Announcement: Okay, I think I should take a moment to apologize to everyone. After a LONG Hiatus I'm finally back to this story and I really do have every intention of finishing it. You all should know that the reason behind me almost abandoning this fic is because of the combination of financial and mental stress variables that I am trying to manage. With trying to financially support myself and also trying to manage my mental health it was difficult for me to find the purpose of continuing this story. As much joy that it gives me to write this story for myself and for those of you that enjoy reading it, frankly it was just really difficult to find not only the time but the will to continue. Writing is the only thing in my life that I truly love doing and I wish I could just pop these out without a care in the world but sadly I don't have access to the resources to manifest that reality. But I digress, I'm back and although I can't promise to not get overwhelmed again I do promise that if I go on Hiatus again I'll give you all a notice. I hope you all can forgive me. Enjoy the chapter.

The Fury landed on the sand covered planet of Tatooine in the Mos Espa spaceport. I exited the boarding ramp with HK shortly behind, the sand and heat were the first things that I noticed as I stood on Tatooine's surface.

"I have been on this planet for less than five seconds and I already hate it here."

Interjection: I am capable of performing any tasks in your stead if you would like to wait on the ship master.

"I appreciate the offer HK but this is something that must be handled personally. Come on, the faster we conclude our business here the quicker we can leave. Pull up recent news on the Holonet, see if you can find anything about a pod race."

Answer: According to multiple sources there is a pod race scheduled for today. If you are looking to make a bet master, from all the data I've found the best bet is Sebulba with two to one odds you can make a tidy profit.

"What are the odds on Anakin Skywalker?"

Answer: 100:1. From all available data that's a losing bet master. No human has finished a pod race, let alone win one.

"O, he will win, I have no doubt. Put 400,000 credits on him to win, If my math is right that's a 40 million credit payout."

Caution: The Hutt's will not be happy to make that type of payout master. If the boy does win there's no guarantee that the hutt's will make the payout.

"Oh they will make the payout, the house always wins HK. They won't like it but they can't afford the reputation hit they will take if they refuse to pay out a legit bet. I'll leave this planet a millionaire but the Hutts have investments in the trillions of credits."

Interjection: If you would like I can make the bet as your proxy.

Before I could respond a human male approached me, he looked to be in his late forties and he wore a dirty mechanics outfit and was covered with grease, grim and sweat from working in the heat all day. He brushed his greasy hands off on his shirt and reached out a hand for me to shake.

"Landing fee is 500 credits mando. Nice to meet ya, name's Gavin, good looking ship you got there. First time I've seen something that old look so nice."

I shook the man's hand, "Nice to meet you Gavin. It's gotta be hell working in this heat so why don't you take the day off and forget I was even here." I activated Mind Trick for good measure and saw the man blinked his eyes in confusion.

"I think I'll take the rest of the day off and forget you are even here."

Gavin stumbled his way out of the landing pad shaking his head as he was leaving.

"Go make the bet HK, if you need me reach me on our personal comms. I'm going to make sure that the landing pad camera's are scrubbed and take care of any potential witnesses."

HK flashed his eyes at me and made his way out of the landing pad. I took in my surroundings and reached out with the force to detect any life signs around me. I didn't sense any life around me except for the energy signature of T3 on the ship and some faint energy signatures from some dormante droids that were charging and awaiting activation. I made my way up to the overlooking observation platform that had a complete view of the pad below. Inside was as filthy as the landing pad itself with tools and parts scattered all about in no organizable fashion. I approached a dusty computer terminal and pushed passed the minimal firewalls to get access to the camera feeds. I rewinded the feed to before the fury arrived when the only thing that was showing was an empty landing pad and put that on repeat for the next 12 hours. After being satisfied with my work I left the observation platform and walked out into the busy Mos Espa streets. It didn't take much time for me to find my way to the podracing arena, the flow of people was only headed in one direction. Before I could make my way into the stands to get a good look of the race a buzz came through my helmet comm channel.

Statement: I have placed the bet master. The meatbag bookie wishes to verify the sum, permission to escort him to the ship to arrange for the bet to be held in escrow.

"Tell him that the escort must be droids and that upon verification and transfer of funds you request to wipe the droid's memory core personally. Offer him as much money as you need to get him to agree."

Answer: It will be done, my master.

The comm link ended and I pulled up my hood more and made my way into the stands of the arena. The two headed commentator was giving a detailed analysis of the upcoming race and information on each of the racers. I didn't pay attention to what they were saying, instead focusing on searching the audience for Watto. In my search to find Watto I saw Qui-Gon, Padme, and Shmi in their elevated platform in the distance with my enhanced zoom focusing in on them. I saw Qui-Gon's brow furrow as his attention was lifted from the screen Shmi was holding and scanning the arena until his gaze fell on the section that I was in. I quickly moved in between the masses of people hoping that Qui-Gon would lose notice of me and continued searching for Watto. I eventually found him down below at the bottom of the arena with a good view of the starting line. I approached him and the group he was chatting with overhearing Watto brag about winning a guaranteed bet he just made prior to the race.

"You interested in a little side bet, I'm feeling pretty lucky and I got some credits to blow."

Watto pivoted in the air to get a good view of my mask.

"Woah, I haven't seen a mandalorian in a long time. What type of action are you looking to get into mando?"

"Couldn't help but overhear about your guaranteed bet, how about we make a side bet, I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that the boy wins the race." Watto's eyes got big and he rubbed his five o'clock shadow for a moment.

"I'll take those odds at 10,000 credits."

"You got the credits on you to verify."

Watto stuttered and pointed at me angrily.
"You're calling me a liar! You better watch yourself mando, I have friends you better watch who you accuse!"

"My apologies, at least put something up that can be easily verified. Those odds I'm offering are good Toydarian, you have a lot to gain and very little to lose. Do you have any droids or slaves that you can put up as collateral?"

"I have two slaves I can put up as collateral." Watto reached into a pouch and produced two slave transmitters. "That is good enough verification for you mando, do we have a bet or not."

I nodded and reached out a hand and Watto slapped it and turned back to the race as we heard Jabba make the announcement for the race to begin. I crossed my arms in front of me and zoomed my vision on to Anakin's pod. I noticed the part that Sebulba logged into one of the engine panels. Using the force I pulled it from the panel to let it fall to the ground, I could tell from the look on Anakin's face that he noticed that malfunction and was quick at work to fix the problem. The racers started revving their engines waiting for the countdown to begin, it was at the buzz that I had an idea. I closed my eyes behind my helmet and activated Battle Meditation. My eyes were closed but I could see the whole of Mos Espa from a bird's eye view. I focused downward onto the arena and started to manipulate the racers. I drained all the racers' morale, will and stamina except for Anakin's, instead boosting his abilities. I felt Anakin focus sharpen even more and his will peaked with my assistance. When the final buzz indicated that the start of the race went off Anakin was the fastest to respond and got an easy lead in front of the pack. Too much of a lead, in fact he was blowing away the competition easily and I could hear the uproar it caused in the arena. People couldn't believe that a human child was racing like a seasoned pro. At this revelation I manipulated the other racer's to make the competition more entertaining. Anakin was still leading the pack but Sebulba was constantly on his heels, they reached the part of the track where sand people were camped out overlooking track taking shots at the racers. I manipulated their focus to diminish if they thought about shooting at Anakin but to increase if they wanted to shoot the other racers. Their shots were dead accurate and they took out a racer by aiming a shot at a racers's pod engine and another was taken out with a headshot. I couldn't help but grin when the commentator said "Ohhhhhh! Talk about a headache!" I decided to sharpen Sebulba's focus and allow him to take the lead for the second lap, not hindering Anakin but not helping him either. Even without the aid of my battle mediation Anakin was still on Sebulba's tail the entire time and every time Sebulba would be sneaky and try to cheat Anakin was quick to respond. After Sebulba's attempt to ram Anakin I decided to reverse the pressure and with all my focus I boosted Anakin and drained Sebulba. Anakin and Sebulba were neck in neck deep in the canyon's and when Sebulba could tell Anakin was going to pull away from him for good he slammed his joysticks to the side to ram Anakin. At the last moment Anakin hit the breaks and Sebulba slammed into the canyon wall and exploded into a ball of fire and smoke. Anakin exited the canyon and easily won the race and I exited my battle meditation to be met with a very angry Toydarian.

"Looks like you owe me 10,000 credits Toydarian, time to pay up." Watto started to panic and stutter.

"No… Listen I can't pay you the credits mando but I'm good for it I swear!"

I took a step closer to Watto, "It's not smart to break a deal with a mandalorian. You better hand over those slave transmitters before things get real messy." Watto's hands went up in the air.

"I can't give you the slaves, I have already made a bet for one of them before I made a bet with you. No need to get angry, Mando, I'll get a loan from the Hutts. You'll get your money I promise.

I closed the distance between Watto and I and he flinched and covered his head, "You're lucky that I'm feeling merciful. Hand me the slave transmitter that you haven't promised to someone else." Watto reached into his pocket and held out the transmitter. I snatched it from his hand and put it in my belt, "Where can I retrieve my property Toydarian."

"I can take you to her now, she's here at the race."

"That won't be necessary, just give me an address and I'll be able to pick her up shortly. I have other business here to see too."
-Time Skip-

Hk and I stepped up to the door of the Skywalker house and I knocked on the door loudly. "HK stay outside and wait here I will be done shortly." The droid flashed his eyes at me and took a step to the side and began scanning the streets. The door to the residence swooshed open and I was face to face with Shmi Skywalker.

"Can I help you sir?"

"I reached into my belt and grabbed the transmitter and presented it to Shmi." It took a moment for her to make the connection and her eyes drifted to my feet and she stepped aside to let me in.

"Please come in master. Is there anything I can get you? I don't have much, only bread and water, I apologize for not having more ready."

I ducked my head and walked into the house and looked around, "Have you gathered your things?"

Shmi stood back up but continued to look at the ground as she replied, "Please master, the news of my sale was… unexpected. I have yet to tell my son and I have only just begun to pack my things."

"Is the boy home at the moment?"

Shmi shook her head side to side, "No, he is out with a friend. They shouldn't be gone too long."

I put the transmitter back into my belt pouch, "It was not my intention to separate a mother from her son. The Toydarian wagered both of you, it wasn't until he lost the bet did he mention that your son was already promised to another."

Shmi's eyes darted up from my feet, "What?! He sold Anakin? Did he say to whom?!"

At that moment my comm link went off.

Statement: Master there is a Jedi and boy out front trying to access the building. May I execute assaination protocols.

I cursed mentally, "No, let them in."

Anakin rushed into the house with a handful of credits in his hand, "Mom mom! There's a droid outside the house, are you ok?" Anakin stopped in front of Shmi and I and Qui Gon was towering over him staring holes into my helmet. "Who are you? Mom, why do you look so upset?" The boy stepped forward and Shmi bent down to hug him.

Qui Gon looked at Anakin and Shmi and then back to me, "Is there a problem here Miss Skywalker?"

I didn't respond, I just stood there and matched Qui Gon's stare with my own.

Shmi combed Anakin's hair with her hand and then looked at me then back to her son, "Anni did Watto say anything about selling you, did he mention anything at all?"

Anakin started panicking, "No No. He didn't say anything like that, why are you asking me these questions mom I'm worried."

Qui Gon put a hand on Anakin's shoulder and said, "He's free. The boy wasn't sold to anyone, he's no longer a slave."

Shmi sighed in relief and Anakin looked at Qui Gon in shock, "What?!" Anakin's eyes went from Qui Gon to his mother and finally rested on me. "What are you doing here?" Qui Gon lifted his hand from Anakin's shoulder and made eye contact with me again, "Yes mandalorian, I too would very much like to know why you are here."

"The Toydarian lost a bet and he put the boy and his mother as collateral, you must be the one that he already promised the boy too. Strange behavior for a Jedi to bet on a pod race, and for a slave no less."

Qui Gon's glare intensified, "Who are you to question my motivations, Mandalorian?"

I looked to Shmi, "I have a ship waiting at the main spaceport, there will be a droid waiting for you. Say your goodbyes and gather the rest of your things, you have two hours." I handed her two personal holo communicators I bought earlier, "Here take these and give one to the boy, if he ever needs to get ahold of you he can do so." I pushed my way past Shmi, Anakin and a very frustrated looking Qui Gon and met HK outside and we made our way back to the ship.

"Was there any issue collecting our winnings from the Hutts?"

Answer: No Master. I escorted the winnings back to the ship personally and made sure to wipe the escort droid's memories.

Point of Interest: We are being followed.

"Yes, I'm aware. I have not yet decided how to handle the Jedi." At that moment I was pulled into my mindspace. My mindspace environment was familiar to me, it was an exact replica of the Illusive Man's observation office in the Mass Effect series. I was in awe of the view of a dying star just outside the glass and from beside me I heard Valkorion's voice. "Perhaps I can be of assistance…" We both stared out the window at the star, "How long have you been here?" Valkorion responded, "Oh for sometime, what is the concept of time to one such as I." I took a deep breath, "What is your proposal?" Valkorion took a step and stood in front of me with the star at his back, "Give the Jedi to me, I will possess his body and you and I can create a new galaxy together." I closed my eyes and began to try to play it out in my head when Valkorion spoke again, "I have seen things within your mind that boggle even me, questions for another time. What is important is that I've seen your plan, seen what you envision. I'm impressed."
"Yes questions for another time, if you know what I know then you know the reason why I hesitate." Valkorion closed his eyes and when he opened them I had a quest notification pop up.

Quest Added: A Gods Offer

Objective: Accept Valkorion's offer Reward: Valkorion's Loyalty Locked to Tier 4

I held my breath for a moment and answered, "You did that didn't you." Valkorion turned and stood beside me again and we looked at the star, "The force has given you a unique ability, I don't know how or why, but it's enough for me to consider you as a… equal." I didn't answer, Valkorion and I just stood there gazing at the star. Finally Valkorion spoke, "If you agree, present the Jedi with my Holocron and I will do the rest."

-Time Skip-

I went immediately to my room upon entering the Fury, the Holocron sitting there right at the foot of my bed where I left it. I could feel Qui Gon's presence in the force, he just entered the ship and was heading towards my quarters. I gave orders to HK to not disturb the Jedi and thankful the droid had done as commanded and didn't intercede in whatever Qui Gon was attempting to do by following me. The door to my quarters opened and my back was too Qui Gon, he didn't see what I was holding in my hands close to my chest.

"Turn around slowly mandalorian, I wish to speak to you."

I took a deep breath, "Why are you here Jedi, it's rude to break into a man's ship." I could feel the dark energy emanate from the sith holocron. It was like holding a hungry predator in my hands, one who was just waiting for the order to attack so it could devour its prey. I heard the sound of a lightsaber being ignited.

"You will turn around now!" Qui Gon shouted.

I turned around slowly activating the holocron with the force as doing so, "Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt." I activated Force Focus, slowing time to a crawl. The energy that released from the holocron was about to wash over Qui Gon at the moment before its impact. I dropped the holocron and used Force Devor on the energy that held the spirit of Valkorion. For the split second before his essence was fully absorbed into me I could sense his anger but more so his complete terror. The energy flowed into me completely bringing me to my knees and the sudden betrayal of Valkorion took all of my force energy leaving me completely defenseless. The die had been cast and I hoped I had made the right decision. I could hear the humming of Qui Gon's lightsaber close to my helmet. "Master Jedi I apologize for the surprise, the threat to your life is gone. I am no threat to you, you have my word." After a short silence I heard Qui Qon respond.

"Come to your feet mandalorian slowly and make no sudden moves."

I slowly pulled myself up to my feet with great effort and met the Jedi's gaze. He had his lightsaber mere inches from my throat.

"That is a Sith Holocron by your feet. I can sense the dark side within you. Yet I'm wise enough to realize that whatever that was that came from that holocron was a power that I could have not defended myself against. So I'm only going to ask once. Why would a Sith save a Jedi Master?"

I was still physically exhausted from my betrayal of Valkorion and wasn't sure that Qui Gon wouldn't kill me if I wasn't both honest and gave an answer that he accepted. "I know of you Master Jinn, although I do not agree with your order and its understanding of the force, you are a good man. That spirit that inhabited that holocron was a threat to the entire galaxy and I sensed an opportunity to catch it off guard so I did so and saved you. Better to trust a good man to do a good than to hope a bad one will change his ways. That is why I saved you." The blade inched closer to my throat and I stiffened slightly. Qui Gon was conflicted. I wanted to know what the Master was thinking but I knew that if I tried to attempt to use the force to read his thoughts there's only one way he would perceive such an intrusion so I decided to have faith in the man.

Qui Gon moved his lightsaber away from my neck but nonetheless kept himself in a defensive posture showing that although he decided not to take advantage of my weakness he did not trust me. "I'm taking you into custody, by the power vested in me by the Jedi Council and the galactic republic you are under arrest."

I silently cursed myself mentally. "That would be very unwise of you Master Jinn, I'm not just any Mandalorian. I am Mandalore, which makes me a monarch and recognized leader of a republic planet. You currently are engaged in one galactic crisis. Let's not be hasty and start another. Search your feelings, you know what I say to be true." At this point I was just buying time hoping to keep the Jedi off guard without engaging him. I could sense Shmi just outside the ship having finally arrived and walking up the boarding ramp.

[Private Comms]

"HK, Shmi is here, escort her to one one the passenger quarters and tell her I will be with her shortly."

Statement: It will be as you command, master.

Query: Are you sure you do not need assistance, master.

"I'm hoping the Jedi will not be with us much longer. If I'm incorrect in my assumption, I'll send you a SOS on comms."

Answer: Very well master I will be on standby.

[Private Comms]

Qui Gon unignited his lightsaber. "I sense no deception in you Sith. The will of the force does not dictate me to strike you down. For that, consider yourself lucky."

I relaxed slightly. "In my experience master Jedi there is no such thing as luck. Only the force. I am Sith but not in the way you think and I'm not your enemy as my actions have presented. If you wish to speak again use the communication device I've given the boy so he may communicate with his mother. As for the here and now I have a proposal for you."

Qui Gon shifted slightly, " A proposal, I doubt we will shall be able to reach any agreement"

"There is another here on Tatooine who hunts the queen you protect; he is the actual enemy you should be wary of. If you leave my ship in peace I promise to aid you in your endeavors against him… and his master. I suggest you return to your padawan and the boy and flee this planet with haste."

Qui Gon was able to realize what I meant and was visibly unsettled. "I do not trust you. If what you have revealed to be true it would mean." Qui Gon stopped himself before divulging anything further and closed his eyes doing what I could only assume to be as consulting with the living force. He opened his eyes and sighed, "I will go in peace…Mandalore. This will not be the last we shall meet." The Jedi Master turned to leave my quarters.

"May the force be with you Master Jinn."

The Jedi Master only stopped slightly before exiting the ship completely and going on his way.

I took a deep breath and centered myself on all that had occurred when I got an alert.

[Quest Added: The Enemy Of My Enemy]

Main Objective: Assuré Qui Gon Jinn Survies

Reward: Gain Tier One Loyalty With Qui Gon Jinn

[Quest Failed: A God's Offer]

Ally Lost: [Force Ghost] Valkorian

Quest Updated: A Chosen Apprentice Main Objective: Gain Anakin Skywalker As An Ally or Companion. Bonus Objective: Save Shmi Skywalker [Completed]
Reward: 500 XP

Well seem's like there is still the potential to gain anakin as a ally or companion. With that thought I made my way to the quarter's in which I could sense that Shmi had taken up residency in. She was sitting quietly on the bed looking down on the communicator I had given her earlier that day. When she noticed I had entered the room she stood up clutching the comm link tightly.
"Master, I've arrived as you commanded, is there anything I could do for you?"
I motioned for her to sit back down and she did so, "It won't be necessary for you to refer to me as master. I apologize again for the fact that I could not obtain both you and your son, it was my intention to acquire you both and offer you both the choice I'm about to present to you."
Shmi was visibly confused, "What choice, I'm sorry I'm confused on what you could mean."
"As you can probably tell from my attire I'm a mandalorian, although slavery is acceptable within our culture from a historical basis I personally find it repulsive so I will offer you this choice. Become mandalorian, learn our ways and live by our creed and you shall be provided for or you can take your things and leave the ship with your freedom and take your chances with tatooine and the Hutts."
Shmi took only a second to make her decision. "I know very little of what it means to be Mandalorian, but I'm willing to learn."
I nodded, "Good then as soon as we leave Tatooine I will see to it that your slave tracking device is removed and will introduce you to someone who will mentor you in our ways and when he has decided you are ready you will be returned to my side and we will together seek out your son and offer him the same choice I offer you now." The woman grasped me in a hug for but a second and then began to apologize for the outburst of emotion. I smiled behind my mask and left her quarters, "Make yourself comfortable. I have further things to deal with on this damn planet. I will not be long."

PSA. Since it's been so long since ive poster a chapter this one hasn't been beta'd. So I apologize for any writing mistakes I've made if anyone would like to beta this for me please let me know and PM me. Also because of popular demand I'm going to a Meta update for all the gamer aspects after every 5th chapter so if that doesn't intrest you and you just skip the stat dump at the end it will just be it's own seperate chapter you can skip.