They followed the sight of the tall buildings in the distance toward Theed, trudging along through tall grass. The sun beat down on them, but it was not an uncomfortable warmth. Instead, it was a warmth that perfectly balanced the coolness of the light breeze that danced around them. Naboo was comfortable, if only Ben felt more relaxed on his walk toward the capital. His senses were on edge, keeping his body rigid and ready for any onset of fire from blasters. He kept his weight forward, ready to leap for Leia should an occasion call for it. More than once, the duo had to duck into the grass as an imperial speeder zoomed by them. Ben was grateful for Leia's green hood that she kept shadowing her face. It blended into the lush green environment perfectly, making up for Leia's lack of subtlety.
Ben concluded that the Empire had been alerted to the crash given how many squads seemed to have passed them by. He was more than grateful that none of the troopers had noticed them. The tall cylindrical towers of Theed palace grew taller and taller the closer that Ben and Leia trekked. When they got close enough, Ben calculated that the main opening to the city was crawling with heavy security. Most bore the stark white armor of stormtroopers but there were still red uniforms of the Naboo guard mixed in. Leia for once remained at Ben's side, not trapsing up to the front gate as usual. She seemed lost in thought as well. Ben hoped she was trying to come up with a plan to get them into the city as an opportunity for entry did not seem to be presenting itself.
"I can feel the calling." She told Ben. "It is getting stronger."
"We are getting closer." Ben said with a nod. "Our journey ends here if we can't find a way past those troopers." He looked out around the outskirts of the capital which primarily consisted of lakes. The water sparkled with light as the sun's rays reflected off its smooth surface. Something about staring off into the serene landscape caused Ben to recall a memory from a distant past. He reminisced of a hologram blueprint of Theed palace, back in a time when he was assisting Naboo's queen. Underneath the city remained a series of service tunnels that ran to the planets power core in which there were some tunnels that led to the surface. That would have to do. "Can you swim?" He asked Leia.
"Yes, what are you thinking?" She asked, trying to see where Ben's gaze rested.
Ben fiddled with a pouch at his hip, pulling out two rebreathers before clasping it closed again. He handed one of the rebreathers to Leia and motioned with his head to follow. Leia did as she was instructed and trotted along behind Ben who was jogging over to one of the lakes. Leia shrugged off her curiosity of his plan and placed the rebreather in her mouth before wading into the water behind Ben. They had dived down into the lake, swimming between giant plants of algae. There was all manner of marine life swimming around them, everything from small brilliantly colored fish to giant gooberfish. They swam deep, their vision becoming clouded. Ben had to slow his strides in an attempt for Leia to stay close due to poor vision.
A rounded metal door appeared near the cliffside that the duo swam toward. A small button console blinked to the side of the door. Ben reached for it while floating idly in front of the door. Leia clung to Ben's leg in an attempt to keep herself from floating with the current. A few muffled beeps and the rounded door slid open revealing a small chamber. Ben and Leia quickly swam into the chamber and the door closed behind them. An alarm sounded as the water in the chamber began to quickly drain, leaving Ben and Leia in the chamber's center, soaked to the core.
Leia began to ring out the ends of her green cloak, large puddles of water forming at her feet. Ben ran a hand through his hair, pushing the soaked locks out of his face. "How did you know this was here?" Leia asked.
"Instinct and a very old memory." Ben replied before moving toward the next circular door and pressing buttons at its console. The door slid open just like the first one, but this one revealed a long dark damp tunnel. There were small strip lights lining the floors of the service tunnel, providing just enough light for them to see where they were going.
"I would very much like to know about this old memory." Leia continued as she splashed her way into the tunnel. Ben followed her, just a few steps behind the princess. "If we are going to be travelling together, it would be best for us to learn to trust one another." Leia began, using a very familiar negotiating voice. "You clearly know who I am, Princess Leia Organa from Alderaan. All I know is that my father, Senator Bail Organa, has entrusted you to rescue me. I had to deduct that you were once a Jedi. So, tell me, how do you know Naboo so well?"
Ben sighed wishing that he could tell here the whole truth. He had sworn to Bail that it was necessary to keep her from knowing her true heritage. The less she knew, the better. "As you already know, I was once a Jedi." Ben began with a smirk. He cautiously continued his story, wanting to satisfy her curiosity but also wanting to shield some of the truth. "Back when I was being trained as a Jedi, I took a mission with my master during the invasion of Naboo." Even through the low light of the tunnel, Ben could tell that Leia's eyes grew wide from wonder. "It was our job to help negotiate with the trade federation to allow the trade routes of Naboo to open again. Things did not go as planned. I had recalled studying the maps of the palace here as a way to prepare for the mission. That and using the force for guidance brought us to this very spot."
"Is the force guiding me?" Leia asked.
Ben took a moment to ponder if he should tell her the truth. Ultimately, he realized she would see through his hesitation. Just being in her vicinity for such a small time revealed that Leia was very strong in the force, possibly stronger than himself. Ben considered if her brother shared the same strength. It was impossible to tell with the distance that Owen Lars kept between them. Ben couldn't blame Owen for his need to protect the boy. It was a need that Ben felt very deeply as well. "I believe it is." Ben answered her.
"Am I a Jedi?" Leia said with an awe to her voice.
"You are a princess of Alderaan." Ben told her. "It is the path that your father and mother have set for you."
"And what if I don't choose that path?" Leia asked, not looking for an answer. Ben was surprised by the wisdom she demonstrated. "What if it is not the path my real mother and father would have chosen for me?"
Ben was at a loss for words, how could he know what Padme and Anakin would have wanted for her. Perhaps they would have wanted her to become a Jedi. How Ben longed to be able to ask them himself, it was a foolish want and one that he should not dwell on. Stay in the moment. He told himself.
It was a good thing that he snapped out of his mulling as a sudden whooshing sound reverberated through the tunnels. Leia instantly crouched down and moved toward the edge of the tunnel the best she could. Ben followed with a slight grin on his face. She is learning. He mused. A small light source could be seen dead ahead. It was a scanning beam coming from an imperial scouting droid. Its round core floated along the tunnels, providing a small amount of security beneath the city. The droid was getting much closer as it floated around looking for intruders. It was clear that Ben would have to do something if their cover was to remain intact.
Ben held his hand out and called to the force, he felt the slight touch of its warmth surround his body. It was a feeling he had been avoiding as of late. It felt good, it felt natural, but he blamed it for his suffering. The ill will that he harbored would have to subside if he wanted to help Leia. He looked over toward her, that innocent face gazing back at him. Her full trust in him was worn like a banner on her sleeve and he wanted nothing more than to aid her. He focused on their growing bond and a flood of the force entered his body. His old aching joints no longer hurt; his muscles felt ready for battle. By manipulating the force around him, he shot a surge toward the droid which pushed it hard against the tunnel wall. The droid fell to its side, sparks jutting out from its mechanical joints.
"Woah, could you teach me to do that?" Leia asked.
Ben smirked. "Only if your father agrees." Ben stated before noticing a pout coming from Leia's lower lip.
They continued winding their way through the tunnels, sporting caution should another scouting droid show up. It wasn't long before Ben led them to a ladder which he was sure was the one they needed. Ben climbed first, checking below him constantly to ensure that Leia still followed. Ben pushed up on the hatch that rested above his head gently, trying to peer at whatever was above them. He found that Naboo's sun had already begun to set. Above them lay a bustling street in the heart of Theed. He could see many feet passing them by but none of them seemed to be the boots of guards or troopers. Ben breathed a sigh of relief as he pushed open the hatch all the way and climbed his way onto the bustling street. While there were certainly wandering eyes that watched as Ben pulled the princess from the service tunnel, he was grateful for the crowd that would mask them as they walked toward their destination.
They were not far away from the city's center. Ben silently thanked the force for guiding him so closely to where he wanted to be. With a few short strides they found themselves within a circular park filled with brilliantly colored flowers. All of the pathways between flowerbeds intersected at its center, a small, rounded building that encompassed some of Naboo's beautiful architecture lay at the park's center.
"This is the place." Leia called before rushing off toward the small building. Ben called out to her, but she didn't look back. Through his senses he could hear the soft click of a blaster rifle being cocked. His heart began to race as he quickly assessed the surrounding trying to find the threat. He heard the trigger being pulled and the blaster bolt fired through the air.
Ben called to the force for strength. With one swift movement and inhuman speed, Ben leaped toward Leia and pulled out the weapon he hadn't touched since that fateful duel so long ago. A blue beam hummed and deflected the bolt, ricocheting it toward one of the flower beds. Ben kept his stance ready, his feet apart and lightsaber drawn toward the oncoming threat.
Leia stayed behind Ben, stunned from the shock of the attack. Ben waited for more fire, but none seemed to come his way. "Ben." Leia called, trying to get his attention. He did not wish to lower his guard, so he slowly turned his head over his shoulder to check his flank. A woman's figure stood in the doorway to the small building. She was gowned in the bright orange handmaiden robes of Naboo royalty and held a small blaster in both hands which was outstretched and targeting Ben.
"Drop your saber, Jedi." The woman called with distaste in her voice.
Ben, not knowing how many enemies remained unseen, retracted the lightsabers blade. He put both hands up and bent slowly to the ground to place his lightsaber gently on the pathway. Leia followed suit and raised her hands as she stood beside her protector. "Don't try anything foolish." Ben scolder her. She nodded, but her stance remained strong and unyielding. Ben feared what the revelation of being a Jedi would mean for their capture. Ben knew one thing, he would ensure that Leia would escape unharmed, even if it meant his own inevitable doom.