***Chapter 3***
The bongo turns out to be a small underwater craft that looks like a species of squid. It has flat, swept-back fins and aft tentacles that rotate to propel the craft. It consists mostly of an electrical power plant, guidance system, and passenger seating. Three bubble-canopy passenger compartments are arranged symmetrically, one on each wing and the third forward on the nose.
The Jedi and Jar Jar sit in the nose compartment. Obi-Wan assumes command of the controls and familiarizes himself with their functions as Jar Jar babbles on about nothing in particular. Qui-Gon sits in the shadows behind them.
"Are the Gungans and the Naboo at war with each other?" Qui-Gon asks Jar Jar.
The Gungan shakes his head. He tells them that long ago they might have been, but now the Naboo keep out of the swamps and the Gungans keep out of the plains. They don't even see each other.
"But they don't like each other?" Qui-Gon presses.
Jar Jar snorts. He repeats what Boss Nass had said earlier about the Naboo thinking they are smarter than the Gungans.
During Qui-Gon and Jar Jar's conversation, Obi-Wan closes his eyes in dismay, trying to block out the Gungan's mutterings. Jar Jar is a disaster waiting to happen, but he has to trust that Master Qui-Gon knows what he is doing. It isn't his place to interfere. Qui-Gon's preoccupation with 'pathetic life-forms' mystifies and frustrates Obi-Wan. His Master is perhaps the greatest Jedi alive, a commanding presence at Council, a strong and brave warrior who refuses to be intimidated by even the most daunting challenge, and a good and kind man.
Perhaps it is his kindness that always seems to get him into so much trouble. He repeatedly defies the Council in matters that Obi-Wan finds trivial. Qui-Gon has his own vision of a Jedi's purpose, of the nature of his service, and of the causes he should undertake. He follows that vision wholeheartedly.
Obi-Wan is young and impatient. He is headstrong and does not yet understand the complexities of the Force the way Qui-Gon does. He believes Qui-Gon often overreaches and takes on too many tasks. Qui-Gon will dare anything when he finds a challenge that interests him, even if he risks himself in the process. Jar Jar seems to be the latest risk. Obi-Wan grits his teeth and reminds himself to stay out of it. His thoughts turn to one of Qui-Gon's recent teachings…
"There are secrets hidden in the Force that are not easily discovered. The Force is vast and pervasive, and all living things are a part of it. It is not always apparent what their purpose is. Sometimes that purpose must be sensed first in order that it may be revealed later."
"Some secrets are best left concealed. Why must you always be the one to do the uncovering? The Council does not like these…detours. Why can't, just once, we leave the uncovering to someone else?"
"Secrets must be exposed when found. Detours must be taken when encountered. And if you are the one who stands at the crossroads or at the place of concealment, you must never leave it to another to act in your place."
Obi-Wan sighs as his thoughts return to the present…to piloting the bongo, reaching Theed, and warning the Naboo. He turns his head slightly toward Jar Jar and asks, "Why were you banished?"
"It's a longo tail, but a small part of it would be mesa, uh, clumsy."
"You were banished because you are clumsy?" Obi-Wan asks in surprise.
As the bongo travels through an open stretch of water between two giant coral shelves, no one notices the dark shape that detaches itself from the larger outcropping and begins to track them.
Jar Jar goes on to explain about some accidents he had that destroyed quite a bit of Boss Nass' property. Obi-Wan isn't entirely sure what Jar Jar is talking about… gassers and heyblibbers… but before he can ask for clarification there is a loud thump and the bongo jerks sharply to one side as something strikes it. The trio turns to see a huge fish with multiple legs and massive jaws ringed with teeth. It has them hooked with its tongue and starts drawing them toward its open mouth.
"Gooberfish!" screams Jar Jar.
Obi-Wan shoves everything into forward, full speed ahead, but the large fish pulls the bongo into its jaws and clamps down on the tail end. Behind the large fish, swims an even larger fish. The larger of the two grabs the other and begins to eat it. The bongo is released and speeds ahead to safety.
"There's always a bigger fish," Qui-Gon quietly remarks.
Jar Jar begins to talk about going back to Otoh Gunga, where they will be safe from all the dangers of the core. "Where wesa goin?"
"Don't worry, the Force will guide us," Qui-Gon assures.
Jar Jar proceeds to express his disbelief in the Force's abilities. As the bongo goes deeper, penetrating the planet's core, an alarm begins to sound.
"We're losing power," Obi-Wan informs and sets the bongo down to work on the problem.
Jar Jar whines that they are going to die.
"Just relax," Qui-Gon says calmly. "We're not in trouble yet."
Jar Jar gets upset and begins to complain about all the trouble they are having while Obi-Wan opens a power consol and works to jump start the power. With a spark from the wires, Obi-Wan announces, "Power's back."
As the lights of the bongo turn back on, they illuminate a colo claw fish, all spines, scales, and teeth. Obi-Wan begins to speed the bongo away, and the claw fish gives chase. Jar Jar panics.
Qui-Gon places a hand on Jar Jar's shoulder and summoning the Force he gently tells Jar Jar, "Relax."
Jar Jar immediately faints.
"You over did it," Obi-Wan remarks, wheeling the bongo away through the darkness, the colo claw fish in pursuit. He angles the bongo toward the cave entrance. As they reach the opening, a sando aqua monster is waiting and begins to open its large jaws to swallow the oncoming bongo.
Obi-Wan pulls back on the steering unit and the small bongo races up and over the aqua monster's head, then proceeds to speed off down the monster's back. The aqua monster clasps onto the colo claw fish instead of the bongo. "Let's hope that's all the snack he requires," Obi-Wan remarks.
Free from their latest monster encounter, Qui-Gon points off to the left and instructs Obi-Wan, "Head for that outcropping."
Jar Jar begins to wake up and manages to stay relatively calm for the rest of their voyage through the core. They finally emerge from the darkness of the deep waters toward a blaze of sunlight. The bongo pops to the surface and Obi-Wan shuts off the energy bubble canopy.
Suddenly, the bongo begins to drift backward. The trio looks behind them and discover they've surfaced near a raging waterfall.
"Get this thing started," Qui-Gon shouts.
Obi-Wan tries to restart the vehicle. "There isn't enough power," he groans.
Qui-Gon quickly takes his grappling hook from his belt and shoots it into a nearby wall. Once it is anchored in the wall, he secures his end to the bongo. The vehicle stops with the rear edge hanging precariously over the waterfall. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon quickly head for the grappling line. They jump in the water, clinging to the line, and make their way across the rapids. The hook begins to loosen, but they manage to make it to safety. Jar Jar stays in the ship, having another panic attack.
"Come on, Jar Jar. Move!" Qui-Gon orders.
Jar Jar snaps out of his panic enough to climb to the edge of the bongo. He falls into the water and swims across to safety. The hook disengages from the wall and the bongo slips off the edge of the waterfall, crashing onto the rocks far below. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan help Jar Jar out of the water then the three make their way into the streets of Theed.