Anakin gulped as he faced the Bosses. He saw Jar-Jar among them, and he sensed Jar-Jar's resentment and recognition. "Greetings, Honored Bosses," Anakin said clearly. "I am here to ask for you assistance against the Empire."
"Issun'a yousen da Empire?" Jar-Jar inquired rather coldly.
"Not anymore, Boss…" Wedge began.
"Boss Binks," Anakin and Jar-Jar chorused. Jar-Jar continued. "Isa no needen helpen even forma Imperial."
Luke stepped up as Wedge and Anakin made to leave. "I am Luke Skywalker. Obi-wan Kenobi was my mentor. Surely you know of him."
"He'sa justen givin' ussen da bombad trouble-o. We'sa no tinkin' he'sa friend to da Gungans."
"That's not the way I remember it," Anakin retorted. He softened at Luke's warning look. "He was part of the people that liberated Naboo from the Trade Federation. You have your freedom because of him and Qui-Gon."
"But where'sa did Obi goin' after yousa takin' da Gungan freedom away?"
"Boss Binks, we are in dire need your help. We are trying to free Naboo from the Imperials, but we cannot do so without your cooperation. I urge you to think of your people," Luke pressed.
"Issen yousa knowin' any tings about'a da Queen Padme Amidala?" Jar-Jar inquired, leaning forward.
"She's his mother," Anakin cut in, his face filling with heat at the remembrance of his fallen wife.
Jar Jar snapped back at him uncharacteristically. After all of the years of oppression, he did have a little right too be so suspicious. "Why'sa yousa sayin' dat an' expectin' mesa to be believin' yousa? Howsa dis boy knowin' dat, huh?"
"I'm afraid I don't. According to Father, she is my mother."
Jar Jar finally turned to Anakin with considerably more warmth, but the ice in his tone was still definable. "Yousa sure?"
"Quite positive. She is the only one I ever loved. You know that." Or at least you should.
"Maybe yousa sayin' is true, maybe no. Why'sa yousa lookin' so muchy like yousa Fadda, but yousa actin' like yousa Mudda? Yousa is'a remindin' mesa of da day wesa comin' to Boss Nass and she'sa is kneelin' and beggin' for da help, but she'a still lookin' good."
"I have no idea." Luke felt awkward, conducting such a conversation with a group of hostile amphibious beings who reminisced about his parents' past. "I guess my sister looks more like her. But that's beside the point. The point is that we need your help. We are begging for your aid. It is, after all, partly your planet. We also will need a Representative."
"Would you become Representative Binks again?" Anakin asked quickly. "You did the job very well. Well, you did let Palpatine have emergency powers, but you were great other than that."
"We'sa no wantin' a Reppersedative. It'sa a'ready enough trouble when we'sa on da outside."
"Then the Gungans will not be able to receive New Republic support. You'll be left to fend for yourselves - is that what you really want?"
The panel of Gungan hierarchy looked fairly disgruntled to be challenged by such a young human. "Why'sa yousen startin' all dis trouble-o? We'sa no bodderin' bein' here like dis if yousa never comin' and changin' tings. How'sa we'sa gonna trust yous?" Jar Jar fixed both Skywalker men with a challenging orange stare.
"You have my word. It may not be much to you, but it is a promise." There was a pause in which the young Jedi waited for any sign of surrender. Nothing. "I'm sorry that it's all I have to offer," Luke seemed to cede. He looked ready to leave.
"Hey, boyo!" Jar Jar called, making Luke sit back down. "I'sa never sayin' dat I'sa not gonna help yous. But dissen way harder den da droids. Deysa liken da skin and da bloody, notsa gonna be movin' by da control sheep."
"And I know how to defeat them," Anakin interjected fervently. "After all, I did train them while I was Vader. Boss Binks, I can help you rid your planet and system of Imperials. You just have to trust me. I know you don't want to, but you're going to have to. Look beyond the past and for the sake of you children ad grandchildren, help us fight."
The council of various Gungans nodded affirmatively to one another. It had been decided, then.
Satisfied, Luke said, "We need to leave as soon as enough forces can be gathered."
"Assemble the guard," the Boss instructed one of the standbys. After dislodging himself from the throne-like seat, Jar-Jar went up to Anakin and requested to speak in private.
Anakin nodded with a furtive glance at Luke. Jar-Jar led him through a series of domed cities and residential areas until he came upon another domed area with several rooms filled with tall chairs and desks. Anakin was shown to what appeared to be a living room and Jar-Jar motioned him to a over-stuffed couch.
"Kaadu milkie?" Jar-Jar offered politely.
"I'm not hungry or thirsty, but thank you for the offer."
Throwing aside decorum, Jar Jar plunged straight to the point. "Anakin, what'sa yousa and Padme doin' dose years ago? What'sa happen before she'sa die?"
"I loved her Jar-Jar. Ever since she stepped into my life in Watto's shop and I met you both, I've loved her. Then, later, when her life was in grave danger, she admitted that she loved me too. We married secretly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. Eventually, just before they ended, she became pregnant and died in childbirth with Luke and his sister, Leia."
"I know dissy part. I'sa at her'sa funeral. She wassen moi pretty-ful like always. But I'sa thought Jedi no gettin' married - not allowed, or summating."
"It was secret. Nobody was supposed to know, Jar-Jar. When she got pregnant, things started getting out of hand for me and for the galaxy. And then Obi-wan knew. I didn't want his help, though. I was stupid not to trust him. He could have saved me from the Dark Side if he had known. I'm trying to make better decisions now, can't you see? Leia and Luke are my salvation. They're keeping me through this adjustment."
"Anakin, I'sa tinkin' to-a be trustin' yousa, 'cause yousa gonna free ussen and da Naboo. I'sa can tell dat. But I'sa also seein' yousa havin lotsa trouble-o wit yousa tinkin'. Yousa doin' a lotta bad stuff, but yousa can be makin' it better. Don't make a bombad messy ting outta dis one, Ani." Jar-Jar shifted around a lot after saying the nickname, but Anakin knew it would take a certain getting used to again for him.
-
"Copy that, Luke, we will begin engaging the Senate Building first, but Command ordered us to meet in the west market," Han said monotonously.
"Copy that. We will see you there in 0200 hours. We will be bringing the Gungans." Luke signed off and motioned for the enlarged army to scramble into the multiple bongos. "Boss Binks, I need you and Captain Wedge with me in the first, three-passenger bongo. We will discuss strategy in there. Anakin, I need you with the Rebel fleet. Keep them in line and don't let them get to you. They will all be responsible for anything that goes on in there. Everybody understand? Good, get into your assigned bongo." Luke climbed into the one Jar-Jar had just had clambered (clumsily) into.
"Jedi Master Skywalker, yousen can be callin' me just 'Jar-Jar,"" the Gungan insisted.
"As long as you call me Luke." Navigating with unsettling ease, Luke decided that he liked this Gungan. In fact, he become interested with all of the Gungans and their ways.