Chapter 12

It had taken nearly a day, but the transmitters were removed from the slaves.

Five hundred slaves were now free, most of them consisting of children. Undoubtedly, their parents have been killed or separated in slavery.

There were many different types of slaves, ranging from droids to sentient beings such as Twi'leks and Togrutas.

Vader immediately relocated them to an underground fortress in Anchorhead that he and the girls constructed, quite a small settlement that had been all but abandoned by the Hutts and where many moisture farmers live. He knew that these slaves could be replaced, that in a day Jabba can condemn thousands of others, and that the Hutt would not give up on his 'prized trophies' so easily. Yet, with the death of many slavers, that would give the Hutt pause that can buy him time to make several more calculated oppositions.

Additionally, Tann and Ann could teach them in the time being as he taught them. It had taken weeks, yet the two girls have been adamant that they can do this, and that Vader needn't worry about them.

Vader shall make moves while the Hutt is busy doing their investigation. Slavers wouldn't admit it, but they are living in fear about his judgment, precisely why he had left the corpses, knowing that they would not be led back to him. None of the slaves would rat one another out given they want to return to that life.

It was slightly surprising to see how his shop was empty more or less today, but Vader had known that the common folk would be back soon. There had been a few but that had been haste.

Vader actually considered closing up early when Cliegg Lars walk in, a cigarette in his mouth. It honestly shouldn't have been surprising to learn Cliegg was a smoker, given individuals handle depression differently.

Vader himself... he would never allow himself to be spiked by drugs of any source again, not after two decades of living off them himself to buy him a lifetime.

Before Vader could reprimand him about smoking in his shop, Cliegg had the good gesture to put the cigarette out and relocated it into his sleeve. He wasn't addicted, just going through a deep sort of depression that Vader could admittedly understand with his own love.

Maybe that had been another reason why he hadn't turned Cliegg away.

"Lars?" Vader greeted. "What are you up to now?"

"Have you heard the news?!" Cliegg exclaimed, ever the more kiddy. "Two days ago, every slaver at the auction have been found with their necks snapped, and the slaves who were with them are nowhere to be seen - presumed hiding. Jabba is obviously not happy."

"Is that so?" Vader asked, keeping his tone void of anything that may have precipitated the older man's suspicion.

"Yes! Word is spreading quickly, and Jabba might be calling all type of favors to discover the cause of death!" Cliegg shouted. "Apparently, the slaves are all gone with no clue about where they may have been relocated to. Their transmitters has not been tracked yet."

"The remaining slavers who have been lucky enough to not participate are fearing," Cliegg's expression became even more distasteful. "Unfortunately, this means that there has been updated security in the slave market. I hope someone was kind enough to free all the slaves that they seem to take instead of using them for their own pleasure."

He had been tempted to reassure him that wouldn't happen. He couldn't get the man involved, not yet at the very least, not when this man understandably may be too stressed by the number of revelations that Vader could drop on his shoulders.

"I believe so," Vader replied, sitting back on his chair. "Whoever responsible for this would not go through the work of killing the slavers. That does more damage for slavers in general than the slaves. Not even the slavers are that clumsy."

"Well, give me a hug!" Cliegg exclaimed.

Vader blinked. "...What?"

"It is something buddies do when we have a big win," Cliegg explained. "In this case, Jabba getting pissed off is considered a victory."

No matter of the light, constructive, & affectionate emotions flaring around Cliegg, Vader would still not permit such physical touch. It wasn't because of lack of care for the man but even Ann and Tann hadn't been given an opportunity to do so nor had they tried.

"I am not the kind who hugs other beings," Vader responded.

"You hug Shmi, Anakin, and Owen before," Cliegg pointed out.

"That is different," Vader responded matter of factly. "Anakin and Owen require physical comfort taking into account the fact they are children. Shmi also had some freewill and independence for the first time in years. Me denying them assurance would be quite inhumane."

In his reign as a Sith Lord: Padmé, Luke, and Leia might've been the only beings who could do so. Obi-Wan & Ahsoka perhaps before Mustafar but even that had been rare. Children would presumably be brushed rather brusquely aside. The parents might be told, in no uncertain terms, to control their offspring, as well as whoever in charge of security punished.

Any adult that would have been foolish to do so would most likely have a snapped throat or a battered body at the very least.

Even now, while Vader wouldn't kill anyone for making such a mistake due to having a lighter interpretation, he would make it clear to the individual in question it was not to happen again. Physical touch would not be happening anytime soon.

"Come on, budd-"

"I said no, Cliegg," Vader said tightly, pushing down a wave of guilt that strangely filled him at the man's disappointment, but was not going to alleviate him.

Cliegg froze up. Did Vader ever refer to him as Cliegg without some form of sarcasm?

The two kept eye contact, but Cliegg accepted defeat with disappointment. "Very well, you win."

Cliegg seemed to be thinking for a few seconds, opening his mouth to say something, only to found his voice stuck in his throat.

Five individuals came into the shop, dirty scowls across their lips. Their species were fierce fighters and notorious in being well-skilled in battle, yet for now they were enforcing their backup duty in keeping the local population in line.

Admittedly, were he a lesser man, Vader may have panicked at the sight of them, especially with their blasters being wielded in their hands, clearly charged and prepared to use. He would hate to have to reveal his true power earlier let alone his presence, but he was ready to get him and Cliegg out of there.

In a subtle motion, Vader's left hand moved down, allowing his hilt to roll into his hand, unseen and unnoticed yet still at the ready. With the way their blasters were aimed, they could fatally wound the man who doesn't have the powers Vader have.

What prevented him from acting through on his instincts was when he probed them and sensed no ill intent to either of them. Of course, they were ready to either force them to submit or shoot both of them at sight.

"Greetings-" Cliegg said, whereas Vader remained silent behind him, an unimpressed scowl across his lips at these fools.

Vader subtly placed the hilt on his belt and reached for his comlink on his belt and activate it, wanting to make sure that Tann and Ann could hear this.

The henchmen would check thoroughly - at least as thoroughly as their incompetent minds allowed, and Vader didn't want to risk his operations being discovered for the safety of the slaves.

Not even having the decency to offer any sort of pleasantry, the lead of the small squad - the Nikto - raised his blaster up to them, causing Cliegg's eyes to go wide at this sudden aggression. "The mighty Jabba is calling for a meeting in town hall," he announced. "Everyone is to attend or be dragged to his dungeons and deal with the consequences, the choice is yours." A scornful smirk was across his lips.

He entrusted that Tann and Ann had kept Jabba's scopes off Anchorhead. If they had not, well Vader would have to act on a backup contingency worming as another plan.

"Well, this is surprising," Cliegg said, for his part doing well to keep calm at the face of the blasters aimed at both of them.

"Please, gentlemen, there's no need for such hostility here," Vader continued, trying to keep his tone as cordial as possible to prevent them from seeing his deep distaste. "Who wouldn't respect Jabba the Hutt?"

For a second, Vader thought that the bastard would have pulled the trigger regardless, audibly having to deal with Jabba breathing down their necks; yet he calmed when the Nikto lowered his blaster, and every one of them became less tense.

Receiving a brief glance from Cliegg, Vader indicated for him to walk. Cliegg nodded and did just that with Vader following behind him, being led by the henchmen along with many others that have been gathered up. He almost scoffed at the fact that Jabba was attempting to push his authority over the common people on Tatooine who are obviously not happy.

Jabba may try not to acknowledge this, but he would be losing respect from his own minions if such assaults continue, for they value higher power. The people would not rebel against him but it would certainly spur doubt.

Speaking of the mighty slug, the Hutt was sitting on the large platform, attempting to be intimidating. In truth, Vader found this act pathetic, but he would not make his vocal distaste clear.

A Theelin woman was sitting beneath the mighty slug, though she obviously hadn't been taught total obedience just yet, given she was scowling. A good sign, but Vader couldn't risk rescuing her at this point in time.

Given the number of henchmen that were standing guard around Jabba, and the mighty slug actually sitting in a respectable light, Vader couldn't help but recall Sidious when he gives his various different speeches in the Imperial Senate, especially during the Dark Times era.

Vader could remember being at the Emperor's side throughout this type of proceedings, finding his nerves being grated on throughout those events, but understanding that such formalities were to be expected and that questioning Sidious meant instant torture.

Vader knew better than to underestimate the henchmen of Jabba. In terms of physical strength and combat ability, the Gamorrean guards were among the most formidable of Jabba's henchmen. They were highly trained in a variety of melee weapons, including axes and vibro-blades, and were capable of taking on multiple opponents at once.

While the strength and abilities of Jabba's henchmen varied, they were all highly skilled and dangerous individuals who were loyal to the Hutt crime lord - possibly able to challenge an average Jedi in the right circumstances.

Vader sensed the truth however, behind that Hutt mass that Jabba attempts to keep concealed, beyond that mass of fats. There was one emotion that sparked Jabba to summon the people. There was one emotion that was driving the Hutt's actions and would continue to do so. There was one emotion that is radiating around Jabba at the death of so many slavers and the disappearance of the slaves that were prepared to be auctioned off: fear...

Yes, Jabba was fearful, and he had every right to be. How long before all respect was gone from a Hutt that couldn't continue to oppress the very people that he has been doing for centuries now? How long before the Hutt Empire as a whole was called into question?

He kept his head down onto the ground, noting Cliegg's hand was now gripped tightly into his hand. He chose not to deny the moment of good faith from the man.

It was within seconds after every individual was assembled, the Hutt began to speak, a translator on the side for those who spoke solely galactic basic.

Vader focused on that. Reading alone were more entertaining truth be told than listening the Hutt's blabbering so he zoomed him out.

"Good people of Tatooine..."

Jabba the Hutt sat on his throne in his palace on Tatooine, surrounded by his henchmen and his many slaves. He was in a foul mood, having just received news about what happened at the auction with each slaver having a broken neck and all the slaves disappearing in the wind.

Jabba's anger only grew when he'd learned what occurred at the auction. Some of his henchmen had been presented to collect other slaves for him and they have also been discovered with their necks snapped. Whoever had caused this had also caused a major setback for his operations, and he knows that he had to act quickly to regain control of the situation.

Some of his best men have been killed, and there had been no alias, and the Hutt Council would demand an explanation for this unexpected problem.

He summoned his henchmen to his throne room and addressed them. "Listen up, scum. We have a problem. This meaning of all slavers who was found killed and the slaves who have disappeared would not remain unaddressed. This is unacceptable. I want all of you to find out who did this and bring them to me. And I want those slaves found and brought back to me as well. Is that clear?"

The henchmen nodded, fear evident in their eyes, before filing out of the throne room.

He knew that news of the slavers' deaths and the disappearance of the slaves would spread quickly, and he wanted to get ahead of the story, or else people would began calling his rule into doubt, something that the Hutt would not allow.

He called a town hall meeting in the main square of Mos Espa. The people of the city gathered around, not particularly by choice, for they had been threatened with arrest. Usually, the Hutt would address them through Holo-recorders, but Jabba would have to show himself for them to know that this was serious, that any possible allies of this assailant should turn themselves in.

Another group of Jabba's henchmen stood guard around the perimeter of the square, ensuring that no one got too close to the Hutt. He was perched on a raised platform in the center of the square, his massive form looming over the crowd.

While the Hutt hardly came out of his palace to address the fools aside from the Bootha Eve Pod Races, this situation deemed it especially. Whoever was doing this would have to be rooted out and driven to do something potentially reckless.

As always, a slave was laying underneath him. Diva Shaliqua had been far from his first choice, and while her overall appearance left much to be desired, the Hutt found himself amused by her dancing skills, even though her skills had to go to satisfying his needs as well.

Her pale-colored skin and blue hair did make up for some of the traits that she'd lacked but Jabba shall replace her when a better option presents itself. Besides, she had proven satisfying at least somewhat, despite her unwillingness to submission which grew irritating already.

Alongside the fact that he could break her as he did many slaves in the past, she'd reminded him how much Ingoda was and always would be a fool.

"Good people of Tatooine," Jabba said in his gravelly voice. He considered - briefly - to just order all of them to be executed because the possibility of this problem being rooted out was high, yet what was a king without his loyal subjects, without a way to affirm his power? "I have called you here today to address a serious matter. As you may have heard, auctioneer has been killed. This is a terrible tragedy, and I want to assure you that I am doing everything in my power to find out who did this and bring them to justice."

The crowd murmured in agreement, though many of them were skeptical of Jabba's supposed concern for the well-being of the slaves. Not that they would voice it as much as part of the Hutt wished they would so he could deal with them in the most gruesome ways possible.

Throwing imbeciles into the Pit of Carkoon was one of his favorite means of punishment. It was considered to be one of the most horrifying and gruesome forms of death. When a victim was thrown into the pit, they would fall into the Sarlacc's mouth, where they would be entrapped by its tentacles. The Sarlacc would then begin to digest the victim slowly over the course of a thousand years, using a combination of acid and digestive enzymes to break down their chemicals in their bodies. The process of being digested by the Sarlacc was excruciatingly painful, as the victim would remain conscious throughout the entire process. The Sarlacc would also use its tentacles to prevent the victim from escaping, ensuring their deaths over a long period of time.

Imprisoning them in his dungeons was another way of punishment, yet Jabba only kept them around as means of extracting information. Once their usefulness comes to an end, the Hutt would often watch if not participate in enforcing their punishment for his sick sense of pleasure. If they were lucky to get away from his wrath, any bounty hunter could always be employed, and there would be no place in the galaxy where they would be able to hide.

He would love to have whoever did this forced to face such punishments and whatever Jabba's head conjured up. Anyone who questioned his rule and insulted him in the eyes of both allies and competitors.

"In the meantime," Jabba continued, "I am instituting a curfew. From now on, no one is to be out on the streets after dark. This is for your own safety. I will not tolerate any further violence in this city."

Very few in the crowd grumbled in protest, but Jabba was not to be swayed. He knew that he had to maintain control of the situation, and a curfew was the best way to do that.

"As for the one who has committed this heinous crime," the Hutt persisted, "I promise you that they will be found, and they will be punished. No one crosses Jabba the Hutt and gets away with it."

Most present clapped, though their hearts didn't seem to be fully in it. After all, they were the ones who would be suffering in the long run. No doubt they don't wish to test fate and possibly endure with the Hutt's nonexistent mercy by pushing too far.

With that, the meeting was dismissed, and the people of Tatooine dispersed, grumbling about the curfew and the Hutt's supposed concern for their safety once out of ear-shot or so they thought.

This would not make whoever continuing to take the slaves to stop, Jabba knew that. But it could possibly allow the Hutt to fabricate ways to lure them into a trap.

Jabba would admit that he cared little about the idiots safety. Their only usefulness relied in the fact that they made him feel all powerful and gave him a form of superiority and dominance that have long been lacking.

Yet, at the end...

Whereas he should have felt relief about addressing this matter, the Hutt couldn't help but feel a bunch of harden orbs glaring at him... defiantly. Where? He knew not, but he realized at that moment his death was going to be foredooming if something doesn't change shortly.