A/N: Since I am not very knowledgeable about the time Before the Saga-I have created some characters, and may be using planets that are known for other things during this timeframe (or completely creating new planets). Please forgive my ignorance, I have tried to do as much research as I can, with my limited time and resources, but for the sake of getting this story out (and for my own sanity!), I am going to start cutting certain corners in my research, namely about most of the planets that are not well known (I may even make some of them up-who knows!). Thanks!

So, I guess I need to label this somewhat AU-if I'm making up planets and such…oh well. On with the update.


Ana hadn't been kidding about the heat and the sun; or suns, as Shmi was amazed to notice two suns in Tatooine's sky. They had landed in a place called Motesta on Tatooine. Shmi saw more aliens in the few minutes it took them to walk from the ship to the cantina than she'd ever seen in her life. She tried not to appear rude and stare, but some of these aliens she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams!

As the trio entered the cantina, Shmi had to blink against the sudden darkness. Her eyes took a moment to adjust but when they did she was confronted with a scene of apparent chaos.

The center area was teeming with more alien life forms, all shouting and passing empty glasses across the bar for refills. There was a band in one corner-made up of some interesting looking aliens with huge bald heads and long fingers with bulbous tips. The floor of the bar was covered with tables, most of which also had alien life seated.

Shmi followed Sky and Ana as they crossed the cantina to the far back wall where a pale being with long tentacles growing from its head and small, beady eyes stood in front of a door. Shmi knew this species; she had seen Twi'lek's doing business with Karr.

The Twi'lek spoke to them in a language Shmi had never heard before. She watched them speak, moving her head between Ana, Sky, and the Twi'lek. She recognized the name Hurilla, and could only guess that was who was waiting behind this door.

There was more talking, Sky speaking almost heatedly to the Twi'lek. Out of the corner of her eye, Shmi saw Ana glance at her with a look of concern on her face. She quickly smiled when she noticed Shmi watching them so intently. Shmi returned the smile hesitantly and after a few more words the three of them were ushered into a large, dank, dimly lit room.

Shmi immediately noticed the smell. It was rank, like a stagnant swamp. She resisted the urge to cover her nose. Shmi followed behind Ana and Sky as they crossed the room alternating breathing out her nose, and her mouth. That was then she saw it. And rude or not Shmi couldn't help but stare. It was the biggest, ugliest thing she'd ever seen. She couldn't believe it was intelligent, let alone ruthless and cruel as Ana and Sky had claimed.

"Meet Hurilla Crii Jundies, or Hurilla the Hutt, as she likes to be called," Ana leaned over and whispered to Shmi. Shmi nodded, her mouth slightly agape, still in shock at the size of this creature.

It was huge, easily 5 meters in length, and though it sat on a large pedestal, it was still at least 3 meters tall.

As Shmi stared (it looks like a gigantic space slug, Shmi thought) the large creature started speaking to Ana and Sky in the same language the Twi'lek had been using. There was some back and forth dialogue, Hurilla sounding angry. As Shmi watched and listened, she guessed they were talking about her. Ana had gestured towards Shmi, speaking her name.

"She wanted to know who you were," Ana whispered after it appeared Hurilla was somewhat calmed by the apparently unnerving presence of Shmi.

Sky took over speaking after that, and Ana leaned in to translate some of the conversation to Shmi.

"Sky is completing the transaction. The goods we smuggled off Kal'Shebbol are worth a lot to her," Ana whispered. Shmi wondered what on earth could be worth so much to this vile creature, especially goods off Kal'Shebbol.

"We need to be sure she pays us the promised amount. Usually she's good about it, but we started out rocky by bringing you in with us. This particular Hutt is kinda moody about things, she's very particular," Ana added. Shmi immediately felt guilty even though she had offered to stay on the ship. Ana and Sky had both insisted she come along. Suddenly all she wanted was out of that room as soon as possible.

Shmi watched Hurilla and Sky speak to each other, anxious for the conclusion of the business deal. Her shock at seeing a Hutt for the first time had worn off, now she was just a little grossed out by the sight. Luckily, by the sound of things, the negotiations were winding down.

Shortly thereafter, there was a pause and Hurilla called in the Twi'lek. Credits exchanged hands. Moments later, the three of them were back out on the streets of Motesta.

"So, wha'dya think a' that nasty thing?" Sky asked as they walked back to the ship-the credits placed safely in his pocket.

Shmi laughed lightly. "I think the Hutt's are fairly disgusting and I won't be upset if I never see one again," she said under her breath, not wanting anyone other than Ana and Sky to hear her insult such an apparently powerful species.

Sky and Ana laughed loud. "Right y'are, girlie," Sky finally sputtered, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Right y'are."


Shmi had been expecting the couple to leave her on Tatooine. So she was dreading the moment when they'd return to the ship. Sky and Ana hadn't said anything about what they were going to do with her once they'd landed-so she continued to follow them-anticipating the moment. She was surprised and a little moved when they asked her to join the crew of their ship. She accepted, happily. She had begun feeling slightly apprehensive about trying to make a life on such a harsh planet and was warmed to know she'd have a proper place to be, even if it was smuggler's starship.

As they entered the docking bay, Sky ceremoniously lowered the ramp. "Welcome aboard Kianna's Dream," he said as he made a grand gesture towards the ship. Shmi grinned at the two of them and led them all aboard.

Shmi soon found out that Kianna was Ana and Sky's young daughter. She had died of a mysterious infection on Corellia roughly fifty years ago. "Never have found out what it was that killed her," Ana spoke softly, the three of them back in the small mess area.

"Buried her on Corellia, an' we visit, much as we can," Sky added, sadness evident in his usually bright and playful eyes.

Shmi wasn't sure how to respond, so she remained silent. The three of them sat there for a long moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Shmi reflected in the events that led her to meet the couple.

"Can I ask you something?" Shmi said, breaking the heavy silence. The older couple looked at her expectantly.

"Why do you trust me?" she blurted, unsure how to word the question tactfully.

Ana smiled as she patted Sky's arm. "Sky's gotta a sense about people. He never woulda brought you aboard if he didn't believe you were harmless, and in real danger yourself."

"Oh," Shmi laughed nervously.

"I knew you was harmless the moment you ran into me. You got an honest soul, I can tell," Sky added smiling at Shmi.

Shmi smiled back, appreciative of the kind words. But her gladness soon faded as she sat with the couple. Her thoughts drifted to her own nameless, faceless family that might be out there, somewhere.

"I wish I knew who I was," she spoke, "I wish I could find my family. Find out where I come from, what my past is."

"I know. But there's no point in wishin' 'bout things that can't be changed," Ana replied. "Believe me."

Shmi looked at the older woman, their eyes meeting. Ana's eyes, a deep, chocolate brown, were filled with sadness. Shmi wondered if it had been there all the time and she'd just not noticed.

"Enough with the sad talk," Sky interrupted, causing the women to break their stare.

"We gotta work out the plan once we land," Sky stood and opened a compartment in the wall that Shmi would never have guessed existed. He accessed a deep cupboard and reaching in he retrieved something, then closed the wall and returned to the table. Shmi looked at the item he placed before them. It was some sort of high tech data pad. Shmi had never seen one so small.

She looked to Sky questioningly. He had plotted their next course; they were on their way to Marr. Another world Shmi had heard of, but never seen. This world was closer to the Core, and as Ana told her, it wouldn't be such a backwards place as Tatooine had appeared. The job Hurilla had hired them for was fairly drawn out, and was going to take them on a route through several systems, landing them on several worlds. Shmi was thrilled to be seeing so much of the universe when she had barely seen any of the world she had lived most of her life on.

"This 's got all the information that anyone ever knew about Marr," Sky smiled. "We got a whole set, covering the entire known galaxy, cost us a pretty amount, but it's been irreplaceable in our business."

"I had no idea things like this existed," Shmi stared at the datapad. Sky had activated it, and there was a long list of menu items flashing on the brightly lit screen.

Shmi had a sudden thought, but afraid to speak it out aloud she bit on her lip, mulling it over in her mind.

Sky and Ana began reviewing the different laws and customs of Marr. Shmi only half listened. She was distracted by the possiblities. She doubted it would work, seeing as she knew so little about her life before Kal'Shebbol. Only her first name and the necklace…

Shmi absently fingered the small token hanging from the thin, leather strand around her neck. Her unfocused eyes stared at a small stain on the used and scarred tabletop.

Shmi suddenly realized that the table was silent; Ana and Sky were no longer talking. She raised her head and looked at the two-they were watching her expectantly.

Shmi dropped her hand from her necklace, "What?" she asked, completely clueless about what they had been discussing.

"You okay, girlie?" Sky asked, his eyes squinting at Shmi as if he was trying to see through her.

Shmi nodded and unconsciously leaned back just a bit. "I just lost track of what we were talking about," she smiled apologetically.

Ana hit Sky lightly in the shoulder, "We wondered if you were going to leave the ship with us," she asked, smiling at Sky as he pretended to be hurt by her light punch.

"Why wouldn't I?" she asked, wishing she had paid attention to what they had been saying. Now she felt foolish, making them repeat everything. "Sorry…"

Ana eyed her for a moment. "You sure you're okay?" When Shmi nodded, Ana regarded her once more, than told her why she might want to stay on board. At first Shmi was taken aback, but she quickly recovered and said she wanted to come along with them. She wanted to experience as much as she could about this universe before she lost her chance.

Shmi, though free from Karr, felt that a foreboding darkness lye ahead of her. Things were going too good. She was comfortable, and being treated as an equal for the first time in her life. Something was bound to go wrong.

As the trio walked down the ramp, leaving the ship behind, Ana and Shmi shared a secret look behind Sky's back. This planet could be fun, Shmi thought to herself-preparing for the sights that lay before her.