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1.4 ── OF SANDS
AND TWIN SUNS
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Queen Amidala and her party have been taken captive, held at gunpoint by the Trade Federation in her own throne room.

"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate, now?" one of the Queen's advisors asks, venom on his tongue.

"The Naboo and the Federation will forge a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I've been assured it will be ratified by the Senate," Nute grins, bug-like eyes coming to meet the Queen's own.

"I will not co-operate."

"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," Nute Gunray waves a hand and a droid steps forward at the command, "process them."

The Queen's procession is led through the palace and out into one of the courtyard's to lead them into the palace's underground prisons. Versi is held at the shoulder by the tall man with the scarring on his throat. She was not introduced to him, but the comforting weight of the lightsaber hidden in his sleeve leads her to trust his protective grip. Her eyes examine him with the wonder only a child holds; examining the dark robes, his piercing eyes, the lightsaber decorated with carvings, the scars that cover his throat like a tapestry, and the way that he's poised to fight.

And fight he does as a man leaps from the balcony that they are about to pass under, a green lightsaber ignited in his hand and a droid split in half on the ground before she can blink. The Jedi's hand on her shoulder is replaced by Eirtae's hands as his lightsaber ignites with a violent sound before he uses the purple blade to direct bullets from them. Another Jedi joins the one who leapt from the balcony with a Gungan fumbling behind. The young girl giggles as the awkward creature belly flops onto a droid before being dragged up by the younger Jedi who's rolling his eyes.

The three Jedi easily take care of the other droids, and the Queen's party hurries to take cover in an alley-way of sorts. Versi has amazement carved into her smile as she looks up at the Jedi. Eirtae's hands move from her shoulders and Versi tilts her head to find Padme, now in the same clothes as herself, at her side and she quickly grips her sister's hand.

"Your Highness," Qui-Gon bows his head, "we are the Ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor."

"Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador," Captain Panaka's brows raise expectantly.

"The negotiations never took place. Your Highness, we must make contact with the republic."

"They've knocked out all our communications."

"Do you have transports?"

"In the main hanger," Panaka takes his blaster from his side, "this way."

The group rushes back the way they had come to the central hanger, alarms begin blaring through the hallways. They make it to the side door of the hanger and Versi watches the long-haired Jedi peak into the room and turn back to look at the party behind him.

"Captain, Rysi," Qui-Gon whispers, motioning for the two to look at what they are to face.

Captain Panaka shakes his head, meeting Master Qui-Gon's eyes, "there are too many of them."

"That won't be a problem, Captain," Rysi grins. Obi-Wan almost smiles himself, there has to be at least fifty droids out there for him to have a shot at.

"Your Highness," Qui-Gon urges, "under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."

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

Versi frowns, and squeezes Padme's hand. The older Nabberie freezes as though remembering that her younger sister is still in the midst of this invasion.

"They will kill you if you stay."

And the world seems to pause for the small Naberrie. She's no longer upset with Padme for wanting to stay and fight, and Padme can see that in her eyes - no now she's terrified for her sister's life. She's scared that they'll kill Padi, or worse, and she's scared of what will become of the rest of her home if they do.

"They wouldn't dare," Bibble argues.

"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill her."

Panaka looks to Qui-Gon, but fails to find comfort in the Jedi's response.

"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."

"Please, Your Highness, reconsider. Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us... Senator Palpatine will need your help."

"Getting past their blockade is impossible, Your Highness. Any attempt to escape will be dangerous."

"Your Highness, I will stay here and do what I can... They will have to retain the Council of Governors in order to maintain control. But you, you must leave..."

But in the words of Padme's closest aides, Versi finds hope. She knows what Captain Panaka and Governor Bibble have decided. She knows that they want Padme to go, go and fight for them. And to stay alive.

Sabe, in the Queen's disguise, turns to Eirtae, Padme, and Versi asking Padme for her final choice.

"Either choice presents a great risk, to all of us."

"We are brave, Your Highness."

And with that, the Queen's party had their decision made. Obi-Wan tries to deny the grin on his lips as his saber slashes through several more droids as the party makes their way onto the ship.

All of a sudden, a trip to see her sister had turned into Versi's first trip off-world. And she was headed for the heart of the Senate. But they couldn't quite get there as they fought their way past the blockade.

She held tight to Padme as the ship quaked and tilted. Careening past bullets and ships and everyone who wanted her sisters dead. In the end, they made it out of the fire, all because of one little astromech, yet they began to fall out of their path as the ship's damage became abundantly worse.

"There's not enough power to get us to Coruscant, the hyperdrive is leaking."

"We'll have to land somewhere to refuel and repair the ship," Qui-Gon says, pulling up a star chart.

Obi-Wan looks at the planetary systems surrounding their path and his eyes pull toward one oribitting twin suns. "Here, Master. Tatooine. It's small, out of the way, poor. The Trade Federation has no presence there."

He's unsure of what pulls him to Tattooine, why he would choose this planet out of all the rest that would be more than willing to aid the Queen of Naboo. He knows that the Hutts rule this place, that they'll be on their own, that if anyone finds out who any of them are- well then they're as good as dead. Qui-Gon knows this too. But his master agrees and begins bargaining for their path to change to Tattooine, facing no argument from Master Dallo.

Nute Gunray and his second-hand sit around a conference table when the hologram of Darth Sidious sparks to life.

"We control all the cities in the North and are searching for any other settlements-."

Gunray is suddenly cut off by the Sith Lord, and his demands strike terror into the Trade Federation leaders.

"Destroy all high-ranking officials, Viceroy. Slowly, quietly. And Queen Amidala, has she signed the treaty?"

"She has disappeared, My Lord. One Naboo cruiser got past the blockade."

"Viceroy, find her! I want that treaty signed."

"My Lord, it's impossible to locate the ship. It's out of our range."

"Not for a sith..." From the shadows of the hologram approaches a hooded figure with burning eyes. Shivers overtake Gunray's senses as terror floods his brain.

"Viceroy, this is my apprentice. Lord Maul. He will find your lost ship."

"Yes, My Lord."

The hologram flitters away until there is nothing but the two Neimoidian beings in the room. Gunray sighs, hand going to his forehead.

"This is getting out of hand, now there are two of them."

"We should not have made this bargain. What will happen when the Jedi become aware of these Sith Lords?"

Padme kneels next to the little astromech, R2D2, scrubbing at the scorch marks and grime on his small frame. She glances over to Versi, sound asleep, with a relieved smile on her lips at her sister safe and sound.

It feels nice, sitting on the floor of a ship cleaning up the droid that saved her and her party's life. It makes her feel more human to do these little things. It makes her feel like the person Versi still sees her as.

Still, her predicament runs rampant through her mind and plans form to fit her problems. The Jedi has informed them that they would be going to Tatooine, a planet far outside of Padme's comfort zone and far outside of any reasonable help. But the planet is also far from the Trade Federation's control, making it a half-decent option in her eyes. And well, it also gives her the opportunity to explore a place and society far from what she's used to.

Padme smiles, imagining the look on all of their faces when she insists on going with them.

Rysi examines the hyperdrive next to Obi-Wan as Qui-Gon changes into more subtle clothing. The three decided that it would be less suspicious for the Master and Padawan to go into town with R2D2 posing as father-son farmers. Qui-Gon had expressed his desire to take Jar Jar with them, but Rysi quickly argued against sending the more aquatic creature into a desert. He argued it more to protect Obi-Wan's waning sanity.

The two work closely and without words. Obi-Wan was one of the few Padawans who decided to befriend Rysi for himself, not his past. Whether the two realized it or not, they had become a lot closer over the past few years than the Jedi Council would approve of. They hold the closeness of what he imagines brothers have, and the confidence they have in one another keeps them sane.

Their heads shoot up in unison as Qui-Gon enters the room in a new set of robes.

"Ready?"

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan says and Rysi nods.

"Rysi. Do not allow them to send any transmission off-world. And be wary... I sense a disturbance in the force."

Rysi nods again, making eye contact with Obi-Wan in a quick glance. The two had discussed his vision only minutes ago, and the force has not yet calmed around him in the slightest.

"I sense it as well."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan begin their trek across the desert and toward the city and spaceport of Mos Espa. Yet, from the mouth of the ship, Captain Panaka, the handmaiden Padme, and the Queen's little sister, Versi, all run toward them with R2D2 not far behind.

"Wait!"

The captain calls out, causing the two Jedi to stop and turn around as the group catches up. Obi-Wan notices that the two girls are now dressed in peasant robes likes themselves and he immediately knows he will dislike what the captain says next.

"Her Highness commands you to take these two with you. She wishes to know more about the culture, most desired through her sister."

"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain. This spaceport will not be pleasant."

"The Queen wishes it. She is most curious about this planet."

"The two of us have trained in defense, as all who bare the responsibility of seeing after the Queen must. We can take care of ourselves."

Versi nods her head, adamantly pursuing her spot next to Padme on an actual adventure.

"Don't make me go back and tell her you refuse."

Qui-Gon sighs deeply, rubbing his forehead. Obi-Wan looks between the handmaiden and young girl, curious of just how much training they've gone through.

"I don't have time to argue — but this is not a good idea. Stay close to Obi-Wan and I."

He gives Padme a stern look. Versi is overjoyed, a smile spreading across her face and she eagerly takes a surprised Obi-Wan's hand.

"I promise!"

" by queens-hope "

01.07.23

first chapter i promised of the new year complete!! i ended up splitting it up into two, simply because the word count was growing massive (roughly 2115 of 2253)

BUT that means that next chapter you can look forward to Versi and Anakin meeting + Guinie and Obi-Wan meeting!! and i can enjoy writing their meetings as I want to without worrying about how large the chapter is getting. the phantom menace has always seemed wordy to me, but i like descriptions and digging into my characters (and others)

luckily the phantom menace/act one has been throughly planned which only leaves me finding the time, motivation, and inspo to write more!!

I do hope that everyone enjoys it💕
I'd love to hear more feedback too; all votes and comments are welcomed and appreciated!! I care for this story deeply and knowing your reactions, feelings, or appreciation means the world to me💕

love you all around the moon and back <3