Tatooine – Jabba's Palace, Throne Room
The air inside Jabba's palace had turned colder — not in temperature, but in mood. A storm was coming, and both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jace Shan could feel it in the Force.
Jabba roared furiously, his tail lashing hard against the dais as Bib Fortuna translated:"Proof! You promised my son's safe return — but Count Dooku says the Jedi betrayed me!"
The holo-feed of the doctored footage played again above the center of the chamber — Anakin and Ahsoka battling their way through the monastery on Teth, but edited to look like aggression toward Rotta.
Whispers echoed among Jabba's advisors, mercenaries, and bounty hunters — doubt spreading like poison.
Obi-Wan raised a calming hand. "Your Excellency, the Jedi would never harm an innocent. This footage has been tampered with."
But Jabba's growl rumbled through the hall, sharp and dangerous.
Jace stood still, hands at his sides, violet eyes steady on the Hutt. He waited — waited through the anger, through the shouting, through the accusations.
And when the room quieted just enough for his voice to carry, Jace stepped forward.
"Listen to yourself," he began, calm but firm. "You're Jabba the Hutt. Crime lord of the Outer Rim. Feared. Respected."
His gaze swept the gathered audience, then snapped back to Jabba.
"How many times have you been lied to? Tricked by sweet words and false promises?"
Jabba's gaze narrowed, the roaring quieting to a slow, dangerous rumble.
"Dooku knows exactly what you fear most," Jace continued. "And that's why he showed you this."
Jace's boots echoed softly as he walked closer toward the dais, each step deliberate. The guards tightened their grips on their axes, but Jace didn't flinch.
"You're a ruler. You know power. You know control. And you know that reacting in anger before you have all the pieces?" His voice hardened. "That's how you lose both."
Obi-Wan watched silently, nodding to himself as Jace continued.
"You want your son back," Jace said, his tone now softer. "So do we. But don't let Dooku's lie make you kill the only people actually trying to save him."
There was a long pause. The weight of Jace's words settled over the chamber like a slow-moving wave.
Jabba's tail twitched once. He spoke again in low Huttese.
Bib translated carefully: "He demands to know where the Jedi are now… and how close they are to bringing his son home."
Obi-Wan offered a small, diplomatic bow. "Closer than Dooku would have you believe, Your Excellency."
Meanwhile, Tatooine Desert – Separatist Encampment Outside the Palace
In a temporary command tent not far from the palace walls, Count Dooku stood with arms folded, watching the holo-feed of Jabba's throne room through a remote spy device.
Ventress knelt at his side, awaiting orders.
Dooku's lips curled faintly at the sight of Jace Shan's speech. "The boy has a dangerous mind," he murmured. "Passion balanced by restraint. A rare thing in Kenobi's line."
Ventress hissed, frowning. "Shall I move in, my lord?"
Dooku shook his head. "No. Let the noose tighten on its own. When Jabba's anger tips the scale… then we will strike."
Cutaway: Teth – Republic Gunship, En Route
The desert winds were miles away from Anakin Skywalker's mind as the Republic gunship sliced through the upper atmosphere of Teth, Rotta nestled in a blanket near the rear of the hold.
Anakin stood at the open hatch, one hand gripping the edge, blue eyes scanning the horizon as if sheer willpower could make the galaxy align faster.
Behind him, Ahsoka sat cross-legged, gently humming to soothe the frightened Huttlet.
"Think the negotiations are still holding up?" Ahsoka asked, glancing up at Anakin.
Anakin's jaw clenched. "They better be."
He tapped the comm panel at his wrist. "Kenobi, this is Skywalker. We have Rotta. Heading back toward the rendezvous coordinates now."
The comm crackled — interference rough, but Obi-Wan's voice came through:
"Understood, Anakin. Move quickly. Dooku's lies are already at work."
In the background of the transmission, they could faintly hear Jace's voice, steady and clear:"Tell Skywalker we're holding the line here. But he needs to hurry."
Anakin gave a sharp nod, determination flashing across his face.
"Don't worry, Jace," Anakin muttered under his breath. "I'm not letting Dooku win."
(Next: The race against time — Anakin and Ahsoka arrive at Jabba's palace, but Dooku makes his move to destroy their proof before they can deliver Rotta.)