[Han Solo] - 03(90)

Kibbick thought that one over for a moment.

“But … Teroenza won’t like that,” he said. “And neither will the others.”

“I know that,” Durga said. “But the t’landa Til work for us, Kibbick.

We are their masters.”

“That’s true,” Kibbick admitted. He’d been brought up ever since he reached the age of Hutt sentience that Hutts were the most superior species in the galaxy. But imagining himself giving Teroenza orders wasn’t an attractive proposition. Teroenza was sly and tricky. He was the one who always gave the guards their orders. All Kibbick had to do when he wanted something done was tell Teroenza, and the High Priest would always do it—promptly and efficiently.

But what if he disobeyed, this time? Kibbick could picture him refusing to send his own mate back to Nal Hutta. And then what would he, Kibbick, do?

“But, Cousin … what if he says no?” Kibbick asked plaintively.

“Then you will have to call the guards and have them take him away and lock him up until I can deal with him,” Durga said. “The guards will obey you, Kibbick … won’t they?”

“Of course they will,” Kibbick said, indignantly, though privately he wondered if all of them would.

“Good. That’s more like it,” Durga said. “Remember … you are a Hutt. A natural lord of the universe. Correct?”

“Of course,” Kibbick said, his voice a bit stronger this time. He drew himself up. “I am a Hutt just as much as you are.”

Durga grimaced. “That’s the spirit,” he encouraged. “Kibbick, now is the time to take control. If you delay, the situation will only grow worse.

It’s possible that Teroenza is actually planning a revolt against Besadii.

Has that occurred to you?”

It hadn’t. Kibbick blinked. “A revolt? You mean … a real one?

With troops, and shooting?”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Durga said. “And in a revolt, who is the first to go?”

“The leader,” Kibbick said, his mind racing.

Right. Very good. Now do you see why you must take control before Teroenza can make his plans? While you still have the upper hand?”

Kibbick was feeling threatened now, and he didn’t like that. He realized that following Durga’s advice and taking control back from the High Priest was definitely his best course. “I’ll do it,” he said, firmly. “I’ll tell him what to do, and make sure he obeys me. If he refuses to obey me, I’ll have the guards take care of him.”

“Now that’s the spirit!” Durga said, approvingly. “Good! You sound like a true Besadii now! Call me and tell me as soon as the female t’landa Til are on their way home!”

“I will, Cousin!” Kibbick said, and cut the transmission.

Kibbick promised himself that he’d take care of this matter right now.

Before he could lose the pumped-up feeling of Hutt superiority. The Hutt lord didn’t bother with his repulsor sled, but immediately undulated his way through the Administration Building of Colony One to Teroenza’s office. He didn’t bother activating the door signal, just barged right in.

Teroenza was in his working sling, at his datapad. He looked up in surprise as the Hutt came undulating his way into his office.

“Kibbick!” he exclaimed. “What is going on?”

“Lord Kibbick to you, High Priest!” Kibbick said. “We have to talk!

I just spoke with my cousin Durga, and he tells me that you have brought your female t’landa Til here in secret! Durga is most upset!”

“The female t’landa Til?” Teroenza blinked as though he hadn’t the faintest notion what Kibbick was talking about. “Where did he get that idea, Your Excellency?”

“Don’t try that with me,” Kibbick said. “They are here, and Durga knows it. He has instructed me to tell you that they must return to Nal Hutta on the next ship. Summon the guards and have the mates brought here to Colony One for shipment off Ylesia. Do it now.”

Teroenza settled back into his sling, his expression thoughtful. Other than that, the High Priest didn’t move.

“Did you hear me, Priest?” Kibbick was feeling almost intoxicated with righteous anger. He drew himself up. “Obey, or I shall summon the guards!”

Slowly, the High Priest drew himself out of the sling. Kibbick inwardly drew a breath of relief. But Teroenza made no move toward the intercom.

“Hurry up!” the Hutt lord blustered. “Or I shall summon the guards to take you away, and then I shall deal with the females myself!”

“No,” Teroenza’s voice was flat and quiet.