❝ to be honest, i spaced out
halfway through what you were saying. ❞

—

CARINA WALKED BESIDE R2-D2 as they made their way down the main street of Mos Espa.

The brunette watched people track their movement.

Qui-Gon glanced down at Padme before speaking, "Moisture farms for the most part. Some indigenous tribes and scavengers. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those who do not wish to be found."

The handmaiden gazed at their surroundings, "Like us."

Qui-Gon caught sight of a hut, "We'll try one of the smaller dealers."

The group heads into the little junk shop that has plenty of broken spaceships stacked up.

Carina stepped inside to see Watto, a pudgy blue alien who flies on short little wings like a hummingbird.

"Guta naloya." the creature spoke before flying over to them, "Ha chuba da nala?"

Qui-Gon clasped his hands together, "I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian."

"Ah yes, ah yes. Nubian. We have lots of that." Watto told the Jedi Knight before yelling out, "Peedenk! Naba dee unko."

"My droid here has a readout of what I need."

Carina watched a blonde boy ran down the steps, walking towards them.

"Coona tee-tocky malia?" Watto harshly questioned the young child.

Anakin rolled his eyes before responding, "Mel tassa cho-passa—" but before he could even finish his sentence, Watto cut him off, "Watch the store, I've got some selling to do." the creature turned back towards Qui-Gon while leading him to the back, "So, let me take - a thee out back. Ni you'll find what you need."

Jar Jar picked up a gizmo and Carina was quick to snatch it out of his grasp, "Don't touch anything."

Anakin slid onto the counter and watched the young padawan closely, "You're really pretty."

Carina turned to meet Anakin's gaze before looking back, "Are you saying that to me?"

The blonde boy nodded, "You look like those angels I hear pilots talk about."

Carina suppressed a small smile, "Pilots?"

Padme looked over at some ship parts whilst Jar Jar ventured off to the droid section.

"I listen to all the traders and starpilots that come by here. I'm a pilot, you know, and some day I'm gonna fly away from this place." Anakin eagerly spoke to the young girl who held an intriguing fling in her eye, "You're a pilot?"

"All my life."

Carina furrowed her brows, "How long have you been here?"

"Since I was very little, three, I think. My Mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us, betting on the Podraces."

Carina frowned, "It's a sad world we live in." She gave the young boy a smile before holding out her hand, "I'm Carina."

The ten year old boy took her hand, "Anakin. How old are you?" he curiously tilted his head.

The girl looked amused with the question, "I'm twelve."

"That's only two years older than me."

Jar Jar pushes the nose of what seemed to be a small droid when it instantly came to life, beginning to march around to which things began to fall over.

The GunGan struggled to settle the robot down before Anakin called out, "Hey."

"Wha?"

"Hit the nose."

Jar Jar bunked the nose before the droid shut off once again.

Carina chuckled softly as she slipped her hands back into the pocket of her robe.

Anakin spared a glance at the padawan before looking away.

Padme stepped into Carina's side once again, "Do you think they'll have the parts?"

The brunette let out a heavy sigh, "I would hope so."

Qui-Gon suddenly reentered the shop followed by R2-D2, "We're leaving."

Padme followed after the Jedi Knight as Carina glanced back at Anakin, "It was nice meeting you." The young padawan turned to catch up with her mentor as the blonde boy called out, "I hope to see you again!"

—

Carina watched Qui-Gon get in contact with Obi-Wan in need of a way to pay for their parts, "And you're sure there's nothing left on board?"

"A few containers of supplies, the Queen's wardrobe, maybe. But not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about." Obi-Wan told his Master.

Padme and Carina exchanged worried gazes.

"All right. I'm sure another solution will present itself. I'll check back later." Qui-Gon put away him comlink before moving to head towards the main street when Jar Jar caught him by the arm, "Noah gain... Noah gain da beings hereabouts cawazy. Wesa be robbed un crunched."

Carina raised an incredulous brow, "Right, because we have so much valuables on us right now."

The group continued down the street, they walked by an outdoor café filled with a rough gang of aliens. Carina furrowed her brows as she stayed alongside Padme's side.

The handmaiden spared a glance at the padawan, "Are you alright, Ina?"

The brunette blinked at the nickname she had just been called, "Ina?" Padme chuckled nervously, "I thought it suited you, if you do not like it then—"

"No, no. I love it. I've never been given a nickname before. Thank you." Carina gave the fourteen year old girl a genuine smile.

"So, what's wrong?"

Carina hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I'm not sure, all I know is that something doesn't feel right."

Before Padme could speak again Carina turned to see Anakin helping Jar Jar out of a sticky situation.

Qui-Gon approached the young boy, "Hi there."

Carina crossed her arms over her chest as Anakin spoke, "Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug called Sebulba."

Jar Jar frowned, "Mesa haten crunchen. Dat's da last ting mesa wanten."

"Nevertheless, the boy is right... you were heading for trouble." The Jedi Knight glanced back at the Skywalker child, "Thank you, my young friend."

Anakin looked over at Carina who smiled at him to which he returned the gesture.

"But... but... mesa doen nutteen."

―

Anakin handed Qui-Gon a pallie given to him by the sweet old lady that owned the fruit stand, "Here, you'll like these pallies... Here."

Qui-Gon gave the boy a grateful smile, "Thank you." he took the fruit placing it in a little pouch under his poncho, revealing his lightsaber for a short moment.

Jira, the lady who ran the stand, spoke, "Oh, my bones are aching ... storm's coming up, Annie. You'd better get home quick."

Anakin nodded in agreement as the group began to walk away, the young boy gazed between Qui-Gon and Carina, "Do you have shelter?"

"We'll head back to our ship." The Jedi Knight reassured the child. Anakin raised a curious brow, "Is it far?"

"It's just on the outskirts." Carina answered his question. The blonde boy huffed at her response, "You'll never reach the outskirts in time... sandstorms are very, very dangerous. Come on! I'll take you to my place."

Anakin began to lead the way through the heavy wind a dusty atmosphere. Carina squinted her eyes as she lingered near Qui-Gon while walking through the vast desert.

Carina struggled to keep her hair out of her face as they began to approach a slave hovel where Anakin entered.

The group stepped into the main area and curiously glanced around.

"Mom! I'm home."

Jar Jar relaxed before speaking, "Dissen cozy."

Anakin's mother looked visibly startled by the amount of people in the room. Her son eagerly spoke, "These are my friends, Mom."

"Hidoe."

R2-D2 let out a beep whilst the young padawan sheepishly smiled, "I'm Carina." Anakin ran up to the brunette looking enthusiastic, "I'm building a droid. You wanna see?"

Carina softly laughed before nodding, "Of course."

Anakin took the girls hand before leading them into his bedroom with R2 following shortly behind.

Carina's eyes brightened up upon seeing a one eyed droid with no outer coverings, "His name is C3-PO."

The girl looked at the robot in amazement, "This is very impressive."

Anakin looked overjoyed with Carina's reaction, "You really like him? He's a protocol droid... to help Mom. Watch." He reached over and pressed a button to which the droid sat up in response.

"Oh, oh. Where is everybody?"

"Whoops." Anakin sheepishly said before grabbing the robots other eye and clicking it back into place.

"Oh, hello, I am C3-PO, Human Cyborg Relations. How might I serve you?"

Carina let out a breathless laugh, "He's amazing, Ani. I could never create my own droid."

The blonde boy excitingly gazed at her, "When the storm is over, I'll show you my racer."

C3-PO stood up from the bench he was lying in and began to walk around as Anakin continued speaking to Carina, "I'm building a Podracer."

"You're quite a gifted person."

―

Carina sent Shmi a grateful smile as she poured her drink. The young girl listened intently to the woman speak, "All slaves have transmitters placed inside their bodies somewhere."

"I've been working on a scanner to try and locate mine." Anakin spoke before taking a sip from his cup.

His mother sat at the table, "Any attempt to escape—"

"And they blow you up." Anakin pounded his fist on the table, "Boom."

"How wude."

Padme stared down at her plate before speaking, "I can't believe there is still slavery in the galaxy. The Republic's anti-slavery laws—"

Carina shook her head, "The Republic doesn't exist in these parts." Shmi nodded her head in agreement, "We must survive on our own."

Jar Jar suddenly snatched food from the fruit bowl with tongue. Carina narrowed her eyes at him as Padme watched him intently.

"Xcuse me."

"Has anybody ever seen a Podrace?" Anakin questioned whilst glancing around. Padme and Carina shook their heads 'no' as Qui-Gon spoke up, "They have Podracing on Malastare. Very fast, very dangerous."

Anakin suppressed a smile, "I'm the only human who can do it."

Carina gazed at the young boy, "What can't you do?"

The Jedi Knight looked vaguely impressed, "You must have Jedi reflexes if you race Pods."

Anakin smiled proudly before looking over at Carina who had her eyes on Jar Jar who attempted to snatch another apple from the bowl with his tongue when in a flash, Qui-Gon caught the Gungans tongue before he could do so, "Don't do that again."

Jar Jar mumbles something incoherent before the male let his tongue go. Anakin glanced between Qui-Gon and Carina before setting his gaze on the man, "You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?"

The twelve year old girl paused upon the sudden question and awaited for her master to reply, "What makes you think that?"

"I saw your laser sword. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon."

"Lightsaber."

All eyes went to Carina who slowly began to shrink in her her seat, Anakin tilted his head curiously at what she had said. The girl awkwardly cleared her throat, "Uh, it's called a lightsaber."

The blonde boy looked intrigue with the name before Qui-Gon spoke once more, "Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him."

Anakin shook his head, "I don't think so... No one can kill a Jedi."

Carina pursed her lips before averting her eyes towards her plate while Qui-Gon answered, "I wish that were so."

Anakin took in the Jedi's words, "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here to free all the slaves... have you come to free us?"

Carina felt her chest tighten in sympathy for the young boy. Qui-Gon pressed his lips into a firm line, "No, I'm afraid not."

"I think you have... why else would you be here?" Anakin curiously question to which Padme looked over at Carina and Qui-Gon who paused for a short moment, "I can see there's no fooling you, Anakin." The male leaned forward, "We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission."

Anakin furrowed his brows in confusion, "How did you end up here in the outer rim?"

"Our ship was damaged and we're in need of parts to repair it." Carina answered his question. "I can help. I can fix anything." Anakin reassuringly stated.

Qui-Gon leaned back in his seat, "I believe you can, but first we must acquire the parts we need."

"Wit no-nutten mula to trade."

Padme turned to look at Shmi, "These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind." Anakin's mother nodded, "Gambling. Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."

Qui-Gon hummed, "Podracing... Greed can be a powerful ally."

"I've built a racer! It's the fastest ever... There's a big race tomorrow, on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod."

"Anakin!" Shmi gave her son an incredulous look, "Watto won't let you."

"Watto doesn't know I've built it." Anakin looked over at Qui-Gon, "You could make him think it's yours, and get him to let me pilot it for you."

The Jedi looked over at Shmi who looked rather upset with what her son was implying, "I don't want you to race. It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it."

Anakin gave the woman a pleading look, "But Mom, I love it. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."

Shmi pursed her lips with a stern glint in her eyes, "Anakin."

"Your mother's right." Qui-Gon agreed with the woman before gazing at her, "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who might help us?"

Shmi thought for a moment before shaking her head sadly.

Carina watched Anakin stare at his mother intently, "Mom, you said the biggest problem in the universe is nobody helps each other."

Padme gave the mother a look, "I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We'll find some other way."

Shmi's lips parted for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh, "No, there is no other way... I may not like it, but... he can help you... he was meant to help you."

―

Carina tightened a bolt as Anakin worked on the engine, the young padawan looked over at the boy, "How did you learn to create these type of things?"

Anakin looked up at her, "Taking notes and watching other people. I've been working on this for awhile."

"You're very talented, Anakin."

The Skywalker boy sheepishly smiled, "Thanks." Carin tore her attention away from him as she continued tightening the bolt.

R2-D2 let out a few beeps before pushing the smaller wrench toward the girl who sent the droid a grateful smile.

Anakin studied the brunette closely, he looked down to see a small sponge at his side. The boy picked it up, tossing it in his hand before throwing it straight at the padawan's head.

Carina didn't bother turning her head as her arm shot out, her hand moved at quick speed as she caught the item thrown at her.

Anakin watched in amazement at her reflexes as she turned to look at him, "Now, why did you do that?"

"Are you a Jedi like Qui-Gon?"

Carina turned to fully face the blonde boy, "I am training to become a Jedi Knight. As of right now, I am merely a padawan learner."

Anakin's eyes brightened up, "That's so cool! So, you have those saber swords too?"

The brunette girl let out a chuckle before reaching for her lightsaber that had been attached to her utility belt, she held it in her hand while showing it to the boy, "I do."

"Woah. I wish I was a Jedi."

Carina gave the boy a small smile, "You have a gift for building things, Ani."

Before Anakin could respond, five children, all around Anakin's age, rushed into the backyard. The boy's steps faltered upon seeing R2-D2, "Wow, a real Astro Droid... how'd you get so lucky?"

Anakin smiled happily, "This isn't the half of it. I'm entered in the Boonta Race tomorrow." Just then, Padme and Jar Jar entered the area as the boy glanced at the podracer Anakin was currently working on, "What? With this?"

A smaller boy chuckled, "Ona joka, Ani."

"You've been working on that thing for years." The nine year old girl added in before the other child spoke, "It's never gonna run."

Carina exhaled heavily, "Such negative words. Perhaps believing in your friend instead of bringing him down would be a better approach."

The kids fell silent before the oldest one spoke, "Let's go and play ball. Goodluck, Ani." the group of small children ran out of the backyard as Jar Jar began to fiddle with one of the energy binder plates.

Anakin caught sight of the Gungan as quickly called out, "Hey! Jar Jar, keep away from those energy binders... If your hand gets caught in that beam, it will go numb for hours."

The Gungan dropped the weapon he had in his grasp before he bent down to pick the item up, going right between the energy binders. It made a small electric zap, hitting Jar Jar in the mouth. The Gungan attempted to speak but found himself unable to do so, "Ouch muy tonge is fat. Muy togne."

Jar Jar sees the tool stuck in the engine and extended his hand to reach down but instead got stuck.

C3-PO gazed at the creature, "You know, I find that Jar Jar creature very... odd."

R2 twittered a response.

Carina dusted her hands before taking a step back, "You ready to start her up, Ani?"

Anakin jumped into the little capsule behind the two giant engines, "Yup." Qui-Gon suddenly appeared in the area to hand the Skywalker boy a small battery.

"I guess it's time we found out. Here use this power charge." Qui-Gon glanced over at his young apprentice, "Let's step away, Carina."

The girl nodded before going beside her mentor while Padme rushed to help Jar Jar get his hand unstuck. Once the Gungan was free, he gave the boy a thumbs up before walking away.

Anakin took a deep breath before flipping a switch to which the engines started up with a roar. Carina smiled widely at the result.

Anakin let out a breathless laugh as he gazed over at Carina and Qui-Gon, "It's working!"

The podracer was ready for the race.

―

Qui-Gon tended to Anakin's wound as the boy was sat on the balcony rails of his hovel whilst gazing up at the starry sky, "Stay still, Ani. Let me clean this cut."

"There are so many! Do they all have a system of planets?" The young Skywalker boy gaped in away of the stars. The Jedi master nodded, "Most of them."

"Has anyone been to them all?"

Qui-Gon chuckled lightly, "Not likely."

A determined glint flashed through the young boys gaze, "I want to be the first one to see them all."

Shmi yelled from inside the hovel, "Ani, bedtime!"

Qui-Gon wiped a patch of blood off of Anakin's arm, "There we are, good as new." The blonde boy tilted his head curiously as he watched the Jedi place the blood in his comlink chip, "What are you doing?"

"Checking your blood for infections." The male gestured towards the house, "You have a big day tomorrow. Goodnight."

Anakin rolled his eyes before jumping off the rails and running into the hovel. Qui-Gon waited until the boy was nowhere in sight to call Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan."

"Yes, Master."

"I need an analysis of this blood sample I'm sending you."

Rustling could be heard as the padawan spoke, "Wait a minute." Qui-Gon pursed his lips, "I need a midi-chlorian count."

Obi-Wan fell silent for a moment before speaking up, "Master, this looks just like Carina's. The readings are off the charts. Over twenty thousand."

Qui-Gon knitted his brows together in thought, "I felt it with Carina and now, I feel it with this boy, too."

"How is it possible that two children have a higher count then even Master Yoda?"

The Jedi Master pressed his lips together in thought, "That is what I am trying to figure out."