Mandalorian Menace

Chapter 14 - Takeback

Author's Note: Aaaaaand... the climax begins! :D:D:D

PS. There is Mando'a in here, and I put all the translations at the end. Let me know if I missed anything! ^-^

~ Amina Gila

Din steps forwards to better hear Jar Jar's report when the Gungan returns, shaking water off his body. Anakin comes running back from where he was examining a flower, coming to a stop near his mother where she's standing next to Padme. The Queen and her handmaids are all clustered together, tense and waiting.

"Desa nobody dare," he tells them, sounding a bit confused. "The Gungan city is deserted. Some kinda fight, mesa tinks."

The Jetii exchange quick, sharp looks, and Din feels the first stirrings of unease inside him. "Do you think they have been taken to the camps?" Captain Panaka queries.

"More likely they were wiped out," Obi-Wan says quietly.

"Mesa no tink so," Jar Jar asserts.

"Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?" Qui-Gon asks before Din can open his mouth.

"When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Mesa show you. Come on. Mesa show you!"

With those words, Jar Jar darts away into the trees, and Din scoops up Grogu, tucking him into the satchel as the entire group follows the Gungan. They walk for a time, and in the distance, Din can hear the faint buzzing of droid patrols, probably combing the forest for them. Shmi was right, he has to admit grimly. She and the children wouldn't have been safe staying on the starship, though that does little to alleviate his current anxiety over their presences.

Suddenly, Gungans riding some type of animal, carrying spears and other weapons, emerge from the trees, surrounding them on both sides, and after a brief exchange, they're led to the camp where the rest of the Gungans are located. There are ruins here, evidence of an older civilization, Din suspects, perhaps of the Gungans themselves.

"Your Honor, Queen Amidala of the Naboo," declares the Gungan who led them in.

The Queen is in the front of the procession, her handmaids grouped behind her, while Jar Jar stands at her side. The Jetii are close behind, and beside them are Din and his aliit. The rest of the guards and pilots are in the back.

"Uh, h-heyo dadee, Big Boss Nass, Your Honor," Jar Jar says, waving. He sounds a bit wary, which does little to reassure Din.

"Jar Jar Binks," Boss Nass declares, "Who's da uss-en uthers?" Murmurs of unease and distrust ripple through the other Gungans, and Din tenses, bracing himself for the possibility of a fight.

"I'm Queen Amidala of the Naboo. I come before you in peace." Her voice is level, and she shows courage, despite the obvious opposition.

"Ah, Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks. Yousa all bombad." Even though Din has only seen them interact for a few minutes, he can already see the hard feelings that are present on both sides: not unlike the settlers and Tusken Raiders on Tatooine. If the Queen can't work this out on her own, perhaps he can try appealing to the Gungans himself. Without the Gungans' aid, they're all doomed.

"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance," the Queen continues, undeterred, though Din can sense something almost... hesitant about the way she's speaking.

"Your honor," Padme interrupts, pushing to the front and stepping in front of Amidala. Suddenly, Din gets the feeling that he knows what's been going on this whole time.

"Whosa dis?" Boss Nass demands.

"I am Queen Amidala," she answers, as Din thought she would. Clever girl indeed. He might never have figured it out if she hadn't just outed herself. It's impressive that she was even able to fool him. Perhaps she wouldn't have if he'd known more about Naboo and its customs and culture, but still, an impressive feat to be sure. Anakin sucks in a startled breath, but the Jetii don't seem surprised. They must have figured it out, probably with their magic. He wouldn't be surprised in the least.