Kieran sat in the back of the ship, with Obi-Wan meditating in front of him. He sat cross-legged, with Duskblade on his lap. He tapped his fingers against his knee absently as he thought. It had been 5 months since his first win against Obi-Wan. Ever since then, both of them have improved with their lightsabers due to their friendly rivalry. And he didn't think Phantom Menace would come this quick. He hoped that Qui-Gon would keep his warning in mind, especially about his dream but he wasn't sure.
Despite knowing that this diplomatic mission to the Federation flagship would end in failure, he still couldn't act proactively as it could alarm Palpaltine, which he didn't want to do. He had to react passively, which he wasn't used to but after half a year in the Jedi temple, he had learned the benefit of patience. As he thought more and more, his fingers started to tap more and more aggressively against his knees.
“Relax, Kieran,” Obi-Wan said, his eyes still closed. “You’re going to wear a hole in your leg if you keep tapping like that.”
Kieran stopped, mid-tap. "Are you sure that's not just your nerves projecting?"
Obi-Wan cracked one eye open, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. “Nice try, but I’ve been on enough of these diplomatic missions to know when to conserve my energy.”
"Yeah, and how many of those ended with a nice tea party?" Kieran shot back dryly. "Cause I can bet this one isn't. I have a bad feeling about this one."
Qui-Gon’s deep, steady voice cut through the exchange like a blade. “Enough, both of you. Focus.”
Kieran glanced over at his Master, who stood near the viewport, gazing out at the massive Trade Federation flagship that loomed ahead. The ship was an ominous sight—a vast, gray ring surrounding a central core.
He sighed as he stood up, along with Obi-Wan and they went ahead towards the cockpit. They put their hood on, which obscure their facial features.
Qui-Gon started, "Captain,"
"Yes sir?" The captain replied.
"Tell them we wish to board as once," The Jedi Master continued.
The captain pushed one of the many buttons on the side, and said into the microphone, "With all due respect, the ambassadors for the supreme chancellor wish to board immediately."
The screen above flickered to show Viceroy Gunray, "Yes, of course." He paused for a second before continuing in Basic with his odd accent, "As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal. And we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors."
They all stayed silent as the ship lurched down and landed on the Flagship. There were plenty of droids, which they didn't pay attention to as they continued down the hall. After the door opened, they were greeted by a silver-plated protocol droid, "I'm TC-14 at your service, this way please."
Kieran fell into step behind Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as they followed the droid across the hangar. The battle droids’ blasters weren’t raised, but Kieran could feel their eyes—or sensors—tracking every movement. The Force pulsed faintly around him, brushing against his senses like a warning. He reached back out into the Force to tell it that he already knew.
He stayed silent as they were led through the labyrinthine corridors of the flagship, his mind working furiously. Could he stop what was about to happen? Should he? Or would changing this moment make things worse?
You can’t fight everything, he told himself, repeating the words like a mantra. Pick your battles.
They were escorted into a small, pristine conference room. TC-14 gestured for them to sit at the circular table in the center, but Qui-Gon remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back. Kieran followed his lead, standing slightly behind his Master, while Obi-Wan leaned casually against the table.
“We are greatly honored by your visit, ambassadors. Make yourself comfortable. My master will be with you shortly.” TC-14 said before leaving the room. The door slid shut behind her with a faint hiss.
All three of them brought down their hood, as Obi-Wan started, "I have a bad feeling about this."
Kieran rolled his eyes, "Don't copy me now, Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon, unbothered by their banter, turned slightly toward Obi-Wan. “Focus on the moment. Feel, don’t think. Trust the living Force.”
Obi-Wan sighed but nodded. Kieran, meanwhile, crossed his arms, giving Qui-Gon a pointed look. Trust the living Force, he thought, resisting the urge to scoff. He had his own way of working with the Force, and he knew Qui-Gon wouldn’t approve of his habit of mentally “negotiating” with it.
Still, the atmosphere was tense, and Kieran couldn’t help but let his mismatched eyes dart around the room. The conference chamber was sterile, almost too clean, its white walls gleaming under the soft light. There was no sense of hospitality, no effort to make the Jedi feel at ease. It was a stage set for deception, and Kieran could feel it.
Seconds ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. Kieran glanced toward the closed door, then at Qui-Gon. “How long do you think they’ll make us wait before they try something stupid?”
Qui-Gon didn’t answer immediately, his serene face giving nothing away. “Patience, Kieran. Not everything unfolds on your timeline. Negotiation will be short.”
Obi-Wan chuckled softly. “He’s got a point, though. These Trade Federation types aren’t known for their courage under pressure.”
“Or for doing anything without their master’s say-so,” Kieran muttered, thinking of the true mastermind pulling the strings. Sidious must already be watching.
Just then, the faintest flicker of movement caught Kieran’s attention. His eyes darted to the ventilation grates in the ceiling, and a feeling of unease settled in his gut. Here we go. The Force began to hum louder, not in alarm, but in confirmation of what he already knew was coming.
He stepped closer to Qui-Gon. “Master, something’s—”
Before he could finish, a faint hissing sound filled the room. Obi-Wan straightened immediately, his hand hovering near the hilt of his saber. The gas began pouring in through the vents, thick and green, curling through the air like tendrils of smoke.
“Poison gas,” Obi-Wan said, his voice sharp but calm.
Qui-Gon’s lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss, its green blade casting an eerie glow in the foggy room. “Stay close to me.”
Kieran felt surprised. He thought TC-14 would come back in to bring them drinks like in his original timeline but instead, they decided to bring forward the decision. Might be because there are three Jedis instead of just two. He nodded, that made sense.
He wasted no more time and activated Duskblade, the purple blade humming to life and cutting through the haze. The padawans moved to form a lose triangle with their master at the front.
“Subtle,” Kieran muttered under his breath, spinning his lightsaber in a tight arc to keep the gas at bay. “They must think very highly of us.”
The door hissed open suddenly, revealing, well, nothing since their vision were still blocked.
He heard a droid say, "Check it out, corporal. We'll cover you."
"Roger Roger."
As the group moved forward, they heard the droids say, "Uh oh, blast them!"
Blaster bolts screamed through the air, but the Jedi were faster. Qui-Gon surged forward, his green blade a blur as he deflected the shots with practiced ease. Obi-Wan and Kieran followed suit, their sabers spinning in synchronized arcs to block the incoming fire.
Kieran found himself oddly calm in the chaos. The Force flowed through him as he moved, guiding his blade to intercept the bolts with precision. His muscles burned with exertion, but he welcomed the challenge. This is better than sitting around waiting to suffocate, he thought grimly.
Since he was only fighting against droids, he wanted to try out a new type of fighting style he hadn't had the chance to use. He wanted to try using the Force along with his lightsaber, something he hadn't been able to do since in spars against Obi-Wan, it required all of his focus just to defend against Obi-Wan's strikes. As for when he sparred against his friends Zyn and Lyra, he mainly sparred against them to help them in their incoming Initiate Trial, something he skipped thanks to his potential and Qui-Gon's request.
At first, it was hard to cooperate with both the Force and his lightsaber but as the fight progressed, Kieran could feel the synergy between his lightsaber and the Force beginning to click. The movements were no longer mechanical or forced. Instead, they flowed naturally, like two partners dancing to the same rhythm. He'd slash through a droid with Duskblade while the Force would throw the parts of the droid toward the other droids.
He caught sight of Obi-Wan out of the corner of his eye, the older Padawan’s blade moving in precise arcs as he deflected shots and disarmed droids with calculated efficiency. Kieran grinned despite himself. Not bad, Kenobi. Not bad. He could clearly see that the older Padawan was implementing some of Soresu's moves, which he was forced to learn due to Kieran's improvement in their weekly spars.
Still, Kieran couldn’t help but add his own flair. With a flick of his hand, he sent a droid flying into the wall using the Force, the metal crunching on impact. Spinning his lightsaber, he advanced toward another droid, ducking low as its blaster fired over his shoulder. Using the momentum of his spin, he cleaved the droid in two with a single, smooth strike.
Qui-Gon, further ahead, moved with the serene precision of a Master. His green blade cut through droids like paper, but his expression never wavered. For Qui-Gon, this wasn’t a fight—it was simply another moment in the flow of the Force. He gestured with his free hand, and several droids were thrown back as if struck by an invisible wave.
“Focus, Kieran,” Qui-Gon called out, his tone calm but commanding. “You’re letting the Force guide you, but don’t overextend yourself.”
Kieran deflected another blaster bolt, sending it straight into the chest of a droid. “I’m fine, Master,” he said, breathing heavily. “But you could’ve told me this was gonna be a workout.”
Obi-Wan’s voice cut in, dry as ever. “What did you expect? A pleasant stroll through the halls?”
Kieran shot Obi-Wan a smirk. “Maybe with some tea and snacks.”
Qui-Gon didn’t dignify their banter with a response, instead gesturing toward the corridor ahead. “Enough. We must move forward.”
The three Jedi advanced, their sabers carving a path through the remaining droids. When the last of them fell, Kieran deactivated Duskblade, the blade retreating with a soft hiss. He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tension from the fight. His muscles ached, but it was the kind of ache that came with accomplishment. He clipped Duskblade.
“That wasn’t too bad,” Kieran said, brushing a speck of droid ash from his sleeve. “What’s next?” He knew what was coming but still asked. Bloody Droidekas, he thought.
Before Qui-Gon could answer, the floor beneath them began to tremble. The faint hum of machinery grew louder, and Kieran felt a sharp warning from the Force—a confirmation of his suspicions.
“Droidekas,” Qui-Gon said, his voice steady but urgent.
Kieran tensed, his hand instinctively going to his lightsaber. “Great. As if regular droids weren’t enough.”
Two droidekas rolled into view at the end of the hallway, their shields activating with a shimmering blue glow. The twin blasters mounted on their arms began to charge, and Kieran’s stomach sank. He knew how tough these things were. Even with their lightsabers, breaking through those shields wouldn’t be easy.
Qui-Gon didn’t hesitate. “Fall back. We can’t fight them head-on.”
Obi-Wan was already moving, his lightsaber ready. “We’ll never reach the bridge like this. We need to regroup.”
Kieran followed suit, activating Duskblade again as they began their retreat. The droidekas opened fire, their blasters spewing rapid bolts of energy that lit up the corridor. Kieran deflected as many as he could, but the sheer volume of fire was overwhelming. The bolts ricocheted wildly off the walls, and he narrowly avoided a shot that scorched the floor inches from his foot.
“I hate these things!” Kieran shouted over the noise, spinning his saber in a desperate attempt to cover their retreat.
“Everyone does,” Obi-Wan muttered, his own blade working overtime to block the relentless barrage.
Qui-Gon led them into an adjacent hallway, his calm demeanor unshaken despite the chaos. “This way. Quickly.”
The three Jedi rounded the corner at a sprint, their boots pounding against the smooth floor of the corridor. The droidekas' blaster fire echoed behind them, the bolts striking the walls in rapid bursts that sent sparks flying.
Kieran gritted his teeth, his grip tightening around Duskblade. “Why do those things always have shields? Like regular killer droids aren’t bad enough?”
The older padawan glanced over his shoulder as he led the retreat. “Perhaps when you design battle droids of your own, Kieran, you can leave them vulnerable.”
Kieran snorted despite the tension. “I’ll keep that in mind, Obi-Wan.”
As they reached another junction, Qui-Gon suddenly raised a hand, signaling them to stop. The three of them pressed against the walls, catching their breath while keeping their sabers ignited. The hum of the droidekas’ blasters grew louder, the rolling sound of their approach sending vibrations through the floor.
Obi-Wan leaned slightly out to glance down the corridor. “They’re gaining on us. We can’t keep running forever.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Qui-Gon said calmly. His gaze swept the area, and Kieran could tell he was considering their options. Finally, he pointed toward a ventilation shaft above them. “There. That will take us to the hangar. We’ll regroup with the Naboo delegation and secure an escape.”
Obi-Wan frowned, lowering his lightsaber slightly. “And how exactly are we going to fit through there in time? Those droidekas aren’t going to stop for tea.”
Qui-Gon’s calm expression remained unbroken as he glanced at Kieran. “Kieran, cover us.”
Kieran’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? You want me to hold off the killer rolling tanks?”
“Not defeat them,” Qui-Gon corrected, already climbing up toward the vent. “Just distract them. Use the Force. Keep them occupied while Obi-Wan and I make a path.”
“Great,” Kieran muttered, rolling his shoulders as Obi-Wan leaped up to follow Qui-Gon. “Just me against the droid murder squad. No pressure.”
The droidekas rounded the corner just as Kieran stepped into the center of the corridor, igniting Duskblade again with a snap-hiss. The purple blade cast sharp shadows against the walls, its glow cutting through the haze of smoke and sparks left from earlier blasts.
The droidekas stopped momentarily, their shields shimmering like a heatwave around them. Their twin blasters swiveled toward Kieran with an unsettling precision, and he could almost hear the calculation in their programming.
“Okay, metal heads,” Kieran muttered, spinning his saber in a loose, almost taunting arc. “Let’s dance.”
The droidekas opened fire simultaneously, their blasters unleashing a relentless barrage of bolts. Kieran darted forward, the Force propelling him with sudden speed. He flipped over the first wave of fire, his saber twirling in a defensive blur that deflected several bolts back toward the walls.
The bolts ricocheted harmlessly off the droidekas’ shields, but that wasn’t the point. Kieran didn’t need to win this fight—he just needed to buy time.
“Come on, is that all you’ve got?” he called, leaping to the side and slicing through a stray battle droid that had wandered into the fray. He'd almost felt like Spiderman, taunting his enemy by quipping and dodging attacks. Though he didn't remember who this Spiderman was, he felt respect for that man in his soul so Kieran felt that he must have been like a mentor figure in his past life, though he noted that it was quite a strange name. Did everybody in his past life have such weird names?
He spun back toward the droidekas, deflecting more blaster fire as he moved. His steps were deliberate, leading the droids away from the vent where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were working.
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Above him, he could hear Obi-Wan’s voice, slightly muffled. “Keep them distracted, Kieran! We’re almost through.”
“Yeah, no rush or anything! Take your time, mate!” Kieran shouted back, throwing up his free hand. With a quick push from the Force, he sent a loose piece of debris hurtling toward one of the droidekas. It hit the shield with a loud clang but failed to penetrate. The droid retaliated immediately, its blasters firing a concentrated volley that forced Kieran to dive out of the way.
He landed in a crouch, his saber raised defensively. His breath came faster now, his muscles burning from the exertion. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up, but the thought of failing wasn’t an option.
“Keep moving,” he muttered to himself, sidestepping another series of bolts. The Force nudged him, warning him of an attack from his blind spot. He twisted just in time to deflect a bolt that had ricocheted off the corridor wall.
Finally, Qui-Gon’s voice called down from the vent. “Kieran, now!”
Kieran didn't need to be told twice. He immediately booked, retreating back to the vent. As soon as he was within his Force jump distance, he jumped, the Force aiding his leap. He grabbed the edge of the opening, his fingers digging into the metal as he hoisted himself up. Obi-Wan reached down to help pull him inside, and the three of them scrambled through the narrow tunnel as the droidekas’ fire clanged against the walls behind them.
As they moved further into the ventilation shaft, the sound of the droidekas faded, replaced by the hum of the ship’s internal systems. Kieran let out a long breath, his head resting against the cool metal of the vent.
“Well,” he said between breaths, “that was fun.”
Obi-Wan shot him a look, though there was a faint trace of amusement in his eyes. “You call that fun? You’re either brave or crazy.”
“Maybe a little of both,” Kieran replied with a weak grin.
Qui-Gon, ever composed, glanced back at them. “Save your energy. We’re not out of danger yet.”
Kieran nodded, his grin fading as reality settled back in. He knew this was only the beginning. If they survived this, there’d be the blockade, the queen, Tatooine, and... Anakin.
His thoughts flickered to the boy—the one he hadn’t met yet but already knew would shape the galaxy’s future. If Kieran had anything to say about it, that future was going to look very different from what he remembered.
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The ventilation shaft eventually opened into a larger maintenance corridor, dimly lit and devoid of droids for the moment. The three Jedi dropped down one by one, landing lightly on the cold, metallic floor. Kieran took a deep breath, rolling his neck to ease the tension from his earlier acrobatics. The sharp hum of machinery filled the air, and the faint vibration of the ship’s systems pulsed beneath his feet. There were also a lot of battle droids.
“Battle droids," Qui-Gon muttered.
"It's an invasion army," Obi-Wan replied.
"This is an odd play for the trade federation," Qui-Gon said. "We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum. Let's split up. You and Kieran stow above another ship and meet down on the planet."
I smiled, "You were right about one thing, Master." I turned towards Qui-Gon, stealing the line from Obi-Wan. "The negotiations were short."
Obi-Wan sighed as they sneaked toward the landing craft, “I hope you like cramped spaces, Kieran.”
“Oh, I just love them,” Kieran muttered. “This is exactly what I signed up for when I became a Jedi.”
The landing craft’s ramp began to close as it prepared for departure, its engines rumbling to life. Before the landing craft closed fully, Obi-Wan and Kieran landed with a soft thud, rolling to their feet just as the ramp sealed shut.
Inside, the two Jedi crouched in the shadows, their sabers still deactivated to avoid detection. The space was cramped and dimly lit, filled with rows of dormant battle droids strapped into racks. The eerie stillness of the droids made Kieran’s skin crawl.
“Well,” Kieran whispered, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “this isn’t unsettling at all.”
Obi-Wan glanced at the younger Padawan, "Do you know what Master's plan is once we land?"
Kieran nodded, "We'll probably make our way to the capital and try to evacuate the Queen."
"If she's still alive, you mean."
Kieran nodded.
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The landing craft touched down in a dense forest, the hiss of hydraulics filling the air as the ramp lowered. Kieran peeked out from behind the rows of droids, his heart pounding as sunlight flooded the interior. He could see the lush greenery of Naboo stretching out before them, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile confines of the Federation flagship.
“We move quickly and stay out of sight,” Obi-Wan whispered, gesturing for them to follow. “The droids will deploy soon. We need to be gone before they notice us.”
The two of them slipped out of the landing craft and booked for the trees under the cover of the ships. As they arrived, both of them jumped on the trees to hide and have a vintage point to search for their Master.
After a minute or so of searching, they found Qui-Gon and moved to meet him. As they made it to him, they saw Qui-Gon running while carrying a clumsy-looking Gungan, somebody Kieran knew as JarJar-Binks. A massive convoy of droid transports was following them, taking down every trees in their way. They saw Qui-Gon dived down into a nearby ditch with the Gungan in hand.
Kieran and Obi-Wan looked at each other. "Well, that was weird," Kieran started.
Obi-Wan shrugged.
As Qui-Gon make his way towards them, Kieran heard him and Jar Jar talking. "You almost got us killed. Are you brainless?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I spake," Jar Jar replied.
Qui-Gon shot back, "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now, get out of here."
Jar Jar refused, "No, no. Mesa stay. Mesa called Jar Jar Binks. Mesa your humble servant."
Qui-Gon shook his head as he walked, "That won't be necessary."
"Oh, but it 'tis."
As they were distracted by the conversation between Qui-Gon and Jar Jar, Kieran and Obi-Wan didn't sense the STAP, Single Trooper Aerial Platform, approaching before they fired their first shot, which it missed. They both quickly ran towards Qui-Gon as Kieran asked Obi-Wan, "Didn't you hear them?"
Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber and continued running, "I was too distracted. Same as you."
Igniting Duskblade, he quickly deflected a blaster shot and with the aid of the Force, redirected it towards one of the two STAP following them.
As for the other one, it decided to attack Qui-Gon which he made a short work of too.
Jar Jar exclaimed at Qui-Gon, "You saved my again!"
Obi-Wan asked, stifling his laughter, "What's this?"
Qui-Gon replied, "A local. Let's get out of here before more droids show up."
Kieran wanted to laugh as Jar Jar muttered, "More? More did you spake?"
As they moved through the woods, Jar Jar continued, "Ex-squeeze-me, but de mostest safest place would be Gunga City. Is where I grew up. 'Tis a hidden city."
They stopped as Qui-Gon asked, "A city? Can you take us there?"
Jar Jar hesitated, "Uh, on second thought, no. Not really, no?"
Kieran spoke, "No? And why is that?"
"'Tis embarrassing but, uh, my afraid my've been banished. My forgotten. Da bosses would do terrible things to me. Terrible things to me if me goen back dare."
Conveniently, they heard a strange but loud noise from a distance.
Kieran smiled, "You hear that?"
"Yah."
"That is the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way, you wouldn't want that, do you?" I spoke.
Obi-Wan played along, "If they find us, they will crush us, grind us into tiny pieces and blast us into oblivion."
Jar Jar scratched his head, "Oh, yousa point is well seen. This way, hurry."
As they followed Jar Jar through the dense underbrush, Kieran leaned over to Obi-Wan, whispering, "Is it just me, or does he seem like the galaxy's most reluctant hero?"
Obi-Wan smirked. "Perhaps the galaxy doesn't want him as a hero."
Kieran chuckled quietly, careful not to lose his focus. The sounds of the droid army's pursuit were still audible in the distance, a constant reminder of the danger they were in. The group wove through the trees, Jar Jar taking a winding path that seemed second nature to him, despite his earlier protests about returning to his home.
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After several minutes, they approached a clearing. Jar Jar stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal them to halt. "Dis way," he whispered, pointing toward a large, shimmering lake that stretched out before them.
"Wait," Obi-Wan said, frowning. "You brought us to a lake? How is this a city?"
Jar Jar grinned, his confidence returning for the first time. "Da city is unda da water." He stepped to the edge of the lake, gesturing for the others to follow. "Come on, come on!"
Obi-Wan exchanged a skeptical glance with Kieran and Qui-Gon. "Underwater? And how exactly do we...?"
Before he could finish, Jar Jar leaped into the water with a splash, disappearing beneath the surface. A moment later, his head popped back up, grinning widely. "Come on, da water's fine!"
Qui-Gon didn't hesitate. "We'll have to trust him. Let's move."
Kieran sighed. "Of course. Because why not add 'drowning' to today's list of near-death experiences?"
Obi-Wan gave him a playful nudge. "You wanted adventure, didn’t you?"
Shaking his head, Kieran followed Qui-Gon into the water, Duskblade secured at his side. As he submerged, he felt a twinge of unease—being half-Sephi, he preferred his feet on solid ground, but the promise of safety below was more compelling than the danger above.
After putting on the A99 Aqua Breather, or more commonly known as Jedi Breathing Device, the three Jedi walked underwater and started to dive, which was made adkward by the Jedi robes they were wearing.
Jar Jar swam ahead with an ease that highlighted his amphibious nature, occasionally glancing back to ensure they were following. The vibrant underwater world of Naboo slowly came into view—giant aquatic plants swayed in the currents, schools of brightly colored fish darted around them, and the occasional shadow of a larger creature loomed in the distance.
As they descended deeper, Kieran began to feel the weight of the water pressing against him. Though the A99 Aqua Breather provided air, he couldn’t shake the sensation of vulnerability in this alien environment. Duskblade, secure at his side, felt oddly out of place here. What good was a lightsaber if they were ambushed by one of the giant predators Jar Jar had offhandedly mentioned?
Finally, a glowing structure emerged in the murky distance. Gunga City appeared like a cluster of giant, luminescent bubbles, each one pulsating faintly with light. The sight was breathtaking, even for someone like Kieran, who often preferred the stars to the sea.
The group swam toward an entry point where a shimmering membrane served as the city's threshold. Jar Jar passed through effortlessly, his body momentarily distorted by the barrier before emerging on the other side. Qui-Gon followed without hesitation, stepping into a dry, air-filled corridor beyond.
Jar Jar exclaimed once they were all in, "So good bein home!"
As everybody heard his voice, they seemed to retreat.
Kieran smirked and leaned toward Obi-Wan, "Seems like he really was banished, eh?" As he said that, he used the Force to dry out his clothing.
Obi-Wan replied, "Oh, no doubt."
As he was helping Obi-Wan dry his Jedi robe, a Gungan on top of a strange creature arrived. Captain Tarpals. Kieran thought to himself.
"Hey, yousa. Stopda dare!" the captain spoke.
"Heyo-dales, Cap'n Tarpals. Mesa back."
"Noah gain, JarJar. Yousa goen tada bosses. Yousa in big dudu dis time."
Kieran and Obi-Wan stifled their chuckles.
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The Gungan in the middle spoke, the one Kieran found out was Boss Nass. "Yousa cannot bees hair. Dis army of Mackineeks up dare is new weesong."
Qui-Gon replied, "A droid army is about to attack the Naboo. We must warn them."
"Wesa no like the Naboo," he made the strange 'tkk-tkk-tkk' sound again. "Da Naboo tink day so smarty. Day tink day brains so big."
Obi-Wan replied this time, "Once those droids take control of the surface, they will take control of you."
"Mesa no think so." Wow, what a great retort, Kieran thought with irritation.
Obi-Wan continued, "You and the Naboo form a symbiont cycle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this." Kieran almost replied to Obi-wan with, Don't use the word symbiont. I doubt they even understand it.
"Wesa no carrren about da Naboo."
Kieran saw his Master move his hand, "Then speed us on our way." He immediately recognized it as the Jedi mind trick.
The Gungan did reply, which confirmed his thoughts. "Wesa ganna speed yous away."
Qui-Gon did it again, "We could use a transport."
"Wesa give yousa una bongo. Da speediest way to da Naboo is through the planet core. Now... go."
The three of them bowed, "Thank you for your help, we leave in peace."
Obi-Wan asked as they turned around, "Master, what's a bongo?"
Qui-Gon smiled, "A transport, I hope."
As they were about to leave, Kieran whispered to Qui-Gon, "Master."
"Hmm, padawan?" he replied.
"We could take Jar Jar with us. We could use a guide."
He thought for a moment, "That's a sound plan."
He turned back towards the large Gungan, "What is to become of Jar Jar Binks?"
"HIsen soon be pune-ished."
Qui-Gon replied, "I saved his life. He owns me what you call a 'life-debt'." Qui Gon did the mind trick again, "Your gods demand that his life belongs to me now."
"Binksss, Yousa havena live play with thisen hisen? Begone wit him, " The Gungan said after shaking his head and making some strange noise.
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"Dis is nutsen," Jar Jar spoke.
"Why were you banished, Jar Jar?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It's a long tale-o. A small part of it woulda be mesa clumsy."
"You were banished because you were clumsy?" Obi-Wan asked to confirm.
"Yousa might'n be saying that."
Kieran spoke to his Master, "Master, can you move to the side a little? It's a little tight on this side."
Qui-Gon moved to the left, "Oh, is it, Kieran?"
"Yes, Master."
As they moved through the water, a large fish followed them. Kieran felt strange as he remembered it. The Force also warned him so he knew. He looked back for show before saying, "Ahh, Obi-Wan?"
"What is it, Kieran?"
"We might wanna go quicker."
He looked back before seeing it as well. "Hold on tight!" He floored it.
The bongo surged forward as Obi-Wan increased its speed, the craft cutting through the murky waters with a surprising agility. The glowing lights of Gunga City faded rapidly behind them, replaced by the oppressive darkness of the planet’s deep waters. Kieran glanced over his shoulder, his stomach twisting as the massive sea creature pursuing them came fully into view—a sando aqua monster, its teeth glinting even in the dim light.
Jar Jar, seated at the back, flailed in a panic. "Wesa gonna be crunched! Crunched and munched!"
“Jar Jar, sit still!” Qui-Gon commanded, his voice calm but firm.
Kieran clenched the edge of his seat. “Master, any chance we can use the Force to... I don’t know, convince it to eat something else?”
Qui-Gon smirked faintly. “The Force doesn’t work on every creature, Kieran. Some things operate purely on instinct.”
Obi-Wan maneuvered the bongo through a tight cluster of underwater rock formations, the sando aqua monster narrowly missing them as it swiped with a massive clawed limb. “Whatever instincts it’s following,” Obi-Wan said through gritted teeth, “they involve making us lunch!”
The bongo shot out of the rocky maze into a vast open stretch of water. For a moment, Kieran felt his breath catch—Naboo’s ocean depths were stunningly alien, filled with glowing flora and drifting schools of bioluminescent fish. The beauty was short-lived, however, as the monster gained on them again, letting out a low, guttural roar that sent vibrations through the bongo.
Suddenly, another shadow appeared in the water—a colo claw fish emerged from a crevasse, its serpentine body snaking toward the bongo. Kieran’s eyes widened as the two enormous creatures collided, the sando aqua monster snapping at the claw fish with its massive jaws.
“Well,” Kieran muttered, “that solves one problem.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Qui-Gon warned. “There’s always a bigger fish.”
As if summoned by his words, a monstrous shape loomed out of the darkness—the opee sea killer, its glowing eyes and massive pincers dwarfing the previous two creatures. With one snap, it clamped onto the colo claw fish, pulling it into its maw.
“Master,” Kieran said, his voice tight, “please stop manifesting bigger fish.”
Qui-Gon simply smiled faintly. "Patience, Padawan."
Obi-Wan didn’t wait for any further trouble. He pushed the bongo’s controls to their limit, diving into a narrow trench that led toward the planet core. The bongo shuddered as the water pressure increased, and the flickering light from the glowing flora grew dimmer with each passing second.
The tension in the cockpit was thick as they sped through the trench. Jar Jar whimpered softly, muttering something about “crunchen time” and “meesa no like dis.” Kieran glanced at him, his usual sarcasm softened by the genuine fear in the Gungan’s voice.
“It’ll be fine, Jar Jar,” Kieran said, though he wasn’t entirely sure if he believed it himself. “Just... stay calm.”
The trench opened up into a vast, cavernous expanse, the water now eerily still. Obi-Wan slowed the bongo, scanning for any signs of movement. “We should be nearing the core,” he said.
Kieran felt a chill run down his spine, and not just from the cold waters. The Force was quiet now, but there was an undercurrent of unease he couldn’t shake. He looked to Qui-Gon, who sat serene as ever.
“Master,” Kieran began, “what if—”
Before he could finish, a low growl echoed through the water. All three Jedi turned to see another massive shape moving in the distance.
Kieran groaned. “Of course. Another one.”
Obi-Wan adjusted the bongo’s controls, his focus razor-sharp. “It’s like the galaxy’s greatest hits of terrifying sea creatures. Hold on, everyone!”
The new creature slithered into view, its elongated body coiling with unnerving grace. Its glowing eyes fixed on the bongo as it emitted another low growl, the vibrations rippling through the water. This one was a nabrean leviathan, a rare predator known to dwell in Naboo’s deepest waters, its reputation more fearsome than any holo-image could convey.
Jar Jar was practically vibrating in his seat. “Meesa no wanna be no snack! Why dis happen to meesa?”
“Because you’re clumsy, remember?” Kieran quipped, though his usual wit was tinged with genuine apprehension.
The leviathan’s long, whip-like tail lashed out, striking the water just behind the bongo. Obi-Wan spun the craft into a sharp dive, narrowly avoiding the impact. “Master, any strategic advice would be appreciated right about now.”
Qui-Gon’s calm voice cut through the tension. “Trust your instincts, Obi-Wan. Stay focused.”
Kieran braced himself as the bongo banked sharply, Obi-Wan threading it through a narrow gap between jagged underwater spires. The leviathan pursued them relentlessly, its immense body weaving through the obstacles with ease.
“This thing doesn’t give up!” Kieran exclaimed, gripping the edge of his seat as the bongo jolted from a near-miss.
Qui-Gon’s voice was steady, even in the chaos. “Patience, Padawan. It’s only a matter of time before it—”
Before Qui-Gon could finish, the leviathan let out a deafening roar, only to suddenly veer off course. A massive shadow loomed behind it—a gargantuan manta-like creature with a gaping maw, its bioluminescent fins spreading like wings.
Kieran’s eyes widened. “Let me guess—bigger fish?”
Qui-Gon smiled faintly, unshaken. “Exactly.”
The manta-creature lunged, swallowing the leviathan in one swift motion before disappearing into the depths. The water grew still again, the only sound the soft hum of the bongo’s engines.
Jar Jar broke the silence with a nervous chuckle. “Well, dat’s one way to lose a pursuer.”
Obi-Wan exhaled, his hands relaxing on the controls. “Let’s hope that’s the last of them.”
Qui-Gon nodded approvingly. “Good work, Obi-Wan. You handled that well.”
Kieran let out a shaky laugh. “I think I’ve had enough aquatic adventures for a lifetime.”
----------------------------------------
As they reached the surface, all of them breathed a sigh of relief. No more sea monsters. They moved through the city towards the palace, where the queen would be. Kieran knew that the Queen would probably be on the way to Camp 4 to process them. Still, he didn't need to tell them that since they would still meet her group on the way. They followed the group for a minute before jumping down and making short work of the battle droids. Obi-Wan even showed off by jumping and kicking two droids at once. Kieran also showed off by grabbing two droids with the Force and smashing them against four other droids.
They deactivated their lightsaber and Qui-Gon said respectfully, "We should leave the street, your Highness."
Qui-Gon was speaking to the Queen, no, not the queen but instead the double named Sabé. Kieran knew that the Queen would be amongst the red-hodded handmaidens.
They moved through the city towards the hangar where they met a group of droids. The pilots were captured on the side, which was odd, considering that there were prisons on Naboo. Why wouldn't the Federation put them in prisons?
Obi-Wan said to Qui-Gon and the rest, "I've got the pilots."
Kieran shook my head, "I'll help you, Obi-Wan."
He shot Kieran a look before continuing.
Qui-Gon spoke to the droid, "I'm an ambassador to the supreme chancellor. I'm taking these people to Coruscant."
It asked, "Where are you taking them?"
Qui-Gon looked at it like it was dumb, "To Coruscant."
"Coruscant? Uh, that doesn't compute. You're under arrest."
Qui-Gon moved first, flicking out his lightsaber and slashing the droid in half. Obi-Wan did his stupid double jump kick move again on two droids. Kieran used the Force to bring them towards him before slashing them clean through with his Duskblade. After taking all of them, Kieran told the pilots on the ground, "Move. Move."
The pilots quickly ran towards the queen's ship while the three Jedi took care of the incoming blaster shots and nearby droids. The Jedi went in last, only after taking care of all the droids.
Kieran leaned against the wall inside the ship, "Quite a workout, isn't it, Obi-Wan?"
He shook his head, "Not as bad as a spar against you, that's for sure." Then he said sternly to Jar Jar, "Now, stay here and stay out of trouble."
Obi-Wan moved towards the cockpit of the ship while Kieran opted to rest for a while along with the other passengers.
He took off the cloak and sat down on a nearby seat. He didn't even notice that he was sweating heavily due to all the adrenaline. So far, he had enjoyed the 'diplomatic' mission. Well, if you don't include the underwater, that is. He felt turbulence on the ship, which meant that the ship had taken a hit just like in the other timeline. He was sure that Artoo (R2--D2) would come through. When he saw the other panicking, he almost felt funny. Still, he understood why they would feel that way.
He closed his eyes and meditated. He wanted to take time to strengthen his connection to the Force. They would be meeting Anakin on Tatooine soon and they would also meet Darth Maul there. He wanted to be at his best. Though it wouldn't be the main fight yet, he was still determined to prepare against any possible attacks from Darth Maul.
After a while, the ship stabilized. Qui-Gon exited the cockpit, "The hyperdrive is leaking. We don't have enough energy. We'll be stopping in Tatooine."
Then he stood next to Kieran, "You did well today, Kieran."
He smiled, "Thank you, Master." Then I joked, "Though, I don't think I'm ready for another underwater fight."
Kieran knew he would be meeting Anakin soon. He'd have to prepare.