THE HUTT GAMBI(35)

Han squinted at the Hutts. He was pretty sure that Jiliac was the larger of the two.

The room was huge and ornate; this audience chamber had evidently been the hotel’s main ballroom. Mirrors lined the walls, and Han caught sight of himself on both sides.

When Han finally stood before the two Hutts, he bowed deeply. Dielo waved a hand at him and spoke in passable Huttese. “Lord Jiliac, this is the Corellian pilot your cousin Lord Tagta recommended to you. His name is Han Solo. The Wookiee is named Chewbacca.”

Han bowed again. “Lord Jiliac,” he said, in Basic, “it is a privilege to meet you, Your Excellency. Your cousin Lord Tagta says that you are always in need of good pilots.”

“Pilot Solo”—Jiliac turned bulbous eyes layered in fat upon Han, and peered down at him with faint curiosity—”do you speak and understand Huttese?”

“I understand it, Your Excellency. I do not speak it well enough to convey the beauty of the language, therefore it is not proper for me to attempt to utter it,” Han said earnestly.

Fortunately, Hutts were easy to flatter, and this one bought it. “Ah, a human that understands the beauty of our language,” Jiliac said, turning to the smaller Hutt. “Truly an insightful and sensitive member of his species.”

“That isn’t saying much,” the other Hutt replied with a deep chuckle.

“I wonder if Captain Solo can pilot as well as he dissembles?”

Han glanced over at the younger, smaller Hutt. Sharp intelligence shone in his narrow-pupiled eyes. He was about Han’s height, and only about four or five meters long. Jiliac noticed Han looking at his companion.

“Captain Solo, this is my nephew, Jabba. He has become indispensable to me in running the Desilijic kajidic.”

Han bowed to the younger Hutt. “Greetings, Your Excellency.”

“Greetings, Captain Solo,” Jabba replied with a gracious wave of his small hand. “Your reputation precedes you.”

Jiliac held out his own hand. “Enough chitchat. The holocube, Captain?”

“Certainly, Your Excellency.” Han produced it, handed it to Jiliac.

The Hutt Lord examined the holocube for several minutes, then passed a small scanning device over the green smear. Finally satisfied, he looked at Han.

“You come highly recommended, Captain. We can always use expert pilots.”

Han nodded. “I’d like to work for you and your nephew, Your Excellency.”

“Very well, then you are hired, Captain. But what about your companion here?” Jiliac indicated Chewbacca.

“We’re a team, Your Excellency. Chewie is my copilot.”

“Indeed?” said Jabba. “He looks more like a bodyguard to me.” Han could feel Chewie stiffen next to him, and he felt, more than heard, the soft rumble of anger emanating from his furred chest. “Chewie’s a good pilot,” Han insisted.

“These are perilous times for honest business persons,” Jiliac pointed out.

“Is one of you trained in weapons systems?”

“I’m the gunner, Your Excellency,” Han said. “Chewie is a pretty fair shot, I admit, but I’m better.”

“Ah!” Jabba sounded delighted. “Finally, a human who does not deluge us with his silly notion of ‘modesty.”” “Glad you approve,” Han said dryly.

“Kessel,” Jiliac said thoughtfully. “Our sources say you have been to Kessel.”

Han nodded. “Yes, Your Excellency. And I did the Run in nearly record time, my first time through.”

“Excellent!” boomed Jabba, who had a voice nearly as deep as his far larger uncle. He chuckled, a low “ho-ho-ho” sound. “Then you are willing to tackle the Kessel Run while hauling cargo for us?”

“Depends on the cargo, Your Excellency,” Han said.

“We have no way to determine, at this time, what the cargo will be,” Jiliac said. “Obviously, you will leave Kessel carrying a cargo of spice, probably glitterstim, for Kessel is where that spice is mined.

But as to what you will be carrying when you land on Kessel, that is bound to vary a great deal. Food, luxuries, a shipment of slaves, or—” “No slaves,” Han interrupted curtly. He had to make this clear.

If they dumped him over it, he’d keep on looking for work. “I’ll haul most anything for you, Your Excellency. But not slaves.”

Both Hutts stared at Han, obviously taken aback by his temerity.

Finally Jabba spoke.

“Why not, Captain Solo?”

“Personal reasons, Your Excellency,” Han said. “I’ve seen slavery up close—and I didn’t like it.”

“Oho!” Jabba chuckled again. “Our brave captain has scruples …