INTO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST

CORUSCANT: Yoda and the rest of the Jedi Council sat in their respective chairs as they listened to the hologram of Mace Windu give his report on the recent happenings on Tatooine.

“I believe I’ve caught the bounty hunter that escaped from Kashyyk,” Mace began. “I don’t trust leaving her on the ship alone, and there’s no place around here I can have her detained, but staying with her means I can’t go after Master Tenuto, whom I sense is here on Tatooine.”

“Needed to be in two places at once, you are.” Yoda replied. “Leave her alone, you cannot.”

“Any word from Master Qui-Gonn, or Master Mundi?” Mace queried.

Yoda nodded. “Master Qui-Gonn reported back from Korriban, he has. Found evidence of two ships landing there recently, he did. Believe one of the craft to be Master Tenuto’s. The other one, remains unknown. Currently on their way back now, they are.”

“And Master Mundi?”

“Still trying to smooth things over on Manaan, he is. Stubborn, the Selkath are.”

“If it pleases the council, I will go and aid Master Windu.” Saesee Tiin rose and addressed the group. “Time is of the essence, so I should plan to leave immediately.”

“I concur.” Eeth Koth added. “We need to act quickly if we are to get some answers, and bring our wayward Jedi back home.”

“The Supreme Chancellor is a patient man,” Plo Koon said. “But he is becoming more persistent about getting regular updates in relation to this matter.”

“One more thing,” Master Windu interjected. “I have not been able to uncover the source, but I sense a great darkness nearby, and it is somehow directed and connected to Master Tenuto.”

Yoda rested his chin on his gimer stick. “End this mystery once and for all, we shall. Go, Master Tiin, aid Master Windu, and May the Force be with you both.”

At first the Twi’lek had no intention of renting a landspeeder to the duo, considering what their destination was, it wasn’t uncommon for many who went to pay Jabba a visit, to be never seen or heard from again. But after a little Force “persuasion”, Indy and Honj were on their way in one of the shopkeeper’s nicest models.

“These are really quite easy to operate!” Master Tenuto shouted to be heard as the speeder shot across the sandy dunes. “Would you like to give it a try?”

Indy fought to keep his hat from flying off. “Maybe later! Have you given any thought as to how exactly are we planning on getting inside?”

“I was thinking we could sneak inside once it was dark. But I have absolutely no idea where to begin looking. Plus trying to locate the dismantled Star Map in a strange place in the dark certainly stacks the odds against us.

“I just hope he hasn’t completely junked it already.”

Honj nodded his agreement. “If he ended up selling it off to the Jawas, we’ll never find it, at least not in one piece.”

“So then what?”

“First we determine if he still possesses it or not, then we go from there.”

“Which goes back to my first question. At least my first question since we got into this…speeder.”

“Actually your first question was in relation to how safe and secure this…what did you call it? Hunk of junk was?”

“Alright Mr. Semantics, have you figured out a way to get into this oversized slug’s domain?”

Far in the distance, their destination became visible on the horizon. The Jedi pointed it out to the Professor. “Yes, I have. I believe the direct approach would be best.”

Indy thought he misunderstood. “Direct approach?”

Shortly thereafter, Indy found out what that meant as he, accompanied by the Jedi Master, now stood before the bulbous behemoth, Jabba the Hutt himself.

“Greetings, Master Jabba!” Honj began in his most diplomatic voice. “I am here on a most urgent matter. The Jedi Council has received word someone is planning an attempt on your life.”

“The vile gangster stared at the Jedi a moment, then cast a glance Indy’s way before letting out a deep laugh that caused the rest of his court to erupt in kind. “You came all this way to tell me this, Jedi? This is nothing new. It is almost a daily occurrence. Many have tried, but none have succeeded. Now, why don’t you tell me the real reason for your intrusion.”

The Jedi Master raised a placating hand. “Mark my words, mighty Hutt. Those that seek to do you harm are no ordinary thugs, nor run of the mill hoodlum. They have secretly hidden a bomb somewhere within these confines. An explosive device of such power, that it will completely decimate this entire palace and leave nothing but a smoking crater with this as its epicenter.”

Now the Hutt gave the duo a wide-eyed stare. Everyone else within close proximity fell silent. Indy couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but he was more concerned with the Hutt buying it or not.

Regaining his composure, the crime lord was once again all business. “And where exactly is this…bomb? Do you have proof there even is a device, or is it merely supposition? Have you come all this way to simply pass along this information, or do you plan on doing something about it?”

“Oh great Hutt, I have come to not only find and diffuse the device, but hopefully uncover information as to who is behind this fiendish plot.” Gesturing to Indy, he continued. “My companion here, is one of the best bomb experts in the galaxy. There hasn’t been an explosive manufactured, created, or otherwise that he can’t dismantle.”

Now it was all Jones could do to keep from falling over. He’d seen a bomb or two in his adventures back on Earth, but an expert? Never!

Jabba wasn’t buying it. “How do I know you’re even a real Jedi? How do I know you’re not here to secretly plant some sort of device? What’s in all this for you?”

Now Honj gave the slug a sincere bow. “Lord Jabba. You know a Jedi’s motives are selfless. We may not approve of your business dealings, but we would still come to your aide if called. We are all about keeping peace in the Republic, and like it or not, you are part of that Republic. You have much to gain by my assistance, and much more to lose.”

That phrase struck home with the Hutt. He had heard almost those exact same words not too long ago. Spoken by that holographic image emanating from that transceiver that was found shortly after the bodies of his cohorts were discovered. Had the assassin also planted some kind of bomb while he was here? He was able to dispatch nineteen highly trained killers over the course of one day without making a sound, so anything was possible. Perhaps once this Sidious’ schemes had completely come to pass, he planned to cover his tracks and take out anyone and everyone who was privy to his secret plot. This surely would put a damper on their arrangement, that was for sure.

On the other hand, this temporary union with the Jedi didn’t appear to cost him anything, and who knows what may turn up in the course of it. Perchance in the dismantling of the device, certain accidents may befall the Jedi and his companion, events that the noble Hutt had no control over, and was powerless to stop. Jabba smiled at that thought. Those self-righteous politicians back on Coruscant may frown upon it, but Jabba was confident he could take the heat. Plus he had numerous senators on his payroll that could help to smooth things over.

“Eniki” the gangster bellowed. “I do not trust you Jedi. But there are very few whom I actually do trust. It’s part of the business. Another part is discerning fact from rumor, and right now your investigation falls into the latter category until you bring me proof to the contrary. I will allow you to search my domain, for now. But know this. I will rescind my permission at even the slightest hint of impropriety, and your precious Council will most definitely hear about it, not to mention you both will be subject to any punishment I deem necessary. Do you accept these terms?”

The Jedi Master nodded, trying his best not to sound too eager. “Oh, most assuredly.”

Jabba fell silent for a few moments, mulling over every possible angle and outcome to this situation before uttering, “where do you wish to start your search?”

Honj smiled. “You are most wise, mighty Jabba. Now, I suggest we start at the bottom and work our way up!”

Darth Danno