Star Wars_ The Han Solo Trilogy 02_ The Hutt Gambit - A. C. Crispin [1]
Pat LoBrutto and Tom Dupree, my editors on this book. Thank you, gentlemen, for all the help, and for being patient and understanding. Thanks also to Evelyn Cainto, who keeps things running smoothly in the Bantam Star Wars department.
Nancy Wiesenfeld, top-notch copy editor.
Sue Rostoni of Lucasfilm for her painstaking review of the book.
My fellow Star Wars authors, who provided help, advice, and generously “lent” their characters so I could use them in this book: Vonda N. McIntyre, Michael A. Stackpole, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Kevin J. Anderson.
You, the Star Wars fans, for taking such an interest in this project from the very beginning.
And, as always, George Lucas, for starting it all, twenty years ago.
May the Force be with you!
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
NEW FRIENDS, OLD ENEMIES
Chapter Two
THE SMUGGLER’S ROAD
Chapter Three
NAR SHADDAA
Chapter Four
UPPING THE ANTE
Chapter Five
THE THIRTEENTH BOUNTY HUNTER
Chapter Six
LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT
Chapter Seven
CON GAMES
Chapter Eight
THE SHADOW OF THE EMPIRE
Chapter Nine
PLAYTHINGS FOR THE MOFF
Chapter Ten
THE ADMIRAL’S ORDERS
Chapter Eleven
BATTLE STATIONS?
Chapter Twelve
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
Chapter Thirteen
MAKING MAGIC
Chapter Fourteen
THE BATTLE OF NAR SHADDAA
Chapter Fifteen
LEAVE-TAKINGS
Chapter Sixteen
THE PAYOFF
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by this Author
Introduction to the Star Wars Expanded Universe
Excerpt from Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy: Rebel Dawn
Introduction to the Old Republic Era
Introduction to the Rise of the Empire Era
Introduction to the Rebellion Era
Introduction to the New Republic Era
Introduction to the New Jedi Order Era
Introduction to the Legacy Era
Star Wars Novels Timeline
Han Solo, former Imperial officer, sat despondently at a sticky table in a dingy bar on Devaron, sipping an inferior Alderaanian ale and wishing he were alone. Not that he minded the other denizens of the bar—horned Devish males and furry Devish females, plus a smattering of nonhumans from other worlds. Han was used to aliens; he’d grown up with them aboard Trader’s Luck, a large trading ship that wandered the spacelanes of the galaxy. By the time he was ten, Han had been able to speak and understand half a dozen nonhuman languages.
No, it wasn’t the aliens around him. It was the alien beside him. Han took a swig of his ale, grimaced at the sour taste, then glanced sidelong at the cause of all his troubles. The huge, hairy being gazed back at him with concerned blue eyes. Han sighed heavily. If only he’d go home! But the Wookiee—Chew-something—utterly refused to go home to Kashyyyk, despite Han’s repeated urging. The alien claimed he owed something called a “life debt” to former Imperial Lieutenant Han Solo.
Life debt … great. Just what I need, Han thought bitterly. A big furry nursemaid trailing after me, giving me advice, fussing over me if I drink too much, telling me he’s gonna take care of me. Great. Just great.
Han scowled into his ale, and the pale, watery brew reflected his countenance back at him, distorting his features until he appeared nearly as alien as the Wookiee. What was his name? Chew-something. The Wookiee had told him, but Han wasn’t good at pronouncing Wookiee, even though he understood it perfectly.
Besides, he didn’t want to learn this particular Wookiee’s name. If he learned his name, he’d likely never get rid of his hairy shadow.
Han rubbed a hand over his face blearily, feeling several days’ stubble. Ever since he’d been kicked out of the service, he kept forgetting to shave. When he’d been a cadet, then a junior lieutenant, then a full lieutenant, he’d been meticulous with his grooming, the way an officer and a gentleman should be … but now … what difference did it make?
Han raised his glass in a slightly unsteady hand and gulped the sour ale. He put the empty