FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Grakkus' throne room was a cavern of pillars, vaulted ceilings, and hanging banners, flanked on all sides by IG-100 MagnaGuards. Lights fitted in the pillars provided illumination. The room hosted the usual collection of pirates, smugglers, assassins, mercenaries, thieves, and bounty hunters, but was vast enough not to be crowded. Grakkus overlooked the room from atop a stepped dais as four MagnaGuards stood at each corner of the base. An equal number of slave girls lay around the Hutt, while his Toydarian slave made sure his cup was never empty.

Grakkus' Chevin majordomo, Galdos, approached his master. A miniscule but tall hat topped his body-long face, and colorful robes covered his massive frame with its thick gray hide. "Master, Hondo Ohnaka is here to see you."

"Ohnaka?" croaked Grakkus. "I don't want to see that scum. Send him away."

"Of course, master. But before I do, he told me to show you this." Galdos showed him a vial with coaxium.

Grakkus snatched it off his hand to look at it closer. "Is this—?"

"Refined coaxium, Mighty Grakkus. That's what Ohnaka said."

Grakkus' slit pupils dilated and he grunted. "Looks like that sack of poodoo finally made himself useful. Very well, bring him in."

"Of course, your grandness." Galdos bowed and stepped back.

Moments later, he escorted Hondo, Jarriss, and Syrran into the throne room. Syrran was dragging Addia and Virra by a chain tethering their manacles.

"This is the stupidest plan in the universe," hissed Addia under her breath.

"I told you, you wouldn't like it," Virra spoke with her mind.

"And you do?"

"I don't have to like it; I just have to do it."

"Great Grakkus the Hutt," Galdos said. "Here's Captain Hondo Ohnaka."

"What's this, Galdos?" Grakkus said. "I thought you said a smuggler wanted to see me. Hondo Ohnaka is nothing but a has-been pirate who owes me a shipment of tibana gas."

"Yes, you're right, Your Massiveness," Hondo said. "Like I always say, never make a deal in Bespin. They always go sideways for some reason."

"I heard the Empire had you in shackles, shoveling ryll in Ryloth."

Hondo grabbed his lapels. "I believe the rumors of my imprisonment have been largely exaggerated. It was just a terrible misunderstanding between the parties involved, I assure you. But what's past is past. Now I bring you something better; something that makes tibana gas look like... well, gas."

"As rare and valuable as this is, the coaxium doesn't cover the credits you owe me, Ohnaka." Grakkus shook the ampule in his hand.

"I wouldn't shake that like that if I were you," Jarriss said. "The coaxium is just a side deal for credits. My real proposal is much better than anything you've ever heard, your mightiness."

"Who are you, Miraluka?"

"Jarriss Marrow. We've met before, your highness."

"Pirates and smugglers in my court are like drops of water in Kamino," croaked Grakkus. "If I don't remember you, then it means you're good with me."

"He's my new partner." Hondo stepped in front of him. "We brought you a present to apologize for my unfortunate misfortune."

On Hondo's prompting, Syrran pulled Virra and Addia forward for Grakkus to see.

Grakkus rubbed his chin, ogling the women. "Well, it seems someone knows a thing or two about showing proper respect. You have good taste. A Kage? Very exotic. I've never had one of her kind in my harem. And the Mirialan is very nice, but they're rather common."