Star Wars_ The Han Solo Trilogy 02_ The Hutt Gambit - A. C. Crispin [61]
Which was only justice, Teroenza thought grumpily as he surveyed the damage the remaining ship had caused. Meddlers! The group had landed, then armed troops dressed in green and khaki uniforms had leaped out and attacked the Ylesian guards. A firefight had ensued, and more than a dozen guards had been killed.
Then the attackers had stormed the refectory where the pilgrims were having breakfast. They’d entreated them to come with them, saying they were here to rescue them from slavery.
Teroenza made a soft whuffling sound that was his species’ equivalent of a chuckle. Stupid raiders! Stupid to think the pilgrims would renounce the Exultation for freedom. Only two pilgrims out of the two hundred in the mess hall had run to join the invaders.
And then—Teroenza’s expression darkened—she had stepped forward to address the assembled pilgrims. The High Priest had thought her dead long since. He remembered her very well. Pilgrim 921, birth name Bria Tharen. A Corellian … and a traitor.
Bria had argued with the pilgrims, telling them the truth about the Exultation. She’d told the group that someday they’d thank her—and then she’d given the order for her troops to turn stun beams on the crowd. Pilgrims had fallen in their tracks.
The group of Corellians had gotten away with nearly a hundred prime slaves. Teroenza cursed softly. Bria Tharen! He couldn’t decide which Corellian he hated more, Bria or that accursed Han Solo.
Teroenza was worried about this raid. There was money behind this group. Ships and weapons cost money. They were well organized and efficient, like a real military cadre. Who were they?
Teroenza had heard of various rebel groups rising against the Empire. Could the squadron of soldiers that attacked Colony Three today have been part of such a group?
The High Priest experienced a flicker of satisfaction, though, when he imagined how miserable the rescuers would be when the stunned pilgrims awakened. The t’landa Til knew only too well how addicted most humanoids quickly became when exposed to the Exultation on a daily basis.
By now the pilgrims must be missing the Exultation a great deal. They would be screaming and wailing and making threats, begging to return to Ylesia. They might even commandeer the rebel ship and bring it back here, like faithful pilgrims. One thing was certain … tonight the Corellian rebels would have their hands full.
The thought made Teroenza smile.
Several days after Boba Fett’s attempt to capture him, Han went to see Jabba and Jiliac to tell them that he would be scarce on Nar Shaddaa for a while. He’d decided to take Xaverri up on her offer, and become her assistant during her next tour. He had a feeling Boba Fett wouldn’t be easily discouraged, and it wouldn’t hurt to get off Nar Shaddaa for the next few months.
But the words died unspoken on his lips. The moment he was ushered into their presence, Jabba hailed him with impatient cries, ordering him to prepare the Star Jewel for an immediate trip to Nal Hutta. The emissaries sent from the Desilijic and the Besadii kajidics had convened a meeting of the Hutt kajidics for the next day. Apparently Besadii had been holding up the negotiations, but had suddenly made several important concessions, in the interest of holding the meeting quickly.
“Today?” Han said, thinking that he’d have to cancel his lesson with Lando this afternoon. “That’s pretty short notice, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Jiliac agreed. “We know of no reason for things to have been speeded up, but something must have happened.”
“Okay, I’ll take you down this afternoon,” Han said. “Just give me an hour or so to get the ship ready, and check out our course.”
“And, Captain Solo, you must be prepared to give us your smoothest flight,” Jabba cautioned. “No turbulence. My aunt is in a delicate condition, and she must not be jostled.”
Han glanced around for another Hutt, but saw only Jiliac. “Your aunt? I beg your pardon, Lord Jabba? There will be three