THE HUTT GAMBI(13)

Han forced himself not to look away.

Finally, after several more minutes of gluttony, Tagta’s hunger seemed to be abating. He looked up at his visitors and said, in Huttese, “Does either of you comprehend the spoken communication of the only truly civilized beings?”

Knowing that Tagta meant Huttese, Han nodded and said, in Basic, “Yes, Lord Tagta, I understand it. I cannot speak it well, though.”

The Hutt waved a plump little hand and blinked his bulbous eyes in surprise. “That is much to your credit, then, Captain Solo. I understand your primitive Basic, so we will not require an interpreter to converse.”

He waved at the Wookiee. “And your companion?”

“My friend and first mate does not speak the language of your exalted people, Lord Tagta,” Han said. He hated having to stick flattery into each sentence, but he was highly motivated to stay on this Hutt’s good side.

When dealing with Hutts, that was generally the best policy—and Han didn’t forget that he wanted this particular Hutt to do him a favor.

“Very well, Captain Solo,” Tagta said. “Have you brought my ship, as you were hired to do?”

“Yes I have, Your Excellency,” Han replied. “It is docked in berth number thirty-eight, Starport Complex Q-7.” Nar Hekka boasted a huge starport, since it was the main crossroads of trade into and out of the Hutt systems.

“Excellent, Captain,” Tagta said. “You have done well.” He waved a dismissal. “You have our leave to go.”

Han didn’t budge. “Uh, Lord Tagta, I am still owed half my payment.”

Tagta reared back slightly in surprise. “What? You came expecting payment from me?”

Han took a deep breath. One part of him wanted to just beat a quick retreat. Angering a powerful Hutt Lord probably wasn’t worth it. But he held his ground, forcing himself to remain outwardly calm. He had a feeling he was being tested. “Yes, Your Excellency, I was promised the second half of the payment when I successfully delivered the ship to Nar Hekka—having managed to avoid any Imperial vessels that might be interested in the ship … or its cargo. I was told that you would furnish the other half of my payment when I saw you.”

Tagta huffed indignantly. “How dare you imply that I would make such a ridiculous bargain? Leave me immediately, human!”

Han was getting mad now. Crossing his arms on his chest, he planted his feet and shook his head. “No way, Your Excellency. I know what I was promised. Pay up.”

“You dare to demand payment of me?”

“When it comes to credits, I dare quite a lot of things,” Han said imperturbably.

“Hrrrrrmmmmmph!” Tagta was full of disdain. “This is your last chance, Corellian,” he warned. “Leave, or I will summon my guards!”

“You think me and Chewie can’t handle a bunch of Gamorreans?” Han said scornfully. “Think again!”

Tagta gazed at the Corellian balefully, but did not summon the guards.

“Listen, Your Excellency, you want me to tell every other pilot I meet that Tagta the Hutt welshes on his debts?” Han added with a curl of his lip. “You’ll have a tough time gettin’ anyone to work for you, when I’m finished.”

The Hutt Lord rumbled deep in his chest, a sort of “hrrrrrmmmmmmmmpppppphhhhhhh!” sound that made Han’s mouth go dry.

Had he pushed his luck too far?

Seconds ticked by in Han’s head as he waited, forcing himself to remain immobile and silent.

Then Tagta actually chuckled, a deep but unmistakable sound. “Captain Solo, you are a brave sentient indeed! I admire courage!” He fumbled amid the welter of items scattered among the squirming foodstuffs, and tossed Han a pouch. “There, I believe the amount is correct.”

The old villain! Han thought, half admiringly. He had it ready all the time! He WAS just testing me …

With the realization came a surge of confidence. Han bowed. “Please accept our thanks, Lord Tagta. And I wish to ask a favor, Your Excellency …”

“A favor?” the Hutt boomed, blinking his bulbous eyes rapidly. “You are indeed a bold sentient! What is this favor?”

“I understand that you know Lord Jiliac, sir?”

The huge, slit-pupiled eyes blinked again. “Yes, I do business with Jiliac. We belong to the same clan. What of it?”

“Well, I hear that there’s work for good pilots to be had on Nar Shaddaa.

And that Lord Jiliac owns or controls a lot of the Smuggler’s Moon.

I’m a good pilot, sir, I really am. If you could, I’d appreciate a recommendation to Lord Jiliac. Chewie and I would like to work for him.”