Over the following days, time seemed to sprint past for Harry, carrying him along on a wave of unexpected enjoyment. He couldn't recall the last time he had such an exhilarating experience.
Amidst this thrill, Jar Jar Binks, despite his best intentions, proved to be more of a hindrance than aid. The well-meaning and otherwise enjoyable Gungan often caused mishaps to occur around the podracer, especially whenever he was left unsupervised, resulting in inadvertent damage and disconnections to its crucial components. Harry frequently found himself retracing his steps, fixing what had been inadvertently broken, all before being able to progress further in the construction of his podracer.
Despite these setbacks, Harry marveled at the remarkable headway he was making with the invaluable assistance of R2D2 and Padme. Padme's support and R2D2's expertise were instrumental in keeping his project on track. Harry remained unwavering in his confidence that he would complete the podracer well ahead of the impending race, in spite of Jar Jar's unintentional disruptions.
To Harry's sheer delight, Qui-Gon Jinn had succeeded in persuading Watto to arrange a special opportunity for a brief practice run with the podracer on the eve of the race. Qui-Gon presented this arrangement as an opportunity for Harry to familiarize himself with the mechanics and functionalities of the 'new' racer that Qui-Gon had provided … convincing Watto that Harry would fly better if he was more comfortable. Seeing the logic of this the Toydarian had accepted, however, it was not before he extracted a promise from both Qui-Gon and Harry.
They had been required to promise that Harry wouldn't push the podracer beyond safe limits or take any foolish risks during the practice, ensuring both his own safety and, what Harry assumed was even more important to Watto, the safety of the podracer before the actual race even began. These were terms that, upon discussion with Harry, Qui-Gon was most willing to agree to, content in knowing they would have an opportunity to fix anything last minute if need be and this could be accomplished without putting the podracer at risk.
In addition to relishing the progress he was making on his racer, confident that even with the practice run and any time necessary fixing anything he noticed during that practice the racer would be done well in advance of the time he went to bed that night. Harry found himself thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to spend time with and get to know Padme.
Harry very quickly discovered that Padme was not just a seemingly remarkable individual but also made for fantastic company. Her brilliance shone through in every interaction. She appeared to possess an insatiable drive, never content with idleness but constantly engaged in meaningful conversations, continuously absorbing new knowledge. Whether engrossed in discussions with his mother about their past … their lives as slaves, conferring in hushed tones with Qui-Gon regarding whatever their plans were once they departed the planet, or simply hanging out with Harry and his friends during their evening visits to inspect his work, Padme constantly displayed that she was never content with simply being and she enjoyed being actively involved in the things going on around her and tried to positively contribute.
Most significantly, Harry realized that spending time with Padme was aiding in easing his feelings of longing for his friends … feelings he hadn't fully realized or acknowledged until he had the chance to spend time in Padme's company. While she might not have possessed Hermione's sheer intellectual prowess, Padme shared a profound hunger for knowledge and displayed a similar depth of thought. She exuded a sense of bravery and adventure like Ron, yet without his all to frequent bouts of jealousy. Her kindness and honesty mirrored Luna's qualities, though she was certainly without Luna's over-the-top quirkiness. And finally, Harry noticed that Padme's steadfastness in her convictions and loyalty to her companions echoed Neville, minus any hint of uncertainty or lack of confidence.
Initially, Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness upon recognizing these parallels between Padme and his friends. However, as these shared qualities became more apparent, he began to perceive them in a different light … a positive reminder of the cherished attributes of friends he might never see again and he began to take comfort in them.
Harry quickly found himself growing fond of spending time with Padme, valuing not just her personality but also her treatment of him. Unlike Qui-Gon, who occasionally regarded him as just a child, due to his apparent age, or others who saw him as inferior due to his background as a slave, Padme treated Harry as an equal. Her attitude toward him resonated deeply, fostering a sense of appreciation and comfort that he hadn't experienced in a while.
In fact, while spending time with her, Harry found a rare sense of belonging, feeling more like his true self than he had since awakening on this unfamiliar planet.
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Stepping back from the podracer, Harry surveyed the day's progress with a rush of excitement, exhaling deeply in anticipation. R2D2 responded with a sequence of beeps, and Harry glanced over to the droid, nodding in agreement. "You're right, R2D2. I'm pretty sure our work here is done, and it looks fantastic. I believe she's all set for the test run later today. And just in case, we'll have plenty of time to work out any issues and make adjustments before the race tomorrow."
No sooner than Harry finished his sentence, before he could delve further into his thoughts, the familiar voices of his friends echoed through the courtyard. Kitster and Wald were the first to enter, offering enthusiastic waves in Harry's direction. They were followed by Aimee and Seek who were right behind the two. The quartet had made it a routine to visit after completing their day's tasks, hoping to persuade Harry to join them for some fun or adventure around the settlement.
However, over the past couple days, Harry had been completely absorbed in ensuring the podracer's completion for the upcoming Boonta Eve Classic. Consequently, he hadn't had much opportunity to hang out or have fun with his friends. Instead, they often lingered nearby, observing Harry and R2D2's work, engaging in conversations with Padme, or finding amusement in Jar Jar Binks' antics.
As they entered the courtyard, Wald cast a curious glance at the podracer, then shifted his attention to Harry, who stood a few paces away from the machine.
"Hey Ani … how's it going? Do you need a break? We were going to …" Wald's words trailed off as he noticed the satsisfied expression on Harry's face. His gaze snapped back to the podracer. "… oh, is she finished?" he inquired, picking up on the satisfaction evident on Harry's face.
Harry responded with a nod, his grin widening, effectively confirming Wald's question without needing words.
Aimee, who spent most of her days in a mechanics shop, looked the ship over, before turning her focus to Harry before she hesitantly began. "Your racer … it looks different …" She cautiously approached the podracer, scrutinizing several of the features that Harry and R2D2 had diligently worked on for the past few days. She also took note of the areas Harry had been working on alone during the nights, after everyone had gone to sleep for the night. After inspecting it closely, she straightened up and directed her gaze at Harry. "… definitely different from the schematics you first showed us when you started this project of yours. Are you certain this thing will hold up in the race ... without suddenly exploding on you tomorrow? You've been at this for what feels like an eternity, and suddenly it's ready the day before the biggest race of the year."
"I'll be fine, I'm absolutely certain nothing will go wrong … but I do have the practice run this evening just to ensure everything's in order," Harry reassured, sporting a smile as he noticed Aimee's focused attention on a particular feature of the podracer. Her unwavering inspection eventually piqued the interest of the others present, alerting them to what she had noticed.
As Kitster attempted to identify what had captured Aimee's attention, his eyes widened, and he became the next person, aside from R2D2 and Aimee, to understand what he had done.
"Ani! What have you done?! It seems like you've completely removed all the heavy shielding around the engine cowling and left only the thin insultating layer. I'd be surprised if that could even withstand a rock hitting your racer at high speed, let alone collisions with other racers on the course. Please tell me the heavier shielding is somewhere nearby and you just haven't installed it yet," Kitster exclaimed, a mix of alarm and concern evident in his tone.
Harry shook his head, wearing a confident smile. "Nope, the racer's all done and good to go. I'll be heading out for the practice run shortly, as soon as Qui-Gon and Padme return, just to ensure everything's in perfect order, but unless I find any problems I think its ready." He paused and looked from the engine to his friends, "As for the heavy shielding, I took it off on purpose. My goal was to prevent the engine from overheating and keep the craft as light as possible …"
Harry heard Seek scoff from the back of the group, "It won't survive long enough to overheat."
Choosing to ignore the older boy, Harry kept talking, "… realistically, my ship wouldn't have the strength to push other ships out of the way anyway, so I'm relying on increased speed and maneuverability by keeping it lighter."
However, Kitster expressed his concern with a shake of his head. "Sure, it'll be lighter, but seriously, Ani. With no heavy shielding, one impact from another racer or even a stray rock that bounces up on the course, at the speed you are travelling at, could spell disaster for you. You can't be serious about this. You know the moment Sebulba catches wind of your modifications, he'll target you without hesitation. He sees you as his biggest competition, and this alteration has given him the perfect opportunity. It won't even look like he attempted to kill you … just a slight collision, and his engines will crush yours. You'll either explode when they do or lose control entirely when he smashes them to pieces … Even your luck has its limits."
Harry responded with a slight smile and a shake of his head, the memory of the past few evenings flooding back to him.
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He recalled staying up late almost every night since he arrived, poring over the books he had discovered in the Mokeskin pouch. However, it was the excitement he felt when stumbling upon a protective spell two nights prior that remained forefront and vivid in his mind. It had ignited an immediate thrill, prompting him to cautiously begin practicing the spell in his room, curious to explore whether magic could mix with the diverse technologies prevalent in this galaxy.
Reflecting on his experiences back on Earth, he remembered constantly hearinf that the reason Hogwarts appeared so antiquated was due to the fundamental incompatibility between magic and technology. Save for a remarkable few exceptions, combining the two often resulted in catastrophic outcomes … explosions that could rival even Seamus's most impressive mishaps. Knowing this, Harry had been keen to see if magic had the ability to combine with technology in the galaxy, before attempting to gauge the spell's compatibility with the components on the podracer. He knew this plan was already fraught with risks; he had no intention of turning his racer into what essentially amounted to an unstable bomb. Knowing the last thing he needed was to introduce more instability into an already dangerous situation.
To his surprise and immense delight, Harry discovered that in the majority of cases, his magic didn't seem to affect or disrupt the functioning of the technology he cast spells on. Although, there were a couple of instances where his attempts at using magic on a piece of technology was ineffective, as the magic refused to have its expected effect. However, more astonishingly, was that there were certain items … items previously collected by Anakin due to the fact that they had … given him an uncanny sensation, a sensation that no one else seemed to feel … that reacted unexpectantly when combined with his magic. When he experimented with using magic on these specific items, they became notably more potent or efficient. The first time this had happened Harry worried he had done something wrong but as the results repeated themselves and Harry found the similarity within the items that seemed to cause this he decided there was something more at work here then he could explain.
Initially fascinated by this odd phenomenon, Harry was eager to understand its cause. However, the pressing need to complete the podracer for the upcoming race demanded his immediate attention. As a result, he decided to set aside his curiosity, temporarily at least, deciding that he could look into this once the race was completed, realizing that once Qui-Gon, Padme, Jar Jar, and R2D2 departed, he would have plenty of time to look into the mystery behind why only certain items displayed such unique reactions to his magic.
In the meanwhile, Harry settled on accepting and being content with the knowledge that most items could seamlessly integrate with his magic, and more importantly, that none of them turned explosive, at least for the time being.
As such, Harry had begun practicing the spell he had found during the quiet evenings, after everyone had gone to sleep for the night, and occasionally during the day when he could steal a moment to himself. He dedicated himself to his practice with a fervor that rivaled even Hermione and he was pretty sure would have impressed her. By the end of the initial day after he started practicing the spell on small electronics in his room, he felt comfortable with his capability to cast the spell proficiently. Without delay, he began testing it on each of the components on the podracer that would require heavy shielding for protection.
The sheer elation Harry experienced upon witnessing every single item successfully retain the spell without any adverse effects was overwhelming. His joy was so immense that he couldn't contain himself and, in a moment of sheer exuberance, he shouted out loud, forgetting momentarily that it was the dead of night. Luckily, his outburst only roused R2D2, who promptly investigated the source of the disturbance. To pacify the curious droid, Harry managed to convince R2D2 that he was simply examining the ship and assured him that he'd be inside shortly.
By the following night, Harry was confident that he had sufficiently mastered the spell … or as close as he figured he would get before the race. With this belief, he removed his prior enchantments and diligently recast the stronger spells, his smile widening in satisfaction when the result turned out exactly as he had hoped it would. As he gazed at the podracer, a smile etched across his face, Harry was assured that he had successfully cast an unbreakable charm on most of the intricate components crucial to his racer, ones that would have previously required the heavy protective plating.
When Harry had found the spell he was excited as he recognized the dual benefits this charm could offer for the impending race. Firstly, by rendering the components unbreakable with the use of this spell, he was able to get rid of some of the heavy metal protective shielding that was included solely to protect the delicate vital electronics beneath, knowing that the elimination of the weighty shielding would drastically reduce the racer's overall weight, promising a significant boost in speed.
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Additionally, he was confident that the absence of these bulky, cumbersome metal plates would reduce the risk of the turbine overheating, as it allowed for better ventilation. This, in turn, would conserve energy and give him a larger emergency reserve for potential daring maneuvers or risky actions later in the race.
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With a smile, Harry brushed aside the memories that had briefly filled his mind, shifting his focus from the exposed engine to his companion, Wald, and then back to the podracer. He couldn't help but think about the reactions of his competitors when they saw the seemingly unprotected state of his engines, particularly the delicate electronics left entirely exposed. He had a strong suspicion that many racers, especially Sebulba, would believe this apparent vulnerability to be an opportunity. They would likely expend both figurative and literal energy attempting to unsuccessfully destroy his podracer by repeatedly colliding with the exposed areas. Believing that he had either installed a personal forcefield to safeguard the area, leading them to incessantly collide with the exposed section, aiming to drain the energy from his engines, or they might conclude that Harry had consciously chosen to forgo protecting the ships, hoping for more speed and the other racers would assume that a single collision would obliterate his podracer.
In either scenario, Harry anticipated a rough start to the race. He was confident that a significant portion of his fellow racers would aggressively attempt to collide with his ship, early and often, undoubtedly trying to eliminate him from the race as swiftly as possible, reducing their competiton. Harry knew he would have to brace himself for the inevitable onslaught, knowing that he'd need to navigate through a storm of attempted collisions in the initial stages of the race.
Turning back to his friends, TTHarry addressed them with a reassuring smile, his expression calm and collected. "Don't worry about my ship. I'll get that practice run in as soon as Qui-Gon is back … want to make sure all the … recent … additions are working together without problem. But I'm pretty sure everything will be good for the race tomorrow."
His words were met with disbelieving headshakes from all his friends, as they called him crazy and headed off to play their games. That is all his friends except Kitster, who stayed behind with Harry in the courtyard, while R2D2 busied itself, welding a piece of metal to the side of the ship … a purely decorative addition that Harry had just decided to include that morning.
With a furrowed brow, Kitster turned to face Harry, his expression wrought with concern and genuine worry. "Ani, are you absolutely sure this is the right move? They do have a point. This seems like an awfully risky bet. You're an great pilot, but this ... it feels like an unnecessary risk. They're right, you know. Even a slight collision could … well I wouldn't envy your ship. There might not even be enough left over to feed the bantha mites. I don't want to see ..." Kitster paused, his eyes reflecting a blend of apprehension and fear. "... you don't deserve to put yourself in harm's way just for the sake of others' entertainment or the benefit of a group of strangers."
In response to Kitster's heartfelt concerns, Harry regarded his friend with appreciation. "I promise I don't plan to get hurt or die in this race, Kitster. I've heard you've got money riding on me, and I plan to win it, kinda hard if I am dead a few feet off the starting line. For what it's worth … I'm pretty sure they won't be able to get rid of me that easily, even though I am pretty sure they will try, especially Sebulba."
His friend looked at him with an almost pleading expression, "Then why race without the protective casings on your ship? From the few ships I've seen brought to the track this morning and the chat in and around the cantinas, it already sounds like your ship will be among the smallest on the course. Ani, even if you manage to dodge the other racers right off the start, all it would take is one small rock bouncing up and damaging something on the podracer. Best-case scenario, you'll be stranded, trying to repair your ship in the middle of nowhere, without tools, on the side of a dune. And worst-case scenario ..." Kitster's voice trailed off, but the implications were unmistakable.
Harry shook his head, offering a reassuring smile to his friend. He chose not to delve into specifics, confident that even if he knew what to say he would never be believed, and instead simply responded, "Don't worry, Kitster. Even if any of them can even catch up to me, they can try all they want to run me off the track, but they will just be wasting their energy." He said confidently.
Kitster initially opened his mouth to protest Harry's decision, yet again, but eventually closed it, realizing the futility of arguing further. He shrugged his shoulders, acknowledging that attempting to dissuade his friend at this juncture would likely be fruitless.
After a brief pause, Kitster glanced back at Harry and softly remarked, "Well ... then you better stay very far ahead of them and watch out for flying rocks." His comment prompted both boys to burst into laughter, breaking the tension with their shared amusement.
Following several minutes of unrestrained laughter, they gradually regained their composure. Harry wiped away the tears from his eyes, his smile persisting as he looked at Kitster. "That's the plan, Kitster. That's the plan."
Kitster nodded and redirected his gaze toward the podracer. "So ... do you really believe you'll do alright in the race? Are you actually confident about winning?" he inquired.
Harry grinned and nodded, "I'm going to be betting everything I have on winning this race. If I do, I'll be able to secure freedom for my mom, and maybe even for myself. Although, even if I do win … or maybe, especially if I do win, I doubt Watto will ever let me go … I wish I had the money and could have bought our freedom before the race, but at least my mom will finally be free."
Listening to Harry's determination, Kitster nodded in understanding. "Well, if you're that confident, I'll place my bet on you too. I meant what I said earlier … you might just be a human, but you're the best racer anyone has ever seen on the track. I'll be cheering you on, Ani," he affirmed with a smile, before glancing around the courtyard. "Now, are you sure there's nothing I can do to help you before you head out?"
Harry shook his head, wearing a smile. "I'm all set, and the podracer is ready too. Just waiting on Qui-Gon to return so we can transport it to the alternate course for my test run. Once that's done, as long as there is nothing I need to do, it'll be dropped off at the track. R2D2 offered to stay with it overnight ... you know, to ensure no one accidentally bumps into the racer or anything like that."
Kitster glanced towards the astromech droid and nodded thoughtfully. "Hmmm … well it is probably a safer choice to leave it alone, under the watch of a single astromech droid, in an arena accessible to all the other supercompetitive racers and any of Tatooine's gangs … than to leave it anywhere near Jar Jar."
Harry looked at his friend in surprise before breaking into laughter. "Actually," he said with a smile, "technically, Jar Jar offered to stay with the podracer overnight at the track. I think it was his way of trying to make up for the damages he caused earlier. But, um... I felt a little bit … safer with R2D2 watching it rather than Jar Jar. I'm pretty sure R2D2 will do an excellent job."
Turning to the astromech droid, who seemed to have completed its welding task and had rolled over to the two boys, Harry addressed it. "Isn't that right, R2? You'll keep the ship safe?" He posed the question, prompting a series of positive sounding beeps from the droid.
Kitster smiled warmly. "I'm happy to hear that. I feel much safer betting on you knowing that someone will be guarding the podracer overnight and that not only will it not be Jar Jar but he won't be anywhere near the racer. Well ... I guess I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow. I hope the practice run goes smoothly. Make sure you get a good sleep tonight, Ani," he expressed.
After Kitster departed in the direction the rest of their friends had gone, Harry found himself with time on his hands, not much to do except rush to his room and retrieve one of the books from his Mokeskin pouch. He settled in, content to delve into various chapters on nonverbal magic until Qui-Gon and the arranged assistance arrived to transport the podracer to the practice area well outside of the settlement. While not convenient to get to, the area Watto had suggested to Qui-Gon was chosen due to its relatively sparse obstacles, reducing the risk of a crash should any issue arise with the steering or the engines. Additionally, Watto had assured them that the remote setting would prevent other racers from observing Harry's test run, thereby preventing them from scouting his podracer to try and uncover its strengths and weaknesses before the race began.
Less than half an hour from the moment Harry settled down to read, Qui-Gon entered the courtyard, accompanied by Padme, both riding atop eopies, the large, familiar beasts of burden commonly seen on Tatooine. Strapped to their eopies were unactivated anti-grav pods, part of the arrangements for transporting the podracer.
Following Harry's directions and with the helpful input from R2D2 and C3PO, they swiftly readied the podracer for transport within a mere ten minutes. Soon, they were on their way out of the settlement, en route to the location recommended by Watto. Despite the blistering suns nearly overhead and the remoteness of their destination, they managed to reach the designated area within the hour.
Seated in the pilot's position within the podracer, Harry couldn't contain his smile as he surveyed what he had achieved. Regardless of the forthcoming outcome, though he felt confident, he was certain he was going to enjoy the events of the following day.
With a determined nod, Harry gazed ahead at the vast expanse of empty terrain unfolding before them. Lowering his focus to the array of controls before him, he reached out and flicked the switch that ignited the engines. His grin widened as the anticipated vibration and hum echoed through the craft, signifying the transfer of energy to the massive Radon-Ulzer engines. The engines quivered in readiness, eagerly awaiting Harry's command to disengage the brakes and allow his ship to jump forward as though it were an untamed and newly liberated Massiff, from the Dune Sea.
Glancing over to where Qui-Gon and Padme stood on a slightly elevated dune to the side, Harry observed the older man beginning to count down with hand gestures. The mounting excitement within him matched the anticipation he felt while observing Qui-Gon's movements.
His excitement reached its peak when Qui-Gon signaled for Harry to start. Fueled by eagerness, Harry forcefully pushed the thruster bars forward, channeling full power to the engines. Yet, his excitement was swiftly extinguished, mirroring the abrupt halt of the engines. It took Harry a split second to realize that the sudden engine shutdown resulted from an overflow of fuel, depriving the engines of the necessary oxygen.
Reacting swiftly, Harry mentally smacked his head in frustration as he retracted the thruster bars and, after a ten second count, reactivated the stalled engines. Feeling the Radon-Ulzer engines rumble back to life, he couldn't help but offer a wry smile. He was immensely grateful that this hiccup occurred during the practice run rather than in front of the tens of thousands expected to witness the race the next day. He was relieved, not only to spare himself the embarrassment but also because in a high-speed race like this, the delay caused by restarting the engines could be the fine line between victory and defeat. This realization left him content in the knowledge that he wouldn't repeat this mistake when it truly mattered, recognizing the critical importance of seamless performance in the impending race.
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With a sheepish grin, Harry glanced toward Qui-Gon, who sported a puzzled expression. Shrugging his shoulders, Harry nodded to assure Qui-Gon that everything was under control. Redirecting his attention to the instrument panel before him, he pushed the thruster bar forward, a bit more cautiously this time, allowing the engine to engage smoothly.
A surge of exhilaration coursed through Harry as the podracer leapt forward. A radiant smile spread across his face as the craft bolted away from his starting point, propelling him across the sands of Tatooine. From their elevated position on the dune, Harry was positive that Qui-Gon and Padme observed him streaking away, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of dust and the fading echo of the sounds of his engines. In a matter of moments, he was certain he had passed beyond the range of normal human eyesight.
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That evening, following a rather remarkable meal orchestrated by Qui-Gon … although the man remained … somewhat evasive when asked about the particulars of how he obtained the meal, Harry found himself seated alongside his mother and Kitster, who had joined them for the feast. Engaged in conversation were Padme, Qui-Gon, and Jar Jar, each sharing anecdotes from their respective experiences.
While Harry found all the stories interesting and found himself thoroughly enjoying the stories from Jar Jar, Harry eagerly absorbed all the tales, and he found himself particularly enthralled by Padme's narratives detailing her life at the palace and on Naboo. However, certain aspects of her references to being a handmaiden … seemed off to him. Despite this, no one else seemed to notice anything amiss or seemed to question her accounts, so Harry allowed himself to immerse himself in the captivating stories. Padme's stories painted a picture of an extraordinarily vibrant life, one far more exciting than his own experiences on Tatooine and leagues beyond his life before attending Hogwarts.
Her recounting revealed a life full with meetings and interactions with dignitaries hailing from across her sector of space. Yet, what stood out the most was her profound care for the people on her planet and the idea of doing what was right. Harry couldn't help but admire Padme's dedication and compassion. He pondered on the Queen's astuteness or perhaps her fortune in surrounding herself with individuals of Padme's caliber, deciding he was looking forward to meeting her, as he had not yet had the opportunity since Qui-Gon had decided for safety reasons it was safer to leave the Queen aboard the ship, which was hidden well outside of the settlement limits, with her guards and his Padawan.
At that moment, Kitster interjected into Harry's musings, "So, Ani, … I see you finally have given a name to your podracer?"
This inquiry prompted Padme to turn her gaze toward Harry, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "You haven't named a podracer before?"
Harry glanced toward Padme and shrugged nonchalantly. "It's considered to be bad luck or tempting fate by most racers, so most pilots and owners just don't name their podracers. The superstition is, these machines usually last for just a race or two, maybe three at the most, before either the podracer itself gets wrecked or the rider faces a serious injury. Racers tend to be ... quite superstitious about naming," he explained with a chuckle, echoed by Kitster, while his mother offered a slightly more hesitant laugh in response.
Kitster chimed in, directing his gaze at Padme. "He's serious! Even those droids that race have their odd superstitions!" He pivoted to face Harry, wearing an expression of curiosity. "So, you must be pretty confident about this … considering you're willing to give your racer a name."
Padme turned her attention toward Kitster, her face bearing a questioning expression. "Confident about what? Winning the race?"
Kitster chuckled lightly. "Well, I certainly hope he wins! I've placed a bet on him. But I was just talking about finishing the race."
Harry shook his head, noticing Padme's horrified expression. "You haven't ... haven't even ..." Her words trailed off as she shook her head in disbelief, her expression morphing from shock to anger as she started shifting her gaze toward Qui-Gon Jinn.
"Just how much due diligence did you put into this plan of yours before deciding on a course, Master Jinn?" Padme queried icily, her tone cutting through the warm evening air of Tatooine. "Do you actually understand the repercussions if he fails? The risk we are undertaking? And yet, you've wagered everything … our ship, our only way off this planet, our only way to get help for my planet … on a racer who hasn't even completed a race … let alone won one..."
Qui-Gon exchanged glances between Harry and Padme, a pause hanging in the air before he responded. "As I've mentioned previously, young Padme, whether we possess a ship without an engine or no ship at all, it makes little difference. However ..." He paused, his gaze shifting toward Harry's mother before slowly continuing, "... however, I have a feeling that everything will unfold better than anticipated. I am confident in my feelings about this."
Padme shook her head in frustration. "You … you have a feeling about this? Master Jinn, I've followed your guidance so far, understanding your reasoning for the lengths we've gone to. Yet, this seems an incredibly significant risk. You're not infallible."
Qui-Gon nodded solemnly. "That is indeed true and I don't deny it, I am fallible. After all, I'm just a man. However, I put my trust in the Living Force ..."
Kitster shot a puzzled glance at Harry, silently mouthing, "What in a Tatooinian sandstorm is a living force?"
Before Harry could even hazard a guess and attempt to answer, Qui-Gon continued, "... and it hasn't led me astray thus far in my journey. Besides, at this point, what's done is done, and the Queen has faith in me. You should as well."
He saw Padme's quiet scoff, shake of her head, and heard her murmur, "I wouldn't be so sure of that …"
Perhaps sensed tension rising, Qui-Gon redirected the conversation to Harry, seeking to diffuse the situation. "So, you've named your podracer. What have you named her?"
Harry's smile widened, looking at the older man, remembering the feeling of his first podrace on this world and remembering the only time he had ever felt such a rush … the only time he had felt such unparalleled freedom … Smiling to himself at those memories … and the memory of the piece of metal that Harry had asked R2D2 to weld onto the podracer earlier that day. A piece of metal that had the name etched on it.
Recollecting those memories, he responded, "I named her... The Firebolt."
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