Chapter Text
The galaxy was in turmoil. The Clone Wars, which had left thousands of systems devastated and lawless, had ended. The Seperatist Alliance had been brought to its knees and defeated and now only one order ruled the galaxy – the new Galactic Empire. The Senate was still in place but without any true power and the senators that stood against the new order dwindled daily. Senator Amidala had been one such woman. While the galaxy was cheering for the end of the war and celebrating the new era of supposed peace, Naboo was mourning the death of one of their most beloved public figures. A true senator who actually cared about her people and fought for their rights, unlike many of the corrupt leaders who left their worlds to suffer.
The day after the Empire came to power, Padme died, leaving her planet in mourning, the Empires recentre take over had only intensified the disarray, and in the centre of all the chaos stood Hondo Ohnaka. The one and only sith capturer, friend of Obi-wan and infamous weequay pirate who resided on the plains of Florrum, but not today. Today, he stood in the middle of a swamp, a swamp filled with all sorts of strange creatures. Some swam through the puddles of murky water while others stood tall above the forest floor. The particular creature which he was looking for had just appeared, strolling through the thick vegetation.
His big floppy ears bounced around on his back as he navigated the trees towards Hondo. "Hondo! Mesa very happy to see yousa!" he stopped in front of the weequay.
"Hello, my friend! You told me you had a whole secret city somewhere," Hondo laughed, putting one arm around the gungan, "Where is it?"
"Mesa show yousa," the gungan bounded off into the fog, Hondo followed behind him, wondering where this great city could be when all he could see was jungle.
It wasn't long before they reached the shore of a large lake that stretched into the mist, its borders hidden in the fog. Hondo could see nothing remarkable about the murky water: the edge was filled with reeds and behind those the trees reached up to brush the sky like all the others and he still couldn't see any signs of a secret city. As the gungan approached the waters edge Hondo had a strange sensation that told him he was going to have to swim.
"Wesa nearly there!" the gungan declared loudly as he strode into the depths of the lake, which a holomap had said was called Lake Paonga. While strolling through the beautiful city of Theed he had heard a very mixed opinion on the gungans: some folk had warned him to stay as far away from the jungle as he could but others had talked proudly of how the two groups, the Nabooians and the gungans, had helped to protect their beloved planet from dangers such as the Trade Federation and Seperatist Armies. Yes, Hondo had done his homework.
Hondo groaned as the gungan motioned for him to join him in the water. The weequay pulled out an A99 aquata breather – he had stolen it off Obi-wan Kenobi when he had captured him, purely to prove the Jedi's negligence to notice small things, and he had planned to give it back but returning the stolen item had slipped his mind at the time. His long red coat swirled around him as he walked further and further into the cold liquid that reached up to his waist already.
"So, My Friend, how far is this secret city?" he hoped it wasn't far or at least not too deep. He question was only answered with a splash as the gungan plunged down towards the unknown or to him the known.
After a few minutes the scenery had completely changed and the world around him had morphed from a dark bluish abyss into a world of light and colourful flowers and fauna. Shoals of brightly coloured fish danced around the gungan as he headed towards a city of bubbles decorated and illuminated with golden lights, but when the slender creatures neared Hondo they slunk back into the deep waters, they knew he wasn't native and they were less welcoming than he hoped the gungans would be.
Water rushed past him and clung to his clothes as it was forced away from him by the shield that protected the bubble he had just arrived in from flooding. Two more gungans mounted on creatures Hondo was unfamiliar with greeted them and led the pair through the elaborate city of Otoh Gunga. The building designs were so unique that even Hondo, being the well travelled pirate he was, felt out of place and as if he had just stepped into a fairytale. The exotic creatures that swam past the clear bubbles only helped the atmosphere, thought they did occasionally threatened to break through the thin looking material that kept them wet and Hondo dry, however he was assured by his friend (he liked to think they were friends) that the bubbles would hold.
Hondo was led along the paths until he reached the largest bubble, he assumed its size was a symbol of the power within or the people who resided inside. The gungan stepped inside and motioned for him to follow. Before the pirate stood five gungans on a raised platform, all of them had serious expressions including the green one in the middle that looked nothing like the others. The atmosphere had suddenly gone from wondrous to formal.
“Jar Jar!” the green gungan leaned forward and made big gestures with his arms, “Mesa very happy to see yousa!” Hondo smiled. He had a feeling that all the wading through bogs and traipsing through jungle and putting up with freezing water trickling down his back was about to pay off.
*-*-*-*
Her yellow lekku swayed behind her as she was pushed forwards by the guards, who jabbed their staffs into her back when she didn’t walk fast enough for their liking. Expression of disgust and hatred were worn by all the gungans she passed. If she hadn’t come to Otoh Gunga under such circumstances she would have been able to enjoy the scenery and the magical looking sea creatures that swam past the bubble, but the guards made it very hard for her to truly appreciate the beauty of Naboo. She had always wished to come to the planet and walk through the streets and gaze upon the signature jade domes that topped the buildings, but as a free citizen without a care in the world. Not as a woman in the custody of the gungan pirate gang.
It hadn’t been her fault, she hadn’t even known about the operation involving one of the Quay Quay Blinks’s members. At the time she hadn’t even known the underwater gungan pirate gang had existed, although she had heard rumours that the once innocent waters of Naboo had been tainted by piracy, which had then spread through the underwater world, turning it into a place best avoided. When her boss had told her of the threats they had received for meddling in greater pirates affairs she had tried to flee the sinking ship before it was too late but her boss had had other ideas and had cast her to the sharks. Now her only hope was that the group’s leader was merciful.
One of the gungan guards poked her in the back again and motioned for her to walk forwards. In front of her was the largest bubble that she had yet seen on her descent down through the dark water. She stepped forwards, shaking slightly knowing that her life might depend on her performance, as some crime lords, pirate and other general scum were very particular about how their prisoners presented themselves.
On a raised platform, looking down on her, sat the boss. He scoured the room checking no one else had been brought before him, then he turned his ice cold stare onto her.
“Hondo?!” she stared at him, filled with surprise, she tried to catch her disobedient tongue but it was too late the name had slipped out of her mouth.
“Miro?” he tapped his head, “No Mira, no Miri…” he muttered to himself, desperately trying to remember her name.
“Miriya,” she corrected him, looking nervously at his expression.
“See! I knew it was Miri!”
When you are someone like Hondo it doesn’t matter what people are actually called, you decided what you call them and they have to deal with it. Miriya decided it was not worth the price trying to correct him.
“I am very disappointed you know. You, a lowly smuggler, trying to swindle ME! Hondo Ohnaka!” She didn’t say anything, she had expected anyone but Hondo but when she thought about it he did have an unusual habit of popping up where you least expected him. He sighed and stepped off his platform to join her on the floor, walking around her, “You know I really thought we had something, endless possibilities!” he flung his arms around, “Now, I know that no one likes being held prisoner, so! I prepose a deal. You,” he pointed at Miriya, “Will go to where Julo is hiding and you will bring and end to his scheming business in return I shall let you walk free. If not you can rot in my dungeons and pay the price for his stupidity, so what do you say?”
“Do I have a choice?” she replied glad of the chance to get revenge on her employer but wary of Hondo.
“Of course you do my dear! But I think we both now what you answer will be.”
*-*-*-*
After Miriya had left, though Hondo was still convinced she was called Miri, he had received a rather foreboding message. It had been from a rather smug looking Imperial officer wearing a perfectly neat Imperial uniform, telling him that the Empire was sending a delegate to inspect Ohto Gunga. Hondo was pretty sure the man had said something along the lines of: Ohto Gunga (he completely botched the pronunciation) is of great interest to the Empire and we would like to see more of how it is run and to ensure it is safe under the new Galactic Empire. He hadn’t really been paying attention, he had been to worried about the fact that not one thing about him was legal. Despite being quite a well known pirate he had managed to steer clear of the Empire, much better than the had the Seperatists, so far, but now his rather profitable business had caught the attention of a superior power.
Hondo didn’t often feel scared or nervous, he didn’t shake in his boots or let his hand quiver, he hadn’t even flinched when that double dealing little Jedi/travelling circus child had bounced him high into the air. However, his long streak of staring danger in the eye and saying you can’t hurt me was about to end as he watched the Imperial aqua-ship land. Hondo wasn’t a very good swimmer and he would be lying if he said that had nothing to do with the shivers rolling down his spine, he should never have come to an underwater civilisation. He fears weren’t even eased in the slightest when his trusty aid and companion, Jar Jar Binks said, “Don’t worry Boss, mesa here to help yousa!”
The splash of water being forced away from the fabric which it clung to warned Hondo that the Imps had made their way through the bubble and were now awaiting their meeting party. He stepped forwards and cleared his throat, “Greetings my friends! Welcome to Ohto Gunga, the humble city of the Gungans!” he hoped his cheerful tone and over exaggerated arm gestures would hide the hatred of the Empire that loomed like a cloud over his words of welcome and hospitality.
“You are the leader of these people?” the Chief Imp asked, looking around the bubble in which they all stood with a snooty expression.
“Yes, I am indeed their great leader,” Hondo internally growled at their obvious lack of interest in the current leader and his attitude. Back before the Empire one group would take a lot from how a leader talked about their people and how they welcomed their guests, and in Hondo’s case of course it was always hospitably. Modern people, he thought. The Imp didn’t take much interest in the Gungans, he asked about their technology, he took a long time listening to how the bubbles kept their occupants safe and dry. He inquired about their weapons and how they fought, stuff that Hondo didn’t think a guest should be asking about: it implied what he had feared. Ohto Gunga would soon become just another city taken by the Empire and turned into a place used to fuel its ruler’s greed for power and control, unless someone did something to stop the malicious hand of the Emperor and his many subjects.
The inspection was nearly at and end when Hondo made the one mistake he promised himself he wouldn’t make. He had managed to keep his tongue controlled and had nodded along with almost all the Imperial had said until the man had opened his mouth, “The Empire is constantly growing and of course there is more demand for resources and a greater work force. Your people would have plenty of opportunity to help their new leaders in anyway they want. Of course you understand some places no one wants to work but the job must get done whatever, it is a small price to pay for such a great man like yourself and there are lots of credits to be made,” the Imp chuckled to himself, thinking he had the pirate wrapped around his little finger. The officer made a little squeak of surprise when Hondo put a hole in his previously pristine cap and of course his head. Jar Jar gasped, “Oie boie! Wesa in big doodoo!” The Imperial Clone troopers hesitated, eventually raising their blasters, but Hondo and Gungans were faster. They shot the Imperials and ran off towards their ship. Word of Hondo’s actions had spread fast and the gungan guards stationed at the platform had already prepared thermal detonators and were waiting for the order. He gave the order and the Imperials’ ship was blown to smithereens. He sighed, he had done the one thing he said he wouldn’t do, he had just declared war on the Empire and when their ship didn’t check in there would be trouble.
The next day Hondo was still alive. He wasn’t sure whether it was a good thing that the Empire hadn’t broken down his door yet or just a sign that they wanted to come in style and to hit him hard for his disobedience. Everyone was on edge, Jar Jar was running round screaming about how they were all going to be shot on the spot, Miri hadn’t made contact or shown any signs of returning but he had a feeling she would be along soon. To make matters worse people had began to ask questions about what exactly had happened to their last leader. Hondo had tried telling them that the gungan had resigned after realising what a good leader the pirate would be, but Hondo didn’t think they had bought his story.
He was wandering around near the landing pad thinking about how bad things had to get before he made a run for safety. He wasn’t entirely sure why he was still aiding the doomed city, but maybe it was because he was begging to like being a leader of a reputable place. Then he heard the distinct sound of someone entering the bubble. He didn’t react when Miri bounced over to him a smile radiating her pleasure, oblivious of the Empire’s visit earlier. She stopped and waited for acknowledgement, but Hondo only continued to pace, deep in thought, he muttered something then shook his head narrowing down his options.
From somewhere in the distance, Jar Jar could be heard yelling about preparations for war, clearly taking his new position of High Pirate General very seriously even if Hondo doubted his skills. Hondo pondered this for a minute, before being jolted out of his trance by an explosion, “Mesa okey! Mesa Okey!” Jar Jar reassured from wherever he was. Hondo shook his head and turned to Miri.
“Hello!” she waved her arms around, “Glad you finally noticed me! I killed Julo!” she sighed, “I took his credits!” she added, hoping to excite Hondo.
“Excellent! Maybe we could hire mercenaries or buy a fleet,” he said, more to himself than to anyone else.
“Why would we need mercenaries?” she laughed, trying to stop her concern from sneaking onto her face.
“Well, well, well, my friend,” he put his arm over her shoulders and led her away from the landing platform, “You see I may have angered someone…”
“Who!?” she turned and looked him straight in the eye.
“We are in no trouble it’s just the Empire.”
“The Empire!” she yelled, “Hondo! Well seeing as I am not half as suicidal as you, I will be leaving,” she turned and started walking towards the ship she had just arrived in.
“I thought we...had a future,” Hondo sniffed, “We could have done so well working together – think of all the credits!” Hondo let his head droop and he looked at the floor.
“Fine! I’ll help you but I expect to be heavily rewarded,” Miri walked back towards the weequay, his eyes lit up and all sighs of sadness vanished, “I knew you would see sense!”
*-*-*-*
Hondo and Jar Jar stood watching the water slink past the bubble entrance. The Imperial ship had been spotted over the forest not long ago and it wouldn’t be long before they arrived at the city ready to march in, guns blazing. The eerie silence made them feel like the battle was already lost. Preparations were busily being carried out around them but Hondo found there was little to occupy his mind except mental preparations for the fight ahead. Shadows in the water outside told him they were here moments before he spotted the ship itself coming into view.
The Imperial transport landed just as Miri sprinted into view, carrying a large crate packed full of explosives. “These what you wanted?” she asked, hauling them over to Hondo who stood tall, electrostaff in one hand and other arm hung over the shoulders of Jar Jar. “My aquatic friend! Would you like to do the honours or should I?” Hondo asked the gungan, reaching towards one of the thermal detonators, he flipped it round in his hands a few times before holding it out to Jar Jar.
“Yippee!” Jar Jar snatched the detonator out of Hondo’s hand. He stepped forward and waited for the ramp to go down. When the white plastoid of the Clone troopers appeared he was ready, the bomb went spiralling through the air and landed between their legs. “Boom!” Hondo smiled, but quickly realised that it was a small victory as a second ship began landing. Jar Jar sprung forwards, stabbing at the white army with his electropole. Their armour might be strong but if Hondo could say one thing about gungans, it was that they were creative.
It wasn’t long before the platform was flooded with Imperial soldiers trying to blast their way into the central dome. Blaster bolts soared high above Hondo’s head as he jabbed and slashed his electrostaff into the gaps between the plastoid. He had always preferred fighting droids as their metal plating was always their biggest weakness.
“Hondo! Whaten wesa goen tado?!” Jar Jar clutched his ears as they were nearly singed off by a stray flash of red.
“Fight my friend! Fight!” he jumped onto a Clone trooper and jabbed the sparking end of his staff into the crack between the helmet and chest plate.
“I hope you come up with a better plan than that before we are all blasted to bits!” Miri leapt into the conversation as she ran past the pair shooting holes in helmets and chest-plates.
“General Hondo! Wesa surrounded! Theysa abouten ta take da main bubble!” a gungan skidded to a halt beside her leader. She didn’t stay long and rushed forward eager to fight for her home city. Hondo watched the sea of white growing, and tried to fight his way over to Miri and Jar Jar, “I think my friends it might be time for me to make my escape.”
“You’re just going to leave?! These people are under…” the rest of her words were lost to the onslaught of blaster fire.
“I am afraid so my friend, if I were you I would also be making my escape!” Hondo edged towards one of the other landing platforms. He turned and sprinted in between the soldiers of both armies. He reached the platform just in time to the see the shuttle waiting for him erupt into a blaze of light as the thermal detonator that had latched itself onto the hull exploded. The blast knocked him backwards into someone, who caught him as they both went tumbling across the floor.
“Hondo!” a familiar voice hissed in his ears as his view began to focus.
“Miri?” he looked at her, trying to decide if it really was her. Jar Jar stood on the other side of him and together the pair of them hauled the weequay up and pulled him towards the Bongo pads.
“What are you doing? Put me down!” he said as he was unable to stop them dragging him off.
“Leaving!” Miri said in her stern voice, telling Hondo he probably ought to shut up. Another blaster bolt soared past his head and he was dropped to the floor, knocking him out.
Light poured into Hondo’s eyes as he woke up, a sharp pain stabbed his left shoulder causing him to wince and turn to look at the injury. It had been clumsily bandaged and it was decorated with specks of blood. His clothes were crumpled and his blaster and electrostaff were on his lap. He sat up and hit his head on the roof, when he looked up all he could see was water flowing over the glass surface. He couldn’t quite tell if it was moving over him or he was moving through it. He looked around and saw Miri piloting the ship – no they were underwater, so probably a bongo. Jar Jar was beside her in the copilot’s seat, cautiously watching their surroundings in case of a sudden attack made by either the Empire or a hungry sea monster.
The water rolled off of the lid of the bongo as they rose to the surface, light spilled in as the sky emerged through the gap that was growing. The depths of Naboo sank away below them when they broke the silky surface of the water. “Where are we Hondo whispered worried that the Empire could be waiting on land ready to pounce.
“Jar Jar?” Miri turned to look at their gungan companion.
“Mesa no knowsa. Mesa need to lookee,” he stood up and nearly deactivated the shield before Hondo stopped him, “Wait! We don’t know what’s out there. The Empire could be waiting!”
“Well we can’t just sit here waiting to be caught,” she sat back knowing Hondo was right, “We need a plan,” she said suddenly, “What are we even gonna do? Run?” she suggested.
“Fight!” Hondo replied, “We must fight to reclaim Ohto Gunga!” Everyone turned to look at him. “What? Can I not care about my people?” he said outraged.
“And how exactly do you suggest we reclaim the city? Naboo is a major planet. The Empire won’t give up even a part of it easily and even if we do succeed how do you plan on defending against the counter attacks?” Miri questioned him knowing it would be a long and gruelling battle.
“I am confident that my new friends will help me come up with a plan!” he declared putting his arms around Jar Jar and Miri, wincing at the pain in his shoulder.
“This is all very touching but someone needs to go outside!” Miri said. Hondo looked at her pointedly.
“I am not leaving you in charge, you would probably push me over board. I suggest Mr. Problematic should go,” she said poking his injured shoulder. Sighing Hondo opened the shield and lifted himself out of the bongo.
Minutes passed before Hondo yelled, “Why did you stop us in the middle of an ocean?”
“While you were having your beauty sleep some of us were getting attacked by a kriffing sea monster!” she retorted. Hondo climbed back inside the bongo and sat down.
“Well this is just great!” Miri sighed, “We are struck in the middle of a sea with no power.”
“What are wesa gonna do?” Jar Jar flopped hopelessly onto his chair. Hondo thought about all the people in the galaxy that he knew: half of them hated him; it was a one sided friendship with most; a couple were probably dead. There was always the Jedi? No, they were probably all dead too, unless…
“I may know someone who could help us,” he announced.
“One of your many friends?” Miri enquired.
“Yes, well. I like to think we were friends,” he replied, thinking about the time they had met. He had always know they would meet again after he had left her on the Resolute with the Jedi.
“The Empire will be monitoring comms,” Miri sighed. Hondo just smile and picked up his comm, the light flashed for a while before turning green. He smiled to himself knowing there was hope that she was still alive, “Hello...yes...Jabba the Hutt does suit a pink dress,” he laughed cheerfully in a Rylothian accent. Miri stared at the pirate trying to decide if he was clever of mad. “Yes...ah...I’ll see you when the twin suns shine on Hoth...oh no…yes, in the bottom of the Dune Sea.” he placed his comm back on his wrist and sat back in his chair, “And now we wait.”