Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [94]
“I’ve found a major customer for Durga,” the slicer said, then lowered his voice. His words came out in a whisper. “An Imperial customer.”
Before Chewbacca could growl a new query, another bulky creature strode into the mouth of the alley: a large cylindrical torso surrounded by waving tentacles and eye stalks protruding from the top. A gurgling alien voice came from the creature’s mouth orifice.
“I’m busy,” the slicer said. “Can’t you see I got a customer? Come back later, and I’ll be happy to run a search.”
But the tentacled creature insisted on its answers now and lunged forward, flailing its tentacles threateningly, as if it wanted to lash the slicer into submission.
Chewbacca roared and stood up tall, his tan fur bristling. He grappled with the alien creature and, after a short brawl, managed to tie five of its tentacles into knots. With a grunt, the Wookiee sent the moaning, impatient creature on its way down the street, where it stumbled along burbling for assistance in untying its tentacles.
Chewbacca squatted next to the slicer and motioned for him to continue. “Yes, an Imperial customer, somebody selling to Durga,” the slicer said. “It’s a major expenditure: computer cores, powerful ones. I can’t imagine what a Hutt would need them for. Especially such old models.”
Chewbacca, feeling exhilarated after the scuffle, listened intently.
“The man’s name is a General Sulamar, apparently working with the Hutts. He is somehow connected with Imperial deserters, people who left the service of the Empire and went into business for themselves. According to these files,” the slicer continued, tapping the screen, “this Imperial General Sulamar is the big boss in charge of everything the Hutts do around here.
“If that’s true, they’ve kept it a secret from me,” the slicer said, raising his eyebrows. More dead skin flaked off and fell to the ground. “Durga is supposedly just a minor partner in the operation,” he cackled.
Artoo whistled a question, and Chewbacca reinforced it.
“Who is this Sulamar?” the slicer asked. “Is that what you want to know? He doesn’t hide his credentials. In fact, he types them all in capital letters, claims to be an Imperial military genius. Takes all responsibility for the Massacre of Mendicat. Calls himself the Scourge of Celdaru.”
Chewbacca groaned. He paid the slicer again, then stood up, gesturing for the droid to follow him. He strode along on long, hairy legs as Artoo hurried to keep up. The little droid whistled anxiously, squealing his alarm. They had to get back to the Falcon where they could pass their news to Coruscant. They had learned more than they had ever expected to.
Chewbacca felt a bestial rage rising within him as he considered the ominous possibilities. If the Empire and the Hutts had indeed teamed up, they would make a formidable enemy.
This threat was far worse than they had feared.
CHAPTER 32
Standing on the auxiliary command deck of the Galactic Voyager, General Crix Madine, Supreme Allied Commander for Special Forces, studied the screen that showed the bright green tracer he had planted on Durga’s private ship. He scratched his brown beard and watched his best female commando, Trandia, double-check the readings.
“Still hasn’t moved, sir,” Trandia said. She had long strawberry blond hair knitted into a complex braid that hung neatly at her back, pretty but serviceable—Madine suspected she let it hang loose while she was off duty. Her face was scrubbed clean and flushed with concentration as her blue eyes stayed riveted on the computer.
“He departed from Nal Hutta several hours ago, sir, and landed on the Smugglers’ Moon. No word since. We could contact the Yavaris,” Trandia suggested. “General Antilles has taken some time off to visit the moon. Perhaps he could keep an eye out.”
Madine shook his head. “Too dangerous. We have the tracer planted, and Durga suspects nothing. Let’s just see where he goes. The