Princess Leia

The first thing that struck Marlow as he entered the room was the smell. The musk of several dozen different alien species, mixed with an oppressive haze of smoke, met his nostrils and he had to struggle not to retch as they descended down the stairs and into the room.

His eyes watered but as they cleared he found himself walking through a massive crowd of sentients. Zarren was just in front of him, following Fortuna through the mob that moved to create a path for them. Creatures of every size and shape stared at him as he passed, each seemingly more menacing then the last. He slowed his pace without realizing as he moved past a towering whiphid, a ring of human skulls around the hairy beast’s neck. Jarvas, behind him, had to shove him forward to get him moving again. He clenched his fists together, resisting the urge to place his hand on his blaster. I do that and they’ll think I’m trying to draw. He’d be a smoldering crater of blaster holes before he even hit the ground.

Finally they pushed through the crowd to reach the center of the room, a space left unoccupied for those who wished an audience with the Hutt. Stepping over the metal grate, Fortuna and Zarren turned and bowed, with Jarvas nudging Marlow to signal he should do the same. Marlow bent forward and then raised himself again in curt, short bow. As he lifted his gaze he could not suppress a sharp intake of breath.

Before them, on a massive slab-like throne, was Jabba the Hutt. Marlow had worked for Hutt’s before and had seen many when he frequented the shadier bars and lower-district clubs. But none had been near the size of Jabba. Nor had any been quite as disgusting.

Fat seemed to bulge in misshapen lumps throughout the entirety of his slug-like body, warts and slime covering every inch of his scaly skin. Mucus dribbled down his wide, wedge shaped face, trailing over his elongated and lipless mouth. His mid-section sagged grotesquely across his dais, his long tail stretching to fill the rest his fetid body did not take. Orange, glittering eyes evaluated them closely, a look of bemusement and mild interest showing in his freakishly humanoid features.

Marlow found himself unable to tear away from the revolting sight. But then a soft moan broke the silence of the room (the same moan he had heard outside the room) and it pulled his attention to the spot beside Jabba on his throne.

A woman shared the dais with Hutt gangster, laying amongst the many pillows Jabba kept about him. A human like himself, it was jarring how beautiful she was compared to that creature that sat behind her.

She had long rich-brown hair, carefully twirled into an immaculate braid that rested on her bare shoulder. Her lovely face has been artfully prepared as well; obviously expensive makeup professionally applied to enhance her already elegant features. A deep and glossy red over her lips to make them appear ripe and appealing, light blush applied to her cheeks to give them a beautiful glow, and silvery mascara to draw attention to her striking, sultry eyes. From the neck-up, elegant would be the perfect word to describe this girl. From the neck-down however, it was a much different story.

Below the golden band around her neck, the rest of girls exquisite body was left bare. Besides a few scant scraps of gold and silk there was nothing cover her nakedness from the crowded room of onlookers. Nor did they hide anything from Marlow who found his eyes drawn to her large and prominent breasts, barely contained by a golden brassier that was obviously several sizes too small.

The he found his gaze lured down her flat stomach to her shapely hips and thighs, only a thin near diaphanous cloth draping over the feminine intimacy between. To Marlow it seemed if he was able to get a little closer or if the woman shifted just slightly he would be able to glimpse her sex that was so tantalizingly close to exposure. He had to resist the urge to lean his body to get a better angle.

Marlow felt his mouth go suddenly dry at her beauty but at the same time he could not help but think that this **** looked somehow familiar...

He then heard a distinctive metallic clink come from behind the girl. The sound came from the thick chain that was attached to the collar around her neck, something Marlow had been too distracted to notice as he had ogled the lovely ****.

So this is Jabba’s favorite then. Marlow reasoned with a hint of disappointment remembering what Jarvas had told them. Don’t even touch his favorite….

Resonant, guttural Huttese pulled his attention back to Jabba.

<Zarren my boy! It has been too long.> He bellowed as each of the Hutt’s stubby arms raised in welcome.

Zarren gave one of his wry grins and bowed low again. <You humble us with your hospitality as always oh Bloated One.> He said, his huttese perfect.

The Hutt laughed, a sound deep and wet, reminding Marlow of an ancient waterlogged cave. <But as you know my hospitality does not come free… what have you brought for me this time?>

The confident smile (for show or not, Marlow was unsure) stayed on his face as the smuggler captain reached for the pouch strapped to his right shoulder. The whole room tensed for a moment but all that was revealed was a small vial containing a pink crystalline powder.

Zarren extended his hand and the vial was snatched away by Fortuna who scurried quickly to bring it to his Master’s side.

The crimelord soon had the glass container rolling in his surprisingly dexterous fingers, inspecting the fine powder as it shifted in it’s container.

<Pure Sansanna Spice> Zarren explained, a hint of pride in his voice. <Fresh from Oba Diah and refined for the most discerning tastes in the Coruscant upper class... Well at least it was until we intercepted the shipment.>

He opened his hand and with a press of a button on his gauntlet, a floating blue image of the Pulsar’s Wink’s exterior appeared, hovering just above his palm. Droids scurried back and forth carrying large boxes into the palace.

<There are 50 full cases of spice currently being unloaded and placed into your collection as we speak Mighty Jabba.>

Marlow could hear the crowd murmur around them, some in impressed tones but others in jealous whispers. Zarren had warned him that not everyone in Jabba's palace would be happy with their success. He would have to watch his back.

The rotund gastropod smiled grotesquely. <A fine gift and one worthy of great reward.> He handed the spice back to Fortuna. Marlow watched Zarren and Jarvas exchange excited glances.

<25, 000 credits will be transferred to your account and you will have full access to the many the amenities my home has to offer.> He slapped his rotund side, a reverberating wet smack that sent the fat rippling across his belly.

At his signal, three shapely figures stepped from silken curtains to stand behind the throne. Three **** girls posed artfully beside their master, eyes downcast and chests pushed forward enticingly.

To the left was a green Twi'lek whose scant netting costume strained to contain her ample curves. On her right was a lithe human with mocha skin, jet black hair, and bee-stung lips, wearing a few scraps of transparent pink cloth. And finally was a top-heavy zeltron ****, adorned in intricate swirls of gold body-paint and nothing else.

Jarvas was not exaggerating. Marlow thought as he stared at each of the supermodel physiques laid bare before him. But even as he took in the three astonishing, exotic bodies he could not help but to glance again towards Jabba’s favorite, who had shift onto her side, one hand resting sensually on her rounded hip.

Who is she? He wondered again, still unable to shake the feeling he had seen her before.

<Your rooms have been prepared and my lovelies will show you to them” Jabba boomed ^By the way your young friend stares at my Kankee..> He gave another tug on the collar of his favorite <...It seems you have been off-planet for quite sometime.>

Zarren glared back at Marlow and the young smuggler could feel his face flush with embarrassment and anxiety. He cursed himself under his breath. He was suddenly the center of attention, which was something you never wanted to be in a crowd like this one.

<I apologize for our newest members rudeness.. > Zarren began but was cut off as the slug raised one fat lump of a hand in the air.

<No need for apologize.> The gangster chuckled <My Kankhee does so enjoy showing herself to my handsome guests... don't you my sweet?>

The golden garbed **** girl sat up obediently and spoke <Yes Master... Your Kankhee loves when your men stare at her.> Her voice was melodious but the words came out rehearsed and ****.

The entire room broke into mocking laughter, with even Zarren and Jarvas joining in. Only Marlow kept quiet, his palms suddenly sweating as the rooms temperature seemed to rise an extra 10 degrees.

He had finally realized who she was.

<Now go and rest! You have earned it.> Jabba commanded <Take your time... but rember your presence will be expected at my celebration tonight.>

The three **** girls stepped out from the throne and flirtatiously motioned for the smugglers to follow them. Marlow walked numbly behind Zarren and Jarvas. It took all his willpower to stop himself from looking back, to make sure he wasn't somehow wrong.

But there was no doubting it. He had listened to that same voice countless times when he had been part of the Rebel Alliance. The **** chained to Jabba the Hutt’s throne was none other than Princess Leia Organa.