A Shift in the Force: Chapter Forty-Seven: The Request
AN: To the person that asked, yes, Clone Wars are happening in this fic, practically everything is happening in the fic. Clone Wars will take place towards the end of book two, the entirety of book three, and some of book four…depending on what I do with it, but it's still subject to change.
"Captain Amidala?"
Sabé looked up from the datapad to see one of the handmaidens to Padmé smiling at her easily. Padmé had offered her the temporary job after Captain Panaka had cited needing to take two weeks off from the job, and since he had vacation days, he'd taken off. The uniform was a bit more official, a leather jerkin over a tunic of royal blue. The Royal Naboo Security Forces preferred the S-5 heavy blaster pistol but Sabé was familiar with how often those blasters fell apart due to their multi-purposes, so she stuck to having her DC-17's strapped to both legs.
She was also rather painfully aware of the distinct lack of women in the Royal Guard, which had garnered her a lot of disapproval, which Sabé thought was ironic because they served a queen, but that might've had to do with her lack of military experience.
"Saché, right?" Sabé inquired, setting down the datapad.
The young woman smiled. "The queen was wondering if she could borrow you for a moment?"
Sabé's eyes flicked towards the small group clustered around the holo-videos. "I hope this issue will be corrected by the time I get back or I'll be forced to find a more adequate patrol group."
She had learned long ago that a combination of steely eyes and a set jaw could make grown men flounder.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Enjoying your time in the palace, Captain?" Saché winked as Sabé fell into step beside her and Sabé couldn't help rolling her eyes at the emphasis on 'captain'.
"Well, it's certainly better than doing nothing in Varykino," Sabé admitted, crossing her arms behind her back, making her skin pull over the tattoo she'd just gotten the previous day. Sola had been the one to suggest getting her tattoos removed entirely, the spiraling pattern over the side of her neck and shoulder and the circular one between her shoulder blades. She'd reasoned that Sabé was starting over, so why not start completely over? But Sabé's scars couldn't be removed, so her tattoos shouldn't either; Sabé could only build on what she already had.
Underneath the circle that held the symbol of House Renliss was now the symbol of the Je'daii Order.
There wasn't much for Sabé to do on Naboo. She played with her nieces, she ate with her parents, she laughed with her sisters, but it wasn't the same.
This is not your purpose, the Force whispered and she was in agreement, but she didn't yet know how to broach the subject with her family. She'd been on Naboo for nearly three months now, and the time with her family was wonderful, but Sabé felt the pull of the Force to leave Naboo behind, for now at least.
"I'm glad you're well, Captain, the other handmaidens and I were worried when we heard Padawan Shala's holo-message."
Sabé spared Saché a small smile. "Thank you," she said, like she hadn't had a terrible nightmare the previous night, dreaming of an explosion of light, pain burning across her face and a call of "Master Amidala!"
Visions were always so difficult to interpret.
"Sabé!"
Padmé's face broke into a smile when she came across her sister, making the Scar of Remembrance split on her painted lips more prominent. She was a vision in a gown of soft pink like the one she'd worn when she'd seen Sabé off after Qui-Gon's funeral.
"Your Majesty," Sabé said with a wink, at least remembering propriety where Padmé failed, "ready for your ball this evening?"
Padmé almost rolled her eyes, and Sabé knew it took considerable strain not to do so. "I know you don't approve but it is a yearly tradition, and one that I can hardly cease without a valid explanation."
"A valid explanation like a threat against your life?" Sabé arched a sardonic eyebrow.
Padmé was a fair ruler, but not all of the policies and laws she had approved over the years had been what the whole planet had liked, particularly those that of the upper class. The threat had come in about a day after Sabé had taken the job of being Panaka's temporary replacement and it was enough to keep the security forces on high alert.
"If I ran and hid every time there was a threat on my life, I'd get nothing done," Padmé said simply as Saché made her way back to the other handmaidens, seeing that Padmé was in good hands. "When was the last time you ran and hid?"
"Eadu," Sabé said flatly. "Not every battle can be won, a great warrior knows that sometimes a tactical retreat is the only option."
Padmé blinked in surprise. "Really?"
Sabé shrugged. "I almost lost my head two times and I was out of ammo, tactical retreat was about as good as it was going to get."
She wasn't proud of that mission. It had been her last Shadow one before Korriban and she'd been made almost immediately, suspiciously fast, she couldn't help but think. The factory she'd been trying to infiltrate had caught onto her pretty fast and she'd been forced into a standoff that resulted in her faking her death again.
Sabé was still sour about it and she'd spent the month after it with Taria, slicing into the communications in the Temple to make sure that there was no hint of sabotage, and there wasn't, but it was enough to convince the Shadows to use their own means of communication for the next mission.
"You're going to be my escort," Padmé said instead, drawing Sabé out of her musings.
"Maybe you haven't realized, but I don't exactly mix well with balls," Sabé said dryly, "though, I did kiss this rather attractive Stewjonan Jedi last time…"
Padmé laughed, breaking through the Queen Amidala façade.
"You're going to be my escort," she said again, and this time there was no way to argue.
Sabé was the most underdressed person at the ball and nothing had made her quite so relieved about it, and next to her Padmé was positively radiant, this time in a dress of rich blue, her face paint not quite so heavy, making their likeness when they stood together rather uncanny. Several of Padmé's guests had already done a double-take at seeing them together.
"Being your sister is probably the hardest thing about my life," Sabé decided, Padmé's arm looped through one of hers, acting ever the perfect escort.
"Oh, don't be like that," Padmé responded with a smile plastered to her lips, making Sabé glad that she'd only played the part of queen for a few hours back when she was twenty-four; constant smiling would make her cheeks hurt. "This gets you out of the house."
"I've been out of the house for two weeks," Sabé pointed out when they were approached by a blonde-haired woman in a gown of blues and greens that looked very much like petals of a flower.
"Duchess Satine," Padmé smiled and Sabé paused, her surprise evident as her sister gave a polite bow that was graciously returned, "I didn't think you'd be able to get away from Mandalore to visit."
"The Prime Minister graciously offered to attend to my duties while I'm away," the Duchess of Mandalore assured her, "it's been so long since I've seen my old friends, I simply couldn't stay away."
Padmé didn't laugh but her smile and her glittering eyes made it clear that she was very close to.
"I don't believe you've met my sister, Captain Sabé Amidala," Padmé added, making a small gesture to the women on whose arm she was.
"Captain?" Duchess Satine's eyebrows rose on her forehead. "I was aware that your sister was a Jedi."
"I was," Sabé said shortly, still sizing her up, "and I'm only the captain filling in for Captain Panaka, he'll be back tomorrow."
There was clear surprise on the Duchess' face and Sabé wondered if she knew that Jedi could actually leave the Order.
"I believe you're familiar with a friend of mine," Sabé added, "Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
There was a distinct brightness in the Duchess' eyes and Sabé could understand why Obi-Wan had been so smitten. "Obi-Wan, yes, how is he these days?"
"The last I saw him he was doing quite well," Sabé conceded, "he has his own student now, Anakin Skywalker takes up much of his time."
Padmé caught sight of another old friend and murmured into her sister's ear of where she was going and Sabé nodded, watching her disappear into the throng of people.
"You and Padmé look very much alike," Duchess Satine mentioned, sipping from a champagne flute, the scent of the alcohol tingling Sabé's nose.
"Yes, I've heard that," Sabé agreed, "though I'm her elder by ten years."
"Are you?" Satine's surprise returned. "Forgive me, but you look younger than that."
"Nubians age like fine wine," Sabé's lips twitched up into a smile. "You should see our mother."
Satine allowed herself a polite laugh. "Sabé Amidala…I think I remember Obi-Wan mentioning you."
Sabé arched an eyebrow. "Really?" she asked dubiously. "What did he say?"
"He certainly spoke very highly of you." There was a glimmer in her eye. What was that? Jealously? "He said you were the best Jedi Shadow that the Order had to offer."
Pink suffused across Sabé's cheeks. "That was kind of him."
Duchess Satine's smile widened and she almost asked something further when both were interrupted.
"I hope you won't mind the intrusion, Your Grace."
Both women turned to see the Supreme Chancellor standing there, robes of deep crimson billowing around him impressively, and Sabé could see his guards standing at attention, ready to intercede if the need ever arose.
"Your Excellency," the pair said as one, surprise clear in both their voices.
"I was wondering perhaps if I might borrow Master Amidala a moment?" Palpatine said, his tone kindly, but behind her back, Sabé's nails dug into her palm.
The cold leeched into her skin, sinking into her bones. Sabé was familiar with the feeling; she had never been without it for the year she'd been Carina.
"It's just Captain Amidala now, sir," Sabé said, her face expressionless of the unease she felt, but she couldn't tell if it was because Palpatine lived in the very heart of Coruscant or because of something more sinister.
"Yes, I'd heard about your renouncement from the Order," Palpatine nodded sadly and Sabé's eyes narrowed just slightly. That wasn't public knowledge; the Jedi Order didn't exactly like people knowing about people leaving them, they didn't like to seem infallible. "Such a waste. I've heard that you were exceptional Jedi."
Someone else would've preened under a compliment from the most powerful man in the Galactic Republic, but all Sabé felt was wary.
"You flatter me," she said, allowing an easy smile on her face, forcing her body to relax, like it was just another Shadow mission, "but there are far more impressive Jedi than I was."
Mace Windu could see shatterpoints, where the Force focused around people or planets that could cause changes in events
Depa Billaba's use of Empathy and Telekinesis was second only to Yoda.
Keelyvine Reus had never lost a duel of Jar'Kai despite so many claiming the use of two lightsabers to be ostentatious.
Palpatine chuckled softly. "Perhaps to the naked eye, but those skills can be of use to others, if not the Jedi, then—"
Sabé had the uncomfortable feeling that he was offering her a job, and in that moment, she had never been quite so relieved to catch sight of Queen Breha of Alderaan over the Chancellor's shoulder.
The Queen was stunning on the arm of her Prince Consort and Senator, her dress white, contrasting with the tawny shade of her skin and the darkness of her eyes and hair. She caught Sabé's eye almost immediately and positively glowed, raising a hand to gesture her to approach.
"Excuse me, Your Excellency," Sabé interjected swiftly, "but I've just seen a friend of mine, so you'll have to excuse me."
She missed the flash of yellow in his eyes and the firm set of his jaw as he turned to watch her approach the Organas.
"Master Amidala, what a surprise!" Bail was stately in a dark blue beside his wife.
"I'm not with the Jedi anymore, Senator," Sabé responded lightly, taking the hands of Breha and pressing a kiss to either cheek as the queen did the same. "My sister asked me to escort her this evening."
It appeared that they only heard the first part of her words.
"You're not with the Jedi?" Breha couldn't contain her surprise. "Why?"
Sabé's smile faltered. "Shall we say it was a difference of opinions?"
Breha and Bail shared a look and Sabé could tell they didn't quite believe that, despite knowing Sabé for so little.
"So, you're staying on Naboo with your family, then…" Bail checked the rank on her jerkin. "Captain Amidala?"
"For the time being," Sabé agreed, her eyes drifting off. "I was rehabilitating for the first month…but I haven't told them yet that I'm planning to leave."
She turned slightly in order to see her sister. Padmé appeared to be fine, she was speaking with an ambassador from Corellia.
"Alderaan is lovely this time of the year," Breha suggested and Sabé arched an eyebrow. "Why not come back with us?"
"That is a kind offer," Sabé said slowly, "but you barely know me, it wouldn't be right of me to impose."
The Force had been curiously silent all day, leaving Sabé rather disconcerted, but the warmth of the Organas' presence was more preferable than Palpatine's cold.
"I insist." There was steel in Breha's eyes and her smile. "Anyone that can chase down and restrain an assassin aiming for my husband has my undying gratitude."
Sabé couldn't help but laugh at that, especially with the outraged expression that Bail attempted to temper. "It was a pity that I didn't get to see much of Alderaan when I was last there," Sabé admitted. What she had seen of the planet was rather beautiful, much like Naboo was, but Alderaan was more mountainous.
"Its decided, then, you're coming!" Breha's hands were tight around Sabé's wrists, her smile bright, but there was something else, something Sabé noticed in how there was a slight tremor.
She would've asked something then and there when the Force rang suddenly with warning. Sabé leaned back sharply, whipping her head around, eyes wide.
"Is something wrong?" Bail asked, startled.
"Excuse me for a moment," Sabé barely had the chance to mutter before she darted through the crowd, away from the Organas and away from her sister.
"Get down!" she barely managed to yell before the ballroom was encased in smoke. Screams filled the air and no one saw the blaster bolt through the smoke, but there was nowhere to run and for all the party guests knew, they could be heading for danger.
It was only once the smoke had cleared that anyone could see what had actually happened and gasps rang through the room.
Sabé had pushed down Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore and had stood in front of her, holding a hand out, the crimson blaster bolt vibrating in the air before Sabé gave a small jerk of the hand that sent the bolt flying back in the direction that it had come, causing a loud yell from the would-be assassin as he crumpled to the ground.
"I'm going to need a medic and some binders," Sabé said, pressing a hand to the comlink in her ear, the other aiming one of her blasters at the downed foe, before looking to where her sister was standing, eyes wide.
Sabé frowned.
"Please express my apologies to the Chancellor, but I'm afraid I've found myself otherwise engaged."
Padmé watched her sister speaking with Mas Amedda, her hands locked behind her and her spine straight. She had never looked less like a Jedi but somehow that seemed right.
"He will be disappointed," the Vice-Chancellor tried to appeal to her and Padmé wondered why he was trying so hard.
"I'm aware, and I'm grateful for his consideration, but I'm quite happy where I am," Sabé assured him, inclining her head slightly before turning swiftly on her heel in order to return to Padmé's side.
"So, an assassination attempt on the Duchess of Mandalore? An interesting way to end the evening, wouldn't you say?" Sabé said wryly and Padmé shook her head slightly.
If Sabé had been closer to Padmé, she might not have noticed until too late, and she had to wonder if that was the intention. Sabé was easily the most powerful person in the room and her family had always been her blind spot. But what would killing Duchess Satine have to offer? Mandalore was a planet of neutrality now.
Sabé would have to meditate on it.
"Satine asked me to thank you for her, she would've done it herself, but she thought returning to Mandalore was the best course of action," Padmé informed her kindly. "She said to tell you that you are always welcome on Mandalore."
"People do make a habit of telling me that when I save their lives," Sabé allowed herself a small chuckle. "I seem to be accumulating a lot of favors." Favors always served a Shadow better, but Sabé was not a Shadow, and perhaps that pained her more than not being a Jedi.
"Well-deserved, I'm sure," Padmé replied rather dryly.
Sabé's eyes glittered. "Assassination attempts…almost makes me want to stick around for awhile longer."
"But you won't."
Sabé blinked, looking at Padmé sharply, but Padmé was only smiling, albeit a bit sadly.
"I didn't think you'd stay," she admitted, "I think you prefer to have something to do and being acting Captain of the Guard was only going to work for so long."
Sabé spared her sister with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I'd never want you to be anyone but the person you are." Padmé's eyes were soft behind her face paint. "And if you're not happy here, then you shouldn't stay."
The former Jedi took a step forward, pressing her forehead against Padmé's lightly, not enough to smudge her sister's face paint, but enough to feel her mixture of melancholy and acceptance and worry.
"If there had been a world where you and I and Sola were raised together, I think I would've been very happy," Sabé murmured.
"I know," Padmé agreed solemnly.
Jay-Seven had been about as disoriented as a security-droid could be when Sabé had finally brought him back online after more than a month of being off-line and was far less even-tempered. It was almost amusing to listen to him and Arthree berate each other while Sabé packed up the last of her things.
Her mother was the worst about it, teary-eyed and only consoled by her father rubbing soothing circles into her back, but everyone else seemed to have taken it in stride.
Sola and Padmé had been expecting it; it was Sabé's nature, after all. Pooja, unfortunately, didn't really understand what was going on.
"Why're you leavin'?" Pooja asked, a pout on her lips, swinging her legs against Sabé's bed as she packed the Holocron into her bag before lifting the saberstaff from the bedside table. She hadn't used it, and certainly hadn't turned it on since the day she'd made it. The Force whispered and she frowned. The Jedi Shadow was gone, gone and buried.
Or was she?
Sabé shoved the saberstaff into the bag before crouching down in front of her niece, taking her small hands in her own.
"Sometimes when you get older, you have to leave home," Sabé said, carefully choosing her words. "You have figure out who you are."
"You don't know?"
It was such an innocent question and an innocent expression and Sabé couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, darling," she said, a smile on her lips, "I make a living playing so many different people. Some days I don't know if they're more like me or I'm more like them." She thought of Carina's cold yellow eyes and her casual smirk that Sabé sometimes found playing across her own lips.
Maybe Carina was the darkest part of her personality, one that could never die.
"That doesn' make sense," Ryoo grumbled petulantly and Sabé spared her niece a smile.
"You'll understand when you're older," she said with certainty, kissing Ryoo's brow before straightening up and grasping her quarterstaff where it was leaning against the wall. "Jay, stop threatening to dismantle Arthree, I put a lot of effort into him!"
"Not nearly enough," the security droid remarked petulantly, not fazed in the slightest when Sabé threw her bag up into his arms.
"I reprogrammed you, if you'll remember," Sabé pointed out dryly as the astromech whirred angrily until she dropped a hand to pat against his domed head, and his demeanor cooled considerably, causing a small smile to warm Sabé's face; Yoda hadn't approved of her wasting her time on a decommissioned R3 unit, but he'd served her better than most and his loyalty to her–if it was possible for an astromech to have such a thing– was absolute.
"My memory banks haven't been tampered with." The petulance hadn't left and Sabé couldn't help the laugh.
"Come on, then," she said, gesturing for them to follow her before throwing a wink over her shoulder to Ryoo who giggled before toddling forward to give her aunt one last hug, waving both hands ecstatically as Sabé headed out for the speeder.
"Do you know a woman named…Jalindas?"
Sabé arched an eyebrow. "You really don't care about breaking the law, do you?"
Sola thought of Darred, crushed under faulty equipment, the men who had sold him the very same equipment getting away with murder. Nothing made fire burn in her soul more.
"Times change," Sola said instead. "Maybe I'm more like you."
Sabé's eyes glittered at the implication. "Jalindas Renliss is one of the co-founders of House Renliss. You didn't tell them your sister was Darth, did you?"
"Should I have?"
"Jalindas and Gratina prefer it when people make their way into their ranks on their own merit, so I think it would be safe to say…no," Sabé said dryly as they sped across water and onto land once more, the droids crammed into the back and neither pleased with the situations. "Is she coming to Naboo to decide whether you're a good fit?"
"That's what she said," Sola frowned thoughtfully. "Any advice?"
"You can shoot a blaster," Sabé said, remembering the day that she and Sola had set up some targets on the Lake Retreat and practiced, "that's of value to the sisters. Family's also important. If she sees your daughters, she'll understand your reasons for taking the job more…basically, just be open about who you are."
"Sounds like every job interview I've ever done," Sola grumbled as the speeder came into the docking bay in order to stop in front of the Alderaanian ship. "I hope it'll be less stressful on Alderaan."
"One can always hope," Sabé laughed, wrapping an arm around her sister's shoulders before making her way out of the speeder, two droids in tow.
The last image Sola had was of her elder sister's back as she ascended the ramp, and then she was gone.
AN: I'm playing around with a few ideas for the next few chapters or so.
As always: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!
