The Cobra's engine screeched as Kim accelerated. Some more confidant racers pulled ahead but Kim let them, she wanted to get a feel for the track first.

Having read an insider's hints Kim knew a curve was coming and stayed left. A cocky pod jock accelerated past her in the center of the track. The next moment a huge explosion was all that was left of him. Kim acknowledged the blank spot in her living force awareness but kept her mind on the race.

Feeling the living force's sudden loss Kim forgot that the turn to the right needed to be hugged. She scrapped the side of the pod and got a bit rattled. The pod droids quickly got to work, checking that no serious damage had been sustained. A racer sped past her, putting her into sixth place.

Kim kept focused on the advice from a track veteran and squeezed to the left. Then she flew into a large trench from a tight turn. Kim swerved around pot holes and sped up the hill.

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Qui-Gon did not need to watch the race; he could feel Possible's progress in the Force. He strolled around the stadium talking to beings here and there.

He looked like a spectator of a higher class than most. The little fish didn't interest him, one fish today, only the big one.

There was the target. A fairly tall Rodian, whose pebbled skin was a light blue. The large multifaceted eyes seemed glued to a vid screen. One suction cupped finger playing with a head spine.

Qui-Gon sat casually with the Rodian. It was hard to believe that this little Rodian was big in the illegal gambling ring. "I hear you are one to make bets with?" Qui-Gon asked, eyes on the screen, lips barely moving.

"Why you talk to Tulo? Who tell you?" the little Rodian asked nervously.

"No one particularly," Qui-Gon said pushing a good amount of credits Tulo's way. "I want to bet."

"Tulo let you bet. Who you be betting on?" the Rodian asked counting the credits greedily.

"The Possible girl," Qui-Gon said quietly, they had used Kim's real name because she was not a well known Jedi. "All that to place. And maybe you can tell me if you'll be around at other races? If I like working with you I'll do it again when I travel."

"Tulo bet with you. Tulo also may bet with you on Aquilaris soon, at Aquilaris Classic?"

"I'll be there," Qui-Gon said. He subtly used the Jedi mind trick to reinforce the need of Tulo to be on Aquilaris.

Then he turned as the crowd cheered. He had not been paying attention to the vid screens or the force sensing of Possible. Seeing the vid screen he smiled.

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Kim completed her second lap of the course feeling confidant. She remembered all the tips, since the slight bump into the canyon wall. Only two racers were in front of her now.

Kim quickly sped up her pod, almost to its limit. She took all the turns right and inched toward the two other racers. Then out of nowhere the pod in front's engine explodes. Kim was far enough back to take evasive action, using a slight force push and a conveniently placed rock to achieve air over the blast.

The other pod racer was less lucky. He quickly pulled away but got sprayed with debris. It clogged his engines for long enough to give Kim the lead.

Kim sped through the rest of the course. She was feeling very confidant as she neared the finish line. Already beginning to celebrate she didn't see the other pod pass her until it was too late. Kim Possible finished second in the Mos Espa Open by nanometers.

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Kim evaded celebrations and took the pod back to the ship. She buffed out the scratches and decide the pod needed revamping. She picked up the communicator, ignoring the messages from Qui-Gon and Ron; she couldn't talk to either of them now. Kim quickly punched in the code of an old friend from the temple. After two buzzes the friend picked up.

The com screen showed a short black skinned Zabrak. The young boy's facial patterns seemed to swirl. "Hey Kim. What can I do you for?"

Kim smiled at her friend Wade. Wade was about the same age as Tim and Jim. He was the Temple's resident genius. His master was the Jedi Archivist. "You could help me soup up the pod that I am riding," Kim asked with a slight smile.

"Sure thing Kim," Wade replied. "I've had this idea for a while. You can help me with it. You need a servodriver, an energy tether, a power prybar, and a sonic imprint sensor."

Kim worked into the night. She either ignored or didn't hear the quiet beeping from the communicator, telling her that Ron kept leaving messages.