Luke Skywalker Volume 1 #9

Parking outside of Jabba’s Palace was a difficult task, considering the guards usual fare. However, Luke managed to convince the Gamorreans, somewhat easily, that his and Biggs’ business dealings with Jabba should allow them to park for free. Obliging, the two guards stepped aside, allowing Luke to park his Landspeeder in a small hanger full of numerous vehicles.

 

 

“That was impressive,” Dub said as the speeder came to a halt, “I haven’t seen a negotiation go that well since the Clone Wars. And that was period of galactic war mind you.” Smiling as he exited his vehicle, Luke responded,

 

 

“Thanks.” Followed quickly by Biggs saying,

 

 

“They were Gamorreans. All they really do is grunt and drool.”

 

 

“Not unlike yourself.” Pike said as he walked past the group and towards the exit to the garage. Raising his hands defensively in shock, Biggs was met with Luke sarcastically saying,

 

 

“We were all thinking it.” The remaining trio then followed Pike out of the garage and into a narrow hallway where they were greeted by a white protocol droid,

 

 

“Good morning, sirs. I’m afraid Jabba isn’t feeling up to a meeting today, but if you wish to set one up I implore you to refer to Sek Fortuna in Anchorhead.”

 

 

“We’re not here to meet with Jabba…” Pike began before Luke stepped in front of him, cutting him off with,

 

 

“Yes we are. We wish to speak with the…great…powerful…exalted Jabba for only a few minutes,” Judging by the silence the protocol droid responded with, Luke persisted with, “After that we’ll leave. We only wish for a few minutes in the presence of the unassessably wealthy…stupendous…”

 

 

“Yes, I’m rather sure we know how great Jabba is. I will speak with him and be back in a moment.” With that, the white protocol droid turned and walked briskly down the stairs into Jabba’s throne room. Luke looked from Biggs to Pike and then to Dub who said,

 

 

“Ok, one time is a coincidence. Hell, even two times is. But, kid, there’s something about you. Something I haven’t seen in a very long time.”

 

 

“It’s called luck.” Luke firmly responded.

 

 

“That’s not what they would’ve said twenty years ago…” Dub said, chuckling to himself and looking up to see the white protocol droid returning.

 

 

“Who would’ve said…?” Luke began to ask as the protocol droid cut in,

 

 

“Jabba says you have five minutes. No more and no less.” The group descended the stairs as Biggs joked,

 

 

“If only Tarkin could see me now. Walking into a den of thieves and smugglers with weeks left before the academy.”

 

 

“Imperial bastard…” Pike mumbled to himself as Biggs spoke, and while the latter heard he was unaffected by the statement. In fact, in many ways, he agreed with it. As they all reached the bottom of the stairs, the enormous figure of Jabba the Hutt came into view. Surrounding him were various species of bounty hunters from across the galaxy including: a crippled Talz, a muscular Gamorrean, and a man who the group recognized immediately as Godden Mann grasping what looked like the hilt of some weapon. Turning Luke around to talk to him privately, Biggs asked,

 

 

“What exactly do you have planned here?”

 

 

“We talk to Jabba, and as we do, we give Dub and Pike time to talk to Godden Mann.” Luke responded calmly.

 

 

“You do know he can repossess both of our homes AND Skyhoppers at a whim, right? You have to have more of a plan than that if you want to…” Biggs was cut off by the booming voice of Jabba the Hutt. The two young friends turned around just as this was followed soon after by the voice of the white protocol droid translating what the Hutt had said,

 

 

“The mighty Jabba awaits your excuse for interrupting his rest.”

Done