Teth — Monastery Tower, Inner SanctumSeparatist Communication Alcove
The room was lit only by a harsh blue glow cast from a flickering holocom projector. Stone walls surrounded the alcove like a tomb, and the air was thick with smoke and scorched circuitry from the battle raging above.
Asajj Ventress knelt within the shadows, cloaked in black, twin lightsabers sheathed at her hips, her pale face reflecting the cold flicker of holographic light.
The form of Count Dooku emerged from the comm array—tall, imperious, and utterly still, his cloak rippling with phantom light.
Ventress bowed her head, her voice low and venomous.
"They have taken the monastery, Master. Skywalker is here.He's on his way to rescue the Hutt."
Dooku's lips curled into the faintest smile.
"Well done, Ventress.All is going according to plan."
Ventress's expression darkened. Her fists clenched at her sides.
"I could easily take them now."
Dooku raised one elegant hand, calm and commanding.
"Patience. Collect the data I need.You will get your chance at revenge soon enough."
Before she could respond, a battle droid stepped into view behind her and bowed stiffly.
"Mistress, the Jedi have entered the dungeons."
Ventress rose slowly, the predator's gleam in her eyes.
"Let them come," she whispered.
Teth — Monastery Lower LevelsOuter Detention Corridor
The dungeon stank of rust and damp stone. The walls were cracked and moss-covered, lit only by flickering emergency lamps. Pipes rattled in the ceiling. Metal grated underfoot with every step.
Anakin, Jason, and Ahsoka moved cautiously through the corridor, sabers unlit but ready.
Jason's voice was low, edged with suspicion. "Master, you know you're walking us into a trap?"
Anakin didn't break stride. "I know."
Ahsoka squinted down the hallway. "We just passed two more droids."
"I know." Anakin's voice was quiet, but focused.
Jason glanced over his shoulder. "Well, I don't like this.Can I just take care of them?"
Anakin gave a slight smirk. "Oh, well, if you feel so strongly about it, go ahead."
Jason spun mid-step, flicked his wrist, and his saber flared to life — one swift slice later, the two droids behind them collapsed, weapons destroyed before they hit the floor.
Anakin gave him a rare nod. "Not bad. You remembered to destroy their weapons first."
Jason grinned. "I'm improving your technique."
Ahsoka glanced back at the second droid's sparking remains.
"Of course, you did miss one."
Jason didn't miss a beat. "I did that on purpose."
The corridor opened into a low-ceilinged chamber — cell doors lined the wall, each sealed with flickering red locks. The air here was hotter, more humid.
Anakin stopped. His expression tightened.
"I sense our kidnapped Hutt is in here."
Ahsoka stepped forward, scrunching her nose.
"I smell him, too."
She peered through a narrow viewing slit in one of the doors and blinked.
"He's a lot younger than I thought he'd be."
Anakin pressed a button on the panel. The cell door slid open with a hiss.
Inside, curled in a containment pod and fast asleep, was a small, round, wrinkled infant Hutt — his chubby arms twitching with dream-flickers, his eyes fluttering.
Jason leaned in, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, he's just a baby."
Ahsoka stepped closer, tilting her head.
"This will make our job a lot easier."
Then her voice softened.
"Oh, he's so cute."
Jason crossed his arms. "Cute? He's a baby Hutt."
Anakin frowned. "Just wait until you see what he'll grow into."
Tatooine — Jabba's Palace, Audience Chamber
Inside the dark halls of Jabba the Hutt's palace, the air was thick with the scent of spice, smoke, and slow betrayal. The stone walls radiated heat. Music played faintly from the shadows, but the mood was tense—less entertainment, more judgment.
The great Hutt crime lord sat coiled atop his throne, eyes half-lidded, tail twitching. Beside him, his majordomo whispered constantly, and guards stood still with hands resting on heavy blasters.
Through the arched doors, a new figure approached—tall, cloaked in black, his presence cutting through the din like a razor.
Count Dooku.
He walked with calm, every step measured, as if he belonged in the very halls of crime and corruption. The light caught his cloak's edge, revealing the hilt of his curved lightsaber.
He bowed slightly as he reached the throne.
"O great Jabba the Hutt, I have news of your son."
Jabba's massive head lifted a fraction. The chamber quieted.
Dooku raised his voice just enough to echo through the court.
"I have discovered it is the Jedi who have kidnapped him."
The majordomo narrowed his eyes, translating. Jabba let out a low growl, unconvinced.
"How have you come by this information?" Jabba's voice gurgled.
Dooku's smile was faint but dangerous.
"I have my ways. More importantly, mighty Jabba, I bring a warning.The Jedi are planning to destroy you."
Gasps and murmurs passed through the gathered court. A few bounty hunters shifted their weight uneasily. The majordomo leaned close to Jabba, whispering a translation.
Jabba's nostrils flared. "The most wise Jabba demands proof."
Dooku gave a regal incline of his head.
"And he shall have it."
Teth — Monastery Grounds, Upper PlatformShortly After Midday
Sunlight pierced the haze, casting long beams across the shattered grounds of the monastery. The battle had left scorch marks and craters in the stone, but now the only sound was wind sweeping across the courtyard and the buzz of idle comlinks.
Captain Rex stood atop the battlements, scanning the jungle canopy below. Beside him, his squad moved in slow patrol arcs, checking the last known Separatist fallback positions. The clones were alert, but the silence was holding.
A helmeted sergeant stepped up beside Rex.
"No sign of any more droids, Captain."
Rex gave a curt nod. "All right, Sergeant."
He tapped the side of his comlink and opened a channel.
"General Skywalker, the castle is secure, and it's nearly midday."
Teth — Detention Level, Holding Room
Down below, in the crumbling remains of the detention wing, Anakin, Jason, and Ahsoka stood around the now-open containment pod.
Inside, nestled in padded restraints, the infant Hutt, Rotta, stirred with a grumpy whimper.
Anakin raised his comlink, answering Rex. "Thanks, Rex. We've got Jabba's son."
Jason looked up from checking the hallway outside. "Any sign of General Kenobi yet?"
Rex's voice came back. "No, sir."
Ahsoka stepped forward, looking at the squirming Huttlet, nose wrinkling at the smell.
"Master, my Jedi training didn't prepare me for this.What are we gonna do?"
Anakin gave her a hard look, his voice utterly serious.
"Well, since you think that smelly larva is cute, you're gonna carry it."
Jason tilted his head, grinning.
"How do you like your little buddy now?Still cute?"
Ahsoka narrowed her eyes at him. "You know, he's reminding me of you more and more."
Jason chuckled while she continued. "See? You're two of a kind."
Anakin fired back without missing a beat. "Maybe you should carry both of us then."
But her teasing faded as she touched Rotta's forehead. Her smile dropped.
"Master, I think this little guy is sick.He's burning up with a fever."
Anakin leaned in, frowning. "You're right.We've got to get him back to the ship immediately."
He raised his voice. "Trooper! Get me a backpack!"
Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Will you just let me do it?"
Anakin replied angrily "I hate Hutts."