A small crowd poured up the ramp of the Eclipse. At the rear came Anakin and Dala leading two women aboard. The older woman paused at the base of the ramp.
"I, I am not sure." said Mari.
"Don't worry, Naboo is a paradise compared to here." said Anakin smiling.
"But this is my home." protested Mari.
Dala escorted Sela onto the ship and walked back.
"We need to get your daughter off-world. You should go with her. She has been through a horrifying experience and will need you." Dala said.
Mari took a few steps and then paused. "What will I do there?"
Anakin reached out his hand. "Don't worry about that. The Naboo have people that will get you settled on their world. Being able to grow desert plants is a novelty there. you could be in high demand. And you would never need fear the Hutts again." he said.
Mari still looked uncertain but took his hand and was led up the ramp. A short while later the ramp retracted and the door closed. Soon after the Eclipse rose and departed Tatooine.
A few days later and the Eclipse sat on a landing pad at Theed's main Starport. The slaves had been handed over to the locals, Gawoan and Camile were checking some references at the local library and Anakin was installing the new Navigation module. His legs stuck out from where he was under the Nav Comp. He stuck his hand out with the old module and flailed around for new one.
"R2! Did you move the module?" said Anakin.
"No, I did." came a different voice.
"Padme! What are you doing here?" said Anakin.
"I thought your droid needed a break. So I'll help." said Padme.
Anakin did not need extra sensory powers to tell she was worried about something. He extricated himself quickly and was soon sitting beside where she was kneeling down besides the toolbox.
"Padme. What is wrong?" he said.
Padme grimaced, "Is it that obvious?" she said.
"Hey, mystic powers, remember?" said Anakin.
"This is going to sound silly, but the night before..." Padme began but then trailed off. "No, it's ridiculous." she added.
Anakin could see she was shaking. He wondered what could of scared her.
"No, something happened. What was it?" Anakin said.
"Promise you won't laugh?"
This was where so many of their conversations went wrong. Not this time.
"I promise." said Anakin. He resolved to also not to over react any other way.
Padme opened her mouth, closed it and shook her head.
"Padme, trust me."
"Very well, Anakin, I had a nightmare. I didn't find you on Tatooine. I was captured, I was, I was sold as a slave. I felt totally alone and helpless."
Anakin reached over and hugged her. "It was a dream. It didn't happen. We met and helped each other."
"I have had nightmares before. They're strange and scary, but they pass. I remember this one. As if, it actually happened." she said.
Anakin's mind drifted back to the strange dream he had a few days ago. It too had possessed a clarity unlike other dreams. He wondered if they might be similar.
"I believe you. Hey, how about we discuss this with the other Jedi." Anakin said.
"I don't think I could talk about this with strangers." Padme said.
"Well not the specifics but generally. They could provide a unique insight." said Anakin.
"Well, okay. So, what do we do now?" she said.
"Well, I do need that new nav module installed. Did you know there are places the Republic does not want you to go to?" said Anakin.
"There are?"
"Yes. We only found out when we couldn't calculate the jump. Which is why we had to get a different one." said Anakin picking up the module. He then squirmed back under the nav comp. "Pass me a fuser." he called out after a while.
"Sure." said Padme. She looked down into the toolbox. It was a random assortment of devices as far as she could tell. "What does it look like?"
"Um. Red handle? Bit like a tiny lightsabre?" Anakin hazarded.
Padme located a tool that matched the description and passed it to his hand. The hand withdrew and there were some odd noises and muttering. There were a few more cryptic requests and confusing explanations before Anakin wriggled out and grinned.
"There, all done. Thank you. Want a new job? You're better looking than R2 for a start." he said.
"I will keep that in mind. I may be needing a new job soon as it is. I may of done something rash. Something impulsive. Something daring." she said.
Anakin stood up and then helped Padme up as well. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Padme?" he said.
"Hey! I can do wild and spontaneous too you know." said Padme, her eyes flashing.
"Oh? What is it?" said Anakin.
"I helped out Bail and issued a public statement denouncing the Kuati." said Padme. At Anakin's blank look she elaborated, explaining some of how that Core system treated their citizen employees.
Anakin nodded. "That's great! Shows how you were right to secede." On seeing Padme's expression he frowned. "Not great?"
Padme pushed away from Anakin. "No. We're now going to be facing severe trade sanctions, a looming economic crisis through loss of business and a million infrastructure problems as we struggle to replace what we can no longer buy." she said as she paced. "I came here as much to hide from reporters as much as anything."
"Well, that's something I can take care of."
"Anakin! No! They're only doing their job. It's just wearying, that's all."
"I was going to say take all the time you need. When do you need to be back at work? I don't always charge in with blaster and lightsabre."
Padme walked back up to him and poked him in the chest. "So who are you and where's my Jedi Knight?"
"Your Jedi Knight?" he said smiling.
"Mine." she said leaning up and kissing him.
Vinia and Terrenna looked over the prototype racer. It boasted a fat fuselage for a two-seater spacecraft with the twin thrusters mounted on separate pods connected to the main body by angled 'wings'. It was large, bulbous but was it fast?
"What's this hull made of?" said Vinia tapping the nearest thruster.
"Ilkar wood coated in polyresin." said the engineer.
Vinia's hand stopped. "Wood? This is a wooden spaceship?"
"Is that even possible?" said Terrenna.
"Ilkar is remarkably light for it's strength. While this does mean you need the different shape you see here that is hardly a problem in space." said the engineer
"How fast is it?" said Vinia. The engineer mentioned a figure and the two pilots stared.
"Not possible!"
"No way!"
"Well then gentlemen. Perhaps a demonstration is in order."
An hour later Vinia was climbing out of the cockpit.
"I. Am. In. Love!" he shouted.
Rana and Terrenna looked at Karan Avery.
"So, how do we stick missiles and sensor packages on it." said Rana.
Karan rubbed his chin. "How many missiles?" he said.
"Four ion pulsars and two pods." said Terrenna.
"You want a targeter too?" said Karan. At the others blank looks he added "Racer." for emphasis.
"But can it be done?" said Rana.
Karan paused. "Yes. Come back in two days." he said.
Dala noted Confederate Security standing at guard around the Eclipse. She then noticed the reporters and attendant droids further out. While she considered heading back to the bar a reporter approached.
"Hello, Karre Tor of the Naboo Tribune. You are Dala, a crew member on this ship?" said the reporter.
"Yes. What of it?" said Dala.
"What do you do? Most Jedi don't have constant companions." said Karre.
"More fool them then." said Dala dismissively. "I provide tactical support when in the field." she added.
"Tactical support?" said Karre
"I shoot things and blow things up. I also pilot the ship if needed." said Dala.
"Anything else?" said Karre.
"Like what?" said Dala.
"Anything else you want to say? Like, how come you only have one name?" said Karre.
"Haven't got round to picking one. Maybe I'll take Skywalker too." said Dala.
"Really?" said Karre.
"Sure. Why not? Pretty common name for ex-slaves in the Zone. Then again, I might try collecting them like you Naboo."
"Skywalker is a common surname?" said Karre.
"Yeah, sure. Haven't you checked all those folks you rescued? Bet you will find a lot of Skywalkers."
"That's certainly something to look into. So, any other interesting details about going on adventures with a Jedi?" said Karre.
The next day Padme descended down the Eclipse's ramp. She regarded the reporters and held up a hand.
"You all want a statement. Very well. I will not be issuing an apology to Kuat. Their practices and government are emblematic of why we, The Confederacy seceded from The Republic. The exploitation and callous disregard many of you felt at the hands of the Kuati and others is still a daily fact of life across the Galaxy. I for one will not let it pass unremarked. We formed this alliance out of a desire to no longer be bullied or coerced by the Core which is exactly what is still being done now. I say we stand firm, show we are not intimidated. Additionally, I say we open our arms to those under the uncaring heel of the Republic and their Corporate masters. We left their clutches and so can you. Lastly, I issue a challenge to the Jedi. You claim to be the Guardians of Peace and Justice. You may of achieved the former but at the cost of the latter. If you truly value both, why do you tacitly support The Republic?" she said. Looking out at the sea of upraised hands. "First, let me disembark so that our gallant Jedi can be about the work of safeguarding the Galaxy. Then I'll answer your questions."
As Padme stepped off the ramp it retracted. Soon after the Eclipse rose on AG and rose before departing for orbit.