Star Wars_ The Han Solo Adventures - Brian Daley [141]
But the problem of the moment involved being carted off to some clan stronghold. He wasn’t sure yet what he would say to the Glayyd leader, but he knew he had no desire to be sequestered in the family home of the Reesbons.
“Actually, I’m here because I have business to conduct with the Mor Glayyd,” he commented. That drew a scowl from the officer but, to Han’s surprise, also evoked a suspicious look from the Glayyd men and women.
The first Glayyd clansman spoke again. “There, you see? Do you deny that this is something that can be investigated by the Mor Glayyd just as honestly as by the Mor Reesbon?”
The officer and his kinsmen were in the great minority; he saw he could win neither by rank nor force. Han had the impression the port police forces were shot through with dissension. The officer’s lips compressed as he conceded the point stiffly. “I will summon a ground car; we’ll have to keep all the weapons vehicles here at the port.”
Just then a slow metallic voice behind Han drawled, “Sir, hadn’t I best come with you? Or would you rather I remained here with the boat?”
Han did his best to keep his jaw from dropping. Bollux stood in the lifeboat’s hatch, to all intents awaiting orders after an eventful descent and landing.
“I thought you two were alone?” said one of the port police with a hint of accusation.
Fiolla was faster on the uptake than Han. “There’s just us and our personal ’droid,” she explained. “Do the Ammuud clans count machinery among the clan populace?”
Han was still staring at Bollux; he couldn’t have been more surprised if the ’droid had danced his way out of a party-pastry. Then he got his brain into gear. “No, you might as well come with us,” he told the ’droid.
Bollux obediently lowered himself from the hatch. The officer was back, having spoken over the comlink in one of the weapons carriers. “A car has been dispatched from the central pool and will be here very shortly,” he told them. Turning to the Glayyd man who had given him the argument, he smiled bleakly. “I trust the Mor Glayyd will report on this matter to the other clans quickly. After all, he has other … pressing matters that may call him away soon.”
The Glayyd people shifted and glowered, fingering their weapons as if the Reesbon officer had made an extreme provocation. The officer returned to his vehicle and, with the rest of the Reesbon people, departed.
The Glayyd man wanted to know more about Han’s business with his clan leader. “No, he’s not expecting me,” Han answered honestly. “But it’s a matter of extreme urgency, as important to him as to me.”
To forestall more inquiries Fiolla leaned heavily on Han’s arm, eyelids fluttering. Putting a hand to her brow, she did such a convincing imitation of being close to collapse that further questions went unasked.
“She’s been through a lot,” Han explained. “Maybe we could sit down while we’re waiting for the car.”
“Forgive me,” muttered the Glayyd man. “Please make yourselves comfortable in the troop compartment of that carrier. I shall inform the Mor Glayyd of your arrival.”
“Uh, tell him I’m sorry if we’re taking him from something.” Han was thinking of what the Reesbon officer had said. “What have we interrupted?”
The Glayyd man’s eyes flicked over Han again. “The Mor Glayyd is to fight a death-duel,” he said, and departed to send his message.
Seated with Bollux in the troop compartment, Fiolla and Han pressed the ’droid for information. He gave them a brief summary of events following their parting on Bonadan.
“What’d you do when the escape pod grounded?” Han wanted to know.
“I’m afraid Spray’s timing wasn’t all that good, sir,” Bollux answered. “I landed some distance from the city, but at least that kept me from being painted by their sensor screens or destroyed