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Naboo. It was the second day on the ground. Alee paced down the hallway and back to the cockpit door. It was closed. She didn't want to see outside. She'd made Dru land. Hadn't even been in the cockpit since their argument. But she was going stir crazy. A day and a half of pacing and the ship was shrinking fast. It was all she could do to not run into the street screaming. It didn't help that she was resisting the Living Force at every turn.
And the Force wanted her out there. Somewhere. She shivered and resumed pacing.
Druce came in and sat down. He watched her for a few minutes.
"Will you please stop, Alee?" he asked. "I don't want to have to start replacing floor panels."
She stopped and stared at him. He'd been so standoffish since their fight. Not that she blamed him. She'd blown it sky high. His face - angry and hurt all at once - was seared into her mind's eye. She was like a rock thrown into water. Her pain was flooding her very being, and now it was reaching out to wash over those around her. I belong in the past. I only hurt people when I try to live in the present.
"I did speak in Basic, didn't I? Maybe I should try Bothan? Huttese? Wookiee?" He raised an eyebrow. "Mind you, my Wookiee is a little rusty. Well, nonexistent, actually."
Alee fought a smile and planted her hands on her hips. "And your point is?"
"Get off this ship, Alee. You are driving us both crazy."
"I, I can't."
"Arrest warrant waiting? Maybe I can make a few extra credits."
"You could try."
"Is that a challenge?" Dru smiled.
"I don't challenge where there isn't one," Alee clipped.
Dru winced. "Ouch. But probably true. But who knows - if you didn't have your toy, and you were tied up, and I held my blaster at short range..."
A small smile forced its way onto Alee's lips. "That might begin to even the odds."
"Cocky, aren't you."
"Yes."
"Leave the ship."
"No."
"Stubborn, too," Dru commented.
"Very," Alee replied.
Dru shrugged and got up to leave.
"Dru?"
He turned around. "Yes."
"How long until the hyperdrive's repaired?"
"Late tonight. If they work through. I'll install it in the morning." He paused. "I'll be back late."
With that Druce disappeared down the hall. Alee listened to the boarding ramp ring with his footsteps.
One night. I have one night to follow the Force's bidding. I must. Force give me strength.
As darkness fell over the spaceport and lights came on one by one, Alee sat at the cockpit console and studied a map of the city. Theed. Situated on the edge of a plateau, it was designed around a maze of rivers that joined together and fell over the cliff in several places to plummet to the valley far below. Central to the map was the palace, perched on the cliff between waterfalls. Every street seemed to radiate outwards from it. That was where she had to go. She could feel it.
Alee rose and patted her lightsaber clipped to her belt, then retrieved her reddish-brown cloak from a storage compartment. She shook it out and pressed the lettering under the hood against her cheek. She could almost smell Qui-Gon's earthy scent in those cryptic runes. A message of love from him to her. From another time. She sighed and slipped the cloak on. Alee lifted the hood and slid her hands into opposing sleeves. A Jedi once more.
Alee glided down the ramp and across the landing field. She slipped into the shadows and through the gaping entrance to the spaceport. No barred gates. A sign of a people who had once known peace. Trust. Druce popped into her thoughts. She pushed his visage aside and focused on the task ahead.
The boulevard she'd stepped onto was wide, bordered by graceful pillared buildings and ancient trees. She stayed in the shadows, melting in and out of pools of light only where she had to. The street was almost deserted and she passed without notice. Over stone bridges. Under flowing arches. Always toward the palace.
Alee rounded a corner and stopped. The palace loomed before her, at the end of a long avenue, the widest yet. An impressive staircase led up to a grand portico supported by graceful giant columns. This isn't right. There must be a side entrance.
Alee moved down the avenue, slipping into the first alley branching to the right. Several twists and turns later, she passed under an archway and stopped. She looked up at the covered walkway above the columns. Yes. This is the way. But to where?
A little further down and she came to large blast doors. Stepping through, Alee found herself in a long hanger. A sleek starship dominated the space. It's smooth body tapering to points on the nose and wingtips spoke of another age. A more civilized age, one not dominated by sharp angles and the struggle to survive. She walked slowly along its length running her hand over chrome that almost pulsated at her touch. The Naboo Royal Starship. She'd bet her lightsaber on it. It felt ... familiar somehow. But she'd never seen one. She searched with her fingers and the Force, looking for the ramp controls.
"Hey! You there. Back away."
Alee startled at the harsh orders and stepped back, her hand slipping beneath her cloak to rest on her lightsaber. She turned to face the person approaching. Old - at least 75 or 80. With a cane. She dropped her hand and moved forward to meet him. His head was almost completely bald, with a narrow band of white hair running from ear to ear. Concave cheeks were emphasized by a slightly hooked nose and jutting chin. His dark eyes were scanning her suspiciously.
Alee read the name tag on his military uniform and pulled back her hood.
"I'm sorry Mr. ... Olie. Am I in a restricted area?"
"Captain Olie, miss. And we don't allow visitors after dark." He tapped the cane on the floor to punctuate his statement.
"Oh. Is this part of the palace a museum then? That starship is in mint condition. Incredible."
He harrumphed. "Whole palace is a museum these days."
Alee turned back in surprise. "What?"
"You heard me. I'm the only one hard of hearing in this hanger."
"But why? Don't you have a royal sovereign?"
"Of course we do - if she's still alive. But we haven't seen her for more than 25 years." He narrowed his eyes. "Not since that blasted Jedi spirited her away." He spat on the ferrocrete.
Alee held her cloak close about her. "What sort of working government does Naboo maintain?"
"Regent. Approved by Emperor Palpatine himself. He's from here, you know."
"The regent?"
"The emperor."
Of course. Senator Palpatine. Why didn't I connect the two before? But then, he was only ever a name. Not even a face.
Alee took a step back. "Does the regent live at the palace."
"No. You'd better leave now, miss."
Alee took another step. "The whole palace is just waiting? Frozen in time?"
"Do I look like I've been frozen in time?" He scowled. "Get going, miss. Before I have to call security."
"Thank you, Captain Olie. Sorry to disturb you."
Alee strode across the hanger. When she sensed the captain's attention had turned, she slid into the shadows. She crouched and tapped her teeth with her thumb as she scanned the area. Ornate double doors graced one end of the hanger. Main entrance. There were several other entrances, including the one she'd used.
Alee glided along the wall, weighing her options. Her eyes locked on tall plain doors across from her. That's it. She waited until the old man left the hanger the way she'd come in, then dashed across the open area and dropped in front of the control panel to the right of the doors. Not even locked. She activated the switch and stepped back as the grey durasteel doors slid into the walls.
Alee moved down a short stone hallway and stepped into a cavernous ... power generating station? A crisscrossed pattern of catwalks were laid out before her, above and below, spanning a deep pit and circling blue-white reactor cores. She moved forward cautiously, stopping on a semi-circular control platform near the hall. She ran her fingers along the waist-high console. Why would the Force lead me here? I don't understand.
With eyes closed, Alee mapped the Force's path in her mind. Here goes.
The catwalk five meters away beckoned. Alee assessed the distance. Jump? Why bother. She walked off the platform and skirted the edge of the pit, moving onto the narrow span. She approached one of the humming reactors. The combined light of the reactors meant no extra lighting was needed. But the cold blue light cast a pall on the huge chamber, giving it an eerie feel as it threw wavering shadows through the air. The hair on Alee's neck stood on end.
Near the core, the Jedi crouched and peered over the edge of the catwalk. She tapped her teeth. Next stop. Two levels down. Abruptly, Alee stood and stepped off the edge. She held her arms out so her cloak spread out like wings. The controlled fall ended as she dropped lightly onto the lower catwalk.
At the far end of the footbridge was a shimmering red doorway. Alee felt tension surging through her veins, pushing her to run. As she sprinted forward, she heard the telltale hiss of a lightsaber. She launched herself into a flying somersault, brandishing her own weapon mid-air. Alee landed and pivoted, assuming a semi-crouched fighting stance. Nothing. She straightened and flicked off her blade. I heard something. I know I did. Was it real, or a memory?
Alee spun and trotted toward the red shield doors. As she considered how to get past them, the shields shut down in rapid succession, from the farthest to the one she faced. Six. When the closest red wall fell away, she dashed forward. She almost made it. The last shield snapped back on, stopping her short. Alee looked over her shoulder. The other shields were up again, as well. How long of a cycle? Alee slipped to her knees to wait.
There was something comforting in the waiting, despite the urgency thrumming in the back of her mind. She felt vaguely frustrated that she could discern no pattern to this chase the Force was leading her on. She reached inwards to her center of calm and the irritation fell away.
The buzzing stopped, followed by an electronic thunk as the shield before her disappeared. Alee stood and stepped into a circular room. At its center was a large round hole. She glided forward and looked down. A melting pit. She pivoted slowly, looking for another exit.
The hiss made her duck. She spun low, hand on her lightsaber. Nothing. There it was again. And again. Alee twirled around, seeking the source of what sounded like a lightsaber battle. Slowly she moved backwards, skirting the pit. A memory. There is an odd echo to the sounds. The Force is giving me a memory. But whose?
Pain lanced through her midsection and Alee fell to her knees. Her breathing came in great gasps. Her vision blurred until all she could see was a color-shot vortex. As her sight returned, realization hit and she crumpled onto the floor. Qui-Gon. This is where you fell. Despair swept through her bones, causing her to tremble. Her frame shook with racking sobs and wave after wave of pain washed over her mind.
Alee heard a faint echo. Someone yelling, "No!" Her own screams joined that memory and bounced around the room, returning to pound her ears. NO! NO! NO!
Alee struggled back to her knees, and pressed her forehead to the cold ferrocrete. Faint battle sounds reverberated through the air. She focused on the floor beneath her, fingers wet from the growing puddle of tears.
Alee felt ... a presence. She fought to slow her breathing and listened with the Force. Something brushed her cheek. She closed her eyes. She'd know that touch anywhere. Qui-Gon. I love you. I miss you.
A whisper rose from the stones, released after so many years. Love you, Alee. Proud of you. She sobbed.
Another presence. Another whisper. Train the boy. He is the one.
Then nothing.
Alee collapsed into her pool of misery. She couldn't stop crying. Couldn't stop shaking. Her throat ached. Her eyes stung. Her mind screamed. Why? Why? Tears flowed. And flowed.
A hand brushed her back. Alee jerked. Someone lifted her and cradled her in his arms. She clung to the solid warmth like a person saved from the icy vacuum of space. Qui-Gon? She listened to the steady heartbeat by her ear. Druce. She tightened her grip.
Dru held Alee, gently stroking her hair. He was glad he'd trusted his instincts and followed her. Though it had been an odd journey. His heart had skipped a beat when she'd stepped off that catwalk and let herself fall. How did she do that? What is going on? I don't understand. It's like she's driven by ghosts.
When her tears subsided, Dru lifted Alee and moved toward the shielded entrance. It took them two stops before the cool air of the reactor core chamber washed over them. With Alee pressed against his soaking tunic, Dru carried her to where the catwalk ringed a sizzling reactor. Dru moved around the core and stopped. He dropped onto one knee.
Alee moaned.
"Alee," Dru whispered. "We have company."
Alee looked up at him and blinked her eyes into focus.
He continued, "There's a squad of military types waiting at the end of this catwalk. Do we run? Or fight?"
Alee pushed away and stood up. Dru joined her, grabbing an arm to steady her. He pointed at the group awaiting them.
"Neither." Alee's voice was hoarse. "I have to face them. Whoever they are." She turned to Dru and looked into his eyes. "Whatever happens. Thank you."
Dru started to speak but she was already walking away. He followed briskly.
They halted a meter away from the soldiers. Dru took in Alee's proud stance and calm repose. With her hands tucked in opposing sleeves, she looked almost regal. He brushed at his grey tunic and leggings self-consciously.
A brown-uniformed man stepped forward and whipped off his hat to tuck it under his elbow. He was beyond middle aged, with white short-cropped hair and brown skin adorned with wrinkles. His black eyes were topped by shock-white eyebrows, which were straining to meet as he frowned at the two trespassers. A ring of 12 soldiers with blasters stood behind the man.
"Name please." He addressed Alee.
"Alee-Nedra cy Nerac."
"I am General Panaka. And you are under arrest."
Dru stepped forward. "Hey. On what grounds? She didn't hurt anything."
One white brow raised. "Who are you?"
"Druce Nardo"
"Fine. You are under arrest as well."
"No," said Alee. "He has nothing to do with this."
"Not your call, I'm afraid," replied the general.
His comlink sounded and he moved off to answer it. A few moments later he returned, looking decidedly pale.
Panaka cleared his throat. "You are both under arrest, charged with the crime of being Jedi."
"What?" Dru blurted. He's crazy. There's only one Jedi in the Galaxy ... He looked at Alee. She was still completely calm.
"Since when is being a Jedi a crime?" she asked.
"It has been a crime for 25 years. A law instituted by the Emperor himself."
"But the Emperor is dead," Alee pointed out. "New Republic law is now in force. Being a Jedi is no crime."
The general narrowed his eyes. "Naboo has yet to join the New Republic. And this law is Nabooian. Now. The Regent has decreed that you will be tested."
"Tested?" echoed Dru. I don't like the sounds of that. And why isn't Alee protesting?
"Yes. Test results are presented at trial," the general explained.
"Oh, well, at least we get a trial," Dru said.
The general cleared his throat. "The test is as follows: you will jump from this catwalk to the adjoining one."
Druce stared at the catwalk dangling at least ten meters away. "That's impossible." He turned to the general, anger welling up. "What kind of a test is that? We'll be killed."
Alee laid her hand on his arm, silencing him. "It's a very barbaric test, Dru. You see, if you fail, you die - but you are declared innocent. If you succeed, you go to trial and are found guilty. No doubt the penalty is death."
Dru scowled. At least the general had the good graces to look uncomfortable.
Panaka spoke. "You first, Nardo."
Dru turned to Alee. A soldier had stepped forward and was holding a blaster to her head. A second squad of soldiers moved onto the far catwalk. Alee's eyes radiated a calmness he desperately wished he felt.
She nodded and whispered, "Get as much height as you can, Dru. It'll be okay."
He took a deep breath and backed up. Of all the ways I thought I'd die, this wasn't one of them. He burst forward, launching himself up and out - over yawning blackness. He heard a cry. Something crashed into him, propelling him forward.
Dru landed hard on the deck of the other catwalk, the air driven out of his lungs. A weight rolled off his back. He wheezed as air slowly reentered his body. Dru forced his eyes opened and looked into Alee's hazel ones. From where she lay beside Dru on the catwalk, she reached over and tucked a loose hair behind his ear.
"Thank you for trusting me, Dru," she whispered. "Sorry about the landing."
"At least we landed," he returned. He hesitated, then asked, "What are you, Alee?"
Before Alee could answer, something poked him in the arm. Rolling onto his back, Dru looked up at three blasters. He was prodded into standing. With Alee at his heels, they met the general at the end of the catwalk. Alee stepped forward.
"You can see he failed, General. He was falling" she said. "Let him go."
"He will still stand trial as your compatriot," replied the general. "Aiding and abetting."
Alee crossed her arms. "He's an unsuspecting fool who knows nothing. And he certainly isn't my partner, my anything."
Dru cringed inwardly. Not anything, Alee? Ever?
"Then why is he here?" Panaka asked.
"I hitched a ride from him. He must have decided to follow me from the spaceport," Alee said.
"I will let him go if you swear what you say is true and promise to come peacefully." The general added softly, "I want your word ... as a Jedi."
"Do you agree with the law, General?" Alee asked.
"I ... enforce the law," he replied.
Alee nodded. "I give you my word."
Two soldiers stepped forward. Alee held up her hand. "A moment?" she asked the general. He nodded.
Alee turned to Druce. He stared at her blankly. She'd as much as admitted she was a Jedi. And it fit. It all fit. He didn't know much about Jedi, but everything that had happened fit. The puzzle was complete. Or was it. How does Alee fit into a galaxy where there is only one Jedi? Does Skywalker know about her? If not, why not?
Dru kept his hands at his sides. "I guess I am a fool. A blind fool."
Alee rested her hand on his jaw. "No, Dru. How could you know about something I worked to conceal? What I said was for them. You mean a great deal to me, Dru. Thank you for your friendship."
Alee slipped off her cloak and rolled it up. She handed the bundle to Druce. "Keep this for me, please. If I don't get out, take it to the Imperial palace. You know who to give it to. Maybe they'll put it in a museum."
He took the bundle. Something hard was in the middle. Alee smiled. Her lightsaber.
The guards led her away. The general left two escorts with Dru and followed the soldiers. Dru trailed behind. He rode a turbolift up the two levels and reemerged into the hanger. He turned and looked back at the power station. What was she doing there? What - or who - did she find?
Dru felt eyes on his back and turned to find the old man that Alee had spoken to earlier, staring at him. He walked over, his brown bundle tucked under his arm.
"Why'd you raise the alarm?" Dru asked. "She wasn't here to hurt anyone."
"Never trust a Jedi, boy. It'll be your doom," the old man replied.
Dru frowned. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. But I might not answer."
Dru sighed. "Was anyone killed recently in that place." He pointed his thumb over his shoulder.
"The power station?" the man asked. "Not recently. Only one I ever remember dying in there was a Jedi."
Dru straightened up. "A Jedi?"
"Yup. But that was, oh, 35 or 36 years ago." The old man peered at Druce. "Why're you asking anyway, boy?"
Dru shrugged. "Just curious. You don't know what his name was, do you?"
The man searched the air with his eyes. "What was his name? The young one was Obi-Wan ... something. Good pilot, that one. The one who was killed - what was his name ...?"
"Qui-Gon?" Dru asked.
Dark eyes searched Dru's blue ones. "Could be, son. Sounds about right. Why? You related? He was a tall beggar, too."
"No. No relation." Dru turned and walked away, his escorts shadowing him.
The return trip to the spaceport was a heart-pounding blur. Thoughts hammered at Dru's sanity. She said the man she loved was named Qui-Gon. The old man said a Jedi named Qui-Gon was killed at the station. But over 35 years ago. How can that be? It can't be the same man. Must be a son. But why'd she come here, then? What if it was the same man? But that's impossible ...
A Jedi. Alee is a Jedi. But from where? And why the big
secret?
