❝ excuse you, i can be friendly. ❞

—

CARINA GAZED OUT the glass roof the submarine had. She took in all the underwater creatures as Obi-Wan co-piloted the craft with Jar-Jar actually guided them through.

"Dis is nutsen... Ooo, gooberfish." The GunGan happily spoke.

Obi-Wan pursed his lips before questioning, "Why were you banished, Jar Jar?"

The GunGan paused for a short moment, "Tis a longo taleo, buta small part of it wawdbe mesa... aaaa..... clumsy."

The teenage padawan furrowed his brows in confusion, "You were banished because you were clumsy?"

Jar Jar hummed, "Ahh... Yousa mighten be sayin dat." He veers the craft to the left and turned the headlights on.

Carina stared in amazement at the beautiful coral that decorated the swamp floor.

Jar Jar continues to steer the sub into the planet core, unbeknownst to the hidden creature lurking not far behind.

"Mesa cause-ed mabee one or duey lettal bitty axadentes...yud-say boom da gasser, un crash Der Bosses heyblibber...den banished."

Carina let out a surprised gasp as they were suddenly lurched to the side. The young girl grabbed onto her seat as the craft struggled to stabilize itself.

Qui-Gon rushed to look outside the window to see a huge Opee sea killer having them latched with its disturbingly long tongue.

Jar Jar blinked, "Uh-oh. Big gooberfish. Huge Opee."

Suddenly, an even larger sea monster as attacked the Opee.

Qui-Gon crossed his arms over his chest, "There's always a bigger fish."

Carina sat back on her seat, "Can we get out of here?"

Jar Jar nods in agreement before making the craft go faster. Carina gazed out the window to see a larger set of jaw munching on the creature that had just ate the Opee killer.

Carina tore her attention away from the disturbing scene and watched Jar Jar speak up, "Where wesa goin?"

"Don't worry, the Force will guide us." The Jedi Master reassuringly spoke.

Jar Jar looked intrigue with the males response , "Ooooh, maxibig, 'da Force'...Well, dat smells stinkowiff."

An alarm suddenly went off, startling the group. Obi-Wan gazed at his screen before hesitantly speaking, "We're losing power."

"Oh no..." Jar Jar trailed off.

Obi-Wan landed the underwater craft in a hidden cave just as all the lights went out.

"Well, isn't this just amazing?" Carina sarcastically spoke.

Jar Jar frowned in fear, "Oh, wesa diein here."

Qui-Gon shook his head in disagreement, "Just relax. We're not in trouble yet."

The GunGan gave the Jedi an incredulous look, "What yet? Monstairs out dare. Leak'n in here, all'n sink'n, and nooooo power. You nutsen! When yousa tinken wesa in trouble?"

Obi-Wan worked on the wires and watched them begin to spark, "Powers back."

The lights began to flicker on, revealing a rather disturbing Colo Claw fish lurking right before them.

The young adult turned the craft around and began to quickly speed away.

Carina watched at Jar Jar began to ramble incoherent phrases as Qui-Gon let out a sigh, "Relax." The Jedi placed a hand upon his shoulder and within the next moment, the GunGan had fallen unconscious.

Carina stood from her seat and hovered over Obi-Wan's seat as the boy attempted to navigate the craft away from the Claw fish that was right behind them, snapping it's rather large jaw.

"Head for that outcropping." Carina suggested as Jar Jar began to slowly blink, "Oie boie."

The twelve year old child sighed in relief upon seeing the surface lit above them, Obi-Wan propelled the craft upwards.

Carina watched themselves break to the surface and head for the docks where Obi-Wan opened the shuttle, Qui-Gon glanced around for the coast to be clear before waving over for the others to step off the craft.

The four of them treaded down the streets of Naboo as they finally arrived at the plaza.

Carina clutched her lightsaber, prepared for a fight as they rounded a corner to see battle droids escorting the Queen.

The young girl slashed her weapon, cutting down two robots just as Obi-Wan crushed three with the Force.

The droid sergeant was the only one left and made a quick move to run but Qui-Gon extended his hand, using the Force to pull him back before dispatching him.

The Jedi Master approached the Queen as Carina slipped her saber back into her utility belt.

"We should leave the streets, your highness."

All of them begin to wake down the streets as Qui-Gon explained, "We're the Ambassadors, for the Supreme Chancellor."

Sio Bibble glanced at the Jedi, "Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador."

Carina walked quickly at Obi-Wan's as their mentor spoke, "The negotiations never took place. It's urgent that we make contact with the republic."

Captain Panaka stepped forward to catch up with them, "They've knocked out all our communications."

Qui-Gon pressed his lips into a firm line, "Do you have transports?"

The captain nodded, "In the main hanger. This way." he gestured towards an alleyway just as the alarms sounded.

—

Carina shuffled closer to Obi-Wan's side as Captain Panaka cracked open a side door to the central hanger.

Carina's steps faltered upon seeing several Naboo spacecraft by about fifty battle droids.

The captain looked hesitant, "There's too many of them."

Carina smiled im anticipation, "Not for us."

Qui-Gon turned towards Queen Amidala, "Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."

The Queen shook her head, "Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is here with my people."

"They will kill you if you stay." The Jedi attempted to reason with her.

"They wouldn't dare." Bibble strongly spoke making Captain Panaka nod, "They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill her."

Qui-Gon held a set expression, "There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you."

Bibble glanced towards the Queen, "Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us ... Senator Palpatine will need your help."

"Either choice presents great danger." Queen Amidala turned towards the two handmaidens, Padme and Eirtae, "To us all."

Padme smiled, "We are brave, Your Highness."

Qui-Gon glanced towards the crafts before speaking up, "If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now."

Amidala nodded, "Then I will plead our case to the senate." She turned towards Bibble as they started to leave, "Be careful, Governor."

Qui-Gon walked into the hanger, Queen Amidala and her people following behind.

"We need to free those pilots." Captain Panaka spoke as he gazed at the battle droids that had cornered the pilots.

Carina smiled happily while patting Obi-Wan's arm, "Let us handle that."

The duo began to walk up to the droids where Carina quickly slipped her saber out and spun it, slashing two droids in half before jumping in the air to kick another down.

She dove quickly the second a fire was shot at Kenobi and deflected the aim to hit the robot back. Carina twirled her weapon before easily cutting down another droid.

The young girl stood back to back with Obi-Wan as they used their lightsabers to shield themselves from being hit.

The male extended his hand out and knocked four droids over using the Force.

Carina grunted in annoyance at the fact that she was still not skilled enough to perform such tasks using the Force.

The most she could do was knock one out if she had total concentration. She supposed it was because she was terrible at having complete and total focus. Everything and anything would distract her easily.

Carina glanced down at the pilots, "Well don't just sit there, go!"

The group of pilots made a run for it as they boarded the ship as Carina continued to slice down droids.

Qui-Gon glanced back at his two padawans, "Go onboard."

Carina didn't need to be told twice as she stabbed her saber through the last droid before running up the ramp and into the ship.

She wandered the rooms in need to investigate the ship.

Carina's steps faltered as she somehow ended up in the Queens chambers.

She smiled anxiously upon seeing her handmaidens gaze at her, "I apologize, your highness. I did not mean to—"

Queen Amidala cut the girls apology off, "Thank you for helping my people."

Carina looked taken back by her kindness. The twelve year old girl straightened up, "It is my absolute pleasure."

"You're very brave for such a young girl." Queen Amidala spoke with her usual tone.

Padme glanced at the young padawan as she chuckled anxiously, "I appreciate the kindness, your highness."

The ship slightly jolted and Carina gazed up at the ceiling in worry, "It's not been an easy day."

Padme took a step towards the brunette, "Is this your first mission?"

Carina nodded, "First off planet mission, yes."

Padme smiled at her just as Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Captain Panaka, and a blue droid strolled into the room.

"What happened?" Queen Amidala questioned.

"An extremely well put together little droid. Without a doubt, it saved the ship, as well as our lives." Captain Panaka spoke.

Carina stepped back between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.

"It is to be commended...what is its number?" The Queen gazed at her captain intently as the droid began to let out a few beeps.

Carina glanced at the droid who turned its head as if to gaze back at her, she gave the blue droid a kind smile as Panaka spoke, "R2-D2, your highness."

"Thank you, R2-D2." Queen Amidala said the robot who looked away from Carina and happily chirped.

"Padme." The Queen called out for her handmaiden who moved to stand before her highness.

"Clean this droid up the best you can. It deserves our gratitude." She looked back at Panaka, "Continue, Captain."

Panaka nervously glanced back at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. The Jedi master spoke up, "Your Highness, with your permission we're heading for a remote planet called Tatooine. It is a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation."

Carina blinked as she took in the information, Tatooine. The girl had read of the planet in books, it was said that sand was all that could be seen for miles.

Captain Panaka chimes in after Qui-Gon had finished, "I do not agree with the Jedi on this."

The Jedi Knight purses his lips, "You must trust my judgment, Your Highness."

Carina watched the Queen and Padme exchange glances.

—

Carina walked onto the main area to find Padme cleaning up R2-D2.

The girl was about to walk past the handmaiden when she spoke up, "We didn't get to officially introduce each other before."

Carina stopped her movement before turning to see Padme looking at her, "I'm Padme."

The young padawan smiled, "Carina Algora."

"The way you handle your lightsaber, it's impressive."

Carina softly chuckled, "Thanks. I've been practicing since the age of four so I'd hope my form is good."

Padme blinked curiously, "You've been training since four?"

The twelve year old padawan nodded, "It's the age where most Jedi's begin."

"But what of your parents?"

Carina shuffled in her place, "Most Jedi's would be taken from their families but, I was merely on the streets of Diayu. The most I had was an elder woman who would give me scraps to keep me going."

Padme's lips parted as she felt suddenly guilty, "I'm so so sorry, I didn't—"

Carina let out a chuckle, "It's quite alright. I personally don't really mind talking about it because it lead Qui-Gon to me. He found me, took me in, raised and trained me. In my mind, he is my father."

Padme softly smiled, "I'm happy to hear that."

"Buckle up, we'll be landing soon."

—

Carina fixed her blouse as Qui-Gon approached her, "Are you ready?"

The young padawan sighed, "Let's hope so.

The two went into the elevator and stepped into the engine room where Obi-Wan was hoisting the hyperdrive out of a panel.

"The hyperdrive generator's gone, Master." The teenager told the Jedi that took the information in, "That'll complicate things. Be wary... I sense a disturbance in the Force."

Carina purses her lips, "So, it's not my paranoia?"

Obi-Wan nodded, "I feel it also, Master."

"Don't let them send ant transmissions." Qui-Gon sternly spoke before walking out the ship.

Carina turned to follow when Obi-Wan spoke up, "Carina."

The brunette turned to see a hesitant look in the males gaze, "Be safe."

The twelve year old girl reassuringly nodded, "I will be."

—

Carina walked alongside R2-D2 as Jar Jar and Qui-Gon walked a few feet ahead of them.

The girl stuffed her hands into her pockets before muttering, "This heat will be the death of me."

"Wait!"

The group turned to see Captain Panaka quickly walking with young Padme at his side, "Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you."

Qui-Gon shook his head, "No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain. This spaceport is not going to be pleasant."

"The Queen wishes it. She is curious about this planet." Panaka continued.

Qui-Gon fell silent for a moment before letting out a sigh, "This is not going to be pleasant. Stay close to me."

Padme stepped beside Carina as they trailed behind the Jedi Knight.

"I feel like this is going to be a long day."

―

a/n:

r2-d2 is my favorite droid ever.