THE HUTT GAMBI(68)
When he reached the back of the dimly lit bar, Han found a short, spindly smuggler and thug-for-hire he knew only as “Jump” moaning and writhing at the feet of a tall woman. As Jump’s buddy (who had wisely not joined the fracas) helped the thug sit up, Han could see that his arm hung at an odd angle, plainly dislocated. The woman stood over them, hand on the grip of her undrawn blaster, eyes narrowed, not even breathing hard.
As Han approached, she turned on him. “Mind your own business, man!”
Han took a step back before her flashing amber eyes. She was as tall as he was, with skin the color of Lando’s, and a wild frizz of black curls standing out from her head like a brelet’s mane. She looked tougher than neutronium, and mad clear through.
The Corellian hastily put up both hands in a gesture of peace. “Hey, I’m not one to interfere. Looks to me like the situation’s been handled.”
“I can take care of myself,” she snapped, striding past him on her way toward the front entrance. Her boot heels clicked on the scarred floor.
She wore a long, tan-colored skirt, a brown silk blouse, and a half carapace of black armor, festooned with metallic studs. Her blaster rode her hip, and Han could tell by its worn grip that she knew exactly what to do with it.
Intrigued, he jogged up to the front of the Blue Light, then, careful not to stand between her and the front door, Han gestured to a couple of empty bar stools. “So … do you have to rush off? Can’t I buy you a drink?” he asked.
She studied him for a long moment, her anger fading. In the back, Jump’s whimpers faded as the thug was led out the back way by his friends.
“Maybe,” she said. Sticking out a gauntleted hand, she said, “Salla Zend.”
“Han Solo.” They shook, then Han threw a leg over the nearest bar stool.
“What are you drinking?”
Salla sat down, too. “Mad Mrelf, straight up.”
“Right,” said Han, carefully not showing any reaction to the strong liquor. He wouldn’t have drunk Mad Mrelf on a bet—tales abounded of spacers who had gone on a Mad Mrelf spree, and wound up in Imp labor camps–or worse.
They talked, and Han discovered that Salla was also a smuggler, newly come to Nar Shaddaa. “I’ve got a ship,” she said. “The Rirnrunner.
But it needs some work. I’ve got some modifications I’d like to make.”
“Hey,” Han said, “do I know a place for you. My ship’s getting some work done, too. The guy’s a real wizard. Name of Shug Ninx.”
“I’m a pretty good mechanic myself,” Salla said. “I’d like to meet your friend.”
“I’m going back to work on the Bria tomorrow morning,” Han said. “If you like, why not meet me tomorrow, and we can go over to Shug’s spacebarn together?”
She gave him a measuring glance, then smiled, a slow, amused smile.
“I’ve got a better idea,” she said. “You come home with me tonight.
Can you cook?”
Han’s eyes widened. Well! Talk about being direct!
He smiled back at her, his slow, lopsided grin. He could tell that even Salla wasn’t immune to its effects—or maybe it was the drink.
“Sure,” he said. “One of my best friends was a cook.”
Salla laughed. “Hey, Solo, give a girl a break and turn off the charm.
Want to break my heart?”
“No,” Han said, reaching out to touch the back of her hand with one finger, “I want to fix you dinner. Sounds like a great plan to me.
You like traladon steaks?”
“Sure,” she said lightly. “Rare.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Han promised.
When they finished their drinks, they went out into the squalid Nar Shaddaa street. Salla hooked her arm through Han’s. “I’m glad I found you. I burn water, so I don’t even try cooking anymore. I love the prospect of a home-cooked dinner.”
Han smiled at her again, putting every bit of charm he possessed into it.
“Dinner it is. Then maybe … breakfast?”
She laughed and shook her head. “You are a rogue, aren’t you!”
“I try,” Han said modestly.
“Well, don’t push your luck, honey,” she warned, smiling to let him know she wasn’t offended. “I can take care of myself.”
Remembering how Salla had handled Jump, Han had to agree. He nodded, and resolved to back off … for the moment.
Over the next few weeks, Han and Salla continued to see each other, and their relationship developed and grew closer. By the time they’d been dating for a month, Han was fixing her breakfast, and everyone recognized them as a couple.