GUNGAN CITY OF NESS

The pod being drawn by two dugong seacows, had traversed the rivers of the marshlands and had now found its way into what the naboo called the Lake Country. It was at the bottom of one of the largest, and deepest, lakes that the city of Ness was located; several dozen of structures of various sizes connected to form an intricate web of tunnels, buildings and trams. Similar pods to the one steered by Jar-Jar could be seen everywhere, not to mention all sorts of submarine-designs. Gungans were swimming here and there, and the entire area was lit up in an eerie haze eminating from the many windows of the city.

Jar-Jar took the pod into a dockingbay, where it popped up at the surface of the bay and bobbed about in the water, the two dugongs casually relaxing after a long swim. Jar-Jar was first to climb out of the pod, closely followed by the two jedi. As soon as the two humans made themselves known, all gungans gasped and stepped back out of fear. Many ran off, others dove into the water and fled beneath the surface. It was all too apparent to the two jedi, that they were not welcome.

"I take it gungans seldom have visitors here?" Obi-Wan said, more a statement than a question.

Jar-Jar shrugged his shoulders. "Gungan no like naboo" he said. "But, this Ness. As promised."

Qui-Gon nodded. "As promised indeed. So what happens now?"

"Now?" Jar-Jar said. "Now, wait."

"Wait?" Obi-Wan did not like it. "Wait for what?"

A doorway opened and several angry and determined gungans poured through, easily identified as warriors by their attire, armour and weapons. Their leader, a scarred and cruel looking male, pushed his way to the fore of the throng of warriors, at once stepping up to eyeball Jar-Jar. The discussion that followed was one of harsh words and accusations, that much the tone of voice alone gave away as they argued in the gungan language. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon could do nothing but wait and see what happened next. In the end, the intimidating warrior turned and left, clearly upset about the whole situation for some reason.

"What was that all about?" Qui-Gon wondered as he studied the warriors guarding them.

Jar-Jar shrugged his shoulders as he tended to do. "Me banished. Will be punished."

"Banished?" Obi-Wan could hardly believe it. "Yet you took us back here?"

Jar-Jar shrugged his shoulders once more. "Worth risk if I turn hero. Heroes loved by all."

Qui-Gon was not all that impressed. "Unfortunately, heroes often end up dead."

The comment did not make Jar-Jar feel any better about his current situation.

XXX XXX

The journey through the city of Ness was one of wide eyes, pointing fingers, whispers and rumours. Few gungans had ever seen any other sentient lifeform other than other gungans, and to now see two aliens, being escorted through the streets in plain sight, caused some ruckus to say the least. Within moments, word had spread throughout the entire city and a large mob had soon gathered outside the entrance to the Chiefs Den, where the guards had taken the aliens.

Once inside the Chiefs Den, the two jedi and their gungan friend were brought before the seven chiefs of the city, three sitting on either sider of the Great Chief himself; an obese and revolting looking gungan who was snacking on toads and frogs at the moment. The two jedi had no way of understanding the gungan language, but even so, it was clear that their most recent friend, Jar-Jar, was vastly impopular at the time being. Eventually, one of the six lesser gungan chiefs turned to adress the jedi directly.

"Naboo, you come to get ride to Theed? Why?"

Qui-Gon took a step forward. "I am Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Knight of the Consular Disciplin of the Jedi Order. I am here on a mission on behalf of Supreme Chancellor Valorum of the Republic Senate. The Trade Federation has broken republic law and are illegaly invading your planet. My apprentice and I require a ship to take us into space, so that we may contact Coruscant and inform the senate of this invasion, so that the Republic may put a stop to the Federations plans."

The chiefs started to discuss between one another. The obese Great Chief was less than amused.

"We know of droideka on dry land. They not bother gungan. They only fight naboo" the same chief as before said. "Any enemy to naboo is friend to gungan."

Obi-Wan couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But you share this planet. What happens to one of you will surely happen to the other. You must understand this."

The Great Chief slammed his chubby fist against the woodwork. "Naboo not share!" he boomed. "Naboo come when only gungan lived on Otoh Gunga. Naboo lie and trick and took more than dry land. Took swamps and bogs, rivers and lakes. Took all, until naboo had all Otoh Gunga and gungan had nothing. Naboo not share and gungan not forget, gungan not forgive."

"Then we thank you for your help and we shall leave you in peace" Qui-Gon said, sensing they had nothing to gain from staying, and he and his apprentice bowed out of respect and turned to leave the chamber.

As the jedi withdrew from the council of chiefs, guards dragged forth Jar-Jar. "Hey, naboo!" Jar-Jar said as he was dragged along. "No minding some help."

Qui-Gon stopped to watch as Jar-Jar was dragged before the chiefs. Obi-Wan saw where things were heading.

"Master" the padawan said, "we have no time for this. The longer we wait, the less chance we have of stopping the Federation. Besides, we should not interfere. It is disrespectful."

"Wait here" Qui-Gon said, as if not having heard his apprentice words, and went back to the chiefs.

"What you want, naboo?" the chief said who could communicate in Basic, as the common language in the galaxy was known.

"What is to become of Jar-Jar Binks here?" the jedi knight asked and the chief translated as before.

The Great Chief chuckled, his belly and chins wobbling as he did. "Jar-Jar be punished... Very punished."

Qui-Gon nodded at the reply. "Will you atleast offer us a guide so that we may find our way to Theed?" Qui-Gon then inquired. "We do not know these waters and would most likely get lost on our own."

The chiefs discussed and it was clear they were not amused, as the chief with Basic skills made clear. "No time for this. You go, naboo. We have important punished to do."

As Qui-Gon spoke next, eyes aimed at the Great Chief, the jedi made a slight gesture of his hand. "Banish Jar-Jar and send him on his way."

"Jar-Jar Binks banished again. Will go now" the Great Chief proclaimed to his council, something that surprized all of the other chiefs, not to mention the guards.

Qui-Gon made another barely noticeable gesture with his hand. "Under conditions that he first guides us to Theed."

"Jar-Jar take naboo to Theed" the Great Chief proclaimed, "If not... He drop to planet core." The guards removed the shackles from Jar-Jars wrists. "Be gone with him!" the Great Chief commanded and the guards pushed Jar-Jar almost into the arms of Qui-Gon.

Jar-Jar was not sure of what was happening, nor any other gungan for that matter. Qui-Gon gently moved the re-banished gungan to the side towards Obi-Wan, and then turned his attention back at the Great Chief.

"We could use a transport" the jedi knight then said.

"Take a bongo" the obese gungan replied. "You take bongo to Theed."

Qui-Gon smiled and bowed his head in respect and he and his two companions turned to leave.

"Thank you much" Jar-Jar said as all three of them left the chiefs and their chamber behind them. "Me owe you now."

Around them, the immense crowd of curious gungans parted to allow the mysterious aliens an open path, no-one daring to stand in their way, fearing decease, trouble, a fight and even being cursed.

"Taking me and Obi-Wan to Theed will be thanks enough" Qui-Gon assured the gungan. "Since we are strangers to these waters, without a navigator, we would get lost."

"What did they mean by dropping you to the planet core?" Obi-Wan asked. "It does not seem physically possible."

Jar-Jar shrugged his shoulders. "Great valley in big ocean. Very deep with no bottom. Said to go to planet core. Chain heavy weights to feet and down you go."

Qui-Gon nodded as he understood the gungans way of thought. "A death-sentance" the jedi said, "The depths will crush anything dropped into such a chasm."

Obi-Wan shook his head with a sigh. "How uncivilized."

THE REPUBLIC SENATE, CORUSCANT

"We have proof!"

The senate was in an uproar. The senator of Cato Neimoidia had just accused the chancellor for trying to kidnap Count Nayron of the Trade Federation merchant-fleet.

The neimoidian senator continued, despite the noise-level in the senate-forum. "We have survailance-recordings clearly depicting two jedi" this caused even more of an uproar, "Two jedi, attacking the bridge of the Profitable Provider, a registered Trade Federation merchant, after having landed under the guise as republic ambassadors."

Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan cut in to make himself heard, ignoring protocol as he did. "Is Cato Neimoidia actually accusing the Jedi Order of attacking ships of the Trade Federation? Of privateering?!"

The neimoidian senator was quick to reply. "We have proof that two jedi landed under diplomatic colours and then attacked the crew of the Profitable Provider and tried to reach the bridge. We can only assume that they intended to kidnap Count Nayron, the senior officer overseeing the legal blockade of Naboo, to allow Senator Palpatine and his puppet, Chancellor Valorum..."

The senate responded with utter chaos.

"... To gain leverage against the Trade Federation!" the neimoidian senator continued, despite the storm of emotions sweeping through the gathering of senators. "In response to this, the members of the honorable Trade Federation has seen no other option, other than to protect our position and secure our liberties by taking Naboo as collateral to avoid any more disruptive and illegal hostilities from the chancellor and the Jedi Order."

The next few minutes was beyond control and it took a full fifteen minutes before the senate had calmed itself enough to allow speakers to make themselves heard once more.

Chancellor Valorum aimed a question directly at the neimoidian senator. "Senator Dod, when you say collateral, would you please explain what this actually means, for the record."

The neimoidian senator, Lot Dod, did not hesitate to explain. "The Trade Federation has placed troops on the surface of Naboo and are currently negotiating a peace-treaty with its regent, Queen Amidala."

"Ridiculous!" It was Senator Palpatine, the Naboo representative, who made is voice heard in unison with his cane hitting the floor of his booth. "I have recieved no such communication from Queen Amidala. This is all a smokescreen to hide what the Trade Federation has planned all along; the deliberate invasion of Naboo, with the intent to frighten all smaller planets to fear a military retaliation, if they take any form of action that might go against the Federations economical interests. This is an outrage!"

The senator from the planet Skako, a member-world of the Industrial Union, was next to voice his opinion. "Skako would ask of the senate that a full investigation is done on the matter and I am sure that all members of the Industrial Union agrees. The possibility that the Jedi Order is involved with kidnapping at the request of a chancellor is extremely troubling and one wonders what might come next? Assassination perhaps? An investigation is not only required, it is a must with such a delicate matter."

Chancellor Valorum stood up as he adressed the accusations. "I invite such an investigation with open arms and agree that the situation requires one. I would also like to assure the Senate that I have never asked the Jedi to kidnap any citizen of the Old Republic, nor will I ever do so. The Jedi were sent to Naboo at my request, this is true, but as observers and nothing more. As the investigation will confirm."

THE NABOO EMBASSY ON CORUSCANT

Baron Sheev Palpatine, of House Palpatine, had been Naboo's representative in the Republic Senate for the past twelve years. Well liked by most, though, he was not a favorite among the large guilds that united and joined many of the more powerful planets in economical, and greedy, alliances. Palpatine had made a career out of fighting the larger guilds interests in the Senate; something that had made him many friends, but also many powerful enemies.

Recently, his long years of hard work had payed off, however, as he had managed through several deals to make sure that Senator Valorum of Coruscant had been elected Supreme Chancellor of the Old Republic six years prior. His most recent success was by many considered his prime achievement; getting the Senate to vote in favour of an increase in taxes on all major trade-routes, in order to make merchants favor dealing with smaller planets and not only the massive guilds.

Senator Palpatine walked along the balcony of Naboos embassy, his trademark cane clicking as it struck the floor. He was not alone, joined by fellow senators who were some of his closest allies.

"I am told that the Jedi are missing" Palpatine sounded filled with regret, "and there is still no way of making contact with Naboo. No word from the queen or my family, or any other noble house."

"Most troubling" said the Falleen senator, the reptilian politicians posture and demenour screaming aristocrat all the way to the Outer Rim. "I would never have figured that Viceroy Gunray had the guile to conduct himself in this way" Senator Xizor added.

The senator of Alderaan, Duke Bail Organa, shook his head. "We must make the Federation answer for this. If they get away with attacking a sovereign planet, then what is to stop the Commerce Guild or the Industrial Union of doing the same if they feel threatened by the Senate?"

"It would be anarchy" a corpulent twi'lek senator said.

Palpatine nodded at the experienced senator of Ryloth. "Indeed it would be, Senator Taa" he acknowledged, "The Old Republic would have no credability, and the senate would hold no authority. It would be the end of a millenia of democracy and stability."

The Falleen senator sighed. "I spoke with my father and he fears that if this is not dealt with prudently, it will end with the Old Republic shattering into a mosaiq of independant dominions that in the end will cause galaxy-wide conflict and tragedy."

"King Haxim is wise" Palpatine said, "and I share his fears, Senator Xizor. The problem is that Valorum has not the influence over the senate that is required to control the Trade Federation." Palpatine stopped to take in the inspiring view offered by the balcony. Coruscants skyline was one of awe and beauty. "I have tried to convince Corellia to actively side with us, but have made little headway unfortunately."

Organa did not have to think long. "I will talk to Garm Bel Iblis" he said. "If Corellia will support Naboo, so will many of its shipyards. It would make your case that much stronger and it would strengthen Valorums position as well."

"Corellia would be a powerful ally" Xizor said and nodded. "But Corellias shipyards are closely tied to the InterGalactic Banking Clan, which also has close cooperation with the Trade Federation. Corellia would lose vast amounts of profit by going against the Federation in the senate."

"Is there no way to compensate them?" Organa wondered. "Corellian ships are some of the best in the galaxy. Surely we must be able to find someone who would be able to compensate Corellias losses if Corellia joins your cause?"

Palpatine sighed. "That would require an economic body with the means, and requirements, to purchase large quantities of vessels over several decades, if not centuries."

Xizor did not seem optimistic. "All such economical powers would profit if the Trade Federation succesfully forced their will on Naboo and the Senate. It would allow them to act in similar fashion in the future. Sadly, that does include the Corporate Alliance aswell."

Senator Xizor, Prince of Falleen, was not only of noble birth, but also the executive director for Sizhran Transport Systems; a lucrative shipping company that was a member of the powerful entity known as the Corporate Alliance. A guild that held much sway of trade and business all across the Old Republic, and as such, had great influence over several worlds and their politicians.

Senator Orn Free Taa, the obese twi'lek politician, had a suggestion. "There is one strong economy in the Republic that could suit our needs." Senator Taa gained everyones attention. "The Hutt Clans" he explained.

"The Hutts are gangsters!" Organa protested. "We can't work with them!"

"And Corellia does business with the Trade Federation" Xizor pointed out.

"The Hutts have one disadvantage to most political and economical powers in the Republic" the twi'lek said. "They exclusively rely on freelance captains to conduct their trade."

Organa almost spat out of contempt. "Pirates and smugglers you mean."

The twi'lek did not argue. "Perhaps. But they are interested in building a merchant-fleet of their own, to make them independant of outside shipping."

Palpatine did not feel comfortable with the idea. "Supplying ships to create a Nal Hutta merchant-fleet? Half of those ships will be used for piracy and smuggling."

"Yet" Senator Xizor said, "with Corellia and Nal Hutta backing our cause in the senate, we could truly challenge the Trade Federation. And Corellia and Nal Hutta are important clients to the Corporate Alliance; their support could prove invaluable. We would strengthen democracy in the galaxy by securing their support."

Palpatine nodded, but he did not like it. "Arrange a meeting" he then said and turned to Organa. "I'm afraid we have no choice, my friend."

Organa sighed. "Very well. Corellia it is... and Nal Hutta. For the Republic."

Palpatine smiled and nodded. "For the Republic."