Chapter 1 - Katine
"Yousa stay close and let mesa deal with the Senator," her master said, hitting the release button to the hatch of the spacecraft.
The compartment depressurized with a hiss, tendrils of steam spilling out into the night beyond. Annora shivered and drew her cloak tighter around her. Despite the chill, it was refreshing to finally feel fresh air upon her face again. She breathed in the dank and metallic odour of the city, marveling at the thousands of lights glittering like stars in the night sky. She couldn't help but feel a resonating longing for the familiar luminosities of Coruscant.
It had taken some time to reach the planet Katine, home to Senator Mo Tatora and vocal adversary of Chancellor Palpatine. Yet the trip had seemed relatively short due to developing a fast friendship with the two assistants on board - Gon Ror and Senti, twins from the planet Bindubi. They were Annora's age and products of similar upbringing to her own.
Annora and the twins had spent many sleepless hours bonding over their shared experiences, discussing family, hobbies, and dreams. She'd even taken a liking to Gon Ror, with his golden skin and crimson eyes - much to the delight of Senti, though Annora had sworn her to secrecy.
Annora confessed to them that Katine was the first planet she would have seen outside of Coruscant. Towering structures, contrived interiors, and dark alleyways were all she had ever known. Gon Ror and Senti were sympathetic, though they had visited many worlds during their travels. She'd found herself pressed against the windows as the spacecraft sailed over Katine's lush green forests and sparkling blue lakes, while a chuckling Captain Yen watched on. Soon they'd come to a sprawling city, much like Coruscant but architecturally different, touching down upon a raised platform.
They had come to Katine because its Senator, Mo Tatora, had extended an invitation to her master to visit the planet's capital; a planet known for its peaceful coexistence with the planet's native aquatic species – the Ooglan. It was common knowledge amongst the other Senators on Coruscant that Mo Tatora had recently developed a fascination for the Gungans - Naboo's own aquatic natives - especially regarding their involvement with the resistance during the blockade and droid incursion of Naboo.
Annora's master - a Gungan and newly appointed Bombad General – had accepted the invitation reluctantly, due in part to Chancellor Palpatine's view that the visit could prove opportunistic to their joint cause. But the details surrounding the visit were clouded in skepticism, and her master had planned accordingly.
Annora looked at her master standing silently next to her as the ramp descended to the deck below. He had donned the traditional dress of his species: a shirtless jacket and colorless, baggy pants. But Annora knew her master adopted the dress to perpetuate a clever ruse; that of a bumbling fool and innocuous companion to the Jedi. So far, none had seen through to his true identity as a plotter, schemer, and master manipulator. It was hard not to be impressed by how well her master had deceived even the greatest and powerful of Jedi.
The ramp whirred and touched down onto a long walkway. Ahead, an impeccably dressed man flanked by two armed guards was striding towards the spacecraft, grinning and arms open wide. His long cloak spilled out about his feet as he walked.
Annora narrowed her eyes at the armed guards who were – in her opinion - carrying more than standard-issue blasters. They certainly looked much bigger.
"I have a bad feeling about this, master," she said.
"Yousa keep an eye out for anything suspicious, mesa apprentice," her master whispered. "Mesa suspect not everything is as it seems. Mesa are replying on yousa to be mesa eyes and ears."
"Jar-Jar Binks, how good it is to see you," the man said. "Welcome to the capital of Katine. I trust your journey was smooth?"
"Yes, Senator Mo Totora! Mesa so glad to be here! Mesa so happy! Mesa so excited!"
Annora followed her master as he sprang down the ramp clumsily, falling into the senator's arms. It wasn't the first time Annora had heard her master's fake pidgin language. While his accent did have its peculiarities, her master deliberately dumbed down his speech to further imbed the deception he weaved.
"Well, Jar-Jar, I am glad to have you with us. We have many things to discuss. I am particularly interested in the customs and traditions of the Gungans. I do hope to visit Naboo again soon." Senator Mo Totora looked at Annora, one eyebrow raised. "And who do we have here?"
Her master slapped his head. "Oh, mesa sorry, sir! This is mesa's friend, Annora. Wesa become good friends, senator. Good friends!"
"An unusual companion, Jar-Jar," Mo Totora said, maintaining his grin. "It is nice to meet you Annora."
Annora flashed Mo Totora a small smile, noticing the sweat upon his brow and saying nothing. Her gaze moved to the armed guards next to him.
"Oh, ignore them," Mo Tatora said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "They insist on following me around. It's pretty annoying, really, but enough idle chat. It's rude of me to keep my guests standing out in the cold. You must both be hungry, and I have prepared a great feast in your honour, Jar-Jar. Let me show you the way."
Mo Totora placed his hands around her master's shoulders and ushered him forward, starting down to the long walkway and away from their ship.
They had almost reached the far end of the walkway when Annora truly suspected something was amiss. While her master babbled away enthusiastically, she noticed the armed guards gripping their blasters tightly. Too tightly. And something just didn't feel right. She closed her eyes and breathed in the cool air, releasing her mind from all thoughts, exploring, reaching into the depths beyond, feeling for the source of her concern. She could almost sense the ripples of disturbance.
An explosion ripped through the night, throwing Annora forward, a wave of intense heat engulfing her. She threw her cloak over her face to ward against the scorching air. Chunks of metal began clanging down dangerously close around her.
Dazed, she turned to see black smoke billowing up from their spacecraft, flames beginning to consume the shattered silver hull. Melted segments of the ship fell from the platform and into the night below. Annora knew already that there was no way anyone on board could have survived the attack.
Annora tasted bile in the back of her throat. Captain Yen… Gon Ror… Senti… her friends.
Dead.
She gritted her teeth and turned back to her master, who was standing with his hands in the air. Several more guards were streaming down the walkway, surrounding the Gungan, their blasters pointed at his chest.
Two more guards broke away from the group. They reached Annora, pulling her to her feet, one pushing a blaster into her side painfully. She was dragged forward and shoved to stand beside her master. Annora could still feel the heat from the inferno burning her face.
"Mesa not understand, Senator!" Her master shouted, his ears flapping from side to side. "Yousa killed my crew!"
Senator Mo Tatora pulled out his own blaster and pointed it at the Gungan. His face was deadly serious when he spoke.
"I have known for a while now that you're not who you say you are, Jar-Jar. I have spoken with the High Council of Otoh Gunga and have discovered the true reasons behind your banishment. It seems as though you and Chancellor Palpatine have been friends for a long time, so I see now how deep the corruption festers. I intend to draw out information from you like a poison, Jar-Jar. Then I will expose your fellow conspirator, Palpatine, to the Senate and end this madness for good."
Mon Tatora pointed the blaster at Annora.
"As for you, foolish girl. I don't know how you are involved in all this, but I intend to find out."
Annora swallowed, staring down the barrel of the blaster. She couldn't say a word. She could only think about the corpses of her friends turning to ashes. She felt tears well in her eyes, letting them steam down her cheeks unabashed.
Her master broke down, his own fat tears streaming down his muzzle.
"Mesa don't know what you're saying. Mesa don't know Chancellor Palpi. Mesa was banished from Otoh Gunga for being clumsy. Please, Senator."
Mo Tatora pointed the blaster back to Annora's master and snarled. "Tell it to the countless innocents who have already died under the Chancellor's command, Jar-Jar. As far as I'm concerned, you are scum. And in the end, you will rot."
Mo Totora turned to the guards.
"Take them away to the cells. We'll begin the interrogations immediately. Oh, and Jar-Jar," Mon Totora shoved the blaster underneath her master's throat, "Welcome again to Katine."
Afterward: Thank you to everyone who have taken time to read my story. I sincerely hope that you are enjoying the tale thus far. I'd also love to hear your thoughts, regardless of your opinions of this story. Every comment helps me improve my writing. Chapter 2 is currently being edited and will be uploaded shortly.