Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Hutt Gambit, page 16
Xaverris schemes had ranged from elegantly simple to fiendishly complex. She seldom pulled exactly the same scam twice. Instead she tailored each caper to the mark, frequently using her skills as an illusionist to trick the pompous Imperials she preyed upon.
There had been that time theyd conned the Assistant Secretary to the DAelgoth Sector Moff out of most of his life savings-and put him under suspicion of committing treason to the Empire. Hans smile broadened into a grin. The guy was a venal jerk sooner or later he wouldve be-trayed the Empire anyhow.
Not that ,all their scams had been successful. Two had fizzled out, and one had blown up in their faces, forcing them to run from the planetary officials until Chewbacca had been able to locate them and pick them up.
Han would never forget that escape-running, dodging, pursued through the countryside by tracer droids and the local version of canold-hounds. The only way theyd been able to hide their scent was to spend the night up to their necks in a swamp.
Hed also enjoyed his work as Xaverris stage assistant. It had been fun, helping to create the illusions, finding out how it was really done, and taking a bow before cheering crowds, night after night. Even Chewbacca had gotten to enjoy the public attention, and Xaverri had worked up sev-eral tricks that gave Chewie a chance to show off his Wookiee strength.
The hardest thing for Han had been getting used to the skintight, spangled stage costume hed had to wear. Hed felt horribly self-conscious the first few times hed gone onstage wearing it. But eventually hed gotten used to it, and even learued to enjoy the hoots and whistles from some of the female audience members when hed make his entrance.
Xaverri had teased him about that, especially the time a girl had dashed up onstage and kissed him full on the mouth, making him blush. Hah had teased her back about her costumes, which were often daring.
Han sighed. If only Id known she was planning this. I could have talked to her... Already he missed her, missed her presence, her smile, her affection. Her warmth, her kisses . . .
She was a special woman, and Han knew now that hed loved her. Would it have made rely difference if hed told her? He decided that it wouldnt. As her letter said, Xaverri was not someone who wanted love. She didnt want to love, or to be loved. Love, shed discovered, made you too vul-nerable.
Love makes you love life, shed told him once. And once you love life, youre in real danger. You want to hold on to it, and that wanting clouds your thinking.
You want to hold on to which? Han had asked her
Love, or life?
Both, she said. Love is the riskiest thing in the uni-verse.
Xaverri had risked herself more than anyone hed ever knoana in everything except love. If she hadnt been so coolly deliberate, hed have called her reckless. But she wasnt. Danger meant nothing to her, because she didnt worry about dying. Han had seen her stare death in the face without turning a hair.
One time hed complimented her on her courage. Shed shaken her head. No, Solo, she said. Im not brave. Ymre brave. You have courage. I just dont eare. They arent the same thing.
He sighed again, then rose froln the bed. Xaverri was gone. By now her ship, The Phantasm, was long gone from Velga.
Okay, he thought, reaching for his clothes, shows over.
Time to go back to the real world . . .
At least he and Chewie now had plenty of money to lease their own ship. For the first time in a long while, Hah wondered how things were going back on Nar Shaddaa. When they got back to the Smugglers Moon, Han was surprised to realize that it felt like coming home. He and Chewie went to see Mako first. They found him and Boa having a companionable drink together at one of the taw erns. Hah entered the place, grinned, and waved. Mako! Roa!
Both men turned at the hail and grinned broadly. Hah!
Chewbacca!
Hey, Roa! Hey, Mako, Han said. Hows business?
Not bad, Mako said. Jabba misses you, kid.
Oh, yeah, Im sure, Han said with a chuckle. Did Jiliac have her baby Hutt?
Dont know, Roa said. She aint been around, though. So maybe not. Howre you doin, kid? Youve been gone so long, we thought Boba Fett had got you!
Hah grinned back. Not yet, he said. He been around much?
Mako glanced around reflexively, Well, they said he was here on Nar Shaddaa lookin for you, several months ago. But nobodys seen him lately.
Good. Keep me informed, Han said. So . . . anyone seen Lando? He tried to seem casual. He still got that old clunker of his, the Millennium Falcon?
Oh, yeah, hes still got it, Boa said. And, Han, youre not gonna believe this. Calrissian made a killing out there in the Oseon system. Picked up a load of life-crystals, and sold em for a bundle. Guess what hes into now?
Han made a ribald guess. Both Boa and Mako cracked up.
Chewie roared an interrogatory.
Hes bought himself a used spaceship lot! Mako said. Got it lock, stock, and barrel from a Duros whod decided to go back to Duro and tend the family farm.
Well, Im in the market for a ship to lease, Han said.
Guess Ill pay Lando a visit, see what he s got.
Better see Jabba first, Mako advised. Hes put the word out that as soon as you came back to send you on.
Han nodded. Okay. Ill do that. Where can I find Landos place?
They gave him the coordinates.
With a cheerful wave, Hah headed out of the tavern. He found that it was good to be back. The interval wSth Xaverri had been pleasant, and profitable, but his real calling was smuggling, and he was eager to get back to it.
Jabba was so pleased to see Han that he actually wrig-gled dom off his dais and undulated toward the Corellian. Han, my boy! Youve returned!
Han nodded, and decided not to bow. Jabba had obvi-ously missed him. Hello, Jabba... Your Excellency. Hows business?
Jabba sighed theatrically. Business would be much bet-ter if only Besadii would learn that they are not the only rightful destination for the credits in the galaxy. Hah . . .
I must admit that I have missed you. We lost a ship in fire
Maw, and it cost Desilijic dearly. We need you, Ham
Well, this time youre going to have to pay me more, Jabba, Han said resolutely. Chewie and me are about to lease our own ship. Thatll be better for both of us-you wont risk your ships, and I wont have to take less cause Im flyin your ship.
Fine, fine, Jabba said. That is fine, Han.
But, Jabba, I gotta tell you, Hah said. Theres still a bounty on my head. Teroenzas got to have talked Besadii into a pretty big one. Most of these bounty hunters I can deal with, no problem. But if I get any hints that Boba Fett is back on my trail, I aint hanging around here. Im gone. Ill operate out of Smugglers Run. Even Fett isnt dedi-cated enough to head into the Run.
Han, lad! Jabba looked pained. We need you!
Desilijic needs you! Youre one of the best! Han grinned, liking the feeling of being on more equal footing with the Hutt Lord. Hey, Jabba, Im the best, he said. And Im gonna be provin it.
Chewie roared. Jabba waved at the Wookiee. What did he say?
He said, Were the best, Han replied. Hes right.
Soon everyone is gonna know it.
Hans next stop, as promised, was Landos used ship-yard. He and Chewie went straight to the office, where they found a small, multi-armed droid with a single ruby-red eye in charge. Wheres Lando? Han demanded.
My master is not here at the moment, sir, the little droid replied. May I be of service? I am Vuffi Raa, his assistant.
Hah looked at Chewbacca, who rolled his blue eyes.
I want to speak to Lando, Han said. Where is he?
Out in the shipyard, Vuffi Raa replied. But . . . sir! Wait! Admittance to the shipyard is not permitted unless Master Calrissian has authorized it! Sir! Come back! Sir!
Hah kept on walking. Chewbacca, however, did stop. As the little droid approached him, arms flailing, he let loose with a snarl that swiftly built to a full-throated roar. Vuffi Raa stopped in his tracks so fast that he nearly fell over backward, then went scuttling off, calling Master! Mas-ter! in a plaintive voice.
Hah found Lando out back, with the Falcon. He didnt know which one of them he was gladder to see. The Falcon was .all in one piece, he was pleased to note.
For once, the gambler wasnt his usual dapper self. Hah was surprised to see that he was wearing greasy mechanics coverails, and his hands were filthy as he gripped a hydros-panner.
Lando! Han shouted.
His friend turned around, and his handsome features lit up. Han, you old pirate! How long have you been back? Just got home, Han said, shaking Landos hand. They grabbed each other, thumping each other on the back, then stood back, grinning. Hey, Han, its good to see you, man!
You, too!
Before the end of the day, Han and Chewie had leased their new ship from Lando. It was a small SoroSuub freighter, Starmite-class, heavily modified. The ship was about two-thirds the size of the Millennium Falcon, and had a blunt, rounded bow, thick, stubby wings, and a rounded, thick body that narrowed back to a flattened tail section. The ship resembled a coarse, unstreamlined tear-drop and, as one of Hans Quarren acquaintances later told him, looked like something we raise for snacks. Each of the wings ended in a gun turret that held two fixed laser cannons, and the pilot also controlled a set of laser cannons mounted on the bow.
Hah christened her the Bria.
Lord Aruk wishes to see you, Your Excellency, Ganar Tos, Teroenzas majordomo, said. He is waiting in your office.
The High Priest tensed. I dont think I can take any more of his criticism! he thought, hoisting himself out of his resting sling resentfully.
Lord Arnk and his offspring Durga had come for a spe-cial inspection tour of the Ylesian operation two days ago. Teroenza had been proud to show them the progress theyd made, the new factories, the productive pilgrims, the stead-ily growing supply of valuable spice that theyd ship off-world. Hed even been able to show them the new cleared plot of land for the new colony-Colony Eight.
But the more Teroenza had shown the Hutt Lord, the more Aruk had nitpicked. The High Priest was beginning to feel a little desperate.
Now, as he lumbered down the hallway of the Adminis-
tration Building in Colony One, Teroenzas mind was busy
composing replies to any of the charges Aruk might fling at
him. Production was up. The workers were efficient. They
were exploring new exports . . . those nala-tree frogs, for
example,
Aruk had developed quite a tttste for them during his visit. Kibbick had introduced them to his uncle, insisting that Aruk had to try them. Durga had sampled them also, and had pronounced himself unimpressed, but Aruk had loved the ugly amphibians, and had commanded Teroenza to make sure he received a supply of live ones on every ship shuttling between Ylesia and Nal Hutta.
Teroenza entered his office, tr4ng not to let his nervous-ness show. I am tiere, Your Excellency, he said to Aruk.
The Hutt Ixrd was accompanied only by his offspring, Durga. He looked up at Teroenza. We need to have a talk, High Priest, he said gruffly.
Oh, no. This is worse than I feared, Teroenza thought.
Yes, Your Excellency?
I am canceling your vacation, High Priest, Aruk said. I want you to stay here and bring Kil)bick up to speed on all Ylesian operations. His level of ignorance is shameful, and it is your fault! Teroenza, you have forgotten who are the true lords of Ylesia. You have grown arrogant, and think yourself in command. This is not permissible. You must learn your place, High Priest. When you have learned to serve, to take the subservient role in governing this world, you will be rewarded. Only then can you return to Nal Hutta.
Teroenza remained silent during Aruks tirade. When the Hutt Lord finally ran down, he found himself wanting to quit, to just walk away from the entire ridiculous opera-tion. Kibbick was an idiot, and no amount of coaching from his overseer was going to make the young Hutt into any-thing but an idiot!
And he hadnt seen his mate, Tilenna, in a year. What if she decided to mate with someone else because he had been gone so long? How could he expect her to remain faithful under these circumstances?
Resentment boiled up inside the tlanda Til, but with a great effort of will, tie managed to conceal his reaction.
It shall be as you say, Your Excellency, he murmured.
I shall do my best.
See that you do, Aruk rumbled, in his deepest, most threatening tone. You are dismissed, High Priest.
Teroenzas hot rage boiled and bubbled as he walked back to his quarters; but by the time he reached them, he was calm again. Strangely, coldly calm. He lowered himself into his resting sling and dismissed his majordomo.
If his thoughts could have been expressed in one word, it would have been Enough.
After a few more minutes of consideration, the High Priest reached for his comlink. The code hed memorized all those months ago came readily to his fingers as he tapped it out. And then, he keyed in the following message
I am willing to talk. What do you have to offer?
With a triumphant, savage stab of his dainty, finger, he keyed the message to SEND.
Teroenza leaned back in his resting sling and, for the first time in six months, felt at peace with the universe.
The man in the Mandalorian armor walked steadily down the dark, cavernous entrance hall of Jabba the Hutts palace on Tatooine. Once, years ago, the man had been a Journeyman Protector named Jaster Mereel. That had been before he killed a man, and paid the price for his crime.
Now he had no name save the one he had adopted for himself---Boba Fett. Over the past ten years, hed become the best-known and most feared bounty hunter in the Em-pire. He was not an ImperiM bounty hunter, though at times he worked for the Empire. He was not a Guild bounty hunter, though he regularly took Guild commis-sions and paid dues. No, Boba Fett was an independent bounty hunter. He set his own hours, selected his own commissions, and lived by his own rules.
He paused midway down the stairs leading to Jabbas throne room to survey what lay before him. The huge chamber was dark, cavernous, filled with booming music. Everywhere bodies milled and swayed. Fetts gaze followed the movements of several of Jabbas humanoid dancing girls, admiring their lithe suppleness. The bounty hunter was not one to indulge in sybaritic pleasures of the flesh, however. Boba Fett was far too self-disciplined to seek car-hal gratification. The joy of the hunt was his sole pleasure, what he lived for. The credits were an extra, a necessary bonus, a means to accomplish his ends, but it was the hunt that nurtured him, kept him strong and self-reliant and focused.
As Fett descended the steps that led into Jabbas audi-ence chamber, the Hutt Lords Twilek majordomo, Lobb Gerido, bustled toward the bounty hunter, bowing unctu-ously and babbling greetings in his fractured Basic. Fett ignored him.
Rea lizing that he would never be allowed to approach Jabba carrying his BlasTech EE-3 rifle, Fett carefully laid it down on the bottom step. He was still armed dangerously enough to have killed Jabba and completely destroyed the audience chamber, and Jabba probably knew that, but the Hurt Lord also knew Boba Fetts reputation for honesty. Jabba had paid him to come he/e and speak with him, and it would have been a breach of bounty hunter protocol for Fett to accept such a meeting if hed had an outstanding bounty on Jabbas grotesque head.
Leaving his blast rifle on the stairs, Fett strode straight up to Jabbas dais. The Hutt Ixrd was reclining above the crowd, so hed be high enough up to have the best view of all the degenerate festivities. Even from inside the Mandalorian face mask, Boba Fett could whiff the pungent odor of the Hutt. Something between ancient mold and garbage . . .
At a gesture from the Hutt Lord, the band quieted down. Fett stood before Jabba, and inclined his head slightly. He spoke Basic. You sent for me?
I did, boomed Jabba in Huttese. Do you understand me, bounty hunter?
Fett inchned his helmeted head in a yes.
Very well. Lobb Gerido, clear the room, and then make yourself scarce.
Yes, Master, the Twilek babbled, and then he scuttled about, head-rails flying, shooing all tile sycxphants and hangers-on out of the audience chamber. Finally, with a last bow, Gerido himself vanished.
Jabba glanced around, took a puff off his hookah pipe, then, when lie was sure they were alone, he leaned forward confidingly. Bounty hunter, I thank you for coming to see me. Your five thousand credits will be deposited before you leave this throne room. Fett nodded silently.
I have already spoken to the Guild representative in this sector, and arranged a generous endowment of the Guildhouse, Jabba said. However, he told me that you are not governed by the Guild, though you sometimes take on Guild coalmissions.
Thats correct, Fett continned. He was becoming in-trigued. If Jabba just wanted someone dead, why this elab-orate buildup? What was the Bloated One getting at?
Jabba puffed thoughtfifily on his water pipe for nearly a minute, cogitating, his bulbous eyes with their slitted pupils blinking. Do you know why I have summoned you here, bounty limiter?
Im assuming its becanse you want to post a bounty, so Ill hunt down and kill someone, Fett said. Thats why people contact me.
No, Jabba said. He put the hookah aside and stared levelly at Fett, obviously getting to the point. I want to pay you to not kill someone.
The macrobinocular viewplate that was built into Fetts Mandalorian helmet included infrared vision, plus motion and sound sensors. The bounty hunter could literally see Jabba tense, and change color. This is important to him, Fett realized, surprised. Most Hutts were such phenome-nally selfsh beings that hed never heard of one willing to stick his neck out for anyone.
State your offer, Fett said.
There is an outstanding bounty of twenty thousand credits on a human who has proven very useful to me. I wish to pay you twenty-five thousand to ignore that bounty until further notice.
Fett had one word for Jabba. Who?
Han Solo. Hes a good pilot, the best. He runs our spice on schedule, and the Imperials can never catch him. Hes proven extremely valuable to Desilijic. Ill pay you to stop hunting him.
