As the Jedi turned to leave, Obi-Wan whispered, 'Master, what is a bongo?'
Qui-Gon glanced at him and cocked one eyebrow thoughtfully. 'A ship of some sort, I hope.'
They were moving away from Boss Nass and the other Gungan officials when they caught sight of Jar Jar Binks standing forlornly to one side, wearing wrist binders and awaiting his fate. Qui-Gon slowed and made eye contact with the unfortunate creature.
'Master,' Obi-Wan said softly in warning. He knew Qui-Gon too well not to see what was coming.
The tall Jedi moved over to Jar Jar and stood looking at him.
'Dey setten yous up for bad fall!' the Gungan declared sullenly, glancing around to see if anyone else might be listening. 'Goen through da core is bad danger.'
Qui-Gon nodded. 'Thank you, my friend.'
Jar Jar Binks shrugged and looked sad. 'Ahhh, tis okay.' Then he gave the Jedi Master a slow, sheepish grin and a hopeful look. 'Hey, any hep here would be hot.'
Qui-Gon hesitated.
'We are short of time, Master,' Obi-Wan advised quietly, moving to his side.
The Jedi Master turned to face his protege, eyes distant. 'Time spent here may help us later. Jar Jar might be of some use.'
Obi-Wan shook his head in frustration. His mentor was too eager to involve himself when it was not necessary. He was too quick to adopt causes that were not his own. It had cost him time and time again with the Jedi Council. One day it would be his undoing.
He bent close. 'I sense a loss of focus.'
Qui-Gon's eyes fixed on him. 'Be mindful, young Obi-Wan,' he chastised gently. 'Your sensitivity to the living Force is not your strength.'
The younger Jedi held his gaze only a moment, then looked away, stung by the criticism. Qui-Gon turned''from him and walked back to Boss Nass. 'What is to become of Jar Jar Binks?' he asked.
Boss Nass, who was engaged in conversation with another of the Gungan officials, turned to him in annoyance, his heavy jowls puffing. 'Binks breaks nocomeback law. Breaks exile. He be punished.'
'Not too severely, I trust?' the Jedi Master pressed. 'He has been of great help to us.'
A slow laugh rumbled out of Boss Nass. 'Pounded unto death, dis one.'
Somewhere in the background, Jar Jar Binks moaned loudly. There were mutterings about the room. Even Obi-Wan, who was back at his Master's side, looked shocked.
Qui-Gon was thinking fast. 'We need a navigator to get us through the core to Theed. I saved Jar Jar's life on the surface. He owes me for that. I claim a life debt on him.'
Boss Nass stared at the Jedi in silence, a deep frown furrowing his brow and twisting his mouth. His head seemed to sink deeper into his shoulders, into the wattles of skin that obscured his neck.
Then his small eyes sought the unfortunate Jar Jar, and he gestured. 'Binks?'
Jar Jar moved forward obediently to stand beside the Jedi.
'Yous haf life debt wit ills outlander?' Boss Nass demanded darkly.
Jar Jar nodded, head and ears hanging, but a flicker of hope springing into his eyes.
'Your gods demand he satisfy that debt,' Qui-Gon insisted, passing his hand in front of Boss Nass's eyes, invoking his Jedi power once more. 'His life belongs to me now.'
The head Gungan considered the matter only a moment before nodding in agreement. 'His life tis yous. Worthless, anywhat. Beggone wit him.'
A guard came forward and removed Jar Jar's wrist binders.
'Come, Jar Jar,' Qui-Gon Jinn advised, turning him away.
'Through da core?' Jar Jar gasped, realizing suddenly what had happened. 'Count me outta dis! Better dead here den dead in da core. Me not go...
But by then the Jedi were dragging him out of the room and all sight and sound of Boss Nass.
On the bridge of the Trade Federation's lead battleship, Nute Gunray and Rune Haako stood alone before a hologram of Darth Sidious. Neither of the Neimoidians was looking at the other, and both were hoping the Sith Lord could not sense what they were thinking.
'The invasion is on schedule, my lord,' the viceroy was saying, robes and headdress hiding the occasional twitching of his limbs as he faced the cloaked and hooded form before him. 'Our army nears Theed.'
'Good. Very good.' Darth Sidious spoke in a soft, calm voice. 'I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to accept that your blockade has been successful.'
Nute Gunray glanced quickly at his compatriot. 'The Queen has great faith that the Se. nate will side with her.'
'Queen Amidala is young and naive. You will find controlling her will not be difficult.' The hologram shimmered. 'You have done well, Viceroy.'
'Thank you, my lord,' the other acknowledged as the hologram faded away.
In the ensuing silence, the Neimoidians turned to each other with knowing looks. 'You didn't tell him,' Rune
