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Han was a little nervous, wondering whether Jiliac the Hutt would recognize him as one of the messengers who, five years ago, had delivered a message to him in his palace on Nal Hutta. The message had come from Jiliac’s archrival, Zavval. The Ylesian overlord had challenged Jiliac and threatened him with dire consequences. When he’d heard it, Jiliac had flown into a rage and wrecked a large portion of his audience hall.

Han hoped the Hutt Lord wouldn’t recognize him. He’d never told Jiliac his name, after all. Besides, he was no longer nineteen … he looked different. His face was thinner, older, and he’d put on weight and muscle from his time in the Academy. Not to mention that in all probability most humans looked pretty much alike—to a Hutt.

Still, Han’s mouth was dry as he stepped through the door into the innermost chamber.

Han was surprised to see two Hutts in the room. One was nearly twice the size of the other, which Han knew meant that it was older. Hutts grew throughout their life spans, and some of them reached impressive proportions indeed. The average Hutt underwent several growth spurts after reaching adulthood. Han had heard that some of them could more than double in size in a matter of a few years.

Han squinted at the Hutts. He was pretty sure that Jiliac was the larger of the two.

The room was huge and ornate; this audience chamber had evidently been the hotel’s main ballroom. Mirrors lined the walls, and Han caught sight of himself on both sides.

When Han finally stood before the two Hutts, he bowed deeply. Dielo waved a hand at him and spoke in passable Huttese. “Lord Jiliac, this is the Corellian pilot your cousin Lord Tagta recommended to you. His name is Han Solo. The Wookiee is named Chewbacca.”

Han bowed again. “Lord Jiliac,” he said, in Basic, “it is a privilege to meet you, Your Excellency. Your cousin Lord Tagta says that you are always in need of good pilots.”

“Pilot Solo”—Jiliac turned bulbous eyes layered in fat upon Han, and peered down at him with faint curiosity—“do you speak and understand Huttese?”

“I understand it, Your Excellency. I do not speak it well enough to convey the beauty of the language, therefore it is not proper for me to attempt to utter it,” Han said earnestly.

Fortunately, Hutts were easy to flatter, and this one bought it. “Ah, a human that understands the beauty of our language,” Jiliac said, turning to the smaller Hutt. “Truly an insightful and sensitive member of his species.”

“That isn’t saying much,” the other Hutt replied with a deep chuckle. “I wonder if Captain Solo can pilot as well as he dissembles?”

Han glanced over at the younger, smaller Hutt. Sharp intelligence shone in his narrow-pupiled eyes. He was about Han’s height, and only about four or five meters long. Jiliac noticed Han looking at his companion.

“Captain Solo, this is my nephew, Jabba. He has become indispensable to me in running the Desilijic kajidic.”

Han bowed to the younger Hutt. “Greetings, Your Excellency.”

“Greetings, Captain Solo,” Jabba replied with a gracious wave of his small hand. “Your reputation precedes you.”

Jiliac held out his own hand. “Enough chitchat. The holocube, Captain?”

“Certainly, Your Excellency.” Han produced it, handed it to Jiliac.

The Hutt Lord examined the holocube for several minutes, then passed a small scanning device over the green smear. Finally satisfied, he looked at Han. “You come highly recommended, Captain. We can always use expert pilots.”

Han nodded. “I’d like to work for you and your nephew, Your Excellency.”

“Very well, then you are hired, Captain. But what about your companion here?” Jiliac indicated Chewbacca.

“We’re a team, Your Excellency. Chewie is my copilot.”

“Indeed?” said Jabba. “He looks more like a bodyguard to me.”

Han could feel Chewie stiffen next to him, and he felt, more than heard, the soft rumble of anger emanating from his furred chest. “Chewie’s a good pilot,” Han insisted.

“These are perilous times for honest business persons,” Jiliac pointed out. “Is one of you trained in