Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Hutt Gambit, page 11
Will they accept it? Jabba couldnt see why they should.
Aruk is no fool. He will at least appear to accept it, Nephew.
Jabba knew there had to be more to it than that. What is behind this request? he asked slowly. Jabba knew he himself was a clever Hutt, but sometimes Jiliac could be downright devious.
My agenda for this meeting will include a request for up-to-date profit disclosure on both sides, Jiliae said. And a request for income equalization.
Besadii will never agree to that!
I know. But it is a valid reason for requesting profit disclosure, and Besadii will recognize that. And you think Besadii will share their information with US?
I believe they will, Nephew. Aruk will enjoy the chance to flaunt their profit margins before Desilijic. Jabba nodded. He will, you are correct.
I believe that he will take this chance to bring in the leadership of Ylesia in order to validate their figures, so Aruk can boast about their profits. Who is the current overseer? Kibbick is in charge of the Ylesian operation.
But Kibbick is an idiot, Jabba pointed out. Hed met the younger Hutt before, at an inter-kajidic conference.
True, Jiliac said. My guess is that the true leader of Ylesia will also be summoned to report.
Jabbas eyes widened, then narrowed, at the thought. He chuckled aloud. I begin to see your drift, Uncle . . .
Jiliac puffed serenely on his hookall. The corners of his wide, lipless mouth turned up.
Teroenza was relaxing in his sling when the most famous bounty hunter in the Empire arrived to see him. Ganar Tos came hurrying into the tlanda Tils inner sanctum, twisting his warty green hands anxiously. Sir! Your Excellency! Boba Fett is here, and says you are paying him to come for a personal interview! Is that true, sir?
Yesssss . . . the High Priest of Ylesia said, his breath puffing out in a long hiss as he struggled up out of his sling to stand upon all four pillarlike feet. Anticipation pounded like a drumroll in his two hearts and three stomachs.
The sentient who entered the room wore battered, greenish Mandalorian battle armor. Two braided Wookiee scalps, one black and one white, hung from his right shoul-der. His features were completely masked by his helmet. Behind the eye slit, Teroenza thought he could make out the glint of his eyes.
Greetings, Master Fett! Teroenza boomed, wondering whether to offer his hand. He had a feeling that if he did, Fett would ignore it, so he didnt. I would like to thank you for coming so promptly! I trust you had no problems with our treacherous Ylesian air currents and storms on your way through our atmosphere.
Lets not waste time, Fett said, his voice fiat and inhu-man as it came through the helmets speaker. You men-tioned Mandalorian wrist-darts in your collection as my fee for coming here for a personal interview. Take me to see them. Now.
Oh, certainly, certainly, Master Fett, sir, Teroenza cried. He had a sudden cold certainty that if Fett were to decide for some reason to kill him, there would be little he could do to prevent it. Despite Teroenzas massive bulk, easily five times that of the human, he felt naked and vul-nerable in the presence of the notorious bounty hunter.
Quickly he ushered Fett through the door in his private apartment that led into his treasure room. Theyre rigtit here, he said, having to forcibly stop himself from talking too quickly, almost babbling. Fett moved beside him, his progress as silent and deadly as a poison dart.
Opening a case, the Ylesian High Priest seized the wrist-lets. Each contained a spring mechanism that would shoot a profusion of tiny, deadly darts when the wearer moved his fingers in a certain way. A matched set, Teroenza gab-bled. I was assured theyre in perfect working order.
Ill determine that for myself, Fett said, his voice, as always, flat and emotionless. Sealing the wristlets on, he turned in one smooth, lithe motion, and fired both of them into a thick tapestry that adorued the wall. Teroenza squeaked in protest, but dared not say more.
Only after Fett had collected the darts from the tapestry did he turn to face the High Priest. Very well. I am paid for my time, Priest. What is it you wish?
Teroenza pulled himself together. Fett was about to be-come his employee, after all . . . in a manner of speaking. He summoned as much dignity as he could, despite the racing of his pulses. There is a smuggler, Han Solo by name. You may have seen W^NTED posters for him. Fett nodded once.
Solo travels with a Wookiee, they say, these days. Hes been reported seen on Nar Shaddaa. They say that nine or ten bounty hunters have tried for him, but hes been too quick for all of them.
Fett nodded again. Teroenza found his silence un-nerving, but he continued doggedly, I want him. Alive, and relatively unharmed. No disintegrations.
That makes it harder, Fett said. For seventy-five hun-dred credits, its not worth my time.
Teroenza had been afraid of this. Inwardly, he quaffed at the thought of what Aruk would have to say about this. Aruk liked to call himself frugal. Teroenza thought of him as a cheap old miser But . . . he had to have Solo. Should he try raising the bounty credits himself?. He didnt want to sell part of his collection . . .
Ylesia will increase the bounty on Solo to twenty thou-sand credits, Teroenza said firmly. He resolved to talk Kib-bick and Aruk into approving the increase. Hed manage . . somehow. After all, it was Aruks responsibility, as head of Besadii.
Fett remained motionless, then, finally, just when Ter-
oenza thought hed say no, he nodded again. All right
The High Priest had to resist the urge to babble thanks at the bounty hunter. When do you think you can have him? Teroenza asked eagerly.
Thats not enough of a bounty to make me put aside my other commitments, Fett said. Youll have him when I get to him, Priest.
Teroenza fought his disappointment. But . . .
Make it a hundred thousand, and Ill put Solo as my first priority, Fett offered.
A hundred thousand credits! Teroenzas mind reeled. His entire collection wasnt worth much more than that Aruk would have him drowned in Ylesias oceans if he promised such a bounty. He shook his head. No. Just put him on your list. Well wait.
And youll have Solo, Fett promised.
As Teroenza stood watching, Boba Fett turned and walked away. Teroenza strained his excellent hearing, but he could hear nothing. Soundlessly, Fett vanished through the door. The High Priest knew he wouldnt see him again, until the day he brought Han Solo back to Ylesia, to face a terrible fate.
Just wait, Solo, he thought. You are a dead man. You just dont know it . . . yet.
Two months and three bounty hunters later, Han and
Chewbacca were well on their way to saving the credits
theyd need to lease a ship of their own. Jabba and Jiliac
were sticklers when it came to keeping schedules, but they
paid well if their orders were followed to the letter
There were no further attacks on the Hurt yachts. But it was obvious to Han that a confrontation was brewing be-tween Desilijic and Besadii . . . he knew that Jiliacs mes-sengers had made some kind of proposal to Aruk the Hutts representatives Aruk had come back with a request for a face-to-face conference Han gathered that such confer-ences were highly unusual in Hutt society. He kept his eyes and ears open, wondering if hed be ordered to fly Jabba and Jiliac to attend the meeting.
Han and Chewie worked long hours, but sometimes days went by between missions. During their off-hours, they hung out with the other smugglers in the Corellian sector, playing sabace and other games of chance.
Always ready for entertainment, and intrigued by nov-elty, Han was attracted one day by a huge holosign on one of the ancient, though still maintained, hotel-casinos. Headlining at The Chance Castle was a stage magician who was, by all reports, one of the best illusionists in the galaxy.
Her name was Xaverri. Han checked out the admission pride, and when he discovered they could afford it, he sug-gested to Chewbaeca that they attend a magic show that night.
Han didnt believe in magic any more than he believed in religion. But hed had some experience at sleight of hand in learning pickpocketing and card tricks, and he enjoyed trying to figure out how each trick was done.
Chewbacca proved strangely reluctant to go. He whined and shook his head, telling Han that they should go out with Mako that night, or over to see Roa, who had bought a small, one-man snubfighter that pirates had salvaged, and was working on it. Several times Han and Chewie had given him a hand fixing it up.
Han pointed out that they could help Roa any night, but that Xaverri was only scheduled to appear for a weeks run.
Chewie shook his head, silent, but obviously unhappy. Han stared at the Wookiee, wondering just what in the name of blazes was wrong with him. Hey, pal, whats the matter? This would be fun!
Chewie just grunted and shook his head, not answering. Han regarded him, puzzled, when suddenly he had a flash of insight. Wookiees were still a primal people. Theyd in-corporated and adapted advanced technology so it fit into their society, but they werent naturally technological. Wookiees were a very intelligent species who had learned to pilot spaceships through hyperspace, but theyd never built any of their own. Wookiees who left Kashyyyk--- though that was rare now that the Empire had declared Kashyyyk a slave-labor world-did so on ships built by other sentients than themselves.
Wookiee society still contained rites and customs th at many citizens of the Empire would consider primitive. Chewie had his own beliefs, and they included a certain amount of what Han regarded as superstition. Wookiee leg-ends contained frightening tales of supernatural beings that prowled, hungered, and thirsted by night, as well as stories of evil magicians and sorcerers who could work their will on others for nefarious purposes.
Han stared at his hairy partner for a long moment. Hey, Chewie, he said, finally, you know as well as I do that what theyre calling magic in Xaverris act aint nothin but a bunch of simple tricks and nonsense, right?
Chewbacca hrrrrnnnned, but he didnt sound too posi-tive about it.
Hah reached up and ruffled the hair on the top of the Wookiees head. Dewlanna had often caressed him in just that way. It was the Wookiee equivalent of a comforting pat on the shoulder. Believe me, Chewie, he oontinued, these stage magicians dont actually do real magic. Not the kind in Wookiee legends. What this Xaverri does is all sleight of hand, like what I can do with card-chips. Either that or its done with holo-projections or mirrors or some-thing like that. No real magic. Nothing supernatural.
Chewie whined, but he was beginning to look reassured. Ill bet you that if you come with me tonight, I can spot how this Xaverri does all of her tricks, Han said. How bout it, pal, is it a deal?
The Wookiee wanted to know what Hah was willing to bet. The Corellian thought for a moment. Ill fix breakfast and clean up for a month if I cant figure out how she does em, he promised. And if I do manage to do it, you pay me back for your own ticket, hows that? Chewbacca decided that was fair.
The two smugglers got to the performance early enough to get seats close to the stage. They waited restlessly until there came a blare of fanfare, and the holo-curtain van-ished, to reveal the stage and its sole occupant.
Xaverri proved to be a voluptuous, attractive woman sev-eral years older than Han. She had long, heavy black hair that she wore in an elaborate coiffure. Her eyes flashed silver from the iris-enhancers she wore. The magician wore a costume of violet silk, slashed in strategic places to permit occasional tantalizing glimpses of the golden skin be-neath it.
She was an exciting, exotic-looking woman. Han won-dered what planet she came from. Hed never seen anyone who looked like her before.
After she was introduced, she went straight into her act. With a minimum of stage patter, she performed increas-ingly difficult tricks. Both Han and Chewbacca were capti-vated as they watched her illusions. Several times Han thought he might be able to guess how a trick had been engineered, but he was never able to spot any flaws in her routine. He knew hed lost his bet with Chewie.
Xaverri performed all the traditional illusions-and then improved on them. She Iascred a volunteer from the audi-ence in half, then lasered herself in two. She teleported not only herself but a small flock of Rodian batwings from one glassinc cage to another one across the stagemall in one burst of smoke and flame. Her illusions were stylish and imaginative-and so well done it appeared she really possessed supernatural powers.
When she seemingly released a flock of Kayven whistlers to attack the audience, even Han flinched, and Chewie had to be restrained from trying to attack the illusionary beasts, so real did they appear.
For the grand finale of her act, Xaverri made the entire wall of the hotel ballroom disappear, replaced with a star-flecked blackness of space. As the audience oohed and ahhhed, suddenly the emptiness of space was filled with a terrifying vision of a rogue dwarf star rushing headlong at them. Even Han couldnt stop himself from crying out and ducking as the enormous illusion dominated the room;
Chewie howled in terror and nearly crawled under his seat. It was all Han could do to drag him back upright when the illusion abruptly vanished, and there, replacing it, was a huge image of Xaverri, bowing and smiling.
Hah clapped until his hands were sore, yelling and whistling. What a show!
After all the applause had died away, Han made sure that he found his way backstage. He wanted to meet the lovely illusionist, wanted to tell her that she was extraordi-narily talented.
Xaverri was the first woman hed found himself really attracted to in a very long time. Since Bria had left, matter of fact.
After a long wait amid the stage-door crowd, Han saw Xaverri emerge from her dressing room. The silver iris-enhancers were gone, and her eyes were now their natural dark brown. She wore a stylish street outfit instead of the silk costume. Smiling warmly, she scribed her signature and personalized messages to her fans, then thumbprinted them onto tiny holocubes as a memento. She was gracious and pleasant to her admirers.
Han deliberately hung back until everyone except her assistant, a surly Rodian, was gone.
Finally, he stepped forward, smiling his best, most charming smile. Hi, he said, looking her in the eye. Xaverri was nearly as tall as he was, and her high-heeled, elaborately decorated boots made them the same height. Hah Solo, Lady Xaverri. And my partner, Chewbacca. I wanted to tell you that I thought that was the most original and exciting magic act Ive ever seen.
Xaverri looked him and Chewbacca up and down assess-ingly, then smiled a very different sort of smile, cold and cynical. Greetings, Solo. Let me guess, she said. Youre selling something?
Han shook his head. Very perceptive of her. But it been a long time since Ive been a con man. These days Im just a pilot . . . Not at .all, lady. Im just a fan who admires stage magic. Also, I wanted to give Chewie a chance to see you and smell you so hell know youre as human as I am. Im afraid you more than impressed him. When you filled the air with those Kayven whistlers, it was like something out of a Wookiee night-flyer legend. He didnt know whether to dig a hole in the floor or fight for his life.
She glanced up at Chewbacca, then, slowly, slowly, her cynical smile faded, to be replaced by the real thing. Pleased to meet you, Chewbacca. Sorry if I scared you, she said, holding out her hand.
Chewie engulfed her hand in his two hairy paws and spouted Wookiee at her, which she seemed to understand perfectly. He told her that her show had amazed and terri-fied him, but that now it was over, he found that hed really enjoyed himself.
Why, thank you? she exclaimed. Thats the reaction a magician hopes to get Han was almost jealous to see how she and the Wookiee seemed to hit it off. Xaverri re-sponded to Chewies open admiration with genuine warmth.
Before the moment could be lost, Han stepped forward and invited the illusionist to go out with them for a post-performance snack.
She eyed him, the caution back in her eyes. Han studied her, and suddenly realized that this was a human who had suffered a terrible loss in the past. It had made her cau-tious, protective. Shell say no, he thought, disappointed. But, to his surprise, after a moments consideration, Xaverri agreed to accompany them.
Han took her to a little bistro in the Corellian sector where the food and drink were good and cheap, and a woman with a lute-pipe alternately strummed and sang softly.
It took a while, but Xaverri slowly relaxed, and even smiled at Han as well as Chewie. After they walked her back to her hotel, the magician took Hans hand in both of hers and gazed at him earnestly. Solo . . . thank you. Ive really enjoyed meeting you and Cbewbacca. She looked over at the Wookiee, who gave her a pleased whine. I find Im sorry to have to say good-bye, and its been a long time since I could say that to anyone.
Han smiled at her. Then dont say good-bye, Xaverri.
Say, Ill be seeing you, because its true.
She took a deep breath. I dont know if thats a good idea, Solo . . .
t do, Han said. Trust me.
Han was back at file stage door the next night, and the next. He and Xaverri got to know each other, little by cau-tious little. She was uncommunicative about her past, even more reticent than Han himself. By listening and asking roundabout questions, Han managed to diseover a few things about her she hated the Empire and Imperial offi-cials with a single-minded quiet ferocity that he found dis-turbing, she was proud of her skills as a magician and couldnt resist a challenge, and . . . she was lonely.
It was a hard life, traveling from planet to planet, playing to cheering crowds, but always winding up alone in some hotel room. Han got the impression that it had been a long time, perhaps years, since Xaverri had spent time with a man. She had many opportunities, but her natural reserve and suspicion made her resist involvements.
For the first time in his life, Han found that he was the person who had to open up, to try to get past barriers that made his own considerable emotiona] defenses seem puny. It was hard to do-several times he was tempted to quit, to give up his pursuit as hopeless.
But Xaverri intrigued and excited him. He wanted to get to know her, and he wanted her to trust him . . . even a little.
