Chapter 16
The slave market was a chaotic scene, filled with terrified slaves and ruthless guards.
However, soon this market would be officially dissolved, a gravestone of what is to come on Tatooine very soon. Former slaves had trained every sun rise and sundown to spar against one another, sharpening any skills that they had hidden underneath, and now with the assistance of civilians who made it clear that they would not tolerate these foolish laws and mandates from the Hutts, they began to train.
The natives and former slaves hooked on surprisingly well, their alliances a sight for sore eyes. Like Cliegg Lars, many of the people are just individuals who had no reason to fight against Jabba, and now they are no longer fearful of him and his lackeys after witnessing the true leader Vader was throughout the den of night. They have already captured some slavers and vowed to have them face justice once and for all.
Removing the Hutts presence and slavery as a whole, the planet is not a bad location to live on. Despite the sand that invested the common life, there is a possibility to bring a better and happier life for all.
They each knew that, and they would fight for it alongside Vader.
Vader had planned to wait things out, to free slaves one by one, yet when he rescued Ann and Tann many weeks back, that was no longer an option because more slaves came along. Sidious may have the patience to wait things out, but Vader admittedly does not have the same tolerance level, especially when it comes to saving more innocent lives and teaching them how to have a spine.
So today, as always, Vader and the freedom fighters stood together, though this attack would be the mightiest one yet...
Vader gave Ann, who was the co-leader of this operation, a glance before she nodded. The slavers would be amazing to grate his fury on, and the time has come to expose them as weak fools behind their control.
He walked inside of the slave market, receiving no interruptions from the slave master who just thought of him as another potential buyer.
Vader surveyed the area, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and compassion.
The slave market on Tatooine was a dimly lit, cavernous space filled with a cacophony of voices, clinking chains, and the occasional crack of a whip. The air was heavy with the scent of despair and desperation.
Looking closer, rows of slaves, of various species and ages, were on display, standing in small enclosures or chained together. Despair was etched onto their faces as they endured the gaze of potential buyers, the fools that shall also be dealt with in the midst of his fury. Guards, armed and imposing, patrol the area with a sense of authority.
Deciding to see who may be at risk, Vader moved through the crowd, his heart heavy. His eyes scanned the faces of the downtrodden, seeing the pain and desperation etched into their every feature.
Vader's gaze landed on a young girl, no older than eight, her green eyes worn and filled with sorrow. She clutched a tattered toy in her hands, a last remnant of a childhood stolen from her. Quite a saddening sight.
Vader's instincts warred within him to rub her hair, but he knew such touch would result in her being more fearful. No matter how many things he had witnessed, no matter how he tried to claim so, no matter how many days turned into months and them into years...
Vader could never be ready for control over something that had defined his childhood life. Better yet, looking back, he had never truly been freed.
'This is what the Jedi Order and the Republic in their ignorance blissfully allow. These innocent lives, bought and sold like commodities. No one should have to endure this. They deserve better.'
While it was true that Anakin Skywalker thought too negatively of the Order back in his time to the point where he was admittedly biased, there were still many flaws that they would have worked on. They should have never answer to the Republic, should have squashed this market and their operations along with countless others long ago. Now, Vader was willing to spend his entire life going after slavers and freeing their slaves.
The slave market was a well-organized operation, with buyers haggling over prices, guards exchanging credits, and the slave master reveling in his power. The guards were no better, choosing to merely serve the scum for their own benefits. They most likely get to pleasure themselves with the slaves anyhow, something that sends a thrill of rage down his spine
His eyes narrowed as he caught a glimpse of the slave master, a corpulent Rodian adorned in opulent clothing, a grotesque and disgusting example of exploitation. The slave market had increased in number. Many have been made an example of already - a tragic ending for many.
However, Vader would make them pay for what they were doing.
He stepped forward. His presence as always demanded power and authority, a contained darkness flaring around him.
Each of his buddies' chuckle at a joke the man made, unknowing of the face of death heading directly right to them.
Vader walked closer, gaze fixed onto the scum.
"Ah, whatcha you're interested in, sir?" the slave master asked.
Death looked at him in the eyes.
No words were necessary, for Vader had no reason to pretend that he was among the common folk. Jabba and his lackeys short-sightedness have led to their demise and now they would face the wrath of the menace that has come crashing down onto them.
The Dark Side flooded through him. The slave master's expression shifted from amusement to horror as his closest buddy's hand shot to his throat, clawing feasibly as he was raised into the air, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
His guards raised their weapons slowly, eyes now wide as they looked at the hooded figure.
Without hesitation, Vader activated both of his lightsabers.
The room fell into stunned silence as the slaves and guards alike witnessed this unexpected turn of events.
Little did they know that things would get worse for them.
For this was nothing more than just a signal.
Ann and the revolution behind them came charging forward, already firing their blasters at the slavers and buyers' direction, the fools who had their backs turned never knew what hit them as they collapsed in a pitiful heap.
Vader leapt into action, his lightsabers a blur of motion as he deflected blaster bolts with incredible precision, each of his blows connecting with movements rivaling that of Darth Revan in ancient time. One by one, they fell to his blades, their bodies collapsing to the ground.
He didn't even have to use his powers, instead taking some sort of sick pleasure in slaying them. Whoever had avoided his lightsabers met their gruesome ends by the waves of blaster shots coming down on them. Ah good, just like they practiced.
The Rodian slave master watched in horror as his guards were effortlessly cut down by this seemingly unstoppable force. Fear gripped his heart as he realized his life was at stake.
Like a pathetic specimen he was, he began pleading for his life, even though his blaster was still trained in the man's direction. "Please, spare me! I'll give you anything you want! Anything! I can pay you! You're a mercenary, right? Credits! Ships! I know! Woman too! Willing ones!"
Crimson eyes locked onto his rival who continued taking a step back, blaster shaking in his grasp.
"Not just a bunch of slaves but those who would serve your every need to perfection!"
"Women?" Vader hissed. The one woman he loved was dead and she would never be brought back. How dare would he attempt to buy him with a bunch of women who could never live up to Padmé Naberrie Amidala?! He saw nothing but red, his fury crawling up his spine just as it did on Mustafar. Uncontrollable...
Even though he was in the past, Vader would never engage in romantic feelings with another! Never... not even this Padmé if he had the option to do so. His Padmé was gone. No one could ever be able to take her place.
As far as his soul was concerned, as much as he accepted him, the true Anakin Skywalker within him forever died with Padmé, and nothing could ever bring his angel back nor Anakin Skywalker entirely. That was the consequence of his evil deeds, and also, the unfortunate truth.
Even if he had the opportunity to do so, Anakin would have never entirely resurfaced at least into the image his son envisioned. Trauma have been a constant in his life.
In one swift motion, Vader roared, crimson energy pouring out of him, disintegrating the Rodian into ashes as the man screamed for eternity. He wouldn't be enslaving anyone else ever again.
Vader cursed as darkness echoed around him. Yet again, the Dark Side kriffed him over.
"I'm not evil!" Vader screamed in a whisper, sensing fearful looks from even those who were fighting on his side.
Vader's fury dimmed only slightly as he looked at the ashes of the lifeless scum, enough for him to contain it.
Extinguishing his second lightsaber and planting it on his belt, Vader turned to the freed slaves who were slowly being led out.
"Let this be the end of slavery's grip on your spirits. You are free."
The ex-slaves nodded, their eyes filled with gratitude. They began to gather their belongings they had left, their faces glowing with newfound hope.
Vader stood to the side, watching as they were all led out.
Vader turned to the camera. "Know this, Jabba, I am no Jedi. My lessons stem from training of my own. You may be tempted to go to the Jedi and call them about my actions and try to benefit from this, but I pose the question aside from the obvious that they have no control over me. Wouldn't a true leader try to deal with oppressors and uprisings without needing assistance from outsider sources? Wouldn't a true leader utilize his own resources to capture me, no matter of the deaths that will come? The Hutts were once great warriors. Catch me, Jabba, catch the rat, and be the true ruler you are meant to be. Let's continue to play this game, and whoever the better man is, win."
Turning downwind, Vader grabbed the little girl from earlier and rubbed the strand away from her brown hair. She snuggled easily into his embrace, and giving one last pointed stare into the camera, he turned away.
Like in his dreams from childhood, Vader led them out, one hand supporting the girl...
Jabba reclined on his elevated platform in the control room of his palace. For the past weeks, security had to be modified as attacks at the den of nights were quite frequent and harsh on him and his henchmen.
Already several of his bounty hunters have yet to return, and Jabba found himself admitting that he was at a loss at what to do. There was no inclination to what this person wanted, just outright attacks that disturbed his business.
So he closed his eyes and began slumbering off.
Cuthus rushed into the control room, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. The man's age was obviously catching up to him as of late, a sign of stress and wariness.
"Mighty Jabba, I have gone to the city after word of the uprising striking again!" Cuthus declared. "We have finally found something that indicates why these operations have been successful!"
Jabba scowled. "Speak."
"Just watch and see..."
At Cuthus's command, various screens displayed live feeds from the slave market, including the area where the slave master and his guards were located.
Jabba's giant eyes narrowed as he focused on the screens, observing the chaos unfolding below.
The recording was sped up to the time when a hooded figure marched in front of the Weequay slave master and his guards, nothing seeming out of place just yet.
Another second passed, and one of the guards began choking. What the...
What Jabba saw next had confirmed his worst nightmares. The Hutt had heard tales of Jedi by his father, about their constant wars and the number of times that they were too lucky and fortunate.
Yet, seeing and hearing were two different things. Two laser swords activated, and the Jedi began cutting through the bastards before they even knew what hit them.
An army dropped down next to him, their blaster fire pouring down on whoever managed to avoid his wrath.
Looking closer, Jabba recognized the form of Ann Gella, his former slave, blaster clenched tightly in her hand as she aimed and fired her blaster at all rivals. Behind her, her sister was flanking her, both with fierce looks that Jabba had never seen from the girls before.
So many former slaves, some who Jabba recognized having crossed, were now holding their blasters against the slavers and potential buyers. They marched in, accurately cutting through whatever was in sight, as if they were flimsiplast.
Led by the Jedi, the guards never had a chance, having obviously been caught off-guard.
The Jedi, ignited lightsabers in hands, effortlessly deflected blaster bolts and struck down guards with swift strokes. His army fought alongside him, each with their own unique weapons and skills, freeing whatever slaves held within. The slave master whimpered pathetically and cowered in fear.
There was a brief interaction between the Jedi and the slave master. Better yet, interaction was being too kindly. More like a desperate pleading for him to spare his life.
Which seemed to tip the Jedi off for some reason and red energy consumed him, burning him alive in a movement that left even Jabba astonished.
Regarding the slaves, the lightsabers deactivated, and the Jedi's words were clear, sending another cold anger down the Hutt's spine: "Let this be the end of slavery's grip on your spirits. You are free."
'This welp dares to attack the slave market! This insolence will not go unpunished!'
Turning to the camera as if he knew, the Jedi began to speak, what seemed to be dark golden orbs piercing into his very soul at that moment.
"Know this, Jabba, I am no Jedi. My lessons stem from training of my own. You may be tempted to go to the Jedi and call them about my actions and try to benefit from this, but I pose the question aside from the obvious that they have no control over me. Wouldn't a true leader try to deal with oppressors and uprisings without needing assistance from outsider sources? Wouldn't a true leader utilize his own resources to capture me, no matter of the deaths that will come? The Hutts were once great warriors. Catch me, Jabba, catch the rat, and be the true ruler you are meant to be. Let's continue to play this game, and whoever the better man is, win."
Muted gasps escaped from those within the palace, their eyes going wide as they looked at Jabba. He had just been called into question, and for honor's sake, he would have to meet this warrior's segment head on. Begrudging respect flared off of him, for this is one individual who deserved as such. He had avoided his sight for weeks and knew how all this whole thing worked.
Only seeing red, Jabba watched as the hooded figure picked up a young human girl into his arms and brought her outside along with his entire collective, likely to their underground fortress.
The recording ended there. He had been in this game for a long time to know a challenger when he sees one. He would have to use his own resources, his own profit, and he would have to win. When the leadership and authority of the Hutts was called into question, several outcomes could occur. It could lead to power struggles within the syndicate. Different Hutt factions or individuals may fight for control, resulting in conflicts, explosive arguments, and much more.
Adding on this, it could also lead to the attention of external parties, such as rival criminal organizations, and even possibly the Republic, or ironically the Jedi Order. These entities could utilize the situation to further their own desires or intervene to restore order in the region. The questioning of Hutt leadership can erode their influence and control over Tatooine and other territories they oversaw. Business partners, subordinates, and allies would eventually become hesitant to collaborate or obey orders, perceiving the Hutts as weakened and desperate for power.
Jabba knew it happened before and had improved on any flaws to the point where the thought of any of them attempting to do so would have been countermanded. That was if they managed to get far with the powerful allies that he had throughout the past many decades.
And who wouldn't want Jabba's control who go beyond all of the other Hutts in the galaxy?
Jabba's tail thrashed angrily, knocking over a nearby table. He would not do what many other Hutts may have done! He would not consent any form of authority over to this madman who claims to be a hero! Jedi could be caught! Jedi could be killed! There was no diplomacy that would be done! He would rule Tatooine, and his bloodline would follow when the time came!
His legacy would be known as a respected leader, not a failed one!
Jabba said in a chilling voice, his tested patience no longer an option as he glared at his majordomo. "Send a message to every bounty hunter in the galaxy. Offer them one million credits to capture this vigilante and his band of rebels. Adding to this, you would increase security. I want a door in my throne room. I want you at the head of this security staff. I want them all dead or brought to me. Failure would result in death."
Cuthus replied, bowing his head at the Hutt's wrath. "As you command, my Lord. But it won't be easy. The Jedi were skilled, and the former slaves fought with a determination I have never seen before."
Jabba bellowed. "I don't care how it's done! I want them found and brought to me, alive, if possible, but dead is preferable as well! No one defies and calls Jabba the Hutt into question without consequence!"
Cuthus nodded and walked away.
At that moment, two bounty hunters approached. They were already hired by him prematurely.
"Ah, Jango Fett, Aurra Sing..."
"Jabba..." Aurra replied spitefully, while Fett remained silent behind her, blaster gripped in his hand. "I want this Jedi alone."
"Explain your anger," Jabba responded.
"The Jedi have betrayed me," Sing responded spitefully. "Every member I can kill from their pitiful Order would be counted as a victory for me. And no one would get in my way." She turned around to face Jango. "And that includes you."
The bounty hunter simply looked at her, and if he had been glaring, the two couldn't tell.
"Ha," the bounty hunter replied, and they didn't need his helmet off to know that he was rolling his eyes. "The Jedi is held back by codes and restrictions. I killed six of them myself before. This is not a Jedi but a warrior. He would be far too much for someone like you to remotely challenge."
"And you know so much about that," Sing replied coldly.
Jango shrugged. "I want my money, Sing, anything else doesn't matter to me," he dismissed, not taking her seriously, as he turned around. "If I see you getting in my way, I will not hesitate to put you down, close ally or not."
Sing followed. "At least, he said exactly what I was thinking."
At the end, this was a good start. More would come for sure. There would come a day where this crusader faced the consequences of questioning Jabba, especially when being held in his dungeons that he already had planned.
Arthur's note: Fun fact, the old novelization written by Terry Brooks hinted - since ROTS wasn't a thing yet - that Anakin's fall was going to involve a crusade to save slaves. That he would commit atrocities in the name of the greater good. Anakin had a vision of it. That would actually be a good reason for him to fall to be honest if he for some reason had a strained or non-existent relationship with Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, & Padmé. I do love stories where that happens btw! Get tired of seeing those four having the same dynamic over and over again.
Also, this is going along the lore where Aurra Sing was a Jedi if that wasn't made obvious. Since nothing in the CW didn't exactly contradict it, I have no reason to not go along that path for her.
May the Force be with you all always.
