Tatooine's early morning sky was washed in silver-blue light, the kind that crept softly over rooftops before the suns rose to burn it away. Mos Espa was quiet — the kind of quiet that only came after a city had exhausted itself from celebration.
The Boonta Eve Classic was over. Anakin Skywalker had won. And somewhere in the city, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was preparing to change the boy's life.
Kael Solaris watched it all from a distance.
[ MercNet Timeline Alert: Jedi Negotiation Underway ]Key Event: Anakin Skywalker's Release from SlaveryProjected Outcome: 92% SuccessRisk Factors: Sith Interference (Low), Watto Resistance (Moderate)Objective: Optional Influence – Enhance Bond with Anakin or Padmé Amidala
Kael paced the edge of his hangar, checking diagnostics on the HLAF-500 starfighter. Ghost was recalibrating shield harmonics at the console, silent as always.
"Jedi are making their move," Kael said aloud. "We're not going to intervene — not directly."
"Observation?" Ghost asked.
Kael nodded. "And conversation."
It was early when Kael approached the Skywalker residence in the slave quarters. He came unarmed, without armor, wearing only a simple robe over plain clothes. He made no effort to hide his presence. Let the Jedi sense him this time — let them wonder, but not fear.
He knocked gently on the side panel of the dome-shaped home.
Shmi Skywalker opened the door. Her face was tired but kind, the sort of weariness that had long since become part of her soul. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him.
"You're...?"
"Kael Solaris," he said with a respectful nod. "A friend of Anakin's."
She studied him for a moment, eyes lingering on his silver irises. She nodded slowly. "He's inside. Come in."
Kael stepped into the modest dwelling, the scent of hot metal and old fabric thick in the air. He saw Anakin sitting cross-legged by a low table, fiddling with a small, unfinished droid arm.
The boy looked up and broke into a grin. "Kael!"
Kael returned the smile. "Told you you'd win."
"You saw it?" Anakin asked, eyes wide. "I almost crashed like... twice!"
"I noticed. But you held it together."
Anakin shrugged, but his grin didn't fade.
Kael crouched beside him. "Things are about to change for you. Are you ready?"
Anakin hesitated. "I think so. Master Qui-Gon says I might leave today. Go with the Jedi."
"And how do you feel about that?"
Anakin looked down. "Excited. Scared. I don't want to leave my mom."
Kael nodded. "You're allowed to feel that way. Jedi or not."
Anakin blinked. "They say I shouldn't."
"They're wrong."
Shmi, listening from the other room, glanced over with quiet curiosity.
Kael placed a small cube on the table in front of Anakin.
The boy tilted his head. "What's this?"
"A gift. A learning module. It'll help with languages, schematics, hyperspace math — anything you want to absorb fast. Just activate it when you're on your ship."
Anakin picked it up with reverence. "This is... amazing."
Kael smiled. "Just promise me you'll keep asking questions, no matter where they take you."
Anakin nodded solemnly.
Kael ruffled his hair. "Good."
Outside, Qui-Gon Jinn was already walking toward the home, his robe billowing behind him.
Kael stepped out and stood silently in the shadow of a nearby archway. He knew Qui-Gon sensed him — the Jedi paused just slightly in his step, his eyes flicking toward the corner of the street.
Their eyes met briefly.
Kael nodded in greeting.
Qui-Gon gave only the faintest nod in return, then entered the Skywalker home.
The moment passed — but not unnoticed.
Padmé Amidala stared out over Mos Espa from the balcony of her temporary lodging. The sun had fully risen now, casting sharp lines over the domes and alleyways.
She hadn't slept well.
The race had been overwhelming. The Sith attack — whatever it had been — had been so subtle she'd barely registered it. But she remembered the figure in the crowd. The cloaked man with silver eyes.
Kael Solaris.
He was a mystery, but not a threat — at least not yet. Something about him had felt strangely... reassuring. Powerful, yes, but controlled. Like a storm hidden behind glass.
When she stepped back inside, she found a small note left on her desk.
She blinked.
She hadn't heard anyone enter.
The paper was simple, handwritten.
"Not all wars are fought in the Senate.Some are won before the first vote is ever cast.I can help you win yours — when the time comes.— K.S."
She read it twice.
Then tucked it into her robe.
[ Padmé Amidala Bond +3 – Recognition Secured ]Timeline Influence: Subtle, OngoingRomance Trigger Threshold (10%) AchievedFuture Events Will Include Personal Interactions
Kael returned to the hangar just after noon. Ghost was standing by the starfighter, a datapad in hand.
"Message received from MercNet Central," the Spartan said. "Reward unlocked."
Kael frowned. "Reward for what?"
[ Side Event Complete: Influence Over Destiny – Anakin Skywalker Freed Without Sith Interference ]Reward: 1 Skill Point, +1,500 Credits, and New Skill Unlocked: Mind Wall I
Mind Wall I: Passive ability that makes it nearly impossible for Force-sensitive beings to read or influence your thoughts. Automatically activates upon mental intrusion attempts.
Kael exhaled. "That's... huge."
Now not even powerful Jedi or Sith could break into his thoughts without a serious fight.
His path was solidifying. His presence in the galaxy — still hidden — had made its mark.
And soon, it would be time to move again.
Later that evening, the Jedi prepared for departure. Kael watched from a distance as the Nubian starship readied for launch. Anakin boarded first, walking slowly, turning only once to wave goodbye to his mother.
Padmé followed, flanked by her guards.
Kael didn't approach.
But he knew they felt him.
Padmé glanced toward the rocks above the city where Kael stood in silhouette.
She didn't smile.
But she didn't look away, either.
[ Timeline Branch Secured: Anakin Skywalker – Jedi Path Preserved ][ Influence Level: Low, but Positive | Bond: Light Guardian (Early) ][ Romance Path: Padmé Amidala – Active | Loyalty Flag: 7% ][ MercNet Update: Summon Token Cooldown – 10 Days Remaining ][ New Quest Available: Intercept and Shadow Darth Maul's Escape Route – Optional | Risk: High | Reward: Unique Tier II Weapon or Armor ]
Kael stared up at the stars as the Nubian cruiser took off, engines blazing into the dusk.
He had chosen to walk in the shadows.
But the people he was watching?
They were already looking back.