Qui-Gon Jinn was running as fast as he could. A powerful engine roared right behind him. The Trade Federation transport was getting closer. Too close! he thought. The transport carried an army of deadly battle droids. The planet Naboo was being invaded. Qui-Gon had to get to the city of Theed and warn the Queen! All around him, animals were running for cover--except one. A tall, froglike creature sat in the mud right in the Jedi Knight's path. It was eating a clam with its long, sticky tongue. "Watch out!" Qui-Gon yelled. The creature looked up and saw Qui-Gon. Then it saw the huge transport behind him. Its eyes grew wide. "Oh, nooo!" it cried, grabbing the Jedi's robes. "Hep me, hep me!" Qui-Gon looked back. The transport was almost on top of them! Qui-Gon pushed the creature down into the muddy water and dove in after it. The transport roared overhead. Qui-Gon sat up and watched the transport disappear into the mist. The creature jumped up and gave Qui-Gon a big hug. "Oyi! I luv yous!" it cried. "Meesa your humble servant." Qui-Gon smiled. "That won't be necessary," he said. "Oh, but tis!" the creature insisted. "Yousa saved Jar Jar Binks's life. Tis a life debt I owe." Suddenly, a man ran out of the mist. It was Qui-Gon's student, Obi-Wan Kenobi. A battle droid on a STAP was chasing him. Qui-Gon drew his lightsaber. The battle droid fired, but Qui-Gon deflected the blasts right back. The droid was destroyed. "Thank you, Master," said Obi-Wan. "Naboo is crawling with battle droids. How can we avoid the army and get to Theed?" "Um...excuse mesa," said Jar Jar. Obi-Wan noticed Jar Jar for the first time. "Who is this?" he asked Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon smiled. "This is my new friend, Jar Jar." "Meesa home nearby," said Jar Jar. "City called Otoh Gunga. Hidden, tis." Qui-Gon nodded. "Sounds good. Show us the way, Jar Jar." Excerpted from Dangers of the Core by Jim K. Thomas, Boris S. Vallejo All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.