Padmé and Panaka raced to the ground level of the complex, trying to get out of the building before it collapsed. Padmé could feel every pound of her beating heart against her chest. She had little experience with battle and all of that was in the simulation room, except hunting trips she had accompanied. Panaka navigated the two of them out to the courtyard and began yelling into his comlink. Padmé looked around and saw the burning buildings further off and watched the complex they just escaped collapse. Fear had taken its course and she sat down breathing heavily trying to regain composure. A few Noboo officers ran to the captain and they gave Panaka the rundown of what they knew was happening.
"Federation Droids infiltrated the city, cutting our communications to Theed and all other locations. They surrounded us and ordered our surrender but we demanded an explanation. Without any response they opened fire and laid waste to the city, sparing only the packing and storage houses." The officer further explained the current situation and the stand they were attempting to make, but Padmé lost focus on the conversation as the reality of what was happening sunk in.
"The only contact we have received are emergency alerts which bypass the normal communications systems."
"Then far more than our worst nightmare has occurred." Panaka said as he looked to Padmé. "The Trade Federation has invaded Naboo, to take her as their own."
Panaka shouted out orders to the surrounding officers, but Padmé slowly began to walk off in a daze. She looked around the surrounding buildings as the federation continued to lay siege on Bontanal. Complete shock had taken over her and even with all the screams, explosions and sounds of tanks approaching, all Padmé could hear was her deep breathing and escalated beat of her heart as it roared on. A squadron of battle droids came out from around a corner, guns firing in every direction. Padmé slowly turned toward the droids still consumed in her state of shock. Panaka, now aware of the situation, ran toward her yelling for her to get down, but Padmé did not move. Some of the droids turned to her, brought their guns up and began to open fire. Suddenly a figure landed in front of her with a blue light dancing around him. As the laser shots bounced off the swirling lightsaber, Panaka reached Padmé, taking her to the ground with his right arm covering her face and his left out returning fire with his blaster. Reality came back into focus for Padmé, and the sounds of battle came rushing into her ears, but Panaka's firm hand kept her face down. It seemed like forever, but within a few seconds Panaka had gotten Padmé up and behind the cover of a water fountain in the courtyard.
"Stay here, and keep down!" Yelled Panka as he left to rejoin the battle. But Padmé could only sit there for a few seconds before she had to see what was happening. She moved her head slightly over the base of the water fountain to just where only one of her eyes became exposed. It was hard for her to make out what exactly was going on but without a doubt Padmé recognized a Jedi Knight.
"A Jedi Knight!" She said with a new hope and wonder. She watched as the figure masterfully wielded his blue weapon around, deflecting and slicing through the droids and their weapons. Panaka and his troops had taken cover on the opposite side of the alleyway of the Jedi and were picking off droids one by one. Two objects rolled into view and quickly stopped and stood up on three short legs. These new droids started sending out a deadly wave of thick lasers at Panaka and his crew. Within a flash, three guards were taken down and the Jedi leaped in front of the droids in an attempt to shield the other guards.
"Master, Destroyers!" Yelled the young Jedi and out of nowhere, a massive turret, which looked to come off of an AAT came flying by and crushed the two Destroyers into the adjacent building. From the direction of the Turret came another Jedi wielding a green lightsaber and following him was a small band of Gungan warriors.
"It's a Miracle!" exclaimed Padmé as the two Jedi, lead the defense with Gungan warriors and more Naboo troops arriving. The group did quick work on the remaining Federation forces, surrounding them and cutting off their retreat. The battle was over and Panaka was already discussing plans with the two Jedi. Padmé rushed out to meet the strange men.
There was so much she wanted to say but the words failed her. She stared wide-eyed at the two heroes who had defended Bantenal. Panaka was explaining Naboo's surprise at the sudden attack:
"We thought they might force our hand, but we never expected an invasion." Panaka shook his head, angry. The older Jedi turned to Padmé, who found herself blush under his steady gaze. Panaka introduced Padmé, but he did not disclose her relationship to the Queen and merely said she was a civilian under his protection.
"Qui Gon Jin." The older Jedi nodded in acknowledgment. "This is my padawan learner, Obi Wan Kenobi." Obi Wan smiled slightly and returned his eyes to his master.
With introductions over, the two parties gathered in their original groups, Gungans on the left and the Naboo on the right with the Jedi in the middle.
"We need to make contact with the Republic, but as Captain Panaka has informed me, that is impossible with the communications knocked out."
"My primary objective is protecting the Queen. In order to do that, I need to get to Theed. Theed will also be ideal for contacting the Republic since the Federation will need to carry out communications amongst themselves. If you accompany us, you can tap into their systems to contact the Republic and I can locate the Queen." Panaka stated.
"The Federation's focus will be on the capital; how can we infiltrate the system amongst their defenses?" Obi Wan questioned. Panaka nodded.
"I have access to the secret entryways that will lead us directly to the palace."
Padmé spoke for the first time: "I can help once we're inside. I am familiar with the intricate passageways of the palace and I will know where they would be keeping the Queen." Padmé longed to be beside her sister and to help lead her to safety.
Qui Gon raised an eyebrow, curious at Padmé's knowledge of Theed palace. Quickly, Panaka interjected:
"Padmé is a handmaiden in the service of the Queen."
Padmé wondered why Panaka was so quick to prevent her from addressing her own identity. Still, she trusted his judgement on the matter and decided it would be best to remain silent.
"Good." Qui Gon seemed pleased with this plan, but the head Gungun interjected:
"If yousa thinks wesa Gungans gonna come twoo, yousa got another ting comin."
"I wouldn't dream of it! We would barely make it to the Palace lobby before the Federation heard your racket!" Shouted Panaka in obvious frustration.
"Yousa thinkin your brains so big? If not for usen, da only trip yousa be taken would be to yousa grave and better for usen!"
"My friends, please." Qui-gon raised his hands separating the rivaling groups. "This does nothing to help us. I ask that at least for the moment you toss aside your differences and work together to save your planet."
"Together your groups form a symbiant circle, what happens to one of you will effect the other." The younger Jedi, Obi-wan added. To Padme's relieve, the tension died down and Master Qui-gon spoke again,
"Captain Tarpals I would greatly appreciate your help in our quest to Theed. It is most likely that we will encounter many Federation forces without your guidance through the swamps, and the skills of your company will be greatly missed in a confrontation."
"It would be mesa hona to accompany yousa in any big bash but mesa duty is to protecten da Gungun Legreena. But wesa no forgetten our debt to da Jedi, so mesa sendend Jar Jar Binks with yousa."
"Who mesa?" replied the comparatively skinny Gungan who seemed to have just been awakened by the sound of his name.
"Yousa Jar Jar shall lead the Jedi and da Naboo through the swamps and full fill our debt to da Master Jedi." The Gungan Jar Jar looked confused but saluted his superior and bowed to Qui-gon. Padmé discerned a quiet grumble from the younger Jedi.
"Mesa shall show yousa da way."