The next morning Rae rode into the maintenance area with everyone else.
Just then Watto flew up to them and spoke to them in Huttes, which Rae, to
the surprise of her Earth memory, understood perfectly. She jumped off of
the animal and ran after him. She was thinking of the events in AotC, and
she knew that there was some thing that she could do to change it.
"Watto!" she called.
The Toydarian stopped and turned. "Wadday want?"
"I have a bet for you."
"Oh really now?"
"One that you will find very hard to refuse."
"And what could you have that I would be interested in?"
"Here is the bet, if Ani wins you free Shmi."
"And if he doesn't?"
Rae took a deep breath. "You'll get me."
The Toydarian's eyes widened with greed.
"You know that I am a good worker, I would be an asset," she tempted.
Watto hesitated, but a moment. "Deal!"
He zipped off.
Rae took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves.
"Are you alright?" Rae felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Qui-Gon watching her worriedly.
"I am alright. Come on let's go check on Ani."
She hurried off.
Qui-Gon watched her head off for a few moments before starting himself. He had sensed something from Rae, but the girl was damn near imposible to read.
~*~
Rae stood beside the Pod checking over it. She scowled, wishing she wasn't so horrible at mechanics, so that she could find the bit of sabotage that Sebulba did. Just then Qui-Gon lifted Anakin into the Pod. Rae stepped away. Well she had tried, now she could only trust the Force.
"Feel, don't think. Use your instincts."
"I will."
"May the Force be with you, Ani," Rae said quietly.
"Indeed." Qui-Gon nodded.
She and Qui-Gon walked over to where everyone was to watch the race.
"You Jedi are far too reckless! If the Queen-"
"The Queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should too."
"You assume far too much."
Rae wanted to burst out laughing, but settled for a light chuckle.
~*~
The race ran smoothly. 'Maybe Sebulba didn't manage to sabotage it this time.'
Just then Ani's Pod started to spout smoke and to slowdown.
'Spoke too soon.'
Shmi and Padmé looked at the screen, confused and worried.
Rae bit her lip then she closed her eyes. 'You can do it Ani! I know you can!' She sent positive thoughts and encouragement through the Force to him.
Then she felt his joy when the Pod started back up. So she wasn't surprised when she opened her eyes that everyone was giving sighs of relief. 'Now if he can just win the race.'
Rae's stomach twisted and she felt light headed. She had never been so nervous in her whole life. Everything was going just as it had in the movie, but never had she been so aware of how tenuous their situation was. It sat on the edge of a knife, just one change, just one twitch of a finger.
Then, as Anakin broke away from Sebulba, relief, like she had never known, crashed over her. A cry of joy, triumph and relief jumped out of her throat. Everyone was cheering; she turned and she and Padmé hugged each other ecstatically. Then she turned and hugged Shmi, who had tears of joy, relief and pride in her eyes.
The instant that the viewing tower touched the ground Rae, literally, hurdled out and ran over to Anakin just he came to a stop. He looked around at everyone crowding around him, dazed. Then Rae leapt up onto the side of the Pod and tackled him with a hug. Laughing joyously, "You did it Ani! You did it!"
Then Qui-Gon came over, a rare, full-fledged grin on his face, picked up Anakin and set him on his shoulder.
Just then it truly sank in for Ani.
"Mom I did it! Yeaaaaaah!" His triumphant cry resounded.
~*~
The group started to head off to the garage.
Qui-Gon broke off saying he had to speak with Watto. Rae followed him without a word.
"You don't have to come Rae."
"Actually I do. I must speak with Watto as well."
Qui-Gon looked at her, thoughtfully, then nodded.
~*~
They found Watto on and enclosed balcony, paying people he owed money to. When he finally noticed them he told them that he had swindled him.
"I lost everything!"
"Whenever you gamble my friend sometimes you lose. I shall pick up the parts then stop by later so you can free the boy."
"And Shmi," Rae added.
Qui-Gon's eyes flickered over to her briefly.
"You can't have them, it wasn't a fair be."
Qui-Gon was about to ask him if he wanted to take it up with the Hutts when Rae began to speak to Watto, her voice soft with a slight edge. The language she spoke sounded similar to Huttesse, but it wasn't Huttesse. Qui- Gon knew Huttesse and he didn't understand what Rae was saying. Though, Watto apparently did, he looked terrified.
"So what is it gonna be, Watto? Am I gonna have to call our friend?" Rae finished in Basic.
Watto sighed in defeat. "Take them, both of them."
Rae and Qui-Gon both bowed then left.
"How did you get Shmi?" Qui-Gon asked quietly.
Rae shrugged. "I made a bet with him, that if Ani won he would free Shmi. I figured out this morning that you had made a bet with Watto to free Ani so I decided to make one of my own."
Qui-Gon raised and eyebrow. "And what if Ani had lost?"
"Not that it matters, but he would have gotten me." Her voice was completely nonchalant.
Qui-Gon's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline.
~*~
Rae and Qui-Gon walked through the streets of Mos Espa toward Ani and Shmi's home. They had alread dropped off the parts and sold the Pod; now they were going to have Ani and Shmi freed.
Just then they heard a scuffle. There was a group of children standing and watching what appeared to be a fight.
"Ani," Rae breathed.
She and Qui-Gon walked over briskly. Most of the other children scattered when they saw them. Qui-Gon pulled Anakin off of the Rodian, who he had been pounding with his fists.
"Wade, get home now! I mean it am skray! Before I go and tell your mother you have been fighting!" Rae told the Rodian. He ran off knowing Rae wasn't kidding.
Rae then turned to Anakin.
"Anakin, how many times have I told you not to let you anger get the better of you?"
"He called me a cheater!"
"Wade's an idiot! You know that! You know better than to let what he says get to you!"
"Rae is right, Ani, anger is dangerous, it can consume your soul."
Anakin hung his head, ashamed. Then he looked up again, confused. "Wait! What are you guys doing here?"
Rae gave him a secretive smile. "We have something to tell you and your mother and something to give you."
Qui-Gon reached inside his poncho and pulled out some money. "Here this is your's."
"Yes!"
"We sold the Pod to a rather miffed dug."
Anakin looked up at them, grinning.
Just then they arrived at the dwelling. Anakin bounded through the door. "Mom, we sold the Pod! Look at all of the money we have!"
"Oh Ani that's wonderful!"
"And you both have been freed," Qui-Gon told them.
"What?!" Shock was written all over their faces.
"You're no longer slaves." Rae smiled.
"Did you hear that Mom?!"
Shmi's shock dissolved into a smile. She nodded then looked up at them. "Is he to become a Jedi?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "We will do what ever we can to see that he does."
"We're going with you in your starship?!"
Rae grinned and nodded.
"But where shall we live?" Shmi asked, worried.
"Ani will live in the Jedi Temple. We should be able to find you an apartment."
Shmi appeared to be a little overwhelmed. Rae went over and kneeled next to her.
"I know that this is a lot to take in. Things have never worked out this easily for you. But this is real and I promise you that whatever happens things will work out."
Shmi looked down at her then took a deep breath. "Alright."
"You need to pack quickly, we leave soon and we must stop by Watto's shop," Qui-Gon told them.
Shmi nodded and hurried off to pack, Rae going with her to help.
"Can I bring 3PO?" Anakin called from his room.
"I don't think he can stay in the Temple, but yes you may," Qui-Gon's voice called back.
Shmi smiled and called, "He will stay with me."
~*~
The group ran across the desert landscape to the ship. Qui-Gon was in front, Anakin had begun to lag behind a little, Shim kept pace with him, Rae had dropped behind them to make sure that they were both alright. Suddenly she heard something, she spun around and saw the Sith.
"Qui-Gon!" she screamed, drawing her sabre in the process. The Sith flipped off of his speeder and they began to duel.
Qui-Gon shouted at Shmi and Anakin to get on the ship, they complied. He then went over to help her.
They battled fiercely, Rae wondering the whole time if the Sith was going to use his other sabre blade, but he made no move to.
Finally they heard the ship over their heads. She and Qui-Gon forced the Sith away then lept up onto the ramp.
~*~
Next stop Coruscant!
"Watto!" she called.
The Toydarian stopped and turned. "Wadday want?"
"I have a bet for you."
"Oh really now?"
"One that you will find very hard to refuse."
"And what could you have that I would be interested in?"
"Here is the bet, if Ani wins you free Shmi."
"And if he doesn't?"
Rae took a deep breath. "You'll get me."
The Toydarian's eyes widened with greed.
"You know that I am a good worker, I would be an asset," she tempted.
Watto hesitated, but a moment. "Deal!"
He zipped off.
Rae took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves.
"Are you alright?" Rae felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Qui-Gon watching her worriedly.
"I am alright. Come on let's go check on Ani."
She hurried off.
Qui-Gon watched her head off for a few moments before starting himself. He had sensed something from Rae, but the girl was damn near imposible to read.
~*~
Rae stood beside the Pod checking over it. She scowled, wishing she wasn't so horrible at mechanics, so that she could find the bit of sabotage that Sebulba did. Just then Qui-Gon lifted Anakin into the Pod. Rae stepped away. Well she had tried, now she could only trust the Force.
"Feel, don't think. Use your instincts."
"I will."
"May the Force be with you, Ani," Rae said quietly.
"Indeed." Qui-Gon nodded.
She and Qui-Gon walked over to where everyone was to watch the race.
"You Jedi are far too reckless! If the Queen-"
"The Queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should too."
"You assume far too much."
Rae wanted to burst out laughing, but settled for a light chuckle.
~*~
The race ran smoothly. 'Maybe Sebulba didn't manage to sabotage it this time.'
Just then Ani's Pod started to spout smoke and to slowdown.
'Spoke too soon.'
Shmi and Padmé looked at the screen, confused and worried.
Rae bit her lip then she closed her eyes. 'You can do it Ani! I know you can!' She sent positive thoughts and encouragement through the Force to him.
Then she felt his joy when the Pod started back up. So she wasn't surprised when she opened her eyes that everyone was giving sighs of relief. 'Now if he can just win the race.'
Rae's stomach twisted and she felt light headed. She had never been so nervous in her whole life. Everything was going just as it had in the movie, but never had she been so aware of how tenuous their situation was. It sat on the edge of a knife, just one change, just one twitch of a finger.
Then, as Anakin broke away from Sebulba, relief, like she had never known, crashed over her. A cry of joy, triumph and relief jumped out of her throat. Everyone was cheering; she turned and she and Padmé hugged each other ecstatically. Then she turned and hugged Shmi, who had tears of joy, relief and pride in her eyes.
The instant that the viewing tower touched the ground Rae, literally, hurdled out and ran over to Anakin just he came to a stop. He looked around at everyone crowding around him, dazed. Then Rae leapt up onto the side of the Pod and tackled him with a hug. Laughing joyously, "You did it Ani! You did it!"
Then Qui-Gon came over, a rare, full-fledged grin on his face, picked up Anakin and set him on his shoulder.
Just then it truly sank in for Ani.
"Mom I did it! Yeaaaaaah!" His triumphant cry resounded.
~*~
The group started to head off to the garage.
Qui-Gon broke off saying he had to speak with Watto. Rae followed him without a word.
"You don't have to come Rae."
"Actually I do. I must speak with Watto as well."
Qui-Gon looked at her, thoughtfully, then nodded.
~*~
They found Watto on and enclosed balcony, paying people he owed money to. When he finally noticed them he told them that he had swindled him.
"I lost everything!"
"Whenever you gamble my friend sometimes you lose. I shall pick up the parts then stop by later so you can free the boy."
"And Shmi," Rae added.
Qui-Gon's eyes flickered over to her briefly.
"You can't have them, it wasn't a fair be."
Qui-Gon was about to ask him if he wanted to take it up with the Hutts when Rae began to speak to Watto, her voice soft with a slight edge. The language she spoke sounded similar to Huttesse, but it wasn't Huttesse. Qui- Gon knew Huttesse and he didn't understand what Rae was saying. Though, Watto apparently did, he looked terrified.
"So what is it gonna be, Watto? Am I gonna have to call our friend?" Rae finished in Basic.
Watto sighed in defeat. "Take them, both of them."
Rae and Qui-Gon both bowed then left.
"How did you get Shmi?" Qui-Gon asked quietly.
Rae shrugged. "I made a bet with him, that if Ani won he would free Shmi. I figured out this morning that you had made a bet with Watto to free Ani so I decided to make one of my own."
Qui-Gon raised and eyebrow. "And what if Ani had lost?"
"Not that it matters, but he would have gotten me." Her voice was completely nonchalant.
Qui-Gon's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline.
~*~
Rae and Qui-Gon walked through the streets of Mos Espa toward Ani and Shmi's home. They had alread dropped off the parts and sold the Pod; now they were going to have Ani and Shmi freed.
Just then they heard a scuffle. There was a group of children standing and watching what appeared to be a fight.
"Ani," Rae breathed.
She and Qui-Gon walked over briskly. Most of the other children scattered when they saw them. Qui-Gon pulled Anakin off of the Rodian, who he had been pounding with his fists.
"Wade, get home now! I mean it am skray! Before I go and tell your mother you have been fighting!" Rae told the Rodian. He ran off knowing Rae wasn't kidding.
Rae then turned to Anakin.
"Anakin, how many times have I told you not to let you anger get the better of you?"
"He called me a cheater!"
"Wade's an idiot! You know that! You know better than to let what he says get to you!"
"Rae is right, Ani, anger is dangerous, it can consume your soul."
Anakin hung his head, ashamed. Then he looked up again, confused. "Wait! What are you guys doing here?"
Rae gave him a secretive smile. "We have something to tell you and your mother and something to give you."
Qui-Gon reached inside his poncho and pulled out some money. "Here this is your's."
"Yes!"
"We sold the Pod to a rather miffed dug."
Anakin looked up at them, grinning.
Just then they arrived at the dwelling. Anakin bounded through the door. "Mom, we sold the Pod! Look at all of the money we have!"
"Oh Ani that's wonderful!"
"And you both have been freed," Qui-Gon told them.
"What?!" Shock was written all over their faces.
"You're no longer slaves." Rae smiled.
"Did you hear that Mom?!"
Shmi's shock dissolved into a smile. She nodded then looked up at them. "Is he to become a Jedi?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "We will do what ever we can to see that he does."
"We're going with you in your starship?!"
Rae grinned and nodded.
"But where shall we live?" Shmi asked, worried.
"Ani will live in the Jedi Temple. We should be able to find you an apartment."
Shmi appeared to be a little overwhelmed. Rae went over and kneeled next to her.
"I know that this is a lot to take in. Things have never worked out this easily for you. But this is real and I promise you that whatever happens things will work out."
Shmi looked down at her then took a deep breath. "Alright."
"You need to pack quickly, we leave soon and we must stop by Watto's shop," Qui-Gon told them.
Shmi nodded and hurried off to pack, Rae going with her to help.
"Can I bring 3PO?" Anakin called from his room.
"I don't think he can stay in the Temple, but yes you may," Qui-Gon's voice called back.
Shmi smiled and called, "He will stay with me."
~*~
The group ran across the desert landscape to the ship. Qui-Gon was in front, Anakin had begun to lag behind a little, Shim kept pace with him, Rae had dropped behind them to make sure that they were both alright. Suddenly she heard something, she spun around and saw the Sith.
"Qui-Gon!" she screamed, drawing her sabre in the process. The Sith flipped off of his speeder and they began to duel.
Qui-Gon shouted at Shmi and Anakin to get on the ship, they complied. He then went over to help her.
They battled fiercely, Rae wondering the whole time if the Sith was going to use his other sabre blade, but he made no move to.
Finally they heard the ship over their heads. She and Qui-Gon forced the Sith away then lept up onto the ramp.
~*~
Next stop Coruscant!
