“Twi’leks also smell bad,” Han says, drawing his blaster and training it on Cabet Lom in one swift motion. The Gamorrean bodyguards squeal in excitement and move to attack. Chewbacca roars, then draws his bowcaster – effectively stalling the Gamorrean charge for a moment.
“If you know how much this information means to us,” Han says, “then you also know we won’t mind blowing you into tiny pieces to get it.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” the Twi’lek hisses.
Han squeezes his trigger and a blaster bolt destroys Cabet Lom’s desk. The Gamorreans shuffle forward , but Chewbacca steps to meet them and cold-cocks the leader.
“Try us,” Han says.
Cabet Lom studies his squad of bodyguards. Despinte their leader’s unconsciousness, they remain ready to attack. “You will never leave the room alive.”
Han fires again, this time destroying half of an expensive, natural wood couch. The Twi’lek is scared. “So? Would you?”
After a long pause, Lom says, “You win Solo. But if you ever step on Ord Mantell again -“
“what?” Han demands. “If you had what it took to kill me, you wouldn’t be scared to death now. Just talk.”
Cabet Lom carefully adjusts his skull tentacles, wrapping them protectively around his shoulders. “Two days ago, an anthropoid female bought my fastest ship, along with provisions for a four week run. She returned later – a few hours before you approached my secretary – and asked that I deliver a small packet to you. This, my Droid accomplished.”
“Two days ago?” Han echoes. “That’s when we arrived. What does she look like?”
“Difficult to say -“
Han shoves his blaster under the Twi’lek’s throat.
“Yes, kill me before I finish, Solo.” the Twi’lek spits. ” I will not protect her at my own expense. She wore optical sun-shields which prevented me from seeing her eyes. She also has long red hair which hung far down her back. It could have been artificial, for it was also mounded high on her head. It is possible that, had she clipped her whiskers, the woman might have been a Togorian posing as a human. Or, she might have been a human posing as an anthropoid. Her disguise was simple but effective.”
“What does her ship look like?” Han demands.
“She could have renamed it anything,” Cabet Lom answers. “But it has distinctive lines. Think of a pear-fruit; quite narrow in the fore, and quite broad in the base. I have told you all I know. With my life at stake, I will not lie – even to you, Solo.”
Seeing nothing further to be gained, Han and Chewie withdraw cautiously from the room. Although they watch for tails, they are not followed after they leave.