It was a warm and sunny day in Naboo. In Theed, birds chirped and flitted over the green copper rooftops. Nubians strolled lazily though the market square, blissfully unaware of the significance of the Alderaanian corvette pulling into port.
Aboard the Tantive, Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Bail sat around the ship's conference table, discussing what to do with Padmé's children.
"Hidden, safe, the children must be kept," said Yoda.
Obi-Wan sighed and nodded. "We have to take them somewhere that the Sith cannot sense their presence."
Yoda grumbled. "Split up, they should be."
"My wife and I will take the girl, Leia," said Bail. "We've often talked about adopting a baby girl. She will grow up in a loving home."
Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "Alderaan should be just far enough out of the way for her to stay undetected. What of the boy, then?"
Yoda turned. "To Tattooine. To his family, send him."
Obi-Wan nodded solemnly. "I will deliver him there. I will keep guard over him and make sure he is protected."
They sat in silence for a few moments before they felt the ship's anchor drop. Yoda took this as the cue to conclude their meeting. "Until the time is right, disappear, we will."
Bail stood and left the room to take charge of the delivery of Padmé's body. Obi-Wan stood as well, intending to head for his cabin, but Yoda stopped him before he could leave the room.
"Master Kenobi, wait a moment."
Obi-Wan turned and looked at his friend.
"In your solitude in Tattooine, training, I have for you."
Obi-Wan furrowed his brow, perplexed. "Training?"
"An old friend has learned the path to immortality... One who has returned from the netherrealm of the Force." Yoda smiled. "Your old master."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened and he gasped. "Qui-Gon?"
Yoda nodded. "How to commune with him, I will teach you."
A few hours later, after he returned aboard, Bail entered the bridge with Artu-Deetu and See-Threepio in tow. "Captain Antilles?"
The captain had been charting a course into the untamed region that Master Yoda had indicated. He looked up from the map. "Yes, your Highness?"
"I am placing these automata in your care. Treat them well and clean them up. Have the diplomatic automaton's memory wiped."
Threepio balked. "What?"
Captain Antilles ignored the gold automaton. "Of course, your Highness."
Threepio's metal shoulders sagged. "Oh, no..." He knew why it needed to be done, but the idea of forgetting his friends and all their adventures would have brought a tear to his eye had he been organic.
In the evening twilight, vast crowds of Naboo citizenry flanked the same thoroughfare that had hosted the parade of peace seemingly so long before. There was no joy or jubilation this time. Horns announced the beginning of the funeral march as Padmé's body was carried through the front doors of the palace.
For the most part, there was silence as she descended the steps. People close enough to see her whispered about how peaceful she appeared. Indeed, she looked as though only asleep, surrounded by white lilies. Her hands rested on her still rounded belly with a simple leather amulet cord wrapped around them. The amulet itself was a crudely carved piece of japor wood that most people never even noticed.
Bells tolled three times as Padmé's body was loaded onto the carriage that would take her to her resting place. Following closely behind were her parents, Ruwee and Jobal, as well as her sister and niece, Sola and Ryoo. Flanking the carriage were several Gungan bosses, including Rugor Nass. Queen Jamillia preceded the carriage, as did a very morose Jar Jar Binks. Not only was he distraught at Padmé's death, he was facing backlash from some of those who opposed Palpatine, blaming Jar Jar for empowering the Emperor's rise.
The funeral procession ended at a beautiful lakefront mausoleum meant to house Naboo royalty while their more permanent resting place was constructed. Torches and the light of the moons illuminated the plaza as Queen Jamillia delivered the eulogy. Once she finished, the mausoleum doors were sealed and the torches were extinguished. All across Naboo, bells tolled one final farewell to Padmé Amidala.
On the bridge of the Empire's new modern flagship, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, and the newly-appointed Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin looked out into a seemingly empty stretch of the World Sea under the dawn sun. It did not surprise them when the sea began roiling, nor were they startled by a titanic chunk of basalt rising from the sea. The veritable island of stone lifted high out of the water, hovering as seawater cascaded off of it.
Palpatine grinned a grey smile and cackled. This was it. This was the foundation for his ultimate weapon. This would be his Death Star.
The Tantive gently rocked on the sea in the untamed region. Yoda looked out on the vast expanse one last time before climbing aboard one of the Tantive's escape balloons. Once strapped in, he pressed the release rune and floated away into the sky.
The prevailing winds carried him far, leading him over lands yet uncharted. The balloon started to lose altitude over the thick swamplands of Dagobah, eventually coming to a rest in a clearing. Yoda stepped out of the large woven basket, both ready and unready to begin his new life of exile.
Bail Organa's Alderaanian whitewing carried him over the breathtaking snowcapped mountains of his homeland. Bundled up next to him was the baby Leia. Together they flew over the rivers, lakes, and rolling hills of Alderaan towards the towering spires of the capital of Aldera and the palace Leia would call home.
The sun hung low over the Lars homestead as a man in brown robes arrived on camelback. The camel's bleating attracted the attention of Beru Lars, who came out to see what the commotion was. The man introduced himself and explained his presence as well as the baby he held in his arms.
Beru took her nephew from Obi-Wan just as her husband Owen emerged from the dwelling's domed entrance. The Jedi explained the situation to him and after a short discussion with his wife, the Larses agreed to take in Luke.
As Obi-Wan left, Owen and Beru looked out at the setting sun, looking forward to a bright new future.