FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

A ringed green planet with a swamp surface, Nal Hutta lay in the heart of Hutt Space. Orbited by five moons, including the ecumenopolis of Nar Shaddaa, it was the homeworld of the Hutt species and the locus of power of their eponymous cartel. Their headquarters, Gardulla the Hutt's Palace, was one of the largest structures on the planet. Built of stone and organic materials, it resembled a fungi pod rising over the bog. Its lights could be seen in the distance from the world's capital through the constant rainstorms. The ruling body, the Grand Hutt Council, had gathered that night to meet with a special visitor; Oruba the Hutt lost his life during the guest's last visit.

Things were different this time. The Grand Council sat in their U-shaped table behind an energy field to protect Gardulla, Marlo, and Arok, who were physically present. Jabba and his nephew, Gorga—the Clan's accountant—were beamed to the meeting via hologram. A GL vendor droid stood among them to translate. An army of gunmen stood at the ready behind them, and the room had been visibly rigged with dozens of thermal detonators ready to turn the place to smoldering cinders at the slightest sign of trouble.

To the guards' relief, the guest had shown up alone this time. No Mandalorian Death Watch and no hulking Force-trained enforcer. Just a lone black-robed figure with his face obscured by a hood. The sound of his cybernetic legs echoed in the corridor as he approached the chamber.

"Good evening. I'm glad you decided to listen to my proposal. It's been a long time since our last meeting, but I see you still remember." Maul looked at the explosives around him; their "armed" indicators flashed in the background of the dark hall.

Jabba groaned and spoke in Huttese, which the GL droid translated, "Spare us the pleasantries, Maul. Tell us why we shouldn't have blown you to pieces the moment you entered Nal Hutta?"

"For one, you wouldn't have been able to detect me." Maul uncovered his head. "You all know why I'm here. The Shadow Collective is rising once again."

"Those horns in your head must be growing inward," the GL droid interpreted for Gardulla, "Times have changed, Zabrak. There's no war to cover your insane grasp for power. The Empire will cut your legs right from under you... again."

"The Empire is too busy trying to consolidate its power. It's too big to effectively control the galaxy. With you serving under me, we can take over the Outer Rim and rule a criminal empire of our own." Maul made a fist.

"With you as Emperor?" GL translated for Arok. His cigar danced in his mouth as he spoke.

"Better to work for me than continue to survive under the Empire's boots."

Marlo's raspy voice sounded ahead of the protocol droid, "Maul, what have we ever done to make you treat us so disrespectfully? We've known each other for many years, yet this is the first time you've come to us for counsel or help without the threat of death. But let's be frank here. You never wanted our alliance; you just fear to be in competition with us."

"You control the only section of the galaxy outside the Empire, a territory that was once twice as large during the Clone Wars. I'm offering you the chance to be part of the largest criminal organization the galaxy has ever seen. Instead of hiding away at the edge of known space, struggling to keep control of whatever crumbs the Empire leaves on the table."

"Under you? Never," Gardulla said.

"And how long do you think that will last? You know it's only a matter of time before the Empire stops playing nice and finds you bothersome."

"We agreed to see you, because we know you're a serious man, someone to be treated with respect," Marlo said. "It's true, Hutt Space was once much larger and we have no love for the Empire, but the reason why we have no problems with them is because our interests don't overlap."

"We know Black Sun has turned you down and so have the Crymorah Syndicate and the Cyban Front," Jabba said through the protocol droid. "This great criminal alliance you propose is a foolish dream. It has failed twice before and will fail again."

"The Hutt Clan has been around well before you crawled out of the shadows," Arok said. "We have survived the Great Sith War, the Jedi Civil War, the Mandalorian Wars, the Clone Wars, the fall of the Jedi, and the end of the Republic. And we will be here long after you crawl back to the Void."

Maul expression darkened. "I'm sure by now you know I have Crimson Dawn, the Pykes, the Zann Consortium, the Moogans, and the Haxion Brood. If you're planning to unite with the others against me, you know my wrath knows no bounds and my actions will be swift. You'll lose your lives, along with everything you have fought so hard to achieve throughout your precious history."

"The Hutt Cartel needs no allies," Marlo said. "You and the other syndicates are free to pursue whatever business ventures you wish, as long as it doesn't conflict with ours."

"If I walk out of here without your support, I will consider you my enemies."

"Consider us however you want," Gardulla said. "Let us see how tough you really are when you have to wage war against the Empire, the other syndicates, and us."

"Then, I'll look forward to the moment when I see the life extinguish from your frightened eyes." A cruel smile crossed his face. "Enjoy your time." Maul covered his head. "Whatever little of it you have left." He left the chamber.

"What are we doing? We should kill him right where he stands," Arok said.

"Has your brain turned into poodoo?" Marlo said. "Do you remember what happened the last time?"

"He's alone."

"He's skilled in the sorcerous ways of the Jedi," Jabba said.

"Their mind tricks don't work on us," Gardulla said.

"But their lightsabers do."

"A war with the Shadow Collective would be terrible for business," said Gorga, adjusting his large monocle. "Perhaps joining forces with the Empire would be our best choice."

"I'd rather be digested by a sarlacc than let Palpatine dictate how we operate," Arok said.

"Then we have no other choice but to side with the so-called Dark Consortium and benefit from their dealings with the Empire," Marlo said.

"And trade one Shadow Collective for another?" Gardulla said. "This is all about maintaining our independence."

"That means we also have to put our differences aside to achieve this," Marlo said. "At least until the Shadow Collective is gone."

"Agreed." Gardulla had no problem suspending her efforts to take over Tatooine from Jabba.

"If war is what Maul wants, then he better be ready to pay the price," Jabba said. "We Hutts have endured for generations because we stick to a simple rule: never try to grasp more than you can control. The stronger he holds what he wants to rule, the more broken pieces will be digging into his bloody hand."

Maul had exited the palace and walked down the bridge of a landing platform toward the Thorn. His comlink beeped. A hologram of Dryden Vos materialized over it. "What is it?"

"News from Nar Shaddaa, my lord," Dryden said.

"This better be good, Dryden. I'm not in the mood for incompetence."

"Our spies spotted your errant apprentice on the Smuggler's Moon, my lord. I thought you would like to know, since you are in the vicinity."

Maul looked up at said moon. "Theleema."

"Should I send in our men or would you like me to put a bounty on their heads?"

"For that traitorous witch? No. I will handle this myself."

"I thought you'd say that. Would you be so kind as to send her my regards when you kill her?"

Maul smiled and gripped his comlink tighter. "That won't be necessary. Soon, you will be able to do so yourself in person."