ALL – I'm so sorry I don't have time for individual replies, but I do want to wish you all a very happy holiday and thank you for all the support you've given me. However you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful time and I look forward to seeing you in 2007!!
Beneath the dark hood of the mourning cloak, Barriss shivered.
The Force continued its tumultuous descent, churning until it had become an eerie echo of its former state. She took a peek at her surroundings, wondering yet again where Master Fisto had gone. The Jedi Master had stepped away from the procession well over an hour ago and there hadn't been a sign of him since. She sincerely hoped he reappeared soon - the funeral rites were nearing their conclusion.
"And so we return our daughter to her beloved Naboo..." As Ruwee spoke, the sacred parchment fluttered within his trembling hands and quiet sobs could be heard throughout the crowd.
Barriss pressed her lips together, steeling herself against the sights and sounds. After all, Padmé Amidala was perfectly safe, guarded by one of the most renowned Jedi in history. There was no broken family to grieve for, no long-lost friend to lament. Soon they would retreat to the Naberrie's home where they would drink mugs of hot caf while waiting for the next missive from Padmé herself.
She had to admit, she was anxiously awaiting that very moment. The Force's odd behavior was making her feel wary and she was anxious to find out if the others sensed it as well...
...wherever they were.
Barriss dutifully echoed the priest's blessing as he stepped off the dais and sealed the doors to the tomb. The solemn words still running through her mind, she peeked at the grass beneath her feet and wondered if Dormé was already on the move.
Thanks to the Naberrie's, she now knew that a series of underground tunnels had been constructed following the Trade Federation blockade. Ruwee himself had volunteered to lead the project as a way to cast off the fear that had plagued him during those dark days. Several empty tombs had been constructed, each with a hidden escape route that burrowed its way to the outskirts of Theed. They were meant to be used by the Queen and her handmaidens in case of another siege, but Barriss was sure they wouldn't mind the tunnels being utilized on Amidala's behalf. After all, they had willingly given up the use of the largest, most convenient one to ensure the Senator had a proper resting spot until a permanent tomb could be built.
Barriss was suddenly torn from her reverie as the throngs of mourners began to disperse. Jobal continued to kneel, her lips moving in prayer. After several long moments passed, Ruwee gently helped her to her feet.
"We should go, love," he prodded softly. "There is much to do."
"I know." Jobal took a deep breath and nodded, the motion sharp and swift. "I'm ready."
Barriss led the way to the speeder, certain they would cross paths with at least one of the wayward Jedi at some point. Tugging her cloak a little tighter, she tried to ignore the icy fingers that danced their way down her spine.
Ruwee finally voiced the question she had been dreading: "Where is Master Fisto?"
"I'm not sure," she admitted.
"Can't you sense each other?" Jobal's tone grew worried. "Whie and Zett teased me when I asked them if they'd ever played the seeking game. They said it would be pointless or at least the shortest game on record."
"Yes, but the Force is currently... clouded."
"Clouded?"
Barriss didn't elaborate, choosing instead to slip into the driver's seat in the speeder. "We should retrieve Dormé and then head for the house. I'm sure Master Fisto just lost track of time while lecturing the Padawans on the proper way to patrol a perimeter. In fact, they might be waiting for us as we speak."
Resting her hands on the controls, Barriss waited patiently for Ruwee and Jobal to clamber into the rear of the vehicle. As soon as she heard their safety harnesses click into place, she fired the engines and guided the speeder into the air, carefully maintaining a slow and steady pace. There was no need to draw any undue attention - she'd had enough of that at the funeral.
They were nearing the residential area when they smelled the acrid strench of smoke. Barriss wrinkled her nose, automatically scanning the ground until she found the source - a large, singed circle of grass. Furrowing her brow in confusion, she set the speeder down a few yards away and studied the damage closely. It looked as though a ship had landed there and - judging by the tendrils of smoke that still lingered - only recently departed. Normally, that wouldn't be cause for alarm...
...but the area continued to crackle with remnants of dark power.
"Mr. Naberrie, you are the only one who knows where the tunnel exits," Barriss murmured. "Please, take Ms. Naberrie and find Dormé. I'll meet you back here shortly."
"But shouldn't we-"
The rest of the protest was lost as the Jedi raced for the forest, using the Force to boost her speed. After several moments of battling underbrush and gnarled roots, she entered a clearing... an eerily dark clearing. Tightening the grip on the hilt of her saber, she activated the blade - rationalizing the action as a simple attempt to light her way. Yet the truth was that she simply felt better having the weapon armed and ready.
Much to her relief, the resulting illumination revealed the form of someone slouched against the base of a tree. Barriss closed the distance with a few strides, certain she had just caught a napping Padawan...
...but the knowing smirk soon turned to one of horror.
"Oh no," she breathed. "Force, no."
Whie Malreaux stared up at her, but the eyes that had once been so bright and beguilling were now glassy and dull. Sprawled across his feet was the lifeless body of Zett Jukassa, his cloak fanned almost artfully across the grass on which he had fallen.
Barriss spun away so quickly the image should have been nothing more than a blur. Yet that split-second was already seared into her memory, a simple picture that zeroed in on the scorch marks that ran across their midsections... the kind that could only be made by a light saber.
I need to find Master Fisto, she thought wildly. He needs to know what happened...
Suddenly, she was overcome with a need to get away from this place. The darkness threatened to seep into her skin, to worm its way into her soul until she exploded in anger. Releasing the caustic emotions to the Force, she put a hand on the trunk of a nearby tree to steady herself. The scratchy texture of the bark was comforting, a temporary distraction from the carnage behind her. At this point, she would take what she could get.
Looking back, she would truly appreciate that brief instant of peace. For when she finally found the strength to move again... she stumbled over the body of Kit Fisto.
CORUSCANT - OFFICE OF CHANCELLOR PALPATINE
Mas Amedda hovered outside the familiar office, his fingers clenching and unclenching the datapad he held. He carried news that would please the Chancellor very much and effectively change the face of the Galaxy forever. Stifling a stab of apprehension, he reminded himself of the importance in securing a position within the reign to come.
Sometimes it was simply better to stand within the shadows than to face their wrath.
"My lord," he greeted. "Skywalker has relayed the information you requested."
"You will call him Lord Vader now," came the hissed reprimand.
"Of course. I apologize for my oversight."
A wave of his hand meant the subject was closed. "What entry point does he suggest?"
"The lower level maintenance shaft. He said the clones will meet resistance upon entry, but our losses should be minimal. After all, we have the element of surprise on our side and the Jedi responsible for that area of the Temple are fairly inexperienced."
"Well done, my friend. I must transmit this information to the commanders immediately. I'm afraid there is not much time to waste. My guests are already on their way." He closed his eyes and smiled blissfully. "I can sense them; they are concerned about the fate of their Chosen One. They know he has been missing for too long now..."
Amedda twitched nervously. "Shall I alert your guards?"
"No." The Chancellor stroked his chin thoughtfully before tucking his hands within his robes. "In fact, have them abandon their posts completely. Nothing will stand between me and my destiny."
"As you wish, my lord." Before he had even cleared the doorway, he could hear the static of an open com-link channel.
"Commander Atto... The time has come to execute Order Sixty-six. Your point of entry to the Temple will be the docking bay of the lower level."
A brief pause and then another transmission:
"Commander Bly... Execute Order Sixty-six."
Amedda jumped as the door slid shut and the keypad glowed blood red. Fixing an impassive look on his face, he returned to his office and braced his hands on his desk.
Force forgive me.
MUSTAFAR - QUARTERS OF SENATOR AMIDALA
"No, there's no reason for me to wear that any longer. The incision is healing satisfactorily - you said so yourself."
Bail looked up from his packing and shot a warning look in Padmé's direction. His colleague was currently hidden behind a privacy screen and had been doing a nice job of keeping her promise to go along with Eight-Bee's ministrations...
...until now.
"I'm sorry, but this is completely unnecessary," she growled. There was a clatter as she accidentally - or perhaps purposefully - knocked something to the ground. "Master Kenobi is just being overprotective."
Bail summoned the droid with a crook of his finger and it rolled towards him silently. "What is she objecting to?"
"The abdomen shield, sir."
"And what purpose does this abdomen shield serve?"
"It is a curved, metallic apparatus that protects her midsection from inadvertent injury. In addition, it ensures the bacta patches are not jostled, effectively speeding the healing process of the wound."
Bail prodded further. "So you believe she should continue this course of treatment?"
"Due to the stress and strain of her upcoming travel, yes, I believe it is a beneficial precaution."
"Then carry on."
Padmé groaned, but did allow Eight-Bee to slide the shield into place. The second the task was complete, she scooted off the table and pulled on a pale blue tunic and leggings, shoving her feet into a scuffed pair of boots. For months, she had been looking forward to bidding farewell to some of her more 'generous' maternity garments. Now it looked as though she was going to be in them for at least another week - maybe more if Obi-wan and Bail had their way.
Ridiculous!
Sensing her aggravation, Bail held up a hand as she stalked towards him. "We're just doing what's best for you, Padmé. There are two babies over there who need their mother. You won't be much help to them if you get a raging infection."
The mention of the twins caused her to soften. "I know," she admitted reluctantly. "And I really am grateful for all your help. Truly." Taking a scan of the room, she noticed most of her things were already gone. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Just sit in that chair over there and relax," he instructed. "Threepio readied your things while I handled Luke's and Leia's. If Master Kenobi decides we need to vacate the premises, we can do so in a matter of minutes. In fact, much of it has already been loaded onto the Tant-"
Suddenly, the door clanged and Obi-wan burst through, squeezing his body through the entry even before it had completely opened. His gaze darted to Bail, to the twins and finally lingered on Padmé.
"We need to get you off this planet," he commanded. Shoving a flimsiplast at Bail, he turned to his charge who was already heading for the crib. "I'll get them, Padmé. You'll pull your stitches."
She only bit back the sharp retort because she could see his need to hold them... to regain his center. Flashing her a grateful smile, he settled the twins into the crook of each arm and started back out the way he had entered, a flick of his head an indication they should follow.
"Senator Organa, I have given you the coordinates to a small medical facility not too far from here," he explained. "I want you to take Padmé, Luke and Leia and go there. I will join you later."
"Why can't you come now?" Padmé wondered suspiciously.
Obi-wan shrugged, frowning as he used the Force to open the doors to the reception area. "The disturbance is much greater than I realized. Something has shifted and I don't believe it plans to shift back any time soon."
"So let's return to the Temple instead," Padmé argued. "I'm sure the other Jedi are just as confused as you. Once the Council is reunited, the meaning of all this will be revealed."
"Yes, perhaps it would be best if we set course for Courscant," Bail offered.
"No!" The Jedi Master would have shouted the protest were it not for the dozing infants in his arms. "You must proceed to Polis Massa as instructed. From there..." He paused thoughtfully. "It is simply up to the will of the Force."
"What is it you're not telling me?" Padmé knew she sounded petulant - she could practically hear her mother's admonishments to speak in a kinder tone - but at that particular moment, she didn't care. "We've been through so much, Obi-wan. You're my family now as much as Anakin's. Please, trust me enough to tell me what's going on."
"That's just it." The Jedi shrugged and in his arms, the two tiny heads bobbed with the motion. "I don't know what to tell you. I just know that something evil is heading this way and I'm going to get you out of here before it arrives."
"Then come with us!" she cried. "We're not just going to leave you here to face this alone. I could never do such a thing."
"You can and you will." When she started to argue, he added, "For the sake of your children."
Much to her embarrassment, a sob of frustration lodged in her throat and she had to make the rest of the trek to the Tantive in silence. However, the sight of the ship brought the lump back in full force - a situation that wasn't helped by Obi-wan cuddling the twins close as he whispered his farewells. Finally, he handed them over to Bail and she let out a deep breath as the Senator disappeared into the ship.
"I don't like this."
"I don't either, but it's for the best. This planet is no longer safe for you."
"Please be careful, Obi-wan." She reached out, squeezed his arm. "I know you're a Jedi Master and everything, but... just be careful. And if you hear from Anakin, will you tell him the change in plans?"
"Of course."
"May the Force be with you."
Echoing her sentiment, he gave her a reassuring smile before heading back into the complex. Padmé watched him go, replaying their conversations in her head in an attempt to unlock some sort of clue. Lost in thought, she almost missed Bail calling for her. "Yes?"
"I grabbed your cloak on the way out of your suite," he explained. "Just as I was putting the twins down, it began to beep. I hope you don't mind, but I rummaged until I found the source."
He handed over her com-link which continued to blink angrily.
"I must have a message - an unencryped message," she noted. "That's odd."
"Someone must have been in quite a hurry." He nodded towards the cockpit. "I'm going to touch base with Captain Antilles, but we should be underway momentarily. That reminds me - have you seen Commander Cody?"
Padmé shook her head, already activating the playback feature as he walked away.
"Milady? Blast it all to the seven hells!" Padmé blinked, startled to hear Dormé muttering such a colorful curse. "I was truly hoping you would answer my summons, Milady. Something has happened - something horrible. Here, I will let Jedi Offee tell you."
There was a rustle in the background as the com-link changed hands.
"Senator Amidala, this is Barriss Offee. As you may know, I was one of the Jedi assigned to your handmaiden, along with Master Kit Fisto and Padawans Whie Malreux and Zett Jukassa. Now, it seems I am the only one left."
Padme's horror grew as Barriss slowly outlined the gruesome discovery she had made in the clearing, her voice faltering when she relayed that the wounds were made by a light saber. It was clear she was trying to maintain her composure, but the shock was still too fresh.
"We have risked contacting you because we have also heard scattered reports of clone soldiers turning on their Jedi commanders. Please relay this information to Master Kenobi-"
Padmé cancelled out of the message, tearing through the ship in a desperate search for Bail. She finally found him hunched over the controls, entering the coordinates for Polis Massa.
"I'm going back for Obi-wan."
"What?!"
"That message was from Dormé. Someone is hunting Jedi and apparently, they are using clones to do it. I have to let him know - he's in terrible danger."
Bail blanched. "Then let me go. Stay here with the twins, where it's safe."
Padmé shook her head, touched by his offer. "You don't know the location of his quarters. Too much time could be lost." Something pricked at the back of her mind... something he had asked her before. "You said you didn't know where Commander Cody was?"
"I still don't." His eyes widened. "You don't think he'd...?"
"I don't know what to think - but if I'm not back here in ten minutes, leave without me. Obi-wan and I will take the other ship and meet you at the rendezvous point."
Ignoring Bail's sputtered protests, she marched towards the makeshift cradle where Luke and Leia were dozing fitfully. Brushing a hand over their faces, she smiled when her daughter blinked up at her sleepily.
"Keep an eye on your brother for me, all right? You know how grumpy he can get when he first wakes up." A bolt of terror shot through her as she realized what she was leaving behind. She was a mother; running headlong into danger wasn't something she could do without regret anymore.
But neither was leaving a friend to die.
"I love both of you so much," she whispered. "Promise me you'll hold onto that until I get back, okay?"
As if she somehow understood, Leia's eyes fluttered closed, her lips pursed contendedly. She watched them for another long moment before turning to Bail and holding her hand out for his blaster. He shook his head, but handed it over.
"Take good care of my children," she murmured.
Giving the twins one last kiss, she donned her cloak and jogged down the ramp.
QUARTERS OF SENATOR AMIDALA - SAME TIME
Cody looked around, completely baffled. He could have sworn Senator Organa asked him to report at this specific time. He hoped he hadn't misunderstood. His mission to protect the servants of the Republic was of the upmost importance and he didn't want to fail.
He was already striding down the main hallway when he heard the beeping of his transmitter. Unclipping it from his belt, he cradled it in his palm and watched a blue-tinted image of the Chancellor flicker to life...
...along with something else.
A need to be completely and utterly obedient.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Commander Cody, I expect you are on Mustafar?"
"I am, sir."
"Very good. It just so happens that I have an important assignment for you. I have evidence that we have a traitor in our midst and you know what we do to traitors, don't you, Commander?"
"We execute them, sir. Who is the target?"
"I believe she is with you now...
...Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo."