Quest For Balance: A Star Wars Story (Reupload)

Chapter Five: Alliance

Michaelis Castle, Cair Parivel, Aethel

Dawn started to rise across the sky, and a new day was about to begin. Anakin got out of bed and headed to the courtyard for training until Barriss came around the corner.

Barriss(smile on her face): Good morning Anakin!

Anakin(smiles back): Good morning Barriss. Are you ready to get started?

Barriss(eager): Absolutely! I was looking forward to it all night.

Anakin: Ok follow me.

The two walked through the halls of the castle to the courtyard until Barriss looked at him.

Barriss: Say, Anakin, how did you know the family?

Anakin: I have known them since I was born. What do you know about Tatooine?

Barriss paused for a moment, contemplating Anakin's question.

Barriss: Well, I know that Tatooine is a desert planet located in the Outer Rim Territories. It's known for its harsh climate and sandy landscapes. The inhabitants, like yourself, often have to rely on moisture farming to sustain themselves.

Anakin nodded as he had a brief memory of his mom showing him the planet from orbit.

Anakin: That's right. I was born there as a slave. I had heard a lot of horrible things about what The Hutts and most slave owners did to them from the ones who escaped.

Barriss: Escaped how?

Anakin: Around the time that I was born; Caesar had led an invasion to rescue us. He led the assault on Mos Espa to get us out and shut down the largest slave auctioning house on the planet, Shaka stormed Jabba's palace with Cyrus and The Immortals, and Maria attacked Gardulla's forces with The Spartans. They got as many of them out as possible before fleeing the system as Hutt reinforcement arrived. Everyone owned them their lives and loyalty ever since. They did something that The Jedi Order of Coruscant never did. They helped everyone regardless of where they were from; the current order was too complicated with what they got and had merged with The Republic to the point where they did anything without The Republic's saying so or outside of their territory.

Barriss listened intently, her curiosity piqued by Anakin's story. She had heard of their heroic efforts on Tatooine but did not know that it was they who did it.

Barriss: And then happened after that?

Anakin: They returned to the planet, took it from them permanently, terraformed it, and gave everybody a chance to start over. Some took it including my mom, but most stayed. Ever since then, I have been here as a member of their family. I love them and I would never replace them for anything.

Barriss: That sounds incredibly brave of them. It's heartwarming to hear that there are individuals out there who are willing to fight for the freedom and rights of others, even if it means going against powerful entities like the Hutts.

Anakin nodded, a mixture of gratitude and determination gleaming in his eyes.

Anakin: They truly are remarkable individuals. They showed me that there is always hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. Their actions have inspired me to become a Jedi and use my abilities to protect and help others in any way I can.

Barriss: I can see why they've had such a profound impact on you, Anakin. Their selflessness and dedication align with the values of the Jedi Order.

Anakin: Yes, exactly. And it motivates me to do everything in my power to ensure that no one else has to suffer as they did. I want to make a difference, to bring peace and justice to the galaxy.