Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Hutt Gambit, page 10
Hah dodged an incoming DreU ship, saw the turbolasers fire a vicious burst at the oncoming vessel, but at the last moment it dodged the fire. Blasted little ships are too fast!
His comm unit crackled. Heaclhunters here. Ready for launch.
Chewie opened the cargo-bay doors, and dropped one shield amidships so the two fighters could launch.
Han activated the comm. Pilots . . . launch on my or-der! Three . . . two . . . one . . . NOW!
Jabba was hollering over the cornre, demanding an ex-planation. Han could hear wails and curses from the Twilek and the dancing girls. Totoplat, the cook, was fuss-ing that Jabbas dinner was ruined, just ruined!
With a muttered curse, Han spared half a second to close the comm channel from the passenger section. When he looked back up, he paled.
Incoming amidships, Chewie! he yelled, knowing this time he couldnt evade fast enough. The Star Jewel shud-dered violently, then shuddered again. Han realized the first ship had swung around and was now firing on their stern! He cursed when he saw that his rear deflectors were nearly gone. Chewie! Im coming about! Compensate for that shield!
Activating the comm, Han shouted, Im coming about, hard to port! You guys get that blasted pirate off my rear!
The Wookiee snarled as he worked frantically on the shields. Han sent the Star Jewel into a hard port turn, then a second later he felt the faint jolts as the gunners fired. Another miss!
Han cursed and activated the comm. Listen up, you guys! I want portside gunner one to target the following coordinates, and fire on my order!
Glancing at his sensors, Han located the position of the first Drell ship, saw that it had swung far out, then turned and was coming back for another run. Han checked his X-Y coordinate grids and made a rapid calculation. He spat out a string of coordinates.
Coordinates acknowledged, sir! the portside gunnery chief said.
Gunner two, target the following coordinates and fire your burst five seconds after gunner one! Got that.; Han reeled off another string of coordinates. We copy, Captain!
Gunner three, target the following coordinates and fire your weapon five seconcks after gunner one. Again, Han gave the prescribed coordinates. Yes, Captain! Ready! Okay . . . gunner one . . . prepare to fire!
What Hah was attempting was a military technique called a limited barrage pattern. It was designed to make a ship dodge a burst of fire, only to run right into another blast. Tricky, but if they could get the timing right . . .
Han counted seconds in his head as he angled his stern slightly toward the Drell, offering the most tempting target he could. Three . . . two . . . one/ Portside gunner one-fire!
The deadly beam shot out, but as Hah had figured, the agile Drell vessel evaded the blast.
Fimr. . . three... two... one... Han counted, watching the portside viewscreen. Yes! he shouted as the evading ship ran straight into the blast from portside gun two!
Incandescent white fire blossomed against the black-heSS.
You got him!
Cheers erupted from the corem unit.
The Headhunters were zeroing in on another of the Drell ships. Stuttering bursts from their lasers shone red against the star-speckled blackness.
Han could only spare a glance for the snubfighters and their battle. He sent the Star Jewel hurtling toward the two remaining Drell ships, then spoke into tile comm. Star-board gunners, prepare to fire continuous bursts on my order. Coordinates are . . . Glancing at his board, he gave them a string of numbers.
He watched as the two Drell ships came about for an-other attack run, then began hurtling toward the yacht at full speed. Starboard gunners, fire at maximum... not/3!
The three powerful turbolasers blasted away into empty space. Those captains are gonna think Ive lost my mind, Hah thought as he counted the bursts from his starboard battery, mentally timing their pounding rhythm. What he was planning required pinpoint timing.
As the Drells reached firing range, Han wrenched his controls, rolling the big ship to port, turning it up on its side.
Seeing that Han hadnt lost his mind after all, the Drell pirates scattered wildly, trying to evade the bursts from the turbolasers that were now aiming directly at them!
One Drell pirate managed to evade, but the other one was trapped in the middle of the full barrage pattern. The blast from starboard gun two caught it dead center.
This time, the Star Jewel was close enough to the explo-sion to lose a starboard deflector when it was repeatedly pummeled by wreckage. Han watched the indicators on his instruments leap as the Hutt yacht sheered through the zone of destruction, then out the other side.
He glanced at the port viewscreen. The other Drell ship was slowly spinning, a huge hole blown in its side. Only one of the Headhunters was visible. The fourth Drell ship, the one that had escaped tile barrage pattern, was hightailing it.
Han considered giving chase, but he knew the pirate had too much of a headstart. Instead he turned the yacht and headed back to pick up the remaining Headhunter.
By the time he remembered to flick the comm unit back on, Jabbas threats and imprecations had died away. Han cleared his throat. Were okay, Your Excellency. Hope I didnt jounce you around too much back there.
My precious cargo is upset! Jabba grumbled. I may have to sacrifice one of my dancers to appease his appetite. Blood eaters are sensitive creatures, Solo!
Uh . . . yessir. Sorry about that, sir. But I had to fight. Otherwise wed have been blown out of space. Those pi-rates werent just looking for loot and salvage, Your Excel-lency. They knew we were coming. They were waiting at exactly the right spot to intercept a ship making the last leg of a trip to Tatooine.
Really? Jabbas petulant tones suddenly hardened. Now the crime lord was all business. What do you think they were attempting to do, Captain?
Disable or destroy us, Your Excellency, Hah said, opening the landing-bay doors so the one remaining Head-hunter could limp in. I believe they were after you, sir.
Another assassination attempt... Jabba sounded very thoughtful. Han knew that devious mind was working at lightspeed.
I think so, sir.
Interesting, Jabba grunted. Captain, may I ask where you learned those . . . unorthodox . . . maneuvers? At the Imperial Academy, Your Excellency.
I see. They proved most useful, I must admit. You are to be doubly commended for foiling this cowardly attempt to murder me, Captain Solo. Remind me of that when we return to Nar Shaddaa.
You bet, Han promised.
Solo knows something, Jabba the Hutt said to his Un-cle Jiliac two weeks later as they shared a light repast in the small lounge that adjoined Jiliacs audience chamber on Nar Shaddaa.
Jiliac reached into his elegant combination snack-quarium and water pipe-a gift from the tong-dead Zav-val-and extracted a wriggling morsel. Holding the frantic creature in midair, he regarded it absently. Really? he said after a moments silent consideration. Knows what?
Jabba wriggled closer to the snackquarium and, at a wave from his clan lord, reached in for a choice little snack. Green slime gathered at the corners of his mouth as he anticipated the delicious rubbery warmth of the little am-phibian sliding down his gullet. Even with this distraction, he was still able to focus on Jiliacs question. Jabba was nothing if not practical.
I dont know, he said. I suspect the only way to find out is to ask him.
Ask him what? demanded Jiliac as Jabba popped the treat into his mouth.
Glunk . . . Jabba swallowed noisily before answering, Ask him how he knew to react so quickly with those Drell ships. Ships log showed he was tracking with his weapons systems and taking evasive maneuvers even before they fired on us. How did Solo know those DreU ships meant trouble?
We have hired Drell pirates ourselves, in the past, Jiliac reminded him. The question we must ask is, was this attack one from within our clan, or from outside? He folded his small hands together on the swell of his belly-folds. Make no mistake, nephew. There are those within Desilijic who would wrest the leadership of the kajidic from me . . .
True, Jabba agreed. But I do not think this was an attack from within the kajidic. My informant s assure me that the entire clan was pleased with our profit ratio last quarter.
Then who do you think was behind the attack? Jiliac asked.
Besadii, Jabba replied flatly.
Jiliac cursed. Naturally. They are the only ones who have sufficient funds to hire the Drell pirates. Blast them! The Hutt Lords massive tail whipped back and forth on the polished floor. Nephew, Aruk grows above himself. Ylesian trade is making Besadii so wealthy they are becom-ing a personal danger, not simply an economic threat. We must act . . . and soon. This threat to Desilijic must not go unpunished.
Agreed, Uncle, Jabba said, after swallowing another Serendina wriggler. But what should we do?
Ve need more information, Jiliac decided. Then we can plan our retaliation. Flicking on the comm unit, he said, Dielo!
Immediately the response came back. I am here, Your Magnificence. What do you wish?
Summon Solo to us, Jiliac ordered. We wish to speak with him.
Immediately, Ird Jiliac, Dielo replied.
It was several hours before Solo appeared, and Jabba and Jiliac were growing increasingly annoyed at having to wait by the time the Corellian entered the audience cham-ber. He was accompanied, as always, by his tall, hairy com-panion.
Both Hutts looked him over in silence for several min-utes. Solo shifted a little, and Jabba sensed that he was uneasy, though, for a human, he hid anxiety well.
Greetings, Solo, Jiliac finally intoned in his deepest, most intimidating voice.
The Corellian Captain bowed. Greetings, Your Excel-lency. What can I do for you?
We want the truth, Jabba said, not waiting for Jiliac to mince around the subject. Jabba enjoyed being direct, and putting other sentients on the spot. You can give us the truth.
Jabbas eyesight was sharp, and Hutts could see farther into the infrared than humans could. He watched the blood ebb from Solos face as he paled, though his expression did not change. The Wookiee shifted uneasily and whined softly.
Uh, Your Impressiveness . . . Solo wet his lips. Im
afraid I dont understand. Tile truth about what7
Jabba didnt mince words. Ive reviewed the Star Jewels log. Captain, how did you know the Drell pirates were waiting to attack us?
Solo hesitated, then drew a deep breath. Ive run into an ambush from pirates in Drell-built cruisers before, he said. And I know that you, Jiliac, and you, Jabba, have enemies that are wealthy enough to hire assassins.
Jiliac was staring hard at the young Corellian. When did you encounter such an ambush, Captain? he asked slowly. Five years ago, Your Excellency.
Jabba leaned forward. And who were you working for when you encountered them, Solo?
The Corellian smuggler hesitated, then said quietly, I was working for Zavval, sir. On Ylesia.
Jiliacs eyes widened. Yes . . . my memory is stirring. Was it ym that brought me my snackquarium? I remember the Sullustan, but humans look so much alike . . .
Yes, sir, that was me, Han said. Jabba could tell that it cost him something to admit the truth.
Why didnt you tell us this before? Jiliac asked, his voice as cold as a Hothah glacier. What are you hiding, Captain?
Nothing! Solo protested, shaking his head. Listen, this is the truth, Your Excellency! I wanted to work for you, but I thought you wouldnt like it if you knew Id worked for Besadii clan---even just piloting spice freighters. So I didnt mention it, thats all! His brown eyes blazed, and he waved his arms to emphasize his point. Truth is, I actually worked for Teroenza. I barely knew Zavval. Im sorry if you thought any different, Your Excellency.
Jiliac gazed down at the Corellian from his dais. You are correct, Solo. I would not have hired you had I known this.
Silence. Solo had no answer save a shrug.
Jiliac considered for a moment. Are you still working for them?
No, Your Excellency, Solo said. Im willing to testify to that under truth drug. Or you can take glitterstim and scan me. I left Ylesia five years ago, and I never want to go back.
Jabba turned to his uncle. Uncle, it occurs to me that Solo is probably telling the truth. If he were still working for Besadii at present, he hardly would have fought so val-iantly to save the Star Jewel and me, would he? Instead our brave captain would have heaved my ship to and allowed it to be boarded and me killed. The smaller Hutt gazed at the Corellian solemnly. Therefore, unless Besadii is far more subtle and clever than I believe them to be, our cap-tain is telling the truth.
Solo nodded. I am, Your Excellency! Matter of fact, I got no use for Ylesia and those who run it. You know what I think of slavers and the slave trade-and Besadiis the big-gest exporter of slaves in the galaxy.
True, Jabba said. Captain Solo, now that my uncle has identified you as one of the messengers from Zavval, my own memory has been refreshed. Very soon after that threat from Zavval, we received reports that there had been an uprising on Ylesia. The glitterstim factory was destroyed, Zavval was killed in an armed attack, and severa] slaves were rescued. Two ships were stolen.
Jabba watched Solos face intently for his reaetion, but the Corellian smuggler revealed nothing. Captain, Jiliac said, we were told that a human . . . one Vykk Draygo, was single-handedly responsible for the conflict on Ylesia. We were also told that Vykk Draygo was reported killed by bounty hunters soon afterward. What do you know of all this?
Solo shifted, and now Jabba could tell he was struggling
to make a decision. Finally, he nodded. I know a lot about
it, he admitted. Im Vykk Draygo,
Jabba and Jiliac exdmnged a long look. Did you kill Zavval? Jabba said, in his deepest, most intimidating voice.
Not really . . . Solo wet his lips. I just . . . it was an accident, sort of. Hey . . . it wasnt my fault!
Both Hutts looked at each other again, then burst out
into boonling roars of laughter. Ho-ho-HO! Jabba
shouted. Solo, for a human you are a rare sentienfi
The Corellian seemed taken aback. Youre not mad cause I caused a Hutt to die?
Zavval threatened me, Jiliac reminded the Corellian. He and his clan caused Desilijic many problems, and cost us some lives. Hurts prefer to ruin enemies by stripping them of their wealth, Captain, but we are not above assassi-nation as a means to rid ourselves of a problem.
Jabba watched as Solo visibly relaxed. Oh. Well, hu-mans do that, too, sometimes.
Really? Jiliac seemed surprised. Then perhaps there is hope for your species after all, Captain Solo.
The Corellian smiled wryly. Jabba recognized the ex-pression because he was so used to having humans attend him.
However, Jabba said, waving a cautionary finger, it would not do for it to become generally known that a hu-man killed a Hutt and remained unmolested, Captain. If you ever divulge the truth to anyone else . . . we will have to see that you are silenced. Permanently. Do we under-stand each other?
Solo nodded silently, obviously impressed by Jabbas threat.
So... Jiliac was all business once more. You worked for Besadii, Captain Solo. What can you tell us about them?
Well, I was there about five years ago, Solo cautioned.
But living on Ylesia is something I could hardly forget.
Who gave you your orders, Solo? Jabba asked.
Teroenza, the human replied. He really runs the place, being High Priest and all.
Teroenza? Tell us about him, Jabba instructed.
Well, hes a tlanda Til, the Corellian said. You know what they are, right?
Both Hutts indicated that they did. Well, Teroenza re-ports to his Hutt overlord, the way he did to Zavval when I was there, Solo said. But hes the one who makes the decisions, and who oversees the day-to-day administration of the Ylesian colonies. Teroenzas pretty smart, and hes an efficient administrator. I gather profits were pretty good- though Im sure they had a bad year after I destroyed the glitterstim factory.
At the thought of the destruction of so much valuable property and spice, both Hutts winced. Solo shrugged again. Yeah, it bothered me, too. But I needed a diver-sion.
How did Zavval really die?
The ceiling collapsed on him, Solo said. While we
were raiding Teroenzas treasure room we got caught,
and---
Jabbas eyes narrowed. Treasure room? What trea-sure?
Thats what we called it, Solo explained. Teroenzas a really single-minded collector of rare things-art, antiqui-ties, weapons, musical instruments, furniture, jewelry. You name it, and hes got some. Hes built a big room to house his collection down in the bowels of the Administration Building on Ylesia. He lives for his collection, cause theres not much to do on Ylesia. Its mostly jungle.
I see . . . Jiliae said thoughtfully, with a sideways glance at Jabba. The younger Hutt could tell that his un-des mind was busily churning out a plot based on the information Solo had just given them.
Jiliac continued to question Solo about the spice facto-ries on Ylesia, how the operation was set up, how many guards there were, etc. Jabba listened with interest. His uncle was an experienced and devious leader of the kajidic. What did he have in mind now?
Finally, Jiliac dismissed the Corellian, and Solo and the Wookiee turned and left the audience chamber. So, Uncle, Jabba said, what are you thinking? Jiliac slowly took his hookah out of the bottom of the snackquarium and began puffing on it. Jabba smelled the sweetish odor of marcan herbs, a mild euphoric drug. It was several minutes before the kajidie leader spoke. Jabba, my nephew, I am thinking that all this enmity between Besadii and Desilijic must cease. Sooner or later one of their attempts against us will succeed, and that would be a tragedy.
I agree, Jabba said, feeling his hide prickle as he imag-ined what an assassins vibroblade would do to him. Or perhaps theyd just du mp him into vacuum without a suit . . he shuddered at file thought. But what can we do? I believe we should call for an inter-clan meeting, to be held on neutral ground, Jiliac said slowly, between puffs. And that we should offer a nonviolence pact to Besadii.
