Chapter 1. Derjon Wells Jedi Knight.
When the Neimodian ambassador was killed the Jedi had investigated the incident all the evidence pointed towards an Irridonian terrorist group. There was a shadow over the situation and the force wasn't giving any answers. The assigned Jedi let the matter drop, but there was one Jedi who wouldn't and couldn't drop it. His name was Der'jon Wells a Barabel. Barabel's were warriors and hunters by nature. So of course he wouldn't let the matter drop. All his instincts told him there was something else behind it more sinister than a group of terrorists.
He walked the halls of government palace using his natural senses in conjunction with his force abilities. Der'jon was a well rounded Jedi, he was a master swordsman. His force abilities touched many aspects of the force. There weren't many things beyond his reach when it came to the force. He wore a Barabel made chest plate, grieves, and a waist cover; with a heavy studded belt. Attached to the belt was his twin lightsabers, both were silver and black. His scales were brown and over his armor he wore the traditional robe of a Jedi Knight.
He bent down where the soldiers had burst into the common hall and ambushed the ambassador. He sniffed and snorted at the smell that tickled his nose. Although the crime scene was several days old he could still pick up the lingering scents of the battle.
"I cry your pardon master Jedi, but what do you hope to find…" The alien who asked the question was a Neimodian and he was head of security.
"This one haz found much…" He turned to face the Neimodian, "Take me to the security room… I wish to see the footage…"
The Barabel stood with his scaled arms folded twitching his tale as he watched black clad figures enter the hall shooting. "This one wizhez to speak with the Viceroy…"
Nar Gurn was Viceroy of the emerging Trade Federation. The package delivered by Darth Plaegus contained information to black male enough Senators to pass the Neimodian trade act. The act gave the Neimodians the power to form the powerful Trade Federation. Now all commercial trading was contracted through the galactic corporation. The package also contained enough credit bonds for the Neimodians to build the company themselves. So the Trade Federation had exclusive rights to the company. They used the vast sum of credits to build a massive droid army and a uniformed fleet. The senate did keep one power and that was the ability to decide who was viceroy of the trade federation.
Nar Gurn was an intimidating Neimodian, standing over seven feet tall and very muscular for one of his race. This of course didn't intimidate a Barabel of the Jedi Order. "Thank you for seeing me Viceroy…"
"I always have time for a Jedi…" He replied shaking his hand, "Something to drink…"
"No thank you… I wanted to azk about the package you received… and your appointment az Viceroy of the Trade Federation…"
"What does that have to do with the terrorists responsible for Ambassador Toysac's death…"
"It seemz suspect to me that after the ambassador was assassinated you and your colleaguez build such a fast growing company… On more than one occasion the Ambassador'z name came up in putting thiz deal together…"
"Master Jedi are you accusing me of something?"
"Thiz one iz not accusing you of anything… I find it strange that iz all…"
The Neimodian stood up and started pacing, "You aren't a Jedi Master…"
"I am not… So…"
"I find it strange that a Jedi who isn't a master would be asking such questions when your fellow Jedi closed the case…"
"I am being a lot more cautious than my fellow Jedi…"
He stopped pacing and looked at the Jedi. "I see… and did the high council approve of your… investigation…"
"No they didn't…"
"Then I see no need to continue this conversation…"
"True…" Der'jon stood up. "…but viceroy if this conspiracy went beyond mere terroristz wouldn't you want the true villainz brought to justice?"
"I would at that…"
"Well one last question… Did the ambassador have any enemies…"
"He was a Neimodian… Neimodians have many enemies especially when it comes to business… I can think of a few politicians and monarchs in the Republic who didn't want this deal to go through…"
"Can you name a few…"
Der'jon left the office with a list of twenty-three names on a data-pad. He scanned across the list, but none of them triggered his force senses. He had to move fast or this would reach the ears of the high council and they would end his investigation. The Barabel left Neimodia and headed for Nar Shadda.
"You handled that Jedi well…" A human said entering the office.
"He is suspicious… A loose cannon… Maybe I should contact the Jedi Council…"
"No if you do that then the Jedi will know you have something to hide… You will be playing right into his hands… Continue on as we discussed I must leave to meet my master before he returns home…"
"But…"
The man raised his hand, "All will go as planed… Do not be concerned about the Jedi I will inform my master as soon as I see him…"
Nar Shadaa if any one could inform Der'jon on the truth it was the Hutts, but he had to tread carefully for the Republic had no jurisdiction in the Y'Tube sector. If he was discovered there would be no help and he would die. Der'jon had hidden his robe aboard his ship the Night Hunter. He looked more like a bounty hunter instead of a Jedi. He kept his lightsabers in his gauntlets on his arm. He had a double bladed vibro-sword draped across his back and Delian class disruptor pistols on each hip.
The Hutt Slug Cantina is what the red alien symbols translated on the neon sign. He entered the cantina with his natural and unnatural senses pointed out in every direction. When he got to the bar he ordered a Correllian ale and downed in one shot. He ordered two more drinks then he looked out across and waited. He didn't have to wait long as a group of twelve humans were spending an enormous amount of credits. He could sense and smell Neimodian blood on them despite their recent sana-steam showers. Der'jon sent them a bottle of an expensive Alderranian brandy. Then he made his way across the room.
"May I join you…"
"No!" Was one man's cold reply.
"Come on Merdaul… anyone who buys brandy this good is worth the time…"
"I have a job and it payz five million creditz… but I need help…"
"A Barabel needs help with a job… Now that is funny…"
"High risk target… I may be a Barabel, but thiz one iz not stupid…"
The men at the table looked at each other sending eye signals to each other. "Sit down and tell us about the job…" The Barabel described the job in great detail , but it was all an act. The mercenaries had no idea they were dealing with a Jedi. When the drinks were done they agreed to meet with Dar'team for that was the name he gave them the next day.
Der'jon went to his apartment on the east side of the docks expecting betrayal. He didn't have to wait long as he felt four of the mercenaries approaching his apartment. Der'jon fixed his bed to make it look as if he was sleeping in it, then he turned off the lights.
"The lights are off go…"
A man said into the head mikes. A heavy set man sliced the locks and they entered the apartment quietly. They disabled the server droid and burst into the master bedroom shooting. When the last bolt was fired, the energy blades of two lightsabers pierced the darkness. The right blade was blue and the left was green. One man grunted as his first shot was deflected back into his head. The floor thudded as another man hit the ground grabbing what was left of his leg. Another thud vibrated the floor as the next man lost his right leg and left arm. The last man tried to run but he was held in place by a stasis field of force energy.
After questioning the survivors Der'jon had a droid take them to a medical facility. Der'jon was frustrated because the mercs knew very little information. The only thing he got out of them was the name of Umbarian who paid them for the job. His investigation left more questions than answers. As Der'jon sat in the pilot seat of his star ship he received a message from his friend and mentor Jedi Master Laya Hunn.
A miniature hologram shimmered into resolution in front of the Barabel; "Jedi Der'jon…"
"Master Hunn… Checking on thiz one again…"
She smiled, "I know of your fondness for hunting… Your beacon placed you in the Y'Tube sector…"
The Barabel snorted, "Checking on a hunch master…"
"You are investigating the assassination of the Neimodian ambassador?'
"Yes Master…"
"Well I won't stand in your way but be careful… I sense a great disturbance in the force…"
Bespin Security-Force Training Academy (Temporary headquarters of the Sith):
The human who spoke with Nar Gun was a sith agent named Farmer. He returned to the training academy where the sith were operating from unaware that Darth Omni was dead. When he entered the thrown room Darth Plageus was sitting on the thrown.
Farmer bowed, "Are you comfortable?"
The Muun cocked an eyebrow, "My former master tolerated your mouth… I will not… You will refer to me as my lord as befits the new lord of the sith…"
"My Lord…"
"Well make your report…"
"There is one Jedi who won't let the matter drop… I advised the viceroy not to contact the jedi, and the mercenary group we hired was attacked by the same jedi…"
"Prepare to leave here… We are going to Kashyyyk…"
"As you wish my lord…"
It took two hours for the Umbarian guard to pack up the droids, clothes, and other things that had been inherited by Darth Plagues from Darth Omni. Plagues stood on the platform watching them load the ship up in a private hanger. After some deep thought on his part Plagues informed Farmer he would not be going with them but to have everything ready for when he met them on Kashyyyk.
("I need an apprentice…") Plagues thought to himself.