Tatooine – Jabba's Palace
The heat inside Jabba's palace was suffocating, the air thick with smoke and the foul stench of rot. But Jace Shan stood tall beside Obi-Wan, his violet eyes steady on the Hutt, posture relaxed but deliberate — a balance between warrior and negotiator.
Jabba roared, blubber quaking as Bib Fortuna translated:"Jabba demands proof. His son's life must be assured before any agreement is made."
Obi-Wan inclined his head smoothly. "Of course, Your Excellency. The Jedi are already searching for your son as we speak."
Jace stepped forward, tone calm but firm, locking eyes with Jabba across the hall. "You know what we are, Jabba. You know what we stand for. We don't lie about life and death. If we say your son lives… he lives."
The ripple of his words silenced the room. Even the mercenaries clustered around the edges seemed to pause.
Obi-Wan's gaze shifted slightly toward his Padawan, noting again how the younger man's voice could steady a room as easily as his battle meditation could rally troops.
It's not just the Force, Obi-Wan thought. It's the conviction behind it.
Cutaway: Separatist Stronghold – Serenno
In the shadows of his grand chamber on Serenno, Count Dooku watched the holotransmission from Jabba's palace with quiet amusement.
"The boy is well-trained," Dooku mused aloud, eyes narrowing at the image of Jace standing beside Kenobi. "A weapon forged by both passion and discipline."
Ventress knelt nearby, smirking. "Shall I cut him down for you, my lord?"
Dooku waved a hand slowly. "No, my dear Ventress. Not yet. Let him believe he can win with words."
The Sith Lord's smile deepened, cruel. "Meanwhile, our friends on Teth will ensure the Jedi's failure."
Cutaway: Teth – Jungle Cliffs, Separatist Monastery
High above the jungle floor of Teth, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano crouched near the edge of a mist-wrapped cliffside, the ancient Separatist monastery towering ominously ahead.
The air smelled of rain and moss, thick vines twisting around the crumbling stone walls of the enemy fortress.
Ahsoka raised her electrobinoculars, scanning the perimeter. "Droid patrols. Spider droids on the east wall. Cannon emplacements up top."
Anakin nodded. "We'll go through the south wall. Less cover, but fewer guns."
She lowered the binoculars and gave him a skeptical look. "Less cover is your idea of a good plan?"
Anakin grinned. "It's my idea of a fast plan."
The comm crackled softly. Rex's voice came through: "General Skywalker, scouts confirm the Huttlet is inside the monastery. Separatists are holding the high ground."
Ahsoka straightened, flipping her saber into her hand. "Guess we'd better go knock."
Anakin was about to respond when his comm buzzed again — this time, an incoming coded signal from Obi-Wan.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan's voice came clear across the channel, "progress?"
"We've located the Huttlet," Anakin replied. "Going in now."
From the background of the call, Jace's voice chimed in smoothly, "Skyguy, try not to blow up the entire monastery. Just the necessary parts."
Ahsoka grinned. "Hey, Purple! We'll leave some for you."
Jace's tone softened, shifting from playful to serious in an instant:"Watch your backs out there. Remember — when things get loud, focus on the mission, not the fight."
Anakin gave a small smile despite himself. "Copy that."
The comm line cut.
The Infiltration – Teth Monastery Interior
Blaster fire echoed through the monastery halls as Anakin and Ahsoka advanced, blades flashing. The narrow stone corridors forced the two into tight, aggressive combat — droids pressing in from every angle.
Anakin's strikes were sharp and decisive, cutting through B1s like paper. Ahsoka's movements were quick, agile, her twin blades spinning as she ducked and weaved between volleys.
Ahead, they reached a locked blast door. Anakin jammed his saber into the control panel.
"Think the baby Hutt's behind door number one?" Ahsoka quipped.
Anakin smirked. "Only one way to find out."
The door hissed open — revealing Rotta, the Huttlet, huddled in a cage surrounded by two super battle droids.
Ahsoka surged forward, flipping over the droids as Anakin charged in. Within seconds, the guards lay in sparking heaps at their feet.
Ahsoka deactivated her sabers and knelt beside the tiny Huttlet. "Poor little guy…"
Rotta whimpered, reaching out toward her. She smiled gently. "It's okay. We're here to take you home."
Anakin's comm buzzed again, but this time, the signal was weak — scrambled by interference. A distorted voice filtered through:"…Anakin… be careful… Dooku… playing both sides…"
It was Jace.
Anakin frowned. "Jace? Come again, the signal's cutting out."
Nothing but static.
Anakin's expression darkened. "This isn't over."
Back on Tatooine – Sensing the Trap
Standing at the edge of the palace hall, Jace's eyes snapped open from meditation, his hand gripping the edge of a pillar as the warning rippled through the Force.
He turned sharply toward Obi-Wan.
"Master… they're walking into a trap."
Obi-Wan's gaze tightened. "Dooku?"
Jace nodded slowly, eyes distant. "He's manipulating both ends of this. Feeding Jabba lies. Feeding the Separatists the fight."
The Padawan's voice lowered, but his tone was iron.
"We need to warn Anakin. Fast."
(Next: Anakin and Ahsoka's escape with Rotta — and Ventress enters the game, while Jace and Obi-Wan race to hold the line with Jabba before Dooku's lies take root.)