The next day, Qui Gon and Obi-Wan made their way toward the shop, where they discussed their plan.
"I know we are low on options," Obi-Wan commented. "But is this truly our best option? Trusting our fate to a boy we barely know?"
"I know it's a risk, but it's the only option we have," Qui Gon countered.
"Even so, if this plan fails, we could be stranded here for a long time."
"A ship with a damaged hyperdrive is about as useful as no ship at all. Besides…" Qui Gon paused for a moment. "There is something else…"
That caused Obi-Wan to stop, turning to his former master. "It's the boy, isn't it? You seemed fixated on him all night."
"There's something about him…"
"Like what?"
Qui Gon remained silent for a moment, unsure how to reply. "It is… too soon to say."
Qui Gon then proceeded into the shop, with Obi-Wan following close behind. Inside the shop, he spotted Watto meeting with a woman with white skin and an antenna sticking out of her head. As Watto looked up, he noticed Qui Gon and Obi-Wan entering the shop.
"One moment, please,"Watto told the woman before approaching the two Jedi. "Had a feeling you two would be in today. My boy tells me you want to sponsor him in the upcoming race."
"That is correct," Obi-Wan confirmed.
"And how do you intend to do this, exactly? Republic credits won't cut it, let me tell you."
"Our ship will be the entry fee," Qui Gon offered, pulling out a disk that displayed a holographic display of the ship.
Watto got a good look at it, clearly pleased by the design.
"Not bad. I must admit. Don't come across that many Nubian ships."
"It's in prime condition, aside from the parts I need," Qui Gon continued.
"That's all well and good, but what's he gonna race?" Watto wondered as Anakin walked up holding a box of junk. "He smashed up my last pod. It'll take some time to fix."
"Hey, that wasn't my fault," Anakin protested, placing the box on the counter. "Sebulba flashed me with his vent ports! Besides, I did manage to save the pod," he paused for a moment. "Well, most of it."
"Heh, yeah, you did," Watto commented.
"As it so happens," Qui Gon spoke. "I just happened to acquire a pod through a game of chance on Nar Shaddaa. It's said to be the fastest pod in the galaxy."
He gave a knowing look to Anakin, who smiled in response.
"I hope you didn't kill anyone I know to get it," Watto remarked. "So, you supply the pod and the entry fee, I supply the boy, and we split the winnings 50/50?"
"If we were going in 50/50, then perhaps you should supply the entry fee," Qui Gon remarked.
"Hey now…" Watto protested.
"Perhaps, a counteroffer." Qui Gon suggested, circling Watto. "If we win, you keep the winnings, minus the cost for the parts I need. If we lose… you get my ship."
Both Obi-Wan and Anakin were surprised by the notion. Watto just gave an intrigued look as Watto stopped in front of him.
"Either way, you win," Qui Gon noted, holding out his hand.
Watto just chuckled in response. "Deal!"
The two shook hands.
-X-
Sometime later, Padme, Obi-Wan, and R2 returned to the ship in order to collect some supplies from the ship's droid hold, with Qui Gon staying behind to keep an eye on Anakin. Jar Jar and Corde helped gather some droid parts in boxes as Obi-Wan spoke with Panaka.
"A Podrace?" Panaka let out.
"I know it is unorthodox," Obi-Wan admitted. "But it is our best option at the moment."
Panaka paused for a moment, mulling over what he had heard. "I… suppose I'll have to trust your judgment."
Meanwhile, Corde brought over some spare parts and placed them in one of the boxes Padme was holding.
"Will these do, milady?" she asked.
"Anything you can get your hands on will suffice," Padme reassured.
Jar Jar opened up a closet, finding a few spare pieces of junk, as well as a golden, yet deactivated protocol droid.
"Huh… well, it's gotta be useful for something."
He then took the droid and tossed it into the box.
-X-
Back in town, Anakin continued working on the pod with the materials he had, while Qui Gon watched on.
"Your mechanical expertise is quite impressive," Qui Gon commended.
"Thanks," Anakin replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I've spent almost my entire life around machines. So I've picked up a few things."
"And your piloting skills? Where did you acquire those?"
"Nowhere, really. I just kinda… taught myself," Anakin put down his tools so he could face Qui Gon directly. "Whenever I get into the cockpit of a ship, I just… get a feel for it. I know how to handle it. Even when I'm in tense situations."
Qui Gon became even more intrigued as Anakin spoke.
"Interesting…"
Anakin raised an eyebrow in response to Qui Gon but didn't have time to dwell on it long before Padme, R2, and Jar Jar came up with the boxes of parts, with Obi-Wan bringing up the rear.
"Anakin!" Padme called out, getting his attention.
Anakin smiled as he went to meet them, leaving Qui Gon there to consider the source of Anakin's innate ability.
"I hope this is enough parts for you," Padme spoke as Anakin looked through one of the boxes.
"There should be enough," Anakin replied, before noting the protocol droid. "Thought you said you just had parts, not a whole droid."
"I was surprised to see that too," Padme admitted, turning to Jar Jar.
"Found it in a closet," Jar Jar answered.
"Well, it looks like it's in pretty good condition," Anakin admitted, turning the droid onto his back and opening up its back panel. "You know, I might be able to bring it back online."
Anakin started tinkering with the wiring on the droid, hoping to bring it online. After a few moments, the droid's systems kicked in, causing it to spring up.
"Oh my!" it let out with a posh and sophisticated voice. "Oh dear. I can't see! I'm blind!"
Anakin looked at the droid's face, seeing an eye socket was empty.
"Whoops," he let out. "Uh, hold on a moment.
Anakin quickly looked in the box of parts, quickly finding an optic unit he could use. He then went to the droid and inserted it into the empty socket.
"There. How's that?"
"Oh, much better," the droid replied before turning to him and Padme. "Hello, I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations. How may I serve you?"
"Hello, C-3PO," Padme greeted, smiling. "I'm Padme and this is Anakin. Right now, we're working on building a racing pod. I don't suppose you can help with that."
"I'm afraid my services are programmed for protocol and etiquette. But I shall assist in any way I can."
"Appreciate that, 3PO," Anakin replied. "Why don't you start by bringing over those tools over there," he pointed to his tools that were resting on the ground near the pod.
"Of course," 3PO replied, starting to walk over, only to run into R2. "oh, excuse me. I don't believe we've been introduced."
R2 beeped in communication.
"R2-D2? Well, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations."
-X-
Later, Anakin continued working on the pod, with R2, Padme, and Jar Jar helping wherever they could. As they worked, Qui Gon watched on with great interest. As he continued watching, Shmi came over to him.
"You must be proud of your son," Qui Gon spoke. "Despite his situation, he still gives without question. Without any thought of reward."
"He knows nothing of greed," Shmi responded. "He has tremendous gifts…" Shmi's face dropped. "He deserves better than a slave's life."
"He is gifted," Qui Gon admitted. "He can anticipate things before they happen. And is adept in the most strenuous of situations. It is a Jedi trait."
That caught Shmi by surprise. "You… you mean he's…"
"He might be. The Force is strong with him. I've felt it. But to have this much skill with no training… it's almost unheard of," he turned toward her. "Who was the father?"
Shmi turned away for a moment as if she was unsure how to answer. Finally, she turned back to him.
"There was no father," she replied, much to Qui Gon's surprise. "I… can't explain what happened. Can you help him?"
"I don't know," Qui Gon stroked his beard as he spoke. "Had he been born in the Republic, he would've been found by the Council… brought to the Temple on Coruscant to be trained. But now…"
Shmi quickly took his hand, much to his surprise.
"Please…" she pleaded. "I don't care what happens to me. But if you can find a way to help my son…"
Qui Gon mulled it over before placing his other hand on top of Shmi's. "I will do what I can."
Back with Anakin, he continued working on the pod. As he worked on the cockpit, Obi-Wan volunteered to lend a hand, him and Jar Jar working on one of the engines.
"Hey, you're pretty handy with those," Anakin commended.
"Being a Jedi Knight, you tend to acquire a number of skills," Obi-Wan replied.
"So… what's it like being a Jedi, anyway? Is it like the stories the pilots say?"
"To an extent. But it's not all adventure and excitement," Obi-Wan chuckled a little. "As I have come to find."
"How do you become a Jedi? Were you born one or…"
"In a sense," Obi-Wan replied, setting down his tools for a moment. "Jedi have the capabilities to find children sensitive in the Force. When they come of age, around nine or so, and with the consent of their parents, those children are brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant to begin their training. After a few years of training, each youngling is assigned to a Master. I was fortunate enough to be assigned to Master Qui Gon."
Anakin turned back to Qui Gon as he continued talking with his mother.
"He's that good?" Anakin asked.
"Quite. He's wise, compassionate, and understanding," Obi-Wan paused for a moment. "Even for those capable of… testing one's patience."
Anakin turned back toward him. "You mean you?"
"Let's just say I don't think he's been happy with my choices lately."
Obi-Wan picked his tools back up and got back to work.
"Sorry about that," Anakin replied, finishing up his work on the cockpit.
As he did, a kid about Anakin's age came walking by. He noticed the work being done on the pod and came over.
"Hey, Anakin," he greeted. "Still working on that old hunk of junk?"
"Hey Kickster," Anakin replied, before looking up from his work. "And yeah, I am. Not only that, I'm gonna be in the Boonta race tomorrow."
"You? In that thing?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"Oh, nothing. Except you'll more likely blow up before leaving the starting line."
"Hey, I think Anakin has a great chance," Padme commented, walking over. "In fact, I think he'll even win."
"Heh, that'll be a first," Kickster remarked, surprising Padme.
"What does he mean by that?" Padme asked, turning toward Anakin.
"Well…" Anakin replied, rubbing the back of his head.
"Wait… you mean you've never won a Podrace before?"
"Won?" Kickster remarked. "He's never even finished a race."
"What?!" Padme let out in surprise. "Why didn't you say so?!"
"I… didn't think it mattered," Anakin admitted.
"Of course, it matters! Any chance we have on saving my home hinges on you winning a race you've ever even-!"
Padme couldn't even finish her sentence. She just groaned in pain before storming off. Anakin watched her go, tempted to try and follow.
"Let her go, Anakin," Obi-Wan insisted. "Her frustrations are more with our situation than your skills."
Anakin let out a sigh in response. Jar Jar watched everything, feeling a little uneasy about the hostility he saw. This caused him to drop the tool he was using, prompting him to kneel and grab it. An act Anakin noticed as he turned back to the pod.
"Uh, Jar Jar, I wouldn't-"
As Jar Jar raised his head, his face got caught in the energy beam between the engines, causing him to yelp in pain. Both Anakin and Obi-Wan since as Jar Jar's face and tongue went limp.
"Uh… you ok?" Anakin asked.
"Uh… mesa good…" Jar Jar let out in a daze, his talking sounding slurred as his tongue held out. "I mean… I'm good."
"Uh… Jar Jar, why don't you go back to the ship and lay down for a while," Obi-Wan insisted. "I'll call you if we need you."
Jar Jar gave a thumbs up as he staggered away, still out of sorts from the shock. R2 and 3PO just watched as Jar Jar left.
"I must say that Gungan is a rather odd fellow," 3PO commented.
R2 whistled in agreement.
"Well, I don't know if I'd go that far."
"Well, that should do it," Obi-Wan replied, closing up the engine.
"You think this thing is even gonna run?" Kickster asked as Qui Gon came down to join them.
"We will soon find out," Qui Gon replied, holding out a small battery. "Here, use this power source."
"Thanks," Anakin replied, taking the battery and climbing into the cockpit.
He inserted the battery into the dashboard as everyone took a step back. He then flipped the switch, causing the two engines to ignite. The engines ended up hovering in the air, much to the delight of Anakin.
"It's working! It's working!"
Obi-Wan and Qui Gon both smiled at the results, pleased that they had a chance. Shmi herself looked on, her face beaming with pride. Even Padme, who had come back after cooling off, could see the progress that Anakin had achieved, and let out a smile.
-X-
Later on at sunset, Padme found herself sitting out on the porch, staring at the binary suns.
"Hey," Anakin spoke, causing him to turn and see him coming outside. "Mind if I join you?"
"Sure," she replied, gesturing to a spot next to her.
He took the seat, the both of them enjoying the sunset together.
"Beautiful…" she let out. "Isn't it?"
"Yeah… probably the only good thing about living here."
Padme's face dropped a little. "... listen, I wanna apologize for my outburst earlier. It's just… I wasn't just leaving my planet when we fled Naboo, but my mother as well. I'm worried about her and what could happen as long as the Separatists are there."
Anakin turned to her, seeing the concern on her face.
"Padme," Anakin spoke, causing her to turn to him. "I will win tomorrow, and I will help save your planet."
"You seem so certain."
"I am. I mean, I know I've never won a race before, but… something about this one feels different. I'm certain I can do it."
Hearing his certainty helped put Padme's fears at rest, causing her to smile a little.
"You know… I think you can too. I've seen what you can do, but more than that… I have faith in you."
Anakin smiled in response. The two then turned back, watching the Binary Sunset.
-X-
Out in space, Darth Maul piloted his ship, the Scimitar, across the cosmos in search of the Princess and the Jedi accompanying her. Just then, his communicator device started blinking, prompting him to activate it. A hologram then activated, revealing the white-skinned woman who was in Watto's shop at the same time as Qui Gon and Obi-Wan. In actuality, this was an infamous bounty hunter known as Aurra Sing.
"Speak," Maul demanded.
"Got a communication that someone was looking for a Nubian Star Cruiser, and was willing to pay top creds for information about it."
"Perhaps," Maul replied, placing his hands together. "What information would that be?"
"I know where you can find it."