14 Chapter 14: A Deal
After Anakin had finished showing C3PO to Padme they came rushing back to sit at the table. I could hear the sandstorm raging outside.
"Slaves all gave a transmitter implanted somewhere in their body" Shmi started to explain how slavery works. "If a slave tried to the escape then..."
"They'd blow you up, BOOM" Anakin Finished her sentence.
"How rude" Jar Jar said
"I didn't think slavery still existed, the republic clearly abolished..." Padme didn't seem to approve of slavery and more than I did, It's a horrible practise that should never have existed. "The republic doesn't exist out here, this territory is call controlled by the hutts" Shmi looked at her with a kind look, I could see she appreciated the kindness Padme was showing.
"One day slavery will be abolished in the universe" I said. I knew it would happen because I would make it happen. The Jedi, the Republic even the empire that followed them, none of them were able to end this stain on the galaxy. But I wasn't any of them, if I can create my group and an empire that would remove this injustice and any others that plague the galaxy then why shouldn't I?
Everyone but Jar Jar looks at me as if they wanted me to elaborate but it would be too soon to reveal any of my plans.
'Ding'
[Quest - Gain control over a planet - Territory management unlocked, Shop functions unlocked]
'Ding'
[Quest - Gain control of over 25 planets - Reward: Emperor Title, ???, ???]
'Ding'
[Quest - Gain control of the Galaxy - Reward: God Title, ???]
'Hmmm so I can become a god? or maybe people would just see me a god, got damn it, why can you never be clear on these things' I thought.
[Unable to answer]
"Have any of you ever seen a pod race before?" Anakin quickly changed the subject, I guessed he was trying to improve the sombre mood that was lingering in the room.
"They have pod racing on Malastar, very fast, very dangerous" Gui-gon said going along with Anakin's distraction.
"I'm the only human who can do it" Anakin looked as Padme obviously trying to boast.
"You must have Jedi reflexes to compete" I let out a small smile when Qui-gon grabbed Jar Jar's tongue to stop him from grabbing the apples on the table.
"Your a Jedi knight aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?" Qui-gon asked
"I saw your Laser sword, only Jedi carry that type of weapon" He looked at the lightsaber on Qui-gon's hip.
"Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him" Wui-gon looked a little more serious.
"I don't think so, No one can kill a Jedi" Anakin said very sure of himself, they were obvious a type of heroic figure to him. Making him my apprentice might be more difficult than I thought.
"I wish that were so" Gui-gon looked a little sad as he replied.
"I had a dream that I became a Jedi, I came back and freed all the slaves. Is that why your here have you come to free us?" Qui-gon and Padme both had similar looks of depression as he asked.
"I'm afraid not" Qui-gon answered sounding very apologetic
"So why are you here?" Anakin sounded a little down after Qui-gon said we weren't here to save them.
"Our ship was damaged and we can't leave until we fix it" Padme explained to him.
"I can help, I can fix anything" I wasn't sure if he was still trying to get us to free them or if he really wanted to help.
"Have a way with machines do you boy?" I turned to ask.
"That's right, I picked them up and before I know it, I know what's wrong and have it fixed in no time, Watto says that's the only reason he keeps us around"
I took a power cell that I had changed with Mechu-Deru before we arrived from my inventory and placed it in front of him. I got it from one of the broken Battle droids, he shouldn't have seen this type give the federation doesn't usually operate in Hutt territory.
"I've not seen one of these before" Anakin picked it up and started to look around it. Qui-gon and Padme were both eying me suspiciously obviously wondering what I was doing.
"Close you eyes and focus on it"
"Huh why? I can't fix it with my eyes closed" He gave me a weird look.
"Humour me" I let out a small smile.
"Okay" He closed his eyes and started to focus on the core. I could feel the force move around the power cell. "Focus on the core, the wires, the shell, feel every part of it as if it was connected to your own body" I started to guide him.
He started to frown but from the way the force was moving he seemed to be getting the hang of it.
"I got it, the wiring had been put in the wrong place" he started to fiddle with the cell until it started to let out a small hum with a small red glow started to shine.
"Very good" I smiled at him and stored it back in my inventory.
"What was that?" He was very excited and Qui-gon also looked at me waiting for my answer.
"It's an ability called Mechu-Deru, you need to have a connection to the force to use it, it allows you to use the force to influence and connect to machines"
"Wow does that mean I'm a Jedi" he started jumping up and shouting whooooo
"No, this skill is forbidden to Jedi due to their beliefs" As I spoke he quickly sat back down as fidgeted nervously, sneaking peaks at Qui-gon.
"Unfortunately this skill won't help us fix the ship, we still need the parts that's why we went the Watto earlier" I said to continue the conversation.
"But we have nothing to trade" Jar Jar added.
"The only thing you would have left would be to take advantage of there weakness, gambling" Shmi said.
"I have a racing Pod, I built it myself, it's the fastest pod ever built, trust me"
"Anakin, Watto won't allow it" Shmi looked worried.
"But mom, he doesn't even know I built it, you could say the pod is your and that you want me to pilot it for you" He turned the Qui-gon.
I sat silent for the rest of the conversation, letting everything run as per the cannon. Shmi prepared rooms for each of us but I refused, I didn't feel comfortable sleeping in a place like this, beside I knew the Qui-gon would want to talk with me.
"You are full of surprises, Mechu-Deru is not a skill I have heard of" Qui-gon's voice sounded out from behind me.
"I'm not surprised, it is a skill to understand and manipulate machines, the Jedi considered this a manipulation of the force and classified it as a Skill of the Dark side"
"I take it you don't agree"
"No, the force is being manipulated all the time, every time you use your power it is a manipulation, plus just because the Jedi say something is a skill of the dark side doesn't automatically make it so. If the Jedi Council came to you and said the sky on tatooine is purple does that make it true?"
Qui-gon stood and considered my words. I seemed to have given him a bit to think about as he soon left me to meditate. Padme also visited me during the night, (No not for that you pervs haha) and asked me if a replacement feather for her hair.
I also opened the basic lightsaber kit in my inventory, however it was just a few parts to create one, and with no kyber crystal I won't be able to create one yet.
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The Next Day
I let things play out as planned and listened in to Qui-gon and Watto making their deal for Anakin to be free if he wins. Waiting for them to be separated.
"Hey Watto" I called out to him as I saw Qui-gon walk away.
"What do you want?" He sounded annoyed, not that I can blame him, he just made a bet that could cost him his most valuable slave.
"I want to make a bet with you" he looked at me with a smirk, Shmi was right gambling was everything to the people of this planet.
"A bet huh? what are we betting" he started to rub his hands as he flew around me, I could tell he was examining me, determining my worth. I felt disgusted by his looked, even I was only a piece of merchandise to him.
"The boy's mother Shmi, I want her. In return I will bet 5 new B1 battle droids" I hated this, bartering for someone's life, but what else can I do, if I steal her I will make an enemy out of the Hutts and I can't do that yet.
"5 is not enough, if I was to lose the woman as well I wouldn't have anyone to mind the store, I will do it for 15"
I used TK to push him down the floor, he was unable to move his wings and felt immense pressure weighing him down. "Do not treat me for a fool Watto, I will do 7 and that is final. Deal"
"Wha... What how dare you..." I increase the pressure as he started to complain
"Deal?" I asked again
"Deal... Deal" he quickly screamed. I stopped using TK and let him back in the air.
"I wouldn't think about backing out on a deal with me Watto, I'll tell you what though, even if you do lose I will throw in 2 B1 droids, just so you have help in the shop" I gave him a small smile while he looked terrified. I only did this to prevent him from trying to back out and going to the hutts when he loses, I wasn't sure how well the would take my forced deal.
"Aren't I kind?"
"Y... Yes very kind, thank you" he quickly moved off and I headed towards Padme and the others.
