Chapter Four

Mira 

It had been an extended period since I last visited Padmé's opulent abode, nestled in the heart of Theed, and her devoted handmaidens had been meticulously attentive to my needs during my stay. Their diligence created a sense of belonging that was almost tangible within the walls of the palace, yet an inexplicable restlessness stirred within me, a disquiet that whispered through the fabric of the Force. As I sat on an elegantly carved stone bench in the courtyard, surrounded by vibrant flora and fauna that whispered secrets of Naboo's beauty, I found myself lost in the pages of an ancient text, its parchment yellowed by the touch of time and the setting sun casting a warm, golden hue across the landscape.

The tranquility of the evening was shattered by the unmistakable clamor of rushed footsteps and the murmur of agitated voices. The sudden sound sent a shiver down my spine, and I could feel the air around me thicken with tension. Rising to my feet, I set aside the book and moved towards the balcony, my eyes scanning the horizon where the sun was dipping below the tree line, painting the sky in a breathtaking palette of fiery oranges and deep purples.

"The Trade Federation has established a blockade around the palace," I murmured to myself, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on my shoulders as the realization dawned upon me. The once serene atmosphere of the palace was now suffused with a palpable sense of urgency as I rushed back inside, my instincts screaming at me to take action.

My heart pounded as I stumbled upon Padmé in the midst of adorning herself for an unexpected encounter with the enemy. Her chamber, a sanctuary of soft light and silk, was filled with an air of solemnity that starkly contrasted with the urgency of the moment. "Padmé," I called out, unable to contain the alarm in my voice, "you can't possibly consider walking into the lion's den like this!"

Her eyes, pools of calm determination, met mine, and she offered a reassuring smile that did little to alleviate my fear. "I trust in the Force, Mira. All will be well." Her voice was a gentle caress, a stark juxtaposition to the chaos that was steadily encroaching upon us.

"No, it won't!" I protested, my voice a tapestry of frustration and concern. "What about your people, Padmé?" The Force whispered its own warnings to me, an insistent echo that something of great consequence was approaching.

The serenity of the chamber was pierced by the sudden sound of two figures landing gracefully in the courtyard below. Two Jedi Knights emerged from the shadows, their lightsabers a stark reminder of the danger that loomed outside. The elder, Qui-Gon Jinn, bore a beard flecked with the wisdom of his years, while the younger, Obi-Wan Kenobi, boasted a more modest coiffure adorned with the braid of a Padawan learner.

My protective instincts flared as the Jedi approached, and I stepped in front of Padmé, barring their path. "Back off!" I snarled, my eyes narrowing to slits as I sized up the newcomers. "You have no authority here. This is a place for diplomacy, not your kind of interference!"

Padmé's gentle touch on my wrist served as a gentle reprimand, and she leaned in to whisper, "Mira, they are Jedi Knights! They are here to aid us. Can't you feel it?" Her words resonated within me, and I knew I had to put aside my skepticism for the sake of her safety.

With a reluctant nod, I conceded, "Fine." We were swiftly escorted through the serpentine corridors of the palace, the urgency in our steps echoing off the ancient stone walls. The Jedi introduced themselves with an air of quiet confidence that did little to dispel the uncertainty knotting in my stomach.

As we reached the expansive hangar, the grandeur of Padmé's personal transport ship, a sleek and gleaming chrome vessel, dominated the space. Captain Panaka, his face a mask of concern, cracked open a side door, revealing the gleaming starship. "This is the Queen's personal transport," he announced, his voice a testament to the gravity of the situation.

Qui-Gon's gaze lingered on the spacecraft for a brief moment before he nodded decisively. "It will serve our purpose." His words were met with a frown from Panaka as he surveyed the ever-increasing number of droids amassing outside.

"There are too many of them," the captain murmured, his gaze flitting to the advancing enemy.

"Their numbers are irrelevant," Qui-Gon assured him, his voice a bastion of calm amidst the storm. He turned to Padmé, his expression earnest. "Your Highness, under the circumstances, I strongly advise you to accompany us to Coruscant."

Her Royal Highness, Queen Amidala, met his gaze steadfastly. "Thank you, Ambassador," she replied, her tone unwavering despite the flicker of fear in her eyes. "But my place is here, with my people."

Bibble, the Gungan delegate, gasped in astonishment. "They wouldn't dare harm you!"

The Jedi's eyes searched mine, seeking my counsel. "And what say you, my lady?"

I took a moment to consider his words before responding, "I'm not the queen, but I agree. We should leave immediately."

Padmé's resolve was unshaken. "If I leave, then you come with me," she insisted, her voice a beacon of strength.

I searched her eyes, feeling the weight of her words. "Padmé, you must understand. Your safety is paramount. I can handle whatever comes next."

"We stand together, Mira!" she declared, her voice a declaration of unity. "If I am to go, then so are you!"

Her unyielding conviction brought forth a newfound determination within me. Gently cupping her cheek, I whispered, "Go, be strong. I'll ensure the safety of your people."

The air grew heavy with the gravity of our decision as we shared one final, lingering look. Then, as if propelled by an unseen force, I turned on my heel and sprinted away from the group, my heart hammering against my ribcage.

The metallic screech of a droid's voice rang out, "There she is!" followed by the ominous click of a weapon being primed.

Without looking back, I dashed through the plaza, weaving a path of evasion as the droid's blaster fire chased me. My senses were heightened, my focus razor-sharp, as the cacophony of battle grew louder. The Jedi had bought us time, and I was determined to use it wisely.

As I sprinted, the warmth of the sun's last embrace faded, leaving me with the stark realization that the fate of Naboo and its people now rested in the hands of those I had once trusted implicitly, and in the unyielding resolve of the queen I had sworn to protect.

-

Author

Padmé Amidala's eyes were wide with horror as she observed her childhood companion sprinting into peril, selflessly risking her own life in an effort to assist those in dire need. The agonizing sight of her friend facing such imminent danger gripped Padmé's heart in a vise-like grasp, and she felt an unbearable ache within her chest. At that very moment, a reassuring yet firm hand came to rest upon her shoulder, interrupting her distress. She looked up to find the calm yet concerned gaze of Qui-Gon Jinn, his presence a beacon of comfort amidst the chaos.

"Come, Padmé, we mustn't waste time," he urged with gentle insistence, his hand guiding her and the others towards the entrance that led into the cavernous main hangar of the city's spaceport.

The air within the vast chamber was thick with a tension so palpable it seemed to cling to the skin. The group, comprising Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the clumsy yet well-meaning Jar-Jar Binks, Captain Panaka, and Padmé's loyal handmaidens Eirtaé and Rabe, moved with a swiftness fueled by desperation. Each step they took brought them closer to their only hope for escape: a sleek, chrome-plated spacecraft that gleamed under the stark lights. The handmaidens' fear was almost tangible as they held back their sobs, their eyes reflecting the turmoil of the situation.

Amidst the cacophony of panicked voices, Captain Panaka's commanding tone pierced the air. "We must liberate those pilots!" he shouted, gesturing to a cluster of twenty individuals—pilots, guards, and ground crew alike—who were being detained by a sextet of battle droids in the far corner of the hangar.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, the younger Jedi, took it upon himself to address the issue. His eyes blazed with resolve as he announced, "I shall attend to that," and strode away from the group to confront the mechanical adversaries.

Meanwhile, Qui-Gon Jinn, accompanied by Queen Amidala, Captain Panaka, and the remaining entourage, approached the ramp of the Naboo starship. A guard droid, cold and unyielding, blocked their path.

"Halt!" the droid's metallic voice rang out, its visor unwavering.

Qui-Gon stepped forth, his demeanor exuding authority. "I am the Ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor, and it is my imperative to escort these individuals to Coruscant."

The guard droid's skepticism was clear as it questioned, "Coruscant, you say? Please remain here under arrest while I verify your claim."

Before the droid could act upon its suspicion, Obi-Wan's swift intervention played out like a masterfully choreographed dance. In a flash, he had disarmed and immobilized the droids surrounding the captive pilots, allowing Padmé and the others to board the spacecraft.

"Hurry!" Qui-Gon called out, as he fought valiantly against the incoming droids, his lightsaber a blur of blue in the dimly lit hangar.

As the group rushed onto the ship, the alarms began to wail, a shrill testament to the impending assault. More droids swarmed the hangar, their blasters firing in a cacophony of red bolts as the Naboo spacecraft began to ascend. The ship's engines roared to life, and the vessel lurched upwards, narrowly avoiding the barrage of fire.

The spacecraft emerged from the hangar, the once majestic city of Theed now a rapidly receding speck on the planet's surface. They were now face-to-face with the intimidating Federal blockade that surrounded Naboo. Inside, in the confined space of the droid hold, Jar-Jar Binks stumbled in, his eyes as wide as saucers as he took in the mechanical inhabitants.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, we're safe now. Remember, no more trouble," he was instructed by the Jedi Knight, who closed the door firmly behind him.

Jar-Jar's curiosity, however, led him to address the line of dormant astrodroids, their shiny exteriors hinting at the various functions they served. He tapped an R-2 unit painted a vibrant shade of red, accidentally causing an explosion of springs and gears to erupt from its head.

"Oops!" he exclaimed, his ears drooping with embarrassment. He quickly righted the droid, adding, "I was only joking, little buddy!"

In the cockpit, pilot Ric Olie's concentration was unbroken as he navigated the chaotic space battle. The dashboard lights flickered and the ship's alarms blared, a constant reminder of the danger that enveloped them. Captain Panaka's eyes darted between Ric and Qui-Gon, his expression a mix of relief and anxiety.

"Thank you for your assistance down there, Jedi Master," Ric called out over the din, his voice tight with tension.

"Our work is not yet done," Qui-Gon responded with the gravity of their situation etched in his words. "We must ensure the safe passage of everyone to Coruscant."

The space around them grew increasingly treacherous as the battle intensified. Laser blasts whizzed by, their heat searing the air as they narrowly avoided the spacecraft. The massive battleships of the Trade Federation loomed ever closer, their destructive power a stark reminder of the urgency of their mission.

"We must abort! Our deflector shields are compromised!" Ric's voice was a shout of alarm as the ship jolted from a direct hit.

"Maintain course!" Qui-Gon's order was firm, his gaze unwavering despite the explosions that rocked the vessel.

The aftermath of the hit was visible as a hull panel was torn away, exposing the ship's inner workings and sending sparks flying.

In the droid hold, the lights flickered back to life, and the astrodroids stirred into action. A flurry of metallic limbs and beeping noises filled the air as they rushed to the airlock. The little blue R-2 unit that had bumped into Jar-Jar earlier squeezed past him and darted into the vacuum of space, a blur of motion.

"How rude!" Jar-Jar exclaimed, watching as the droids secured themselves to the ship's exterior, becoming a part of the ship's makeshift defense system.

Back in the cockpit, Captain Panaka's voice was a bellow over the cacophony. "Hold steady, Ric! We can't afford to lose any more droids!"

"The hyperdrive is compromised and leaking power!" Ric Olie shouted over the din, his hands a blur across the control panel.

Obi-Wan, his gaze intense as he studied the ship's status, confirmed the grim news. "We're losing them quickly. If we don't find a safe haven soon, we won't stand a chance!"

Panaka's frustration was palpable. "Is there no way to fix this?"

"We need to land somewhere to refuel and repair," Qui-Gon said decisively, his eyes scanning the star chart displayed before him. "Tatooine. It's remote and infrequently visited by the Trade Federation. It's our best option."

Panaka's skepticism was clear. "The Hutts control Tatooine. Can we trust them?"

"We have no choice but to risk it," Qui-Gon replied, his voice steady and firm. "They are not our allies, but they are not currently searching for the Queen. That gives us an advantage."

Obi-Wan nodded in reluctant agreement. "It's a gamble, but it's one we must take."

With a heavy heart, Captain Panaka conceded to the Jedi's judgment. "Set a course for Tatooine, Ric," he called out.

The spacecraft shot away from Naboo, the fate of its passengers uncertain as they ventured into the vastness of space, heading for the desolate and sand-swept planet that could either offer salvation or a new peril.