine." Qui-Gon steps forward; Obi-Wan stands back from him, solemn as always. "It's in a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation."
Yes, because it's controlled by the Hutts. What a lovely idea for us to stop there.
"I do not agree with the Jedi on this." It always unnerves me when Panaka and I have similar thoughts. Padmé looks from him to me, blinking once in my direction.
"You must trust my judgment, Your Highness." Qui-Gon states, likely knowing full well we'll go along with his plan anyway. Padmé blinks at me again before I respond.
"Very well, Master Jedi. We shall go to Tatooine." He nods respectfully to me. Knowing Padmé will want further answers; I raise my chin and continue: "What is our purpose in landing in such a remote system? Particularly one in which Jabba the Hutt holds a seat of power?"
Both Jedi remain calm. I suppose they're used to inquisitive Queens. "The ship's hyperdrive generator sustained damage while breaking through the blockade. We shall journey to the closest spaceport to procure repair parts." A spark of amusement lights Qui-Gon's eyes. "If it pleases Your Majesty, of course."
I see where Obi-Wan gets some of his mannerisms from.
Padmé is far from pleased at this conversation, I'm certain. She likely views it as condescending. Glancing at her, I see her lips are pressed firmly together. "It would appear we have little to no choice, Master Jedi. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated."
Qui-Gon inclines his head before stepping back. Artoo emits a low whir, bringing Padmé's attention back to him. She shoots me a look over her shoulder as they depart the throne room.
She's going to have a fit once we're alone. I just hope it's directed at Qui-Gon and not me.
After an hour or so of deliberation, Rabé, Eirtaé and I are finally alone in the throne room. I breathe a sigh of relief and sag in my seat. My headdress falls forward and I push it back with a grumpy swat. "That was exhausting."
"Did you see the look on Padmé's face?" Rabé moves to a bench and stretches her arms above her head. "She looked ready to strangle the Master Jedi for being vague with his information."
"Before or after she strangles Sabé for ordering her to clean up a droid?" Eirtaé laughs. "You are very brave, Sabé Vena."
"It's not as if cleaning Artoo up will be that difficult. Besides, she ordered me to act as if she's a regular handmaiden, which includes menial tasks…" Eirtaé stands in front of me, planting one hand on her hip while waving a finger with the other.
"Just admit it. You got back at her for all those luncheons with Representative Nmari."
"Are you implying that I would be so petty as to do such a thing?"
"Yes." Rabé and Eirtaé answer in unison. I burst out laughing while they shake their heads at me.
"C'mon, now ─ you would have done the same thing if you were in my shoes." I grin at Rabé. "Admit it."
"I have a clean conscience, unlike some I can mention."
"What I would like to know is how you knew that information about Jabba the Hutt." My smile freezes on my face as Eirtaé narrows her eyes at me. Oh kriff. "Even Panaka seemed surprised about that."
"Well… " Think Sabé, think. "Who do you think listens to Yané the most when she's ranting about potential threats from unsavory characters such as Jabba the Hutt?"
Thank the Stars Yané is such a worrywart, otherwise that excuse wouldn't have worked at all.
"Oh, I suppose that makes sense." Eirtaé sits beside Rabé and exhales slowly. "I hope she and Saché are alright."
My stomach clenches like receiving a punch to the midsection. If I spend too much time thinking about all of our loved ones back on Naboo, I won't be able to function. I've had to remind myself that our actions are in hopes of saving them. "Me too, Eirtaé." Seeing that Rabé's mouth has begun to quiver, I try to come up with a distraction.
"Say, Rabé… how much longer am I going to have to wear this blasted headdress?"
Padmé is the most stubborn girl I've ever met.
"No." Rabé, Eirtaé, and I state as said most-stubborn-girl changes into clothing that will help her blend into her surroundings on Tatooine. After cleaning up Artoo she marched back into the throne room and announced she was leaving with Master Qui-Gon.
We've been arguing with her for an hour.
"I don't fully trust that Jedi after his pitiful excuses for answers to me ─" She pauses and looks at me. "─ I mean, you, in the throne room. Who's to say what he will try to do on Tatooine without supervision?"
"And you think your presence is going to stop him?" I ask, waving my arms. I knew this would happen but it doesn't make it any less annoying. Protecting her is a full time job. "The only reason he has been agreeable with me is the fact that we're backed into a corner ─ unless you see any other systems around here that can help us before we reach Coruscant?"
"I hear your concerns, Sabé." Her mollifying tone assures me that she, in fact, does not.
"Oh for the worlds' sake, no you don't! Please enlighten me as to how I'm supposed to continue to be you while you're gone? Without your guidance, what if I do something crazy like ─ oh, I don't know ─ accidentally assign the monarchy to Jar Jar Binks or get in a fight with Panaka or blow my cover in some other horrific way?"
Rabé and Eirtaé look back and forth between us as Padmé stares me down. I match her look.
"One," she begins, "Jar Jar is coming with us as well so I doubt you'll assign any monarchies over to him while I'm gone ─"
"Oh, well that's comforting."
"─ two, you fight with Panaka daily whether or not I am present and three, you have done an excellent job thus far. I have every faith in your capabilities, Sabé."
"My capabilities won't matter if you run around Tatooine and get yourself hurt like a complete ninny!"
Rabé clears her throat, breaking the stare down between the two of us. "Padmé, if you insist on going, we need to ensure you have proper sunscreen and a hairstyle that will be easy to manage without us."
I cross my arms as they move to the refresher. Eirtaé walks to her bed and lifts the datapad lying on the surface. "She's right, you know."
"About my daily arguments with Panaka?" I grouse, flopping backwards on my bed. My headdress shifts forward again and I find myself too agitated to fix it.
"About your ability to imitate her; if we didn't know about the switch, you'd probably fool all of us too."
I lift my head to stare at her. "Thank you, but that doesn't mean I won't mess up without her here." I let my head fall back.
"Sabé, you don't know the future." I laugh once, sounding harsher than I intended. If only she knew. "Anything can happen. However, if you keep doing what you have been doing, our Queen's secrets will be safe."
Slowly, I sit up and sigh heavily. "Since when did you get so wise, Eirtaé?"
"I like to think about what my family would advise me to do and instead, do the exact opposite."
Well, then.
The refresher door slides open; revealing a chagrined looking Padmé wearing street garb and a peacekeeping Rabé behind her. "I'm sorry Sabé. I know my leaving puts you under further duress than you've already experienced."
"I'm sorry, too. You're not a ninny." I smooth my skirts down. "If anything, you're the smartest girl I know. Try not to get yourself killed, okay?"
"Certainly." She smiles at me.
"Or eaten by a sarlacc."
"I will avoid that as well."
"Or sold to a Hutt because those outfits they make women wear are scandalous and, quite frankly, rather uncomfortable looking and something your future child should never have to endure ─"
Padmé's laugh cuts my ranting short. "That is so… specific, but I will make sure that neither I nor my future child will end up in servitude to a Hutt. I hate those outfits too." She smiles at each of us. "Good luck to all of you."
A thought occurs to me that I'm amazed I haven't realized before. I slyly grin at her as our chamber door slides open. "Oh, you're the one who's going to need luck. You get to tell Panaka that you're leaving."
I've never seen Padmé's eyes go so wide.
You want to know what's boring: sitting in a throne room, staring at absolutely nothing.
For the first hour after Padmé left, Panaka argued with us about our, 'complete lack of responsibility,' and, 'total neglect for Handmaiden ethics,' and, 'utter disregard for RNSF standard conduct,' until I thought he was going to asphyxiate from sheer outrage.
Padmé has no idea how close she came to needing to hire a replacement Captain.
After he thoroughly reamed us for anything and everything under the Tatooine suns, he left in a huff to Force knows where. He missed the snarling expressions all three of us gave him once his back was turned. (I've clearly rubbed off on my fellow Handmaidens.)
Rabe grumbled: "His face is not worth protecting with sun blocking moisturizer."
Then, Eirtaé made this comment: "He's unfit for any place but a black hole."
Of course, immediately afterwards they both felt sorry for saying it. Sometimes they're too nice for their own good.
I won't repeat what I muttered. It wasn't polite.
After we had a moment to settle down, the atmosphere morphed from tense to completely, utterly stale. I passed the time from counting the cushions on the bench ─ twelve, to be exact ─ to guessing how long it takes a cleaning droid to dust all the arches above our heads.
Unfortunately, these ponderings only take up ten minutes of my time. Is it possible to spiral into the abyss out of sheer boredom? I'm asking for a friend.
Thus, we wait… and wait… and wait… and wait… and, for the sake of variety, we wait some more. Then, once we've done that, we get to wait even more. And, if you're sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation, we wait after that! How very exciting!
It would help if Naboo protocol didn't demand silence in a throne room unless the Queen speaks first. Whoever made up this Force-awful rule should be strung up by their toes, in my humble opinion. Even so, this rule does benefit my disguise. If I don't speak there's less opportunity for me to blow it.
The only change I notice around us is the howling of wind outside and sand buffeting against the ship. Somehow I doubt Tatooine is known as a vacation destination.
Maybe I should count the scuffs in the floor. It looks like it's been a while since it has been polished. Oh, look! There's one by the front entrance. I wonder who's responsible for that? The Jedis' boots seem too soft soled to make such a mark. Maybe it was one of the pilots. Ric Olié does walk as if he's flat-footed.
I'm going to lose my mind…
"I can't take this anymore." I stand up, pacing the length of the room. "I need to do something ─ anything ─ before I go insane."
Eirtaé rushes over, making a shushing motion with her hand. "Someone may hear you!"
"And they'll think the Queen has normal needs as well, what a novel concept!"
"Save the sass for Panaka; besides, what do you think you can do? Go outside?"
I blink once, twice. "Well, no… not when you say it like that."
"Exactly ─ now sit down before someone ─" Our heads jerk to the side as footsteps approach the throne room. Within seconds, I am seated in my usual position, with Eirtaé and Rabé flanking me. Obi-Wan enters the chamber, bowing once before Panaka and a handful of pilots join him.
"We have received a transmission from Naboo, Your Highness."
I hear Rabé's quiet gasp as I answer: "Let us hear it, Jedi Kenobi."
He and Panaka take a seat to my left, while the other pilots, including Ric Olié, take up the right side benches. A holoprojection of Governor Bibble appears in the room and my heart sinks. The image in front of us crackles as if the sandstorm outside is interfering with our receiver.
"The death toll is catastrophic. We must bow to their wishes. You must contact me."
Before I can open my mouth, Obi-Wan is on his feet. "It's a trick. Send no reply. Send no transmissions of any kind."
"That's easy for you to say!" One of the pilots jumps up. "It's not your family that's in danger back home." The Jedi doesn't reply, leaving us all behind in the chamber. Further arguments break out around me as Ric Olié follows him out.
"Stand down, Pilot Var." Panaka orders, looking as if he's aged ten years within a moment's time. I feel my heart sink further down to my feet. "If we were to send a reply the Trade Federation could trace it back to our location."
Pilot Var turns to me. "Your Highness," This time, I hear Eirtaé gasp over his blatant disregard for protocol by addressing me directly. "Surely you want to know what is happening on Naboo! Our families and friends are in danger!"
I swallow the lump in my throat. Decisions like this are why I didn't want Padmé to leave. I'm not qualified for this… "I understand your concern, Pilot Var. We must listen to Jedi Kenobi's instructions."
I watch as anger contorts his face. He looks seconds away from verbally tearing me apart before Panaka stands in between us. "I said, stand down, Pilot. I won't repeat myself again."
For a moment, I wonder if the pilot is going to take a swing at Panaka. My body tenses in preparation for defending myself if need be, disguised or not, until he straightens his posture. "Permission to continue inspection of the ship's power couplings?"
"Granted."
Pilot Var swiftly exits the throne room, while the rest file out behind him in a much more respectful manner. My eyes begin to sting as I fight back tears. I don't remember seeing any signs of genocide or warfare in the movie once the characters returned to Naboo. But what if this is different?
It has to be a trick. It has to be a trick. It has to be a trick.
I can't bear the thought of what it would mean if it were true.
From meangreenmachineataverna to SVRHMatRNSF 0302 GST
Subject: Update
"The Federation has taken full control of the Palace. The only reason I know this is because I ran into one of the Handmaidens. She said her name is Saché. She's been delivering messages from the RNSF and Governor Bibble to the leaders of the Resistance fighters here.
You were right about me being a rebel. Laugh all you want.
She also said that the Queen and some of her Handmaidens managed to escape and they're headed to Coruscant. When I asked her about you, she pulled me aside and told me that you're with them. She wants me to pass along her well wishes, if you'll even get this message. I hope you bring Chaos to any bad person that crosses your path, sister.
I have to go now. We're going to take out a garrison by the plasma refinery. Turns out I'm a pretty good shot with a blaster.
XOXO Halleth Averna, crack-shot Rebel"
- Message from civilian contact Halleth Averna to Royal Handmaiden Sabé Vena
It doesn't seem possible that so much has happened in fourteen standard hours.
I lie awake, having finally escaped my skirts and headdress in exchange for a pair of light grey, hooded robes. Somehow I feel simultaneously heavier without them and exposed without heavy makeup on my face.
After we received the message we were able to retire for the evening. I pretended not to hear Rabé crying in the refresher or see Eirtaé clenching her fists over and over again. Any jokes I could use as a distraction seem to fall short.
I haven't spoken anything in hours.
They eventually fall asleep in their beds, leaving me with the company of my thoughts and worries I've managed to suppress until now. I left my datapad at home and have no idea what is going on with Halleth, or Yané and Saché. What about my parents? What about the population of Naboo as a whole?
I need fresh air.
As quietly as possible, I tiptoe out of the chamber, glancing over my shoulder to make sure the girls are still asleep. Once I'm in the hallway I sneak past the pilots' quarters. One of them left a pair of boots by the door and a flight jacket hanging outside on a hook, which I grab in passing. It may be cold where I'm going.
Even if I could make it to the loading ramp undetected, the noise of opening said ramp will draw attention to me. Instead, I follow the corridor to the astromech bay. I see that every charging station is empty. Only Artoo survived the emergency repair while we sped through the blockade.
The only viable exit of the ship is the astromech hatch, which leads directly to the top. After some finagling of the controls, and a number of muttered curses, I hear the hatch open. I'm suddenly grateful for being short as I tug the pilot boots on, crawl into the tunnel and then climb upwards.
Once I see the starry sky above my head, I reach upwards until my hands grasp the ledge and pull myself completely through to the top. The cool air that brushes my face makes me shiver.
I hope the pilot who's currently missing a jacket won't need it anytime soon.
Once I'm settled atop of the ship, I draw my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them. The tears I've been fighting all day come to the surface when I count the moons in the sky. Three, just like Naboo.
If anyone were to fly over the ship, they'd see a small, sobbing girl wrapped in a jacket and wearing boots three sizes too big for her. I wonder if they'd pity her, or think she's crazy for sitting alone in an arguably dangerous place. Would they know the weight on her shoulders?
It's been a long time since I've cried like this. I usually prefer to take out my frustrations with training or finding something to make myself laugh. Perhaps, subconsciously, I knew this is what I needed. The tight feeling in my chest begins to loosen.
"You can do this, Sabé. You're here for a reason. Kriff if I know what it is, but you're still here."
I hear a familiar shrieking noise in the distance and glance behind me. A herd of bantha crosses the desert and, if I'm not mistaken, a few of them are ridden by Tusken Raiders. I lie on my stomach to further conceal myself and watch as they move past. The last thing we need is to be seen by a violent group like them.
They turn southward away from our ship and the settlement further up from us. I can't help the sigh of relief that escapes me once their shapes fade away completely.
That could have been bad.
I look at the chrono on my wrist and curse. I'd better get back inside before anyone notices that I'm gone. Saying goodbye to the quiet evening and moons above me, I drop down the shaft and close the hatch behind me.
Once I've removed the jacket and boots, I pull my hood up and peek outside the astromech bay. There is no one on either side of the corridor. I'm practically home free!
It's nice that one of my plans worked out for once.
I return the jacket and boots to their previous stations and make my way towards the Royal chambers. Hmm… maybe I should stop by the galley and see what we have available. As I visualize a plate full of biscuits the door to the engine room slides open, startling me so badly that I yelp and jump to my left.
"Kriff! You scared the ever-loving ─" I clamp my mouth shut when I see a confused Obi-Wan staring down at me. This is bad. This is very, very bad.
Padmé is going to kill me, reincarnate me since I know now it's possible, and then kill me again.
"Hello there. I apologize for startling you."
I immediately assume the proper Handmaiden stance: expressionless face, straight shoulders, and quiet voice. "It is I who should be more watchful, Jedi Kenobi."
He narrows his eyes slightly, as if trying to figure out which Handmaiden I'm supposed to be. I'm grateful I pulled my hood down earlier or I'd be in even more trouble. "You're out rather late, Handmaiden… " He trails off, waiting for me to give my name.
"Just Handmaiden, sir, is a proper way to address me." I lie through my teeth. How long do I have before I can make a polite retreat?
"Is that so?" I look up and see the familiar almost-smile he likes to utilize. "Certainly that must be confusing."
"Only to the uninformed," My mind scrambles as his almost-smile turns into a full-fledged one. Just what does he find so funny? "We Handmaidens are quite used to it."
"I shall consider myself now informed." He drawls. "Though Padmé managed to be addressed by her proper name… would this be special treatment?" Kriff. Kriff. Kriff.
"The Queen is allowed to do as she wishes."
"I suppose you are right." An awkward silence fills the air between us. I feel my face begin to redden from embarrassment. "Does the Queen have you out on an errand so late in the evening?"
I inwardly leap at the excuse he's given me. Who knew Obi-Wan could be so helpful? "Yes, sort of; she hasn't eaten much and I am going to the galley to bring her back some provisions." There. That seems reasonable. Doesn't it?
Judging by his increasingly amused expression, I doubt he believes me. "That is kind of you, Handmaiden." The heat I feel in my face travels to my ears. I wouldn't be surprised if steam shoots out of them. "If you want to save yourself some time, I suggest you turn back that way."
He points behind me and I instantly remember that the galley is in the opposite direction of where I'm headed; fantastic. "Thank you, Jedi Kenobi, for your helpful instruction." I say as politely as possible. "Have a good evening."
"You're welcome." There's no disguising the laughter in his voice now. "Sleep well."
I speed-walk to the galley, close the door behind me and lean back against it. I punctuate my following words with the thumping of my head. "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."
Now, I'll have to explain to Rabé and Eirtaé that not only did I sneak out; we will also have to refer to each other as Handmaiden for the foreseeable future.
After this is over, I'm definitely asking for a raise.
To noodlequeen: I have to say, noodlequeen and Ravioli King does have a nice, 'dynamic-duo,' ring to it. LOL You guessed the title correctly for the last chapter! *sends digital cookies as reward* Thank you for the review!
To Mari: As of right now, Qui-Gon has questioned her the least ─ which makes him her favorite! Thank you so much! She will certainly have plenty of opportunity if she decides to try and change anything!
A/N: Can Sabé stay out of trouble long enough to make it to Coruscant? I'd love to know your thoughts! Thank you all for reading and I hope you had a fabulous Star Wars Day yesterday. :)
