Chapter 6
The next day Obi-Wan, Garen, and Bruck set out for Otoh Gunga. They entered the swamp, put on their breathers and began their long swim underwater. In the distance the city looked like hundreds of bubbles trapped under the water all clustered together. As they neared the bubbles they began to look more translucent and more spread out and they also began to make out the shapes of Gungans walking around. Entering one of the bubbles they were met by General Binks. "Welcome, Jedi, to our home. Right dissen way."
They nodded their heads and followed General Binks to a spherical room. Bruck shivered as the cool moist air hit his face as a bubble turbolift opened and they stepped inside. Obi-Wan on the other hand dismissed the feel of his wet clothes as a minor detail and took the time to study the colorful fish that swam by. Garen used the Force to warm himself up and engaged in small talk with the Gungan. The turbolift doors opened to reveal the meeting place and the three Jedi walked to the center of the room and bowed, as a sign of respect, to Boss Nass. General Binks went forward and introduced the Jedi before going to the side of the room.
"General Binks has informin' mesa dat yousa Jedi wish to bargain wid ossen. However yousa will tyell mesa why wesa should bargain wid yousa." Boss Nass began.
Obi-Wan stood in the middle of his two companions and moved forward a couple of steps. "The Jedi are looking for allies in our campaign against the Sith; for this campaign to succeed, we will need supplies, shelter and information. We do not ask for much and we will in turn grant your people protection.
Boss Nass gave a huge belly laugh, "Wesa no nedin' protection; wesa have a grand army to protect ossen. What yousa offer ossen bein' null and void."
Obi-Wan remained calm as he fumbled for solid footing, "We don't doubt your abilities and we can offer something more useful if you wish." That was a close call, but what if he asks for something we cannot give?
Qui-Gon and Xanatos stood once again in the room they were in the last time and waited for Queen Amidala to begin.
"I have gone over what was said in the last meeting and read some of the former Queen's notes on this matter. After many hours of contemplating with my advisors and handmaidens I have come to a decision. We will accept your terms and become your allies. I feel that you are trustworthy; don't prove me wrong."
/She's good, I didn't even realize the 'whole' meeting yesterday was a test./ The young knight told his former Master in astonishment.
Qui-Gon chuckled mentally. /You may not be my Padawan any more, Xanatos, but you still have a lot to learn. In a way, we never stop learning./
Xanatos mentally sighed. /Sometimes I wonder how I ever passed the trials./
/We all have our weaknesses Xanatos, mine would probably be my stubbornness, although I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing./
/That is definitely your main weakness. But ever since this campaign began, I've noticed that you have tried to restrain yourself more./ Xanatos replied.
/Well, we wouldn't want the Council to get worked up, would we/
Xanatos and Qui-Gon mentally chuckled before returning to the actual discussion.
"We won't, your highness. And on behalf of the Jedi, we thank you." Qui-Gon replied.
"Good, now we can begin by passing along information that will be helpful to both of us." Queen Amidala continued.
"Da Sith no boder ossen, wesa no owe da Jedi anydin', and wesa no nein' anydin'. Why should wesa aid yousa?"
"We need some shield technology to help protect our bases and other areas." Garen replied.
/Garen/ Obi-Wan nearly shouted across their bond. /You're giving away information to someone who is not our ally yet. We are not supposed to do that./
/I was just trying to help./
/Do me a favor and don't; I'm the one who made first Jedi contact with the Gungans' in a millennia. I got this meeting started./
/Well it doesn't look like it's getting anywhere is it/
/Garen, I studied their history and culture before this meeting. The negotiations will not fail./
/Hey you two, we are in the middle of a meeting. Why don't we cooperate with each other and maybe we can figure something out./ Bruck butted in.
/Well it seems to me that we've run out of options./ Garen continued, ignoring Bruck.
Bruck closed his end of the bond and let Obi-Wan and Garen debate with each other. "We are humble enough to admit that we can't fight the Sith without some kind of support. Perhaps that is what caused our downfall a millennia ago. We have learned from the mistakes we made in the past and we ask you to help us fix our mistakes by supporting us in our cause." Bruck told him sincerely and looked down a few inches.
Boss Nass let out another big belly laugh, "Den yousa shall have it; wesa sill give yousa suppliin' and in return if yousa campaign bein' successful wesa would be honorin' if one of da Jedi would come and teach da young Gungans'. Perhaps one of dem shall join yousa ranks someday."
Obi-Wan and Garen were startled out of their mental debate at this declaration.
"Then it is agreed. We are honored that you have joined us in our cause." Bruck said as a small, almost unnoticeable smile came across his lips.
/What did you do, Bruck/ Obi-Wan and Garen asked at the same time.
/I just said what I believed to be true. You should try it sometime./ Bruck responded.
/Thanks, I'll remember that./ Obi-Wan said in a pleased tone.
Garen said nothing as he tried to figure out why he didn't think of that.
"Now that we are allies, we have information of the planets that have joined us, and more. If you feel you can add something or improve something please go ahead and contact the Jedi council." Obi-Wan said as he pulled a datapad out of his tunic.
Obi-Wan, Garen, and Bruck met up with Qui-Gon and Xanatos a couple of hours later back at the ship.
"How did the meeting with Boss Nass go Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon asked.
"It went well, Master, thanks to Bruck." Obi-Wan replied.
Xanatos raised an eyebrow and looked at his padawan approvingly. "Good work, Padawan. Our meeting with Amidala went quite well, too."
A ship landed in the Queen's hangar bay, two cloaked figures and a boy came out. They strode out of the hangar bay and headed to the palace.
Garen bit his lip as he felt three dark presences descend upon Naboo. "Masters, the Sith are here."
They all stretched out with the Force to pinpoint the location of the Sith.
"They are heading to the palace." Xanatos replied as soon as he had pinpointed them.
Qui-Gon nodded his head and headed to the cockpit. "Let's go."
Obi-Wan numbly followed behind them, stretching out with the Force to probe the third presence again. There is something familiar about him, but it can't be.
Queen Amidala was looking over datapads when her com system buzzed. She activated it to see Panaka's face. "Yes, Captain?"
"There are Sith in the palace advancing to your location. I'm leading a group of guards to intercept them as soon as possible."
Amidala leaned back into her seat in deep thought, "Let them come, Captain. They're here for the Jedi and nothing more."
Panaka's eyebrows narrowed, "I still don't like it. You should have one of your handmaidens be a decoy."
"There isn't time for that. Let them pass, but stay alert for trouble on the part of the Sith."
"As you wish, Milady." Panaka said as he closed the channel.
Queen Amidala motioned to one of her handmaidens to come out of the shadows of a corner. "Sabe, I want you to go wait outside the door and be on the lookout for the Sith. When they come, let them in."
Sabe nodded her head and did as she was told.
The Sith encountered resistance in a few hallways for a few minutes before everything became quiet.
"Why aren't they sending more guards for us?" Anakin questioned.
Maul snorted at Anakin's question, "Because they know not to cross us; they are cowards and pathetic lifeforms." Maul spat out.
"I don't know; they seemed brave enough to face us before." Anakin continued.
A scowl crossed Maul's face, "No, they're fools, weaklings, to try to fight us. Brave? HA, only a fool will try to fight us."
Anakin shook his head, "I don't understand?"
Sidious turned his head a bit to look at his apprentice and Anakin before turning his head back to look in front of him. "Anakin you are to be observing and are not to be heard. We will discuss your questions after this mission is complete. Maul, you are supposed to be focusing on our goal." Sidious reprimanded them.
Maul did not reply as he inwardly let his anger brew inside of him.
After the ship had lifted off and was heading to Theed, Xanatos went into the communications room and opened a link to Queen Amidala.
Queen Amidala's face appeared on the screen and Xanatos gave a respectful bow. "Milady, the Sith are on Naboo and are heading to your palace."
She nodded, "I know. I am sure you have a plan, especially since they are after you and the others."
"Yes, of course. We will land our ship in your private landing bay. Tell the Sith when they arrive that we will be there." Xanatos told her.
"That is acceptable." She answered and turned the communication link off.
Well, that was a short conversation. He said to himself as he headed back to the cockpit.
Obi-Wan, Garen and Bruck were back in Obi-Wan's cabin as they tried to formulate a small strategy. Obi-Wan created a Force barrier to prevent their Master's from finding out what they were doing as soon as the door shut behind them.
"I recognized the third Force signature with the two Sith." Garen began. "It's Anakin."
Obi-Wan looked startled at this news, "Are you sure? If it is him, he'll be sure to recognize you, Garen."
"I know," Garen said as he plopped onto the cot. "That is why I am not going to help you and your Masters keep the Sith at bay. I am going to have to do my part sooner then expected."
Bruck shook his head, "I don't see how that will help. How will you explain to Anakin the reason why you are a Dark Jedi now?"
Garen smirked, "Easy; however, whatever happens we will succeed.
Obi-Wan nodded his head in agreement.
"Garen, there is just one thing that worries me. I am afraid of losing my Master if we follow this plan, if not physically, then mentally and emotionally." Bruck stated in a worried tone.
Garen sighed as he stood up and placed a hand on Bruck's shoulder. "It is a risk we are going to have to take."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "This will be hard. That is why I put my faith in the Force that it will protect our Masters."
The trio formed a circle, held their lightsabers in the middle of the circle and closed their eyes as Garen began. "We are one, we are an unit. We journey together on one mission. Today the journey begins, I, Garen, am the first to take the step. Let the Light keep us, the Dark hide us. Protect my two companions as they journey with me and help them to be able to proceed in this mission." Garen's voice was soon joined by Obi-Wan's and Bruck's. "Keep the evil from our souls and keep our light hidden but burning within us. On this mission, we travel far from our sanctuary, friends and Masters. We travel to a place of darkness to save the one who is chosen."
The jewels in their lightsabers made a humming sound for a few seconds then ceased as a white light enveloped them and soon after a dark veil fell upon them.
Garen opened his eyes and put his lightsaber back onto his belt. "It is done. Let us go," he said as he walked toward the door. They followed him to the ramp where they felt a gentle thump as the ship landed in the hangar bay.
Sabe watched warily from the doorway as she looked down both ends of the hallway. Then she saw them, in their black cloaks striding purposefully to her location. Taking a deep breath she walked forward a few feet and bowed. "Queen Amidala is expecting you." She spoke calmly as she opened the door for them. Chills crept up her spine as they swept past her. As she came back inside the room and closed the door she noticed for the first time the Sith's third companion. The young boy wore a robe similar to the Sith; however, his hood was down revealing sandy colored hair. She shook her head a little, saddened that a boy so young had already lost his innocence by training to become a Sith, as she went to join the other handmaidens.
Queen Amidala sat serenely in her chair as the Sith entered the room. "You made quite the ruckus coming into the palace," she said in a light mocking tone.
Maul's lip curled into a snarl and was about to make a remark when Sidious intervened. "Where are the Jedi?" he demanded sternly.
Amidala sat, unmoved by what was said, "They are in my private hangar bay. You'd better hurry if you wish to catch them before they leave."
Sidious hissed and pointed a finger at her, "If I weren't busy dealing with the Jedi right now, I would punish you for your insolence."
"I think not," Amidala replied coolly. "Now, are you going to stay here jabbering like a Jawa and let the bothersome Jedi get away, or are you going to catch them and take them out?"
Sidious frowned at Queen Amidala and gave her a hard, cold stare before turning to his apprentice. "Let's go." He stopped in his tracks when he saw Anakin following him. "Anakin," he said as he turned to look at him. "Stay with the Queen until we return; understood?"
Anakin nodded, "Yes, Master."
"Good." Sidious remarked gruffly as he left the room with Maul following close behind him.
Anakin gave a little sigh as he turned back around to where the Queen was sitting. "So, what's there to do?"
Queen Amidala looked up from the datapad she was reading and for the first time actually noticed him. "Well, there are the gardens; you could take a walk."
Anakin crossed his arms. "Boring."
"You could find some kids your age to play with." Amidala said even though she doubted they would play with him.
"Master Sidious said specifically to stay here with you."
Amidala placed the datapad on her desk and gave a small warm smile. "All right then, why don't we just talk?"
Anakin shrugged his shoulders as he found a chair and flopped into it. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Anything you want to." Amidala replied with a friendly smile.
"Okay then," Anakin said as he thought about what they could have a discussion about. "Well, what's it like being a Queen?"
Amidala stood up from her desk, walked over to a chair and sat down across from Anakin. "Being a Queen is a hard job; I have to help my people solve problems, give them aid, and keep things peaceful. I have only been a Queen for a short time now, and in that short time I've had to make some very difficult decisions."
Anakin shook his head, "It looks so easy; plus you live in a palace with fancy bedrooms, dining areas and more. You have handmaidens and guards at your command and people to serve you."
"Anakin, being a Queen does not mean I can sit back in luxury during my whole reign. I have a responsibility to my people and to be there for them."
"It sounds to me like you're wasting your chance of enjoying the pleasures of being a Queen by only focusing on your people." Anakin remarked.
"I suppose it depends on a person's point of view and their beliefs." Amidala responded. "So what about you? What's it like training to be a Sith?" She asked carefully. Something about Anakin made her curious about him.
Anakin bit his lip and frowned, "I haven't started my training yet exactly, but I am ready to begin. Once I am fully trained I will hunt down the Jedi who killed my mother!"
Amidala shifted a bit in her seat as she heard the bitterness in his tone. "I'm sorry for you loss, Anakin," she told him sincerely. "However, are you certain that a Jedi killed your mother? From what I had read about the Jedi, they were the guardians of peace and justice in the universe, before they were defeated by the Sith."
Anakin's face contorted into a scowl, "Well, they aren't now. They killed my mother in cold blood!"
"Anakin the Sith are not to be trusted. They twist the truth and deceive the innocent for their own purposes. I have seen what they can – and could – very well do."
Anakin stood up abruptly and walked to a nearby window. "I don't believe that; they saved me from the Jedi, freed me from slavery, fed me and gave me a place to sleep. They are even going to train me so that I can avenge my mother."
Amidala didn't respond and let her mind wander during the tense silence.
