FIRST STORY- Feel free to contribute. ANYONE MAY PLAY

This is just a scene setter. Your posts don’t have to be anywhere near as long, and generally will just involve your own character.

Dawn has arisen in the city of Marakith, and the sun shines brightly onto the massive courthouse that is the centre of the city. Here, the nobles rule- or used to rule- the planet, law is dispended, and people from the world over come to bring their business. It is an extremely busy place.
The Government is sick of receiving visitors, for they have little power left. But, for once someone has just turned up who they are waiting for. Escorted through the city by a group of Government guards, and a government Minister, is a young Jedi Knight, named Ushgarak.
Ushgarak is dressed in his Jedi robes- he has no need to hide his presence, for he is here on official business. The crisis on this planet has led to a cry for help in the Senate, and the Council agreed to send at least one Jedi to take a look. Ushgarak, already in this area of space, is the first to arrive.
In the courthouse are people of all sorts. Bounty Hunters, criminals, bandits, outlaws, noblemen, soldiers, city guards… others who do not wish to be known. The noise is almost deafening.
“We were rather hoping the Senate would send more help,” the minister is saying.
“Resources are strained,” says Ushgarak. “It is becoming difficult to keep order this far out. And you must understand, I cannot act as a permanent police force here. I can only aid you a little in upholding peace and justice.”
“Yes, yes, I quite understand…” says the Minister.
“There may be others arriving later,” says Ushgarak.
“I hope so,” says the Minister. “For there are hundreds who would see us destroyed.”
“The Senate recognises the legitimacy of your government,” says Ushgarak. “I will protect you from harm” At this moment, a man, with many armed guards, stops the two men.
“Courthouse tax, gentlemen,” he says. “A hundred dataries.” The Minister is outraged.
“Tax? That is preposterous! Who are you?”
“A representative of the province of Gard. As we have made such a contribution to Law and Order, we are imposing a tax on people coming to the Courthouse.
“That is just profiteering!” splutters the Minister. “I am a Government Minister! You may not bar my progress!” The man from Gard had men of his own- more men.
“No exceptions, Minister,” says the man.
“Are you sure there are no exceptions?” says Ushgarak
“Of course I’m sure,” said the man. “What do you mean?”
“Well, surely the actual law is unclear in this area,” says Ushgarak, waving his right hand.
“The law is unclear in this area,” agrees the man.
“After all, you don’t want to do anything illegal.”
“I don’t want to do anything illegal.”
“You’d better let us pass for now and check on the details later.”
“I’ll let you pass for now,” says the man, sounding just a little unsure of himself. “But I’ll check on this later, Minister, believe me.” Ushgarak, the Minister and the others pass on through.
“Impressive,” says the Minister, “but he is just one man. What will you do for our planet?” Ushgarak looks around.
“Can the others wait before seeing me?” he asks.
“They will probably have to,” says the Minister, looking at the enormous queues. “Why?”
“Well. I shall take some time to get to know some of these people. Then I can see if there is a good way to solve your problems.”
“Very well,” says the Minister.. “I shall see you later.” Ushgarak was alone, if you didn’t count the enormous crowd. He is about to step forward, when he hesitates- he senses…something… and then it passes. He goes to speak to some of the milling crowd.

The Courthouse is very large, and there are plenty of people and places within. Almost anything could be happening in there, depending on who the people are. And perhaps there is someone- or something- else… what is it that Ushgarak is worried about?

You’d better tell me.

[ July 23, 2001: Message edited by: Ushgarak ]

[ July 23, 2001: Message edited by: Ushgarak ]

GUNDARK

Gundark made her way through the crowded spaceport on the northern edge of Marakith, having landed her unobtrusive ship in docking bay 55. Having never been to Planet before, she was amazed at the huge crowd here, humans and aliens alike, all intent on some private destination. Gundark supressed a sudden shiver and pulled the hood of her Jedi robe up over her head, quickly tucking in her long brown hair. She resisted the urge to touch the hilt of her lightsaber. The ripple in the Force she felt had been small, but enough to warrant prudent caution as she continued her trek to the courthouse amidst the scurrying throng. She was sure Ushgarak had already arrived and quickened her step.

FINTI

Finti is lurking in the shadows, unnoticed and watching it all for now plotting a cunning and evil plan. Smiling to himself of the fact that the situation on this planet will work to his advantage, very much so. The Norse Sith drapes his black robe around his body ready to do evil were ever good might roam. A slight shiver in the force makes him stall for a second, reflecting to the strangeness of the perfume odor with the minor shiver. That was kind off odd he tinks for himself, but shrugs it off and heads for the courthouse.

"What did the Jedi ever do for this place?" a local was asking of Ushgarak.

"I'm sorry," said Ushgarak. "There are but 10,000 of us, and considerably more planets in the Republic. And no-one could have forseen what became of the Trade Federation, not even us..."

"The Republic is dead out here, my freind," another local said. "Go back to the Inner Planets where you are welcome."

"If I am not welcome here, then I go in peace," says Ushgarak. "But while I have friends here who request my company, then I shall see what I can do." He is about to move on, when something he senses makes him smile and turn around.

"Gundark!" he says, welcomingly.

GUNDARK

"Ushgarak," Gundark greeted him warmly, with a hand upon his sturdy shoulder. She pulled her hood down off her head. "I've just come from the spaceport. Have you met with any of the ministers yet...the council has asked for a preliminary assessment of the situation here."

Ushgarak looks concerned.

"I've talked with a Minister named Chorlini... from what I can tell the situation is extremely serious. No-one is really in control here. The Senate may recognise this government but the people don't... I'm sensing a lot of discontent around.

"Also, I've heard some disturbing rumours of independance... from what I hear, this is not the only planet in the Republic that is thinking like that.I was only able to get here so quickly because I was already working on another political crisis at nearby Damagran... I'm not sure what to do. I've never known people dislike the Republic this much."

GUNDARK

"Senator Vendant left Coruscant before I did...I assumed he would have returned here to his cabinet immediately...is he here now? " Gundark asked. Ground transport traffic was becoming congested and she urged Ushgarak into a nearby alcove with a nod of her head.

Ushgarak moves inside, quietly.

"No," he said, "I haven't seen him. In fact, I've seen no sign of any diplomatic transport from Coruscant anywhere in the spaceport.

"This is troubling... Vendant made a lot of enemies by getting the Senate involved."

GUNDARK

Gundark stared off into the crowd. "I'm sure he is fearful for his life now that he has pleaded his case to the Senate. He's either afraid to return here to Marakith or has chosen to do so without being seen." Gundark gestured toward a group of heavily armed men, crimson sashes adorning rather plain uniforms, bearing the emblem of the province of Gard. "Those men of Gard, there, they seem to have nothing to hide", she noted.

USHGARAK

"I'm not certain," says Ushgarak, "but I'm fairly sure that the people of Gard have contact with the Hutts... they are in a strong position, with the withdrawl of the Federation. They won't appreciate our involvement."

GUNDARK

"Strong enough to take over the government ?" Gundark queried, "Surely their leader doesn't think he can take control with Vendant still....wait a minute. Maybe someone is controlling Vendant...pulling his strings."

USHGARAK

"It's possible..." says Ushgarak. "But we shoudn't centre on our anxities... and it would be an odd play for a faction controlling the Senator to ask for help from the Republic... unless there is something we are missing... this trend towards independance worries me as well. First Damagran and now here...

"We don't understand enough of what is going on here. We have to find a way to find out more."

FINTI

The Norse sith still hides in the shadows, he recalls the earlier meeting with senator Vendant. The meeting went well, at least in the way of the mysterious Norseman. The senator learned the overall plan for the galaxy and Finti could see a combination of surprise and great fear in the eyes of the senator."But why?" whined the scared senator looking for a way out of this place. " Because it is the way of our belives" Finti said with an evil grin on his face. "You honourable senator is just our first step to reach our goal" with these words Finti folded his hands and looked uninterestingly on the twisting body of the senator, Vendants face was turning purple struggeling for air before the last gasp of life exhaled his now limp body.
"Dispose of the corps and leave no trace of him ever reach this planet" Finti turned toward the darkness of the shadows as he said it. "Yes sire" was the short reply as three men, dressed in what looked like Mandalorean armour, dragged the lifeless body of the senator away.
finti

GUNDARK

"Perhaps we should travel to Gard, but I think it may be wise for us to appear as locals. I don't think they would appreciate a pair of Jedi in their midst," Gundark suggested. The day was wearing on into late morning and the pedestrian traffic seemed to have doubled since the two Jedi had met. "We'll certainly have no trouble blending in, Ush," she noted, studying his face for a reply.

[ April 09, 2001: Message edited by: Ushgarak ]

QUEEQ

The Gard system. The planet looks peaceful with the bright orange nebula spreading behind it. Suddenly a Cloakshaped Fighter leaves hyperspace in the system. But it remains only visible for a moment before it disappear from sight again.

Inside is Master queeq, dressed in a black, tightly fitting outfit, checking the data on the planet inside his now cloaked fighter. As he goes through the topography and incoming flights of the system, he switches on the hologram Ushgarak sent him.

"Gundark and I will arrive shortly after you do. Please check on all reported pirate activity in the system. Request travel reports of ALL cabinet member in the name of the Chancellor in the last six weeks and have this data analysed. May the Force be with you"

queeq switches the hologram off and turns to his droid.
"Well, AKA 1138, looks like you have to do the hard work this time."
"As usual. HA HA HA." The laugh sounds very mechanical, it's part of queeq's experiment to programma a sense of humour in the machine.
"You're a riot, AK", queeq replies dryly, rolling his eyes. "Now let's get this data."

There is a buzz from Ushgarak's communicator. He looks at the flashing light upon it.

"queeq's in system," he says. "That is good news... Gundark. Go to Gard. I still have to meet with the Government here- I will see if there is anyone who can help us. I will follow after you as soon as I can."

GUNDARK

Gundark nodded and clasped Ush's hand in hers in parting. She once again pulled her hood up over her head and rejoined the scurrying pedestrian traffic. She stopped briefly in a small group of shops, taking all of two minutes to select a dark blue homespun dress and soft boots made from the hide of some indigenous animal that the clerk pronounced for her but the name was lost on Gundark's tongue. After paying for her purchases, she slipped into an alcove behind a row of fruit vendors and quickly changed clothes and whipped her hair into a fast braid. Pulling her Jedi robe around her once more to hide her lightsaber, Gundark hailed a common ground transport that would connect her to a shuttle east to the province of Gard. "Good luck, Ushgarak," she said, half to herself, half to the Force.

THRAX

"Damn phosphobactroelectric lights"

A small blue figure hovered at the roof of the courthouse supported by impossibly small wings. He was tinkering with one of the large lights that lit the room, an anti-grav platform next to him supported an array of tools.

"Now where's that filament manipulator."

The Toydarian looked across his array of tools and selected an item clearly designed for a species three times his size. He dragged it off the platform and applied it to the light fixture which then affected a large voltage through him. He jumped back and dropped the manipulator, gesticulating wildy at the light.

"Oh dear."

Looking down he saw the large tool falling very fast towards a man in robes.

"Oh very dear. Look out."

He faced himself downwards and raced towards the tool, intent on catching it before it struck the figure. Managing to grasp the tool in time he then realised that being as the tool weighed twice as much as he did that his efforts were in vain. The figure with looked up and went to catch the tool with what could only be described as lightspeed reactions. Sadly by now the tool was travelling far to fast and with the added weight of the Toydarian it had a fair amount of momentum. The figure caught the tool and about a tenth of a second later found himself forced down by its weight. The resulting pile consited of Jedi Knight, Filament Manipulator, Toydarian.

"Hello, my name is Thrax. Here's my card."

The Toydarian, Thrax, hovered to one side and handed the Jedi a card 'From Lightbikes to Lightcruisers Thraxs Emporium is the place for you'. He then began to pull the manipulator off the knight, too the casual onlooker the situation might have been funny; a three foot tall Toydarian dragging a tool twice his size of a six foot tall human jedi knight. Sadly all the onlookers were government officals to whom Thrax had not endeared himself after the last set of repairs on the main law office computer caused non local damage to the memory structure wiping out the criminal record of many offenders, several of Thraxs outstanding fines were also deleted though they didn't know this yet.

USHGARAK

Ushgarak picks himself up, struggling to keep some dignity in a difficult situation.

"So then... my friend," he says, dusting himself down. "You seem to have cuased quite a stir..." A number of nearby people were looking darkly at Thrax, who clearly had many enemies. "Why not come inot the Main Hall with me, where you will attract... less attention."

THRAX

Usgarak invited Thrax into the main hall, he had been there a couple of times before but seen it many more times thanks to some modifications to the halls ceiling when he was here last for maintenance.

"So, you want to talk business my friend?"

Thrax rubbed his hands together and begun speaking with out waiting for a reply. He hovered upwards slowly moving round to the front of the Jedi facing him and opting to fly backwards.

"You are interested in a ship perhaps? Or maybe private transport around the city? Or perhaps a warrior like you is interested in something more destructive yes? Am I right?"

USHGARAK

"Thank you," says Ushgarak, "but I have no need of weapons at this time." Thrax seems to be smoothly dodging people behind him, as Ushgarak walks along.

"Perhaps you could tell me a little of what is going on here? Who is calling the shots now the Federation is gone? The Hutts? Or these people from Gard?

"I can make it worth your while to tell me..."

THRAX

Thrax stopped dead at Usgaraks question, the business oppurtunity twinkle from his eyes gone.

"Why does it always come down to these things when you Jedi Knights are in town. I have no idea who is 'calling the shots' and if I did I wouldn't tell you because then one of those shots would be called on me. You understand what I am saying."

The Toydarian moved in closer to Ushgarak, his head tilted forwards and his eyes meeting the Jedis.

"Talking about such things in public does not make good business. Now if you will excuse me I have a light to fix and then I have to get back to my shop where I will be alone and can at last relax a little."

USHGARAK

"I understand, my friend," says Ushgarak. "Perhaps I will call by and see you later..."

[ April 09, 2001: Message edited by: Ushgarak ]

FINTI

Finti didnt look forward to the meeting with the Hutts, but it had to done. The vile gangsters as the Huts are didn`t concern Finti, he just couldn`t stand their smell. He knew he couldn`t use mindtricks on them, but they couldn`t protect themselfs against the force and certainly not the dark side. "They`ll be my tools" Finti spoke to himself, "Either that or one pile of dead wormrings"
Finti let his hand glide over the lightsaber hilt as he moved down the hall toward the Hutts meeting room. A message about Queeq`s arrival at Gard had just beeped in.
"Just keep on good jedi`s play it into my hands" Finti smiled as the door open an the foul odor hit him like a wall, smile gone in an instant. He felt the fear in the room and knew he was already in control.

QUEEQ

Still invisibly in orbit in the Gard system, queeq checks out the data analysis AKA 1138 has provided him with.

"Hmmm, interesting. Many unmarked ships with fake ID's fly on and. No Trade Federation ships and the one's with the real ID's are only diplomatic."

queeq looks out of the window of his Cloakshaped Fighter towards the planet below him.

"Smugglers. Hehehehehe. And were would a smuggler go?"

queeq gazes towards the orange nebula which glitters like an exotic veil moved by the wind.

"The outer rim of course. Gotta get past that nebula before making the jump to hyperspace. Bet that's a haven for pirates. Hmmm, this situation requires some investigation. Let's go, AK."

GUNDARK

Having arrived in the province of Gard, Gundark realized it was nearly midday. Citizens mulled about, but there was a notable number of Gard militia in the square. Heavily armed militia, she noted grimly. No one paid her any attention as she crossed the square and found the offices of the General Board of Gard, in an imposing, if small, plastisteel building. The entrance was kept by two of the militia in their dark uniforms with the crimson sashes, but neither spoke to her as she passed. Gundark queried the droid on duty at the information counter about speaking to the Board Supervisor. "The Board Supervisor has left office," the droid dutifully reported. "What do you mean, left office ? For the day ?" The droid made what could have been interpreted as a sigh. "The Board Supervisor has been removed from office," the droid intoned. This was not good, Gundark thought. "Who is in charge now ?", she asked. "Commander Raikk," the droid answered. "Well, is he in ?" "No," was the droid's simple reply. Gundark turned from the counter, knowing she wasn't going to get any useful information from the droid. She expelled her frustration with a deep breath. The Board Supervisor was obviously dead and she had a pretty good idea this Commander Raikk was out marching his troops around somewhere. I hope you're having better luck than I am, Ush, she thought.

FINTI

The meeting with the Hutts was a success, they agreed on doing their part to hold this unstable situation this system had gone into. It was to their benefit as well as Finti`s, and with the aid of commander Raik and his militia troops it could all begin. The senate and their allies would have great difficulties setting the situation straight. It`s more or less totally out of control, it was time to spread confusion, a time to spread fear, a time to tightened the grip, it was time to revolt.

Ushgarak left his new friend and carried on through the main hall, on his way to his meeting with the people who were, in theory, in charge around here. Ushgarak had been allowed into the Main Hall because he had been invited; most people who came to the Courthouse were not so lucky. This place was virtually empty, a start contrast to the packed open area outside.

Ushgarak was a little unsure of which way to go, so he was happy when an man came walking by, and noticed his presene. Ushgarak didn't know who the man was- a flunkie, or administrator, or something.

"Ushgarak?" the man asked. Ushgarak nodded. "Please come this way. The Ministers are waiting." Ushgarak followed the man through into a nearby room. As he walked, Ushgarak thought about the sinister presence he had felt earlier. What could it have been? It was all too similar to what had been happening at nearby Damagran and...

As Ushgarak stepped through, the man tripped over his own feet and fell. Ushgarak caught him, deftly,with asmile.

"I'm sorry," said the man. "ALways a hundred things to do,you know..." Ushgarak's smile suddenly froze. In an instant, he flung his arms forward, throwing the man off of him with the aid of the Force. His right hand swept down to above his sabre hilt. As it passed, he pulled the sabre from its holder and activated it. He rapidly twirled his sabre blade behind him, where it deflected a shot coming for his back.

The man he had thrown off of him was drawing his own gun. Arin quickly pulled it out his hand, sedning it flying across the room. But he had already taken too much time; the doors on either side of the room had shut and sealed themselves.

"Shareth the Hutt sends her regards, Jedi," said a deep voice from the next room, muffled by the walls. "Your Master is not here to save you this time."

Ushagak was already cutting through the door. Only now did he notice the explosives that lined the walls, well disguised. He hadn't finished cutting through the door when the explosives blew; Ushgarak summoned all of his energies to heave at the door, and it gave way. Ushgarak was blown through back into the Main Hall, still mostly empty.

Stupid! Stupid! he thought to himself. Too busy worrying about these vague problems to sense the trap that Shareth had laid for him; the two of them went way back. He should have killed that insidious hag years ago. His Master had always warned him that this obsession with the Hutts was his weakness...

Ushgarak jumped to his feet, looking for danger. He could see or sense nothing at this moment... what was a petty criminal like Shareth doing here? She ran arms deals, she normally stayed away from political control... she wouldn't have come to this planet unless someone had made a specific deal...

"You think I'm an amateur, Jedi?" said the voice again. Ushgarak only had time to catch a glimpse of gleaming yellow armour ebfore a volley of laser shots came his way. he deflected them to one side, and started to look for a means of escape...

The would-be assassin had brought friends. Ushgarak was soon under attack from all sides. Perhaops he could take them,or perhaps not, but eitheer way it wasn't smart to hang around. He saw his escape route- upwards.

Ushgarak made an almighty leap into the air, and his hands grabbed onto the edge of the dome at the top of the Main Hall. Quickly, he cut through the dome wall. But even as he did, a shiot from the man in yellow armour thudded into the right side of his back. Grimacing, Ushgarak rolled through the dome to the safety of the roof.

He stumbled away, wounded. he had to work out what to do now... needed somewhere to rest... it was a carefully planeed hit, and SOMEONE on the Government was in on it. It an't have been all the Ministers, it casn't have been... but hedidn't know who to trust right now. Gundark and queeq were far away at Gard and... damn! Ushgarak's communicator was fried. But as he checked in his pocket,s hefopund somethuing. The business card of a local Toydarian businessman...

Unseen, and walking at an odd angle as he clutched his wound, Ushgarak dropped down neatly into the crowded streets below.

FINTI

Finti saw the commotion in the courthouse, causious now because this was not his doing. He caught a glimpse of some yellow armored person and Sharet the Hutt. Stricken with anger Finti leaped toward the yellow armored person, in his leap finti ignited his purple lightsaber with a red core and sliced the man in two. Even before his body had parted Finti drove his saber to the hilt into the head of Jada the Hutt, Sareths accomplished partner in crime. sareth had fled and was nowhere to bee seen. The mandalorien armoured troopers took out the rest of Shareths men.The Norse sith now furious with the Hutts deception ordered that there should be no survivors in the courthouse Main Hall. Finti typed an order on his wristband communicator and suddenly a riot started to evolve outside the courthouse, a riot that spread quickly. So quickly that the situation on Gard became critical hostile and explosive. Just one incident would tip it over even as far away as Gard were from this place. The plan seemed to work even thoug this insident was not part of it. In fact it could have wrecked the entire plan. Shareth the Hutt shall be exterminated together with all her Huttese friends. Finti blew out some air and looked up and noticed an escape route toward the dome, "only a jedi can mange a stunt like that, find and eliminate the jedi." he shouted.The troopers rushed off to carry out the order glad to be out of the Norseman way.

QUEEQ

As Gundark makes her way through the crowded streets, she suddenly gets pulled into an alley. She whips out her lightsabre but before she ignites she hears a familiar humming: the charging sound of a tommy blaster. Gundark turns and looks sharply at queeq. "Ush got you on this mission too?" She didn't seem to happy to see the person hiding in the shadows, of whom only a few lights flickering lights could be seen.
"Can't say I'm to thrilled about this.... reunion either", queeq replied as he stepped out of the shadows and switched off the charging module of his blaster. "But since you're here now to save us all, I might as well leave." queeq passes Gundark and steps out into the crowds.

GUNDARK

Gundark sighed and slipped her lightsaber back onto her belt. Hands balled into fists on her hips, she followed the owner of the tommy blaster back into the alleyway. "Queeq, I......." Gundark stopped dead, hands falling limply to her sides. Through the Force, Ush's pain came to her, suddenly and without warning. She reached out to him, trying to determine if he needed help. "Ush is hurt," Gundark told the back of Queeq's head. He turned and she studied his face, recalling the last time they had been together, on Gom.....

QUEEQ

"I know..." queeq said slowly and menacing. "You better stay here. I've got some unfinished business in the nebula and then I'll proceed to Marakith."
Gundark tried to stop him. "But..." queeq abruptly turns. "Look, Gundark. The Force is strong with you but I thik it's wise you stay away from me for now." queeq turns around and disappears in the crowds leaving Gundark behind. "Will this never end...?", she sighed.

The Cloakshaped Fighter leaves the atmosphere of Gard and heads towards the Nebula. "Okay AK, give me an analysis of any ships in the nebula area."
"Aye aye captain." AKA 1138 replied. Within seconds AK bring in his report. "Ship ahoy, Master. Correlian. No markings"
- "Pirates. What I thought, awaiting the smuggles that leave Gard. No Trade Federation ships ever come here. Looks like the polticians of Gard have a nice operation set up here. Wonder who they are working with. Any identification possible?
- "No, captain-sir." AK replied with his metal voice.

As Fighter drew nearer to the Nebula, queeq stretched out with the Force. "Tell me when we're in range of their scopes", queeq whispered to the droid. AK glanced towards his owner. "Want me to charge the blasters?"
queeq just shook his head, then he suddenly looked up in surprise. "HUTTS!" A radio message immediately responded to his revelation. "Unmarked fighter. Continue the present course. You will be boarded in minutes. Don not deviate from your present course or you will be destroyed."

queeq sat up straight in his chair, strapped himself in. "AK, start making the calculations for the jump to lightspeed and get ready to power charge the blasters. Switching to manual."
The communicator sounded again. "Do not try anything funny or you WILL be destroyed." queeq responded to AK "Charge! How long till we make the jump to lightspeed."
- "Three minutes." AK replied stoicly.

The Cloakshaped Fighter suddenly made an abrupt turn, throwing the three attacking fighters off guard. With a dazzling turn the Fighter got behind the flight leader. A bolt of light made the fighter instantly explode. The remaining two fighters sent down a rain of balster fire on the Fighter which twirled and turned avoiding the blasts.

queeq was focused on his controlled and snapped to his droid. He saw more fighters leaving the Corellian Battel cruise. "How long until we can make the jump to lightspeed!"
"Two more minutes." "Increase speed, full throttle."

The Fighter blasted away from the pursuing fighter, but they catch on quickly. Away from the orange light of the Nebula, queeq is able to succesfully use his cloaking device.

Suddenly the Fighter disappears from any of the scopes. Inside the Cloakshaped Fighter queeq gives more instruction to his droid. "When we drop the cloak send a message to Gundark warning her for this trap. Why would the Hutts do this, who is controlling them. I sense grave danger. Ready for lightspeed?" "Aye aye sir", AK responded. "Let me get rid of these two and then get out of herebefore the others arrive."

queeq slowly turned behind the two searching enemy fighters. "Don't lock our missiles yet, or they'll know we're here." When in a comfortable firing position, queeq switches off his cloaking device, locks on both targets and blasts them to smithereens. Immediately the Fighter blasts away in hyperspace.