Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Hutt Gambit, page 19
Chewie commented sadly that Hah no longer looked scruffy, in approved Wookiee fashion. Instead he appeared as sleek and polished as lapistone.
Trust me, pal, I cant wait till I can turn back into my-self, Han said.
Then, picking up his package of gifts, and the holocube message from Jfiiac and the Grand Councfi of Nal Hutta, Han left Quicksilver and took a shuttle down to Imperial Center.
Being back in the Imperial capital city brought back a lot of memories, most of them unpleasant ones. Bria had left him on Coruscant. Here hed been hunted across the roof-tops by Garris Shrike. His court-martial had taken place in the headquarters of the Imperial Navy . . . Hah already had the address for the Moff. Shild main-tained several residences on different worlds, but at the moment, he was in Imperial Center, attending conferences on law and order in the Empire.
Hah reached the Moffs residence, a luxurious pent-house in one of the citys most elegant buildings. After go-ing through multiple security checks, he handed his credentials to the majordomo, an elderly human male, and then sat down in the antechamber. Only a strong effort of will kept him from fidgeting.
After waiting for nearly forty-five minutes, the major-domo appeared. My master can give you only a few min-utes, he said. He is departing this evening for Velga Prime.
Nice, Han thought. Velga Prime was the most opulent gambling planetoid in the known galaxy.
He followed the majordomo down a succession of carpeted hallways. Automatically, Han memorized the way, just in case things went sour and he had to make a quick escape.
Finally, the majordomo ushered him into an office big-ger than Hafts apartment back on Nar Shaddaa. Master Jobekk Jonn, of Nal Hutta, Your Excellency, the old man intoned.
Moff Sam Shild was a tall, pale, ascetic-seeming man with oiled black hair and a thin, pointy mustache. Slender to the point of emaciation, he had pale, cold-looking hands with elongated fingers.
He wore no jewelry except a black krayt dragon pearl in one earlobe. His suit was the same opalescent black as the jewel.
He gestured brusquely to a seat. Im afraid I must be brief, Jonn. I realize that the Hutts have been . . . gener-ous to my administration in the past, but the Emperor has made his wishes clear. My hands are tied. Lets not be hasty, Your Excellency, Han said, watch-ing his diction and grammar. Unconsciously, he slipped back into his speech patterns from when hed been an Im-perid officer. I believe you will find the Hutt offerings and message Ive brought to be of interest. May I?
Shild nodded shortly. Han carefully placed the package on the table. Please open it, he said.
Very well, the Moff said. Carefully he opened the package, and from the way his eyes lit up, Han could tell that the Hutt Lords knew his tastes well.
A smdl silver pipe, encrnsted with semiprecious gems. A miniaturized holo-projector so small it would fit into a hu-man palm. A necklace made of gold and platinum wire, encrnsted with golden cornsca gems. For your lady, sir, Hah said smoothly.
Yes, she will like this . . . muttered the Moff. A line appeared between his brows as he quickly scanned the holocubes message, which he trigged to display by means of his retind pattern.
Look here, Jonn, he said when hed finished reading it, I wish that I could offer Nd Hutta more assurances, but as I told you before, I have no choice. The Emperor has cdled upon dl Imperid wodds to tighten down on smug-gling, gunrunning, and other illegd activities. My sector contains Hutt space, and unfortunately the Hutt reputation for dishonesty is so well known that I cannot possibly cover for them. I will, however, promise Nd Hutta no armed reprisals if they cooperate.
Cooperate in what way?
Do their best to become loyd, law-abiding citizens of the Empire.
Thatll be the day, Hah thought. What about Nar Shad-daa? he asked, unable to help himself. Fear for himself and his friends made his mouth dry.
I shall have to make an example of Nar Shaddaa, Shild said. By the time I am finished with the Smugglers Moon, it will no longer support the smuggling industry. Its inhabit-ants will be lucky if it can still support sentient life.
Han tried to conced his shock. What are we going to do?
Shild shook his head. And now, Im afraid, I must de-part. I regret that you had to travel so far for only a short interview, but I did warn your Hutt masters that I would be unable to . . . bend . . . over this issue.
Shild stood up, and automatically Han did also. Sam? came a voice from behind the door leading into the next room. Caught in the act of turning, Hah froze.
That voice/
My dear, I am in here, cdled Shild. I was just about to show the diplomatic envoy from Nd Hutta out.
The door opened, and a woman stood there, smiling. Sam, darling, she said, we must hurry. The shuttle is waiting on the rooftop. Will you be much longer?
Han turned his head, and their eyes met for the first time in six years.
Bria Tharen. This time, there was no mistake. Bria stood there, dressed in a flowing silken gown that made her seem just as much of an ornament as anything else in Shilds palatial home. The low-cut gown was turquoise, the color of her eyes. She was stunningly beautiful.
As she stared back at Han, she blinked, and went a little pde. Her smile did not waver, though.
Shes good, Itan thought. He knew hed betrayed his shock, but fortunately Shild wasnt looking at him. Han hastily pulled himself back together, composing his features into a polite, neutrd mask.
Shild gestured at Bria. Master Jobekk Jonn of Nal Hutta, my... niece ... Bria.
Only Hans years of playing sabacc saved him. As Bria composedly held out her hand with a throaty, Its a plea-sure to meet you, Master Jonn, Han was able to take it and bow over it with a suave smile.
The pleasure is all mine, he said. Shild, you are a very lucky man, to have such a lovely . . . niece.
He saw a faint wave of color brighten her cheeks at his gibe. You look familiar, sir, she said. Havent I seen you before? Her voice was cool and disinterested.
Han knew she was baiting him. Perhaps on WANTED posters, Han murmured, so quietly Shild couldnt hear.
Then bowing cx)ldly over her hand once more, he let go of her-though all he wanted to do was grab her and bring her with him!--and bowed formally to Shild. Thank you for your time, Your Excellency.
Then, turning away, Han strode resolutely from the
room,
Later that same night, much later, Bria Tharen lay in her small bunk aboard the MoWs yacht, muffling her sobs in her pillow. Every time she recalled the look in Hans eyes, she wanted to wail aloud.
It was only too obvious that hed thought the worst- that she was Shilds concubine. Sobs shook her. That was what he was supposed to think, after all. That was what Sam Shild wanted everyone to think.
In truth, the MoWs sexual preferences did not run to human females. Bria traveled with him as a lovely show object, to be displayed to Imperial officials, just as Shild would display any trophy.
She kept his home running smoothly, listened to him when he wanted someone to talk to, oversaw his household staff and office, and generally kept MoW Sam Shilds life running smoothly.
But she had never shared his bed, which was the only thing that made this current assignment bearable.
And now . . . now Han had seen her, and thought the worst. Even all the information Bria had been able to fun-nel to the rebel movement back on CoreIlia couldnt ease the grief and shame she felt.
Her pillow was wet. Bria turned it over, and then lay there, staring into the darkness, as the Moffs yacht streaked through hyperspace.
Hah . . . she whispered brokenly. Han. . .
On the way back to Nar Shaddaa, Chewbacca flew the Hutt courier ship Quicksilver competently, but his mind was not completely on his work. The Wookiee glanced over at his partner, the human to whom hed sworn a life debt, and his blue eyes crinkled with concern. Han was slumped in the copilots seat, scowling blackly at the star-lined void of hyperspace. Hed been like this for days now, ever since hed boarded Quicksilver following his mission to the Moffs residence on Coruscant. He rarely spoke, and when he did, all he did was complain and make sarcastic comments.
And he complained about everything-the food, the speed of the little c ourier ship, Chewies piloting, the te-dium of space travel, the greed of the Hutts. . . any sub-ject the Wookiee had tried to introduce, Han had had a great many negative things to say about it.
For the first time since hed met the Corellian, Chewbacca actually wondered whether there might be cir-cumstances under which renouncing a life debt was the honorable thing to do. More honorable, say, than murder-ing the person to whom one owed the life debt . . .
This thing moves like a thousand-year-old Hutt, Han grumbled. Youd think with the size of the engines, shed be able to make some speed . , . think you could get her to go a little faster if I got out and pushed?
Chewbacca restrained himself and commented that it wouldnt be too long now before they were back on Nar Shaddaa.
Yeah, and it cant be too soon for me, Han said bit-terly. He got up and paced nervously around the cramped Cabin. When he turned abruptly, he whacked his head on a low stanchion and began cursing a blue streak.
When he finally began to repeat himself, Han growled, then threw himself back into tile copflots seat. After we return the Hutts little bucket of bolts to them, I guess well have to head for Smugglers Run. If the Br- he seemed to choke on the word, then amended, if that blasted ship of ours will make it through the asteroid field.
Chewbacca asked why theyd be heading for Smugglers Run. Wynni, he pointed out, would likely be at Smugglers Run, and she was the last person he wanted to see. The Wookiee wasnt sure he could take much more of the way she was so free with her paws.
Listen, pal-Hans voice dripped sarcasm-in case it aint occurred to you, its all over for Nar Shaddaa. Moff Sam Shild has probably already ordered his fleet to assem-ble out near Teth. Were shakin the dust of that miserable excuse for a moon off our feet for good.
What fleet? Chewbacca wanted to know.
Oh, each Imperial Moff has his own discretionary peacekeeping squadron, Han said, propping his boots on the console, not bothering to look before he plunked them down. Chewie was relieved to see that he missed the DECZL-ER^TE control. Sudden decelerations while in hyperspace were not a good idea. No doubt Shild has one, too. His fleets probably not the best, but itll be more than enough for the mission.
Chewbacca was confused. Why wouldnt the Molls fleet be the best available?
Oh, its just the way things go in the Imperial Navy. Since Hutt space is out here in the Rim, far from civiliza-tion that is, Cornscant-Id bet Sam Shild got stuck with all the older ships and weaponry, while all the newest, best stuff went to Rampa 1 and Rampa 2.
Rampa 17 Chewie asked. Hed thougilt only Rampa 2 lad experienced an uprising.
Yeah, well, when the citizens of Rampa 1 heard about what was going on, they rose up, too, Han said. For all the good its gonna do cm.
Chewie commented that he hated the Empire that had enslaved him, and wished he could help bring it down.
Hah snorted. Hey, pal, dont hold your breath. Palpa-tines got more weapons and starships than he knows what to do with. Any rebellion against the Empire is doomed.
The Wookiee pilot did not believe his partners pro-nouncement, and said so. It made sense to him that at some point the Imperial worlds, tired of Palpatines iron fist, would unite and rebel.
Hah shook his head sourly. Never happen, Chewie. And if it did, theyd be doomed. Just like Nar Shaddaa is doomed.
Chewie commented that it wasnt the Wookiee way to run away from a fight. Didnt Hah want to fight back against the Imperial fleet? He was certain that the smug-glers were much better pilots-and certainly better shots- than the Imperials. Maybe they could defeat the Imperial attack.
Han laughed out loud at the suggestion.
Annoyed, Chewies lips skinned back from his teeth, and he snarled at his human partner.
Han sat up in a hurry, looking startled. Chewie rarely showed temper to the Corellian, and Wookiee anger was not something to be taken lightly. Hey, no need to get sore about it] I cant help it if Nar Shaddaa doesnt stand a chance! It aint my fault!
The Wookiee growled, low in his throat.
Okay, okay, Han soothed. Ill definitely warn em, so they can get away. Ill talk to Mako about it, soon as weve reported in to Jiliac, okay?
Chewbacca subsided, and went back to piloting. But the Wookiee was still thinking, still adding things up. He com-mented on Hans ill temper.
Whaddaya mean, Ive been hard to live with? Han was indignant. Nothins wrong!
Chewbaccas comment was short and to the point. Han flushed. Whaddaya mean, this has somethin to do with a woman? he demanded indignantly. What makes you think that?
Chewie reeled off a list of reasons, then put forth his best guess as to exactly which woman Han was upset about.
Han cursed, scowled, then, finally, slumped down and put his hands over his face. He rubbed his forehead and groaned aloud. Youre right, Chewie, he mumbled. It was her. Bria. With Sam ShiM. Ieouldnt believe it. How could she?
Chewbacca noted that appearances could sometimes be deceiving.
Han shook his head. Not this time, he said miserably.
She called him Sam darling.
The Wookiee wondered whether Bria might be married to the Moff.
Han sighed. Nope. It wasnt that . . . formal . . . a relationship. Chewie, I cant believe shed do that! Its so ... cheap!
Chewbacca tried to be comforting, reminding Han that sometimes sentients had to do things they didnt particu-larly like because they were necessary. Maybe there were extenuating circumstances in Brias case, too.
Han tried to smile. Thanks, pal. I wish I could say I thougilt you were right. But . . . He shook his head, and subsided into silence.
It was a very silent flight back to the landing platform on Nar Shaddaa.
Han and Chewie reported to Jiliac and Jabba the mo-ment they returned to Nar Shaddaa. The Hutts were not pieaxed to hear that Sam Shild was no longer in their pay. We shall have to do some investigating about this fleet and the situation, Jiliac said. Come back in two hours, Cap-tain Solo.
Hah shrugged and agreed. He had his ten thousand credits, hed checked his balance before hed left Nar Shad-daa. So he was willing to do the Hurts bidding for a little while longer. Besides, in two hours, hed be able to find Mako and pass along the warning to the older smuggler.
Mako was even more upset than Jiliac and Jabba when he heard the situation. Keep this quiet, Han, he said softly, staring out across the awnings and walkways of Nar Shaddaa. They were standing on his little balcony outside his ramshackle fiat. If the citizens get wind of this, therell be mass panic. An Imp fleet aint nothing to mess with.
But with enough warning, maybe they could evacu-ate- Han began, only to break off at Makos quick head-shake.
Not a chance, kid. Too many of era dont have any-where else to go. Take that Jarik Solo kid whos been riding with you and Chewie. Hes a rat from the deep-down streets, born and raised-not that anyone likely raised him here on Nar Shaddaa. Theres millions like him, Han. And if the Imps are out to teach Nar Shaddaa a lesson, then a whole lotta people are gonna die.
Han was considerably sobered by his talk with Mako. He hadnt thought of it in those terms before. He realized how lucky he and Chewbacca were, to be able to climb aboard their ship and fly away from the danger. He resolved that if it came to that, hed take Jarik with him. Hed grown to like the youth.
But what about all the other sentients who wouldnt be able to get out? Nar Shaddaa had shields, but they wouldnt be able to stand for long against an Imperial bombardment. Hah had a sudden, vivid vision of these crumbling towers in flames from Imperial turbolasers. People would be fleeing, filling the streets, screaming, cowering, clutching children against them. Rodians, Sullustans, Twileks, Wookiees, Gamorreans, Bothans, Chadra-Fans . . . and more. Not to mention humans. Lots of humans. The Corellian section was full of them . . .
Han reported back to Jiliacs audience chamber in a very troubled frame of mind.
The Hutt leader fixed him with a somber gaze. What you have said is true. We checked our sources on Teth, and the Moff has indeed ordered his discretionary fleet to as-semble there. Since some elements of the fleet have been out on patrol, it will take a week or possibly two for all the ships to converge on Teth, and then a minimum of several days to prepare for an assault on Nal Hutta. We are taking measures to ensure our safety on Nal Hutta.
But what abtn, t Nar Shaddaa? Han wondered. It was a pretty good bet that the self-centered Hutts would give the Smugglers Moon barely a thought, in comparison to pro-tecting their safety, and that of their homew0rld.
We have discovered that Shilds fleet is under the com-mand of Admiral Winstel Greelanx. You used to be an Im-perial officer, Captain. Do you know him?
No, Han said. Never heard of him. But its a big Navy.
True, Jiliac said. Our sources have assured us that
Admiral Greelanx, while a competent officer, has, in the
past, not been above furthering his own fortunes when the
opportunity arises. He was in charge of several Imperial
fleets doing customs patrol in the past, and we have con-
firmed that under the right circumstances he can be
bribed.
Hah nodded, not really surprised, much less shocked. The pay scale for an Imperial officer wasnt that good. Hed heard of more than one Imp officer on the take.
With that in mind, we want you to go and see him, Captain, Jiliac continued. We want you to negotiate with him on our behalf.
Me? The thought of just marching right into the mid-dle of an Imperial fleet was not appealing. And offering a bribe to an Imperial officer carried the death penalty should he be caught. But- You are our best choice, Capt ain Solo, Jiliac said.
But-
No buts, Hah my boy, Jabba said, in those overly friendly tones hed adopted recently. You can handle this assignment better than anyone else. You were an Imperial officer. We will get you a uniform, forged orders, and a military ID. You can get in to speak with Greelanx, take him a small gift from us. You speak his language, Han. You can talk to him in terms he will understand. Credits are what hell understand, Han said. Lots of them.
