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The Saga of the Chosen One, Chapter 26
By TVfan
Coruscant
The walls that fenced off the compound from which Prince Xizor ran the Black Sun were outwardly impressive, but they were little more then high walls. A lone Rodian was quite thankful for that as he prepared to fire a zip line into the wall of the complex across the street from him. He was high enough to clear the wall, and was well enough armed that if he could get to Xizor, he could easily kill the Falleen crime lord.
The Rodian looked as though he had had a hard life and anyone who might have seen him would not think that he would be engaged in attempting to kill one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy. Several of his head spines were bent, and there were even a few that were missing. He wore a patch to cover up a gaping hole where his left eye had been and there were scars from his previous attempts to capture targets for his master. To complete the image of an unlikely warrior, the Rodian was not very muscular in appearance, even for a Rodian. But the bounty placed on Prince Xizor by Jabba the Hutt was too good to pass up, and he needed the money.
He fired his zip line and placed the small handle he would need to slide down the line onto it and easily slid over the traffic below him and under the traffic above him. The impact with a glass window wasn't real quiet, but the Rodian found the hallway to be empty, and quickly moved away so any security that arrived wouldn't know what had happened at first.
He made his way through a maze of passageways until he came to a door that he heard Xizor speaking through. The Rodian couldn't make all of it out, but it sounded like Xizor was angry about something involving someone named 'Skywalker'. The Rodian assumed that Xizor had been hired by the Empire to fight the Rebellion, although that fight wasn't his concern. He merely wanted to kill his target and escape with enough proof for Jabba that he would be able to make a big score. He readied his blasters while he listened to angry talk coming from inside the room.
When he was ready, the Rodian rushed through the doors and fired a series of shots at the closest targets to him.
"Now you will pay for meddling in Jabba's affairs!" the Rodian screamed as he fired.
Prince Xizor ducked under the incoming laser fire, totally surprised by what had happened. The Rodian had burst into his main business room, apparently undetected by his security and had just blasted five messengers and one of his Vigos, who was directly responsible for Black Sun's Coruscant operations. The Rodian was about to turn on him directly when Guri caught him from behind and threw him to the ground, making the Rodian drop his blasters. Xizor picked up the dropped weapons.
"Who is this fool, Guri?" Prince Xizor asked in slightly frustrated voice.
"A bounty hunter from the Outer Rim," Guri replied, "One who largely works for Jabba the Hutt. Although, from what we've been able to listen in on Imperial communiqués, he hasn't been that good a bounty hunter. While he's managed to bring in his targets, he hasn't fared all that well in the fights to capture them."
"That much is evident," Prince Xizor replied and then kneeled above the fallen Rodian, "and why does the 'great' Jabba the Hutt wish to anger Black Sun, Mister…"
"Greedo," the Rodian shot back, "and it's Black Sun that is the aggressor, trying to make Jabba do your bidding."
Xizor only responded with a confident smile, "Well, I do control all galactic crime. Jabba is merely a large slug wallowing in the outer rim. His Desilijic family is only powerful on Tatooine, and largely has to share power with the other Hutts in Hutt space, and there, the Besadii, Durga is the most powerful."
"Durga, with all the power you've given him, would never challenge Jabba," Greedo replied, "Jabba's chosen his arena."
"And he's chosen the weaker of two positions," Prince Xizor answered, firing the blaster at Greedo's head at point blank range.
The Falleen crime lord then turned to Guri who had now stepped away from the smoldering corpse. The attack did anger Xizor somewhat. The Vigo who had been killed would be difficult to replace, and that the incident was the first blow in a gang war between himself and Jabba the Hutt was somewhat frustrating, especially since the hit man he had sent after Luke Skywalker on Tatooine had not returned.
"So the Hutt wants a war," Xizor commented in an infuriated voice, "as if the latest reports on trying to foil the Empire weren't bad enough."
"I would be careful, sir," Guri spoke, "I have monitored many of your competitors and their activities. The Rodian is somewhat right in his assumption of Jabba the Hutt's power."
"His resources are large?" Xizor questioned.
"Not really," Guri answered, "his organization is limited to economic control of Tatooine and some regional holdings in Hutt space, not enough to really risk a confrontation with Black Sun."
Guri then stepped forward to stand before her master before continuing.
"What Jabba the Hutt has going for him is the power of his clan," Guri continued, "as the leader of the Desilijic family, he essentially has as much personal influence on Hutt politics as Durga and the Besadii do. Which is partially why we can not count on Durga to help us win Falleen for your rule. Jabba's representatives refuse to commit Hutt interests to a war with the Empire."
"Durga is not too enthusiastic about fighting the Empire as well," Xizor grumbled.
"And as a result of his name, Jabba has assembled a large number of heavily armed bounty hunters and other assorted riff-raff that could serve as private mercenaries," Guri continued, "many of which hold a better reputation then this Rodian at our feet."
"Then perhaps we can nudge Durga in the right direction," Xizor spoke, "Tell him that since the Besadii clan holds the greatest wealth and resources in Hutt Space, it should be logical that he also directly rule over all Hutt interests."
"And as one of your lieutenants, he would give you some of his profits," Guri commented.
Prince Xizor gave a knowing smile and nodded, "and it would free up the rest of Black Sun to focus on our main plan. Killing one or more of the Rebellion's Jedi."
Home One
Obi Wan and Yoda sat nervously as Luke and Mara finished their report on what they had encountered on Tatooine. Kira Jade was quiet as well, but largely as she had no past experiences with Black Sun, and she had left the old Order before she could adequately study the Jedi's past battles with Black Sun. While Han's revelation that the assassin was an agent of Black Sun was helpful in letting them know who their enemy was, it was not entirely a very settling matter. They were in a major war with the Empire, and one that did not look particularly bright at the moment, but if Black Sun was ignored, things could potentially get even worse.
"Troubling, this is," Yoda spoke after a few moments, "Widen our problems, Black Sun has."
"The Empire couldn't have hired them, could they?" Mara asked, "Given the corruption that we've found there, I'm sure there's someone who has gone against the Emperor's wishes."
"It's possible," Obi Wan sighed, "but I wouldn't think that even the most corrupt Imperial would side with them. Black Sun includes many alien races as members, and there are rumors that it is lead by an alien. The Empire has preached a very stringent 'humans only' policy."
"But why would Black Sun want to kill me?" Luke asked, "I'd think they'd prefer to sit back and profit off of the war."
"Dangerous game, Black Sun is playing," Yoda spoke as he closed his eyes to focus on what the Force was revealing, "stop it, you and your sister must."
"Me?" Leia gulped from her gallery position where she had been listening her brother and Mara make their report.
"Reports during the Clone Wars indicated that Black Sun's main headquarters was on Coruscant," Obi Wan explained, "Neither Luke nor Mara have been there, and Captain Solo's knowledge of the criminal underworld will be a great asset to investigating why Black Sun is targeting Luke and putting a stop to it before they force us to truly divide our attention between them and the Empire."
"Of course, Master," Leia bowed respectfully, and then turned to Luke, "Come on. We'd best inform Han that he's been drafted into a special mission."
Luke nodded and turned to follow his sister out. That left Mara alone with her mother and the two Jedi Masters.
"Is there anything else you wish of me?" Mara asked.
Yoda and Obi Wan traded slight glances with Kira before Obi Wan spoke.
"We want you to continue the testing of Shira Brie," Obi Wan spoke, "While she hasn't done anything yet, and there are signs that Luke's idea s working at getting her to reform, we must perform some test to really be sure. If this is all an act, it could be dangerous for us all with some very critical engagements on the near horizon."
Mara was silent at the moment.
"This supposed super weapon the Empire is building must be destroyed," Kira spoke, sensing her daughters confusion and frustration, "we must make certain that Luke's plan has worked or will work before we go out on that limb. And while Luke is an excellent pilot, and a noble Jedi, but I do not know for certain if he could arrest her if she proves to be playing all of us."
"Of course, Mother" Mara answered and then bowed to Obi Wan and Yoda, "Masters."
Imperial Class Star Destroyer, Avenger
Darth Executor strode calmly to the Star Destroyer's main communications terminal to take an incoming transmission that was supposed to be urgent. He immediately found it to be a the Emperor, himself, and he did not look pleased.
"My lord," Executor bowed.
"You are to return to Coruscant at once," Palpatine's hologramatic image spoke, "there is a great disturbance in the force that must be settled."
"What has happened?" Executor asked, totally surprised, "I had just received information from smugglers that Skywalker is on Kothlis. I was preparing to go and deal with him."
"Ignore Skywalker and his children for now," Palpatine growled, "their destruction or defection is assured. The problem that has arisen has come from outside the Rebellion."
"Of course, Master," Executor bowed, "what are your orders?"
"Something is swirling around Black Sun," Palpatine answered, "I had hoped that I had crushed that organization, but it still lives. Now their leader has started something that will involve more then his normal foes."
"Xizor will die for his audacity to attack you, Master," Executor swore.
"Be mindful," Palpatine warned, "I sense that Xizor is not alone in this growing fiasco."
"Of course, Master," Executor nodded and let the connection shut down.
He then turned to the Avenger's captain who was approaching him with a look that indicated he was expecting orders.
"Captain Needa, you are to set course for Coruscant," Executor ordered, "with all possible speed."
Executor then began stalking out to head to his private meditation area. Needa saluted nervously as Palpatine's latest apprentice stalked out of the room.
"It will be done, my Lord," Captain Needa answered.
Imperial Victory Class Star Destroyer, Twilight
Meanwhile, a very different officer was waiting or the conclusion of his own plans. Grand Admiral Zaarin had still been plotting behind the scenes, and now felt confident that he was ready to make his move. His plan largely revolved around the circus of Black Sun activity that was finding it hard to avoid all of the holo-news cameras. If things turned like he though they would, Palpatine would call in his new apprentice to fight the criminal syndicate, which would allow him to make his move to strike a blow for the Imperial military, which was his real goal.
"You're certain this plan will work?" Arden Lyn, a cyborg force-sensitive who dated back to well before the Clone Wars during the Old Republic era, asked suspiciously, "Palpatine is strong in the Dark Side. He'd sense any long range attack you have planned for him."
"That is where you and the cadets here on the Twilight will come in," Zaarin replied, "They've been trained well, and you are skilled. Palpatine's 'Sith worship' can not beat both combined. And then we can finally put effective military commanders in the field."
Arden did not answer. She agreed with Zaarin that the Emperor was trusting far too many incompetent fools with running the Empire, but it was mostly a belief that specific Sith Inquisitors and Apprentices were the problem. She felt that if she were given a more powerful position, more could be done to stop the Rebellion.
But she did respect Zaarin's plan. According to what he had told her, the Emperor was preparing to transfer him from his post as the head instructor at the Imperial Academy on Carida to take command of the Fleet that once belonged to Darth Vader and now belonged to Darth Executor. The promotion was scheduled to be on the Twilight's bridge, which would mean that the Emperor would have to come on board.
Then she and the Twilight's crew could kill the Emperor and usurp his role in the Empire. Of course, all of this depended on Darth Executor being preoccupied with Black Sun to take any direct action against them. And once the Emperor was out of the way, the military would likely turn on Darth Executor in great numbers, which would nullify the Sith Apprentice's power in the Dark Side.
"There are still questions to be settled," Arden Lyn finally spoke, "but I trust you have thought everything out."
"I have," Zaarin answered, "we can not fail."
Home One
Anakin stepped onto the floor of Home One's main hanger in a somewhat nervous mood. His mission with Ahsoka to Bothuwai had been successful, but some of what they were easily able to uncover was potentially frightening, and the rest had to be taken to Kothlis to be analyzed by a group of Bothan spies directly employed in the Rebellion's intelligence services. What they told him was definitely frightening, and he had to inform the entire Rebel command about what had been discovered.
To his surprise, other then the standard support staff, there was no one else in the hanger.
"Maybe they're busy with something else," came Ahsoka's voice from behind him as his new apprentice approached him.
"The question would be 'what'," Anakin sighed, "and whatever it is, it is incredibly small compared to what we discovered."
Ahsoka nodded, "I'm sure they'll agree. We'd still need to tell them, though."
"Yeah," Anakin gave a frustrated and almost depressed groan, "this should be real fun."
The two began making their way out of the hanger with Anakin pushing a hover-cart carrying a large computer core and several data-panels. Ahsoka followed after him. By sheer coincidence they ran into Mara outside the hanger.
"Master Skywalker," Mara spoke respectfully.
"Mara," Anakin replied, "Have you seen Obi Wan or one of the others?"
"Obi Wan is with Yoda and my mother," Mara answered, "I believe in some training session with the former younglings. I have not seen your wife or any of the other Rebel leaders about. Although, I don't think any of them have left."
Anakin only sighed.
"Did you find anything?" Mara asked.
"You could say that," Anakin sighed, "would you mind helping Ahsoka contact everyone. This would be best explained to everyone."
"Of course," Mara nodded and turned to lead Ahsoka down a hallway that would take them to the other state-rooms and the Jedi Council Chamber.
Anakin, meanwhile, remained on the path to the main conference room to get everything ready. Five minutes later, the rest of the Rebellion's leaders entered the conference room. They all took their seats while Mara and Ahsoka stood near the door.
"I'm afraid that Fey'lya's interrogation of the Imperial General recovered from the Bespin battle was accurate," Anakin spoke nervously, "The Empire is preparing to unleash a new super weapon on the galaxy."
Anakin the pressed a button that activated the holo-projector in the center of the table, which made everyone in the room gasp in shock and horror at what they saw.
"These images are the result of my mission with my padawan, Ahsoka Tano, to bring down the Imperial freighter that was supposed to go through the Bothuwai system," Anakin explained, "we obviously brought it down."
"It looks like the Death Star!" Bail Organa gasped with some obvious nervousness in his face.
"Yes," Anakin nodded, "but unlike the battle station we destroyed over Yavin IV, this one is far more dangerous. It has no two meter exhaust port, as engine heat is vented through thousands of half meter vents that carry both ray and particle shields. At the same time, its primary weapon has its own power source within the station, allowing it to fully recharge in a matter of minutes in comparison to first Death Star's two hour recharge time. This station, once built could easily destroy our planetary bases and decimate our fleet."
"Did the Imperial ship contain any information as to where this monstrosity was being built?" Admiral Ackbar asked, "Anything at all?"
"Other then a list of planets that were on the freighter's intended route, no," Anakin sighed, "we'll have to send scout ships to each system to try and pinpoint this Death Star's location."
There were heavy sighs from everyone present.
"What was the route, Anakin?" Obi Wan asked after a moment.
"According to its itinerary, the ship was to go from Bothuwai to Ando, then to Derra IV, then to Tobin and Mustafar, and then Endor, before returning to Coruscant," Anakin answered slowly.
"It's likely Endor or Mustafar," Iblis grumbled, "We would have heard about it or drawn to the system earlier if it were at one of the others."
"I'll have a pair of Skiprays sent out to investigate the two systems," Ackbar spoke up, "they'll stand a better chance of getting in and getting out without too much attention."
"Can you beat that thing, Ani?" Padme nervously asked him from her seat.
"While it's still under construction, yes," Anakin nodded, "we can fly our starfighters into the station, knock out its reactor core, and fly out again. Once they complete the station, it will be impregnable, and our only hope would be to capture the station… which I don't think even with the Jedi we have, the Mandalorians aiding us, and the troops we have available, I doubt we could capture that station and maintain our strength elsewhere."
"How far away is the station from completion?" Mon Mothma asked, equally nervous.
"The computer core didn't say," Anakin sighed, "I'd assume that they've completed sixty percent of the station so far. We do not have much time."
"How quickly can you attack?" Iblis questioned.
"With all our starfighters?" Anakin replied, "as soon as it is found."
"Difficult, that will be," Yoda coughed from his seat, making Anakin and Ahsoka turn to the elderly Jedi Master.
Obi Wan and Yoda did not let Anakin even ask before beginning their explanation of what was going on.
"Black Sun is making some sort of power grab," Obi Wan explained, "One of their assassins took a few shots at Luke when he took Owen and Beru back to Tatooine."
"Are they alright?" Padme asked nervously.
"With the exception of the assassin, everyone involved is fine," Obi Wan assured them, "We learned that the assassin worked for Black Sun after took him prisoner."
"Investigating the incident, Luke and Leia are," Yoda added, "before worse, the situation becomes."
Anakin clenched his one cybernetic hand in frustration before sighing.
"We can still scout for this new Death Star," Anakin sighed, "Hopefully Luke and Leia can deal with Black Sun quickly."
"They will," Obi Wan told him in a supportive voice, "although, Black Sun has still unleashed a hornets nest."
Jabba's Palace Tatooine
A lone man came rushing into Jabba's main reception room as the Hutt gangster was enjoying a floor-show of scantily clad dancing girls of various species. He was somewhat angered by the man's appearance, but recognized the man as one of his own employees and noticed that the man was scared of something that wasn't him.
"What are you doing here?" Jabba questioned in a suspicious voice in his natural language, "all reports are to go through Bib first."
The man glanced up at the Twi'lek male standing behind Jabba and gulped nervously.
"I'm sorry, Mighty One," the man spoke very quickly, "it's Durga! His supporters have been attacking your clan's instillations throughout Hutt space. He's destroyed two of your spice freighters. He's…"
Jabba let lose an angry roar and slammed his fists down on the sides of his couch-like throne. He hate the Besadii Hutt Durga for many of the reasons that many Hutts hated or at least mistrusted Durga. The fact that Durga had also joined Xizor's Black Sun was another reason for Jabba to hate his Besadii rival, but Jabba had no interest in starting an all out war between himself and the Besadii clan, and he believed that Durga wouldn't start a war with him on his own. Not on his own.
"This is Xizor's doing," Jabba growled, "He has caused this! He must die!"
"Your hunters are already hunting him," Bib Fortuna spoke from behind him, "but we may need to divert some of them to battle Durga, especially if the other Hutts do not side with us."
"Both jobs will be done," Jabba growled angrily, "I want Durga's slime defeated and I want Xizor turned into Bantha fodder!"
"Of course, my Lord," Fortuna spoke, not wanting to anger the large Hutt any further.
Millennium Falcon
"So how are you two going to deal with Xizor?" Han asked as he entered the main recreation room on the Falcon, "Surely he's guessed that you know he's after at least Luke. It isn't like we can trick him."
"Our first move is to try negotiating with him," Leia spoke, "Yes he likely knows that we know, but we'll be going to Coruscant to do this. The heart and nerve center of the Empire. We can't just go in blasting. We'll have both Black Sun and the Empire after us."
"And we wouldn't gain any information as to why Black Sun is doing this," Luke added from his seat.
"I'd prefer blasting," Han commented, "besides, why should we care why Black Sun is doing this? Xizor is a crook who's got almost as much blood on his hands as the Emperor does. Whatever reason he has, it's probably evil."
"There are scales of 'evil'," Luke commented, "some, like the Emperor are completely evil, and nothing can be done to redeem him…"
"Xizor ain't redeemable, kid," Han answered, "Trust me. Chewie and me heard plenty of rumors about Xizor before you and your dad showed up at Nar Shaddaa."
"Some have even circulated around Bespin," Lando added from his seat, "but they may have a point about negotiating. Xizor may be evil, but from what I've heard, I think it might be possible to negotiate a deal to get Black Sun of the Rebellion's back, at least while we're still the 'underdogs' against the Empire."
"We'd need to give him an awful lot of leeway in order for something like that to work," Han grumbled while Chewbacca growled his agreement, "I doubt Mothma's gonna let us cede the right to enforce the law to a known criminal."
"Nothing like that will be done," Leia answered, "although, at worst, we may have to bribe him. It won't fly well with both the Rebellion's Council and with the Jedi Council, but it may be the only thing we can do to get them off of our backs."
Han sighed heavily and slumped down in a seat next to Lando. He didn't like the situation and feared that Xizor would take advantage of them to insure that the Rebellion would eventually suffer some weakness.
"If he doesn't accept our offers to negotiate, or decides that his bounty on my head is too important," Luke spoke up, sensing Han's frustration, "We can always turn to Plan B."
"Plan B, kid?" Han asked.
"Aggressive negotiations," Luke answered.
Han glanced at the two Jedi as they chuckled at something, and then shrugged, guessing it was some 'force' thing that he wasn't privy to. As he did so, he heard the Falcon's intercom 'buzz' indicating that they were approaching Coruscant.
"We're coming up on Coruscant," Han commented as he lead the group toward the cockpit.
Once in the pilot seat, Han brought the Falcon out of hyperspace allowing them to see the lights of Coruscant from its windows. To Leia, who had been on the planet before, things seemed to be darker then they were before, which she chalked up to the Emperor's presence. Luke, however, was visibly shaken by this.
"Such darkness," Luke gasped.
"The Emperor's presence," Leia sighed, "We'll have to mask our force signatures to try and keep him from sensing us."
Han looked out the window for a moment and sighed heavily. He saw two Imperial Class Star Destroyers on patrol in the distance, no threat to the Falcon, and one Victory Class Star Destroyer nearby, but going in the opposite direction. Considering that the Falcon was well known as a 'Rebel' ship, this had to be the easiest slip into a 'heavily guarded' area Han had been on. Sometimes, all of the Force stuff that seemed to go on seemed to be a bit beyond Han at times.
Deciding to ignore it, he quickly decided to take the Falcon into Coruscant's atmosphere before any of the other ships realized just who had just arrived.
Meanwhile, another Imperial Class Star Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace just behind the Falcon. It was the Avenger, and Captain Needa quickly noticed the modified freighter as it began landing.
"My Lord!" Needa said urgently while pointing down out of the bridge windows, "I think we have the Millennium Falcon on our scopes! We can blast them to smithereens!"
Darth Executor looked out of the window and then remembered his Master's orders. The Rebellion wasn't the enemy in this mission. The target was Prince Xizor and Black Sun before he could do anything that would destabilize the Empire.
"They are unimportant, right now," Executor spoke, sounding slightly frustrated, "Our mission does not involve the Rebellion at this time."
"But, my Lord…" Needa began argue.
"Do you question the Emperor's orders?" Executor questioned, gripping Needa by the front of his jacket.
"No, my Lord, but they look like such an easy target," Needa tried to explain.
"I know," Executor growled and dropped him, "Ready my shuttle. It is time I met with Prince Xizor of Black Sun. You are to deploy our fighters in a screen that will not allow any of Xizor's ships to leave Coruscant. Am I understood?"
"Of course," Needa said weakly as he struggled to get up, "Will you require any troops to arrest Xizor's men, my Lord?"
"No," Executor spoke, "Perhaps I will run into the Rebels in the process of doing so, and two birds can be killed. If it gets to a point where stormtroopers will be needed, I will call on Coruscant's local garrison."
"Of course, my Lord," Captain Needa saluted as Executor walked off of the bridge.
Nal Hutta
Meanwhile, on the Hutt capital, there was a different drama unfolding, but still one that was important to Prince Xizor's plans to raise his own power, and potentially important to the future of the galaxy. The Besadii Hutt, Durga, was in a meeting with several other Hutt leaders, with the obvious exception of representatives of Jabba's clan. All of them looked rather upset that Durga had begun attacking Jabba's instillations throughout Hutt space.
"This is foolish, Durga," a large heavily muscled, for a Hutt, Hutt spoke in a concerned voice, "None of the clans back a civil war. Look at what the Rebellion and the Empire are doing to the rest of the galaxy with their fighting. No one but Black Sun will make money off of this."
"And hiding behind Jabba or the Empire will bring more money to the Hutt people?" Durga questioned, trying his best to make his actions seem like they were for the best and not for the best of Black Sun.
"And hiding behind Black Sun is any better?" a Hutt named Sulla questioned, "Xizor will bleed all the Hutts dry to further his own power. Our clan system at leas allows each clan to have some say in what the Hutts as a whole do."
"At least Clan Besadii and Clan Desilijic wield true power in Hutt space," Durga answered, "your clans are weak and hang on to my clan or Jabba's. It is time that Hutt space unified behind one leader, one who can negotiate deals with the Empire or the Rebellion on behalf of all Hutts. Under your traditional system, the Empire or the Rebellion could decide to crush one clan and that clan would be left alone against the Imperial military or against the Rebel Jedi."
The other Hutts didn't know how to answer that. They had long preferred the 'Clan System' that allowed each Hutt clan the right to make its own fortune without having to become dependent on one clan or the other. Violence and vendettas weren't uncommon, but they largely remained small and the balance between the Hutt clans was usually reestablished, despite the violence. It had been that way for centuries, and many of the Hutt clans refused to change any of their polices, not to work with other Hutt clans and not conquer the other clans.
That was until Durga took over Clan Besadii. He had been steadily doing things that went against Hutt tradition while trying to gain power. Many of the Hutts had begun to believe that Durga didn't care about how things were done in the past but only in attaining power. They could see that in Durga's membership in Black Sun, but a few also sensed the situation they were all in, as Hutt Space had many life forms living within its borders. Not just the Hutts themselves.
The humans in Hutt space were the greatest problem. While many of them worked well within the Hutt Clan system, many of them were smugglers and lower level criminals trying to escape the violence of the Galactic Civil War between the Empire and the Rebellion. As a result, many of the new arrivals were turning to Durga's Besadii Clan in the hopes that Durga could keep the Empire and the Rebellion out. This angered the other Hutt Clans who did not want to bother with potential problems that would come out of the Rebel/Imperial conflict. Their only problem was with Durga's attacks on Hutt traditions.
Eventually one of the present Hutts answered Durga's allegation, with one of his own.
"Maybe you're right that we should have one leader…" the Hutt spoke slowly, "but wouldn't it be preferable that that leader be a Hutt? Not a Falleen, which would be the result if you, Durga, are successful."
Several of the other Hutts were split on how to react. They didn't like the speaker's call for a single government, but they did agree that a Hutt leader would be preferable to Xizor. Durga himself, decided not to continue the debate.
"I had hoped that this could have been avoided," Durga spoke and then thumped his tail up and down against the ground.
Before the other Hutts could question what Durga meant, nine men armed with blaster rifles dropped out of the rafters of the building they were in. Before the other Hutts could respond, the men then gunned them down in rapid succession, leaving Durga alone, and the most powerful Hutt on Nal Hutta.
"Well done," Durga congratulated them, "Now all that needs to be done is tell their clans that Jabba's retainers were behind their murder."
The men, all of them Black Sun agents nodded in triumph. That triumph, however, was short lived as the doors to the building suddenly blasted in, and the sound of metallic footsteps followed. What entered the room were four Holowan Mechanicals IG Assassin droids.
"IG 88," one of the Black Sun hit-men spoke.
"Target identified: Durga the Hutt," IG 88A, the leading IG 88 droid, spoke, "Reported bounty placed by Jabba the Hutt: three million credits."
"Take target down!" IG 88C spoke as though it had just received orders and opened fire.
The Black Sun agents dove away and returned fire, but with no cover, they were driven to the back doors by the heavy fire put on them by the heavily armed assassin droids. The continued firing trying to save themselves from being killed by droids that were wanted by the Empire with a 'dismantle on sight' order. The hit-men destroyed one of the droids, IG 88D, but once they were driven into a smaller room, IG 88A tossed a poison gas grenade into the room, which killed all of the Black Sun hit-men.
The droids then turned to the body of Durga, who because of his great size, could not escape their attack.
"Target: dealt with," IG 88B spoke confidently.
IG 88A nodded with confidence, "This will pay for the raising of our army, and will end any threat the Hutts might pose in the future."
They then used vibro-blades to remove Durga's birthmark to take back as proof to Jabba the Hutt, and earn their reward.
Coruscant, Xizor's Castle
Prince Xizor looked quietly out the main windows as he saw two ships approaching his main landing platform. One was the Millennium Falcon, a modified freighter that functioned for the Rebellion as a super-heavy starfighter, but of course was a one of a kind ship. The other was an Imperial Shuttle, which distressed him slightly. He might be able to trick the Rebels or the Empire, but it wasn't likely he could trick both at the same time.
"Guri," Xizor spoke, calling the Life Replica droid forward, "have we had any contact from either vessel?"
"No," Guri answered from behind him, "Although, for some reason it doesn't look like either ship knows who is arrive… or the Rebellion and the Empire have put aside their differences."
"Unlikely," Xizor answered, "I want all our guards ready. We may end up with a fight on our hands."
Guri nodded and went about to call forth the castle's guards while Xizor moved to sit in a makeshift throne that had been set up for him. The Falleen was certain he would have company soon, and thought it best to play it cool. If at all possible, he might be able to ambush both if they became hostile.
Meanwhile, on the main landing platform to Xizor's castle, C-3PO made his way down the Falcon's landing ramp. The golden protocol droid was not in a good mood about being on the mission.
"I can not understand why you brought ME into all of this," Threepio whined, "I'll be destroyed, for sure."
"You won't be destroyed, Threepio," Leia spoke as she lead the others down the ramp, "It is quite possible that Xizor doesn't speak basic, and we will need you to translate."
"Maybe Xizor won't destroy him, but what about the Imps that landed right next to us," Han commented as he and Chewie came down to point at the Imperial shuttle sitting next to the Falcon. Although Han sounded like he wanted Threepio scrapped.
"No," Luke commented as he and Lando brought up the rear, "something in the Force says that he is focused on something other then us. For all we know it might be Xizor as well."
"How very perceptive of you," came Darth Executor's voice as Palpatine's new apprentice came down the shuttle's exit ramp.
Han, Lando, and Chewie all drew their weapons while Threepio ducked behind Luke. Executor only raised a hand.
"As much as I would like to arrest you all for opposing my Master," Executor spoke in a low voice, "at present I have matters to attend to, that require that I not distract myself by fighting you."
"And what do you have to do with Black Sun?" Leia questioned.
"I could very well ask you the same thing," Executor replied.
"The Empire isn't the only force in this galaxy that wants to kill Jedi," Luke spoke up, "Black Sun has joined that group."
Executor glanced at the blonde Jedi. His orders in regards to them was to capture at least one of the Skywalker family for his Master. Either they didn't know that, and assumed that the Sith and Jedi would simply destroy one another, or assumed that Palpatine only wanted Anakin Skywalker brought in alive. He decided to use that assumption to his advantage. The Jedi obviously didn't want Black Sun interfering in their affairs, just as his Master didn't want Black Sun interfering in Imperial affairs. For the time being, it presented an opportunity. He could partner with them to destroy Black Sun, and then capture one of the Skywalker twins while killing the other.
"They have also stuck their tentacles into Imperial matters," Executor spoke, "Perhaps a short 'truce' is in order to deal with a common foe. Once Black Sun is removed as a threat, we can go back to being enemies again."
"And how do we trust you not to stab us in the back the instant Xizor agrees to back down or is killed?" Han shot at the Sith Apprentice, "I'd say that if Black Sun is your concern, you should just leave and let us handle this."
"Like we handled your predecessor," Lando added while Chewie growled at Executor.
Executor glared at the dark skinned human, and easily recognized him as the man that orchestrated the trap at Bespin that killed Darth Vader. As much as he personally hated the man for that, now wasn't the time for vengeance.
"Do all of you Rebels trust your own Jedi's foresight so little that you can't trust my word?" Executor questioned, "they can foresee the future just as easily as my Master can."
"The future is not that easily foreseen," Leia answered, "and all we can see are 'possible' futures."
Leia then remembered Grand Moff Tarkin's actions on the first Death Star above Alderaan.
"And their trust in my brother and I is not the issue," Leia continued, "but dealing with a potentially lying Imperial, trying to trick his opponent."
"I do not lie," Executor answered, "There will be no attack on you while you do not expect it."
"We expect it right now," Han growled, still keeping his blaster ready.
Executor sighed and decided to change tactics, knowing what covert actions Black Sun was capable of.
"The more we argue, the more time Black Sun has to plan a possible trap for both of us," Executor spoke, "It would be wiser for us to move together and deal with the criminals and forget about our political differences… unless you all really want a two front fight right here and now."
"Very well," Luke spoke, interjecting himself into the argument, "but, Executor, you are to follow our lead in this situation, and you are not to attack until Black Sun takes some aggressive stance first."
"Very well," Executor replied, "Lead the way."
Lando, Chewie, and Han all gave Luke suspicious looks, but the blonde Jedi merely turned and began walking toward the main door that led inside Xizor's castle. Leia was quick to follow with Threepio shuffling behind her, and the others weren't about to be left alone with Executor and began walking after her. Executor calmly and quietly brought up the rear of the formation.
Xizor waited patiently for the party of Rebels and Sith to arrive in his main audience room. Guri stood near the main entrance as they waited. Commandos and other operatives also hid in various sections of the castle to move the instant it appeared that the trap had worked.
After a few moments, the door near Guri opened and three Force-Sensitives, one protocol droid, and three Rebels entered the room to stand before him.
"Well, this is quite a surprise," Xizor spoke, "Two Jedi Knights and a Sith Lord standing side by side. To what do I owe the honor?"
"A cessation of current Black Sun operations," Leia spoke firmly, relived that Xizor spoke basic, as Threepio looked ready to fall apart with fear, "We know you were behind an attempt on my brother's life. We want you to stand down."
"And you think I ordered the hit on your brother?" Xizor responded, "Tatooine is well known for harboring criminals of various kinds, and even I do not have total control over everything Black Sun members do. Perhaps you could ask your Imperial friend here if the man had been contacted by the Empire and acted outside my orders."
"The Emperor wants them taken alive," Executor spoke, "if an Imperial officer did so, he would be committing treason, and the Emperor would know it."
"No one is all knowing," Xizor responded with a smirk, "not even the mighty Emperor. Eventually he will fall. Either to you, to the Rebellion, or perhaps to some one else."
Leia brought matters back to her initial line of negotiation.
"The man who tried to kill my brother said he wasn't working for the Empire," Leia spoke.
"And was honest in his comments," Luke added.
"And refused to say who he worked for," Leia finished, "we were only able to identify his membership in Black Sun by the tattoo on one arm."
"He seemed to fear YOU more then anything else," Luke added, "Like you would kill him if he talked."
"Any member of Black Sun knows how powerful the organization is," Xizor answered.
"And we know its power as well," Leia replied, "Which is why we are here to negotiate an end to your current activities."
"And what would I gain by doing so?" Xizor questioned.
"What do you have to gain by trying to kill me?" Luke asked back, "One would think our war with the Empire would be a boon to Black Sun."
Xizor was quiet for a moment. The Rebellion's conflict with the Empire did benefit Black Sun, but his reasons for killing the Rebel Jedi was part of an extensive power play to replace the Emperor as the single most powerful man in the galaxy. Xizor, however, couldn't reveal this, as he was certain that Executor would end the 'negotiations' and would start the fight as soon as he learned that Black Sun also intended to do away with the Emperor.
"Black Sun profits off of chaos," Xizor answered carefully after a few moments, "losing its Jedi knights would through the Rebellion into intense chaos, and might require them to turn to me just to keep their organization going, which would mean more profits for me, and an army of indebted soldiers."
It was then that Xizor waved to Guri who opened all the doors, allowing the Black Sun commandos to step into the room armed to the teeth and ready to fight.
"And, of course," Xizor then finished, "I must thank you for supplying me with the means of installing more chaos. I'm sure the Emperor will rejoice at hearing of the downfall of two of his most hated foes."
"I got a bad feeling about this," Han grumbled as he eyed several of the commandos ringing the room.
"I knew I was going to die!" Threepio screamed in terror.
"Shut him up or shut him down," Executor roared as he activated his red bladed lightsaber, "I can't stand droids."
Leia and Luke also activated their lightsabers and were soon deflecting shots back at the Black Sun commandos while Han, Chewie, and Lando all fired shots from behind the protective screen of lightsabers. Guri, meanwhile, watched this and noticed the tactics employed so far. They were deflecting bolts back toward the commandos while their non-force sensitive allies fired from their Jedi 'cover'. Not even the Sith was attacking anyone.
Guri immediately decided to take advantage of their lack of aggression. Under the cover of the fire from the so far surviving commandos, she rushed forward toward the wookie in the center of the force-sensitive's defensive circle. For the moment, it seemed focused on something else, and Guri managed to slide under Leia's lightsaber and grab hold of Chewie's leg. She then threw Chewie into Han and Lando, knocking the three of them into Xizor's throne, which the Black Sun leader had vacated to observe from a safer location.
Guri's success was short lived as an emerald green blade quickly beheaded her as she tried to get up while the others scrambled to use the throne for cover.
"My goodness," Threepio spoke looking down, "She was droid."
"A life replica droid," Executor sighed, "sold to Black Sun before the Battle of Yavin."
"Who cares what it is," Han growled as he picked off another of the commandos, "it was defending Xizor."
"Xizor," Executor growled and then bolted for the door that Xizor had fled out of, leaving the rest to fend off the Black Sun commandos entering the room from the other entrances.
Executor easily cut his way through the commandos in front of him and quickly disappeared down the hallway.
"So much for his help," Lando grumbled, "should we go after him."
"Let's finish of these characters first," Luke advised as he deflected a shot back at the commando that fired it.
Luke and Leia both moved toward the vacated throne with Threepio shuffling between them. More and more Black Sun agents kept charging into the room, but, it did seem like they were starting to make progress as several of them couldn't deal very well with the sight of so many of their comrades laying wounded or dead on the floor.
"What do we do once their gone?" Han asked, "Executor may decide to kill Xizor."
"That was likely to happen anyway," Leia commented, "by the way he was talking, it was clear that he intended to trap us here. We may have ended up killing him. I'd think the only thing left to do is make sure that Executor doesn't leave with any of Black Sun's information."
Han and Lando both nodded in agreement.
Executor, meanwhile was determined to make Xizor pay. His master wanted the Skywalker family to serve him, and the attempts on their lives was a direct challenge to the his Master's rule. Regardless of whatever else Black Sun was doing, Xizor deserved to die for that. The Falleen criminal was just ahead of him in what appeared to be a control room, and he activated a comm.-link as he rushed toward the door.
"This is Darth Executor to Coruscant Defense Force," Executor spoke quickly, "Black Sun is a direct threat to the Empire. All available stormtroopers are to attack Prince Xizor's Castle."
As he rushed into the room, he felt a blaster bolt hit his chest. It missed his heart, but was close enough to hurt badly and put him a fairly serious condition. The shot stopped him cold and he found himself looking at Xizor, armed with a blaster pistol.
"Even your mighty Sith are not invincible," Xizor spoke in a low voice.
Enraged, and feeling his body weakening, he used the last of his strength to stab Xizor in the chest with his lightsaber.
"Then we fall together," Executor growled and collapsed into Xizor.
Five minutes later, Luke and the others found the two lying on the floor after they had exhausted the number of commandos.
"Are they dead?" Han asked.
"Xizor is," Luke spoke, "Executor is still alive, although, just barely."
Chewie then growled something while pointing his bowcaster at the unconscious Sith.
"Nah, Chewie," Han sighed, "Don't seem right to shoot him while he's down."
"I sense stormtroopers coming anyway," Leia spoke up, "We should go."
The Avenger
Captain Needa nervously waited for any sign of any Black Sun craft. None had appeared, even after they overheard Executors call for help to the stormtroopers already on Coruscant. The reappearance of the Millennium Falcon on their scanners attracted little attention. As much as Needa wanted to blast the ship that had sidetracked much of the Empire's single most powerful fleet, he would follow the orders he received, and the Falcon easily escaped into hyperspace.
"Perhaps Xizor has been defeated," his executive officer commented.
"Maybe," Needa answered when a communications officer suddenly stood up in alarm.
The two officers then turned to face the startled lieutenant.
"What is it?" Needa questioned.
"News, sir," the lieutenant answered nervously, "some good, some bad, some worse."
Needa and his Executive Officer exchanged glances before Needa sighed.
"Let's have the good news first," Needa spoke with a sigh.
"Lord Executor has successfully dealt with Black Sun," the lieutenant answered, still sounding nervous, "the bad news, however is that he was seriously wounded and is being rushed to the Palace for immediate Bacta placement."
"The Jedi?" the Executive Officer asked.
"No, it appears that Xizor shot him just before Executor killed him," the lieutenant spoke, "but, it was a good shot. Lord Executor will be out of action for at least a month, by the field medic's estimate."
"And this is only the bad news?" Needa asked.
"The worse news is that the Emperor's been kidnapped," the lieutenant said nervously.
To Be Continued…