Back on the Federation flagship, the Viceroy discussed the details of the invasion with Lord Sidious via their usual method. Anxiety chewed at the Viceroy. He was delaying telling Sidious about the Queen's escape for as long as he could, but it was only a matter of time before the Dark Lord brought it up himself.

Lord Sidious smiled, so far pleased with the progress of the invasion. "And Queen Amidala, has she signed the treaty?"

There it was, the Viceroy thought. I am doomed. There's no point in lying about this. He chose his words carefully. "She has... Disappeared, my Lord. One ship managed to escape the blockade."

In an instant, Lord Sidious' smile vanished. "I want that treaty signed!"

"M-my Lord, it's impossible to locate the ship. Our scryers have no leads to even begin searching."

"That is of no issue to a Sith."

A second, giant form emerged from the font's surface, behind and off to the side of Sidious. His terrifying features caused the Viceroy and his advisor to flinch back. The man's twisted face bore an expression of burning rage, added to by his sharp teeth and the crown of horns growing from his head. The Viceroy had heard of such living demons, but had thought them only myths to scare children.

Lord Sidious smirked slightly at the Viceroy's terror. "This is my apprentice, Darth Maul. He will find your lost ship." The communication ended and the font was still again.

The Viceroy and his advisor looked at one another, deep worry on their faces. The Viceroy covered his mouth with his lanky fingers. "This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them."

His advisor hung his head. "We should never have made this bargain."

In the Hyperion stream, the royal corvette was nearly halfway to its destination of Tattooine. Queen Amidala sat on the throne in her small oblong receiving room. Behind her throne stood four of her closest handmaidens. Captain Panaka, along with the two Jedi and the white and blue nautical automaton that had saved them all stood in front of her.

Captain Panaka placed a gloved hand on the dented and singed automaton. "An exceptionally well-assembled automaton, your Highness. Without a doubt, it saved the ship and all of our lives."

"It is to be commended," the Queen said. "What is its name?"

Captain Panaka knelt next to the automaton and read the brass name plate riveted to its chassis. "Artu-Deetu, your Highness."

"Thank you, Artu-Deetu."

The automaton chirped happily.

Queen Amidala turned to address her closest handmaiden. "Padmé?"

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Clean this automaton as best as you can. It deserves our gratitude."

Artu whistled thankfully and Padmé stood next to the automaton. She knew it best to wait to leave until the Queen's business was concluded, in case her Highness had further need for her.

"Continue, Captain," Queen Amidala called.

Captain Panaka gestured to Qui-Gon, who approached the throne. "Your Highness, with the Hyperion crystal cracked, we are unable to reach Coruscant. For now, we are making for a land called Tattooine. It's a land outside the control of the Federation. The Force willing, we will be able to obtain another crystal there and proceed to Coruscant."

Captain Panaka heaved a deep breath. "I disagree with the Jedi on this. The land is ruled by the Hutts and your safety cannot be guaranteed there."

"I wish there were a better option, your Highness. But for now, I need you to trust my judgement."

Queen Amidala thought it over. "It's not an ideal situation, but under the circumstances, I agree with the Jedi on this."

Qui-Gon bowed. "Thank you, your Highness."

The Queen's business concluded, Padmé led Artu back to the maintenance room. She set to work, carefully cleaning the soot from its surface, revealing the clean white enamel paint underneath. Following the escape, Jar Jar had begun exploring the lower decks as he had never been on a sailing ship before. When he returned to the maintenance room he was pleasantly surprised to find he had human company.

"Hello," Jar Jar said to the orange-robed girl. "Sorry for my interrupting. Who-sa are yousa?"

The girl smiled. "I'm Padmé."

"Mesa Jar Jar Binks." He smiled dopily,

"You're a Gungan, aren't you?"

He nodded. "Uh-huh."

Padmé cocked her head slightly. "How did you end up out here with us?"

"My no know. Yesterday starting pretty okey-day with a morning munching, den boom. Mesa getting very scared and save-ed by dat Jedi, getting more scared, and now mesa here."

Artu whistled sympathetically.

"We aren't too different," Padmé said. "It seems like over the past two days our lives have been turned upside down."

"Mesa no understanding anything anymore."

Padmé looked back to Artu, the beginning of tears welling in her eyes. "I'm not sure any of us do."

The corvette emerged from a Hyperion gate some way offshore from Tattooine. In the distance, the shoreline shimmered with heat haze. Craggy brown cliffs broke up the uniform sandy beaches, but there seemed to be very little vegetation. Even at the distance they were from shore, the air was uncomfortably warm compared to the temperate land they had departed.

"According to the maps, there's a settlement a short ways upshore," Obi-Wan said. "It would probably be better to not stop at the port itself, though, we'd draw too much attention."

Qui-Gon patted his Padawan on the shoulder. "Good thinking."

The helmsman nodded and pulled the corvette as close to the shore as he could without beaching it. Once in place, the sails were furled and the anchor was dropped.

Obi-Wan went to inspect the Hyperion crystal to see how it had fared the journey. Qui-Gon entered the room, fitting himself with a light poncho to protect himself from the harsh sun.

"The crystal is ruined, Master. Had we tried going any further, we likely wouldn't have survived." Obi-Wan removed the large light green crystal from its housing and Qui-Gon inspected the damage. The crack ran lengthwise, almost completely bisecting it.

"I suspected as much. Be wary while I'm on shore, I sense a disturbance in the Force."

"I feel it too, Master. Something's coming."

"Indeed." Qui-Gon was about to leave the room when he turned back. "Obi-Wan? Make sure they don't try to contact anyone. It could reveal our location to our enemies."

"Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, and Artu-Deetu loaded themselves into one of the corvette's jolly boats to set off for the shore. The deckhands were just about to lower the boat when Captain Panaka called out.

"Hold up! Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you."

Qui-Gon looked at the plainly-dressed handmaiden. "I do not think it wise. The settlement is not likely to be pleasant."

"On this, I agree with you, but her royal Highness is insistent. She wishes to learn about this land."

"Very well," Qui-Gon sighed. Padmé climbed into the jolly boat. "I still do not think this is a good idea. Stay close to me."

Once Padmé was seated, the deckhands finally lowered the boat into the water. It took some time, but Qui-Gon and Jar Jar were eventually able to get into a good rhythm of rowing and were soon on the beach.

Once on the sand, Jar Jar had to stop and wrap his feet. Although Gungans walk barefoot, the callouses they built up only protected their soles from cuts and punctures, not heat. Even with his feet wrapped, he stepped gingerly, paranoid of burning them. There wasn't as much he could do for the rest of his exposed skin. It rapidly dried in the merciless sun. By the time they had reached the settlement, his once orange skin had turned a bright red.

Most of the buildings appeared to be made from cut sandstone coated in a strong protective mud. Windows and doorways were covered by rough cloths, each with a unique design. The town's main square was bustling with shops and stalls.

"Mostly fishermen and water farmers, from the look of them," Qui-Gon explained to Padmé. "Some indigenous tribes and scavengers, too. I've seen a few ports like this before. They're havens for those who don't wish to be found."

"Like us," Padmé said.

Artu-Deetu whistled nervously.

"Dis very bad," said Jar Jar, overwhelmed, before accidentally bumping into someone. They shot him a dirty look and he hurried away.

Qui-Gon led them to a row of shops that seemed to deal in junk from shipwrecks. He closed his eyes and let the Force guide him. When he opened his eyes, he was at the door to one of the shops, with its cloths held open. The shop was filled with trinkets and oddities from all across the world. Nearly anyone in the world could have found something from their culture on the cluttered shelves and tables.

A magic bell chimed as Qui-Gon crossed the precipice. A gruff voice greeted him in the local dialect and a flapping sound came from where the voice emanated. A blue, winged creature came from around the corner, eyeing the group carefully. "Eh, what can I do for thee?"

"I need a Hyperion crystal large enough for a Nubian corvette," Qui-Gon said, getting straight to the point.

"Ah, Nubian! Not too common out here, but thee in luck. I've got some of that." The blue creature turned to the door to the rear of the shop. "Boy! Get out here!"

Seconds later a blond boy no older than nine came running from the doorway. Immediately, the blue creature scolded him. "What took thee so long?"

"I was cleaning the silver from the new lot." He was holding a blackened rag as proof.

"Pah. Watch the store, I have selling to do." He turned back to Qui-Gon. "So... Let me take thee out back. I'm sure I've got what thee needs."

On their way out the back door, Qui-Gon grabbed a Mandalorian puzzle box from Jar Jar's hands and placed it back on the table. "Don't touch anything."

Jar Jar crossed his arms and sulked. He may be clumsy, but he didn't want to be treated like a child.

The young boy looked at Padmé. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was radiant and unlike anyone he had ever seen before. "Are you an Angel?"

Padmé turned to the boy, unsure if he was addressing her. "What?"

"An Angel," he repeated. "I've heard the sailors talk about them. They're supposed to be the most beautiful creatures in the whole world. They live on the islands of Iego, I think."

Padmé was fascinated. It had been quite a while since she had interacted with someone of a comparable age who wasn't involved in palace work, and he seemed so bright and friendly. But there was something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. "You're a funny boy. How do you know so much?"

The boy's face lit up. "I listen to all the traders and sailors that come through here. I'm a kind of sailor myself, you know, and someday I'm going to sail away from here."

"You're a sailor?" Padmé was a little skeptical, but intrigued.

"Mm-hmm, all my life."

"How long have you lived here?"

"Since I was really little. Three, I think? My mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us betting on the sandsailer races."

The word "sold" stuck out to Padmé. "Wait, you're a slave?"

This seemed to touch a nerve. "I'm a person and my name is Anakin."

"I'm sorry. I don't fully understand. This is a strange place to me."

Anakin nodded. He was used to visitors being surprised by there being slaves in Tattooine, but it still hurt to hear it put so bluntly.

Nearby, Jar Jar was inspecting a display of inactive automata. One that caught his was a short brown humanoid one with a single large black glass eye. He tapped the eye curiously and to his great surprise, it sprang to life. Not wanting to get in trouble, he chased after it. In his pursuit, he tripped over the edge of a rug and hit the floor while the automaton gave a chittering laugh.

Padmé and Anakin looked on, unsure if they should help or not. Finally, Jar Jar managed to catch the little automaton, gripping it by its metal neck. As he tried to figure out how to deactivate it again, it kicked him in his stomach.

Anakin watched Jar Jar struggle with the automaton for a few moments before he offered Jar Jar the answer. "Hey, tap the eye."

"Ohh," Jar Jar said. He and the automaton looked at one another. Jar Jar tapped its large eye and immediately, the automaton's body folded up underneath its head. He picked up the automaton and haphazardly placed it on the closest table.

Outside, the blue merchant escorted Qui-Gon through a lot filled with row after row of large items taken from shipwrecks. "A corvette-sized Hyperion crystal, thee in luck. I have the only one hereabouts. But, uh, thee might as well buy a new ship. Methinks it would be cheaper, huh?"

The merchant lifted a hemp tarpaulin off the crystal. It caught the afternoon sun and seemed to glow with an eldritch green light. He laughed softly. "Eh, speaking of which, how are thee planning to pay for this?"

"I have twenty thousand Republic Thalers," Qui-Gon replied.

The blue merchant frowned. "Republic Thalers? Those aren't any good out here. Thee needs Talons or Drakes."

Qui-Gon did his arcane gesture. "Thalers will do fine."

"No, they won't."

Qui-Gon was stunned, had his charm failed? He tried again. "Thalers will do fine."

"No, they won't! What, do thee think theeself a Jedi with the hand waving? I'm a Toydarian, charms don't work on me! So unless thee have money, we have no deal, and you have no crystal. And no one else has a Hyperion crystal of this size around here, I can promise thee that."

Qui-Gon sighed, unsure of what to do. He turned and started back to the shop, beckoning Artu to follow.

In the shop, Padmé and Anakin continued their conversation. Anakin had been telling her about his duties in the shop. "I wouldn't have lasted this long anyway if I wasn't so good at fixing things."

Qui-Gon entered, startling Jar Jar, who almost dropped the bronze figurine he was holding. Qui-Gon's face was somewhat somber. "We're leaving. Come along, Jar Jar."

Jar Jar carefully replaced the figurine on the table next to him and followed Qui-Gon. Padmé followed as well but turned back to Anakin, smiling. "I'm glad to have met you, Anakin."

As she left, he called after her. "I'm glad to have met you, too!"

The merchant hovered over to Anakin. "Hmph, Outlanders. Thinking they know everything."

Anakin shrugged a shoulder. "They seemed nice to me."

The merchant flew back to his chair. "Finish cleaning the silver, then thee can go home."

"Yippee!"

Qui-Gon stood in a shady alley, holding up his pocket font. "And you're sure there's nothing else on board?"

The silver head of Obi-Wan shook side to side. "A few supply crates. There's also the Queen's wardrobe, but it's not enough to barter with. Not the amount you're talking."

"Alright. I have faith another solution will present itself. I'll check back with you later."

"Very well, Master."

Qui-Gon closed the cover.

Jar Jar spoke up. "No more, please! No more! Da people hereabouts? Crazy! Wesa being robbed and crunched!"

"Mm, not likely. We have nothing of real value, that's the problem." Qui-Gon walked out of the alleyway, with his compatriots following behind.

As they walked past a fish stall, one of the fish left hanging on display caught Jar Jar's attention. It had been so long since his last good meal. He grabbed it and was about to take a big bite out of it when the stall owner saw him. "Hey! Are thee going to pay for that? That costs seven Talons!"

Jar Jar was confused. Pay? In Gunga City, nobody paid for necessities like food. This place was so much different than back home. He tried to put the fish in one of the trays on the stall's table but forgot it was still tied up. The springy cord bounced back, launching the fish through the air and freeing it from the hook it hung from.

The fish landed in the soup bowl of a creature nearby, splattering him with his meal. The creature swore in the local dialect and Jar Jar tried to walk away innocently. The creature launched himself at Jar Jar, knocking him to the ground. Jar Jar finally got a good look at the creature. He was short and appeared to walk on his hands and use his dextrous feet to manipulate things. He also had a doglike muzzle and was covered in fine scales.

With Jar Jar on the ground, the creature held up the fish that had interrupted his meal. "Did thee lose this?" With his other foot, he tightly gripped Jar Jar's throat and began choking him.

The commotion caught the attention of Qui-Gon and the others who started to rush to Jar Jar's aid. Before they reached him, however, Anakin walked up to the scuffle. "Careful, Sebulba. He's a big-time Outlander. I'd hate to for you to be killed before our next race."

Sebulba lowered the fish he was about to beat Jar Jar with and released his neck. He pointed a finger at Anakin. "The next time we race, it'll be the end of thee, boy. If thee weren't a slave I'd crush thee right now."

A twinge of anger ran through Anakin, but he mostly suppressed it. "Yeah, it'd be a shame if you had to pay for me."

Sebulba scoffed and stormed back to his table, fish still grasped in his foot. Qui-Gon approached Anakin, who looked up at him. "Hi, there."

"Hello," Qui-Gon returned.

"Your friend was about to be crushed into goo. He picked a fight with a dangerous Dug named Sebulba."

"Mesa hating crushing," Jar Jar said as he got back to his feet. "Dat's da last thing mesa wants."

"Nevertheless, the boy is right," Qui-Gon said to Jar Jar. "You were heading into trouble." He looked to Anakin. "Thank you, my young friend." He turned and continued on through the market.

"But... But... It was an accident..." Jar Jar muttered to himself.

Back at his table, Sebulba bit the head off of the fish, crunching its bones in his mouth. The fishmonger who it had previously belonged to heaved a defeated sigh. That was one of his best catches, and he didn't even earn anything from it.