In the Naboo cruisers' droidhold, Corde and Jar Jar were in the midst of cleaning R2-D2.
"How's he looking?" Jar Jar inquired.
"Almost good as new," Corde confirmed. "Thank you for your help, Jar Jar."
"You bet. We Gungans could only dream of having droids like this one.
R2 beeped in response, causing Jar Jar to raise an eyebrow.
"What was that?"
"He was merely expressing thanks," Corde reassured.
Jar Jar smiled in response. As the two continued to work, Padme made her way down to the droid hold, turning toward Jar Jar in curiosity. Corde happened to look up and see Padme approach.
"Your Highness," Corde greeted, causing Jar Jar to also look toward her. "Is everything alright?"
"Fine. I was just curious about our… friend here."
Jar Jar was taken aback for a moment. "Me?"
"I'm just… curious. How does a Gungan end up here with us?"
"It's a long story. One minute, I'm just walking through the woods, then bam, I'm running into a Jedi, going through the planet core, getting shot at by those machines, and now… I'm here."
"That… sounds like a lot," Padme commented.
"Oh, it is," Jar Jar replied, his mood suddenly becoming more solemn. "Especially being… away from home."
Padme noted his tone, prompting her to walk over and sit in a chair next to him and Corde.
"I can understand that," She replied. "This is my first time away from home too… and my mother…"
Corde noticed the sorrow in Padme's tone and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We will return soon, Your Highness," she reassured.
"Yeah," Jar Jar replied. "Those Jedi can get us back. They're pretty smart. Crazy, but smart."
Padme chuckled a little in response. "Thank you. Both of you."
-X-
Sometime later, the ship came out of lightspeed, entering the airspace of a large yellow planet right in front of them.
"There it is," Obi-Wan noted. "Tatooine."
"I'm picking up a settlement," the pilot reported. "Looks to be some kind of spaceport."
"Land near the outskirts," Qui Gon instructed. "We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention."
-X-
It didn't take long for the ship to set down a few miles outside the spaceport depicted on scanners. Once they touched down, Obi-Wan went to take a look at the hyperdrive to see the extent of the damage. It was worse than they first imagined.
"The hyperdrive is completely gone," Obi-Wan informed Qui Gon. "We'll need to acquire a whole new one."
"This will complicate things," Qui Gon replied, tossing Obi-Wan some clothes. "Put these on. It will help us blend in better. Also, you should probably tell your Gungan friend to wait on the ship. An aquatic lifeform on a desert planet would stand out a little too much."
"Right," Obi-Wan concurred.
-X-
Later, after Obi-Wan and Qui Gon donned their disguises, Obi-Wan met with Jar Jar to inform him of Qui Gon's request while Qui Gon himself spoke to Captain Panaka.
"Remember, send no communication until we return," he told him.
"Understood," Panaka replied, looking up at Jar Jar while he was speaking to Obi-Wan. "I do have a request, though."
"What's that?" Qui Gon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You take the princess with you."
"That's not a good idea. She'll be much safer on the ship."
"I don't trust the Gungan. I don't like the idea of the princess being on board with it."
"Jar Jar is harmless."
"Perhaps, but I can't take the risk."
"Captain," Padme spoke up, walking toward the two of them. "While I don't believe Jar Jar to be a threat, I wouldn't mind exploring the planet. I'm… curious about the way life works here."
The Captain and Jedi looked at each other for a moment.
"I still don't believe it's a good idea…" Qui Gon admitted. "But I suppose she'd be safe with Obi-Wan and myself," he turned to Padme. "But stay close. Places like this can be dangerous."
Padme nodded in response.
-X-
After donning a disguise of her own, Padme disembarked with Qui Gon, Obi-Wan, and R2-D2 into town. Almost immediately, Padme was overwhelmed by the vast amount of travelers and alien species walking up and down the streets.
"Incredible…" she let out. "Are all cities on the planet like this?"
"Not all," Qui Gon answered. "The planet is mostly home to moisture farms and a few indigenous tribes and scavengers. However, spaceports such as these are a haven for those who do not wish to be found."
"Like us."
"Precisely," Obi-Wan confirmed before turning to Qui Gon. "Where do we start?"
"Let's check with one of the local dealers," Qui Gon directed as they walked off.
-X-
Miles away, a T-16 Skyhopper sailed over the sandy terrain of Tatooine. Its pilot maintained a firm grip on the controls as he maneuvered around and over the numerous rock formations in his way. The pilot then noted he was heading right toward a canyon wall, prompting the pilot to narrow his eyes in response. Just as he approached the wall, he veered right, skimming along the surface of the wall as he did. The pilot grimaced as he tried to maintain control or risk colliding with the wall and crashing. Once he was confident of his course of action, the pilot pulled up on the controls, pulling him away from the canyon wall before he could spin around and level out. Once he was secure he hit the accelerator, jetting forward toward Mos Espa.
While stunts like that would stress out lesser pilots, this one felt enjoyment out of the risks he was taking. It was a chance to test what the ship was capable of. What the true extent of his skills were. He knew he was the best pilot on the planet and chances like these were the perfect opportunity to prove it. More than that, however, being in the cockpit of new ships, soaring high in the air with nothing and no one else around, it was the only time he truly felt… free.
-X-
Back in Mos Espa, Obi-Wan just finished talking with a dealer before turning back to Qui Gon and Padme.
"They don't have the hyperdrive either," Obi-Wan reported. "That's the fifth one."
"We'll have to try another street," Qui Gon decided.
The four of them started to head out when Padme noticed a large shadow flying overhead. She looked up, seeing the Skyhopper sail over the town. Curious, Padme began following the ship, unknowingly getting away from the Jedi. R2 saw this and began beeping in response, getting the Jedi''s attention.
"Padme?" Obi-Wan let out, seeing her run off. "Padme!"
Both he and Qui Gon followed after her, doing their best to keep her in sight. Padme meanwhile was in awe of the ship's grace as it flew through the air. She then slowed herself to a stop as she got a better view of the ship's maneuvers. This allowed Qui Gon, Obi-Wan, and R2 to catch up with her.
"Your Highness," Qui Gon whispered. "You shouldn't run off like that."
"I'm sorry, I…" Padme responded, still in awe of what she saw. "The pilot…"
"Pilot?" Obi-Wan questioned.
Padme pointed upward, allowing them to see the Skyhopper as it flew across the city. While looking ahead of the craft's path though, Padme became concerned, seeing some high buildings that it was quickly approaching. The pilot seemed to note this as well, prompting him to pull on the controls so that the craft was upside down. With the Skyhopper's lower wings in the air, the pilot was able to fly in between the buildings easily, gaining looks of awe and astonishment from the crowds below. Padme looked on in astonishment at what she was seeing. Obi-Wan's face was that of bewilderment while Qui Gon just looked impressed as the ship spun back around and leveled out. Once level, it veered off toward the edge of town.
"Impressive," Obi-Wan commended.
"The ship appears in prime condition," Qui Gon noted. "Perhaps the pilot knows of somewhere we can acquire the parts we need."
Obi-Wan nodded as the four of them went off to find where the ship would set down.
-X-
A few moments later, the four of them managed to catch up with the Skyhopper as it touched down on the outskirts of the city, the bottom wings folding up so it could land easily.
"Now remember, we don't know the nature of this pilot," Qui Gon told them. "So we must be cautious."
Just then, the cockpit opened up, allowing the pilot to climb out and pull off his helmet. To the surprise of the group, the pilot turned out to be a teenage boy with light brown hair dressed in simple clothes.
"A boy?" Obi-Wan questioned, a confused look on his face.
Qui Gon stroked his bread in response to this. The boy walked away from the ship as a blue Toydarian flew up to him.
"How did it handle, boy?" the Toydarian asked in Huttese.
"Control sticks a little on the turns." the boy replied. "Still, it's in good condition. You should get a decent price for it."
The Toydarian chuckled in response. "Good boy."
As the two spoke, the Toydarian noticed the group and flew over to them, seeing a potential business opportunity.
"Hey," he greeted, flying toward them. "Don't suppose I can interest you fine folks in a gently used T-16 Skyhopper?"
"I'm afraid not," Qui Gon replied, stepping forward. "My colleagues and I are looking for parts for a J-Type 327 Nubian Hyperdrive."
"Ah… Nubian," the Toydarian pondered. "Yeah, I should have some of that back at my shop," he flew over to Qui Gon and placed a hand on his back. "Come. Let's take a look."
-X-
It didn't take long for the Toydarian, who revealed his name to be Watto, to lead them back to his shop.
"My droid should be able to provide you with a readout on what I need," Qui Gon told him.
"Very good," Watto replied before turning to the boy. "Keep an eye on the shop, boy."
The boy nodded as he headed to the counter, leaping up and sitting on it as he grabbed a hydro spanner and an old droid part. He started working on the part as Qui Gon went to speak with Watto.
"Obi-Wan, stay with Padme," He told him.
Obi-Wan nodded as he started looking around at the collection of spare parts and half-assembled droids that lined nearly every shelf and rack of the shop. As he did that, Padme turned toward to see the boy as he kept working. He happened to glance up, seeing her looking at him. He cracked a smile in response, prompting her to approach him.
"I saw your flying earlier," Padme told him. "It was incredible."
"Thanks," the boy replied, hopping down off the counter so they could be at eye level. "I was pretty excited when Watto bought that T-16. We rarely get ships in this good condition."
"How long have you been flying ships?"
"Only the past year or so. Watto was happy with the way I carried out my duties, so he granted me special responsibilities."
"Have you been working for him long?" Padme wondered.
"Since I was three," the boy replied, turning away and putting the part on the counter. "Watto won me and my mom from Gardulla the Hutt after she lost us betting on a pod race. Watto's a better owner than Gardulla, but… it's still ownership."
"You mean… you're a slave?"
The boy paused for a moment. A hardened look on his face before he turned to face her.
"I'm a person!" he insisted. "Not a piece of property that can be bought and sold."
"I'm sorry," Padme insisted. "I didn't mean to offend. It's just… this place is so strange to me."
The boy's face relaxed, seeing she meant no disrespect.
"That's fair, I suppose. Is this your first time off your home planet?"
Padme was surprised by the accuracy of the guess. "Y-yes. How did you know?"
"I've seen a few first-time travelers come in here. They get confused too."
"Well, that's comforting," she commented, getting them both to chuckle. "I'm Padme," she held out her hand. "What's your name?"
The boy smiled before taking her hand. "Anakin. Anakin Skywalker."
As the two talked, Obi-Wan stood off to the side, overhearing what the boy had to say, and grimacing a little at his current condition.
-X-
Outside, Watto had just shown Qui Gon the hyperdrive amidst his collection of spare parts.
"Ah, here you are," Watto showed off. "J-Type 327 Hyperdrive. You were lucky to find me. I'm the only one in Mos Espa who sells these."
"So I've noticed," Qui Gon noted as the two went back toward the shop.
"Of course, with these prices, you might as well buy a new ship. It would be cheaper."
"Just the parts will be fine."
"Fine, fine. Speaking of… we should get to discussing that payment.
-X-
"And I wouldn't've lasted this long if I wasn't so good at fixing things," Anakin continued, with Padme listening to every word.
As the two talked, Obi-Wan happened to glance toward the back entrance, seeing Qui Gon and Watto walk toward them.
"I have twenty thousand Republic Dataries," Qui Gon offered.
Watto grimaced in response. "Republic credits… they're no good out here. I'm gonna need something more… real."
"I'm afraid I don't have anything, as you put it, real," Qui Gon replied as Obi-Wan stepped up to greet him.
"Is everything alright?" Obi-Wan asked, giving a side eye to Watto.
"It appears our present currency is no good here," Qui Gon informed.
"Really?" Obi-Wan replied before turning to Watto. "I was under the impression that," he gave a wave of his hand. "Credits will do fine."
"No, they won't," Watto replied as Qui Gon turned to Obi-Wan with disapproval.
"Obi-Wan…" Qui Gon tried to shoot down.
"Credits will do fine," Obi-Wan repeated, waving his hand again.
"No, they won't!" Watto pressed.
"Obi-Wan!" Qui Gon let out, getting Obi-Wan to back off as he turned back to Watto. "You'll have to forgive my colleague. It has been a… difficult trek for us."
"Heh, I'll bet. His brain must've been cooked under the suns, he thinks he's some kind of Jedi," Watto then turned toward Obi-Wan. "Friendly advice, friend. I'm a Toydarian. Mind tricks don't work on me, only money. No money? No parts. No deal. And nobody else has a J-Type 327 Nubian Hyperdrive, I promise you that."
"Understood," Qui Gon replied, preparing to depart. "Let's go."
"But-" Obi-Wan tried to protest.
"Now!"
Not wanting to argue, Obi-Wan relented as the two went off. R2 rolled along with them as Padme followed.
"I was glad to meet you, Anakin," Padme told him.
"I was glad to meet you too," Anakin replied, smiling as Padme went off to join the others.
"Crazy outworlders," Watto commented. "They think we don't know anything"
"You're just saying that 'cause they didn't buy anything," Anakin remarked.
Watto grumbled in response, causing Anakin to smirk before moving over to some racks. He grabbed a nearby rag and got to work cleaning.
"Do a good job on those…" Watto told him. "Then you can go home."
Anakin perked up at that, even letting out a small smile. "... thank you."
With that, Watto flew off to tend to some work. As Anakin continued working, his thoughts drifted to Padme, hoping somehow, he would get to see her again.