As he entered into the goal, I pressed a button as the terrasse went down slowly, to reach the ground.
When we arrived Anakin was already getting crowded by tens of civilians having run into the racing area.
I saw Qui-Gon lift Anakin from his pod and put him on his shoulders. They then walked around for a minute until he saw put down and we went into the hangar.
I also noticed Qui-Gon stepped away. Probably to gather the ship and credits.
Anakin was then swarmed by Padme, Shmi, and his friend.
I then followed them into the hangar.
As her mother kissed him and said some loving words I spoke up.
"Congratulations, Anakin. You did well, you've helped all of us immensely." I said and his tiny chest puffed out with pride.
"But it wouldn't be fair if we didn't return the gesture." I said as I took out two papers. It had the big words "Slave" on the top and each of their name under 1 of the papers.
And they immediately understood.
"What!?? You bought us?" Anakin exclaimed while Shmi breathed a sigh of release, maybe her boy would finally escape enslavement.
"I did. And I'll also free you both when we get on the ship. The contract details how to remove the chip and where it is so the ship droid can complete the surgery." I said and Anakin's smile beamed.
"Thank you so much! I love you Thalron." He exclaimed as he ran to me and hugged my foot, with a few tears running down his cheeks. He's a child through and through.
I patted his head.
"No problem, Anakin, maybe you'll get to accomplish your dream of visiting every planet, or becoming a Jedi." I said, and I could feel shock spread through his body, I guess he hadn't been informed yet. Just in time for Qui-Gon to join us.
"He's correct, Young Anakin." Qui Gon said.
"You have the requirements to become a Jedi, and I shall therefore take you to Coruscant to gain training." Qui Gon said and Anakin beamed.
"Does that mean I can come on your starship?" He exclaimed.
"Anakin, training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge, and even if you succeed, it's a hard life." Qui Gon said as he bent down
"But I wanna go. It's what I've always dreamed of doing. Can I go, Mom?" Anakin said.
"Anakin, this path has been placed before you. The choice is yours alone." Shmi Skywalker said as she smiled a bit. Anakin entered a stage of thinking.
"I wanna do it." He finally said, determined.
"Then pack your things. We haven't much time." Qui Gon said.
"Yippee!" He shouted as he ran to his friends, probably to tell them.
"Shmi?" I asked as Qui Gon just stood there.
"Yes, Count Veridian?" She asked, very formally.
"As you may know I'm the Count of Thyferra, and during this time I've gotten to know both you and Anakin. And as he's going to become a Jedi. I doubt either one of us wants him to worry about you, it will just be an obstacle. So I'll offer you work at Thyferra and protect you." I said and Shmi too, finally broke out.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Shmi exclaimed as a few tears ran down her face.
"I will serve you faithfully, Your Grace." She said.
"Very good, alright pack your things. Santos will help you when he gets back." I said. Qui Gon also narrowed his eyes, he probably guessed where Santo was headed. He left immediately after we got down from the terrasse.
Following that I began walking out of the hangar. I needed to meet a certain someone.
But Padme caught up.
"Count Thyferra! Wait up." She exclaimed.
"Ah, Padme. Please call me Thalron. We've gone way past the recognition required for first names." I said and she nodded
"Well, Thalron. I'm sure you already know, but I am Queen Amidala." She said, carefully checking out my reaction.
"Well, I had my suspicions about your role. Quite daring of you to come on this encounter, endangering yourself." I said and she looked at me like I was dumb.
"You're the count of Thyferra, last of House Veridian and there are no candidates suitable for replacing you. And yet you still do it. And you look for fights." She said.
"Well, firstly I'm somewhat trained for it, secondly I've got guards that are professionals at it and lastly, the Hutts won't dare touch me." I said.
"Why wouldn't the Hutt's hurt you?" She asked.
"I'm Count of the only planet capable of producing Bacta. And my net worth is in the trillions." I said and she looked like she wanted a further explanation.
"If they attacked me, they wouldn't dare kill me. Firstly due to my sizable Navy. While not the largest it can easily take over multiple Hutt worlds. And even if they did the Republic would immediately send all forces to rescue me, any private military force would be hired as well." I said and she looked at me carefully, not having considered my value.
"Everyone wants to get on my good side, have me owe them a favor, or debt. My House alone has taken over the Bacta production, meaning any enemies of mine won't get it. And Bacta is crucial for the survival of heavily injured individuals." I said and she finally understood the importance of bacta.
It's how the US is cautious when dealing with oil planets like the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle Eastern countries. They control a majority of Oil reserves. It's similar to if someone controls every surgical doctor in the world. Without them, you can't heal injured soldiers or heavy accidents.
"I see, well I might choose to fully align Naboo with you. Of course, that is if you send your fleet to help us against the Trade Federation." She said as she winked with her eyes, probably trying to seduce me.
Well, Padme has learned a lot, and maybe she has a crush on me. So while it is different than what her original character would do I like it better this way.
She then turned around and walked away, slightly waving her hips. Sadly for her, she didn't pack a lot there right now, but I'm sure she will later.
I looked at her back slowly distancing itself from me, before shaking my head and turning back to the mission at hand. Recruiting Aurra Sing.
As I exited the Hangar I spotted Jon, Robb, Embo and an Aurra Sing waiting for me.
"For g'rock g'akc" Embo said as my device translated it. It had activated it as he stepped forward.
"I have found and brought the target."
"Good job, Embo." I said as I turned to Aurra Sing.
"So you must be Aurra Sing? You've been getting a lot of attention for a rookie." I said and she smiled.
"I complete anything, as long as the price is right." She said. While Aurra was painted as a revenge-thirsty woman having a revenge arc against Ahsoka, she probably cared a lot about money, as most bounty hunters do.
"I'll give you the same offer I gave Embo here. 2500 a week, 120 000 every year. Minimum service of 13 years and potentially longer if you're happy with it." I said and she didn't seem shocked. I'm pretty sure Embo told her, or she's just good at keeping her emotions in check, a good thing for a sniper.
"What's the difficulty?" She asked.
"You'll work in a team with 6-7 other Bounty Hunters. Embo here is one of them. You'll complete dirty missions such as assassinations, and kidnapping. Most missions will have a handful of guards and can detail such as breaking into a senator's building. If they are extra hard you get extra cash." I said and she nodded. She usually completed these missions.
"Very well, I accept." She said and I smiled.
Another box was checked off.
"We'll be traveling to Coruscant later today. You can decide whether you want to travel with us, which includes 2 Jedi and a Queen. Or get there yourself." I said and she was quick to respond.
"I'll get there myself." She said.
"Alright, what about you Embo?" I asked
"Dor 'gar 'fori ( I'll go with you )" He said and I nodded.
"We're waiting for the Jedi then we'll head out." I said and they nodded.
I then went to the Bounty Hunter Guild, I would try to contact them now.
Once we entered the receptionist simply pointed us to a side room. It included 5 seats and a HoloTable.
As I went onto the HoloTable it informed me that I had 2 waiting clients. Bossk and Dengar.
I called Dengar first.
"Oy, who are ya?" Dengar asked. He sounded like an Irish man.
"I'm Count Thalron Veridian, and I have a contract for you." I said.
"Aight, if ya need anythin' blown up I'm yer guy." He said.
"I probably will require that at some time, but I'm here to offer you a long-term contract." I said and he was shocked. All those I mentioned were relatively new except for Embo and Bossk. And newbies never got long-term contracts, few top 20 even got those.
"Oh, why did yer choose me?" He asked.
"You have a reputation of being good at big firefights and carrying large weapons." I said and he nodded in agreement. Most Bounty Hunters carried light but he was different.
"Aight, well what ta details?" He asked.
"Minimum 13 years service, 2500 a week, 120 000 a year. You can deny certain missions but you are also paid extra for those you can deny." I said and he replied simply.
"I'll take ait."
And I smiled.
"Alright, you're on Coruscant now, right?" I asked and he nodded.
"I'll transfer some credits, buy out a floor on a hotel, preferably the top floor, and it needs to be in the top floor district on Coruscant." I said and he nodded, albeit a bit shocked because that usually costs a lot. But if you think about the pay he gets it isn't that shocking.
"Aight, I'll make sure I head ther when I get yer credits." He said and I cut the transmission. I now needed to call Bossk.
As I pressed his name the transmitter started up and the ugly form of a Trandoshian formed.
"You must be Bossk?" I asked.
"Sssss, yees, and ssss, who may yoou bee?" He asked.
"I'm Count Thalron Veridian of Thyferra, and I got a business proposal for you." I said.
"A businesssss proposal, eh sssssss explain." He said.
"A long-term service, 2500 every week, 120 000 every year. You'll get free time to hunt wookies if you want and you can refuse certain missions but they will also pay extra." I said and he began thinking. You could rarely see emotions, except predator-like on a Trandoshians face.
"Sssss, how long sssss and do I work alonesssssssss" He said slowly.
"Minimum 13 years, potentially longer if you want. And you work with a team of about 6-7 others." I said.
"sss, very well- I accept, Bosssssss" He said.
"Alright, I'll send you the coordinates of a hotel on Coruscant. We'll rent out the whole upper floor, we'll get to Coruscant in a few days, make sure you're there." I said and he nodded.
And with that, I cut my call.
Now there's only the matter of Sugi's crew left.
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