By now the pilgrims must be missing the Exultation a great deal. They would be screaming and wailing and making threats, begging to return to Ylesia. They might even commandeer the rebel ship and bring it back here, like faithful pilgrims. One thing was certain … tonight the Corellian rebels would have their hands full.
The thought made Teroenza smile.
Several days after Boba Fett’s attempt to capture him, Han went to see Jabba and Jiliac to tell them that he would be scarce on Nar Shaddaa for a while. He’d decided to take Xaverri up on her offer, and become her assistant during her next tour. He had a feeling Boba Fett wouldn’t be easily discouraged, and it wouldn’t hurt to get off Nar Shaddaa for the next few months.
But the words died unspoken on his lips. The moment he was ushered into their presence, Jabba hailed him with impatient cries, ordering him to prepare the Star Jewel for an immediate trip to Nal Hutta. The emissaries sent from the Desilijic and the Besadii kajidics had convened a meeting of the Hutt kajidics for the next day. Apparently Besadii had been holding up the negotiations, but had suddenly made several important concessions, in the interest of holding the meeting quickly.
“Today?” Han said, thinking that he’d have to cancel his lesson with Lando this afternoon. “That’s pretty short notice, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Jiliac agreed. “We know of no reason for things to have been speeded up, but something must have happened.”
“Okay, I’ll take you down this afternoon,” Han said. “Just give me an hour or so to get the ship ready, and check out our course.”
“And, Captain Solo, you must be prepared to give us your smoothest flight,” Jabba cautioned. “No turbulence. My aunt is in a delicate condition, and she must not be jostled.”
Han glanced around for another Hutt, but saw only Jiliac. “Your aunt?
I beg your pardon, Lord Jabba? There will be three Hutts for me to transport?”
“No, human!” Jabba was impatient. “Jiliac and myself, as always!
Don’t you have eyes? Didn’t you notice her skin texture? Her condition is plain!”
Han looked over at Jiliac, and suddenly realized that the Hutt did appear different. Warty excrescences had erupted on the being’s face, and purplish patches mingled with the greenish ones on the leathery tan skin.
Jiliac also appeared bigger, and rather lethargic. Oh, wonderful, I get to play nursemaid to a sick Hutt? Great!
“Uh, Lord Jiliac, are you feeling—” Han began, only to have Jabba round on him with withering scorn.
“Human idiot! Can’t you see that Lord Jiliac is now Lady Jiliac? She is expecting! In her delicate condition, she really should not make this effort, but we Desilijic are nothing if not faithful to our duty!”
She? Pregnant? Han’s mouth dropped open, and Chewie roared softly in surprise.
Han recovered quickly, and bowed to Jiliac. “Your pardon, Lady Jiliac.
I am not familiar with your species’ … uh, er … reproductive habits. I meant no offense.”
Jiliac blinked at Han sleepily. “No offense taken. My people reproduce as they will, and I decided it was time for me to do so. My child is due in a few months. I will be able to make the trip safely, my nephew Jabba is merely overprotective. But a smooth flight would be advisable.”
“Yes, lady,” Han said, bowing. “Smooth flight to Nal Hutta. Leaving this afternoon. I’ll get right on it.”
“Very well, Captain. You are dismissed. We wish to leave as soon as possible.”
Han bowed again, and left, with Chewie trailing behind him. As soon as he was out of sight, he shook his head. Hutts! The more I get to know them, the weirder they are …
A veritable tide of Hutts wriggled and glided toward the large Hutt Grand Council Hall on Nal Hutta. Jabba and Jiliac undulated along, side by side, accompanied by the Desilijic security guards. Most of the Hutts preferred to move under their own power if they still could. It was permissible to show weakness before humans and other underlings, but in the company of their own kind, Hutts preferred to appear strong and fit.
All of Desilijic moved under their own power, and among the Besadii clan, only Aruk was too old and corpulent to manage without his sled.
As the Hutts moved toward the council chambers, they and their guards passed through multiple security and scanning devices. None of the guards was allowed a weapon, and each attendee was scanned, internally as well as externally, to make sure no dangerous substances were being smuggled into the hall. Hutts were not trusting beings, especially in the company of other Hutts—and with good reason. Long ago, every prominent Hutt on Nal Hutta had been eliminated en masse by a single ingenious assassin.