DISCLAIMER: See chapter 1
SUMMARY: (AU Episode 1) What if Qui-Gon was wrong? What if Anakin didn't win the race? How would they survive on Tatooine? Worse yet, how would they get off the planet? (Obi-Wan/OC, slight Obidala, etc.)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is just an experimental story - I'm just fooling around with ideas which come to me. If there's enough feedback after this gets finished, I might do an Episode 2 one!!!
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*...and Sebulba is the winner!!!*
Qui-Gon stared straight ahead, numbly. He couldn't believe it - the boy was supposed to win! He had seen it through the Force!!! This had never happened to him before . . . did it happen to the best of the Jedi? They were all stuck on Tatooine now. He moved his head slowly to the left, seeing the boy climb out of the wreckage. He turned to the right and saw Watto rejoicing, obviously anticipating the moment when he would receive his prize. "What do we do now, Jedi?" Padmé said. The girl was right . . . he should have just listened to her. As the platform lowered to allow the spectators to exit, he looked over to her. She looked about ready to kill him . . . to murder him with her bare hands right there. As soon as it hit the sand she took off towards the boy. "You tried your hardest, Qui-Gon," Shmi, his mother said. "There's nothing more we can do."
The Jedi Master walked over to Anakin and the handmaiden. "I'm sorry I let you down, Qui-Gon. I thought I was going to win it . . . I was so close to beating Sebulba." "Its okay, Ani," the man said kneeling down so he was at eye level with the young slave. Only he knew the truth - that the boy wouldn't be getting off this planet . . . just yet. It was reflected in the young one's eyes also. Somehow he knew. "Another solution will present itself soon. We'll get you off this planet." Padmé took Anakin's hand and led him towards the hangar (not before giving him one last glare) while Qui-Gon took off his comlink with an intent to contact his padawan.
*****
Darth Maul laughed to himself. The foolish Jedi had bet just about everything he had that this slave would win. It was obvious that they were stuck on the planet now, that the new owner of the ship would be around to claim it soon. They would then have no place to go with a group of that size - there was the Queen, her three servants, her guards and pilots and, of course, the Jedi Padawan. "You may be able to run, Jedi," he said to himself while heading back towards his ship, "But you can't hide . . ."
*****
"Master?!?" He said in disbelief. Obi-Wan couldn't believe his ears when he heard him explain the story. "We've lost the ship. Have the guards and pilots gather up everything they most desperately need. Tell the Queen to gather up her wardrobe and other belongings . . . I don't know where we're going to keep this stuff, but we'll find a way. I'll be out to bring the group back before the first sun sets." With that, the Jedi signed off. Obi-Wan looked over to Eirtaé - one of the Queen's handmaidens, and the only other person in the same room as him. He walked out of the room followed by her. "What are you doing?" she asked. "The Queen's Chambers are this way." He stayed quiet until he reached the communication's room. He then turned back to her and said "Something I should have done a long time ago," before he went in.
