3 hours later they reverted into real-space, flying towards a remote uncharted planet in the Outer Rim. Hovering above and around the planet was a fleet of assorted ships. There were transports, Mon Calamari cruisers, small and large freighters and many small fighters. The various small ships were docking aboard the cruisers and transports and the Jedi's ship headed towards a large Mon Calamari cruiser on the outskirts of the fleet. There was a hail from the cruiser and Obi-Wan quickly transmitted the codes given to him by Organa. The communications official opened a channel and the face of a young Rebel officer appeared on screen.
"State your business," he said calmly.
"Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu to speak to High Command. We are expected," Obi-Wan responded.
The young man's eyes widened at the word Jedi and he swallowed twice and then typed in codes.
"Please go to Docking Bay 4 Master Jedi, a member of High Command will await you there."
"Thank you."
Obi-Wan nodded to Windu who swung the ship towards the indicated bay.
By the time they had landed and completed the warm-down checks there was an elderly man standing across from the ship. He had white hair and a long white beard. The insignia on his uniform proclaimed him a General. When the Jedi disembarked he strode forward with a smile on his face and his right hand outstretched.
"General Jan Dodonna, Master Jedi, very pleased to meet you," he introduced, shaking their hands. "This way, High Command is expecting you."
He led them through the ship and Obi-Wan took quiet notice of everything. The soldiers they passed saluted the General, were well-armed and each appeared to know their own business. Once he thought he saw a glimpse of a lightsaber on the belt of a young alliance soldier as she disappeared around the corner, the soldier's red hair was distinctive and he resolved to keep an eye out for that young woman, just to ensure his eyes were not fooling him. Finally they reached what he assumed to be the meeting room of High Command.
General Dodonna pressed his palm to the door and it slid open. He entered and after a moment Obi-Wan and Mace followed him, the door soundlessly closing behind them.
The High Command meeting room was on a platform above the Bridge, and below was a buzz of activity. The part of the room that over-looked the bridge was ray-shielded to prevent accidents or, more likely, leaking of classified information. A small single-way staircase extended from the platform to the Bridge, allowing easy access.
High Command was waiting. The table they were around stood in the middle of the platform. The High Command members were arrayed to the right of the table, the bridge to the right. There were familiar faces: General Dodonna, Admiral Ackbar and Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila. Other, unfamiliar, Generals and Admirals stood around, but among them, looking out of place, stood a tiny dark-haired girl with blue eyes, dressed in white robes. Princess Elena Organa, adopted daughter of Bail and Breha Organa. Obi-Wan felt Mace send a questioning tendril in her direction and felt his surprise. She had strong mental shields for one so young and not Force-Sensitive. He caught her glance and she gave him a small diplomatic smile, inclining her head. He bowed back as Senator Mothma rapped on the table. The Generals ended their conversation and joined her on the right side of the table.
"Master Jedi," she said coolly. "Perhaps you could join us. I understand you have a proposition for us."
Obi-Wan and Mace took their places in front of the table and various people introduced themselves; Generals Rieekan, Madine, Cracken and Elena Organa, who would be acting as representative of her father.
"So, Master Jedi," the Senator began without any attempt at pretence or small talk. "Would you like to explain why you are here and why the Council has only now contacted us after 19 years of the Empire's tyranny?"
She was angry, Obi-Wan realised, and exchanging a glance with Master Windu, decided it was his responsibility to speak.
"We are representing the Jedi Order and the Jedi Council, Senator, Generals, Your Highness," he began. "We are here to offer the assistance of the Jedi Order to the Alliance to Restore the Republic. As to why we are only now here. The Order was crippled, with the greatest respect, we were in no position to assist as we were still recovering ourselves."
"For nineteen years, Master Jedi?" an acerbic voice enquired. "We began to prepare in the days after the Empire was declared. The Jedi Council have no right to simply waltz in here and declare that finally they are prepared to help, as if we were failing without them."
Obi-Wan couldn't locate the speaker but the room descended into chaos with people speaking over each other. Mace himself was trying to quell the doubters when a voice sliced through the clamour.
"Enough," it said softly. "The Jedi have come to offer their help, and while we may disapprove of their hiding for this long, we can respect their need to care for their Order, even as we did not emerge for many years."
The voice was feminine and gentle. High Command quieted and then parted seamlessly down the middle to reveal a petite woman. She was dressed in a plain white jumpsuit and boots, blasters holstered to both her thighs, a familiar outfit Obi-Wan realized, underneath an ornamented, floor-length, hooded, dark blue robe. Dark brown hair was tucked up neatly in a mass at the back of her head and dark brown eyes gazed steadily out of a beautiful face. It was a face Obi-Wan had thought never to see again. Padme Amidala, former Senator and Queen of Naboo moved through the Generals to the table and stood directly opposite the Jedi Masters. She smiled at them and tucked her hands into her robe serenely.
Obi-Wan found himself choking on his words, a glance to his side revealing that Mace was doing the same. A brush through the Force found that the former Senator had stronger shields than previously. Thankfully Padme chose that time to speak again.
"It is lovely to see you again, Master Windu, Master Kenobi, after years of fearing that many of your esteemed Order were dead. However I must agree with some of my colleagues concerns, and frustrations, that your Graces have chosen this time to emerge," a hard note entered her voice. "When we could have used your help in years past. Your appearance, Master Jedi, could have led to the saving of hundreds of lives. History might find that difficult to forgive, let alone the soldiers of our Alliance."
"I'm sure you heard our conversation with your colleagues, milady, we were simply not able to…" she cut Mace off in mid-sentence.
"It does not take 19 years to rebuild an Order Master Windu." The rebuke was clear. She shifted her attention to Obi-Wan. "Uncharacteristically silent Master Kenobi, do you have anything to add to Master Windu's statement?"
Obi-Wan hurriedly collected himself, releasing emotions to the Force.
"I must agree with Master Windu, we have been training and preparing ourselves to rejoin the fight."
She arched an eyebrow, then nodded and made as if to turn away. Obi-Wan decided that now was the best chance for him to ask the question he had been burning to ask since he laid eyes on her again.
"Senator Amidala," Padme turned and opened her mouth as if to contradict him, then checked herself and nodded. "we were informed that you were, well bluntly, dead, milady. We saw your funeral on the Holonet while travelling to the Order's current home. How is that you are…"
"Alive," she finished, a small smile tilting her lips. "Bail helped me fake my death. He sent me into hiding, to remain there until I felt ready to return to take up the fight. Six years ago I re-emerged onto the Galactic Stage. Palpatine has yet to discover that I am alive."
Six years ago, undiscovered, secret member of High Command. The pieces clicked together in Obi-Wan's mind. Windu spoke first.
"Leader?" he breathed.
Padme looked down onto the bridge. The Jedi took her silence as an affirmative, Obi-Wan's mind already filling with other questions. But there was one that was the most important.
"Senator," he began, hesitatingly. "Do you have any news of my former…Anakin?"
