"Now that everyone of importance has arrived, we should begin to call in and if there are any last minute doubts, please say so now." Jira spoke to the room in place of Shmi whom was also attending with everyone else that is present.
"I do have a question." Someone spoke from the small crowd gathered.
"Yes, please ask away." Jira replied.
The person then asked their question. "What in general do you think the Hutt's want."
Someone else spoke up here. "The obviously want war, to re-enslave us and get back some of their money."
Some people agreed with this persons words. "Obviously their goals are easy to understand, but that does not mean we will give in. No, I think what the gentleman over there wanted to know was what would the Hutt's want in exchange for peace." Jira spoke.
"As for us, we do not want the Hutt's to not continue to harass us after the deal is made." Jira continued.
Seeing that silence had filled the room and that there were no more questions presented, Jira handed over her position to Shmi who stood up and allowed herself to be seated in place as the main communicator between herself and the Hutt's.
Anakin was just behind his mother while Qui-Gon was off in another part of the throne room.
'I think I know, or understand why the Republic wants to get us under their control so badly, and why the Hutt's also want this place back.' Anakin thought to himself being retrospective of the situation.
'In fact, I am surprised the Republic did not at least try to form an alliance but considering that Sidious is currently in charge, I should not be surprised by his greed.'
The main reason being the Republics insistence on the trade routes that run through Tatooine are especially important, let alone the fact that this had used to be their capital. Also having their current leader, Jabba within their prisons most were surprised that the Hutt's did not immediately strike back.
This was also thanks to Anakin's planning, making sure that the defensive capabilities are enough to hold back and maybe even win.
He does not have anymore forces that would allow him to expand his territory past the system of Tatooine. This is one of the reasons he wishes to recreate the Star Forge.
"Communications begin." The effeminate voice of the communications officer called out.
"Establishing Connection."
"Connecting."
"We are connected, transmission will begin in three."
"Two."
The communications officer present then signaled that they were live with a gesture of her hand instead of completing her count down.
The screen that had been brought in, started to transmit images between the Hutt's and Shmi who was sitting at the front.
Shmi decides to talk first and greet the crime lords. "Greetings. I am Shmi Skywalker, the current and newly crowned monarch of Tatooine." She puts on a brave face that she had grown used to over the years of helping to lead a business.
'Technically, Tatooine isn't even considered apart of Hutt spatial territories...' Anakin was thinking to himself as the Hutt's started to respond.
Laughing the Hutt on the other end mocks Shmi. "Beeogola Nechaska Shag Kwee-Kunee. Bu Hutt's dah bargon, u kulle nee kee bu Republic stuka yoskah, ma peetch u droida's cheska wastut. (Stupid little slave Queen. The Hutt's will not negotiate, you are only lucky the Republic looks out for you, so too your droids are many.)"
In outrage, the room explodes because of the insult because most here understands and knows the Huttese language they were easily able to know without a translator droid present.
Anakin also obviously doesn't like that but would let it slide... For now.
The discussion then continued for a while, not breaking its stalemate and it would seem that the Hutt's were stalling for time and not making their demands known, while Shmi tried to steer the conversation but unfortunately not getting anywhere to where they would like to be.
After a while the communication was cut and the people had to continue their own business as the next transmission would take a while to start.
Qui-Gon had announced himself and all, but that had also seemed to further upset the Hutt's.
"What a kind bunch they are, very friendly." Qui-Gon says sarcastically to Anakin.
"I would not put it past them that they should try to do another assassination attempt against my mother." Anakin said.
"Yes, it would seem that the attack last night was just the first attempt." Qui-Gon did not know that it was Anakin that had disposed of them but assumed it was the droids guarding the palace.
A good assumption considering the droids were also fully equipped and would have been able to handle them, not needing Anakin's assistance at all.
"I do believe that we dont have much to do here other than continuously remind the Hutt's that the Republic would back up Tatooine if they were to try and start a war." Anakin said.
"Yes... It would not be good for something like that to happen."
"Hello." Another voice interrupts the two conversing. "Good to meet you two, you guys must be the Jedi sent here, right?" The human female then continues. "I am sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Rynalla." The now identified Rynalla said.
"Yes, good to meet you but why have you approached the two of us?" Qui-Gon questioned.
"I just so happen to be apart of the research and development department of this planets government and was just interested in meeting some Jedi as I haven't meet one before." She explained her curiosity.
Rynalla feels that there is just something about the Padawan that is familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. 'Oh well.' She thought to herself before continuing. "I am interested in how the powers, or abilities that a Force-sensitive possesses and I am always willing to learn some more."
"You must be aware of the requirements to learn from the Jedi?" Anakin directs to Rynalla curious to see what she is trying to do.
"Well, lets just say that I have done my research but that doesn't discourage me from trying to find out some more about the energy-field known as the Force." She then continued as everyone else was out of hearing range. "I just thought that the two of you could help me out."
"I think not." Anakin responds shutting down whatever plan she has cooked up, given that there is much more important business to attend to at the moment. 'I think I should give her a good spanking...'
With a very convincing expression that showed her disappointment she said. "Oh well, it was a nice try anyway. Maybe we could see each other more often, or discuss these matters at some other time perhaps?" Rynalla says before walking away.
"That was interesting..." Qui-Gon says to Anakin about their interruption.
"Yes, very. Anyway what is our objective here again?"
"To make sure a war doesn't start but the main goal for us being here is to protect your mother for the duration of our stay." Qui-Gon stopped before continuing. "Meaning that we will stay here to protect her from harm and try to negotiate as well before going back."
"I think that would be rather impossible." Anakin says thinking about the heated situation.
"Maybe, but it doesn't hurt to try."
Anakin then responds. "I guess not."
[]
A few days had passed and the assassination attempts did not stop even though they had failed multiple times further prolonging both Qui-Gon and Anakin's stay.
Thankfully it was not like he needed to be anywhere else at the moment, not of any importance more than what is happening here.
'At least I get some quality time with my mother and get to see with my own eyes the progress Tatooine has made.' Anakin thought to himself while meditating within his room.
Thinking about the situation, with the amount of allies Tatooine has which would be very small Anakin could only see to it that he gets his mother and the people of Tatooine to settle for an alliance with the Republic for now.
There is no other way around it.
With his current military might it would be incapable of fully holding off the Hutt's for long enough to where he could be good for a while. His current standing army may be able to last a while but it would not be long enough, at least from the projected figures that the Star Forge would be up and ready to help compensate for his lack in that area.
The economic situation was actually going very well even with the low amount of population here on Tatooine, he had no worry about income because the business on Tatooine, and Skywalker Industries can sustain the market.
The politics of the situation are actually not that complicated because the head of the entirety of Tatooine's leadership is his mother where she can make the executive decisions.
Everyone acts more like advisors but they do have their own areas of interest meant to keep them busy in building up Tatooine.
The people seemed to be content with what they have, at least for now they can live proper lives and be free from slavery. Implants, if any within slaves were immediately taken out of them through the temporary medical stations put up.
In fact alot more escapee slaves were coming to Tatooine if they had the chance because of its very advanced systems here that allow for that sort of escape.
When thinking about the crime rates here, it was very low considering everyone here has all of the basic necessities to live, but of course once the population starts to increase, crime may increase as well.
"Ani, may I come in?" The voice of his mother comes from the other side of the grand and majestic door towards his room.
"Yes, you may enter." She enters the room and is once again amazed by the architecture within. 'The droids sure were, well... motivated.' Shmi thought to herself as she entered.
"I have something to talk to you about and it is about that Queen of Naboo." Shmi drops the bomb.
Raising his right eyebrow, Anakin shows some surprise on his face not expecting that Padme would contact his mother. "Well, what did she call you for?"
"I was quite surprised at first to discover that the Queen was one in the same as Padme with whom we had meet here on Tatooine, within our starter shop."
"This definitely surprised me."
"She had wanted to help because she wanted to return the favor, but I felt it was a little more than that." Shmi says the last part out loud not intending to speak her thoughts, but she did before continuing. "Myself and her had created a special treaty between the two of us and considering how close we are to each other, I thought that the idea was great."
Shmi stopped for some breath before continuing. "At first I had liked the help provided as it had accelerated in making up for the things I would have missed out on in my new position. In exchange a non-aggression pact was made."
"That is interesting, but I dont think that is all."
"You are correct. This non-aggression pact was only meant to be a disguise so that Padme and myself would be able to communicate with each other more often."
'Of course that was the real reason.' Anakin thought to himself.
"But soon after that, it would seem that there was cause for the both of us, Naboo and Tatooine to enter a much closer relationship." Anakin's interest was captured here. "This pact had been taken upto another level with making a full alliance."
"Of course this has not been made public just yet, and the decision between both parties is still in negotiation but it would seem that some of the people on Naboo are trying to pressure Padme into making a deal that includes herself as a subject."
Shmi then finished. "They wish to have Padme be married to you, Ani." Now this is something Anakin was not expecting at all, and it was as if the Force itself was playing a joke on him.
"No way." Anakin so elegantly replied.
"Yes way. Padme has had her suspicions that the people pushing this specification are doing so under the orders of someone else but can't find out by who."
"Well, I am sure that being within a high political position of power, one would make some enemies." Anakin then thinks within. 'Directly or indirectly, in fact this may be the doing of Palpatine to further increase his control over the situation. He no doubt considers that Padme is someone still so easily ready to accept anything he says...'
What Anakin had deduced is true, Palpatine was trying to move as many pieces as he can to further establish himself throughout the galaxy and he believed by trying to turn Anakin away form the Jedi back to his mother would help him.
By doing this he would be much easier to manipulate and then he could potentially bring Tatooine and possible systems next to Tatooine into his control.
"Ani, dont you think its terrible?" Shmi said.
"Well, if I had not known that you would think I am not that good of a match for the royal Queen of Naboo, I know now." Anakin replies in jest.
Glaring she responds. "That is not what I mean, and you know it. In fact I believe that you could have as many wives as you would like. It is not like the people here or anywhere else would not accept." Shmi tries to tease Anakin back.
"So my people are pervs, are they?"
"Don't let anyone else catch you saying that."
The two then burst into laughter at their ridiculous back and forth. "It was nice seeing you once again Anakin, if only you could visit more."
"Technically the last time I had come I was not suppose to come. I took a calculated risk coming and this time it is supposed to be on official Republic and Jedi business." Anakin pauses.
"But?" Shmi knows he has more to say.
"But~ that doesn't stop me from coming back to you."
Smiling, Shmi embrace Anakin within a hug. "It is good to see you too, mum." Anakin finishes while thinking. 'Now I have some more problems to deal with, thankfully there is a solution to the current stalemate.'
'Making an alliance with the Republic and convincing them that this is the best decision instead of being forcefully integrated.'
Anakin then continued his thoughts. 'It should not be too hard to make sure all of the politicians go with my terms. It was simple enough getting some blackmail material plus bribing the members would just as easily sway them over to my side, or should I say my mothers side.
"I think we should both head to bed." Anakin said to Shmi who is still hugging him.
"Let me stay."
Sighing happily, Anakin replies. "I guess we could sleep together."