THE PARADISE SNARE(39)

Muuurgh gave Han a long level look, then nodded. “Muuurgh understands.

Pilot trusts Muuurgh not to say this to Teroenza?”

“Yeah, something like that,” Han said. “Can I? Trust you, I mean?”

The Togorian groomed his white whiskers thoughtfully. “As long as Pilot does not crash, Muuurgh does not talk.”

“Fair enough, pal,” Han said with a grin.

When he and Muuurgh came down the ramp from the ship, Veratil was there waiting for them in the pouring rain. By this time Han was growing used to the daily downpours, though the steamy heat still exhausted him. “The High Priest wishes to see you at once, Pilot Draygo,” Veratil said.

The Sacredot led the Corellian and his bodyguard to the High Priest’s personal quarters, which occupied a large part of the underground level of the Administration Center. When Veratil keyed in the security bypass codes and they walked through the huge double doors into the High Priest’s personal sanctum, Han couldn’t repress a low whistle of amazement. “Nice place!”

“This is the High Priest’s display room,” Veratil said. “He is an avid collector, and very proud of his collection of rarities.”

“He deserves to be,” Han said sincerely.

The room was easily ten times the size of Han’s little apartment on the first floor. Display tables, shelves, and racks showcased treasures and antiquities from around the galaxy. Sculpture from a dozen worlds, paintings, and other art objects were scattered amid ornate antique weapons. Tapestries hung from the walls. Rugs of exquisite beauty were covered by protective force fields that felt squishy underfoot as Han walked on them.

Semiprecious gems adorned the collection of pipes and other musical instruments. Bottles of the rarest liquors in the entire galaxy were suspended in a gold-embossed rack.

Han’s fingers literally itched for the whole time it took him to traverse the display room. If I could have five minutes alone in here, I’d be set for life—he thought wistfully as he slowed down to peer at a drreelb carved from living ice. The tiny statue was covered with a layer of dust, which was disturbed by Han’s breath. It wafted up into the air, and the pilot sneezed thunderously.

Dust or no dust, this place is worth several fortunes. If only…

Sternly, Han reminded himself that he had turned over a new leaf, and was an honest, hardworking citizen these days.

Veratil led them through another security door into the High Priest’s personal living quarters. The visitors were ushered into the room by an ancient Zisian majordomo, whom Teroenza addressed as “Ganar Tos.”

The Zisian was humanoid, but he had wrinkly green skin that hung in flaccid wattles from his receding chinline. His orange eyes were rheumy, and he snuffled constantly, as though he had a sinus infection.

Probably allergic to all that dust, Han thought.

The High Priest waved Han and Muuurgh to seats and addressed them. “So good of you to come, Pilot Draygo. I hear good things about your piloting from Colony Two and Three. Today our medical droid placed our other pilot, Jalus Nebl, on indefinite sick leave, so you will be taking his place on interstellar flights from now on.”

Han nodded, trying not to betray his excitement. “Fine, sir. I’ll keep on schedule. When do I go?”

“The day after tomorrow,” Teroenza said. “Muuurgh will, of course, accompany you.”

“What’s the cargo and destination, sir?” Han asked.

“You will rendezvous with a ship from Nal Hutta at coordinates we will provide you with at the last minute. Security is vital, as I’m sure you can understand. You know that we have had trouble with pirates in the past.” Teroenza accepted a small, limp creature from a tray the majordomo held out to him and paused to gulp it. “Have you trained Muuurgh as a gunner, Pilot?”

“Uh, no, not yet, sir.”

“See that you do. A good pilot is prepared for all eventualities, correct?”

“Yessir,” Han said. “I’ll see to it. Uh, sir? What’s the cargo?”

“You’ll be carrying a load of processed carsunum, and picking up a load of raw ryll transshipped from Ryloth.”

“But the ship I’m meeting is from Nal Hutta?”

“Yes.” Teroenza did not expand upon this, so Han dropped the subject, resolving to keep his ears open. He sensed that there was more that the High Priest wasn’t telling him, but he was hardly in a position to demand to know all the ins and outs.

Teroenza sat back on his massive haunches, small arms waving at the portal through which Muuurgh and Han had entered. “I gather you liked my display room?”

“Liked?” Han was able to speak with complete honesty. “It was great, sir! I never saw so many treasures gathered together outside of a museum!”