Hello. Well, I know it's been a while, but I figured now would be a good time to update for a few reasons. 1) I need a break from studying for my finals, 2) Other people need a break from studying for finals, and 3) I need a break from studying for my finals.
So, here is the next chapter. Hopefully once we hit Christmas vacation things will pick up, but I make no promises.
As always, all reviews are more than welcome, and I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: George Lucas owns Star Wars, but he can only live for so long…
5
Modifications and Winning
The next day dawned bright and early on Tatooine. Big surprise. It always dawns bright and early on desert planets. But that my friends, is what is called fine storytelling. Can you get this from Threepio?
But I digress.
We made quick time to the Boonta Eve on the backs of some strange animals called eopies. I helped See Threepio bring in the podracer, checking it one last time.
On the trip over, Threepio seemed to have developed a sudden fascination with my adventures in space.
"You saved all those people? Oh my, that does sound quite exciting."
Exciting's hardly the word I would use for it. I shot back. I literally saved those organics from certain doom. They'd be lost without me.
"Space travel sounds so perilous," he quipped. "I can assure you they will never get me onto one of those things."
Well, seeing as you're a wuss, I'd expect nothing less. I countered. But it's all right, you can't help it. I mean, you were made by a slaveboy and all.
Well, that set him off.
"Master Anakin is a perfectly fine young master and he has treated me well. He's very gifted." Threepio said stiffly.
Sure. And he'll win the podrace by being the only one not torn to bits at the end. I snapped back.
"I have the utmost confidence in him," Threepio waddled away in a huff.
I would have shaken my head were I human. As it was, I resigned myself to finishing last minute preparations. In my foresight, I managed to check on the engines, making sure that if someone messed with the pod, Anakin would have time to fix things. Just a little modification that I figured might help him.
As I was fixing up the last of the preparations I spied Qui-Gon making some sort of deal with Watto.
I never should have let you come on this. I said with an electronic sigh as I rolled back over towards him. I don't even want to know what you've gotten yourself into now. You just weren't ready to carry this mission on your own.
"Artoo, accompany Kitser and Wald here to the main floor of the stadium," Qui-Gon said. "We'll be in one of the balcony seats." He added to Threepio.
"Yes sir," Threepio said cheerily.
No problem, Master. I said sarcastically, annoyed that he now thought he was fully in charge.
If See Threepio wondered about my reply, he made nothing of it, and following two pint size organics, we made our way out onto the field.
The arena was big and it was teeming with people shouting and cheering in the many stands. I had to say I was quite impressed with the grand ceremony. Though I couldn't quite dub it a cultural turn out, as I observed many beings breaking into brawls over who they thought would win.
"How deplorable," Threepio said as he went to get slaveboy's flag.
Nice adjective. I praised him.
"It's nothing. I am programmed in over six million forms of communication and—"
Hey, Goldie! I snapped. They're lining up with the flags!
"Oh dear, oh dear," he cried as he rushed off, leaving me alone with the two miscreants.
Well, this should be interesting. And I settled back to watch the race.
If you've never seen a podrace before, describing it doesn't quite do it justice. You really have to watch one to get the sense of impending doom, the cries for blood, and the terrific speed.
Anakin did quite well, though he stalled at the start.
Criminy! Come on kid, think about what I told you! I simplified the starters for you and everything.
Threepio had wandered back over to my side. "Oh my, poor Master Anakin! He's doomed!"
Not with the work I did on that baby he isn't! I crowed triumphantly as the pod finally roared off to catch up with the others.
"Oh my. You are quite good," Threepio finally had to admit.
Aw, nothing to it. I said humbly.
The race went by pretty fast after that. Slaveboy had a few close calls, but in the end he managed to make good use of all the instrumentation I'd provided him, and pulling away from the Dug who had tried to kill Jar Jar earlier, won the race hands down.
All right. I'm impressed. I finally admitted.
"I knew he could do it," See Threepio said, brimming with pride.
Now maybe we can finally get out of here. I muttered to myself as the accolades began.
I let the kid have his moment; let him take the credit for it all. I can't be in the spotlight all the time after all.