“Just one but there was two of them…” OOM-9 asked.
“I’m sure Qui-Gon is already on his way to warn the Queen and left his padawan to delay our progress as much as possible. Captain, I want you to level down Spinnaker. Kill everyone.” the Lady Sarc Crimos ordered.
“Roger that.” OOM-9 nodded and opens their comm channel, “Decimate the City. Leave no one alive.”
The entire army of the Trade Federation started to advance.
* * *
Obi-Wan Kenobi stiffened as a dark presence touched his awareness. Vana Sage noticed his sudden reaction and went to his side at once.
“What is it?” she asked him.
“She is here!” Obi-Wan sounded a bit scared.
“Who’s here? Who’s her?” Vana Sage frowned.
“The Lady Sarc Crimos.” Obi-Wan Kenobi answered.
Vana Sage’s eyes widened, “The Dark Jedi who aided the Chommell Patriots?”
“Yes, the Dark Jedi who killed her own master, the same one who slew Master Thambanucc on Jafanara.” Obi-Wan nodded.
“Captain Kael, the droid army has grown ten folds. This city will not withstand such forces.” Nym said after returning from scout duty and counted a rough estimate of the massive invasion force.
“Do not lose hope yet Nym. I dispatched our fastest messenger to Negotta this morning…” Captain Sygnus grinned as they all look up and saw the entire Bravo Squadron coming down from the clouds and started to rain proton torpedoes to the MMTs and AATs on the open plains.
“By the Seven, it may not be enough but thank the Maker they came!” Nym said in mixed relief and amazement.
“Captain Sygnus, I need a small commando team and a friend/foe beacon with a dedicated signal to the Bravo Squadron frequency.” Obi-Wan said.
“We can procure that.” Sygnus nodded enthusiastically.
“We’re in.” Nym, Rhys and Vana chorused.
“You’re forgetting me again Jedi.” Reti muttered.
“No I didn’t. I have a special task for you. I need you to go to Moenia City, Nym said you know a Hutt there with a sizable private security forces. Nym told me you might be able to convince him to help us.” Obi-Wan said.
“You want poor old Reti to go to Borvo the Hutt? He’s a slaver and he will have me slain the moment I set foot on his Moenia residence! He’s a criminal!” Reti protested vehemently.
“Tell him Master Qui-Gon sent you and the Jedi Council is onto him about his slave business.” Obi-Wan said.
“Reti likes the sound of that. Borvo fears the Jedi, I would love to see the fear in his eyes, yes, yes, and Reti will relay your message!” Reti grinned and flew out of the city hall and out of Spinnaker towards Moenia.
The first barrage of the long range cannons of the droid army impacted on the front of the city.
Obi-Wan slung a satchel full of grenades and timed bombs and nodded at his commando.
“Today we will defeat those droids! We will crush them, grind them into tiny pieces and blast them all to oblivion!” Obi-Wan Kenobi shouted and his commando team cheered.
“That was a terrible speech, Obi-Wan.” Vana muttered.
“I’m learning.” Obi-Wan winked at her as he moves out with the rest of their team to carry out their respective tasks.
Before them spreads out the droid invasion army, a swarm of metallic brown skeletal figures marching, blasters firing trailed behind by their AATs, MTTs and other war machines.
Chapter 29: The Outcast of Otoh Gunga
Deep beneath Lake Paonga, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn swam and followed Jar-jar Binks until they came into view of a magnificent underwater city situated at the edge of a vast underwater cliff.
Qui-Gon recently learned a bit of a history about the Gunga City but he has never actually seen it, even on the holos.
The city was comprised of a great number of hydrostatic bubbles that houses and protects its amphibious inhabitants. It has withstood time for the past three thousand years since the great Gungan leader and hero, Boss Gallo, united the seven largest tribes of the two Gungan species, the Otollan and the Ankurans.
Built over an even more ancient city of Spearhead, Otoh Gunga serves as the capital city for all Gungans in Naboo, the counterpart of Theed for the human inhabitants of the planet.
According to his late friend Sifo-Dyas, Otoh Gunga is currently ruled by one Boss Rugor Nass, an Ankuran Gungan. Their species are distinctively different than that of the likes of Jar-jar who was an Otollan, they were leaner but with larger ears than the stocky and small eared Ankuras.
Around them, schools of Scalefishes swam gracefully. Qui-Gon identified them easily from their individual characteristics, the sleek blue-gray Rays, thick rosy Tees, small blue-green Laas, flat-faced Faas, wide striped Mees and the inverted blaster-shaped Sees.
Qui-Gon’s attention wandered back on the beautiful and brightly lit Gunga City. Four hydrostatic field generators are attached in every single bubble. They were regulated by field wave stabilizers on the center of the four generators under each bubble. Counterphase harmonizing struts were connected to the field focusing element, under it where the generators are attached and from above around it like a circular fence were the Utanode assembly braces were rising from base to the near top of the bubble like giant claws. Among the larger bubbles, Kernode assemblies were perched on the top to keep the entire hydrostatic fields from giving in from the undercurrent water pressures.
Inside each bubbles were mirror image field utanode assemblies and counterbalances the structure and stability of the hydrostatic fields, root counterphase array juts out from the center of the habitation floor straight down to the generators and terminating on the sides of back-up generators and the field wave stabilizer.
Jar-jar led Qui-Gon to the portal zone wherein one can pass through it without letting the water get through.
Once inside Qui-Gon pocketed his breather and looked around him in silent admiration.
Inside he saw floating bubbles called atmospheric purifiers that glow from the inside. They served both as filters for breathable air and illumination for the entire city.
Several Gungans milled around on what Jar-jar called the City Bigspace that Boss Rugor Nass had built and serves as a public park and gathering area. It has also become the main entrance to the labyrinthine Otoh Villages throughout the entire City.
Gungan patrols mounted on bipedal kaadus spotted and recognized Jar-jar and began to converge on them. Startled Gungans moved away from the two new arrivals and the first rider to reach them zapped Jar-jar with his electropole.
Jar-jar growled angrily and grabbed the shaft of the electropole and pulled it off from its wielder, the sentry did not let go so when the short-tempered Gungan pulled again harder thus throwing down the mounted Militiagung.
Jar-jar threw the electropole away and landed a series of punches on the fallen guard. More guards came and smashed him in the head with their electropoles.
Qui-Gon stepped forward and stops the fight and shoves Jar-jar on the other side as an older sentry dropped from his mount and confronted the Jedi and the outcast.
“Captain Roos Tarpals.” Jar-jar spat on the ground in contempt.
“Youssa gotta lotta nerve coming back ussa here Jar-jar! Youssa goen to Boss Nass! Youssa definitely in big trubble dis time!” Tarpals pointed an accusing finger at the other Gungan then nodded at the Jedi.
“Youssa are expected Jedi. Oursa scouts spotted you two uppa there.” Tarpals indicated the surface of the lake. With a final warning glare at Jar-jar he remounted and led them to the High Tower Boardroom where Boss Rugor Nass and his High Council sat on a raised semi-circular dais allowing them to look down on whoever seeks their council, or verdict.
Guards stiffed upon recognizing Jar-jar but did not say anything as Captain Tarpals led Qui-Gon and the rogue Gungan inside.
A female Gungan was on her way to leave when she recognized Jar-jar and her smile turned into a scowl. Stopping before the outcast Bin
ks and suddenly slapped him so hard the former apprentice of the late Gantu tasted and spat blood.
“Youssa never have come back!” and the female Gungan left without even glancing at Qui-Gon who looked quizzically at her then raised an eyebrow at his companion.
Jar-jar winced and rubbed his cheek and saw the Jedi looking at him sternly.
“Major Fassa, she issa niece of Boss Nass.” Jar-jar explained gruffly at the Jedi Master’s questioning look.
Qui-Gon nodded without prodding and the two turn to face the leader of the Gungans.
Boss Rugor Nass is a huge fat Gungan, his Ankuran heritage makes his appearance different from the Ottola. His short fat neck is hidden by his massive flab of cheek and chin, his eyes are sunken instead of protruding and he has heavy and thick spiky eyebrows. He wore a brown robe with Gungan embroidery. On his shoulders were epaulettes of military authority and atop his head lies the Crown of Ruleship with a Mangana aqua jewel at the topmost tip.
A pair of highly distinguished and respected High Council members sat in each of side of the omnipotent leader of the Gungan race.
Jar-jar introduced them in a whisper to Qui-Gon as Rep Been, Rep Quiglee on the left side of Boss Nass and Rep Slarm and Rep Teers on the right side.
“What youssa want outlander?” Boss Nass barked in annoyance upon seeing Jar-jar is with him, and though he gave the pretense of not seeing the outcast, his body language was enough for the Jedi Master to know that there is a deeper personal rift between Boss Nass and Jar-jar.
“There is a great trouble going on in your planet. I am here to ask for your help so we could ride across the core faster than the invasion army and get on Theed to warn the Queen of Naboo.” Qui-Gon explained.
Boss Nass shook his head in disagreement, “Youssa can’t be here. Dis army of maccaneks up there tis not our problem.” Boss Nass shook his head.
“That army is led by a ruthless Dark Jedi. They will destroy everything in their path. We have to warn the Naboo.” Qui-Gon insisted.
“We no like da Naboo!” Boss Nass’ voice boomed in the chamber, “And dey no like the Gungans. The Naboo think dey more smart den us. Dey think dey brains so big…”
“Messa saw da maccaneks, dessa ruthless invaders! Dessa will not spare the Gungans!” Jar-jar stepped forward.
“The maccaneks do not know we exist!” Boss Nass said firmly and the four members of the High Council nodded their agreement with him.
“You and the Naboo forms a symbiot, what happens to one will affect the other. You must understand that.” Qui-Gon crossed his arm.
“We know nutten of youssa outlander and we no care about the Naboo.” Boss Nass said in finality.
“Then speed us on our way.” Qui-Gon slightly waves his hand before the Gungan leader.
“We speed you far away. We give youssa a bongo. Da speedest way tada Naboo is through the planet core. Now go.” Boss Nass suddenly commanded much to the surprise and confusion of the High Council.
A Gungan soldier escorted them to the bongo pen.
“Nice trick Jedi, youssa have just let messa stole a bongo for us, saves us a lotta trubble.” Jar-jar snorted at Qui-Gon.
“And have the Otoh Gunga’s wrath on us? I don’t think so. I assume you can pilot that sub.” Qui-Gon said as they were led inside the bongo pen.
“Messa? Of course yes.” Jar-jar said cockily and went to pick the best and fastest bongo. He pointed at the larger green one with brown paintings.
“Oh no, youssa don’t, Jar-jar! Da Boss Nass owns that!” the guard paled in alarm.
“Your Boss wanted us to borrow it.” Qui-Gon said and the guard nodded at them and left.
Soon enough the pair was on their way to the deeper parts of the depths of Naboo.
* * *
“So what is your story Jar-jar? Surely you weren’t simply outcast by a simple fist fight with Captain Tarpals in the past.” Qui-Gon asked as Jar-jar steered the Gungan sub, or what they call a bongo.
“Roos Tarpals was messa friend since we were ussa child. We were ussa thieves, we ussa work under Gantu Onu Raltos. When Roos has come of age, hissa enlisted wid the Gungan Grand Army, wessa no talk anymore after that. One day Gantu abducted da Boss Nass niece Fassa when wessa joined the Chommell Patriots. Gantu made messa guard on Fassa. She was kind… pretty…” Jar-jar’s bitter and angry tone while speaking about Tarpals suddenly became reminiscent after he mentioned Fassa.
Qui-Gon nodded in understanding, “You helped her escape and brought her back to her uncle. Boss Nass thanked you but still did not trust you. You secretly meet with Fassa, fell in-love but Tarpals discovered your affair and he told the Bosses. She was taken away from you and you confronted Tarpals and fought.”
“How could youssa knows it all, another Jedi mind trick?” Jar-jar growled.
“I saw the images flashing inside my head, whenever you mention the names of Roos Tarpals and Fassa.” Qui-Gon started to say but the Gungan raised his hand to stop him.
“Messa no Jedi powers, messa only have little gift, messa like to call it better instincts.” Jar-jar shook his head the thought of himself having, even the slightest ability to tap the Force.
“I didn’t say you are. I was just informing you that such things do exist in the galaxy, albeit rare. It’s still basically a Force-ability, strong enough to be above the norm but not as strong as those who can actually wield the Force further than those subconscious mental projections from one’s own memory.” Qui-Gon explained.
Jar-jar was about to resume telling his life when the Gungan sub’s alarms sounded and the entire underwater vehicle started to shake violently.
Jar-jar fought for the controls while Qui-Gon finally saw what it was that was causing it, a huge Opee sea killer has just detached itself from its hiding place and struck out its long sticky tongue and caught the rear end of their Gungan sub.
Qui-Gon could barely see the creature in the darkness of the deep ocean so he rummaged on the pile of tools until he found a hand-held search light, he checked the power and lit it and aimed it at the monster.
The Opee sea killer’s multidirectional eyestalks retracted at the sudden blinding glare of the light. Qui-Gon held the beam trained at the creatures’ eyes so he could observe the beast and figure out what to do.
His gaze took notice of the creature’s two long stalk-like lures above its head and an idea came to mind. Reaching out with the Force, Qui-Gon touched the sensitive tip of the lure and gave a squeeze.
The Opee sea killer suddenly released them and went berserk with pain, his tail legs and pectoral fins trashing wildly, his tough body plates slamming hard on both side of the underwater gorge.
The creature’s frantic movements and noise awakened an even larger sea monster.
Qui-Gon watched in utter fascination as a gargantuan fully grown Sando Aqua monster rose from its slumber and grabbed the once seemingly massive Opee with its greater webbed hand and shove the struggling creature onto his maw of a mouth.
The Sando Aqua monster bit the Opee sea killer’s head severing it from its body. Jar-jar then made a quick turn into one of the underwater tunnels to hide from more predators.
“There’s always a bigger fish.” Qui-Gon muttered as he eased himself back on his seat. Jar-jar let out a series of curse and started kicking and punching the controls as their bongo’s engines sputtered and died.
“Relax. We can still fix this…” Qui-Gon said.
“Relax messa Gungan ass! Dessa bongo just lost power and dessa leak on dessa CPCE engines!” Jar-jar snaps back angrily at the Jedi.
“Tell me about the CPCE, I’ll help you fix it, no need to panic.” Qui-Gon countered.
“Messa no panic Jedi! Messa just talk like dessa when messa adrenalin issa pumping…” Jar-jar grunted then calmed himself, although Qui-Gon’s hand was already touching his shoulder sending Force-induced relaxing feelings on the Gungan’s nerves.
“Dessa CPCE engine means Centrifugal pulse conversion electric engine,
its dessa yellow dome at oursa bongo’s tail where dessa fins are attached. Youssa cannot fix it from the inside, youssa have to swim outta there!” Jar-jar explained.
“Alright I’ll do it, just tell me what I need to do first.” Qui-Gon took out his A99 Aquata breather and checked its oxygen levels and estimated it still has some half hour’s worth in it.
Jar-jar checked the damage assessment report of the computer on his monitor and detailed to Qui-Gon what he needed to do to get it working long enough for them to finish the final leg of their journey.
Qui-Gon nodded and placed the A99 Aquata breather on his mouth and strapped the utility belt containing the repair tools on his waist and gave the thumbs up sign.
Jar-jar tightened his seat belt and then deactivated the hydrostatic bubbles. Freezing cold waters instantly filled the now exposed interior of their Gungan sub. Qui-Gon uses the Force to counter the pressures of the deep ocean and swim towards the damaged CPCE engine and started to fix it.
Power slowly returned to other systems as Qui-Gon’s repair progresses and Jar-jar quickly activated the bio-sensors the moment it went online. Sure enough the radar picked-up a large fast moving sea creature heading their way coming from ahead of them deeper in the dark tunnels.
Jar-jar looked back and slightly tilted the bongo to get the Jedi’s attention.
Qui-Gon looked at Jar-jar who then turned the navigational lights to full power to illuminate the few dozen meters before them. That was when Qui-Gon spotted the approaching sea creature.
Qui-Gon saw an adult Colo claw fish, its luminescent skin patterns making it visible even in the darkness. Jar-jar unstrapped himself from his harness and took out his portable sonic blaster and started firing at the creature.
Qui-Gon finished the repairs and took out his lightsaber, took a beam regulator and quickly attached it on the ignition tip of his weapon and ignited his lightsaber.
The emerald green blade smoothly thrummed underwater, the beam regulator given to him by Jedi Master Kit Fisto knowing that one he would be in need of such gadget sooner or later.
Qui-Gon propelled himself to the massive sea creature and tapped Jar-jar on the shoulder as he swims past the Gungan.
Jar-jar returned to his seat and strapped himself and provided cover fire for the Jedi.
Confused, the Colo claw fish turn its attention on the advancing small creature. Its primitive mind could not interpret the purpose of his prey for swimming towards him instead of away.
Star Wars - Artoo Detoo: Droid of a Kind (Volume 1) Page 25
