Emissaries to Malastare, Part 5, the seventeenth comic book in the Star Wars: Republic collection, saw release from Dark Horse Comics on April 26, 2000.
Mace Windu, alongside Depa Billaba, his one-time Padawan, are on the hunt for a smuggling operation. This ring is responsible for moving akk dogs from Mace's planet of origin and transforming them into ferocious fighting animals. Their investigation began after an encounter with the monstrous beasts controlled by the Red Iaro Terrorists. However, the underbelly of the Smuggler's Moon is a sanctuary for criminals and evildoers, an environment ill-suited for Jedi!
Upon their arrival on Nar Shaddaa, Mace Windu intervenes to prevent a man from murdering an elderly beggar. Billaba then reveals herself when Master Windu is overwhelmed by the attackers. A mysterious third Jedi arrives after the remaining criminals flee, offering information to aid their search for the akk dogs. The grateful old woman then gifts them a prized possession: a vintage swoop bike, for transport to the lower levels. As the two Jedi Masters near their goal, they face an assault from savage vrblthers.