The Gaddula Kidnapping

The Gaddula Kidnapping

"You Galactic Republic people must give me an explanation!! A Jedi Knight actually kidnapped a Hutt in Hutt Space—this is absolutely unacceptable!! Do you have any idea what Gaddula represents on Tatooine now?!" In the hologram, the Hutt Alok Besadi roared in fury. He even smashed the expensive spice pipe he was always holding. "If Gaddula does not return alive within three days, nothing will stop the Hutts' retaliation!!"

Sheev Palpatine, Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, wore a broad smile as he said, "I can guarantee on my honor that the Jedi Order has nothing to do with this matter, and we will certainly give you an explanation."

"I will wait only three days! Otherwise, just you wait!!" Alok Besadi roared, then cut off the communication.

Palpatine turned around and looked at Master Yoda, Master Windu, and the others in the office. Shaking his head, he said, "Our position is far too passive right now. If we anger the Hutts and they completely close off the routes through Hutt Space, we will lose at least a third of the Outer Rim Territories."

"A Separatist plot, this certainly is," Master Yoda said. "Driving a wedge between the Hutts and the Galactic Republic by kidnapping Gaddula."

"But Alok is right. Gaddula is the de facto ruler of Tatooine. Her kidnapping means Tatooine will fall into chaos. And if the Hutts become hostile to us and join the Separatists, the situation will become even worse," Master Windu said.

"We must rescue Gaddula," Palpatine said. "The Separatists are framing the Jedi Order, and we must resolve this matter ourselves. Otherwise, the Hutts will at the very least close the hyperspace routes, and that is a result we cannot accept."

"Fighting on battlefields everywhere, the Jedi Knights are. Not enough manpower do