Chapter 6

Qui gon walked into a box seat where Watto was handing over money to several laughing aliens. He looked extremely depressed. "You! You swindled me! You knew the boy was going to win! Somehow you knew it! I lost everything." Watto said, flying up to face a smiling Watto.

"Whenever you gamble, my friend, eventually you'll lose." He said, the smile still on his face. "Bring the parts to the main hanger. I'll come by your shop later so you can release the boys."

"You can't have them! It wasn't a fair bet!" Watto said, without real conviction.

"Would you like to discuss it with the Hutts...I'm sure they can settle this." Qui gon threatened.

"No, no! I want no more of your tricks! Take them!" Watto said in a depressed voice, as Qui gon left.

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Anakin was tidying up in an empty hanger when JarJar, Obi Wan and Padme rushed in. Padme started hugging and kissing him.

"Ah, gee...enough of this…" Anakin said, non too convincingly.

"I'm so very proud of you…" Obi Wan said, giving Anakin a hug.

"We owe you everything." Padme said with a huge smile.

"Just feeling this good was worth it." Anakin said, also with a huge smile.

Qui gon entered with the eopies, heavily laden with the parts they needed. "Padme. Jar Jar, let's go, we've got to get these parts back to the ship."

Everyone walked over to the Qui gon, Padme swinging behind Qui gon, and JarJar on the second eopie. "Obi Wan, you had better get the two of you ready, tying up lose ends and such."

"Already done, Master," Obi Wan replied, knowing that he and Anakin were now free, though Anakin didn't really know it yet.

As they rode away, Anakin and Obi Wan waved, "What did he mean?" Anakin asked Obi Wan.

"I'll tell you later," came the reply. Obi Wan then walked away. There was a lot to do before midday.

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Turut Mi met them outside the ship.

"Start getting this hyperdrive generator installed. I'm going back...some unfinished business. I won't be long." Qui gon said.

"Why do I sense we've picked up another pathetic life form...?" Turut Mi said with a smile, knowing Qui gon's penchant for picking up locals.

"It's Obi Wan and his charge," Obi Wan countered as he road away.

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Outside the hovel, Qui gon saw a funny blue alien called Greedo making a nuisance of himself. Anakin didn't react, and didn't provoke him. He just stood calmly as Greedo made his accusations. Only when Greedo started pushing him did Anakin react, but only then defensively moving out of the way.

"What's this?" Qui gon asked, making Greedo stop his attack.

"He said I cheated." Anakin said calmly as if it happened every day.

Qui gon nodded his head and ushered Anakin inside, "You reacted and behaved well," Qui gon said, impressed with the way Anakin handled himself.

Outside Wald, who had been watching what had been going on walked up to Greedo. "Keep this up, Greedo, and you're gonna come to a bad end."
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Qui gon opened the door for Ani, handing him some credits as he did so. "These are yours. We sold the Pod."

"Yes!" Anakin said, beaming. Bursting into the, by now empty hovel, Anakin showed Obi Wan the money. "Obi Wan, he sold the Pod. Look at all the money we have!"

"That's fantastic, Ani," Obi Wan said with a smile. "I sold 3P0 to a moisture farmer called Lars, and various gadgets to other people," Obi Wan continued, showing Anakin the money. Anakin then noticed the bare hovel, stripped of everything.

"What's going on?" Anakin asked.

"Qui gon bet our freedom against your pod." Obi Wan said.

"You're no longer slaves." Qui gon added. Anakin looked stunned and jumped around for joy. "We plan on taking you to be trained to be a Jedi. If you want"

Anakin looked at them, smiling widely. "It's what I want. What I've always dreamed about."

"It's a hard life, Ani, you wouldn't be able to go to any of the places you wanted to, it takes hard dedication and training."

"I want to go." Anakin said with conviction.

Obi Wan had already packed their things and handed Anakin a bag. As they left, Anakin saw Kitster and handed him some coins.

"There are so many of us who want you to stay, Ani... You're a hero." Kitster said.

"I have to go," Ani said, "It's my time." Anakin watched Qui gon and Obi Wan move down the street.

"Well," Kitster said.

"Well," Anakin replied.

"Thank's for every moment you've been here. You're my best friend." Kitster said, hugging Anakin.

"I won't forget." Anakin said, as they broke the hug, and he moved after Obi wan and Qui gon.

Later, as Qui gon settled things with Watto, Anakin stood in front of the fruit stand.

"We've been freed, and we're going away. Buy yourself a cooling unit with this…" Anakin said to Jira, handing over some coins, "Otherwise I'll worry about you."

Jira looked at Anakin in shock, and gives him a big hug. "I'll miss you, Annie.. there isn't a kinder boy in the galaxy. You be careful…" Anakin then turned away and ran after Obi Wan and Qui gon. They headed back to the ship.

Just as they get to the ship, Obi Wan already getting inside, Qui gon turns to see a darkly dressed being on a speeder, bearing down on them. "Anakin, drop!"

Anakin lands flat on his face as the being glides over him. The creature had black and red skin, and flipped expertly off the bike, igniting his sword and attacking Qui gon. As he blocked the creatures moves, Qui gon shouted to Anakin. "Ani, get to the ship! Take off! Go! Go!" As Qui gon struggled against the fighter Anakin raced to the ship, telling them to take off. The ship flew low, allowing Qui gon to jump aboard and escape. The ship moved away from Tatooine. In the storage hold of the craft, Qui gon lay down breathless as two people crowded around him to help him up.

"Are you all right?" Anakin asked.

"I think so... that was a surprise I won't soon forget." Qui gon relied.

"What was it?" Obi Wan asked.

"I don't know... but he was well trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is he was after the Queen…" Qui gon said, uncertain. Obi Wan and Anakin looked at each other, Is it the thing yu saw? Anakin thought to Obi Wan.

I don't know, Obi Wan thought back, we will have to be very careful. When we get to Coruscant, I will talk to the council about it.

Maybe we should tell Qui gon.

Maybe, but it might be better to wait. It won't make a difference either way at the moment.

"Do you think he'll follow us?" Anakin said worried, anxiety making him speak out loud.

"We'll be safe enough once we're in hyperspace, but I have no doubt he knows our destination." Qui gon said, worried about what would happen once they reached Coruscant, Anakin looked at him shocked, not realising that he had said the last part out loud. He looked up to see Turut Mi entering, looking puzzled at the two boys.

"Turut Mi, this is Anakin Skywalker and my lost padawan, Obi Wan Kenobi." Qui gon said looking at alien.

"Pleased to meet you Anakin," she said, shaking his hand, " And I remember you Obi Wan," she said looking at Obi Wan, "you have grown a lot since we last saw each other." Anakin and Obi Wan replied in kind.

They could feel the hyper drive working, they were on their way.

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A short chapter to tie up lose ends. The next one will be much longer.

Reviews please!