Chapter Nine: Making the Bet
A dark ship shot out of hyperspace, gliding through space as it headed for the yellow planet below. All around it, the stars shone brightly, their systems beckoning with the music of adventure. The pilot and subsequently the ship ignored these dances, mind entirely focused on the task at hand, keeping his darkness masked in the Force. To succeed in his mission, he needed to remain undetected. He was an assassin, moving shapeless and formless in the Force, his powers dwelling on darker instincts and he had no desire but to perform the tasks given to him by his Master.
The ship cut cleanly through the atmosphere. It's long nose gliding down away from the spaceport and towards the outer edge of the city. A shadow still loomed across the face of Mos Espa and the twin suns of Tatooine had yet to rise, leaving the early morning clouded in gloom. It was the perfect entrance for the likes of him.
His mind was focused only on the hunt. A dark force, he stepped out upon the Tatooine sands, ready to prepare his trap.
***
Far away, in Mos Espa's slave compound, Buffy Summers Skywalker woke with a start. She sat up, rubbing her forehead and trying to clear the gummy feeling from her eyes. The dry air was murder on her skin, making it rough like sandpaper. Shoving her hair out of her eyes, Buffy kicked her legs over the edge of her bed and glanced out the small circular hole in the wall. Despite its size, she was forced to call it a window.
She peered out into the gloom of the desert's early morning and tilted her ears to listen to the rhythmic sounds of inhalation and exhalation. Everyone's still sleeping. She thought, suppressing a groan. The lack of lighting outside told her that it was already ungodly early. So much for getting to sleep in.
Shaking her head, she checked the clock. Staring at the number as it clicked into place, she suppressed another sigh and pushed herself out of bed. There was a strange feeling at the back of her mind, troubling. Like there's something dark out there, coming for us. Some dark future that awaited. Buffy, shook her head again. I'm being silly.
She pushed herself out of bed. So, what to choose? Oatmeal colored robe with patches or oatmeal colored robe with holes? Her nose wrinkling at the choices presented, Buffy snatched the first top she saw up off the floor and pulled it over her shift. She followed it up with a matching set of pants and hard brown boots. Brushing the sand out of the folds of her clothing, Buffy wondered how much longer she'd have to beg before Anakin got the Refresher working again. What I'd give for a real, working shower! But somehow Buffy doubted that showers existed in this galaxy. And if they do, not on Tatooine. A planet where every drop of moisture was valuable.
Her eyes swung up towards the distance again as she slid a ronto hide belt around her waist. There was something out there.
"Probably just my own paranoia." She chastised herself, slipping out of her bedroom. "Nothing important."
"When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you."
The voice of Qui-Gon Jinn slid into her thoughts uninvited, lending a greater sense of importance to her hunch. Frowning, Buffy tried to swat away his words. "There are no, little symbi-thingies living in my bloodstream and letting my listen in on the words of some all powerful Force." She grumbled, trying to distance herself further from last night's conversation and the bargain she'd made with the Jedi. "No way, no how, nuh-uh."
You've heard plenty of crazy things. Her mind suggested. Just because you're lost in a strange galaxy with no way home…
I don't know that for sure! Buffy snapped back.
Doesn't mean it's outside the realm of possibility. The other voice finished. Buffy hated it when she let herself play Devil's Advocate, she almost always came out worse for wear. Are midi-chlorians any stranger than a person being born a Slayer?
YES! Buffy's mind exploded. Yes! Yes! Yes! At least being a Slayer was something I could understand!
But not in the beginning.
Shut up.
You didn't believe it then too. Her mind continued. You tried so hard to get out of it.
Shut up!
And then it killed you.
You know what? I'm not listening to you, I mean me, anymore. I'm sticking my fingers in my ears and going la-la-la-la-la-LA!
Shoving her thoughts and the war they were creating back out of her consciousness, Buffy took a deep breath. Her eyes scanned the small living room for signs of life and saw the astro-droid, Artoo sitting in the corner. Collapsed on the table was the face of Jar Jar Binks and in the corner, with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed was the source of all her current irritation. Stupid Jedi, stupid Qui-Gon, stupid Jinn. She sucked in another deep breath. She hated, absolutely hated admitting it, but the man reminded her of Giles.
Okay, maybe not a lot. But he's got that same kinda stuffy know-it-all air about him… No, he really didn't. Well, maybe not, but he seems to know everything! Or thought he did and the fact that he was so calm literally drove Buffy up a wall.
Okay, calm the thoughts Buffy, chill out, cool down, and don't think of England. Despite her best efforts, Giles' face was swimming in front of her. His face beaten and bloody from hours of endless torture at the hands of Angelus. The look he'd given her then, before she'd gone to face her vampire lover, well, she'd never forgotten it. He'd looked so glad to see her. And so willing to die. She paused, realizing that her hands were shaking. Stop it, Buffy. Bad Buffy. Keep your mind on the moment, in the here, don't go to the there, there's nothing good there, stay here.
Feeling the onslaught of memories beginning to wrap their fingers about her throat, Buffy drew on every memory of Anakin and Shmi that she had. In this situation, even Watto would work. Please, her mind whispered. I don't want to go back there, please…
"Hello, lover."
Buffy stumbled outside into the darkness, the insides of her eyes growing hot and moist with tears. She heard the door swing shut behind her, but couldn't bring herself to care. If people woke up then they woke up, she had more pressing things on her mind. Mainly the ghosts of old boyfriends who don't know damn well enough to leave me alone! When was his specter going to stop torturing her?
Buffy came to a stop as her fingers hit the rough rocky surface of the barrier protecting the unwary from going over the edge. "Not that it really matters…" She muttered, squeezing her eyes shut and fighting to keep the tears inside. "A two story fall isn't going to kill me." Well, it'd do some damage if she landed wrong.
But that's all. She felt her knees hit the ground hard, felt the granules of sand grinding against the skin of her knees. I wish I could die. She thought, her mind wide and open with despair. I wish I could find someone strong enough to kill me! Maybe then the voices would stop. Maybe then.
"It is a Jedi's responsibility to help those who are suffering." Qui-Gon's voice again resounded through her mind. "It is the duty of a Jedi to heal what is broken."
"You can't help me, stupid-wacko-wisdom man." Buffy hissed. "Nobody can!"
"The darkness of despair is not absolute." His voice continued. "If you'll allow it, I will show you a way into the light."
"He never even said that." She groaned. "He wasn't offering me anything. He was just…" In her chest, her heart seized. Figuring me out. Did he really want to help her? Or is it just another trick?
"Buffy?" The high pitch of Anakin's voice caught in her ears. "What are you doing up?"
"Ani?" She asked, spinning around and staring down at her little brother, their straw hair matching each other, dimmed by dust and grime. "Why are you awake?" She blinked and added with a wink. "Jinx! You owe me a cup of Juma Juice!"
"You always win the jinx." Anakin complained. He sighed loudly and crossed his arms over his chest, peering up at her with suspicion. "And I was doing a last minute check on my Pod before we take it to Boonta Eve. You weren't planning on touching it were you?"
"No!" Buffy said, lifting her hands up. "Scouts honor, Ani! I just couldn't sleep!"
"Right." Anakin said. He pursed his lips. "I'm sorry Buffy, I know you don't mean it. But… I really like Master Qui-Gon and Padme and Jar Jar and Artoo, I don't think they mean us any harm."
"I wish I could think the same, Ani." Buffy sighed. "I do."
"You should just give 'em a chance." He said, a grin splitting his cherub cheeks. "I think they'll surprise you. You know?"
For a moment, Buffy thought back to the conversation she and Qui-Gon had about midi-chlorians, wondering if she should tell Anakin about it. No use getting his hopes up. What was the use of telling him he had Force potential or whatever if he was never going to learn to use it? Even from first impressions, Buffy was forced to admit that, out of all the strangers, Qui-Gon wasn't what she expected. I mean, hello! He's more frustrating than Giles!
"They've already surprised me, Ani." She murmured. I just don't know if it's in a good and tingly kind of way.
"By the way," Anakin's grin widened as he looked up at her. "I had a dream last night! I'm gonna win the Podrace at Boonta Eve!" He looked out at the desert and added in a soft voice. "Then maybe our lives'll change."
Quietly, Buffy put her arms around her little brother and pulled him to her. Hugging him tightly, she kissed the top of his head, feeling the wetness of Anakin's tears as they dripped onto the rough fabric of her robe. "I hope so, Ani." She whispered, looking out at the rising Tatooine suns. "I hope so."
***
Many hours later at the racing track called Boonta Eve, Qui-Gon Jinn walked down a central lane between the Pods. Watto floated at his side and Jar Jar Binks trailed along behind them. During the previous night, Qui-Gon's mind had been turning and turning, looking for a way that he might free the Skywalker family from slavery. He had sat deep in a meditative trance, searching the Force for some insight that might help him achieve that goal. He was certain that the Force had placed the boy and the girl in his path. It was no coincidence that he had found two very strong force-sensitives, one who might just be the Chosen One of Jedi prophecy and tone destined to bring balance to the Force.
Which does not make the girl any less special. Qui-Gon reminded himself. Or any less in need of training. If the previous night had proved anything, it was that her rudimentary powers were already beginning to break through. And without the proper guidance, she could easily fall to the Dark Side. No, Qui-Gon would not leave this planet caught beneath the heel of one with her potential. He did not know her destiny, but like Anakin he knew that she must be taught.
Over the buzz of machinery and sparking panels being upgraded by mechanics, Watto was speaking to him.
"I want to see your ship as soon as the race is over." He chuckled, his small body waddling through the air as his wings buzzed desperately to keep the paunch of his stomach aloft and his body with it.
"Patience my blue friend." Qui-Gon said. "You'll have your winnings before the suns set and we'll be far away from here."
Irritated, Watto swung around to face the Jedi, poking his stick underneath Qui-Gon's nose. "No if your ship belongs to me, I think, ahh?" Watto chuckled as they turned the corner. "I warn you, ehh." He said. "No funny business."
"You don't think Anakin can win?" Qui-Gon asked, his hands on his hips.
"Don't getta me wrong." Watto said. "I have, ah, great faith in the boy. He's a credit to your race, ehh? But Sebulba there is going to win, I think." Watto's staff indicated to the left, where Sebulba, the Dug who had nearly taken Jar Jar apart, sat getting a rub down from two very attractive blue skinned Twi'lek females.
"Oh, no!" Jar Jar exclaimed as he stared down at the Dug, memory of his close encounter fresh in his mind. Worriedly, he turned back to Qui-Gon, chewing on the edges of his fingers. It was a distinctly human expression, one that Jar Jar had picked up during his time with the Queen's Handmaidens and Anakin. His large yellow eyes wide and his slit pupils focused only on Qui-Gon's face.
But the Jedi Master remained calm as a cucumber, staring down Watto with mild eyes and expression. "Why do you think that?"
"He always wins!" Laughed Watto. He swung around between the human and the Gungan, his head bumping into Jar Jar's back and shoving him sideways. He spread his arms wide with the expression of a Toydarian surety, Watto was certain that he would be making a lot of money today. An experienced gambler, he knew how high the odds were stacked against Anakin and he knew a sure thing when he saw it. "I am betting heavily on Sebulba!" Toydarian's were not known for taking chances.
"I'll take that bet." Qui-Gon said, giving Sebulba a once over and turning to face Watto. He crossed his arms beneath the squared length of his robe, settling back into a comfortable Jedi stance.
"You what?" Watto turned around, his voice suddenly low and dangerous.
Toydarian's always took betting seriously and Watto did not like surprises. He had spent too many years on the Boonta Eve Racing tracks to like change. The more deals that this man made, the more unsure Watto was of his own bets. Perhaps this stranger knew something that Watto didn't. No, most likely he was a fool's fool. He put too much faith in the boy. After all, the child had never finished a race!
"I wager my new racing Pod against, say, the Skywalker family?"
"No Pod is worth three slaves!" Watto snapped. "And even if yours is as fast as you say, it would not even be worth two!"
"Just the boy and the girl, then?" Qui-Gon asked. "From what I've seen the girl does little around the shop and she is more of a burden on you. Hardly worth a high price."
"Ah, ha-ha, but she is useful in taking what I owe from those, ehhh, not quite so generous, ahh?" The Toydarian chuckled. "What would your Pod trade me for that?"
"But is the money she claims for you worth what she loses?" Qui-Gon asked. His eyebrows rising with the suggestion and his mind calm with the knowledge that he would have to manage this deal without the help of the Force. Mind tricks had already proven useless on the Toydarian. "I have heard talk around the town about the fights she finds herself in. The Hutts are always forcing you to pick up the tab."
"Ah-ha, you make'a a good point outlander." The Toydarian agreed. "She is in the business of costing me more than what I paid." Reaching into his belt, he pulled out a small cube. "And if you keep being so reckless with your bets, there's a chance I could end up owning you, ehh?" He chuckled. "I have here a chance cube here."
He showed Qui-Gon the blue and red painted die. The paint was worn and peeling from its participation in many previous bargains. It was weighted on the red side and had a greater chance of landing there. It was illegal, but Watto was certain that the Outlander would not know the difference. He'd already gambled away his chances to escape off world and now he was throwing away his only chance at earning it back. He was easily hoodwinked. Watto knew he could not lose this bet.
"We'll let fate decide dis, ehhh." He said, a large toothy grin spreading from underneath his elephant nose. "Since I like you, I'll be generous. We make a double wager on chance, ehh?" He held up the cube. "Blue you get the boy and the girl. Red, their mother."
Slowly, Qui-Gon nodded agreement to the terms. Knowing that Watto was going to cheat, Qui-Gon had his own trick up his sleeve. The Force was with him and as it flowed through him, Qui-Gon watched Watto toss the cube. Sliding his hand to the side, undetectable to the average eye, looking more like hopeful than cheating, Qui-Gon watched the cube bounce across the ground. Slowly, it came to a stop. For a moment it had looked like red but had ended with blue facing upwards.
Anger burned in the Toydarian's eyes as Jar Jar grinned at him. "You may have won the small toss, outlander!" He spat. "But you won't win the race, so it makes little difference!" Then, in an angry buzz of wing flaps he spun and headed out past the arriving group, taking a moment to gloat at Anakin and Buffy in his own dialect before disappearing out into the sunlight.
"What do you think that's about?" Anakin asked Buffy, glancing at her with wide blue eyes.
"I dunno." Buffy replied. She'd barely caught any of what he'd said. Something about slavery right? Or had it been pasta? The old buzzard was a big fan of Tomaran noodles and he liked it soaked in juices with chunks of Bantha meat. But why talk about after race dinners? She wondered. Certainly neither she nor Ani would be tasting that. Not that I want too! Ugh! That stuff always smells so gross!
Standing beside the pair of long nosed Eopie, Buffy shared a worried glance with Padme over Anakin's head. The beasts made her think of a camel crossed with an elephant, either way the creatures looked horribly wrong. Useful as they are for lifting, carrying, and traveling. Though they only had room for two and Buffy had given her space to Padme, so that her mother could ride with Anakin's young friend Kickster. Her sharp eyes caught the Jedi as he walked towards them, his sabaac face still unreadable.
What are you up too? Buffy wanted to ask. Instead, though she headed off towards the Pod. Mind on Ani's race. Then these strangers will be gone and our lives will once again be business as usual. Buffy closed her eyes. That was what she wanted, business as usual.
Behind her, she heard Kickster speak. "This is soooo wizard, Ani!" He said, his voice barely able to contain his excitement. "I'm sure you'll do it this time."
Buffy turned around as she heard Padme ask. "Do what?"
Oh, no! Kickster you little rat! Buffy's mind groaned. Don't tell them that!
But Kickster's mouth was already moving, far too quickly for it to be stopped. He was staring at the beautiful young Handmaiden like she was the biggest idiot on the planet. "Finish the race of course."
Padme stared at Kickster, her soft, liquid brown eyes filled with incredulity. "You've never won a race?" She asked. Qui-Gon is insane! Padme thought. Pinning all our hopes on this boy. What if he fails? What would happen to them then?
"Kickster, shut your pie hole!" Buffy snapped. "Ani doesn't need to think about that!" She turned to face her brother. "You'll do it this time, Ani." She said, her voice filled with conviction. At least, she hoped it sounded like conviction. She had her own doubts on the subject. But I can't let Anakin know. "That's all that matters."
Anakin, whose face had fallen for a fraction brightened. "Yeah, you're right Buffy." He said, another charming smile spreading across his features. "I'll finish this time!"
"No." Buffy said. "You'll win this time." Brother and sister smiled at each other.
"Of course you will." Qui-Gon said from behind them, his hands coming to rest on Anakin's shoulders, a warm smile touching his mouth. It was partially hidden by his moustache and beard, but still Buffy could feel it's brilliant confidence. His strength of belief made her feel foolish for not having more faith in her brother.
I'm a bad sister. Buffy thought, gazing at the pair of them.
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A/N: This chapter is done and out of the way. Man, I'm on a roll, lol. Anyway, next up is the Race! Be sure to leave your reviews! As always I love hearing what you think!