The Jedi's Force enhanced senses picked up the scuffling as yet another band of Jabba's underlings fled before them. "This is becoming ridiculous." Obi-Wan said, regally annoyed.

Anakin agreed. "Not to mention embarrassing. How can we surrender if nobody will stand still long enough to accept it?" That got him one of Obi-Wan's ice blue looks. He grinned and shrugged in reply. They trudged on, deeper into the complex.

...

Sessile Dunesman opened the door, and stared appalled as her dirt - and in Beru's case tear - streaked guests walked past her into the house. "Owen what happened, are you all right?"

"More or less." he answered grimly. "Beru's had a bad time though."

"I'm fine - now." she said bravely. "But, Owen, what about Obi-Wan and Anakin?"

Her betrothed looked even grimmer. "We'll just have to hope they know what they're doing."

...

A series of sealed blast doors forced the Jedi to follow an almost straight path down a wide corridor. "We're being herded." Obi-Wan said with satisfaction. "As last we're getting somewhere!"

"They're going to try to kill us." Anakin pointed out.

"They may try." Obi-Wan said, a little smugly.

Anakin rolled his eyes. And they called him arrogant!"

They entered another corridor junction and blast doors slammed shut behind, beside and before them. A hiss came to their ears and an odor of cinnamon drifted past their noses.

"Gas." said Anakin resignedly.

"Oh really." Obi-Wan raised his voice. "This isn't necessary, we are prepared to surrender."

Nothing happened. "Either they didn't hear you or they'd rather have us dead." said Anakin.

"Nonsense." Obi-Wan said crisply. "I'm sure Messire Desilijic has far to much sense to attempt any such thing against representatives of the Republic."

The hissing stopped. A second or two later the forward blast doors slid open, revealing the slug-like bulk of Jabba Desilijic flanked by armed guards, the overdressed Trandoshan and an unhealthy looking yellow Twi-Lek. A pair of scantily clad slave girls, a Human and a Rystalli, cuddled up to the crime-lord but eyed Obi-Wan and Anakin with considerable interest.

Obi-Wan bowed. "Messire Desilijic, I presume." he said smoothly. "Please accept my apologies and regrets for any damage done to your residence."

Jabba actually blinked. /Regrets/ he growled disbelievingly in Huttese.

"Yes, sir. Some of your men were - overenthusiastic - we were forced to defend ourselves."

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master of understatement. Anakin shook his head admiringly.

"It was not our intention to offend in any way." he continued silkily. "I beg your excellency's forgiveness. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is Anakin Skywalker of the Jedi Order. We come on behalf of the Central Systems with a proposition I believe you will find to your advantage."

Jabba made a sharp gesture with one of his vestigial arms. /The Republic has no authority here. Go back where you came from./

Obi-Wan didn't turn a hair. "Surely there is some way we can persuade your excellency to give us a hearing...Perhaps a wager?"

Jabba a hint of interest brightened Jabba's dish sized eyes. /What kind of wager/ he asked.

"I hear you are a sporting being," Obi-Wan said blithely, "so how about a wager of battle? My colleague and myself against whatever champions your excellency cares to name."

Anakin stared at his brother. Jabba blinked slowly, interest growing. /As many as I care to name/

Obi-Wan bowed. "Agreed."

/You must be unarmed./

"Of course."

Jabba's tongue ran over his lipless mouth. /With your hands bound./

Obi-Wan considered for a moment, then nodded. "That will be acceptable."

Anakin rolled his eyes but didn't protest.

/And the fight will be to the death./

Finally Obi-Wan shook his head. "That is not the Jedi Way."

/My men with be instructed to kill/

Obi-Wan shrugged. "As you please."

/Until tomorrow then./ Jabba said, oozing satisfaction. /Take them away/

"You like to live dangerously don't you?" Anakin remarked as guards hustled them out.

"Said the reactor to the rocket tube." Obi-Wan retorted cheerfully.

They were shoved into a cell and multiple doors slammed closed behind them followed by a click as the shimmer of ray shielding rippled over the walls

The two Jedi settled themselves on the stone floor. "It's not like you to worry about consequences, Anakin." the elder observed mildly.

"I'm not worried." The younger replied defensively. "I'm just glad our folks doesn't know about this."

...

Beru winked out like the proverbial light the minute her head hit the pillow and didn't open her eyes until mid-morning. She came yawning down the outside stair from the guest rooms, wearing a wrap over her nightdress, went into the dining room open to the plant filled courtyard and found it empty. A waiter droid soon appeared with a covered breakfast tray, followed by Owen. Her sleepy content sizzled away at the sight of his grim face.

"What's wrong?"

"This." he shoved a tri-dee flimsy under her nose. It showed a view of Jabba's infamous arena superimposed with throbbing letters; 'EXECUTION TODAY! Free admission to all to see the end of two who have offended the mighty Jabba!'

She looked up in horror. "Oh no, not Anakin and Obi-Wan?"

"Who else?" her betrothed asked grimly.

"It could be somebody else." she said feebly, but her feelings told her it wasn't.

"I called Dad and Mom this morning. They'll be here any minute." he said.

"Oh, Owen, why? There's nothing they can do."

"Maybe not but they'd never forgive us if we kept it from them."

Beru bit her lip, that was true. "I'm sure Obi-Wan and Anakin know what they're doing."

"I wish I was." Owen answered.

...

Anakin and Obi-Wan stepped out into blinding, scorching sunlight and were greeted by an animal like roar of anticipation from the crowd in the stands.

"Here we go again." Anakin grumbled.

"Really, Ani, it's not like you to be so negative." Obi-Wan chided lightly making a deep bow to Jabba in his box.

"No, it's like you." Anakin answered as the Hutt launched into a long speech detailing their offenses. "What's come over you, Obi-Wan? you're acting like - like me!"

His brother gave him an upward slanting smile, eyes sparkling like blue ice. "Don't be insulting - and relax; the Force is with us."

"Now you sound like Master."

"Thank you."

The two Jedi stood, quite at their ease, all alone in the center of the arena with hands locked behind their backs. Obi-Wan gazed up at Jabba, an expression of polite attention on his face while Anakin let his eye roam the crowd.

"Oh no!"

Obi-Wan sighed. "What now?"

"See for yourself," Anakin answered grimly. "Sixty degrees left and eight rows up."

Obi-Wan looked and saw Owen, Beru, Shmi and Cliegg in the stands. "Oh dear."

"Mom looks scared." Anakin said unhappily.

"I'm sorry Shmi's upset but keep your focus, Anakin."

"Owen and Cliegg are going to kill us."

"They'll have to wait till after Jabba's had his turn. My he does go on doesn't he?"

"He loves the sound of his own voice."

The amplified voice of an announcer boomed across their conversation. "Doomed Prisoners, the Mighty Jabba has asked you a question!"

"I beg your pardon," Obi-Wan called back, "would you mind repeating that?"

/Do you wish to plead for your lives!"/ an understandably irate Hutt demanded.

"Oh no, not at all. The wager stands." Obi-Wan assured him.

"So could we get on with it please!" Anakin added.

"Manners, Anakin, manners." Obi-Wan chided gently as the massive metal grated gates beneath Jabba's box slid upward and the crowd roared with delight.

"Do I have to be polite to them too?" Anakin asked as heavily armed and armored gladiators began to fill the arena.

"Restraint, Anakin, no more force than is absolutely necessary."

"Yes, Master." he answered, rolling his eyes.