Disclaimer: See chapter 1. I don't own anything.

AN: My story is currently beta read by a good friend of mine. As soon as he send it back, I will reload all the chapter with their correct spelling and grammar. By the way. I'm leavin on vacantion this week and I will not be coming back for the next three weeks. But I will make it up to you guys by updating two chapters when I'm back in Belgium.

Thanks again for reading... on with the story...

"We'll try one of the smaller dealers." Qui-Gon said. They headed for a little junk shop that has a huge pile of broken spaceships stacked up behind. They entered the dingy junk shop and were greeted by a pudgy blue alien named Watto who flies on short little wings like a hummingbird. He flew over the counter toward the group. Qui-Gon stepped in.

"Hi chuba da naga?" Watto asked. (What do you want?)

"I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian."

"Ah yes, ah yes. Nubian. We have lots of that. What kinda junk? Peedenkel! Naba dee unko!" The alien asked. (Boy, get in her! Now!)

"My droid here has a readout of what I need." He replied. A disheveled boy ran in from the junk yard. Hadrian then saw the first glimpse of Anakin Skywalker, a nine year old boy who was very dirty and dressed in rags. Watto raised a hand and the boy flinched. He was kinda cute. Hadrian smiled. Maybe he could keep him away from the dark side. He crossed his fingers.

"Coona tee-tocky malia?" Watto shouted. (What took you so long?)

"Mel tassa cho-passa…" The boy said. (I was cleaning the bin like you…)

"Chut-chut! Ganda doe wallya. Me dwana no bata." Watto faced the Jedi. "Soooo, let me take a thee out back. Ni you'll find what you need." (Never mind! Watch the store. I've got some selling to do her.) Artoo and Qui-Gon followed Watto to the junk yard, leaving Jar Jar with Padmé and Hadrian and the young boy. Jar Jar picked up a gizmo, trying to figure out its purpose. Qui-Gon took the part out of his hand and put it back.

"Don't touch anything." Qui-Gon looked back at Hadrian. "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." Hadrian saluted him. Jar Jar made a rude face to Qui-Gon's back and stuck out his long tongue. Hadrian glared at the Gungan who gulped suddenly. The boy sat on the counter, pretending to clean a part, but he was staring at Padmé. Hadrian saw this and became jealous and narrowed his eyes.

She was the most beautiful creature he has ever seen in his life. Padmé was a little embarrassed by his stare, but she mustered up an amused smile. Hadrian leaned against the counter watching the scene. Finally, the boy got the courage to speak.

"Are you an angel?"

"What?" Padmé asked.

"An angel. Celestial creature with couple of wings on their back." Hadrian clarified. Padmé gazed at him as well as the boy.

"I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They live on the Moons of Iego… I think. They are the most beautiful creature in the universe. They are good and kind, and so pretty they make even the most hardened spice pirate cry." The boy said, looking at her. Hadrian snorted. Padmé looked at the boy, not knowing what to say.

"I've never heard of angels." She answered back.

"You must be one… maybe you just don't know it." The boy said, toying with his device.

"You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?"

"Since I was very little, three, I think. My Mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us, betting on the Podraces, to Watto, who's a lot better master than Gardulla, I think." He explained.

"You're… a slave?" She asked. Big mistake.

"Padmé!" Hadrian warned. But the boy looked at her defiantly.

"I am a person! My name is Anakin." Anakin cried. Hadrian rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't fully understand." She looked around. "this is a strange world to me." Anakin studied her intently against Hadrian's judgment.

"You're a strange girl to me." He declared.

"We are not from around. Just passing through." Hadrian answered the boy. "We have never been to this please. These customs are strange to us." Anakin nodded, forgiving them. Jar Jar pushed the nose on what appears to be a little droid, and it instantly came to life, grew legs and arms and started marching around; knocking over everything. Jar Jar hold on but couldn't stop it. Hadrian walked towards the Gungan.

"Hit the nose!" He said angrily, but the alien didn't heard him. Hadrian marched over to him and hit the nose of the little droid. The droid collapsed back into its original stat. Anakin and Padmé laughed. Anakin watched her straighten her hair. Hadrian eyed the Gungan.

"Next time you do something like that, you will meet my lightsaber. Got it." He whispered. Jar Jar nodded. Anakin heard the word 'lightsaber' and looked in awe at the young man. Padmé walked up to Hadrian and pulled him away from the frighten Gungan.

"Leave him alone, Hadrian." She said smiling. Then Jar Jar pulled a part of a stack of parts to inspect it and they all came tumbling down. He struggled to catch them, only to knock more down. Padmé saw Hadrian's hand twitching towards his lightsaber, but she took it (his hand of course). He saw her eyes and sighed. Anakin was oblivious to all of it. Qui-Gon hurried into the shop, followed by Artoo.

"We're leaving." He said stern. Jar jar followed him quickly because Hadrian was giving him a murderous glare. And Padmé gave Anakin a nice look.

"I'm glad I met you." She said.

"Anakin." He replied. "Anakin Skywalker."

"Padmé Naberrie."

"Hadrian Phoenix. See you around, Sport."

Padmé turned together with Hadrian and Anakin looked sad as he watched her leave.

"I'm glad I met you too." They heard him call out.

Qui-Gon looked annoyed, Hadrian could tell. He came standing next to him. "You know, I take he didn't accept the credits?"

"No, I didn't. It was like you knew it, wasn't it."

Hadrian didn't answered.

"You don't suppose you have something we can use as payment." Qui-Gon asked, looking at the boy. "Or at least you could have told me."

"Told you? I suppose you have a bank account somewhere hidden in your pocket." Hadrian responded dryly. Qui-Gon shook his head. This boy was a handful. Qui-Gon has found a quiet spot between two buildings. The busy street beyond was filled with dangerous looking creatures. The Jedi Master was talking on his com-link, while Jar Jar nervously watched the street. Hadrian leaned his back against the wall, following the conversation. Obi-Wan was in the main hold of the Naboo craft.

"Obi-Wan," He started, "you're sure there isn't anything of value left on board?"

Hadrian heard the voice of the other Jedi through the com-link.

"A few containers of supplies, the Queen's wardrobe, maybe. Not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about."

"All right. Another solution will present itself. I'll check back." Qui-Gon put his com-link away and started out into the main street. Jar Jar grabbed his arm.

"Noah gain… da beings hereabouts cawazy. Wesa be robbed un crunched."

Qui-Gon looked back. "Not likely. We have nothing of value, that's our problem." Jar Jar released his arm and walked away. Hadrian caught up with him.

"So. Now what. Any ideas?" Hadrian asked the man. Qui-Gon looked pensive.

"We will find a way." The Jedi said. Hadrian nodded all to well.

"It will present itself, I'm sure."

Qui-Gon arched an eyebrow. "Really? And how would you know, young man?"

"Call it a hunch." Hadrian smiled. Then Padmé walked besides them with a concerned expression. Hadrian eyed her, then looked back. One of their group is missing. Take a guess: Binks.

In the distance they saw Jar Jar lying on the ground. When they arrived, the boy Anakin looked up and explained.

"Hi! Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug called Selbulba."

Hadrian eyed the Gungan and sighed. Jar Jar saw him and panicked.

"Nosir, nosir. Mesa hate crunchen. Dat's da last ting mesa wanten."

"Nevertheless, the boy is right… you were beading for trouble. Thank you, my young friend." Qui-Gon replied. Jar Jar looked down in shame.

"Thanks Ani." Hadrian said, walking besides him. "One day he will be orange goo and I will be the one doing it."

Anakin looked up at the boy. Padmé joined their little group and smiled at Anakin who smiled back. They started walking down the crowed street. Jar Jar followed, muttering to himself.

"Mesa doen nutten!"

"Fear attracts the fearful. He was trying to overcome his fear by squashing you… be less afraid." Anakin clarified. Padmé looked down.

"And that works for you?"

"To a point." He smiles.

"He's right, Padmé. Reversed Psychology; if you are the victim try to overcome your fears by laughing at your attackers. They think you like it, and they will stop. They goal was to hurt you, not to entertain." Hadrian replied.

"It's like you have experience about it?" Anakin asked.

Hadrian's eyes became darker. "I have." Much quieter. "I have…"

Anakin and the group stopped at a fruit stand run by a jolly but very poor old lady named Jira. Hadrian eyed all the different dishes while listening to the conversation the boy had with the old lady. Then Anakin gave him a fruit called a palli. It looked delicious. He turned around, seeing Qui-Gon picking something up from the ground and a moment he saw his lightsaber. He looked at Anakin who was quite looking in awe.

The wind picked up. Shop owners were staring to close up their shops as Jira have them their pallies. "Gracious, my bones are aching… Storm's coming Ani. You'd better get home quick." She told them.

Anaking turned to the Jedi. "Do you have shelter?"

"We'll head back to our ship."

"Is it far?" The boy asked.

"It's on the outskirts." Padmé answered back. Anakin looked like he saw a ghost.

"You'll never reach the outskirts in time. Sandstorms are very, very dangerous. Come with me. Hurry!"

Padmé eyed Hadrian who nodded. The group followed Anakin as he rushed down the windy street. The wind was blowing hard. And Hadrian hated it. The sand crept everywhere. He followed the rest of the group down the street into a slave hovel. Anakin pushed the bottom and the door slide open. The outlanders entered a small living space while Anakin was shouting for his mother.

"Mom! Mom! I'm home."

"Dissen cozy." Jar Jar said, eyeing around. Hadrian entered at last and had to agree. It was small, but it felt like home. His apartment wasn't even this big. Then a woman emerged from a corner. A warm, friendly woman of forty came from her work area and was startled to see the room full of people. She looked at her son.

"Oh, my. Ani, what's this?"

"These are my friends. Mom, this is Padmé and Hadrian and gee, I don't know any of your names." The boy asked.

The Jedi stepped forward. "I'm Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is Jar Jar Binks." Artoo let out a series of little beeps.

"And our droid, Artoo-Detoo." Hadrian said, patting the dome of the little droid. Then Anakin turned around in excitement and grabbed padmé's hand. Hadrian eyed the little devil.

"I'm building a droid. You wanna see?"

"Anakin! Why are they here?" His mother asked sternly.

"A sandstorm, Mom. Listen." Shmi Skywalker heard the wind howl outside and sighed. She looked back at the group in her living room.

"Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter." Qui-Gon answered her. Shmi smiled.

"Come on! Let me show you Threepio!" Anakin said leading Padmé into the other room. Artoo followed, beeping all the way. Hadrian stood in the door way, watching them leave. He turned his attention back at the two adults. Qui-Gon took five small capsules from his utility belt and handed them to Shmi.

"I have enough food for a meal." He said. Hadrian agreed. He looked down at his own belt and produced three more capsules and handed them to her.

"Oh, thank you. Thank you so much. I'm sorry if I was abrupt. I'll never get used to Anakin's surprises." She told them.

"He's a very special boy."

Shmi looked at him as if he has discovered a secret. A secret Hadrian knew all to well. He helped her carrying the capsules into what looked like a kitchen. Then he left her. He was looking for Qui-Gon and found him in the door way, speaking with Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon listened to his com-link.

"The Queen is upset… but absolutely no reply was sent."

"It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace."

"What if it is true and the people are dying?"

"Either way, we're running out of time. I'll check on later." He put his com-link away. Hadrian came standing next to him.

"They tried to make contact with us?" He asked the Jedi.

Qui-Gon nodded. They was no secret that this boy wouldn't know. "It's only a trap to lure us in."

"I know. But we will get on time in Coruscant."

The giant sandstorm engulfed the town, including the Naboo Cruiser on the outskirt of the city center. The wind blew sand in all direction; where Watto's shop was and the slave quarters, where drifts of sand began building up against the Skywalker's house. Inside the house, the group were seated around a makeshift table, having dinner as the wind howled outside. Jar Jar slurped his soup rather loudly. Everyone looks at him, especially Hadrian with his trademark glare. The Gungan turned a little brighter red. Shmi was explaining to them about the Slave society.

"All slaves have transmitters placed inside their bodies somewhere." She told them.

"I've been working on a scanner to try and locate them, but no luck." Anakin replied.

"Any attempt to escape…"

"… they blow you up." He smacked his hand hard on the table. Padmé and Jar Jar were horrified. Hadrian knew this so he looked quite calm.

"How rude." Binks remarked.

"I can't believe there is still slavery in the galaxy. The Republic's anti-slavery laws…" Padmé tried to say.

"The Republic doesn't exist out here. We must survived on our own." Shmi told her, sadly. There was an awkward silence. Anakin attempted to end the embarrassment.

"Have you ever seen a Podrace?"

Padmé shook her head. She noticed the concern of his other. Jar Jar snatched some food from a bowl at the other end of the table with his tongue. Hadrian saw it and kicked him on the chins under the table. The Gungan let out a small yelp. Qui-Gon gave him a dirty look.

"They have Podracing on Malastare. Very fast, Very dangerous."

"I'm the only human who can do it." Anakin said proudly. Shmi looked at her son.

"Mom, what? I'm not bragging. It's true. Watto says he's never heard of a human doing it."

"You must have Jedi reflexes if you race Pods." Qui-Gon said. Anakin smiled. Jar Jar attempted to snare another bit of food from the bowl with his tongue, but Qui-Gon, in a flash, grabbed it between his thumb and forefinger. The Gungan was startled.

"Don't do it again." He eyed him.

Jar Jar tried to acknowledge with some silly mumbling. Qui-Gon let go of the tongue and it snapped back into his mouth. Hadrian glared at the alien. If Qui-Gon could have hold it a little while longer, he would have got the scissors and cut it of. He smirked at the thought. Anakin looked thoughtful. He was eyeing the Jedi and Hadrian.

"I… I was wondering… something…"

"What?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Well, ahhh… you're Jedi Knights, aren't you." Anakin asked, looking at the two. Hadrian looked at the Jedi like saying 'you are the Jedi, not me' and Qui-Gon shrugged. He leaned back.

"What makes you think that?"

"I saw your laser sword. Only a Jedi carry that kind of weapon."

Qui-Gon slowly smiled.

"Perhaps I killed a Jedi and stole it from him."

Anakin shook his head. "I don't think so… No one can kill a Jedi."

Hadrian snorted. "Yeah right, I wish that were so."

Anakin looked at the young man. "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves. Have you come to free us?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "No I'm afraid not."

"I think you have. Why else would you be here?"

Qui-Gon thought for a moment. Hadrian gazed at the boy, shaking his head. Anakin saw this and looked remorseful.

"I can see theer's no fooling you." He leaned forward. "You mustn't let anyone know about us. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission and it must be kept secret."

"Coruscant… wow… How did you end up here in the Outer Rim?" Anakin asked.

"Our ship was damaged and we're stranded here until we can repair it. Remember?" Hadrian clarified. Anakin looked up.

"I can help! I can fix anything!" He said cheerful.

"I believe you can, but out first job is to acquire the parts we need." Qui-Gon replied. Hadrian nodded in agreement.

"Wit no-nutten mula to trade." Jar Jar muttered.

"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind." Padmé reasoned, looking at the group.

Hadrian frowned. "Gambling." He answered. Everyone stared at him and Qui-Gon even arched his eyebrow. Shmi nodded.

"He's right. Gambling. Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."

"Podracing." Qui-Gon was lost in thought. "Greed can be a powerful ally. If it's used properly."

Anakin looked up. His face was bright. "I've built a racer! It's the fastest ever. There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod. It's all but finished."

Shmi looked worried. "Anakin, settle down. Watto won't let you."

He looked back at his mother. "Watto doesn't know I've built it." He looked at the Jedi. "You could make him think it's yours and you could get him to let me pilot it for you."

Qui-Gon looked at his mother. Shmi Skywalker was quite upset. He voice took a different tone, a sad tone. "I don't want you to race, Ani. It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it."

Now Anakin looked sad. "But Mom, I love it… and they need help… they're in trouble. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need." Hadrian saw quiet the entire time. He looked back and forth like in a tennis match. Qui-Gon sensed the boy eagerness, but it was dangerous. He agreed with the mother.

"Your mother's right. Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who might be able to help us?" He asked her. Shmi shook her head. Anakin piped in again, now with a pleading voice. Hadrian found it kind of sweet.

"We have to help them. Mom… you said that the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other."

"Anakin, don't…" His mother begged. Jar Jar belched. There was silent for a moment as they eat. Hadrian was thinking that maybe there was another way. But he shook his head after not finding a solution. The boy have to race, that was a statement. Otherwise they will never get of this planet. Padmé looked up.

"I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We will find another way."

"There's no other way, Padmé." Hadrian spoke, breaking the tension. Padmé shot him a glare. "Without the money we need for the parts, we can be here for a long time and we can't afford that." He looked at the boy and then back at the mother. "I thrust your son, even if I only know him for a few hours. And I believe in him and I think you should too."

Shmi gawked at the dark haired boy. Many emotion ran through her body; anger, fear, helpless… pride. She looked down and took a deep breath.

"You're right. There's no other way. I may not like it, but he can help you. He was meant to help you." She said, half smiling.

Anakin looked like Christmas came early. "Is that a yes? That's a yes!"

Hadrian smiled. He sensed Qui-Gon looking at him and he stared back. He didn't know what was going on in the head of that Jedi, but Hadrian just have to deal with it. He looked at Padmé who was still given him a dirty looked. And outside, the storm continued to rage in the slave hovel.

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