Chapter Nine

The report had been correct. Their cruiser had been thoroughly gone through. Access had been gained tvia the loading ramp; its heavy durasteel door lying flat upon the ground.

Obi-Wan immediately checked the storage compartments concealed beneath the flooring, while Anakin searched the lockers and 'fresher. The women were nowhere to be found, and the comlink he had given Padmé was abandoned in the cockpit.

"Do you think the rebels took them?" Anakin asked, worry creasing his brow.

Obi-Wan paced the hold, his hands steepled in front of his face in concentration. He was studying the eddies of the Force as if they would provide the answers, when he knew they wouldn't. Desperation was threatening his serenity, although he refused to allow his Padawan to see that. Instead, he calmly continued to breathe and settled on posing a question.

"I'm not certain, but we need to consider all the possibilities. For example: If either one of them heard an explosion in the distance, what do you think they would do?"

The younger Jedi's answer came readily. "More than likely, the opposite of what they should."

"I agree, Padawan. If they are free, we'll find them in Gaw-Lin."

Without any power and minimal supplies, aiding those injured during the explosions was aggravating to say the least. Her inability to speak the language was also slowing Dormé down. She had been forced to try a variety of hand signals and head movements to communicate with the two female Gaw who were assisting her.

According to the translator, the med facility was heavily damaged and most of the medicines were ruined. A few clan members had carried in some containers which had been salvaged. After inspecting them, Dormé was disappointed to find no trace of Bacta. Instead, she asked the translator to gather help and find a plant she had seen in the woods. On Naboo, it was called tlickweed, although here, she was sure it had another name. She described it as best she could, telling him the plant had medicinal purposes and could be used to ward off infection.

Sensing the urgency, the translator had left immediately, and she was glad. However, it left her with no ability to communicate, and her frustration level was increasing by the second.

"Hold the light a little closer," she reminded her assistant as she plunged the needle back into the thick hide of the clansman. After removing a large fragment of beam from his leg, she had determined the wound needed to be stitched up.

If only the Senator had stayed to help! They had decided together, however, that one of them needed to be in search of anyone needing medical attention. With injuries ranging from slight burns to fractures, or worse, there simply wasn't enough treatment supplies to help every injury, and not enough space either. Every pallet she'd requested was occupied. Surely, the flow of patients would slow down soon.

Loaded with strips of cloth to be used as makeshift bandages, as well as a skin of clean water, Padmé cautiously stepped through the debris-littered streets of Gaw-Lin, searching for victims of the attack. She had treated several already who would not require more attention, as well as comforted those who were beyond help. A few times, she had even stopped to hold a grieving parent or young one who had lost a family member.

She was doing all she could, although it wasn't enough. And soon, she would be out of water. If only the power would be restored! Then, the reservoir would open and what little water the Gaw had left could be given to those who so desperately needed it!

The situation was more grievous than any she had encountered during her volunteer work, but she was determined, and stepped over to a body lying on the opposite side of the street. After ensuring there was no pulse, and that the clanswoman was indeed deceased, Padmé motioned for someone to come take her to the reclaiming area. It was located in one of the few intact buildings in town, where the family members could claim their loved ones and begin the mourning rituals the Gaw observed.

Exhausted, Padmé took inventory of her supplies and stepped back from the smoldering building, her gaze cast upward into the sky. Looking at the stars distracted her for a few seconds, her thoughts immediately turning to Obi-Wan. It wasn't that long ago they were on board and he was in her arms, although, with all that had happened, it seemed like days had passed. No matter how long the time, the memory of him holding and caressing her would be forever etched into her memory. Especially the way he said her name. She loved the way he spoke it in normal situations, but when he was aroused, it was particularly devastating.

She played it over in her mind, smiling despite the destruction surrounding her, until she realized the voice was too distinct to be just a memory.

Elation replaced her exhaustion at the sight of Obi-Wan standing on the opposite end of the fiery avenue. He was here! Everything would be better now.

Once they had reached the village, Obi-Wan questioned a few natives who informed him there were two female off-worlders helping with the injured. One had set up a treatment center, while the other was searching for survivors.

Anakin had followed one of the clansmen to the treatment center, while Obi-Wan began his search of the village streets.

It wasn't until he reached the center of town that he saw her, but before he could take another step, the gentle eddies he had studied earlier were suddenly transforming themselves into a maelstrom.

He called out her name in warning, but it was too late. Obi-Wan was helpless to watch as the world surrounding her exploded.

Time seemed to become stagnant as Obi-Wan cast out his hands, manipulating the Force and wrapping it about the debris cloud which threatened to envelop her. He managed to divert the most deadliest projectiles, shielding her as best he could from the firestorm that followed, but was quickly overwhelmed by the number of building fragments which targeted her.

When the dust cleared, he was already at her feet. He couldn't remember how he got there, but the how mattered very little.

"Padmé?"

His call went unanswered and Obi-Wan quickly assessed her for injuries. He could find no external damage, no puncture marks, or any bleeding, although a bruise was beginning to quickly develop along her temple. She had a head injury. Possibly severe.

"Force," The word was not a curse but a plea as Obi-Wan lifted Padmé up into his arms to carry her to safety.

"Please, please don't take her from me!"