Power of the Star Forge
We left early in the morning. Qui-Gon had a brief discussion with Watto on who would win. Watto was betting that Sebulba would win, as he had never lost a race. That, and he thought Anakin would be racing. Qui-Gon attempted to negotiate the release the boy and his mother. The toydarian looked nervously in my direction before insisting that only one of them could be used in the bet. I decided to ignore this. After all, I could always use the winnings to buy Shmi after the race. A chance die was tossed to decide whether the boy or the mother would be released if Sebulba lost. Thanks to a small Force nudge, it was decided the boy would be released. Watto flew off, muttering about owning Qui-Gon if he continued to make bets.
Soon it was time for the race. I followed the pod onto the track and began meditating on the seat while the announcements were made. It finished with the usual "can the newcomer hold up with the pros" speech given at every race where someone new turned up. Thankfully my morning was made slightly more interesting when Sebulba became a test subject for the pod's defenses. He attempted to sabotage the racer and received a small electric shock for his troubles. "Can I help you?" I asked the shocked Dug, who ignored me in favour of more defenceless podracers.
After the announcements it was time for the flag bearers to make an appearance. I waited for the burst of surprise that Jabba would give off when he saw mine. In the middle was an oval shape flanked by two half kite shapes. These were separated by a dividing line across the midsection. A symbol that was, and hopefully still is, a legend among the Hutts. And as soon as Bastilla walked in front of my racer I was proven right. The Hutt's still remembered.
Soon the signal was given and I raced off. That was the plan anyway. Despite the precautions taken and the testing, the pod still managed to fail. Fortunately it didn't take long to restart. In these sorts of racing using the Force could be both helpful and dangerous, as the present and future tended to blur. Images of corners would quickly become corners while another image was being formed. So I decided to rely on my physical senses as much as possible, while using the Force to warn me if something dangerous came up.
More problems came up, in the form of Tusken Raiders. Normally I would have caused the cliff to collapse, but I was going too quickly. So I used the Force to predict where and when the Raiders would shoot and evade accordingly. Soon I was on the second lap.
I almost lost a power coupling when Sebulba took out a competitor and nearly caused the remains to crash into me and the Tusken Raiders were still shooting. But otherwise most of the lap had been passed without almost any trouble. Now I just had one last lap.
I stayed behind Sebulba for as long as possible, until I had an opportunity to slip past without being rammed. The opportunity came in the form of a service ramp which launched me straight over the canyon and in front of Sebulba. To make the rest of the race easier I used the Force to make sure he stayed behind me.
Several moments later I was over the finishing line and being greeted by the Skywalker's, Qui-Gon, Padme and Jar-Jar. Several heavily armed humans and Gamorreans accompanying a blue Twilek walked up to us.
"Jabba the Hutt wishes to see you." The twilek said. I told him that I would come immediately and told Qui-Gon to wait before dealing with Watto. He asked why he should take orders from me. "Because the Force is telling me that it would be a better idea if we faced him together." Was my reply. We then had a staring contest before the Jedi master relented. I then allowed the guard to escort me to Jabba the Hutt.
"You have five seconds to explain your flag and whether or not you know of its significance. It could destabilize everything I have gained and built!" Jabba growled in Huttesse. I responded by using the Force to throw all of the guards into the wall and grabbing the Hutt in a choke hold. "And you have five seconds to explain why Darth Revan should have to explain himself to an overgrown slug."
"F-f-forgive me. I was unaware of your identity." I let him go. "I-i-is anything else required, my Lord?" the Hutt asked. "Sure. If you have any business associates regarding the blockade above Naboo, I'd advise you to tell them to leave. Immediately. Or else" I let some electricity crackle around my fingers to finish the threat.
Jabba quickly agreed. "Now, about my prize money?" I asked. The Hutt's eyes shifted to a box in the corner of the room which I levitated over, verified it was all there and began to leave. "Help me, Jabba. You will be rewarded. Betray me Hutt, aid my enemies in any way. You will pay the price." I left.
Qui-Gon and I went to deal with Watto, who of course protested that we'd cheated by entering someone different in the race. "I'm sure the Hutts would love to hear all about it. Particularly as we never specified who would be entering the race." I spoke out while making a slight pinching motion. Watto took both hints and started to head to the hangers. "By the way, I'll be using the remaining money to free Shmi Skywalker from you." I called out after him.
Watto turned. "Or I could kill you, take the parts, Shmi and the money." The Toydarian agreed with the first arrangement and left in a hurry. Qui-Gon gave me a glare. I shrugged. "What? I was never going to actually kill him."
"Jedi do not resort to such threats." Qui-Gon retorted.
"Good thing I'm not a Jedi then. Besides, he's a slaver. He had it coming."
Qui-Gon shook his head and we headed back to the main hanger to obtain the parts and borrowed some eopies to carry them back to the ship.