Homecoming part 3
Anikin was in a bad mood Lars walked in front of him, leading to a place to eat, the familiar dry heat giving him something to focus his mood on as he slowly calmed down. The mood was because of what the Major Domo had said, confirming his suspicions. Even though they had acted quick, it seemed like the separatists were more on the ball then they feared. The Separatist envoy had apparently been on the planet for a while, and as soon as they started their attack, had started the petition process. This was bad news, as the current situation was counting on the Separatists being contained from expanding into and beyond Hutt space of one side, so that they could concentrate what meagre forces they had onto a single front. If the envoy managed to open Hutt space to the Separatists, then fighting on such a wide front would strain the Republic forces too much, leaving not enough force to stop any serious attack. The more Anikin thought about the timing of everything, the attacks, the petition, the attempt on the Chancellor, the worse feeling about the situation he got.
Lars leads the pensive Skywalker to a shaded restaurant, knowing that with the heat of the day, getting something cool would help ease tensions and make one think clearer, as a moisture farmer on the desert world, you quickly picked up on the rules of dehydration, and he could notice that Skywalker was showing the initial signs, he had been away for too long and forgotten that water was something to have often, and as soon as possible.
"Here, drink up." Lars passed a mineral enhanced and slightly fruit-flavoured drink of water to the Jedi, the robes looking a bit heavy for the environment.
"What, oh, thanks. Got a lot on my mind." Anikin gratefully took long slow sips from the drink, childhood memories of similar drinks making him take a deep breath and come at things with new energy.
"So, what is the plan now? Those Seper-whats-its you were going on about are not the most popular, as they have been throwing their weight around. One reason why they have not gotten a meeting yet, the Hutts want them to sweat a bit to give them a better position. But even so, they will not wait long." Lars took a sip of his own drink.
"They have too much of a head start, even with a massive gift, they would make the Republic envoy wait as well... that means... I am going to have to do something that will make my Mom yell at me when she hears." Skywalker let his head hit the table and sighed.
"Oh?" Lars raised an eyebrow. "From what I remember she was a kind, calm, caring, and soft-spoken one." The moisture farmer thought back to what he could recall of the Skywalker Matron.
"She is, she is... except whenever I brought up racing." Skywalker explained quickly, even though his mother was on a completely different planet, he had that feeling that if he did not speak up right away news would get to her somehow, and the next talk they had would be even worse.
"Racing?" Lars asked.
"Yeah, whenever I did a pod race, she would worry, if she knew I ever did another race..." Skywalker looked around slightly nervous.
"Pod racing... Skywalker, wait. That was you ten years ago?" Lars had been working that particular Boonta Eve, so he did not see that race, as such, he did not connect the name of the winner to the boy he knew of.
"Yeah, and I have not raced a Pod since, but its the only thing I can think of that would let us jump the line ahead of the Separatist envoy." Skywalker explained.
"You got a Pod?" Lars queried
"No." Anikin gave as a short answer.
"Got a Sponsor?" Was the next question from the farmer.
"Not really." Anikin had a few thoughts, but nothing solid.
"Do you know where this year's track is set up?" Lars starting to be concerned.
"Not at all." Was the glib reply from the Skywalker.
"You just thought of this off the top of your head, didn't you?" Lars sighed.
"Pretty much." Anikin gave a slight nod.
"Your Mom is going to tan your hide, even if you win." Lars knew where this was going.
"Eyup." Anikin popped the p sound with a grin.
"And nothing I say will dissuade you." Lars knew a lost cause when he heard one.
"Nope." Another popped p from Skywalker.
"Alrighty then, finish your water, then we can get this shipwreck of a plan started. I know of a place you can practice some." Lars finished his drink and stood up, waiting for Skywalker. The Jedi just grinned, anticipating the rush of racing, now that he had a rough idea of a plan.
"Anywhere I know of?" Anikin had been away for a decade, but some places he still remembered vividly.
"Beggars Canyon." Lars Owen said with an ominous tone.