Arriving 29th August, From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi brings 40 stories from the timespan of Episode VI, and here’s a look at one of those adventures, “Reputation” by Tara Sim brings us a timely tale of Boba Fett delivering Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt.
“If you want to keep him,” Boba said, indicating Solo with his rifle, “pay me.”
The court at his back murmured at his daring. Who was he, a mere bounty hunter, to give an ultimatum to the Jabba the Hutt?
But they should have known by now: He wasn’t a mere bounty hunter.
Jabba gave a deep laugh and set down his pipe. He nodded at Fortuna, who went to collect something between the throne and the rotisserie cooker behind it. “You will be paid, Boba Fett. You will be paid even more if you decide to stay and take on more work from me.”
Boba glanced at the dancer. Her gaze had settled somewhere around Boba’s chest, as if inspecting his armor. Like she wanted it for herself.
Jabba enjoyed his various contracts, but no doubt the best transactions were the ones that came free of consequences.
“You just want to use me as a buffer between you and Crimson Dawn,” Boba said.
“Is that not what a mercenary does? And after all, you are the best of the best.”
The majordomo returned and handed Boba a large bag. The credits had a good heft to them; Jabba’s words even more so.
“We’ll see,” Boba said.
The music resumed once Jabba ordered Solo to be carted away to his wall of trophies. Boba turned and scanned the alcoves again, ignoring the riffraff who stared at him, and raised his eyebrows at the sight of a familiar face.
“‘Best of the best,’ ” Dengar muttered as Boba approached the other bounty hunter. “Would the best of the best have lost Han Solo?”
“The best of the best got him back from both the Empire and the rebels,” Boba shot back. “Seems you’re feeling cold toward me.”
Dengar scowled at the wording. His head wrap had seen better days, dirt-smudged and singed around his face. “Where’s Valance? The two of you were quick to run off together.”
The last Boba had seen of Valance, the cyborg bounty hunter had been facing down the wrong end of a thermal detonator, his purpose served in helping Boba get to Solo faster.
Boba shrugged in answer, and Dengar scoffed. “Should’ve known. You only ever look out for yourself.”
“You say that as if it’s not what we’re supposed to do in our profession,” Boba said. “We may have a code, but that doesn’t make us familiar.”
Boba had a hard rule: He did not work with anyone. First and foremost because no one could keep up with him, and he didn’t need others in his way. If he teamed up with someone, he used them and ditched them. Valance had learned that the hard way.
The green Twi’lek had returned to her dance. Under the grille Boba thought he heard the low growl of the rancor, desperate for a meal. Jabba liked to keep his pets hungry.
“You realize what he’s doing, don’t you?” Dengar muttered.
- Hardcover Book
- Blake, Olivie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 592 Pages - 08/29/2023 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
