8/2/11: I'm sorry for not getting to this sooner. I guess I was hoping to see more reviews. Yeah that's petty of me, but considering as I have a life of my own, a few comments from readers is really the only reward I get for posting these. Considering how many hours it takes to write these, is a minute of your time for a review too much to ask?
PS: I updated the last chapter, so you might want to read that as well. Jabba has some fun at Leia's expense.
Fett
Bib Fortuna was Jabba's majordomo, and while most believed him to be just another of the Hutt's obedient lackeys, Fortuna actually was first in line to take control of Jabba's criminal empire in the event of his death. Genuinely despising Jabba for treating him like just another servant, Bib deliberately disrupted the Hutt's sick little game, redirecting his attention onto more important matters.
Having been set back in her previous place on the throne, Leia closed her eyes and desperately sought to regain her composure. With absolutely no idea what Jabba had in store for her, all that she could do was try and recuperate from such incidents of psychological trauma whenever possible. This was no doubt going to be the most unpleasant experience she would ever have to endure, and Leia knew she needed to accept what was probably inevitable. Being Jabba's property meant that she could be violated in any way and at any moment.
It wasn't fear so much as dread that went through her mind. Leia knew that she would live through this hellish place, yet couldn't know for uncertain what condition she'd be in after it was over. If that was what it took to save Han and Chewie... the problem was that pleasing Jabba did nothing to help their rescue effort. She cringed inside, deeply regretting freeing Han and getting caught. Maybe Jabba might have captured her in any event, but it at least wouldn't have been due to any fault of her own. Ever since, she couldn't stop cursing herself for falling into such an obvious trap.
And although thankful for the brief diversion on Bib's part, Leia didn't pay much attention to the conversation until the twi'lek uttered something she could vaguely understand. "Master, he says he has information on the Jedi."
Hearing 'Jedi,' Leia's spirit instantly rose to new high. Whatever this was about, she wanted to hear it. Had Luke already arrived?
To Leia's surprise, Jabba didn't seem the least bit interested in hearing the information. He grabbed the twi'lek by the neck and barked at him. "Unless Boba has a body to deliver, he can take it up with you! He knows I don't do business this early in the day!"
After being shoved into the wall, Fortuna lightly brushed himself off and nervously answered. "Very well, I will... well I'll tell him that."
As Bib made his way around the corner of the throne room and out of sight, Leia glanced back at Jabba and silently cursed him. She was quite frustrated that the Hutt could just turn away information that he could otherwise use to his advantage. She would have wanted to hear any news about Luke. It also drove her to extreme levels of frustration to wonder how such a lazy and incompetent criminal can generate so much trouble in the galaxy. How could it be that Jabba could care less about a potential threat than in fondling his scantly-clad slave girl again. "Now Princess, where were we?"
Bracing herself for another unpleasant exchange with Jabba, it was again disrupted by Bib Fortuna. Only this time he came crashing down the stairway and plopping onto the floor at the far end of the throne room. Groaning in pain after taking a blow to the face, excitement stirred up the chamber. Most of the guards present were either asleep or debilitated with hangovers, but at least two of the Gamorians had scrambled to their feet and stood ready to secure the entrance. Of the other two dozen or so spectators present, some merely raised their heads and went back to sleep. A few who knew they weren't being paid to observe tried to scramble to their feet, but were still too drunk to fight.
Leia almost believed it was Luke by the sheer power of the attacker, but somehow knew for certain it couldn't have been. Although perfectly capable of knocking out Fortuna in such a manner, it wasn't in his character to just commit random acts of violence. From the foot of Jabba's throne, she could only see the shadow of a man as he descended the stairway and approached the chamber entrance.
As quickly they stood ready to defend their master from the interloper did the two Gamorians lower their axes and allow the invader to enter. Stepping over the stunned twi'lek, a man clad in full Mandalorian armour directed a few words spoken through his helmet's intercom device. "Do as you're instructed next time like an obedient lackey."
To Leia's dismay, it was that bounty hunter she knew all too well. Concealed fully within a suit of Mandalorian armour, the mask was the only face Boba Fett ever showed to the galaxy. Rugged and worn by years of use, Leia found it hard to believe a man could exist within that metal shell. It was much less like armour and more like a form-fitted cocoon conforming to his body like an exoskeleton.
Leia of course had more than her share of bitterness towards Fett. Furrowing her brow upon catching sight of the bounty hunter, Leia wished she could properly express her contempt for what he had done. Anyone willing to turn a good man like Han over to a monster like Jabba for credits...
It was then that Leia felt a slight tug on the chain that bound her to Jabba's throne. It wasn't painfully hard, but the jerking of the leash seemed to remind the enslaved princess of exactly where she was and her attire. Staring at Fett, covered from head to toe in armour, it was a vast contrast to her slave outfit, which barely covered anything. It wasn't simply modesty that came to mind, but the way in which his suit seemed to inspire fear while hers was made to portray exactly the opposite. Glancing down again at herself, remembering how the gold bikini and leash symbolized her as a lowly slave, Leia just kept her head down and avoided making eye contact with Fett while she was in that condition.
Upon entering the throne room, Fett often took a brief moment to appreciate 'Jabba's favorite decoration,' considering as it was he who delivered Han to the vile gangster. Fett's attention this time was almost entirely focused on the block of carbonite, realizing that Han's likeness no longer etched its face. With only the indentation of a man left in the block, Fett knew it meant Captain Solo was loose.
Although he had already received a quarter million credits for the bounty, Boba rather admired the carbonite sculpture of Han in captivity. Considering how elusive he was to capture in the first place, Fett didn't like seeing the fruit of his efforts go to waste by Jabba's sheer incompetence. The last thing he would have wanted was to see Han escape yet again.
Only when Jabba addressed the bounty hunter did Boba turn his attention away from the carbonite slab. "Boba, you missed quite the celebration last night. I had initiated a princess into my service and felt she deserved nothing short of a proper coronation." Tugging on the chain that bound her, Jabba forced Leia to lift her head so Boba could see her face. "What do you think?"
Although she couldn't see any facial expression, Leia almost thought that Fett seemed less concerned about her than his business with Jabba. Even his tone seemed to portray little interest. "Very pretty, sir."
Jabba then rubbed her shoulder and whispered. "Princess, say hello to the bounty hunter."
Leia just rolled her eyes back and frowned, not directing the expression at anyone in particular. What kind of stupid request was that?
It was then that Fett answered for her. "We're acquainted." Turning his attention back to Jabba, he skipped the pleasantries and got directly to business. "Jabba, I have news of Solo's other companion, the Jedi, Skywalker."
Hearing Luke's name, Leia was anxious to hear of what had become of him. Jabba seemed irritated to hear the same warning, and took out his frustration by jerking Leia's chain again. "Boba... I find your concern for my safety is touching, but unwarranted. I am quite capable of taking care of myself."
Fett folded his arms over his chest and continued. "With respect sir, I believe you underestimate the threat this boy poses. According to the holo message he gave to you, Skywalker admitted himself to be a Jedi... I'm convinced he is, and a very powerful one from what I've observed."
Jabba carelessly brushed off the warning. "I know how to deal with Jedi, Fett. Actually I'm hoping that Skywalker is foolish enough to come here. I'm prepared to take him as easily as I did Solo's other companion." Pulling Leia against his bloated body and rubbing the top of her head, Jabba wanted to torment her a little more. "Isn't that right, Princess?"
Fett stared at Leia for a brief moment and then realized that Jabba's situation might already have been out of control. "Perhaps you should fill me in on the details. Where is Captain Solo now?"
"Sadly, the dear princess here did something unforgivable: she released the good captain. I've been left with no choice other than to keep him in my dungeon until I figure out what to do with him." Jabba then started rubbing her exposed midriff. "Fortunately I've been in need of a replacement for Oola and had a perfect specimen for the taking..."
Fett didn't seem to appreciate Leia in the way that Jabba did, which was why he interrupted to get back to business. "Well in the meantime, she is now in a perfect position to overhear your plans. What you've taken into your possession probably isn't a servant at all, but an enemy informant."
Leia couldn't exactly fathom any sane plan which involved being captured and turned into a pleasure slave, yet that had to be her new role for the rest of the mission. The irony was that she was indeed in a perfect place to gather information to use against Jabba, as he already believed she was helpless and at his mercy. And with Jabba's over inflated ego, he just might have been reckless enough to reveal his dirtiest secrets to her.
Jabba continued. "I remember when I consulted with you about Boushh's doppleganger... you suggested that I wait and watch to see her next move before proceeding to capture her. I wanted to just take her the instant she set foot in my palace, but I listened to your advice and look what it's cost me." Jabba gestured to the block of carbonite, of which had yet to be disposed of. "As far as rescue operations go, this turned out to be a very poor example of one. I was expecting something much more clever than this." Rubbing Leia's bare shoulders, Jabba liked showing off his prize. "Now I have the princess, Captain Solo, and the wookie. If Skywalker is stupid enough to come here as well, he'll find himself all alone."
As Leia comprehended what Jabba described about their rescue mission, she suddenly felt a lot less confident than ever before. As painful it was to accept, Luke was counting on her to come through for their rescue operation. The whole purpose of giving Chewbacca to Jabba was to strategically place her within the enemy's circle, but her capture had only made a bad situation that much worse. Not only did Leia's capture make her a liability, but it also meant that Chewie's sacrifice was made in vain.
Fett, not taking a blow to his confidence, retorted. "I still wouldn't underestimate her. There are other matters in which we need to discuss, and I don't want her overhearing everything."
Jabba paid no heed to Fett's caution. "If it's safe enough to share in front of my guards, then it's safe enough for my servants. The princess isn't going anywhere, nor does she have anyone else to help her. She's not going anywhere."
What followed between them was a long conversation that included several details Leia happily took her. Keeping her head down most of the time, she didn't want to give either of them any sign that she was listening. The only face she showed was that of a lowly pleasure slave belonging to Jabba.
Unfortunately there was one piece of news that she took with little enthusiasm... according to Fett, Luke was involved in an operation to defuse a war between two rival crime families. Apparently Luke wasn't likely to get to the bottom of an investigation for at least a few more days.
And so Jabba offered him a room to stay until Luke had arrived, an invitation that Fett happily accepted. By the time Jabba was demanding his breakfast, Leia's head couldn't have been any lower. Left with quite a significant level of dread and bitterness over learning why Luke was delayed, Leia silently cursed him for his Jedi nature. It was exactly the kind of thing about Luke she loved about him, yet it was exactly the kind of thing which got him involved in some completely unrelated conflict while she would be left to rot in a slave bikini for several more days.
Something of a minor relief, Jabba ordered another of his slaves be brought in to relieve Leia of her duty on the throne. She was quite glad to be free of Jabba... if only for a short while.
PS: I'll try and get this updated more frequently, but I've also had a long drought of creativity. I'll try and get my muse back in order. Thanks to those who've reviewed!
