Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy II: The Hutt Gambit by A.C. Crispin

Author:A.C. Crispin [Crispin, A.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780307796370
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-05-03T23:00:00+00:00

Bria Tharen stood beside Sarn Shild on the observation platform of the space station orbiting the planet Teth. The observation platform was enclosed mostly by force fields, so there was nothing visible between them and the surrounding vacuum. Bria could look straight ahead, to her left, her right, and overhead, and see nothing but naked space or the massive, turning shape of the planet. The young woman repressed a shiver as she thought of the cold, airless blackness scant meters away.

Despite her unease, the brilliant, adoring smile on her face never wavered. When she’d taken this assignment, Bria had already been a fairly good actress, able to conceal her true feelings automatically.

But by now, she thought grimly, I probably deserve an award. Too bad there isn’t an “Undercover Agent of the Year” trophy …

The thought was so ridiculous that it made her smile genuine, for a brief second. Moff Shild put an arm around her and squeezed her shoulders, pointing. “Look, my dear! Here they come!”

The small contingent of VIPs on the observation platform began applauding as the Imperial fleet hove into view.

Bria smiled and clapped as the skirmish ships, the recon vessels, the bulk cruisers, and the Dreadnaughts glided slowly toward the reviewing platform. TIE fighters swooped and darted around the bigger ships like small insects poised to feed off a herd of grazers.

Shild was grinning ecstatically as he beheld his squadron. He gave Bria’s shoulders another hug, and she kept herself from shrinking away by an effort of will. “Today marks the beginning of a new era of law and order in the Outer Rim, my dear!” he said, in his “political” voice. Then he added, in a conspiratorial whisper, “And the beginning of a new life for us, Bria!”

Bria looked up at the Moff inquiringly. “Really, Sarn? How so?”

He kept his voice low, but it was still intense, still forceful. “Once my fleet has wiped out Nar Shaddaa, and brought the Hutts to their … well, brought them to heel, my power in this sector will be unquestioned. And when I tap into the wealth of the Hutts—the lesser clans and Desilijic, at least—I will be able to afford to augment my military forces until I can take on much greater foes than a mob of thieving smugglers.”

Why does he always sound like he’s making a campaign speech? Bria wondered. Aloud she said, “Desilijic? Why not Besadii, too?”

“In a private communiqué, the Emperor made it clear that Besadii is to remain unmolested,” Shild said. “They’re useful to him, providing the Empire with trained slaves. Besadii must continue to prosper.”

Bria filed this information away as something to relay to Rion as soon as she could. Palpatine even has his fingers in Hutt internal politics? Is there anything the Emperor doesn’t try to turn to his personal advantage?

Aloud she said, “Oh, well, that makes sense.”

“Yes, the Emperor is a canny fellow,” Shild said, still speaking in that almost whisper. “But … perhaps … not canny enough.”

Bria was puzzled. “What

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