Chapter 1 – After the Podrace

Set after the pod race of episode 1. Qui Gon is taking him to sell the pod to a buyer before heading back to the ship with Anikin.

Qui Gon Jinn walked alongside Anakin as they were approaching the hanger that stored the pod racer and the respective buyer for it. As they walking a young boy approached them that he recognised from when Anakin first started the racer and during the pod race itself.

"Hey Ani, the town hasn't stopped buzzing over the race."

"We're heading over to sell the racer now."

"Really? I was hoping we'd get to take it out for a few rides before you'd eventually sell it."

"Well…" Anakin replied while looking up at Qui Gon.

"Sorry Anakin, we're pressed for time now and need to make haste," Qui Gon replies to him.

"Sorry Kitster, wanna come with for the sale?"

"Sure, I want to know how much some scrap metal you glued together will sell for," the boy replied with a grin.

Anakin gave a slight chase after him and the two boys ran slightly ahead but not out of sight. They arrived at the same hanger at the race course moments later and saw a twilec waiting by the racer seemingly looking over the vehicle while he waited. Noticing the group approaching he looked up placing his hands together.

"Greeting sir, I am to understand that the winning racer is currently for sale and am I correct in guessing you are the owner?"

"Yes that is correct?" Qui Gon replied ending with a questionable look.

"Of course, I am Welksher. An ambassador for Gardulla the Hutt. As I'm to understand the former owner of the slave in question before Watto won ownership of him. Irony seems to play a part in the slavery trade here on Tatooine," he responded with a slight grin on his face.

Qui Gon was thankful Anakin and his friend had moved to the cockpit part of the pod racer and seemed busy pointing out the features to his friend to notice their conversation. "That seems to be neither a part of this deal or myself, please keep business related to this sale," Qui Gon replied biting back his tongue, although his distaste clear in his tone.

"Ah but it might. My mistress has asked me to enquire as to how much it would cost to reacquire one of her former assets. I assure you whatever the sale of this vehicle is it will seem like pocket change for what the boy is now worth."

"I'm afraid that will not be possible, I have future plans for Anakin and they don't involve this planet any further than this deal."

"Of course, one is always reluctant to part with something of value. However the vehicle in question is another story, we are prepared to purchase the vehicle for this amount of 10,000 credits."

"I thought credits weren't used on this planet."

"They aren't, but as you yourself just stated you are not staying on this planet."

"The funds are going to the repayment of a debt on this planet before leaving."

"I see, then the-"He was cut off when the pod racer suddenly flared to life and took off out of the hanger Anakin and Kit bunched together in the cockpit. After a moment of silence Welksher finally spoke, "I'm afraid the purchase of the vehicle is impossible while it is not in your possession."

"That's understandable. I imagine they will be back shortly if you don't mind waiting." Qui Gon answered rubbing his forehead in frustration.

Qui Gon was thankful Watto had already disabled the slave chip that was inside of Anakin. In order to race in the first place he needed to have it turned off for the time being, and Watto himself arrived a few minutes later to deliver the detonator. Qui Gon disabled the device itself so it was no longer functional and could be used. After half an hour Welksher had departed stating he could not wait any longer and left details on how to contact him when Anakin and Kit returned. That didn't ruin his plans just meant that now Shmi would have to do the sale and negotiate a price herself. Pulling out his communicator with Obi Wan, "Obi Wan."

"Yes master," the reply came after a few moments.

"We have slight trouble with our little helper, he's taken the pod racer for a joyride with his friend before I knew what he was doing."

"Are we leaving then without him then master?"

"No, but prepare the ship for departure. You may need to pick us up on the city's edge to make up for lost time."

"Understood then." Obi Wan answered and the line cut after his words.

The waiting that this new force sensitive child had submitted two Jedi to was quite a bit admirable and gutsy for Obi Wan to admire. Not one of the best traits to have to be considered into the Jedi Order, but a proper teacher such as his own master could remedy that behaviour given enough time. But it did give the crew a chance to test the new engine parts extensively, right then the ship was humming as it was powered up and the captain was fiddling with the controls.

"Padawan Kenobi." Stated one of the Naboo guards.

"Yes?"

"We spotted someone approaching from the cockpit, we think it might be your Master and the boy."

Obi Wan nodded moving to the cockpit to see for himself. He noted what looking like an object moving rapidly towards them, quickly Obi Wan realised that his master didn't have a speed bike and it was too small to be the pod racer that Anakin had taken off in. "That's not Qui Gon, get a team to the ramp!" He shouted pushing past the men behind him to get to the ramp.

Some of the crew were already at the bottom blasters drawn when he got there. The figure arrived moments later swerving around the first volley of blaster fire to leap off sliding through the sand as he balanced himself. To Obi Wan's surprise he pulled out a red sabre and deflected a few shots back towards the ship hitting one man. Obi Wan was about to rush forward but he stumbled slightly as he felt the ship begin to move upwards. The black assailant rapidly moving forward deflecting shots back to the shooters, he must have realised that his target was leaving. A few more men fell backwards dead from their own shots being deflected and Obi Wan deflected a rebound shot again as the ship was now up to five metres in the air and rising. The assailant seemingly jumped with Jedi like agility and landed on the bottom of the ramp, Obi Wan swung his sabre down and the enemy pulled up his own blocking it. Obi Wan noticed the bright yellow eyes he had, and his face was heavily tattooed. Pure instinct took over and he kicked the assassin in the chest. Luckily for Obi Wan the assassin seemed to have not good footing and was trying to steady himself as he landed on the moving surface. Unable to defend against the kick falling back off the ramp. He twisted as he fell down landing on his feet his knees buckling from the fall but glaring up at the escaping ship with pure hatred. Obi Wan deactivated his sabre as captain Panaka entered the room.

"What was that Jedi?" He stated some anger in his voice from losing a few of his men moments ago.

"I'm not sure captain. But it seemed to have Jedi training, most likely was after the Queen. We need to head to Mos Eisly now and pick up my master now."

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

"What?" Obi Wan question looking at him.

"A clear threat has made itself present to the Queens safety, she cannot stay on this planet anymore we need to go straight to Coruscant now."

"My master and that boy are still on the planet with that threat!"

"And I cannot endanger the Queens life for one man and child. Your master is with him, and the assassin was after us. He'll be fine, just might need a pickup team to collect them later." He responded turning and walking into the ship.

Obi Wan hoped he was right that Qui Gon and Anakin would find their own way off the planet, and the assassin would be more focused on the Queen than on his master and the boy.