"What a fine way to celebrate death in all its glory."
That was all McCoy had to say as the group helped the pod out of the hangar and into a large semi-circular amphitheater that held at least a hundred thousand people. Large viewing platforms loom over the racetrack.
A two-headed announcer described the scene with the universal translator allowing the Starfleets to understand them.
"Greetings! We have perfect weather today for the Boonta classic. The most hazardous of all Podraces." The first head spoke.
"That's absolutely right. And a big turnout here, from all corners of the Outer Rim territories. I see the contestants are making their way out onto the starting grid."
On the left side of the tracks across from the grandstands, a line of Podracers emerged from the large hanger, surrounded by several crew members. Pods were pulled by a wide variety of creatures and were led by aliens carrying flags while the pilots stood facing the royal box.
"Yes, there they are!"
"I see Ben Quadinaros from the Tund system."
"And Gasgano in the new Ord Pedrovia."
"Two time winner, Boles Roor..."
"On the front line the reigning champion, Sebulba from Pixelito. By far the favorite today."
"And a late entry, Anakin Skywalker, a local boy."
"I hope he has better luck this time."
"I see the flaggers are moving onto the track."
All the pilots bowed from the waist as a slug like creature unknown to the Starfleeters but was likely one of these Hutts that the Jedi and Naboo crew had told them about entered the box and waves to the crowd.
"His honor, our glorious host, Jabba the Hutt has entered the arena."
The crowd roared as several other Hutts followed, along with humans and aliens and several slave girls on a chain were led alongside Jabba.
"So the people of this planet are enslaved by giant slugs." McCoy scowled. "Now I've seen everything."
"Welcome!" Jabba spoke loudly.
Sebulba, who was right next to Anakin, stood and waved to his fans. A small pep band played as his fans waved and cheered. Kitster attached the giant engines to Anakin's Pod with a long cable. Shmi gave Anakin a big hug and kiss.
She looked him right in the eye. "Be safe."
"I will, Mom. I promise." Anakin said.
She left as Anakin checked the cable hitches.
"...Mawhonic tuta Hok, Teemto Pagalies tuta Moonus Mandel, Anakin Skywalker tuta Tatoonine..." Jabba announced.
The crowd yelled and Anakin waved to the crowd, as Jabba continued with his introductions. Sebulba moved over to one of Anakin's engines as Kitster and Jar-Jar unhitched the Eopies, and Kitster lead them away.
R2 beeped that everything was OK while Jar-Jar patted Anakin on the back. "Dis berry loony, Annie. May da guds be kind, mesa palo."
Padme came up and gave Anakin a little kiss on the cheek while Sebulba was about bang on a part protruding from Anakin's engine.
"Pardon me." The Dug spun around, facing Spock who stared down at him with a raised eyebrow. "I may be unfamiliar with the customs of your species but it seems you are about to commit sabotage."
Sebulba snarled but Spock remained unfazed. Seeing he was caught the Dug simply turned around and walked away.
"You carry all our hopes." Padme said.
"I won't let you down." Anakin said determinedly.
Padme moved away as Sebulba edged his way next to Anakin and gave him a sinister grin. "You won't walk away from this one, slave scum! You're Bantha poodoo."
"Don't count on it, slime-ball." Anakin looked the Sebulba in the eye with a cold stare.
Qui-Gon then approached and Sebulba backed off toward his racer.
"Let the challenge begin!" Jabba announced.
The crowd let out a loud cheer as Qui-Gon helped Anakin into his Pod. The boy then strapped himself into the tiny racer.
"Are you all set, Annie?"
Anakin nodded.
"Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel. Don't think. Trust your instincts." He smiled. "May the Force be with you."
Qui-Gon stepped away as Anakin put on his goggles. The pilots flip switches, and powerful energy binders shot between the engines. Anakin flipped a switch, and his engine started. The incredible roar of high-powered engines igniting echoed throughout the arena.
Jar-Jar covered his eyes. "Mesa no watch. Dissen ganna be messy!"
"You think?" McCoy muttered.
Shmi looked nervously to Qui-Gon as he enters a viewing platform. Padme, Kick, Spock, McCoy and Jar-Jar were already on board as the platform rose like an elevator.
"Is he nervous?" Shmi asked.
"He's fine." Qui-Gon answered.
"You Jedi are far too reckless. The Queen..." Padme started but was cut off.
"The Queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should too." Qui-Gon cut her off.
"You assume too much." Padme glared.
"Thanks for pointing that out." McCoy said, glaring at Qui-Gon himself. "Neither she nor I have to trust your judgement when it looks to be outright lunacy."
Qui-Gon chose to remain silent.
Kirk pulled out his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise."
"Sulu here, Captain."
"Can you see the race?"
Xxx
"Watching it now, Captain." Sulu said as the race was shown on the main screen thanks to Uhura intercepting the transmission from the plaza.
"Lock onto Anakin Skywalker and if it appears he is about to crash beam him up immediately."
"Aye sir." Sulu nodded.
Xxx
"Start your engines."
The earth-pounding roar of the engines revving was deafening. Jabba bit off the head of a frog and spat it at a gong, signaling the start of the race. On a bridge over the track, a great green light at the center flashes. The Podracers shot forward with a high-pitches scream but Anakin's engine flooded and coughed and then died. All the other Podracers except one swerve around him and disappeared down the track.
The slave boy struggles to get his racer started as the two-headed announcer reported. "And they're off! Oh...wait. Little Skywalker has stalled."
Padme and Jar-Jar looked very disappointed while McCoy sighed and rubbed his head. Qui-Gon puts his arm around a very worried Shmi to comfort her. Finally, Anakin's engines ignite and he zoomed away after the receding pack of competitors, leaving one quadra-Pod racer still trying to get started.
The two-headed announced described the race as it progresses. "And there goes Skywalker... He'll be hard pressed to catch up with the leaders today."
Xxx
The Podracers flew across the desert. Anakin was much faster than the back-end stragglers and passed them easily. When one of the drivers, wouldn't let him by Anakin tried to pass him on one side and was cut off. He then tried to pass him on the other side and was cut off. As they come up on a cliff drop-off, Anakin backed off, then gunned it as the lead pod went over the cliff.
Anakin accelerated so fast that he sailed right over the top of the lead pod and sped away. He then heard shot ricochets off the back of Anakin's Pod.
Xxx
"Looks like a few Tusken Raiders have camped out on the canyon dune turn."
"They don't even try to keep people from interfering in the race? My god, does anyone have a heart on this planet?" McCoy mumbled.
Xxx
Anakin was powering around corners and over hills and cliffs, passing other racers right and left. Sebulba was in the lead. He worked his way through a dense mass of racers as they zoomed over a dune sea, kicking up dust. His Pod shook violently as he went over a jump.
One of the Podracers, caught one of his engines in the sand, and the whole thing exploded.
Xxx
Qui-Gon sat quietly, meditating while Padme and Shmi searched the landscape for any sign of the racers. Meanwhile the quadra-Pod engine started just as the racers came around the corner. The driver placed it in gear, and the four engines went off in all directions, exploding in a spectacular display. The Pod dropped to the ground as Sebulba entered the arena, closely followed by all the other racers.
"There goes Quadinaros' power couplings."
"Here comes Sebulba in record time."
Sebulba and the pack raced past the main arena, starting lap two. The crowd stood and yelled as the Podracers screamed off into the distance. Qui-Gon and Padme looked worried.
"He musta crash-ud." Jar-Jar said.
"Here he comes!" Padme gestured.
Sure enough, coming around the bend was Anakin, quickly gaining on the pack.
"It looks like Skywalker is moving up through the field. He's in..."
"Sixth place, not bad."
Anakin continued to gain on the pack. The tension for Shmi and Padme was unbearable. The second pod in the lead was getting close to Sebulba, who purposely broke s a small part off his Pod, sending it into the pod's engine, causing it to veer into Anakin, and unhooked one of the main straps on Anakin's engines that linked the Pod to his engines. Anakin struggled to keep control of the little Pod. It whips about wildly.
As the Pod swung near the broken engine strap, Anakin grabbed for it. Finally, he caught the strap and manages to unhook it to the Pod. Sebulba cuts the engine of another pod with his side exhaust, and the racer crashed, creating a cloud of dust. A third racer flew into the cloud of dust and crashed into the second. Anakin rounded a corner and headed into the cloud of smoke. He hits a part of one of the engines but regained control.
"At the start of the third and final lap, Sebulba is in the lead, closely followed by Skywalker..."
Anakin finally caught up with Sebulba, and ran neck and neck over the rough terrain. The lights in the tower indicated that this is the third and last lap. Sebulba used his side exhaust port to try to cut through Anakin's engines. Anakin managed to avoid having his engine disabled but was forced off course.
Xxx
"Skywalker is forced onto the service ramp!"
"Oh noah!"
"Jim, tell me they are going to beam him up." McCoy whispered to Kirk.
Kirk said nothing, simply watching for the moment.
Xxx
On a tight corner, Anakin dove to the inside and took the lead.
"Amazing... a controlled thrust and he's back on course! What a move!"
Sebulba was furious. He was right on Anakin's tail, crowding him and pushing him through the turns. Sebulba pushed Anakin harder, and the young boy had a difficult time keeping control. Sebulba veered toward Anakin and bangs into his pod. He crashed into Anakin over and over.
Xxx
"Now's he gone too far." McCoy stood up, unable to stand watching as Sebulba rammed his pod into Anakin's over and over again.
Kirk opened his communicator. "Enterprise, stand by."
Xxx
The young boy struggled to maintain control as the steering rods on the two Pods become hooked together. Sebulba laughed at Anakin.
"That little human being is out of his mind."
"Punda tah punda!"
"They're side by side!"
"Bongo du bongu!"
As they head for the final stretch, Anakin fought to unlock the steering rods by trying to pull away from Sebulba. The strain on the steering rod was tremendous. Suddenly, Anakin's steering arm broke, and his pod started spinning.
He regained control with ease.
Sebulba didn't. The Dug waved his hands and wailed as one of his pod's turbines slammed into a rock outcropping and exploded, sending him and the remaining one into a spin. In the end the pod's cockpit landed, mostly intact with its occupant alive and well, but shocked and processing what had just befallen him. A moment later shock gave way to frustration and he slammed a fist down on the pod's hull.
"Poodoo!" He snarled.
Left in the dust, there was nothing that he could do but sit back and watch as the very same slave he'd made a hobby of tormenting and sabotaging win the day. When Anakin's pod came racing into the final stretch he was met with a thunderous roar of approval from the stands as thousands leapt to their feet. Almost as soon as he crossed the finish line Padme let out an ecstatic scream while Jar-Jar was all but dancing in place.
When Anakin brought his pod to a halt and climbed out he was met first with a hug by Kitster, and then was lifted up onto the shoulders amidst the cheering masses.
"It's Skywalker! The crowds are going nuts!" The announcer's head began to rock in tandem with one another. "Oh Ah Oh Ah!"
Hundreds of spectators joined them and put Anakin on their shoulders, marching off, cheering and chanting. As they changed Spoke could not help but notice a dark probe droid observing them.
Xxx
Several betters left Watto's box, laughing and counting their money while Watto saw Qui-Gon standing in the doorway.
"You! You swindled me! You knew the boy was going to win! Somehow you knew it! I lost everything." Watto flew up to Qui-Gon and pointed accusingly.
Qui-Gon simply smiled. "Whenever you gamble, my freind, eventually you'll lose. Bring the parts to the main hanger. I'll come by your shop later so you can release the boy."
"You can't have him! It wasn't a fair bet!" Watto protested.
"Would you like to discuss it with the Hutts...I'm sure they can settle this." Qui-Gon suggested.
"Take him." Watto fluttered back.
The probe droid Spock spotted watched with great interest.
Xxx
The main hanger was almost deserted as racers depart. Jar-Jar gave Anakin a great hug, then Padme gave him a hug, then Shmi.
"Ah, gee...enough of this..." Anakin said flustered.
"It's so wonderful, Annie. You have brought hope to those who have none. I'm so very proud of you..." Shmi happily praised her son.
"We owe you everything." Padme hugged him.
"Just feeling this good was worth it."
In the background, Qui-Gon has harnessed the Eopies to containers full of parts. "Padme. Jar Jar, let's go, we've got to get these parts back to the ship."
The group walked over to Qui-Gon and the Eopies. Padme climbed on behind Qui-Gon. Jar-Jar swung up onto the second Eopie, only to slowly slide off the other side. Anakin and Shmi waved as they rode off.
"I'll return the eopies by midday." Qui-Gon continued.
Xxx
R2 cruised ahead of Qui-Gon and Padme, who were riding one of the Eopies; Jar-Jar riding the other.
Once they were far enough they dismounted the Eopies and Qui-Gon pulled out his comlink. "Captain Kirk, we are ready for beam up."
A moment later the four along with the parts disappeared into pillars of light. On a hill far overlooking the area a probe droid turned and sped away.
Xxx
"Start getting this hyperdrive generator installed. I'm going back...some unfinished business. I won't be long." Qui-Gon instructed as the parts were moved through the shuttle bay and onto the ship.
"Why do I sense we've picked up another pathetic life form...?" Obi-Wan asked disapprovingly.
"It's the boy who's responsible for getting those parts." Qui-Gon said firmly. "Just get the hyperdrive installed so we can get out of here."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan complied. "It shouldn't take long."
Scotty ran a tricorder over the parts as the technicians helped move them onto the Naboo ship. "Been looking forward to see how you put this all together."
Xxx
When they returned to Mos Espa they came upon Anakin and a Rodian kid rolling around on the floor, fighting. About a dozen or so kids were standing around them, yelling. Suddenly, a long shadow was cast over the two boy; they stopped fighting and looked up.
Qui-Gon towered above them with Kitster behind him. "What's this?"
"He said I cheated." Anakin answered.
"Well, Annie. You know the truth... You will have to tolerate his opinion, fighting won't change it." Qui-Gon moved off down the street and Anakin followed.
The Rodian wandered over to his friend who had been watching the goings-on. "Keep this up, Greedo, and you're gonna come to a bad end."
Farther down the street Qui-Gon and Anakin headed toward Anakin's hovel. Qui-Gon takes a handful of credits from beneath his poncho and hands them to the boy.
"These are yours. We sold the Pod."
Anakin beamed. "Yes!"
Xxx
Shmi was cleaning up as Anakin burst through the door, followed by Qui-Gon. "Mom, he sold the Pod. Look at all the money we have!"
Anakin pulled a bag of coins out of his pocket.
"Oh, my goodness, That's wonderful."
"And Anakin has been freed."
"What?!"
"You're no longer a slave."
Anakin jumped for joy while Shmi was stunned.
"Did you hear that, Mom?" Anakin turned to Qui-Gon. "Was that part of the prize, or what?"
"Now you can make your dreams come true, Annie. You're free!" Shmi turned to Qui-Gon. "Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Jedi?"
"Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident. You are strong with the Force, but you may not be accepted by the Council." Qui-Gon
"A Jedi! Mighty blasters, you mean I get to go with you in your starship and everything?!"
Qui-Gon knelt down to the boy. "Anakin, training to be a Jedi will not be a easy challenge. And if you succeed, it will be a hard life."
"But it's what I want. What I've always dreamed about. Can I go, Mom?!"
"This path has been placed for you, Annie; the choice to take it is yours alone."
Anakin looked to his mother, then to Qui-Gon. "I want to go."
"Then, pack your things. We haven't much time."
"Yipee!"
Anakin hugged his mom and started for the other room but then stopped. Shmi and Qui-Gon give each other a knowing look.
Anakin had realized something. "What about Mom? Is she free too? You're coming, aren't you, Mom?"
"I tried to free your mother, Annie, but Watto wouldn't have it."
"But the money from selling..."
"It's not nearly enough."
Shmi came over to her son and sat next to him, taking both of his hands in hers, she drew him close. "Son, my place is here. My future is here. It is time for you to let go...to let go of me. I cannot go with you."
"I want to stay with you. I don't want things to change."
"You can't stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting. Listen to your feelings; Annie, you know what's right."
Anakin took a deep breath, drops his head. Qui-Gon and Shmi exchange a look of concern.
When Anakin rose up, there were tears in his eyes. "I'm going to miss you so much, Mom...
"I love you, Annie...now hurry."
Anakin and Shmi hugged and then Anakin ran into the other room.
"Thank you."
"I will watch after him. You have my word. Will you be all right?"
"He was in my life for such a short time."
Xxx
Anakin had thrown the last of his things in a small backpack. As he left, he stopped and pushed the button that woke his droid up who stared at him blankly.
"Well, Threepio, I'm free...and I'm going away...in a starship..."
"Master, Annie, you are my maker, and I wish you well. Although I'd like it better if I were a little more complete."
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish you, 3P0...give you coverings and all... I'm going to miss working on you. You've been a great pal. I'll make sure Mom doesn't sell you or anything. Bye."
3P0 stared at Anakin as he rushed out of the room. "Sell me?!"
Xxx
Kitster ran up to Anakin as he and Qui-Gon exit Anakin's hovel. Shmi stood in the doorway. Anakin pulled a handful of coins out of his pocket and gave them to Kitster.
"There are so many of us who want you to stay, Annie... You're a hero."
"I... " Anakin looked to Shmi. "I... have to go."
Qui-Gon moved a short way down the street.
"Well."
"Well."
"Thank's for every moment you've been here. You're my best friend."
"I won't forget." Anakin hugged Kitster and ran toward Qui-Gon, then stopped to look back at his mother standing in the doorway. He turned back to Qui-Gon, then turned and ran back to his mother.
"I can't do it, Mom. I just can't." The boy said, starting to cry.
Shmi hugged Anakin while Qui-Gon watched from the distance.
She knelt down and looked him in the face. "Annie, remember when you climbed the great dune in order to chase the Banthas away so they wouldn't be shot... Remember how you collapsed several times, exhausted thinking you couldn't do it?"
Anakin shook his head.
"This is one of those times when you have to do something you don't think you can do. I know how strong you are, Annie. I know you can do this..."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"What does your heart tell you?"
"I hope so...yes...I guess."
"Then we will see each other again."
"I.. will become a Jedi and I will come back and free you, Mom...I promise."
"No matter where you are, my love will be with you. Now be brave, and don't look back... don't look back."
"I love you so much."
Shmi hugged Anakin, then turned him around so he was facing Qui-Gon, and off he marched, like the brave little trooper that he is. He marched right past Qui-Gon, starring right ahead, tears in his eyes, determined not to look back.
Xxx
"You want us to land on the planet?"
Kirk nodded. "I am sorry to ask, Your Highness but adapting your hyperdrive to the Enterprise is going to take some time and I understand you are pressed for time. It'd be easier just to leave, pick up Master Qui-Gon and the boy on the planet."
"And what will you do, Captain?" Queen Amidala asked.
"I am sure we will catch up." Kirk reassured her. "Mr. Spock has run a full detailed scan on the hyperdrive once Mister Kenobi had it assembled and installed. It will take a few hours and I don't want to delay you, not when your planet needs help."
Queen Amidala sent a subtle glance to Padme who standing behind Kirk who nodded back. "Very well. Thank you for your help, Captain Kirk. I hope one day we can repay you."
Kirk nodded and left, but not before sending a quick glance to Padme as Panaka gave his report on the repairs.
Xxx
"You think that Queen is a decoy?"
Kirk nodded. "It's how she acted…She never made a decision without glancing at Miss Padme. That tells me that perhaps the woman dressed as Naboo's Queen might be a decoy."
"A logical assumption, Captain. Given that her planet was occupied by an invading force that demanded she sign a treaty to legitimize their occupation if the Queen was ever forced to sign and it was discovered to be a decoy, the entire treaty would be annulled and declared illegal." Spock surmised.
"An entire force invading a planet without proper provocation is illegal, Spock. All for a trivial trade dispute that even the greenest ambassador in Starfleet could solve." McCoy softly retorted. "And not to mention that having a decoy protects the real Queen's life."
"I believe that went without saying, Doctor." Spock replied.
The three stepped into Kirk's quarters and sat down around Kirk's desk as the captain addressed his closest friends. "I am considering our original plan for helping Anakin and extending it to all the slaves on the planet."
"I'd hope you think about it." McCoy said.
"Captain, may I remind you that interfering in the culture here would be a violation of the Prime Directive?" Spock asked.
"What culture? It's a cesspool of criminals with absolutely no law at all." McCoy said sharply. "Helping these poor people is not just a choice it's an obligation."
"Starfleet and the Federation do not exist in this universe, doctor. We have no authority here and this galaxy is different." Spock calmly replied.
"That means nothing. We're supposed to help people in need." McCoy argued.
"And that's why we're not going to do anything…If they say no." Kirk calmly cut in before they could continue another argument. "The Prime Directive would prevent us from interfering in a culture that has not developed Warp Drive but they have developed a form of FTL. They know of other races and cultures. We would only be interfering if we did without asking them." Spock and McCoy looked at Kirk who made a small smile. "I do take such details into consideration."
"So you go down, door to door and ask if they want to have their slave transmitters and bomb removed?" McCoy asked. "They might not believe it."
"It takes only one person, Bones and I have one person in mind." Kirk replied.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "You are considering Miss Shmi Skywalker?"
"She knows us, she trusts us and even if she doesn't want to leave she still has the choice of being freed." Kirk explained. "Would that satisfy your reluctance, Mr. Spock?"
"Captain, I see no reason to imply I would not help Miss Skywalker or the slaves on the planet below. I only reminded you of the Prime Directive in order for you to clarify your plan." Spock said in denial of having doubted his captain's idea.
"Of course." McCoy rolled his eyes.
"So, shall we get to work?"
Xxx
"Captain, the Naboo ship has signaled its departure." Uhura reported as Kirk stepped onto the bridge, followed by Spock. "They thank us for their help and promise to meet up with us at Coruscant."
"Send them my thanks, Lieutenant." Kirk replied.
"Sir, they mentioned that Master Qui-Gon and young Skywalker were attacked by someone. Likely from the same ship we detected." Uhura continued. "Qui-Gon claimed he was trained in the Jedi arts."
Kirk shared a look with Spock at that. "Anything else?"
"Only that Master Qui-Gon advises us to avoid contact with the assailant." Uhura answered.
"Tell him we will do so." Kirk nodded, turning to Spock at the science station. "This becomes and more complicated each day, Mr. Spock."
"Quite true, Captain. I have a theory to the identity of the attacker." Spock replied as he inputted the precise calculations for disabling the slave transmitters. "During my mind-meld with Master Qui-Gon and the discussion after he shared with me much of the history of the Jedi Order, including its enemies. An order calling itself the Sith."
"The Sith?" Kirk quietly echoed. "I imagine they are not as a peaceful as the Jedi claim to be."
"They are indeed the opposite of the Jedi if my meld and talks with Master Qui-Gon are accurate. The Jedi and Sith exist as pure opposites with the Jedi acting as peacemakers while the Sith were conquerors. Their conflict began thousands of years ago, following a clash ideology. The Jedi study the light aspect of the Force, focusing on using their powers for peace and ending conflict. The Sith followed the dark aspect of the Force, focusing on pure primal emotions, believing it would bring them greater power." Spock explained. "They focused on war, much like the Klingons and were perhaps even more treacherous than even the Romulans. Their philosophy focused on the strong dominating the weak, constantly fighting and even building weapons of mass destruction to further their goals. Fortunately their lust for power was their undoing and they ultimately destroyed themselves."
"Except you believe some may have survived." Kirk said knowingly.
"Not me personally but Master Qui-Gon might. He believes the Sith survived through an ancient tradition of there only being two Sith. No more, no less. A master and an apprentice." Spock answered. "A master to represent the power and the apprentice to train under the master until the apprentice is strong enough and kills the master to take their place."
"Ascension by murder. That kind of barbarism was practice by fanatics of the most disturbed kind. Making assassins and soldiers to kill without hesitation or remorse." Kirk muttered, slightly shocked by what he was hearing. "To say nothing of what both sides have been doing to the galaxy through all these wars."
"Agreed." Spock nodded. "It is unknown what the Sith originally intended for when they began but now their philosophy has devolved to a crusade for power. Master Qui-Gon himself has admitted to believing the Jedi Order has become stagnant. I fear we may be caught in the middle of a religious conflict."
"Can we find a way to make contact with Starfleet on our end?" Kirk asked.
"I have spoken with R2 and his knowledge from V'Ger has shown promise. I believe we can modify and enhance our subspace communications and modifying the deflector dish to create a micro-wormhole that connects back to our universe. It would not be real time communications but it would allow for us to send a data stream to Starfleet." Spock stated.
Kirk smiled. "I take it you have been studying a great deal of what has been placed inside that droid's memory banks."
Spock simply raised an eyebrow. "Naturally, Captain. All though despite the knowledge V'Ger left inside R2 it will take a very long time to decipher it all. The droid was kind enough to create a device that can hold a copy of its knowledge since the ship's computer could not hold it all."
"Right but let's focus on the matter of the slavery down on the planet." Kirk changed the subject. "I believe we still have a lot of work to do."
Xxx
"You can remove my transmitter?"
When Kirk along with Spock and McCoy returned to Shmi Skywalker's home the last thing she expected was to be offered a chance at freedom.
"It's a simple process." Kirk started, gesturing to Spock. "Mr. Spock scans the transmitter inside your body, discovers the frequency for remote controlling it and then uses it to deactivate it without Mr. Watto ever knowing. Dr. McCoy can then set up his equipment for removing the transmitter from your body permanently."
Shmi looking back and forth between the officers. "Why would you help?"
"Simply put, it's the right thing to do and we have a low opinion of slavers." Kirk said with a small smile. "You can help us better understand your galaxy by helping us with anyone who wants to leave."
"The Hutts control this planet, Captain Kirk. They won't like the idea of someone taking away their slaves." Shmi pointed out.
"Maybe but the Hutts don't know about us and I think your son would be very happy to find out his mother was freed and allowed to come visit him." Kirk replied. "And I think a lot of people would be very happy to be free from slavery."
Shmi looked back and forth between the Starfleet officers, taking only a minute to make up her mind…