Chapter 5

"Padme Amidala.", said the whisper.

"Who is there?", asked the handmaiden.

"It's me, Hermione.", Padme looked at the girl with interest. "You're quite good at hiding. I hadn't noticed you."

"I was waiting for you to be alone.", she paused. "You are sad for your people. But you can still win."

"How?"

"Take the ones you can with you. I know Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan will go with you.", Padme frowned slightly. "A little bird told me. You see, though a stronger Chancellor will be elected, he still will not do what Naboo needs, in so short a time. You know this, you must do it yourself. Make an alliance with the Gungans, literally beg for their help if you love your people. Their heart is in the right place, they won't say no if you speak from yours. The Federation relies too much on their droids. The army is nothing without its head."

"The vice-roy."

"Yes. I'm sure there are secret passageways into the palace. Surely not all of your people has been captured. If you can secure that imbecile, well…", Padme nodded.

"Still… there will be a droid control ship."

"Leave that to me. Though, a few pilots to help me wouldn't hurt."

"Still, so much can go wrong.", she bit her bottom lip.

"Trust the Force. Have faith in yourself. You are a Queen. Your people chose you for a reason."

Padme sat and lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

"You're right.", she finally whispered. "And it can work."

"I'll gear up, then. Can I use your fresher?", the young Queen smiled.

"Of course."

Chapter 6

Ric Olie swallowed hard. Make no mistake, the young girl, clad in black leather and a dark outer robe, her light brown hair in a braid, meant business. Her orders were simple, to the point.

"We will take down that droid control ship or die trying. The people of Naboo counts on us, to do our part. Let's go do that." Shortest pep talk he ever had, really, and just what had possessed the Queen to place a little girl ahead of his pilots? Then, she surprised him. "I know the Queen has decided I should be in charge. However, Commander, for the purpose, I think you are better qualified. I think each should do its part, and since you are more experienced with leading bigger groups, I readily admit I work better solo or in smaller groups."

He blinked. She respectfully nodded at him and left.

Now that he hadn't expected. He smiled, his pilots also looked relieved. They seemed to think she was a tad too intense for a… teenager?

It wasn't until later she really impressed them.

Granger kept to the back, ever watchful, light saber in one hand, blaster in the other. Once in close proximity to the hangar, she nodded to one of the handmaidens – Padme, he thought was her name – headed towards the front of the group, and once they had been spotted, Ric was amazed.

She was fast, very accurate with a blaster, making more casualties than the two Jedis combined. Once in close proximity to the droids, she would dodge, and kick, and cut until their group would cross the hangar and the pilots took their place, while the droids seemed to start focusing on her, like she was the only target. Sitting on his cockpit, readying for lift off, seeing her was a thing of beauty.

Soon, they were airborne. A ship was lost right after leaving the hangar. And it proved to be hellish up there, in the stars. Granger was doing the strangest dodging tricks, she was a menace. Somehow she had managed to get inside the hangar and minutes later the whole control ship was blowing up from the inside, her little ship coming out of it just on time.

And did she, once she had landed again on Naboo, stick around to hear their compliments? No, siree. The human girl had simply jumped out of the ship, barked an order regarding the removal of her blue astromech droid and ran for her life.

He could use a drink.

-.-.-.-.

It was too late.

Darth Maul fell down the endless shaft, and was no more.

Then it was meant to be, it seems. Obi-Wan cradled his Master in his arms, vowing to train Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon's head turned to face her, and whisper her name, the last word he ever pronounced. Obi-Wan looked in her direction, her eyes full with tears.

"So much loss…", she whispered. Obi-Wan could only weep silently, unable to say more.

She felt so tired, now, all the time. It was like a blur, until Obi-Wan went looking for her, Anakin in tow. She faced them both.

"Obi-Wan, Anakin. I am sorry for your loss. I know Qui-Gon was… a great man. Please accept my condolences. I apologize for not going to his service but… I have attended so many, and the thought of attending one more…", she trailed off, face grave and she gave a graceful curtsy, elegant in an long black dress, her hair cascading in soft waves, making her appear older. They bowed shortly in response, not knowing what to say. "Ani… congratulations are, despite the sad occasion, in order. I'm sure you will become a good Jedi Knight." The boy smiled and blushed. "And now… I'm afraid the time has come for us to say 'until next time'."

"Will I be seeing you again?"

"Maybe… if you're good.", she smiled sadly. "I hope so."

"Could Hermione send me messages through the Jedi Temple, Master?", Obi-Wan smiled and gently replied.

"You will be very busy, my small apprentice. You must keep focused on your training."

"Ani, it doesn't matter. I'm going to retire for quite some time. It will be years before you see me again. You will be… on the brink of adulthood, I think."

"That long?", he whined.

"I'm afraid so. I'm not needed, right now."

"Naboo owes you a debt of gratitude.", said Obi-Wan.

"What happened was the result of team work. And it did not save Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Still, there is much you can still do."

"You know… Obi-Wan, I work better solo. Meddling with politicians… means I need to heal first. Politics is no trifling matter and I would have to be on top of my game. Right now, I'm not. It's time to mourn the loss of my family and friends, to regain my strength.", he smiled.

"Perhaps you will even become a Senator.", he added lightly. She laughed humorlessly.

"No… too public. Though I would not mind assisting one."

"Perhaps Palpatine? Though he is Chancellor, I'm sure he will still need aides."

"No matter, Obi-Wan. I still have time to decide."