“I need to call in another small favor,” he said.
“You ask for much, Jedi Olin.”
“You have no idea.”
Now Trever had seen everything. He couldn’t get over it. The underwater city had suddenly appeared, a series of huge bubbles like illuminated lamps. Inside were wide pathways with shadowy patterns and a murky green light.
And Gungans - he’d never even heard of them. He liked their friendliness and their loose-jointed strides. He felt safe in their underwater city. He would have liked to forget about everything happening above, but of course he was with Ferus-Wan, the owner of a one-track Jedi mind. Ferus asked to be taken immediately to their leader, explaining that he and Solace were Jedi.
Their rescuer, the pilot Yunabana, had been so excited that he’d taken them directly to Boss Nass at a run.
Boss Nass resided in his own series of bubbles. While most of the Gungans were slender, Boss Nass was huge. His green skin had a grayish tinge, and Trever could tell he was an elder. He had three double chins and was wearing an elaborate coat the same color as his skin, so he resembled a giant greenish blob. He sat in a huge chair with waving fronds.
Now the Queen of Naboo was on holoprojector. The Naboo and the Gungans both felt that they owed the Jedi a great debt. They believed that the Jedi had been their only true friends during the Trade Federation blockade and had been responsible for helping them liberate their worlds. They readily agreed to a conference with Ferus.
Trever stood back with Clive, Keets, Curran, and Oryon as Solace and Ferus thanked Boss Nass and the Queen, and Boss Nass thanked the Jedi, and the Queen thanked Boss Nass, and Boss Nass thanked the Queen for what seemed a very long time, and finally everyone was silent.
“What is it that you want from us?” Queen Apailana finally asked.
“Wesa glad to help if help is needed,” Boss Nass said. He placed his hands on his belly and leaned back.
Ferus looked a bit nervous. He never looked nervous. Trever saw him swallow. It must be a big request.
“I need you both to use your security forces to attack and destroy the Imperial headquarters,” he said.
Boss Nass jumped to his feet. “Yousa crazy?” he roared. “Attack Imperials? Maxi-bad strategy mesa friend! Yousa noticed they be controlink the wide-sea galaxy?”
Queen Apailana’s tone was milder, but it was clear she was shocked as well. “Surely you realize the retribution that would be inflicted afterward upon both the Naboo and the Gungans. The Emperor would crush us. It would be swift and terrible, and many civilians would perish.”
“That’s for sure,” Trever said under his breath. Ferus shot him a look that he didn’t need a translator for. Don’t speak.
“I understand the magnitude of what I ask,” Ferus said.
“Why do you ask then?” Queen Apailana said.
“The future of the galaxy depends on it,” Ferus said. “That I can promise you. The head of the Imperial Inquisitors, Malorum, has found out an important secret. If he is able to reveal it to the Emperor it could destroy any hope we have of someday living in peace and true justice.”
“What is this secret?” the Queen asked.
“That I can’t tell you. Yet you must trust me. We must strike this blow here, now.”
There was a pause, so Ferus continued. “I have a way to avoid retribution. I would not propose this otherwise. I promise that hp harm will come to your people.”
“I’m listening,” Queen Apailana said.
Boss Nass sat back. “Mesa, too.”
Ferus turned back to Queen Apailana. “Your information network has reported that the Empire is illegally stockpiling destructive weapons in the Theed hangar in defiance of Senate regulations. If we blow up the weapons cache it would seem like a disaster the Empire had brought on itself. The officials back on Coruscant would wish to hush up the explosion so that the Senate wouldn’t hear about it. The Emperor may despise the Senate, but he still needs it to cloak his crimes.”
“Your plan depends on our winning the battle,” Queen Apailana said.
“The combined might of the Naboo and Gungan warriors can defeat a battalion,” Solace said. “They’ve gone up against far worse and won.”
“I have the greatest confidence in the courage and daring of both your peoples,” Ferus added.
Queen Apailana said nothing. Because of her elaborate makeup, Trever couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
Suddenly Boss Nass lurched up, slapping the arms of his chair. “What a berry good trick, you say, Jedi! Get rid of Empire, protecting all our people, and no onesa ever thinkin’ well of us! Bringsa out the fambaa anda power us up!”