Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Chapter 5

Time skip --------

In the cloud of bubbles, the bongo broke out into open air at last and Alea also got out onto Kirara's back. The engine died, and the sub began drifting with the current. Obi-Wan switched off the bubble canopies, glad to be back in fresh air and Beau, Pikachu and Entei walked toward Alea and they were happy to see her. He hadn't been entirely sure the sub's power supply would last long enough. They'd even come to the right place ------ the city of Theed, capital of Naboo, stretched along the shoreline. Beside him, Jar Jar heaved a sigh of mingled relief and amazement. "Wesa safe now!" But as they climbed onto shore, a mechinal voice behind them said, "Drop your weapons!" As one, the Jedi turned. A skeletal Neimoidian battle droid stood threatening them with its lasers. "I said, drop your weapons," it repeated as Jar Jar joined them. Qui-Gon lit his lightsaber and slashed the droid in half. Obi-Wan stared down at the sizzling wreckage. They got here before us, he thought. This is going to be harder than we hoped.

The elegant throne room of the Naboo palace was crowded with Trade Federation battle droids. The sight made Amidala want to weep. I won't cry, she thought. I won't give them the satisfaction, even if the guards aren't paying attention to me. Once she knew that the Trade Federation was really invading, she had switched places with one of her handmaidens. Now her friend and handmaiden Sabe wore the white face paint and the blackened feathered gown and headdress of the Queen, and Amidala was just . . . Padme, who wore the same flame-colored robes as the rest of the Queen's handmaiden-bodyguards. "Padme" did not exist . . . except when Amidala was in disguise. I hope this works, she thought. The use of a decoy was established by the rulers before her, but Amidala had never needed it until now.
    As they worked their way through the palace, the battle droids brought their captives into the throne room. Amidala could see Governor Bibble and Captain Panaka, along with several of the palace guards. The smug Neimoidian viceroy examined his prisoners with barely concealed satisfaction. He didn't seem to have noticed anything odd about "Queen Amidala." Yet. "How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Sio Bibble demanded when the viceroy looked at him. "The Naboo and the Federation will sign a treaty," the viceroy said. "I have . . . assurances that the Senate will ratify it." He smiled at the "Queen."
     "I will not cooperate," replied Sabe. She's doing well, Amidala thought. She's got my tone of voice down perfectly. The viceroy did not seem suspicious. "Now, now, Your Highness," he said patronizingly to Sabe. "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." Amidala ducked her head to hide her expression. What is he going to do to my people? Turning to a nearby battle droid, the viceroy said, "Commander, process them."
  "Yes, sir," the battle droid replied. It turned to a group of identical battle droids and said, "Take them to Camp Four." Camp. They're herding my people into camps. And we can't stop them; they have more than enough droids to overwhelm our security force. One of the battle droids shoved her toward the other handmaidens. Keeping her head lowered, Amidala joined them. At least the switch worked; they don't know that's not really me. And they can't get a legal treaty without my signature . . . But . . . but what if the viceroy is right? Can I watch my people starve, and maybe die, and give in? Shivering, surrounding by battle droids, Amidala followed the other handmaidens and the "Queen" out of her palace.