rasalvatore.attackoftheclones-第3章

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　Now　Shmi　did　giggle；　picturing　Cliegg　turning　red…faced　with　exasperation　when　Anakin　had　let　his　duties　slide　once　again。
　
　Cliegg　hugged　her　all　the　tighter　at　the　sound；　obviously　having　no　clue　of　the　mental　images　fluttering　through　her　brain。
　
　Shmi　melted　into　that　hug；　knowing　that　she　was　where　she　belonged；　and　taking　fort　in　the　hope　that　Anakin；　too；　was　where　he　truly　belonged。
　
　　She　wasn't　wearing　one　of　the　grand　gowns　that　had　marked　the　station　of　her　life　for　the　last　decade　and　more。　Her　hair　was　not　done　up　in　wondrous　fashion；　with　some　glittering　accessory　woven　into　the　thick　brown　strands。　And　in　that　plainness；　Padme　Amidala　only　appeared　more　beautiful　and　more　shining。
　
　The　woman　sitting　beside　her　on　the　bench　swing；　so　obviously　a　relation；　was　a　bit　older；　a　bit　more　matronly；　perhaps；　clothes　even　more　plain　than　Padme's　and　with　her　hair　a　bit　more　out　of　place。　But　she　was　no　less　beautiful；　shining　with　an　inner　glow　equally　strong。
　〃Did　you　finish　your　meetings　with　Queen　Jamillia？〃　Sola　asked。　It　was　obvious　from　her　tone　that　the　meetings　to　which　she　had　referred　were　not　high　on　her　personal　wish　list。
　
　Padme　looked　over　at　her；　then　looked　back　to　the　playhouse　where　Sola's　daughters；　Ryoo　and　Pooja；　were　in　the　midst　of　a　wild　game　of　tag。
　〃It　was　one　meeting；〃　Padme　explained。　〃The　Queen　had　some　information　to　pass　along。〃
　〃About　the　Military　Creation　Act；〃　Sola　stated。
　
　Padme　didn't　bother　to　confirm　the　obvious。　The　Military　Creation　Act　now　before　the　Senate　was　the　most　important　piece　of　business　in　many　years；　one　that　held　implications　for　the　Republic　even　beyond　those　during　the　dark　time　when　Padme　had　been　Queen　and　the　Trade　Federation　had　tried　to　conquer　Naboo。
　〃The　Republic　is　all　in　a　tumult；　but　not　to　fear；　for　Senator　Amidala　will　put　it　all　aright；〃　Sola　said。
　
　Padme　turned　to　her；　somewhat　surprised　by　the　level　of　sarcasm　in　Sola's　tone。
　〃That's　what　you　do；　right？〃　Sola　innocently　asked。
　〃It's　what　I　try　to　do。〃
　〃It's　all　you　try　to　do。〃
　〃What　is　that　supposed　to　mean？〃　Padme　asked；　her　face　twisting　with　puzzlement。　〃I　am　a　Senator；　after　all。〃
　〃A　Senator　after　a　Queen；　and　probably　with　many　more　offices　ahead　of　her；〃　Sola　said。　She　looked　back　at　the　playhouse　and　called　for　Ryoo　and　Pooja　to　ease　up。
　〃You　speak　as　if　it's　a　bad　thing；〃　Padme　remarked。　Sola　looked　at　her　earnestly。　〃It's　a　great　thing；〃　she　said。　〃If　you're　doing　it　all　for　the　right　reasons。〃
　〃And　what　is　that　supposed　to　mean？〃
　
　Sola　shrugged；　as　if　she　wasn't　quite　sure。　〃I　think　you've　convinced　yourself　that　you're　indispensable　to　the　Republic；〃　she　said。　〃That　they　couldn't　get　along　at　all　without　you。〃
　〃Sis！〃
　〃It's　true；〃　Sola　insisted。　〃You　give　and　give　and　give　and　give。　Don't　you　ever　want　to　take；　just　a　little？〃
　
　Padme's　smile　showed　that　Sola's　words　had　caught　her　off　guard。　〃Take　what？〃
　
　Sola　looked　back　to　Ryoo　and　Pooja。　〃Look　at　them。　I　see　the　sparkle　in　your　eyes　when　you　watch　my　children。　I　know　how　much　you　love　them。〃
　〃Of　course　I　do！〃
　〃Wouldn't　you　like　to　have　children　of　your　own？〃　Sola　asked。　〃A　family　of　your　own？〃
　
　Padme　sat　up　straight；　her　eyes　going　wide。　〃I。。。〃　she　started；　and　stopped；　several　times。　〃I'm　working　right　now　for　something　I　deeply　believe　in。　For　something　that's　important。〃
　〃And　after　this　is　settled；　after　the　Military　Creation　Act　is　far　behind　you；　you'll　find　something　else　to　deeply　believe　in；　something　else　that's　really　important。　Something　that　concerns　the　Republic　and　the　government　more　than　it　really　concerns　you。〃
　〃How　can　you　say　that？〃
　〃Because　it's　true；　and　you　know　it's　true。　When　are　you　going　to　do　something　just　for　yourself？〃
　〃I　am。〃
　〃You　know　what　I　mean。〃
　
　Padme　gave　a　little　laugh　and　a　shake　of　her　head；　and　turned　back　to　Ryoo　and　Pooja。　〃Is　everyone　to　be　defined　by　their　children？〃　she　asked。
　〃Of　course　not；〃　Sola　replied。　〃It's　not　that　at　all。　Or　not　just　that。　I'm　talking　about　something　bigger；　Sis。　You　spend　all　of　your　time　worrying　about　the　problems　of　other　people；　of　this　planet's　dispute　with　that　planet；　or　whether　this　trade　guild　is　acting　fairly　toward　that　system。　All　of　your　energy　is　being　thrown　out　there　to　try　to　make　the　lives　of　everyone　else　better。〃
　〃What's　wrong　with　that？〃
　〃What　about　your　life？〃　Sola　asked　in　all　seriousness。　〃What　about　Padm　Amidala？　Have　you　even　thought　about　what　might　make　your　life　better？　Most　people　who　have　been　in　public　service　as　long　as　you　have　would　have　retired　by　now。　I　know　you　get　satisfaction　in　helping　other　people。　That's　pretty　obvious。　But　what　about　something　deeper　for　you？　What　about　love；　Sis？　And　yes；　what　about　having　kids？　Have　you　even　thought　about　it？　Have　you　even　wondered　what　it　might　be　like　for　you　to　settle　down　and　concern　yourself　with　those　things　that　will　make　your　own　life　fuller？〃
　
　Padme　wanted　to　retort　that　her　life　didn't　need　to　be　any　fuller；　but　she　found　herself　holding　back　the　words。　Somehow　they　seemed　hollow　to　her　at　that　particular　moment；　watching　her　nieces　romping　about　the　backyard　of　the　house；　now　jumping　all　about　poor　R2…D2；　Padme's　astromech　droid。
　
　For　the　first　time　in　many　days；　Padme's　thoughts　roamed　free　of　her　responsibilities；　free　of　the　important　vote　she　would　have　to　cast　in　the　Senate　in　less　than　a　month。　Somehow；　the　words　Military　Creation　Act　couldn't　filter　through　the　whimsical　song　that　Ryoo　and　Pooja　were　then　making　up　about　R2…D2。
　〃Too　close；〃　Owen　remarked　gravely　to　Cliegg；　the　two　of　them　walking　the　perimeter　of　the　moisture　farm；　checking　the　security。　The　call　of　a　bantha；　the　large　and　shaggy　beasts　often　ridden　by　Tuskens；　had　interrupted　their　conversation。
　
　They　both　knew　it　was　unlikely　that　a　bantha　would　be　roaming　wild　about　this　region；　for　there　was　little　grazing　area　anywhere　near　the　desolate　moisture　farm。　But　they　had　heard　the　call；　and　could　identify　it　without　doubt；　and　they　suspected　that　potential　enemies　were　near。
　〃What　is　driving　them　so　close　to　the　farms？〃　Owen　asked。
　〃It's　been　too　long　since　we've　organized　anything　against　them；〃　Cliegg　replied　gruffly。　〃We　let　the　beasts　run　free；　and　they're　forgetting　the　lessons　we　taught　them　in　the　past。〃　He　looked　hard　at　Owen's　skeptical　expression。　〃You　have　to　go　out　there　and　teach　the　Tuskens　their　manners　every　now　and　again。〃
　
　Owen　just　stood　there；　having　no　response。
　〃See　how　long　it's　been？〃　Cliegg　said　with　a　snort。　〃You　don't　even　remember　the　last　time　we　went　out　and　chased　off　the　Tuskens！　There's　the　problem；　right　there！〃
　
　The　bantha　lowed　again。
　
　Cliegg　gave　a　growl　in　the　general　direction　of　the　sound；　waved　his　hand；　and　walked　off　toward　the　house。　〃You　keep　Beru　close　for　a　bit；〃　he　instructed。　〃The　both　of　you　stay　within　the　perimeter；　and　keep　a　blaster　at　your　side。〃
　
　Owen　nodded　and　dutifully　followed　as　Cliegg　stalked　into　the　house。　Right　before　the　pair　reached　the　door；　the　bantha　lowed　again。　It　didn't　seem　so　far　away。
　〃What's　the　matter？〃　Shmi　asked　the　moment　Cliegg　entered　the　house。
　
　Her　husband　stopped；　and　managed　to　paste　on　a　bit　of　a　forting　smile。
　〃Just　the　sand；〃　he　said。　〃Covered　some　sensors；　and　I'm　getting　tired　of　digging　them　out。〃　He　smiled　even　wider　and　walked　to　the　side　of　the　room；　heading　for　the　refresher。
　〃Cliegg。。。〃　Shmi　called　suspiciously；　stopping　him。
　
　Owen　came　through　the　door　then；　and　Beru　looked　at　him。　〃What　is　it？〃　she　asked；　unconsciously　echoing　Shmi。
　〃Nothing；　nothing　at　all；〃　Owen　replied；　but　as　he　crossed　the　room；　Beru　stepped　before　him　and　took　him　by　the　arms；　forcing　him　to　look　at　her　directly；　into　an　expression　too　serious　to　be　dismissed。
　〃Just　signs　of　a　sandstorm；〃　Cliegg　lied。　〃Far　off；　and　probably　nothing。〃
　〃But　already　enough　to　bury　some　sensors　on　the　perimeter？〃　Shmi　asked。
　
　Owen　looked　at　her　curiously；　then　heard　Cliegg　clear　his　throat。　He　looked　to　his　father；　who　nodded　slightly；　then　turned　back　to　Shmi　and　agreed。
　〃The　first　winds；　but　I　don't　think　it　will　be　as　strong　as　Dad　believes。〃
　〃Are　you　both　going　to　stand　there　lying　to　us？〃　Beru　snapped　suddenly；　stealing　the　words　from　Shmi's　mouth。
　〃What　did　you　see；　Cliegg？〃　Shmi　demanded。
　〃Nothing；〃　he　answered　with　conviction。
　〃Then　what　did　you　hear？〃　Shmi　pressed；　recognizing　her　husband's　semantic　dodge　clearly　enough。
　〃I　heard　a　bantha；　nothing　more；〃　Cliegg　admitted。
　〃And　you　think　it　was　a　Tusken　mount；〃　Shmi　stated。　〃How　far？〃
　〃Who　can　tell；　in　the　night；　and　with　the　wind　shifting？　Could've　been　kilometers。〃
　〃Or？〃
　
　Cliegg　walked　back　across　the　room　to　stand　right　before　his　wife。　〃What　do　you　want　from　me；　love？〃　he　asked；　taking　her　in　a　firm　hug。　〃I　heard　a　bantha。　I　don't　know　if　there　was　a　Tusken　attached。〃
　〃But　there　have　been　more　signs　of　the　Raiders　about；〃　Owen　admitted。　〃The　Dorrs　found　a　pile　of　bantha　poodoo　half　covering　one　of　their　perimeter　sensors。〃
　〃It　may　be　just　that　there's　a　few　banthas　running　loose　in　the　area；　probably　half　starved　and　looking　for　some　food；〃　Cliegg　offered。
　〃Or　it　might　be　that　the　Tuskens　are　growing　bolder；　are　ing　right　down　to　the　edges　of　the　farms；　and　are　even　beginning　to　test　the　security；〃　Shmi　said。　Almost　prophetically；　just　as　she　finished；　the　alarms　went　off；　indicating　a　breach　about　the　perimeter　sensor　line。
　
　Owen　and　Cliegg　grabbed　their　blaster　rifles　and　rushed　out　of　the　house；　Shmi　and　Beru　close　behind。
　〃You　stay　here！〃　Cliegg　instructed　the　two　women。　〃Or　go　get　a　weapon；　at　least！〃　He　glanced　about；　indicated　a　vantage　point　to　Owen；　and　motioned　for　his　son　to　take　up　a　defensive　position　and　cover　him。
　
　Then　he　rushed　across　the　pound；　blaster　rifle　in　hand；　Zigzagging　his　way；　staying　low　and　scanning　for　any　movement；　knowing　that　if　he　saw　a　form　that　resembled　either　Tusken　or　bantha；　he'd　shoot　first　and　investigate　after。
　
　But　it　didn't　e　to　that。　Cliegg　and　Owen　searched　the　whole　of　the　perimeter；　scanned　the　area　and　rechecked　the　alarms；　and　found　no　sign　of　intruders。
　
　All　four　stayed　on　edge　the　remainder　of　that　night；　though；　each　of　them　keeping　a　weapon　close　at　hand；　and　sleeping　only　in　shifts。
　
　The　next　day；　out　by　the　eastern　rim；　Owen　found　the　source　of　the　alarm：　a　footprint　along　a　patch　of　sturdier　ground　near　the　edge　of　the　farm。　It　wasn't　the　large　round　depression　a　bantha　would　make；　but　the　indentation　one　might　expect　from　a　foot　wrapped　in　soft　material；　much　like　a　Tusken　would　wear。
　〃We　should　speak　with　the　Dorrs　and　all　the　others；〃　Cliegg　said　when　Owen　showed　the　print　to　him。　〃Get　a　group　together　and　chase　the　animals　back　into　the　open　desert。〃
　〃The　banthas？〃
　〃Them；　too；〃　Cliegg　snarled。　He　spat　upon　the　ground；　as　steely…eyed　and　angry　as　Owen　had　ever　seen　him。
　
　　Senator　Padme　Amidala　felt　strangely　uneasy　in　her　office；　in　the　same　plex　as；　but　unattached　to；　the　royal　palace　of　Queen　Jamillia。　Her　desk　was　covered　in　holodisks　and　all　the　other　usual　clutter　of　her　station。　At　the　front　of　it；　a　holo　played　through　the　number