CHAPTER TWO: "Podrace …"
Just before the break of dawn, there was a slight stir in the corner of Anakin's room. Wing's eyes slowly opened and she felt a huge yawn take over. Stretching out her limbs, she sighed with sleepy satisfaction. Then, her instincts took over. She jumped up, her back cramped against the wall, claws ready for an attack. There was a sound of falling cloth and she looked down.
A blanket? But how did …
"Did you sleep well?"
Scared out of her wits, Wing sprang to the ceiling, her claws clutching through the material. Her eyes moved around frantically for some sign of threat but all she found was the small little boy from before. He was sitting up in his bed, staring at her. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he looked back up at her with a huge grin.
"Wow!" Anakin pushed back the small sheet and got out of bed. He stood underneath her, a look of pure amazement on his face. "That was wizard!"
He thought that was cool? Wing cocked her head with her big golden eyes blinking rapidily, confused by his reaction. Any other human would have shrieked and probably thrown something at her. She looked briefly at his bed and to the blanket that she had abandoned.
He gives without any thought of reward.
Her golden eyes went into a haze. There were those voices again. This one sounded familiar but she couldn't put a face to it. Coming back to the present quickly, she glared down at the boy. Could he be trusted?
"My name is Anakin. What's yours?"
Wing flinched. He wanted to know her name? In addition to his peculiar request, he had introduced himself to her! She hesitated for a moment before she unclenched her claws from the ceiling and landed numbly in front of him. She pointed to the feathers in her hair, hoping he would understand her even though she could not speak.
I've been called many things but I think Wing is the best.
There was a look of surprise on his face and it made her feel guilty. For the first time in her life, she wished she could talk. Wasn't her fault that she only spoke with her mind, her thoughts. It was unbelievable that she felt this way but she was sure that this boy meant no harm.
"I think Wing is a nice name." Anakin said slowly, his eyes on her.
Well, it is not one I would have personally chosen but it… Wing suddenly raised her eyebrows, her thought trailing off.
"What name would you have chosen?" Anakin asked.
I … you can hear me? Wing's eyes widened, surprised.
"Yeah, it's weird. How do you talk without moving your mouth?"
I have always communicated this way. Wing glared down at him. How can you understand me?
Anakin shrugged. He walked around and started out the door. "Would you like something to eat? My Mom will probably already be up."
No! I … I … I don't wish for anyone else to know I'm here! Wing sprang forward, clutching his shoulder tightly but quickly letting go, not wanting to hurt the boy with her claws. Anakin looked back at her, unperturbed at all at her touch.
"Well, alright. If you don't want me to say anything, I won't."
Thank you … Anakin. Wing lowered her gaze, letting him go. I promise to be of little trouble.
"It's alright, Wing." Anakin glanced out the door and waved to his mom in the kitchen. Shmi smiled and went on with her cooking. He turned back to Wing. "Qui-Gon knows about you too."
The Jedi? Wing cautiously poked her head out the door and glanced at the table. Qui-Gon glanced up from his bowl and grinned, nodding to her. She felt her heart pound and she sank quickly back into the room. I have never met a Jedi before ...
"Oh don't be scared of him. He's very kind." Anakin urged but Wing backed up into the farthest corner of the room and sat down. Her mind felt like it had a hundred different voices in it and she couldn't concentrate.
I should like to wait hear, if you wouldn't mind.
"Okay, I'll be back." Anakin came over and patted her knee with a smile. She nodded timidly. With a sigh of satisfaction, Anakin stood up and raced out of the room. A conversation followed, a sign that the others were also up. It sure did feel strange to be in a human's house. It felt even stranger knowing that two of them knew she was there and they didn't mind! The voices in her head diminished and she leaned against the wall, letting her own worried thoughts plague her.
A couple days later found Wing standing nervously next to Anakin in the Podracer Arena. Though blind from everyone else, it seemed that only Anakin and Qui-Gon could sense her. In the time that she had been with them, she had been given more food than she could finish and clothes she could never hope for. A feeling of trust was soon established. Soon, Qui-Gon had no need to ask Anakin where the strange girl was. She followed him wherever he went like a shadow, never once leaving his side. Qui-Gon once compared her to a loyal and faithful stray. Wing would tilt her head in confusion and then look to Anakin who would just grin and nod as Qui-Gon would chuckle quietly while everyone else wondered what was funny. It was nice. Almost like having a family.
The Boonta Race was that day and judging by the size of the crowd in the Podracing hangar, it was a very important event. Wing could see natives of nearly every one of the Outer Rim worlds, from Malastare to Tund. Everyone in the race had brought their custom-designed Podracer and a crew of mechanics and droids to work on them.
The prize money must be significant to attract so many, Wing commented, her eyes scanning through the racers. The race was about to start and she could feel the excitement swelling up in her. Though she was worried for Anakin's safety, she somehow was sure that everything would work out on its own accord.
"Sebulba crashed! I won! I WON!"
Anakin's voice was as clear in her head as his eyes were in front of her. Wing felt relief, knowing Anakin would win. It seemed that her powers were strengthening over time and she couldn't help but wonder if this human boy was the cause.
"Indeed, it would seem so." Qui-Gon answered her quietly. Wing wondered why his voice was so low. It was her lips that didn't work, not her ears. But she quickly understood as the other human girl, Padme came up to Anakin. She immediately stepped back, leaving enough space for her to pass. At the same time, she could sense Qui-Gon stiffen suddenly. It was clear that he was worried if Padme would try to talk Anakin out of the race or not. But all Padme did was kiss Anakin's cheek and say, "You carry all our hopes."
"I won't let you down," was Anakin's short reply. Padme nodded and left to join Shmi.
After Jabba the Hutt finished his introductions, the crowd cheered. Wing could feel worry jumping through Qui-Gon's head and felt a need to quell them but could not find the right words. She watched as the Jedi Knight lifted Anakin into the Podracer. He made sure the boy was properly strapped in. "Are you all set, Annie?"
The boy nodded. Qui-Gon hesitated. "Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel. Don't think. Trust your instincts." He smiled, adding, "May the Force be with you." He nodded to Wing to follow and he walked to the stands to join the others. Wing bent down and quickly squeezed Anakin in a friendly embrace.
Be safe …
Anakin smiled and turned his attention back to the controls, doing last minute check-ups. Wing dashed over to Qui-Gon and silently planted herself on his right side, away from the others. His worries swam over into her mind and she instinctively laid her head on his shoulder. It was the most comfort she could give him without giving herself away. They both let their gaze fall upon the young slave.
It is up to Anakin now.
Two laps into the race and Anakin was barely within sight of the leading Podracers. His engines had crashed and died at the beginning. The fuel regulator had been manually adjusted to full open, and the engines had flooded. It was no surprise to Anakin. He had almost expected Sebulba to sabotage his Podracer. He had been able to ignite the engines but had a hard time catching up. Narrowly missing Tusken Raiders on the first lap, he had been lucky.
As he crossed the line for the third lap, he was just behind Sebulba. He whipped to the inside on the next tight corner and he took the lead. Keeping the lead was harder than taking it had been. With Sebulba on his tail and pushing him on every turn, it was hard for Anakin to stay in his hard-won position.
Then, something felt wrong—the left engine. The main inertial compensator was shaking loose. Quickly, he adjusted the controls to use the backup system, but he wasn't fast enough. When he was changing over, Sebulba passed him.
In the stands, Qui-Gon and Wing watched with grim anticipation. She knew that unless Anakin had some burst of speed, he would lose and with that, all of Qui-Gon's hopes. She knew her little friend would win but perhaps a little help would be okay.
Qui-Gon felt her leave and immediately looked to his side and down into the arena, hoping to catch some glimpse of her. Not even a shadow revealed her presence on the track. There was a small but strong surge in the Force and he knew immediately that she had reached him.
Looking back to the small, specialized view screen that Shmi held, he looked over Anakin's Podracer. If he hadn't been looking for it, he wouldn't have noticed the small feathers in the air behind the pod. It looked as if the pod itself was speeding faster then before but Qui-Gon knew better. He smiled to himself, glad that Anakin had the strength to handle the sudden burst speed.
Back in the seat, Anakin felt the difference of movement. Perhaps the ruined engine had come back online? Good, that meant he could pass Sebulba. As they came around the final turn, Anakin pretended to dodge to the inside. However, when Sebulba dodged to block him, Anakin swung wide, trying to pass on the outside. Unable to make it all the way around, he ended up side by side to Sebulba. Speeding down the stretch, they headed toward the finish line.
Sebulba deliberately slammed his pod into Anakin's. Gripping the controls, Anakin tried to keep from swerving out of control. There was a small grunt behind and Anakin was almost sure he heard a string of angry words. Sebulba smashed into him again, and his steering rods became tangled with Anakin's.
Fighting for control, Anakin could see Sebulba laughing as the finish line drew closer and closer. He tried to unlock the steering rods by pulling away from Sebulba's Podracer, but they were too tightly caught … and then, Anakin's steering rod broke from under the strain.
The Podracer began to spin. Grimly, Anakin hung on to the power controls. He had no steering and no stability but he could still change the engine's speed. By instinct and feel, he kept the Podracer on course. He didn't know where Sebulba was but he could see the finish line. The engines were going as fast as they could but were quickly slowing down. Anakin could hear it give up. He was so close! The pod couldn't stop now! He put it in full speed and hoped that it would get him to the finish line. A loud in-human screech vibrated behind him and Anakin almost jumped out of his seat. There was a mad flap of wings and a huge gust of air.
You cannot give up now! The urgent and pleading voice resounded in Anakin's head and he couldn't help but smile. He didn't know how she got there but was happy she was. With a new burst of confidence, he kept the Podracer on the track and flew through the cloud of smoke and flame.
That was Sebulba, Anakin! Go! Go! Wing urged, pushing herself as hard as she could. Her wings were waving madly in the air as if possessed, pushing the pod across the finish line in a furious speed. They came to a halt and the engines sputtered and died. There were cheers from the crowd and the stands. Anakin unstrapped himself and stood up. He didn't turn to Wing but spoke in excited whispers to her.
"Sebulba crashed! I won! I WON!"
END OF CHAPTER TWO: "Podrace ..."
