Sheev Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of The Galactic Republic, looked over the sea of fools he was forced to endure.

"Chancellor, what do you say to allegations that you have failed to address 'the stifling bureaucracy and corruption at the heart of our society'" shouted a reporter.

"All I can say is that the task is vast and will take time, still, only last week we appointed an interim committee to analyse discretionary spending."

"Chancellor, what about the accusations from the Hutt Cartels that we are provoking them?"

"The Republic's relations with it's neighbours continues as normal, especially as we are seeing that our own affairs are in order."

"So we are not provoking the Hutts?"

"To my knowledge there are no Republic operations in Hutt space, however, our organisations are vast. It will have to be looked into."

"But nothing new."

"No, nothing new."


To say it was dark would be redundant. It was always dark on Nal Hutta. The Hutts liked it that way and forced all their minions and chattels to live in perpetual gloom. That suited Anakin just fine. Automated defences and security could be sliced. Organics needed a bit more work to bypass, which is why the gloom made it easy and the fact that everyone hated the Hutts made it even simpler. After all, it was just some momento from a bygone age. Did anyone really care about it?

Anakin waited behind a column and eyed the prize. He thought he knew someone who did. He watched the Gammorean slowly shuffle along. Come on! He had seen the dull witted creature find the mini-keg and drain it. How long before it worked its way through? He glanced at the chrono, he still had time.

The guard eventually chose to trot off to answer a call of nature. Now. Anakin ran leapt, firing the suction grappler as he did so. There was a soft 'thwup' as it connected with the ceiling and he activated the reel. As he ascended he also swung over the barrier. Then he lowered himself till he was just over the display case. Anakin drew out a mono-knife and made a small hole in the top. Then, carefully he took the object within. A small amount of rocking allowed him to swing clear of the barrier and land with a small thump. Package in hand he departed before the guard returned.


"Quick, throw the cutter!" yelled Owen from atop the cargo pod. The tunnels intermittent lights illuminated everything in strobing flashes, not unlike that of a dance floor.

Besides him, in the speeder Adara grinned and threw the tool. Owen had been able to board earlier, just without anything more complicated than a wrench that Hutt security scans would pick up. In the tunnels however, that was impossible. Owen caught the cutter and ignited it, flooding the local area with bright white light. He then reached down to slice through the connection between the hauler and the cargo pod. He then looked the other way.

"Damnit. Anakin. Where are you?" he growled as the pod slid away from the hauler.

Anakin was only a little late maneuvering the jacked hauler after the others.

"Who would have thought Nal Hutta had casual drivers." he muttered having finally got free of a snarl on the slipways.

He accelerated the hauler and hurtled into the tunnel chasing the quarry. Catching up with the now drifting pod, he waited while Owen reattached it and climbed into the cab.

"You took your time." grumbled Owen.

"Oh, there was this tourist attraction I just had to go see," said Anakin airily.

The hauler and speeder exited the tunnel and made for the starport. After the speeder entered the hanger, the hauler deftly reversed the pod in. Owen and Anakin then abandoned the hauler and ran aboard as the ships began to rise from the dock amid alarms sounding.

Anakin opened the pod to check on the contents, Thirty beings stared back, blinking against the light of the cargo bay.

"Hi there. Apologies for the change of plans, but you're being rescued." he said. The ship then shook from an explosion. "Now, we'll be letting you out, soon as we see to the people who think they own you." he added before running for a defence turret. The ship shook a couple more times as he strapped himself into the seat. "Adara, can I remind you of the meaning of the word 'evade'?" he commed to the accompaniment of another hit.

"And can I remind you of the meaning of 'blast those bastards'!" came Adara's reply.

The ship accelerated weaving amongst the fire from the pursuing interceptors. Now however, the ship's guns fired back. Working together, Anakin and Owen drove off the attack ships, who wisely decided that the matter was not worth dying over. Once far enough away and free of pursuit the ship jumped.

The trio stood before the pod again.

"Hello again. Welcome aboard Skywalker, oof, sorry Palpatine Flights. I am afraid to say that your terms of indentured servitude has been cancelled and that you are now all free." said Anakin. He looked at his companions, "That's right isn't it? Free?"

Owen and Adara nodded.

"Yes, so that seems to be that. We'll be in Naboo space in about twelve hours, so let's see about releasing you all, getting you fed and in better quarters."


Sheev scowled at the holo image of his daughter. He should have known! "This has been extremely embarrassing, dear daughter." he said.

Adara's image pouted, "But daddy, it was so much fun."

"However that may be, I cannot be projecting an image of an elder statesman with you gallivanting about performing these, stunts." said Sheev.

"But daddy, it's perfect. You're seen as the sensible one, while I can be the crazy untamed distraction. Daddy." said the image.

Sheev had to admit his daughter had a point.

"Okay, okay. I'll allow this for now." said Sheev.

The image blew him a kiss, "Thanks daddy, you're the best!" it said.

"Just promise me you're keeping up with your exercises." he said.

"Of course daddy. Gotta go. Love you." said the image and winked out.

Adara walked out of the holosuite and flopped down besides Owen.

"Parental units not approving?" he said.

"Daddy has become such a bore since becoming the great Supreme Chancellor of The Republic. It's all formality this and image that. Smile for the holos Adara." said Adara.

"Your father has always been a politician. Wasn't it like that before?" asked Owen.

Adara sniffed, "I guess. It's worse now though, he's become so boring. Not like you."

"Oh, I'm more interesting than your father. Thanks." said Owen.

"You know what I mean." Adara said leaning into him.

"Oh, I do, do I?"


Padme Amidala was the absolute ruler of everything within Naboo Primary's heliosphere. Almost everyone within that was her subject. An exception however, stood on her balcony.

"This palace has walls, laser fencing, sensors." she said.

"Yes."

"There are guards, automated and organic."

"Yes."

"Satellite surveillance."

The intruder looked up at the clear skies.

"Good, is it?"

"I was led to believe so."

"Well, it's all still there, keeping you safe from harm."

"So why can't it keep you out?"

The intruder made a small motion with what looked like a remote. There was a click and the balcony opened and he stepped inside, putting his arm round her in a quick motion.

"I do not intend you harm," said Anakin.

Padme looked back, "At a word I can summon my bodyguard," she said.

Anakin smiled, "Tempting, but no. I'd rather have your full attention."

"Why can't you be like other suitors?" Padme protested.

"Oh right, gifts," said Anakin, releasing her. Padme stumbled backward as the lout fished around in a bag. He withdrew a silver circlet, studded with diamonds, with a massive ruby as the centerpiece.

"That's the Crown of Tariel V! No, it's a copy. It can't be real," said Padme, looking at the ancestral artifact.

"It's real. Least, the slugs think so," said Anakin.

"Where did you, wait, slugs?" said Padme.

Anakin shrugged, "They weren't using it. It was in this building, Laser fencing, sensors, guards, scanners. That sort of thing. I thought it would look better on you." he said holding it up and placing it on her head.

Padme smiled, "Thank you." she said.


The Council Chamber of the Jedi lies at the top of a spire reaching high above the Temple. There Obi-Wan Kenobi tried to maintain his composure.

"We're helping the Hutts?" he said.

"The Jedi are neutral in Galactic politics. The Temple is on Coruscant, but we stand ready to aid the entire Galaxy." said Ki-Adi Mundi.

"I understand that, but still, the Hutts asked us for help?" said Obi-Wan.

"Unprecedented, yes, this is. Great opportunity also, this provides." said Yoda.

"Yes, we are seldom invited into Hutt Space." agreed Master Windu.

"Okay, I think I understand. Do we have any leads as to the nature of this thief they want so badly?" asked Obi-Wan.

"That we have, someone, familiar you are with?" said Yoda.

A holo sprung up revealing a dark clad smirking human,

"Anakin Skywalker. I might have known." groaned Obi-Wan.


It is known as the Cicuit Mon Ragnos. Named after a mythical Sith Lord, the race circuit on Leoban is famed for its deadly curves, deceptive drops and tortuous bends. The Ultimaflo makes the track an endurance challenge. Twenty laps of Mon Ragnos, or more commonly, be the last survivor as your competitors crash, burn or pass out.

This Ultimaflo, as always has viewers the Galaxy over glued to the holoprojectors. However, this event had some viewers of note.

Padme Amidala watched the progress of the blue and silver racer. She knew she should be sensible. This, dalliance with the pilot was an amusing scandal. That it would be as brief as it was outrageous was, understood. So, she watched the races. A fiery death would resolve so much consternation at court. So she held her breath at each switch and inversion, breathing out in relief as the only human racer survived yet again.

Obi-Wan Kenobi also watched the blue and silver racer. It was simply impossible for a human to handle a pod like that. Unless of course, you used the Force. It was one more thing to ask the racer. It had also become apparent that the racer was too high profile to arrest for crimes against the Hutt. He would have to catch him in something local. He winced as the racer took another twist. That is, if he survived, of course.

Adara Palpatine watched the holo displaying Anakin's progress occasionally, she had checked the track, its configuration and various notes on the surrounds. Come on! No one just named something after one of the most powerful Sith Lords ever on a whim. What was here?

"Some Dark Lady you'll be Adara." she muttered.

"What was that?" asked Owen besides her.

"Oh, wishful thinking. Still, Lady Palpatine makes me sound old. How about Princess Adara?" she said.

"Princess? Your dad's Chancellor, not King or Emperor." pointed out Owen.

"Yeah. Republics are boring. You'ld like me more if I were a Princess." said Adara with a pout.

"I like you a lot already." said Owen as he put his arm round Adara.

"Unhand me, vagrant. Or, or I'll send you back to the slave pits." said Adara.

"Hate to break it to you but there's been a revolution and it's off to the slave pits with you!" said Owen as he lifted Adara up and carried her off.

"Hey, what about the race," said Adara.

"Hey, it's Anakin. He's fine," said Owen.


At this moment there were two left. Both were lightweight, relying on aerodynamics to make up for a larger engine's power. One is blue and silver, the other bright pink. They have spent the entirety of the Ultimaflo in their own private race.

Right, right, right, invert, drift, thrust, left, dive. Anakin's mind was on one thing. Survive the Ultimaflo. Make it through this, last, final lap.

There was a clang. Anakin glanced left. Oh yes, and beat this bright pink racer. It had been with him for the entire race. Sometimes ahead, sometimes behind, but never for long. He swerved back, earning a look from the helmeted racer. Bright pink helmet. He wondered what race the pilot was? A species that liked pink? He hadn't heard of one.

The racers continued jostling, separated briefly for the spiral and to avoid a burning engine. Then they went back to vying for supremacy. The finish line approached, both pilots gunned their engines and used the last reserves of fuel for a massive burn and the Galaxy watched.


Moments later Anakin sat in the cooling pod. Dammit, second. Oh well, can't win them all he mused as he waited for it to be safe to touch the outer surfaces. Once cool enough, he climbed out of his pod and went to congratulate the mystery racer.

She, the racer was definitely female, was climbing out of her pod. She removed her helmet revealing a red face surrounded by black fur.

"Congratulations!" said Anakin, trying to match her features with a species name.

"And for you commiserations. Still, it was to be expected, no?" said the woman.

"Expected?" spluttered Anakin.

"Well, you are only human." said the woman.

Then the crowd of well wishers were upon them.

"Panolpei, Panolpei, Panolpei." cheered the crowd.

"Panolpei Parstol! To what do you credit this victory today." called out a reporter.

Panolpei paused and looked over at Anakin. "I do not know. One more knock and you would be interviewing this Human instead."

"The name's Anakin." growled Anakin.

"Oh, the Human that won the Boonta last standard. That explains, much. How about dinner, Anakin? My treat as I seem to have come into some winnings." said Panolpei.

Anakin thought about it. He really shouldn't be so sore about losing. "Why sure. Name the place." he ssid.

"The Caramana," said Panolpei with a smile.


Padme watched the after match with a steadily increasing fury. That Draxian was slipping her claws in where they had no business being! While she was stuck on Naboo, forced to attend another interminable trade deal. Who knew what would happen given enough, wait, being Queen had advantages too. She reached for her com.

"Sabe, good. Now listen. You'll be impersonating me for the next few days. Yes, yes. I know about the trade talks, but you'll be fine. Just don't sell our planet." she instructed.

That settled, she quickly made ready to secretly travel.

As Obi-Wan watched the two racers he received a prompting from the Force. So, this was it! He set to locate this restaurant.

Adara lay beside Owen and frowned as she regarded the pad. Where was it?

"What's got you all distracted?" asked Owen, jolting her out of concentration. H mm, maybe Daddy was right. Sex was a distraction from power.

"It's here. I just know it." she said.

"What is?" said Owen.

"Something, valuable. Priceless you might say," said Adara.

Owen instantly intent on the pad. "So, this thing, what's it look like?"

"Classic solid. Red color." said Adara.

"Kinda like the Rouge Pyramid," said Owen.

"A bit," Adara admitted and thought about the centerpiece of the town. No, no one would be so arrogant as to think the wrong people, no arrogance was the thing. She would need another look.

"Darling, how about dinner?" she suggested.