[Boba Fett] - 6(11)

Boba’s entire body tensed as he put himself into attack mode. Then he grimaced.

The injuries he’d sustained from Grievous were too great. Even as he moved, he could feel blood trickling from his wounded shoulder. The pain was excruciating - but he wouldn’t let Skywalker know that.

” - after I bring you in for questioning,” the Jedi finished. “I’m sure we can find a place for you to work within the Republic.”

Boba’s grimace deepened, though not from pain. No way! he thought.

Working for the Republic was not an option. Working for anyone, except himself, was not an option! Jabba the Hutt might pay his bounties, but no one set limits on Boba Fett.

Not Jabba. Not the Republic.

And definitely not Anakin Skywalker.

But how to get away from the Jedi? Boba looked at the desolate moonscape surrounding them. Dunes, craters, depthless holes like horrible empty eyes or mouths on the lunar surface. He would find no refuge there.

No help, either…

He tried desperately to come up with a plan.

If only I hadn’t taken such a hit from Grievous! he thought. He flinched, recalling the encounter that had nearly killed him - that would have killed him, if Boba hadn’t managed to use his wits to escape. He glanced at Anakin.

I could take him, if I wasn’t injured, he thought grimly. And if he didn’t have a Republic army at his beck and call! 1 could still take him… .

As though the young Jedi could read Boba’s mind, Anakin said, “Don’t even think of escape, Fett. You’re no match for me. Glynn-Beti’s troopship is nearby. I’ll bring you there, and she’ll decide what’s to be done with you.”

“No - ” Boba took a step toward Anakin. Skywalker’s hand tightened around his weapon as Boba said, “I have a better idea.”

Anakin regarded him suspiciously. “I warn you, if - “

“‘If’ nothing!” Boba snapped. “If you don’t listen to me now, you’re making a mistake.”

Anakin’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

The bounty hunter hesitated. Since his father’s death, Boba had been sustained by two things. One was a burning rage to take vengeance on his father’s murderer, Mace Windu.

The other was a secret that only Boba knew. It was something he had learned back when he was on the toxic planet, Raxus Prime. He had been brought there by the bounty hunter Aurra Sing. She had been hired to capture Boba, by someone known as “the Count.”

The Count was in fact the deadly Separatist leader Count Dooku, enemy of the Republic. He was a former Jedi Master, who, like Boba, now hated the Jedi. Unlike Boba, Dooku had allied himself with the Separatists.

Yet only Boba knew that Count Dooku was the same person as the mysterious Tyranus… the same Tyranus who had first approached Jango Fett to become the source for the Republic’s clone army…

The same Tyranus who was therefore also helping the Republic!

Boba had kept this information secret from the Republic and the Jedi - until now. He had his Mandalorian armor, and his helmet. He had some of the most sophisticated weapons in the galaxy. And he had Slave I, the best ship in the galaxy.

But right now, he knew that none of these things was as valuable as what he knew about the Count. His knowledge of the Count’s secret was also a weapon. And at the moment, it was a weapon more powerful than anything else Boba possessed. He drew himself up and stared coldly at Anakin Skywalker.

Knowledge is power, his father had taught him. Knowledge is a weapon - use it carefully, or pay the price!

As he gazed at the threatening young Jedi before him, Boba hoped his knowledge wouldn’t kill him.





CHAPTER NINE


Boba straightened and met Anakin’s gaze.

“I have information vital to the safety of the Republic,” Boba said.

Anakin stared at him in cold disbelief. “You what?”

“You heard me.” Boba glared back at the Jedi. “What I know could mean the difference between the Republic’s defeat - or ultimate victory.”

Anakin’s grasp on his weapon loosened, ever so slightly. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

Boba shrugged. “You don’t. But if I am, the Republic could have the knowledge it needs to defeat the Separatists. And if you don’t make use of it, the Republic could be destroyed. Are you willing to take that chance?”

Boba watched Anakin carefully. Whatever this Jedi was, he wasn’t a coward. Or stupid. Anakin shook his head.

“Why should I believe you? You’re just a worthless bounty hunter!”

“Not just any bounty hunter!” retorted Boba. “Think about it. You said that Obi-Wan Kenobi had spoken my name to you. Why would he bother telling you about me, unless I was important?”