Travien awoke the next morning to the now familiar feeling of Padmé half on top of him. He smiled ruefully and embraced this feeling while he had the chance. He knew that it would likely not last long. She would see his true self, that which he didn't display on Naboo or in front or her. He sighed slightly as he thought of that. He used the Force to make sure Padmé didn't get jostled as he slid out of his bed, which was admittedly a thick blanket on the floor, but he was grateful for it.

He gently put Padmé down and listened as she shuffled slightly trying to get comfortable. Travien had been trying to suppress his darker instincts and knew that he was failing. It wasn't that he was addicted to the Dark Side, because he knew that he wasn't. It was his blindness. It was a constant reminder that the Jedi had driven his parents away, had forced them to turn to the Dark Side. That in order to have any kind of life they had to sacrifice everything thy ever believed in. It was enough to drive him into a rage.

He stepped over to the corner of the room and bent down to pick up his armour. The black armour and plates had been his companion for many years, despite being periodically expanded when he grew. For the first time since landing on Tatooine he not only put on his armour, but his helmet as well. He wasn't sure if Force sensitive were allowed in the race but he didn't much care. He stepped out of the room and found that everyone else was awake although he couldn't see Qui-Gon, including Eirtaé and Rabé who were waiting for him.

Travien smiled under his mask, "Ladies, I'm glad to see you, metaphorically speaking of course." They smiled at his self deprecating joke.

Eirtaé smiled at him, "It's good to see you too, My Lord."

Travien flinched, "Just Travien for now girls. Baron Shan if you must."

They looked at each other, puzzled, "Alright, Travien. We finished the banner for you, shall we show you?" They moved to unfurl it when Travien raised a hand,

"That's okay, I trust your work, girls. I need to get Padmé up and get the pod to the garage. I'll go and wake Padmé up now." He left the room and headed back to where Padmé was sleeping. He crouched down beside her after entering the room and removing his mask. He lightly kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear,

"Padmé, it's time to wake up, love." He said gently,

Padmé rolled over and looked up at him, she frowned slightly, "Why are you already dressed? Are you okay?"

Travien nodded with a slight smile, "I have a lot on my mind. Come on, we have a lot to do today." Padmé nodded, slightly worried for him. She got up and dressed fairly quickly, Travien having turned around so that he didn't feel like a pervert. They soon went out into the kitchen where everyone else was and sat down. Travien looked around. Everyone seemed grim or nervous. He breathed deeply,

"Okay, let's get this all moving so that we don't miss the race, okay?"

They all nodded except for Padmé, "Wait, who's going to be the flag bearer?"

Eirtaé spoke up, "The handmaidens thought it should be me. I'll draw the least attention of all of us and I'm one of Travien's students." Padmé nodded slowly, but spoke up, "No, Eirtaé, I'll bear the flag. You stay close to me on case there is trouble, but the flag is mine." The handmaiden nodded nervously.

As they left the house Eirtaé sidled up to Padmé, "Milady, what's wrong with Lord Shan?"

Padmé sighed, "He's losing the battle with his instincts. You know as well as I do that he is suppressing his more violent instincts for me, so that I don't leave him or anything else, right?" Eirtaé nodded,

"Well unfortunately there is a fight coming. There's another Sith on Tatooine and he's certain that he's going to have to fight it, soon enough. He's afraid that he'll lose control of some of his darker instincts and drive me away."

Eirtaé nodded more slowly this time, "What do you plan to do?"

Padmé shrugged, "What can I do? I know he won't hurt me, I know he won't harm Naboo. I love him, all of him. When the time comes I will have to show him that. I wish I were a little older but I will have to be patient."

Eirtaé nodded sadly, "How long do you think this fight will take?"

Padmé thought for a moment, "Oh, when the race ends, I'd say." She looked around for a moment, "Hey, does anyone know where Qui-Gon is?"

Shmi turned around, "He went on ahead, said something about talking to Watto."

Travien groaned, "Oh, gods. I knew I should have locked him in the bloody house."

Padmé looked at him, "Surely it's not that bad?"

Travien looked at her flatly, "My love, I now knows why the Jedi Order has very little money. The reason is that Qui-Gon Gin has the negotiating ability of a three year old. He doesn't haggle, he just gives." Travien shook his head and carried on. Padmé looked at the others and shrugged. It took some time but they finally reached the garage. Upon entering they were confronted by Watto, who turned to Anakin,

"You might want to stop your friend from making bets, or I'm going to end up owning him, too." Both Anakin and Travien looked confused by that statement and had an opportunity to ask when Qui-Gon arrived a moment later.

Anakin looked to the older Jedi, "What did he mean by that?"

"Never you mind. Let's just get ready for the race, alright?" he said whilst helping Anakin down from the animal he was riding on. Travien jumped down, as did Padmé and Eirtaé. They took a look around briefly before speaking to Qui-Gon,

"Why do I get the feeling that you've been making more deals?" asked Travien,

Qui-Gon shrugged, "I have no idea. You do what you need to do and I shall do what I need to do."

Travien shrugged, it wasn't really important to him what the Jedi did. He just wanted to keep track of the movements of people around Padmé. He followed the pod out onto the track and decided to wait with it. He sat in the pod and entered into a form of meditation that allowed him to keep and eye on the world around him and control his emotions at the same time. He watched as the nasty looking dug, Sebulba, tried to sabotage the pod's engine but every time he reached for it, Travien pushed him away. It was his brief moment of fun. Eventually the Dug got bored and Travien decided to listen to the announcements.

"Well this is news to us, Lades and Gentlemen. We have a new racer on the track. Will this newcomer be able to hold up with the pros?"

Travien watched as the flag parade began and sat up in his chair as he saw Padmé of all people bearing his flag. He had no idea that they had switched. The flag itself consisted of a small red circle in the centre. The circle was flanked on either side by two large half kite shapes with a dividing line at the midsection. This image was surrounded by a red circular band. The rest of the flag was pure black.

Jabba the Hutt's eyes widened. That symbol was pure legend among the Hutts. The owners of that symbol were long dead. Whoever was using it would either be interesting or had to die. Some things were just not worth stirring up. He sent a few of his men to bring the racer to him after the race.

Travien sat in his racer and smiled. It had helped him a great deal to see Padmé carrying that flag. Maybe there was hope after all. She knew what that symbol meant anyway. The flag parade was soon over and the race was about to begin. Travien extended his senses as far as he could and began looking slightly into the future. He was dismayed to see that his podracer would falter on the starting line. He was even more dismayed just after the starting sound when his podracer actually faltered.

Travien worked quickly and restarted the racer with little problem. He took off and for the first time he understood why so many people loved podracing. He revelled in the speed he was going. He was also wary; the images of the future were overlaid on the images of the present, which made things difficult to tell apart. It was like a shadow of a turn would flow seamlessly into the turn itself whilst becoming another image at the same time.

The ride was thrilling in itself. The crowd gasped as he swerved his racer to dodge a bullet fire by a camping Tusken. They were confused as to how he knew the shot was coming. Travien ignored everything else and focused on the track. His face twisted in concentration as he fought to separate the present and the near future. He swerved around another racer who was going too slow and noticed that the line was coming up. That meant he had already completed a lap. Travien frowned, he was too far behind. He suddenly snorted, I'm a Sith Lord, why the hell am I playing fair? He began using the Force to create a funnel in front of the podracer, effectively giving him his own slipstream. Travien grinned as the pod sped up.

On the sidelines Padmé frowned. Qui-Gon looked around and spoke quietly, "Is there a problem, your highness?"

Padmé nodded distractedly, "Travien's cheating. Not only is he seeing what happens before it happens he's used the Force to speed up the racer. Why on earth would he feel the need to do that?"

Qui-Gon shrugged, "It is hardly the nature of the Sith to accede to the rules of a sport."

Padmé glared, "Nature or not, Travien would hardly feel the need to be so blunt in normal circumstances."

Qui-Gon stared at her, "If I may ask, milady. How is it that you are so at ease with him being a Sith? They are extremely dangerous."

Padmé sighed, "I checked his history. While Revan and Bastila Shan did have history in the Republic, Travien doesn't. Given his knowledge of certain artefacts from the time period I believe him to be telling the truth. The fact that he has willingly taught myself and two others to use the Force without converting us to the Sith ways lends credence to the belief that he is no threat to Naboo."

Qui-Gon huffed, "He may be no threat to Naboo, your highness, but what of the rest of the galaxy?"

Padmé smirked, "The only people Travien has a problem with are the Jedi and the current Sith. If your lot don't provoke him into doing something rash then you'll be fine."

Travien was already in the beginning stretch of the third lap and increased the speed of the podracer slightly. Anakin had briefly warned him not to push it to hard but he had no choice. He could see Sebulba up ahead and he knew that the Dug was leading the field. He darted through the remaining racers and quickly caught up with the irritating creature and his hulking excuse for a racer.

They threw the racers about, Sebulba trying to ram Travien off of the track and Travien avoiding him. Travien was almost in the lead until they came to the canyon section and he was forced onto a service ramp. He snarled briefly but maintained the cone of energy in front of him. He briefly thought about his options,

There's no way I can let him win. I wonder what happens if no-one crosses the finish line. He shook his head; Padmé would get upset about that. Oh well, I suppose there is that option. Maybe I should land on his head?

Travien accelerated up the ramp and performed a quick control thrust. Unfortunately Anakin hadn't built in a control system for the repulsorlift. He glided the racer down the other side of the ramp, which incidentally was cliff face, and landed back on the track. He came as close as he could to landing on Sebulba's head but he had more important things to worry about.

Travien smiled, he was on the last stretch and about to win. His happiness was dashed when Sebulba came right up beside him. The angry Dug rammed into the side of his racer and accidentally hooked the two together. They both struggled for a few moments when Travien remembered what Sebulba had done earlier in throwing something into another racer's engines. Travien smirked at the Dug and waved. Sebulba looked confused and Travien aimed a concentrated Force push at the engines of the oversized podracer.

He chuckled as Sebulba's craft was violently ripped away from his own and slammed down the throttle. He passed through the finish line and brought his racer around sharply. He drew to a stop at the edge of the track and got out to see everyone waiting for him. He saw Padmé looking at him curiously, no doubt wondering about his use of the Force. He walked up to them slowly and Padmé grinned and ran up to him, hugging him,

"You did it! Oh thank you, you did it, you won!" she said happily, whilst wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug.

The others walked up to him, Qui-Gon frowned, "I cannot say I approve of your use of the Force to win this race."

Travien shrugged. He couldn't get rid of the grin on his face. Padmé had seen him cheat and she didn't care, despite the potentially lethal nature of his attack,

"I cannot honestly say I care. What I am interested in is that we can get sorted and go home."

As he was saying this, several heavily armed Gamorreans accompanying a green Twi-lek. The Twi-lek walked up to the group of celebrating people.

"Greetings racer, Jabba has requested an audience with you." He said.

Travien knew this could be good or bad and turned to the others, "Our group, or just myself?"

The spokesman thought for a moment, "You and your flag bearer. There are questions that need to be answered."

Travien nodded and turned to Qui-Gon, "Do not approach Watto until I am with you, I have business of my own with the dealer, understood?"

Qui-Gon bristled, "I hardly take orders from you."

Padmé glared at the man, there was more going on here than his Jedi pride, "No, but you will take them from me. Stay away from the dealer until we return." Qui-Gon bowed stiffly as Padmé and Travien were led away by the unknown Twi-lek.

Padmé turned to Travien, "Why did we just order Qui-Gon to stay away from Watto?"

Travien smiled lightly, "I had a look through Watto's mind when we saw him earlier. Our Jedi friend gambled Anakin's freedom against the podracer. If I had lost the match then we would also lose the racer. As I won, Anakin goes free."

Padmé frowned, "But what about Shmi? Does she go free as well?"

Travien shook his head, "No she doesn't. The Jedi tried but he was unsuccessful in attaining her freedom. I anticipated this. She was not his primary objective here. I suspected that he would make an honest effort but not put himself out that much."

Padmé sighed, "So what business do you have with Watto?"

Travien smirked, "Well, Watto was right about one thing. I have no use for the prize money in the Republic, and I sure as hell have no intention of ever coming back to Tatooine."

Padmé looked thoughtful for a second and then her head snapped up, "You're going to buy her freedom, aren't you?"

Travien nodded, "I'm taking the long view."

Padmé chuckled. They continued on in silence as the twi-lek led them though the dank but fairly well lit passage ways of the main building. They were soon led into a large room with a Hutt, who appeared to be holding court. There was another Hutt in the room who looked less than pleased. He walked up to the one in the centre as it was probably the most important,

"I assume it was you who wanted to speak with us." He stated calmly,

Jabba nodded, "You are a talented racer. Yet you play a dangerous game, a game I doubt you know you are playing." Travien raised an eyebrow at the Hutt's monologue, "That banner you display is old. It also has the power to destabilize everything that I have built here. I demand an explanation."

Travien became angry, how dare this Hutt criticize him for flying his parent's banner.

"I hardly need to explain myself to you, Hutt." Jabba growled and waved a hand. Several guards broke away from the walls and approached them. One of them laid a hand on Padmé's shoulder. Travien snarled and picked up all of the guards by their throats and slammed them against the walls, holding them there as they struggled for air. He turned his attention back to the Hutt in front of him,

"That was a foolish mistake, weakling." Several sickening cracks were heard around the room and Padmé looked to see the guards heads lolling and realised that Travien had just broken their necks with a mere thought. She wondered how often he had had to hold back during training. What was almost terrifying was that he had not yet released his hold on his aura and his concentration was divided at least a dozen ways. Their last sparring match was entirely for her benefit, she could never have won.

"Your guards should have kept their hands to themselves. Now, what is your name, Hutt?"

Jabba cringed back as Travien let the dead guards fall to the ground. Travien grew impatient when the Hutt didn't answer him and picked him up with the Force. He threw the Hutt against the wall,

"YOUR NAME!!" he roared,

"Jabba, my name is Jabba Desilijic Tiure."

Travien released him and the overgrown slug fell to the ground with a thump, "Remember this Jabba Desilijic Tiure, a Sith Lord does not answer to the likes of you. My name is Darth Shan and the banner I flew at the race was the banner of my parents, Revan and Bastila. Inform those who occupy your circles that the Lord of the Star Forge has returned."

Jabba bowed for a moment, making himself look like some obscene weeble, "Is there anything else you require of me, my lord?"

Travien smirked at his sudden subservience and thought for a moment, "Yes, there is, Jabba. I have declared the world of Naboo to be under my protection, as well as that of the Republic. The Trade Federation has made a foolish mistake in attacking that world as the families of all three of my apprentices live there. I suggest you advise your business associates to draw away from them immediately."

Jabba's eyes widened, "Three apprentices?! I thought a Sith only took one apprentice."

Travien snorted, "The pretender Sith would no doubt do just that. My exile seems to have taken its toll on my people. They will be brought to heel soon enough. Cross me again Hutt and you will not be so fortunate as to die." The Hutt nodded. Travien frowned for a moment and looked at Padmé. He did something he hadn't done before and reached out with his mind,

'Padmé, can you hear me? Think the words of your answer.'

Padmé nodded, shocked, 'Yes Travien I can hear you. What do you need?'

'I think that revealing your name and status to this Hutt would be advantageous to us, not only now but later.'

Padmé looked at him intensely, 'I thought you were training me as a neutral. Now you call me your apprentice.'

Travien sighed, 'In the archaic term you are. Think of it along the lines of apprentice carpenter or blacksmith. You are a student learning from a Master of an Art or Skill. Let others draw the conclusions that will most aid us.'

Padmé nodded and Travien turned back to Jabba, "In fact I will even give you a distinct honour. I would like you to meet the most powerful of my apprentices." Padmé stepped forward, "I present Queen Amidala of the Naboo." Jabba's eyes opened hysterically wide as he weeble bowed again, this time to Padmé.

Padmé could hear Travien's voice in the back of her head, 'Incline your head slowly and slightly. Acknowledge his deference but remember that he is beneath you.'

Padmé inclined her head slightly as Travien instructed her and raised it again. As she did so Jabba rolled up from his bow,

"It is an honour to meet you, milady." He intoned,

Padmé repeated the words that Travien spoke into the back of her mind, "Yes, it is. I know that Lord Travien sees something in you, I pray this will not be the folly I believe it to be."

Jabba nodded frantically but was cut off by Travien, "I assume you have the prize money for my winning the race?" Jabba moved to the other side of the room and picked up a large chest like object. It turned out to be a chest. Jabba opened it and was about to start talking when the lid shut and the trunk floated over to Travien. "Good." He looked at the Hutt critically, "There may come a time, soon or in the coming years, when I require the loyalties that were given to me at the height of my Empire. I have no issue with rewarding these loyalties, but if you choose to estrange yourself from the past then make yourself clear quickly, I do not take kindly to betrayal. Now, I have business elsewhere today and I require my apprentice to accompany me. I am sure you have duties of your own." With that Travien turned suddenly and walked out of the room with the chest floating beside him and Padmé close on his heels. She marched up beside him,

"What the hell was all that?!" she demanded.

Travien sighed, "Padmé, I have tried to explain this to you before, maybe now you'll understand. Do you remember the fear you felt when you first realised that I was Sith?"

Padmé nodded slowly, "Yes, but that was before…"

Travien cut her off, "No, there is no before. That fear was what I used to rule the lives of over twenty billion sentients with an iron fist. Do you know what I killed back there? I killed thugs. The galaxy is already a better place for it, but because I killed them Jabba now knows that I am capable of it. As my apprentice he believes it of you, as well. We are now safe from whatever schemes or criminal activities he may take part in, and so are your ship and our friends. Nothing we say will be taken as an empty threat."

Padmé looked at him in some shock as Travien continued, "Fear is the primary weapon of a Sith. It isn't a weapon to be wielded with large armies or huge ships. It is the knife you slip into your enemies' backs and if you're going to start slipping knives into peoples backs then you have to lose a few things first. Morality and Ethics are a great place to start. I hold myself in check because I love you; I maintained the secrecy of my identity because I didn't want it to reflect badly upon you. When the time came and the Trade Federation attacked I was powerless to prevent any of it. Even now I can feel the deaths through the Force. Politics is your weapon, Padmé. Words are your weapons, mine are fear and death. These Hutts speak in the languages of power, languages that were written by the Rakata and the Ancient Sith many thousands of years before even I was born, understand?"

She nodded weakly and Travien sighed, "I will understand if you no longer wish to learn from me. I am the antithesis of everything you believe. I will remain on Coruscant when you return to Naboo."

Travien turned away and let his shoulders sag ever so slightly when Padmé processed what he had said; He thinks I want him to leave. Remain on Coruscant? But that would leave him…oh gods that would leave him at the mercy of the Jedi! No!'

Padmé ran up to him and hauled on his shoulder, dragging him round. Before Travien could react in any way she almost jumped forward and kissed him hard. Travien was almost too caught up in surprise to return the kiss. Fortunately his mind hadn't been rendered entirely useless in his surprise and he wrapped his arms around Padmé and began kissing her back. He held onto her in a surprisingly fierce grip until they were forced to break apart for air.

Padmé glared at him, "I don't understand what it means to be Sith. I didn't grow up like that. That doesn't mean I think anything less of you. I'm sure that there are people out there who are, from a Republic perspective, much less civilised than the Sith. You find Gamorreans all over the place. Just because I don't necessarily understand doesn't mean I intend to throw you away. You are my Master, I am your Queen. I like to think it balances quite nicely."

Travien grinned happily at that thought. He put her down on the floor, although not taking his arm off of her and turned them around so that they were walking towards the exit, the chest they got from Jabba bobbing along behind them. Padmé frowned for a moment,

"Travien? How did he know who you were? I mean, it seems strange that a Hutt crime lord would just give in so easily."

Travien snorted, "The average lifespan of a Hutt is about a thousand years. I sincerely doubt that there is anything more than six generations separating Jabba from several of the Hutts I encountered before. The Hutts knew where they stood with me. Most of them supported me and were very well rewarded for it, others tried to sell me to my enemies. We did not part on good terms, sufficed to say. I was a right bastard when I hit fifteen. Puberty is tough on its own, but a pubescent Sith Lord? That was not a good thing to happen to the galaxy."

Padmé cringed, knowing the kind of temper tantrums that the teen years could bring. It took all of her effort to contain some of hers.

Padmé nodded, "So we find the others, hand a third of the money to Watto and buy the parts along with Shmi's freedom?"

Travien smirked, "Not quite. While I was in Watto's head I poked around a little bit. He's been trying to get rid of the T-14 hyperdrive for ages but nobody wants it. I can get that cheap but it seems that the prize money is supposed to be half of what is in here. So I give him a sixth of the money and use most of the rest to buy Shmi's freedom. Then I want some damned clothes."

Padmé giggled slightly at that but stopped as they left the building and walked back to the podracer. They saw that everyone was still there. The two of them walked up to the group, Travien's problems solved for the time being. Travien smiled,

"Congratulations Jedi, you can do as you're told. That's fantastic. Well, it appears that Jabba wanted to give me the prize money in person, so I think that we can get moving." Travien turned to Anakin, "Anakin, would it be a problem to ask you to take the racer back to your house." Anakin shook his head, and Travien turned back to Qui-Gon, "Do you want to come to see Watto with me, or do you want me to deal with all of it?"

Qui-Gon shook his head, "No. I would rather see this done."

Travien nodded and thought for a second. He turned to Eirtaé and Rabé who had been entirely silent, "Could you two accompany Anakin please. There's no telling who might be around." The two girls nodded their heads and walked off with Anakin to arrange transport for the podracer.

Travien gestured to Qui-Gon, "Shall we, Jedi? There's business to be done."

The group walked along in silence, although Qui-Gon frowned occasionally at the box that was floating beside Travien. Travien smirked and sat Padmé on the box halfway through their journey. Padmé giggled slightly at the action and allowed herself to be seated. Qui-Gon frowned heavily at the frivolous use of the Force. They continued on through the streets, ignoring those who turned to gawk at the unusual trio with the floating box and ended up back at Watto' shop.

They group walked in and waited until Watto noticed them. He looked up from the work he was doing and snarled,

"You! I lost everything because of you! You knew he would win the race!"

Qui-Gon shrugged, "That is immaterial. Will you free the boy?"

Watto shook his head, "No, it wasn't fair, you can't have him!"

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, "Perhaps we should take this up with the Hutts?"

Watto seemed to sag and Travien decided to twist the knife, "No need Jedi. I just came from a meeting with Jabba. He was awfully happy to see me. It seems he remembers things, I must have had some dealings with his family before my…disappearance."

Watto looked between the two, "Fine, take him." He said dejectedly,

Qui-Gon nodded, "I will be back for the spare parts later. Lord Shan?"

Travien regarded him for a moment, "Stay outside, Jedi. I have a few matters to discuss with our friend here."

Watto panicked when he realised that the Jedi was leaving him alone with the Sith but remained as calm as he could. Travien extended a hand to Padmé as he lowered the trunk. She took it and he lifted her to her feet before it hit the ground. Travien used the force to open it and took a small sack from the counter. He pushed a sixth of the money into the sack and handed it to Watto.

"That is per the terms of our deal, one third of the prize money." Watto protested,

"That's never a third!"

Travien smiled, "Yes it is. The rest of this money is from Jabba. A gift of goodwill, you might say. Now, how much for the parts?"

Watto stated that they were a sixth of the money, Travien looked insulted,

"Horseshit. I know damn well that you've been trying to shift that hyperdrive for ages. You can't because no-on here wants it. I'll pay you half of that."

Watto glared at him, "Two thirds." He snapped.

Travien thought for a moment and nodded, "Agreed, two thirds of the amount you have already been given. I have one final piece of business for you and then we're done."

"What is it?"

Travien smiled at him, "I have an offer for you, the prize money plus a third."

Watto's eyes lit up in greed, "What do you want?"

"Shmi Skywalker."

Watto snapped out of his greed, "No, no chance, she's not for sale."

Travien chuckled darkly, "I apologise, I failed to state the full terms of our deal. One and a third of the sum of the prize money and your life, Toydarian. I will be leaving this world with both Skywalkers, you get to profit from that, or not." Travien used the Force to close around the neck of the shopkeeper who was choking loudly. Travien released his hold as Watto coughed and spluttered,

"Alright, take her. The money stays."

Travien nodded and took a small amount of money from the chest while putting the sack back in. He smiled up at the Toydarian shopkeeper and kicked the chest over to him, "All yours. The Jedi will be back for the parts later, we're about to meet with the Skywalkers so you won't have see them again. I expect delivery of those parts to be included. If you are lucky then you will never see me again."

Padmé and Travien left the shop with the transmitters and codes for Anakin and Shmi. They walked outside into the blistering heat of Tatooine and Padmé turned to her boyfriend, both of them ignoring Qui-Gon who had walked up beside them,

"Are your negotiations often like that?" she asked quietly.

Travien chuckled, "Not often. It's rare that I need to acquire something that important. Mostly I seek out another Vendor but that was not possible in this case. Given the situation I will likely never be able to do business with him again. Not something that bothers me, but not my preferred method of operation."

Padmé nodded, "But this time it was necessary, right?"

Travien nodded, "Absolutely, it didn't matter how much we had, he would have kept her out of spite. Besides, the man was a slaver. Just because he didn't kidnap them from their homes himself doesn't mean he was any less guilty. He would have kept anyone else a slave as well. Can something happening to a being like that truly be criminal?"

Padmé sighed, "I have no idea. It's not something I've ever had to think about. I won't object to what happened there, but for your sake, keep it to a minimum."

Travien nodded, "I know. That was just a desperate situation."

Qui-Gon caught up to them, "What happened?"

Travien looked at Padmé, who nodded. Travien handed him the data pad with the codes for Shmi's implants and the transmitter, "The toydarian didn't want to negotiate."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, "Then how did you get these?"

Travien shrugged, "I have my ways." He saw the look on the older man's face, "If I'd have killed him then I would have walked out with the money too."

Qui-Gon nodded slowly, "Very well, but what is all of this?"

Travien smiled, "That is Shmi Skywalker's freedom. You can tell Anakin that I did it, or you can tell him that you did it. I'll leave you to weigh the pros and cons of that."

The group walked on in silence as Qui-Gon considered this latest action by the Sith teenager. His actions seem to contradict themselves. What did he have to gain from freeing Shmi Skywalker? He had already admitted that Anakin had chosen the Jedi Order rather than the Sith or neutrality. What on earth would it serve him to exert himself like that? Qui-Gon puzzled over these actions as they returned to the house. They entered the house,

The occupants turned to them as Qui-Gon spoke up, "Well Anakin, thanks to your podracer we now have the parts we need. Watto's delivering them to the ship when we all leave."

Anakin looked slightly sad, "So you're leaving then?"

Qui-Gon smiled, "Your welcome to come with us Anakin. You could be a great Jedi."

Travien nodded, "He's right kid. You've got a lot of potential."

Anakin just frowned, "But Watto would never let me go. He'll keep me here forever."

Qui-Gon smiled at the boy, "Watto has already agreed to you being freed. You are free Ani."

Anakin's eyes widened with joy, "I'm free. I get to go with you, in your spaceship and become a Jedi?!" They all nodded happily. They were confused when Anakin suddenly frowned,

"But what about mom, I can't just leave her here." He said plaintively,

Shmi smiled gently, "Anakin, it's your dream. You go with them."

Qui-Gon shook his head, "That won't be necessary. I was unable to secure your freedom, Ms. Skywalker." They nodded in resignation, "Travien however is able to use methods that are…against the rules of my Order. You are free to leave when you wish, you may even accompany Anakin."

Anakin's eyes widened dramatically and he charged at Travien, "!" he screamed as he latched onto the man's waist.

Travien chuckled, "You're welcome, Anakin. I'm not quite done with my invisible bag of tricks just yet, but if you could find a way towards copying those designs of yours I would be eternally grateful."

Anakin broke away from him with a huge grin on his face. He ran back to his mother, "Isn't this great mom, I'm gonna be a Jedi and they're taking us from this rock!"

Shmi smiled, "It's fantastic. Ani." She frowned at the others, "I don't know how we can repay you. If there is anything we can do."

Qui-Gon didn't look sure about what to say so Travien stepped up, "You gave us shelter and helped us when we needed it. We are repaying you." He smiled and waved his hands in a shooing motion, "Now go, pack. We can't leave if we all just stand here."

The two former slaves rushed off and began to pack their things. Qui-Gon turned to Travien with an assessing glance. Something was wrong about this entire scene. He was being far too nice. It was drastically out of character for him. Then again, Travien didn't seem all that stable, was he just unstable or was he constantly playing a part? He was a Sith there was no doubt about that but he wasn't a typical Sith. He was unpredictable and he was far more dangerous than any being Qui-Gon had yet encountered.

Anakin and Shmi walked into the room with a bag being held by each of them and a skeletal droid following behind them. Travien looked at the droid, it was certainly unfinished but he couldn't decipher its purpose.

Travien turned to Anakin, "Who's this?" he asked,

The boy seemed to brighten up at the question, "This is C-3PO, I built him myself. He isn't finished yet, but I'm still working on him."

Travien nodded, "Impressive. I remember dad had a homemade droid. What type of droid is this?"

Anakin smiled and stood up, glowing with pride, "He's a protocol droid, but he speaks loads of different languages as well."

Travien smiled, "Any military capabilities?"

Anakin frowned, "Military capabilities?"

Travien nodded, "Dad built a protocol droid of his own. It was about seven feet tall, kinda funny, from Mum and Dad's perspective anyway. Dead eye shot with a blaster and better with a lightsaber than most Jedi Knights, although not necessarily Masters. He could translate anything except the Sand People's language." Anakin had wide eyes at the description, "I probably have the schematic lying around somewhere at my place, I'll forward it to you. Maybe you can find something that you can use."

Anakin nodded frantically, "Thank you, Travien sir."

Travien smiled, "No need to thank me Anakin. HK-47, my father's droid, was like a brother to me. It would be nice to see something of him back in the galaxy." He looked around at the waiting people, "Well, let's get this expedition under way. Sooner we get to Watto, the sooner I can get off this planet and find somewhere where I can have a nice warm bath."

They chuckled and marched out of the door. Qui-Gon was following behind the group slightly suspiciously. Travien was going out of his way to ingratiate himself to Anakin. The thought of Revan's 'protocol' droid running around the galaxy was slightly chilling. Still, why was Travien trying to do so much for a child that would soon be far beyond his reach? This became more and more suspicious. He would need the assistance of the Council. Only they would know what course of action to take.