Elsewhere in Florrum City, Hondo and his buddy were at a cafe talking with a crime boss named Sheev Palpatine.
Hondo was happily singing a song.
Hi-diddle-dee-dee
An actor's life for me
A high silk hat and a silver cane
A watch of gold with a diamond chain
Hi-diddle-dee
An actor's life for me
It's great to be a celebrity
An actor's life for me
And Hondo laughed.
"The girl tried to stop us," said the Weequay. "but I convinced her, and the boys still think we're their friends!"
Hondo held up a pouch of credits and flaunted it.
"Made some pretty good money too."
"Interesting story, Mr. Onaka." said Palpatine. "But... how would you like to make some real money?"
Palpatine dropped a huge bag of gold credits on the table.
Hondo liked the look of this load.
"Ahem. So... who do we have to...?" Hondo made a slash motion across his throat.
"Oh no, nothing like that." Palpatine said. "You see... I am collecting stupid little children."
"Children?" Hondo said, confused.
"Boys and girls. The disobedient ones who play hooky from school, break curfew, and never listen to their parents. And then I take them to Pleasure Island."
"Pleasure Island?!" Hondo panicked. "But the law-"
"Oh, do not worry." said Palpatine. "They never come back... as children!"
Palpatine cackled, which scared the two Weequays.
"Now, the shuttle leaves as midnight tonight." Palpatine said.
Palpatine had the pirates lean closer so he could explain his instructions for luring the children to him.
Meanwhile, Kara, Sapphire, and the twins all began moving as fast as they could to get to the shuttle station.
"No running off with the circus for us." said Anakin.
"No, Siree." Carmine added.
"Good thinking, boys." Sapphire smiled.
"And this time, we're going to school." Kara said. "All of us."
"Education will ensure a higher percentage of a bright and fulfilled future for us." said Anakin.
Sapphire and Kara were both very proud of the twins for making the smart decision to listen to their father this time and go straight home.
Carmine's stomach growled.
"I wish we'd brought some credits or snacks." said Carmine. "I'm hungry."
"We'll be home very soon, Carmine." Kara promised.
"According to my calculations," said Anakin, processing the time in his head. "Once we take the shuttle, our arrival time will be approximately 7:02 a.m. Just enough time for us to rest along the way, arrive home to be picked up by Dad, have a hearty breakfast, and make it to school on time tomorrow."
"Good." Kara said. "It's already bad enough we missed the first day, and I don't want to have to explain to universities that I missed two days of school because I had to save my brothers from the circus."
"Actually, I'd say heroic deeds such as that would look good when applying." Carmine said. "It shows you have integrity, courage, as well as a fact that you are determined."
"Maybe. But more importantly, I care about you two. Androids or not, you are my brothers, and I love you. Don't forget that."
"It's recorded in our brain processors." said Anakin. "We cannot forget anything unless we have it deleted from our memory drive."
Kara rolled her eyes. Her brothers still had a lot to learn about not relying on their mechanical or digital features.
As the kids were almost at the station, Carmine's stomach started to growl again, and then he was grabbed by the back of his jacket.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" said a familiar voice.
Carmine looked and saw who it was. "You?"
Carmine immediately screamed for his brother and sister.
Kara came running back and snatched her brother from Hondo.
"Get your hands off my little brother!" Kara said angrily.
Anakin turned his arm into a blaster and aimed at Hondo.
"My prime directive is to protect Kara, but I will also protect my brother." Anakin said.
Hondo pushed the gun down with his finger.
"Now, now. No need to get hostile now, children." Hondo said.
"He will get hostile if you don't get your keisters out of here." Kara said. "You've got a lot of nerve selling innocent kids to the circus. Do you know my brothers nearly ended up getting reprogrammed because of you?!"
"Oh, I had no idea." Hondo said. "You know, children. Let me make it up to you."
Hondo then took out three playing cards.
"Magic tricks? Really?" Kara said. "We don't have time for this. Let's go, boys."
Kara took her brothers' hands and began to take them to the station so they wouldn't miss their ride.
"Oh, I assure you. It is no trick." Hondo said, getting in front of the children. "These are genuine tickets to the legendary Pleasure Island, a very fun park where all your dreams come true."
"Can't go even if we wanted to." Kara said. "We got school tomorrow, and you're not making us miss a second day."
Carmine's stomach growled again.
"Did I mention they have free snacks for adorable little children like you?" Hondo said.
"Where do I get it?" Carmine said, his hunger getting the best of him this time.
"Not to mention the most exciting rides of your life." Hondo said.
Anakin started to get tempted and followed Carmine as he followed Hondo to go to Pleasure Island.
"Not again!" Kara groaned.
"Seriously?!" Sapphire face-hoofed.