THE RETURN OF THE JEDI

The droids went in first, early in the morning, carrying a message from Jedi Leia Skywalker, who wished to meet with His Excellency Jabba the Hutt and negotiate the release of Han Solo, to the betterment of both parties. The droids were a gift to seal the bargain to meet. Jabba chuckled ominously and the two droids were put to work in his desert stronghold, C-3PO as the protocol droid, and R2D2 on the sailbarge.

That afternoon, His Highness Luke Organa requested an audience with Jabba for similar reasons as the Jedi. He came in wearing the full diplomatic robes of Alderaan, carrying a blaster and his own reputation as protection. Jabba was amused, listened politely, and then made a motion. The next thing the young prince apparently knew, he was sitting chained to a small slab of concrete next to Jabba's concrete slab as a capture for ransom to

be admired until the money came. It wasn't comfortable, but at least he was where he expected to be. He shifted around on the slab until he found the least uncomfortable way to sit, and waited. He was close to Jabba and had plenty of time to reconnoiter the room and plan what he would do next.

Late the next morning, the bounty hunter came in with Chewbacca, demanding the bounty for his capture. THe armor was well known, Boushh, an Ubese male. Like most bounty hunters, he wore a helmet that provided translation to Galactic Standard when the hunter so desired. He was well armed and armored. And he wanted fifty thousand rather than 25. When Jabba demanded why, he brought out a thermal detonator, armed. Jabba chuckled.

"This is my kind of scum." and offered 35, which, fortunately for 3PO who was picking himself up off the floor for the 4th time, the hunter agreed to. A black human guard escorted the captive wookie to a cell. Boba Fett inclined his head to him in deference to a job well done. He joined him at a table, placing a drink in front of him, his eyes and a centimeter wide strip of the middle of his face just barely visible in the light through the helmet. He thought perhaps to improve their professional relationship, since it was well known that he had a rivalry with Boushh.

"How did you catch the wookie?"

"Professional secret." the translator rasped. "I heard you had Imperial help bringing in Solo." Fett couldn't see any of his face, so he couldn't read any expressions, just translated tone of voice. His helmet tipped slightly to the side.

"I gave them help." His voice betrayed a note of disgust. "And they lost both the wookie and a sweet little girl who was with him. Imperials couldn't catch a slow ruklan snail if they had a head start. But if you held on to the wookie long enough to get him here alive, you are truly impressive."

The translator snorted. "A good stunner always helps.

He hadn't made a move at the drink. The green-armored man shrugged inwardly, silently giving up his attempt to draw out the man. He stood and moved off in another direction, leaving the bounty hunter alone where he sat.

Several hours later, the party was still going on, Fett leaned over Boushh's shoulder. "Something for you to see. You'll like it." He indicated one of the dancing girls. Boushh shook his head and suddenly there were six guards surrounding him, guns drawn, as Fett disarmed him quickly. One of the guards, a black man, pulled the helmet off, revealing a young blond woman. Beth stared at Lando holding her helmet, then Jabba waved at his guards. "Bring her to me." Beth was pushed up in front of Jabba. His slimy tongue licked her cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"I have powerful friends. You'll regret this."

Jabba laughed. "I'm sure. Perhaps they will pay for you as well."

Beth was forcibly carried out through another door by three men. The last thing she saw was Boba Fett approaching Jabba while the chained prince watched them carefully without seeming to. She was going to kill both him and Leia when they got back. She had argued that sending in more than one person who couldn't free themselves was a bad idea. Luke could, Leia could, and Lando could get Chewie out. Then Leia had pointed out the old stories about why one never borrowed money from Jabba, one's prettiest daughter was likely to end up as a pet on a chain until he tired of her and killed her. While Leia might be prettier, Jabba would be stupid to chain a known Jedi to himself. Beth would be a good candidate for the chain. And out in the open like that, she would be easy to free and arm. And they had considered that to be an unlikely event. Luke and Leia were absolutely certain about things. Beth was doubtful and yet, here she was. And she still wasn't sure what she had done to tip them off that she wasn't Boushh, unless Fett was one of the few people who knew that Boushh was actually dead.

His Highness Luke Organa of Alderaan watched the green-armored bounty hunter saunter off into the bowels of Jabba's fortress through the same door Beth had been dragged through. An indignant screech came from that direction as well. He could only guess as to what was happening to her. Probably the pet on a chain. And somehow he had to warn her about what happened to the other dancing girl.