Ben followed closely behind Tonra and Typho who darted around the serene lake house as if they were being watched. Ben raised the hood of his dark brown cloak, shadowing his features should there be a possibility of someone spying for the Empire, though he didn't sense anything in the force. He did admit to himself that his skills at his extra sense were a bit rusty; he didn't trust his abilities.
The pair slunk over to a blast proof door that was decorated to match the décor of the expansive dining hall. Tan and crème-colored walls wrapped around them, which was decorated with numerous flower arrangements. A love seat was pushed against the wall by the window, and a dining room table was centered in the room. A bowl of various fresh fruits occupied the center of the table. Ben contemplated using the force to grab a fresh fruit but Ben decided against it. Typho began punching numbers into a console while Tonra stood with his back to his partner, covering any hint of prying eyes. The door slid open and Typho gestured for Ben to follow them. When they entered, strip lights lit up the floors, giving them enough time to see the stairs leading to a basement. Overhead lights swung from the ceiling above, illuminating a long table with schematics, data discs, and battle formations strewn upon its surface. Two almost identical looking women stood at the head of the table, talking over a data pad screen that Ben couldn't quite make out. An older man stood over the side of the table; his hands pressed firmly onto the smooth metal surface.
"Rabe, Eirte, Ric." Typho greeted each member around the table as they entered the basement. Ben stood a little behind Tonra, trying not to be the center of attention. As he glanced over the table, Ben saw that all eyes were on him. "This is…" Typho started before he was interrupted by the former starpilot, Ric Olie.
"Obi-wan Kenobi." Ric stated as he pushed himself up from the table. "It's been a while. Have you come to fight alongside us once more?"
"I'm afraid not." Ben stated, taking down his hood to reveal his face. "I am only on a slight detour. I must return a young girl to her family. I promised her father."
"You would shy away from helping a friend?" Ben heard a commanding voice from behind him. He turned to find a woman in white gliding down the staircase with a determined look in her eye. Padme was followed by Sabe and Leia who remained silent behind her. She stood face to face with the old Jedi, stoic and unyielding. This was the fearless woman Ben remembered. She brought a warmth to his heart that had been absent for so long. The former Queen's steady gaze never wavered, and Ben remembered why it was not wise to challenge her. She looked past Ben, toward Rabe and Eirte, her former handmaidens. "How bad is it?" She asked them, her voice softening.
Both women seemed to stiffen their posture, trying their hardest not to show the surprise on their faces. Rabe spoke up. "Well, the Empire is restricting travel and trade from off world, most provinces are low on resources due to over export and over farming for the imperial army, our planet's fearless leader's only worry is militarization. Shall I go on?"
Padme let out a sigh before responding. "It seems I have my work cut out for me." She began to glance at the various maps on the table before her. The blue light reflected onto her face, her eyes darting back and forth as she studied over the battle formations that were illuminated before her. "You have multiple camps set up across Naboo, the southern provinces, the western provinces. Who organized all this?"
"I did." Sabe announced. Padme glanced over her shoulder at her shadow. "I couldn't just let the Empire take over the planet without a fight. I could think of no better way to honor you."
Padme smirked. "How were you planning on striking?" She asked eager to start working.
"That's where we hit a snag." Ric Ollie commented. "Taking Theed would be the strategic thing to do. With it we would have more resources, potentially more soldiers, and an attempt at cutting the head off the snake."
"This would require that we have enough aquatic transports to move the troops we need. The only way to move that many troops is through the canals of the city." Sabe continued. "Unfortunately, the Empire has made sure that most transports of that nature were either deconstructed to provide the materials for starfighters or seized inside of Theed."
Leia peered at the maps in front of all of them, trying to understand the problem. "Why not ask someone else for the transports?"
"We tried that, the gungans are the only feasible option to provide the transports we need but no one has been able to enter Otoh Gunga since the fall of the republic. The gungans you see here lived their lives amongst the Naboo after Amidala's reign." Sabe explained.
"Have you sent anyone down there to try to negotiate?" Padme asked.
"We have, they were refused before entry." Sabe said.
Padme turned immediately and headed for the staircase. "I will go."
"I don't agree with that." Typho told her immediately.
Padme paused at the base of the stairs, one of her hands were rested on the banister, one foot on the first step ready to climb. "I was brought back for a reason. I think it wise that you utilize my friendship with the gungans. I will get the transports we need."
"I don't want you going alone. We have already lost you once." Typho argued.
"I will go." Ben said before he realized what he was doing. He knew he had to bring Leia back to Alderaan, but he felt the same way that everyone in that room felt. He couldn't lose her again.
"I thought you were predisposed." Padme rebutted.
"It seems that must wait a little longer." Ben responded before turning to Leia. "You should stay here; you will be safe." He told her.
She visibly began to pout. "But I want to go with you." She stated.
"This could be dangerous, and besides, if you stay here, you could help flesh out the invasion plan with Eirte and Rabe." Ben gave his best smile, hoping to convince the young girl not to follow. If she was anything like her parents, she would try her best to ignore Ben's suggestions. Eirte and Rabe did their best to make the plans seem like the more interesting option as they picked up on the strategy that Ben was using. Leia listened to them, but as they ran out of things to appeal to a young child, Leia did something unexpected. She embraced the Jedi as if this would be the last time they would see each other.
"Make sure you come back." The young girl ordered.
Ben grinned. "Of course, I promised to return you home. That is exactly what I intend to do." Leia let go of him and Ben began to follow Padme. They paused when a beeping began to emanate from a small circular device on the table. Ric Olie pressed a button on device and a blue hologram of a rebel soldier appeared before them. The man seemed to be in distress, blaster fire could be heard all around him.
"Its our scouting group." Ric announced. "We had lost contact with them a few hours ago."
"We are being gunned down in the streets. We need evac now!" The soldier pleaded as he cowered behind some rubble that had fallen on the street. He looked over the rubble and fired a few blasts before returning to his communicator.
"What is your location?" Ric asked immediately. It was then that Ben's heart began to drop as he heard the very distinct whooshing sound in the background, ricocheting blaster fire back toward the rebel soldiers.
They all watched as intense fear entered the soldier's eyes. "He is here." The soldier managed to choke out through gritted teeth. Ben began to feel himself open to the force unwillingly. Even over the distance Ben could feel the intense hatred that could only be the dark side. The powerful agony that encompassed him made him have a hitch in his breath. Ben quickly grabbed the railing of the stairs to steady himself. Padme noticed the change in his demeanor and paused her ascent to aid her friend.
The soldier looked straight into his device and stated with a shaky voice. "Vader is here." The transmission cut out, leaving a haunting silence within the mostly cold and empty basement.
That name was all Ben needed to lose his balance and wind up on his knees. Padme knelt to him, extending a hand toward his face to check his consciousness. "What is it?" She asked him, hoping he was aware enough to answer.
"This certainly complicates things." Typho said as he brought a hand to his forehead, attempting p ease the growing headache.
"We need these transports now more than ever. We must strike." Sabe announced. Padme nodded affirmatively. She helped Ben to his feet, and they began to climb the stairs.
"Vader is alive." Ben gasped.
Padme's eyebrows furrowed. "Who is Vader?" She asked.
Ben took a moment to search for the words. "Darth Vader, it is the name that Anakin took when he swore allegiance to Palpatine." Ben whispered to her. Ben watched as Padme became uncharacteristically speechless. She may have been looking toward him, but her eyes saw past him. For a moment Ben thought he was going to have to catch her, just as the stair railing caught him.
"We have to go after him." She breathed pivoting herself to continue out of the lake house. Ben quickly grabbed Padme's wrist to stop her.
"We need to get transports for the troops." Ben stated. Padme's face remained unyielding, causing Ben to anticipate a challenge. "He is gone, Padme." Ben pleaded. "I've tried to bring him back. I have failed him."
A single tear fell down Padme's cheek, the only sign of betrayal from her body. "I will not give up on him, Obi-wan." Her voice quivered toward the end, giving an inkling to Ben about her true feelings. They were feelings that Ben shared; he didn't want to give up on Anakin either. Ben wasn't sure if he could truly face him again. He didn't know if his heart could take much more pain from this loss. All he could do was focus on the task at hand, a welcome distraction. Ben knew eventually he would have to face him and finish what he started all those years ago, but for now he would protect the person Anakin loved most.
They walked down the stairs to the docks side by side, anticipation radiating from every step they took toward the only aquatic transport at their disposal. They silently boarded the vessel, Padme taking the controls, Ben taking a seat beside her. Ben knew one thing for certain, this was going to be a long ride to Otoh Gunga.