Star Trek: TMP

USS Dreadnought, NCC-59285

[Authors Note: It has been brought to my attention that some of you are confused ST timeline wise this takes place? Well I hope this clears it up: A few months after the events of Star Trek Picard Season 3]

Chapter 2: Tatooine.

"We have been able to link our navigation computer to their star charts captain, meaning we can now successfully warp to any destination in this galaxy."

"Excellent news. Helm, set course for Tattooine at maximum warp." Decker replied before walking back into the conference room, once again he sat down at the table.

The stars outside the window stretched before disappearing as the starship and her two companion ships warped space.

Once they were underway, The man turned back to face his guests.

"Due to the...unusual nature of your request. I am giving you two days to investigate the planet before we continue on to Coruscant, I cannot in good conscience leave the people of Naboo to possibly suffer longer just because of your 'force' mission." Captain Decker explained.

"We appreciate any and all assistance captain." Qui Gon replied respectfully.

~ - ~

"This is Ensign Richards, he will be your shuttle pilot for the next two days." Captain Decker stated, gesturing to a young coffee skinned male officer with short brown hair.

"A nice looking ship you got." Padme said kindly, looking over the vessel that was in front of them.

"Thanks, this is a type 14 shuttlecraft. Kind of our all the round shuttle used for maintenance flights, first contact missions and more. She's more than up to the task of taking you to Tatooine and back." Ensign Richards replied with a smile.

"Impressive." Obi Wan noted.

"Well then, follow me if you'd please." Ensign Richards gestured to the shuttle.

~ - ~

After landing where Qui Gon had suggested, Ensign Richards had opted to stay behind and guard the ship from any scavengers or those who wished to steal the ship. Obi Wan volunteered to stay and help.

And so Qui Gon, Padme, Jar Jar and the two S31 Officers exited the shuttle, a blue force field appearing over the exit doors after they had done so.

"I'm sorry but what are you doing?" Obi Wan asked upon seeing the semi translucent blue energy field.

"Hmm? Oh the scanners are picking up a sandstorm so the computer has erected a protective force field. It will still let oxygen in but the sand, bacteria and heat will remain outside so we will be perfectly safe." The shuttle pilot told him, having looked up from his console to see what Obi Wan was worried about.

"So this force field works on planets?" Obi wan assumed, impressed once again by Starfleet technology.

"Oh not just planets but in space too, if an airlock or hangar door is damaged or needs maintenance then we activate forcefield emitters and its safe to work. Its efficient and less time and energy consuming than say, evacuating a whole hangar." The shuttle pilot replied with a shrug, turning back to continue his work.

~ - ~

Upon walking through the entrance to Mos Eisley, Padme was surprised to see a wealthy amount of different species walking about.

Trandoshans, Zabrak, Twileks and many many more.

"What are all these columns?" The young woman asked, gesturing to the eight feet tall metal devices that had antennas and a cylindrical design.

"Most parts of this area are made up by moisture farmers, those are the moisture evaporators that said farmers use not to mention the indigenous tribes and scavengers." Qui Gon explained, having been to many planets and was thus used to seeing such equipment.

The S31 Officers kept their eyes up, looking everyone and everything over. They were the security detail after all, and while they had been given orders to take in what they could about Tatooine, their main objective was still to keep Qui Gon, Jar Jar and Padme safe.

"We must be careful, spaceports like this one are common for those who want to hide and remain hidden." The Jedi added as they walked under a large banner.

"Like us." Padme muttered, averting her eyes from a group of tall thugs who were eying her like a piece of meat.

-- - -

"What have you found, Lord Maul?"

"The Naboo queen has made her way to the Hutt controlled planet of Tatooine master, however she is not alone." Maul reported.

"Explain." Sidious urged his apprentice, his eyes narrowed.

"She is being guarded by three unusual starships, I believe these are the same ships that decimated Nute Gunray's vulture droids. I am unable to ascertain their technological status as all of my scans are being deflected, I meditated using the force but once I began to I became...troubled." Maul replied, averting his eyes as he felt his master glare at him.

"Troubled?" Sidious hummed, intrigued.

"Yes master... there are no doubt hundreds or people on these ships, but they have no signature in the force. I know they are there, and that they are alive but there seems to be a...barrier. like the Force cannot fully reach them. I tried to reach a mind on the ship but was unable to, like something plucked my presence from them and tossed it aside." The young Zabrak explained.

"Continue to the planet, search on foot for the queen and ambassadors. They must not make it to Coruscant, I will meditate on your findings. Do not fail me Lord Maul." Sidious replied, cutting off the transmission there and then.

"Yes...my master." Maul muttered once he was alone.

~ - ~

"A dark and enraged presence you say?" Captain Decker blinked.

"Yes captain, It was unlike anything I had ever felt before. Almost animalistic but very powerful, My instincts told me to push it off its target and so I did so, it is now gone. But I thought it best to let security and you know right away." A young blonde officer explained.

"Thank you... you have been most helpful." The captain replied, dismissing her with a gesture.

The officer nodded before leaving the room, heading back to perform her duties on the ship.

'Queen Amidala' leaned forward, seeming to be very confused by that whole conversation. "What troubles you Captain Decker?" she asked.

She and her handmaidens had been invited to talk with the captain and his wife in his ready room while the landing party was on Naboo, they had discussed naboo's rich history and ways they could utilise those who knew of it in the senate to empathise with the current situation. Then Captain Decker's security chief had entered the room, whispered in Decker's ear and then the blonde walked in and began to talk.

"Lieutenant Marilla is a betazoid. Her species has very strong mental abilities such as telepathy, empathy and a few other less intensive powers. If what she has felt is true then the landing party might be in danger. Excuse me." He replied, getting up from his chair to return to the bridge, he had to get word to Qui Gon that something could be heading their way.

~ - ~

"We'll try one of these smaller shops, the Force is certainly guiding me to someone around here..." Qui Gon said.

It had been a few hours, with the group having searched many despicable places, including a few clubs and bars, only to be met with nothing but disappointment.

It seemed that whatever or whoever Qui Gon was looking for was nowhere to be found.

That was until, they entered this small store on the side of the street. There was very little foot traffic to area, with only a few droids and I'll dressed humans walking about their business.

A small chime notified the owner that somewhere had entered the store. A small dark blue male Toydarian jumped into the air and flapped over to greet his potential customers.

"Good day to you my friend, what are you looking for?" he asked, his voice gravelly and tone overly friendly.

Deciding to stick to their cover story, which was looking for parts for the queen's ship. Qui Gon replied: "We need parts for a J type, 327 Nubian?"

"Are yes, Nubian, we have lots of that!" The short male creature chuckled, gesturing for them to follow him deeper into the building. "Boy, get in here now!" He yelled out, his voice losing the friendly tone for a moment as he did so.

A small blonde human, approximately four point two foot High ran in through the back, his crystal blue eyes wide and his face covered in dust and sand. "I was cleaning the fan switches." He replied as the Toydarian asked him where he had been.

"Well watch the store while I attend to these people." The same Toydarian ordered. "Anyway, let's go out back and see if we can get what you need." The flying creature then said, turning to face Qui Gon.

The young human boy signed and climbed onto the store table, glad to get a rest but annoyed that once again there was no water left for him on the table. 'Watto and his promises..' He thought.

After a few minutes of Padme, Jar Jar and the s31 officers walking around the storefront, the young boy decided to ask something that has been on his mind. "Are you an angel?"

Padme blinked, not having heard that before. "What?'

"Are you an angel, I heard the deep space pirates talk about them. They are the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego I think." The boy replied.

Padme walked over with a small smile on her face. "You're a funny little boy, how do you know so much?"

"I listen to all the traders and star pilots that come through here. I'm a pilot you know, and some day l am going to fly away from this place." He replied.

"You're a pilot?" Padme smiled, letting the boy tell her about his hopes and dreams.

"Yup, all my life." The boy said with a grin.

"How long have you been here?" Padme asked, this boy was interesting and very friendly. It seemed not all of Tatooine was so horrible after all.

"Since I was very little, three I think. My mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us to Watto after betting on the pod races." The boy revealed.

"You're a slave?" Padme blinked, shock and horror evident in her eyes. She was completely aghast. Slavery still existed in the galaxy?

"My name is Anakin, and I'm a person." The boy scowled in reply, blue eyes narrowed. He was incredibly defensive and had surprisingly changed moods quite quickly.

"Sorry." Padme muttered, averting her eyes. She felt incredibly embarrassed. She shouldn't have reacted the way she did. It was unbecoming of a handmaiden.

(End of chapter two)

Hope you are all enjoying so far, I look forward to your reviews and thoughts!