Chapter 235: Gold
Watto had never thought that a bird could speak.
But the universe was vast and full of wonders. A talking bird wasn't particularly rare. When he was young, he'd even seen a talking stone that asked every day if it was beautiful.
"This pair of mother and son is slaves I went to great lengths to acquire," Watto said, scrutinizing the group before him. "They're priceless and not for sale."
The two humans leading the group looked distinguished, and the robots behind them had smooth lines, clearly high-end models. High-ranking nobles or wealthy merchants, most likely.
They'd come to the junk market without disguising themselves, directly stating what they wanted.
Rookies, undoubtedly. Big fat sheep ready for fleecing.
His smile widened at the thought.
"Put away your foolish thoughts," Raven said flatly. "We can see through all your intentions, merchant. We'll give you a profitable offer, don't even think about demanding an exorbitant price."
"They're very precious to me!" Watto shouted, guilt flashing across his face. "I'll never sell them to you!"
Just then, another group approached.
"Boss, do you have a hyperdrive motivator here?"
Raven looked toward the voice. His authority to read the universe activated, instantly revealing the newcomers' identities.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The fourteen-year-old Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala. And an amphibious Gungan named Jar Jar Binks.
The Gungans, a species with soft skeletons and expressive faces, lived on Naboo. They used their beaks and long tongues to dig for food, their teeth hard enough to crush shellfish. Despite their primitive lifestyle, they possessed sophisticated technology and a standing army. Their homes and vehicles were organically grown. They weren't on good terms with Naboo's human population.
"Yes, I have everything you want," Watto said, flying toward Qui-Gon with a fawning expression.
"We were here first." Raven blocked Watto's path. "Let's finish our business."
"Sorry, my slaves are priceless. I'll never sell them." Watto shook his head firmly.
"One piece of gold," Raven offered. "Two slaves for one piece of gold. That's our best offer."
"How big is the gold?" Watto asked.
"Corn cob sized." Raven glanced at Valdor. "Go get him a piece of gold."
Valdor nodded, walked outside, and picked up a stone. Using his ability to rewrite concepts, he redefined the stone as gold. It transformed into gleaming metal.
Qui-Gon, Padmé, and the others stared in astonishment.
"What... what kind of power is this?" Padmé breathed, wonder filling her voice.
Qui-Gon's eyes widened in shock. He'd heard tales from the ancient texts, Jedi of old who commanded the Force with such mastery they could reshape matter itself, bend the very fabric of reality.
Most Jedi dismissed such stories as legend or myth. Even he, a Master of the Order, could not perform such feats. Transmutation of matter remained beyond even the most gifted Force users.
And here, these strangers did something like that with no effort, as if it were as easy as breathing.
"Who were they? What kind of man possessed such terrible power?"
"Gold!" Watto's eyes gleamed. "So much gold," He snatched the heavy piece and examined it from every angle, genuine, through and through.
"You can turn stone into gold..." His eyes darted around as greed stirred in his heart.
"I'm sorry, but as I said, this mother and son are priceless. One piece of gold is not nearly enough."
"Do you think I'm too easy to deal with?" Raven's voice sharpened. "We can turn stone into gold, and we can just as easily turn your ugly self into a pile of shit mud. Want to try?"
Valdor turned to regard Watto, his gaze calm and cold, as if emotions had never touched him. The moment Raven gave the order, Valdor would act, transforming the foolish alien into sludge.
Fear crossed Watto's face. He suddenly realized what a stupid thing he'd done. This group wasn't one a mere junk shop owner could mess with.
"Alright, gold for the mother and son." Watto turned toward Anakin and his mother. "Go, go. Now you belong to him."
Slaves had no choice. Both mother and son could only pack their meager belongings and follow the Emperor's party.
Throughout this process, where everyone, even bystanders' eyes, was focused either on gold or talking bird, Anakin's gaze remained fixed on another kind of gold, the fourteen-year-old Queen Padmé.
'She is beautiful.' Anakin sincerely believed that she looked like an angel.
"The boy's Force presence..." Qui-Gon murmured, reaching out through the Force to sense the child more clearly.
What he felt made his breath catch. "I've never encountered anything like this. Such power, and in one so young." He frowned, watching the strangers depart with their prize. "They paid handsomely for him. But to what purpose? Why would they seek a child with such raw strength in the Force?"
The Sith warrior he'd faced on Tatooine flashed through his mind. Somewhere in the galaxy, darkness was gathering its strength. And now here these mysterious people were they servants of that same shadow?
"A moment, if you please." Qui-Gon moved to block their path, his hand resting near his lightsaber. "I would like to speak with you."
"Ahh, Jedi Master Gon." Raven tilted his head, regarding Qui-Gon with something like amusement. "What is it you require?"
"You know who I am." Qui-Gon's guard went up immediately. His disguise had been flawless upon entering Mos Espa.
No trace, no indication of his true nature. How did this creature see through it so easily?
"I know far more than that, Master Gon. Your apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, waits for you aboard your ship beyond the city limits. This young girl is Padmé Amidala, Queen of Naboo, fleeing the Trade Federation's invasion of her world."
"Who are you?" Panic flickered across Qui-Gon's features. His hand closed around his lightsaber hilt. "How do you know these things?"
"My identity is of no consequence. But I would counsel you against igniting that weapon." Raven's tone remained mild, almost kind. "It would serve only to embarrass you. There is no one in my company you could defeat."
Qui-Gon felt the truth of those words settle over him like a shroud. Through the Force, he sensed... nothing. No, worse than nothing.
The people in front of him, even the droids, existed as voids in the Force, absences so profound they seemed to warp reality around them. Whatever they were, they operated on a level beyond his level.
But still, he had his duty to uphold.
"Then you leave me no choice." Qui-Gon drew his weapon and dropped into a combat stance. "You know far too much. I cannot allow you to walk away simply without answering anything."
The lightsaber ignited with its distinctive snap-hiss, bathing the street in blue light.
"A Jedi!"
"What's happening?"
"Someone fetch Jabba! Quickly!"
Raven regarded the Jedi Master with something approaching admiration.
"Your courage does you credit, Master Gon. However—"
An invisible force seized Qui-Gon and hurled him violently down the street. Before he could recover, that same power yanked him back. Pressure locked around his limbs, holding him suspended and helpless in midair.
He never even had time to strike.
"Do not mistake us for enemies." Raven's voice carried no malice, only a statement of fact. "If we wished you dead, you would have perished before you knew we existed. Now, repair your ship. Leave this planet. That is the extent of your concern here. You have far more pressing matters to deal with."
The invisible bonds released. Qui-Gon dropped to his feet as Raven's group departed with Anakin and his mother.
He took two steps in pursuit before Padmé caught his arm.
"Master Jinn, my people suffer even as we stand here. Every moment we delay, more of them die. Please, we must reach Coruscant and petition the Senate for aid."
"That child, Your Highness..." Qui-Gon watched the retreating figures, torn between duty and instinct. "He may be the Chosen One. The one prophesied to bring balance to the Force."
"I am sorry." Padmé's voice held quiet steel. "But whoever that kid is, you cannot take him from people who defeated you in seconds. For now, we must return for help. That is our only path forward."
Qui-Gon exhaled slowly. The girl spoke the truth, however bitter. For now, he could do nothing.
They purchased the hyperdrive motivator from Watto and made their way back to the ship.
Both groups departed within the hour.
A third visitor arrived at Watto's junk shop soon after.
Jabba the Hutt descended from his repulsorcraft, his massive bulk oozing onto the sand. Thugs and mercenaries flanked him on speeder bikes, weapons prominently displayed.
Jabba's criminal empire sprawled across the sector: slave trading, spice running, arms dealing, extortion, murder for hire. Any venture promising profit drew Jabba's involvement.
The Hutt himself resembled an enormous slug, his leathery hide glistening with moisture. His wide mouth hung perpetually open, drool pooling at its corners. Two bulbous orange eyes protruded from his grotesque head, surveying the junk shop with naked greed.
"I have heard rumors," Jabba rumbled in Huttese, his voice like grinding stones. "Rumors of one who can turn stone into gold. Where is this alchemist?"
"He's Gone Jabba." Watto kept his distance, wings buzzing nervously. "They left an hour ago."
Their relationship had never been cordial.
[End of Chapter]
Check out the Patreon for advanced chapters right now:
👉 patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU