Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 12.05.07 12:01am

The flight in from the outer rim to the galactic core was uneventful. Jango had at least expected some sort of trouble from pirates like the Nebula Front. Such lack of interference made Jango wonder exactly how much pull and influence his present employer held. This old Republic starship wasn't seen much anymore, if at all, and one flying this far out unescorted, should certainly bring the raiders in from far and wide, like a hungry Wampa to an injured Tauntaun. All passing craft gave this ship a wide berth. There were many questions left unanswered, but as of right now, he didn't care about that, all that mattered was completing this job and getting paid. If it turned out he had been double-crossed, then Jango would seek out the necessary answers, that, and a whole lot more.

As he neared Coruscant, he radioed his impending approach on the pre-set, secure channel. He was then told to keep the ship in orbit, and someone would fly up to meet him. Within the hour, a craft approached the starship and requested to board. Jango had the droids open the docking bay doors, then, he grabbed his twin blasters, made sure they were set to "kill", holstered them, and went down to meet his guest, or guests. Upon arriving in the bay, he watched the craft set down next to the Slave I. The rear door of the craft opened, a landing platform extended, and a figure he recognized as the man he had met with in the club on Coruscant walked down the ramp. His "employer" appeared to be alone, with no apparent escort, quite strange indeed.

"Jango!" Palpatine said as he saw the bounty hunter coming down the stairs, "I hope all went well."

"Everything went fine." Jango replied as he walked up to him. "Went just as you said it would. The trip was long, the world was primitive, and the target was right where you said he would be."

"No problems acquiring him, I hope?" Palpatine queried.

"None. I watched him for a few days, got a rough idea of his routine, and took him one night while he was sleeping. He had no idea what hit him, and he's been in stasis ever since."

"Excellent! You have more than lived up to your reputation."

Jango nodded slightly. "I do my best. Now, you can take possession of your cargo once I receive the rest of my payment."

Palpatine smiled. "Of course, of course. The transfer is underway as we speak."

"Please forgive my skepticism, but I hope you won't mind if I confirm that, first?"

"Not at all!" Palpatine shrugged, "Do you mind if I begin loading the stasis chamber onto my craft while you check?"

"Go right ahead, you won't be able to get it loaded, and get off this ship before I'm able to verify what you've said is true about my money."

Palpatine nodded and returned to his ship, as Jango went off to the computer terminal on the bridge. As he sat at the screen, entering the security codes that protected his account, he monitored the security cam in the docking bay, watching every move his employer made.

While Jango sat up on the bridge, Palpatine ordered the droids he had brought with him, two binary loadlifters managed by a protocol droid, to load his cargo. The units went into the hold, detached the chamber from the locking mechanisms designed to hold it in place during transit, and slowly carried the unit back to Palpatine's waiting ship.

The loadflifters were just setting the chamber down in the shuttle when Jango returned.

"The set-upon amount has been deposited into my account like you said," Jango began. "You are free to leave."

‘Thank you," Palpatine responded. "You know, there is more work available if you'd like. Dr. Jones is going to have to visit quite a few different planets to determine the exact location of what my employer desires. He surely doesn't have the know-how to pilot a starship of any kind, and there isn't time to teach him. Also, the weapons he carries with him, I was told one was a primitive firearm, and the other some sort of whip, they would be no match for the sophisticated weapons we have here. He will need someone to watch over him while he goes about his work."

"So you want me to be a glorified airtaxi service and body guard? Sorry, I've been gone for too long. I want to take some time getting the lay of the land again, find out who's still around, who's gone, and who has taken their place. I've got to get the word out that I'm back in the game. I'm sure a lot of folks have long since counted me out. I'm about to show them they're wrong. Perhaps, at some later date, if you have further need of my services, I'd be happy to oblige you. I hope you understand."

Palpatine nodded, "Quite understandable indeed. Would you perhaps know of someone who would be able to take this assignment on such short notice?"

Jango thought a moment, "Perhaps, if they're still alive, and in the business. I'll make some inquiries, and if they're interested, I'll have them contact you in the same manner I did. They're not as good as I am, but then again, who is? I can guarantee they'll do their job well."

"If you recommend them, I'm sure they will be more than up to the task."

Jango looked around the hold. "What are you going to do with this old antique now?

"I'll have the droids fly it to a preset location where it will be quite safe until such a time comes to use it again."

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I had previously loaded everything that was mine back into my ship, so I'll be taking my leave."

Jango and Palpatine shook hands, and the bounty hunter boarded his craft and blasted off into space. Palpatine watched him go, then walked over to a comm panel in the wall and spoke into it.

"Bridge here." The droid on the other end spoke.

"Initiating override code 92368. You will now respond to my voice and my voice alone. Once we depart, take this ship back to the Rakatan world and shut down all unnecessary functions. Remain there until you receive further instructions, that is all."

"Return to Rakatan world, shut down all unnecessary functions, and await further orders. Roger roger."

Palpatine mused as he walked back to his shuttle, those Baktoid Combat Automata B1 Battle Droids weren't much to look at, but they, like the Neimoidians who contracted them, would play a prominent role in the downfall of the Republic, and rise of the new Galactic Empire. As he ascended the loading ramp, his protocol droid rushed up to give him his report.

"The chamber is secured and ready for transport. The being inside is alive, and appears to be doing relatively well considering the amount of time he has been in stasis."

"Good!" Palpatine replied. "Wait until we are safely back on the ground, and the chamber has been off-loaded before you begin the rejuvenation process. We don't want him waking up while we're still in transit. It may be too much for his primitive senses."

The droid nodded and went off to do a final pre-flight check of the precious cargo. It was then that Palpatine realized he had never even seen what his passenger looked like. As he looked down and gazed upon Dr. Jones' face, his first impression was not what he expected. This human, didn't look so special. He looked to be middle age, of average height and weight, wearing a white shirt, brown jacket, and his hat resting by his side. His whip and pistol sat upon his chest. He didn't appear to be overly muscular or mean. He looked very common and ordinary. Yet he came highly recommended from his Earth contact. At least twice, this man had beaten Palpatine's informant when the two were searching for very distinct, and valuable relics. Sidious would indeed have to adopt a wait and see attitude with this one. Looks could be very deceiving; he alone was proof of that.

He then flipped the switch to raise the ramp, and sealed the rear hatch. He removed his disguise and pulled up his hood to obscure the top portion of his face. As he returned to the cockpit, the pilot began preparing for take off. Sidious sat down in the co-pilot's chair.

"Everything go according to plan, Master?" Darth Maul asked as he gently lifted the craft off the docking bay floor and flew smoothly out into space.

"Everything went exactly as I had foreseen it. Now, once we are safely on Coruscant, I want you to find Jabba's bounty hunter and watch her carefully. Just make sure you're not discovered."

"She will never even know I'm there. You have trained me well, Master."

"Yes, I know. You have been a more than qualified pupil, my apprentice. In time, you will play a definitive role in the demise of the Jedi Order."

"I live for that time...and to serve you, of course, Master."

Sidious allowed a slight smile to cross his lips. "You have served me well, Lord Maul, as has Jango Fett. Could you imagine what it would be like to have an army of soldiers, just like him?" He chuckled at the thought as his craft began its descent to the surface.

Darth Danno