The Sith Infiltrator's engines hummed as it touched down on the desert surface, kicking up a swirl of sand. With a hiss, the ship's ramp extended, revealing the imposing figure of Darth Maul silhouetted against the dim interior lights. Behind him, a cluster of spherical probe droids hovered, their sensors already scanning the environment.
Maul stepped onto Tatooine's sandy terrain, his black robes flowing in the cool night breeze. His yellow eyes, glowing with malevolence, surveyed the desolate landscape. With a subtle gesture of his gloved hand, he dispatched the probe droids. The metallic spheres shot off in various directions, their repulsors barely audible as they disappeared into the darkness, each tasked with locating Anakin Skywalker.
As the last droid vanished from sight, Maul's lips curled into a sinister smile. The hunt had begun.
Shmi dragged an old control panel to the scrapyard, wincing at another twinge in her lower back. She paused to wipe the sweat from her brow when a sudden gust of wind swept over her. Glancing up, she spotted a spherical object hovering nearby. A light flashed briefly before the strange device darted away. Shmi furrowed her brow, puzzled by the unfamiliar droid. Another jolt of pain in her back snapped her attention back to her surroundings. "Finally," she thought, relief washing over her as she realised all the chores were complete. She turned out the lights and headed towards her slave quarters, eager for a moment's rest after the long day's labour.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard the fluttering of wings. Turning around, she saw Watto's disapproving expression, his hands firmly on his hips. "And where do you think you're going?" he demanded.
She looked at Watto wearily, lacking the energy to argue or question him. "I was about to go to my quarters," she said tiredly.
"I have no time for slackers," he said angrily. "I have one more thing I need you to do."
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"Can I put Annie to bed first, please?" she asked wearily.
"Sure," he replied with a smirk, "but don't take too long. I have guests, and I plan to make a fortune off them." Watto grinned, his mood quickly shifting from amusement to anger. "So be quick!" he snapped.
Anakin was still diligently working on his pod racer when Shmi called out, "Come on, Annie, it's time for bed!"
"Aww, Mom, can I just calibrate the thrusters first?" he begged.
"No, Annie. Get dressed for bed now," she replied, her patience wearing thin. "I'm not asking you again."
Anakin got changed into his night clothes, and climbed into bed, his eyes bright with excitement. "Mom, my pod racer's gonna be the best! When I win a race, we'll have enough money to buy our freedom!"
Shmi smiled softly, stroking his hair. "Oh, Annie. Those races are too dangerous. We'll be free one day, but not like that."
"But Mom..." Anakin began to protest.
"Shh," she soothed. "Close your eyes now. It's time to sleep."
"Okay," he mumbled, already drifting off.
Shmi kissed his forehead gently, then quietly left the room. She sighed, heading back to finish Watto's chores, hoping this would be the last of them tonight. She was exhausted, and she longed for rest.
The probe droid returned to Darth Maul, who had been waiting impatiently. With the location now confirmed, he entered his ship and mounted his crescent-shaped Sith Speeder, the Bloodfin, before taking off at full speed toward Watto's scrapyard, the hum of the speeder echoing around him.
In Watto's kitchen, Shmi prepared food and drinks for his guests. The sounds of gambling echoed from another room, with chips clattering and Watto's shouts of triumph and frustration punctuating the air.
"I'll take every credit you've got, Sebulba. You can bet on it!" Watto boasted gleefully.
Sebulba bared his sharp teeth and flexed his muscular arm. "Shut your mouth, bantha poodoo," he growled menacingly before returning his focus to the cards. Watto gulped nervously and quickly changed the subject, “Shmi, bring another round for my guests!" he ordered.
Shmi sighed. The greedy, temperamental Toydarian had won her and Anakin in a bet, and she knew all too well that he could sell her at any moment. This uncertainty weighed heavily on her mind. Despite Watto's mean-spirited nature, she recognised that her situation could be far worse under a different owner. Her last owner, Gardulla the Hutt, had been particularly unpleasant. This thought intensified her ongoing anxiety about the future, prompting her to work hard to stay in Watto’s good graces.
