***Chapter 7***
Lexi sighs heavily as she flops back from where she was perched on the arm of the couch, onto the couch itself.
"Problem, Padawan?" 'Oru asks
"No, I just love waiting for the Council to agree to see us," Lexi replies with a smirk. "It's taking them forever!"
"You could always do your saber drills, or study your lessons."
"I've done my drills for the day, and I'm weeks ahead in my lessons." Perhaps I shouldn't have admitted being ahead in my lessons…he may end up doubling my work load. "And Obi-Wan should have contacted me by now. He said it would be a very simple mission."
"Patience, Lexi, patience. You will see Obi-Wan again soon. I know your relationship is new and exciting, but give the guy some space."
Lexi groans and rolls her eyes. She swings her feet around and gets up off the couch, walking over to her Master and placing her hands on his shoulders.
"First of all, Obi and I have been…more than friends for almost a year now." Her eyes become distant and begin to change from a royal blue to a deep purple as her thoughts travel back to the first time she realized he felt those same 'more than friends' feelings that she had been feeling for so long.
"Has it really been that long?" 'Oru says, interrupting her thoughts and drawing her back to the present.
"What? I mean, yes, Master. But that's not the point. It's not Obi-Wan I'm concerned about. It was Qui-Gon who was killed in my vision."
"You saw him struck down, not necessarily killed. But think of how it will look to the Council. Padawan relationships aren't discouraged, but they're not encouraged either. If they think you are out of balance with the Force because you are focusing on your relationship rather than your duties…"
"I risk being expelled, I know. But again, that's not it at all! I'm worried about…"
"Master Jinn, I know. And you know. But you know you are always walking a thin line with Master Windu. You drive him nuts," 'Oru teases, trying to ease Lexi's tension.
"That isn't hard to do, Master."
'Oru grins, "Yes, but you seem to have a special talent for it. Give it some more time. If we don't hear from them soon, and if the Council still hasn't honored my request for a meeting, then I'll press the issue."
Lexi sighs again, but a more relaxed sigh this time. "Thank you again, Master. For putting up with me these past few years…I know it's not easy."
"But it's always an adventure," 'Oru laughs. "But, to make up for all the trouble, how about you whip me up one of those amazing dinners you are so good at. It will keep you busy while you wait."
I swear, guys always think with their stomachs. Lexi gives her Master a half grin and heads off to the kitchen.
The sandstorm rages as Anakin leads Qui-Gon, Padmé, Jar Jar, and R2 to his hovel. The blinding, choking whirlwind tears at their clothes and exposed skin with relentless force. The light turns a yellowish gray and the buildings seem to disappear in a deep, impenetrable haze.
As they enter the small living space, Anakin hollers, "Mom, Mom! I'm home!"
Anakin's mother, Shmi Skywalker, enters from her work area. She is startled to see her hovel filled with strangers. Shmi is a friendly woman, around 40 years old. She has long brown hair that she wears tied back. Her clothing is rough and simple.
"These are my friends, Mom," Anakin beams.
"I'm Qui-Gon Jinn. Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter." The Jedi Master says politely.
Anakin takes the opportunity to get some alone time with Padmé. He takes her to his room to show her the droid he has been working on. R2 follows, beeping all the way. Anakin uncovers an android, lying on a workbench. The droid only has one eye and its body, arms, and legs have no outer coverings. He pushes a switch and the droid sits up, complaining that it can't see. Anakin quickly grabs an eye and puts it in the empty socket.
The droid introduces himself as C-3PO, human-cyborg relations. Padmé is impressed, much to Anakin's delight. He tells her that when the storm is over he will show her the podracer he is building.
While Anakin and Padmé chat, C-3PO walks over to R2 and introduces himself. R2 lets out a stream of beeps and whistles.
"I beg your pardon," C-3PO replies to R2, "what do you mean…naked?" R2 beeps in reply.
"My parts are showing? My goodness!"
The storm continues to rage throughout the day. With everyone else occupied, Qui-Gon moves off alone to a corner of the hovel for some privacy and contacts Obi-Wan on the comlink. Obi-Wan moves to the cockpit for privacy and relays what they could pick up from the transmission received from Naboo.
"The Queen is upset, but absolutely no reply was sent."
"It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace. You made the right choice, Obi-Wan."
"What if it is true and the people are dying?"
Qui-Gon sighs, "Either way, we're running out of time."
A short time later, the group sits down to eat dinner. The storm continues to howl outside as Anakin and Shmi begin to explain the life of a slave to Padmé. Qui-Gon and Padmé sit at opposite ends of the table with Jar Jar and Anakin seated between them. Shmi sits across from Anakin.
"All slaves have transmitters placed inside their bodies somewhere," Shmi explains.
"I've been working on a scanner to try and locate mine," Anakin announces.
"Any attempt to escape…"
"And they blow you up! Boom!"
Padmé and Jar Jar are horrified. Padmé doesn't understand how slavery can possibly still exist in the galaxy with the Republic's anti-slavery laws. Shmi explains to her that the Republic doesn't exist on Tatooine. They have to survive on their own. The conversation dulls to an awkward silence. Jar Jar snatches some food from a bowl across the table with his tongue. Qui-Gon gives him a 'cut it out' look. To break the awkwardness Anakin asks if anyone has ever seen a podrace.
"They have podracing on Malastare," Qui-Gon replies. "Very fast. Very dangerous."
"I'm the only human who can do it," Anakin says proudly.
"You must have Jedi reflexes if you race pods."
Anakin smiles at Qui-Gon's comment. Jar Jar uses the distraction to try and snag another morsel of food from the bowl across the table, but Qui-Gon is ready. His hand moves swiftly, and in a heartbeat the Gungan's tongue is trapped between Qui-Gon's thumb and forefinger. Jar Jar is frozen with surprise.
"Don't do that again," Qui-Gon advises.
Jar Jar mumbles a reply. Qui-Gon releases the Gungan's tongue and it snaps back into place.
Anakin looks directly at Qui-Gon, "You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?"
The two sit in silence, staring at each other. Padmé looks a little worried that their cover has been blown. "What makes you think that?" Qui-Gon finally asks.
"I saw your laser sword. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon."
Qui-Gon leans back and slowly smiles, "Perhaps I killed a Jedi and stole it from him."
Anakin shakes his head, "I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi."
Qui-Gon's smile quickly fades and sadness fills his eyes, "I wish that were so."
"I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves. Have you come to free us?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
"I think you have. Why else would you be here?"
Qui-Gon pauses for a moment, and then leans forward. "I can see there's no fooling you, Annie. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission."
Anakin can't understand why they are on Tatooine, in the outer rim, when they were headed for Coruscant. Padmé explains that their ship was damaged on the way and they are stuck until they can repair it. Anakin swiftly offers his repair services.
"I believe you can fix anything," Qui-Gon smiles, "but first we must acquire the parts we need."
"Wit no-nutten mula to trade," Jar Jar interjects.
The group discusses what options they have. Shmi tells them the junk dealers' weakness is gambling. She tells them that everything revolves around betting on the podraces.
"Podracing," Qui-Gon ponders. "Greed can be a powerful ally."
Anakin tells the group about his podracer and an upcoming race. He tries to convince them to enter his pod in the Boonta Eve race. Shmi doesn't like Anakin racing and tells him Watto won't let him.
That argument doesn't deter Anakin. Watto doesn't know about his racer and Anakin is sure that will work to their advantage. Qui-Gon can see how the direction of the conversation is upsetting Shmi. She tries to talk Anakin out of it, telling him she doesn't want him to do it. She explains that it is painful enough to deal with when Watto forces him to race. Anakin, however, loves racing and wants desperately to help his new friends.
"Anakin!" Shmi says sternly, trying to end the conversation once and for all.
"Your mother's right," Qui-Gon says softly. "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who can help us?"
Shmi sighs and shakes her head, "No."
"Mom, you said the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other."
"I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger," Padmé offers. "We'll find some other way."
Shmi looks over to Padmé with a sad smile, "No, there is no other way. I may not like it, but he can help you. He was meant to help you."
Darth Sidious stands on a high balcony overlooking Coruscant. He stares out at the lights of the city against the night sky. His apprentice, Darth Maul, waits to the side. Maul waits for awhile, but impatience gets to him and he speaks, breaking into Sidious' thoughts.
"Tatooine is sparsely populated. If the trace was correct, I will find them quickly, Master."
"Move against the Jedi first. You will then have no difficulty taking the Queen to Naboo to sign the treaty."
"At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge."
Sidious is certain that with Maul's training, and the element of surprise on their side, the Jedi will be no match.
