Jabba's Palace

Qui-Gon Jinn led Sio Bibble and Padmé and her two handmaidens into the cavernous palace of Jabba the Hutt. The Neimoidian delegation of Nute Gunray and Rune Haako followed behind, Gunray's mecho-chair gave him an overly dramatic, regal countenance, far out of place in this vile building. The dark, dank structure was a stark contrast to the bright desert they had just left. Landing the Queen's ship not far from the palace, the envoy made its way cautiously into the looming building.

A strange mechanical spider holding a humanoid brain inside a jar of liquid staggered by them, causing Padmé to gasp in horror.

"A B'omarr monk." Qui-Gon explained to the young girl. He had found himself acting as her unofficial advisor more and more in the midst of this crisis. "They believe they can only achieve enlightenment once free of the confines of the physical."

Padmé suppressed a shiver as the strange creature disappeared into the shadows. She felt proud of herself for having risen to the occasion. She had been as strong as anyone could have for her people so far. But now...entering the stronghold of a notorious gangster and crime lord to seek his help as a mediator for her dispute with the Trade Federation...it was such an unorthodox solution to their situation. But Qui-Gon Jinn had thought it the only possible solution. With pro-Federation sentiment now stronger than ever in the Senate and a treaty as yet unsigned, this seemed to be her only hope to avoid an occupation army of droids defiling her world. Still, the thought of involving a hutt in her planet's affairs felt a bit like turning to the dark side.

Qui-Gon led the two parties to a set of large, pig-like Gamorrean guards. Not being the world's greatest conversationalists, the guards merely grunted and clanged their axes together in the universal gesture for 'Do Not Enter.'

"De wanna wonga?" A creaking voice called from the shadows. A pale skinned, evil looking Twi'lek male stepped from the darkness.

"We want exactly what I explained to you on the holo-channel, my friend." Qui-Gon answered calmly. "We seek an audience with your master to mediate a financial dispute."

Padmé shifted uncomfortably as she looked around the foreboding structure. She didn't like the characterization of their dispute as purely financial. Surely that was what had the Neimoidians here, but to her there were fundamental freedoms at stake. Still, she realized that the only way a Hutt would ever agree to mediate was if there was money at stake. This gave them the opportunity to take a percentage...like any good gangsters would. She remained silent and let Qui-Gon take the lead.

"Ne Jabba, no bada." The majordomo answered with a sneer. It was clear there would be no getting past him without a bribe.

"Huh!" Nute Gunray shouted from his uncomfortable mechno-chair behind them. "I told you this was pointless! We need FREE negotiations with no Jedi and no Hutt interference."

Qui-Gon waived his hand and spoke directly to the Twi-lek. "You will take us to Jabba now and you will be rewarded."

The Twi-lek shrugged and gestured for them to follow. "I will take oo to Jabba now." He muttered.

Qui-Gon smirked at Sio Bibble who raised his grey eyebrows in surprise. Padmé suppressed a smile of her own. It was handy to have a Jedi on your side. Walking to the back of the group, Qui-Gon addressed the Neimoidians.

"You will conduct yourself as gentlemen and negotiate in good faith here, my Neimoidian friends."

"Huh." Nute snorted. "And if we don't you'll run us through with your laser-sword, no doubt."

"Viceroy," Qui-Gon continued as he walked along side them into the depths of the palace. "Being disrespectful to a Hutt is far more dangerous than the tip of my blade."