Chapter 287
The holographic transmission from Jabba's palace on Tatooine filled the center of the Chancellor's office with a flickering blue glow. The massive Hutt crime lord loomed large, his tail twitching with barely contained fury as his translator droid relayed demands in Basic. Jabba's gravelly Huttese boomed through the speakers, eyes narrowed in suspicion at the assembled Jedi and the Chancellor.
Then, unexpectedly for everyone, Dagon Marek spoke.
In flawless Huttese.
The sentence rolled off his tongue—lengthy, respectful yet direct, laced with the proper intonations and subtle clicks that only a native speaker (or someone who had studied deeply) could manage. He addressed Jabba with the correct honorifics, inquiring after the boy's well-being and offering assurance that the Republic would act swiftly. When he finished, Dagon looked expectantly at the Hutt.
Jabba perked up visibly, his massive body shifting on the dais. The crime lord responded energetically, his voice rising with a mix of surprise and approval. A rapid exchange followed—short, clipped phrases that carried weight. Dagon nodded once, then fell silent, deferring again.
Jabba turned back to the others, his translator droid stepping forward.
"Mister Jabba hopes that his son will be home within three days," the droid announced in crisp Basic.
The hologram winked out.
A beat of stunned silence filled the office.
"Um… Knight Marek," Shaak Ti began carefully, her montrals tilting as she regarded Dagon with open curiosity. "What were you talking about?"
Dagon replied calmly, his expression neutral. "I asked his son's name. It was just politeness."
Plo Koon's masked face turned toward him. "Do you have any idea where we should begin our search?"
"Yes." Dagon made a small gesture. A tactical map-scheme projected from his wrist comm, hovering above the table. His finger traced a small region east of Hutt Space. "I think Jabba's son is located around here. First, I'll check Teth. Several busy hyperspace routes pass through the area, yet the planet itself is a real backwater—a good place to hide something. Or someone."
"Excellent, excellent," Palpatine smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Leave now."
"Yes, Masters. Chancellor." Dagon bowed slightly and disconnected his end of the transmission.
The Jedi filed out of the Chancellor's office, heading toward the landing pad that would return them to the Temple. Luminara Unduli walked a few steps behind the group, her brow furrowed in quiet thought.
"What's troubling you, Luminara?" Plo Koon asked gently. The others turned.
"A strange coincidence," the Mirialan explained. "Both Chancellor Palpatine and Knight Dagon confidently pointed to the Teth system as the place to search for Jabba's son."
"Hmm. That's true," Windu said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "Is it possible they know something we don't?"
"I don't think so," Luminara replied. "It's… something else."
The group continued in contemplative silence.
**Aboard the Terminus – En Route**
Ahsoka walked up to her teacher in the corridor leading to the bridge and nudged him playfully in the side with her elbow.
"Teacher, I didn't know you could speak Huttese."
Dagon muttered under his breath, "I didn't know it myself."
"What?" Ahsoka asked, lekku perking up.
"No, nothing…"
"Lichtendal," Dagon called ahead to the helm officer. "Listen to my command. Set course for planet Teth. Estimated time of arrival?"
Lee Noriega leaned over the nearest control panel, double-checking readings. "Just to clarify—five hours, sir."
"Okay, then. There's a general meeting in one hour, and I'll lay out the details of the operation. Briefly… only our Legion is participating in the surface operation. The rest of the forces will remain on the ships. The *Finalizer* will provide orbital landing support and cover fire, while the others await any potential attack from space. And now—I need to think…"
Dagon paused, then added, "Yes. Call Blam, Puck, Lucky to the meeting… And also—the most capable medic."
He turned to Ahsoka, his voice softening through their bond even as it stayed professional aloud. "Ahsoka, you will take *Ragnos* and the rest of the fleet back to link up with the main forces at Lantilles. I am taking Zule on the mission."
Ahsoka's eyes widened, a flash of protest crossing her face before she caught herself. Her lekku twitched with a mix of disappointment and understanding. Through the private bond she sent a quick burst: *Why me? I want to go with you. Teth sounds dangerous—Separatists, probably Ventress…*
Dagon met her gaze steadily, replying silently: *Exactly why. The main fleet needs reliable command while we're planetside. You've earned this responsibility. Fast and bright, remember? Lead them well. Zule's still adjusting to her arm in high-stress ops—I need her focus close. We'll be back before you know it. Trust the meld if things go sideways.*
Ahsoka huffed but nodded, stepping closer so only he could hear her whisper. "Fine. But you better not have all the fun without me. And bring that Huttlet back in one piece—slimy or not." She flashed a quick grin, though her eyes held real concern. "Be careful, Teacher. Something about this whole thing feels… off. Jabba asking us for help? Palpatine pushing Teth so hard?"
"I know," Dagon murmured. "That's why we move carefully. No heroics. In and out. The boy comes home alive."
Zule appeared at the edge of the corridor, her green skin catching the overhead lights. She had overheard enough. Her restored arm flexed unconsciously at her side as she offered a small, determined nod to both of them. "I'm ready. Whatever's waiting on Teth—monastery, droids, or worse—I'll have your back."
Dagon placed a brief, grounding hand on each of their shoulders, letting warmth flow through the shared bonds they had forged. The closeness they shared—raw, healing, intimate—strengthened the connection beyond mere command. Ahsoka's fire, Zule's steady gratitude after the medical bay miracle, his own quiet contentment amid the coming storm of truths. Lies were unraveling. Freedom, of a sort, waited at the end of this war. But first, this mission.
One hour later, the senior officers gathered in the briefing room aboard the *Terminus*. Blam, Puck, and Lucky—veteran clone sergeants from the Legion—stood at attention alongside the squad's top medic, a no-nonsense clone designated Patch. Holographic overlays of Teth rotated above the table: a rugged world of steep mesas, dense jungles, and ancient B'omarr monasteries perched on isolated peaks. Ideal for hiding a valuable hostage.
Dagon outlined the plan with crisp efficiency. "Surface team: myself, Zule, selected Legion elements under Blam's tactical lead. We insert via gunships under *Finalizer* cover. Objective is simple—locate and extract Rotta the Huttlet. Expect heavy Separatist presence: droids, possibly Asajj Ventress or similar operatives. Non-lethal where possible on the boy's guards if they're not core threats, but we prioritize his safety. No unnecessary escalation with Jabba's people."
He met each man's gaze. "Patch, you're on medical. That Huttlet may be ill—travel stress, possible infection. Be ready for anything. Puck and Lucky—scout teams for the monastery approaches. Vertical assault if needed; those cliffs are no joke."
The clones nodded sharply, the battle meld from earlier engagements still fresh in their training. They moved as extensions of Dagon's will when the Force wove them together.
After the briefing, Dagon found a quiet moment with Zule in a side observation lounge. The stars streaked past in hyperspace. She stood close, her presence warm and steady.
"You sure about sending Ahsoka back?" Zule asked softly, her hand—flesh and blood once more—brushing his arm. "She's not happy about sitting this one out."
"She'll do fine. Better than fine." Dagon allowed a small smile. "This mission needs focus. Teth is a trap wrapped in politics—Dooku's play to sway the Hutts, or Ziro's betrayal, or both. We cut through it cleanly."
Zule's eyes met his, faint pheromones carrying quiet affection. "After what you gave me on the *Terminus*… the arm, the closeness with you and Ahsoka… I won't let you down. I feel whole again. Ready."
Dagon pulled her into a brief, grounding embrace, lips brushing her temple. "You won't. We move as balance demands. Rescue the boy. Expose what we can without burning bridges. Then home."
The *Terminus* and its escorts continued toward Teth. Ahsoka would depart soon with *Ragnos* and supporting vessels for Lantilles, her bright orange-and-blue fighter tucked safely aboard. Zule remained at Dagon's side—fierce, healed, loyal.
Five hours to Teth. To the monastery on the mesa. To whatever tentacles and schemes waited in the shadows.
The Huttlet would be home in three days. Dagon intended to keep that promise—one way or another.