A/N: So this is my first attempt at a Star Wars fanfiction. I'm just a huge Obi-Wan fan and I'd like to see more to his story. :) Honestly, I'd just like to SEE more of him. ;) Just a heads up, I am a huge SW fan but I have never ventured into anything beyond the movies besides some of the novelizations of the films. The movies have always been enough for me and I never saw the need to delve into the expanded universe (a lot of which is no longer considered "canon" anyway). I have been researching different topics in preparation for starting this story (and will continue to do so as I move along) so hopefully I will not botch things too badly.

.

All credit goes to George Lucas for creating this fantastic universe and to the actors who brought them to life on screen.

The morning sun reflected off the pale stone and green roofs of the capital. Gardens were in bloom and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the many trees that lined the city streets. Theed's citizens could be seen going about their daily business, their colorful clothing making them seem like part of the landscape. The peaceful view outside the window was not a reflection of what was racing through the mind of the young woman looking out. Something was changing in the galaxy. It wasn't anything that could be seen or heard. It was only something that could be felt and in that it had chosen its methods well; it would remain virtually hidden for some time. The galaxy had enjoyed peace for a thousand years and those that would have known what to look for were, for the most part, long gone. However, despite its well made cloak of concealment there were some that could feel something wasn't as it should be though they didn't know what to make of the feeling. She could feel it though she didn't understand it. Her father had told her it would probably come but she still wasn't exactly sure what he had meant. For several weeks she had been uneasy and now it seemed to make some sense. Never had she felt quite so helpless. Their destruction was hovering just beyond the atmosphere of the planet and at any moment it could descend upon them. All that they had built here, all that they loved, could be gone in an instant. It was a sobering and terrifying thought. She had no idea what the Queen was going to do and she was glad she was not in such an exalted position.

"Katavé, the Queen requests our presence in the Throne Room. She has had news from Senator Palpatine and intends on speaking with the Viceroy." She turned from the window and followed Rabé, pulling the hood of her dress over her head. It was a short walk to where the Queen was assembled with Captain Panaka, Governor Bibble, and the other members of Naboo's Royal Advisory Council. Katavé took her seat near the window on the Queen's right. She was glad her hood concealed her face as she couldn't stop the frown that crossed her features when Viceroy Nute Gunray appeared on the view screen.

"Again you come before us, Your Highness," he purred in his slimy voice.

"You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy. Your trade boycott of our planet has ended."

A smirk. "I was not aware of such a failure."

"I'm aware the Chancellor's ambassadors are with you now and that you have been commanded to reach a settlement."

"I know nothing about any ambassadors. You must be mistaken."

Katavé could see the fleeting look of surprise cross the Queen's face as she studied the Neimoidian's image but it was gone in an instant. "Beware, Viceroy. The Trade Federation has gone too far this time."

"Your Highness, we would never do anything without the approval of the Senate. You assume too much."

"We shall see." The Queen cut off the view screen and silence filled the room. After a moment she turned to Captain Panaka. "Send word to Senator Palpatine that I wish to speak with him immediately."

No one spoke as they waited. The Queen paced a bit, deep in thought and Katavé felt a surge of sympathy for her. She was so young to have such burdens put on her shoulders. Queen Amidala was quite intelligent and very capable but she was still very young. She hadn't even been queen for a year; perhaps that was why the Federation had chosen to attack them now, feeling the leadership was weak and wouldn't be able to withstand them. She laughed to herself; they had certainly underestimated Naboo's young queen if that was what they believed. When they received word that a communication from the Senator was incoming, Amidala returned to her throne.

"Senator, I understood that the Supreme Chancellor was sending ambassadors to force the Trade Federation into a settlement. However no one has arrived to start the negotiations."

The look of confusion on the Senator's face was clear even in the hologram.

"Negotiations haven't started because the ambassadors haven't arrived? How could that be true? I have assurances from the Chancellor, his ambassadors did arrive. It must be the ... get ... negotiate ..." The Senator's image began sputtering and then faded out.

"Senator Palpatine?" There was worry in Amidala's voice. She turned to Panaka. "What's happening?" The Captain gave an order through his comlink.

"A malfunction?" Bibble asked.

Panaka grimaced. "It could be the Trade Federation jamming us, Your Highness."

"A communications disruption can only mean one thing: invasion," Bibble said ominously.

The Queen stared at him. "Don't jump to conclusions, Governor. The Federation would not dare go that far."

"The Senate would revoke their trade franchise and they'd be finished," Panaka argued.

"We must continue to rely on negotiation," Amidala told them.

Bibble almost snorted. "Negotiation? We've lost all communications! And where are the Chancellor's ambassadors? How can we negotiate? We must prepare to defend ourselves." The Governor's words were met with tense silence. Katavé could sense the conflict in the Queen.

"This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness," Panaka finally spoke, trying to keep his voice calm. "Our security volunteers will be no match against a battle hardened Federation army."

Amidala met his gaze. "I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war." She rose, motioning to her handmaidens, and they left the room. Katavé quickly made her way to the Queen's side. The two distanced themselves slightly from the other handmaidens.

"What do your senses tell you, Kat?"

"Something is not right about this whole situation. Gunray and the Trade Federation are cowards. This seems completely out of character for them."

Amidala thought for a moment. "Captain Panaka was correct though. This is a volatile situation. We are a peaceful planet and the Federation knows it." Katavé acknowledged the truth in her words.

"There are the measures King Veruna put in place, the Armed Corps and the N-1 squadron."

The Queen shook her head. "Even if I wished to send them into action, which I do not, the Council would never agree to such a move."

"Then we must take measures to assure you are protected." Amidala nodded at her words.

.

It wasn't long before their fears were realized. Katavé and the other handmaidens stood back as the Queen stared out the window, watching helplessly as lines of battle droids marched through the city streets towards the palace.

"Come, Your Highness," Captain Panaka said, jogging around the corner. "We need to be ready to meet with the Viceroy. We have no way to resist those droids and he knows it." She nodded and they all quickly filed into the Queen's private quarters. While Panaka kept watch at a window, the handmaidens quickly helped the Queen from her ornate robes and make up and into one of their orange hooded gowns. As she changed Sabé was dressed in a black dress and large feathered headdress, layers of make up completing the deception. Preferring to be just herself, Padmé nonetheless hated the danger she placed her friend in every time they had to resort to this ruse. Sabé knew her job, though, and performed it brilliantly every time she was called upon.

"They have entered the palace. We should await them in the Throne Room," Panaka said from the doorway. Padmé nodded and she followed behind the decoy Queen with the other handmaidens.

Katavé almost laughed to herself. There were at least twenty droids surrounding the Queen and her handmaidens. Perhaps she should feel flattered that the Viceroy saw them as such a threat.

"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Governor Bibble said in exasperation.

"The Naboo and the Federation will forge a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I've been assure it will be ratified by the Senate."

"I will not cooperate," the Queen said firmly.

"Now, now, Your Highness. You are not going to like what we have in store for your people. In time, their suffering will persuade you to see our point of view." Katavé felt anger bubble up inside and could sense Padmé stiffen beside her. Gunray ordered the droids to take them away and they were marched out of the palace. Once in the streets they could see other groups of citizens being rounded up and lead away as well. There was no way for anyone to fight back. She could feel her father's weapon at her waist under her robes but there was no way she could defeat their guards on her own. Even if she could, what would that gain them? Her eyes darted around while they were lead through the city, looking for any possible means of escape as they passed through alleyways and over the canals. As the thought went through her mind she knew it was pointless. The Trade Federation was in control of the city - and probably the planet - and there was no where to hide. Unless Padmé had some trick up her sleeve, Katavé saw no way out of this mess. That frustrated her to no end; they were smarter than this. They turned down a smaller street and she felt - something. Someone was nearby. At that moment two men clad in brown robes leapt from an overhead walkway, landing directly in front of the lead guards, their lightsabers quickly cutting through the droids.

Jedi!

It only took a moment but with several swings of their sabers and the use of the Force the remaining droids were in pieces on the ground. Katavé stared in amazement. She had never encountered a Jedi before, as far as she knew anyway, but they seemed as powerful as she had always heard.

"Your Majesty, I suggest we get off the street," the taller, older of the two said. Bibble lead the Queen into an alleyway, the older Jedi right behind them. The handmaidens followed, the younger of the Jedi at Katavé's back. When they were far enough back to avoid detection should any more droids pass by, the taller Jedi turned to the Queen.

"Your Highness, we are the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Your negotiations seemed to have failed, Ambassador," Bibble said a bit sarcastically.

"The negotiations never took place," Qui-Gon corrected. "Your Highness, we must make contact with the Republic."

Panaka stepped forward. "They've knocked out all our communications."

"Do you have transports?"

"In the main hanger. This way," Panaka motioned, answering the Jedi's question. Once they were in the hallway, the Captain carefully cracked open the hanger door, Qui-Gon peering over his shoulder.

"There are too many of them," Panaka said with frustration.

"That won't be a problem." Qui-Gon turned to the Queen. Padmé was at her left elbow with Katavé close by her side. "Your Highness, under the circumstances I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."

"Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is with my people."

"They will kill you if you stay." Again, Katavé could almost hear the thoughts racing through Padmé's mind as she tried to work out the best course of action. Qui-Gon's gaze darted from the Queen to each of the handmaidens before pausing on her and Kat saw something flash across his eyes.

"They wouldn't dare," Bibble said indignantly.

"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill her," the Captain told them, anger lacing through his words.

Qui-Gon looked at the Queen thoughtfully. "The situation here is not what it seems. There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you." Katavé jerked a bit as the Jedi Master almost echoed her earlier warning to Padmé word for word. She was glad to hear that she hadn't just been spouting nonsense. Her friend lightly touched her hand, acknowledging that she, too, remembered their earlier conversation.

Bibble seemed to see the logic in the Jedi's plan and pleaded with the Queen. "Please, Your Highness, reconsider. Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us. Senator Palpatine will need your help."

The Queen turned to look at Padmé. "Either choice presents great risk to us all."

"We are brave, Your Highness," Padmé responded in their coded language, letting Sabé know what she wished to do.

"If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now," Qui-Gon told her.

"Then I will plead our case before the Senate." She turned to Bibble. "Be careful, Governor."

Qui-Gon and Captain Panaka led them through the hanger door towards the waiting ship. Katavé spared one glance over her shoulder, giving a last, tight smile to Yané and Saché who were remaining behind with Governor Bibble. Panaka motioned to where a large group of pilots were surrounded by battle droids.

"We need to free those pilots."

"I'll take care of that," Obi-Wan stated, veering away from the group with the Queen. Katavé couldn't help but watch him from the corner of her eye as Qui-Gon faced one of the droids that stepped into their path.

"Where are you going?" it asked.

"I'm ambassador for the Supreme Chancellor and I'm taking these people to Coruscant."

"Coruscant?" The droid seemed a bit confused for a moment, stuttering as it tried to compute what Qui-Gon had just told it. Apparently it failed. "You're under arrest!" it finally ordered. At those words chaos ensued. Katavé wished she could pull out her weapon but it seemed the Jedi had the situation under control. Before the guards in front of them could draw their blasters Qui-Gon had sliced them in half, using the Force to push a couple more into a wall. Obi-Wan had attacked the droids guarding the pilots, leaving piles of broken body parts in his wake.

"Go!" he ordered. The pilots didn't need to be told twice. Some ran on board the ship while the majority headed towards where Governor Bibble was waiting. As the Queen and her handmaidens hurried on board Katavé turned to watch Obi-Wan finishing off the last few droids with a twirl of his lightsaber. An impressive show for sure. With that last thought she dashed on board, anxious to be away before the Viceroy became aware of their escape. She felt the ship roar to life beneath her feet and quickly found a seat; being thrown into a wall if the ship had to make some evasive maneuvers was not something she wanted to experience at the moment. They hadn't been in the air long before Obi-Wan walked by, leading the Gungan that had been with them into the droid hold at the back of the ship, returning a moment later alone.

"You didn't eject him did you?" she teased. He didn't answer but she could see the corners of his lips twitching into a smile before he disappeared into the cockpit. An explosion rocked the ship and she gripped the edge of her seat. More explosions sounded near the hull and she knew they must be approaching the blockade. She caught Padmé's gaze from across the room and could see the concern in her eyes. They couldn't defend themselves against whatever was firing on them; they weren't in a warship, they had no weapons. For the first time in her life Katavé began to wonder if perhaps her people were wrong in thinking that peaceful negotiations could solve every problem. That certainly hadn't worked this time and maybe if they'd had a reputation for not always being so passive the Federation wouldn't have dared attack them in the first place. After several heart stopping moments of explosions and the ship rocking violently she could feel the signs of acceleration under her feet and the sounds of battle faded quickly. Her shoulders sagged in relief; they had made it.

Not very long after the two Jedi, along with Panaka and a blue astomech droid entered the room. Katavé took her place beside Padmé. They had decided, for the time being, to leave Sabé disguised as the Queen.

"Are we free of the blockade, Captain?"

"Yes, Your Highness. We have taken some damage but were able to make it through thanks to this extremely well put together little droid. Without a doubt it saved our ship as well as our lives," he explained.

"It is to be commended. What is its number?"

Panaka wiped some dirt off the dome of the droid. "R2-D2, Your Highness."

The Queen smiled at the blue droid. "Thank you Artoo Detoo. You have proven to be very loyal. Padmé, clean this droid up as best you can, it deserves our gratitude." Padmé bowed her head and went to stand next to the droid. "Continue, Captain." Kat caught the cautious look Panaka shot Qui-Gon, who took a step forward.

"Your Highness, we are headed for a remote planet called Tatooine. It is a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation. The hyperdrive has been damaged and there we will be able to make needed repairs, then travel on to Coruscant."

"And is this repair essential?"

"If it is not repaired we will not make it any further without the Federation finding us," the Jedi Master told her.

"I do not agree with the Jedi on this," Panaka spoke up. "Tatoonie is very dangerous. It is controlled by gangs run by the Hutts."

"You must trust my judgment on this," Qui-Gon said confidently.

Padmé made a slight motion with her hand. To anyone else it would look like she was merely adjusting her robes but it was one of her ways of communicating with Sabé.

"Then we shall trust you, Master Jedi and hope that you are correct," the Queen said.