Disclaimer: In no way at all do I own any of the original character, locations, ships, or anything else mentioned in Star Wars. They are all owned by George Lucas. I only own my OC. Any similarities between this story and another are purely accidental.
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Lyra struggled through the sandstorm that engulfed Mos Espa, clutching her cloak tightly to her body. Her hand was raised to her eyes, protecting them from the whirling drifts of sand that the wind tossed around. With a wry chuckle, she noticed some of Mos Espa's residents peered through their windows to stare at her incredulously.
Who would blame them? I'm out in a sandstorm, for Force's sake! she thought dryly. Sandstorms on Tatooine were very dangerous, and being out in one was like facing a charging bantha head-on.
The nineteen-year-old looked up from the sandy ground, sighing in relief when the clustered slave hovels came into view. She approached one in particular, pressing a series of buttons on the panel beside the door. A desperate look came over her face as she realized the wind was getting stronger.
Finally, the door slid open, revealing Shmi Skywalker. "Lyra!" she gasped, shocked. Taking Lyra's hand, she pulled her into the hovel. "Are you crazy?" she asked, once Lyra was safely inside and the door was shut. "Going out in a sandstorm!"
"Bari kicked me out because I couldn't pay the rent," Lyra said sheepishly, referring to the humanoid alien who rented an apartment to her. "I was wandering around Mos Espa when the sandstorm blew up. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go."
She looked around the small hovel, her eyes alighting on the small table. Seated at it was an aging man with long hair, a teenage girl with dark brown hair, an orange frog-like alien, a blue-and-white droid, and Anakin Skywalker; Shmi's nine-year-old son and Lyra's unofficial little brother.
"Sorry Shmi," she apologized. "I didn't know you had company." He looks familiar…
Shmi smiled. "It's no trouble." She turned back to the table where the newcomers were staring at the girl curiously. "This is Lyra," she said by way of introduction, "a friend of mine. Lyra, this is Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé, Jar Jar Binks, and their droid R2-D2."
She inclined her head politely. "Nice to meet you," she said. But inwardly, shock was spreading throughout her body. Qui-Gon Jinn? As in Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn? Oh Force, I really hope he doesn't recognize me…
Lyra sat down beside Anakin, grinning at the younger boy and putting up a mind shield. Can't be too careful. "Hey Ani," she greeted warmly, ruffling his blonde hair.
Anakin ducked away from her hand. "Hey Lyra," he said with an incredulous look on his face. "I can't believe you walked all the way here through a sandstorm!"
What can I say? I'm insane.
Before Lyra could respond, the orange alien—Jar Jar—slurped his soup loudly. Everyone's eyes turned on him, making him turn a brighter red.
Ignoring the alien's rudeness, Shmi continued the conversation they had been having previously. "All slaves have transmitters placed inside their bodies somewhere," she said, setting a pitcher of juice onto the table before sitting down herself.
"I've been working on a scanner to try and locate them, but no luck," said Anakin sadly.
"Any attempt to escape…" Lyra began.
"…and the blow you up! POOF!" Anakin slammed his palm on the table for effect
Jar Jar looked at Anakin. "How wude," he said simply, making Lyra raise an eyebrow at him. You're one to talk…
Padmé turned to Shmi, looking horrified. "I can't believe there's still slavery in the galaxy," she said in a dismayed tone. "The Republic's anti-slavery laws—"
Lyra shook her head at the girl's naiveté. "The Republic doesn't exist out here," she said solemnly.
"We must survive on our own," added Shmi.
There was a silence, which was broken by Anakin asking, "Have you ever seen a Podrace?"
Padmé shook her head. Jar Jar's tongue darted out and snatched some food from the other end of the table, making Qui-Gon give him a dirty look. "They have Podracing on Malastare," he said. "Very fast, very dangerous."
"I'm the only human who can do it," stated Anakin proudly, making Shmi and Lyra look at him. His mother looked at him with sadness and disappointment, while Lyra smiled at him just as proudly.
"I'm not bragging!" Anakin added upon seeing his mother's look. "It's true. Watto says he's never heard of a human doing it,"
Qui-Gon looked thoughtful. "You must have Jedi reflexes if you race Pods," he said seriously, making Anakin smile and Lyra fidget uncomfortably.
Jar Jar's tongue darted out to snare some food, but Qui-Gon, in a flash, grabs it between his thumb and forefinger and warning him not to do it again. JAR JAR tried to acknowledge with some silly mumbling. Qui-Gon let go of the tongue, and it snapped back into Jar Jar's mouth.
"I was wondering something," said Anakin nervously.
Qui-Gon looked up at him. "What?"
"You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?"
The question made Lyra freeze. She glared at Anakin. 'What are you doing?' she mouthed angrily. 'Do you want him to take me away?'
Anakin looked guilty at her words, but said nothing.
"What makes you think that?" asked Qui-Gon.
"I saw your laser sword," explained Anakin. "Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon."
Qui-Gon leaned back in his seat and smiled. "Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him."
"I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi," was the response.
Lyra smiled sadly and looked at Anakin, her mouth blurting out the words before she had time to think. "I wish that were so," she said wistfully, thinking of her mother.
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Qui-Gon curiously studied Shmi's younger friend. Her hair was a midnight shade of black, framing a slightly tanned face and doe-like gray eyes. There was nothing about her to suggest any difference from Tatooine's other residents, but there was a certain aura around her. And the way she had said "I wish that were so," was almost as if she had seen a Jedi perish. He tried probing her mind, but had come into contact with a shield. She can screen her mind?
His thoughts were interrupted by Anakin. "I had a dream I was a Jedi," the little boy said quietly. "I came back here to free all the slaves." A pause. "Have you come to free us?"
"No. I'm afraid not."
"I think you have. Why else would you be here?"
Qui-Gon smiled at the boy's inquisitiveness. "I can see there's no fooling you," he said, leaning forward. "You mustn't let anyone know about us. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission, and it must be kept secret."
"How did you end up hear in the Outer Rim?" asked the girl—Lyra—suspiciously.
"Our ship was damaged," Padmé answered, "and we're stuck here until we can repair it."
"I can help!" Anakin said excitedly. "I can fix anything!"
"I believe you can," said Qui-Gon kindly, "but our first job is to acquire the parts we need."
"Those junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind," Padmé said determinedly.
"Gambling," replied Shmi. "Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."
"Podracing," the Jedi Master said carefully. "Greed can be a powerful ally, if it's used properly." At that, Shmi looked at Qui-Gon.
Anakin suddenly smiled. "We've built a racer," he said, pointing to him and Lyra. "It's the fastest ever! There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You could enter our Pod. It's all but finished…"
"I don't want you to race Ani," interrupted Shmi, looking upset. "It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it."
"But mom," Anakin protested, "I love it. And they need help. They're in trouble. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."
"Wesa in a pitty bad goo," said Jar Jar simply.
Qui-Gon sighed. "Your mother is right," he said, before looking back at Shmi. "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who might be able to help us?"
"You once told me that the biggest problem in the universe is that no one helps each other," Lyra reminded Shmi quietly.
Padmé looked at the older woman. "I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We'll find some other way," she said.
"No," said Shmi resignedly. "Ani and Lyra are right. I may not like it, but he can help you." She looked up at Qui-Gon. "He was meant to help you."
---
Lyra and Anakin entered the small room where they stored C-3PO, a protocol droid the two were building to aid Shmi. The storm had not yet subsided, so the two had decided to wait it out by working on the droid.
"He's almost finished," stated Anakin proudly as he pulled back the sheet that covered 3P0.
Lyra nodded, picking up some tools from a nearby table. "I'm really proud of you, Ani," she said gazing admiringly at the half-finished droid. "You're really good at this."
Anakin smiled at the praise, and the two hunkered down to work. After a few moments of silence, Anakin looked up again.
"Um, Lyra," he called tentatively, making the older girl look up.
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Asking if Qui-Gon was a Jedi," he said, fidgeting nervously. "He might have recognized you, and I don't want that. I want you to stay here."
Lyra smiled and reached over to ruffle Anakin's hair. "Don't worry Ani." She smiled. "I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Not without my little brother anyway."
Anakin smiled back.