Hey all! It's been a stupidly long time between chapters again. Yet again, I've had a lot going on, including three little kittens (bottle little). Also, terrible allergies and the allergy pills make me super groggy, so that hasn't helped. My aunt fell and broke her hip, and a bunch of other stuff going on. This chapter is on the shorter side, sorry.

Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable as the property of Lucas Films or Disney.

Chapter 29

Plans

Two rotations later

Kiya had learned since coming to Jabba's Palace that there was always something going on. Oh, there were days here and there or even a series of rotations where things might seem uneventful. Uneventful was a relative term here, however. Was a life uneventful when one lived in constant danger, and someone was always thinking up some new insidious diversion? Still, Kiya was finding she preferred those times.

Even so, there weren't really any lulls, not for those who served in the palace. Today was no exception. The hot desert wind pulled at Kiya's loose braid, tugging a tendril free to whip around her cheeks as she hovered on a sled high above the ground. Kiya glanced over the edge, and her stomach turned. The craft's repulsors kept them floating around twelve feet up; that wasn't exactly what turned her stomach, however. This was just more of a preview. The knowledge she would be twice that high or more soon is what had that distinction. Despite her affinity for life aboard a ship and piloting them, heights weren't one of her favorite things and never would be. Kiya forced herself to set her discomfort aside and look around her surroundings. Many of Jabba's guests would watch from similar sleds or along the top of the natural walls and the walkway which circled the top of the main compound building and the guard tower, which had a view.

The naturally fortified landing pad Jabba used when leaving or returning to the planet by starship was a decent place to turn into a makeshift arena so Jabba's pet could fight some other creature. She was uncertain what the beasts were, she only knew they arrived by the care of Ordo.

Bib tasked Kiya with stocking the large transport sled turned temporary platform with all of Jabba's favorites. "His Grandness" was to watch from a place of honor above the crowd. Frankly, Kiya was surprised Jabba had no arena or at the very least a ring for humanoids to fight in. Such entertainments were every day on outer rim worlds and some of the inner planets as well.

She had been out here since midmorning. The twin suns baked her skin before they passed over the buildings and out of sight. She was no longer used to the effects of the sun. She had spent nearly all of her time inside since coming here. Anywhere she had exposed flesh had burned this morning and would be darkening in hue by tonight. Squatting down, Kiya ignored her discomfort with heights, brushed the stubborn hair from her cheek with the back of her hand, and placed a crate of liquor under the sideboard.

Still, Kiya wouldn't complain. Not really. She would rather be outside in the heat rather than be inside when Rystáll Sant returned. Kiya would never admit it, but she found the return of Sy Snootles backup singer a little unsettling, especially after their meeting on Nal Hutta. Kiya wasn't afraid of the Theelin, but she was cautious. Unfortunately, this was definitely one place where Boba Fett's aim to make people believe Kiya was something to him was working.

Rystálls jealousy made her think it was so, even when she said it was impossible.

And all of Yarna and Neelah's warnings had made Kiya more apprehensive than she would otherwise be. Yet, somehow, that same part of her didn't know whether she should be glad Boba Fett hadn't returned yet or not.

That thought might just be the most confusing of all.

XxX

Yarna d'al' Gargan made her way across the lower level to the motor pool and the open blast doors where blinding sunlight spilled through the opening. The tall Askijian knew from personal experience that the landing pad was cooler in the afternoon after the suns had passed their zenith. On a rare occasion when Jabba Desilijic Tiure was feeling particularly generous, he allowed her to bring her kits here so they could play. Today she wasn't coming here to spend time with her children. Beyond the blast doors, a large hovercraft touched down on the landing pad. They had erected a long wide pergola with a blue sailcloth top on a large sled. Bib Fortuna said the dancers were supposed to lounge on the sled with Jabba and his waitstaff.

Yarna couldn't help but ask herself if this newest distraction wasn't another attempt to remind Jabba the slimy Twi' was essential to facilitating operations in the palace. Yarna lifted her hand, shielding her eyes from the light as she stepped through the blast doors. Even out of the direct sun, the air warmed the bare patches of skin left exposed by her garment. Kiya followed the operator of the sled as he disembarked, her pale eyes on Yarna.

"This," the Askijian began, nodding toward the platform, "is preposterous."

Kiya lifted one dark red eyebrow. "Aren't most of Bib Fortuna's plans?"

"He plans to fit Jabba, himself, a couple of guards, a pilot, all of his dancers, and presumably you and the monkey lizard on it."

Kiya hid her amusement at the dubious look on the other female's face.

"I'm surprised he isn't trying to ascertain how to fit the band on there as well," Kiya added.

"Right. The whole menagerie, why not?"

"Sure, what are a few more incongruous elements to overweigh the craft?" Kiya said with a shrug.

Both women smiled. "Did you come to help?" Kiya asked as she made her way back onto the sled and started unpacking the rest of the bottles into the cupboard; Bib had said it was needed.

Both women looked up as they started towing the first crate out onto the landing pad. Something screeched within and snapped what sounded like claws, then the crate nearly toppled as it threw its weight to the side. The guards yelled, and one stuck a moof prod through the side, electrocuting the beast within. The creature screamed louder this time then quieted.

Stomach knotting, she watched as one of the other guards put a grav disk to the side of the cage, magnetically locking it to the sled it sat on. She sometimes thought she had an easier time staying desensitized to the abuse of the sentient beings she shared fate with. It was much harder to watch the animals, however. She had always had a great affinity for animals; even Jabba's pet was caged and forced to kill. That wasn't to say she thought it wasn't a beast by nature. A Rancor would be an apex predator outside of the cage, but it still deserved more.

Heads close together, the three guards spoke. Then they started moving.

Kiya's gaze shifted from the cage back to Yarna as they started moving it back inside. She would rather not be out here if whatever was in there escaped.

"I wouldn't want to be stuck out here with whatever's in there," Yarna said, mirroring Kiya's thoughts.

Kiya shook her head, stepping beside her companion. "Nor I."

"He really wants to cram us all on this one sled?" Yarna questioned doubtfully as she returned her attention to the sled.

"Yup," Kiya replied, popping the p.

"I'm suddenly starting to feel Ill," the Askijian said, face puckered under all her makeup.

Kiya gave a bark of laughter. "Let me know how that works out."

A moment later, Bib Fortuna strode through the door. The tails of his robe lifted a cloud of light dust from the hard-packed sand. One thin pale lekku draped along his collarbone; his pink eyes surveyed them. Kiya cleared her throat and lowered her head.

Yarna did the same, she lifted her gaze as Fortuna stepped past her and onto the sled. She spun and hurried away, leaving Kiya alone with the Twi. He paid no attention, just continued to look around at the preparations she had made so far. Hands hanging at his sides, he turned all the way around until he faced her.

The twenty-five-foot-long sled would admittedly work even if things were a little cramped.

"You will see the case of pillows I am having brought down are laid out for the dancers to recline on," the Twi' stated.

Arms folded behind her back, Kiya nodded her head respectfully. "Yes, Your Greatness." Kiya couldn't believe how easily the words slid from her tongue.

XxX

Boba pulled a fresh black tank top over his head and down his broad chest, tucking it into the waist of clean pants, and zipped them. He was only feeling a slight twinge from his ribs now, and he relished taking full deep breaths without pain. Running his hand over his freshly shaven face, he looked in the small mirror. It had been a while since he had felt clean and had on clean clothes. But, as feelings went, he supposed it was a nice one. He did prefer to be clean when possible, though that wasn't always easy given his profession. And there was no way he would use the shower in his fresher at Jabba's palace.

Sitting down on the small seat built into the wall by the shower, Boba slid on his socks then his boots. When he finished, he rolled his shoulders, trying to stretch out the muscles. He could do with a few hours of sleep on Slave 1 as well. Not that he slept the sleep of the dead anywhere, but it was easier for him to sleep comfortably here.

His visit to Xo had been fruitful. She had managed to find Bib Fortuna's hidden accounts. And get Boba records of many incoming and outgoing transactions from all over the galaxy. Many were very interesting, particularly those from a particular cantina operator and crime lord on Batuu. However, the most interesting and useful information Xo had come up with involved money exchanging hands was just the opposites of the others. The Twi' had made several large payments to Lady Valerian. But, of course, the transactions didn't have Lady Valerian's name marked on them. So Xo had had to do more digging to find out who the hefty sums were going to. Jabba had tried to muscle the female Whiphid off of Tatooine many times, and it hadn't worked. She wasn't in the least bit intimidated by Jabba or any of the Hutts as far as Boba knew.

If Bib Fortuna was in league with Valerian, it meant he wasn't just playing around.

XO got Boba a list of transactions covering the last cycle and a half. He could just hand them over to Jabba and watch Bib Fortuna try and explain them away. Boba believed Bib Fortuna did have a plan for just such an event, but Boba didn't have any thoughts of doing so right now anyway. The Twi wasn't exactly careless. Boba would figure out what to do with what he had learned, if anything, later. He had downloaded all the info on the data spike into the ship's computer. As for Creed Shesh's grandaughter, Xo had received some late intel. It would appear, Roa, another old smuggler known for his honesty, had looked for her. There was a list of rules. Unwritten albeit, but still a list of rules known as Roa's Rules that many smugglers followed. He was another of those honorable men.

It appeared Vertan Shesh had covered his tracks so well that even someone with Roa's connections hadn't been able to find the girl. Her uncle had said she vanished and even put forth a paltry attempt at finding her himself.

The unfortunate truth was all too easy; people disappeared without a trace to the spice mines or some other part of the slave trade. They were never found and rarely escaped.

Roa was still alive. Xo said he lived in the corporate sector with his wife now. She also suggested that Boba could contact the old man and ransom information about where the girl was. He knew Xo recommended that course of action for more reasons than because it was sound business sense. First, she wanted to see how he would react. She ought to know by now if he did have a reaction, she'd never see it, even if he wasn't wearing armor, for some reason.

"I have more info about your girl if you're interested, that is," she'd said. Xo paused for a dramatic flair. When he didn't speak, she told him about Roa's search. When he didn't say anything again, she suggested he contact Roa.

Boba could contact Roa and offer to bring her to him for a hefty sum. Boba Fett would have done it or filed the information away for later use not that long ago. He ignored the why, behind why he wouldn't now. He had other more important things that needed his attention, he told himself, ignoring the tightening in his gut.

He had a difficult time thinking of her as Kiya. He used her name less than six times. He had thought of her by it probably close to the same number. If he rarely said her name or thought of her as more than her, she, or now Shesh's granddaughter, why did the idea of capitalizing on her freedom bother him?

She wasn't a spy. In some ways, knowing Roa looked for her, finally sealed that door shut. It still didn't move it beyond the realm of possibility, but he knew she wasn't. Had known she wasn't down deep in his gut.

He also didn't think about hearing his given name on her lips.

Boba finished pulling on his boots and slid his pants down over the top of them, and stood. He had one more stop to make on the trip back to Jabba's palace.

XxX

Bib Fortuna's afternoon diversion had run smoothly, Kiya supposed if one had a taste for watching savage animals pitted against each other. Overhead dim lights in the tunnel ceiling created patches of light and shadow as the small hover sled Kiya road back from the outer tower zipped along. All of Jabba's patrons appeared to be the sort who liked violence. However, the beasts Ordo had sent had been no sort of match for Jabba's lovely "Pateesa." Such a name seemed an odd one for a foul creature such as a Rancor. It meant beautiful in Huttese. But that is what Malakili, the beasts' filthy keeper, insisted they call it. Kiya couldn't imagine what would be a match for such a creature. Certainly, not massifs or the Wampa. Not even the giant Brachyura had stood a chance.

Ordo was known for his far-reaching hand and being capable of filling any desire, but she couldn't imagine where he had gotten the Wampa. The poor creature might have stood more of a chance if it wasn't a cold climate beast. For a moment, the image of the dead creature filled her head—its fur matted with blood and dirt. Kiya shook her head to clear the image away. If the universe were fair, Ordo would someday suffer a fate like he had visited upon so many. She wouldn't hold her breath, however.

The sled stopped when it reached the end of the tunnel, and Kiya jumped down and grabbed her tray stacked with dirty dishes from the flatbed. The second she turned, the droid-controlled sled abruptly took off. Kiya hurried around the edge of the open lower level toward the stairs that led up. She needed to help Toroga serve the prisoners their meal. She was grateful Fortuna hadn't requested that she serve in the throne room tonight. Kiya knew it could simply be an oversight on his part, but she had had about as much of Jabba and his denizens as she could stomach for one day. However, she would rather do that than help the guards who got to clean the landing pad.

As far as Kiya was concerned, the more out of the way she stayed, the less likely Bib Fortuna would see her.

Kiya looked up as someone stepped out of the end of the tunnel. Her steps slowed, she stayed in the shadows. It was him. She waited, hoping not to draw his attention as he made his way across the lower level. His attention shifted around the space before he disappeared into an opening she didn't know was there. She stayed put for a moment, her brow creasing, then hurried on.

XxX

Bib followed the narrow passageway at a slight downward trajectory for some time. At first, the tunnel was precisely hewn into the rock. The walls were rough with mill marks but not overly so. Some believed the monks cut all the stones to build their monastery by hand; Bib Fortuna highly doubted that. They were too frail of a bunch for hard labor, even in the quest for discipline and enlightenment. He knew these tunnels and the chambers that branched out from them by heart. For instance, point two kilometers from the entrance was the first chamber. The rock faces stayed relatively smooth for some time after that, before giving way to the rougher stone cutting until it turned into little more than a natural passage that ended under a sandstone overhang over a kilometer from Jabba's palace. He stepped inside the first chamber, crossing the large opening. He ignored the monks sitting on hard benches at the tables inside and continued on.

Bib wondered how many realized that the palace's former retainers still occupied the tunnels or even realized they were here. Most wouldn't go near even if they did. But, of course, that made the tunnels perfect for his personal use. However, Bib had to admit there was something eerie about the disembodied brains that navigated the palace in jars attached to a spider-like apparatus.

Despite that, he personally found the monks most beneficial. He wasn't down here to speak to them at present, however. He needed to traverse the length of the tunnel this time. He had received a message earlier today. He reached the last chamber a while later. It was actually a large natural cave, with a small freshwater spring in one of the sandstone walls of its darkened interior. He had heard its soft gurgle some distance back. The water was always cold and had a sweet taste to it. It was far better than what ran into the palace at present. That was another thing he would change soon enough.

"I've been waiting," a familiar voice said in a bored tone.

She liked to startle people, though she rarely achieved it with him any longer. He knew her voice well but had never seen her face.

"She wants to move up our timeline," his companion continued.

He had expected this. "Tell her we are nearly ready."

"She questions if you are as committed to this as before?" there was silence, but not enough for him to speak. "It would be unwise to lose your mettle now, she would be most upset."

"Asure Her Greatness, she need not fear. Everything is still going according to plan, and I am as committed to our great partnership as ever."

There was a long pause again, and Fortuna knew she surveyed him from the shadows.

"Fett has been collecting information on you." The shadowed figure said, melting from her hiding place.

His hands tightened. That wasn't welcomed news.

"I don't have to tell you how angry my employer will be if Boba Fett makes a connection."

"Assure Her Greatness there is no way. I've been meticulous." But, even as he said the words, he had doubts. This was Boba Fett they were talking about, not one of the others. He had already tried to take care of him once.

"Fett may need to be dealt with unless he can be brought to our side. My employer would also like you to remember nothing can go forward with the Hutt matriarch still alive."

"All will be taken care of," he assured her.

XxX

Thanks for your patience, and thanks for reading!