Chapter 5 - A Threat Discovered
Anakin introduced his mother to his companions, who did not seem very surprised to see strangers in her house. She welcomed them all graciously and bid them to stay for dinner. Anakin disappeared with Padme to his room to show her the things he had built and repaired.
The meal was a pleasant one shared between people who had just met though had become friends nonetheless. Shmi Skywalker listened carefully as Anakin and Padme told her of their predicament, that the Naboo and Jedi were stuck on the desert world unless they could get the right parts for their ship. Qui-Gon could see in her eyes that Shmi wanted to help. She was a generous woman who had taught it to her son. Qui-Gon listened quietly as Anakin started to talk about the pod race and the prize money. A plan was forming, one he felt sure the queen would disapprove of.
'Just as well she is not here then.' He thought viciously.
"They have pod races on Malastare, very fast, very dangerous."
"I'm the only human that can do it." The boy told him solemnly and Qui-Gon smiled at the arrogance.
"You must have Jedi reflexes."
It was then that Anakin voiced his plan, which was very similar to the one Qui-Gon had been thinking up. The boy clearly loved to race and he was willing to do it as much for himself as for the offworld party.
'Still his heart is in the right place.'
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Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon around Mos Espa the following day as he put his proposition to Watto and made various other arrangements. Now that he knew that the trouble would start here the Knight was on edge ... and bored. Watching from a distance as the boy and his friend repaired what looked like a pod racer while his Master watched was not that exciting, especially to a man who had spent the past five years in the most dangerous of places in the galaxy and the ten years before that as part of the best Master/Padawan team in the Jedi order.
'You'd think I'd be pleased for the quiet.' He sat thinking to himself. 'Apparently not.'
Obi-Wan had seen the ship parts get carted off to the Nubian ship and knew the ship would be ready for flight in no time. Why Qui-Gon was still at the slave quarters he could not guess. He thought it had something to do with the pod racer and the boy. He was not concerned by the boy, whoever he was would be revealed in time, the race on the other hand had him worried. Feeling it safe to leave those he protected for a time, Obi-Wan left to make his own arrangements.
Night came to Mos Espa and Qui-Gon found himself alone with Anakin, a boy who was nothing like his previous apprentice, who had been serious even if he did have a wicked sense of humour hidden underneath. Anakin was confident, even though he had spent his life as a slave. He was a bundle of energy who talked constantly about mechanics and pod racing and Qui-Gon knew, that just like Obi-Wan, this boy wanted to be a Jedi; a dream for a better life common on the worlds such as Tatooine.
It was Anakin's Force signature and conversations he had had with Shmi which led the Jedi Master to be alone with him now. Qui-Gon took a blood sample and transmitted it to the ship for processing. He wished Anakin a good night and waited for Panaka to contact him with the results.
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Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon took a sample of blood from the boy. The boy left the Jedi Master alone who then waited outside for something. As he saw Qui-Gon answer his communicator and the knowledge entered his mind, Obi-Wan was knocked over by the force of a wave in the Force. The protective barrier between Anakin and the rest of the galaxy was breached; Qui-Gon Jinn and his Shadow knew what lay behind.
The boy was the Chosen One. Obi-Wan was surprised though why he should be he could not imagine. The Force had told him his time in the shadows was ending and despite that the reason for it had never occurred to him.
'I wonder if the Council suspected.' They would have thought of everything, especially Yoda. 'Well, things have certainly gotten complicated.'
Obi-Wan watched Qui-Gon sitting alone and wondered what his old master was thinking. He could take a quick peak; it would just take a moment.
'Then he would be aware he had a Shadow once more. Better to wait until I can ask him. Not long to wait for that now, I should think.'
It would have surprised Obi-Wan to know that Qui-Gon was not thinking about his new found Chosen One. He thought instead of his previous apprentices, especially the boy with the green eyes and auburn hair. He had lost two apprentices; one to the dark side and the other to places unknown.
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A shadowy figure disembarked from his transport. It was night and the desert was cool. He scanned the area, looking for any threat. Seeing nothing and no one he activated the seeker droids. All he must do now was wait.
Maul turned back to the ship and stopped. The Dark side of the Force rippled around him. The Sith's influence of the Force rarely spoke of warnings. The power of the Dark side encompassed all and saw no danger in any foe, so when Maul sense it- briefly- he was amazed.
A warning, a stirring was in the Force. The enemy of the Jedi felt an almost uncontrollable urge to leave the planet as soon as possible. Any other enemy of the Jedi would have succumbed to the Force's push without realising why, Darth Maul was a powerful Force sensitive and his Master has trained him well. His surprise did not show on his face, nor did he change his plans, he simply turned back to the ship to wait for the seekers to find the Nubian ship. Whatever it was that lurked out there was beyond his reckoning and for now unimportant to his mission.
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Obi-Wan stirred in his sleep. He opened his eyes to see the slave quarters where Qui-Gon, Padme and the Skywalker family were sleeping. The house was quiet and still, nothing from it would have woken him from his light sleep. Obi-Wan sat up and settled into a light meditation, searching outwards.
In the house in front of him he could sense Qui-Gon and the astronomical Force signature of the boy. His mother, the Gungan and the Queen slept on peacefully. Outwards he went, looking for the elusive thread that had woken him. Through the city, around the murders and thieves he went and out into the desert, the Queen's ship, raiders and ... someone else.
Defeat threatened Obi-Wan, the suffocation of the Dark side almost overwhelmed him. That ship carried someone at one with the darkness. He was lethal and dangerous.
"So, you have come, at last." He said to the night. He touched the man's Force aura allowing it to sense the presence of his own. The mysterious man would not know what or who he was; nevertheless he would know someone on the planet was a danger to him.
Obi-Wan pulled himself back. He looked again though the Force, he looked at the now stretching away into the future.
'Yes, you are why I am with Qui-Gon once more. But this is not where the conclusion will be drawn. And now I see why this is just the beginning of the danger to my Master.'
Obi-Wan did not sleep again that night; he remained awake, guarding the Light from the Dark.
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The morning came and the day of the pod race began. By the time the first sun was beginning its climb into the sky, Qui-Gon, Anakin and their companions were already at the race's start, finishing off work on their pod. None of them saw Sebulba wrench something from the pod's engine. Someone did though. Qui-Gon's Shadow saw and watched as the pilot sabotaged the racer.
Sebulba left as quickly as he had come and as silent as always, the Jedi's Shadow went into the pit that held Anakin's pod. Obi-Wan looked at the damage with concern. He doubted he could repair it completely with the time he had. He could make it so that it would hold and Anakin, with his Jedi reflexes, should be able to control the pod though out the race. He set to work occasionally glancing over his shoulder. He was leaving the pit when he heard-
"Hey!"
Obi-Wan turned to see the Gungan waving at him. The Jedi knight rolled his eyes.
"You did not see me." He told it, gesturing surreptitiously with his hand in front of the Gungan's eyes. He left the wretched creature with glazed eyes, swaying slightly in the breeze.
'Pathetic life form.' Obi-Wan walked over to the racer he had managed to procure. It had cost a large sum of credits, however after witnessing Sebulba's sabotage he felt justified in the expense and his enrolment in the race. Qui-Gon may be the Jedi under his protection for the time being, but Anakin Skywalker was also in need of a guardian. The small slave boy had made a lot of friends, some powerful, in the last few days. He had also made enemies. He would need Obi-Wan's help, even with Qui-Gon and the Queen of Naboo's support.
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"Is he nervous?" Padme asked the Jedi as he and Jar Jar left Anakin at the race start line.
"He's fine." Qui-Gon replied, off handily.
"You Jedi are recluses."
"The Queen trusts my judgment." Qui-Gon answered; seemingly unaware that Padme was the Queen. "And so should you."
"You assume too much."
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"Start your engines."
The roar of the pod racers filled the stadium as the twenty engines were started. Anakin was at their centre and unknown to him he had an ally behind him. The lights overhead changed and the racers leapt forward, except two.
Obi-Wan cursed as he flew by Anakin's pod. He could not stop and wait, he would have to keep to the back of the field and hope the boy would catch up. From there however he would be unable to keep an eye on Sebulba. He saw a crash up ahead and knew instantly that the race leader had something to do with it. He could not protect everyone and in truth most of the racers did not need or deserve his help. They themselves were betrayers and cheaters and would do the same to him if they got the opportunity.
Just before he entered the first canyon he felt the unmistakable presence of Anakin's Force signature catching up. As Anakin decreased the distance between them he also sped up, not wanting to be too far away from Sebulba when Anakin reached him. The canyon changed into open desert with arches of rock that created perilous hazards, hazards that one driver did not react to fast enough.
The racer in front of the Jedi's exploded and Obi-Wan found himself flying through a wall of fire. The temperature was intense, but short lived. Once on the other side and back into another canyon he found himself amid a line of Tusken Raiders who took pot shots at the racers as they past. He had not expected an outside influence to threaten Anakin, nevertheless he was a Jedi and could adapt to any circumstances.
He slowed once again and instead of following the curve of the canyon wall, he flew up its side to create a barrier between Anakin and the shooters. The manoeuvre allowed Anakin to pass unhindered and scattered the raiders.
From the canyon, the racers entered the home straight and as they started their second lap, Sebulba was in the lead.
Anakin too had the opportunity of the relatively open land after the starting line to over take some of the other competitors. Obi-Wan watched from a discreet distance until he saw one of the other racers nudge Anakin. The danger was minimal, but it was a situation he could help with. Reaching out with the Force and his hand Obi-Wan wrapped his influence around the pod and tugged on it hard. The racer lurched and Anakin sped past it. So did the Jedi.
As Obi-Wan watched Anakin, he again felt the treachery of Sebulba in the Force. He could no longer see the race leader, but knew he had once again pushed another competitor out of the race. He did have time to worry about this however, as up ahead, Anakin's racer spun out of control as one of the main fuel lines became detached from the engines. He could see Anakin reaching out with a tool to try and snare the loose cable.
The Jedi slammed forward the accelerator. He quickly came to Anakin side. As he over took the struggling pod he once again reach out with the Force. He took hold of the cable and directed it into Anakin's hold. He trusted from there the boy would be able to reattach it and get back into the race.
The two racers entered the canyon where the raiders waited and once again Obi-Wan was at the boy's side, protecting him from any stray shots. As they entered the third and final lap Sebulba was still in the lead. Though now Anakin was second and Obi-Wan right behind him.
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Qui-Gon watched as Anakin moved up into second place as he passed the starting line for the second time. As the racers passed, his eye was drawn to the third pod in the leading group. Something felt different. He felt no benevolence, in fact he felt the opposite, the pilot was not in the race to win and if Qui-Gon had not been watching so closely he never would have noticed that the pilot seem to be helping Anakin.
As they passed the Raiders he shielded Anakin and when other racers tried to engage the boy, the mysterious pod would interfere and become between the attacking pod and its victim.
And the Jedi Master felt sure he had felt the Force stir, and not from the boy's use he was sure, who ever the other racer was, and whether he realised it or not, he seemed to be manipulating the Force.
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The three leading pods fought out the final lap. Sebulba nudged Anakin's racer and Anakin struggled to keep control.
Obi-Wan became aware of two pods catching up, but that was not what caught his attention. The sense of danger that emanated from the pilots vibrated though his skull. He turned to see them both holding blasters, both lining up shots to take out Anakin. Anakin who's pod had become tangled with Sebulba's. If the pilots fired then it would take out both Anakin and his nemesis. The Jedi's Shadow would have to act.
Obi-Wan, in a move that would not have been possible without his use of the Force to steady the pod, spun the racer. With the pod spinning he took out his own blaster and fired twice, each hitting their mark. The two pod racers exploded, their pilots out of the race. As he turned, he wrenched Anakin's racer away from Sebulba with the Force. He saw the boy take flight when he hit the service ramp, but felt sure the boy could handle it from there.
He eased the racer out of its controlled spin and disengaged its engine. He leapt from it as another pilot lost control and flew into him. He rolled with the shock wave and stood up to find himself surrounded by debris. He walked from the crash sight and climbed up the canyon wall. As he reached the top he could see the home stretch. For a moment it looked as if Anakin's racer was in trouble and would not finish, but as he took the last step to the summit he saw the engines re-engage and not long after saw Sebulba's racer explode.
He turned away and even as he walked away heard the cheers of the crowed as Anakin won his first ever pod race.
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Padme and Jar Jar rushed over to the boy. Qui-Gon and his mother followed more slowly. Anakin jumped from the pilot seat and was swept up into a hug by the Queen. As they all gathered around to celebrate, Qui-Gon kept looking out for the pilot that had seemed to be helping Anakin. He could not see the man's pod. The Jedi Master was sure the man had not crashed or had an accident; nevertheless Qui-Gon was not certain the pilot had finished the race.
The man had looked human and although he could not see his face because of the helmet Qui-Gon felt something familiar in him, something Jedi-like.
Nonetheless the race was over; they had the ship parts and Anakin was free. Everything had gone as well as had been hoped; despite all their success Qui-Gon felt a foreboding in the Force. Something was not right. The Jedi sent Padme, Jar Jar and R2 ahead to go back to the ship while Anakin collected his things and said good bye to his mother.
Anakin introduced his mother to his companions, who did not seem very surprised to see strangers in her house. She welcomed them all graciously and bid them to stay for dinner. Anakin disappeared with Padme to his room to show her the things he had built and repaired.
The meal was a pleasant one shared between people who had just met though had become friends nonetheless. Shmi Skywalker listened carefully as Anakin and Padme told her of their predicament, that the Naboo and Jedi were stuck on the desert world unless they could get the right parts for their ship. Qui-Gon could see in her eyes that Shmi wanted to help. She was a generous woman who had taught it to her son. Qui-Gon listened quietly as Anakin started to talk about the pod race and the prize money. A plan was forming, one he felt sure the queen would disapprove of.
'Just as well she is not here then.' He thought viciously.
"They have pod races on Malastare, very fast, very dangerous."
"I'm the only human that can do it." The boy told him solemnly and Qui-Gon smiled at the arrogance.
"You must have Jedi reflexes."
It was then that Anakin voiced his plan, which was very similar to the one Qui-Gon had been thinking up. The boy clearly loved to race and he was willing to do it as much for himself as for the offworld party.
'Still his heart is in the right place.'
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Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon around Mos Espa the following day as he put his proposition to Watto and made various other arrangements. Now that he knew that the trouble would start here the Knight was on edge ... and bored. Watching from a distance as the boy and his friend repaired what looked like a pod racer while his Master watched was not that exciting, especially to a man who had spent the past five years in the most dangerous of places in the galaxy and the ten years before that as part of the best Master/Padawan team in the Jedi order.
'You'd think I'd be pleased for the quiet.' He sat thinking to himself. 'Apparently not.'
Obi-Wan had seen the ship parts get carted off to the Nubian ship and knew the ship would be ready for flight in no time. Why Qui-Gon was still at the slave quarters he could not guess. He thought it had something to do with the pod racer and the boy. He was not concerned by the boy, whoever he was would be revealed in time, the race on the other hand had him worried. Feeling it safe to leave those he protected for a time, Obi-Wan left to make his own arrangements.
Night came to Mos Espa and Qui-Gon found himself alone with Anakin, a boy who was nothing like his previous apprentice, who had been serious even if he did have a wicked sense of humour hidden underneath. Anakin was confident, even though he had spent his life as a slave. He was a bundle of energy who talked constantly about mechanics and pod racing and Qui-Gon knew, that just like Obi-Wan, this boy wanted to be a Jedi; a dream for a better life common on the worlds such as Tatooine.
It was Anakin's Force signature and conversations he had had with Shmi which led the Jedi Master to be alone with him now. Qui-Gon took a blood sample and transmitted it to the ship for processing. He wished Anakin a good night and waited for Panaka to contact him with the results.
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Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon took a sample of blood from the boy. The boy left the Jedi Master alone who then waited outside for something. As he saw Qui-Gon answer his communicator and the knowledge entered his mind, Obi-Wan was knocked over by the force of a wave in the Force. The protective barrier between Anakin and the rest of the galaxy was breached; Qui-Gon Jinn and his Shadow knew what lay behind.
The boy was the Chosen One. Obi-Wan was surprised though why he should be he could not imagine. The Force had told him his time in the shadows was ending and despite that the reason for it had never occurred to him.
'I wonder if the Council suspected.' They would have thought of everything, especially Yoda. 'Well, things have certainly gotten complicated.'
Obi-Wan watched Qui-Gon sitting alone and wondered what his old master was thinking. He could take a quick peak; it would just take a moment.
'Then he would be aware he had a Shadow once more. Better to wait until I can ask him. Not long to wait for that now, I should think.'
It would have surprised Obi-Wan to know that Qui-Gon was not thinking about his new found Chosen One. He thought instead of his previous apprentices, especially the boy with the green eyes and auburn hair. He had lost two apprentices; one to the dark side and the other to places unknown.
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A shadowy figure disembarked from his transport. It was night and the desert was cool. He scanned the area, looking for any threat. Seeing nothing and no one he activated the seeker droids. All he must do now was wait.
Maul turned back to the ship and stopped. The Dark side of the Force rippled around him. The Sith's influence of the Force rarely spoke of warnings. The power of the Dark side encompassed all and saw no danger in any foe, so when Maul sense it- briefly- he was amazed.
A warning, a stirring was in the Force. The enemy of the Jedi felt an almost uncontrollable urge to leave the planet as soon as possible. Any other enemy of the Jedi would have succumbed to the Force's push without realising why, Darth Maul was a powerful Force sensitive and his Master has trained him well. His surprise did not show on his face, nor did he change his plans, he simply turned back to the ship to wait for the seekers to find the Nubian ship. Whatever it was that lurked out there was beyond his reckoning and for now unimportant to his mission.
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Obi-Wan stirred in his sleep. He opened his eyes to see the slave quarters where Qui-Gon, Padme and the Skywalker family were sleeping. The house was quiet and still, nothing from it would have woken him from his light sleep. Obi-Wan sat up and settled into a light meditation, searching outwards.
In the house in front of him he could sense Qui-Gon and the astronomical Force signature of the boy. His mother, the Gungan and the Queen slept on peacefully. Outwards he went, looking for the elusive thread that had woken him. Through the city, around the murders and thieves he went and out into the desert, the Queen's ship, raiders and ... someone else.
Defeat threatened Obi-Wan, the suffocation of the Dark side almost overwhelmed him. That ship carried someone at one with the darkness. He was lethal and dangerous.
"So, you have come, at last." He said to the night. He touched the man's Force aura allowing it to sense the presence of his own. The mysterious man would not know what or who he was; nevertheless he would know someone on the planet was a danger to him.
Obi-Wan pulled himself back. He looked again though the Force, he looked at the now stretching away into the future.
'Yes, you are why I am with Qui-Gon once more. But this is not where the conclusion will be drawn. And now I see why this is just the beginning of the danger to my Master.'
Obi-Wan did not sleep again that night; he remained awake, guarding the Light from the Dark.
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The morning came and the day of the pod race began. By the time the first sun was beginning its climb into the sky, Qui-Gon, Anakin and their companions were already at the race's start, finishing off work on their pod. None of them saw Sebulba wrench something from the pod's engine. Someone did though. Qui-Gon's Shadow saw and watched as the pilot sabotaged the racer.
Sebulba left as quickly as he had come and as silent as always, the Jedi's Shadow went into the pit that held Anakin's pod. Obi-Wan looked at the damage with concern. He doubted he could repair it completely with the time he had. He could make it so that it would hold and Anakin, with his Jedi reflexes, should be able to control the pod though out the race. He set to work occasionally glancing over his shoulder. He was leaving the pit when he heard-
"Hey!"
Obi-Wan turned to see the Gungan waving at him. The Jedi knight rolled his eyes.
"You did not see me." He told it, gesturing surreptitiously with his hand in front of the Gungan's eyes. He left the wretched creature with glazed eyes, swaying slightly in the breeze.
'Pathetic life form.' Obi-Wan walked over to the racer he had managed to procure. It had cost a large sum of credits, however after witnessing Sebulba's sabotage he felt justified in the expense and his enrolment in the race. Qui-Gon may be the Jedi under his protection for the time being, but Anakin Skywalker was also in need of a guardian. The small slave boy had made a lot of friends, some powerful, in the last few days. He had also made enemies. He would need Obi-Wan's help, even with Qui-Gon and the Queen of Naboo's support.
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"Is he nervous?" Padme asked the Jedi as he and Jar Jar left Anakin at the race start line.
"He's fine." Qui-Gon replied, off handily.
"You Jedi are recluses."
"The Queen trusts my judgment." Qui-Gon answered; seemingly unaware that Padme was the Queen. "And so should you."
"You assume too much."
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"Start your engines."
The roar of the pod racers filled the stadium as the twenty engines were started. Anakin was at their centre and unknown to him he had an ally behind him. The lights overhead changed and the racers leapt forward, except two.
Obi-Wan cursed as he flew by Anakin's pod. He could not stop and wait, he would have to keep to the back of the field and hope the boy would catch up. From there however he would be unable to keep an eye on Sebulba. He saw a crash up ahead and knew instantly that the race leader had something to do with it. He could not protect everyone and in truth most of the racers did not need or deserve his help. They themselves were betrayers and cheaters and would do the same to him if they got the opportunity.
Just before he entered the first canyon he felt the unmistakable presence of Anakin's Force signature catching up. As Anakin decreased the distance between them he also sped up, not wanting to be too far away from Sebulba when Anakin reached him. The canyon changed into open desert with arches of rock that created perilous hazards, hazards that one driver did not react to fast enough.
The racer in front of the Jedi's exploded and Obi-Wan found himself flying through a wall of fire. The temperature was intense, but short lived. Once on the other side and back into another canyon he found himself amid a line of Tusken Raiders who took pot shots at the racers as they past. He had not expected an outside influence to threaten Anakin, nevertheless he was a Jedi and could adapt to any circumstances.
He slowed once again and instead of following the curve of the canyon wall, he flew up its side to create a barrier between Anakin and the shooters. The manoeuvre allowed Anakin to pass unhindered and scattered the raiders.
From the canyon, the racers entered the home straight and as they started their second lap, Sebulba was in the lead.
Anakin too had the opportunity of the relatively open land after the starting line to over take some of the other competitors. Obi-Wan watched from a discreet distance until he saw one of the other racers nudge Anakin. The danger was minimal, but it was a situation he could help with. Reaching out with the Force and his hand Obi-Wan wrapped his influence around the pod and tugged on it hard. The racer lurched and Anakin sped past it. So did the Jedi.
As Obi-Wan watched Anakin, he again felt the treachery of Sebulba in the Force. He could no longer see the race leader, but knew he had once again pushed another competitor out of the race. He did have time to worry about this however, as up ahead, Anakin's racer spun out of control as one of the main fuel lines became detached from the engines. He could see Anakin reaching out with a tool to try and snare the loose cable.
The Jedi slammed forward the accelerator. He quickly came to Anakin side. As he over took the struggling pod he once again reach out with the Force. He took hold of the cable and directed it into Anakin's hold. He trusted from there the boy would be able to reattach it and get back into the race.
The two racers entered the canyon where the raiders waited and once again Obi-Wan was at the boy's side, protecting him from any stray shots. As they entered the third and final lap Sebulba was still in the lead. Though now Anakin was second and Obi-Wan right behind him.
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Qui-Gon watched as Anakin moved up into second place as he passed the starting line for the second time. As the racers passed, his eye was drawn to the third pod in the leading group. Something felt different. He felt no benevolence, in fact he felt the opposite, the pilot was not in the race to win and if Qui-Gon had not been watching so closely he never would have noticed that the pilot seem to be helping Anakin.
As they passed the Raiders he shielded Anakin and when other racers tried to engage the boy, the mysterious pod would interfere and become between the attacking pod and its victim.
And the Jedi Master felt sure he had felt the Force stir, and not from the boy's use he was sure, who ever the other racer was, and whether he realised it or not, he seemed to be manipulating the Force.
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The three leading pods fought out the final lap. Sebulba nudged Anakin's racer and Anakin struggled to keep control.
Obi-Wan became aware of two pods catching up, but that was not what caught his attention. The sense of danger that emanated from the pilots vibrated though his skull. He turned to see them both holding blasters, both lining up shots to take out Anakin. Anakin who's pod had become tangled with Sebulba's. If the pilots fired then it would take out both Anakin and his nemesis. The Jedi's Shadow would have to act.
Obi-Wan, in a move that would not have been possible without his use of the Force to steady the pod, spun the racer. With the pod spinning he took out his own blaster and fired twice, each hitting their mark. The two pod racers exploded, their pilots out of the race. As he turned, he wrenched Anakin's racer away from Sebulba with the Force. He saw the boy take flight when he hit the service ramp, but felt sure the boy could handle it from there.
He eased the racer out of its controlled spin and disengaged its engine. He leapt from it as another pilot lost control and flew into him. He rolled with the shock wave and stood up to find himself surrounded by debris. He walked from the crash sight and climbed up the canyon wall. As he reached the top he could see the home stretch. For a moment it looked as if Anakin's racer was in trouble and would not finish, but as he took the last step to the summit he saw the engines re-engage and not long after saw Sebulba's racer explode.
He turned away and even as he walked away heard the cheers of the crowed as Anakin won his first ever pod race.
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Padme and Jar Jar rushed over to the boy. Qui-Gon and his mother followed more slowly. Anakin jumped from the pilot seat and was swept up into a hug by the Queen. As they all gathered around to celebrate, Qui-Gon kept looking out for the pilot that had seemed to be helping Anakin. He could not see the man's pod. The Jedi Master was sure the man had not crashed or had an accident; nevertheless Qui-Gon was not certain the pilot had finished the race.
The man had looked human and although he could not see his face because of the helmet Qui-Gon felt something familiar in him, something Jedi-like.
Nonetheless the race was over; they had the ship parts and Anakin was free. Everything had gone as well as had been hoped; despite all their success Qui-Gon felt a foreboding in the Force. Something was not right. The Jedi sent Padme, Jar Jar and R2 ahead to go back to the ship while Anakin collected his things and said good bye to his mother.
