Terror rises off Nute Gunray and Rune Haako like steam.I intimidate them without saying a word.It is clear the minute I arrive on Naboo.Is it my ritual tattoos,my silence,my eyes?All I have to do is look in their direction and they scurry away.

恐懼在紐特·岡雷和盧恩·哈寇周身涌現(xiàn)。我一言不發(fā)地恐嚇著他們。自從我到達(dá)納布以來就是這樣。是因為我天生的花紋，還是我的沉默，還是我的目光？我所需的只是盯著他們，他們就會逃開。

So I look in their direction often.

所以我經(jīng)常要看他們兩眼。

I find on my arrival that Nute and Rune have settled into the Theed palace as though it had been built just for them.Nute has taken over Queen Amidala's private bedroom.They think that they will be rewarded for their loyalty with the control of Naboo.

我剛到的時候發(fā)現(xiàn)紐特和盧恩已經(jīng)舒舒服服地住進(jìn)了希德皇宮，好像那是專門為他們蓋的一樣。紐特占據(jù)了阿米達(dá)拉女王的私人臥室。他們認(rèn)為這能換來被控制的納布的忠誠。

It is true that the Neimoidians are still useful to us.But it's also important for our lackeys to know who is really in charge.

毫無疑問對我們來說內(nèi)莫伊迪亞人仍然有價值。但讓這些馬屁精們知道誰才是主人也很重要。

So on the morning I arrive,I stride into the Queen's bedroom,where Nute snoozes on her sleep-couch,covered by a blanket woven of soft shimmersilk.I yank off the coverlet and kick him.Hard.

因此在我到達(dá)的那個早晨，我昂首挺胸地闖進(jìn)了女王的臥室，紐特正在她的床上蓋著一條閃光真絲織成的毯子呼呼大睡。我掀開毯子踢了他一腳。狠狠地。

He wakes in a panic."Are they invading?"

他驚慌失色地跳起來?！八麄冊谶M(jìn)攻嗎？”

What a fool he is.Disgusted,I tell him to clear out.

真是個蠢貨。我厭惡地命令他卷鋪蓋走人。

"These are now my quarters,"I say.

“這現(xiàn)在是我的住處了，”我說。

His eyes dart in fear.He tries at the last moment to take the shimmersilk cover,but I grab it from his hands.It tears in half,and I note the dismay on Nute's face.I rend it further just to scare him.Then I fling the pieces in his face.

他的眼睛害怕地顫動著。隨后他再次試圖把毯子拉上來，但我從他手中搶走了它。它被扯成了兩半，我注意到紐特表情中的沮喪。我又把它撕得粉碎以嚇唬他。然后我將碎片摔在他的臉上。

"Send someone to remove the traces of your presence here,"I snap.

“叫個人來把這里沾有你臭味的東西全都挪走，”我厲聲說道。

He runs as fast as a Neimoidian is capable,anxious to get out of my sight.

他飛快地沖了出去，急切地逃離了我的視線。

As soon as he is gone,I laugh.It's not that I want to sleep in luxury.But I do enjoy terrifying Nute.It's too easy,but it's pleasurable.

在他逃走后，我大笑著。我并非想要豪華的居所，而是覺得嚇唬紐特很好玩。這很簡單，但很有趣。

I walk through the palace,noting the richness of the materials,the fine workmanship of the furnishings,the grandeur of the hallways and staircases.Windows run floor to ceiling and reflect back the pools and waterfalls of the city of Theed.I do not often notice my surroundings except as something to move through and exploit in order to accomplish a mission.But here I begin to see what lies ahead for us.Control of the galaxy in our grasp,with every luxury at our feet.

我在宮殿中漫步著，觀察著昂貴的建材，做工精美的器具，宏偉莊嚴(yán)的走廊和樓梯。透過高大的落地窗能看見希德城市的湖泊和瀑布。我平時并不留意除了任務(wù)的必經(jīng)之地之外的周圍的環(huán)境。但在這里我卻開始認(rèn)識到那些正等待著我們的事物。掌控整個銀河系，將一切奢華的東西收攬于懷。

I have been raised without luxury.Bare walls,bare floors,a sleep-mat.A bowl to eat from.I have believed fine things make one soft.All my joy comes in battle,all my pleasure comes in preparing for it.

我在樸素的環(huán)境中長大。光禿禿的墻，裸露的地面，一塊睡毯，一個飯碗。我相信安樂會使人松弛。我所有的快樂都來自戰(zhàn)斗，所有的愉悅都來自準(zhǔn)備它的過程。

But I could be wrong about this.I could rule from a palace like this one day.It would not be so terrible a fate.

但我也許想錯了。我有一天也能在這樣的一座宮殿中統(tǒng)治。這似乎也不會迎來那么可怕的命運(yùn)。

I find the throne room.Nute and Rune are talking,and they stop abruptly when I appear in the doorway.No doubt Nute was complaining about me.

我找到了王座室。紐特和盧恩在交談，當(dāng)我出現(xiàn)在門口時，他們突然噤口不言了。毫無疑問紐特正在發(fā)我的牢騷。

I stroll in and look at Nute hard.He rises off the throne and hurries to a low chair.I sit,and they glance at me nervously.

我踱著步，盯著紐特。他匆忙從王座上跳起換了把較矮的椅子。我坐下，他們緊張地瞟著我。

"Status report,"I tell them.

“匯報情況，”我命令他們。

Nute blathers that things are going well on Naboo.Rune chimes in that the people are cowed completely in the camps.The underground resistance movement is small and will be crushed any day.Every ship in the area,every troop has been alerted to watch out for the Queen's ship.She will be spotted as soon as she enters Naboo's atmosphere,they promise.She will no doubt land in the central square,hoping to negotiate,with the Jedi as her shields.It is impossible for her to slip through the many safeguards they have set up.

紐特說了一堆關(guān)于納布進(jìn)展順利的廢話。盧恩接著說居民都已經(jīng)被關(guān)押起來。地下抵抗運(yùn)動非常微弱，隨時都會被粉碎。這里的每一艘飛船，每一個士兵都已被提醒要留意女王的飛船。他們保證，只要女王的飛船一進(jìn)入納布的大氣，他們就會發(fā)現(xiàn)。她毫無疑問會在控制區(qū)著陸，并希望與絕地和她的侍衛(wèi)們穿過那里。想要?dú)⑦^他們布下的如此多的守衛(wèi)是不可能的。

"Unless she is already here,"I say.

“除非她已經(jīng)在這里了，”我說。

"Impossible!"They cry this in one voice.
“不可能！”他們異口同聲地喊道。

I suggest that together we check out security around the plaza.This meets with their usual glassy-eyed,babbling approval.

我提議我們一起檢查一下廣場周圍的安保。他們忽閃著玻璃似的大眼睛，唯唯諾諾地贊同著。

We stroll around the central plaza.Waterfalls thunder nearby.Their spray cools the air.The plaza is wide and desolate.I imagine that before the invasion it would have been full of people.I have heard of the fine crafts of Naboo,the musicians,the food sellers,all the pleasures that could be bought or traded for in the center of the great city.

我們在中央廣場周圍散步。瀑布在一旁傾瀉而下。水霧使空氣變得涼爽。廣闊的廣場上空無一人。我想象著入侵前這里可能熱鬧非凡。我早已聽說過納布工藝品的精美，還有那些音樂家，餐廳老板，所有優(yōu)良的東西都能在這座大城市的中央買到。

I prefer it empty.

我更喜歡它空蕩的樣子。

Nute and Rune point out the patrols.They are timed to cover the plaza every fifteen minutes.
紐特和盧恩解釋著那些巡邏隊。它們被定位每十五分鐘巡邏一次廣場。

"Make it every five,"I say.
“設(shè)定為五分鐘，”我說。

Rune points out nervously that there are still pockets of resistance throughout the city.Shouldn't we keep the troops spread out?

盧恩緊張地指出城里仍然有一些反抗組織據(jù)點(diǎn)。我們不應(yīng)該將部隊派出去嗎？

I let my gaze squeeze their puny minds,turn their thoughts liquid with fear.

我用目光勒緊他們懦弱的靈魂，將他們的思想擠壓成恐懼。

"Do you think,"I ask in a dangerous tone,"the Queen will dawdle when she arrives,and simply wait for you to pick her up?Think,cretin.Where do you think she'll be heading?"

“你覺得，”我以充滿危險的語氣說道，“女王會到處閑逛，等著你去找到她嗎？好好想想，白癡。你覺得她會朝著那去呢？”

Nute barks the order into his comlink.Five-minute patrols!He has begun to fidget.

紐特向著他的通訊器發(fā)號施令。巡邏間隔五分鐘！他已經(jīng)開始坐立不安了。

"There should be surveillance at all times,"I say,sweeping my arm to take in the balconies."Infrared sensors to alert the patrols."

“這里應(yīng)該被時刻監(jiān)視著，”我說著，在高臺上揮著手?！霸谶@里布置紅外傳感器以便向巡邏隊報警?！?/span>

Rune tells me quickly that they will arrange it.
盧恩馬上告訴我他會安排。

The Queen cannot escape their surveillance.Everything is under control--

女王無法避開他們的監(jiān)控。一切都在掌握之中——

Nute's comlink signals.He hesitates.

紐特的通訊器響了。他猶豫著。

I suggest he answer it,or he'll find himself thrown over a waterfall.

我建議他趕緊接，否則就把他扔下瀑布。

An officer reports in from the field.The Queen's ship has been found in the Naboo swamps.

一個軍官開始報告。女王的飛船在納布沼澤被發(fā)現(xiàn)。

Nute looks stunned.Rune's ugly mouth drops open.Their stupidity is no longer amusing.

紐特目瞪口呆。盧恩丑陋的下巴都快掉到地上了。他們的愚蠢開始令人惱怒。

"Have you captured her?"Nute roars.

“你們抓住她了嗎？”紐特嘶吼。

The officer replies that the ship is empty,and there is no sign of the Queen's party.They have disappeared.

軍官回復(fù)說飛船里沒人，他們也沒有找到女王一行人的蹤跡。她們消失了。

I say nothing.It is more effective.

我一言不發(fā)。這樣的效果會更好。

Nute's voice trembles as he orders the officer to send out patrols to search.

當(dāng)紐特命令軍官派出巡邏隊去搜索時，他的聲音打著顫。

I?grab his comlink and switch it off.There is no reason to hear more dithering from fools.I hold it in front of his face.

我一把搶過通訊器并把它關(guān)掉。沒有理由再聽那些傻瓜的話了。我抓著通訊器在他臉前搖晃。

"Everything is under control,you say?"I hiss directly in his face.He flinches."You'll pay for this.Now we must contact Lord Sidious."

“一切都在掌握之中，你剛才說？”我沖著他的臉吐著詞。他畏畏縮縮?！澳銜榇烁冻龃鷥r。現(xiàn)在我們必須聯(lián)系西迪厄斯大人?！?/span>

Nute nods.He has no choice.But the mere mention of my Master's name has made him look greener than usual.Things are slipping out of his control.When my Master first contacted the Neimoidians to suggest the blockade,their greed overcame them.They thought this would be easy,no doubt.Now I sense that Nute and Rune wish they were on a planet in the Outer Rim,well away from the Sith Lord's grasp.Only their fear and greed keep them tethered here.

紐特點(diǎn)頭。他別無選擇。但只是師父的名字就讓他的臉變得更綠了。事情正在逐漸脫離紐特的掌控。當(dāng)師父第一次聯(lián)系內(nèi)莫伊迪亞人建議他們進(jìn)行封鎖時，他們的貪婪占了上風(fēng)。毫無疑問他們認(rèn)為這將會很簡單。現(xiàn)在我能感覺到紐特和盧恩寧愿自己在某個外環(huán)星域荒涼的星球上，遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)地逃開西斯尊主的掌控。將他們拴在這里的只有他們的貪婪與恐懼。

Lord Sidious appears before us in hologram form.Nute repeats the officer's report,adding that he has acted quickly to send out search patrols.

西迪厄斯大人在我們面前的全息儀中出現(xiàn)了。紐特重復(fù)了軍官的話，又加上了他反應(yīng)迅速立刻派出搜索隊的報告。

"This is an unexpected move for her,"Lord Sidious says."It is too aggressive...Lord Maul,be mindful."

“對她而言這樣的舉動很令人意外，”西迪厄斯大人說?！八哂星致孕粤恕栕鹬鳎欢ㄒ粢?。”

He tells me to let them make the first move.Whatever it may be,whenever it may come,I will be ready.

他告訴我要后發(fā)制人。無論他們怎樣行動，何時前來，我都會準(zhǔn)備好。

Yes,Qui-Gon Jinn.I will wait for you to make your move.That will leave you open.We will meet each other soon.

是的，奎剛·金。我會等著你先走這步棋。這將把你孤立出來。我們馬上就能重逢了。