Star Wars_ The Han Solo Adventures - Brian Daley [163]
“I preceded you all here; after the Falcon made her emergency landing, Odumin—sorry, sir, Spray—managed to contact me. I saw an opportunity to use the peculiar structure of their Code to put the Glayyds in your debt, Solo. It wasn’t very difficult to make myself available to the Reesbons, and as far as they’re concerned, they’re the ones who originated the idea of having me challenge the new Mor Glayyd to a duel.”
“A marvelous inspiration,” applauded Spray. “And it was also at your suggestion that the Reesbons contrived to key open the lifeboat transceiver?”
Gallandro shrugged modestly, twisting his mustache. Han wanted to kick himself. And everyone else present. “Wait a minute, Spray,” he objected. “How’d you contact him? You were stuck out in the mountains.”
Spray was suddenly chagrined. “Er, yes. There were commo techs standing by for my signal, but I had to have uninterrupted use of the Falcon’s facilities in case Gallandro wasn’t immediately available,”
He turned to the Wookiee. “And that involves an apology I owe you. To keep you away from the ship for the requisite time I frightened those grazers into stampeding with a flare gun, meaning only to isolate you on the ridge for a time. I had no idea there’d be so many of them, or that you’d be endangered. I’m truly sorry.”
Chewbacca pretended not to hear him, and Spray didn’t press the issue.
“So you’re just another hired gun,” Han said to Gallandro. “Is that right? An errand boy on the Authority’s chain?”
The gunman was amused. “You’ve got a lot of time to put in before you’re ready to pass judgment on me, Solo, whereas I’ve been in your place already. I’ve done it all, but I got tired of waiting to die in some senseless manner. So I’ve given up sleeping with one eye open, and in return I’ve got a future. Don’t be surprised if you feel this way yourself, somewhere down the line.”
Never, Han thought, but he found Gallandro to be more of a puzzle than ever.
“With Magg and the others in the slaver ship, and the evidence that’s come to light, I should think our case will be incontestable,” Spray said with satisfaction.
“Then you won’t be needing us?” Han said hopefully.
“Not quite true,” the territorial manager admitted. “I’m afraid I can’t simply let you go, though I’ll do what I can to elicit leniency for you.”
Han made a skeptical face. “From an Authority Court?”
Spray looked pained, squinting at Han, then away. Seeing the empty safety cage, he said, “Gallandro, did you bring no men? Who’s going to fly the Millennium Falcon back to port?”
“They will,” Gallandro announced, indicating Han and Chewbacca. “I’ll go with them, to make sure they behave.”
Spray was shaking his head vigorously. “This is sheer recklessness. Needless risk-taking! I know you didn’t enjoy reneging on your challenge, but that was in line with your employment. There’s no need to be provocative!”
“I will bring them,” Gallandro repeated coolly. “Don’t forget that I work for you under certain agreed-upon conditions.”
“Yes,” Spray lisped softly to himself, stroking his whiskers. He turned to Han. “This is Gallandro’s affair; I cannot interfere. I advise you most emphatically against any rash acts, Captain Solo.” He extended his paw, offering a friendship-grip. “Good luck to you.”
Han ignored the extended hand, staring directly at Fiolla, who wouldn’t meet his gaze. Spray looked to Chewbacca, but the Wookiee conspicuously clamped both hands on the sling of his bowcaster and gazed off into empty air.
The territorial manager sadly withdrew his hand. “Should you both succeed in avoiding imprisonment, I would advise you to leave the Authority as quickly as you can and never, never return. Fiolla, we’d better be going. Oh, and Gallandro, please make sure you obtain Zlarb’s data plaque from Captain Solo.”
He started