FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A former monastery of the B'omarr Order, Jabba Desilijic Tiure's palace was located in the Dune Sea on Tatooine. Built from sandblasted metal and stone atop a mount, the citadel was comprised of three main round structures with multi-tiered roofs and a few spires. The throne room was the true seat of power of the planet and the heart of most illegal activity. A perennial cloud of spiced t'bac smoke filled the remodeled chapel deep in the subterranean chambers of the fortress. The usual collection of outlaws milling about were gone. Only Jabba the Hutt, his guards, and a copper-plated TC-series protocol droid with yellow photoreceptors, entertained the prominent guests present in holographic form.

Jabba's enormous slug body rested on a dais, while he smoked a waterpipe and listened to the Lannik head of the Crymorah Syndicate. Godffah Dom was short, with slicked-back hair, long ears, a goatee, and dressed in impeccable finery. "Thank you for agreeing to this meeting, Jabba. The reason that brings us here is simple, the rise of the Shadow Collective is threatening to disrupt our businesses. It has to stop."

"You're talking about going to war," said a Zeltron in a red cybernetic armor that matched her skin. "And that has never been good for business." Her name was Zellah Ambross, the leader of Guavian Death Gang.

"Not to mention it will bring about unwanted attention from the Empire," said Kratos, the super tactical droid crimelord of the Cyban Front. "We have made deals with the government to avoid this kind of conflict."

"The Magnificent Jabba understands your concerns," TC-70 translated for Jabba in a female voice. Those who understood Huttese knew the gang lord didn't express himself with the eloquence conveyed by the droid. "He says, it doesn't matter what you think, war is already at our doorstep. Unlike the rest of you, the Great Jabba has experience dealing with the Shadow Collective. To join is to invite ruin."

"Our informants say their secretive leader was once a Jedi," Kratos said.

Jabba's booming laughter filled the chamber. His words were interpreted by TC-70, "The Ever-Wise Jabba says, Maul possesses their sorcery, but he is no Jedi."

"That is precisely my point," Godffah said. "Even the Hutts have been affected by this. I know the Son-tuul Pride has begun to move into their territory."

"We need to join forces and destroy them before it's too late," Zellah said. "Then we can divide their turf among us."

"What about the Empire?" Kratos said. "We can't hold a war on two fronts."

"The Empire will side with us," said an impassive voice. A tall athletic Falleen wearing elegant, form-fitting purple robes with gold trim, climbed down the throne room's staircase. His black ponytail reached down to his waist. He was accompanied by two Black Sun soldiers, and a customized blue and gold BD-3000 luxury droid.

Jabba's majordomo, the Tyrian Twi'lek Bib Fortuna, announced the arrival in Huttese for TC-70 to interpret. "Grandiose Jabba, this is Prince Xizor of House Sizhran. The new Underlord of Black Sun."

"So, the rumors are true," Zellah said. "Ziton Moj is dead and the slighted Vigo finally rose to Underlord."

"They crowned him knowing he's soon to be beheaded," Godffah said.

"But while my head remains on my shoulders, I am the Underlord of Black Sun," said Xizor, joining the gangsters' holograms. "Great Jabba, forgive my tardiness. Things have been rather hectic since the untimely passing of Ziton Moj."

"The magnanimous Jabba welcomes you to his palace, Prince Xizor," TC-70 interpreted. "It pleases his splendidness to see Black Sun has rejected joining the Shadow Collective, and he's honored that you decided to show up in person."