Lightside Sith 015

Leaving the casino, Kaine boarded a transport that took him back to the coastline. A section of sprawling villas constructed in a style that a cartel boss might live in were scattered throughout the land. They had a great view of the ocean, and the air here was fresh with the smell of salt water. 

Landing on top of a ‘car park’ area surrounded by grass, Kaine saw hundreds of other shuttlecraft, and hovercars parked in a haphazard fashion. Evidently there were plenty of guests. Loud music was blaring from the mansion, and there were several guests outside smoking or talking with one another. Gamorrean guards were patrolling everywhere, as well as plenty of armed droids with the Hutt logo pressed onto their chest. 

“This way. The Master is most eager to meet you.” The droid-who had been standing next to Kaine-urged him to follow. 

Entering yet another palace, this one had bare walls, and was bereft of decoration. It was quite brutalist, and utilitarian in nature. That is to say, there actually was one decoration. On the ceiling looking down was a massive mural that could put the one in the sistine chapel to shame…from a certain point of view. Because it was a fresco of a Hutt sitting on a throne being carried along by a race of pale/tannish skinned, goblin eared, bulbous nosed bipeds that were the size of an average Human. 

“A fascinating piece of artwork. This household was inherited by Master Jabba some centuries back from one of his clansmen. What you are looking at is a painting depicting the ever loyal Evocci bearing Lord Squal upon these lands for the first time over 3,000 years ago. As the first Hutt to step upon this land, his triumph has been preserved in eternal glory.” The droid happily informed Kaine. 

“...” Kaine rolled his eyes, and kept quiet. 

However, glancing to the side, he did happen to spot a group of Evocci walking around with trays of food. They wore dull expressions on their faces as they worked. Reaching out his senses, Kaine found they were largely content, and just lazing around. A dull race of people, they were considered the first species to become enslaved by the Hutts. Ever since the last big rebellion thousands of years ago had been crushed, centuries had gone by in which few rebellions had broken out. Hutts, as a long lived species, had managed to domesticate a sentient species through breeding, just like how man transformed wolves into dogs. 

“You can take that half mask off now, Lord Renstar. My scanner matched your facial features with a ‘most wanted’ database, confirming an 89.67% match.” The droid said offhandedly as they made their way towards the loudest part of the palace. 

Kaine sighed. It looked like he'd have to wear a full mask going forward. Technology was just that potent. Perhaps there was a spell that could change his face…something to look into later. 

Ripping the mask from his face, he turned to the bot. 

“I take it Lord Jabba wishes to meet a Sith, and not some random fighter in The Pit. But does he still require me to fight someone?” Kaine asked with slowly mounting concern. 

Although he couldn't see very far into the future, and was still a lowly Acolyte (high), he felt that something was off. 

“Oh yes, my Master is most eager to witness a duel between a Jedi & a Sith. Such an event has not been public since the Ruusan Accords nearly a thousand years ago. The elders in the clan repeatedly boast of that time period, and Lord Jabba's birthday wish is to experience that heartthrobbing excitement.” As the droid finished speaking, he led Kaine into a wide, dimly lit room. 

A Bith band was blasting music, several high profile mercenaries, and other richly dressed people were eating food, or standing around with drinks. Some criminals were discussing a hit on someone else, and Kaine was pretty sure he recognized a Senator from Padmé's peace summit snorting spice with several alien prostitutes. 

Security was even tighter at the edges of the room, and several portable shield generators were placed at strategic points. At the back of the room, resting upon a raised dais of black obsidian was an incredibly bored Jabba the Hutt. One arm propped up under his chin, holding his massive head up, the greenish slug sleepily blinked a pair of baseball-sized orange orbs. 

Standing to his side was the albino Twi'lek, and steward, Bib Fortuna. Meanwhile, an incredibly ugly alien-with upside down features, and jagged teeth-an Ongree was seated on the floor across from him. Wearing Jedi robes, this was the Jedi Knight everyone was talking about. One of the survivors of the attack on Geonosis, it was Pablo-Jill. 

“Mighty Jabba, are you certain you will not let the prisoners go? Ord Mantell is a Republic world, following Republic laws. I do not wish to involve the military, and would like to resolve this peacefully. Name your price.” Pablo said, and gestured to the side. 

Following the Jedi's hand movement, it was only now that Kaine noticed about a dozen cages, each one containing a handful of people. 

“Wakka ng tah chu du.” Jabba dismissively waved his hand. 

“The Mighty Jabba says that these assets signed away their rights to freedom after gambling away all their assets. Republic law allows the debtor to reclaim up to 1 year of time per 10,000 credits owed. You have no jurisdiction here, Jedi.” Bib Fortuna said in a smooth tone, yet was full of arrogance. 

“Then…” 

Jabba rolled his eyes. The Ongree had been at it since morning, completely ruining his birthday celebration. As Ord Mantell was technically a Republic world, he couldn't just kill the man in his own home. Jabba had sent assassin after assassin at the man in months past, but each failed attempt had only made Pablo's legend grow. 

Growing impatient, Jabba flicked his tail, and pulled out a small set of controls. Playing with a box with a joystick, and several different buttons, whenever he moved the joystick, a giant crane like claw would move along the ceiling. Pressing some buttons, he picked up one of the cages, and then opened up a slit in the floor. 

“Auragh!” The sharp growl of a Rancor shook the building. 

“Lord Jabba, please reconsider!” Pablo stood up from his seat, and looked as if he were going to draw his lightsaber, and yet did nothing in the end. 

“Hoh hoh hoh!” Jabba laughed in glee in the face of the Jedi's impotence. 

“Ahhh!” The several people in the cage screamed in terror as Jabba slapped the release button, emptying it out from the bottom. 

“Announcing Lord Kaine Renstar.” A servant droid said moments later. 

Jabba's amused expression transformed into a leer. Finally, his birthday party could truly begin, and he could be rid of this Jedi pest. Ever since Pablo had made Ord Mantell his base of operations, the Hutt clan had lost 45% of their earnings on this planet due to his medling! 

“Chong ma doka tongka, Sith!” Jabba bellowed in delight. 

“The Great Jabba bids you step forward, Sith!” Fortuna announced. 

Meanwhile, from Kaine's perspective, he had just witnessed Jabba execute a group of people for his own amusement. The Hutt truly was a sick fuck, using a claw-crane like something out of a children's game, or Toystory! When you are bored, rich, and evil, one wonders what a centuries old cartel boss might do for entertainment?! 

Taking a deep breath, Kaine adopted an arrogant facade, and approached the dais, making sure to step well away from the trapdoor in the middle. 

“Greetings, Hutt. You are the first of your kind to lay eyes upon a Pureblooded Sith in nearly 3,000 years. Truly, a birthday gift worth bragging over for centuries to come.” Kaine said in a smooth, glib tongue. 

Jabba blinked repeatedly, as if he couldn't understand what Kaine had just said. 

Several quick witted mercenaries drew their blaster pistols, and pointed them at Kaine. 

“You…to disrespect the Master, you-” The droid beside Kaine began to stutter, only to stop speaking as a red beam of light cut it in half from top to bottom. 

“Silence droid, your betters are speaking.” Kaine said in a dismissive tone, sheathing his lightsaber as fast as it had been drawn. 

Jabba witnessed the speed of Kaine's hand, and let out a big belly laugh. Slapping his side several times, the slug's fat flesh rippled in delight, and a few loud smacks echoed in the large hall. 

The mercenaries and guards were befuddled by the turn of events, yet they slowly lowered their weapons as they read the room. As for Kaine, he stood straight as an arrow, his eyes never leaving those of the Hutt before him. He knew well from when Leia threatened to destroy Jabba-and everyone including herself in the room-with a thermal detonator that the slug enjoyed bravado. Besides, with the Jedi present, and the droid's earlier words, Jabba was very unlikely to pull anything at this exact moment. Finally, Kaine had to establish his authority. If he was to deal with Jabba in the future, he could not appear to be subordinate or weak. For he was Sith! 

“Wah hah hah, micy tako tohna. Kraonpa saiko knah?” 

“The Merciful Jabba accepts your gift, and wishes to know if you accept his?” Fortuna questioned, and gestured towards the Ongree. 

Kaine silently sized Pablo up, and wore a satisfied expression across his face. Internally, however, he was anything but happy. A Jedi Knight was an entire order of magnitude higher than his current classification! The only saving grace was that through [Sense] he figured Pablo should be around Jedi Knight (low), meaning maybe, just maybe, this wasn't an insurmountable gap. 

“So this is the champion you had prepared for me.” Pablo said, glancing at Kaine. “Keep your word, Hutt. If I defeat the Sith, you will let those people go.” 

Jabba waved at him, and Fortuna smiled. “The Master agrees.” 

The guards began to make space, and a large circle-one conveniently placed over that giant ass trap door leading to the Rancor-was cleared of people. 

“Know this, Renstar, I have no enmity with you. Bow out now, and I will owe you a favor.” Pablo solemnly offered, and held his hand out for a shake. 

Kaine internally sighed. He didn't like to see innocents die…but also, what kind of dumbass would sell themselves into slavery?! As for the favor, that'd be worth something if these weren't the modern hypocritical Jedi. If the Council or Senate told a Jedi to do something, that favor would be worth less than a piece of used toilet paper. 

Unfortunately, now wasn't the time to back down. In fact, Jabba might flip the table, and have him killed right there and then if he declined this invitation. Whilst he was planning to recruit Durge first, then jump this Jedi as a group, at the very least, victory here meant earning a whole hell of a lot of street cred. Pablo had been putting the squeeze on crime, and Ord Mantell was looking less like Detroit, and more like Los Angeles. Yeah, it still kind of sucked for a lot of people, but there was a huge difference between the two. 

“You command a fleet in orbit, yet you are begging a Sith for help? The weakness of the Jedi shall be their undoing. If you wish the prisoners to be freed, then perish upon my blade. I swear upon the honor of my ancestors, I shall see this through.” Kaine replied. 

Pablo wordlessly sighed, and shook his head. Stepping into the circle, he shed his outer robes, and ignited his lightsaber. A deep blue glow hummed onto the scene. 

Kaine, meanwhile, suspected that a frontal assault was a good way to die. So he was going to cheat. Glancing up at the prisoners, then at the control box in Jabba's hands, his eyes narrowed. With the flick of a finger, he used [Telekinesis] to detach one of the cages from the wall, then using gravity as a fulcrum, guided the cage full of people down upon the Jedi. 

“Despicable Sith!” Pablo yelled in alarm, and quickly deactivated his lightsaber, then held up both hands to arrest the cage's momentum. 

Grinning to himself, the redskinned Sith began to toss the cages one after another, laughing like a super villain to add to the melodrama. The people locked up were all screaming in fear as the speed of the cages was both increased, and the number tossed down increased in number. 

Using gravity as his helper, Kaine barely had to do any work to toss them down. Meanwhile, Pablo had to put in a lot of effort to make sure no one inside was killed or injured. This tossing & catching had been going on for about ten minutes until each cage had fallen from the ceiling. 

“Flee, flee for your lives!” Kaine roared, deliberately acting like a madman as he cut through several dozen wrought iron bars, marching towards the frazzled Ongree. 

Careful not to accidentally slice anyone in half, he still slammed some of the braver prisoners around with the Force, to make himself appear more intimidating. Scared at his performance, the prisoners all ran away, disappearing from the room. No one tried to stop them as they were all captivated by the bloodthirsty Sith. 

The Darkside crooned in Kaine's ear as the extreme emotions of the prisoners, and audience washed throughout the room. Not even Jabba took notice of his run away slaves, as his fists were clenched tight, and his heart pounded rapidly at the excitement. 

Making his way up to the Jedi, Kaine's lightsaber stabbed forward in a sharp hiss. The red light reflected off the Ongree's ugly face, and he was forced to hurriedly parry it aside. Kaine then took a step back, and held his weapon in a low guard, inviting the Jedi to make his move. 

A low hush spread throughout the guests, and sweat began to accumulate at the edge of Pablo's forehead, as Kaine's performance had been so radical, none of his Jedi training had ever prepared him for such a scenario! 

Pablo rushed at Kaine with a wide horizontal slash, at the same time, he tried to unbalance him with a [Force Pull]. 

Silently activating the [Malice] etching on his gauntlet, a cold aura spread outward, making the [Force Pull] dissipate on contact. Meanwhile, Kaine vaguely recognized this attack combo as a standard move from Form VI: Nimban. Incorporating Force abilities into lightsaber combat, it was easy to learn, a jack-of-all trades style of combat, and excelled against blaster wielding foes. Unfortunately for the Ongree…Kaine was at the peak of Tier III Makashi! 

Upon shifting the wide swing to the side, Kaine acted on instinct, and met him with a riposte. Exhausted, and barely skilled with an inferior fighting style, Pablo took one final glance at the broken cages, and escaped slaves…and was slowly put on the backfoot. The next few exchanges were fast, yet sloppy on the Ongree's part. Kaine felt that the end was drawing near. 

Moving in for a saber lock, he lowered his voice to be heard. “Surrender yourself to me, or be prepared to escape through the Rancor pit. I would rather not slay such a weakling.” 

“...I'm afraid not. Although those prisoners have runaway, it is likely they won't make it far. Thank you for keeping your promise.” Pablo whispered and then, much to Kaine's shock, rammed himself into Kaine's lightsaber piercing his own heart. 

Eyes going wide, Kaine sighed with regret, but he had an act to maintain. 

“You were a good man, Jedi.” Kaine softly replied, gently lowering his body to the ground. 

Then, pulling the blue lightsaber into his offhand, he turned around with a flourish, and brought both blades crashing together in a flashing X. 

“Happy birthday, Jabba the Hutt!” 

The silence was broken, and a flurry of praise roared in the chamber, as well as many cheers. 

Hundreds of +1LP floated in the air due to his triumph, as well as the freeing of the slaves. 

Jabba, meanwhile, wore a big grin on his face, and looked like a kid at a candy store. 

Kaine steadied his breathing, then sheathed his blades. 

“The Sith & the Hutts have been friends in the past. Will you, Jabba, honor me, Kaine, with that distinction?” Kaine raised his voice over the clamor. 

For a second, a dangerous gleam gripped Jabba's eye, and he stared at Kaine, seemingly considering pressing the button to the trap door. Kaine knew well that his words were bantha shit, that at best, the Sith & Hutts had been business partners. However, Kaine had just done Jabba a massive favor, and transformed this average party into a spectacle that one could reminisce about for a lifetime. Whilst Kaine said he wasn't one to gamble…that was with money! What he gambled with in actuality, was something much more valuable! 

“Hmm, Pateeso.” Jabba finally rumbled. 

“You are a friend of the Mighty Jabba. Come, take a seat by his side so that you might enjoy his glory.” Fortuna-ever the quick witted steward-invited Kaine up. 

A small smile of relief spread across his face. 

Although this didn't mean the Hutts had joined the Confederacy, it did mean Kaine had one more card to play in the great game of galactic politics. 

“Jabba, my friend, this is only the beginning. You will see that I will bring much more entertainment to the galaxy.” 

~~~~~

AN: Pablo a real one, fr. 

https://youtu.be/gBBHxq_klsQ?si=G6Ln3m8VMGXHL8ZV

We have Jedi Artisan next week, then it's back to LSS.