The Chosen and The Nobody

………………………..

Padmé Amidala

At first, it didn’t look like a complicated matter at all.

A very suspicious individual suddenly appeared, threatened her, then suddenly switched and is now offering his services. Most people would simply reject the ridiculous proposal.

It makes total sense to get as far away from this individual as possible, or even (if you are more cold-hearted) eliminate him for good.

Padmé is not that cold-hearted, but she also has to think of her people, who are now depending on her… But at the same time, this same individual just proposed the alternative that she would not need to dirty her hands. 

If she takes him along, Padmé will be able to keep him close enough so that he will not act against her. He knows her identity; he is dangerous just by that alone.

At the same time, he could be a spy, and bringing him closer can be even more dangerous.

But then why didn’t he just capture or kill her just now?

It doesn’t make sense!

She is a smart woman who studied from a young age all important and difficult subjects to be a politician. She knows how to play the game, but this situation is making her more confused the more she thinks about it.

This guy… She can’t make sense of his actions!

That is the type that is too dangerous to keep close. Those unpredictable ones that you have no clue how to keep in line. It is also obvious that he has no loyalty to her.

But it is equally dangerous to let him go!

He can turn on her… Despite his saying that he would just go on his way, he could be lying, or he could change his mind. But if he is lying at that, he can be lying now, so she can’t trust him!

This dilemma is unsolvable by using only logic; her thoughts will run in circles and end up in the same place.

That is why Padmé decided to be less objective and take a long and hard look at this man in front of her. If reason will not give her the answer, maybe her instinct can point to the right choice.

He is young, that is the first thing she noticed… Maybe just a little older than her, but in the same age bracket for sure, not an adult. Hi attire has no distinguishing features, so she can’t tell where he came from. She thinks that he is a fully human, instead of the near-human species like kages and kiffars. He can be a native of Tatooine. His skin is a little tanned, his hair is curly, short, and very dark, and he has blue eyes.

The eyes are the windows of the soul, her father told her that once… Always look at the eyes, and that is what she is doing now, trying to find who this really is, and what his true intentions are…

And she found… nothing.

Maybe a little amusement, some interest, and curiosity… She is not sure. What Padmé is sure of is that those eyes are not the eyes of someone who is taking her seriously.

He could be talking politely now, and even taking the knee in front of her defenseless sitting form, but there is no subservicience on his gaze, not a flick of loyalty that her subjects have for her.

Maybe she shouldn’t be surprised, after all, he owes her nothing, but it is rare for Queen Amidala to meet someone who at least doesn’t show some deference and respect when they know of her identity and status.

But this youngster doesn’t care. She can’t even see the ugly greed or slimy lust that she sometimes saw in some males who interacted with her in the past.

She still feels a little uncomfortable with his presence and gaze… Again, Padmé doesn’t feel that he is taking her seriously; this teen is looking at her with the same gaze one would look at a performer on stage.

After thinking all that, she concludes that he is, to some degree… crazy.

He is absolutely not right in the head. Everything, from his approach, manner of speaking, and his eyes… He is disconnected from reality. That is the definition of crazy. He doesn’t care about her, but he obviously wants to be paid in the end…

“Are you stalling to wait for Qui-Gon Jinn to return?” He suddenly speaks. He is not wrong, and the fact that he simply smirked at the threat of a Jedi coming back, only confirms that he is the type that doesn’t take things seriously at all. “I mean, I am not yet that handsome that would make women baffled.” He says arrogantly

“...”

Padmé is starting to think this guy is too unserious to be some spy double-agent. 

“Do you even understand what you are asking me?” She asks a reasonable question. To try to get more information about him and what he knows.

“If you are asking about what helping you would entail… yes. I know a lot about the circumstances and risks.” He replies instantly “I will not lie and say that I’m gonna save you from all your troubles, but I’m pretty sure I will make things easier if you need to resort to violence.”

“Violence is the last thing that I want to resort to.” She replies in an admonishing tone

He is not fazed. “Even if it's last, it is still on the list, right?” That smirk is back. The one that shows he is watching her like a performer on a stage, curious to see how she will act.

“If you are trying to figure me out in this little time, don’t bother… I’m really being honest here. You just can’t fathom everything, but everything I say is true.” He adds.

The worst part is that she can’t tell for sure that he is lying. His tone looks truthful enough, but what kind of honest man would start a conversation by putting a knife to someone’s throat?

“Go on… No need to think so hard…” He urges with a small smile “If you say no, there will be no consequences. I mean, maybe more people can die, but I assure you that you got it. I believe in you.” He pumps his fist at her

“...” She is still not sure. Her father once said that if something is important, it is not risk-free. As the Queen, she can’t go without taking risks for the good of her people.

The guy suddenly sighs and stands up. “Okay, I will not waste time here anymore. I have things to do.” Without hesitation, he turns around and walks to the door. “Good luck with everything. Really, I’m cheering for you.” He says without even looking at her, just making a hand sign while his back is turned.

“Wait!” She suddenly calls him. Padmé doesn’t even know what comes over her, her mouth acting on its own.

“Now you are playing with my feelings… Maybe you are a groomer…” He slowly turns to face her, his face less amused now. “Okay, last chance…” He walks back and pulls something from beneath his coat.

Padmé tenses a little, but it's just a coin… One that she doesn’t recognize. He showed it to her before playing with it between his fingers.

“If you are torn between two options, just toss a coin…” He speaks “Head, you accept me, and Tails, you turn me down.” He suggests with a cheeky smile. It is a completely ridiculous idea.

“...fine…” Despite herself, she eventually nods. Maybe the Force will show her the right path.

He tosses the coin in the air and grabs it quickly. He lets the moment stretch, and shows no sign of revealing the result…

“Ah c’mon, don’t let such an important decision to Fate…” He speaks like he was not the one who suggested it in the first place. “The thing is that when you throw it in the air, when you wash your hands off the decision, leaving it to the universe, deep down you will wish for one of the two outcomes… THAT! It’s when you know what decision you want to make.” His smirk returns “So… Lady… What side of the coin does your heart wish to see?”

“...” His smirk is really infuriating.

………………………………………….

Third Person P.O.V.

“And who is this?” After Qui-Gon Jinn returned, the first thing he noticed was the strange mood and the obviously strange man standing close to Padmé.

“This-” Padmé was about to craft some story about her body double, the fake Queen Amidala, who needs to see Hector on the ship, but he thinks enough time was wasted.

“Don’t bother, he already knows your true identity.” Hector says casually while smirking at Anakin, who is still looking at him with an unfriendly gaze.

Noticing the silence, Hector slowly turned around to see both Qui-Gon and Padmé staring at him.

“What? Exactly what you are thinking… Should I say out loud?” He gives them a look and gesture with his head to Anakin, Jar Jar, and even Watto, who flies behind the Jedi Master sometime later.

Both the Jedi Master and the hidden Queen exchange glances again, and Padmé takes a breath before saying.

“He will be accompanying us from now on. We will talk later.” Despite being such a normal statement, the Jedi Master would not miss the way it is said.

Padmé's posture shifted into something a little more authoritarian without turning arrogant. It was a statement that leaves no room for discussion now.

“...as your wish.” Qui-Gon Jinn finally nods with a little bow. A subtle gesture, but not something he has done before to the ‘Handmaiden Sabé’.

He really knew that she was Padmé Amidala all along.

“I will need your wisdom later.” Padmé nods, a little relieved that she can be direct.

“Yes, this…” Qui-Gon looks straight at Hector “...can wait. We have a more pressing issue.”

Hector zones out the whole conversation about the needed piece of machinery and how Watto doesn’t accept their money or guarantees.

He is still in a childish stare contest with Anakin, who still hasn’t forgiven him for his stunt with a knife earlier.

Padmé and Qui-Gon start walking out of the shop to talk privately, and Hector pulls Jar Jar with him to follow them.

“If you guys want, I can steal the piece you need.” Hector suggests

The two who are walking in front turn to him for a moment.

“We will get on the talk with you.” “Qui-Gon says before turning back to present their options to Padmé.

“Geez, so unfriendly… I’m not saving you then.” Hector scoffs, not offended at all. He is just here for the full immersive experience of watching this movie. ‘Better than 3D.’

“But what are the chances that we need to resort… to his suggestion?” Padmé suddenly asks Qui-Gon, signaling at Hector.

“I am right here, you know?”

“I have no idea how reliable he is, but hypothetically, if he could do that, are you sure that you would want it?” Qui-Gon asks seriously

“Said the guys that mess with people’s minds…” Hector scoffs “I bet that YOU never broke the rules.” His tone is very sarcastic.

“...” Qui-Gon doesn’t have much to say about that.

“It is not something that I want… but I’m desperate.” Padmé replies strongly.

“That can be a good test of my ability in helping, my lady.” Hector intervenes with a smile, “But we would need to be fast, after all, if a specific piece disappeared after a certain inividual tha wanted to buy it was not able to do it… Even Watto’s fly brain will put two and two together and know that it was us.”

“...let me think about it.” Padmé sighs

“Here comes the hesitation again. You are too pure-hearted to be a leader.” Hector says, but does not press the issue. He knows that the plot is on their side and they can get whatever they want while sticking to their morals.

In real life, it does not work like that, but they are being favored by the universe.

Padmé hears his admonitions but doesn’t argue. Instead, she turns to Qui-Gon. “What can we do?”

“The Force will show us the way…” Qui-Gon says mysteriously

Hector laughs loudly, but not to ridicule Qui-Gon, because he knows that even if the old man sounded just like a cult leader scammer… he is right. 

So Hector just laughed and watched Anakin running to them to warn about a sandstorm.

………………………………

‘Plot Armor… Destiny… Fate… Whatever… It is real… At least on this world.’ Hector ponders while they take refuge in Anakin’s home ‘Or maybe it's because this Universe is a little more…mystical. Does it make the script be followed more easily here? How hard would it be to derail in a snowball effect? In a normal world, it should be easier, right? That is one of those things I will only understand after experiencing it multiple times.’

He stays on the corner, watching what is happening like a movie.

Different from the previous universe where his objective entered into conflict with the “Main Cast”, here he can simply let things play out. He is expecting them to win, and he is even cheering them on.

Accompanying them from close is just a way to see if something as simple as his presence on the sideline can change something. 

Maybe his eyes would be noticed by a droid that would shoot quicker than expected and hit Padmé, making the good guys lose.

Crazy? But who can say that can’t happen?

In the future, he is gonna do even crazier things, get involved with even more complex and dangerous situations. With his metaknowledge, he can understand those situations, like how someone sees a solved equation… but Hector himself can turn into an extra variable that would change the result.

“Hm? No, thank you. I am trained spend a lot of time without eating.” Hector was pushed out of his musings when Shmi, Anakin’s mom, offered him a plate of food.

He will feel bad accepting food from people who are obviously struggling, when he can literally survive on dew and the energy of the universe. 

And the tonnes of food in his Inventory.

Anakin doesn’t like that he is there, but his mother is too nice to deny him entrance while welcoming the rest. She even admonished Anakin for being rude. At least, he is not an inconvenience like Jar Jar Binks.

“Stop hating me, boy… Hating can lead you on a very unpleasant path.” Hector chuckles while staring at the future Sith Lord

“I don’t hate you, I just don’t like you.” The kid replies while staring at him.

“It's on your right, but starts like this, you know?” Hector comments while leaning back, hands crossed behind his head “If you let yourself be affected by people like this, it means you are being controlled by them… Do you like being controlled by them, little slave?” He mocks

“Enough!” Padmé is the first to stand up against Hector’s rudeness, but everyone else is equally appalled.

“What? I’m not even being mean… I’m just telling the truth. Let me give you some advice, boy.” Hector's eyes move to the angry Anakin. “First, despite Watto owning your body, he can’t really own you. A person controlling another? This only happens when you willing gives control to them. You must have seen other slaves that already given up… Husk of people just moving around as ordered. Are you like that?”

“No.” Anakin answers with defiance

“See? You will always be your own person unless you give yourself to someone else.”

“I will never do that!”

“Never say never…” Hector chuckles “You are young, and this is ahorrible place, so you just know this kinda of ‘giving yourself’ to someone. People also give themselves to others because of loyalty… Or love… Or hate…” He says every word while staring at the young boy’s eyes “I don’t even know why I am speaking so much… Maybe because I like you despite your dislike for me. What I want you to remember is that the easiest way for you to be controlled by others is through your emotions. Getting angry so quickly, loving too much… Master yourself, slave boy. So that you don’t need to call others ‘Master’ anymore.” 

Hector stands up and gives a bow to Shmi.

“Sorry for being rude in your home, Ma’am. I also have no right to lecture your son.” He apologizes “I’m gonna see myself out so that my presence doesn’t bother you guys.” He doesn’t wait for a reply before walking to the door

“Wait, there is a sandstorm!” Shmi tries to stop him, being kind even at this point.

“It is okay, it can’t affect me. In truth, it is a good opportunity to train. I will stay on the roof.” He waves with a smile at her before walking off.

As Hector walks into the storm, not even a grain of sand hits him. An invisible forcefield pushes everything away from him in a one-foot radius.

He just floats to the rooftop and sits with his leg crossed to try to maintain this state as long as the sandstorm lasts.

………………………………………….

Hector P.O.V.

The night ended fast, but the sandstorm lasted longer than that, so it kind of extended the night. It was almost strong enough to block the sun, but there is fucking two suns in the sky, so it was fighting a losing battle.

So the dark sandstorm gained a warm tone easily enough, but visibility was still shit till what I think is almost mid day in this planet.

“Good morning.” I keep my manners intact while watching my new boss and her companions walking out of the small slave house of the Skywalkers.

Everyone looks at me with varied expressions, but mostly, they are curious.

“Did you really stay outside all this time?” Padmé asks

“Yes. It is not like I have anywhere to go. That is why I’m working for you. I just want a ship.” I shrug 

“If you want a ship, the Trade Federation is an even better option than us.” Qui-Gon comments to tests me

“I just want a ship. So, anyone who can provide me with a ship is acceptable. Anything beyond that is unnecessary. So I will just choose the side that will keep my conscience light.” I explain my logic.

If you want one million dollars, and multiple rich people offer you that, from whom would you take? Elon Musk? Some Arab Prince? Taylor Swift? Donald Trump? Keanu Reeves? J.K. Rowling? Diddy? 50 Cent? Cristiano Ronaldo? Epstein? Satan?

It doesn’t matter who is the richest. Everyone has one million to give you, so you just need to choose the option that you are most comfortable with.

“...” They gazes turn strange

“That is a surprisingly wise way to live.” Qui-Gon comments

“Surprising because it is coming from me?” I drawl 

“You are young.”

“Heh~” I just laugh once and let go.

“Everything happened so fast, and we still haven’t been introduced.” Qui-Gon continues. Padmé probably told him about me.

“No? I see… I forgot because I already know about you, and have been almost a year since I gave my name to someone.” I naturally became an antisocial guy without noticing “No harm in telling you my name… You can call me Hector. I will help you guys and wait for my reward at the Happy Ending.” I put a hand in front of my chest and give a performative bow to them. This is kinda fun

“Hector… From where you came from?” Padmé asks

“Hmm~” I pause to think. Does Earth even exist here? Theoretically, yes, but… “I am from a Galaxy far, far away…” I say in a joking tone.

They think I’m lying… Good jokes are truths, you know?

“Oh, hello boy… Still hates me?” I turn to Anakin, who was giving me a side glance

He doesn’t speak, just turns his head away and walks in front of us. Hehe, cute kid. People think that he is immature as an older guy, but as a kid, he is obviously more mature than the rest of the brats his age. 

The Jedi failed in his education.

Even if you disagree that he deserved special treatment, they obviously shouldn’t expect him to conform to the Jedi teachings after staying outside during his childhood. They threw him into the “Jedi-making machine” and expected him to come out a Jedi like everyone else, when he was already cut from a different cloth from the rest.

Puberty must have sucked, huh Anakin?

“You don’t need to bully him…” Padmé approaches me as we walk to a place I don’t know. “Why are you being so… hurtful with your words?”

“Because I don’t care if he - and all of you and even the entire Galaxy - doesn’t like me. I’m truly free, girl.” I scoff while looking ahead “There is nothing that can hold back my tongue beyond myself, so that is why I am honest. It is good, you know? I bet you don’t do that a lot… Saying what you think.” I turn to her

“...” 

“Heh~, politicians.” I turn back to the front

“Where da politician?” Jar Jar asks, looking around dumbly.

“Shut up, Jar Jar.” I say immediately “And he needs some tough love. You guys can coddle him later.” Mace Windu and a good chunk of the Jedi Council will be no different from me.

“We don’t ‘coddle’ him. It is basic human decency.” Padmé looks almost offended

“Yeah, yeah… blah blah, whatever.” I prove my previous words, not caring about her opinion. “He is a slave, that is the reality. His life is not easy. If you can’t change that, tough him up so that he can deal with it alone. Being gentle with him and leaving him afterwards… Hmpf, are you treating him well for him, or for yourself?”

It is almost like I slapped her. She recoiled, offended. Well, she is not wrong in being nice to the kid… But I’m also not wrong either.

There is a lot of subtle warning in my words that may help him in the far future. If he doesn’t completely erase my existence from his memory because he doesn’t like me. Hopefully, his dislike for me will keep my image engraved in his mind.

I will not be here, but if you are lucky, maybe you will not need to wear a dark suit, slave boy.

“Who said that we are gonna leave him to his fate?” Qui-Gon interjects, looking at me.

“Oh…” I say, completely uninterested.

“You felt it, right? The boy is special… That is why you are going out of your way to give those rough lessons.” 

Now I turn to him. “He is only as special as you make him to be… To me, he is nothing.” I say “But you are right, the boy is destined for great things… and great challenges. Just fell some pity for him. I don’t like when Destiny plays with our lives.” I shrug and look forward again

“Destiny indeed reserves great things for him… it is what I believe.” He says. Not the flex he thinks it is…

There are many types of “Chosen Ones” in the Omniverse. Anakin is not the type who will have a smooth sailing life.

“Hmpf… Slave of men… Slave of Destiny… You can only free him from one shackle; the other he can only free himself.” I turn to Padmé. “That is why you shouldn’t coddle him.”

“That is a very pessimistic way of gazing at his situation. People are often rewarded by walking on the right path.”

“...” How many times will I scoff today? “I would rather walk My Path and make it right. Thank you very much.”

Before he can answer, I speak again “As much as it is cool to discuss philosophical topics with you, Qui-Gon Jinn…” It is indeed pretty cool. “We still need to leave this ball of sand. Have you decided on your next action?”

“Yes.” Padmé finally speaks again “We are gonna leave your suggestion as a last resort, so first we will try to gain what we need the right way.”

“Bets are hardly the right way.” I say, watching their faces morphing into one of surprise because of my knowledge “But is your path, if you win, it will be the right one. Just the way I like.” I give them a big smile.

Let’s see if Pod Race is exciting when you watch it with your own eyes. Is Maul already on the planet? Now that I’m accompanying Padmé, I could very well take his lightsaber.

……………………………………………….