Chapter 4

The Hutt Connection

"Ni'Pa the Hutt, Master Sifo-Dyas?"

"Yes, Obi-Wan. He's a fairly powerful Hutt lord with holdings primarily in the spice trade. He even has his own mine on Kessel. And, as our records show, he was a close contact of one Vick Reego."

"Just because he worked with Reego frequently doesn't mean he ordered the death of Master Leet. Why would he want to kill a Jedi, anyway?"

"Remember what Master Leet did, Obi-Wan. He was a major thorn in the side of every gangster on Coruscant."

"Then why wasn't he murdered earlier?"

"These things happen when they happen, unfortunately. Leet survived several attempts on his life before Reego killed him. He told me about some of those incidents personally. As he did your Master."

"I know…it just seems strange that nobody ever killed him until a few months ago."

"Again, these things happen when they happen, Obi-Wan. You seem to want something deeper, more complex and insidious. That's not how these cases work. In most instances, the simplest explanation is the right one."

"Master Sifo-Dyas, I can't shake the feeling that there's something more to this than simple gang warfare. I've sensed something deeper, something darker, for months."

Sifo-Dyas paused for a moment. Obi-Wan couldn't penetrate his shields, but he did sense concentration and doubt in the Jedi Master's mind.

"Whatever the truth, we'll go to the Council with this lead. You, Qui-Gon, and myself. It probably isn't what you're hoping for, but it certainly is enough to further investigate."

"A new lead, have you, Master Qui-Gon?"

"Yes, Master Yoda. Obi-Wan, Master Sifo-Dyas, and myself have gone through Reego's records and discovered a possible lead as to who hired him to kill Master Leet. Ni'Pa the Hutt. Does that name sound familiar?"

At the mention of the Hutt's name, the entire Council Chamber went silent. All eyes focused on Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan, for the briefest moment, sensed a single thought from Master Windu: Leet was right. Obi-Wan's eyes drifted towards Master Windu, and he could sense that Mace knew what Obi-Wan had just sensed. Master Windu did not hesitate.

"Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon. Masters of the Council. What we are about to discuss never leaves the Council Chamber. Do you understand me?" Everyone in the Council Chamber, even Master Yoda, nodded in assent.

"Very well, then. About a year ago, we received very disturbing information from Master Leet. He claimed that during an AGU raid on a smuggler's den, he could sense the dark side somewhere inside the den. Upon searching the crates present for contraband, he felt dark side energy coming from a specific crate. Upon opening it, he and the officers discovered a Sith holocron hidden amongst the various items inside. The den where he found the holocron was owned by Ni'Pa the Hutt."

A chill went through the room at the revelation.

"As you can understand, this is extremely sensitive information. Only myself, Master Yoda, and a few other prominent Masters were privy to this information until today. For those of us involved, Master Leet opened an investigation into the matter with the help of one of his most trusted allies in the AGU, Inspector Clooso. They determined that Ni'Pa was selling Sith artifacts on the black market, but they suspected that he was not acting alone. They planned to continue the investigation until they had completely unraveled the conspiracy. That all ended when both were murdered by Vick Reego, who as you have just revealed was a close associate of Ni'Pa."

"So we investigate Ni'Pa, then?"

"That is where the evidence leads, Qui-Gon."

"We can work out the details, Master Windu. With the Council's permission, Obi-Wan and I would like Master Sifo-Dyas to continue to work with us."

"His responsibilities on the Council prevent him from leaving Coruscant at the moment. However, we will permit him to support you in any other ways he is capable of."

"Thank you, Master Windu. We will meet with Master Sifo-Dyas later to discuss where to go next."

"Then it is settled. You are both dismissed."

With that, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan once again left the Council to its own musings.

"Sith artifacts on the black market? Even for the Hutts, that's a risky move."

"Yes it is, Master Gallia. But Ni'Pa can't hide anymore. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and I will see that he faces justice."

"Careful, you must all be. Sense greater darkness in this matter, I do."

Only Master Gallia replied.

"As do I, Master Yoda."

The next morning, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walked into the Archives, where Master Sifo-Dyas sat at a computer terminal. "Ah. You're here. I've been reading up on our new friend Ni'Pa since yesterday night."

"What have you found out?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Where to find him would be a good starting point."

"That's easy enough, Qui-Gon. He has a palace out on Kessel, if you can believe it."

"Kessel? He lives on that rock?"

"I know it doesn't seem like something a Hutt would do, at first glance. But, he has a sizeable spice mining operation there, so I guess he likes to keep a close eye on his…erm…business interests."

"Sounds like megalomania to me. Do you have a psychological profile as well?"

"Not much in it that you wouldn't expect from a Hutt. Megalomania and crime are their specialties."

"We'll pay him a visit, then. Maybe search around when he's not looking."

Sifo-Dyas chuckled at Qui-Gon's words.

"You have a way with words, Qui-Gon. There's a Republic mining outpost on Kessel that you and Obi-Wan can operate out of. I'll transmit the coordinates to you once you're in orbit above Coruscant. Don't hesitate to contact me if you or Obi-Wan need anything. Be sure to check in if you find something, and be careful out there, as always."

"We will. The Force will guide us wherever we go."

"May it protect you both, as well."

The stars came back into focus as the Delta-6 exited hyperspace. Obi-Wan looked to his right, and Qui-Gon's starfighter had just detached from its hyperspace ring. Obi-Wan disengaged the docking system and pulled away from the ring, forming up with his Master. "Obi-Wan, stay with me. I'm contacting the outpost now." Several minutes passed by as Obi-Wan scanned the area around him, looking for any threats to himself or Qui-Gon. Then, Qui-Gon's voice came through the headset once more. "We've got permission to land, Obi-Wan. Follow me in."

"What then, Master?"

"We'll schedule a meeting with Ni'Pa the Hutt."

Ni'Pa sat on his throne, munching on a chuba as the Jedi entered the room. He barely raised his massive head to see his visitors, but the Jedi knew that he had seen them. After saying something in Huttese, a protocol droid standing next to the Hutt spoke to the Jedi.

"The dread Ni'Pa welcomes you Jedi into his palace, and inquires why you sought an audience with him."

"Tell him we are on behalf of the Senate to visit his spice mines on the planet below, and examine the welfare of his workers." T

he protocol droid and the Hutt had a short exchange, and then the droid spoke again to the Jedi. "The dread Ni'Pa says he will consider your request, and that you both wait outside while he makes his decision."

"Tell him we will be waiting," replied Qui-Gon.

After another brief exchange between the droid and the Hutt, Ni'Pa gestured and several of his guards moved towards the Jedi, herding them out of the room.

That was too easy, Master.

It was, Obi-Wan. Danger or not, we will continue here until we find what we're looking for.

And what exactly is that, Master?

Evidence.

With the Jedi out of the room, Ni'Pa called several of his advisors to his throne. "Gentlemen. It seems we have some unwanted attention."

"I told you murdering that Jedi slime on Coruscant was a terrible idea."

"Watch your tongue! Remember that I'm in charge here, and I might just drop you down those mines one of these days and leave you for the spiders. This is mining, after all. Accidents do happen."

"You think they're here because of that dead Jedi, my lord?"

"Why would they be here otherwise? I haven't seen a Jedi request an audience with me in my entire life."

"We've got a gundark by the ears, my lord. And if they find out about our…other activities, our friends on Coruscant, we're finished."

"The Republic's wizards are on us! This changes everything!"

Ni'Pa finally lost his temper amidst the hysterical cries of his subordinates. "THIS CHANGES NOTHING! NOTHING!"

The room went silent at his sudden outburst. Surprised at his loss of control, Ni'Pa quickly regained his composure and spoke to his subordinates, calmly and deliberately.

"We will deal with our visitors. We will let them see the mines, and see that everything is in order. And then, we will leave them there to take in the surroundings. And if the Republic asks where their lackeys went, remember what I said earlier. Accidents do happen."

The protocol droid entered the waiting chamber where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sat, and approached the Jedi. "The dread Ni'Pa has granted you both permission to visit his mines. Please follow me." The Jedi followed the droid, communicating through their Force bond.

It's a trap, Master.

I know.