The Plan

The storm intensified while they made their way to Anakin's home. The wind started to pick up the sand, making it impossible for Amara to see five feet in front of her. She used her hand that Anakin wasn't holding to prevent sand coming into her eyes. People were rushing to find shelter. On the way to his house, Anakin told her about how he was currently building a droid. It amazed her that a boy his age could build such a thing. Sand was blowing all over the place; Amara could make out a series of small houses. They were all stacked tightly together. Anakin led them over to one of the houses on the right end. He pushed a small control panel that opened the door. Finally we are out of the storm. Amara observed his house. In the middle of the room was a small space with tables and chairs. On the left were the kitchen and a workspace. Other doors probably led to Anakin and his mother's rooms.

"Mom! Mom! I'm home," Anakin called excitedly. He was excited to introduce Amara to his mother and being able to show her his projects. As he glanced at her, it sent a flush through him that was both warm and kind of scary. It made him feel good about himself.

Outside, the wind howled past the doors and windows.

His mother came out from one of the rooms, brushing her hands on her dress. She had long brown hair that tied back from her worn face. Amara thought she was very pretty. Her smile was warm as she greeted her son, but it faded quickly as she saw the people behind him. "Oh, my! Annie, what's this?"

Anakin beamed. "These are my friends mom." He smiled at Amara and Padmé. "This is Amara and Padmé, and oh… I don't know any of your names."

While everyone introduced themselves, Anakin turned to Amara, anxious to show her his project. "Do you wanna see the droid I'm working on?"

"Anakin!" His mother's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Anakin, why are they here?"

"There's a sandstorm, mom. Listen."

His mother glanced at the door before looking back at him.

"Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter," Qui-Gon explained. "We met at the shop where he works."

Anakin grabbed Amara's hand again and started to run towards his bedroom. "Come on! Let me show you my droid."

Anakin's room looked like the shop Amara was in earlier. It had the same sand-colored walls, with pieces of odd things. He went over to his workbench and motioned Amara follow him. He pulled off a blanket that covered his droid. The droid had only one eye and the rest of his body had no outer coverings. Amara was genuinely impressed by Anakin's skills.

"Isn't he great?" Anakin asked, anxious for her reaction. "He's not finished yet."

Amara stared at the droid before turning to Anakin, genuinely impressed by his work. "He's amazing! You're very talented."

Anakin flushed with pride. "You really like him? He's a protocol droid…to help Mom. Watch!" He pushed a switch and the droid began to hum before it sat up and looked around.

"Oh, Oh, Uh– Where is everybody?" Anakin muttered 'whoops' and looked for his lost eye. Once he found it, he carefully put it back into the droid's socket. The droid jumped before turning to Amara.

"Oh, hello, I am C-3PO, Human Cyborg Relations. How might I serve you?"

"He's perfect," Amara whispered as she stared at him, grinning at the droid.

C-3PO stood up and started to walk over to R2, who was beeping at him. "R2-D2. A pleasure to meet you. I am C-3PO, Human Cyborg Relations." R2 continued to beep. "I beg your pardon….what do you mean I'm 'naked'?" He looked down at himself. "My parts are showing? My goodness! Oh!"

"When the storm is over, I'll show you my racer. I'm building a Podracer!" Anakin promised her. Amara smiled at his enthusiasm. She wondered what a podracer was. This boy is something else. "But Watto doesn't know about it. It's a secret."

Amara smiled at her friend. "That's okay. Your secret is safe with me."

The storm continued throughout the evening, engulfing the entire city. Anakin's mother, who Amara learned her name was Shmi, used the food capsules Qui-Gon had given her to prepare dinner. As she prepared the food, the rest of the group sat down at the table in the kitchen. Amara sat next to the seat saved for Shmi on one side of the table, while Qui-Gon and Padmé occupied the ends. Anakin and Jar Jar sat on the other side of the table.

Shmi brought out the soup and everyone began grabbing spoonful for their plates. Amara was the first to taste the food, scarfing down her entire bowl before anyone even picked up their spoon. Padmé smiled in amusement at her new friend, guessing that she hadn't ate for a while. She too had also eaten her soup in a fast amount of time. With all the events that were taking place on her home planet, Naboo, she was too stressed to even think about food.

While everyone ate, Anakin began talking about the way of life as a slave. He wasn't embarrassed about doing so, he was anxious to share himself with his new friends.

"All slaves have transmitters placed inside their bodies somewhere," Shmi explained to them. She was making an effort to help them appreciate the severity of their situation.

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

Shmi smiled at him and continued. "Any attempt to escape―"

"―and they blow you up… poof!" Anakin slammed his hand on the table.

Padmé looked at Shmi in shock. "I can't believe there is still slavery in the galaxy. The Republic's anti-slavery laws―"

"The Republic doesn't exist out here," Shmi interrupted quickly, her voice sharp. "We must survive on our own."

Padmé quickly looked down at her food, embarrassed.

Amara let out an awkward cough as everyone stayed silent. She didn't participate in the conversation but still had second hand embarrassment. It was quiet for a minute before Anakin tried to ease the awkwardness. "Have any of you ever seen a podrace?"

Amara and Padmé both shook their head no, noting the sudden concern on Shmi's. Next to her, Jar Jar snatched some food from a bowl at the other end of the table with his tongue. Amara narrowed her eyes and gave him a dirty look. If he does one more thing, I swear…

She cleared her throat. "Um, what exactly is Podracing?"

Shmi glanced at her. "A very dangerous racing sport that usually ends up with someone dead…"

Anakin grinned. "I'm the only human who could do it!" A sharp glance from his mother wiped his grin off his face. "Mom, what? I'm not bragging, it's true! Watto says he's never heard of a human doing it."

Qui-Gon studied the boy carefully. "You must have Jedi reflexes if you race Pods."

Amara's head perked up at the word 'Jedi'. She felt like she had heard the word somewhere before, but even if she wanted to, she couldn't remember what it meant.

Jar Jar's tongue tried to catch another morsel, catching her attention. She grabbed his tongue with her thumb and forefinger, finally having enough of his actions. Everyone at the table stared at her as Jar Jar froze, mouth open and eyes wide.

Qui-Gon was a little surprised by her actions. She certainly had the quick reflexes of a Jedi. He needed to get her to the Jedi Council as soon as possible.

Amara gave him a disapproving look. He quickly nodded his head and began to message his billed mouth.

Anakin hesitated before asking him, "I...I was wondering...something...you're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?"

Amara paused mid-drink, quickly glancing at Qui-Gon.

"What makes you think that?"

"I saw your lightsaber. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon." Qui Gon leaned back in his chair and slowly smiled.

He didn't seem fazed by Anakin's question. "Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him." Amara knew that wasn't the case. Qui Gon doesn't seem like the person to…

"I don't think so," Anakin said in a positive tone. "No one can kill a Jedi Knight."

Qui Gon's smile slipped from his face and was replaced by sad expression. "I wish that were so…"

"I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves." Anakin paused for a moment. "Have you come to free us?"

Qui Gon shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

"I think you have," Anakin insisted, defiance in his eyes. "Why else would you be here?"

Qui Gon leaned forward, putting his chin on his hands. "I can see there's no fooling you Anakin. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission."

Mission? Coruscant? Amara thought. Is that some type of planet?

Anakin's eyes widened. "Coruscant...wow...how did you end up here in the outer rim?"

"Our ship was damaged," Padmé answered him. "We're stranded here until we can repair it."

Anakin looked at all of them, anxious to be of service to them. "I can help! I can fix anything!" He stated proudly.

Qui-Gon smiled at his enthusiasm. "I believe you can, but our first job is to acquire the parts we need..."

"Except we have no money," Amara told him sadly. There must be a way. "These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind," she muttered quietly.

Shmi heard her and turned to Amara. "Gambling. Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."

Qui Gon rose, walking to the window, and stared out the glass. "Podracing... Greed can be a powerful ally... if it's used properly."

"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..." Anakin stopped when he noticed his mother.

"Anakin, settle down. Watto won't let you―" Shmi said sharply, cutting him off. Her eyes were bright with concern.

"―Watto doesn't know I've built it," Anakin said softly. He turned to Qui Gon. "You could make him think it's yours, and you could get him to let me pilot it for you."

Amara could tell his mother was upset and waited for her response.

"I don't want you to race, Ani...It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it."

Anakin bit his lip. "But Mom, I love it. He gestured to the rest of the group. "And they need help...they're in trouble. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need," he insisted.

Qui-Gon walked over to Anakin and kneeled beside him. "Your mother's right. Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who might be able to help us?" He then turned back to his mother.

Shmi stood silent, shaking her head no.

"We have to help them, Mom...you said that the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other," Anakin insisted to his mother.

Shmi sighed. "Anakin, don't..."

The room was quiet. Amara gave Anakin a sad smile and turned to his mother. "I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We will find another way," Amara reassured her.

Shmi let out a long sigh before turning to Amara. "No, Ani's right, there is no other way... I may not like it, but he can help you...he was meant to help you."

Anakin's face lit up. "Is that a yes?" He clapped his hands in glee. "That is a yes!"