On a dusty street in a minor city on a remote planet far from anywhere.
"So it's a curving left after the first cave?"
"You got it."
"And after that are the spires, aim for the Twins, then left of the Dancer?"
"And then what?"
"Owen, relax. I know the track. I could do it blindfolded."
The two young men paused as they noticed several beings emerge from a nearby shop. They had the look of off-worlders, not that unusual this time of year, but it was the long faces on the two humans that caught their eye. Again not particularly noteworthy. Tatooine was where people blew in from the wider Galaxy. The sensible thing was to mind their own business and wish them well.
"Hey there, you look to be in a spot!" said one of them as he approached the off-worlders.
"Oh hells, Anakin. Not again." said his brother trailing behind him.
To all appearances, things did not look good. They were on the run, their hyperdrive disabled and they were on one of the more notorious planets in the Galaxy. The most recent developments were not promising either, none of the local merchants had the needed engine parts or were willing to part with them for Republic Currency. A dire situation on the surface indeed.
Qui-Gon Jinn did not however dwell on the mundane appearance of things. Everything happens for a reason through the Force. So, if he was stranded and destitute on a lawless world it was because the Force had decreed he be so. So, if this was where they needed to be then he needed to be ready.
"Hey there, you look to be in a spot!" came the voice.
Qui-Gon looked up to see two young men crossing the street towards them. The one in front nimby sidestepped a passing hover cart while the other stopped for the vehicle to pass. They were both dressed like locals with an eye towards fashion over comfort.
"It does seem that way. Our ship suffered damage to it's hyperdrive and now we are stranded." he said.
"Well, maybe Owen and I can have a look, get you going." said the young man.
"I have been informed it's more serious than that the entire engine needs replacing. It's a J-Type..."
"Not a J-Type Nubian?" interrupted the man. At Qui-Gon's nod he continued, "There's the problem right there. J-Type's no good out here. They're fast and look good, I'll give you that, but too damn finicky and like you've found out too often need a complete refit. J-Types are for easily impressed rich idiots.
"Are they?" said Qui-Gon's young companion. While masquerading as a companion / bodyguard, he had seen through the deception and knew her to be the Queen and therefore the putative 'easily impressed rich idiot'.
"Yes. Total show over anything of substance. My advice would be to sell the entire ship for scrap and buy passage to wherever you're going, however with the race, you're not going anywhere till after that." said the man.
"Scrap?" said the Queen. Qui-Gon wondered if he should ask for introductions before the youngsters dug themselves further down, but decided against it. This was clearly a learning experience in humility for both he felt.
"Yes, scrap. Nubians belong in a display case or the junk heap. Why? Is it yours?" said the man.
"It happens to belong to my mistress." said the Queen who had at least some sense to keep cover.
"Well miss, tell her that she'd be better off with, " here the young man paused, "Hey Owen, what's a better fit for some twit with a Nubian?"
The other man walked up after crossing the street and rubbed his chin, "Sailrunner? I mean anything really."
"Regardless of the ship, we have urgent business in Coruscant, for which we need a replacement hyperdrive." said Qui-Gon.
"Let me guess, the boss also only trades in Republic credits. No Huttee talents?" the man said.
"You are correct." said Qui-Gon.
The young man looked at Owen. who immediately took two steps back.
"No, no way. I know that look. Anakin, it was the last time last time." said Owen.
"C'mon, let's do it. Besides, if their boss bought a Nubian, she might have lower standards elsewhere." said Anakin with a grin.
The two men stared at one another.
"Alright, we do this. Last time for real however, okay?" said Owen
"The very last. I promise." said Anakin.
Qui-Gon smiled, the Force had never let him down.
"So, how can you help us?" he said.
"Oh you'll see. Come with us." said Anakin.
"You don't think he's a threat?" said Anakin.
"Four engines? Looks cool, but it'll fly apart and the slightest bump." said Owen.
"He did well at Argentuff."
"Argentuff's smoother than a Zeltron's ass. This is the Boonta."
"Good point. What about..."
Padme tuned out the two racers. She had steeled herself for everything this criss would throw at her, or so she had thought. Horror, threats, danger, being captured she could accept, but this? This farce?
Her planet's fate was now apparently in the hands of two racers who had seemingly never heard of a class system. To hear them talk the only quality worth commenting on was speed. Worst of all the jedi was just going along with it.
She sat down besides the Jedi. "I don't like this." she said.
"Hmm." said the Jedi.
"I don't like this, trusting our fates and the fate of my, our planet to these two." said Padme indicating the two racers.
At that moment Owen looked at Anakin who nodded, Owen picked up a jenga pod.
"Hey Jar-Jar! Catch!" said Owen, tossing the fruit at the Gungan, Jar-Jar, for his part whipped his head around and speared the flying jenga with his tongue.
"Awesome!" said the human males as they slapped hands together.
"Something amiss, handmaiden?" said the Jedi.
Padme stared at the Jedi. He could not be serious! Could he?
"I feel you are concentrating too much on the material, what is only easily seen. Yes, these young men appear crass and incautious, but that is a front, bravado affected by young males the Galaxy over. I instead see two men who have chosen to aid us with hardly any hesitation on their part," said the Jedi.
"So I should be calm because they're nice?" said Padme. She looked over at the two. Anakin was currently balancing two bolts, one atop the other on his nose. Really!
"Tatooine is a harsh world, handmaiden. Here, no one does anything freely. Except these two. I would see that nurtured, for it will lead to greater things in the future."
"But will it help us?"
"Yes, I believe it will help everyone."
It was the day of the race. As Owen made the final adjustments to the racer, Anakin noticed that the young woman was looking particularly agitated.
"Hey. Why all the fidgeting? You got the easy part. Just watching." he said.
Padme rounded on him, "Just watching! The people on my planet are dying and I'm forced to wait here while you have fun on this stupid race."
Anakin frowned, "Stupid? Oh all right. I guess it is in the big scheme of things. Don't you worry though. I'm the best Human pod racer in the Rim."
"That's because you're the only Human pod racer, anywhere." said Owen laying a hand on his brothers shoulder,
Padme took a moment to look at the other racers. None of them were Human.
Anakin looked at his brother, "Dude! Don't stress the customer." he then turned to Padme. "Relax, I've got this. Win the race, buy you a hyperdrive and you'll be in Coruscant in three standard, four tops."
"Yeah, we'd take you ourselves, but our drive would take a month." said Owen.
"Plus time for repairs." added Anakin.
"And the inevitable side trip." said Owen.
"We should both try not to get married this time too." said Anakin.
"Good point." said Owen.
"So trust us, this is the best way." said Anakin.
The announcer blared, instructing racers to get ready for the race.
"Well, gotta go." said Anakin, he grinned, "No kiss? For luck?"
Padme stared back, "I'll kiss you if you win."
Anakin grinned, "When." he said before departing for the line of racers.
KA-BOOM!
The view screen showed a racer lose control and then explode in a fiery crash, then replayed it in slow motion.
"I sure hope they were insured for that!" said the announcer.
Padme kept an eyes on the screen, she couldn't see any tell tale blue and silver of Anakin's pod, but then she couldn't see much of anything..
VROOM, VROOM, VROOM
Three racers barreled past the viewing platform. Focused on the screen Padme missed who they were.
"Oh yeah! Third place. Wooo!" exulted Owen.
"Oh, that's it then. Thank you for trying." said Padme.
"Whaddya mean? There are two more laps to go. Anakin can finish, uh win this." said Owen.
Two more laps? Of the twenty racers that had started only fourteen were left. Four had been destroyed, one had stalled at the start, and the last burned out and was now being recovered. Wait.
"You said finish," she said looking at Owen.
Owen looked about, "Uh, yeah. Well. The Boonta's really dangerous and harsh."
"Has your brother ever finished?" said Padme.
KA-BOOM
"I don't care what universe you're from. That's gotta hurt!" said the announcer at the latest casualty.
"Well. That is. He has walked away from both crashes. That's gotta count for something, right?" said Owen hopefully.
Padme put her hand to her face and bit it. They had risked everything, everything on these maniacs!
KA-BOOM
"Oh, those Sandpeople are in good form today!"
After what seemed like an eternity, but was actually only about ten minutes the Blue and Silver racer crossed the finish line for the third time, the debris of the sole remaining opponent smoking a few hundred metres away. Anakin climbed out of the pod, surrounded by holo droids and a cheering crowd. A smiling Twi'lek girl handed him a cup and a suited Rodian man passed him a small bad. Anakin then let several holos and stills be taken before sauntering over. He looked down at Padme and smiled before handing her the bag.
"Here. As promised. Twenty five thousand talents." he said.
Padme took the bag.
"Thank you." she said.
He was still standing there, grinning. "Well?" he said.
Padme leaned up on her toes, wrapped her arms round Anakin's neck and kissed him.
The L'outrace, an aging G-9 Rigger light freighter flew between the transit points in the Hepheron system. Like almost every Rigger it had been heavily modified. The L'outrace was almost a flying workshop. It's cargo bay at the moment housed a pod racer while strapped to the 'wing' were two old Lancer class fighters. It is the possession of people who clearly value speed, ironic considering the G-9 is not known for that.
"Anakin." came a far away voice.
"Anakin." that voice again.
"Anakin!" oh, it was Owen, his brother. Anakin turned his head to look at his brother. They were in the pilot seats. "Nice to have you back."
Anakin checked a few dials and sensors, "Where are we?"
"Hepheron, three hours from transit. Where were you? Don't tell me you were thinking of that girl again." said Owen.
"Padme." said Anakin.
"Oh gods, Anakin!"
"She's good looking."
"Yeah, I guess."
"And they gave us back the winnings they didn't need."
"Which was very nice of them."
"And she kissed me."
"So? You kissed other girls before. What makes her so special?"
"I don't know."
"You don't even know? Threepio!"
In short order a dull grey humaniform droid walked into the cockpit. "Yes, Master Owen?" it said.
"Threepio, tell Anakin that's he's being an idiot." said Owen.
"Of course sir. Anakin, you are, you are, you are possibly mistaken sir." said 3PO eventually.
"Thanks, see, Threepio agrees with me." said Owen.
It was at that moment that the comm chimed. Anakin reached over to see what it was. It was a general broadcast message.
"This Is a request for aid. Our planet Naboo, in the Chommel sector has been blockaded by ships of the Trade Federation. We earnestly and desperately need help to bring in needed medical supplies. If able to we will recompense you favourably. Our medical needs are as follows..." the message went on detailing the various medicines needed, their quantities and how much they could pay for them.
Owen looked at Anakin as his brother began programming in a new course.
"No! No way." he said.
"Come on. Naboo's only a short jump from here. Let's go." said Anakin.
"And do what? We aren't carrying anything they need. What are you thinking of doing? Going up against the Trade Fed Fleet? Over some girl?" said Owen.
Anakin finished the calculations and the ship turned on it's new course. He smiled. "Yep." was all he said.
"We'll get blasted to bits. Threepio, you don't want to be blasted to bits do you?" said Owen.
"Blasted, oh my. Master Anakin. Perhaps you should reconsider." said Threepio.
"Come on, lets do this. It'll be fun. Besides, what's that old song dad sung?" said Anakin.
Both brothers attempted the song.
"Coruscanti girls, will do it for pearls. The Tatooine for water. But if you want a dame, with her heart aflame. Try a Nabooian daughter!" they chorused.
"Okay, okay. We do this." agreed Owen. "Things I do to get you laid." he grumbled as he cross checked the jump calculations.
With a flash the L'outrace made transit at Naboo. Anakin and Owen checked the scanners.
"Looks a bit busy down there in orbit." said Owen.
"Yeah. I count one big Trade Fed merchant, thirty eight droid fighters and twelve, ow, no eleven Naboo fighters." said Anakin.
"We going to even those odds?" said Owen.
"Sure thing, lets go." said Anakin.
The two men grabbed their helmets as a prelude to boarding the fighters.
"What do you want me to do masters?" asked Threepio.
"Stay away from the battle." said Owen.
"Don't get the ship blasted." said Anakin.
"This little charade is quite amusing Queen Amidala, but with my ships still in orbit we hold the high ground. Once your puny squadron is destroyed we shall land more droids and retake the Palace." said Nute Gunray triumphantly.
"We may yet win." said the Queen.
"Shall we see." said Gunray and nodded at a minion.
A holo representation of the battle in orbit appeared. Ten red lights indicated the surviving Naboo fighters among a sea of green.
"You fighters are brave, but doomed Your Magesty. Surrender and they will live." said Gunray.
Padme looked on as her fighters were englobed. The plan, always risky, had failed. Before she could speak two blue motes appeared and two green icons vanished.
"I think I will wait a little longer Viceroy." she said.
"Contact the Vuutun Palaa. What is going on!" said Gunray.
The two Lancer class fighters swept through and out the other side of the space battle, each ships cannon tearing apart a Vulture droid. They then arced back to attack again.
"This is Skywalker One and Two! We are here to assist Naboo against the Trade Federation." said Anakin over the comm.
"Glad for the assist." came the reply.
The Lancers made another pass, scattering the Vultures and allowing the Naboo room to maneuverer.
"So, what are we about today." asked Owen.
"We need to destroy that Battleship." replied a Naboo.
"Right on. Um, ideas as to how?" asked Owen as he scanned the ship's defences. "Those are some heavy shields."
"No problem, cover me brother." said Anakin as he accelerated towards the behemoth.
"Anakin! No, Abort attack." yelled Owen.
"Oh come on. No one armours or shields the insides. Follow me." said Anakin
The two fighters curved and dove straight for the massive ship's hanger bay. Ducking in before the crew could realise what was happening the fighters swept down a long curving access tunnel then turned down a narrower passage.
"Do you know where we're going?" said Owen.
"No, perhaps we should get out and ask for directions." said Anakin.
A large glowing blue pillar came into view.
"Or we could blast that." said Owen.
The two fighters opened fire. Soon they were rewarded by a large explosion. The Fighters stalled, used their AG to turn and then accelerated back the way they came, a massive fireball just behind them.
"Now this is pod racing!" yelled Anakin.
The two fighters followed the Naboo ships down to the hanger. As Anakin got out of the ship he noticed Padme walking towards them.
"You!" she said.
"Yeah, me. Hello again," said Anakin.
"Thank you for saving my world. Can I ask why?" said Padme.
"Oh, well, we were in the area. Heard you were in trouble." began Anakin.
"And lover boy can't get you out of his head." finished Owen who had arrived. He was also a bit more observant. "Anakin, why is everyone else bowing to or saluting your crush?" he added.
"Perhaps I can explain. When I said Thank you for saving my world, I meant My world." said Padme.
"Queen?" said Anakin.
"Queen." said Padme.
"So, no kiss then?" he said.
"I wouldn't go that far." she said walking up to him.
"So that concludes my report." said Qui-Gon once again back at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The Jedi Masters looked at one another and considered this news. They reached out into the Force for insight.
"You feel these two to be strong in the Force." said Master Windu.
"Their appearance both times was no accident." said Qui-Gon.
"Seek them out, have them brought to us." said Master Windu.
"Of course." said Qui-Gon bowing.
Anakin found Owen in the company of an attractive woman.
"Looks like you found someone as well." he said.
Owen looked up. 'Yeah. Even better, she can get us to the Neibuelung quickly."
The woman smiled, "It would be a pleasure. Father is quite the racing fan."
"Cool. Well, we need to be at the Neibuelung in two weeks." said Anakin.
The woman nodded. "I can arrange that." she said.
"Awesome, thank you miss..." said Anakin.
"Palpatine, Adara Palpatine." said Adara.
