[Boba Fett] - 3(12)

“Trust no one, but use everyone.”

Boba looked at the Bimm’s bright, friendly eyes. Slowly he pulled the card from his pocket and nodded.

“Okay,” he said. He held the card out. His own eyes were hard. “But remember - I’m a bounty hunter. Just like Aurra Sing. You wouldn’t make her angry, right? Well, you don’t want to even think about double-crossing me.”





CHAPTER TEN


The Bimm stared at Boba. Then he bowed respectfully. “Of course young sir, I am here to help you - for the fee I mentioned earlier.”

Nuri took the card from Boba. The alien s fingers felt soft, furry, and very, very warm. Boba frowned slightly. “How much is the-fee?”

Nuri held the card up to the soft yellow light of the passage. He examined it carefully. “That depends,” he said.

Boba moved closer to him. He tried to figure out what the alien could see in the card. “Depends on what?”

“On how much this is worth.” Nuri held up the card. “I can arrange for you to procure your currency, without, er, complications,”

The alien glanced meaningfully at the door leading back out onto Level Two. Boba knew that by “complications,” he meant Aurra Sing.

Boba asked, “How can you do that?”

Nuri shrugged. “By avoiding attention. As I am sure you have noticed, there are many rules on Aargau.”

Boba nodded. “I saw that,” he agreed.

“Well, some of us - many of us - have made our own rules. Now, I have shown trust in you, young sir, by telling you my name. But before I check this - ” Nuri held up the shining card ” - I must be able to trust you. I must know you are not dangerous, or a wanted man. I must know your name.”

Boba nodded slowly, thinking.

He had to admit it. He liked the idea that someone thought him dangerous. It made him feel powerful. It made him feel that he had a secret.

Which, of course, he did. He knew that Count Tyranus and Count Dooku were the same person. That was a dangerous secret - but it gave him power.

And he was the only one who knew.

Also, of course, he was wanted - wanted by Aurra Sing!

Boba looked at Nuri. The Bimm still held his card up, waiting.

“My name,” said Boba proudly, “is Boba Fett.” The Bimm stared at him. After a moment he bowed. “Boba, sir,” he said. “I am proud to meet you.

Boba bowed back, a little awkwardly. “And you - Nuri.”

The Bimm straightened again. Suddenly he was all business.

“Now,” Nuri said. He opened his pale yellow vest. Under it he wore a thick leather belt. On the belt was a small rectangular object: a computer of some sort.

Nuri fiddled with the computer, and it blinked to life. He held up the card, then inserted it into the top of the computer. The computer beeped and blinked. A small silvery screen lit up. There were numbers and letters on it which Boba could not understand.

Must be in Bimmsaarii, he thought.

Nuri peered down at the screen, reading it. His furry eyebrows raised in surprise. He looked up at Boba and said, “Well! You are quite a fortunate young bounty hunter, Boba, sir! You are worth a great deal.”

Boba nodded. “I know.”

“It says that this fortune was acquired for you by someone named Jango Fett,” the Bimm went on. “Your father?”

“Yes,” said Boba.

“Is he with you, then? He is the only other person allowed access to this treasure.”

Boba shook his head. “N-no,” he said. He could not keep the sorrow from creeping into his voice. “He’s - he’s not with me.”

The Bimm looked up at him. His

eyes

were

sympathetic

and understanding. “I see,” he said. He seemed to think for a minute, staring first at the card, then at Boba.

At last Nuri said, “This Aurra Sing. She is not someone I would want pursuing me. She has killed many people. Many powerful people. Here on Aargau, we are neutral. But we are not stupid. And we are not without sympathy for those in need.”

He smiled at Boba, then held out the card for him to take. “Here, Boba, sir. I will help you retrieve your treasure. There will be a fee for my services, but you do not have to pay me in advance. I will deduct it from your card.”

Boba looked at him. “Thank you,” he said. He took the card and put it back into his pocket. “Could you tell which bank has the treasure in it?”

“No.” Nuri rubbed his chin. “To get that information, you would have to go back to Level One, to the security desk.”

Boba’s heart sank. He looked at the door that led onto Level Two.

Somewhere out there, Aurra Sing was looking for him.

And, knowing Aurra Sing, she would find a way of obtaining a weapon - whether it was allowed or not.