Always in Motion is the Future I: A Star Wars AU Story

Chapter IV

Watto's Assorted Scrap Shop, the following morning

"I don't like it."

Qui-Gon arched his eyebrow at Padmé's sudden remark. He turned to face her, passive but stern.

"We're placing our fates in the hands of a boy we don't even know. The Queen would not approve."

Qui-Gon began to object, but Quinlan stepped in, saying "I believe in this case, the phrase 'what she doesn't know won't kill her' is applicable."

The situation dissipated, Padmé sat down outside the alcove in a huff, murmuring about her approval. Aayla sat down next to her, giving her some companionship. Quinlan watched from without the shop as Qui-Gon entered, interrupting a heated conversation in Huttese between Watto and Anakin.

"The boy tells a-me you want to sponsor him in the race!" Watto exclaimed disbelievingly. "How can you do this? Not on the Republic credits methinks, eh?"

"My ship will be the fee," Qui-Gon said flatly, whipping out a hologram emitter and projecting the image of the Pride of Theed. Padmé bolted up outside the shop, hearing these words, but Quinlan gestured for her to calm down.

"I'm sure he knows what he's doing," he assured her. At least I hope he does! he thought anxiously. Aayla looked at all of them uncertainly.

Watto appraised the ship, impressed by the sleek design. Qui-Gon began to elaborate on the specifics of the ship, but Watto cut him off.

"What will-a the boy race in, eh? Not-a my last pod, he smashed it up in-a the last race!"

"I didn't crash it," Anakin replied defensively. "Sebulba used a flame emitter to spark the fuel tanks. I saved the pod..." Anakin shrank a bit under Watto's withering gaze. "Mostly," he added.

Watto laughed good-naturedly, pointing at Anakin. "That he did! The boy's a-good, no doubts there!"

"I've acquired a pod in a game of chance," Qui-Gon informed Watto slyly. "The fastest ever built."

Watto cackled. "Hope you didn't-a kill anyone I know for it! Hmph! So, you supply the Pod, I supply the boy, we split the winnings...fifty-fifty I think, huh?"

Qui-Gon played the skeptic. "Fifty-fifty?! I should think not. If it's going to be 'fifty-fifty,' I suggest you supply the cash for the entry. We win, you keep the winnings, we take the parts we need, we lose...you keep the ship."

Watto stroked his stubbled chin. Anakin was silent, looking at Qui-Gon anxiously.

"Deal!" Watto decided, and shook Qui-Gon's hand, sealing the deal.

The small group made their way back to the slave hovels, where Anakin began finalizing building the podracer with the assistance of Jar Jar, Padmé, Quinlan, Aayla, Artoo, Threepio. Qui-Gon would have helped, but he figured it would be a good exercise for the younger ones. At any rate, he had to inform Obi-Wan about the developments of the situation.

Once Obi-Wan was caught up on the situation, he felt he should bring up the question that wasn't being asked.

"Master...what if this doesn't work? We could be stuck here a long time."

"A ship without a hyperdrive won't get us anywhere far fast. And...there's something about the boy..." he trailed off, unsure where to go with that. He turned off the comlink rather awkwardly, and put it away as Shmi approached him.

He turned to look at the impromptu group of workers down at the podracer.

"You should be proud of your son," Qui-Gon told her. "He gives without any thought of reward."