Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [18]
“We don’t know if there are going to be any negotiations, Threepio,” Leia said. “The Hutts are the biggest gang of criminals in the galaxy. They took me prisoner and then they tried to kill us all. I don’t think we should expect too much kindness.”
“Yes, yes, but it would be most useful to have a basic understanding of Hutt philosophy, as I interpret it according to the—admittedly sparse—information I’ve been able to find,” Threepio said.
“The Hutts originally came from a system called Varl, whose star suffered some sort of disaster. And so they were forced to move to another planetary system. They took over an entire planet through devious business dealings, until they managed to evict the former inhabitants and claim the world for themselves. They renamed it Nal Hutta, which, in their own language, means ‘glorious jewel.’ The moon of Nal Hutta was named Nar Shaddaa, but in common parlance, it is known as the Smugglers’ Moon.”
“We’ve been there, Threepio,” Han said, bored.
“Oh, yes! I forgot. In any case, the Hutts have an extremely involved clan system, and no one outside is permitted to know the family name of any Hurt—thus, Jabba’s own clan name was known only to his relatives.”
“Very interesting,” Han mumbled as they turned the corner and headed toward the rear of the presidential receiving room. “I sure can’t understand why the kids would rather have Winter tell them a bedtime story.”
“Why, thank you, sir,” Threepio said, missing Han’s irony entirely. “Actually, very little is known about how the Hutt clans interact—although certain accidents and disasters have led some to speculate on interclan warfare in which stronger Hutt families wipe out weaker ones.”
The guard at a large door leading into the receiving room stood aside. Leia passed through, shoulder to shoulder with Han. “Thanks Threepio. That’ll be all,” she said.
“Ah, but I have so much more to tell you,” the droid continued.
“Take a hint, Goldenrod,” Han said more loudly.
“I … take your meaning, sir,” Threepio said, then whirred quietly after them into the receiving room.
Leia leaned over and whispered to Han as they passed into the echoing room. “Han, the Hutt crime empire is very powerful, and we’ll need to show them diplomatic courtesy. We’ve got to at least pretend to be civil.”
Han rolled his eyes, then pulled his elbow against his side, pressing her hand to his ribs in a warm gesture. “Pretend?” Han said. “Pretending happens to be one of my strong suits. You just watch.”
Another set of escorts followed them on either side of inlaid flagstones that formed a promenade to a pair of impressive-looking chairs. Leia didn’t like the frivolous display. It seemed too regal, too Imperial—but appearances were very important in public spectacles and matters of state. While the senators and the military leaders formed the backbone of her power, Leia herself was the Chief of State and President of the Senate. She was the visible face on all decisions made for the government, and so she was forced to play her part with grace and charisma.
Leia had had her difficulties with some members of the council, particularly those who wished her to remain at home for her entire term of office and never venture out to the scattered but reluctant planets who expressed interest in joining the New Republic. That just wasn’t her style.
Leia seated herself in the Chief of State’s chair and tried to collect her thoughts. Han shifted beside her, crossing and uncrossing his arms over his dress shirt, then gripping the scrolled work of the armrests. He looked bored already.
Electronic fanfare sounded from outside the chamber. The doors at the other end of the room groaned open, dragged by sluggish worker droids that were no more than boxy torsos upon which were fastened heavy arms and legs for performing difficult labor.
As the doors opened and Durga’s entourage passed into the reception chamber, Leia saw that