Disclaimer
All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Special thanks to fellow author J. Hellscythe for the use of his OC Rainah and the writing of her scenes.
Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Forty – A New Hope Epilogue: Deals with Scum
By
Celgress
3 ABY
Nal Hutta
In full armor Boba Fett stood impatiently before Jiliac the Hutt second in command of the infamous Desilijic Clan. In the three years since the Battle of Yavin Four much had changed for Fett however certain things remained the same. While no longer a Sith he remained a bounty hunter of great renowned. Discarding his old Imperial armor two years ago Fett had founded (in truth lifted from the arrogant and now rather dead would be bounty hunter Jodo Kast) a fully functional Mandalorian suit complete with traditional twin plasma blasters which closely resembled, saved for its color scheme pale green & dark red versus light grey & dark blue, that once worn by his legendary father the late Jango Fett. A dark grey cloak with cowl draped over his shoulders and lightsaber hilt completed his formidable appearance. Stowed within his armor were the components of a second lightsaber including another orange crystal, which when reassembled could be chained with its twin creating a formidable lightsaber staff along with multiple other small weapons. Fett was nothing if not well prepared.
"The magnificent Jiliac protector of the righteous and chief lieutenant of Zorba the glorious will now see you." A shinny sliver protocol droid announced in its harsh electronic voice ushering Boba Fett forward.
"Oh magnificent Jiliac I've come seeking exclusive hunting rights for the contract on Aruk the Hutt. May he be thrice cursed." Boba Fett said in Huttese. A talent Fett had picked up while being trained as a young Separatist sponsored Sith assassin growing up.
"What I say next must never leave this room, understand bounty hunter?" Jiliac rumbled leaning forward on his dais after dismissing every other being from his audience chamber, save Fett and Jiliac's protocol droid.
"Understood," Boba Fett said in Huttese noticing how Jiliac seemed to appreciate the show of respect by addressed in his native tongue.
"Aruk must die and his death cannot under any circumstances be traced to my Clan." Jiliac said Boba Fett nodded his helmeted head. "Aruk's sole offspring and heir Durga will in all probability be with his parent at the time."
"Should I terminate Durga along with his parent?" Boba Fett asked in Huttese.
"No," Jilliac shouted before quickly regaining his composure. "Durga is to remain alive, unimpaired and if possible unmolested in anyway. His continued existence is crucial to my Clan's future success. Do you understand your instructions hunter?"
"Yes, terminate Aruk leave Durga alive and functional. make Aruk's death look like an accident, if possible." Boba Fett said in Huttese.
Jiliac waved a stubby arm at his silver protocol droid who proceeded to bestow upon Fett a golden scroll with a bronze seal. Fett eagerly accepted the scroll. "This scroll grants you and any associates exclusive hunting rights for a period of three Nal Hutta months. Once Aruk is confirmed dead ten million credits will be deposited into your account, good hunting." Jiliac said.
Sometime later Boba Fett met with his partner for this mission outside Jiliac's Winter Palace. Located on a small island near the sparsely populated southern continent Jiliac's seasonal residence was practically a paradise climate wise. Unlike most of Nal Hutta's inhibited equatorial and regions it wasn't drenched by near unstop rains and obscured by thick clouds year round. However by the discriminating standards of many humanoid it remained oppressively humid, even during this the dry season when soaking rains typically only occurred nocturnally.
"Did Jiliac bestow the contract upon us as planed?" Sev'rance Tann asked her red eyes staring at Fett from under her brown hood. Unlike her partner Tann wore only a simple sleeveless black jumpsuit underneath her brown robe. Her more photosensitive blue skin necessitating she settled herself from direct contact with Nal Hutta's abnormally strong sunlight. The hilt of her yellow lightsaber hung clipped to her matching black belt.
"He did," Boba Fett said simply.
"What are your thoughts on us actually collecting?" Sev'rance Tann asked pointedly.
"Sixty/Forty, sixty for forty against," Boba Fett said inclining his helmeted head slightly after a moment of hesitation. "Our primary problem will be getting off planet once the deed is done."
"Good our cause needs all the credits we can earn. That high huh, should be a cake eh partner?" Sev'rance Tann joked. Boba Fett didn't laugh.
"C'mon, sooner we get this over with the better off we'll be." Boba Fett said gesturing for Sev'rance Tann to follow him to where their transport, a newly outfitted sub-orbital stealth shuttle provided by Jiliac, waited.
"Why don't Jiliac and his three brothers want Durga killed along with his father?" Sev'rance Tann asked once their ride got underway. "Surely the offspring will come after them seeking revenge. Hutta are notorious holders of grudges."
"It won't be that simple in this case." Boba Fett said steering the sub-orbital stealth shuttle away from Jiliac's relatively isolated island retreat. "Durga was born with a physical deformity a black birth mark over his right eye most sentient beings would dismiss out of hand, but not Hutts. Little known fact about Hutts they are extremely superstitious. Rumor has it when Durga was born about a century ago all the Hutt elders present were appalled by his birthmark they saw it as a very bad omen. More than a few in fact prophesized if Durga should live and reach maturity all sorts of terrible things would happen, including the destruction of Nal Hutta and ruination of our galaxy. Aruk already an old Hutt fearing he'd have no more offspring went against the popular consensus and allowed Durga to survive. I assume Zorba figures there will be a succession crisis following Aruk's death leaving the Besadii Clan fatally weakened which will allow Zorba to easily undermine and defeat them. In is an open secret Besadii and Desilijic are not only the two most powerful Hutt Families but that they also despise each other on a personal level and having be feuding for long as anyone can recall."
"I see," Sev'rance Tann said. "Should we really get involved in this?"
Boba Fett shrugged then answered. "We need the credits, plus I've been involved with stickier situations over the years. Trust me this is nothing."
By days end Aruk the Hutt, along with his numerous body guards, lay day they bodies badly mangled. Luckily Durga had not been present at the time removing the one major potential complication. News of Aruk's death, yes some on Nal Hutta claimed it was an accident involving an exploding subterranean power generator not murder, spread quickly. There was much secret celebrating throughout the extensive holdings of Desilijic both on and off world. Zorba and his cohorts couldn't have known it at the time but they not only sealed their fates but also unleashed a terrible force of destruction upon their entire species and the wider galaxy.
Nal Hutta two Standard months later, evening
Durga the Hutt bereaved heir and only offspring of the late Aruk former head of Besadii Clan once more wondered if his impending action was warranted. What would his beloved father say? He'd no doubt warn against getting involved with the Empire. Aruk had a saying for which he was well known amongst Hutts – "give an Imperial a parsec they'd take a light year."
"I'm sorry father. I have no choice. I can neither avenge your assassination nor continue your legacy without outside help. Few of my fellow Hutts will stand behind me due to this blasted birthmark." Durga ran his chubby right hand down his marred countenance. Activating his personal holo projector Durga was soon rewarded by the seated, hooded image of the most feared being in the entire galaxy.
"Ah Lord Durga to what do I owe the pleasure." Darth Plagueis asked sweetly. His sickly yellow eyes shone out from the darkness of his cowl.
"Emperor Plagueis I seek, assistance." Durga managed to say with effort.
"I heard about your father's untimely demise, how tragic." Plagueis said. "What do you seek from me Lord Durga? Ask and ye shall receive. The Empire's resources are at your disposal."
"Justice," Durga said. "I want those responsible for my parent's murder held accountable."
"Murder that is a serious allegation, do you have any proof?" Plagueis said impassively.
"Emperor Plagueis as stated I come seeking your assistance. Find those responsible for my parent's death, help me secure my position as rightful leader of Besadii and I shall be forever in your debt." Durga said.
Plagueis flashed Durga a predatory smile. "No limits I assume?"
"I will do whatever you ask, merely help me." Durga pleaded.
"Become the new Moff of the Hutt Sector once it is integrated into my Empire." Plagueis said.
"Of course," Durga said inclining his head slightly downward, the Hutt version of a bow, in a show of respect and submission. "I would be honored."
"Excellent, General Grievous' fleet will be arriving at Nal Hutta shortly. See that he is given the access codes to all orbital defences. Too long have the smugglers of Nar Shaddaa and rouge elements of your own species sheltered and aided the rebels, their arrangement must end." Plagueis said his smile grew wider with each passing second.
"Yes my Emperor, I will gladly bring them to heel once General Grievous arrives." Durga said. "Furthermore I feel the entire Hutt Ruling Council save those few members loyal to me is untrustworthy and should be purged. If decisive action isn't taken against the Ruling Council from the unset Hutt Space will be plunged into unending civil war."
"I concur, once Hutt Space has been pacified my Chief Inquisitor Darth Tropiheus shall come. He will make certain those responsible for your parent's murder and who have collaborated with the Rebellion face justice. Until I contact you again, farewell Moff in waiting Durga," Plagueis said his hologram blinked out of existence.
To Be Continued