, revealing a silver colored protocol droid. The droid greeted them, introducing herself as TC-14 before leading the three cloaked figures into the hallway. The youngest of the three scanned the hallways for any life-forms, frowning as she found that the hallway was empty. She followed the two cloaked figures being led by the TC unit, hastening her steps to catch up with her companions.

The protocol droid then led the three figures into a conference room, where the youngest figure was surprised to see that it was indeed empty. "We are greatly honored by your visit, Ambassadors." The three Jedi turned to the droid as she spoke once more. "Make yourselves comfortable, my master will be with you shortly."

And with that, the protocol droid turned to leave and the doors soon closed behind the TC unit. All three figures lower their hoods and turned around, the male Padawan quickly voicing his thoughts to his Master. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"I don't sense anything," Qui-Gon replied, as he didn't feel anything disturbing the Force.

"I don't either," the young girl said as well, squinting her eyes as she tried to feel whatever it was that was disturbing the man who was like a brother to her.

The older Padawan furrowed his eyebrows, his gray-blue eyes wandering the room as if he was trying to find the source of this uncertainty. "It's not about the mission, Master. It's something... elsewhere. Elusive."

The youngest of the three began to walk towards the conference table, leaving the Master and his Padawan to discuss this uncertainty Obi-Wan was feeling. She plopped herself down on one of the seats near the window, her brown cloak pooling around her feet as she did.

"Be mindful of the living force, my Young Padawan." Layna turned her head, her dark brown eyes landing on the beautiful green planet of Naboo just ahead. She has traveled to quite a few star systems because of her Padawan training, but she has never been to the planet of Naboo. She hoped that she could at least see for herself the beauty of the said planet, just as she had seen them in several of the books in the Council library.

"Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walked up to the window, gazing into the infinite vastness of space. The young girl rested her elbows onto the table, as she enjoyed the view of space from further away. "How do you think the trade viceroy will deal with the chancellor's demands?"

Obi-Wan's question caused the girl to turn her attention to the two Jedi, as she herself was curious as to how the Viceroy will react to the Supreme Chancellor's demands. "These Federation types are cowards," the young girl nodded in agreement. "The negotiations will be short."

+

The young girl tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table, her patience wearing quite thin as time continued to pass idly. She stole a glance over at the Padawan seated in front of her, who heaved out a heavy sigh.

The trio have spent at least thirty minutes waiting for the Viceroy to show so they can start the negotiations, but there hasn't been a single soul nor droid that entered the conference room after the TC unit left them alone. They were starting to grow suspicious, but in Layna's case, restless. She needed something to do other than just wait around for anyone to show up. She needed action, and she had to get some soon.

"Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?" the young Padawan asked, just as the doors slid open to reveal the same protocol droid who welcomed them into the battleship. TC-14 walked up to the men first, offering them drinks in small cups. Obi-Wan took one from the tray, sipping on the liquid inside the cup just as his Master took one from the tray as well. Layna was the last one to take the refreshment, thanking the TC unit as she took small sips of the refreshment as well, until the cup was no longer filled with the drink.

Layna placed her cup on the table, watching as the protocol droid collected the now empty cups and twirled used her finger to play with the ends of her long brown hair, which was tied into a high ponytail. Her fingers tugged lightly on the Padawan braid that ran down her shoulder, her thoughts drifting to her Master, who was probably losing her temper over Layna's actions this very moment.

Suddenly, her chest felt heavy as a chill ran down her spine. Danger, she thought as there was an explosion from somewhere inside the battleship. All three Jedi leaped off their seats, drawing their lightsabers out of their robes.

"Sorry," the TC unit murmured as she tried to pick up the tray she dropped in surprise. Layna perked her ears up, feeling yet another sense of danger as a hissing sound came from somewhere inside the room.

"Dioxin!" Layna quickly deactivated her lightsaber, just as the other two did as well. She quickly brought her tiny hand up to her nose, so that she would not breathe in any of the deadly poisonous gas that could probably kill her instantly.

Their heads turned at the sound of the door opening, and the TC unit quickly exited the room with the tray in hand. Sensing what was waiting for them out there, the three Force-sensitive individuals activated their lightsabers and swords of blue, green and purple appear in the midst of the green fog. "Blast them!"

Layna rushed out of the room with the two men, swinging her lightsaber to cut down the droids who were trying to shoot out at them. She could feel a sense of excitement out of finally getting some action on her first mission without her Master, as well as a sense of pride knowing that she finally gets to show off the fruits of her training today.

Noticing three droids a few feet away about to blast her, she quickly held her hand out to use the power of the Force, just as she tried to learn a few weeks prior. The droids were quickly sent back a few feet, and the young girl grimaced, knowing that she needed to train a little bit harder. Obi-Wan quickly swung his lightsaber at the three droids, shooting the small girl a pointed look.

Once they were free of the droids near the conference room, the trio quickly made their way down the hallway and into the bridge, just as the door slams shut. The Master cuts down the attacking droids, along with the younger Padawan and Obi-Wan quickly demonstrates his mastery of the Force by sending droids crashing into the wall.

Layna, noticing this, smiled up at the older Padawan and swung her lightsaber to her left, cutting off the head of one of the droids. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Master Qui-Gon stabbing his lightsaber into the bridge door, cutting through the metal which was the only obstacle between them and the Viceroy.

"Master, destroyers!"

Layna quickly turned, her eyes locking onto two Destroyers rolling into the bridge. The droids quickly transformed and began to attack the trio, just as Master Qui-Gon called out to the Padawan, informing them of the shield generators protecting the Destroyers. "It's a stand-off, let's go."

The three of them sped down the hallway using the Force, and soon materialized when they reached the end of the hallway, narrowly avoiding the shots being fired at them by the droids. The doors soon close behind them, and they quickly deactivated their lightsabers, searching for a means of escape.

"There." Qui-Gon nodded at the young girl as she pointed towards the ventilation shaft. The older man gently lifted the girl into the shaft, following soon afterwards as she began to crawl through the narrow passageway.

Just after a few turns, they reached the exit - a large bent overlooking a hangar bay, where there were only droids as far as the eye could see. The tiny girl was the first one to descend from the shaft, hiding behind a few crates to conceal herself from the thousands of droids present. She watched as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan leapt from the shaft, hiding behind the same crates as well so as not to alert the army of their presence. "Look Master, an invasion army."

"This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum." Master Qui-Gon told the two Padawan, glancing towards the ships being boarded by the army of droids. "Let's split up, stow aboard separate ships and meet down on the planet."

Layna nodded her head, smiling up at the older man. "You were right about one thing though Master, the negotiations were short."

+

"Stay low!" yelled Obi-Wan as the two Padawan run for their lives while dodging the laser fire from the droids. Layna wasn't used to this much running, as her training only covered lightsaber use and control of the Force, none of this physical activity yet. The young girl felt her thighs burn as she swiftly breaks to the left, dodging laser fire that was obviously meant for her.

The brunette girl looked up, relief washing over her as her eyes found a certain Jedi Master just a few meters ahead. "Master!"

Qui-Gon turned his head, locking eyes with the younger Padawan before drawing out his green lightsaber, deflecting one of the shots fired by the droids. Obi-Wan raced towards his Master, watching with concerned eyes as he waited for the smaller Padawan to reach them.

"Get down!" Master Qui-Gon called to the girl, and the Padawan did as she was told, keeping low so as to avoid the laser fire. Qui-Gon used his lightsaber to deflect one of the bolts, which was sent back to the droid, destroying it.

Layna tried to catch her breath, resting her hands on her knees as she panted, calming herself down. "Yousa saved my again!" The girl glanced up at the newcomer, her dark brown eyes narrowing as she tried to figure what exactly was this... native. She hasn't seen one of these creatures before, and she was rather curious as to what it was and why it- no, he - was here, in the middle of this invasion.

"What's this?" Obi-Wan voiced out Layna's thoughts, gesturing to the strange creature with long ears. Layna felt herself relax as soon as she got enough air in her lungs, and made her way over to where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were.

"A local. Let's go, before more of the droids show up."

Obi-Wan nodded, and the two began to run once more, causing the young girl to groan. "Seriously? I just- ugh, nevermind." She shook her head, sighing as she ran up to the Jedi, ignoring the burning of her thighs and the sweat running down her face.

The eight year old noticed the creature trying to catch up with the two men as well, and she tilted her head in confusion at the sight of the creature still following them. "Ex-squeeze-me! But de mostest safest place would be Gunga City!"

Layna slowed when she heard of a nearby city, and she also noticed the two men slowing down when they heard of the city as well. "Tis where I grew up, it's a hidden city."

If this creature is a native of this city, then surely they could ask him to take him there to seek refuge from the invasion. If they could reach that city, not only will they be free of the Trade Federation, but they could also attempt to contact the Chancellor to report the failure of the negotiations.

"A city?"

The creature nodded his head, his ears swishing as he did so. Layna peered up at her father figure, who turned to the creature with a hopeful look in those cerulean colored eyes. "Can you take us there?"

The creature paused, seeming to think it over for a moment before waving his hands dismissively. "On second thought, no, not really, no."

"No?" the young girl repeated, her dark eyebrows furrowed together as she stared at the strange creature with a frown. She wanted to rest, and this city was the best way to both escape and rest, even if it is only for a little while. But she isn't going to be able to rest anytime soon if the creature refuses to show him to this Gunga City.

"Tis embarrassing," the creature began, his golden eyes flickering towards the small girl standing behind the Jedi Master. "But my afraid my've been banished. My've forgotten, da bosses would do terrible things to me! Terrible things to me if my goen back there!"

There was a rumbling sound in the near distance, and the three humans turned to the direction where it came from. It was only a matter of time until the droids invade the planet and capture them if they couldn't find a place to find refuge. They absolutely had to get to this city if they were to live to see tomorrow.

"You hear that? That's the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way," Qui-Gon peered into the creature's golden eyes, pointing towards the heavens.

The tiny girl walked up to the creature, folding her arms across her chest. "And if those terrible things find us, they will crush us." She glanced over at Obi-Wan, who stepped closer to the creature, leaning his face towards him so he could say the next few words softly.

"And grind us into little pieces, and blast us into oblivion!"

The creature's mouth fell agape, and he quickly nodded, seeing the trio's point. Layna breathed out a relieved sigh, as they followed the creature to a nearby swamp. Upon reaching the swamp, the creature turned to look at the three Jedi and began to walk towards the swampy water.

"Wesa goen underwater, okeyday?" Layna took a step forward, grimacing at the sight of the swamp water below. She wasn't expecting to get herself wet today, but she would honestly rather swim in swamp water then get captured by those damn droids. She still wanted to live, thank you very much.

She pulled out a breathing mask from the utility belt she was wearing, inhaling sharply as the Gungan - as she was now informed he was called, drew closer to the swamp. "Ah, my warning yous. Gungans no liken outsiders, so don't spect a warm welcome."

Obi-Wan shook his head, pulling a breathing mask from his own utility belt as well. Qui-Gon followed shortly, his eyes fixated on the Gungan walking ahead. "Oh, don't worry, this has not been our day for warm welcomes." The two men placed their breathing masks onto their mouths, and watched as the Gungan dove into the swampy water.

Layna stepped forward, glancing at each man before pulling her breathing mask close to her face. "Here goes nothing." She puts the breathing mask on, slowly trudging towards the swamp water. The two men, being taller than the small girl, went in until the water was about waist level. But for the eight year old girl, the water reached just below her chest due to her small height.

The Gungan resurfaced after a short while, splashing Layna as he did so abruptly. The girl let a sound escape her lips, but quickly stopped when more rumbling sounds were heard nearby. "Yousa follow me now, okeydey?"

Once the Gungan dove back into the water, all three exchanged looks before diving in right after the creature, following the creature closely as he led the three Jedi to the city of the Gungans.

+++