Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 03.26.08 12:01am

As Master Tenuto flew their craft over the forest planet of Kashyyk, Indy couldn't help but marvel at the size of the enormous wroshyr trees that covered the landscape. Honj explained that the Wookie tribes made their homes and villages within the branches of the trees. Indy told the Jedi the closest thing they had on Earth that resembled this was the redwood forest in California, and that was only a part of one state, not the whole planet.

"Sounds a lot like Endor." Master Tenuto replied. "I'm not sure what's going on below, but I sense... trouble here."

Indy replied dryly. "Well, at least our track record remains intact."

Honj gave Indy a quizzical look. "Track... record?"

"Never mind. Earthen expression."

They continued on, flying just above the tree line. Indy learned they were heading toward the village of Rwookrrorro. When the Jedi Master had visited here with Yoda some time ago, they befriended a Wookie named Attichitcuk, and hopefully he would be able to help them.

They touched down on the landing pad, and upon exiting the ship, Dr. Jones got his first real look at a Wookie, and it was all he could do to keep from running back into the Nubian and finding some dark corner in the hold to crawl into. These beings were over two meters tall, covered from head to toe in hair, or fur, or whatever it was. They all looked incredibly strong, and the Wookies that had congregated around the landing pad regarded the archaeologist with and air of mistrust. Once they saw Master Tenuto and recognized his robes as belonging to the Jedi Order, they gave Indy some latitude, as it was apparent the two were traveling together. Honj went up to one of the closest Wookies, spoke a few words to him, the Wookie nodded, Tenuto returned the nod, and then crossed back to Indy.

"What luck!" Master Tenuto exclaimed. "The Force is most definitely with us. This is Jowdrrl, and Attichitcuk happens to be his uncle. I told him that we required his assistance, and he'll take us to him, and in turn, perhaps we can assist them with a situation they are currently facing. I knew I sensed trouble here! Again the Force serves me well."

Indy didn't think this boded well, it didn't matter if the Force was with them or not. "What kind of situation?"

"He didn't say, but I'll surmise that the sooner we're on our way, the sooner we'll find out."

TC-10 came down the ramp and inquired if she should accompany them. Honj thought it might come in handy to have an interpreter along just in case, so the three of them set off, following Jowdrrl through Rwookrrorro village. As they walked, Indy tried to take in the magnificence of Wookie architecture. Far from being crude and primitive, each dwelling and walkway having been meticulously crafted and shaped, he hoped to get a look at the interior of one of the domiciles soon. The Wookies he saw along the way regarded him in much the same way those at the landing pad did, but none confronted him, or made any disparaging gestures toward him, at least none that he could readily identify. Then again, a simple wave may mean "shove it up your afterburner" in Wookie.

Shortly thereafter, the quartet knocked on the door of Attichitcuk's home. They were allowed admittance, and upon seeing Master Tenuto, Attichitcuk and he quickly began reminiscing. Indy wasn't sure what to do, so he just stood in one spot next to TC-10, and smiled and nodded meekly whenever someone glanced his way.

During their conversation, Honj caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of Indy standing uncomfortably to one side of the room.

"Oh forgive me! Where are my manners? Attichitcuk, this is Professor Indiana Jones."

The Wookie gave the archaeologist the once-over, then crossed to him, grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously. Indy hoped this wasn't an act of aggression, because this Wookie's grip was like a vice, and he prayed his fingers weren't being broken in the process.

Tenuto waved his hand in the direction of TC-10, acknowledging her to the Wookies, then got down to business. He explained to them that he was seeking an ancient Sith artifact that had been hidden here some time ago, around the time Revan returned, looking for ancient star maps that were hidden on various worlds throughout the galaxy. Perhaps Attichitcuk might know where to look, or have some information that may assist them. Attichitcuk replied that nothing unusual or strange had been found and/or reported here on Kashyyk in quite some time, he knew about the Star Map from what his ancestors had told him, but that was located in the Shadowlands.

The Shadowlands are at the ground level of the planet, completely and constantly covered in darkness, as sunlight never reaches down that far. The Shadowlands have been declared off-limits since the time of Revan and Malek, so who knows what creatures now lurk in that area of untamed wilderness?

Despite all the dangers they probably held, Master Tenuto felt it was the best place to start. Indy simply rolled his eyes and shrugged. It was becoming quite apparent that nothing about this quest would be easy or simple.

"I understand you have a situation that could use our assistance?" Honj queried of the Wookie. "How can we help?"

Attichitcuk replied with a series of growls, snarls, barks, and other assorted noises. TC-10 did her best to translate.

"I am familiar with quite a few forms of dialogue, but Wookie dialect can be very difficult to translate at times, depending on how distinct the Wookie in question is while speaking. Certain sounds can be taken more than one way, such as... "

Trying to remain calm, but wanting to get the droid back on track, Master Tenuto interrupted her. "Could you please stop with the dissertation, and assist with the translation? I already understand some of their language, but I need you to make sure I'm translating it properly."

"Of course, Master Jedi. I was only trying to be helpful. I feel I have not been able to use my abilities to their full capacity to assist you, and I wanted to take this time to... "

"Just translate!" Indy commanded.

"Is she always like this?" Honj asked Indy.

Indy nodded. "If you don't cut her off... yes."

TC-10 nodded and fell silent as the Wookie began his tale. The Jedi Master did his best to translate for Indy. "It seems that a few nights ago, there was a fire on one of the lower levels, the adult Wookie males went down to fight the fire, and when they came back, many of the children had been taken from the village."

Indy had a chill run down his spine. "Boy, does this sound familiar."

Master Tenuto looked at him incredulously. "What? You know of this?

"Only if you have a Kali-worshipping cult here on Kashyyk, or a suitable alternative."

"I'm not sure who or what this Kali is, but I doubt they are as dangerous as what we're about to face.

"You know who took the children?"

"I'm afraid I do. Wookie females aren't known for their fighting, but they can be even nastier than the males when provoked, especially when their young are in danger. The females managed to kill a few of the raiding party before all was said and done, but they weren't able to stop them from taking their children."

"So who was it?" Indy wanted to know. "Sith? Mandalorians? Who?"

Master Tenuto squared his shoulders, and cast a steely gaze upon the intrepid archaeologist as he replied. "Trandoshans, Trandoshan slavers... "

Darth Danno