Indiana Jones and the Sith Stone
Posted by: Darth Danno 06.18.08 12:01am

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan took off from the Jedi’s hanger on Coruscant, heading to Korriban. Ki-Adi-Mundi watched them leave, and then returned to making final preparations for his departure to Manaan. High above the tarmac, the Supreme Chancellor watched the Jedi go about their business with a calm resolve. Shortly before Ki-Adi Mundi boarded his craft, Valorum was joined be another.

“Quite a flurry of activity, isn’t it? Palpatine said as he surveyed the scene below.

“Indeed.” The Supreme Chancellor replied, giving the Senator from Naboo only a casual glance before returning his gaze back to the floor of the hangar. “From what I’ve been told, they believe their missing comrade to be heading toward three possible systems. Each Master is going to one of the three planets in the hope of intercepting him and putting an end to this mystery.”

“So they haven’t heard anything from the wayward Jedi?”

“He made contact with them once awhile back, but didn’t reveal much, other than to disclose the whereabouts of the Padawans, since then, nary a word.”

Palpatine shook his head slowly. “Very odd, to say the least.”

“I concur. That’s why I’ve... requested a complete report on their activities upon their return.”

Palpatine gave Valorum an inquisitive look. “You don’t think the Jedi are up to anything underhanded, do you?”

“No, of course not.” Then the Supreme Chancellor slowly turned to give the Senator his full attention. “Why, have you heard something to the contrary?”

The Senator from Naboo diffused the tension with a slight laugh. “No, no, no. Just... making conversation. I’m sure the Jedi are... above reproach.”

Valorum continued to stare at Palpatine a few moments, thinking about the Senator’s comment, then simply nodded, and turned to watch Ki-Adi Mundi blast off out of the hangar.

Palpatine followed the Supreme Chancellor’s gaze. “Of course, with all the graft and corruption infecting the Senate as of late, who’s to say that some members of the Council have not fallen into that snare. But that’s only supposition. I’m just... thinking out loud. Forget I mentioned it.” He then turned and exited, leaving the Chancellor to simply watch him leave, and wonder...

Indy’s lessons at flying a spacecraft were something to behold for sure. Fortunately he never passed out, or got sick, but both he and Honj agreed that it would be best if the Jedi Master took over when it came to landing the ship on Manaan, but he would explain the process to the Professor every step of the way.

As they flew low over the planet’s surface, Indy couldn’t believe how much water there was. He thought the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans back on Earth were huge.

“What do the Manaanians do during storms?” Indy wondered aloud.

“They’re called Selkath, and most likely, they get wet.” Tenuto replied. “The water completely covers the planet’s surface. We’re going to be landing at Ahto City, it was built to accommodate the off-world visitors.”

“And that’s where the Star Map is?”

“Actually, the Star Map is located at the bottom of the great rift along the ocean floor, but our first stop after landing is going to be the old Sith base located within the city’s confines.”

Indy continued to stare out at the idyllic blue waters below. “So what happened down there?”

“You mean when Revan visited? Well, there was a huge sea creature that patrolled the ocean depths, right in the vicinity of the Star Map. It seems the creature kept being disturbed by all the Kolto harvesting going on down there, and for Revan to get any where close to the Map, he had to either poison the creature, or destroy the harvester. He decided to be environmentally conscious and sabotage the harvester. The Selkath unanimously approved of his decision, but the Sith and Jedi weren’t so enthusiastic.”

Indy simply rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t anything around here happen WITHOUT mass destruction?”

“You think that’s bad, you should attend some of the Senate hearings, those get REALLY bloody.”

Indy wasn’t falling for it. “Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t know, every session I’ve tried sitting in on, I’ve ended up falling asleep. Of course, I pass it off as deep meditation.” Tenuto continued to keep his gaze forward, staring out at the horizon, but eventually he couldn’t hold it in any longer, and a wide grin crossed his face. Indy simply smirked, shook his head, and rolled his eyes again as he returned his gaze to the cool waters below.

Shortly thereafter, an enormous floating spaceport came into view.

“That’s Ahto City,” Tenuto commented. “Now pay attention, I’ll talk you through how to land this thing.”

The Jedi Master brought their craft in for a smooth landing in one of the covered docking bays. Deciding they could cover more ground, and have more peace and quiet if TC-10 remained and guarded the ship. Not sure what they would encounter, Indy thought it best to take a preventative stand and put on his armor before exiting the ship, rather than leave it onboard.

After exiting the bay, the duo made their way toward the entrance to the city, but before gaining admittance, they first had to pay an admittance fee to the Selkath port official. Honj was only too glad to pay, hoping to gain some information in the process. He asked the official a few questions, and the Selkath replied, or at least Indy thought he replied as the Selkath dialect sounded like a cross between someone choking and belching. The Jedi thanked him for his time, and he and Indy headed off into the city.

Indy continued to stare back at the Selkath official behind the counter. “What did you say to him... and what did he say to you?”

“I asked him where the Sith base was, and he told me it was in an area called Ahto East, but he also said the base is closed and off limits. Trespassers will be detained until they can be exported off Manaan.”

“Great, and here I thought I was going to be bored.”

Honj laughed and slapped Indy on the back. The Selkath Official watched the two leave. Once they were out of sight, he picked up a small communicator and spoke into it in its native language. *“Someone arrived asking about the Sith base, Jedi by the looks of him... He had a companion with him, didn’t look like a Jedi, in fact, he didn’t look like anything or anyone I’d ever seen before... I believe they’re headed toward Ahto East... Yes, the Sith Base... No, they won’t get in. The security droid will see to that... you’ll take it from here? I don’t care, as long as I get my payment... Good, always a pleasure doing business with you.” (* - Translated from the Selkath language.)

Indy and Honj made their way through Ahto West Central and into Ahto West, then into Ahto East Central, and finally Ahto East. The indigenous Selkath and the myriad visitors to the city paid the duo no mind, or simply cast them off with a quick glance. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Sith base, they were met by a mean looking and imposing droid who leveled its blaster rifle at them.

“Halt!” The guard shouted as they approached. “This area is of limits to all unauthorized personnel. Unless you have proper credentials, you must leave now, or I will have you placed under arrest!”

“Sorry.” The Jedi Master bowed and started backing up. “We’re simply lost and...

“Unless your goal is to be detained, the reason for your arrival is immaterial!” The droid interrupted. “Leave Now!”

“Of course,” Honj continued. “Our sincerest apologies for intruding.” With that, he and Indy made a hasty retreat.

“What now?” Indy asked as they made their way back down the corridor and back toward Ahto East Central.

“Well, there are other places we could try first before tackling the Sith enclave. The Jedi had a base here as well, there’s also a Mercenary enclave, an old Kolto distribution center, the Selkath high court, the holding cells for the prisoners awaiting appearance in the high court, some shops, a hotel, and of course, Hrakert Station.”

“What’s that last one?”

“That’s the science facility deep on the ocean floor, who knows what dangers await us if we venture down there. We may even encounter the giant Firaxa, that’s the... ”

“I know, I know,” Indy stopped him. “That’s the giant beastie Revan encountered when he went down there looking for the Star Map. I say we tackle the Sith base before we book passage to the bottom of the sea.”

“I was thinking we’d head over to the... ” He was interrupted be the approach of a rather seedy looking Aqualish. “Excuse me, may we help you?”

“I see you’re trying to gain entrance to the Sith base. Perhaps I can assist you with that?

Right away the Jedi was suspicious. “What business is it of yours? And why would you want to help us?”

The Aqualish glanced around nervously before continuing. “Not here. There are cameras everywhere. Meet me in a standard hour at the hanger bay two down from where you parked your ship. There are no cameras there, we can talk openly then.” With that, he turned and hurried off.

“I don’t trust him.” Indy commented.

“Neither do I. Unfortunately I don’t see any other avenues open to us at this time.”

“But what if it’s a trap?”

“All we can do is... spring the trap!” With that, they headed off.

They spent most of the next hour doing some minor reconnaissance around the city before heading of back to the docking bays. Sure enough, the same Aqualish they encountered before was standing in front of the docking bay two doors down from theirs. He waved to them as they approached.

“Follow me.” He said as he punched some numbers into a keypad, and the exterior bay doors slid open, the trio entered, and the doors slid shut behind them.

“You can only have one set of doors open at one time,” the Aqualish commented as he approached the second keypad and entered another set of numbers. The interior doors slid open, revealing a wide bay, just like the one Honj and Indy landed in, only this one contained an ominous looking black shuttle. The Aqualish crossed the threshold into the bay, but before the Jedi and the Professor could follow, the docking bay doors slammed shut, trapping them in the entryway.

“I was right, it’s a trap!” Indy shouted as he looked for a way out.

“Not to worry, I’ve brought a key that will open any door!” With that, Honj ignited his lightsaber and proceeded to cut through the door to the docking bay. Suddenly, gas began to pour through the vents at the top of the entryway.

“Whatever you’re doing, do it faster!” Indy commented, a decidedly frightful tone in his voice.

“I’m cutting as fast as I can and the metal will allow,” Honj retorted as he did his best to double his efforts, but despite his skill with his weapon, he was unable to cut through the door in time, and the gas soon overtook them both.

Upon awaking, the two found themselves bound together securely, surrounded by a group of unsavory characters, the Aqualish among them. Indy was the first to awaken.

“Where... where are we?” Indy asked groggily.

“Your aboard the shuttle that will take you to the Sith base,” The Aqualish replied. “That is, if you were actually going to the Sith base.”

“I’m betting you’re not going to fly us around for a tour of the complex,” Indy retorted.

The Aqualish let out a slight snort. “You are correct, human. Upon take-off, your craft will experience... technical difficulties, causing you to plummet into the sea where you’ll become food for the Firaxa, or whatever else may be down there that might want to feast on you.”

“Why are you doing this?” Indy wanted to know.

“Do you take us for a fool, human? We know why you have come, especially your friend there.

“Maybe we just came to see the sights, take in a little fishing.”

“Very amusing. Since Kolto is no longer the commodity it once was now that there is bacta, Ahto City is not the thriving metropolis it once was. Very few visitors come any more, only those who are trying to hide, or escape. We know by your friend’s clothing that he is a Jedi. Jedi never come here, and when they do, it must be for one thing and one thing alone... this.” With that, he held up a small lens. “The lens to Malek’s lightsaber!”

“What are you doing with it?” Honj queried.

“Oh, you’re awake as well. Good. Wouldn’t want you to miss your own demise napping.” With that, the Aqualish laughed heartily at his own joke.

The Jedi couldn’t be swayed. “You didn’t answer my question.”

The Aqualish stopped laughing and glared at him. “Very well. Many years ago, when Malek was perfecting his weapon, he knew he couldn’t let any of it fall into the wrong hands, so he paid our group well to hand it down from generation to generation, keeping this piece safe, and to only ever give it to one who was truly deserving.”

“You mean a Sith!” Honj spat.

“We’re here to make sure it doesn’t fall into the hands of the Jedi! What better group to watch over it than a group that doesn’t even exist!”

“You’re part of the GenoHaradan assassin guild!”

“Correct!” The Aqualish bellowed. “I don’t mind telling you because your time on this material plane is quickly coming to an end, so who would you tell! Now it’s time for us to take our leave. Your watery grave awaits.” With that, he headed up toward the cockpit, and the rest of the group exited down the ramp and back into the docking bay.

“What do we do?” Indy asked.

“We wait. Once that thug exits the ship, I’ll use the force to break our restraints, then we commandeer control of this craft and escape.”

“Why does that sound easier said than done?” Indy commented.

Just then, the ship’s engines roared to life, and the Aqualish reappeared in the hold. “This ship is set to depart in less than a standard minute. I’ll be safely away by then, and shortly, you’ll be nothing more than a memory.” He then departed the ship and the boarding ramp slowly retracted, sealing them inside.

“Okay, he’s gone! Get us free!”

“One moment. Let me concentrate... ”

“Well concentrate faster, I feel us starting to lift off!

“I can’t concentrate with you shouting at me! I must be calm... focus... use the Force. I can do this. I just need to... THERE! I’m free!”

“Well don’t just sit there, help me!

Honj helped Indy get free from his restraints, and the two hurried into the cockpit as the ship took off out of the bay. The Jedi Master sat in the pilot’s chair and then realized that all the controls had been ripped out. There was no way they could pilot this craft to safety, or pilot it anywhere for that matter.

“I think we’ve got trouble!” Honj said.

“You THINK we’ve got trouble???!!!!” Was all Indy could come back with.

Darth Danno