'Get going,' Qui-Gon motioned, fitting the device between his teeth.
The Gungan shrugged, as if to disclaim all responsibility for what would follow, turned back to the lake, performed a wild double somersault, and disappeared into the gloom.
The Jedi waded after him.
Downward into the murkiness they swam, the Jedi following the slender form of the Gungan, who seemed far more at home in the water than on land. He swam smoothly and gracefully, long limbs extended, body undulating with practiced ease. They swam for a long time, angling steadily deeper, the light from the surface fading slowly away behind them. What light there was came from sources beneath the surface, not all of them visible. The minutes slipped away, and Obi- Wan began to have second thoughts about what they were doing.
Then suddenly there was a new light, this one a steady glow that came from ahead. Slowly Otoh Gunga came into view. The city was comprised of a cluster of bubbles that connected to one another like balloons and were anchored to several huge rock pillars. One by one, the bubbles grew more distinct, and it became possible to make out the particulars of the structures within and the features of the Gungans as they moved about their business.
Jar Jar swam directly toward one of the larger bubbles, the Jedi close on his heels. When he reached the bubble, he pushed at it with his hands and it gave way to him, accepting first his arms, then his head and body, and finally his legs, swallowing him whole and closing behind him without rupturing. Amazed, the Jedi followed, moving through the strange membrane, entering the bubble without resistance.
Once inside, they found themselves on a platform that led down to a square surrounded by buildings. Light emanated from the bubble's walls in a steady glow, brightening the space inside. The Jedi found the air breathable. As they descended to the square below, water dripping from their clothing, Gungans began to catch sight of them and to scatter with small cries of alarm.
In short order a squad of uniformed Gungan soldiers appeared, riding two- legged mounts with billed faces not entirely dissimilar to their own. Kaadu, Qui-Gon recalled-swamp runners with powerful legs, great endurance, and keen senses. The Gungans carried long, deadly-looking electropoles, which they used to motion back the distraught populace at the same time they advanced on the intruders.
'Heyday ho, Cap'n Tarpals,' Jar Jar greeted the leader of the squad cheerfully. 'Me back!'
'Notta gain, Jar Jar Binks!' the other snapped, clearly irritated. 'Yous goen ta Boss Nass. See what he say. Yous mebbe in big trubble dis time.'
Ignoring the Jedi, he gave Jar Jar a quick poke with his electropole, sending a shock through the hapless Gungan that lifted him a half meter off the ground. Jar Jar rubbed his backside ruefully, muttering.
The Gungan soldiers took them through the buildings of the city, down several connecting passages, and into what, Jar Jar whispered to his companions, was the High Tower Boardroom. The room was transparent on all sides, and small glowing fish swam about the outside of the membrane, tiny stars against a darker backdrop. A long, circular bench dominated one end of the room with one section set higher than the rest. All the seats were occupied by Gungan officials in their robes of office, and a way was quickly made for the newcomers through Gungans already present to conduct other business.
The Gungan occupying the highest seat was a heavyset, squat fellow so compressed by age and weight that it was impossible to imagine he had ever been as slender as Jar Jar Binks. Folds of skin draped from his body in loose layers, his neck was compressed into his shoulders, and his face bore such a sour look that even Jar Jar seemed more than a little cowed as they were motioned forward.
The Gungan officials stared, muttering among themselves as the Jedi approached. 'What yous want, outlanders?' Boss Nass rumbled at them, after identifying himself.
Qui-Gon Jinn told him, relating what had brought the Jedi to Naboo, warning of the invasion taking place above, asking the Gungans to give them help. The Gungan council listened patiently, saying nothing until Qui-Gon was finished.
Boss Nass shook his head, the flesh of his thick neck jiggling with the movement. 'Yous can't be here. Dis army of maccaneks up dere tis not our problem.'
Qui-Gon held his ground. 'That army of battle droids is about to attack the Naboo. We must warn them.'
'We no like da Naboo!' Boss Nass growled irritably. 'And dey no like da Gungans. Da Naboo think dey more smart den us. Dey think dey brains so big. Dey have nutten ta do wit us cause we live in da swamp and dey live up dere. Long time no have nutten ta do wit each other. Dis not gonna change because ofmaccaneks.'
'After that army takes control of the Naboo, they will come here and take control of you,' Obi-Wan said quietly. '
Boss Nass chuckled. 'No, me think not. Me talk mebbe one, two times wit Naboo in whole life, and no talk ever wit maccaneks. Maccaneks no come here! Dey not even know Gungans exist!'
The remaining members of the council nodded in agreement, muttering their verbal approval of Boss Nass's wisdom.
'You and the Naboo are connected,' Obi-Wan insisted, his youthful face intent, not ready to concede the matter. 'What happens to one will affect the other. You must understand this.'
Boss Nass dismissed him with a wave of one thick hand. 'We know nutten of yo us, outlander, and we no care about da Naboo.'
Before Obi-Wan could continue his argument, Qui-Gon stepped forward. 'Then speed us on our way,' he demanded, bringing up one hand in a casual motion, passing it smoothly before the Gungan chief's eyes in a quick invocation ofJedi mind power.
Boss Nass stared at him, then nodded. 'We speed yous far away.'
Qui-Gon held his gaze. 'We need transport to Theed.'
'Okeday.' Boss Nass nodded some more. 'We give yous bongo. Da speedest way tada Naboo is goen through da core. Yous go now.'
Qui-Gon stepped back. 'Thank you for your help. We go in peace.'
