***Chapter 5***

Master 'Oru paces back and forth across the small training room. He ponders over the nightmare Lexi has just shared with him. His Padawan indeed has a connection with Master Jinn that is inexplicable to him. It is quite possible her nightmare is a vision, but will the Council be willing to listen and act? Or will they simply say that if it is the will of the Force for Master Jinn to become one with the Force, then who are they to stand in the way?

Mam is a Twi'lek built very much like Master Jinn. They are the same basic height and build, and both are very patient, compassionate men who have a strong connection with the Living Force. The main difference between the two is that unlike Qui-Gon, Mam would never go against the wishes of the Council. There were often times when Lexi would argue with her Master, thinking the Council had made a wrong decision or that things should just be done differently, but in the end she always yields to the wishes of her Master. Over their years together they argue less and their bond has grown very strong. 'Oru often says he has learned as much from Lexi as she has from him.

Lexi's eyes never waiver from her pacing Master. Finally, he stops pacing and turns to meet her gaze. He sighs softly. Why did the Force have to have such a sense of humor to pair him with an impulsive, stubborn redhead? While she would never go against his decision, he knew she would also be hurt if he didn't at least let her speak with the Council about her concerns. It would be like saying that he didn't believe in her.

"Work on your training sessions for today," he finally replies, "I'll go request a meeting with the Council."

Lexi jumps up and wraps her arms around Mam's neck. "Thank you, Master," she whispers.


On the viewscreen, an airlock snaps open, and four astromech droids pop out of the hatch and onto the transport's hull. One of the R2's is blasted into space almost as soon as it gets into place. Within moments, a second R2 is also sent reeling into space.

"We're losing droids fast!" Obi-Wan exclaims.

"If we can't get the shield generator fixed, we'll be sitting ducks," Captain Panaka cries out.

On the viewscreen, the two remaining R2 units work furiously to connect a series of wires exposed by a damaged hull plate. One of the two disappears in a cloud of shattered metal and fire.

"Shields are gone!" Ric Olié says in dismay.

The last R2 unit doesn't stop working. Suddenly, Ric Olié's expression changes from dismay to excited disbelief.

"Power's back! That little droid did it! It bypassed the main power drive. Deflector shields up at maximum."

Qui-Gon breathes a small sigh of relief. The ship passes over the droid control station and rockets quickly into space, free from the blockade.

Ric Olié assesses the damage to determine what further repairs are needed. Panaka is now seated beside Olié, with Qui-Gon still standing behind the pilot. Obi-Wan is off to the side, studying a star chart.

"There's not enough power to get us to Coruscant," Ric reports. "The hyperdrive is leaking."

"We'll need to land somewhere to refuel and repair the ship." Qui-Gon replies calmly.

"There, Master," Obi-Wan says, turning to Qui-Gon while pointing at the star chart. "Tatooine. It's small, out of the way, poor. The Trade Federation have no presence there."

"How can you be sure?" Panaka asks quickly.

Qui-Gon glances at him. "It's controlled by the Hutts."

"You can't take her royal Highness there!" Panaka protests.

"It's risky," Obi-Wan agrees, "But there's no reasonable alternative."

Panaka continues his protest, "The Hutts are gangsters. If they discovered her…"

"It would be no different than if we landed on a system controlled by the Federation," Qui-Gon interrupts. "Except that the Hutts aren't looking for her, which gives us the advantage."


In a conference room on the Trade Federation's flag ship, Nute Gunray and Rune Haako sit on either side of a long table, staring at a hologram of Darth Sidious positioned between the two at the head of the table. Sidious inquires if the Queen has signed the treaty. The Neimoidians nervously report that the Queen has disappeared.

"One Naboo Cruiser got passed the blockade," the Viceroy answers.

Sidious fumes. "I want that treaty signed!"

Nute tells the Sith Lord that it is impossible for them to track the ship. It is too far out of their range. Sidious informs them it is not impossible for a Sith. Suddenly a second Sith appears on the hologram standing behind Sidious.

"This is my apprentice, Darth Maul. He will find your lost ship."

With that, the hologram transmission ends. The Neimoidians realize things are getting out of hand. They had not realized there were two Sith.

"We should not have made this bargain," Rune says in dismay.


Aboard the Queen's transport, the Jedi stand with Captain Panaka and the remaining R2 unit as the Captain gives his report to the Queen on the events surrounding their escape through the Federation blockade. Amidala sits surrounded by her three handmaidens, listening as the captain concludes.

"An extremely well put together droid, your Highness. Without a doubt, it saved the ship as well as our lives."

Amidala nods and looks down at the droid. "It is to be commended. What is its number?"

"R2-D2, your Highness," Panaka replies.

"Thank you, R2-D2." Amidala says with a smile. She then glances over her shoulder, "Padmé."

One of her handmaidens steps forward and moves to stand beside R2. "Clean up this little droid as best you can. It deserves our gratitude."

R2 gives a series of whistles.

The Queen turns her attention back to Panaka, "Continue, Captain."

Panaka turns toward the Jedi. Qui-Gon takes a step forward, "Your Highness, with your permission, we're heading for a remote planet called Tatooine. It's in a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation. Once there we will be able to make needed repairs to the ship, then travel on to Coruscant and complete our journey."

"I do not agree with the Jedi on this," Panaka announces.

"You must trust my judgment on this, your Highness," Qui-Gon says matter-of-factly.

Amidala looks at the Jedi, then her handmaiden, Padmé, who gives a slight, barely perceivable nod, and then back to Qui-Gon. "We are in your hands."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan give each other a curious look. They are intrigued with how much the Queen seems to depend on this specific handmaiden.


Padmé moves to a side cabin to clean up R2. She isn't there long when Jar Jar pops his head into the room and says hello. He introduces himself and she does likewise.

"You're a Gungan aren't you?" She asks. Jar Jar nods affirmatively. "How did you end up here with us?"

Jar Jar thinks for a moment, then recounts in his way how he was eating some clams and then started hearing explosions and seeing creatures running. He tells her how he grabbed onto the Jedi and then somehow ended up on a ship leaving his home world. Though the Gungans didn't typically like the Naboo, he felt very comfortable around Padmé.


The ship nears Tatooine. The Jedi and Captain Panaka rejoin Ric in the cockpit. Obi-Wan sits beside Ric, with Qui-Gon standing behind them. Panaka is off to the side, sitting in front of the star chart, but facing the other three men.

"That's it. Tatooine," Olié announces.

Obi-Wan points to one of the maps on the scopes. "There's a settlement. Mos Espa."

"Land near the outskirts," Qui-Gon advises. "We don't want to attract attention."

Olié nods and guides the transport in. The Nubian lands in a swirl of dust. In the distance, Mos Espa glimmers faintly through the shimmer of the midday heat.

Qui-Gon sends Obi-Wan to uncouple the hyperdrive and Captain Panaka to advise the Queen of their landing. He originally planned on going to the spaceport alone, but when he leaves the cockpit to find clothing he comes upon Jar Jar, R2, and Padmé. He slows and considers the possibility that going into the city alone would make him more noticeable. "Jar Jar," he says finally, "Get ready. You're going with me. The droid as well."

Jar Jar is shocked at first, and then frightened. He turns to protest, but Qui-Gon is already gone. He chases after him, but comes upon Obi-Wan first, who is in the main cabin hoisting the hyperdrive out of the bowels of the ship. Jar Jar falls to his knees and begs Obi-Wan to let him stay on the ship and not travel with Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan is inclined to agree, but knows that Qui-Gon must have a reason for wanting Jar Jar along. "I'm sorry, but Qui-Gon is right. This is a multinational spaceport, a trading center. You'll make him appear less obvious by going along," he replies, realizing what the reasoning must be.

Jar Jar sadly rises and heads back to R2.

Qui-Gon enters the main cabin, dressed now as a farmer with a poncho thrown over his tunic. He walks over to Obi-Wan, who is studying the hyperdrive. "What have you found?"

"The hyperdrive generator's gone, Master. We'll need a new one."

"That will complicate things," Qui-Gon sighs. "We can't risk a communication with Coruscant. It might be intercepted and our position revealed. We'll have to get by on our own. Be wary. I sense a disturbance in the Force."

"I feel it also, Master," Obi-Wan replies. "I will be careful."

"Don't let them send any transmissions."

Obi-Wan nods and watches as Qui-Gon leaves.

Qui-Gon gathers up Jar Jar and R2 and heads down the loading ramp to the planet's floor. An empty carpet of sand stretches in all directions, broken only by massive rock formations and the distant skyline of Mos Espa. The twin suns beat down on the planet. Heat rises off the sand in a shimmering wave, and the air is so dry it sucks the moisture from their throat and nose passages.

Jar Jar whines as the trio begin to walk, "Dis sun gonna do murder ta my skin."

They have not traveled far when Panaka comes out of the transport and hollers, "Wait, wait!"

The three stop and turn toward Panaka and see that beside him is Padmé, the Queen's most trusted handmaiden. A frown crosses Qui-Gon's face as he anticipates what this interruption in their journey is about.

"Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you." Panaka announces.

Qui-Gon's frown deepens, "No more commands from her Highness today, Captain. The spaceport is not going to be pleasant."

"The Queen wishes it. She's curious about the planet," Panaka insists.

Qui-Gon sighs, "This is not a good idea." He turns his attention to Padmé. "Stay close to me," he commands.

He starts away again with the others trailing. Captain Panaka watches as the four walk away, then returns to the ship.