***Chapter 4***
Obi-Wan watches intently as he waits for his chance to join the battle when his heart sinks. Qui-Gon is caught in the midsection by the tattooed man's saber. "Noooooo," screams Obi-Wan.
Lexi wakes with a gasp. It was just a nightmare…the same nightmare I've had every night since returning to the Temple. It has to be a warning. I must speak to Master 'Oru and the Council. She glances at the chrono and realizes now is definitely not the time. Masters tend to be a bit grumpy when awakened in the middle of the night. However, going back to sleep is not an option either.
She gets out of bed and heads to the refresher to dress and splash cold water on her face. She then makes her way through the Jedi Temple to the library. Perhaps, she could find out something about her vision. The more she knew about what she was seeing, the more open the Council might be to hearing her out.
Theed fell shortly after sunrise. The invasion came as a surprise and the Naboo were not able to mount a strong enough defense. Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, and several of the Federation's battle droids walk with a band of prisoners that include Queen Amidala, several handmaidens, a few security personnel, Captain Panaka, the Queen's head of security, and Governor Sio Bibble.
"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Bibble demands.
"The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I have assurances it will be ratified by the Senate." The Viceroy replies flatly.
"I will not cooperate." The Queen replies.
"Now, now, your Highness. In time, the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view."
They reach the bottom of the palace steps and the Viceroy tells his droid commander to process the prisoners. The commander instructs his captain to take them to camp four. Nute and Rune watch as the Naboo prisoners are led away by the droids.
The droids lead the captives silently through the Theed plaza. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Jar Jar spot the group from an upper walkway. The Jedi and the Gungan crouch down and quietly follow the walkway around so that when the Naboo are led into a byway the heroes are positioned in front of them. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan swiftly drop from the walkway ledge while Jar Jar stumbles his way to the ground. Obi-Wan kicks two droids out of the way as he descends. Qui-Gon's saber is out before his feet hit the ground and he quickly disposes of several droids. The Jedi work together, slicing some droids, and sending others flying with the use of the Force. In no time at all, the droids are reduced to scrap metal.
"We should leave the streets, your Highness," Qui-Gon says quickly.
Sio Bibble, the Queen, and her handmaidens move quickly while Captain Panaka and the guards confiscate the fallen droids' weapons.
"Oh, yousa guys bombad," Jar Jar says in amazement as he surveys what is left of the droids.
The group moves into the shadows of a side street. Qui-Gon stops and turns to them, "We're ambassadors for the supreme chancellor."
"Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador," Sio says with a snort.
"The negotiations never took place. It's urgent that we make contact with the republic." Qui-Gon replies, directing his response to the Queen.
"We can't. They've knocked out all our communications," Captain Panaka informs.
Alarms start blaring. Qui-Gon glances to the fallen battle droids. "Do you have transports?"
Panaka nods, "In the main hangar. This way."
Qui-Gon leads the group toward the hangar. Obi-Wan brings up the rear, keeping a watch for approaching enemies. It doesn't take them long to reach the hangar and find a side door free of battle droids. Panaka and Qui-Gon stand on either side of the door opening and peer inside. Obi-Wan quickly moves to his Master's side. Panaka points out the Queen's personal transport, a J-type 327 Nubian.
"That one will do," Qui-Gon nods.
Panaka takes in the number of droids in the hangar. "There are too many of them," he says in dismay.
"That won't be a problem," Qui-Gon assures. "Your Highness, under the circumstances I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."
The Queen looks up at the tall Jedi Master. "Thank you, Ambassador. My place is with my people."
Qui-Gon turns completely to the young Queen. "They will kill you if you stay."
"They wouldn't dare!" Governor Bibble replies indignantly.
"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal," Panaka offers. "They can't afford to kill her."
"There is something else behind all this, your Highness," Qui-Gon insists. "There's no logic in the Federation's moves here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you."
Sio Bibble concedes the danger. "Perhaps you should reconsider, your Highness. Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us. Senator Palpatine will need your help."
The Queen looks over her shoulder to her handmaidens. "Either choice presents great danger…to us all."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan watch with interest as Padmé, one of the handmaidens, replies, "We are brave your Highness."
"If you are to leave, your Highness, it must be now," Qui-Gon presses.
The Queen turns back to the Jedi, "Then I will plead our case to the Senate." She turns to Sio Bibble and says sadly, "Be careful, Governor."
The Jedi Knights move through the door and into the hangar, leading the way for Jar Jar and the Naboo. "Stay close," Qui-Gon admonishes softly over his shoulder.
"We'll need to free those pilots," Panaka informs, drawing his blaster.
Obi-Wan places his hand on Panaka's blaster. "I'll deal with that," he says and then he breaks from the group and heads toward the captive pilots.
Qui-Gon and the rest continue on, striding boldly across the hangar floor, moving directly for the Queen's vessel. Qui-Gon notices that the boarding ramp to the transport is lowered. Several battle droids begin to step forward to meet the group.
A battle droid steps in front of the group and commands, "Halt."
"I am ambassador to the supreme chancellor. I am taking these people to Coruscant," Qui-Gon says to the droid.
"Where are you taking them?" the mechanical voice asks.
"To Coruscant."
"Coruscant, uh, that does not compute. You're under arrest."
The droid barely has the words muttered when a flash of green slices him in two. The other droids begin to move on Qui-Gon, who stands alone against them as the Queen and her crew board the ship.
On the far side of the hangar, Obi-Wan Kenobi launches himself at the battle droids holding the Naboo pilots, cutting into them with determination. Qui-Gon watches his progress, long hair flying out as he withstands another round of battle droids attempting to reclaim the Queen's transport.
Obi-Wan slices through the last droid holding the pilots hostage. "Go!" he commands.
The pilots don't need to be told twice. They jump up and begin racing to their ships.
Obi-Wan races to the other side of the hangar to rejoin Qui-Gon. When the last droid is scrapped, Obi-Wan boards the ship. Qui-Gon scans the hangar and then quickly follows.
A pilot and Panaka are the first to enter the cockpit. The pilot quickly sits and starts the vessel. Qui-Gon soon enters the cockpit as the ship leaves the ground. The pilot glances over his shoulder, "Ric Olié," he says to the Jedi. "Thanks for your help back there."
Qui-Gon nods, "Better save your thanks until we deal with what's up here."
"There's the blockade," Ric states as the ship leaves Naboo for open space.
Qui-Gon turns to Obi-Wan, who has just entered the cockpit. "Make sure everyone is settled and safely in place."
Obi-Wan quickly moves to Jar Jar. He finds a side room where the astromech droids are stored. "Now stay here," he commands. "And keep out of trouble."
Jar Jar turns and bows to the R2 units. Obi-Wan shuts the door and heads back to the cockpit. The Federation ships begin to fire on the Queen's vessel. A series of explosions rock the ship and the lights on the control panel flicker.
"Do you have a cloaking device?" Qui-Gon inquires.
"This isn't a warship," Panaka snaps. "We have no weapons, Ambassador! We are a peaceful people."
An alarm sounds and the transport shudders. "No weapons," Qui-Gon breaths to Obi-Wan. The Jedi can do nothing but watch and hope the ship can make it past the blockade.
"Shield generator's been hit," Ric Olié exclaims. "Sending out the repair crew."
With a flick of a switch an alarm sounds in the astromech room. The R2 units proceed to the airlock lift and one by one are sucked up and onto the top of the ship. One R2 unit smacks into Jar Jar as it heads for the lift.
"How wude!" Jar Jar exclaims.
