Tatooine's twin suns rose unceremoniously the next morning, promising an especially sweltering day. Both Shmi and Adrina experienced a restless night's sleep and were loath to start the day. But it could not be delayed: the Boonta Eve was upon them and Anakin would race. The pod had been completed late during the night – destroying Adrina's last hope that Ani wouldn't be able to race – and was ready for transport.
Anakin prattled away during breakfast, oblivious to the women's stony silence; he was focused solely on the Boonta Eve Classic. After breakfast, the party rode to the arena on Eopies, hauling the pod behind them in pieces. Watto flew up to Anakin upon them entering the hangar of the arena. "Bonapa keesa pateeso, o wanna meetee chobodd," Watto cautioned, chortling.
Anakin frowned, looking down at Qui-Gon, who had gone on before.
"What'd he mean by that?" Anakin asked curiously. Irritation flashed through Adrina when Qui-Gon refused to explain, merely promising answers later.
Adrina gripped Shmi's hand tightly as they wished Anakin luck before moving onto their viewing platform. They kept their eyes fixed on Anakin, relying on the view screen to follow him around the track when he zoomed out of view after a rocky beginning. Watching his pod sputter at the starting zone, Adrina knew he'd been sabotaged. Her heart stuttered. Even though he soared down the track, there was no telling what else might have been tampered with – and the slightest mechanical issue was likely to be deadly in the Boonta Eve Classic.
Other pods completed their first circuit with no sign of Anakin. Finally, he barreled around the corner to complete his first circuit. Already the ranks had thinned, and thinned further before Anakin completed his second circuit. With Anakin's skill and several other contestants being out of the race, Anakin steadily maintained second place. The third circuit brought bloody palms for Adrina. Sebulba brought out some of his dirtiest tricks in attempts to knock Anakin out of the competition and Adrina could hardly bear to watch. But Adrina whooped when Sebulba's cheats brought on mechanical failures of his own and skidded to a halt just out of sight of the finish line.
Adrina and Shmi collapsed against each other, tears of joy streaming down their faces, as Anakin soared across the finish line, securing first place. Hugs became a currency in the hanger after the race. Neither mother or sister cared about the grime that coated Anakin.
"We owe you everything," Padmé said. The sincerity in her voice gave Adrina pause. She stared at the woman for a long moment before looking away without a response.
Anakin looked around with wide eyes, almost frantic with elation. "Just feeling this good was worth it," he admitted.
Qui-Gon approached the happy group and softly requested to speak with Shmi and Adrina alone. The two women glanced at each other, but reluctantly left the champion.
"What is it, Qui-Gon?" Shmi asked when they were out of earshot. "Is something the matter?" Adrina didn't like Qui-Gon's silence.
"Your son has been freed," Qui-Gon said quietly. Shmi leaned against Adrina for support, even though her daughter had gone nearly as weak herself.
"What?" Adrina hissed, shocked and in disbelief.
Qui-Gon gave them a small smile. "Watto has learned an important lesson about gambling, I think." Broad smiles broke out on Shmi and Adrina's faces. The details didn't matter – it only mattered that their beloved Anakin was free. Adrina hardly dared believe the stranger until she caught sight of Watto's angry face as he left the hanger.
"Will you take him with you?" Shmi asked. Adrina momentarily recoiled.
Qui-Gon nodded with a small smile. "Anakin is strong in the Force. I may be able to convince the Council to allow me to train him." Adrina frowned. She wondered what had changed his mind.
Shmi stood straight, her brown eyes widening. "Ani is to become a Jedi?" Her voice trembled with proud apprehension. Adrina studied Qui-Gon carefully.
Then, Qui-Gon hesitated. "Perhaps. We cannot be sure until we reach Coruscant and speak with the Jedi Council. But I do intend to take him as my apprentice."
That was enough for Shmi. She nodded, dazed. "Ani will be so happy," she murmured. She offered Qui-Gon a tentative smile. "He's always wanted to be a Jedi, ever since he learned about them. I hope your Council agrees with you." Qui-Gon smiled.
"And if this Jedi Council refuses?" Adrina asked slowly, quietly. "What happens to Ani then? Will he be abandoned, tossed to the streets?"
Shmi looked at Adrina sharply, but Qui-Gon only shook his head. "Whatever the Council's decision, I promise you this: young Anakin will not be abandoned. I will ensure he is safe and cared for, no matter what happens. But I am confident the Jedi Council will agree to train Anakin; he is strong in the Force."
Adrina clasped her hands behind her back and studied the Jedi's boots. Qui-Gon's calm response was only partially satisfactory. She had heard pretty words before. Life could be better with Qui-Gon's hopes than a slave's lot, but Adrina balked at the reality of sending Ani – her baby brother, a mere child – off alone on the whim of a Jedi. They could be dooming him to a worse fate.
"What about Rina?" Shmi asked suddenly. "Can she go with you, too?"
Adrina's eyes widened. "Mom! Don't be ridiculous." She squeezed Shmi's hand. "I have made my peace."
Shmi sighed. "Rina, I'll be fine, I've made it alone before. You have lived too long in the shadows." Shmi turned to the Jedi. "Can she?"
Qui-Gon grimaced slightly. "I tried to free both of you, but Watto would not have it. I'm afraid I could free only one."
"I have made my peace." She squeezed Shmi's hand again, hoping she could see her sincerity.
"But if she was free? Would you take her?" Shmi pressed, ignoring her daughter.
Qui-Gon nodded slowly. "I would gladly take her with us, but the price is high."
"The price is our own concern," Shmi stated firmly.
"Mom…." Adrina shook her head. "You should go, not me."
Shmi grasped her daughter by the shoulders. "Adrina," Shmi began. "You must go with Qui-Gon. I can't explain it, but somehow I know that you have to go with him. I'll be fine here by myself. Go . Live the life that you couldn't here. Be happy, child."
Tears clouded Adrina's vision. She pulled her mother in for a long hug. "Why would you take me?" Adrina turned to Qui-Gon when she pulled away. "I'm not like Anakin. I can't be a Jedi." She didn't think she wanted to be one, even if she could be.
Qui-Gon cleared his throat. "I have reason to believe that you are." Adrina blinked. "You healed your cut with the Force, Adrina, after the sandstorm. While you are undeniably too old for the Council to even consider training to become a Jedi Knight, there are other paths open to you."
"See, Rina? There is no future for you on Tatooine. There is on Coruscant, in the Republic. Did we not always wish to be free?" Shmi squeezed her daughter's hand, desperately searching her face for signs of disagreement. A tear slipped down Adrina's cheek. Shmi framed Adrina's face with her hands. "Go, child. Trust your heart." Shmi tapped Adrina's temple. "This intelligent head of yours isn't always right." Adrina gave a shaky laugh, brittle even to her own ears. "Go, child."
Qui-Gon placed a hand on Adrina's shoulder. She leaned away from him. "We must leave soon." Adrina nodded, not meeting Qui-Gon's eyes. She gave Shmi a hug before dashing away.
0
The Eopie ambled at its own slow pace through the hot Tatooine sand, making the long trek even more taxing. Adrina kept as much distance as she could between herself and Qui-Gon, but the Eopie's saddle and Qui-Gon's bulk did not allow her much dignity in that regard. Her hands gripped the fabric covering her thighs. She was grateful that the Eopie's calm gait ensured that her refusal to anchor herself to Qui-Gon was not problematic. Still, she would rather share an Eopie with Qui-Gon than Jar-Jar Binks, who could barely mount the Eopie and seemed altogether to be a bumbling fool. Padmé had the dubious pleasure of riding with the Gungan.
"How did she do it?" Qui-Gon asked after they had left Mos Espa behind.
Adrina pressed her lips firmly together. She looked away and tried not to let guilt wash over her. Shmi had emptied her little purse, filled with coin Adrina had shamefully earned, allowing a Chiss to take explicit holopics, until Shmi put a stop to it. Adrina intended the money to be used to purchase Shmi and Ani's freedom, but now there was no hope for Shmi.
Adrina clenched her fists, not caring when nail pierced skin. The money was never to have been used on her. Never. It should have been Shmi riding behind Master Jinn. Shmi belonged with Anakin far more than she. Guilt and despair ran through her veins.
The rest of the journey was made in welcome silence.
Adrina lost track of the time as the Eopie ambled along. Finally, she could make out a glint of sun against bright metal and the Nubian slowly came into view. Adrina hated the beautiful ship that would tear her family apart. She stared at Qui-Gon's back the remainder of the trip.
The Eopie halted at Qui-Gon's command. "Well, we have all the essential parts we need," Qui-Gon said. Adrina frowned. "I'm going back – some unfinished business. I won't be long."
Before Adrina could question why Qui-Gon was telling her what she already knew, a new male voice sounded. "Why do I get the feeling we're picking up another pathetic life form?"
Irritation flashing through her, Adrina hopped expertly off the Eopie. She glanced at the young man as she descended, but kept her eyes carefully lowered once her feet were planted on the ground. Whoever this man was, he was dressed as a Jedi.
"It was not meant personally," Qui-Gon Jinn told her quietly. "He did not think. Adrina, this is my apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan, this is Adrina Skywalker. She will be accompanying us, as will her brother Anakin."
"Hello," Obi-Wan said. Regret tinged his voice. "I am truly sorry. I should not have said what I did."
Adrina flicked her eyes up to him before once again keeping them down.
"Anakin is responsible for getting us these parts. We owe their family a great deal," Qui-Gon said. "Obi-Wan, get his hyperdrive installed. The sooner we leave, the better."
"Yes, Master. It shouldn't take long." Obi-Wan bowed his head respectfully.
"Adrina, talk with the Queen. She will give you a place to stay. Padmé can take you to her." He leaned down closer to her. "Do not leave this ship. I'll be back in an hour or so."
"And you won't forget Ani, will you?" Adrina tipped her head to look at Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon smiled, shaking his head. "I won't forget." Adrina clasped her hands in front of her, looking down at her feet.
The Eopie swung around at Qui-Gon's nudge. Adrina watched Qui-Gon ride back to Mos Espa with a heavy heart. Hooking her thumbs under the straps of her large black backpack, she turned to see Padmé waiting for her at the top of the landing ramp. Fearful words teetered on the edge of Adrina's tongue, wanting desperately to tell Padmé to go on without her, that she would wait for her brother right there on the Tatooine sands where she belonged. But Qui-Gon had given Adrina an order. And orders were to be obeyed.
"Everything alright?" Obi-Wan's quiet voice didn't startle Adrina as much as the sincerity in his voice and eyes.
"Yes." The lie easily slid out and although his brow furrowed slightly, he seemed to accept her response.
Adrina turned once again to stare out over the shifting Tatooine sands, memorizing the feel of the hot breeze rustling her hair. Fresh pain stabbed her heart. To leave behind her home and the only mother she could ever remember was unthinkable, but so was abandoning her brother in his time of need. Either path brought pain. Each sand particle beneath her feet contained a memory and she ached, knowing she was abandoning them. Soon, too, she would be forced to say goodbye to her precious brother. Her legs trembled and her lungs tightened.
She would be truly alone.
She wasn't like Anakin. She was content on Tatooine. Her dreams of freedom perished long ago. Years had passed since she last laid awake at night, pining for places far, far away. Freedom appealed to her, but not at the cost of leaving her only remaining family. Her freedom wasn't worth losing her family – not again.
In the end, it didn't even matter. She hadn't been given a choice.
Taking a deep breath, Adrina turned away and trudged up the landing ramp. She followed Padmé deeper into the ship, keeping her head high and shoulders squared.
The interior of the sleek Nubian all silver and chrome and light. The walls were gently rounded, giving everything a graceful and elegant appearance. She had grown up surrounded by people from every world, but this was the first time she felt truly alien. Adrina felt shivers run up and down her spine. The air inside was cool – too cool for her taste. The hallway she and Padmé were walking down was only wide enough for two to walk comfortably abreast, making Adrina fear that she would become claustrophobic during the journey; she was accustomed to the open air. Absently, she noted the clean smell of the ship – none of Tatooine's rank had infected the ship. Glancing down at her garments, she wondered how much longer that statement would be true.
Padmé keyed the door open and they stepped quietly through the portal.
The throne room, like the rest of the ship, was silver and chrome. The oval-shaped room had long padded benches on the left and right, and there was a large chair on a dais at the far end of the room. The woman Adrina presumed was the queen sat on the chair, with two young women in flame colored robes standing behind. Padmé took her place among them.
The Queen was wearing an elaborate gown of all black, with long black feathers erupting from the top of her dark headdress. A black beaded chain hung across her painted white forehead. A red dot on each cheek broke the canvas of white. Her lips, too, were coated with white lipstick, with only a red streak down the bottom lip. Fashions, it seemed, varied greatly from the Queen's home world to those of Tatooine. But underneath the heavy make-up, Adrina saw a young woman, perhaps younger than herself. This was the queen of an entire planet?
Adrina walked slowly, stopping in the middle of the room. She stood their awkwardly, not knowing what to say. She clasped her hands nervously behind her back, though her face was impassive. She had spent years tending to Jabba's dancers and their finery, but this was a queen and Adrina keenly felt the disparity between the Queen's exquisite gown and her own rough-spun trousers and jacket and the trail of dust and sand that had followed her into the starship.
"You must be Adrina Skywalker," The Queen stated in a surprisingly deep voice.
Adrina nodded. "Yes, your highness."
"Padmé has told me about you." Adrina wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, or even when Padmé had been in contact with her. "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo."
"Yes," Adrina murmured. There was silence for a moment.
"Padmé," The queen began abruptly. The handmaiden stepped forth from behind the throne. "Show Miss. Skywalker where she may sleep." Padmé dipped into a curtsey and motioned for Adrina to follow. Adrina hesitated before presenting a wobbly curtsey and followed Padmé.
0
Obi-Wan stared hard at the hyperdrive generator. He knew he wasn't the galaxy's greatest mechanic, but he knew he had some talent and he knew how to install the blasted hyperdrive. He must have read the technical read-out a dozen times. Frustration followed naturally when the repairs once again refused to go as planned. The hyperdrive, though it was the exact part they needed, seemed to be faulty in some way.
Obi-Wan looked up when the door hissed open. He blinked, surprised to find Adrina standing just inside the doorway. "Hello," Obi-Wan greeted. Adrina moved over to stand next to him.
"It's not cooperating, is it?" It seemed Adrina was not one for pleasantries.
Obi-Wan's face remained neutral. "What makes you think that?" Obi-Wan asked warily.
Adrina shrugged. She placed a hand on the console, studying it for a brief moment. "They're not really hard to install, once you know what you're doing."
"I know. I've done this before on another ship." Obi-Wan congratulated himself for restraining from making a sarcastic comment.
Adrina shook her head and stepped around to stand next to him. She plucked the hydrospanner from his hand, not waiting to be granted permission.
Obi-Wan frowned. "Have you done this before?"
Adrina glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "Ootmian," Adrina muttered, kneeling to inspect the hyperdrive.
Obi-Wan frowned. "What does that mean?" Obi-Wan asked cautiously, unsure if he was being insulted.
Adrina looked up. "You don't speak Huttese?" She shrugged and turned back to the hyperdrive. "You should. 'Ootmian' means 'outworlders'." She smirked as if there was a joke he wasn't understanding. She angled her face away from him and Obi-Wan knew he wasn't meant to see.
"I'll have to remember that," Obi-Wan murmured. "So, what is your diagnosis?" He pretended he didn't hear the sarcastic inflection in his voice.
"Operator error."
"What?"
Adrina squarely met his eyes and, not breaking contact, flipped a switch. The hyperdrive hummed to life. "Hyperdrives work best when they're on."
Obi-Wan stared at her, feeling incredibly foolish. Heat rose to his cheeks. Adrina turned, expression blank, and walked away.