Insult To Injury

Disclaimer: I own nothing and I'm not profiting from this so please don't sue me.

Summary: Shortly After the events of The Crystal Star, Han pays a visit to Shug Ninx, who has disturbing news about the Republic's plans to honour an old flame and her squadron

Chapter 2: Karrde's Proposal

After he was introduced to several Smugglers Alliance representatives and had gotten reacquainted with several old smuggling buddies he was ushered into Shug Ninx's office. The office contained only one occupant: a very angry-looking Lando Calrissian.

"Han it's good to see you," Lando said, "I just wish it were under better circumstances"

"So you're the guy who has everyone so serious, what did you do lose Nar Shaddaa in a game of sabacc?" Han guessed.

"I wish it were that funny" Lando answered "you remember that old girlfriend of yours, the one that ripped off over fifty smugglers who helped the Rebel Alliance take out Ylesia. Well, the Hutts are giving the Republic some land on Ylesia, and the Republic is planning to build a monument to her squadron there. The worst part of it is that they are putting over two billion credits into the project, credits I might add that should be going to the smugglers who risked their lives for the Rebellion and were then cheated because the Rebellion needed the money, I don't know about you but I think its time they paid up; not just to the ones who were cheated, but to the families of those who died and were unable to collect!"

"Lando; first of all I would just like to say that I do agree with you," Han replied "but do you think the Republic is going to just give a bunch of smugglers that kind of money when they can use it to glorify themselves. They're never going to do it especially with Ackbar and Fey'lya on the council; it just will not happen buddy."

"That Han is why we need you badly" Lando replied "Karrde has come up with a plan that will ensure that the Republic will have to answer our demands; I think he should take it from here."

"Okay, now as you know," Karrde said "when the Republic throws one of its pat-ourselves-on-the-back parties they like to invite all the people who they think people will recognise to say a few words. Now, we have learned from a good source that the Republic wants you there because they know you were at that battle. Now they are going to probably write you a speech talking about how great Red Hand was since they don't want you to actually speak your mind. But what you're going to do is deliver a speech the Smugglers Alliance created outlining our demands and our intention to sue the government and cut off our services to the Republic if our demands are not met. So do you still think that it will not work?"

"Well Karrde with a plan like that I definitely have to admit that it might work, but just out of curiosity, what do you get out of this?" demanded Han.

"Han I am shocked," Karrde replied, "I thought you understood me. I may be a smuggler but I protect my employees, and besides that, if we let this slide the Republic may start cheating us more often and before you know it we're their new free shipping company."

"Well I guess I can buy that," Han said "By the way who is the nerf herder who came up with the idea of letting me speak?"

"Oh I thought you would never ask," Karrde laughed, "Borsk Fey'lya"

"Borsk Fey'lya was the guy who suggested I speak?" Han said in surprise, "What gave him that crazy idea?"

"Well, to be perfectly honest not many people knew about it and most of them are dead," Karrde answered.

" This is going to be fun," Han laughed, "So when am I supposed to be asked anyway."

"Captain Solo, Captain Solo!" Threepio said as he scuttled up.

"Oh yeah… I forgot I brought Goldenrod with me" Han growled, "What do you want?"

"Captain Solo, you have a call from Coruscant" Threepio replied.

"Well, Professor, who's it from" Han replied

"Well, Captain Solo, I do wish you…"

"Shut-up and spit it out before I let Chewie take you apart," Han yelled.

"Very well. Councillor Borsk Fey'lya," Threepio replied in a very petulant voice.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, okay" Han sighed as he went into the Falcon and activated the comlink, putting on his best sabacc face so that Fey'lya wouldn't suspect anything was going on.