From the Archived Journal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
Tatooine
Late Afternoon
Our departure was earlier then expected.
Quickly we collected our winnings, and it was then that I freed young Anakin from the life of slavery. Although it was heartbreaking for the young boy that I was unable to free his mother, she talked some understanding into him and soon he overcame his fear of not seeing her again.
Her strength became his own.
Slighty long pause
It is becoming extremely difficult to reach Obi-Wan through our training bond. Every attempt only leaves me grasping at air.
It's as if his life force no longer exists.
If that's the case…we shouldn't be here much longer. I sense something more is happening right now which is enough to tell me I must hurry.
From the Private Diary of Handmaiden Padmé Naberrie
Tatooine
Early Evening
I cannot even begin to fathom what took place back at the racing circle.
It was a disaster! It was unexpected! It was purely horrible!
And to think that little Anakin made it out in one piece…something else I cannot even being to fathom.
But the look in Master Jinn's eyes… I cannot even begin to explain what I saw. Not sadness but more of a deep concentration. He was so into whatever he was dealing with that his face seemed to have aged faster than time. It was the most disturbing sight I've seen apart from what was happening down below. Apart from some of the spectators fleeing while others stayed, what I witnessed I shall never forget.
One thing I do know—Master Jinn wants to leave here as soon as possible. He is sending Jar Jar and myself along first—with our supplies and some winnings. Since we no longer require the usage of Tatooine currency, I have placed the many credits in a bag and left them in Shmi's bedroom, along with a note saying how grateful we are that her only son did his best and helped us in the end.
I could not even begin to comfort her with words that her only son was to be taken away and soon she would be all alone. But in my own mysterious way, I feel as if for a short time she has come to know the feeling of having a daughter…although I am much older than Anakin, I could tell that another more womanly touch around the small household was needed to keep her hopes up. I can also say the same about Master Jinn's presence. A tall, fatherly figure.
It was like we were meant to be a family.
But enough about that. Jar Jar and I leave very soon and that's more then enough reason to be away from this place.
I need to see Obi-Wan.
Bidding farewell to Shmi was the hardest thing Padmé had difficult dealing with. But with a simple smile of understanding and a hug of friendship and love—along with gift basket of Shmi's famous cookies—Padmé set off towards the long distance of sand with Jar Jar in tow, back to the Royal Starship. She was more anxious then she realized to see Obi-Wan again. She needed to speak to him about what happened to his master earlier and if he was able to shed some light on the situation. It was vital she knew, to understand what had changed and if it would affect his position in escorting them to Coruscant. She didn't know how it would, but she wasn't a Jedi so she had to know.
She hopped off her riding animal shortly before it stopped at the landing ramp and rushed inside the ship, intent on seeing the resting Padawan right away.
"Obi-Wan!" She called before she reached the doorway. "Obi-Wan! I need to talk to you about—" She stopped just in the doorway. He wasn't in his bed. In fact, he wasn't in the tiny room at all. Her heart sank for a few seconds. He's probably getting something to eat or perhaps he's in the cockpit with Ric, she thought, quick to reassure herself. She was about to head in the direction of the cockpit when Panaka suddenly appeared and blocked her path.
"Padmé!" He had to plant his feet in place in order to stop himself from falling backward. "Have you seen Padawan Kenobi? Is he outside?"
This startled her. "N-No. I thought he was with you."
Panaka made a face. "Thens it worse then I thought. Where is Master Jinn?"
"He'll be here shortly. He sent Jar Jar and myself along first with the supplies. He and little Anakin will follow suit."
"Little Anakin?"
"A slave he freed. He's coming with us to Coruscant to be a Jedi."
Panaka frowned.
"Nevermind. Master Jinn will explain once he gets here. But now we have to find Obi-Wan!"
Their search ended quickly even before it began. Just then little Skywalker ran into the cockpit yelling that they take off immediately. Padmé peeked outside the landing ramp and saw Master Jinn in combat with an unknown warrior in back. She was stunned to see that this man in black had an unusually large lightsaber that lanced red. They seemed to be equal opponents, but somehow she knew that Qui-Gon wouldn't be able to hold on for long. A quick and angled kick to the jaw and Master Jinn was sent tumbling to the ground. She watched in horror as the black demon raised his weapon for the final blow—
Only she couldn't see. A large cloud of sand was swirling around the ground due to the rising of the ship, that she couldn't see what was going on down below. She rubbed her eyes free of sand—THUMP!—and was about to look up and help Master Jinn inside, thinking it was him and about to thank her lucky stars that she was all right—
—only it wasn't. Instead she found herself being lifted off the ground and staring into the most frightening pair of eyes she had ever seen. So mesmerizing and terrifying that for a moment she seemed to forget that his grip on her shirt was tightening, every squeeze was making her gasp for air. All she could do was stare—stare into yellow-red eyes that showed no mercy.
SNAP-HISS! A bright blue object ignited just behind her with enough light to illuminate her hand and arm that at the calling of his name from Panaka, Obi-Wan yelled and charged at the assailant, sending Padmé nearly tumbling out the ship with them. She watched with a new type of fear as Master and Padawan fought off the attacker before returning to the ship—and clutching onto a lifeless Obi-Wan as he slump limp to the floor in exhaustion.
Something was definitely wrong.