rasalvatore.attackoftheclones-第11章

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　〃Yes；　my　Master　has　gone　to　the　lower　levels　to　check　on　Captain　Typho's　security　measures；　but　all　seems　quiet。〃
　〃You　sound　disappointed。〃
　
　Anakin　gave　an　embarrassed　laugh。
　〃You　don't　enjoy　this；〃　Padme　remarked。
　〃There　is　nowhere　else　in　all　the　galaxy　I'd　rather　be；〃　Anakin　blurted；　and　it　was　Padme's　turn　to　give　an　embarrassed　little　laugh。
　〃But　this　。　。　。　inertia；〃　she　reasoned；　and　Anakin　nodded　as　he　caught　on。
　〃We　should　be　more　aggressive　in　our　search　for　the　assassin；〃　he　insisted。
　〃To　sit　back　and　wait　is　to　invite　disaster。〃
　〃Master　Kenobi　does　not　agree。〃
　〃Master　Kenobi　is　bound　by　the　letter　of　the　orders；〃　Anakin　explained。　〃He　won't　take　a　chance　on　doing　anything　that　isn't　explicitly　asked　of　him　by　the　Jedi　Council。〃
　
　Padme　tilted　her　head　and　considered　this　impetuous　young　man　more　carefully。　Was　not　discipline　a　primary　lesson　of　the　Jedi　Knights？　Were　they　not　bound；　strictly　so；　within　the　structure　of　the　Order　and　their　Code？
　
　〃Master　Kenobi　is　not　like　his　own　Master；〃　Anakin　said。　〃Master　Qui…Gon　understood　the　need　for　independent　thinking　and　initiative…otherwise；　he　would　have　left　me　on　Tatooine。〃
　〃And　you　are　more　like　Master　Qui…Gon？〃　Padme　asked。
　〃I　accept　the　duties　I　am　given；　but　demand　the　leeway　I　need　to　see　them　to　a　proper　conclusion。〃
　〃Demand？〃
　
　Anakin　smiled　and　shrugged。　〃Well；　I　ask；　at　least。〃
　〃And　presume；　when　you　can't　get　the　answers　you　desire；〃　Padme　said　with　a　knowing　grin；　though　in　her　heart　she　was　only　half　teasing。
　〃I　do　the　best　I　can　with　every　problem　I　am　given；〃　was　the　strongest　admission　Anakin　would　offer。
　〃And　so　sitting　around　guarding　me　is　not　your　idea　of　fun。〃　〃We　could　be　doing　better　and　more　exciting　things；〃　Anakin　said；　and　there　was　a　double　edge　to　his　voice；　one　that　intrigued　Padme　and　made　her　pull　her　robe　up　even　tighter。
　〃If　we　catch　the　assassin；　we　might　find　the　root　of　these　attempts；〃　the　Padawan　explained；　quickly　putting　the　discussion　back　on　a　professional　level。　〃Either　way；　you　will　be　safer；　and　our　duties　will　be　made　far　easier。〃
　
　Padme's　mind　whirled　as　she　tried　to　sort　out　Anakin's　thoughts；　and　his　motivations。　He　was　surprising　her　with　every　word；　considering　that　he　was　a　Jedi　Padawan；　and　yet；　given　the　fire　that　she　clearly　saw　burning　behind　his　blue　eyes；　he　was　not　surprising　her。　She　saw　trouble　brewing　there；　in　those　simmering　and　too…passionate　eyes；　but　even　more　than　that；　she　saw　excitement　and　the　promise　of　thrills。
　
　And；　perhaps；　the　promise　of　finding　out　who　it　was　that　was　trying　to　kill　her。
　
　　Obi…Wan　Kenobi　stepped　off　the　turbolift　tentatively；　warily；　glancing　left　and　right。　He　noted　the　two　posted　guards；　alert　and　ready；　and　he　nodded　his　approval　to　them。　Every　corridor　had　been　like　this　throughout　the　massive　apartment　plex；　and　in　this　particular　area；　above；　below；　and　near　Amidala's　room；　the　place　was　locked　down　tight。
　
　Captain　Typho　had　been　given　many　soldiers　at　his　disposal；　and　he　had　situated　them　well；　overseeing　as　fine　a　defensive　perimeter　as　Obi…Wan　had　ever　witnessed。　The　Jedi　Master　took　great　fort　in　that；　of　course；　and　knew　that　Typho　was　making　his　job　easier。
　
　But　Obi…Wan　could　not　relax。　He　had　heard　about　the　attack　on　the　Naboo　cruiser　in　great　detail　from　Typho；　and　considering　the　many　precautions　that　had　been　taken　to　protect　the　vessel…everything　from　broadcasting　false　entry　lanes　to　the　appointed　landing　pad　to　the　many　shielding　fighters；　the　three　acpanying　the　ship　directly；　and　many　more；　both　Naboo　and　Republic；　covering　every　conceivable　attack　lane…these　assassins　could　not　be　underestimated。　They　were　good　and　they　were　well　connected；　to　be　sure。
　
　And；　likely；　they　were　stubborn。
　
　To　get　at　Senator　Amidala　through　the　halls　of　this　building；　though；　would　take　an　army。
　
　Obi…Wan　nodded　to　the　guards　and　walked　a　circuit　of　this　lower　floor　then；　satisfied；　headed　back　to　the　turbolift。
　
　　Padme　took　a　deep　breath；　her　thoughts　lost　in　the　last　images　of　Anakin　as　he　had　left　her　room。　Images　of　her　sister　Sola　flitted　about　her；　almost　as　if　she　could　hear　Sola　teasing　her　already。
　
　The　Senator　shook　all　of　the　thoughts；　of　Sola　and　particularly　of　Anakin；　away　and　motioned　to　R2…D2；　the　little　droid　standing　impassively　against　the　wall　beside　the　door。　〃Implement　the　shutdown；〃　she　instructed。　R2…D2　replied　with　a　fearful　〃oooo。〃
　〃Go　ahead；　Artoo。　It's　all　right。　We　have　protection　here。〃　The　droid　gave　another　worried　call；　but　extended　a　probe　out　to　the　security　panel　on　the　wall　beside　him。
　
　Padme　looked　back　to　the　door；　recalling　again　the　last　images　of　Anakin；　her　tall　and　lean　Jedi　protector。　She　could　see　his　shining　blue　eyes　as　surely　as　if　he　was　standing　before　her；　full　of　intensity；　watching　over　her　more　carefully　than　any　security　cam　ever　could。
　
　　Anakin　stood　in　the　living　room　of　Padme's　apartment；　absorbing　the　silence　around　him；　using　the　lack　of　physical　noise　to　bolster　his　mental　connection　to　that　more　subtle　realm　of　the　Force；　feeling　the　life　about　him　as　clearly　as　if　his　five　physical　senses　were　all　attuned　to　it。　His　eyes　were　closed；　but　he　could　see　the　region　about　him　clearly　enough；　could　sense　any　disturbance　in　the　Force。
　
　Anakin's　eyes　popped　open　wide；　his　gaze　darting　about　the　room；　and　he　pulled　his　lightsaber　from　his　belt。
　
　Or　almost　did；　stopping　fast　when　the　door　slid　open　and　Master　Kenobi　walked　into　the　room。
　
　Obi…Wan　looked　about　curiously；　his　gaze　settling　on　Anakin。　〃Captain　Typho　has　more　than　enough　men　downstairs；〃　he　said。　〃No　assassin　will　try　that　way。　Any　activity　up　here？〃
　〃Quiet　as　a　tomb；〃　Anakin　replied。　〃I　don't　like　just　waiting　here　for　something　to　happen。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　gave　a　little　shake　of　his　head；　a　movement　showing　his　resignation　concerning　Anakin's　predictability；　and　took　a　view　scanner　from　his　belt；　checking　his　screen。　His　expression；　shifting　from　curious　to　confused　to　concerned；　spoke　volumes　to　Anakin：　He　knew　that　Obi…Wan　could　see　only　part　of　Padme's　bedroom…the　door　area　and　R2…D2　standing　by　the　wall；　but　nothing　more。
　
　The　Jedi　Knight's　expression　asked　the　question　before　he　even　spoke　the　words。
　〃Padme　。　。　。　Senator　Amidala；　covered　the　cam；〃　the　Padawan　explained。　〃I　don't　think　she　liked　me　watching　her。〃
　
　Obi…Wan's　face　tensed　and　he　let　out　a　little　growl。　〃What　is　she　thinking？　Her　security　is　paramount；　and　is　promised…〃
　〃She　programmed　Artoo　to　warn　us　if　there's　an　intruder；〃
　
　Anakin　explained；　trying　to　calm　Obi…Wan　before　his　concern　could　gain　any　real　momentum。
　〃It's　not　an　intruder　I'm　worried　about；〃　Obi…Wan　countered。　〃Or　not　merely　an　intruder。　There　are　many　ways　to　kill　a　Senator。〃
　〃I　know；　but　we　also　want　to　catch　this　assassin；〃　Anakin　said；　his　tone　determined；　stubborn　even。　〃Don't　we；　Master？〃
　〃You're　using　her　as　bait？〃　Obi…Wan　asked　incredulously；　his　eyes　widening　with　shock　and　disbelief。
　〃It　was　her　idea；〃　Anakin　protested；　but　his　sharp　tone　showed　clearly　that　he　agreed　with　the　plan。　〃Don't　worry。　No　harm　will　e　to　her。　I　can　sense　everything　going　on　in　that　room。　Trust　me。〃
　〃It's　too　risky；〃　Obi…Wan　scolded。　〃Besides；　your　senses　aren't　that　attuned；　my　young　apprentice。〃
　
　Anakin　parsed　his　words　and　his　tone　carefully；　trying　to　sound　not　defensive；　but　rather　suggestive。　〃And　yours　are？〃
　
　Obi…Wan　could　not　deny　the　look　of　intrigue　that　crossed　his　face。
　〃Possibly；〃　he　admitted。
　
　Anakin　smiled　and　nodded；　and　closed　his　eyes　again；　falling　into　the　sensations　of　the　Force；　following　them　to　Padme；　who　was　sleeping　quietly。　He　wished　that　he　could　see　her；　could　watch　the　quiet　rise　and　fall　of　her　belly；　could　hear　her　soft　breathing；　could　smell　the　freshness　of　her　hair；　could　feel　the　smoothness　of　her　skin；　could　kiss　her　and　taste　the　sweetness　of　her　lips。
　
　He　had　to　settle　for　this；　for　feeling　her　life　energy　in　the　Force。
　
　A　place　of　warmth；　it　was。
　
　　In　a　different　way；　Padme　was　thinking　of　Anakin；　as　well。　He　was　there　beside　her；　in　her　dreams。
　
　She　saw　the　fighting　match　that　she　knew　would　soon　ensue　in　the　Senate；　the　screaming　and　fist　waving；　the　threats　and　the　loud　objections。　How　badly　it　drained　her。
　
　Anakin　was　there。
　
　Her　dream　became　a　nightmare；　some　unseen　assassin　chasing　her；　blaster　bolts　whipping　past　her；　and　her　feet　seemed　as　if　they　were　stuck　in　deep　mud。
　
　But　Anakin　rushed　past；　his　lightsaber　ignited　and　waving；　deflecting　the　blaster　bolts　aside。
　
　Padme　shifted　a　bit　and　gave　a　little　groan；　on　many　levels　as　unfortable　with　the　identity　of　her　rescuer　as　she　was　with　the　presence　of　the　assassin。　She　didn't　truly　awaken；　though；　just　thrashed　a　bit　and　raised　her　head；　opening　her　eyes　only　briefly　before　burying　her　face　in　her　pillow。
　
　She　didn't　see　the　small　round　droid　hovering　behind　the　blinds　outside　her　window。　She　didn't　see　the　appendages　e　out　of　it；　attaching　to　the　window；　or　the　sparks　arcing　about　those　arms　as　the　droid　shut　down　the　security　system。　She　didn't　see　the　larger　arm　deploy；　cutting　a　hole　in　the　glass；　nor　did　she　hear　the　slight；　faint　sound　as　the　glass　was　removed。
　
　Over　by　the　door　in　Padme's　room；　R2…D2's　lights　went　on。　The　droid's　domed　head　swiveled　about；　scanning　the　room；　and　he　gave　a　soft　〃wooo〃　sound。　But　then；　apparently　detecting　nothing　amiss；　the　droid　shut　back　down。　Outside；　a　small　tube　came　forth　from　the　probe　droid；　moving　to　the　hole　in　the　window；　and　crawling　through　it；　into　Padme's　room；　came　a　pair　of　kouhuns；　like　bloated　white　maggots　with　lines　of　black　legs　along　their　sides　and　nasty　mandibles。　Dangerous　as　those　mandibles　looked；　though；　the　true　danger　of　the　kouhuns　lay　at　the　other　end；　the　tail　stinger；　dripping　of　venom。　The　vicious　kouhuns　crawled　in　through　the　blinds　and　started　immediately　toward　the　bed　and　the　sleeping　woman。
　
　　〃You　look　tired；〃　Obi…Wan　said　to　Anakin　in　the　adjoining　room。　The　Padawan；　still　standing；　opened　his　eyes　and　came　out　of　his　meditative　trance。　He　took　a　moment　to　register　the　words；　and　then　gave　a　little　shrug；　not　disagreeing。　〃I　don't　sleep　well　anymore。〃
　
　That　was　hardly　news　to　Obi…Wan。　〃Because　of　your　mother？〃　he　asked。
　〃I　don't　know　why　I　keep　dreaming　about　her　now；〃　Anakin　answered；　frustration　ing　through　in　his　voice。　〃I　haven't　seen　her　since　I　was　little。〃
　〃Your　love　for　her　was；　and　remains；　deep；〃　Obi…Wan　said。　〃That　is　hardly　reason　for　despair。〃
　〃But　these　are　more　than。。。〃　Anakin　started　to　say；　but　he　stopped　and　sighed　and　shook　his　head。　〃Are　they　dreams；　or　are　they　visions？　Are　they　images　of　what　has　been；　or　do　they　tell　of　something　that　is　yet　to　be？〃
　〃Or　are　they　just　dreams？〃　Obi…Wan　said；　his　gentle　smile　showing　through　his　scraggly　beard。　〃Not　every　dream　is　a　premonition；　some　vision　or　some　mystical　connection。　Some　dreams　are　just　。　。　。　dreams；　and　even　Jedi　have　dreams；　young　Padawan。〃
　
　Anakin　didn't　seem　very　satisfied　with　that。　He　just　shook　his　head　again。
　〃Dreams　pass　in　time；〃　Obi…Wan　told　him。　〃I'd　rather　dream　of　Padme；〃　Anakin　rep