Chapter 16
Search for Shmi
The Naboo cruser landed in the outskirts of Mos Eisley, as Watto had said, to a small homestead combination moisture farm where hopefully there would be some clue to where Anakin's mother might be. As Anakin and Padme left the ship, ordering Artoo to stay with the ship, they are greeted by a familiar face. It was C-3PO Anakins droid he had built for his mother, when she was with Watto, but had not finished him. Now he had coverings and was tending to the vaporators when he saw the two figures and greeted them "Oh, hello. How might I be of service? A am See..."
"Threepio" Anakin asked?
"Oh, It's the maker, Master Anakin I knew you would return. I knew it" said Threepio excitedly.
"Oh and Ms. Padme how wonderful to see you" said Threepio.
"Hello Threepio" said Padme
"Bless my circuits! I'm so pleased to see you both"said Threepio!
"I've come to see my mother" said Anakin
C-3PO looked surprised and worried when his former master had stated his purpose for being here.
"Oh I think... Perhaps we'd better go indoors." Threepio said.
The protocol droid lead the two humans into the courtyard of the homestead, while Bumblebee, Transformed into his robot form, stayed above the homestead, but could still listen in on everything that was said. Suddenly two more figures appeared before Anakin and Padme as they made their way downstairs.
"Master Owen! Might I present two important visitors" said Threepio introducing Anakin and Padme.
"I'm Anakin Skywalker" said Anakin shaking the strangers hand.
"Owen Lars. This is my girlfriend, Beru" said Owen
"Hello" said Beru
"I'm Padme" said the senator.
"I guess I'm your stepbrother. I had a feeling you might show up some day" said Owen.
"Is my mother here" asked Anakin?
"No she's not" said an unknown voice.
Suddenly a new figure showed up. He was an older gentleman. He was dressed in desert farm clothes missing his right leg and sitting in a hover chair unable to walk. "Cliegg Lars Shmi is my wife... Come on inside. We have a lot to talk about..."
Cliegg, Owen,Padmé and Anakin sit around the table, Beru brings the drinks in from the kitchen as Cliegg tells the story of What happened to Shmi. "It was just before dawn. They came out of nowhere. A hunting party of Tusken Raiders.Your mother had gone out early, like she always did, to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporators. From the tracks, she was about halfway home when they took her. Those Tuskens walk like men, but they're vicious, mindless monsters. Thirty of us went out after her. Four of us came back. I'd be with them, only... after I lost my leg I just couldn't ride any more... until I heal. I don't want togive up on her, but she's been gone a month. There's little hope she's lasted this long."
Anakin stood up from the table and began to leave
"Where are you going" asked Owen?
"To find my mother" said Anakin
"Your mother's dead son. Accept it" said Cliegg.
Anakin still headed out to find Shmi and bring her home.
Outside the homestead Padme and Anakin were standing together while Anakin was preparing for his journey to find his mother. Anakin turned toward Padme and told her "You are going to have to stay here. These are good people, Padmé. You'll be safe."
They both embrace each other in a hug, afterwards Anakin hops on to Owens speeder bike and takes off into the desert.
"Don't wory milady, I'll follow him and keep him out of any immediate danger" said Bumblebee as he transforms into his alt mode and races behind Anakin keeping a close enough distance so Anakin doesn't realize he's being followed.
The Jedi and the Autobot raced across the landscapes of Tatooine as it's two suns began to set until finally they reached a camp of Jawas, who had seen where the Tusken raiders had been and where their camp is. Bumblebee continued to stay out of sight as the Jawas pointed Anakin in the right direction.
There's another chapter down. I hope you guys have had a safe holiday break. Once again I only own the dialogue from Bumblebee, the rest belongs George Lucas and Disney. Be on the lookout for the next chapter until then take care.