Chapter Text
The road to Jabba’s palace, what had once been Jabba’s palace, was not as smooth as it once was; the warrior's journey had been long and arduous, taking its toll upon his weary body. Originally the warrior had rented a speeder from a local garage, however, in true Tatooine fashion it died halfway to Jabba’s palace. In his haste to get to the palace he had failed to check the gauge only to realize too late, it barely had any gas.
Therefore, for his misstep the warrior had to spend the better part of a day walking through the Dune Sea. Although exhausted, he was ever vigilant of the dangers that could befall him. Especially since the road, that was before him the only indication that he was within reach of his destination, had been worn away by time, weather, and neglect.
The closer he reached the palace, the more he could see how the years of neglect after Jabba’s death affected not just the road but the appearance of the palace. There were visible chips and erosion in the walls of the palace, the currently closed blast doors that would allow entry to the interior of Jabba’s palace was the only thing that looked relatively well maintained.
As the warrior reached out and knocked on the door with his gloved hand, the TT-8L/Y7 gatekeeper emerged from its hidden location, a staple of Jabba’s palace from decades gone by.
TT-8L looked at the warrior, it had been a long time since TT-8L had seen a warrior such as the one that stood before it now.
“Hi chuba du naga, Murishani?” (What do you want, bounty hunter?)
“Jee nan bahva ba bababekahea cay Boba Fett.” (I come seeking an audience with Boba Fett)
“Wonkee hatkocanh bu Lhonu Boba Fett banag bai neu uba?” (Why would the Great Boba Fett want to see you?)
The bounty hunter stood before TT-8L saying nothing for a while, his exhaustion eroding his patience, finally he uttered two words “mi killie” (I kill).
“Uba koee doth cahcata bai jot wata nem!” (You might be allowed to leave here alive!)
With a loud chuckle TT-8L disappeared back into his hidden location, the blast door opening slowly. Once the bounty hunter stepped through, the doors began to close; he could see by the dim light of the palace, the inside was completely different from the outside. It was clearly being looked after.
Two Gamorrean guards slowly creeped out of the dark approaching him, each one of them carrying their signature battle-axe. The bigger Gamorrean to the left of the hunter, eyed him carefully, his eyes slowly roaming over the hunter, clearly admiring his armour. “Murishani sleemo, sa da ree datpe?” (Bounty hunter slime ball, is that real beskar?)
“Dobra data bai neu bu Lhonu Boba Fett, paknee ata mi bai jen!” (I’m here to see the Great Boba Fett, take me to him!)
“Jeejee roe bla tah!” (we already know this) said the Gamorrean on the bounty hunter’s right.
The guards adjusted their hands on each of their respective battle-axes, getting a better grip on their axe.
The hunter’s patience was beginning to wear thin and those two idiots truly had no idea how close to death they really were.
“Paknee ata mi bai jen ateema, an uba koee hocan nem.” (Take me to him now, and you might live)
“Pasa bantkoke, jee jee killee uba an oto vu bu datpe?” (What if instead, we kill you and keep the beskar?) responded the larger and clearly the dumber of the two.
The bounty hunter’s T-visor turned to look directly at the dumbest Gamorrean’s eyes, all the while debating what’s the best course of action? Blaster? Whistling birds? Spear? Darksaber? Headbutt? Subtly moving his hand towards his blaster, a shadow emerged from behind the Gamorreans catching his eye.
A familiar figure appearing out of the shadow stood before the bounty hunter, “Mando, youkesa jiu cay mee e'nachu!” (Mando, stop playing with your food!)
The two Gamorreans looked back at Fennec Shand, nervousness clearly visible in their countenance once it registered what she said, they slowly turned to the Mandalorian standing before them. Watching as the bounty hunter returned his blaster to his holder, both guards swallowing their uneasiness back, neither noticed the subtle yet deliberate movement of the Mandalorian. They swiftly and calmly moved out of the way for the Mandalorian to pass them and join Fennec.
Din let out a small chuckle “Jee cha konza va foppa e’nachu!” (I don’t eat junk food!)
“Been a minute Mando, how are things?”
“Desperate” was all Din stated; at the moment his most pressing concern was to find work, which would allow him to purchase a new ship, and to see if he could find those of his covert who had escaped the slaughter of Nevarro. Even if he couldn’t purchase a ship right away, maybe he could at least rent one for a relatively small amount.
As they walked further into the palace, neither continued the conversation. Din noticed though the palace on the outside seemed desolate and barren, on the inside was the same as always; filled with jovial music, servants, bounty hunters, and civilians who enjoyed the company of such. He noticed there was one thing that was very different, the servants were very happy and didn’t appear forced to be there.
The atmosphere was not one of dread or hopelessness, with Jabba’s favourite bounty hunter returning and assuming the throne there was now an atmosphere of renewed zeal and joy for the palace.
Once inside the throne room, Din saw Boba sitting on the throne, his posture screamed power and ruler.
Fennec left Din’s side, slowly climbing the stairs to the right of Boba’s throne and standing to the right of Boba facing Din, her left arm resting on the throne close to Boba’s head as she ever so slightly leaned into the throne.
Din was left to stand before Boba’s throne alone.
If Din hadn’t known better, Fennec almost seemed proud or joyful to stand beside Boba, a definite emotion was there, what it was exactly Din couldn’t figure it out.
Din bowed before Boba, “Great Boba.”