Chapter Thirteen: The Podrace and Dark Encounters
"WHAT!" came the exclamation down the connection. Harry winced as he held it away from him, letting his ears recover from Obi-Wan's over-enthusiastic response. Putting the comlink near his mouth again he hissed, "Not now, I'll give you more details when we have the parts to repair the ship. For goodness sake Obi-Wan I'm trying to keep it a secret here. I don't want Anakin to know until he's a part of the Order."
"Fine. I guess we'll be talking later then" came the somewhat resentful reply. Harry sighed and said, "Yes we will, and I'll explain everything then. Just don't sulk about it please."
With another sigh Harry turned off the comlink and went to check on Anakin who was fast asleep and hadn't heard a word of the conversation. Neither had Shmi for which Harry was very grateful. With that checked Harry decided that he needed sleep as well so he stretched out on the couch and fell asleep instantly.
The next morning, the day of the Podrace, Harry went to talk to Watto. Anakin had already explained the situation so it was now up to Harry to convince Watto to let Anakin pilot it for him.
"What would he ride though, he smashed my pod in the last race" Watto asked. Harry smirked and replied, "He'll ride my Pod, I acquired it in a game of Chance. It's said to be the fastest ever built."
Watto thought about this and then said, "The entry fee?" Harry smirked again and held up a hologram of the ship. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan hadn't been happy about him using the ship as the entry fee but Harry had said that he had faith in Anakin and that had stopped most of the grumbling. Padme hadn't been happy either but Harry had asked her to trust him and she did so albeit reluctantly.
"Well, you supply the Pod and the entry fee, I supply the boy and we split the winnings 50/50" Watto said happily. Harry narrowed his eyes, not pleased with this, and he suddenly saw a way to get the parts that they needed for the ship.
"I think not my friend; if it's 50/50 then you front the entry fee. We win, and you get to keep the winnings minus the cost of the replacement parts that I need. If we lose then you keep the ship. You win either way."
Watto frowned but saw that it was a good deal. Finally he snapped "Fine" and flew away to enter Anakin in the race. Harry and Anakin walked back to Anakin's home to complete working on the Pod and get it to the arena.
Later that morning everything was finished and they were on their way to the arena. Harry had gone ahead to make sure that Watto had indeed entered them in the race and when Anakin, Shmi, Kitster, and Padme arrived he was in a heated discussion with the Toydarian regarding bets.
"No Pod is worth two slaves" Watto snapped as Harry held in a growl of frustration. Watto had smugly told him that he was betting everything on Sebulba being the winner of the race. Seeing a way to free Anakin and possibly Shmi as well, Harry had taken the bet and had offered the Pod in exchange for the release of Anakin and Shmi.
"Ok, then what about the boy" Harry said, determined to have Anakin freed even if he couldn't do the same for Shmi. Watto looked undecided for a moment and then he smirked slyly. He produced a chance cube with one blue square and 5 red squares. Designating blue as Anakin and red for Shmi he tossed the cube on the ground. Harry had seen that the cube was weighted so that it would come out red on any toss, no matter that there was 1 blue square on it. Silently bemoaning the fact that he had to resort to Slytherin tactics, ie cheating, to get what he wanted, Harry subtly used the Force to ensure that the cube rolled blue side up.
Watto glared at him and then snarled, "You might have won this one but you won't win the race so it doesn't make any difference." Harry merely smiled quietly, secure in the knowledge that Anakin would be free either way. He felt sorry for Shmi but if he'd pushed any harder then Watto would have been suspicious.
As Anakin hopped off the eopie that he and Padme were riding Harry walked over to them. Watto made a comment to Anakin about stopping Harry from betting further or he'd end up owning Harry too. Harry smirked before saying to Anakin that Watto was just annoyed that he'd lost a bet with Harry. Anakin just shrugged upon hearing the answer and went to check on the Pod.
Finding everything in order Anakin was just about to climb into the Pod when Harry came over. Upon hearing that everything was ready, Harry grabbed hold of Anakin and smoothly lifted him into the Pod. When Anakin was settled Harry leaned down and said,
"Trust your instincts Anakin. Don't think about what you're doing, just feel it."
"I will" Anakin replied, looking up at Harry who he'd firmly attached himself to over the last couple of days. Harry smiled and ruffled Anakin's hair, ignoring the joking complaint from the 9 yr old. Before he walked away to the viewing platform he said quietly, "May the Force be with you."
He got onto the viewing platform and stood still while it ascended like an open elevator. Padme still wasn't happy about the race and accused Harry of being too reckless. Harry merely sighed and said, "You said you trusted me, now show it. Anakin will win, I can feel it."
He then turned to Shmi and reassured her that Anakin was fine, and was excited about competing in the race. Just then the pre-race fanfare was over and Jabba the Hutt came out to start the race.
The start was a bit horrifying as Anakin stalled. Harry remained calm, while Anakin did some quick work to restart the engines. After a few minutes he got the engines working and took off. Another competitor who had also stalled was less fortunate; his engines blew up and sent the unfortunate racer flying off into the distance. Following Anakin's progress on a viewscreen that was designed for race viewing, Harry smiled as Anakin's claim about his Podracer proved to be true. He was fast moving up the field, helped by the other racers having various accidents along the route.
At the start of the second lap Anakin was in fourth place and still gaining on the leader which was Sebulba. During the second lap Sebulba caused the second and third place racers to crash and die horrible deaths as he used bits of machinery to stuff up his competition's engines. Anakin just barely avoided a large piece of a destroyed Pod which came flying at his head. Shmi closed her eyes but Harry watched intently, pleased that Anakin was following his advice. Although Anakin didn't know it, he was actively using the Force to predict when and where obstacles would occur and was reacting to them. The sound of engines came closer and closer to the starting point and the commentator yelled out, "At the start of the third and final lap it's Sebulba in the lead followed closely by Skywalker."
'Now's your time Anakin, show us what you've got' Harry thought. He trusted Anakin but didn't trust Sebulba. Keeping a close eye on the viewscreen and listening to the commentators he knew that Anakin had just overtaken Sebulba but that he was in trouble, something had come off the Pod and Anakin had to do repairs while still flying.
He made the repairs though, and then caught up with Sebulba, flying side by side with him and not letting Sebulba intimidate him. The Pods locked together at one point and when both racers strained to unlock them they broke apart. This was the difference between them, Sebulba let go of his controls and ended up skidding to a stop in a cloud of sand while Anakin flew into the arena and around it, the winner of the race.
As Harry, Shmi, and Padme got down from the viewing platform the crowd was going wild. Harry spotted Watto looking very downhearted and snorted softly. He'd bet everything and lost everything. Putting Watto out of his mind for the moment Harry lifted Anakin out of the Pod and up onto his shoulder. Anakin balanced there and cheered with delight as Shmi and Padme also congratulated him.
Back in the Pod storage hangar Shmi hugged Anakin tightly, as did Padme. Harry quietly arranged for the prize money to go to Watto, minus the cost of the parts, as per their agreement. He also got Watto to honor the earlier bet and free Anakin as well. It took a threat of going to the Hutts but in the end Watto capitulated and Anakin was freed.
As Harry walked back to collect Anakin and tell him the good news he discovered the hangar empty. Shmi had gone back to her home to continue working on the things she had yet to finish, while Anakin had gone wandering round town. Padme was waiting outside for Harry and when she spotted him she said, "I'm going back to the ship, we've got our parts and I'll be ok walking back."
"Wait here, I'll call Master Jinn and he can come and escort you back, I'm not about to let you go wandering round Tatooine on your own" Harry said firmly. Padme looked like she was about to protest but one look from Harry shut her up.
"Master Jinn" Harry said into his comlink.
"Yes Harry what is it?" came back the reply.
"I have the parts we need, come to the main hangar in the town, near the Podrace arena. I have to stay a bit longer but Padme wishes to return to the ship and I don't want her going alone."
"Ok, I'll see you there."
About 15 minutes later Qui-Gon came into the hangar to see Padme and Harry standing by a small mountain of hyperdrive parts. Smiling, he hopped up onto the eopie that was standing patiently nearby and Harry helped Padme up behind him. Taking the rope that was attached to the halter of the eopie that was carrying the parts Qui-Gon nodded to Harry and then set off back towards the ship. With Padme and the hyperdrive safely on the way back to the ship Harry set off in search of Anakin to tell him the good news on his freedom.
Walking the streets, Harry soon heard the sounds of a fight. Walking towards the sounds to investigate he found Anakin and a young Rodian by the name of Greedo, rolling round on the ground and Anakin was just about to deliver a punch to Greedo's face. Leaning forward slightly, Harry grasped Anakin's wrist and effectively stopped him from punching his opponent, while at the same time enquiring "What's going on here?"
The onlookers scattered, and Harry was left with Anakin and Greedo, both of whom were glaring at each other. Harry raised an eyebrow at Anakin, inviting an explanation, which he got a second later.
"He said I cheated" Anakin muttered resentfully. Harry looked at him and asked simply, "Did you?" This got the glare turned on him as Anakin said vehemently, "No!"
Nodding Harry turned his gaze to Greedo. "Do you still think he cheated?" he asked mildly. Greedo nodded his head. Harry tilted his head to the side before looking at Anakin again.
"Come with me, I have some news for you" he said before walking away. Anakin cast one last glare at Greedo before following Harry, trying to shake off the feeling that he'd somehow disappointed him. Harry dropped back to walk beside Anakin and said quietly,
"Anakin, you know the truth about the race. You know that you didn't cheat but fighting will not change the opinions of those that are determined to think that you did. You just need to tolerate his opinion and remember that you didn't cheat no matter what anyone else says, ok."
Anakin nodded before asking, "Are you going to tell Mum about this?" Harry chuckled before replying, "No I'm not. I think you've got the message and besides, there's something else I want to discuss with you."
Anakin smiled at Harry, happy that the Jedi didn't seem annoyed at him anymore. "What?" he asked eagerly. Harry merely smiled at him before walking him towards where Sebulba was being attended to by four Twi-lek girls.
10 minutes later Anakin was excitedly rushing into his home and saying, "Mum, we sold the Pod, look at all the money we've got." As Shmi congratulated him, Harry leaned on the wall and said, "You've also been freed Ani, you're no longer a slave."
As Anakin stared in open mouthed disbelief, Shmi looked at Harry. Her expression said more than words ever could and the message was a heartfelt "Thankyou." Harry nodded to her as Anakin turned to him and said, "What about Mum? Is she free too?"
Harry shook his head. "I tried to free her Ani but Watto wouldn't have it. I'm sorry." He then watched as Anakin's face fell and turned away while Anakin hugged Shmi tightly, mumbling that he didn't want things to change. Shmi hugged him back and then asked Harry a question.
"Will you take him with you? Will he be a Jedi?" As Anakin once again turned to look at Harry, the Jedi Knight smiled. "Yes he will be. I don't think our meeting was a coincidence." Anakin lit up like the suns and said, "You mean I get to go with you in your starship?"
Harry knelt down so he was looking directly into Anakin's eyes and said, "Anakin, a Jedi's life is not an easy one. It is filled with difficult challenges the most difficult one being the training. You have to be very sure that you want to be a Jedi otherwise you will fail."
Anakin looked back at Harry, blue eyes meeting green. In that moment a connection was forged between them, an unconscious one that would become the start of their future Master/Padawan bond, as Anakin said firmly, "I want to do this."
Harry nodded before standing up and saying, "Get your things then, we need to get going."
While Anakin was busy getting his belongings packed, Harry turned to Shmi.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, concerned because he hadn't managed to free her and was now taking her son from her as well. She looked at him and gave him a small smile.
"I'll be ok Harry; you did the best you could. Look out for him for me will you."
Harry nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder. Squeezing gently he said, "As if he were my own I promise." He hesitated a moment and then continued, "I wasn't able to free you but I may still be able to do something to help."
"What?"
"If you consent, I could attempt to deactivate the explosive part of that transmitter inside you."
Shmi gaped in shock; she hadn't thought that such a thing would be possible. Closing her eyes she nodded her consent. Keeping his hand on her shoulder, Harry closed his eyes as well and reached out with the Force.
Fortunately for him and for Shmi, Watto hadn't bothered with the newest, hi tech transmitters and Shmi had one of the older models, one which was easy to manipulate with the Force. In short order Harry had located the transmitter, and with some delicate Force manipulation had deactivated the explosive portion. Now all it was was a locator, rather than a threat to her survival. He opened his eyes and smiled before saying quietly, "It worked."
Just then Anakin came back in with a bag on his shoulder. He hugged Shmi tightly and then turned to Harry who led the way out the door, followed by Anakin and lastly by Shmi. She stood at the doorway and watched as Harry walked away with Anakin following.
About halfway down the street Anakin stopped and turned, looking between his mother and Harry. He then raced back to Shmi and dropped the bag, saying something to her that Harry was too far away to hear. Out of respect for them he turned away, not wanting to intrude on their privacy. A few moments later he sensed Anakin coming closer and turned back to face him. He noted the looks on both mother and son's faces and realized that Anakin was taking the separation harder than Shmi was.
'I guess this is why the Jedi prefer to accept Initiates as babies or toddlers, less of a bond between parent and child' he thought as he smiled at Anakin.
"Ready to go?" he enquired. Anakin nodded before mumbling, "Sorry about back there, I just, I'm going to miss her." Harry nodded before replying, "Yes but when you see her again you'll be a Jedi and you'll have had lots of adventures to tell her about. We'd better get back to the ship; my companions get a bit cranky if they don't get fed regularly."
The joke worked and Anakin smiled properly before pelting Harry with questions about the Jedi and who had come with him to Tatooine. Harry answered as many as he could before one question brought him up short.
"Who'll train me? Will it be you?"
Harry glanced at him and saw the look of utter seriousness, knowing then that he couldn't deflect the question. Shrugging he replied, "Most likely yes." Anakin grinned and said, "Good, I like you."
Harry laughed before replying, "Well I happen to like you too so it's mutual. Now," he trailed off as he sensed danger from behind them. With barely a pause he whipped round, one blade of his lightstaff activating and slicing through a droid that had been following them. Harry deactivated the blade and clipped the lightstaff back to his belt before squatting down to examine the pieces of metal.
"What is it?" Anakin enquired his eyes wide at Harry's reaction. Harry looked up at him and asked, "How fast can you run?"
With that the two took off in the direction of the ship, Anakin running as fast as he could, with Harry in front of him, not running flat out because he would lose Anakin in the dust if he did. When they were almost there Harry heard the sound of a speeder bike.
Turning he saw a black robed figure racing towards them and Anakin was directly in its path. "Anakin DROP!" he yelled. Anakin did exactly that and the speeder shot over his head, as the rider did a somersault to land between Harry and the ship, igniting a blood red lightsaber as it landed. Harry ignited his own silver blade in response and the battle was on.
"Anakin get to the ship, tell them to take off" Harry yelled as he concentrated on his opponent. This dark warrior was good, there was no doubt about it, but Harry was better. He sensed desperation in his opponent's moves and surmised that the figure had probably been ordered to kill him. Looking at the hilt of the weapon Harry realized that it was similar to his own and as such, was probably a lightstaff as well.
Darth Maul was indeed desperate to kill Harry. The annoying Jedi had thrown him off a landing platform as a Padawan and was now interfering with his attempts to capture the Queen of Naboo. He focused more closely on the battle, not wanting to have to go back to his master and say that he'd failed. Sidious would not be pleased.
Harry heard the ship start up and take off, the landing ramp open for him to jump up on. With a feral grin he twisted his lightsaber and stabbed Maul in the thigh muscle, right in the place where it would hurt most and take longest to heal. Maul collapsed in pain but before he could strike back at the Jedi, Harry had leapt up to the landing ramp and was gone. Maul was left lying in the sand and cursing his misfortune. Now he had no choice but to go back to Sidious and report his failure – which meant enduring another round of torture as punishment. If Maul could have, he would have wept at the sheer bad luck that he seemed to be having when it came to that particular Jedi Knight.