Part 6

Qui-Gon would have considering the whole thing an interesting exercise but off-hand he could think of about one hundred other things he'd rather be doing. Mos Isley was a buzy space port on the Outer Rim desert planet of Tattooine, and a haven for those who didn't want to be found. It also was a great place to do some illegal business.

So far, Qui-Gon had identified four theives, eighteen bounty hunters, nine assassins, and one who's job could be just about anything. All of them were heading to Jabba the Hutt's hideout, a desert complex in the hills far into the desert. The large transport ship moved along slowly and in the distance a sand storm was building. It would be coming along quickly, Qui-Gon knew, and he hoped they would make Jabba's fortress before it hit.

"What are you? Why does Jabba need you?" One of the thieves jabbed Qui-Gon in the ribs. He was a Trandoshan and his beady eyes gleamed with curiousity.

"I'm like you," Qui-Gon said with a grunt. "I steal things. Anything."

"He doesn't need you," chortled the thief. "He has me." The Trandoshan leaned into Qui-Gon. "Watch that you don't get hurt. The desert is a cruel place to get lost in."Qui-Gon ignored him. He was all bluster, but Qui-Gon had no doubt that such a thing could be arranged.

The Jedi had never been to Tattooine and he was impressed by its stark beauty. The sunset on the terrain made the land a rich gold, rust and brown blanket. It's lonely beauty tugged at Qui-Gon's soul. He wished he was here to explore and not deceive.

He squelched the thought, knowing that he had to shield himself from such treacherous thoughts. Someone here might be telepathic and pick them up. Using the Force he placed up a mental block, a simple enough technique for a Jedi and one that most humanoids could learn with self-discipline. The nature of the block would not betray the truth about him.

The fortress blaster doors opened, a gaping mouth of darkness. The transport ship entered and Qui-Gon turned his mind to convincing the gangster that he was what he said he was, a thief who was seeking an object to steal to challenge the legendary Si'Haad's prowess.

Several pig-like guards escorted them off the transport and toward a large set of doors that were opened by a Twi'Lek, obviously some administrator to Jabba. The translation device that Qui-Gon carried with him translated the Twi'Lek's greeting.

"Welcome to the great Jabba the Hutt's fortress palace. He will grant you all audience in a moment. I must ask that you show all weapons on your person and that if you are caught using them, you will be executed immediately. Quarters will be assigned after your audience if needed." The Twi'Lek showed a row of yellowed teeth. "Would anyone care for refreshment? Tattooine's desert provides excellent security and protection, but is not designed for comfort."

A few hands raised and a drink was passed among them. They dropped to the floor, dead before they hit. "Anyone else?" The Twi'Lek cackled a laugh, the guards joining in with a high squealing. Qui-Gon winced at the pitch but kept a watchful eye around him.

Signs of ill-gotten gains were everywhere. Several 'prizes' in the form of someone's head or body part hung here and there, probably to serve as a reminder to anyone who dared cross the Hutt gangster. Jabba was still small time in comparison to some Qui-Gon knew of, but the Hutt was quickly gaining power with uncommon intelligence and cunning. Soon Jabba the Hutt would be a gangster to reckon with.

"Bring me the thieves!" bellowed a voice in Hutteese. The Trandoshan who had belittled Qui-Gon flinched and took one step back. Qui-Gon remained where he was until motioned to go forward by the Twi'Lek. The four of them walked single file, Qui-Gon second in line and the doors slammed shut behind them.

Jabba's 'interview room' was full of people, with loud music, scantily clad dancers and lowlifes wandering aimlessly everywhere. Various servants droids were scattered amongst the crowd, serving drinks or overseeing games of chance. A protocol droid stood next to Jabba, it's silver outer skin dull behind the grime and slime coating it.

Jabba bellowed out something that Qui-Gon roughly translated as bringing the human forward. He was the only human. The protocol droid translated, which was close to what Qui-Gon understood. "The great Jabba requests that the human thief step forward and state his request."

Qui-Gon swallowed involuntarily and concentrated on how he projected himself. He had gained Shania's permission to use a couple of her thefts as his own, giving him a reason to challenge her. "Great Jabba of Tattooine," he said with a flourishing bow. "I thank you for allowing this audience. I will make this brief."

Jabba began to laugh, a booming sound that reeked of malice. He spoke and the droid translated, "The great Jabba knows of his generousity and bids that you hurry up with your request. His time is better spent elsewhere." The droid almost seemed apologetic.

"Very well." Qui-Gon nodded once curtly. "I request a theft done for the great Jabba. The thief Si'Haad has taken credit for my thefts and I wish to challenge this supposed great thief. I was hoping the great Jabba would have need of or might be interested in placing a wager upon my skills."

The droid translated and Jabba sucked on a bubble pipe thoughtfully, eyeing the lanky, yet muscular human before him. He had the build of someone who did many athletic things. His confidence spoke well of him and his eyes never stopped moving, assessing everything around him. Jabba made some motion to Qui-Gon as he spoke.

"What is your name? Perhaps the great Jabba has heard of you?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "My name is Pax Di'reh, and I doubt the great Jabba has heard of me, for I only steal for those who keep my identity a secret. I wish only to take Si'Haad down a peg or two."

Jabba's eyes widened in surprise at the name and he leaned forward as if to get a better look at the human before him. Qui-Gon grew nervous at the tremors that went through the room. Shania had given him the name, saying it would carry some weight, but that most would not know of it. Qui-Gon was beginning to wonder.

Jabba spoke, rapid and harsh, leaving the protocol droid mortified, but he translated anyway. "We understood you to be dead." Qui-Gon immediately understood. Pax Di'reh must have been Si'Haad's former partner, now deceased. "This is most suspicious to Jabba, that you would claim to be the thief who formerly partnered with Si'Haad. You will explain yourself."

Qui-Gon took a breath and mentally cursed Shania's trickery. "S'Haad left me to die, thinking I was a liability. Some later thefts that I had planned were committed by that pa-tah and I want revenge." He spoke vehemently with the right amount of anger and hate in his voice and expression. He used the Hutteese word for garbage, knowing it would give the right impression of seediness.

His gamble paid off. Jabba erupted into coarse laughter, followed along by the rest of the room, who only laughed because Jabba laughed. Jabba said two sentences and then waved Qui-Gon away. "The great Jabba grants you quarters and will consider your request. You are invited to attend him this evening." It was an obvious dismissal. Qui-Gon followed another droid out a door on the other side of the room.

He did it. He almost couldn't believe it. The first hurdle had been crossed but the track field was still littered with more hurdles, some more difficult than others. Qui-Gon couldn't believe what she had done to him. If anyone there had known the real Pax Di'reh, Qui-Gon was in deep trouble.

"Shinoba," rumbled the great Hutt gangster. The towering Wookie came forward and gave one nod. "Is that Pax Di'reh?" The Wookie female gave a great frown and bared her teeth in the direction Qui-Gon went. It was the only answer Jabba needed. "Tell Si'Haad her debt is paid. He will get his prize."

Shinoba gave the Hutt one long, lingering glance and then turned away without a by-your-leave. She exited the room and headed for the huge blaster doors of Jabba's private hangar. Things were going as planned, Si'Haad would be pleased.