Alderaan (13 weeks)

Amidala took the blanket out of Leia's hand again, and tucked it under her chin. "It's time for you to go to sleep."

"No!" Amidala turned away, but stopped as she heard Leia toss the blanket unto the floor. "No sleep."

"It's your bedtime."

"Mommy say good night!"

"Princess Leia," Amidala said firmly as she picked up the blanket. The girl whimpered. "Your mother has important guests. She will come see you soon." She almost smiled as Leia started to pout. "You were very good earlier, don't ruin it now." She again tucked the blanket in. This time Leia didn't throw it on the floor. Amidala closed the door behind her quietly. And promptly froze at the gasp. She started to lower her veil, but knew it was too late.

"Senator Naberrie?" Mon Mothma asked. The senator looked stunned. Amidala grabbed her former colleague and dragged her to her rooms.

"Senator," she whispered.

"I thought you were dead," Senator Mon Mothma said. "We all did. Why?"

Amidala wondered just how much she would reveal and decided on the minimal amount of information. "No one goes looking for a dead woman. Palpatine would kill me if he found me."

"Oh." She watched as Mon Mothma pondered that statement. "I'm not sure I understand. He wants all of us dead."

"This is personal," Amidala said.

Mon Mothma pursed her lips together. "I see." She waited, and when no more information was forthcoming, she said, "Can you at least tell me what you're doing here?"

"Kalla and Bail offered to hide me. I am Lady Ami, Mistress of the Nursery. Please, promise that you won't tell anyone that you've seen me?"

"Garm should know..."

"No. Please?"

Mon Mothma nodded. Amidala sighed with relief. It was horribly unfair for Garm not to know, but she knew it was better this way. "Mon Mothma, thanks."

"Maybe someday you'll tell me what's going on?"

"Maybe," Amidala said, then added mentally, 'when it is safe for you to know.'

"Amidala, take care. His power is incredible. He will find you." Mon Mothma walked to the door. "We were going to say good night to Princess Leia. The others are probably wondering where I am."

"Take care," Amidala said as the senator left.

Corellia 14 weeks

Ben glanced in both directions as he exited the air taxi. The driver glowered at the tip, obviously displeased with the amount, then sped away. Ben didn't spare him another thought. The simple house he faced was remarkably like all the other houses nearby. He started forward. The door opened before he reached the steps.

"Hello, Ben," Baryl said, throwing her arms around him. "I see you received Horn's message." She glanced at him, slightly concerned. "I was expecting you a little earlier."

He smiled at her. "I had to take a round about way to get here." He didn't bother to explain about the bounty hunter with the ten second gap in his memory.

"Come on in, Horn's expecting you. Hal and his mother are also here."

"Hal?" He thought for a second. "Nejaa's son?"

She nodded. "Horn just secretly married Nejaa's widow, Scerra, and is claiming Hal as his. I'm supposed to be trying to track down the Halycon family. Horn erased or changed all their official records. So far all I've found is a shot record from when Hal was nine."

"Not bad," Ben said, impressed at how much work had gone into hiding the late Jedi's family. He took her hand and stepped into the house.

Rostek Horn motioned them into his study. "It's clean." He motioned for them to sit on two metal chairs and said without further preamble, "The news is not good. The Diktat has voted to support Emperor Palpatine in the hunt for the Jedi. Too many of the refugees are being captured already."

Ben clasped his hands and closed his eyes. "I know. I've been confronted several times, too."

"We're going to operate as long as possible, but I don't think that's going to be more than a few months. I'm sorry."

Ben opened his eyes. "Don't be. You have prevented the deaths of many Jedi, including the Halycon family."

"I've known Scerra for many years," Rostek smiled sadly. "It was not a difficult decision."

"And the other Corellian Jedi?" Ben asked as he leaned forward. Rostek glanced at Baryl then shook his head.

"Those who accepted my help are safe. And Ylenic?"

"He's with the Caamas settlement on Alderaan."

"A truly horrifying event-among many such events." Rostek sat on the edge of his desk as he spoke. "I asked you here for a favor. We're putting together a team to infiltrate the Sausur's syndicate. Baryl's been assigned to make contact with our agent and I'd like you to accompany her. A couple blends in better where she's going."

"And that's where?" Ben asked with a quick glance at Baryl. She wasn't exactly amused at the idea, but kept silent. He guessed they'd already discussed the issue.

"Tatooine-Mos Eisley."

Ben narrowed his eyes. "Ummm..." He again glanced at Baryl who just shrugged. Mos Eisley was probably far enough from the Lars homestead to avoid anyone who might recognize him. It also offered him a chance to see how Luke-and his brother-were doing. "Okay. When?"

"In a few months and only for a couple of days. I suspect Tatooine is a place you'd like to avoid."

"Sort of," Ben admitted. "It's complicated."

Rostek chuckled. "What story isn't." He stood as did Ben. "Be careful. The bounty on Jedi is going up again. There are rumors that CorSec may have to become involved. The Diktat is very anxious to please the emperor."

"I bet Senator Bel Iblis loves that," Ben said.

"He looked apoplectic when I talked to him this morning," Baryl replied. "Give me a second, there a couple of things we have to discuss." Rostek Horn nodded, so Ben acknowledged her request and stepped out of the study.

He sat down on a chair in the eating area to wait. He turned saw a teen-age boy standing in the doorway.

"You're Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Yes, but call me Ben. You must be Hal."

"Valin Halycon," the boy said proudly with a frown. "I know why I can't acknowledge who I am, but..."

"Your father was a good man and a good friend. You wish to honor him?" The boy nodded. "I understand. And you can, but only to yourself."

"I want to honor him by completing my training." The inflection implied the rest of the question.

Ben shook his head sadly. "You will be better off learning to hide your skills, not learning new ones." He paused as he remembered how he had sensed Hal's presence. "The emperor does not like the Jedi, so I will teach you a very useful trick. Close your eyes."

The boy's face brightened, then he frowned as he followed Ben's instructions. In the coming darkness, knowing how to keep the Force tight to oneself might just save his life. It took only minutes to teach, but a lot of practice to master.

"You must practice often," Ben said quietly. "And in private until it is second nature." They both looked toward the study as the door slipped out of the room so quickly and quietly that Ben shook his head in amusement. He stood.

"Come," Baryl said, "I'll buy you dinner."

Alderaan (4 months)

Princess Kalla glanced at her husband then Amidala. "I can't believe it. You're telling us that-"

"That the Republic Senate has agreed to the creation of an Imperial Navy," Bail snarled as he continued to pace the Organa's private quarters. Amidala shook her head. Only bad news had greeted their return from the Southern Palace.

"How? How did this happen? Don't they see?" Kalla's face was pinched in anger.

"They see that it was a united military that defeated the clones. They see the results of this united military patrolling the shipping lanes. Raider and other pirate activity has dropped over fifty percent. They see it as a cost-saving move. They also see it as hampering the aggressive tendencies of their neighbors."

Kalla took two deep breaths. "Can't they see beyond that?"

"There is a vocal minority against the bill. Garm and I have talked to hundreds of senators. They're tired of the constant bickering and old rivalries that bring everything to a standstill."

Amidala crossed her arms as she watched Kalla wipe her eyes. "Isn't their freedom worth anything?"

Bail wrapped his arms around her. "I don't think they see it that way. The memories of the devastation caused by the clones are still fresh."

Amidala sighed. "He's correct. The galaxy is in chaos, and they see only a strong center from which they can rebuild."

Kalla walked toward the window. Amidala watched as she sagged in the fading light. "Damn them all anyway. This is exactly what Palpatine wants." She marched over to the desk and picked up the jammer. "I hate this thing and everything it signifies: fear, terror, and submission. I shall not agree to allowing the Alderaan military to be taken over. I'll disband it first."

"Don't do anything so drastic, yet," Amidala cautioned.

"She's correct," Bail said, his voice loaded with warning and apprehension. "We are also in a dangerous position."

Kalla nodded. "I know that all too well. Alderaan has been a very vocal critic of the Emperor. But Bail, I can't agree to what Palpatine wants. I can't even begin to imagine living in his Empire. And I'm stuck here, helpless, as we face the inevitable." She slammed the jammer back down on the table. "I can't sit and do nothing."

Amidala shook her head, as her guilt rose up to accuse her. It was all her fault; she'd been responsible for Palpatine's election as Supreme Chancellor. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

As if reading her mind, Bail said, "It's not your fault, Ami. Palpatine would have used the invasion of Naboo differently-but he would still have been elected." He frowned. "Even I was fooled by him. I too believed that the Trade Federation was really a sign of how weak the Republic had become."

The three people stared at each other for a few moments, then looked at the floor. Kalla was the first to break the silence. "We cannot allow history to block the future. We must learn from it and prepare for eventual civil war."

Amidala felt her own eyes start to water. Civil war implied death and destruction. It would be an emotional war that would tear families apart. In other respects as well, the cost would be very high. Kalla seemed to guess her thoughts.

"I know all too well what I am suggesting. Alderaan has suffered from several such wars throughout our history. I hate the very idea."

Bail nodded as he walked over toward his wife. "Kalla, walk cautiously. Don't trust anyone. The pro-Palpatine faction has support everywhere. They are rewarded for reporting anything that might be construed as treasonous."

"Define treason!" she said heatedly. "Treason is exactly what Palpatine is doing. There must be five hundred laws and statutes against his consolidation of power."

"Most likely more," Bail conceded. "But those laws are being changed as we speak." He glanced at Amidala. "The new navy is the least of our problems. The Government Oversight Committee may be our greatest-"

Kalla's eyes narrowed. "Committee?"

"Palpatine has declared that the Republic Senate is too large and cumbersome for the day to day governing of the galaxy. He's created the Government Oversight Committee. They're cleaning up and consolidating the Republic laws."

"In their favor."

"Of course," Bail replied. "The senate votes on their actions once a month. At the moment, the results are in Palpatine's favor."

Kalla snarled. "That violates-"

"The Republic charter," Amidala said quietly. "But it is efficient. And that is exactly what so many see."

Kalla closed her eyes. Amidala turned away, not wanting to see the princess acknowledge that at the moment it would be fatal to fight back.

It was almost twelve years ago that her nightmare began. Only she'd hadn't known it was a nightmare at the time.

The future, indeed, looked dark and bleak. Her children were an important part of that future-she just had no idea how they fit into the scheme of things. She gripped the back of the chair, her eyes closed. She relived that fateful day when she had silently handed Obi-Wan her son and watched Luke fly out of her life, forever.

She opened her eyes. Kalla was in Bail's arms. Amidala silently slipped out of the room. Her friends' future, she knew, lay along a different path. She walked quickly through palace until she stood outside the nursery. She pushed the door open and walked in. Leia, asleep in her bed, stirred and opened her eyes.

"Mommy?" The little girl said drowsily.

"Shhh." Her eyes closed to block the welling tears. "I love you, my child." Amidala said quietly so that Leia could not hear her.

Leia had fallen asleep again. Amidala reached out and pulled the covers up over her daughter's shoulders. "I'm so sorry. You are growing up in dangerous times and have a very dangerous enemy. You'll have to be brave, my child." She backed away from the bed. "Very brave indeed."

She walked slowly through the gilded halls then through the extensive gardens, ignoring the night chill. She remembered other nights spent outside on Naboo. She glanced upward for a second. The stars were blocked by a growing mist.

The roar of the waterfall increased as she approached the site where just a few months earlier they'd celebrated Leia's first birthday. She knelt down on the dew-moistened ground.

She silently stared out over the watery mist. She didn't hear the roaring water falling over the edge or see the silver tracings of the moons' light in the foaming water. She just saw her daughter in Kalla's arms, calling Kalla mommy.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" A soft feminine voice said from behind her. She whirled about. A lone figure could be seen in the foggy light, her features hidden by the silvery cloak she wore. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Who are you?" Amidala asked warily as she stood. She instinctively felt the intruder meant her no harm.

"I have come to offer you sanctuary."

"What?" Her voice trailed off in puzzlement.

"Master Yoda requested it-he has never sought our help before, so we did not refuse." The cloaked woman stepped forward. "And because your husband once helped us in our hour of need."

Amidala's eyes narrowed. Very few knew who her husband was. "How?"

The stranger's laugh was light and musical. "Like the Jedi we feel the Force. It has told us much-more has Master Yoda explained. He, too, is worried that your husband will seek you out."

"He is alive," she said quietly. She'd known this before, but had secretly hoped that he had died. She did not want to think of him as an evil servant of Palpatine's. The other woman didn't respond-it was as if she was in silent communication with her unseen friends.

Amidala was reluctant to leave Alderaan. In the past year and a half, the planet had become her home. Leia was here-and the few times Kenobi visited, he brought news of Luke.

The other woman bowed her head. "Family and friends create strong ties. If you choose to find sanctuary with us, know this: because of your husband we wish to help you-but because of your husband we ask that you promise to never seek contact with the outside world." Her voice was soft and sad. "Palpatine only knows the rumors of our existence-he would destroy us if he ever learned more." She raised a hand. "We shall wait for you here, the night of the Festival of the Moons-when the moons reach total eclipse-for your decision." She whirled about and vanished into the approaching fog.

"Ami?" A voice called out. It was Kalla. "Where are you?"

"Here," She stared at where the mysterious figure had been. "Who are you?" she whispered as her friend stepped out of the mist.

"Has anything happened?" Kalla asked, her concern evident.

"I just needed time to think."

The fury that remained in Kalla's eyes was unmistakable-so was her resignation. Kalla placed a hand on Amidala's shoulder. "About what?"

"Everything." She closed her eyes. "Nothing. Is it possible for me to get a ship?"

"Of course." Kalla's voice was now sounding alarmed. "Why?"

"No reason." She hesitated. "I want to go to Tatooine."

"I'll arrange it," Kalla said quietly. "Kenobi can take you there. We still expect him in a couple of months." She looked at Amidala suspiciously, shook her head, then looked away.

Amidala knew her friend would wonder why she wanted to see Luke now after all this time. She took a final look at where the stranger had stood. She just wanted to see both her children one last time. "What is the Festival of the Moons?"

Kalla again glanced at Amidala. "It happens once every twenty or twenty-one years, when the two moons are eclipsed by our sun." They both looked upward, but the high fog now completely blocked the night sky. "It's a time of remembrance and rejoicing. The festival is in nine months."

They walked toward the palace in silence. As Amidala reached out to open the gate, Kalla stopped her.

"I understand," was all the blonde woman said. And Amidala realized she probably did.

Corellia: (18 weeks)

Baryl stood as Rostek Horn entered the room, then quickly returned to her seat. She took a deep breath before starting to speak, but Horn cut her off.

"The Diktat authorized CorSec to offer assistance to licensed bounty hunters in apprehending renegade Jedi."

She growled. "Kiffle. Sir, what is a licensed bounty hunter anyway?"

He laughed humorlessly. "Apparently, they apply to me and I evaluate their credentials and warrants, then authorize their presence."

"Ahhh. This could be useful. I suppose you won't be denying them."

"I wish I could. My experiences with bounty hunters have not been positive." He shrugged as he sat down. "But I am authorized to ask for proof that their quarry is Jedi. Bastards, all of them. Apprehend usually means kill. The Diktat isn't concerned with any, and I quote, secondary casualties."

"Idiots." She snarled. "They're all kiffling idiots. Secondary, indeed. Does the Diktat have any idea just what he's approving?"

"It's what Palpatine wants."

"I don't..." She stopped when Horn raised a hand.

"Baryl, I agree with you, but this is a better option than having them operate without our knowledge."

"Yes, sir." She knew it was true. At least this way they could warn the quarry and help minimize any potential secondary casualties. Another thought struck her. "Is this the end of the Pulsar Express then?" She watched him as he nodded. "I understand."

"We'll leave the safe houses, for now. Those Jedi who did not flee may be able to use them." He crossed his arms. "There's worse news. The Department of Public Information has released a statement about the number of Jedi captured." She closed her eyes as he spoke and felt her stomach tighten. "Emperor Palpatine has authorized another increase in the Jedi bounties. And the Senate Jedi War Crimes Tribunal claims there have been a thousand arrests in the past two years." She opened her eyes as his voice lowered.

"With no trials?"

He gave a cursory nod. "They aren't mentioning that fact. And the bounty on Kenobi has tripled. Oddly enough, they are still using a hologram of him without a beard. I'm trying to contact him now. I don't want him to go to Tatooine-"

"Sir, you can't stop him from going!" She blushed at her outburst. "I'm sorry, sir. It's just that-"

"You don't see each other very often," he said sympathetically. "But it's too dangerous. He needs to find some far-away spot and hide himself."

"He will, eventually. But first Ben has to do all he can to stop Palpatine and save the Jedi."

"Baryl, he's not alone. But there's only so much he can do before he's killed. Then he can do nothing."

"I know, sir, but try telling that to a Jedi." She took a deep breath. "Sir, when Ben goes into hiding, I'm going with him."

Horn smiled sadly. "I rather suspected that. I hate to lose you."

"No promises, but you may not-at least not completely. I may be in a position to offer intermittent reports on certain smuggling activities."

His eyes opened wide, but then he frowned. "No. While I would love to have an agent there, I suspect there's more involved than simple hiding." He made a quick motion with both hands. "Don't tell me. I shouldn't know any more. Just let me know when. You've been with CorSec long enough to warrant a small pension anyway."

She nodded. "Thank-you, sir." Now she just needed to tell Ben of her plans. He probably wouldn't like it-but that was his problem. She started to stand. "Oh. I found another record for Valin Halycon. It's been erased."

"Thanks, we appreciate that. Hal's decided he wants to join CorSec after completing school. He's a bright kid-he'll make an excellent investigator someday."

"Yes, he will." She turned to go; she still had to finish her arrest report and go through her notes for the suspect's arraignment.

Coruscant (6 months)

Palpatine nodded as he listened to Senator Brial's speech. The man was very boring, but influential. There would be the expected uproar when Brial proposed that the senate enlarge the Republic fleet and take control of the many different planetary military units, but Palpatine had planned this moment carefully. Admiral Tarkin's fleet had managed to cut raider and smuggling activities by over fifty-percent. He knew many of the senators were impressed by those figures. The significant cost savings to planetary governments and citizens would also be taken into account. He shut the screen off and turned to face Senator Va.

"The senate will agree to the proposal," Senator Va said quietly.

"Yes, I believe they will, after many hours of debate." Palpatine smiled, inviting the man to continue speaking.

"Polls from my world show very high support for the creation of an Empire. We rely heavily on interplanetary trade, and the recent reduction in piracy has resulted in an economic boom for us." Va smiled. "You should ask for the vote now, Your Majesty."

Palpatine said slowly, "If this is what the senate truly wants."

"With the exception of a handful of malcontents and agitators, the senate would support such an action." Va leaned forward. "I've been talking with my colleagues. Senator Brial is working on an amendment to the Republic Charter."

Palpatine nodded. "I will abide by what the senate decides. Like you, I just want what is best for the galaxy."

Va grinned. "I understand. I've long dreamed of a strong central government. With the military under *Imperial* control, it would be difficult for any government to attack its neighbors." Va bowed low, then turned to leave. Palpatine watched him go, then flicked the switch above the blinking yellow light.

"Admiral Tarkin, have you completed your mission?" A hologram of the sallow faced man shimmered into existence.

"Sire, Isard has just completed the test..."

"Let me speak to him," Palpatine said. Tarkin started to argue, then bowed. Isard stepped into the image.

"Your Majesty, Senator Naberrie's tomb is well protected-" there was a satisfied smirk on the man's face, "-but not well enough. I was able to access the crypt and take a bone sample." Palpatine frowned. He just wanted to know the results-not a detailed description of how Isard managed to accomplish his goal. Isard continued to speak. "I compared the DNA to the samples you provided." The smile on the intelligence officer's face continued to grow. "They do not match. Senator Naberrie is not buried there."

"I thought so," Palpatine whispered. "I need you to find out where she is."

"Yes, sire," Isard's image said.

"I want her alive," Palpatine hissed. "When you find her..." He cut the image. That nagging flicker in the Force had been correct-he should have investigated the matter earlier. He stood and walked to the center of the room. With a wave of his hand, the door to the secret staircase opened.

"My Lord," the voice hissed as he entered the darkened room. Palpatine waited a second before acknowledging his apprentice.

"What have you learned?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi worked with a CorSec officer during the final days of the Clone Wars. He has not been seen since the final battle at Spaarti." Palpatine smiled at the vehemence in Lord Vader's voice, then frowned as Vader continued. "He was here. I sensed him."

"On Coruscant?" Palpatine's frown deepened. "Strange, I did not sense him." This was an interesting development. He narrowed his eyes as he studied his apprentice. This, combined with Amidala still being alive, could put Vader's loyalty in question.

"It was earlier."

"You should have told me." Palpatine raised a hand. "I would not like to be disappointed in you, my apprentice." He smiled wickedly as Vader gasped for a quick breath, then lowered his hand.

"Yes, my master. The CorSec officer was on Coruscant at the same time."

Palpatine pondered this piece of information. "I'll arrange things." He started to leave. "Lord Vader, do not disappoint me again."

Alderaan (8 months)

Amidala's smile grew at the sight of the Jedi entering the private quarters of the Organa family. "Obi...Ben." He smiled in return.

"Lady Ami, you are well?" She glared at him. For some inexplicable reason, she did not want him to use that title. He took the hint. "Amidala, it's good to see you again."

She hugged him. "It's good to see you too." She pulled back enough to see his face. "Have you seen Luke recently? How is he?"

"Growing." She managed to keep smiling. She could only imagine what her son looked like now. Ben looked at her, concerned. "Amidala, what's wrong?

"Ben, I..."

They both turned as the voice of the woman in the other room grew louder. Amidala grimaced. "Princess Kalla wanted to be here, but the Kuati Premiere demanded to speak with her. It has to do with Alderaan's militia."

He placed his hand around hers as they listened to the princess speak in angry tones. "I'm sorry, Premiere Ochat Kuat, that you choose to believe that."

Amidala shook her head. "Kalla was not happy to hear from him again."

At that moment, Kalla looked their direction and waved at them through the open doorway. She motioned the two closer as she placed her other hand over the recorder. "This is the fifteenth time this idiot has contacted me," she whispered. She removed her hand and focused on the holo-image Kuati official. "Premiere Ochat, Alderaan is a peaceful world. We have no expansionist plans...I really can't believe that you would believe such a rumor."

"Of course you would say that. Lure us into a false sense of security," the Kuati Premiere lisped. Amidala gripped Ben's hand tighter. She realized with a shock, just what the Premiere was implying.

"Why would he believe that?" she whispered, Ben shrugged.

Kalla raised her hands in frustration. "Premiere, you must believe-"

"There is no other reason for the Alderaan military not to be placed under the control of the Republic Senate." Kalla snorted, her attempts at diplomacy clearly over. She looked downright furious.

"Don't," Kalla hissed. "Do not tell me that you are willing to accept such a lie. I'd always thought the Kuati government had more sense than that."

The Premier stiffened. "Princess Kalla, my government is simply taking a sensible precaution. Our shipyards would naturally be the first target of any nearby government-such as yourself-with expansionist goals. We have every right to protect ourselves."

"How dare you," Kalla said incredulously. "Our military is for our own protection!"

"I see," Ochat growled sarcastically. "But know this, my government is considering your refusal to relinquish control of your military an act of war." The image vanished.

"Then you are a greater idiot than I'd thought possible," Kalla muttered at the empty imager. She turned and faced the pair. "Did you hear that?"

"This was instigated by Palpatine, wasn't it?" Amidala asked.

"Not directly. But already the erosion of our sovereign rights begins. First we have to relinquish our own military, next he'll be placing a garrison of his own troops here. Slowly, and steadily power is being given-GIVEN-to that man." She gave a quick shake of the head as if to dispel any further thoughts along those lines. Amidala marveled at the princess' ability to regain her composure. "Ben, I'm so glad you made it. We were worried after we heard about Detash."

"Unfortunately, I can't say you have no reason to be worried." Ben's frown grew as he returned to the earlier subject. "What will you do?"

"The only thing I can," Kalla said, resignedly. "Disband the military, incorporate the defensive portion into our security force." Kalla bit her lip. "They can't object to our having a token security presence, after all. But I can't send my people to serve *him*." Almost to herself she finished, "Nor can I stop those who choose to of their own volition."

"You should have done this months ago," Amidala whispered, remembering her advice to the princess to wait and see.

"I didn't expect him to somehow convince the Kuati that we are the enemy. We've always had peaceful relations." Kalla glanced at the floor, then back up. "I must contact the assembly and Bail. There hasn't been a royal decree issued in almost fifty years. It'll be faster than having the assembly vote on it. If you'll excuse me? Kalla swept out of the room.

"You shouldn't blame yourself for any of this." Ben tightened his grip on her hand. "I must go soon. Before I do, is there anything I can do for you?"

"I want to go to Tatooine."

His eyes opened wide at her request. "You mustn't, it's not safe."

"Ben Kenobi. Tatooine is controlled by the Hutts, not the Emperor. *They* aren't looking for me. Besides, my son is there. I want to see Luke one last..." She blinked several times. "Please?"

He took a deep breath. "Amidala...I'll arrange it. Why now?"

"Because," Amidala whispered. "My son is almost two years old and I don't even know what he looks like." She motioned for him to follow her. They walked silently through the palace, past the garden, and toward the river, below the fall. She pondered her decision to leave Alderaan, and how much she would tell. She only knew for sure her time was running out.