Pushing through the throng of fans to reach Anakin proved difficult. Revan, having reliably cloaked his Force presence, felt the full force of the crowd, receiving several painful elbow jabs from particularly zealous admirers of young Skywalker's talent. He couldn't resort to using the Force because of Qui-Gon Jinn's proximity, and his natural agility and combat skills didn't offer much against such a mass of sentients.
It turned out that only the Jedi noticed "Vaner's" absence, as Padmé and Shmi were only concerned with Anakin. The former Sith Lord mentally noted that the Nabooan was too actively showing concern for the boy's fate. Apparently, the stories of his life in slavery and the boy's natural charisma had managed to touch the vulnerable heart of a girl who was, in Revan's view, far too soft-hearted. And she was still just a child herself.
Fortunately, Jinn was preoccupied with cautious contemplation after the ancient, fallen Knight's reappearance, and he merely nodded in response to "Vaner's" assurances that he'd met some acquaintances, which was why he was delayed, and then couldn't find the Skywalkers in the stands, so he watched the race from a different sector.
"I suppose we should retrieve the parts for your hyperdrive from Watto before he decides to run far away from his debts?" Revan suggested.
"Yes, you're right," the Jedi replied, snapping out of his thoughts.
It took another five minutes to pry Anakin from the clutches of his admirers. The boy was simply beaming with happiness. He had won! He had beaten so many experienced sentients! He had even surpassed that arrogant and conceited Sebulba!
Revan was also pleased with the race's outcome. Anakin succeeded, meaning he demonstrated considerable ability in using the Force, albeit unconsciously. The ancient one also noted that the boy instinctively sensed the emotions of those around him, was drawn to them, and in some measure, even used them. This indirectly suggested a predisposition to the Dark Side. However, it was too early to judge.
Watto was found near the bookmakers' lounge, and his mood was quite depressed. Judging by the group of satisfied sentients walking away from the winged merchant with data chips in their hands, the Toydarian had lost heavily. So heavily that he had to leave behind promissory notes.
"You!" he jabbed a finger at the Jedi as soon as he spotted him. "You cheated me! You somehow knew the boy would win! I'm ruined!"
"Everything was fair," Qui-Gon answered calmly. "We made a wager, and I won, didn't I?"
"You cheated!" Watto insisted.
"Did I? And how?" the Jedi crossed his arms. "Perhaps we should appeal to the Hutts? I hear they resolve such disputes quickly."
The Toydarian quickly glanced at one of Jabba's mercenaries, who had just struck one of the losing and therefore protesting fans with the butt of his blaster.
"So, what is it?" Jinn clarified. "Did I win?"
"Yes," Watto sullenly agreed.
"And the boy?"
"He's free," the merchant waved his hand dismissively.
Revan immediately grasped the implication. The wager was only for the boy! That meant his mother would remain a slave? Jedi, as was common even in his time, completely failed to consider the consequences of separating families and taking children into the Temple at a conscious age. And yet, they should! How many Jedi lost their peace of mind when they grew older and encountered their families again? Or, worse yet, faced their deaths?
Even Bastila, upon meeting her mother, became so distressed that only their bond with Revan allowed her to keep her emotions in check. What if the bond hadn't existed? What then?
Did Qui-Gon truly not understand this? After all, his former apprentice, according to the tale, also fell to the Dark Side because of his father.
If Anakin, having fully experienced slavery on Tatooine, were to leave his mother here, he would never be able to focus on his training. Moreover, the fear for her life and well-being would constantly destabilize his mind, making him vulnerable to the Dark Side.
"What about Shmi?" Revan decided to clarify.
"The wager was only for the boy and the parts!" the Toydarian snapped.
The former Sith Lord scowled and cast such a look at the merchant that Watto momentarily stopped flapping his wings, causing him to sink nearly a meter in the air.
"I'm sorry, Vaner, but I can't take Shmi with us," Qui-Gon said sadly. "Watto is right, the agreement was only for Anakin. And we simply don't have the money for her ransom. But I promise we'll figure something out as soon as we arrive where we're going."
To his surprise, Revan felt no falsehood in the Jedi's voice. He believed his own words. However, the ancient one knew perfectly well how the Council usually reacted to such requests.
A Force-sensitive entering the Order must leave behind everything that binds him to his past life, he recalled the words of one of the Masters.
He didn't want to leave Shmi in the hands of the shrewd merchant. Watto was currently in debt, meaning he might sell the woman to someone else. There was a risk that she would simply get lost among Tatooine's slaves or perish in the endless sands.
Suddenly, an idea came to Revan.
"Mister Watto, I just remembered that I also bet on Anakin's victory!" he approached the Toydarian with a smile. "Perhaps you would agree to transfer Shmi Skywalker to me as payment."
"What does this have to do with me, boy? Go to the bookmakers!" the merchant flapped his hands.
The former Sith Lord slightly pulled back the sleeve of his light cloak, revealing a Mandalorian gauntlet underneath. He hadn't had time to remove his armor entirely, or he wouldn't have made it to Anakin after the race. Therefore, only his helmet, mask, breastplate, and black cloak had been sent to HK in the speeder. Revan, who was initially apprehensive that the Jedi might notice the armor beneath his clothes, was now glad he hadn't removed the gauntlets.
"I have a promissory note right here," the ancient Sith Lord showed the Toydarian the Blood Claws sigil, and next to it, Jabba's personal mark, symbolizing the official patronage of the Hutt Cartel.
The Jedi standing slightly to the side didn't manage to see exactly what "Vaner" was showing the merchant, but the latter's attitude changed completely.
"Yes, yes, of course... I-I recognize my signature," Watto stammered slightly. "I think we can come to an agreement on everything."
"Wonderful!" Revan clapped his hands, injecting more cheerfulness into his voice. "Then I ask you to transfer the slave chip codes to us, as well as the data chip confirming the right of ownership. Look, a lawyer just became available at the bookmakers."
The Toydarian did not dare to object, quickly turning in the indicated direction.
"What did you show him?" Qui-Gon finally became interested in the merchant's strange behavior.
The former Sith Lord didn't rely much on Jinn, shocked by Revan's appearance, letting down his guard, so he had prepared for the questions in advance. After all, what did they know about "Vaner Shan"? A guy stuck on Tatooine? What if things weren't that simple?
"As I said, a promissory note," the ancient one answered with a slight smile.
"A promissory note?" Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. One that cannot be ignored and must be settled immediately," the former Jedi hinted.
The seasoned diplomat, who had often visited the Outer Rim territories of the Republic during his event-filled life, "heard" what he needed to. Looking Revan up and down, Jinn shook his head and frowned.
"So young," he sighed with sadness.
"People grow up fast on the Outer Rim," the ancient one shrugged.
"The Cartel?" the Jedi narrowed his eyes.
The former Sith Lord gave a barely perceptible nod.
"And what is your interest?" the man asked, his tone now more strict.
"I simply wanted to help a friend," Revan shrugged.
"A friend?"
"Yes."
"And that's all?"
"Is that not enough?"
"It's hard to believe."
"In any case, respected Qui-Gon, you shouldn't be concerned with hidden motives that in no way involve you or your Order."
Revan immediately felt a light brush of the Force against his own mind. The Jedi decided to check.
His shields held firm, but this could raise unwanted questions. Especially if an experienced Jedi mentalist couldn't read even a shadow of emotion from an untrained boy on a backwater planet.
"Stop it," the former Sith Lord dryly tossed out.
The Force pressure instantly vanished.
"You felt that?" Jinn asked with slight surprise. He clearly hadn't expected "Vaner" to be Force-sensitive.
"Slightly."
The Jedi was about to ask something but was interrupted by the ancient one.
"Take care of Shmi and Anakin," he changed the subject.
Qui-Gon frowned.
"I cannot take the boy's mother with me. There is no place for her in the Order," the man said with regret in his voice.
"And who spoke of the Order? Can't you take her to Coruscant?"
"Coruscant? But..."
"Isn't that where the Order is located?"
"Yes, but..."
"Don't worry about the financial side."
"Hmm..."
Qui-Gon pondered. The option proposed by "Vaner" solved many problems. Most importantly, it eased the Jedi's conscience. Of course, Anakin still wouldn't be able to communicate with his mother too frequently. He would have to give up his attachments after all. But the mere knowledge that his mother was alive, healthy, and safe should contribute to the boy's inner peace.
"Thank you," he finally said.
"You owe me nothing yet," Revan brushed off.
Jinn looked intently into his interlocutor's eyes.
"I just can't figure out what kind of person you are... Something about you isn't right. But what?"
The former Sith Lord smirked.
"Sooner or later, everything will become clear," he shrugged. "As I understand it, your group will be leaving the planet soon?"
"Yes, as soon as we repair the hyperdrive."
"Anakin and his mother?"
"They will fly with us."
"Excellent. Then I should go and say goodbye to them."
"But..."
"I'll inform them of their freedom myself," Revan tossed out as he walked away from the Jedi.
The Skywalkers received the news that they were no longer Watto's slaves quite calmly. Rather, due to the shock of the news, Shmi was simply speechless, and Anakin joyfully hung around the ancient one's neck.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" he sincerely chattered.
"All right, all right, enough, you'll choke me!" the former Sith Lord unclasped the boy from himself.
"Thank you, Vaner!"
"Don't mention it. You did it all yourself. Watto's greed finally just played a cruel trick on him."
"But still..."
"Don't thank me," Revan stopped him. "Not yet."
"You helped us," Shmi finally joined the conversation.
"As did Qui-Gon and Padmé."
The Jedi's name clearly stirred something in the boy's mind.
"Will they take me to the Temple?" Anakin recalled one of his conversations with "Vaner."
"Quite possibly," the ancient one nodded.
"And I'll become a Jedi?" the boy asked with delight.
Revan nodded.
Skywalker practically jumped up and down with joy.
The former Sith Lord smirked. The happiness of the boy, who was a slave just yesterday, was quite understandable to him. Only this child didn't understand what awaited him.
He didn't want to hand over such a promising student to the Jedi, but Revan perfectly understood that he couldn't devote enough attention to the boy right now. He hadn't yet figured out what was happening in the galaxy, what he planned to do next... or even what he should teach a potential follower.
What was the Order like now? What rules governed it? What was its attitude toward the Dark Side?
It was impossible to glean anything from Qui-Gon alone. He needed to get to Coruscant. And in the process, he could certainly keep an eye on Anakin. So, he should take a small precaution.
"Anakin," Revan drew the boy's attention.
"Huh?"
"I just want you to remember that we'll always be friends and, if the chance arises, I will visit you." The ancient one placed a hand on Skywalker's shoulder, gently touching his consciousness with the Force.
Just a small correction, reinforcing the attachment and sense of gratitude that had already arisen. Nothing serious, but it would be enough for the child's impressionable mind.
He knew this perfectly well from his own experience. Specifically, his childhood in the Order. The Jedi weren't above using this trick, especially if new recruits couldn't leave their past lives behind the Temple walls. It had happened to Revan too, but he only learned about it much later. His first teacher, Kreia, once mentioned that Revan had been too attached to his parents. Yet, he couldn't even remember their faces. This question intrigued the young Jedi, and he conducted a small investigation. It turned out the Seeker who had come to take the boy to the Order had only wanted to calm the panicked child... but went too far.
And such cases, unfortunately, were not uncommon. And now, Revan himself was doing something similar.
The ancient one ignored the slight pang of conscience, confident in the rightness of his actions. It was necessary.
"Of course! I'd be happy!" Anakin beamed.
"Here," the former Sith Lord handed the boy a small data chip. "This is the encryption for my comlink. You can always contact me if you need to."
"Thank you!"
Revan smiled warmly.
"What will happen to me?" Shmi asked, not risking interrupting the friends' farewell.
"Here," the ancient one approached the woman, took her hand, and placed a credit chip in her palm. "This is some money to get you started. It's enough to rent an apartment on Coruscant. Not in the Temple district, but nearby. After that, I think you'll figure things out."
The elder Skywalker stared, bewildered, at the plastic strip in her hand.
"I can't..."
"You very much can," Revan prevented her from refusing. "It's not much. I didn't give you and Ani a starship."
The woman did not persist. She understood better than anyone that any opportunity must be seized, and help should not be refused.
The former Sith Lord left the Skywalker home only an hour later. The farewell was protracted because Anakin literally bombarded the former Jedi with questions about the Order. And Revan was happy to talk about it with someone. After all, thoughts of Coruscant and the Temple had practically occupied his mind.
Successfully missing Qui-Gon, Revan headed to the agreed-upon meeting spot, where HK was supposed to bring their small cargo ship, which still hadn't been named. Except for the nickname the assassin droid had given it. But the former Sith Lord's pride wouldn't allow him to register the ship under the name "The Dump."
"HK, what's the progress?" the ancient one activated his comlink.
"Bored tone: Everything is in order, Master. I left the cargo at the specified coordinates," the droid responded. "Jabba's people sent a confirmation of receipt three minutes ago."
"And you didn't inform me?"
"Offended: You were busy!"
"What makes you say that?"
"Explanation: I attempted to contact you, but you ignored the call."
"I don't recall a call."
"Clarification: Exactly 32 minutes ago, I attempted to contact you and report the cargo delivery."
Revan figured that around that time, he was escaping Shmi's embraces, as she was overcome with emotion due to his kindness. He could have easily missed the comlink activation.
"Alright, you convinced me," Revan nodded to his thoughts. "Where are you now?"
"Proud: Approaching the rendezvous point. Estimated time of arrival is three minutes, Master."
"Excellent. See you soon, HK," the former Jedi ended the communication.
Revan spent the remainder of the day on errands. He needed to register a new ship identifier and update the navigational charts. HK insisted on buying an astromech droid, but the ancient one refused. He was unfamiliar with the new generation of astromechs, and he didn't want to make a mistake in his choice. He remembered perfectly how much a small astromech droid could influence the ship.
He recalled little T3-M4, who had bailed out the entire Ebon Hawk crew so many times. Once, he even managed to independently repair a freighter shot down over Nefema and return with it to the Republic to bring aid to the captive Revan.
The memory of the brave little droid's last desperate attack on the Emperor himself made his heart heavy. Another fallen comrade. And how many of them had there been in total...
HK-47, currently bickering with a used droid merchant, distracted the former Sith Lord from his heavy memories. The assassin droid couldn't stand droid merchants... or Jawas... apparently still recalling his confinement in Yuka Laka's shop.
He decided to worry about purchasing an astromech later, once Revan had a better grasp of the issue. For now, his own skills would suffice for repairs. And the navigation computer could handle plotting the course. Yes, it would be a bit slower than with an astrodroid, but it would do for the time being.
Almost a day later, a light freighter with one Force-sensitive and one droid on board lifted off the surface of Tatooine and sped away from the planet. The Jedi aboard the Naboo yacht had left a few hours ahead of them, but that didn't matter. Revan wasn't planning on running into them anytime soon.
"How long will it take us to reach Coruscant?" the ancient one inquired, checking the galaxy map.
"Readiness: Considering the Class Two hyperdrive, about two standard days, Master," HK immediately replied.
"And that's partially along a stable route..." Revan shook his head. "I really should have looked for a different ship."
"Pleased: I would be delighted to find a replacement for this dump, Master!"
"I don't doubt it."
"Enthusiastic: There are several excellent companies on Coruscant that trade in wonderful models of light combat ships!"
"Hold your tauntauns, HK," his creator restrained the droid. "We don't have a budget for Coruscant merchants. And certainly not for a military vessel."
"Frustrated: But..."
"No," Revan cut him off. "A military ship attracts unwanted attention. And it wouldn't be allowed on every planet. We need a freighter, light and fast. Though, it would be good if it were decently armed as well."
"Nostalgic: We won't find a second Hawk," the droid stated.
"But we'll try to look anyway... though I doubt we can find anything on Coruscant at a reasonable price. The HoloNet, I recall, was full of advertisements... and the prices were biting."
"Doubtful: Acknowledged, Master," HK replied with skepticism in his voice. "Shall we depart?"
"Yes, activate the hyperdrive," Revan commanded.
Outside the viewports, the stars flared and stretched into bright white streaks, only to be replaced by the bluish haze of hyperspace a few seconds later.
"Query: Master, why did you not take Skywalker on board? I was impressed by his skills. I believe he could become a valuable organic unit... even being a small meatbag."
"Is that so?" the ancient one smirked.
The droid nodded.
"Now is not the time yet," the former Sith Lord shrugged.
"Query: Not the time for what?"
"For assembling a crew or taking an apprentice."
"Reasoning: However, from a tactical standpoint, reinforcement of the combat group is always welcome. Especially if it requires no additional investment, Master," the droid's optical sensors flashed.
"You're wrong there, HK," Revan sighed heavily. "Do you know the single most foolish thing a commander can do?"
"Interested query: What?"
"Lead sentients without knowing where he's going himself." The former Jedi leaned back in the pilot's seat and stared at the ceiling. "Without understanding what he should be doing, without seeing the goal, or even imagining where and why he's moving, such a misguided commander will only perish, destroying his people in the process."
"Situation analysis: And are we in such a situation now? Master?"
"Yes."
"Uncomprehending: Further explanation is required, Master."
"Before I decide where we're going after Coruscant or what to teach Anakin or anyone else, I need to understand what is required of me personally. The Force didn't return me to this world for no reason. There must be some purpose, which I can only dimly perceive so far. Perhaps if I see what the Order has become, I'll understand something for myself. Or maybe I can find answers in the Great Holocron... I don't know."
"Cheerful: In any case, I am with you, Master!"
"Thank you, HK. I never doubted it." The ancient one gratefully patted the metallic maniac on his armored chest plate. "I'm going to meditate while we're flying. Let me know when we're ten minutes from Coruscant."
"Acknowledged, Master. Have a successful meditation."
Revan spent the entire journey to the Heart of the Republic in contemplation. However, he was unable to get answers or calm himself in any way. And so, when HK came to his cabin to report their imminent arrival at their destination, the former Sith Lord was in a foul mood.
"Unidentified vessel, this is Coruscant Traffic Control, identify yourself," the voice of a sentient came over the comm system speakers.
"This is cargo vessel NXUS-507/54-E, arrived at Coruscant from Tatooine," Revan opened the communication channel, checking his map and looking for a landing spot. "Requesting a corridor to the spaceport in Sector G-41, Sublevel 1047."
"Acknowledged, NXUS-507/54-E, switching you to Sector G-41 Traffic Control. Stand by."
"Acknowledged, Controller, standing by."
A few seconds later, another voice requested the vessel's identifier once more and transmitted the necessary data to the ship's navigation computer. The nameless freighter, salvaged from smugglers, began its descent onto the planet-city, the gleaming Coruscant.
How long it had been since Revan was here!
The districts, sparkling with millions of lights, were mesmerizing, and the immense skyscrapers rising from the darkness of the lower levels seemed simply endless.
The former Jedi closed his eyes and swayed slightly from the surge of sensations. The Force was swirling! The planet was alive! Even despite its ecumenopolis appearance. Billions, even trillions of sentients, sparkled with emotions, leaving their unique imprint on the Force.
It was intoxicating.
The ancient one opened his eyes and saw the one building outside the cockpit window that interested him on this planet: the Jedi Order Temple. The massive truncated pyramid with five spires towered over the endless city like a silent sentinel.
Memories flooded Revan, making him feel like a youngling who had just arrived at the Order again. The Temple had been his home for many years. And now, after so much time, the ancient Force adept was returning to his roots, wondering what role was prepared for him in this new world...
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