Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its characters. All the characters are the property of George Lucas and LucasFilm Ltd.
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Author's Notes: Hey everyone! I am back with another chapter. I have really enjoyed writing this one as it is in this only that a result of both Obi-Wan's and Anakin's tinkering with the timeline is shown for the first time and both of them feel it. Enjoy!
Chapter VIII
Time to get to work. Anakin thinks as he waves to Padme, Jar Jar, Artoo and Qui-Gon going back to their ship with the needed parts.
"Come on Mom! Let us go home!" He speaks enthusiastically hoping his mother will not catch on to the underlying emotion of anticipation he is feeling.
"Home? You have won the Boonta Eve, Ani! We need to celebrate!"
"Uh…yes. But we will celebrate later. Come now, mom. I have to show you something." He tries to lead her by pulling at her hand. But one of the disadvantages of having time travelled to his nine year old body is that he does not possess the physical strength he once did. As a result, he is unable to move her.
She frees her hand and asks, "What is it, Ani?"
Anakin sighs realizing he will not be able to get her home without telling her the reason. He glances around to see if anyone is listening in. Luckily, most of the crowd has cleared and those that linger are minding their own business.
He drops his voice to a whisper, "Mom, I have fixed the scanner to locate our slave transplant. We can remove it and be free."
Her face remains neutral as she processes what her son is telling her. For so long he has dreamed of making them free and now he is claiming that he has got the scanner to work. But is it true? Has the Jedi got anything to do with it? And there is also the concern of how will they remove the slave chips even if they locate it?
Through all the thoughts racing in her mind, she answers, "Ani…"
"Just believe me. Come on!"
Somehow those words spoken with the utmost conviction shakes her from her stupor. She lets Anakin lead her to their hovel.
However, on their way their path is blocked by a commotion taking place in the street. What now? Anakin thinks and desperately tries to find his way through the crowd.
He narrows his eyes when he realizes that another shortcoming of his nine year old body is that he cannot push through crowds. He sighs.
He looks at his mom to see that she is looking at the end of the street where supposedly the cause of this commotion is. He strains to look but soon gives up. Instead he opts to ask another slave kid standing nearby, "What has happened?"
The girl who is of an alien species replies, "One of the slave hovels caught fire. I think it is Cass' house. He is trapped inside. The fire has been put out with the sand but the debris is blocking the adults from entering and rescuing him."
This time, instead of using his physical senses he casts out his senses to the area with the aid of the Force. Indeed, a major part of the roof has fallen and blocked the entry. He casts them further to assess that Cass is alive but unconscious. He senses the presence of Varees coming this way. That must be the way they rescued him the last time. Varees is known for his strength among the slaves. He must have pushed the debris the previous time and they must have rescued Cass. Or perhaps he had died. He does not know.
He cannot really do much about it right now. So he just loosens the debris blocking the path with the Force so that the people pushing through it can enter.
He does so and soon enough he hears yells of success and the crowd begins to move forward. Pulling his mom with him, he leads her through the crowd.
He checks and is relieved to find that they have successfully rescued him. He smiles.
He quickens his paces because he knows Qui-Gon will soon come along and he will take Anakin with him. This time, however, he pledges that he will free his mom and only then leave.
They reach their hovel without any further interference. "Mom…"
"Ani, listen. I believe that you have fixed the scanner. But we do not know how it has been connected with the other nerves in our body. It may as well be connected to our central nervous system. We do not have the tools to remove it. In doing it, we may as well blow ourselves."
Anakin stumbles for his words. It is not due to the fact that he has not considered all of this. Sometimes, he admits, Obi-Wan's advice to plan before action does manifest in his mind and he acts on it as well. The explosion and all he can handle through the aid of the Force. To take out the slave transplant, he has to make an incision in the skin from where the chip will come out. Like he said, he has got it handled but the fact that he has to explain it to his mom is rendering him speechless. How should he explain it?
He is no medical expert, that is true, but he has enough experience in the battlefield to have rudimentary medical skills. He can make an incision just fine and then heal it.
"Ani, it is okay…" His mom starts saying obviously in an attempt to pacify his emotions which she believes have been hurt. Alright, he will admit, I did not think this part through. His mind had been too busy self-loathing over his treatment to his Jedi Master.
"Mom, I agree. We will work that out too. Let us at least see where our transplants are."
She looks at him for a moment or so contemplating about it and ultimately agrees seeing no harm in it. "Okay, bring the scanner."
Anakin grins and runs upstairs to retrieve the scanner. "Slow down Anakin. You will fall." His mom calls out while he is running downstairs.
She is obviously perplexed by his haste but he knows the future. Qui-Gon will arrive any moment and ask them to leave. Well, ask him not them.
He comes to stand close to her and says, "Alright, Mom. Sit still and let me scan you." He activates the scanner and moves it across her body. It finally starts beeping at a point and Anakin's heart falls.
He wants to say something but words do not come out. His mom finally breaks the silence. "So it is near my spine. Let us check yours now."
Anakin does not move though nor does he make any attempt to give his mom the scanner.
Her scanner is located near the spine! Why had it to be there of all places? Why not somewhere in her arms or legs like his?
Since the slave chip is located so near her spine, it is also near her spinal cord. Any slight err from his part can result it in being lodged deeper and cause injury. He can still remove it, he reasons, but immediately realizes the fallout.
As he has already thought, he is no medic. If he has to get the chip out, he will need to intensely concentrate to move it out safely. The problem is, his mother will definitely have some questions if his sons suddenly kneels, closes his eyes and removes her transplant without even touching her apart from making a small cut.
He forces his brain to think of the solution fast because Qui-Gon will soo— That's it! Qui-Gon!
He is a Jedi so he will have no trouble to openly use the Force. Moreover, he does owe Anakin that much because after all, he did win them their parts.
Yes, this can work out. Now, he just needs to stall.
He picks up the scanner and gives it to his mom. "Your chance."
She nods and moves it across his little body. "Yours is in your arm." Her loud thought does not go unheard by him. Maybe I can take it out.
He smiles at the genuine care radiating from her. His smile broadens as he senses the approach of his grandmaster.
Time to ask for a favour.
-x—x—
He is waiting along with Captain Panaka, few handmaidens and the rest of the crew, which is not really much, when Qui-Gon and the others arrive.
The crew takes the hyperdrive while Qui-Gon speaks to Obi-Wan, "Start getting this hyperdrive generator installed. I am going back…some unfinished business. I won't be long."
Obi-Wan raises one of his eyebrows slightly at the "unfinished business" but other than that does not ask about it. He does, after all know what it is.
"What? No jokes about picking up another 'pathetic life form' as you so eloquently put it?"
Obi-Wan smiles, "Master, I have lived with you for over a decade. I think I know how you work now. And believe it or not, I have actually gotten used to your queer ways of working."
"Impudent padawan."
He just smile furthers, "But since you wish me to ask it, I will oblige so pray tell, Master mine, who is it?"
Qui-Gon smiles too enjoying the banter, "It is the boy who is responsible for getting those parts…"
"That does remind me, I guess you need these." Obi-Wan hands the pouch of truguts to his Master. "How did you know…?" "As I said Master, I know how you think and work."
"If anyone else would have said that, it would have creeped me out."
"I believe you should go and come back fast Master. We do not really have a lot of time."
"Very well, take care of things while I am gone."
"I will Master."
Jar Jar and Artoo have already gone inside while Padme stays out with him. The rest of the group has dispersed taking the hyperdrive with them. He knows he will soon have to go to oversee its installation.
"Anything important happen back here?"
"Well, hello to you too, Padme." He replies cheekily, "We got a hologram from Governor Bibble from Naboo." He can see the worry passing through her features. "What for?"
"I believe it to be a trap to trace our location. We have not sent a reply." He sees the gears turning in her head and then acceptance. He is surprised to hear one of her loud thoughts if the Jedi believe it to be a trap then it must be a trap. He is happy at the trust she places in him and in the Jedi.
"Still, what did it say?"
Before he can answer though, one of the crew members arrive, "Master Jedi, we would require your assistance in the installation. We seem to have incurred a problem."
"Very well, I will be right on my way." The person nods and returns to the engine room. Obi-Wan looks at Padme.
She understands his asking permission to leave and says, "By all mean, go. I will look at the hologram myself."
They take leave and Obi-Wan goes on to help the crew.
-x—x—
A knock is heard at the door of the small residence of the Skywalker's. Anakin has to restrain himself from jumping, dragging the Jedi Master upto the common room and deman— request him to take the slave chip out of his mom.
"I will get it!" He announces and before his mother has the moment to register everything Anakin is already at the front door greeting the Jedi Master.
"Master Qui-Gon! What are you doing here?"
"Well, I am here to return the eopies. Thought I had pay one last visit to this house,"
"That is nice of you, Qui-Gon, sir. Please do come in." He says all the while beaming.
"Oh, by the way, these are yours. We sold the pod."
"Huh? That is great." He says taking the money that Qui-Gon has offered not really paying much attention to it. "Mom! Look who it is! It is Qui-Gon!"
"It is nice to have you back. Please do sit." His mother offers and Qui-Gon obliges. His mom sits too.
"Look, Mom, he sold the Pod. Look at all the money we have!"
"Oh, my goodness, that is wonderful. Let me get you some fruits."
"That won't be necess—" Qui-Gon starts to say but Shmi has already entered the kitchen. When he looks at Anakin, he is a little taken aback by the intensity of emotions and determination welling up in his eyes right now.
In a whispering yet strong voice he requests, "Sir, I built a scanner to locate our slave chips and it worked. I have got one in my arm so it will be no big deal to remove it. However, Mom's, it is located near her spine. It is too dangerous for us to remove it. But you can, right? I have heard that the Jedi can do anything. Please, sir. That is all I am requesting you." He is about to proceed to give Qui-Gon the puppy eyed look but winces when a reprimanding voice interrupts, "Ani!"
They both look up to see Shmi in the common room holding a plate containing fruits.
"Forgive us, he does not mean that request. I don't want you to do that." "But, Mom!" "No, Ani. We helped them not as a favour but as a kindness. We do not expect anything in return for kindness." Anakin is about to retort that then let this be a kindness or a favour and he will repay it but Qui-Gon beats him to it, "It is a kindness I would love to return."
"No, you have to—wait what?" Anakin asks turning to look at Qui-Gon with hopes in his eyes that perhaps Qui-Gon will remove the transplant. "So, you are saying you will remove the slave chip?"
"No."
"Bu—but you said right now that—"
"What I am saying is Anakin," Qui-Gon clarifies and content that he has now both the attention of the boy and his mother, "that I will not remove the transplant from your mother's body right now because I do not need to. Both of you are free now."
Shmi gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. Qui-Gon smiles enjoying their happiness. "Are you serious?" "I am." He places few papers on the table and Shmi picks them up.
Indeed, they are the papers guaranteeing their freedom and the two boxes he places next are to defuse the slave chips.
Shmi cannot help it. Tears of joy roll down her eyes. She and Anakin are finally free!
At about the same moment, she and Qui-Gon look at Anakin to watch his reaction. To their surprise, Anakin's features are not that of joy but of a mix between suspicion, puzzlement and shock.
"You..you freed her?"
"And you as well."
"Yeah-yeah, I got that. But you really freed her?"
Qui-Gon frowns. Did he just not tell him that? Is he not happy that he freed her? "Yes…Anakin…"
"Ani, what is it?"
"Something's not right." Anakin mumbles mostly to himself.
While Anakin stands there contemplating, Shmi engulfs his son in a big hug. Out of reflex, he hugs back but his thoughts are elsewhere.
How can this happen? He had not freed her the last time. What is going on? What did I do to change it?
A moment later, Shmi withdraws and wipes the tears of her face, "I cannot thank you enough Jedi Qui-Gon."
"We serve, milady."
"So, what is going to happen to us now?"
He looks at Anakin briefly who is standing there with a dumbfounded expression. Dismissing it as shock probably due to the unexpected turn of events he continues talking. He missed the irony however.
"Both of you will be coming with me. Once we reach Coruscant, we will make arrangements. Rest assured. Now, I do request you to pack your things fast. We do not have a lot of time."
Shmi nods and moves to her room however Anakin remains grounded. "Anakin, what is the matter? You are free! Aren't you happy?"
Anakin mumbles a reply still half distracted, "Yeah, I am." His tone of voice suggesting quite the contrary.
He decides that instead of driving himself mad thinking about this drastic change of events, he may as well outright ask it, "If I may ask, sir, how exactly did you get the money to free us?" His voice unlike the childish wonder it usually holds.
"So, that is what you are concerned about? For your freedom I made a bet with Watto that in exchange for the pod I will win your freedom."
Anakin nods not really interested in that part.
"As for your mom, we had brought with ourselves a few thousand truguts not really enough to buy a new hyperdrive but sufficient to secure your mom's freedom."
Hmm. Why did they not do it the last time then? Besides, as Obi-Wan had once told me, they had never really intended to come here. It was just luck or as Jedi like to put it—the will of the Force. That does beget the question…
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why did you bring truguts with you? Did you know you were going to land here on Tatooine?"
"Well, no. Actually Anakin as a Jedi, one gets 'prompting from the Force' that tell us about its will. Our task is to listen to it. Bringing truguts with us was the result of one such prompting."
"And you had this prompting?"
Force, why all these questions? Qui-Gon wonders.
"No," he answers, "my padawan did."
"You-Your padawan?"
Qui-Gon misinterprets the question as Anakin not understanding the term, "The term Padawan means apprentice."
I know that. But why did Obi-Wan get the prompting? Kriff, what is going on? Maybe it is all the will of the Force?
"Anakin, we really need to leave."
Promising that he will definitely think about this later, he nods and goes on to his room.
He already knew he has to leave so he had already packed his stuff. He looks at the dismantled pieces of C3PO realizing his mom must have done it. He smiles and picks up the bag.
After all, the protocol droid is like a family member—a very talkative and annoying family member but family nonetheless.
His mom and he soon meet in the common room. Shmi takes Anakin's hand in her own and the trio leaves their hovel under the twins' suns of Tatooine once and for all.
Tbc…
So… did you like it?
RyuuShadow: Yes! Their meeting is getting closer! Well, Anakin will definitely not react well, when he sees Palpatine. Neither will Obi-Wan either, I guess. I have absolutely no idea! It is like their discovery has to be done at one point and the scene is ready. The only thing remains is the time of that scene and when it could fit… Been pondering that one for a while, actually. I'd advise 'Patience is a virtue' but your excitement for my story has me smiling all day long…so, hope the plot keeps you interested!
Syliphen Zora Riddle: Thank you so much! It is a nice idea. And you are right, being a Sith is not being necessarily being evil, it is just they lose themselves to the Dark Side, and become addicted to the easy power it brings so much so that they completely lose themselves in it. However, a controlled approach in both the Light and the Dark, adapting to the changing needs will essentially make a person more powerful than complete abstinence or complete indulgence. Keep advising me, as your advices and suggestions are quite insightful and helpful.
Cooljoanna18: Actually, Obi-Wan has not met with his former apprentice for so long barring that brief time on the Death Star, so while in theory he believes he has forgiven Anakin, he knows in reality, he will not be able to keep his emotions completely, let's say, normal while meeting a young boy from Tatoonie. There will definitely be a flair of recognition and perhaps of annoyance or anger a little bit. Qui-Gon, ever so perceptive, and Anakin, so strong in the Force, will detect the change and he is afraid that Qui-Gon will interrogate him on that and Anakin may feel that Obi-Wan does not like him. Which he does not want.
It actually is a small voice of that of a father and a brother whispering inside him longing to be with his son and brother once again and not fail him. However, he disguises it as something to do to save the galaxy but there is that personal feeling mixed in that just does not let him leave. And do not worry about long reviews. They make me quite happy. Thanks a lot. Hope I cleared your doubts at least to an extent. If you have any more, feel free to ask.
Phillip: Me too! There is some bonding time to be in the uh…not so distant future, so no worries!
MMM73181: Definitely, Shmi will disturb Palpatine's plans. I was wondering about that too. Should I let her die? But then it seemed too cruel to take her away from Anakin once again… But I guess, the story will tell in the near future. Looks like it was neither—It's all Shmi!
Nightshade's sydneylover150: Thank you! Well, they were more like I guess bewildered… More bewilderment to come, I assure you.
yiggdrasill: Thank you. That's true. Anakin was too impulsive most of the times and Qui-Gon was too upto a certain level (well, let's be honest, their entire lineage is reckless). However, Qui-Gon planned but got sidetracked, Anakin, he rarely planned diving head on into almost everything.
Bookwyrm52: Thanks a lot! :) I can't wait for their meeting too…
Guest: Here's the next chapter! Hope you liked it!
Rilme Caatl: As you wish, my friend! : )
As always, my friends, please read and review!