❝ i'm twelve not dumb ❞

―

CARINA LET OUT A YAWN as she slumped back into her seat, she blinked up at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan who were standing tall with their robes on and the hoods covering their face.

"Are missions always this boring?" the brunette curiously spoke up. Qui-Gon pursed his lips before glancing over at the trainee, "You will stay behind next time then."

Carina crossed her arms over her chest, "I'll stop talking now."

Silence fell over them as they continued to fly inside the Republic cruiser. The twelve year old child began to pick at her nails as the Jedi master spoke to the pilots, "Captain."

"Yes, sir?"

"Tell them we wish to board at once."

The captain looked over to view her screen, "With all due respect... the ambassadors for the supreme chancellor wish to board immediately."

Nute Gunray hesitantly nodded, "Yes, yes, of course. As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal... and we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors."

―

Carina stood close to Qui-Gon as the doors before them slid open leading the trio into the formal conference room where a droid addressed them, "We are greatly honoured by your visit, Ambassadors. Make yourselves comfortable. My master will be with you shortly."

Just as the droid exited the room, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon removed the hood from their robes as Carina glanced at their surroundings.

Obi-Wan pressed his lips into a firm line, "I have a bad feeling about this."

The Jedi knight gazed over at his padwan, "I don't sense anything." Carina slipped into a chair as she let out a heavy sigh, her stomach rumbled slightly from her hunger.

"It's not about the mission, Master, it's something... elsewhere... elusive." Obi-Wan trailed off as he glanced back at the young trainee.

Carina tapped her fingers on the table as Qui-Gon spoke, "Don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs."

The teenage padawan clasped his hands together, "But Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future."

Carina glanced over at Obi-Wan, "I'm almost positive it's all about balance."

Qui-Gon gave the girl an approving smile, "Correct, my trainee. It should not be at the expense of the moment." the Jedi master gazed at his other student, "Be mindful of the living Force, my young Padawan."

Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes, master."

Carina pursed her lips as she thought for a moment before speaking up, "Qui-Gon?"

The Jedi turned to meet the twelve-year old's gaze, "What is it?"

"Why did you allow me to come along this mission? It's about trade and negotiations, won't the others think of you as foolish for bringing along a child?" Carina sincerely spoke.

Qui-Gon crossed his arms over his chest, "I must say, you're quite mature for your age, Carina. You still have much to learn but no harm to taking you to see other parts of the world. This mission will be over fairly soon."

Obi-Wan sent the trainee an encouraging smile before turning towards his master, "How do you think the trade viceroy will deal with the chancellor's demands?"

"These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan take a seat at the conference table with young Carina who pursed her lips, "Is it typical for them to make us wait this long?"

The Jedi master shook his head as he registered the amount of fear coursing through the atmosphere, "No... I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as trivial as this trade dispute."

Carina tilted her head, "Why would they be afraid? Are we not here to merely settle a demand?"

"Perhaps they see it as something more."

The doors slide open as the droid, TC-14 walked in with a tray of drinks for the trio. Carina's features brightened up as she took ahold of the small silver cup.

The droid gave the other two Jedi's their drinks. Carina happily took a sip of her beverage just as a rumble erupted through the building along with the sound of distant shots.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stood from their seats quickly pulling out their sabers, prepared to fight. Carina eyed the door wearily as she stood, reaching for her own saber.

The droid dropped the tray of beverages at the sudden action the trio made. Carina nose scrunched up in distaste as she realized what had been unleashed in the room, "Qui-Gon, dioxis."

Carina held her breath as shut off her laser as Obi-Wan protectively stood beside her as they heard faint droid noises emit from the other side of the door.

The young trainee tightened her grip upon her saber as the entrance door slid open, Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes as the battle droids lingered outside the conference room.

The droid, OWO-1 spoke, "Check it out Corporal. We'll cover you."

"Roger, roger."

Carina turned on her lightsaber as she leaped into the air, followed shortly by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The trainee slashed her weapon right through the first droid before spinning on her heel to stab the saber through another robot as she quickly twisted her wrist, placing her saber before her in a defensive form to deflect a shot fired right at her.

Qui-Gon jutted his saber at the droid behind him as Kenobi extended out his hand, knocking out the last three robots with the Force.

Carina leaped up and over a droid, that had run into the hall, and split the droid in half as the trio continued down the hall.

"Why are we being attacked?" Carina breathlessly questioned as they ran down the hall. "Somethings off." Obi-Wan spoke more to himself as they approached the hall where the main bridge was stationed.

Carina took a deep breathe upon seeing more droids head straight for them, she planted her feet firmly onto the ground as she deflected all the shots being fired with her saber as Obi-Wan made his way through the crowd of robots while Qui-Gon used his lightsaber to burn an opening through the locked doors.

The young trainee spun her weapon in her hand before stabbing it backwards into a droids body.

Carina adjusted her grip as she stood defensively before Qui-Gon who was in the midst of using his saber to cut open an entrance.

Obi-Wan deflected another shot fired, aiming it so that it would hit the robot in return. The brunette pursed her lips upon seeing droidekas roll into the hallway.

The teenage padawan spun his saber, "Master, destroyers."

Carina held her weapon up using it to defend herself from the shot fired at them, "Shield generators, you have got to be joking."

Qui-Gon glanced down the corridor before speaking to his two apprentice's, "It's a standoff, let's go."

Carina deflected the last shot before the trio headed down the hall before disappearing at the end. She watched Qui-Gon open a ventilator before signaling upwards.

The three of them crawled upwards as the girl groaned, "You couldn't be moving any slow, Obi."

"What was it you once told me, Carina? Patience is virtue?"

"Funny."

"Children, please."

Carina continued to crawl behind the padawn until the trio came up at the end of the vent where she carefully landed on the ground as quietly as she could manage before hiding behind a large cargo. They seemed to have entered the hanger bay.

The young girl's lips parted in shock at the amount of battle droids filing into lines before them, "What the—"

"Battle droids." Qui-Gon thought out loud as he surveyed the scenery.

Obi-Wan shuffled on his feet before narrowing his eyes, "It's an invisible army."

"This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum. Let's split up. Stow aboard separate ships and meet down on the planet." Qui-Gon turned to look at the trainee, "Carina, you'll go with me."

The child nodded, "I don't need to be told twice."

Obi-Wan glanced at the droids once more before speaking, "You were right about one thing, Master. The negotiations were short."

―

Carina leaps over a tree root, not daring to glance back at the monstrous troop transports right behind her. Qui-Gon turned to look at his side where animals began to stampede from the panic.

Carina watched a GunGan stand completely clueless a few feet ahead of the Jedi master, "Get out of the way!" the trainee shouted for him to move.

Qui-Gon began to wave his arms for the creature to move as the transport was right on their tail. Carina took a quick glance backwards and did the smartest move she could make, she ducked and laid flat on the ground as the troop ports continued right above her.

She let out a relieved sigh as she saw the clear sky once more and sat upright only to see the GunGan laying upon Master Qui-Gon.

Carina slapped a hand over her mouth in hopes to contain her laughter as the Jedi pushed the creature off before standing on his own two feet.

"Whas dat?"

The twelve year old girl watched her master give her a look as he ignored the other, Carina rolled her eyes before pulling herself back up on her feet.

Qui-Gon waited for the girl to walk to his side before continuing in hopes to find his other padawan.

Carina followed behind the Jedi master as Jar-Jar called out, "Hey wait!"

The brunette turned her head to see him jogging up to them, "Oyi, mooie-mooie! I luv yous!"

Qui-Gon pursed his lips, "You almost got us killed! Are you brainless?" Jar-Jar blinked at the male, "I spake."

Carina pressed her lips together in amusement as her mentor spoke, "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now get outta here."

Qui-Gon continues to walk with Carina following him once more, but as is Jar-Jar, "No... no! Mesa stay...Mesa culled Ja Ja Binksss. Mesa yous humble servaunt."

The young girl furrowed her brows, "Servant?"

The Jedi master shook his head, "That won't be necessary."

"Oh boot tit tis! Tis demunded byda guds it tis."

The conversation was cut short as shots could be heard fired, Carina turned to see Obi-Wan running from two STAP droid shooters. The girl pulled out her saber quickly deflecting the gunfire as her brother figure ran towards them.

Qui-Gon reflected the shots so that it hit the robot itself, destroying the machine.

Carina smiled up at the male, "Good to see you alive."

Obi-Wan chuckled before gently ruffling her hair as Jar-Jar glanced between Qui-Gon and Carina, "Yous two saved my!"

The padawan tilted his head curiously, "What's this?"

Carina smacked the males arm, "His name is Jar-Jar."

"A local. Let's go, before more of those droids show up." Qui-Gon spoke as he kept glancing at their surroundings. Carina watched the two begin to jog and let out a sigh as she quickly went to follow them.

Jar-Jar tried to keep up with the trio, "Ex-squeeze me, but de mosta safest place would be GungaCity. Tis where I grew up ... Tis a hidden city."

Everyone abruptly stopped their movement. Carina raised a curious brow as the Jedi master gazed at the GunGan intently, "A city?"

Jar-Jar eagerly nodded his head.

Carina took a step towards him, "Can you take us there?"

"Ahhh, ... on second taut ... no, not willy, no."

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes, "No?"

Jar-Jar began to sputter out nervously, "Iss embarrissing, boot ahh... My afrai my've bean banished. My forgoten der Bosses would do terrible tings to my. Terrible tings if my goen back dare."

Suddenly, a pulsating sound could be heard in the distance. Qui-Gon pointed out into the forest, "You hear that? That's the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, "If they find us, they will crush us, grind us into little pieces, then blast us into oblivion."

Jar-Jar chuckled anxiously, "Oh. Yousa point is well said. Dis way. Hurry!" he began to lead them towards the swamp.

Carina blinked, "What is wrong with you two?"

―

Carina stared down into the intimidating swamp, "You've got to be kidding."

"Wesa goen underwater, okeyday?" Jar-Jar gazed between the trio. The young girl sighed heavily as Qui-Gon handed her a small capsule that suddenly turned into a breathing mask.

The Gun-Gun creature continued speaking, "And my warning yous. Gungans no liken outsiders, so don't expicin wern welcome."

Obi-Wan hummed, "Don't worry, this has not been our day for warm welcomes."

Carina was caught off guard as Jar-Jar leaped into the air before doing a double somersault with a twist and diving into the water.

Carina groaned before slipping on her mask and wading into the swamp with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon closely behind her.

Jar-Jar surfaces the water, "Ahh... yousa follow me now, okeyday?" The GunGan disappeared under the water once more. Carina took a deep breath before sinking underwater, swimming closely behind Jar-Jar.

Carina glances at the enchanting coral as they continue down the depths of the swamp. Her eyes widened in amazement as she caught sight of the glow of Otoh Gunga, an underwater city made up of large bubbles.

Obi-Wan caught up to her side and gave her an encouraging nod before they followed after their guide, who magically swam through one of the bubble membranes, which sealed behind him.

Carina followed shortly after with Kenobi and Qui-Gon at her side. The trainee blinked as she watched the GunGans in the square scatter upon seeing the Jedi's.

"Sooo good beein home." Jar-Jar happily sighed as they continued walking deeper into the square.

The group were stopped by Captain Tarpals, "Hey yousa, stopa there."

Jar-Jar smiled, "Heyo-dalee, Cap'n Tarpals, Mesa back!"

"Noah gain, Ja Ja. Yousa goen tada Bosses. Yousa in big dudu this time."

Jar-Jar hung his head as he whined. Another guard came up on Kaadu armed with an electro-pole and gave Jar-Jar a slight zap with his power pole. Jar-Jar jumps and moves off, followed by the two Jedi and young trainee.

"How wude." Jar-Jar grumbled in annoyance.

Carine took a step closer towards Obi-Wan's side as they two GunGans began to lead them. She stuffed her hands on her pocket while taking in their surroundings, "I never thought a mission could go so wrong."

Qui-Gon gave her an amused smile, "Be prepared even for the unexpected, young one."

Carina pressed her lips together as they were brought to the board room. Her gaze landed on Boss Nass who sat upon a throne, higher above than the others.

"Yousa cannot bees hair. Dis army of mackineeks up dare tis new weesong." The GunGan spoke.

Qui-Gon shook his head, "That droid army is about to attack the Naboo. We must warn them."

Boss Nass huffed angrily, "Wesa no like da Naboo! Da Naboo tink day so smarty. Day tink day brains so big."

Obi-Wan took a step forward before speaking, "Once those droids take control of the surface, they will take control of you."

Carina's gaze dropped to the floor as she suppressed a yawn while the GunGan retorted, "Mesa no tink so. Dey not know of uss-en."

"You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this." Obi-Wan attempted to reason with the creature.

Boss Nass looked completely unfazed, "Wesa no care-n about da Naboo."

The Jedi master waved his hand, "Then speed us on our way." The GunGan nodded, "Wesa gonna speed yousaway."

"We could use a transport."

"Wesa give yousa una bongo. Da speedest way tooda Naboo tis goen through da core. Now go." Boss Nass shoed them away.

Qui-Gon gratefully nodded, "Thank you for your help. We leave in peace."

Carina turned to leave with the other two Jedi as she questioned, "What is a bongo?"

"A transport, I hope." her mentor muttered. Carina turned to look at Jar-Jar who stood to the side in chains, she frowned before giving Qui-Gon a look. The Jedi blinked at his young apprentice before letting out a sigh. He glanced up at the GunGan who had helped them.

"Daza setten yousa up. Goen through da planet core is bad bombin!! Ahhh... any hep hair would be hot." Jar-Jar warned the trio.

Obi-Wan pursed his lips, "Master, we're short of time." Qui-Gon spared his padawan a look, "We'll need a navigator to get us through the planet's core. This Gungan may be of help." He turned to walk back to Boss Nass, "What is to become of Jar Jar Binks here?"

"Hisen to be pune-ished."

"I have saved his life. He owes me what you call a life debt." Qui-Gon waved his hand once more using the Force, "Your gods demand that his life belongs to me now."

Boss Nass narrowed his eyes before glancing over at Jar-Jar, "Binks. Yousa haveda liveplay with thisen hisen?"

The kind GunGan nodded, "Ah huh."

Boss Nass let out a heavy sigh, "Begone wit him."

Jar-Jar joined the two Jedi's and young learner as they began to walk towards the exit.

"Count mesa outta dis one! Better dead here, den deader in da core...Yee guds, whata mesa sayin?"