Nidora Saru was quite content now. She was in clean clothes, finally, courtesy of Rabé, the young handmaiden who had offered her assistance. Said clean clothes even included soft boots that fit around the bandages on her feet.

To her surprise, Obi-Wan turned out to be a delightful conversationalist, willing to explain the ways of the Jedi and the Republic today as she haltingly gave him a very, very brief version of how she arrived on Naboo, leaving out the part about who she really was and what she'd done in her time. She simply told him that she was from another place and was unfamiliar with the Jedi and the Republic of today, having been away for a while.

Qui-Gon seemed cautious of her, which she didn't fault him for at all, and warned his Padawan against getting too in-depth.

Meanwhile, the Queen was in discussion with Captain Panaka and the handmaidens tidied the ship a bit after their blockade run, including the handmaiden Padmé, who helped clean the little astromech who'd saved the ship. The pilots were all jittery, as they were apparently making their way to Tatooine after the hyperdrive was damaged.

That brought Nidora to a whole new train of thought: Tatooine. She'd always hated that dump, even thought she'd only been there once and it was to Anchorhead. She hated the slimy crooks and scum who lived on the desert world and just plain hated how the sand managed to get everywhere.

"Miss Saru?"

The voice startled her out of her thoughts as young Padmé stood before her, her hands folded in front of her.

"Yes?" Nidora replied, straightening in her borrowed chair.

"I wanted to talk to you… no one here seems to know anything about you…"

"And you want to be sure that I mean no harm to your people. Perfectly understandable. Just… be aware there are some things I cannot tell you at this time, not until I've briefed the Jedi Council…"

"The Jedi Council? Why?" Padmé asked, sitting down in the chair that Obi-Wan had vacated several minutes earlier to head for the cockpit to discuss something with the pilots.

"Because it's imperative that they know several facts about my presence here before I share them with anyone else. There's no one else that I dare discuss this level of Force interference with."

"Force interference?" Padmé frowned, "What do you mean?"

"The Force sent me to Naboo, and you, for a reason. I don't know what it is, but I know that it surrounds you very differently than it does your handmaidens and your decoy."

The handmaiden started at that and glared, "How… how did you know?"

"She turned to you for advice. Now, I understand your reasons, you're very wise to use a decoy, I would do the same. But you must counsel your decoy in advance on possible choices that may need to be made. The Queen cannot ask advice so openly of mere handmaidens, unless, of course, it is a Naboo tradition for the handmaidens to also act as advisors," Nidora explained with a small smile to set the young woman at ease.

But, Padmé still frowned, "It is an unofficial tradition, perhaps, but nothing official. The handmaidens act as friends and confidantes, yes, but not as official advisors."

"The Jedi don't see a problem in how you advised your decoy, because they see it as a Queen asking her closest confidantes what their opinion is, but it shouldn't happen more than once, or they will become suspicious."

"I see. Thank you," the young Queen in disguise replied, seemingly more at ease, "Now… do you know anything about Tatooine?"

Nidora shuddered theatrically, "I've only been once, to Anchorhead, and I wouldn't recommend it. Anchorhead was controlled by Czerka and we all know how utterly cold they are. Trust me when I say the planet is a miserable ball of sand and sunburn. Oh, and my best friend's mother. That was a true highlight… that and the krayt dragon."

"The what?" Padmé blanched slightly and Nidora laughed slightly.

"It's a very long story, but to make it short, my friends and I killed a krayt dragon for a very good cause."

"That's an impressive feat," Qui-Gon interjected as he made his presence known from the hatch leading into the small room.

Nidora looked over, "Don't be so impressed, there was a Mandalorian and a Jedi with me. Between them, they managed to kill it, I was just the moron running around with a death wish."

"A Mandalorian? Most are peaceful these days."

Nidora blinked. And blinked again. And proceeded to laugh.

"Really? I feel like my father is rolling in his grave hearing that. He raised me and my brothers to be the epitome of Mando warrior, even if I am the only one in the family still alive."

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes, "You're Mandalorian?"

"Yes, I am. Your Padawan didn't tell you? He and I had the most fascinating discussion on Mandalorian philosophy, apparently you two protected a young Mandalorian duchess once…"

"Duchess Satine, yes."

"It was a truly fascinating discussion, so few seem to understand Mandalorian culture, I was quite surprised that a Jedi Padawan of all people would know our culture so well. Although… I was disturbed to hear about this thing called Death Watch, and the blight on Clan Vizla that started that osik."

Padmé looked between the Jedi and the stranger and nodded, "A Mandalorian would be a great help in freeing the Queen's people. I'll be certain to mention that to her, she would truly appreciate your assistance, should you be willing to provide it."

"I would be remiss in not freeing the Naboo from such obscene practices," Nidora nodded, "I hate seeing anyone oppressed in such a fashion, I'd probably help even if no one asked."

"Interesting," Qui-Gon noted, "Most Mandalorians appear to be out for themselves these days."

"We call those bounty hunters and mercenaries, Master Jinn, those types are always out for themselves, regardless of their culture. Now, I'm going to prepare for when we reach Tatooine… I'm going to need a scarf of some sort, I managed to sunburn spectacularly last time I was here, despite my complexion."

Padmé smiled, "I'll get one, I'm sure there's one somewhere on the ship."

Nidora grinned at the young monarch and stood, making her way to the cockpit to join Obi-Wan and the pilots as they approached Tatooine.

As Qui-Gon, Nidora, and the surprise addition of Jar Jar made to leave, Panaka called out after them.

"The Queen asks you to take her handmaiden with you, so that she can learn more about this planet."

"This is no place for a young girl," Qui-Gon replied, quickly shutting that down.

"The Queen commands you to take her with," Panaka retorted.

"It would be a good experience," Nidora cut in, "And we'd look a lot more friendly if we had someone who doesn't look so threatening with us. Because let's be honest, Jar Jar looks more like a threatening bumbler than a friendly sort of guy… no offense, Jar Jar, but you are rather clumsy."

"It'sa otee-day," the Gungan bobbed his head, "Meesa know meesa clumsy. It'sa why my was banished in the first place!"

Qui-Gon pinched the bridge of his nose slightly and nodded, "She can come with. But no more orders from her Majesty today, not on a planet she doesn't know."

Panaka nodded, clearly feeling triumphant, and Padmé made to follow the small group, accompanied by the heroic droid, Artoo Deetoo.

The two women continued their discussion from earlier, about Tatooine, as they walked to the nearby settlement of Mos Espa, one that Nidora had frankly no clue as to what awaited them within.

Of course, to her lack of surprise, it was a hive of scum and slavery.

"I already hate it here," she muttered to Padmé, "You see that little girl? The one in rags cleaning that large rug by herself? She's a slave… it's a disgrace that slavers exist."

Padmé gazed at the girl and frowned, her sympathy echoing in the Force, "I wish we could do something to help."

"I do too…"

They were interrupted by Qui-Gon gesturing them into a shop that looked like it had seen better days. The Jedi spoke briefly with the Toydarian owner before the pair disappeared into the junk yard in the back, leaving a young boy with the two women and the Gungan.

"Are you an angel?" the little boy asked, gazing at Padmé.

The young woman looked confused, "An angel?"

"Yeah, I hear the pilots and smugglers talk about them all the time. I think they're from the moons of Iego or something. I wish I could go."

"Why don't you?" Nidora asked, "There's a large galaxy to explore."

"Watto wouldn't let me… and it's his word that goes."

Nidora's gaze shifted to something resembling pity as Padmé frowned at the boy, "You're a slave?"

"I'm a person, and my name is Anakin!" the boy protested, scowling.

"I'm sorry. This planet is so strange to me…"

Nidora rested a hand on Padmé's shoulder and smiled at Anakin, "Slavery is a very strange thing to those of us who've been fortunate not to have to personally deal with it before. The very thought of owning another being is… abhorrent to most."

"Not to the Hutts," Anakin replied sadly as Qui-Gon reappeared.

"Was-" Nidora began, but Qui-Gon shook his head and made to leave, but the woman lifted her hand.

"You, Watto, was it?"

The Toydarian hovered and nodded, "That's me."

"Good. Now, what's the issue with the parts?"

"I don't take Republic credits," the junk dealer complained, "They're no good out here."

"Okay. Fair enough. Is there a Czerka outpost anywhere near here? They'll exchange them."

"Czerka? You been under a rock? They left here twenty years ago."

"Damn. That means my krayt dragon story is no longer told…" Nidora pouted, "Such a good story, too. How we killed that dragon and took the pearl and gave it to a struggling hunter so he could use the credits to get a ride back to his family… One of my favorite adventures, no doubt."

Watto backed up, "You killed a krayt dragon?"

"Uh-huh. The biggest. Me, and a couple friends. A Mando and a Jedi… it was a magnificent adventure. We were on a mission to find an ancient relic and the dragon's lair held one of the clues, but we couldn't just walk in, now could we?"

Anakin was awestruck at the tale.

"Jedi?"

"Yeah, my friend… more like a sister, really."

Watto suddenly straightened and said, "You'll scare away my other customer, shoo n-"

"Telling the krayt story again, are we?" a lightly accented voice said from the entrance to the small shop.

Nidora turned and a wide grin split her face, "Speaking of… it's good to see you again, Bas."

"You too… Nidora."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed as he registered a slight pause in Bas' words.

"You helped kill a krayt dragon?" Watto gaped at the slim woman who'd just entered.

"Yes. The Force is a useful ally," Bas nodded.

Watto backed up and gestured, "You should leave now. I don't serve no Jedi here."

"I haven't been a Jedi in years, there's no need to worry," the Talravian woman scoffed, "Besides, I bring the very best of parts and you know it."

Watto made a derisive noise and gestured her towards the back as Qui-Gon led the others out.

"Who is she?" he asked Nidora once they were out of range of the shop.

"My sister in all but blood," she answered simply, "And a very gifted Force user."

"I can tell…" the Jedi Master murmured as Padmé quickened her pace to keep up with Nidora so she could ask about what Czerka was.

They hadn't even gone far when Jar Jar managed to cause trouble by trying to snag some food and accidentally flinging it into the bowl of a now-angry Dug.

The Dug snarled and pinned Jar Jar to the sand, offering a few choice threats.

"I wouldn't," Nidora snapped, "I happen to like that Gungan… and I'm the one here who can back up my threats."

"She's right," a young voice chimed in, "She killed a krayt dragon!"

The Dug snarled something in Huttese, to which Anakin replied in kind as the little boy helped Jar Jar up.

"Sebulba's a nasty sorta guy," the boy explained, "He woulda pasted you."

"Meesa no wanna be pasty!" the Gungan protested.

"Then don't piss off the locals, Jar Jar," Nidora shrugged, "Thank you, Anakin. You've been very helpful."

The wind picked up as they started walking towards the outskirts of town with Anakin, who seemed content to see them off.

When they stopped to buy some fruit, the old woman running the stand leaned forward, "There's a storm coming, Ani. I can feel it in my bones. Better run home!"

With that, the woman quickly secured her stand and packed up, covering what she could before the storm could hit.

"How far is your ship?"

"Just beyond the outskirts," Padmé replied.

Anakin shook his head, "You'll never make it! Come on, you can stay with me and my mom until the storm passes!"

The eager child led them to a small hovel, and the ragtag group hurried inside as the sand started to fly.

"Mom, I'm home!"

"Oh, Ani…" a kindly woman appeared, stopping when she saw the group.

"These are my friends, Mom. They needed a place to wait out the storm."

The woman simply smiled, "I'm Shmi, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Qui-Gon. These are Nidora, Padmé, and Jar Jar."

"I built a droid, you wanna see?" Anakin asked, tugging on Padmé's arm. The young woman smiled and allowed the boy to lead her off.

"I have enough food for all of us," Qui-Gon told Shmi, pulling out a small handful of tablets.

Nidora smiled, "And I can help in cooking. I may not be the best, but I know my way around a kitchen."

Shmi seemed overwhelmed, but continued to smile, "It's appreciated, truly."

Nidora could hear the new sound of a protocol droid from the rear of the small hovel and chuckled, "Anakin is quite something, isn't he? I don't know many people who could build an entire droid out of what's available here."

"He is, indeed," Shmi's smile grew wider as she began to bustle about getting the meal ready, with Nidora's limited assistance.

At the dinner table, Anakin was quite content to ask questions while Shmi quietly smiled. Nidora could tell that she was happy to see her son enjoying himself.

Despite Jar Jar's eating habits, which included using his long tongue to snag food, it was a rather peaceful meal, something that made Nidora reminiscent for her days wandering the galaxy in that old Dynamic-class freighter that she'd helped steal all those years ago.

She was jolted out of her thoughts by Qui-Gon sharply grabbing Jar Jar's long tongue and lifting a finger at the Gungan.

"Don't do that again," the Jedi warned as he let go of Jar Jar's tongue.

Nidora snickered softly as the Gungan shook his head slightly when he reclaimed his tongue.

"Are you a Jedi?" Anakin asked, having noted the speed of Qui-Gon's move.

"What makes you think that?"

"I saw your laser sword thing. Only Jedi carry those."

"Maybe I killed a Jedi and took it."

Anakin frowned, "No one can kill a Jedi!"

Qui-Gon shook his head and smiled, "If only that were true."

"Have you come here to free us?"

"Ani…" Shmi warned.

"I'm afraid not," Qui-Gon said quietly, "We were on an important mission when our hyperdrive was damaged and we were forced to land here."

"And without parts… we can't complete our mission," Nidora said, looking around.

Qui-Gon nodded, "It's why we need to convince Watto to sell us the parts we need… somehow."

"You could try betting on the podraces," Shmi suggested, "Much of the economy here revolves around those dreadful races."

Nidora grinned, "Qui-Gon, I bet we could have a bit of fun doing that… between us, I bet we could guess who'd win and make some cash."

"No."

"But-"

"No."

Nidora pouted, "I could totally make us some cash… are there any swoop races here?"

Shmi shook her head, "No, just the podraces. Swoop racing hasn't ever been popular in this part of Tatooine."

Anakin looked around and said, "I could race. I'm good at it. I'm the only human who can do it!"

"Ani, no," Shmi warned, worry clear on her face.

Nidora shook her head, "Anakin, that's very kind of you, but I couldn't imagine how your mother feels."

Shmi flashed her a grateful look and Anakin turned a pleading gaze on his mother.

"Please?" he asked, "You always tell me that there's not enough people helping each other in the galaxy…"

"Enough, Anakin," Qui-Gon said gently.

Shmi looked down at her plate for a long while and finally sighed, "He's right…"

Anakin's eyes lit up and he asked, "Really?"

"I do always tell you that… and what sort of parent would I be if I didn't set a good example for you…" Shmi frowned, "I don't like it, but if you feel that this is what you must do… just be careful, Ani."

The boy grinned happily, "Thank you, Mom!"

Nidora watched how Anakin's excitement bubbled over and Padmé smiled slightly, as did Qui-Gon. She tried to smile, but couldn't. She understood Shmi's worry, more than anyone at this table might think. She'd probably have died inside if her own son was to do something like this.

She couldn't help but to wonder how all this would turn out.

And strangely enough, on Naboo, a young Twi'lek woman was having a very similar thought.

"I wonder how this is all going to work out," she mused aloud, looking around at the various members of the resistance.

"How what is going to work out?" one of them, a greying man named Jas Olan asked.

"This little rebellion of ours. Are we going to be able to get the droids off Naboo? Is the Queen going to be able to convince the Senate that we desperately need help? So many questions…"

"You're a strange one, Vao," Olan scoffed, "Not many people here care to think that far ahead."

"Well, I already know I'm strange," Mission Vao declared.

One of the others, one of the pilots from the main Palace hangar, looked around, "Okay, so back to business… how are we going to get in contact with the other cities?"

"Comlinks?" Mission frowned, wondering how such an obvious question needed to be asked.

"So, you're okay with the droids tracing us?" Olan demanded.

"Oh, please. I'm a slicer, that won't be a concern. There isn't a security network in existence that can stand up against my slicing skills. I can make it so they can't track us, but we can track them."

The pilot narrowed his eyes, "Does anyone else suddenly have a lot of doubt in this kid?"

Several hands went up and Mission rolled her eyes, "Wow, thanks. I feel so loved. Someone get me a way to access their systems and I'll do the rest."

The gathered people muttered amongst themselves, unsure of how to go about getting that means of access.

Back on Tatooine, another young woman was having about as much luck in her endeavors.

"Jarra, please! I have the money for a room, you know that. Why won't you rent it to me?"

The woman named Jarra snorted, "Really? Do you want a list? Let's start with how you scavenge parts to sell to Watto. He told me about that. He also told me that you're a Jedi. I don't accept Jedi in here."

"I haven't been a Jedi in years, don't be ridiculous. If I was a Jedi, I wouldn't be here and scavenging for parts to sell, now would I?"

"It doesn't matter, go somewhere else."

Jarra slammed the door and Bas muttered something very unkind.

"Typical," she muttered, "She just had to go and tell that story to Watto to try and scare him… Dammit, Rev, why do you always make my life complicated?"

Okay, here is the second chapter. Now, this isn't revised or anything, I didn't get many reviews on the first chapter, and the one person who tried to guess who Nidora is unfortunately didn't get it (I had hope though, those were some good guesses, MMM73181). Now, this chapter should make it a lot easier, and this is also your last chance to guess. Next chapter will be the podrace and I can hopefully get us off Tatooine, too. I honestly only originally planned for one or two chapters set in Phantom Menace, but that shows how good my planning skills are. At the rate we're going here, with these really short chapters, it'll be about five or six.

Also, in regards to chapter length, I'm trying to make them longer, but it's hard to do right now, with my brain not wanting to cooperate and all. I've got tons of ideas for how to go about all this in the future, but TPM is a sticking point for me. As a side note, this story is supposed to cover TPM, AoTC and the years in between the two, but we'll see. I might separate them differently. Regardless, this is the first in a series.

To wrap all of that up, I'm looking for a beta reader. I'm desperate for a beta reader. I would prefer someone with access to Google Docs, that how I usually do joint documents, but I'm cool with DocX (Just let me figure out how to use it first XD). But please, this is the first time I've actually asked for a beta reader, ever. I ask because I'm really invested in this stories and the sequels I've planned and I want them to be good. I want them to be among some of the best work I've ever written. I want to be able to use this work in college creative writing classes (like the one I'm taking this summer) and be able to get a perfect grade. Someone do me a solid here. I'm even willing to beta for beta if I need to. Please. I beg of you.

Anyway, I'll see you guys next chapter and keep up the turnout, I was really impressed with the number of views for the last chapter.