Star Wars_ Boba Fett 04_ Hunted - Elizabeth Hand [23]
"It is impressive, is it not?" a robotic voice remarked.
Boba turned to see a humanoid PD protocol droid beside him. Its yellow plasteel body gleamed in the morning sun.
"Yes, it is," replied Boba. He adjusted his helmet to shade his eyes from the brilliance.
"Long, long ago it was a B'omarr monastery," the droid went on.
"There were many thousands of monks here then. Now there are only a few.
Their brains have been transferred into spider-droid casings. One can sometimes glimpse them on the upper levels."
Inside his helmet, Boba grimaced. Ugh! he thought. Remind me not to go on the upper levels!
"Keep moving!" a Gamorrean bellowed.
Boba eased himself toward a crowded ramp. The droid walked beside him. As they jostled their way onto the ramp, a deafening roar blasted through the calm desert air.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Boba. "What's that?"
He looked up. A large speeder thundered past. Blazing vapor trailed behind it. A tall, powerful figure straddled the speeder. Weapons bulged from the shoulders of his armor. Above his huge hands, grenades glittered like crystal eyes.
The speeder raced toward Jabba's citadel. Boba glimpsed the outline of a Mandalorian skull symbol glowing red against silvery armor.
"That is Durge," said the droid. "Jabba heard he was on Tatooine and made him a large offer."
The droid gazed at Boba. Its round eyes were empty of emotion.
"Whoever fails will be given to Durge as a reward," the droid continued. "That is how he keeps his reflexes keen. He practices upon living prey. That is why he is the greatest bounty hunter here."
Boba stared back into the droid's eyes. He shook his head. "Durge is the greatest bounty hunter?" he said, thinking of what his father might say. "Well, I think it's time for a change!"
Boba's words sounded braver than he felt. But the droid did not notice.
"Come," it said. Behind them, Gamorrean guards stood impatiently, their weapons drawn. "I will escort you to the throne room."
"Thanks," said Boba. "I've never been here before."
"Do not thank me," the droid said in its cold, mechanical voice. "I doubt that you will ever come here again."
Without a word, Boba followed the droid down the ramp and into the shadow of Jabba's fortress.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The inside of the palace was dark and cool. Boba breathed deeply in relief.
"Boy, that's better!" he remarked to the droid.
But his relief did not last long. A large, spider-like form on long metal legs tiptoed past. What looked like its head was actually a clear globe filled with fluid. Inside the fluid floated what looked like a brain.
Boba stared at it. He said, "Is that a monk?"
"No," said the droid. It began to walk down a dim hall. "That is the last bounty hunter Jabba sent after Gilramos. What remains of him, anyway."
Boba watched the creature stalk toward the shadows. Then he hurried after the droid. Behind him the click of the spider-droid's legs faded into silence.
"Why hasn't anyone been able to capture Gilramos?" he asked.
"Tatooine is a very big planet," said the droid." A very desolate planet. There are many places to hide in the desert. One could spend a lifetime searching for an enemy and never find him."
"Is that where Gilramos is hiding?" asked Boba. "In the desert?"
"So the bounty hunters think. Here - "
The droid stopped. It motioned at a high, carved arch. "This is Jabba's throne room. I must leave you here."
It turned and left.
Boba watched it go. His heart felt like a rock in his chest. He looked at the archway.
Once he passed through, he would be at the center of Jabba's realm.
He would be at Jabba's mercy.
No! he thought. He put his hand into his pocket and touched the book there. Immediately he felt calmer.
Fear is energy.