Chapter 2
Anakin leaves his empty place of residence. He has been living there for the past years. His mother died when Anakin was six - he thinks -, leaving the boy alone in the galaxy. He misses her. Not a day goes by where Anakin doesn't think of her...
He is determined to become a champion podracer.
He is using that motivation to free himself from slavery, knowing that his mother would have wanted that for him. Anakin haven't yet been successful and so he has to continue working for the Toydarian. Fortunately, he is very... lenient at times...
Unbeknownst to Watto, Anakin have disabled his slave chip a long time ago. He hasn't yet have it removed but he knows that he should remain unaffected.
It was the same day in and day out. Unfortunately, whilst he is determined to free himself, he'd lost the motivation to complete Threepio so he regrettably scrapped the Droid that he once had ambition to create. He needs to work endlessly so he doesn't be on the receiving end of Watto's wrath.
It have been another day, working daily. Watto gave him money - Anakin doesn't know why the Toydarian seems to soften up against him - and allowed him to pick parts of his choosing. Anakin returns, wanting to see what can he recover from the scrap-pile as there are things of virtue despite most of them are useless pieces of junk. He is slowly building a pod racer so he can participate in more races.
Watto mustn't know of his plan, of his dreams of freeing all the other slaves. If he finds out, he may be given to the Hutts and... well everyone knows what happens to them.
That is when he sees them. Three robed figures enters Watto's shop. Who are they?
Anakin's first instinct is to somehow alert the Toydarian. These have happened before. Usually they are other slavers attempting to steal, but typically everyone knows Watto's things are pieces of junk so must be some idiots!
Still, Anakin doesn't know what they would do to him if they see him so he crouches behind the rubble and stares at them. They load up pretty much everything of value such as Watto's fuel supply that he "borrowed" from so thugs and even the hyperdrive.
Anakin scowls slightly. That's suppose to be for his future ship...
In minutes, they are gone, and Anakin follows behind them. He keeps hidden behind buildings, not wanting the robed figure to see him. Maybe this can be a way off of Tatooine...
He'd tried but either were unsuccessful or he got creepy vibes but something is motivating him for following behind them...
Now he feels something agreeing with him, provoking him to follow behind the robes individuals.
Finally, he makes it back to their ship and stares on in surprise. He knows ships, have worked on them, and even came close to flying them before. Unfortunately, all of the ships had either trackers or were barely functional, but now...
The starship boasts a strikingly beautiful design that embodies the craftsmanship that prevails in Anakin's eyes. A quick inspection tells him that the polished, streamlined unnamed vessel lacks any offensive weaponry, but does feature strong shields and a competent hyperdrive.
Who are these people?
Anakin sneaks in board, looking around frantically. He begins to make his way to the back of the ship, hoping that someone wouldn't spot him. He is satisfied when he draws himself closer, tripping over a crate in the process, and grunting.
His eyes immediately shoot up to the entrance and he leaps for cover. Moments later, a dark figure enters, staring around with narrowed eyes. Soon, the figure is gone, and Anakin sighs in relief. He will have to just buy his time until morning and then he can leave.
Anakin is fighting to stay conscious at first but eventually the sleep comforting embrace consumes him.
"Sabé! You must run!"
Sabé immediately snaps to attention, knowing that the Droids would soon overwhelm their forces. They are nobody here to help them, and the Viceroy may as well win this day.
"And leave you, your Majesty?! Never!" Sabé barks back, firing her own blaster.
No matter the amount of Droids collapsing, they continue to come at them with vengeful passion, their bolts connecting with endless amount of Nubians.
The blaster bolts comes to an end mercifully...
What is this?
Finally, a cloaked figure storms through, glaring at them with golden eyes. They are shocked when a bursting lightsaber activates, and he chops through the Nubians.
"Your Majesty, run!" Panaka shouts.
Padmé's face reddens, and the idiot stops!
Sabé grabs onto Padmé's arm tightly, only to spare a look back to see the hooded figure grabbing their beloved Captain into the air. He reaches for his throat, the blaster collapsing onto the ground, before he is cut through.
How can a Jedi do that to them?!
Side-by-side Padmé and Sabé runs to the hanger. The Queen continues to fire her blaster while Sabé finds Eirtaé.
"Come on, Eirtaé, prepare the ships!"
The Droids are chasing after them and so is the hooded figure, mowing through Nubians like they are animals. Eirtaé prepares the starship while Rabé, Yané, and Saché fire their blasters alongside other Nubians.
When the ship is finally prepared, they all prepare to come on board when Sabé notices Padmé seems to be immoveable. Her face freezes up in horror, her grip over the blaster loosening...
Curious about her lack of movement, Sabé's tears become increasingly obvious.
"Padmé! Come on!"
"Run, Sabé, don't look back!" Padmé shouts when she is yanked backwards into the arms of the cloaked figure who is still holding the blaster bolts off with the bloody lightsaber
"Padmé!" Sabé shouts, only for Rabé to grab her arms.
"Come on, we have to go!"
Sabé fights. "Padmé, no!"
Padmé looks at her solemnly and whispers. "I love you, my sister..."
Sabé starts as she snaps out of the nightmare. No the memory. She always have been quite an early waker but she finds herself incapable of sleeping more and more. Aside from cooking a good breakfast for the rest, she has to admit that taking a quick walk on any planet always work successfully to vent her steam. Additionally, whatever the people they had robbed from may have some good rations.
She walks to the back of the ship, and she peers in the crate, grabbing a bar. She is about to unwrap it when she catches sight of...
"The kark?" She pushes the crates aside and sees...
What the kriff?!
A boy is sleeping on his back. He looks so incredibly malnourished and dirty, having a certain smell that makes Sabé wonders when did he last bathe. It makes her nose turn upright. She wants to do further investigation when she remembers she will have to inform the others, and may have to go back to the miserable town to return the kid to his parents...
Not wanting to startle the child, Sabé returns to the crew quarters. She didn't want to wake the others but Eirtaé, Yané, and Saché are known for having their heads in the clouds and not having the capabilities to handle situations.
After ushering her further, Rabé eventually creaks an eye open.
"Yes?" She asks in an irritated tone.
"Rabé," Sabé states, "I believe I am going crazy."
"What do you mean?" Rabé grunts in frustration, turning away from her. "You know what - I don't want to know. Just go back to sleep."
"Rabé!" Sabé snaps, causing her to groan. "I swear there's a stowaway on board!"
"Ugh, where is this stowaway of yours?" Rabé asks, sitting up with a annoyed sneer. "There better actually be one or else."
Now seeing that she has her attention, Sabé commands. "Follow me."
Murmuring behind her all type of curses, Rabé stands up and fllows the woman to the back of the ship. Sabé finds herself smirking somewhat at the curses that Rabé is saying.
When she removes the crates, she reveals their little 'stowaway' and Rabé's at full attention.
"What the kark?!" Rabé shouts.
The boy's eyes snaps open, staring up at both of the ladies. He gasps, hitting his head hard...
"Stay away from me!" The boy yells, trembling at the sight of them.
Rabé's first instinct is to walk over to him but she fights that instinct. "Kid, you're okay. We are not going to hurt you."
The kid runs away to the corner, shivering in a pitiful sight that makes Sabé almost feels bad for him. Rabé's heart clenches tightly at such a sight.
"Why did you sneak on our ship?" Sabé asks suspiciously, staring at him.
"Sabé, don't be so interrogative with him. He's a child." Rabé replies, approaching him slowly while Sabé stands back, feeling remorse for treating him like that. "We are not going to hurt you. Look."
Rabé grabs her blaster before tossing it across the room. At a simple indication from her friend, Sabé does the same, keeping in line behind the woman.
Finally, Rabé lowers before the boy and places her hand on his shoulder. The boy lunges backwards, fighting persistently to keep her off of him.
"Hey, do you want some food? I admit I don't know what's in here but we have to try new things." Rabé says, moving to the crates and opening it up before handing a small bar to him. The child grabs it quickly and open it, struggling for several moments, but finally is successful to rip it open. The poor thing appears so hungry that he can probably eat hundred of snack bars and still feel hungry, but he is still cautious of the ladies when taking a bite. When it comes close, the boy quickly devours it.
"Okay, now we each understand one another, let's talk. Do you have a family that I can bring you home to?" The boy shake his head and begins to shudder.
"Okay. Do you want to come with us? We can keep you safe and we can give you food and warmth." The boy thinks about it for a second, but at the sound of food, warmth, and safety, the boy nods and embraces Rabé around the neck. Sabé is taken aback. Rabé have never hugged by a child before, but she hugs him back, lifting him up and bringing him closer to the light.
He stares between them, realizing quickly if he can trust them.
"Hey, where are you two?" A voice asks in her comlink, sounding completely irritated.
"Come to the back," Sabé replies while Rabé is rubbing gentle circles into his back. "We'll explain it when you get here."
"Okay?" Eirtaé replies, confusion in her tone.
Eirtaé, Yané, and Saché comes in, and at the sight of the child, they each start. What in the galaxy is going on here? Where did the kid come from?
"What is he doing here?" Saché asks, worried.
"We're trying to figure that out ourselves," Sabé responds, folding her arms across her chest.
Eirtaé stares between Rabé and Sabé before crouching before the kid.
"Hey there, little guy, where did you come from?" Eirtaé asks.
He leans into Rabé, seeming to trust her the most. A hand rubbing into his back reassures him that he is safe and that he can trust the woman..
"Here on Tatooine," he replies innocently.
"I'm sure your parents are worried about you." Saché states, undoubtedly recognizing the situation for what it is.
"I don't have parents," the boy responds, and there is a pain in those blue eyes.
"Family?" Yané inquires softly.
"No," the boy replies.
"What can we do?" Yané asks.
"Bring him with us," Saché replies.
Sabé feels a sting in her chest as she regards the other Handmaidens, causing them to all stare with a defiant glare. She sighs, knowing better than trying to stop them. "Very well, you can come with us for a while. Do you have anything back home we can get while Eirtaé here works on the ship?"
The child hesitates briefly. "No." His eyes brightens. "I can help you repair the ship. I have repaired ships before."
They actually chuckle softly. The kid seems to be a eager soul. And something about him... feels alluring. They all feel the urge to protect the kid, keep him close...
"Please," he says, and his eyes suggest hurt.
Sabé places her head in her hands.
Please don't cry...
Fortunately, he doesn't...
"I can work with it," Eirtaé assures the other upon a quick look. "Come on... do you have a name?"
The boy perks up and then grimaces as if he has a reason to be afraid of them.
"Anakin Skywalker."
Arthur's note: Sorry, folks, Threepio is sadly scrapped for now. I love my Golden Droid but I don't see Anakin having any motivation to complete him after Shmi died.
So they met though it would be a interesting relationship to tackle.
May the Force be with you all always.