Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 06.11.08 12:01am

CORUSCANT: Once again, the Jedi Council gathered in their chambers as the holographic image of Mace Windu relayed his findings from Kashyyk.

“Master Tenuto is long gone, he came and left here with an unidentified human male and what appeared to be a protocol droid,” Mace began. “Apparently while here, they encountered trouble from Trandoshan slavers. After dispatching them, they departed in the slaver’s craft, leaving their own ship behind as a trap, hoping to catch whomever was following them.”

“Did it work?” Ki-Adi-Mundi inquired.

“Yes and no. A bounty hunter showed up, and the Wookies tried to capture them, a huge firefight ensued, destroying most of the spacecraft, and a good portion of the landing platform. They couldn’t find a body among the wreckage, so whoever the bounty hunter was, must have used the destruction to escape. Speaking of escape, how are the Padawans?”

“Returned with them from Polis Massa, Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have,” Yoda interjected. “Injured all the Padawans were, but heal they all will. Thanks to the quick thinking of Master Tenuto.”

“That’s encouraging,” Mace replied. “Were they able to shed any light on this?”

The Jedi Masters filled Mace in on what the Padawans had relayed from their adventures on Dantooine. From following the strangers after their arrival on the planet, to being sent back to their cruiser and being attacked by a ship from above. They told him about the mystery assailant dropping a seismic charge, and how Master Tenuto saved them by blowing up their cruiser, and using the exploding craft to deflect the waves of the charge. The next thing they remember was coming to on Polis Massa.”

“Perhaps their attacker on Dantooine was the same one that followed them to Kashyyk?” Mace queried.

Yoda nodded his agreement. “Perhaps. But who is after them, and why?”

Mace shook his head. “I don’t know, but I did find out from the Wookies that the reason Master Tenuto was here had to do with the Star Map located in the Shadowlands. Apparently he and this unidentified human companion did find what they were looking for while down there, but the Wookies aren’t sure what exactly that was, as they never got to see it.”

“I think we need to identify who his human companion is,” Eeth Koth said. “Do you think he’s holding Master Tenuto against his will?”

“I highly doubt that,” Mace replied. “The way the two were interacting, they worked more as a team than as opponents. The Wookies described this human, and he doesn’t sound like anyone I’ve ever met before. I have no clue who he could be.”

“What about their ship?” Adi Gallia wanted to know. “Did that reveal any clues?”

“Very few. However, from what was left of it, I appears to be a Nubian.”

“A Nubian?” Ki-Adi-Mundi queried. “Aren’t those primarily used by the Naboo Royalty?”

Yoda thought a moment. “Possibly. But accusing the Naboo blindly, we cannot. Need more information, we do. But how to get it? That’s the question.”

Eeth Koth offered a solution. “Perhaps the Supreme Chancellor can assist us. I believe he has a good relationship with Senator Palpatine, Naboo’s representative.”

“I concur,” Ki-Adi-Mundi added. “But who should go speak to the Chancellor?”

“Do that, I will.” Yoda replied. “But finding Master Tenuto, our priority is. To the remaining Star Map worlds we must go. Hopefully intercept him, we will.”

Adi Gallia agreed. “We won’t get any answers until we locate Master Tenuto. Sooner or later he must turn up on one of the remaining three planets.”

Yoda nodded. “To Korriban, Master Qui-Gon and his Padawan will go.”

“I will travel to Manaan.” Ki-Adi-Mundi volunteered.

“And I will take Tatooine.” Mace Windu added. “Hopefully we will come across this mystery bounty hunter as well.”

Yoda nodded again. “Agreed. And may the Force be with us all.”

Yoda had his meeting with the Supreme Chancellor, and Valorum agreed to talk to Senator Palpatine on their behalf, but was not about to accuse his good friend of anything underhanded without a lot more proof.

Yoda defended the Order. “Accusing the Senator of anything, we are not. A fact finding junket, this is.”

Valorum acquiesced. “Very well, I will left you know what I find out, if anything. But this will be the end of it. I will not allow your investigation to offend the Senator in any way. We cannot afford to lose the support of the Naboo, especially at a time like this. We’re having enough trouble now with the Trade Federation and the Nebula Front as it is. These are very volatile times, and we must tread lightly.”

Yoda agreed, “Afford more enemies, we cannot.” And the two parted ways. Fortunately, Senator Palpatine happened to be on Coruscant at the time, and was only too pleased to meet with the Supreme Chancellor.

“I heard about what happened to the Padawans on Dantooine,” Palpatine began. “Simply dreadful. Do the Jedi have any leads as to who would want to hurt them, and what happened to the Master who was escorting them?”

Valorum seemed somewhat shocked at the Senator’s questions. “And may I ask, how you heard about all of this? I just found out about it a little while ago.”

“I’m sorry to say, but secrets have become a rarity here on Coruscant, especially on the Senate floor. I cannot remember if someone specifically told me, or if I simply happened to overhear it. But I do recall it was one of those cases where they had heard it from someone else, and they heard it from someone, and so on and so on... ”

The Chancellor nodded. “I understand. These are truly perilous times we live in. Graft and corruption take precedence over politics and the welfare of the galaxy. Lining one’s own pockets always takes priority over everything else. Information is key. Who has it, who wants it, and what are they willing to do to get it.”

“I’m sorry to say, Supreme Chancellor, but graft and corruption are getting more and more intertwined with politics and the welfare of the galaxy, to the point they are becoming inseparable.”

Valorum stood, turned, and stared out the enormous window behind him, watching the myriad vessels and crafts fly by. “Something must be done, and soon, before the damage that’s been done becomes irreparable.”

“Try not to worry yourself, as long as you have constituents such as myself who are still legitimately concerned about the health and welfare of the Republic, hope springs eternal. Now, about the injured Padawans and their missing Master.”

Valorum turned to face the senator. “Oh yes, The Council are working on all of that, and their search has led them to Kashyyk, where they found the remains of a Nubian. Apparently the wayward Jedi used it to escape Dantooine.”

“A Nubian? Surely you’re not think... ”

“No, no, no, my friend. Nothing could be farther from that. I just wanted to inquire if that perhaps the royals had any of their craft stolen, or if they had encountered any recent trouble.”

Palpatine shook his head. “None that I am aware of, but rest assured, I shall make inquiries. Do you think someone is trying to frame the Naboo? Who, and why?”

“Please Senator, we have no proof whatsoever that the Naboo are involved in any way. I am not here to accuse. The Jedi aren’t having much luck with their investigation, and are simply grasping at straws.”

“So the Order has no leads whatsoever?”

“Other than this all has something to do with the ancient Star Maps and Star Forge.”

Palpatine wasn’t following. “Star Maps? Star Forge? I don’t understand... ”

“Oh, this goes back to the time after the Mandalorian Wars, when the Jedi Revan and Malek rejected the Order and fell to the dark side.”

Now the senator was intrigued. “Really. It sounds fascinating. I must research that.”

Valorum shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s ancient history, nothing more. Thank you for taking time out of your hectic schedule to come and see me, Senator. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

“Not at all, Chancellor, not at all. I’m happy to assist any way I can. As I said, I’ll make some inquiries among the royals and let you know immediately if I find out anything that may help you.”

“You have my, and the Jedi’s eternal gratitude.”

Palpatine smiled slightly. “Always a pleasure to aid the Jedi.”

Honj and Indy took off from Korriban as fast as their ship’s engines would take them.

“I can’t believe what you did?” Honj began. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize what you had, or have! In fact, I’m not believing much of what just happened down there.”

“Maybe it’s like you said,” Indy replied. “Perhaps the dark powers of Kashyyk diminished your abilities.”

“But I should have seen it back on Kashyyk! That means... no, it can’t be! That’s... impossible!”

Indy brought the Jedi Master back on track. “I just hope the Mandalorians follow through.”

“If they want their prize, and I’m sure they do, they’ll do their part.”

“Have you thought about updating the Council as to what’s going on?”

Tenuto nodded. “Let’s see how things go on Manaan, and we’ll go from there. You know Indy, I’ve been thinking, I’m not sure exactly what will happen before our journey comes to an end, but I think it only appropriate to prepare you for any contingency.”

Jones had no idea where this was going. “Are you sure you’re still not suffering from the latent evils of Korriban?”

“My vision has never been clearer. I need to make sure that you will be able to fend for yourself if something happens to me.”

Indy had heard enough. “Oh come on!”

“I’m serious, and I think it’s best we begin with you learning how to pilot this spacecraft.”

“You want me to do WHAT????”

Darth Danno