The arrival on Naboo was a moment of profound change for Anakin.
Since becoming a Jedi Padawan, he had constantly pestered the Council with requests to bring his mother, Shmi, to Coruscant.
But the Jedi, with their strict doctrine against attachment, refused him at every turn.
Their pedantic adherence to the code left Anakin feeling isolated and sad.
That's when Garfield intervened.
With a flick of his tail and the vast resources of the High Claw Group,
Garfield arranged for Shmi Skywalker to be transported not just to any safe world.
But to the lush and peaceful planet of Naboo… a place a hundred times more welcoming than the dusty, dangerous streets of Mos Espa.
Now, Anakin could visit her, his heart lighter knowing she was safe.
It was on one such visit that Obi-Wan Kenobi found himself walking through the verdant halls of Theed Palace, an unexpected guest.
"Hello, Padmé. Jar Jar. Mrs. Skywalker," Obi-Wan greeted warmly.
Padmé Amidala, the former Queen and now Senator of Naboo, brightened immediately.
"Hello, Master Obi-Wan! What a wonderful surprise."
Before Obi-Wan could respond, Jar Jar Binks bounded over and enveloped him in a enthusiastic, gangly-armed hug.
"Mesa so happy to see yousa, my friend!"
Obi-Wan, patiently extracting himself from the Gungan's embrace, smiled. "It's good to see you both as well."
His gaze then fell upon Shmi Skywalker, who sat nearby.
She was older than Obi-Wan, and in different circumstances, he might have addressed her as an aunt.
But as Anakin's master, they were, in a sense, peers… two people dedicated to guiding the boy, albeit in very different ways.
Shmi was a softly spoken woman of immense inner strength.
Obi-Wan had come to understand that Anakin's compassion and inherent goodness were a direct reflection of her.
When Anakin was plagued by doubt or fear, it was her memory, her quiet wisdom, that often guided him back to the right path.
On the slave world of Tatooine, a place that devoured hope, raising a child with such a kind heart was no simple feat.
Obi-Wan held a quiet admiration for her.
"Please, everyone, sit," Obi-Wan said, gesturing. "I believe it was Garfield's arrangement that brought us all here today."
The name hung in the air, prompting a moment of reflective silence.
Jar Jar, his eyes wide, simply knew Garfield was powerful and rich. That was enough for him.
Padmé, however, understood the true magnitude of the High Claw Group.
It was a colossus that had effectively merged with every major military enterprise in the Galactic Republic.
Currently, twenty percent of all military equipment in the entire galaxy bore the High Claw insignia.
And with the release of Galactic Survival, the group's foray into entertainment, it had sent shockwaves through the industry.
Apart from niche genres like love simulation games, countless other game companies had announced their closure, unable to compete with Garfield's immersive universe.
It was said the High Claw Group's total assets exceeded a quadrillion credits.
Padmé couldn't help but think, if even a fraction of that wealth were invested in Naboo.
She was confident it could become the most powerful system in the entire sector.
The thought was tempting. Naboo was beautiful, a haven for green tourism and cultural preservation, but it was militarily weak.
Its survival in the cutthroat galactic political landscape was currently guaranteed by the Trade Federation warships… which were, in turn, controlled by Garfield.
A whole fleet of mechanical guardians, stationed in their space, had been unsettling at first.
But the Naboo had grown accustomed to it.
The fleet was crewed almost entirely by droids; there were no carbon-based beings to cause trouble, no rowdy soldiers on leave harassing the locals.
No harassment, perfect security, and not a single credit of upkeep from the Naboo treasury.
Why would they refuse such a deal?
Shmi Skywalker's thoughts were simpler, but no less profound.
She remembered how she had been brought here. Her owner, the Toydarian junk dealer Watto, had been confronted by a squadron of imposing battle droids.
They hadn't threatened him, not in so many words.
But the unspoken message was as clear as the Tatooine suns, one objection to the transfer of ownership.
And the greedy little dealer would be enjoying a permanent, one-way trip to the sun's warmth.
It was terrifying, but it was also freedom.
And now, sitting in this beautiful palace, watching her son laugh with his friends.
After blowing a fortune that could have bought Shmi Skywalker ten times over.
Watto, undone by his own gambling addiction, lost everything and met his end in that wretched corner of Tatooine.
A few pleasantries were exchanged, and then Shmi Skywalker, Padmé, and even Binks turned their attention to the game in earnest.
Nearby, C-3PO offered R2-D2 a warm greeting.
They were the only two droids in sight, and Garfield found himself quietly nostalgic… these two, he remembered, had been his favorite part of Star Wars as a kid.
The race stretched on for half a month, a thousand competitors weaving through the desert in groups.
During that time, Palpatine tried repeatedly to show up at the scene, only to be turned away each time by Garfield.
One attempt to force his way in ended abruptly when a patrolling Vulture fighter opened fire, sending the future Emperor scrambling for cover.