Han found it hard not to look at her long, shapely legs. “Uh …
just wanted to talk to you. I’ve … I’m … reconsidering your proposition.”
“You are, eh?” She still didn’t look friendly, but at least she lowered the gun. “Okay, give me a minute.”
Grabbing her clothes, she disappeared into the ‘fresher, and came out again a minute later, fully clothed, down to her boots.
Han nodded down at her right leg. “What’s in the boot?”
“Hold-out blaster,” she said, with a small, feral smile. “A nice little ladies’ model.”
“I see,” Han said. He sat down on the edge of the rumpled bed, feeling her warmth still amid the covers. Bria sprawled in the room’s single chair.
“You go lookin’ for Mako after we … parted?”
“I made some inquiries,” she said, and her mouth twisted. “Found out why you were laughing when you walked away.”
“Yeah,” Han said. “Tough break for Mako. I don’t know what he’ll do now.”
He cleared his throat. “Anyhow, I didn’t come here to talk about Mako.
I’ve been thinking about your offer. Maybe I was too hasty. Let’s face it … I was sore about the way you dumped me. I had to get that outta my system, maybe.”
He hesitated, and she stared at him. Her hair was hanging in wisps around her face, and Han was glad to realize that it wasn’t all chopped off. She must have had it up in a tight bun earlier. She waved at him. “Go on.”
“So, uh … yeah. Maybe I shot my mouth off a little, earlier,” Han admitted. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
She widened her eyes. “No! You can’t mean it!”
Han resolutely ignored the sarcasm. “Anyhow … it won’t happen again.
So … I want in. I’ll give my friends your proposition, and help train your pilots how to deal with the Ylesian atmosphere. I’ll bet some of the privateers would also want in. I’ll talk to ‘em in return for what you promised me. Fifty percent of Teroenza’s treasure room, or seventy-five thousand credits worth of the spice, whichever is more.”
She considered. “And you’ll be civil?”
“Yeah,” Han said. “I’m always civil to business partners. And that’s all this is. Just … business.”
Bria nodded. “It’s a deal.” She leaned forward and offered her hand.
“Just business.”
Han took it, reflecting that she had a grip many men would envy.
“Okay.”
13
… and Fire
Durga activated his comm system, and keyed in the codes his parent had given him years ago. He wondered if they’d still be the correct ones.
This was a very important call ….
The connection took several minutes to establish, and it was not a good one. His party must be a long way from the Outer Rim ….
Finally, the picture coalesced. The holo-image of the most famous bounty hunter in the galaxy appeared … wavering, all the edges fuzzy. But Durga could hear Fett’s mechanically filtered tones clearly.
“Boba Fett, it is I, Durga, Lord of Besadii,” the Hutt said.
“Greetings.”
“Lord Durga,” the flat voice conveyed nothing … not interest, surprise or eagerness. Nothing. “I am a long way from the Outer Rim.
What is it?”
“I wish you to take on a Priority bounty,” Durga said. “The situation is very delicate, potentially volatile. That is why I need you. I know that you perform exactly as you specify you will. There can be no mistakes in this case. I need the best.”
Boba Fett inclined his head. “You are willing to pay the extra for a Priority bounty? I must be adequately recompensed for turning my attention away from other assignments and concentrating solely on yours.”
“Yes, yes, I am,” Durga said. “The bounty is on the High Priest of Ylesia, Teroenza. I am willing to pay the sum of two hundred thousand credits.”
“Not enough. Three hundred thousand,” Boba Fett said. “And I will head back for the Outer Rim immediately.”
Durga hesitated, then nodded, “Very well. The timing here is crucial.
I wish to have you bring me Teroenza’s horn as proof of his death. But you must wait to make the kill until I have left Nal Hutta and am within five hours of landing on Ylesia. You must kill Teroenza in such a way that none of the other t’landa Til will know of his death for some hours. Otherwise, if the other priests discover that their leader has been killed, they may try to stage a revolt. Understood?”
“Affirmative. Contact you and confirm the timing before making the kill.