Author's Note: Sorry this one is really short! But I've two more chapters done, they'll be coming along soon... and never fear, more exciting things will be happening soon as well...


Sold

Carth hit his knees hard in front of Vogga's dais, held there by firm pressure on his shoulders from the Weequay that had dragged him there. To his relief the room was nearly empty; only a few of Vogga's cronies lingered in the far corners and Aayla was nowhere to be seen. Carth took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, wishing he hadn't been hit so hard. The pain made it hard to think, hard to concentrate. And he would need his wits about him to survive this one.

"Ho ho!" Vogga rumbled in Huttese, rocking back on the dais. "What is this? Why is my best pilot in cuffs?"

"Because of this, your Excellency," Fassa said, also in Huttese, and he quite smugly brandished the leather pouch. "Upon inspection of Onasi's freighter at his return from Kessel, it was noted that some of his spice shipment was missing. As Onasi had been the only one in contact with the spice before the inspection – and, might I add, did not stay for the inspection but seemed very eager to get back to his quarters after docking – I assumed that he had been the one responsible for the missing spice."

Carth scowled. He should have known to stay for the inspection, then they would have had no way to accuse him of stealing the spice….

"This was found in his quarters," Fassa continued, opening the pouch to show Vogga the spice within. "I believe its weight accounts for all of the missing spice."

Vogga looked at the bag, then at Carth. The Hutt released a long, low grumble, the red and yellow eyes narrowing dangerously. He barked a word in Huttese and at once a Weequay's blade was at Carth's throat, the cold edge pressing uncomfortably against his skin.

"Vogga no!" Carth blurted, unable to help himself. He did not want to die this way. "No, that's not what happened-"

"Silence!" Vogga roared, and Carth's voice faltered. The beings in the corners shifted uneasily. "This is an outrage!" Vogga boomed, his tail curling and uncurling madly. "The materials you haul belong to me! I should have your head for this offense!"

Carth swallowed carefully, his heart racing. "Vogga… please… I didn't take-"

"Be silent!"

Carth grimaced as the knife shifted against his trachea, forcing him to lean back against the Weequay's leg.

"Do you know what happens to those who steal from me?" Vogga asked, leaning forward ominously over the edge of his dais.

Carth certainly did know… he had heard plenty of rumors, and during his employ with the Hutt he had seen several people dragged off to some unknown place, most having been accused of stealing. He opened his mouth to comment, but the pressure of the blade against his throat changed his mind and he settled for a slight but very serious nod.

Vogga leaned back again. "Good. Then you knew of the consequences before you took the action. You should have prepared yourself for such a punishment-"

"Pardon, your Excellency," Fassa interrupted delicately, lifting one slender finger. The Hutt turned to look at the Twi'lek and Fassa continued. "But it seems a waste to execute him. Surely his skills have some value?"

Vogga was silent for a moment, and Carth's eyes flicked from Fassa to Vogga and back again. He twisted his wrists in the binder-cuffs, but they were latched so securely his fingers were beginning to go numb. If only he could find some way out of the cuffs, he could still get to his blaster…

"He could be sold," Vogga muttered at last, abruptly drawing Carth's attention away from his escape plans.

Sold?

"The spice mines, perhaps," the Hutt continued, his voice growing louder as he progressed along his train of thought. "That would be fitting. Or Velga. She was so disappointed when she found out he'd had the chance to go to her last year…"

Carth's pounding heart seemed to freeze in his chest. He would almost rather die than go to either of those places.

"But the cost of your best pilot…" Fassa offered, "it might be more than anyone else could afford…"

This time both Vogga and Carth looked to the Twi'lek. "Would he not prove more valuable here?" Fassa suggested. "Where you could continue to profit from his skills?"

A light seemed to turn on behind Vogga's eyes at these words. He turned toward Carth, drawing up his wide, blubbery frame. "Fassa has made his point well," the Hutt grumbled, "and because of him your life will be spared. But your crime will not go unpunished. You will serve me until I have recovered the money I wasted by employing such a theif." The bulbous eyes shifted to the Weequay. "Mark him for thievery and take him to the slaves' quarters. Remove his weapon. Tag his freighter, strip his quarters and bring any of his possessions to me. Go."

The knife dropped from Carth's throat and clawed hands grabbed at his arms again, but this time he hardly noticed. His mouth hung open in silent protest, his body numb with shock. How could this be happening? He had never touched that cursed spice, they had no proof, he had always followed every single one of their ridiculous rules… His gaze drifted to Fassa as the Weequay pulled him to his feet; for a second their eyes met. And Carth realized the truth.

He ripped away from the Weequay and hurled himself at Fassa, his rage spreading fire through his limbs. "You flaming bastard son of a shutta!" He crashed into the Twi'lek, sending them both to the floor, but then the Weequay were upon him again, pulling him off the bewildered Dock Master. Carth fought them viciously, still lashing out at Fassa's head with his boots even as he was dragged away. "I knew it!" Carth barked hoarsely. "I knew it! You set me up! Planned this out from the beginning! Think you're real clever don't you, you slimy little sewer worm-"

Fassa jumped up at the words, his eyes bright with anger, but before the Twi'lek could retaliate Carth felt the sharp bite of a stun-stick on his shoulder. His muscles immediately locked up and he felt himself falling just before the world went black.


TO BE CONTINUED...