Star Wars_ The Han Solo Trilogy 03_ Rebel Dawn - A. C. Crispin [96]
But it was not to be so simple. The Hutt was routed from one subordinate to another, each more obsequious than the last. Just as Durga was beginning to suspect that this was some kind of run-around, the haze of the transmission coalesced into the translucent figure of the Falleen prince. Xizor’s dusky greenish complexion brightened slightly as he recognized his caller. He smiled affably. Was there a hint of smugness in that smile? Durga told himself not to be paranoid.…
Now that he’d committed himself to this, the Hutt lord wanted to get on with it. He bobbed his head at the Black Sun leader, and said, “Price Xizor … greetings.”
Xizor smiled, and his eyes, made even more baleful by the light shining through the image, shifted to contemplate the Hutt. “Ah, Lord Durga, my dear friend. So many months have passed … over a Standard Year. Are you well? I was growing worried about you again. To what do I owe the honor of this communication?”
Durga steeled himself. “I am fine, Your Highness. But I still have no definitive proof as to the identity of my father’s murderer. I have considered your offer of assistance in discovering my father’s killer, and would like to accept it now. I wish for you to use your intelligence networks and operatives to either confrm or lay to rest my suspicions.”
“I see …” Xizor said. “This is most unexpected, Lord Durga. I thought you were under a family obligation to discover the killer’s identity yourself?”
“I have tried,” Durga admitted stiffly, hating how Xizor was fencing with him. “Your Highness … you offered Black Sun’s help once before. Now I would like to accept your offer … if the price is right,” Durga added.
Xizor nodded and smiled reassuringly. “Lord Durga … have no fear, I am at your service.”
“I must know who killed Aruk. I will pay your price … within limits.”
Xizor’s smile vanished, and he drew himself up. “Lord Durga, you do me wrong. I want no credits in return, only your friendship.”
The Hutt stared at the image, trying to read the real message through the prince’s verbal sleight-of-hand. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I suspect you want more than that.”
Xizor sighed. “Ah, my friend, nothing is ever as simple as we would like, is it? Yes, there is something I would request of you. A simple act of friendship. As head of Clan Besadii, you are privy to the planetary defenses of Nal Hutta. I would like a complete rundown of the weapons and shields, with exact strengths and locations.”
The Faleen prince smiled, and this time there was more than just the suggestion of a sneer.
Durga flinched, then forced himself to control his sudden fear and dismay. Nal Hutta’s defenses? What could he possibly want them for? Black Sun can’t be planning an attack … or could they?
Perhaps this was just a test. It seemed unlikely that Xizor was planning something … but there was no way to know for sure. Durga envisioned the broad, river-carved expanse outside his palace, silvery Nar Shaddaa a permanent sliver on the distant horizon. Worst case scenario—Nal Hutta was no longer necessary to Besadii; his clan could do without the glorious jewel conquered so long ago. After all, they had the Ylesian system.…
And as for the rest of the clan, the non-Besadii citizens of Nal Hutta—well, they were fast becoming his enemies anyhow. There was that little matter of the official censure and that million-credit fine.…
Durga glanced at the likeness of portly old Aruk ensconced in its little niche on his dais, then back at the holo-image. “The information is yours,” he said, “but I must know.”
Xizor inclined his head. “As soon as it is received, we shall do everything in our power to assist you, Lord Durga. Farewell.…”
Durga inclined his head again, as cordially as he could, then cut the connection. His stomach was in knots. He had a bad feeling about this.…
Xizor turned away from his communications console to face Guri,