Ramblings with Ranger: I, naturally, tried to write this realistically. I think I did...I hope I did.
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Chapter Two
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Tatooine's twin suns rose unceremoniously the next morning, promising an uncommonly warm day. Both Shmi and Adrina experienced a restless night's sleep, and were loathe to start the day. But it could not be delayed; Anakin was going to race that day, and there was no stopping it. The pod had been completed during the night and was ready for transport to the arena.
Breakfast was taken in utter silence on the women's part, but Anakin prattled away, completely elated to be racing in the Boonta Eve Classic and seemingly oblivious to the amount danger he was placing himself in. Padmé, Shmi and Adrina were acutely aware. The four, plus Anakin's young friend Kitster, rode to the arena on Eopies, hauling the pod, in pieces, behind them.
Watto flew up to Anakin upon them entering the hanger of the arena, a gleeful smile on his blue face. "Bonapa keesa pateeso, o wanna meetee chobodd." Watto cautioned, laughing. Anakin frowned, looking down at Qui-Gon, who had gone on before.
"What'd he mean by that?" Anakin asked curiously. Adrina wanted to know the same thing. What had Qui-Gon bet this time, she wondered. Qui-Gon promised that he'd tell Anakin later.
Shmi and Adrina were nearly joined at the hip as they wished Anakin luck before moving onto their viewing platform. They gripped each other's hand tightly, but neither noticed that they were nearly cutting off circulation. Each drew comfort from the other.
Anakin experienced difficulties starting before he flew off down the track. Other pods completed their first circuit, but there was no sign of Anakin. The tension was nearly unbearable. Anakin came barreling around - the first circuit complete. Second circuit was completed - Anakin in second. Problems arose for Sebulba and Anakin crosses the finish line. He's alive! He won! Anakin took first place! Adrina and Shmi collapsed against each other, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
It was a hug-fest in the hanger after the race. "It's so wonderful, Ani! You have brought hope to those who have none. I'm so very proud of you!" Shmi whispered into Anakin's ear, giving her son another hug.
"We owe you everything." Padmé told him. Adrina couldn't talk through her constricted throat. Anakin looked around with wide eyes.
"Just feeling this good was worth it." Anakin admitted, still obviously in shock about winning. Qui-Gon approached the happy group and softly requested to speak with Shmi and Adrina alone after congratulating Anakin himself. The two women glanced at each other, but reluctantly left the champion.
"What is it, Qui-Gon?" Shmi asked when they were out of earshot. "Is something the matter?" Adrina didn't like Qui-Gon's silence. It did not bode well.
"Your son has been freed." Qui-Gon said quietly. Shmi leaned against Adrina for support, even though her daughter had gone nearly as weak herself.
"What?" Adrina hissed, shocked and in disbelief. Qui-Gon gave them a small smile.
"Watto has learned an important lesson about gambling, I think." Qui-Gon explained enigmatically. A smile broke out on Shmi and Adrina's faces.
"You're going to take Ani with you, aren't you?" Adrina pressed. Qui-Gon nodded.
"Anakin is strong in the Force. I may be able to convince the Council to allow me to train him." Qui-Gon replied honestly. Shmi stood straight, her brown eyes widening.
"Ani is to become Jedi?" Shmi asked hopefully. Adrina's eyes were riveted on Qui-Gon, staring at him as if the whole world hung in balance according to his next words.
"Perhaps. We cannot be sure until we reach Coruscant." Qui-Gon clarified. Shmi nodded, dazed. Adrina smiled wistfully.
"Ani will be so happy!" Adrina murmured. She looked up at Qui-Gon gratefully. "He's always wanted to be a Jedi." Qui-Gon smiled.
"What about Rina?" Shmi asked suddenly. "Can she go with you, too?" Adrina's eyes widened.
"Oh, no! I couldn't leave you, Mom! Not with Anakin leaving! You'd be all alone." Adrina exclaimed before Qui-Gon could open his mouth. Shmi sighed.
"Rina, I'll be fine, I've made it alone before." Shmi turned to the Jedi. "Can she?" Qui-Gon sighed.
"I tried to free both of you, but Watto would not have it." Qui-Gon explained. Adrina nodded. Shmi shook her head.
"What if we could free her?" Shmi pressed. Qui-Gon nodded slowly.
"Then I would gladly take her with us." Qui-Gon assured. He frowned. "But the price is high..." Shmi shook her head again.
"No money will be needed." Shmi stated with confidence. Qui-Gon crossed his arms, intrigued. Adrina's eyes widened and she shook her head forcefully.
"Mom, no. I won't leave you." Shmi grasped her daughter lightly by the shoulders.
"Adrina," Shmi began. "You must go with Qui-Gon. I can't explain it, but somehow I know that you have to go with him. I'll be fine by myself." Adrina's eyes filled with tears. "I know of all Watto's bets. He has lost many, and will probably try to sell one of us, even with Anakin now gone. I know you made the plan in jest, but you know how to get Watto to set you free. This is the only time it will work."
"But what will I do in Coruscant? I'm not Force-sensitive." Adrina said desperately. Qui-Gon cleared his throat.
"I have reason to believe that you are." Qui-Gon asserted. Adrina frowned. "You healed your cut with the Force, Adrina, that day after the sandstorm." Adrina blinked, disappointed. Not only did this mean that Shmi had more ammunition, but Adrina had always assumed that her ability to heal herself was a genetic trait, or something else that made her unique. "While you are, undeniably, too old for the Council to even consider training to become a full Jedi, they may teach you a few basics, enough to keep you from the Dark Side. And I know that the Jedi will assist you in obtaining a respectable job."
"See, Rina? You could not do that here." Shmi pressed, desperately searching her daughters face for signs of disagreement.
"Mom," Adrina begged, a tear slipping down her face. Shmi framed Adrina's face with her hands. "Don't make me go." She neither wanted to leave her mother nor become a Jedi.
"Go, child. Trust your heart." Shmi tapped Adrina's temple. "This intelligent head of yours isn't always right." Adrina gave a shaky laugh. "Go, child." Qui-Gon placed a hand on Adrina's shoulder.
"We must leave soon." Qui-Gon stated gently. Adrina nodded, not meeting Qui-Gon's eyes. She gave Shmi a hug before dashing off.
~e~e~e~e~e~e~e~
"Eh...what d'ya want?" Watto grumbled in Huttese as Adrina hesitantly approached him. Watto had been sulking in a shadowy corner of the hanger.
"Well..." Adrina cleared her throat, staring down at her dusty boots.
"Spit it out, girl!" Watto demanded. Adrina flushed.
"I'm pregnant." Adrina blurted. She waited for Watto's reaction. He merely gaped at her.
"You're what?" Watto hissed angrily. Tears welled in Adrina's eyes.
"I'm pregnant!" Adrina wailed. "It was an accident! It wasn't supposed to happen! I'll start showing any day now, and I was using protection!" It was a complete lie, of course, and an impossibility.
"I was going to sell you, girl!" Watto erupted. "No one'll buy a pregnant slave!" Adrina let a tear slip down her cheeks.
"Sell me? Haven't I served you faithfully, and well? Please, I beg you, don't sell me!" Adrina wailed, dropping down onto her knees. This was no real news to Adrina, however. She knew that he had been planning to sell her. She knew that she would be his first pick because she was young, pretty and female. Shmi, while a hard worker, was also aging, and would not be able to work as long or hard as a young slave. Anakin was almost too young to be of much use to many people. If all went according to plan, Watto would agree to let her go free in exchange for the sale of the pod. It was a plan that would benefit the both of them.
"Shut your mouth, girl! You're drawing attention." Watto hissed. Adrina clamped her mouth shut. "Times are bad, and I can only afford one slave." Adrina figured it would be best to play innocent.
"But Ani? What about Ani?" Adrina pressed. "What will you do with him?" Watto's face puckered in displeasure.
"Eh, sold already." Watto informed flippantly. Adrina smirked internally. So he was still unhappy about losing the bet with Qui-Gon.
"To who?" Adrina cried, continuing her charade.
"None of your concern!" Watto roared. Adrina, honestly startled, dropped onto her backside, staring up at the Toydarian.
Adrina could see wheels turning in Watto's head. She knew that a pregnant slave was almost as bad as an elderly slave, but an elderly slave would eventually die. A pregnant slave would give birth to another mouth to feed and would only cost the owner more money – and many on Tatooine were having financial difficulty. There was no way of aborting a baby on Tatooine without endangering the mother, so many masters wouldn't take the risk of losing a perfectly good slave. And, if they kept the baby, they would get little work out of the mother, and no work out of the child for a few years. In the end, it was a near wash. The grand majority of slave owners wouldn't take the financial risk of buying a pregnant slave, and even more slave owners loathed having pregnant slaves for the same reason. Few would invest in a pregnant slave. Few slave women ever had children without the express permission of their owner.
Watto pointed a finger at Adrina. "You. You sell that pod. I get proceeds. Then you go free." Watto smirked. "It's what you get, fooling around." Adrina's eyes widened, shocked. It had actually worked? Tears flooded her eyes once more; Anakin's pod would definitely sell, and most likely at a high price since it won the Boonta Eve Classic. In any other situation, this would be practically a death sentence. Shmi wouldn't have been able to support her, and there was little work to be found for non-slaves or for sane beings.
Adrina nodded mutely before scurrying off, back to the waiting Shmi. "It worked?" Shmi asked eagerly. Adrina nodded, dejected.
"He only wants Anakin to sell the pod; Watto gets the proceeds. Then I'm...free." Adrina sounded lost, and couldn't meet her eyes. Shmi gave her daughter a long hug.
"I'm so happy for you!" Shmi whispered in Adrina's ear. She pulled away and gave her daughter a long, fond look. "Anakin doesn't know yet, about either of you. He and Qui-Gon are already off trying to sell the pod." Shmi smiled. "Based on what little I heard, Watto will be very happy with the price." Adrina chuckled, a few tears escaping.
"I'm sure." Shmi sighed, smiling a little. She sighed.
"Rina," Shmi began softly. "Your destiny lies elsewhere. You're meant to do something greater than cleaning air filters." Adrina smiled wryly.
"Now, Mom. Is that your heart talking, or a mother's pride?" Adrina teased, tears still falling. Shmi shrugged and smiled.
"Perhaps both." Shmi admitted. "But you are still going with him." Adrina sighed.
"If that's what you want, Mom." Adrina murmured. Shmi gently tweaked Adrina's chin up.
"I'm not trying to get rid of you, Rina." Shmi informed solemnly, all laughter and teasing gone.
"Then don't make me go!" Adrina begged, earnestly grasping Shmi's hands.
"Mothers do what's best for their children, no matter how painful it is, to either of them." Shmi murmured. Adrina threw her arms around Shmi tightly, not letting go. Shmi tore away first, a teardrop sliding down her tanned cheek. "Go, child. You must get ready."
"What about the pod?" Shmi touched Adrina's cheek.
"I'll take care of that. Now, off with you!" Adrina ran out of the hanger, not looking back.
~e~e~e~e~e~e~e~
Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi stared out into Tatooine sand, not sure how far he was actually seeing. Perhaps for miles. Miles and miles of nothing but sand. He wondered how people could stand to live on the desert planet. According to the data read-out on Tatooine, the planet's largest export was death sticks at one time, followed shortly by illegal arms dealing. The streets would be crawling with bounty hunters and all other sorts of unsavory beings.
And if the people didn't kill you, Obi-Wan mused, the climate most certainly would. It was a balmy 96 degrees, a cool day for Tatooine. Humidity was 5.4% on average, and sand storms were commonplace. The wind would blow the coarse sand everywhere and sting any part of your body left exposed. It is truly a wonder why people would willingly live here. Obi-Wan thought bleakly.
Three black specks in the distance caught Obi-Wan's eye. He squinted into the distance. It could be his master, returning with the parts for the ship. After watching for a few more moments, Obi-Wan went to inform the Queen. Thirty minutes later, the ramp of the ship was lowered to admit Padmé, the Queen's handmaiden, and Jar Jar Binks, the Gungan. Obi-Wan walked down the ramp and stopped before the Eopie Qui-Gon was riding.
"Well, we have all the essential parts we need." Qui-Gon informed his Padawan. "I'm going back...some unfinished business. I won't be long." Obi-Wan sighed as he looked up at his master, knowing that he was referring to the young boy who had given the blood sample.
"Why do I get the feeling we're picking up another pathetic life form?" Obi-Wan asked, referring to Anakin. He took a step back in surprise when a young woman jumped off the Eopie. Apparently, she had been riding behind Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had failed to see and sense her. Obi-Wan felt embarrassed that she had heard what he said, and that he had failed to sense her.
The young woman was of medium height, only the size of the Queen of Naboo. Her black hair was pulled back into a bun on the back of her head. Her clothes were made of durable, yet coarse looking cloth. She was wearing a long tan skirt and a dark blue shirt whose neckline stopped at the base of her throat. A thick brown belt with a small pouch of the same material held a tan jacket firmly in place over her shirt. Her skin was only lightly tanned, and her chocolate eyes flashed fire, obviously greatly annoyed at him.
"Why would Qui-Gon be picking up another 'pathetic life form' when he's already got one?" the woman retorted testily. Obi-Wan stared at her. Oh yes. She was definitely annoyed, Obi-Wan sensed, and very distressed over something else.
"Calm down," Qui-Gon told the young woman quietly. "It was not meant personally." The young woman still glowered at Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon sighed. "Obi-Wan, this is Adrina Skywalker. Adrina, this is my apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Hello," Obi-Wan greeted respectfully, regretting his earlier words. "I'm truly sorry, I did not..."
"Mean to say that in front of me, or say them at all?" Adrina interrupted flatly. Obi-Wan did not recognize her lilting accent. Qui-Gon sighed, looking upwards.
"I didn't mean them to come out the way they did." Obi-Wan explained limply.
"I see." Adrina looked at him, her expression unreadable. She was still annoyed, and Obi-Wan knew it.
"Adrina's brother, Anakin, is responsible for getting us these parts." Qui-Gon informed, trying to pretend that the previous conversation hadn't occurred. "Get this hyperdrive generator installed." Qui-Gon ordered Obi-Wan. The older Jedi gave Adrina a rebuking look when she muttered something under her breath in a language Obi-Wan wasn't familiar with. It wasn't Huttese, that much he knew. If her tone was any indication, she had muttered something about him. Obi-Wan ignored her.
"Yes, Master. It shouldn't take long." Obi-Wan acknowledged.
"Adrina, talk with Queen. She will give you a place to stay." Qui-Gon said before leaning down to whisper in her ear. "Be nice; don't leave the ship." Adrina smirked. Qui-Gon straightened in his saddle. "I'll be back in an hour or so."
"You won't forget Ani, will you?" Adrina whispered up. Qui-Gon smiled, shaking his head. Adrina clasped her hands in front of her, looking down at her feet. Obi-Wan cocked his head, curious, as he felt the sadness and curiosity roll of her. There was only a small amount of fear.
Adrina watched Qui-Gon ride back to Mos Espa with a heavy heart. Tatooine had been the only home she had ever known, and she was leaving behind the only mother she remembered. There were so many memories in the coarse sands beneath her feet, and she was more than a little sad to leave them behind. But she was also curious; she had never traveled through space before, and she had never met an actual Queen. From that point on, everything would be new. Anakin would be her only constant.
Looping her thumbs under the straps of her large black backpack, Adrina dutifully followed Obi-Wan up the landing ramp and into the ship. She kept her head high, her shoulder's squared and her back straight. Her expression was flat, but she was dying inside. Obi-Wan was curious at her unease. She was leaving an arid, hostile and in every way unpleasant place. He supposed that Tatooine was still her home, and she was going to a completely unfamiliar place.
The interior of the sleek Nubian all silver and chrome and light. The walls were gently rounded, giving everything a graceful and elegant appearance. Adrina felt shivers run up and down her spine. The air inside was cool, too cool for her taste. The hallway she and Obi-Wan were walking down was only wide enough for two to walk abreast, making Adrina fear that she would become claustrophobic during the journey; she was accustomed to the open air.
Obi-Wan stopped abruptly and turned around. Adrina halted, looking up with an arched eyebrow. "This is Queen Amidala's throne room." Obi-Wan informed. Adrina nodded.
"Thank you," Adrina replied in an even tone.
"Would you like me to accompany you?" Obi-Wan inquired politely. Adrina smiled sweetly.
"I think I can manage just fine, kind sir." Adrina assured, honey dripping from her voice. Obi-Wan winced internally. He supposed he deserved her passive-aggressive censure.
"Very well." Obi-Wan glanced at the door. "I'll leave you to it then." Adrina watched Obi-Wan walk calmly back down the corridor. She sighed when he was out of sight. Adrina keyed the door open and stepped quietly through.
The throne room, like the rest of the ship, was silver and chrome. The oval-shaped room had long padded benches on the left and right, and there was a large chair on a dais at the far end of the room. The woman Adrina presumed was the queen sat on the chair, with three young women in flame colored robes standing behind. Adrina barely recognized Padmé in her new garb.
The Queen was wearing an elaborate gown of all black, and there were long black feather erupting from the top of her dark headdress. A black beaded chain hung across her forehead. Her face was painted white with a red dot on each cheek. Her lips, too, were coated with white lipstick, with only a red streak down the bottom lip.
Adrina walked slowly, halting in the middle of the room. She stood their awkwardly, not knowing what to say. "You must be Adrina Skywalker." The Queen stated in a deep voice. Adrina nodded.
"Yes, your highness." Adrina replied demurely. The Queen nodded.
"Padmé has told me about you." Adrina wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo." Adrina clasped her hands nervously behind her back, though her face was impassive. The Queen appeared young, despite the elaborate get-up. Normally, Adrina would be informal with someone of the same age, yet this was a queen, and Adrina wasn't quite sure how she should address her.
"Yes, ma'am." Adrina murmured. There was silence for a moment.
"Padmé," The queen began abruptly. The handmaiden stepped forth from behind the throne. "Show Miss. Skywalker where she may sleep." Padmé dipped into a small curtsey for the Queen and motioned for Adrina to follow. Adrina hesitated before presenting a wobbly curtsey as well. Padmé smiled as Adrina walked behind.
~e~e~e~e~e~e~e~
Obi-Wan stared hard at the hyperdrive generator. He knew he wasn't the world's greatest mechanic, but he knew he had some talent, and he knew that he knew how to install the blasted hyperdrive. It was thus that he was frustrated that the repairs weren't quite going as planned. The hyperdrive, though it was the exact part they needed, was not slipping properly into the empty space.
Obi-Wan looked up when the door hissed open. He blinked, surprised to find Adrina standing just inside the doorway. "Hello," Obi-Wan greeted. Adrina moved over to stand next to him.
"It's not cooperating, is it?" Adrina said in way of greeting. Obi-Wan's face remained neutral.
"What makes you think that?" Obi-Wan queried warily. Adrina shrugged easily.
"Just a feeling." Adrina replied honestly. She smirked. "And perhaps because you were glaring at the hyperdrive when I came in." Obi-Wan winced, looking back down at the hyperdrive. "They're not really hard to install." Obi-Wan mentally patted himself on the back for not rolling his eyes.
"I know, I've done this before on another ship." Obi-Wan responded calmly. Adrina shook her head.
"Would you like some help?" Adrina asked patiently, stepping around to stand next to him. Her tone was sincere. Obi-Wan hesitated.
"Have you done this before?" Adrina cocked an eyebrow at Obi-Wan's query.
"I might have picked up a few things at the Shop." Adrina stated dryly. "Yes, I've installed a hyperdrive on a Nubian." Obi-Wan hesitated again. Adrina shook her head sadly.
"Ootmian." Adrina muttered, kneeling to inspect the hyperdrive. They think they know everything. Obi-Wan frowned.
"What does that mean?" Obi-Wan asked cautiously, unsure if he was being insulted. Adrina looked up, amusement twinkling in her chocolate eyes.
"'Ootmian; means 'outworlders'." Adrina explained. She smirked. "It's Huttese." Obi-Wan nodded in understanding, feeling as though he had just been insulted and didn't know it.
"I'll have to remember that." Obi-Wan murmured. "So, have you figured out what's wrong?" Adrina nodded, looking up again.
"Operator error." Adrina informed. Obi-Wan blinked. She was being completely serious; she wasn't smirking, and all amusement had fled her eyes.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked, confused. "What do you mean?" Adrina rolled her eyes.
"You weren't doing it right." Adrina clarified. Obi-Wan frowned.
"How?" Adrina gestured to the part.
"It's a simple mistake, really, and many people make it all the time." Adrina gave him a small genuine smile. "Don't feel too bad, Jedi."
"But what mistake did I make?"
"Watch," Adrina replied. Obi-Wan's blue eyes nearly popped out of his head in horror when Adrina slammed her hand down on the hyperdrive. It slid down easily, landing with a metallic clatter.
"What do you think you're doing?" Obi-Wan exclaimed, horrified, tearing Adrina away. "You could have broken that!" Adrina's eyes flashed, setting her jaw.
"Why would I intentionally damage a part that my brother could have killed himself getting?" Adrina demanded in a low, cold voice. "That hyperdrive is in perfect working order. It's sturdy, and made for strain, just like the rest of this ship. This is a Nubian J-type; they're not cheap, but they're worth every credit. It will take more than a light tap to even make a scratch in it."
Obi-Wan stared, open-mouthed, at the woman. "A light tap?" Obi-Wan echoed, incredulous. The look Adrina gave him was nothing short of patronizing.
"Indeed. I did not put all that much force behind it." Adrina responded. Her tone was even, but it still held an acerbic sting. Obi-Wan slowly shook his head, still in shock. Adrina smirked, pulling away from Obi-Wan. "But feel free to inspect it with your discerning eyes." Obi-Wan knew he was being insulted then.
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Huttese Translation:
"Bonapa keesa pateeso, o wanna meetee chobodd." ~ "Better stop your friends betting or I'll end up owning him, too."