Mid Sector 100—
"...." Jabba focused intently on the Treant Bark sheet spread across the entire length of the table, his unwavering gaze fixed upon it as though every inch of its surface concealed answers he had yet to uncover.
No one knew how many hours—or even weeks—had passed while he remained in exactly the same position, studying that sheet without interruption. The pace of his breathing and the sluggish circulation of blood through his body indicated that he was deliberately keeping himself in a near-dormant state so he wouldn't need food or water, minimizing every unnecessary bodily function in order to preserve as much of his attention and stamina as possible for the task before him...
He held an ordinary ballpoint pen in one hand while supporting his forehead with the palm of the other, occasionally tightening his grip around the pen without ever putting it down. His eyes were opened as wide as they could be, refusing to blink more than absolutely necessary.
