Chapter 8

Padme and her small party were waiting out on the landing platform, just as the air shuttle came up and landed about a few yards from them.

“ Are you sure this is a good idea?” Sabe whispered in Padme’s ear, as the shuttle doors opened up and the driver stepped out and nodded to Captain Panaka.

“ Yes, am sure this is a good idea. Like I told the Senator, my place is with my people and I will have to do everything that is in my power to save them.” Padme looked towards one of the towering buildings, which just happens to be the Jedi Temple.

“ It is time, Your Majesty. The shuttle is ready.” Captain Panaka came up to Padme and bowed to her.

“ Thank you, Captain. It is time to head home.” Padme nodded to the Captain, who led Padme and the rest of the party to the shuttle.

“ Welcome aboard, Your Majesty. We should be taking off, once everyone is seated and we will be at the air terminal, in about twenty minutes.” the driver bowed his head, as he helped Padme up the steps and on board the shuttle.

“ Thank you.” Padme nodded to the driver, went to her seat and sat down, as Sabe and Rabe sat down on either side of her.

“ I just received word that the Jedi that was with us earlier, are now waiting for us at the air terminal. Once we are on board the ship, we are clear to take off.” Captain Panaka took his seat across from Padme, as the shuttle driver got on board.

“ That is great news. The less time I stay here, the better.” Padme nodded to the driver, who shut and locked the hatch door, before making his way to the front the shuttle.

The shuttle lifted off the platform and got into the early evening traffic. He headed for the public air terminals and to the where their ship was waiting for them. Padme looked down at the loading dock, as the shuttle began to descend towards it. She smiled, when she saw the two Jedi and the young boy from Tatooine standing with them, as they waited for the two shuttles to land.

The shuttle landed and the driver stood up, went to the hatch door and opened it up. He put down the steps and got out to help the Queen and her party out of the shuttle. Padme and her party disembarked for the first shuttle, and the Gungan got off the other one, and they walked to where the Jedi were waiting for them.

Qui-Gon rose and stood next to the young boy, as the Queen and her handmaidens came up to them.

“ Your Highness, it will be our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you.” Qui-Gon greeted with a deferential inclination of his head.

“ I welcome your help. Senator Palpatine fears the Federation means to destroy me.” Padme nodded to the Jedi Master, as they stopped in front of the trio.

“ I promise you, we will not let that happen.” the Jedi Master advised the young Queen solemnly.

Padme nodded again, just before she turned and with her handmaidens, they followed Panaka and the Naboo guards and officers into the transport. Once they got on the ship, they all boarded. The sleek ship lifted off, leaving Coruscant far behind them. ,

Padme came out of the Queen’s quarters and headed for the galley, to make something to eat for the Queen. As she stepped into the small room, she saw Anakin sitting at the small table, drinking some hot chocolate.

“ Hey, Anakin. What are you doing?” Padme went over to the cooler and pulled out a frozen dinner and stuck it into the small oven.

“ I could not sleep, so Qui-Gon made me this hot chocolate and told me that it could help me get some sleep.” Anakin smiled, as he held up his cup to his lips and took a sip of the drink and it left a chocolate mustache above his lip.

“ You know what? That sounds like a great idea. I too, really haven’t been sleeping good, so maybe, the hot chocolate might help. Well, the Queen’s dinner is ready. Goodnight and I will see you tomorrow morning.” Padme smiled, at the young boy before getting the food out of the oven and made a cup of hot chocolate, before heading back to the Queen’s chambers.

Two hours later, Padme climbed into the bed, closed her eyes and fell asleep. Then, the dreams started again, but this time, it was a scene of a battle. It ended in the death of someone close to her, before the rest of her sleep remained dreamless.

*(page 242 of the novel Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks)