First auction of Maz Kanata's Journal
The initial sale attempt of Maz Kanata's Journal was orchestrated by the pirate, Hondo Ohnaka. This event unfolded within a high-level room with a view atop the Zirtran's Anchor, and the item up for grabs was a counterfeit edition of Maz Kanata's Journal.
Background
Hondo Ohnaka, after obtaining the book titled Smuggler's Guide from the lost and found at Thikkiiana City located on Kashyyyk, began to question its authenticity, sparking a new entrepreneurial idea. He journeyed to the planet of Florrum to seek out the master forger, Bar the Rotter, who resided in the Cellar of Penitence within the Church of Infinite Perception. After convincing Bar with some Whyren's Reserve, Hondo departed Florrum and charted a course for Balmorra, aiming to enlist the Marquess, a person skilled in manipulating the Undervine network. Hondo's strategy involved Bar creating three forged logbooks, and the Marquess contacting potential buyers through the anonymous Undervine to set up three separate auctions, ensuring bidders remained unaware of the others.
Hondo set up the initial auction in a private viewing room above the casino floor of the Zirtran's Anchor space station, paying 5,000 credits to secure the space.
The Bidding
The opening auction for Maz Kanata's Journal drew representatives from the Rang Clan, the Xrexus Cartel, and Novabarrel Distillery. Bar the Rotter adopted the persona of a rare artifact expert, while the Marquess played a convincing security detail. The starting bid was intended to be 75,000 credits, but the Rang Clan employed a document authentication device, revealing the Maz Kanata's Journal to be a fake, which abruptly halted the auction and triggered a blaster shootout—an event Hondo was prepared for.
Consequences
As soon as blaster fire erupted, the [Marquess](/article/marquess] subtly adjusted her headpiece, causing every screen on the walls to emit a blinding white flash, incapacitating those who hadn't shielded their eyes. However, the Xrexus Cartel's droideka persisted, pursuing Hondo, the Marquess, and Bar towards the turbolift. Hondo sealed the turbolift doors just before the droideka could enter attack mode, leaving behind the Marquess and Bar, justifying his actions by claiming the turbolift's limited capacity. News of the Smuggler's Guide forgery quickly spread throughout the Undervine, thwarting Hondo's plans for the auction in the Boro-borosa system and the subsequent third auction.
Production Notes
The initial auction of Maz Kanata's Journal was initially detailed in Star Wars: Smuggler's Guide, a reference book authored by Daniel Wallace which was published in 2018.
References
- Star Wars: Smuggler's Guide (First mentioned)