For the next 9 years,
Amidala/Samantha learned about her Royal Family. These 9 years was a very smooth ride for everyone. There were little skirmishes here and there,
but nothing major. Now, it's Anakin
Skywalker that we will focus on. Anakin
was a fast learner, and Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon Jinn had been right. Anakin has been Obi-Wan's apprentice for 9
years now. He is now 18. (Yes, the same age as someone else in
another story). He is on Coruscant with
is master (Obi-Wan). Obi-Wan became
very fond of Anakin throughout the years. He considered him one of his best friends, as he had considered
Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan's eyes watered at the
thought of his old master.
Anakin says, "I'd like to go back to
Tatooine."
Obi-Wan look at him questionly. "Why?"
"Because I'd like to see it again. I haven't been there in 9 years…and I have a promise to keep to
someone."
Obi-Wan look thoughtfully at Anakin, but
didn't have time to reply, because Anakin said, "my mother. I've been thinking about her a lot. And the rest of the slaves. I want to rescue them."
Obi-Wan said, "that'll be tough…considering
you have to deactivate those devices…and that place is controlled by the
Hutts."
"I've been looking into that…and I think
there's some way around it. But I need
your help."
Obi-Wan said, "Well, I guess nothing major
has happened or is happening in the galaxy…and if you feel it is right…I trust
you."
Anakin smiled. "Good…let's go."
"Ani…" (That's what Anakin's called for
short.)
"That boy makes split second decisions and
doesn't even consider rethinking them…I suppose that's because of his high
level of Force."
So, Obi-Wan runs after his Padawan
apprentice. Anakin climbs in the
pilot's seat. A droid named R2-D2 is
also with them. Ric Olie had given him
to Anakin after he had saved them all on Naboo 9 years ago.
"Ready,
R2?"
It beeps.
"Obi-Wan,
you in?"
"Yes, Ani…"
Another thing about Anakin is his knack for
flight. That also came with Anakin's
force level. So Anakin flew them to
Tatooine. He landed at the old village
in which he had been a slave, and now renamed Mos Eisley. (It was Mos Espa).
After
he had landed the ship expertly, Obi-Wan tapped Anakin on the shoulder, "and
just exactly how do you plan to do this?"
Anakin looked back at him, "I hadn't thought
of that. I'll just take tings as they
come. Don't worry, I'll have a plan."
Obi-Wan says, "That boy does everything on
instinct…force…" (He said that so quietly that Anakin didn't hear him.
Anakin
had just constructed his first lightsaber…a blue one. His initials were on the bottom of the handle.
Anakin
says, "I have everything under control…just follow me."
Obi-Wan follows Anakin the back way into the
shops.
"All
right, I came up with a plan. We'll
release all the slaves and bring them as a group to Watto. He'll have no choice but to let them go."
Obi-Wan says, "and how will you get into all
the slave's quarters?"
"We'll knock on the doors…but we'll have to
do it slowly…one at a time. Otherwise
they'll know something's wrong (Watto), don't worry."
"Anakin
has a simple answer for everything," thought Obi-Wan.
"I wonder when the council will consider him
ready to face the trials."
Anakin just had to go to his mother's
first…or at least he hoped his mother was still there. R2-D2 had been following the entire
time. Anakin knocked on the door. Shmi answered. She had no idea it was
Anakin…after all, people change a lot from age 9 to 18. She was face to face with an extremely
handsome boy…she knew he was a Jedi because a Jedi Knight had once visited
her…and he had taken Anakin with him. She loved him very much and missed him dearly.
Before
she had a chance to say anything, Anakin said, "Hi mom. I told you I'd come back someday and free you."
"Oh, Ani…" she started crying. "Please come in…"
"What
about Obi-Wan?" (Anakin pointed to his
master.)
"Oh of course."
So they came in. Shmi hugged Anakin, and he hugged her back.
"I've
missed you so much th…."
"So have I…this is Obi-Wan Kenobi…he's the
Jedi I've been training under."
She smiled at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan returned the smile.
"You
have to tell me all about your life in the past 9 years…"
Anakin told her a little about his
training.
Obi-Wan
says, "It's a pleasure to have your son as a Padawan Apprentice."
She
says, "thank you."
Then Anakin says, "Where's C-3PO?"
"Oh, he's still around, Ani. I think he's in your old bedroom."
Obi-Wan says, "C-3PO?"
"The droid I built. I have to finish him…put coverings on him. Okay, mom, get
everything you want…I'm going to get you out of here."
Shmi gathers her things. C-3PO also comes…and they set off
together: Anakin, Shmi, Obi-Wan, R2-D2,
and C-3PO…in preparation for the freeing of the slaves….so, Anakin and the others stop by each and every one of the
slave quarters to add one more family to their group. Some of them Anakin knew, some of them not.
When
they went to each house, Anakin puffed up with pride as he said, "I'm Jedi
Apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, and I'm here to rescue you."
So one by one, Anakin got all the
slaves on Tatooine without Watto's noticing, (I know this is not as an exciting
event as some you've seen…but they'll be plenty of events to come in Blue
Waters) and he marches into Watto's shop with the entire group. Watto looks up, surprised.
"I am
a Jedi-in-training, release these slaves now!"
Obi-Wan had known Anakin for a long time,
but he was surprised at how demanding Anakin sounded.
Obi-Wan
shrugged, "Oh well…"
Watto was surprised, too.
"Calm
down boy…maybe we can cut a deal."
"Maybe," says Anakin.
Watto is visibly scared of Anakin. He has no like for Jedi…especially after one
had cheated him out of his best slave. All right, so maybe it had been a fair deal, but the Jedi had known what
the outcome would be, somehow. While
Watto was busy thinking up a "good deal", Anakin crept over to where the
controls for the devices that would blow up the slaves if they got too far away
was, and pressed, "Deactivate all."
Watto
says, "all right, I have it. There is a
certain slave I once had named Anakin Skywalker. If you can find him, and bring him to me…I'll give you the rest
of the slaves."
Anakin laughed, then says, "Too late!!!"
Then he grabs a thermal detonator out form
under his Jedi outfit, not a very powerful one, and throws it at the slave
device machine, which blows it up so that it is now beyond repair. Now there can be no more slaves on Tatooine
until they can get another machine. (By
the way, once someone is deactivated, they can never be activated again!) Watto stares angrily at Anakin.
Anakin says, "Now, everyone, RUN!!!"
On his way out, Anakin says, "Oh, and if you
want Anakin, he's right here. Bye,
Watto."
The slaves all returned home…and news of
this reached the rest of the galaxy…including the Senate, which made it
particularly dangerous for Anakin. But
that's the next episode. After the
others left, Anakin, Shmi, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Obi-Wan Kenobi were now
alone.
Shmi
says, "Anakin, I can't believe I'm free!"
Anakin smiles, very proud of what he has just
done.
Shmi
says, "Now I can tell you about the rest of your family…"
"The rest of the family?"
"Yes…your brothers and your father."
Anakin replies, "I always thought I had a
father…why didn't you tell me before?"
"Because of what he did…Anakin, he sold me,
his wife, to the Hutts when I was pregnant with you…and I was only like a month
away from having you when he did…"
Anakin
starts to get really mad and yells, "He sold us. How could he do that? I'm
going go march right up to him and make him pay!"
You see they were on their way to see his family.
Up to
this point Obi-Wan had been silent, but he suddenly says, "ANAKIN SKYWALKER,
shut-up!"
Obi-Wan
had never seen this side of Ani…it was quite evident that Anakin had deep hate
for this father of his. And that wasn't
good…
Obi-Wan
continues calmly this time, "Ani, I'm sorry, but take deep breaths and calm
down. You can't hope to do well when
you try to face the trials if you let your anger get out of hand. I know what your father did was wrong, and
you have every right to be mad at him, but you've got to control your anger…
"Anger, fear, aggression, and hate all lead to the dark side. Once you start down the dark path, forever
will it dominate your destiny." That is
a famous quote of Yoda's. Just try to
control it. Usually, you have it well
under control…but you've go to be careful. They'll give you tough situations like that at the trials. I never faced them myself, but I know a lot
of people who have, and they're tough. Now, when you meet your family, I want you to remain as calm as possible. Violence gains nothing."
Anakin says, after being calmed down, "I'm
sorry, master." (But deep down inside,
he was thinking, "My father will pay someday…").
They
continue onto the Skywalker homestead. Now, ever since the Maurders took control of the planet, the homestead
fell steadily in value. The demand and
prices lowered in the Skywalker's business, and things had been tough. They had lost Anchorhead and had had to
re-locate to a location nearby. Lowdun
and Mary had left by now. They had
basically raised Summoner's children, since he wasn't around very often. Lowdun often had told Owen and Rhun stories
of the past, including the story of Lowdun's parents and their death by Poopsie
Kritch. Owen never forgot that
story. Anyway, by now both Owen and
Rhun had married. Owen married a lady
named Beru and had had 3 children, and Beru was pregnant with the 4th. The previous 3 had mysteriously
disappeared. (More on that later) and
Rhun now had a one-year old daughter.
They continue onto the Skywalker
homestead. Just before they get there,
Beru leaves to go "on a trip". (She is
really visiting her adopted family; she just doesn't want anyone to know). Thus, she doesn't meet Anakin when he comes. Lowdun also isn't there, as I said. Lowdun and Mary had left 2 years ago, when
Owen was 20. Anyway, Anakin lets his
mother lead the way.
"Don't worry, mom, I'm right behind
you. If dad tries anything, I'm here."
She is grateful to Anakin for this.
"Thank
you, Ani."
Obi-Wan decides to wait at the edge of the
homestead with the two droids. Anakin
puts his hand on his lightsaber handle. Not that he would actually use it on anyone. It was just nice to know it was there. There were voices coming form outside. Meanwhile, Owen and Rhun were talking when Summoner joined
them.
"Did you
get the vaporator working?"
Owen says, "I'm not exactly sure what's wrong
with it…"
There was a knock on the door.
Rhun says,
"I wonder who that is…"
"Probably someone having trouble with
something on his or her farm. Just tell
them to go away. We're busy."
"Yes, father."
Rhun opens the door to see his mother and
some guy he doesn't recognize.
"What the…Dad! Mom's here…I thought you told us she died."
Owen and Summoner rush over. Summoner reaches for her, but Anakin grabs a
hold of Summoner's hand.
"No you
won't."
Summoner
hadn't even noticed him.
Who are
you?"
"Anakin Skywalker, your son."
Summoner also knows that Anakin's a Jedi from
what he's wearing, and he knows he can't handle him.
"Fine…"
he lets go
of Shmi after Anakin lets go of him.
"I freed
her, and another Jedi freed me when I was little."
Owen and
Rhun stare at their brother. Then
Summoner admits the story of how he sold Shmi.
After
that, Anakin says, "I'd like to get to know you a little, live here awhile…"
"This house is crowded already, boy."
Shmi says, "Please, he's your son. You put him into slavery. He's gone through a lot."
Summoner sighs, "Fine, but I'm not going to
like this."
"Thank you," says Anakin.
News of the slave raid on Tatooine spread
quickly to the rest of the galaxy, including the Senate, which made it
particularly dangerous for Anakin. The
Trade Federation had mysteriously disappeared within the past 9 years, and
again Darth Sidious is meeting with Arawn.
As Arawn
entered, Sidious says, "I must congratulate you, Arawn on the destruction of
the Trade Federation. But there is as
more pressing matter. I take it that
you have heard of the slave raid on Tatooine?"
"Who hasn't?"
"Then you know that the person that led it
was not a full Jedi, only a mere Padawan."
Sidious paused to see Arawn's reaction.
"A very
powerful one then…"
"Yes," says Sidious. "My reason for this little engagement
concerns that boy. His name is Anakin
Skywalker. I'd forgotten about him,
almost."
Arawn says, "What makes him different from
any other Jedi Apprentice?"
"I'm not sure, exactly. I know that Qui-Gon Jinn was very interested
in the boy. Obi-Wan took him on as an
apprentice right after the Battle of Naboo. It is evident that the boy is strong in the force; I'm not sure how
strong. He is a potential threat to me,
if he has a strong force, he could be very dangerous for us."
"What do you purpose to do about it now?"
"Nothing…except that I want you to watch the
boy closely, keep tabs on him for me."
"You don't want me to kill him?"
"Leave the killing of Jedi to me. Don't worry; we'll deal with Anakin
soon. For now, just do as I asked."
Arawn smiled, "Yes, of course."
"Oh, and before you go, how is the Princess
Samantha thing working out?"
"Not too well…I keep trying to get her
attention, but every time I try, I fail."
"Keep trying, Arawn. You are dismissed."
Arawn bows, then leaves. Sidious is left alone in his office.
Now for a flashback: Supreme Chancellor Palpatine gets ready for
yet another Senate meeting. Although Tatooine
is no longer in the Republic, there was much talk about the Slave raids. Palpatine had not heard of this event, he
had his mind wrapped up in other thoughts.
"Everyone please…" he attempted to get attention, but it took 10 minutes
for everyone to quiet down.
The Jedi were again represented at this meeting. Palpatine wished they weren't present. It made Palpatine sweat every time he saw a
Jedi…especially ever since he was elected Supreme Chancellor…he was always
afraid they'd see something, but they never did.
Mace Windu stepped forward, "We have
still not discovered this other Sith, and we know he still lives there is an
unbalance in the Force. Although he has
not shown himself, we still feel threatened boy this."
Palpatine knew he couldn't let the
subject slip this time, there was far too much at stake…he was so much closer
now to the goal.
"Fine," Palpatine says. "I'll set aside a time to meet with you
about the matter. I'm not going to
waste precious time talking about it in one of our Senate sessions, though."
Mace Windu accepted this. "All
right," he said.
Then someone said, "He was only a
Jedi-in-Training."
This got Palpatine's attention.
"What are you babbling about?"
Even though this was no Senate matter, no one objected to it, including
the Supreme Chancellor himself.
"Anakin Skywalker freed all the slaves
on Tatooine."
Palpatine sat back.
"Anakin Skywalker?"
The last time the Chancellor had seen Anakin was 9 years ago after
Obi-Wan had just taken him on as an apprentice. Little by little different people told the story. One thing Palpatine was certain of was that
this boy had the potential to become a very powerful Jedi.
Palpatine said to himself, "I'm
definitely going to have to look into this…"
Then they moved onto other issues, but
Palpatine's mind remained on Anakin. The rest of the episode is devoted to Arawn. Sidious had given him the task of hunting down and killing the
Trade Federation. This was not beyond
Arawn's skills. Since this is not a major
event in Blue Waters, I will not go into much detail, but his event is
necessary. The Trade Federation had fallen apart after what had happened on
Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
himself forbade them to have it anymore. But Arawn had known what Darth Sidious meant when he had told him to get
rid of the Trade Federation: he had
meant the people who had actually been involved in The Deal: Nute Gunray and Rune Haako. Arawn had heard of them making comments
about the Sith.
"Well, Sidious will no longer have to worry about them."
So, Arawn went ahead, after locating the two, and killed
them. No one missed them, since there
was no Trade Federation any longer, and they were prisoners anyway, serving time
on that planet. Palpatine had sent them
away to a prison camp, but he wasn't sure where. It hadn't taken Arawn that long to compile a list of possible
places, provided by Darth Sidious, and to find out which ones. And now to Arawn's other mission: Princess Samantha. Samantha had adjusted well to living on Coruscant with her Royal
family after being queen of Naboo. Samantha was now 23 years old, and she had grown to be among the
prettiest females in the galaxy. But
because she was in the Royal Jedi family, many guys came to her in hopes for money
and because she was a beautiful princess. She didn't go for any of them. Tim and Sally Jedi were kind of nervous about this, because they wanted
her to carry on the family line. Samantha's parents wouldn't let her marry just anyone…it needed to be someone
rich…this is because they cared about their family image in front of the
public. She wouldn't have to marry a
prince or king, just someone rich. And
Arawn fell into that category; he knew…Darth Sidious paid him extremely
well. The only problem is that Samantha
did not share this view. She only
wanted love. Often times these types of
people her parents wanted her to marry lacked love, consideration, compassion,
and everything she wanted in a guy, which Arawn is just about to find out.
Until next time!
Please review if you have read this! Thanks! J