The Falleen 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, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his well-shaped mouth. “That was much easier than I thought it would be. The wedge has been driven deep now, and Durga and Besadii will soon split off from the other Hutts. I wonder what it is in Durga’s slimy heart that makes him betray his entire species just for a taste of revenge.”
Guri gazed at him, serene as always. “My Prince, your patience with these Hutts is finally gaining results. It is fortuitous that Besadii was censured so strongly by the other kajidics.”
Yes,” replied the Falleen, steepling his hands and tapping his long fingernails together, “Durga has no love for his fellow Hutts now, if he ever did. His grief and emotional instability will provide us with the key to Hutt space. That, and the Desilijic penchant for simple solutions to complex problems. You have the proof that Durga requires, Guri, do you not?”
The HRD’s expression did not change. “Of course, my Prince. Citizen Green was most helpful in acquiring it and sidetracking the pathologists at the Forensic Institute. He is a very competent human.”
Xizor nodded, and shook his ponytail off his shoulder. “Wait two hundred standard hours, long enough for it to seem as though we have conducted an investigation, then you will deliver the material to Durga personally,” he said. “When Durga sees it, he will wish to move immediately against Desilijic. Go with him, Guri. Assist him, if necessary, in gaining his revenge on Jiliac. But no harm must come to Jabba. Jabba has been useful to me in the past, and I expect him to be useful to me in the future.
Teroenza, too, has a part to play in our plans, and should not come to harm. Understood?”
“Understood,” said Guri. “It shall be as you wish, my Prince.” Moving with lithe, swift strides, she left the room.
Xizor watched her go, admiring her. Nine million credits she had cost him, and worth every decicred. With Guri at his side, Xizor was ready to challenge the Hutts ….
Perhaps, some day, he would even challenge the Emperor himself….
When Han Solo arrived home from the Corporate Sector, he was welcomed back with open arms by all and sundry–except Lando and Salla Zend.
Lando, he discovered, had gone off for a romantic getaway with Drea Renthal, and wouldn’t be back for several days.
And as for Salla … Han hadn’t really been expecting to take up their relationship where they’d left off, but he also hadn’t expected her to completely snub him. He saw her once or twice, at a distance, in Shug’s spacebarn, but the moment she caught sight of him or Chewie, Salla Zend would turn and depart the premises.
When he asked about Salla, his friends all assured him that she’d been fine during his absence, had even been seeing several fellows, though none of the relationships were termed “serious.” She’d apparently worked with Lando for a while, though there was no evidence that Salla and Lando were ever anything but business partners.
Jarik had broken up with his girlfriend, and had returned to his normal self, happy to have his friends back. Even ZeeZee seemed pleased to have the rightful owners of the apartment back again.
When Han heard that Lando had returned, he went right over to his friend’s flat to see him. They exchanged handshakes, backslaps and a brief hug, then Lando stepped back to regard his friend. “You look good,” he said. “Need a haircut.”