The Penpal Paradox/Chapter Seven
Padme jarred herself awake from her nap, the remnants of a terrible dream quickly evaporating in her mind. She worried something bad had happened to Obi-Wan, even though she knew better. In the present, he was alive and well. Still, she couldn't stop from wondering what he was going through. Wait. What he'd been through. This was all so confusing!
Immediately, her eyes focused upon the DataReader and she awakened it with a touch. There was no new message. After checking the time, she realized she'd slept an hour. For him, that would be equal to about two weeks. What was happening to him?
"You're really getting wrapped up in this, aren't you?" she heard Dorme say from the doorway. The young woman had actually been able to sneak up on her. Her mind was definitely distracted.
"I'm just curious, that's all," Padme lied. Dorme was closer to being more accurate than she realized.
"I'm concerned," her bodyguard replied, stepping closer. "We're still not even sure who this is!"
Her brain couldn't deny this was impossible, but her heart kept telling her this was the real Obi-Wan. There were too many details given, too many emotions attached to his letters. How could anyone be making all this up? And for what purpose?
"How can you explain all the mission details?" Padme argued.
Dorme collapsed on the other bed and stared at her like she'd lost her mind. "A hacker? Someone got into the temple archives and read all about it. They're leading you on, setting you up, and like your mom said, will probably end up kidnapping and killing you."
"Funny," Padme replied although she wasn't sure her friend was kidding. "There actually is a way to find out for sure," she considered aloud. Why hadn't she thought of this before?
Padme grabbed her DataReader, connected to the Holonet, and relayed a message to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. A live feed soon activated, and a friendly-appearing Aleenian's blue face appeared.
"You have reached the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. How may I help you?"
Padme took a deep breath. She hoped this worked. "Hello. I'm Senator Amidala, and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to access the historical archives. Specifically, I'm interested in obtaining information regarding the Master/Padawan missions of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The black orbs narrowed and then glanced down for a moment. "Senator Amidala. Your identification has been confirmed. However, I am unable to fulfill your request. The historical archives are for Jedi use only."
Interesting. That answered one question. "Are you saying that no one outside of the Jedi Order is allowed access to the archives? For any reason?"
"Correct," the Aleenian replied.
"What about outside access? How easy would it be to hack into the archives and steal the information?"
Once again, the receptionist's eyes narrowed, but this time they remained focused upon her. "Is this something you're considering? I advise you not to try. The security within the Temple Archives is top-of-the-line. There is no outside access. Only a physical presence can retrieve the data, and Master Nu assures only the most qualified are allowed even to do that."
Padme wasn't giving up that easily. "If I was experiencing...let's call it, a rather unique phenomenon,could I perhaps fill out a requisition? Couldn't an exception be made in my case?"
The wide, oval-shaped face leaned closer to the screen. "Senator. Once again, the answer is no. How many times..."
Cutting the receptionist off was a voice which drew his attention away from the monitor, and before Padme figured out what was happening, a familiar figure appeared. Padme had met Yoda once on Naboo, during Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral and found him to be kind and considerate. She liked him.
"Senator Amidala, good to see you, it is."
"Master Yoda, the pleasure is mine." It seemed as if the tables had turned. "Is there something you need?"
The intelligent face pinched in concentration. "A disturbance in the Force, I have felt. An event in the universe, occurred it has. Know something about this, you do?"
Honestly, Padme didn't know much about the Force. And as far as quantum physics was concerned, she was lost in that as well. There was something going on, however. Perhaps Master Yoda could explain it.
"Is this a secure connection?" she asked as politely as she could, which perked up the old Jedi's ears.
"Hold, you will."
The two Jedi argued for over a solid minute about how to transfer the live feed to Yoda's private chambers, and it was another good minute before he made is appearance on the screen again.
"Now, it is. Proceed, you will."
"Very well," Padme checked her own room and gestured for Dorme to perhaps bolt her door before she began her explanation. Then, she proceeded to tell Master Yoda what had been happening over the past couple of days.
"Hmmmmph," the ancient Jedi grumbled, leaning against what appeared to be a walking stick. "A wormhole, this could be."
'A what?' Dorme mouthed from across the room.
"A wormhole," Padme confirmed. "Like a black hole? In space? I know a little about those. I tend to avoid them."
"Pay attention, you must," the Jedi announced, his tone quite solemn.
Padme schooled her features. Yoda's expression confirmed he was serious. Perhaps this actually could be happening after all!
"A wormhole, interfere with time and space, it can. Create a singular cosmic event, cause chaos in the present, it will."
She wasn't sure what he was talking about. Not really. It must've shown on her face.
"Return, I will." Without further announcement, suddenly all Padme could see was a wall with a window and a short cushion. Soon, however, Yoda returned, and with him, he carried a glass of water and a pouch, which appeared to be made of some type of animal skin. First, he poured the water into the pouch.
"Events in time, this represents." He then pierced the bottom of the skin with a claw, causing a tiny stream of water to flow from it.
"A singular event occurs. Created a leak, it has."
It was starting to make a little sense, but still, there was so much she didn't know. She asked the most obvious question first. "Can the leak be fixed?"
"Heal itself, it will, as long as undisturbed, it is."
Wait. "What do you mean 'undisturbed'"?
"Explain to you the paradoxes of time-space continuum I could, but more confused you would be."
"Then answer me this," Padme pushed. "How do I know for sure if this is really Obi-Wan Kenobi I'm speaking with?"
"Not positive you can be yet. Time will tell. Continue to write him, you should. More evidence we need."