Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 04.02.08 12:01am

Upon hearing the species mentioned; it didn't evoke the fear in Dr. Jones that it did in most alien races, mostly because Indy had never actually come face to face with a Trandoshan. He only knew what he had learned about them back on Coruscant, and that was minimal considering none of the star maps were located on Trandosha. He knew they were a reptilian species, and tended to be quite nasty by nature. Their kind was more of the hunter, killer variety than the loving, peacekeeping variety.

"Trandoshans hate Wookies," Master Tenuto began. "Killing them, enslaving them, or selling them to the highest bidder were much more than an enjoyable pastime, it's almost part of their religion. Wookies always have to be on the alert for Trandoshan raiding parties. Even though the Wookie females managed to kill a few of them, there's no telling how many actually came on this hunt."

"So we have to travel to Trandosha now?" Indy queried. "From what I know about their kind, I don't think the two of us and a droid would be any match for a whole planet of those things, even with your... Force powers. No offense."

Master Tenuto smiled. "None taken. I'm not a gambling man, but even I wouldn't take those odds. But I don't think we'll need to go as far as Trandosha. From what Attichitcuk told me, after the fire and the raid, there was a lot going on here, but no one can remember seeing a ship lift off. We're thinking that the taking of the children was just a ruse."

Indy caught his train of thought. "So they're using them as bait?"

"Exactly! We just have to figure out which of the lower levels they're hiding out on. Preferably without them knowing we found them. Kind of negates any element of surprise."

"But they've no doubt had time to prepare for this. Plus we have no idea what kind of numbers we're going up against. We could be walking into... who knows what!"

Master Tenuto wrapped his arm around Dr. Jones' shoulder. "But they're only expecting the Wookies, they're not expecting a Jedi, or you! We can use that to our advantage."

Indy cast him a look indicating he was unconvinced about the whole thing. "You're really looking forward to this, aren't you?"

The Jedi Master removed his arm from the professor's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I'm letting all the excitement go to my head. No, Jedi only fight as a last resort, and that's only if all other options have been exhausted. We'd much prefer to sit around a table negotiating, rather than run around in some field of battle brandishing our lightsabers. But Trandoshans cannot be reasoned with, especially when it comes to Wookies. Plus they've kidnapped the young Wookie cubs. Jedi have always come to the aid of those who can't, or aren't able yet, to defend themselves."

Honj then regarded Indy in a different light. "Again I must apologize, this is not your fight." He smiled slightly. "This isn't even your world, nor your galaxy. I shouldn't get you involved in this. Many Wookies have volunteered to join the hunting party, and you're right, who knows what we may encounter down on the lower levels? Besides the Trandoshans, there are the kinrath spiders, quillarats, and who knows what else. You are welcome to stay... "

Indy held up his hands in defeat. "Alright Honj, the journey from my galaxy to yours was long enough, I don't need to be a passenger on your first class guilt trip. As long as I'm here, I may as well lend a hand. I'm sure I've been in worse situations before."

Master Tenuto looked at him incredulously. "Really?"

Indy smirked in return, and then became deadly serious. "No." Then walked away.

Honj watched him walk away a moment, let out a long hard laugh, then followed after him. It was time to gather the troops and be off.

The Slave I touched down on Dantooine's grassy surface without incident. Being an expert Bounty Hunter, it didn't take Jango long to locate Zam and C-3PX, mostly because they weren't trying to elude him and instead, saw his ship touch down and headed in his direction. When the three met, the two bounty hunters glared at each other for some time before either spoke.

"A simple assignment Zam, I passed along a simple assignment, and you bungled it completely!"

"I tried to stay away from the Jed... "

"Our clients demand results Zam, not excuses! The worst part of all this is you made me look bad. I cannot have that. Now I have to pick up where you left off. Your mess has now become MY mess."

Zam resigned herself to accept the inevitable answer of her next question. "Were you sent here to kill me?"

Jango regarded her with disdain. "If I was sent here to kill you, we wouldn't be talking now. Our employer demands a full report of everything that transpired here, so I'm taking you back to Coruscant. What he does with you after your deposition is none of my concern." He then turned away and started walking back to his ship. Suddenly, he stopped, turned again, walked up to Zam, and got right in her face. "Know this, Zam. Even if our employer doesn't kill you, if you EVER allow something like this to happen again, it will be the last thing you ever do! I will see to that personally!"

Master Tenuto, Indy, Attichitcuk, his son Chewbacca, Chewbacca's friend Salporin, and eight other Wookie warriors armed to the teeth began their search, going down level by level, searching for the Trandoshans, and the Wookie young. Along the way, they encountered numerous kinrath spiders and quillarats, but no trandoshans. Honj remarked that the Trandoshans would have cleared the local wildlife out of their current surroundings. So any level they DIDN'T encounter any nasty creatures, they'd know they were on the right track. The further they went, the darker it got, and yet no signs of the Wookie children.

"I feel like we're being watched." Indy remarked as they continued on their journey.

Master Tenuto agreed. "I've felt it too, for some time. The Trandoshans are here. They know we're coming."

"Not like I'm in a hurry, but why haven't they attacked yet?"

"I'm betting they're waiting until they have us in just the right spot."

Indy continued to glance around at the massive foliage surrounding them. "I don't suppose you'd know exactly where that spot is?"

"Something tells me we're going to have to venture into the Shadowlands."

"What makes you say that?"

"For one thing, it's extremely dark down there, and the Trandoshans could use that to their advantage. Wookies haven't been down there since Revan's time, so getting the lay of the land beforehand is going to be next to impossible."

Indy rolled his eyes. "Any other bits of enlightenment to brighten our already darkening day?"

Honj held a finger to his lips, and waved the Wookies back to stay out of sight. "Well, if you'll look down toward the end of this wooden walkway, you'll see a large wooden basket that, I believe, the Wookies used to use to venture down into the Shadowlands. You'll also notice two Trandoshans standing guard over it."

Indy saw that the Jedi Master was right. "I guess... down we go."

Honj laid his hand on Dr. Jones' shoulder once again. "Look at the bright side. The Shadowlands is where the star map is, or was. Hopefully we can find our next clue to your quest there also."

Indy nodded, "and we just have to travel through near pitch-blackness, battle who knows how many Trandoshans, and save an untold number of Wookie cubs to do it!"

Darth Danno