Chapter Ten

Stars, this was going to hurt, but there was no better way. Dormé tried to reassure the patient he would feel relief after the bone was set, but the translator had left earlier had and not returned. Instead, she was forced to once again use hand motions, showing Anakin how to hold him while she pushed against the dislocated shoulder-blade.

Actually, the clansman moved very little and merely grunted in discomfort when the bone popped back into place. Using a strip of cloth, Dormé fashioned a makeshift sling and placed the Gaw's arm into it, motioning for him to keep it stable. Afterward, she literally pushed him out the door, just as a familiar person came marching in.

"Mi'Lady!" Dormé squeaked as Obi-Wan brushed past her, carrying the Senator in his arms. "What happened?"

"Another detonation. Padawan, you need to sweep the intact buildings and search for any switches, propellants, or mines. You know what to do."

"Yes, Master," the young man immediately hurried out to do his Obi-Wan's bidding, leaving Dormé face to face with the older Jedi. She expected anger, which would be directed toward her, and justifiably so. What she discovered, however, was desperation.

"Dormé, please. Do whatever you can."

"I will," she promised Obi-Wan. "Put her here."

She indicated the only empty pallet in the long, dark room, ignoring the groaning calls from the injured further back. There were other survivors who were now attending the wounded. She had done all she could to help them. Her attention now was focused on the young woman lying at her feet.

Dormé brought a glowlight closer and pried open the Senator's eyelids. She swept the light across the dark irises. First one, and then the other, voicing her findings aloud to the anxious Jedi.

"Pupillary restriction in both. No dilation. No malposition, which is good."

"Is there a hematoma?" Obi-Wan asked, from his kneeling position on the Senator's opposite side.

Dormé took one more look with the glowlight, frowning with uncertainty. "Hard to say. If I had the right equipment, I could perform a scan, which would reveal signs of swelling or compression."

The Jedi uttered something which sounded like Huttese; a language Dormé didn't know very well, except for maybe few key terms. She didn't recognize the one Obi-Wan had just used, though she suspected it was something rather profane.

She stared down at her injured friend, feeling helpless and frustrated.

"What about the other Clan? The Cro? Do you think they have a scanner available?" The sudden thought brought her some hope, which was dashed as soon as Obi-Wan explained how truly dire their situation was.

"The power is out not only in this village, but on the mountain as well."

That didn't make any sense! "If the Cro are responsible for this attack, why would they cut their own power?"

"They didn't, because they're not the ones responsible," Obi-Wan explained as he brushed away a stray strand of hair from the Senator's forehead. "The Cro Chief believes there is a rebel faction responsible. They want to unite the clans under one rule."

"By destroying everything?"

"Malcontentment often breeds uprisings." Obi-Wan calmly told her, his gaze yet to leave Padmé's face.

"And you believed him?"

Without changing his focus, the Jedi Master sat up taller, taking Padmé's hand in his and placing it onto his lap. "I sensed no deceit in his words."

"So, what happens now?"

Before Obi-Wan had a chance to answer, Anakin rushed into the treatment area. "How is she?"

"It's too early to tell," was the honest answer Dormé gave.

"Master, I discovered two threats near the council house and one undisturbed mine in a garden by a private home. There could be more, but without the proper tools, we won't know. We could return to the ship and see if the sensors can pick up anything."

There was no reply for some time, and when Obi-Wan did speak, his voice was soft but resolute. "We will return to the ship, but we're taking Padmé with us. I have to get her to safety."

"She really shouldn't be…" The end of her advice was aborted by a gaze so pained it tore the word from her tongue.

With a tender touch, the Jedi Master lifted the unconscious woman in his arms and stepped out the door. Anakin and Dormé followed.

"Once we're on board," he told his Padawan over his shoulder. "Contact the Jedi Temple and request an additional Jedi team be sent here, as well as a civilian physician with a mobile OCR scanner."

"Yes, Master."

As the four of them stepped through the smoldering embers of what was once a thriving and heavily populated village, Dormé was filled with a mixture of emotions. She felt compassion for those who had suffered, and anger towards those who had been the cause. But most of all, she was carrying a great deal of concern over her friend's condition. Padmé had to pull through! Obi-Wan would never forgive her if she didn't, and she wouldn't blame him.

Dormé trusted the Jedi Master's judgment, even though it appeared as if he were abandoning the Gaw when they needed the most help. Perhaps, once more Jedi arrive and the Senator recovered, he and Anakin would return to resolve the situation.

Until then, she understood Obi-Wan's rationale for getting Padmé out of harm's way, although moving a possible head trauma patient was not the recommended course of action. He did seem to be taking great care with her, however; carrying her so gently, it almost appeared as if she were floating.

That is, until they turned the corner to head down the main street, and he stopped suddenly, lowering the Senator to the ground before gingerly leaning her body against a building.

It took a moment for Dormé to discover what the problem was, but eventually through the smoke and darkness, she was able to detect movement up ahead. What at first appeared to be a small gathering of Linhytians, grew in number as the crowd moved further into the light. There were at least 100 clansmen gathered in the street, and it didn't take her long to figure out they weren't all from the same clan. This must be the rebels Obi-Wan had mentioned, although she didn't think they numbered so many.

"Dormé?"

"Yes, Master Kenobi?"

"Watch over Padmé. No matter what happens. Keep her safe."

"I will protect her with my life."