Star Wars_ Boba Fett 05_ A New Threat - Elizabeth Hand [3]
Boba let his breath out in a silent whistle of relief. He took the steps toward Jabba at a near run, stopping before the throne.
"Your hand," commanded Jabba. Boba extended his palm, and Jabba dropped the ring into it. "You will receive your usual fee, young Fett.
This is a bonus. Amaralite is worth much in some parts of the galaxy."
But not on Tatooine, brooded Boba, while making sure he only looked back calmly at his employer.
"Thank you, Lord Jabba," he said. "I will take good care of it."
Jabba stared at him as though he could read the young man's thoughts. The Hutt's flaccid tongue flicked at the corner of his mouth as he reached for more grubs. "You may find it useful, young Boba," he boomed. "On your next adventure..."
Boba stared at him, trying not to let his confusion show. In the hall behind him he could hear the assembled bounty hunters whispering angrily among themselves.
"My next...?" he started.
"Yes." Jabba gestured disdainfully at the other hunters. "You see them? Jackals! Arrak snakes! They are predators. They are good hunters -
but they are not great ones. They lack vision. They lack endurance," his voice boomed. "They lack the will to succeed."
Boba allowed himself a small, grim smile. "Endurance I can understand, " he said.
"I know," said Jabba. "That is why I have waited for your return. I have an important job for you. It will take many bounty hunters - but only one will be given the most rewarding task."
"This I understand, too," said Boba.
"These bounty hunters," Jabba went on, pointing at the others,
"they have been here for a week. Some did not have the patience to wait.
They left. They will not return."
Boba shivered at Jabba's tone. The crime lord's voice rose as he cried out so that all in the hall could hear him. "Return in one hour!
You will receive your orders then. There will be glory for all of you -
and blood for all," he finished, his wide mouth curling in a smile.
Throughout the cavernous room, the other bounty hunters cursed. Some laughed. The rest made threatening gestures and stalked away angrily.
After a few minutes only a few remained, looking hopefully at Jabba. One of them was the Aqualish.
"What are you waiting for?" Jabba bellowed at them. He turned to Bib Fortuna. "These guests do not know their manners! Perhaps they would enjoy sharing a meal with my pit beasts?"
"By all means, master," said the Twi'lek with a nasty smile.
Boba looked over. The remaining bounty hunters hurried toward the arched doorway. The last to leave was the Aqualish. He glared back at Boba, then followed the others.
"Now," thundered Jabba from his throne. He leaned forward, his tail twitching slightly, and beckoned Boba toward him. "You have done well for a young bounty hunter."
"Thank you, Lord Jabba," said Boba.
"So well, in fact, that I have no more use for you here," Jabba continued.
Boba looked at him, startled. "But you just said...?" he asked. "No more use for me?" He swallowed, trying not to let his alarm show.
But all l want is to be a bounty hunter, he thought. The very best
- and only the very best work for Jabba!
"That is not what I said." Jabba's voice was calm, with an edge of menace. "I said I had no more use for you here, on Tatooine."
Boba stared at him, hardly daring to believe his ears.
Jabba nodded. "That is right. Tomorrow you begin a new job for me, Boba - off-planet!"
CHAPTER THREE
Off-planet! Yes!
Boba wanted to punch the air in excitement. "When do I leave?" he asked.
Jabba watched him approvingly. "I am glad to see you are pleased at the prospect," he boomed. He picked up a squishy, star-shaped glubex, unpeeled its head from its body, and ate it, slurping loudly. He held out the empty skin to Boba.
"Uh, no thanks," said Boba.
Jabba belched and went on.