rasalvatore.attackoftheclones-第23章

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was　something　reassuring　about　Mace　Windu；　a　sense　of　power　and；　even　more　than　that；　of　destiny。　Mace　Windu　had　a　way　of　silently　assuring　all　those　around　him　that　things　would　work　out　as　they　were　supposed　to。
　〃Be　wary；〃　he　said　to　Obi…Wan；　tilting　his　head　back　just　a　bit　as　he　spoke；　a　posture　that　made　him　seem　all　the　more　impressive。　〃This　disturbance　in　the　Force　is　growing　stronger。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　nodded；　though　in　truth；　his　concerns　were　more　focused　and　tangible　at　that　moment。　〃I'm　concerned　for　my　Padawan。　He　is　not　ready　to　be　on　his　own。〃
　
　Mace　gave　a　nod；　as　if　to　remind　Obi…Wan　that　they　had　covered　this　already。　〃He　has　exceptional　skills；〃　the　Master　replied。　〃The　Council　is　confident　in　its　decision；　Obi…Wan。　Not　all　of　the　questions　about　him　have　been　answered；　of　course；　but　his　talents　cannot　be　dismissed；　and　we　are　not　disappointed　in　the　progress　he　has　made　under　your　tutelage。〃　Obi…Wan　considered　the　words　carefully　and　nodded　again；　knowing　that　he　was　walking　a　fine　line　here。　If　he　overstated　his　concerns　about　Anakin's　temperament；　he　might　be　doing　a　great　disservice　to　the　Jedi　and　to　the　galaxy。　And　yet；　if　he　let　the　magnitude　of　his　assignment　in　training　Anakin　Skywalker　bring　him　to　silence　on　legitimate　questions；　then　was　he　doing　great　harm？
　
　〃If　the　prophecy　is　true；　Anakin　will　be　the　one　to　bring　balance　to　the　Force；〃　Mace　finished。
　〃But　he　still　has　much　to　learn。　His　skills　have　made　him　。　。　。　well…〃　Obi…　Wan　paused；　trying　to　walk　that　delicate　line。　〃…arrogant。　I　realize　now　what　you　and　Master　Yoda　knew　from　the　beginning。　The　boy　was　too　old　to　start　the　training；　and　。　。　。〃
　
　The　frown　spreading　on　Mace　Windu's　face　signaled　Obi…Wan　that　he　might　be　pushing　a　bit　too　hard。
　〃There's　something　else；〃　Mace　observed。
　
　Obi…Wan　took　a　deep　and　steadying　breath。　〃Master；　Anakin　and　I　should　not　have　been　given　this　assignment。　I'm　afraid　Anakin　won't　be　able　to　protect　the　Senator。〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃He　has　a　。。。　an　emotional　connection　with　her。　It's　been　there　since　he　was　a　boy。　Now　he's　confused；　and　distracted。〃　As　he　spoke；　Obi…Wan　started　toward　his　star　fighter。　He　climbed　up　the　cockpit　ladder　and　into　his　seat。
　〃So　you　have　already　stated；〃　Mace　reminded。　〃And　your　concerns　were　weighed　properly；　and　did　not　change　the　decision　of　the　Council。　Obi…Wan；　you　must　have　faith　that　Anakin　will　take　the　right　path。〃　It　made　sense；　of　course。　If　Anakin　was　to　bee　a　great　leader；　a　creature　of　prophecy；　then　surely　his　character　tests　must　be　passed。　Anakin　was　waging　one　of　those　tests　right　now；　Obi…Wan　knew；　off　in　seclusion　on　a　distant　planet　with　a　woman　whom　he　loved　too　deeply。　He　had　to　be　strong　enough　to　pass　that　test；　Obi…Wan　just　hoped　that　Anakin　recognized　the　trial　for　what　it　was。
　〃Has　Master　Yoda　gained　any　insight　as　to　whether　or　not　this　war　will　e　about？〃　he　asked；　somewhat　changing　the　subject；　though　he　felt　that　it　was　all　very　connected。　Finding　the　assassin；　making　peace　with　the　separatists…　all　of　these　things　would　allow　him　to　focus　more　closely　on　Anakin's　training　and　would　keep　things　at　a　more　even　keel　around　the　troubled　Padawan。
　〃Probing　the　dark　side　is　a　dangerous　process；〃　Mace　stated。　〃I　know　not　when　he　will　choose　to　begin；　but　when　he　does；　it　is　quite　possible　that　he　will　remain　in　seclusion　for　days。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　nodded　his　agreement　and　Mace　gave　him　a　smile　and　a　wave。　〃May　the　Force　be　with　you。〃
　〃Set　the　course　to　the　hyperspace　ring；　Arfour；〃　Obi…Wan　instructed　his　astromech　droid；　an　R4…P　unit　that　was　hardwired　into　the　left　wing　of　the　sleek　starfighter。　Silently；　the　Jedi　Knight　added　to　himself；　Let's　get　this　thing　moving。
　
　Chapter　Fourteen
　
　It　was　a　scene　of　simplicity；　of　children　playing　and　adults　sitting　quietly　under　the　warm　sun；　or　gossiping　across　neatly　trimmed　hedgerows。　It　was　a　scene　of　absolute　normalcy　for　Naboo；　but　it　was　nothing　like　Anakin　Skywalker　had　ever　witnessed。　On　Tatooine；　the　houses　were　singular；　out　in　the　desert；　or　they　were　clustered　tightly　in　cities　like　Mos　Eisley；　with　its　hustle　and　bustle　and　bright　colors　and　brighter　characters。　On　Coruscant；　there　were　no　streets　like　this　one　any　longer。　There　were　no　hedgerows　and　trees　lining　the　ground；　just　permacrete　and　old　buildings　and　the　gray　foundations　of　the　towering　skyscrapers。　People　did　not　gossip；　with　children　running　carefree　about　them；　in　either　place。
　
　To　Anakin；　it　was　a　scene　of　simple　beauty。
　
　He　was　back　to　wearing　his　Jedi　robes；　the　peasant　garb　discarded。　Padm　walked　alongside　him　in　a　simple　blue　dress　that　only　seemed　to　enhance　her　beauty。　Anakin　kept　glancing　her　way；　stealing　images　of　her　to　burn　into　his　mind；　to　hold　forever　in　a　special　place。　She　could　be　wearing　anything；　he　realized；　and　still　be　beautiful。
　
　Anakin　smiled　as　he　recalled　the　ornate　outfits　Padme　had　often　worn　as　Queen　of　Naboo；　huge　gowns　with　intricate　embroidery　and　studded　with　gemstones；　tremendous　headpieces　of　plumes　and　swirls　and　curves　and　twists。
　
　He　liked　her　better　like　this；　he　decided。　All　of　the　decorations　of　her　Queenly　outfits　had　been　beautifully　designed；　but　still　could　only　detract　from　the　more　beautifully　designed　Padme。　Wearing　a　great　headpiece　only　hid　her　silken　brown　hair。　Painting　her　face　in　whites　and　bright　red　only　hid　her　beautiful　skin。　The　embroidery　on　the　great　gowns　only　blurred　the　perfection　of　her　form。
　
　This　was　the　way　Anakin　wanted　to　see　her；　where　her　clothing　was　just　a　finishing　touch。
　〃There's　my　house！〃　Padme　cried　suddenly；　startling　Anakin　from　his　pleasant　daydreams。
　
　He　followed　her　gaze　to　see　a　simple　but　tasteful　structure；　surrounded；　like　everything　on　Naboo；　by　flowers　and　vines　and　hedges。　Padme　started　off　immediately　for　the　door；　but　Anakin　didn't　follow　right　away。　He　studied　the　house；　every　line；　every　detail；　trying　to　see　in　it　the　environment　that　had　produced　her。　She　had　told　him　many　stories　of　her　childhood　in　this　house　during　their　trip　from　Coruscant；　and　he　was　replaying　those　tales；　seeing　them　in　context　now　that　the　yard　was　in　view。
　〃What？〃　Padme　asked　him　from　some　distance　ahead；　when　she　noticed　that　he　was　not　following。　〃Don't　tell　me　you're　shy！〃
　〃No；　but　I…〃　the　distracted　Anakin　started　to　answer；　but　he　was　interrupted　by　the　squeals　of　two　little　girls；　running　out　from　the　yard　toward　his　panion。
　〃Aunt　Padme！　Aunt　Padme！〃
　
　Padme's　smile　went　as　wide　as　Anakin　had　ever　seen　it　and　she　rushed　ahead；　bending　low　to　scoop　the　pair；　who　looked　to　be　no　more　than　a　few　years　old；　one　a　bit　taller　than　the　other；　into　her　arms。　One　had　hair　short　and　blond　and　curly；　the　other；　the　older　of　the　two；　had　hair　that　resembled　Padme's。
　〃Ryoo！　Pooja！〃　Padme　cried；　hugging　them　and　twirling　them　about。　〃I'm　so　happy　to　see　you！〃　She　kissed　them　both　and　set　them　down；　then　took　them　by　the　hand　and　led　them　toward　Anakin。
　〃This　is　Anakin。　Anakin；　this　is　Ryoo　and　Pooja！〃
　
　The　blush　on　the　pair　as　they　shyly　said　hello　brought　a　burst　of　laughter　from　Padme　and　a　smile　to　Anakin's　face；　though　he　was　equally　ill　at　ease　as　the　two　children。
　
　The　girls'　shyness　lasted　only　as　long　as　it　took　for　them　to　notice　the　little　droid　rolling　behind　Anakin；　trying　to　catch　up。
　〃Artoo！〃　they　shouted　in　unison。　Breaking　away　from　Padme；　they　rushed　to　the　droid；　leaping　upon　him；　hugging　him　cheek　to　dome。
　
　And　R2…D2　seemed　equally　thrilled；　beeping　and　whistling　as　happily　as　Anakin　had　ever　heard。
　
　Anakin　couldn't　help　but　be　touched　by　the　scene；　a　view　of　innocence　that　he　had　never　known。
　
　Well；　not　never；　he　had　to　admit。　There　were　times　when　Shmi　had　found　some　way　to　produce　such　moments　of　joy　amid　the　drudgery　that　was　life　as　a　slave　on　Tatooine。　In　their　own　way；　in　that　dusty；　dirty；　hot；　and　smelly　place；　Anakin　and　his　mother　had　carved　out　a　few　instants　of　innocent　beauty。　Here；　though；　such　moments　seemed　so　much　more　the　norm　than　the　memorable　exception。
　
　Anakin　turned　back　to　Padme；　to　see　that　she　was　no　longer　looking　his　way；　but　had　turned　toward　the　house；　where　another　woman；　who　looked　very　much　like　Padme；　was　approaching。
　
　Not　exactly　like　Padme；　Anakin　noted。　She　was　a　little　older；　a　little　heavier；　and　a　little　more　。　。　。　worn；　was　the　only　word　he　could　think　of。　But　not　in　a　bad　way。　Yes；　he　could　see　it　now；　he　thought；　watching　as　she　and　Padme　hugged　tightly。　This　was　whom　Padme　could　bee…more　settled；　more　content；　perhaps。　Considering　the　amazing　resemblance；　Anakin　was　hardly　surprised　when　Padme　introduced　the　woman　as　her　sister；　Sola。
　〃Mom　and　Dad　will　be　so　happy　to　see　you；〃　Sola　said　to　Padme。　〃It's　been　a　difficult　few　weeks。〃
　
　Padme　frowned。　She　knew　that　word　of　the　attempts　on　her　life　would　have　reached　her　parents'　ears；　and　that　was　possibly　the　most　disturbing　thing　of　all　to　her。
　
　Anakin　saw　it　all　on　her　face；　and　he　understood　it　well；　and　he　loved　her　all　the　more　for　that　generosity。　Padme　wasn't　really　afraid　of　anything…　she　could　handle　the　reality　of　her　current　situation；　the　reality　of　the　fact　that　someone　was　trying　to　kill　her；　with　determination　and　courage。　But　the　one　thing　about　it　all　that　troubled　her；　aside　from　the　political　ramifications　of　such　distractions；　the　ways　they　might　weaken　her　position　in　the　Senate；　was　the　effect　of　such　danger　upon　those　she　loved。　He　knew　that　she　didn't　want　to　bring　pain　to　her　family。
　
　Anakin；　who　had　left　his　mother　as　a　slave　on　Tatooine；　could　appreciate　that。
　〃Mom's　making　dinner；〃　Sola　explained；　noting　Padme's　disfort　and　generously　changing　the　subject。　〃As　usual；　your　timing　is　perfect。〃　She　started　toward　the　house。　Padme　waited　for　Anakin　to　move　beside　her；　then　took　his　hand；　looked　up；　smiled　at　him；　and　led　him　toward　the　door。　R2…D2　rolled　along　right　behind；　with　Ryoo　and　Pooja　bouncing　all　about　him。　The　interior　of　the　house　was　just　as　simply　wonderful　and　just　as　full　of　life　and　soft　color　as　was　the　yard。　There　were　no　glaring　lights；　no　beeping　consoles　or　flickering　puter　screens。　The　furniture　was　plush　and　fortable；　the　floors　were　made　of　cool　stone　or　covered　in　soft　carpeting。
　
　This　was　not　a　building　as　Anakin　had　known　on　Coruscant；　and　not　a　hovel；　as　he　had　known　all　too　well　on　Tatooine。　No；　seeing　this　place；　this　street；　this　yard；　this　home；　made　the　young　Padawan　even　more　convinced　of　what　he　had　declared　to　Padme　not　so　long　before：　that　if　he　had　grown　up　on　Naboo；　he　would　never　leave。
　
　The　next　introductions　were　a　bit　more　unfortable；　but　only　for　a　moment；　as　Padme　showed　Anakin　to　Ruwee；　her　father；　a　strong…shouldered　man　with　a　face　that　was　plain　and　strong　and　passionate　all　at　once。　He　wore　his　brown　hair　short；　but　still　it　was　a　bit　out　of　place；　a　bit　。。。　fortable。　Padme　introduced　Jobal　next；　and　Anakin　knew　that　the　woman　was　her　mother　without　being　told。　The　moment　he　met　her；　he　understood　where　Padme　had　gotten　her　innocent　and　sincere　smile；　a　look　that　could　disarm　a　mob　of　bloodthirsty　Gamorrean　raiders。　Jobal's　face　had　that　same　forting　quality；　that　same　obvious　generosity。
　
　Soon　after；　Anakin；　Padme；　and