Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 03.19.08 12:01am

THE COUNCIL’S CONCERN

Jabba sat on his throne in his palace and pondered the events of late. First, a man comes to him requesting a list of Bounty Hunters for a secret assignment. Intrigued, the gangster hires his own bounty hunter to investigate. Then, twenty members of his... compatriots were found dead, each without ever firing a shot. Shortly thereafter, a transceiver was located near one of the bodies, once activated; he received a message from another mysterious stranger, this one dressed all in black. He instructed the Hutt to cease pursuing his own interests in relation to the secret excursion, and instead, join up with this... Sidious in making certain the dark clad figure’s mission is completed successfully. In return, Sidious had promised him additional wealth and power that would be doled out once this individual had rose to a position as ruler over the galaxy. How could one individual possibly take over the Republic? The Senate would never go along with it, much less the Jedi. Those useless fossils were completely and utterly devoted to promoting peace throughout the galaxy, a galaxy that was slowly becoming more and more ensnared in corruption and graft. Politicians were more interested in acquiring wealth and power than seeing to the needs of their constituents. The Jedi were too blind to see all this. Perhaps if they spent less time communing with that mystical energy they relied upon, and more time out in the real world, they’d catch on to what was really going on. Though by this time, there was little or nothing they could do to stem the tide. Even the current Supreme Chancellor wasn’t much more than a figurehead. He remained in power because certain individuals and groups allowed him to do so, in return, they were the ones who actually pulled the strings, and they weren’t about to let a pitiful little group such as the Jedi Council interfere with the lining of their pockets. Perhaps this Sidious wasn’t too far off. If he was somehow able to get the Senate to turn against the Jedi, then a takeover was quite feasible. It would take a lot of cunning, planning, and resources. Not to mention the person who was to attempt this would already have to have some sort of power, and be in a position of authority, perhaps as a Senator, or an aide?

What about this debacle on Dantooine? What really happened down there? What were the Jedi doing there at that time? Did the Jedi attack first, or... what? Aurra Sing was sketchy about the details, Jabba was positive she was hiding something. Perhaps she attacked the Jedi, if so, why? Too many questions regarding all this, and she was too far away for the gangster to question her... properly. But Aurra Sing was good at what she did, and not one to be crossed. Hutt blood was already on her hands, and Jabba was determined that none of his vital fluids were to end up there also. In addition, who knew if Sidious’ mystery assassin was still lurking about the palace grounds, monitoring every transmission to and from this place, watching for any hint of a double-cross. For now, perhaps it would be best if he just made sure Aurra Sing stuck to her mission and reported in regularly and concisely. Even if Jabba wasn’t to get his slimy hands on whatever this group was looking for, he was, at the very least, determined to get some answers to all this.

Back on Coruscant, in the chambers of the Jedi high council, the mood was quite somber as each Master sat in their seat, deciding what the next course of action should be.

“No word have we received from Master Tenuto,” Yoda began.

“All attempts to contact them have failed,” Ki-Adi-Mundi continued.

Mace Windu nodded, “The students he took with him, their respective Masters sense something has happened, but do not feel they have been killed.”

“I concur,” Yaddle replied. “They have not become one with the Force, but I sense they are in pain.”

Ki-Adi-Mundi interjected, “I don’t understand why none of them have attempted to contact us?”

Yoda placed his hands underneath his chin. “To Dantooine someone must go. Determine what happened, and rescue our comrades if need be.”

Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke up once again. “I know each of the Padawan’s Masters desire to go, as does Cin Drallig.”

Mace turned to Yoda. “Master Drallig is far too important, we’re already down one lightsaber combat instructor with the absence of Master Tenuto, we cannot afford to lose another. As for the other Masters, I know the bond each of them share with their Padawan is strong, and we cannot allow their personal feelings towards their students to possibly cloud their judgment, and jeopardize the mission. I will go. I haven’t been out in the field for some time, and could use the exercise and fresh air. Plus I enjoy a good mystery. I welcome a new challenge, something to stimulate the senses.”

Yoda turned to meet Mace’s gaze. “Exercise in the training room you could get, I sense another reason there is, as to why you desire to go.”

Mace nodded again. “I sense... there’s something going on here that I can’t wrap my thoughts around. Something elusive, almost as if someone, or something were purposely trying to block me out.”

This time it was Yoda who nodded. “I sense it too. A storm of darkness, I sense. What it means, I do not know, but meditate on it, I will. Go, Master Windu, find Master Tenuto and the Padawans you must. Determine what is really going on here, we shall. May the Force be with you.”

With that, Mace rose, nodded to Yoda, and exited the chamber, as he wanted to get underway as soon as possible.

Darth Maul had left the Hutt’s abode and returned to his ship, but having received no order to leave the planet, he awaited word as to what to do next. Shortly thereafter, he received a transmission from Lord Sidious.

“What is they bidding, my Master?”

“The Hutt has fallen in step with us, as I knew he would. You have done well on your assignment, Lord Maul. I wish I could say the same for the others. It seems Zam Wesell let Dr. Jones escape, and into the hands of a Jedi, no less.”

Maul’s anger flared at the mention of the Jedi. “Shall I hunt them down, my Master?”

“No need, my willing apprentice. I know their journeys will take them to Tatooine, and when they arrive, you will dispatch the Jedi, and return Dr. Jones to me, is that clear?”

“Crystal, my Lord. What of the bounty hunter and the droids that accompanied him?”

“I’m having Jango Fett journey to Dantooine and determine their fate. If they are still alive, he will bring them here to me. I need to determine exactly what happened during their stay.”

“Are you certain Jones and the Jedi will continue on with the mission, and not return to the Temple first? The Council, they must not know of our existence yet.”

“Calm yourself. I will find out what the Council does or does not know soon enough. Leave things here on Coruscant to me for the time being. Once you have the good professor in custody, you must find out what the Jedi knows, determine what and how much knowledge Dr. Jones has passed on to him, and in turn, to whom he relayed this information. Then simply make sure he never leaves Tatooine alive.”

Darth Maul lowered his head. “Master, it will be an honor... and my pleasure.”

Darth Danno