The Jedi Code

III : Midi-chlorians?

THREE.

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MIDI-CHLORIANS?

Just like we planned, Anakin and I had gone to work like we usually did and told Watto that Qui-Gon wanted to sponsor us in the race. At first, Watto laughed at us until tears came out of his eyes, but then he realized we were serious. We heard chatter coming from outside and when we turned towards the entrance to the shop, we saw Qui-Gon coming in. Once Watto laid eyes on the Jedi, his face turned into a scowl and he pointed a crooked finger at Qui-Gon.

"The kids tell me you want to sponsor them in the race," Watto asked with furrowed eyebrows and his beady yellow eyes staring at Qui-Gon in disbelief. "How can you do this? Not on Republic credits, I think, huh?"

Qui-Gon just raised an eyebrow while Watto continued to banter, the Jedi reached into his belt and pulled out his hologram before holding it out for Watto to see. He pressed a button and an image of his ship appeared before us. I tried my best to stifle a gasp but my eyes still grew wide. Sure I knew he had a ship, but I didn't know it was that nice of a ship.

"My ship will be the entry fee," Qui-Gon stated and I saw Anakin's jaw drop a little, he clearly was thinking the same thing I was.

I couldn't help but start to feel bad the more I looked at the ship. Qui-Gon was counting on Anakin and me to win this race. Sure, I had faith in my brother and myself, but we had never actually won before. This Jedi was willing to bet everything on us winning even though he basically had no real reason to even trust us. My stomach started to turn the more I eyed the ship and I felt Qui-Gon lay a soft hand on my shoulder, probably in an effort to make me feel better, while Watto eyed the ship like a hawk.

"Not bad, huh?" Watto said as he narrowed his eyes at the ship and started stroking the stubbles on his chin as he continued to stare at the ship with a hungry look in his eyes. "A Nubian, huh?"

"It's in good order, except for the parts I need," Qui-Gon explained before mashing a button and the hologram disappeared.

"But what would either one of them ride?" Watto asked with a frown as he then turned to both of us and narrowed his eyes coldly at us. "The boy smashed up my pod in the last race, the girl completely destroyed another one a few weeks ago. It will take the boy some long time to fix the one of mine he damaged."

I couldn't help but grimace at his harsh words, Qui-Gon also seemed to sense the glares Watto was sending in our direction and placed his other hand on my other shoulder protectively. Anakin just had a pitiful look on his face as he turned to Qui-Gon trying to defend himself. "It wasn't our fault, really! Sebulba caught Sere's engine on fire with a flamethrower he had built into his left engine. And after that, he flashed me with his vents. I actually saved the pod, mostly . . ."