A/N: The Great Meeting will now occur : )
Chapter Twenty-One – Confluence.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker landed their ship outside the Jedi Temple with gratitude in their hearts. It was always nice to come home after a difficult mission and the temple was a magnificent home to return to. They had just arrived back from Ansion, where a border dispute had called for Jedi attention. They were supposed to report to the Council as soon as they returned, but they were soon informed that the Council's primary members were in conference with Chancellor Palpatine at the Senate building.
"So what do we do now, Master?" Anakin asked, somewhat unnecessarily.
"We wait, Padawan. Go to your room, rest and be patient."
"Yes, Master." He nodded and walked off down the corridor with more than a hint of a swagger.
Obi-Wan sighed. His apprentice was not the easiest individual in the galaxy to deal with. He headed towards his own room for a little peace and quiet. It would be welcome after listening to hundreds of Ansionians squabbling. He found a pleasant surprise waiting for him in the form of a letter from Sabé. A smile crept to his face. He had been beginning to think that she had forsaken him. He quickly read through it, then checked the date it was sent. Two days ago. Perhaps she was already back on Coruscant. If Senator Amidala had returned it would be mentioned on the HoloNet news. Reporters and Coruscanti residents alike lapped up any story concerning Naboo's enigmatic Senator. He hit a button and the image flickered to life.
"–attacked," the reader began.
Obi-Wan looked at the scene. A ship on a landing platform billowed smoke and fire and pieces of debris could be seen scattered about.
"I want to take this opportunity to correct a mistake in our previous reports on this matter. We first reported that it was Senator Amidala who had been killed, but confirmation from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has revealed that she is in fact alive and well. We have been informed that it was a brave decoy who gave her life for the Senator's. She and the others on the ship have all been killed. No trace of the assassin has been found. Police report that the cloudy weather conditions provided an effective cover."
Obi-Wan's heart skipped a beat as he hurriedly skimmed through Sabé's letter. Could she really be dead? He couldn't believe it.
He clenched his fists. He wanted to swear that he'd find that assassin and make him pay. He wanted to be allowed to be angry. Instead he let his anger rise up as a Jedi would do and breathed deeply until he was calm. He drifted into meditation and sought an answer. She was alive. Not only that but she was nearby. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then Anakin burst in. "Did you hear?" he began, smiling. "Padmé isn't dead, it was–" he trailed off. "Oh no. It wasn't Sabé, was it?"
"No. I've checked. She gave me quite a fright though." He handed over the letter.
Anakin read it and shrugged. "They must have changed their minds."
Obi-Wan nodded and slipped back into a half trance, enjoying the feeling of Sabé's comforting presence, wondering what she was up to.
At that precise moment in time she was walking swiftly towards Chancellor Palpatine's office following Padmé's determined gait. She sighed inwardly. The last two days had been so hectic. She and Dormé had arrived safely on Coruscant without incident and had done a thorough check of Padmé's apartment, classifying it as clear of anything dangerous. Then they had met up with Jar Jar Binks, who had remained on Coruscant for some time. Sabé had been fully in charge of Padmé's duties, but, just as she'd been as decoy, she worried that she was not as good at the job as her friend.
The day had dawned peacefully enough, with Padmé's envoy arriving late-morning. But Sabé would never forget how she had felt when she heard the explosion and found herself suddenly lying on the floor of the landing platform in an undignified heap. Several thoughts had shot into her head at once. Was Padmé all right? Was Cordé all right? And the unsettling notion that it could have easily been her.
Finally Captain Typho and Corporal Dolphe had escorted Padmé inside where her sorrow at losing Cordé and Versé turned to anger, some of which she took out on the Senate. Then she had returned to the apartment to change into a gown of rich blue, ready to confer with Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi Council. Sabé had changed into a similar gown of blue-grey and purple, which made her feel stiff and dressed above her status. She could never wear exquisite clothes as well as Padmé could.
The group had made its way to the Senate building once more where Padmé had a quick conference with some of the other Senators who were against the Separatists. Palpatine had called them the Loyalist Committee.
Then she had led the way to the Chancellor's office at a fast pace, entering the room in time to hear him say, "We will discuss this matter later," to the seated Jedi Council members.
Jedi Master Yoda walked forward to greet them. "Senator Amidala. Your tragedy on the landing platform…terrible. Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart."
Padmé looked at him in gratitude. "Do you have any idea who's behind this attack?"
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo," Mace Windu offered.
"I think that Count Dooku was behind it," Padmé said bluntly, naming the infamous Separatist leader with as much ease as if she had been saying a polite 'Good morning'.
Ki-Adi Mundi spoke calmly, "He is a political idealist, not a murderer."
"You know, M'Lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi," Mace Windu told her. "He couldn't assassinate anyone, it's not in his character."
Sabé disagreed with that. He could employ someone to do the assassinating for him. He didn't have to do it himself. Beings who considered themselves to be nobility rarely did their own dirty work. She doubted very much that Dooku would be an exception, and his connections would ensure he hired a capable assassin.
"But for certain, Senator," Yoda said firmly. "In grave danger you are."
"Master Jedi," Palpatine put in. "May I suggest the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces?"
Sabé still did not like the Chancellor. The years had not been kind to him. He looked old and frail, but his eyes suggested that he was anything but. He did not seem to like anybody and always managed to include a slightly patronising tone in his speech.
However, Sabé was not the only one who disliked him and this was evident in Senator Bail Organa's comment.
"You really think that's a wise decision under these stressful times?"
Padmé, tired of being silent, snapped, "Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe that–"
"The situation is that serious?" Palpatine interrupted. "No, but I do, Senator. I realise all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you're familiar with." His face broke out into a smile. "An old friend like Master Kenobi?"
Sabé's heart gave an involuntary leap and she saw Padmé's raise her eyebrows in question.
"That's possible," Mace Windu said. "He just returned from a border dispute on Ansion."
"Do it for me, M'Lady, please," Palpatine pleaded. "The thought of losing you is unbearable."
Padmé finally consented with a slight nod and Mace Windu settled the matter by saying, "I'll have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, M'Lady."
"Thank you, Master Windu."
When they returned to the apartment, Padmé sat down on one of the sofas to calm herself. Sabé sat opposite, her now clammy hands clenched tightly in her lap. Dormé and Captain Typho's men rushed around sorting luggage and trying not to trip over R2-D2. Sabé met Padmé's eyes and her cousin's face broke out in an unexpected grin. Clearly her professional worries were not enough to dim her matchmaking spirit. Sabé smiled back nervously, wondering what would happen when she and Obi-Wan came face to face once more.
At the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan and Anakin sat watching the continuing reports of the assassination attempt on Senator Amidala, occasionally trading theories about who could have been behind it. Presently there came the sound of the door chimes. Obi-Wan opened the door to reveal Yoda floating at eye-level on a repulsor chair.
He bowed. "Hello, Master."
"Welcome back, Obi-Wan. Did the mission go well?"
"Yes, Master. The situation has settled down considerably."
"I am glad to hear it. Another task we have for you and your Padawan."
Anakin began to pay attention then.
"In light of the assassination attempt on Senator Amidala, it has been decided that extra security she needs. Go to her you will and protect her and hopefully find the assassin we will."
Anakin seemed thrilled at the prospect of such a delightful dignitary to guard.
"We will leave at once, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said, trying to ignore his apprentice's enthusiastic grin.
In the turbolift, he took time to observe his Padawan. Anakin seemed agitated, bouncing up and down on his toes. He stopped and inhaled deeply.
"You seem a little on edge," Obi-Wan commented, understating.
"Not at all," the Padawan lied.
"I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of Gundarks."
Anakin glanced over at his tutor. "You fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you, remember?"
"Oh…yes." They shared a small laugh, but Anakin still looked as if he were just about to battle a herd of Bantha. "You're sweating," Obi-Wan observed. "Relax. Take a deep breath."
"I haven't seen her in ten years, Master."
'I know how you feel,' Obi-Wan thought to himself, 'but I have managed to stay in control.'
"Anakin, relax," he said firmly," she's not the Queen anymore."
As they exited the lift, Obi-Wan heard him mutter, "That's not why I'm nervous."
At the entrance to Padmé's apartment, they were greeted by an overly excited Jar Jar Binks, which drew embarrassed smiles from both Jedi.
"Senator Padmé!" the volatile Gungan announced to the room beyond. "Mesa palos here! Lookie, lookie, Senator! Desa Jedi arriven!"
Obi-Wan scanned the room. Padmé approached smiling, with Sabé, another handmaiden and a captain in tow. The Senator was dressed in elegant dark blue robes and her hair was pulled back severely in a basket-like hairpiece. Sabé, who seemed to be concentrating on keeping her face as neutral as possible, wore a similar gown. Obi-Wan only allowed himself a quick glance at her before addressing the Senator.
"It is a great pleasure to see you again, M'Lady."
"It has been far too long, Master Kenobi." Padmé shook his hand and then turned her attention to Anakin. "Ani?" Her eyes widened. "My goodness, you've grown."
Obi-Wan smiled. Anakin towered over even him now.
"So have you," the Padawan said. "Grown more beautiful, I mean. Well, for a Senator, I mean."
Very smooth. Obi-Wan frowned.
"Oh, Ani. You'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine," Padmé laughed, making Anakin feel faintly ridiculous.
Obi-Wan had taken the opportunity to steal a glance at Sabé. She didn't look any less beautiful than he'd remembered her. She was older in her mannerisms, the way she carried herself, the gaze of her eye, but the little smile she had sent their way had been exactly the same.
"Our presence here will be invisible, M'Lady, I can assure you," he told the Senator.
Padmé nodded and sat down on a sofa, Sabé on her right and the other handmaiden on the left. Jar Jar stood behind.
"I'm Captain Typho of her Majesty's security service," the captain said as Obi-Wan and Anakin moved to sit down on the opposite sofa. "Queen Jamillia has been informed of your assignment. I am grateful that you're here, Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."
"I don't need more security," Padmé barked, "I need answers. I want to know who's trying to kill me."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "We're here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation."
"We will find out who's trying to kill you, Padmé, I promise," Anakin gushed. His words created an air of tension in the room. The eyes of the Nabooian party all rested on the Padawan.
"We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner," Obi-Wan said firmly.
"I meant it in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course."
Obi-Wan seemed weary. "We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. And you will pay attention to my lead."
"Why?"
Such a short word to cause such an effect. Sabé was an observer by nature and she could see by the expression on Obi-Wan's face that Anakin had just pushed the limit.
"What?"
"Why else do you think we were assigned to her if not to find the killer?" Anakin asked haughtily. "Protection is a job for local security, not Jedi." Captain Typho and Dormé bristled at that. "It's overkill, Master, an investigation is implied in our mandate."
"We will do exactly as the Council has instructed." In a gentler tone he added, "And you will learn your place, young one."
Anakin fell silent.
"Perhaps with merely your presence the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed," Padmé added calmly. "Now if you will excuse me, I will retire."
Sabé prepared to leave too, but Padmé discreetly waved her back, telling her to stay. She was not going to let Sabé worm her way out of talking to Obi-Wan, not after she had had to tell her off three times for pacing before they had arrived. She and Dormé left the room and the Jedi rose.
"I know that I'll feel better having you here," Captain Typho said, approaching them. "I don't know what's going on here, but the Senator can't have too much security right now. Your friends on the Jedi Council seem to think that miners have something to do with this, but I can't really agree with that."
"What have you learned?" Anakin asked. Sabé saw Obi-Wan give him a look. "We'll be better prepared to protect the Senator if we have some idea of what we're up against," he explained, making a valid point.
"Not much. Senator Amidala leads the opposition to the creation of a Republic army. She's very determined to deal with the Separatists through negotiation and not force, but the attempts on her life, even though they've failed, have only strengthened the opposition to her viewpoint in the Senate."
Obi-Wan considered this. "And since the Separatists would not logically wish to see a Republic army formed–"
"We're left without a clue," Sabé put in, finishing his sentence in almost the exact words he was going to use.
"In any such incident," Typho continued, "the first questioning eyes turn towards Count Dooku and the Separatists, or to some of those loyal to his movement, at least. But why they'd go after Senator Amidala is anyone's guess."
"And we are not here to guess, but to merely to protect," Obi-Wan said, addressing Typho but ensuring that the message got through to Anakin too.
"I'll have an officer on every floor and I'll be at the command centre downstairs," Captain Typho said before leaving.
"Mesa bustin with happiness seeing yous again, Ani." Jar Jar grinned.
"She didn't even recognise me, Jar Jar," the disgruntled Padawan complained. "I've thought about her every day since we parted. She's forgotten me completely."
"Shesa happy," the Gungan said, being surprisingly serious. "Happier than mesa seein her in a longo time."
"I can vouch for that too, Anakin," Sabé said, rising.
"You're focusing on the negative again, Anakin, be mindful of your thoughts," Obi-Wan scolded. "She was pleased to see us. Now let's check the security."
There would be time for a conversation with Sabé later. For now, duty came first.
A/N: Next chapter – a nice little quality time for our two lovebirds.