Well, it was something.
One thing it wasn't was predictable. Bail had been called away to attend a senate emergency hearing concerning the fate of some planet or other, and wasn't able to meet Ranma as he arrived. He wasn't even in system at the time the Jedi was.
A servant secretly met the Jedi instead.
"Master Jedi, if you will just follow me?" The robed lady at the back entrance bowed and gestured toward the interior, away from the palace walls and prying eyes. Her face was mostly hidden, but he could see her eyes.
"I'm afraid I'm only just a Knight." He corrected, sliding inside beside her. The servant put a hand to the door controls and swiftly shut and locked the panel behind him, cutting off any listening ears.
She pulled her hood back, revealing her face and hair as she led the man down by remote passages. "Really? It seemed to me you were much stronger."
"Have you any experience with Jedi?" He intended the jibe as something of a joke, paying most of his attention to memorizing his route in case a quick escape became wise. It was a precaution that had already saved him several times past.
The servant's lips quirked with wry amusement. "I have some, yes."
Ranma spared her more of his attention, suddenly alert and assessing her for danger - as that was the kind of quip Imperial agents often made just before springing a trap. But her emotions were without malice, almost... longing? nostalgic?
He gave her an even closer look, stopping dead as he did.
"You are Queen Amidala." He stated with certainty, surprised to find her anywhere and alive, more shocked at finding her than another hidden Jedi.
"I go by Padme now." The lady corrected, urging him on. "I let my Amidala identity die some while ago. It was safer that way, for me and my children. At least this way I get to see my daughter sometimes, from a distance. Although she doesn't recognize me. It would be too dangerous for both of us if she did."
The servant speared him with a direct and piercing glance. "I trust my secret is safe with you?"
"Absolutely. In fact Yoda once said you were strong in the Force. If you were to train as a Jedi it couldn't put your life in any more danger, and might help you out alot. We could use you. Really." And not just because I'm hopelessly outclassed by the role I'm finding myself in, Ranma thought to himself.
"I'd like to stay close to my family. What I have left of it, that is." Padme declined.
Ranma chose not to interpret it that way, but as an obstacle to be solved. He felt way over his head running his operation as it was blooming upward in size. "We could take them to safety, real safety, not just hiding. You could be with them then, even train beside them. Please, Amidala!" He stopped to beg. "You're our only hope!"
"Only hope?" The servant paused to ask, disbelieving.
Ranma nodded seriously, licking his lips nervously. "Where else am I to find a good, seasoned administrator of your caliber who won't be missed? One who can be trusted as she's in the same troubles the Jedi have? Someone who can become one of us so have access to our abilities and empathy with our cause?"
She judged him suspiciously. "What do you need an administrator for?"
"A galactic rebellion." He answered seriously.
Now it was Padme's turn to be stunned. She favored him cockeyed as she turned to move on. "I'll think about it."
"So,
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Lionheart
(Posted Wed, 31 Mar 2004 02:03)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.