The Fall | Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

Chapter Six

"It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace" Qui-Gon stated. Obi-Wan had commed them, alerting them to a message by the governor that they had received earlier about the state of Naboo. "But what if it is true and the people are dying?" Obi-Wan asked. "Either way, we're running out of time" The Jedi knight said before abruptly ending the call. He noticed the worried expression on Sylvie's face. "Don't worry. The trade federation are cowards, the people will be okay" he assured her.

Sylvie couldn't shake the doubt "But what if-" she was cut off by Alina who had approached them "Mama says it's time for dinner" she informed "We'll be right there little one" Qui-Gon said, giving her a smile. Alina nodded before she turned away and headed towards the table. "Well. Let's not keep our host waiting" Qui-Gon said, following after the younger Skywalker to the dinner table.

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Alina sat next to her brother, eating as she listened to her mother explain about slavery as the outsiders didn't understand it. "All slaves have a transmitter placed inside their bodies somewhere" Her mother explained. "I've been working on a scanner to locate mine" Anakin piped up. "Any attempt to escape-" Her mother was cut off by Anakin "And they blow you up!" Alina mimicked the sound of an explosion. "How wude!" JarJar exclaimed. "I can't believe there's still slavery in the galaxy" Padmé shook her head. "The republic's anti slavery laws-" she was cut off by the other girl, Sylvie "The republic doesn't exist on Tatooine" she looked at Mama "Does it?" Mama shook her head "We must survive on our own here"

Suddenly, JarJar, the orange creature which the other girl had said was called a Gungan stuck his tongue out and swallowed an apple whole with a loud gulp "Xcuse me" he said. "Has anybody ever seen a pod race?" Anakin asked "They have podracing on Malastare. Very fast. Very dangerous" Qui-Gon said. "I'm the only human who can do it. Alina too but she's only done it once last year" He told them. "You two must have Jedi reflexes if you race pods" The Jedi said, catching JarJar's tongue before it could go back into his mouth "Don't do that again" he said sternly before letting go.

"You're a Jedi knight. Aren't you?" Anakin asked. "What makes you think that?" Qui-Gon asked "We saw your laser sword" Alina explained "Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon" Anakin added. "Well maybe he killed a Jedi and took it" Sylvie shrugged. "I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi"

"I wish that were so" Qui-Gon murmured. "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves... Have you come to free us?" Her brother asked. Alina looked up from her food at Qui-Gon hopefully "No I'm afraid not" her hopes were dashed against the rocks with just four words but Anakin still held onto some hope "I think you have. Why else would you be here?" He asked. Qui-Gon leaned forward "I can see there's no fooling you Anakin. We're on our way to Corasaunt, the central system in the republic on a very important mission" Alina couldn't help but notice the look Sylvie exchanged with the Jedi. "But... Then why are you all the way out here?" She asked, picking her food. She didn't know too much about it but she was pretty sure that Corasaunt and Tatooine were very far away from each other.

"Our ship was damaged and we're stranded here until we can repair it" Padmé explained. "I can help. I can fix anything" Anakin said. "I believe you can but first we must acquire the parts we need" Qui-Gon said. "Wit no nutten mula to trade" JarJar added. "These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind..." Padmé murmured, looking at her mother. "Gambling. Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races" Mama told her "Podracing. Greed can be a powerful ally" The Jedi stated.

"I built a racer, it's the fastest ever! There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod" Anakin offered. "Anakin! Watto won't let you" Mama shook her head "Watto doesn't know Ani made it" Alina piped up. "Exactly! You could make him think it was yours and get him to let me pilot it for you" Anakin said, turning his head to look at Qui-Gon. "I don't want you to race. It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it" Mama said sternly "But mom, I love it!" He protested "And I can help him! I did it last year and I did good! Plus the pod can be a two seater and a one seater" Alina added "The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need" He continued. "Anakin, Alina..."

"Your mother is right" Qui-Gon cut in before turning to Mama "Is there anyone friendly to the republic who can help us?" Sylvie asked. "No" Mama shook her head. "Mom you say the biggest problem in this universe is nobody helps each other" Anakin reminded. Mama sighed. "I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your children in danger" Padmé said "We'll find another way" Alina and Anakin met their mother's gaze and gave her a pleading look, they both knew that this was the only way. "No" Mama said after a moment "There is no other way" she took a deep breath "I may not like it but... He can help you... He was meant to help you..."

Alina's gaze brightened before she realized that her mother said 'Him' she opened her mouth to respond but her mother gave her a stern look "You're only six and you've driven a pod once. With Anakin mainly in control" She reminded her much to Alina's disappointment "Mama has a point you know..." Anakin told her gently "You can race more when you're older" Alina scowled, still not happy with the knowledge that she'd be doing nothing but cheering from the side while Anakin got to do all the fun stuff.

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