Chapter 6: Sebulba and Sandstorms

Qui-Gon led his companions through the plaza toward the main avenue. At a place where two buildings divided to form a shadowed niche, the Jedi Master moved everyone from view and brought out his comlink from beneath his poncho.

When Obi-Wan responded to the comlink's pulse, Qui-Gon quickly filled him in on the situation. "Are you sure there isn't anything of value left on board?" he concluded.

There was a pause at the other end. "A few containers of supplies, the Queen's wardrobe, some jewelry maybe. Not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about."

"All right," Qui-Gon responded with a frown. "Another solution will present itself. I'll check back."

He tucked the comlink beneath his poncho and signaled to the others. He was moving toward the street again when Jar Jar grabbed his arm.

"Noah gain, sire," the Gungan pleaded. "Da beings hereabouts crazy nuts. We goen be robbed and crunched!"

"Not likely," Qui-Gon replied with a sigh, freeing himself. "We have nothing of value. That's our problem."

They started back down the street as Jar Jar began to lag behind. He hurried to catch up to his companions, but then caught sight of a string of frogs hanging from a wire in front of a nearby stall. The Gungan slowed, his mouth watering. He glanced around to see if anyone was looking, then unfurled his long tongue and snapped up one of the frogs. The frog disappeared into Jar Jar's mouth in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, the frog was still securely tied to the wire. Jar Jar stood there, the wire hanging out of his mouth, unable to move.

The vendor in charge of the stall rushed out. "Hey, that will be seven truguts!"

Jar Jar glanced frantically down the street for his companions, but they were already out of sight. In desperation, he let go of the frog. The frog popped out of his mouth as if catapulted, winging away at the end of the taut wire. It ricocheted this way and that, breaking free at last to land directly in a Dug's soup, splashing gooey liquid all over him. The gangly Dug leapt to his feet in fury, catching sight of the hapless Jar Jar as he tried to move away from the frog vendor. Springing across the table on all fours, he was on top of the Gungan in an instant, grabbing him by the throat.

"Chubba! You!" the Dug snarled as he shoved the frog in the Gungan's face. "Is this yours?"

Jar Jar could not get any words out, gasping for breath, fighting to break free. The Dug threw Jar Jar to the ground, shouting at him, hovering over him in a crouch. "No, no," he moaned. "Why me always da one?"

"Because you're afraid," a voice answered calmly.

Anakin and Dawn pushed their way through the crowd, coming up to stand next to the Dug. "Chess ko, Sebulba," Anakin said. "Careful. This one's very well connected."

Sebulba turned to face Anakin and Dawn, cruel face twisting with disdain as he caught sight of the newcomers. "Tooney rana dunko, shag?" he snapped.

Anakin shrugged. "Connected-as in Hutt," he said as his fixed the Dug and saw a hint of fear in the other's face.

"Big-time connected, this one, Sebulba." Dawn added.

"I'd hate to see you diced before we had a chance to race again," Anakin said.

The Dug spit in fury. "Neek me chawa! Next time we race, wermo, it will be the end of you!" He gestured violently. "Uto notu wo shag! If you and your sister weren't slaves, I'd squash you both here and now!" With a final glare at the cringing Jar Jar, Sebulba wheeled away, taking his companions with him.

Anakin stared after the Dug. "Yeah, it'd be a pity if you had to pay for us," Anakin said softly.

Dawn shook her head. "Ani do you really have to rile everyone up today?"

"Only one more to go for today," Anakin said trying to tickle her.

Dawn laughed trying to get away from Anakin before they both moved to help Jar Jar back to his feet. Just then Qui-Gon, Padme, and R2-D2 reappeared hurriedly through the crowd.

"Hi!" Anakin greeted them cheerfully. "Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug."

"Nossir, nossir!" the chagrined Gungan insisted, brushing off dust and sand. "Me hate crunchen. Tis da last thing me want!"

Dawn nodded, "Yeah. He almost as he said got crunchen. Sebulba would easily have turned him into orange goo."

Qui-Gon gave Jar Jar a careful once-over, glanced around at the crowd, and took the Gungan by the arm. "Nevertheless, the boy and the girl saved you from a beating. You have a penchant for finding trouble, Jar Jar." He gave Anakin and Dawn a short nod. "Thank you, my young friends."

"Me doen nutten!" Jar Jar insisted.

"You were afraid," Anakin told him. "Fear attracts the fearful. Sebulba was trying to overcome his fear by squashing you. You can help yourself by being less afraid."

"And that works for you?" Padme asked skeptically.

Anakin smiled and shrugged. "Well...up to a point."

Dawn nodded, "Up to a point. I've been lucky so far I haven't had any Tuesdays yet."

Padme looks at Dawn confused. "Tuesdays?"

Dawn sighed. "Ask Buffy, she will know what I mean by Tuesday." She looked toward the horizon and shook her head at what she saw, a Sandstorm, "Ani we have to get inside. Sandstorm is coming."

Anakin looked at Dawn and then followed her gaze to the horizon and nodded. "Do you guys have shelter?" he asked Qui-Gon.

The Jedi Master nodded. "We'll head back to our ship. Thank you again, my young friends, for-"

"Is your ship far?" Anakin interrupted hurriedly. All around them, shopkeepers and vendors were closing and shuttering windows and doors, carrying goods and wares inside, wrapping coverings over displays and boxes.

"It's on the city's outskirts," Padme answered, turning away from the stinging gusts of sand.

Dawn sighed. "You won't make it in time. I've only been on Tatooine for a year and a half. But I've come to learn that sandstorms are deadly fast. You won't make it to your ship in time if it's out on the outskirts."

"You can wait it out at our home. It's not far. Our mom won't mind. Hurry!" Anakin said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

The sandstorm raged through the streets of Mos Espa in as Anakin and Dawn led their charges through the gritty gloom to their front door and pushed their way inside.

"Mom! Mom! We're home!" Anakin called excitedly.

Jar Jar Binks looked around with a mix of curiosity and relief. "Tis cozy," he murmured.

Shmi entered from a work area off to one side, brushing her hands on her dress. She smiled at Anakin and Dawn as she greeted them, but the smile faded quickly as she caught sight of the people behind them.

"Oh, my!" Shmi exclaimed softly, glancing uncertainly from face to face. "Ani, Dawn, what's this?"

Dawn sighed, "It's alright mom. Their friends who couldn't get back to their ship before the sandstorm hit."

Anakin smiled at Padme. "This is Padme Naberrie. And this is-" He stopped. "Gee, I guess I don't know any of your names," he admitted.

Qui-Gon stepped forward. "I'm Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is Jar Jar Binks." He indicated the Gungan.

The R2 unit made a small beep.

"And our droid, Artoo-Detoo," Padme finished.

"I'm building a droid," Anakin announced quickly. "You wanna see?"

"Anakin! Dawn!" Shmi's voice stopped Anakin in his tracks. "Anakin, Dawn, why are they here?"

Dawn sighed, "There's a sandstorm, Mom. Listen."

Shmi glanced at the door, then out the windows. The wind howled past, a river of sand and grit.

"Your son and daughter were kind enough to offer us shelter," Qui-Gon explained. "We met at the shop where they work."

"Come on!" Anakin insisted, grabbing Padme's hand. "Let me show you my droid."

Dawn rolled her eyes as Anakin led Padme and R2-D2 toward his bedroom.

"I'm Shmi Skywalker," Shmi said, holding out her hand. "Anakin, Dawn and I are pleased to have you as our guests."

Qui-Gon had already appraised the situation and determined what was needed. He reached under his poncho and pulled five small capsules from a pouch in his belt. "I know this is unexpected. Take these. There's enough food for a meal."

Shmi accepted the capsules. "Thank you." Her eyes lifted and lowered again. "Thank you very much. I'm sorry if I was abrupt. I'll never get used to Anakin or Dawn's surprises, I guess."

"He's a very special boy, as is your daughter," Qui-Gon offered as Dawn blushed at the compliment.

"Yes," Shmi said softly, "I know." She turned to Dawn. "Dawn, why don't you help me with dinner."

Dawn nodded and followed her mother into the kitchen. They used the food capsules Qui-Gon had given Shmi to prepare dinner for them. Then they and their guests sat down to eat short while after.

Qui-Gon and Dawn occupied the ends of the table, while Anakin, Jar Jar, Padme, and Shmi sat at its sides. Anakin, in the way of small boys, began talking about life as a slave.

Shmi, more protective of her son's station, was making an effort to help their guests appreciate the severity of their situation.

"All slaves have transmitters placed inside their bodies," Shmi was explaining.

"Well not all, Mom. Remember I had a collar when I first arrived." Dawn said. "Before Watto had the transmitter implanted."

Shmi nodded. "You're right, Dawn."

"I've been working on a scanner to try to locate our transmitters, but so far no luck," Anakin said solemnly.

Shmi smiled. "Any attempt at escape..."

"...and they blow you up!" Anakin finished. "Poof!"

Padme looked at Shmi. "I can't believe slavery is still permitted in the galaxy. The Republic's antislavery laws should-"

"The Republic doesn't exist out here," Dawn interrupted quickly. "If it did I might have been able to find Buffy a long time ago."

Shmi looked at her daughter with sympathy as she knew Dawn missed her biological sister. She then looked back at Padme. "We must survive on our own."

There was an awkward silence as Padme looked away, not knowing what else to say.

"Have you ever seen a Podrace?" Anakin asked, trying to ease her discomfort.

Padme shook her head no. She glanced at Shmi and Dawn, noting the sudden concern on both of their faces.

Jar Jar launched his tongue at a morsel of food nestled deep in a serving bowl at the far end of the table, deftly plucking it out, drawing it in, swallowing it, and smacking his lips in satisfaction. "Ewww. That's not polite table manners," Dawn remarked.

"They have Podracing on Malastare," Qio-Gon observed. "Very fast, very dangerous."

Anakin grinned. "I'm the only human who can do it!" A sharp glance from both Shmi and Dawn wiped the grin from his face. "Mom, Dawnie, what? I'm not bragging. It's true! Watto says he's never heard of a human doing it."

Qui-Gon studied him carefully. "You must have Jedi reflexes if you race Pods."

Anakin smiled broadly at the compliment. Jar Jar's tongue snaked toward the serving bowl in an effort to snare another morsel, but this time Dawn was waiting, her hand moved swiftly, and in a heartbeat she had secured the Gungan's tongue between her thumb and forefinger. Jar Jar froze, his mouth open, his tongue held fast, his eyes wide.

"I said that's not polite table manners," Dawn said before releasing Jar Jar's tongue.

The Gungan frowned at her, "How wude," he said.

Qui-Gon looked at Dawn thinking she to had to have Jedi reflexes to have caught the Gungan's tongue that quickly.

"I ... I was wondering something," Anakin said, hesitantly to Qui-Gon. "You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?"

Dawn's eyes went wide as she looked at Qui-Gon. She had heard stories of the Jedi from spacers that came into Mos Espa. While she believed the Jedi were real, she figured most of the stories she had heard were overblown.

"What makes you think that?" Qui-Gon asked.

Anakin swallowed. "I saw your lightsaber. Only Jedi Knights carry that kind of weapon."

Qui-Gon leaned back slowly in his chair and smiled. "Perhaps I killed a Jedi and stole it from him."

Anakin shook his head quickly. "I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi."

Qui-Gon's smile faded and there was a hint of sadness in his dark eyes. "I wish that were so ..."

"I had a dream I was a Jedi," Anakin said quickly. "I came back here and freed all the slaves. I dreamed it just the other night, when I was out in the desert. Have you come to free us?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not ..." He trailed off, hesitating.

"I think you have," Anakin insisted. "Why else would you be here?"

Shmi was about to say something, to chastise her son for his impudence perhaps, but Qui-Gon spoke first. "I can see there's no fooling you, Anakin. But you mustn't let anyone know about us. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission. It must be kept secret."

Anakin's eyes widened. "Coruscant? Wow! How did you end up out here in the Outer Rim?"

"Our ship was damaged," Padme answered him. "We're stranded here until we can repair it."

"I can help!" Anakin announced quickly. "I can fix anything!"

Qui-Gon smiled at his enthusiasm. "I believe you can, but our first task, as you know from our visit to Watto's shop, is to acquire the parts we need."

"Wit nutten ta trade," Jar Jar pointed out sourly.

Padme looked at Qui-Gon speculatively. "These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind."

"Gambling," Dawn said as she and Shmi rose and began clearing the table of dishes.

"Everything in Mos Espa revolves around betting on those awful Podraces." Shmi added.

Qui-Gon rose, walked to the window, and stared out through the thick, diffuse glass at the clouds of windblown sand. "Podracing," he mused. "Greed can be a powerful ally, if it's used properly."

Anakin leapt to his feet. "I've built a racer!" he declared triumphantly. His face shone with pride. "It's the fastest ever! There's a big race day after tomorrow, on Boonta Eve. You could enter my Pod! It's all but finished-"

"Anakin, settle down!" Shmi said sharply, cutting him short. Her eyes were bright with concern. "Watto won't let you race!"

"Watto doesn't have to know the racer is mine!" Anakin replied quickly. He turned back to Qui-Gon. "You could make him think it was yours! You could get him to let me pilot it for you!"

Qui-Gon had caught the look in Dawn and Shrni's eyes. He met Shmi's gaze and then Dawn's, silently acknowledging their consternation, and waited patiently for one of them to respond.

"I don't want you to race, Ani," Shmi said quietly. "It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it. Every time."

Dawn sighed. "I agree with mom. I worry about you, Ani. I worry that I will lose another sibling someday because you don't come back from those awful races."

Anakin bit his lip. "But, Mom, Dawnie, I love it!" He gestured at Qui-Gon. "And they need my help. They're in trouble. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."

Jar Jar nodded in support. "We in kinda bad goo."

Qui-Gon walked over to Anakin and looked down at him. "Your mother and sister are right. Let's drop the matter." He held the boy's gaze for a moment, and then turned back to his mother abd sister. "Do you know of anyone friendly to the Republic who might be able to help us?"

Shmi stood silent and unmoving as she thought the matter through. She shook her head no.

"We have to help them, Dawnie, Mom," Anakin insisted. "Remember what you said, Mom? You said the biggest problem in the universe is that no one helps anyone."

Shmi sighed. "Anakin, don't-"

"But you said it, Mom." The boy refused to back down, his eyes locked on hers.

Shrni made no response this time, her brow fur-rowed, her body still.

"I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger," Padme said suddenly, uncomfortable with the confrontation they had brought about between mother and son as well as sister and brother, trying to ease the tension. "We will find another way..."

Dawn looked to Shmi seeing that the woman was deep in thought. And then looked at Anakin. And something deep down within her told her that Anakin was right. "Mom as much as I hate to say this, I think Ani is right. He can help them, he was meant to help them."

Shmi looked at Dawn knowing she was right.