Survival, Dark Times 3

[Rain]

Bria

I was really going to kill Trika if we didn't die!

The Twi'lek smirked at Selas' description of me and leaned his grubby hands in to touch me. I insinctively slapped them away and kneed the man in the groin. He hunched over, his teeth gritted in both anger and pain. The Gammoreans moved forward, then I realised I had pretty much blown our cover. I had to think fast to resolve the situation.

"Sorry..." I said huncing down to face him, "I had to be cruel to be kind. Our Wookiee friend here is very protective. If you had laid your hands on me he would have almost certainly killed you."

He glared at me. "You stupid schutta!"

Chewie played along and leaned forward, showing his sharp teeth. The Twi'lek staggered back slightly, before eventually straightening up. "I... I see your point!" He muttered, though still angry, "I don't want to keep the illustrious Jabba waiting any longer, you can pass on."

Han

"Threepio, quite messing around! We have a job to do!" I shouted back at the golden protocol droid, who was jumping at every single shadow. Suddenly two Gammoreans appeared, led by a gruff looking man, with a mechanical hand.

"Well, well, well... Han Solo!" He scoffed.

"That's right. And you are?"

"That doesn't matter. I take it your here for the girl."

"Your powers of intuition astound me, now let me pass. I've got to talk to your boss!" I said as I went to move past him. He put a hand out to stop me, and shoved me back.

"Look, I get that you're angry. You have the features of a cannok, you're missing an arm and you live in this sorry excuse for a Palace, but really, this is between me an Jabba. I'm sure when it's all over you and all your little pals will be chasing an even bigger bounty on my head, so just let me through!"

The man laughed. "You are a foolish one Solo." He pulled out and blaster and held it in front of me. "Sure you can pass. But make one wrong move and your toast!"

[hk47fan]

Trika

I wanted to scowl at Selas after his comments made about me, but in order to keep up the act, I simply smiled. "Oh yeah, I'm going to be working on fixing all the wrong moves in my dances...when I do, I'll come back and give you a charity dance for being such a gracious man!!" I shouted to the Twi'lek as we walked by, blowing him a kiss.

Sick bastard.

Normally, I would never do something like this, but if we were to save Olee, we had to get by somehow.

Once we were a good distance away from the two Gammoreans and the Twi'lek, I began to whisper to the others. "Okay, where would Jabba be keeping Olee?"

Threepio

"Oh dear!" I yelled, holding my arms up. "We are just here to negotiate, sir, I assure you...thank you for letting us see the mighty Jabba."

We walked past the man, and I shook my head, as much as I could shake it anyways. "This is atrocious, I hope this does not take long," I muttered.

As we walked through the halls, I saw more people approaching us. I was terrified at who I saw: More Gammorean guards, being led by...

"Oh my, is that Boba Fett?" I asked outloud.

"Wrong." the man in Mandalorian armor, and having two twin blasters, replied as he approached. "I'm the true Fett...Jaster Fett. And my boss wants to see you now, Solo."

[Rain]

Bria

Chewbacca growled a response.

"I agree Chewie, I'm pretty sure that spot on the wall is for Han and Han only!" I gave a slight smirk, "She must be hidden away somewhere. Well, wherever she is, it's our job to find her. So let's get to it!"

Han

"Woah, Jabba's really letting his standards slip isn;t he." I muttered to Threepio as we walked, ensuring the others could hear me, "First the one armed bandit and now a downgraded Boba Fett wannabe!"

"Watch your mouth Solo!" The former hissed, pressing the blaster into my back, "Don't push your luck!"

"Yeah, yeah. Hey be careful with that blaster will you!"

[hk47fan]

Threepio

"Boba Fett wannabe?!" Jaster repeated, whirling back around, a blaster in his hand as well. "I am the true son of Jango Fett....the one and only heir to the Fett legacy. The only man that can properly continue it. Boba is nothing but an imposter. He alwyas has been, and he always will be. So watch your mouth, or you'll be in a body bag by the time you get to Jabba."

"Oh my goodness!!" I shouted in complete fear. "Please, gentlemen, we mean no harm...just take us to the grand Jabba the Hutt."

Jaster growled, but turned around and continued leading us down the hall. Eventually, I could see the throne room in the distance...with many vile creatures inside, and the boom of Jabba's laugh could be heard.

"I do hope you have a good plan, Captain Solo..."

[Rain]

Han

"Don't worry Goldenrod, I've got one or two things up my sleeve." I assured teh dorid as we walked to the center of the room. Jabba was about to speak, but before he could I held a hand up and spoke myself. "Hey, Jabba. Look we haven't exactly gotten along in the past, but I think we should put that all behind us. I'm here to negotiate the release of the Jedi you have in custody. And to prove I'm genuine, I offer you this protocol droid as a gift..."

[hk47fan]

Threepio

"What?!?!!? Captain Solo, you can't be serious!!!" I yelled, looking at the man, though his expression did not change. "Master Luke did this to R2 and I last time, I do not want to go through it again! Oh, this is absolutely atrocious!"

I heard the people in the Throne Room boom with laughter, just like last time.

[Rain]

Han

"Threepio, it's only temporary..." I muttered under my breath, trying to calm the droid before he blew everything. I looked up at Jabba. "So, what do you say old pal?"

Chewbacca

We made our way along the dark corridors of the slimy Palace, searching every room we came by to see if Olee was held within. We weren't having much luck, but thankfully we hadn't been spotted, except by a few B'omarr monks who simply went on about their buisness.

As we made our way further down the main corridor we could hear booming laughter. We were close to teh throne room. As we got closer we backed up against the wall, and moved very silently, easier said than done when you're a Wookiee! Bria was at the front of the group, and she peered round the entrance, and quickly snapped her head back.

"I see her..." She whispered, "She's right behind Jabba. Han and Threepio are in there now." She glanced again before turning back to us, "So, what now? Shall we go in guns blazing?"

I growled a quiet response. "[We should wait. It's unlikely, but Han could still get Olee back peacefully, and going in now would only blow his cover.]"

Bria nodded. "You;re right. We'll wait here. But if something happens..." She lifted a blaster from her belt, "We're straight in there..."

[hk47fan]

Threepio

Jabba boomed with laughter, in that creepy voice of his. "Ho ho ho! Yes, Solo, yes...I will accept that droid, but you must have something more of worth to me if I am to give you something as valuable as a Jedi. For once, give me something useful," he said, in the Huttese language. "And, droid, come to my side."

Slowly, I walked over to Jabba's barge. "Yes, Master Jabba...."

Trika

I nodded, having my rifle at the ready, just incase. "Yeah...should be a fun show. Solo and Jabba reunited. Can't ever go wrong there." I muttered with a snort, peering into the room. I saw Olee behind Jabba, encased in a tall slab.

Don't worry, Olee, we'll get you out of there soon enough.

[Rain]

Xandyr Foxx

The fifth light lit up, and Xandyr hit the thrusters, holding himself steady as the G-force pushed back against him. This was the last one. The last race. His last race. He had risen to become a champion of the underground (and illegal!) swoop racing competitions, winning on almost every circuit under the alias of Snow Villiers.

"And they're off!" The commentator's voice came through the massive speakers that were scattered all over the track, "Jak 'The Whirlwind' Fletcher has taken an early lead, with Aleeya Ziara a few meters behind him! The reigning champion of this circuit, Snow Villiers has assumed a modest third position, with Sejj in fourth. The new entry is right on his tail. This guy promises to be a real character, as he is known only as the Dark Warrior! Spooky,eh? Not to our competitors, their sole focus is to win! The rest of the fieldis lagging behind already, and it looked like this is gearing up to be a five horse race!"

Xandyr was right where he wanted to be. It was more difficult trying to defend your lead for an entire three laps than it was to spend your time overtaking those ahead of you. He was quite familiar with the top four racers, as he had raced against them many times.

Jak "The Whirlwind" Fletcher was a real character! He was the champ before me, and rather than being bitter about his top spot being taken by some newbie, he was encouraging. He loved the friendly rivalry of the sport, and according to him, the better the competition, the better the thrill of the race. It was what he lived for, and Xandyr could empathize fully. This was one of the most exhilerating past-times in the world, but he had bigger things in his life. Things that he was willing to give up swoop racing for, things he had already given up being a Jedi Knight for. His family. The love of his life, Mara and their unborn son.

The woman on the bike in front of him was another relative newcomer to the swoop racing scene. A young, fiesty Zeltron, Aleeya Ziara didn't back down from any challenge. She had beaten Xandyr on more than one occasion and was a real bright spark for the future. She also had something of a thing for Jak. She too, was more light hearted than the sterotypical swoop racer, and Xandyr sensed that her moral compass was firmly pointed north.

"And look at this! Sejj is making a move on Snow, trying to cut around the outside as they come into the third bend!"

Xandyr looked to his left and seen the Dug shouting something at him in Huttese. In the heat of the moment Xandyr didn't know or care about what insult Sejj had just thrown at him. He was used to it. Sejj didn't like anyone, and he was as dirty as they came on the racetrack! There were rumours that he was a relative of the famous podracer Sebulba. Once again Xandyr didn't know or care if those rumours were true.

Xandyr pushed his thrusters to the max, sliding up one of the ramps on the circuit and coming over the head of the Dug to overtake him once again. Xandyr heard another insult as he sped on ahead of him.

"And the gamble failed! Not only did the champ reclaim third place but Sejj has lost a lot of ground! What's this! The Dark Warrior is now side by side with him as we come into the straight!"

Xandyr looked up at the large monitor as he came toward the line to complete the first lap. Sejj was ramming his bike into that of this Dark Warrior guy. To be honest Xandyr thought the mysterious name was a shoddy, and altogether tacky gimick that was sure to fall flat on it's face in no time! That being said, the newcomer definately had some skills. Sejj continued to play dirty, ramming against the other, trying to knock him off course. The black clad figure turned his covered head to look at the Dug for a few seconds, before stretching out a hand, picking him up off the bike and throwing him into the adjacent wall with incredible force.

"What the..." Xandyr said under his breath in disbelief, as he crossed the line to begin his second lap.

"Woah!" The commentator exclaimed. "And Sejj is down and out! This Dark Warrior guy clearly isn't taking any crap, and he's holding nothing back!"

Xandyr didn't want that guy anywhere near him! It was wise to keep your distance from guys like that whilst on teh track. Even the most skilled racers could fall victim to foul play, and Xandyr didn't intend to, certainly not in his retirement race that was for sure!

The second lap was fairly uneventful, as they normally were. The second lap was when everything calmed down from the excitement of the first lap and it was when people prepared for the urgency of the third lap. Aleeya had made a few attempts to pass Jak, but he successfully held her at bay, meanwhile Xandyr had gained a lot of ground on the both of them, and was right on her tail, with the Dark Warrior right behind him. Dangerously close in fact. Things evened out in the final stretch of the second lap, with the Zeltron and her modified swoop bike making it up alongside Jak. She swerved in front on him and managed to take the lead. Xandyr took the oppertunity to capitalise on the Whirlwind's disarray and pushed his thrusters to the max, just inching ahead of Jak as they moved into teh first bend of the first lap.

"You're on my case again, huh?" He shouted, with a smirk over the roar of both the engines.

"Well, you know me Jak!" Xandyr shouted back, "Can't expect to to go out without a bang, now can you?"

Xandyr heard the other man laugh. "Yeah, yeah, just get going Villiers! You don't want Ziara to show you up now do you?"

Xandyr returned his focus to the face and sped on ahead of Jak to try and catch up with the Zeltron.

"How about that folks! In one swift move Jak 'The Whirlwind' Fletcher has been passed by Aleeya Ziara and Snow Villiers. The Zeltron now has the lead! Can she hold onto it, to deny Snow a victory on his supposed last ever swoop race? But wait, here come's the Dark Warrior. He's closing onf The Whirlwind. Is... is that a sword? It is! Ladies and gentlemen the Dark Warrior has a sword, and look out Jak 'cause it looks like you're next on his list!"

Xandyr glanced behind him and seen the Dark Warrior stab the blade into Jak's engines.

"This guy mean's buisness! Fletcher's swoop is out of control, he's going to crash, and it's gonna hurt!" The crash could be heard far behind Xandyr, and he felt his muscles tense up. "Well I'll be damned! The Whirlwind is up on his feet and seemingly unhurt! How in the universe did he survive that one! He's alright folks!!"

A cheer came up from the crowd, and Xandyr breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't relax for long however. He needed to concentrate on the race, as well as distancing himself from the Dark Warrior. Aleeya was playing it very cool however, and each time Xandyr tried to pass her she easily cut him off.

"Catch me if you can, Villiers!" She exclaimed as he tried to pass her again, her blue hair blowing across her face as she did so. "Oh, and watch your back! Our friend seems to be getting closer to you."

Xandyr glanced behind him and seen she was correct. Before he knew it the Dark Warrior was right beside him. Xandyr was expecting to be shoved off his bike any second, but there was nothing, until eventually they came into the final straight.

"Here they come!" The commentator's voice bellowed, "Snow Villier and teh Dark Warrior are side by side, but will either of them catch Aleeya Ziara? I don't think so. They are coming up to the finish line! And she's done it! Ziara wins, with Snow just squeezing into second place, and the Dark Warrior just behind him!"

Xandyr smiled. He hadn't won, but second was good enough for me, and there was still a hefty sum of credits awarded for being the runner up. Besides, the people needed a new champion. Losing here would put him somewhat under the radar.

As he began to slow down the Dark Warrior pulled up beside him again. As teh race was over, Xandyr was caught offguard. The dark racer smashed against Xandyr, sending him flying off his bike and against the ground. Xandyr remembered a brief pain, and darkness...

Han

I knew exactly what Jabba was talking about. "Listen Jabba, now I'm being reasonable here. If you think I'm handing over the Falcon then you can forget it!"

The Hutt laughed, and the rest followed suit.

"Are you sure, Solo?" Jabba jeered in Huttese.

I studied him for a moment before giving my answer. "Yeah... yeah, I'm sure." Out of the corner of my eyes I seen Trika's head popping out from a doorway, peering around behind Jabba. That must have been where Olee was!

Before I coudl think any further the one armed man kicked my legs from under me, causing me to hit the groud with a thud. He punched me, thankfully not with his metal hand, and moved away quickly. I seen Jabba lift one of his gargantuan arms and hold it over some sort of pressure sensor. I knew what was coming next.

"Oh no..." I muttered in a mixture of shock and frustration, as the ground beneath me opened up...

[hk47fan]

Mara Jade

I sat in front of a desk at a local hospital. I was here to apply for a job...I had gotten so used to pretending to be a nurse that I pretty much knew what it took to do it, anyway. And it was credits, nonetheless. Wouldn't make me rich, but it'd provide for my son.

I knew it was a boy...having the Force gave you certain perks, and detecting the gender of your baby early on was one of them.

Xandyrr and I were both thrilled, but we knew there were plenty of hardships ahead.

Vania Yitek, the secretary at the hospital, was helping me fill out my application. She seemed nice enough...looked to be in her twenties, and had short, blonde hair. She also dressed nicely, and had a genuine look on her face.

"Okay, so, how long have you been a nurse?" she asked.

"Almost two years," I replied. "I served onboard ships and random planets for awhile before coming to Coruscant. Took a break for a little while before applying here."

"And whats your name?"

I paused for a moment. "Uhh, its J-"

You know what...to hell with it. I'm sick of carrying that fake name, and no one's going to go after me for just saying my real name. The Jedi aren't around anymore, and more importantly, I'm starting a family. Its time for me to be open. My child won't know me by the name Janet.

"Mara. My name's Mara." I finally said.

"Okay. Last name?"

"Just put down Foxx," I answered simply. "Its what its going to be sooner or later, anyway."

She smiled. "Aww, you're getting married?"

"Hopefully," I said with a nervous laugh. "Not sure of the details, but I think I am. I'm also expecting a child...just found out."

Her smile widened. "Thats great."

"Thanks. Its why I'm getting this job...I want to work full time, as much as you need me, because I need the credits badly and I'm not afraid of a hard day's work. I'll do pretty much anything...my maternity leave will be short, I-" I said, suddenly going on and on without stopping.

She cut in. "Hey, hey, its okay. Don't be so nervous."

I took a deep breath. "Sorry about that...its just been hard. My boyfriend and I haven't exactly had the easiest time lately, but I don't want to complain. I just want my kid to have a better life than I did." I explained, but didn't want to go too much into my own background. "So, enough about me. What about you? Will I be seeing you around here often?"

Vania nodded. "Probably," she replied, continuing to put some things down on my paperwork. "I'm a full time receptionist, though I'm looking to go part-time eventually, if I find better work."

"I feel like I've heard your name," I noted, still trying to veer the conversation off of me. "Yitek."

She nodded. "My sister, Deena, just started her singing career, and she's already starting to get well known around...but my lifestyle is very different from hers. We're polar opposites."

"I see," I said with a slight nod. "So tell me, do you think I'll get this job?"

"We haven't had many other applications...this isn't exactly the best part of Coruscant, though its not as bad as other places, either. So I think you'll probably get it." Vania assured me with a light smile.

I sighed in relief. "Good."

Now, Xandyrr just needs to finish that retirement race and we'll be good to go.

Trika

My eyes widened when I saw the ground open beneath Han, and he went plummeting down into the new hole...I could hear another large door opening, and I knew what it meant.

The Rancor. Damn.

The people in the Throne Room all laughed, and I could hear Threepio's screams of fear.

"Captain Solo, oh dear!! I knew this would happen!"

Jabba bellowed. "I've replaced my rancor after our last encounter, Solo...and now, you don't have your Jedi friend to save you. This rancor is even better than the last one, and is sure to chew you to bits...did you really think I'd let you save that other Jedi? Its time for you to go down, Solo, my trap worked perfe-" he said in Huttese.

I looked to the others, before bursting out into the room. "Think again, you fat slug!" I screamed.

Everyone's eyes turned to me in shock, and a few bolts went flying my way. I ducked, and ran right behind Jabba. He was a nice place to take cover...I guess all that Hutt obesity did have its uses.

Four Gammoreans came at me, and I fired repeatedly at them. They screamed out in pain, but kept at me. Within seconds, one had grabbed me and slammed me up against Jabba. My knee slammed up against his shin, and he released me...I grabbed him by his wrist, and shoved him up against the Hutt myself.

The others all charged at me, and I couldn't move fast enough...they hit me, and we all rammed right into Jabba, who was screaming and yelling.

The Hutt tilted forward at all of this weight crashing into him at once, and while I tried to desperately fight off the huge amount of weight keeping me pinned to him, I saw more thugs senselessly charing at me.

I finally broke free of the pigs' grips just in time to sweve out of the way, and they charged right into Jabba, as well. A large yell was heard, and the next thing I knew, a Gammorean had grabbed me and slammed me right onto Jabba's dais.

I elbowed him in the face a millisecond later, and I looked up.

Hey, where did Jabba go?!

All I had to do was look forward to see the massive Hutt tumbling into his own Rancor pit!

[Rain]

Han

I glanced up and seen the light above me being eclipsed. Something was falling in on top of me, and I sure wasn't for laying here until it landed on me. I rolled out of the way and ran to the opposite wall. I saw a Gammorean hit the ground first, followed by a giant mass of tissue... Jabba!?

"Look's like you're a victim of your own devices Jabba!" I shouted over him as he bellowed in disbelief, "Can't say I pity you either."

There was a loud mechanical whine, and the giant door opened to reveal the rancor, this one ever so slightly bigger than the one that Luke killed last time we were here. It grabbed the Gammorean, which was half dead already thanks to Jabba landing on top of it, and ripped off it's head with it's massive jaws. The sound of the ripping flesh reminded me of a time I would rather not be reminded of. I shook that memory off right away...

Jabba was desperately trying to reach the hatch to get out, but his efforts were in vain. Not for me. I ran up over the Hutt and jumped into the hatch. It was still fairly slipperly, so I would need a hand getting out. For now I was stuck here. I could hear shooting above.

"Guys! I need some help here!"

Bria

Trika was scuffling with some Gammoreans behind Jabba, and Olee was behind them. "Chewie, boost me!" I shouted as the Wookie cupped his hands together, and I placed one foot on them. He launched me up with increbidble strength, sending me flying over Trika and the Gammoreans. I came down with a roll to ensure I didn't hurt myself, and looked up at Olee.

No one seemed to notice me, as everyone was battling the others, or looking down into the rancor pit to see Han. I knew how to release her thanks to operating the carbon freezing chamber on Cloud City.

I pressed a few buttons and the figure of Olee turned from a dark grey to bright red, as the carbonite eroded and she slowly appeared. She dropped out and I caught her. "Where... what happened?" She asked.

"You were frozen in carbonite, and we're in Jabba's Palace." She shook her head and glanced up at me.

"Bria?" She asked with a hint of surprise in her voice, "You and Lando returned to Coruscant then I take it..."

I pulled an awkward expression. "Yeah, uh... we can fill you in later. Can you fight?"

She nodded.

"Good."

Hexxin Werk

No! This couldn't be happening. Jabba had fallen to the Rancor and Solo was trying to climb back up. Not if I could help it!

I crept along the ground to reach the hatch. Solo was half way up. I pulled out a blaster and pointed it at him. "This is the end, Solo!"

Before I could get a shot I felt myself being lifted off the ground. I looked up to see Solo's Wookiee friend holding me. He snrled and threw me across the room. I quickly snapped to my feet and aimed my blaster at him. All I saw next was a flurry of bright blue, and when I looked down, my arm was gone!

The pain hadn't registered yet, and I turned towards the woman who dealt the blow. "You!" I screamed, "How did you get free you schutta! You took my other fucking arm you rancid piece of Jedi scum, I swear on my life I will make you pay-"

I felt myself gasp, and when I looked down I had a hole in my chest. I looked up to see a woman with dark red hair, holding my blaster pistol. "Don't you know it's rude to talk to woman like that?" She said with a smirk.

I feel back and glanced up at the ceiling. All the noise was fading, and so was the light. I had failed. My final moments were spent hoping that there wasn't a hell...

Xandyr

"... think... ok... waking up.... you hear... hey... hear me.... Snow? Snow!" I didn't quite register the noise, but I definately registered someone slapping me on the face.

"Hey, Villers! Tune in already!" Aleeya Ziara was looking down at me. I guessed it was her that slapped me. "Hey! Say something! Don't go dying before I get a chance to gloat about beating you!"

I let out a slight groan, as I slowly stood up. I could see Jak Fletcher running towards us. "Hey Snowy, you OK?"

"I... I'm a little out of it, but I'm fine." I replied, "What happened?"

"Well..." Aleeya began to explain, "After I totally smashed your circuit record, and you finished in second, that Dark Warrior guy got some hard feelings. I guess he didn't like losing!"

Then I remembered it. "Yeah... yeah I think I remember him tossing me off my bike. Where is he now?"

"We don't know." She answered.

"It's like he just vanished." Jak added, "No-one knows where he went. But just wait 'til I get my hands on him! That moron wrecked my bike!"

"Have mine." I said, with a smile.

"What? No, Snow, don't sweat it buddy, I know how much she means to you."

"Quit with the humilty, Jak!" I laughed, "Just take it. You need it more than I do!"

The man nodded. "Thanks..."

"Alright, you two need to stop this mushy sentimentality nonsense!" Aleeya interupted, "You both almost died, get over it already. Can you stand up Snow?"

I didn't answer, but pushed myself to my feet anyways. I felt something in my pocket. I reached down and pulled out a small piece of paper, with a message written in ink. You didn't see that very often in this technologically advanced era. It read:

"IM COMING FOR HER..."

I glanced up at the Zeltron and flashed the paper. "Looks like our friend wants to get that circuit record."

She scoffed. "Let him try..."

[hk47fan]

Jaster Fett

I scowled, watching the chaos erupt...they had freed the Jedi, and an all out battle was erupting. That one bitch was finishing off those Gammoreans with her blaster, and the others had just killed Hexxin.

I looked to the hatch, the exit of the rancor pit, and Solo was right there, yelling for someone to get him out. I smirked under my helmet and approached him. "You're not going anywhere," I said.

"Jaster! Forget about Solo and get me out of here!!!" Jabba bellowed from the bottom of the slope.

Jabba was my employer, but if I bothered to go in there and get him, Solo would escape and the rancor would probably attempt to eat the rest of us, as well...he had already paid me, and I could loot even more credits from the palace if he was gone.

"No," I told him smugly. "Nice knowing you, Jabba."

"You are one of my top men, Fett, don't you think of betraying the might-" Jabba began, but suddenly, he got lifted into the air, and for the first time, I heard the Hutt scream.

Trika

"Ew," I commented with a shudder, looking down into the pit and watching Jabba get devoured by his very own pet.

I turned around and shot the last thugs down, and saw Threepio running straight towards me. "Oh, Mrs. Taban, we need to get Captain Solo out of the pit!"

I nodded. "Right!" I yelled.

I whirled around, and saw what chaos the throne room had become. Many were running around, either to try to save their own hide or stop us, which wasn't working as the others were easily finishing them off.

I shot another approaching thug down, and darted towards the hatch. However, in front of it, was a familiar face: Jaster Fett.

"Fett," I said. "We meet again."

"Back off, or I won't go as easy on you as I did on that ship," Jaster warned.

"Yeah, neither will I," I said, shooting at him. He fired back at me, and a firefight erupted.

"Threepio, go get Han out of the pit!" I ordered.

Threepio

I nodded, as best I could, and scurried over to the hatch, while Mrs. Taban dealt with that dreadful Fett fellow. He was too distracted by her, luckily, to notice me, so I did not have a difficult time getting to Captain Solo.

I could see that horrible rancor clawing at Captain Solo, so I wasted no time in punching the button for the hatch to open. "Captain Solo, hurry!!" I exclaimed.

[Rain]

Han

"Good job Goldenrod." I exclaimed as I tried to hoist myself up further. Then I flt something grab my leg. I looked down to see Jabba desperately gripping onto whatever he could find to try and save himself. "Sorry Jabba..." I said as I pulled out one of my DL-44 blaster pistols. "Not this time!" I fired at his hand and he instantly let go. I smirked, but them realised I was slipping.

I had to go for it. I pushed myself of the edge of the hatch, and managed to reach the top. But barely. I was hanging on with my fingertips. And it was only a matter of time before that beast finished with Jabba and reached up to get his next meal. Me!

"Pull me up Threepio! Pull me up!"

[hk47fan]

Threepio

I reached out and grabbed Captain Solo, trying as hard as I could to get him to safety. Finally, after several seconds of pulling, I managed to get him onto steady ground. "Oh my goodness," I said. "You're alive, Captain Solo, you're alive!!!"

Trika

"You know, Fett," I began as I jumped behing Jabba's dais for some cover. "Even your brother is more of a class act than you...and thats saying something! Leaving your own employer to die? Cruel, don't you think?"

Several bolts hit the dais, and Jaster activated his jetpack, proceeding to hover over the ground. He fired at me again, and this time, a bolt hit me right in the shoulder. I yelled out, before jumping up and trying to get behind a wall.

"Jabba's time was up," Jaster told me. "And so is yours."

"Think again!" I yelled, peeking out and firing repeatedly at him.

[Rain]

Han

"Yeah, but for how long?" I shouted over the blaster fire as i pulled out both of my own blasters. I could see Olee was free of the carbonite and had already joined in the fight. Bria was ducked behind a dead Gammorean, using it as cover as she fired off a flurry of shots. Selas and Chewie were also in the thick of the fight, and Trika looked to be battling it out with that Fett guy.

We were holding up pretty well, but it was only a matter of time before one of us got caught by a stray blaster bolt. "Goldenrod, we need to find our way out of here! Things have gotten out of control!"