Tatooine, 37 BBY

Despite being on the other side of the galaxy, the trip to Tatooine didn’t take more than a week. I didn’t know enough about hyperspace travel to explain exactly how it works, but in short, it was relatively quick because we could follow the Corellian Run almost the entire way to our destination. Of course, having Jedi credentials, allowing us to bypass customs checkpoints along the way let us shave days off our travel time.

Looking down on the unimpressive-looking dustball from our current place in orbit was a strange experience. With my eyes, all I could see were deserts and wastelands, but when I reached out with the Force the impression was different.

Both the Cosmic and the Living Force moved through the planet as if it was breathing, giving the impression that the whole planet was alive. Despite being a desolate ball of sand far away from anything important, it had somehow managed a cameo in almost every major event in the galaxy for the last five thousand years. It wasn’t a Force Nexus like Korriban or Tython, but the Force certainly liked the planet. Like a vacation home for the Force?

Maybe it was my meta-knowledge, maybe it was my impressive connection to the Force, maybe it was a combination of both, or maybe I was delusional, but the others didn’t see all the things I saw when looking at Tatooine. All they saw was an unimpressive ball of dust.

“That is the most depressive-looking planet I’ve ever seen,” Obi-Wan commented from beside me with a frown.

“Just wait until we land,” I responded with a sigh. “This planet belongs to the Hutts. There’s little joy to be found where they are involved.”

His frown deepened as Qui-Gon stepped up beside him and looked down at the sandy planet with us.

“Even the Hutts have a place in the galaxy, Anika,” He said. “All life is worthy of our respect.”

I rolled my eyes at that. “Sure,” I said. “If only the Hutts shared that view. Everything they have, they have taken from someone else, through either violence or coercion. I have never been a fan of the idea of ‘the greater good’, but you can’t deny that the galaxy would be a better place if the overgrown slugs just disappeared.” It wasn’t a very Jedi-like view, but there were more examples of good Sith than there were of good Hutts.

With that, he let the matter lie. Even Qui-Gon, with his appreciation for all life, struggled to defend the Hutts.

“What kind of hellscape have you taken us to, Anika?” My master asked with a sigh as she too joined us at the viewport.

“A wretched hive of scum and villainy,” I responded as I pointed to where I could sense Anakin’s massive Force presence down on the surface. “There. Can you sense him?”

They all focused and reached out with their senses. Maybe it was because I knew what to look for, but it took a while before they found it.

“I can sense him, faintly,” Obi-Wan was the first to respond. “He must have an enormous presence for us to sense him at this distance.” He grabbed his chin and made his iconic thinking pose.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Indeed. It seems the suns are just rising on that part of the planet. Let’s not dally,” Qui-Gon said, and Komari returned to the cockpit to bring us down.

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Mos Espa was unlike any other place I had seen. Granted, it was the only other place in the galaxy I had been to besides the Temple, but it was unique. It wasn’t a big town, but it had managed to survive in a rough and hostile environment despite all odds. Unfortunately, its inhabitants were equally rough and hostile.

We had barely left our berth before our path was blocked by two Nikto, a Twi’lek, and a Weequay. All armed with blaster rifles.

“Welcome to Mos Espa, travelers,” The Twi'lek said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. We have come to collect the landing fee.”

Komari and Obi-Wan discretely reached for their lightsabers, but Qui-Gon, ever the diplomat, decided to give conversation a try first.

“You must be mistaken, we already paid the berthing fee as we landed.” It was impressive how polite he managed to keep his tone.

“Ah, well, you see,” The Twi’lek’s smile grew into a vicious grin as he spoke. “The landing fee is separate from the berthing fee. To ensure your safety, you see?”

Before Qui-Gon could respond, I interjected. “Master, if I may?”

Since none of us were in any real danger he acquiesced with a curious nod, and I stepped forward, reaching out with the Force as I moved.

I had never tried this before, but I had learned the theory, so I felt confident as I spoke while letting the Force touch their minds. “You don’t need a landing fee.”

Their jaws went slack as they responded. “We don’t need a landing fee.”

“You’re sorry for the misunderstanding,” I continued, and he followed my lead. “We’re sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“Move along.”

They moved to the side to let us pass. “Move along.”

We continued walking, my three companions eyeing me curiously, and after a few moments, Komari asked: “When did you learn to do that? Influencing minds with the Force like that is an advanced technique, and I’m sure I didn’t teach you.”

I reached up and scratched the back of my head, a little bashful. “Should I not have? I knew the theory and figured this was a good opportunity to practice in a safe environment.”

“Hah!” Obi-Wan drew everyone's attention with a laugh. “Face-to-face with four armed mobsters on their turf is a ‘safe environment’ to you?” He was wearing a sarcastic smile and I could sense his amusement, so I knew he wasn’t angry.

“Surrounded by a Jedi Master, a talented Jedi Knight, and a senior Padawan on the verge of Knighthood?” I counted off on my fingers. “Yeah, I’d say that’s a reasonably safe environment no matter where in the galaxy we are.”

“Touché.” I could feel some pleasure from both him and Komari at my description of them, but they didn’t comment.

Qui-Gon just smiled as he said: “Your assessment is indeed correct, Padawan, but you should always consider diplomatic options before you resort to using the Force.”

“I understand, Master. But do you really think diplomacy would have gotten us anywhere?” I asked. “The only other outcomes I could see ended in violence.”

He nodded in satisfaction. “I agree, diplomacy would likely not have worked, and solving the situation as you did quickly before things could potentially escalate was a wise choice. I simply wanted to make sure you were aware that there are sometimes less intrusive solutions to a problem.” He turned to Komari before adding: “You have taught her well, Komari.”

Komari just smiled, shook her head in bemusement, and said: “I didn’t teach her that.” Before she put a hand fondly on my head and added more to herself it seemed: “Sometimes I wonder who is truly the Master.”