Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 11.28.07 12:01am

Over the course of a normal day, Jabba had many visitors. Most of them were there to borrow money, and when one didn't repay what they owed, it caused the Hutt to hire those individuals who specialized in making sure the gangster got back what was his. One such individual was granted an audience with Jabba today. But repayment of a debt was not why this person was called upon.

The Tac-Spec Footman Droid translated his master's requests to the guest. "My illustrious...Hutt-ness bids you welcome. Your reputation in your field is quite impressive, which is why you have been called here today. Many years ago, a man came here requesting Master Jabba compile a list of individuals, much like yourself, for a highly secretive mission. I wonder if your name was on that list? It's a shame you weren't picked for that particular assignment. What exactly that person was looking for is bey..."

Jabba bellowed something in his native tongue that caused the droid to get back on track.

"Forgive me," the droid began again, "I do tend to ramble at times. I keep thinking there is some error in my programming, perhaps it's from the last time my master got upset and took his frustrat..."

Jabba let his backhand do the talking this time as he flung his large arm straight into the Tac-Spec's midsection, sending the droid flying somewhere behind the Hutt. A loud crash ensued, followed by silence.

Bib Fortuna glanced back where the droid had fallen, and the look on his face revealed the droid wouldn't be coming back anytime soon, if at all. He motioned for a couple of the Gamorreans to come and clean up the mess, and see if there were any other droids downstairs that would suffice as Jabba's interpreter. In the meantime, he himself would have to fill in.

(Translated from Huttese) "Please forgive the interruption. To continue on, This individual was given the list to pass on to his...mystery employer. From the list, they chose one person for...whatever it was. That bounty hunter must have taken the job, as he hasn't been seen in quite some time. Jabba has had many eyes and ears out, watching for the eventual return. He was just about to give up, when he received word that the bounty hunter has indeed returned and even as we speak, his craft is heading towards the galactic core. Right now, he is somewhere over the Outer Rim territories, so you should be able to beat him to Coruscant. Your mission is to find out where the Bounty Hunter has been all this time, what he has brought back, and what he is going after. We expect regular updates, and may require your further services to obtain said item if Master Jabba decides that the item in question is of considerable value. Do you accept?

The person to whom Bib Fortuna was speaking was an extremely tall, thin, and muscular humanoid female dressed in a red jumpsuit, with flaming red hair that was in stark contrast to her dead-white skin. Aurra Sing had no love for the Hutts, but as long as the credits were good, she could set aside her prejudices for a little while.

"Who's the bounty hunter?" She asked flatly.

Bib gave his employer a sideways glance to be sure he wouldn't incur his ire by answering. Jabba nodded, so Bib turned and replied, "Jango Fett."

Aurra Sing gave nothing away by her facial features. "Fett is good, and not one to be crossed. It's going to cost you, more if I have to go against him to get...whatever it is he's looking for."

Bib nodded in compliance. "Of course, Jabba is prepared to pay your traveling expenses and more, but again, he requires regular updates. If he doesn't hear from you, he may be forced to hire someone else to track you down and..."

"That won't be necessary," Aurra interrupted. "I'll get the job done. Just give me some starting collateral and I'll be on my way."

Bib nodded again and conferred quickly with his master as to how much he should dole out up front. Upon receiving her money, Aurra Sing left the palace and headed for her ship.

After she left, Jabba asked Bib what other business was on the calendar for today. When Fortuna replied that there was no further business, Jabba ordered the band to come out and play, and for merriment to ensue as he was aching to see the new dancing girls he'd just purchased in action.

As he surveyed his motley court, he thought he spied a dark figure concealed in a far alcove. The figure's features were completely obscured by a hood that covered his face. However, the Hutt blinked, and when he looked again, the alcove was empty, so he figured his eyes were just playing tricks on him. He soon forgot all about it as the entertainment was being led into the room...

That night, as the entire palace slept off the recent festivities. A solitary figure crept out of the Hutt's domain and into the cool desert night. Quickly the form made its way away from the structure towards a speeder concealed behind some rocks at the back of the palace. The figure leapt aboard the speeder and was gone in a flash. Quickly it shot across the sandy wastes and up a rocky plateau to where a ship was waiting. Disembarking from the speeder, the form climbed aboard the craft and made its way toward the cockpit. Sitting in the pilot's chair, he pressed a few buttons, and a small, holographic image of a figure dressed similarly to himself came into view.

"Report, Lord Maul." The hologram commanded.

"It is just as you had predicted, Master." Maul began, "The Hutt has indeed hired a bounty hunter by the name of Aurra Sing to tail Jango Fett once he reaches Coruscant. Her orders are to observe, and make regular reports back to Tatooine. If the Hutt decides he does want what Jango and his charge are searching for, I believe she will then try to take it by any means necessary."

"Did anyone see you, my apprentice?"

"No Master."

"Good. Then everything is going according to plan."

"Do you desire me to return to Coruscant and find the traitor, Master?"

"What do you mean?"

"Someone within your inner circle must have leaked this information to the Hutt. I shall find out who it was and..."

Darth Sidious allowed a slight chuckle to escape his lips. "It's quite all right, Lord Maul, for it was I who allowed this information to fall into the Hutt's lap. If one can actually say that bloated sack of filth has a lap!"

Maul didn't understand his master's reasoning. "But why?"

Sidious only smirked. "Patience, my over-eager apprentice. Soon it will all become quite clear to you. Jabba has done exactly what I wanted him to, and by doing that, he is now MINE!!!!"

Darth Danno