Anakin quickly attempted to recover, even as he tried to process this new information. Was he truly given a second chance?
"Forgive me, I feel… disoriented today, and as such I may say things with little to no meaning. What brings you to such a place, milady?" Anakin asked, not realizing that not only was he not using speech a nine-year old slave would use, but he called her milady, a phrase he used in jest as a term of affection for her… when they were in a relationship.
"Oh, we need parts for a Nubian J-type 327."
"A diplomatic ship?"
"How did you know that?"
"I am both a mechanic and pilot. If there is anything I know, it is starships."
"How did someone as young as you wind up working in a place like this?"
"Gardulla the Hutt lost my mother and I gambling."
"You're slaves?"
"Yes. Though I hope to change that, of course."
Anakin spent the rest of the time chatting with his love, until Qui-Gon returned from negotiating with Watto, causing them to say their goodbyes. Thankfully, Watto dismissed him as well, so he immediately began looking for her once again.
He caught up with them, just in time to catch their Gungan companion eyeing a hanging gorg, a amphibian that was often sold as food. Anakin lunged as soon as the Gungan extended his tongue towards it, grabbing the appendage mid-flight. Anakin used it to pull the Gungan down to eye level.
"You know, Watto just told me that you don't have any of the local currency. Did that mean that you were intending on committing theft in broad daylight? There are those who take offense to such things. Most notably, the Hutts, who would do far worse than grab your tongue if they caught you stealing from someone who pays their protection fees." Anakin lectured, glaring into the amphibian's eyes.
"Thank you for that warning, young one. Now, if you would be so kind as to release him?" Qui-Gon intervened.
"As you wish." Anakin stated, then released the tongue, which snapped back into the Gungan's struggling head.
"A Jedi would consider themselves fortunate to be blessed with the reflexes you have." Qui-Gon continued.
"Jedi do not have a monopoly on quickness, sir."
"Of course not." Qui-Gon agreed.
"I suppose if you are that desperate for a meal, I suppose I could get you a few pallies. Follow me." Anakin sighed, as he reached into a pocket and withdrew one of the aforementioned fruits and tossing it to the Gungan.
It took no time at all to find a stall, manned by an old woman, who sold more of them. After completing the purchase she said "Ani, my bones are achin'. There's a storm coming. You'd best get home quick."
"I see. My thanks." He replied.
"Is your ship far?" Anakin asked, turning to Qui-Gon.
"It is on the outskirts."
"That is too far. Come with me."
By the time they made it to the dwelling, the sandstorm picked up to the point they needed to shield their faces with their arms.
"Mother, I'm home. And I have brought guests. I apologize for the lack of warning."
"It's no trouble. And who are your friends?"
"I am Qui-Gon Jinn. Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter from the storm."
While the two 'adults' were talking, Anakin sidled to Padmè, and opened with "I am currently building a droid, if you would like to see it."
"I would, thank you, Anakin."
"It is a protocol droid, named C-3PO, unfortunately, it lacks plating." Anakin says, reactivating the droid, making sure to plug in the missing optical sensor.
"I am also in the process of constructing a podracer."
"I'm impressed. Say, have you ever considered...leaving?"
"Of course. But it is not so simple. Each slave has a tracking device, that doubles as an explosive. If they go off the grid… they don't live long enough to regret it."
"That's horrible! How does this even happen? The Republic Anti-slavery laws…"
Anakin snorts in derision.
"Tatooine has even less use for the Republic's laws than it does its currency. Laws do nothing if you are too weak to enforce them."
Padmè was silent at that.
"Anakin! Dinner!" Shmi called.
Dinner began as a quiet affair, until Shmi asked her guests what their business on Tatooine was.
Qui-Gon was quick to explain that they were on a mission to Coruscant when their ship was damaged.
"I'm afraid we're stranded here unless we can get those parts." Qui-Gon finished explaining.
"I can get them for you, if you enter my podracer in the next race." Anakin offered.
"Anakin! No! I die every time I see you in one of those races!"
"Mother, piloting is an activity I enjoy, and if it helps them in the process, then there is no reason to not try. Have faith in my skill."
"Pod racing is incredibly difficult. It would take a Jedi's reflexes to do so."
"As you carry a Lightsaber, I suppose you would know."
"A lightsaber? Mister Jinn, are you a Jedi?" Shmi asked.
"A lightsaber isn't proof that the carrier is a Jedi. I could have killed one and taken it."
Anakin scoffed.
"Easier said than done."
"You speak as if you have experience in the matter, my young friend."
"A child such as I? Kill a Jedi? Don't be ridiculous."
"Yes, I suppose it would be. As ridiculous as, let's say, time travel." Qui-Gon looked at Anakin, pointedly.
"That is remarkably absurd."
"Yes, I thought so too."
After dinner, Anakin stood on the balcony, overlooking Mos Espa.
"I am surprised to see that Obi-Wan and I are not the only ones going through this...ordeal." Qui-Gon said, conversationally, as he joined Anakin on the balcony.
"Obi-Wan is in the same situation? If he is, what could possibly be the pattern for this...event? It is strange enough that you and I are afflicted."
"I have a theory about that, actually. I believe it was due to the fact that we became one with the Force."
"I would think I would recall having done that."
"Actually, It was a rather...smooth transition, surprisingly. I would not be surprised if you didn't notice at first. So, I assume you want to bring the end of the Sith?"
"I want to protect those I care for. Luke, Padme, my mother… And if doing so involves the murder of the man who took them from me in the first place, I will lose no sleep."
"I see." Qui-Gon withdrew a comlink , and spoke into it. "Obi-Wan, would you find a quiet place to talk? We need to have a private discussion."
"I am able to speak freely, Master Jinn."
"Anakin's with us."
"...That is...good. Astonishing, but good."
"So, what is our plan? Other than having Anakin rejoin the Jedi, of course."
"I. Will. Not." Anakin said, firmly.
Qui-Gon looked at him, puzzled.
"First of all, I have always chafed under the rules of the Jedi. It was what ultimately led to my fall. Two decades as a Sith Lord have not helped that. Second of all, I have single handedly butchered at least half of the people there. If the first reason was not enough to ensure my descent back into the dark, the guilt would. My son did not go through all that he did to help me escape the clutches of the Sith, just for me to go back into it the second his back was turned."
"You have a point. I apologise."
"As for my plans… well, there are four things I am good at. Engineering, Commanding, Swordsmanship, and Piloting. Whatever I will do, it will have to utilize those skill sets in order to work." Anakin pondered.
"Could we usurp control of the Clones? Or make our own?" Obi-Wan speculated.
"No. If the Emperor so much as suspects things are not going to plan, he will instill countless failsafes and contingencies, if not come up with another plan entirely. If he does so, we lose our strongest advantage-foresight. Besides, commissioning an army of our own would take resources we couldn't even fathom, much less muster without anyone's knowledge."
"On that scale? Possibly. What about a smaller scale?" Qui-Gon asked.
"We need recruits that are loyal to the cause, willing to wait long periods of time without action without letting their skills degrade, and able to keep their mouth shut. So, mercenaries are out. Planetary militias are too lax, and far too noticeable. I will see if I can earn the loyalty of the Noghri once more, but my success is not guaranteed, and even if I can manage it, They will not be enough on their own." Anakin replied.
"What about droids?" Obi-Wan brainstormed.
"Ones capable of replacing the Clone army? Droids like that do not-"
A thought struck.
"We will need mineral rights to Gromas 16. It has a metal known as phrikite. We will need it."
"You have an idea?"
"Yes. Dark Troopers."