Star Wars
Episode 1 Adventures
3
The Fury Of Darth Maul
by Ryder Windham
Scanned by [BroD] june 2003
Inroduction
On the planet Esseles in the Darpa Sector, the Trade Federation had
recently forced a Kloodavian manufacturer named Trinkatta to secretly build
fifty droid starfighters. The Trade Federation provided Trinkatta with a
prototype hyperdrive engine and had him duplicate the engine for installation
into each starfighter. With hyperdrive capability, the droid starfighters
could be deployed for long - range sneak attacks to almost any point in the
galaxy. Trinkatta's test pilot, Bama Vook, hoped to prevent the Trade
Federation from obtaining such dangerous weapons. Bama sent a data card to
alert the Jedi Council on Coruscant, telling them what was going on. After
Trinkatta's droids loaded the fighters onto a freighter, Bama Vook and his
droid Leeper stole the entire freighter and hid it in a Calamar City docking
bay on Esseles. Unfortunately, Bama and Leeper did not realize the freighter
belonged to a hive of Bartokk assassins. The bloodthirsty Bartokks had
conspired to steal the droid starfighters themselves, and reprogrammed
Trinkatta's droids to take over his starship factory. Jedi Master Adi Gallia
was sent to investigate Trinkatta's factory, but she was captured by the
reprogrammed droids before she could act. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, his
Padawan Apprentice Obi - Wan Kenobi, and the Jedi Knights Vel Ardox and Noro
Zak went to rescue Master Adi from the rene - gade droids. They learned the
droids had been re - programmed by the Bartokks, and assumed the assassins
intended to use the starfighters for a deadly assignment. Because Master Adi
was wounded, Vel and Noro took her to a Jedi chapter house on Rhinnal, a
nearby planet that was famed throughout the Darpa Sector for its citizens'
medical expertise. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Trinkatta remained on
Rhinnal to look for Bama Vook and the fifty droid starfighters. They found
Bama and Leeper... and a band of vengeful Bartokk assassins. The Bartokks
kidnapped Bama's hulking young son Chup-Chup, then made a daring escape from
Esseles in the freighter. Fortunately, the freighter was not capable of flying
at lightspeed, and a lone hero was able to catch up with the fleeing ship.
Chup-Chup was saved and the Neimoidian prototype hyperdrive engine was
retrieved. Since the freighter had been on a programmed course for the planet
Corulag, it was assumed this was the Bartokks' target. The freighter and its
cargo were destroyed to prevent it from reaching Corulag, but the danger was
far from over. The Bartokks had transferred twenty-five starfighters to a
second freighter.
Obi-Wan used a subspace transceiver to transmit a warning to Corulag. He
also sent a message to Rhinnal, but no response came from the Jedi chapter
house. Concerned for the safety of Adi Gallia and the other Jedi, Qui-Gon
insisted on traveling to Rhinnal immediately. As for the second Bartokk
freighter, Qui-Gon was confident that he and Obi-Wan could still locate the
sluggish vessel before it reached its destination. At this time in history,
the Jedi believed their mortal enemy, the Sith, had been extinct for over a
thousand years. Thus, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan did not have any idea that the Trade
Federation's hyper - drive-equipped droid starfighters were part of a plan
devised by an evil Sith Lord named Darth Sidious..
After Darth Sidious learned from Neimoidian spies that the droid
starfighters had been stolen by the Bartokks, he decided the assassins would
have to be punished. He summoned his dark apprentice, Darth Maul.
Twilight fell over Galactic City. The mirrored surfaces of countless
skyscrapers reflected the deep velvet sky, and every building was speckled by
illuminated windows. Such spires covered the en - tire planet of Coruscant,
ensuring that the sweep - ing views were enjoyed only by those who lived
within the highest towers. The uppermost levels were reserved for prominent
dignitaries, influential politicians, and the wealthiest citizens. Most of
these people believed that Supreme Chancellor Valorum of the Galactic Senate
was the most powerful person on all of Coruscant. They were wrong. Darth
Sidious stood on his balcony, watching a thin, pink cloud drift slowly across
the sky until it vanished behind a distant tower. Concealed by his black
robes, the Sith Lord's face was lost in shadow. He watched as the cloud
reappeared on the other side of the obscuring tower. Its color had changed to
a deep bloodred. Although Darth Sidious did not hear anyone en - ter his
secret lair, he sensed a great malevolence flow into the room. From behind
him, a deep voice spoke,
"What is thy bidding, my Master?"
Darth Sidious remained on the balcony and kept his eyes on the crimson
cloud.
"The Neimoidian spies on Esseles have reported the fifty droid
starfighters and prototype hyperdrive engine were seized by a Bartokk
freighter. The Bartokks were probably hired to kill someone, and I imagine
they intended to use the starfighters so the Trade Federation would appear
responsible. As you know, those starfighters were crucial to our plan to take
over the planet Brentaal and control the Perlemian Trade Route and the Hydian
Way. Unfortunately, it seems the Jedi have learned about the droid star -
fighters. Since we cannot yet risk revealing ourselves to them, our effort to
conquer Brentaal must be postponed."
"What about the starfighters'?"' the voice behind Oarth Sidious asked.
"That's where you come in, my young apprentice," Darth Sidious answered,
turning to face Darth Maul. Like his Master the second Sith Lord was also clad
in black, but Oarth Maul's face was covered in a broad, jagged black-and-red
pattern. His cloak was pulled back to reveal the short, hooked horns that
studded his hairless head. Within the dimly lit room, Maul's yellow eyes
burned with evil.
"The starfighters were constructed at great expense, but they are
worthless if the Jedi suspect that the Trade Federation intends to use them to
attack Brentaal," Darth Sidious intoned as he handed a data card to Darth
Maul. "Install this data card into your starship's computer. It will enable
you to control the droid starfighters. Then go to the Esseles system and track
the Bartokk freighter. Retrieve the starfighters if you can, and destroy them
if you must. The Bartokks must be discouraged from any attempt to implicate
the Trade Federation in their murderous schemes. If they were hired to steal
the starfighters, their client must be identified and taught not to meddle
with Trade Federation property."
"Do you want the Bartokks' clients to be eliminated?" Darth Maul
inquired.
"No," Darth Sidious answered. "Let them live in terror. Their fear will
spread
, and we will use it to our advantage."
"And what of the Bartokks themselves?"
"Do with them as you please."
Darth Maul's lips twitched back to reveal sharp, black and yellow teeth.
"Yes, my lord."
Bama Vook's bulky Corellian freighter, the Metron Burner, rose into the
air from Trinkatta's barricaded starship factory. The Jedi's landspeeder and
the captured Neimoidian prototype hyperdrive engine were both secured within
the Metron Burner's main hold. In the cockpit, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi
were seated behind Bama and his droid copilot, Leeper. Peering through the
cockpit viewport, Leeper's photoreceptors gazed down to the spaceport's
tarmac, where Bama's son Chup-Chup and Trinkatta the Kloodavian waved good-
bye.
"It looks like Trinkatta's right arm has almost regenerated," the droid
commented.
Bama cast a glance back to Qui-Gon.
"You're sure Chup-Chup will be safe with Trinkatta?" the Talz bellowed
over the Metron Burner's roaring repulsorlift engines. "I can't help being
afraid the Neimoidians or the Bartokks might return to Trinkatta's factory."
"I understand your concern," Qui-Gon replied. "Obi-Wan transmitted our
report to the Jedi Council, informing them that the Bartokks stole what
appeared to be Trade Federation droid starfighters. Since the Trade Federation
is violating over a dozen intergalactic laws by constructing ships outside
their own territory, they will probably deny they commissioned Trinkatta to
build the starfighters. If they don't want trouble with the Republic, they'll
stay away from Esseles for a long, long time. As for the Bartokks, it seems
their mission is taking them to Corulag. I doubt they'll return to Esseles."
"That's not exactly reassuring," Bama grumbled as the Metron Burner broke
away from Esseles atmosphere. Before Qui-Gon Jinn could offer additional
consolation, Leeper warned, "Hang on tight. We're almost at the hyperspace
jump point."
Qui-Gon looked to Obi-Wan. Tension was visible in the young man's face.
"I know what you're thinking, Padawan," Qui-Gon said in hushed voice.
"You think we should be pursuing the Bartokk freighter." Obi-Wan returned his
Master's gaze. "Just because the first freighter was only outfitted with a
sublight drive is no reason to assume the second freighter isn't faster. For
all we know, it may have almost reached Corulag by now."
"Then we'll just have to make every effort to get to Corulag before the
Bartokks," Qui-Gon calmly replied. "Rhinnal is our first priority."
"I don't understand, Master," Obi-Wan said. "I know you're worried about
Master Adi and the other Jedi. But what if we reach Rhinnal and everyone is
fine, and it was merely an equipment malfunction that prevented us from
contacting the Jedi chapter house?"
"If that's the case, we'll leave Rhinnal and pursue the Bartokk freighter
immediately," Qui-Gon responded. "But if the Jedi need our help, we'll be
there for them." Ever since Qui-Gon had mentioned that Adi Gallia once saved
his life, Obi-Wan suspected his Master's concern for Adi Gallia was highly
personal. He even imagined it was possible that Qui-Gon felt he owed something
like a life debt to the other Jedi Master. Although Obi-Wan did not share his
Master's sentimentality, he was increasingly curious to hear Qui-Gon's account
of the adventure with Adi Gallia. Still, Obi-Wan was silent. He didn't want
Qui-Gon to think he was too interested. He turned away and found himself
looking out the cockpit's viewport. Bama threw a lever. Outside the viewport,
the stars appeared to elongate into brilliant white streaks and the Metron
Burner zoomed forward at incredible speed. A moment later, the ship entered
hyperspace with a thunderous roar. Obi-Wan rested his eyes as the Corellian
freighter began its faster-than-light journey to Rhinnal. And to whatever
danger awaited.
After leaving Darth Sidious's lair, Darth Maul went directly to the dimly
lit hangar where he kept his starship. Twenty-six-and-a-half meters long, the
shovel-nosed, knife-edged ship had originated as a Star Courier manufactured
by Sienar Design Sys - tems. The entire vessel had been extensively customized
in a secret laboratory to become the perfect vehicle for Maul's covert
missions. It was called the Sith Infiltrator. The Infiltrator had six low-
profile laser cannons, sophisticated sensor and tracking systems, and a class
3.0 hyperdrive. For sublight travel, it was equipped with an experimental
high-temperature ion engine system that required large, retractable radiator
panels that folded in during landings. On the port side, a cargo drop panel
contained Sith "dark eye" probe droids, numerous weapons, and Maul's speeder
bike. Then there was the cloaking device. While most scientists considered
invisibility fields to be theoretical, the Sith had already developed a
powerful cloak field generator for the Infiltrator. Contained within the
ship's distinctive long prow, the generator enabled the entire vessel and its
contents to vanish or rematerialize with the ease of a shadow. Darth Maul
walked to a ramp that extended from the rear of the Infiltrator to the hangar
floor. At the bottom of the ramp stood a golden protocol droid, designated C-
3PX.
The droid trained his red photoreceptors on Darth Maul. Although C-3PX
resembled an ordinary Cybot Galactica TC protocol droid, his body contained
eighty-three concealed weapons. Darth Maul knew the exact location and
function of each weapon, for he himself had modified the droid to be the
Infiltrator's sentry. Since C-3PX had nothing to report, he remained silent.
The Sith Lord despised unnecessary com - munication and had programmed the
droid to speak only when absolutely necessary. Maul swept up the ramp and into
the ship, followed by C-3PX's clanking footsteps. Inside the Infiltrator's
control room, C-3PX strapped himself into one of the passenger seats while
Maul readied the ship for launch. As soon as the engines fired, Maul piloted
the Infiltrator out of the hangar, then up and away from Coruscant. Maul
punched the coordinates for the Esseles system into the nav computer and let
the Infiltrator's autopilot take over while he checked the power cell on his
double-bladed lightsaber. It was fully charged. Maul had never battled
Bartokks. But that's what he would have to do, if they stood in his way.
As the Metron Burner soared through hyper - space, Leeper made an
adjustment to the navcomputer.
"We'll be arriving at Rhinnal in less than a minute," the droid
announced.
Bama Vook swiveled in his seat to face the two Jedi.
"Have either of you been to Rhinnal before?"
"Obi-Wan hasn't, but I visited once," Qui-Gon admitted. "It was many
years ago, during the expansion of the Jedi chapter house. Building materials
had to be delivered because so much of the planet's surface was still covered
by ice."
"You'll find Rhinnal hasn't changed much," Bama chuckled. "Terraforming
has created new forests, but it's still colder than a mynock's wingtips."
The nav computer blinked in anticipation of the Rhinnal system. Bam
a
reached forward with one furry fist and pushed back on a lever, causing the
Metron Burner to shudder as it exited hyperspace. Outside the cockpit,
stationary stars materialized against the dark backdrop of space.
Obi-Wan looked up through the top of the cockpit canopy to see Rhinnal.
The icy planet was covered with snow-capped mountains, rolling tundras, and
frigid rivers. It resembled a great white ball with gray and blue streaks
across its surface. Bama piloted his freighter through a tight rotation,
reorienting the Metron Burner's flight path so Rhinnal appeared below the
freighter.
"Send a signal to the Jedi chapter house, Leeper," Bama ordered. "Tell
them we want clearance for landing."
Leeper entered a message into the ship's comm unit, pressed a green
button to send the transmission to Rhinnal, then waited. After ten seconds
without a response, the droid tried again.
"Why isn't anyone answering?" Bama asked.
"I suggest we fly down at once, Bama. I will direct you to the Jedi
chapter house."
Following Qui-Gon's instructions, Bama steered the Metron Burner into a
deep dive toward Rhin - nal's southern hemisphere. The freighter descended
rapidly through a thick layer of clouds, then sharply leveled off two
kilometers above the planet's snow - covered surface. A wide, slate-gray river
snaked across the terrain, occasionally branching off into smaller rivulets
that permeated the surface of the planet like crackled veins. On a wide tract
to the north of the river lay a vast city of squat towers and domed
structures. It was Rhire, the largest city on Rhinnal. Although Rhinnal was
originally a colony world of Esseles, there was little resemblance between
Rhire and Calamar. Instead of roads, an extensive network of lift tubes and
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