Chapter 5
Anakin offered the party shelter at his house. A friend of his had warned them that a sandstorm was coming.
They were greeted by Anakin's mother, Shmi. Anakin took Padme and R2D2 to see the droid he was building. Qui-Gon received a comm. transmission from Obi-Wan and stepped aside to talk in private. Jessica offered to help Shmi make dinner.
"That's very kind of you."
"It's the least I can do, after Anakin's help today. You've got a very special son."
Shmi smiled to hear her son praised. "Yes, I know. He's so kind-hearted." She sighed. "It's a shame he's a slave. He could do great things."
At dinner, Shmi tried to explain their situation to their guests. "All slaves have a transmitter placed inside their bodies somewhere."
"I've been working on a scanner to try and locate mine," said Anakin.
"Any attempt to escape –"
"- and they blow you up!" interrupted Anakin. "Boom!"
"I can't believe there's still slavery in the galaxy. The Republic's antislavery laws –"
Jessica interrupted her. "The Republic has no power out here, Padme."
"We must survive on our own," said Shmi.
Padme looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"Has anyone ever seen a Podrace?" Anakin asked, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence.
Padme shook her head, 'no'.
"They have Podracing on Malastare," said Qui-Gon. "Very fast, very dangerous."
"I'm the only human who can do it," said Anakin.
"You must have Jedi reflexes if you race Pods," observed Qui-Gon.
"Yes," said Jessica. "I've never raced Pods, but I've flown in one." Everyone stared at her.
"You've flown in a Pod?" asked Anakin, excited.
Jessica nodded. "My brother and I built one. We were never allowed to race, though. Our mother thought it was too dangerous."
"She was a sensible woman, then."
"I can see you're of the same opinion, Shmi."
"I'm building a Pod. Could you take a look at it?" Anakin asked Jessica.
"Certainly."
Just then, Jar Jar flicked out his tongue out towards a bowl of food. Qui-Gon caught it in mid-air. "Don't do that again."
Anakin looked from Qui-Gon to Jessica. "You're both Jedi Knights, aren't you?"
Jessica blinked. "He is. I'm not. What makes you think I am?"
"I saw your laser swords."
Qui-Gon was regarding Jessica warily.
Padme felt suddenly nervous, and reached into the Force, ready to call out her lightsabre. She had tucked it down the side of her boot, so she could call it quickly to hand.
Jessica shook her head, as if amazed. "The things children come up with! I'm sorry, Anakin, but I'm not a Jedi."
The boy looked disappointed. "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves. Have you come to free us?" he asked Qui-Gon suddenly.
Qui-Gon turned his attention back to Anakin with a start. "No, I'm afraid not…" he said, distractedly.
"Why else would you be here?"
Qui-Gon leant forwards. "I'll tell you, but you mustn't let anyone know about us. We're on our way to Coruscant, on a very important mission. It must be kept secret."
"How did you end up out here in the outer rim?"
"Our ship was damaged. We're stranded here until we can repair it," explained Padme.
"I can help. I can fix anything."
Jessica smiled at him. "I'm sure you can, Anakin." There was nothing patronising about her tone or manner. Qui-Gon was puzzled. Her earlier remark about children's imaginations seemed out of character for her. He decided he would speak to her later, but put it out of his mind.
"We don't have the parts we need," he explained.
"Wit no-nutten mula to trade," added Jar Jar.
"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind," said Padme speculatatively.
"Gambling," said Shmi. "Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."
"Greed can be a powerful ally," mused Qui-Gon.
Anakin spoke up. "There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod. It's the fastest ever!"
"Anakin, Watto won't let you," Shmi told him sharply.
"Watto doesn't know I've built it. You could make him think it was yours…" he glanced between Qui-Gon and Jessica, unsure of who he should be talking to. Jessica glanced at Qui-Gon, putting him in charge. "…and get him to let me pilot it for you."
"I don't want you to race," protested Shmi. "It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it.
"But, Mom, I love it!" He looked at Qui-Gon. "The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."
"You're mother's right. It's too dangerous. I can't ask you to do it." Then he turned to Jessica. "You said you've flown a Pod?"
"Well, yes, but not in a race," said Jessica. "I wouldn't stand a chance of winning." She turned to Shmi. "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who can help us?"
"No," said Shmi quietly.
"Mom, you say the biggest problem in this universe is nobody helps each other."
"We don't want to put your son in danger," said Padme. "We'll find some other way."
Shmi shook her head. "There is no other way. I may not like it, but he can help you. He was meant to help you."
