Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Hutt Gambit, page 14
Bria had argued with the pilgrims, telling them the truth about the Exultation. Shed told the group that someday theyd thank her-and then shed given the order for her troops to turn stun beams on the crowd. Pilgrims had fallen in their tracks.
The group of Corellians had gotten away with nearly a hundred prime slaves. Teroenza cursed softly. Bria Tharen! He couldnt decide which Corellian he hated more, Bria or that accursed Han Solo.
Teroenza was worried about this raid. There was money behind this group. Ships and weapons cost money. They were well organized and efficient, like a real military cadre. Who were they?
Teroenza had heard of various rebel groups rising against the Empire. Could the squadron of soldiers that attacked Colony Three today have been part of such a group?
The High Priest experienced a flicker of satisfaction, though, when he imagined how miserable the rescuers would be when the stunned pilgrims awakened. The tlanda Til knew only too well how addicted most humanoids quickly became wben exposed to the Exultation on a daily basis.
By now the pilgrims must be missing the Exultation a great deal. They would be screaming and wailing and mak-ing threats, begging to return to Ylesia. They might even commandeer the rebel ship and bring it back here, like faithful pilgrims. One thing was certain . . . tonight the Corellian rebels would have their hands full. The thought made Teroenza smile.
Several days after Boba Fetts attempt to capture him, Han went to see Jabba and Jiliac to tell them that he would be scarce on Nar Shaddaa for a while. Hed decided to take Xaverri up on her offer, and become her assistant during her next tour. He had a feeling Boba Fett wouldnt be easily discouraged, and it wouldnt hurt to get off Nar Shaddaa for the next few months.
But the words died unspoken on his lips. The moment he was ushered into their presence, Jabba hailed him with impatient cries, ordering him to prepare the Star Jewel for an immediate trip to Nal Hutta. The emissaries sent from the Desilijic and the Besadii kajidics had convened a meet-ing of the Hutt kajidics for the next day. Apparently Besadii had been holding up the negotiations, but had suddenly made several important concessions, in the interest of hold-ing the meeting quickly.
Today? Hah said, thinking that hed have to cancel his lesson with Lando this afternoon. Thats pretty short no-tice, isnt it?
Yes, Jiliac agreed. We know of no reason for things to have been speeded up, but something must have hap-pened.
Okay, Ill take you down this afternoon, Hah said. Just give me an hour or so to get the ship ready, and check out our course.
And, Captain Solo, you must be prepared to give us your smoothest flight, Jabba cautioned. No turbulence. My aunt is in a delicate condition, and she must not be jostled.
Han glanced around for another Hutt, but saw only Jiliae. Your aunt? I beg your pardon, Ird Jabbe? There will be three Hutts for me to transport?
No, human? Jabba was impatient. Jiliae and myself, as
always! Dont you have eyes? Didnt you notice her skin
texture? Her condition is plainV
Han looked over at Jiliac, and suddenly realized tha t the Hutt did appear different. Warty excrescences had erupted on the beings face, and purplish patches mingled with the greenish ones on the leathery tan skin. Jiliac also appeared bigger, and rather lethargic. Oh, wonderful, I get to play nursemaid to a sick Hutt? Great!
Uh, Lord Jiliac, are you feeling- Hah began, only to have Jabba round on him with withering scorn.
Human idiot! Cant you see that Lord Jiliac is now Lady Jiliac? She is expecting! In her delicate condition, she really should not make this effort, but we Desilijic are noth-ing if not faithful to our duty!
She? Pregnant? Hans mouth dropped open, and Chewie roared softly in surprise.
Han recovered quickly, and bewed to Jiliac. Your par-don, Lady Jiliac. I am not familiar with your species . . . uh, er . . . reproductive habits. I meant no offense.
Jiliac blinked at Han sleepily. No offense taken. My people reproduce as they will, and I decided it was time for me to do so. My child is due in a few months. I will be able to make the trip safely, my nephew Jabba is merely over-protective. But a smooth flight would be advisable.
Yes, lady, Han said, bowing. Smooth flight to Nal Hutta. Leaving this afternoon. Ill get right on it.
Very well, Captain. You are dismissed. We wish to leave as soon as possible.
Hah bowed again, and left, with Chewie trailing behind him. As soon as he was out of sight, he shook his head. Hutts! The more I get to know them, the weirder they are . . .
A veritable tide of Hutts wriggled and glided toward the large Hutt Grand Council Hall on Nal Hutta. Jabba and Jiliac undulated along, side by side, accompanied by the Desilijie security guards. Most of the Hutts preferred to move under their own power if they still could. It was per-missible to show weakness before humans and other under-lings, but in the company of their own kind, Hutts preferred to appear strong and fit. All of Desilijic moved under their own power, and among the Besadii clan, only Aruk was too old and corpulent to manage without his sled.
As the Hutts moved toward the council chambers, they and their guards passed through multiple security and scan-ning devices. None of the guards was allowed a weapon, and each attendee was scanned, internally as well as exter-nally, to make sure no dangerous substances were being smuggled into the hall. Hutts were not trusting beings, es-pecially in the company of other Hutts-and with good reason. Long ago, every prominent Hutt on Nal Hutta had been eliminated en masse by a single ingenious assassin.
Hutts were determined that nothing like that would ever happen again.
The Grand Council Hall was a huge room, big enough to comfortably hold nearly fifty Hutts. At the moment twenty-seven Hutts were gathered-representatives of all the ma-jor clans and kajidics, as well as neutral parties from the Hutt government who would be overseeing and administer-ing the conference.
The Hutt homeworld was governed by the Grand Coun-cil an oligarchy composed of one representative ap-pointed by each major Hutt clan. In reality, though, the power of the crime syndicates---the kajidics-was far greater than that of the Grand Council.
Jabba and Jiliac had summoned two other Desilijic members to attend them. Aruk had brought the Besadii contingent, consisting of himself, his offspring Durga, and his nephew Kibbick. Jabba was pleased to note that a tlanda Til trailed in Kibbicks wake. Jiliac was right, Besadii had indeed summoned Teroenza.
After the mass of Hutts had arranged themselves in a circle around the speakers platfornl, the conference was brought to order by the Executive Secretary of the Grand Council, a Hutt named Mardoc. After each of the clans had officially identified itself and its contingent, Mardoc spoke again
Comrades-in-power, siblings-in-profit, I have convened you today to discuss some very serious developments on the Besadii colony world of Ylesia. I ask Lord Aruk to speak.
Aruk moved his sled closer to the speakers platform. He waved his small arms at his fellow Hutts for emphasis and began, Fellow Hutts. Two days ago Colony Three on Yle-sia was attacked by well-armed terrorists. Kibbick and our overseer, Teroenza, barely escaped with their lives. Much destruction was done, and the attackers made off with neady one hundred valuable slaves.
A ripple of consternation ran around the conference room as the assorted Hutts reacted to Aruks news. Jabba realized that Aruk was staring straight at him and Jiliae. Gauging our reaction, he realized. For just a moment, Jabba wondered if Jiliac had decided to play it ultra-subtle, and had arranged the raid, but not told him. After a mo-ments thought, however, he rejected the notion. His Aunt was so caught up in her recent pregnancy that she had little energy for plotting-especially commando raids. Besides, Jiliae normally eschewed direct assaults, preferring to work against enemies in more subtle ways.
Hutt brethren, we of the Besadii clan demand that Jiliac, as head of clan Desilijic, personally assure us that this terrible raid, this theft of valuable Besadii property, was not done by Desilijie! Otherwise, this means war between our kajidics!
A collective gasp echoed through the Grand Hall. Aruks challenge hung in the air like the smoke from the hookahs some of the Hutt Lords were smoking.
Slowly, Jiliac pulled herself up, appearing almost regal in her new maternal dignity. Fellow Hutts, she said. Desilijic is innocent of any taint of aggression in this mat-ter. As a guarantee of this, Desilijic pledges that if any link can be discovered between the raiders and Desilijic, Desilijic will remit to Besadii the sum of one million cred-its.
Silence for a beat, then Arnk inclined his head in the Hutt equivalent of a bow. Very well. Never let it he said that Desflijie refused to back its integrity with money. We ask that the Grand Couneil investigate and give us their findings in one month.
Mardoe agreed, but then yielded the floor to Jiliac when she indicated that she had more to say. However, I wish that I eould say the same for Besadii. Just a few months ago, my nephew here-she indicated Jabba-was bru-tally attacked by hired mercenaries. Only the fact that we cannot definitively state who sent them keeps us from level-ing accusations at our rivals! Unlike Besadii, we do not make accusations unless we have prooff.
Another ,hubbub of voices and whispers erupted in the Grand Hall.
Aruk drew himself up to his most impressive height, his rheumy old eyes red-rimmed. Besadii has done nothing wrong!
Do you deny that you sent Drell pirates to assassinate my nephew?
Yes! thundered Aruk.
The resulting barrage of threats, insults, and rhetoric from both sides made it neeessary for Mardoe to call for a recess. Jahba watched the Hutts around him, talking in small groups, and began wondering just who it was who had attacked Ylesia. If it wasnt Desilijie, then who? Did Ylesia have a new rival in the slave trade?
Durga the Hutt lay stretched beside his parent on his repulsor sled during the afternoon session. He was con-cerned about Aruk. The conference had been going on for hours, and Aruk had been in the middle of it the whole time. Durga knew that his parent wasnt up to this level of stress. Arnk was a very old Hutt, nearly a thousand years old.
The young Hutt listened intently, aware that his parent would quiz him point by point on the conference. Beside Durga, Kibbick blinked slowly, obviously fighting sleep. Durga looked at his cousin scornfully, Kibbiek was an idiot. Didnt he understand that these kinds of meetings, these feints and counterfeints, thrusts and parries and ripostes, constituted the lifes fluid of Hutt society? Didnt he tinder-stand that power and profit were food and drink and breath to their people?
This was the first ttutt conference to be held in Durgas short lifetime, and he was pleased that his parent had al-lowed him to attend. Durga knew that because of the birth-mark hed been born with, some of the Besadii kajidic would question whether he was fit to lead Besadii when Aruk died.
Durga knew that he had all the most essential qualities to lead Besadii. He was smart, scheming, devious, and rnth-less. All estimable qualities in a Hutt. But he had to dem-onstrate those qualities to Besadii, before Aruk died, or hed have trouble succeeding his parent.
If only I ctmld take over Ylesia, ira, read of Kibbick, Durga thought. He knew that his hther had spent a good part of yesterday evelfing raging at Kibbick for allowing Teroenza to take over the running of Ylesia. Arnk had also sternly advised the tlanda Til that he must know his place, lest he lose his position as High Priest. Teroenza had cow-ered before the old Hutt Lord, but Durga thought hed caught a flash of anger from him. He resolved to keep a careful eye on Teroenza.
Kibbick, on the other hand, had simply whined about how unpleasant life was on Ylesia, and how hard he was working. Aruk had let him off with a stern warning. Durga privately thought that Arnk should have relieved him of his post. Idly, he wondered whether assassinating his cousin was a good idea . . .
But he had a feeling that Arnk wouldnt like it. So that meant he couldnt do it while his parent lived.
Not that Durga wished Aruks death. He was genuinely fond of his parent, as he knew Aruk was fond of him. Durga knew only too well that he owed Aruk his life in every possible way. Most Hutt parents would not have allowed a child with a birthmark to live.
Durga also wanted to make Aruk proud of him. That motivation was even stronger in him than his need to gain power and profit-something that he knew would be seen as practically sacrilegious by other Hutts, so he never re-vealed it.
Durga watched as Jabba the Hutt wriggled forward to take the floor. The second-in-command of Desilijic was said to be an exemplary Hutt in many ways, but most Hutts found his preoccupation with humanoid females both per-verse and inexplicable. Still, Jabba was sharp, Durga had to grant him that, as he listened to him speak.
Honored Hutt Lords, listen to me[ Besadii claims that their recent expansions on Ylesia are just good business, but shall we allow good business for one kajidic to undermine the financial underpinnings of our world.9 Besadii has grabbed such a large share of the spice trade, and the slave trade, that we must all make them see reason! What does it profit them to fill their own coffers if their policies bring disaster to our world?
Disaster? Aruks voice boomed ()lit so deep and au-thoritative that Durga felt a ripple of pride. His parent was a.s fine a Hutt leader as had ever been born! Disaster, my friencks? We had one hundred and eighty-seven percent profit in the past year! How could this possibly be con-strued to be anything but something to be praised and hon-ored for? I ask you that, Jabba! How could it?
Because some of your profit has cme out of the coffers of your fellow Hutts, Jabba pointed out. It is fine to take from others, from humans and Rodians and Sullustans and from all the other creatures of the galaxy. That is why they are there-so that we Hutts may profit from them. But there is a danger in pulling away too much income from Nal Hutta and your fellow Hutts.
Oh? sarcasm tinged Anlks voice. And what is that danger, Lord Jabba?
Too much conspicuous profit may bring us to the atten-tion of the Emperor or his minions, Jabba pointed out. Nal Hutta is far from Imperial Center. Out here near the Rim Territories, we are protected to some extent by dis-tance, and protected even more by Moff Sam Shild, whom we generously support in the style to which he has become accustomed. But if any one Hurt clan makes a point of having tremendous wealth, it may bring all of us to the attention of the Emperor. And that, fellow Hutts, is an attention we do not want.
Durga heard the other Hurts murmuring, and had to admit that Jabba had made a good point. When the Empire took a close interest in any one world, it was always unfor-tunate for that world.
Durga wondered how Jabba and Jiliac had discovered that Besadii was behind the attack of Drell pirates. Too bad theyd missed their chance to rid Nal Hutta of Jabba. With-out Jabba, Jiliac would be easier to get out of the way. Jabba was a crafty Hutt, who was protective of his Aunt.
His security forces were better than Jiliacs.
The Hutt Lords were unable to reach a conclusion about Besadiis off-the-scale profits. The discussion rambled on, degenerated into personal insults, then ended with no con-clusion.
Aruk took the floor again. He was still concerned about the recent violence. Jiliac acknowledged that she was con-cerned, too. Durga was surprised that they could agree on anything. Finally, Desilijic and Besadii united to put for-ward an unprecedented proposal.
I propose, Aruk said, in summary, that the Grand Council declare a moratorium on violence between the kajidics for at least the next three standard months! Who will support me in this?
Jiliac and Jabba voiced their enthusiastic approval, then, one by one, the representatives of the other clans chimed in. Mardoc declared Aruks proposal adopted.
Durga looked up at his parent and felt another wave of pride. Aruk is a giant among Hutts!
Much later that night, as both Hurts prepared to sleep in Jiliacs Nal Hutta mansion, which was located on an island / in one of Nal Huttas more temperate zones, Jiliac turned/ to Jabba. Aruk is dangerous. I am more convinced of i than ever.
Yes, he was quite impressive when he managed to rally the clans, Jabba agreed. He has . . . charisma. He can be very persuasive.
It is truly ironic that it was Arnk who wound up propos-ing my idea about the moratorium, Jiliac said. But as the meeting progressed, I realized that if I hoped to convince the others of the wisdom of the moratorium, the idea would have to come from Aruk.
Jabba nodded. He is a forceful orator, Aunt.
An orator who must be deprived of his voice, or Desilijic will suffer even more, Jiliac said soberly. A three-month moratorium on inter-kajidic violence will free our minds so that we may look at the problem of Arnk without distractions.
Jabba blinked his bulbous eyes at his aunt as she settled herself comfortably on her padded resting spot. What are you thinking, Aunt?
Jiliac was silent for a momenL then said, I am thinking that this is our chance to strike at Aruks weak spot. His weak spot?
Yes, Nephew. Aruk has a weak spot, and it has a name.
And that name is . . .
Teroenza, Jabba said.
Correct, Nephew.
When Teroenza boarded Kibbicks space yacht for the trip back to Ylesia, he was in a very bad mood. Aruk had not permitted them to have any kind of a holiday on Nal Itutta, stressing that they must get back to Ylesia to see to the rebuilding after the raid.
Teroenza had been profoundly disappointed. Hed hoped to see his mate, Tilenna, while he was home.
But Aruk had said no, and said it with such stern dis-approval that Teroenza hadnt dared to ask again.
So here he was, stuck with that idiot Kibbick for com-pany. When he could have been sporting with his lovely mate in a delicious, sensual mud wallow.
Disgustedly, Teroenza plodded into his large, well-appointed cabin, and sank into his resting sling. Blast Arnk! The Hutt Lord was getting irrational in his old age-irra-tional and mean. Meaner, that is, than hed been before.
The High Priest still smarted from the financial review
hed been forced to sit through. Aruk had questioned every
