[Han Solo] - 03(4)

Han looked over at the hotel security forces, and drew a long breath of relief.

Ten minutes later, with the Barabel still under restraints, Han, Lando and Shallamar were in the security offices, facing the security chief.

Shallamar was sulking, because the chief had sensor-scanned Han from the tips of his toes to the top of his head, and the Corellian had proved to be absolutely free of any cheating devices.

Now the Barabel hunkered uncomfortably, her feet still restrained in the tangle-field, as the security chief warned her that any further displays would get her ejected from the competition. “… and I think you owe Solo here an apology,” the chief concluded.

Shallamar snarled … but softly. “I will not molest him further.

You have my honorword.”

“But—” the security chief started.

Han waved a hand at him. “Let’s not push it, sir. If Shallamar leaves me alone, that’s fine with me. I’m just glad to prove that I’m an honest player.”

The chief shrugged. “Whatever you say, Solo. Okay, you two are free to go.” He glanced at Han and Lando. “I’ll release the tangle-field and turn her loose in a couple of minutes.” He turned back to the Barabel. “And you, my lady, will be under surveillance. Please keep that in mind.

We’re running a tournament here, not a free-for-all. Is that clear?”

“Clear,” she rasped.

Han and Lando left the office. Han didn’t say anything, but he knew Lando too well to think that his friend would let this pass. Sure enough, when they stepped onto the glidewalk leading to the cafe, Lando grinned broadly. “Han, Han… yet another old flame, eh? You’re so right …

you certainly have a way with the ladies, you old rogue!”

Han bared his teeth in a snarl nearly as fearsome as Shallamar’s.

“Shut up, Lando. Just … shut up.”

By then, Lando was laughing too hard to speak anyway …

It took the two friends several hours to catch up on events. Han heard the whole story of Lando’s adventures in the Oseon system. He discovered that since he’d last seen his friend, Lando had won and lost several fortunes, most recently a cargo of gemstones. “You should have seen them, Han,” Lando said, mournfully. “They were gorgeous. Filled half the Falcon’s cargo bay. If only I’d hung onto them, instead of using most of them to buy half of that dratted berubian mine!”

Han looked at his friend with mingled sympathy and exasperation.

“Salted, right? Proved to be worthless.”

“You got it. How did you know?”

“I knew somebody once who ran that scam. Only it was a duralloy asteroid.”

Han neglected to mention that he’d once lost out on a half-million-credit uranium mine that he’d won in a sabacc game. The mine had been genuine, but the books had been so cooked that he’d been lucky to escape prosecution when the stockholders began their investigation ….

But all that was in the past, and Han Solo made it a policy never to indulge in regrets over failed ventures.

“Speaking of the Falcon,” he said, “where’ve you got her docked?” “Oh, she’s not here,” Lando said. “I left her back at the lot on Nar Shaddaa.

Half the trick to winning big at the tables is being able to psych your opponents out, presenting yourself as someone who can afford to play big, win big and lose big. Makes bluffing much more effective …. ” “I’ll remember that,” Han said, filing away the advice. “So, how’d you get here?”

“I came in on one of those big luxury liners, the Queen of Empire,” Lando said. “Arrived in style. Not to mention that the ship’s casino is one of the finest I’ve encountered. The Queen and I go way back.”

Han smiled slyly. “I ran into Blue a few weeks ago, and she told me that you were traveling in style aboard that new ship of Drea Renthal’s.

Renthal’s Vigilance, that Carrack-class picket ship she salvaged after the Battle of Nar Shaddaa.”

Lando cleared his throat. “Drea’s a great lady,” he said. “For a pirate, she’s surprisingly … refined.”

Han snickered. “Whoa, Lando! Isn’t she a little old for you? She’s gotta be at least forty! How’d you like being’ a pirate queen’s favorite plaything?”

Lando bristled. “I wasn’t … She’s not …”

Han laughed. “Almost old enough to be your mother, huh?”

Lando’s teeth flashed beneath his mustache. “Hardly. And Han… my mother was nothing like Drea. Trust me.”

“So why’d you break up?” Han wanted to know.