Star Wars - Episode I Journal - Queen Amidala by Jude Watson

Author:Jude Watson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 1999-01-02T15:20:46+00:00

LATER

I didn’t have time for much encouragement. Just a few words. “You carry all our hopes,” I whispered.

Anakin’s gaze was steady. “I won’t let you down.”

Next to him was Sebulba, the ugly creature who’d almost pummeled Jar Jar. He growled something at Anakin. I assumed it was not in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

“What did he call you?” I asked.

“Slave scum,” Anakin replied. “Don’t worry, Padmé. He’ll be chewing on my exhaust in a couple of minutes.”

It was time. I headed to the viewing platform where Shmi was already waiting. Jar Jar stared longingly at the food stalls, unraveling his long tongue as if testing the air for tastes. Then Qui-Gon arrived and took a seat with a calmness I envied.

I turned to him furiously. “This is pure recklessness,” I said, quietly so the others wouldn’t hear. “The Queen—”

Qui-Gon interrupted me with a gesture. “The Queen trusts my judgment. You should, too.”

“You assume too much,” I fired back. I told him that I didn’t see the wisdom of putting our fate in the hands of a young boy.

Qui-Gon looked impatient. “And did the Naboo err when they put their fate in the hands of a girl?” he asked.

He didn’t say it to be cruel. But I felt the sting. Did they err? So far, I haven’t handled my first crisis very well.

He realized that he had hurt me somehow, though he couldn’t have realized why. To him, I’m just Padmé.

“You need to have faith,” he said.

I wasn’t ready to forgive him. I replied crisply that I only have faith in the things I can see and touch.

“Ah,” Qui-Gon said softly. “Perhaps that is your mistake, handmaiden.”

Infuriating! He wouldn’t speak that way to the Queen.

I hope.

In a nearby box, I saw the biggest Hutt I’ve ever seen. His body consisted of rolls of undulating fat. Around him swarmed servants and slaves and nasty-looking hangers-on.

Shmi followed my gaze. “Jabba the Hutt,” she observed bitterly. “Proof that no matter how bad it is to be a slave, it could be worse. Jabba could be your master.”

“They seem to be waiting for his signal to begin,” I said.

“Nothing happens on Tatooine without Jabba’s permission,” Shmi said, disgusted.

The pilots gunned their engines. Jabba gave the signal.

They were off!

Almost immediately, Anakin stalled. But his engines started again with a roar, and he took off again. But now he is so far behind!

I can’t write anymore. Later.

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