Chapter II
The constant rain of blaster fire was eating away at the side of the building Han was hiding behind, keeping him from striking back at his attackers. It wouldn't be long before he ran out of options. In the street before him, he heard a shot from another direction. Then, one of the attackers fell over while the others shifted their line of fire. At that, a familiar snap-hiss sounded and caused Han to smile.
There could be only one man who would choose that weapon to wield in his defense. From behind him, Chewie growled and Han turned to see three more individuals enter the fray and open up fire with an accuracy and precision that indicated he was dealing with more experienced foes. Sighing, Han wondered if things could get any worse.
The blue-white glow of his father's lightsaber blocked the incoming blaster bolts well, but Luke could only handle so many. At last, he dived into the alley where Han and Chewie were. "Some rescue," Han quipped grimly as he fired off a round at his assailants. "I had no idea you were this popular," Luke replied, "We may still be able to get out of here, but it will mean compromising the security of your mission." "What, and wait until our friends out there send written invitations to every lowlife from here to the Corporate Sector?" Han said sarcastically, "Just do what you have to so we can leave this dump in one piece!"
Luke nodded, gesturing for his friends to step back as he approached the street where the onslaught was heaviest. Then, without a warning, their adversaries' weapons fell silent. "What happened?" Han asked as he leaned out into the street. Where the bounty hunters had stood was a small crater that suggested to Luke the use of a miniature thermal detonator. "I've got a bad feeling about this," Han muttered as he scanned the street. A cloud of dust obscured one end, and Luke thought he saw movement within it.
"Don't come any closer!" Luke called out to the unknown. The figure did not halt, but instead stepped thru the falling debris and into sight. A chill ran down his spine as the stranger stepped across the crater and regarded them with his familiar mask. "This," Han said tiredly, "Just isn't my day."
Han held his blaster steady as the newcomer regarded them from the edge of the newly-formed crater. Despite his thin, T-shaped visor and the general look of the armor, Han knew this wasn't Boba Fett. The absence of a jetpack and the fact that this man wore twin blasters told him that much. His arms and legs were encased in metallic armor shaded an emerald green that did seem oddly familiar to him. "If you've come for me," Solo said, "Don't expect me to go without a fight!"
The man paused, then said, "Yes, that is quite clear. Fortunately for us all, I don't want to collect on the price on any of your heads." "Who are you and what do you want?" Luke called out, keeping his lightsaber ready. The reply that was given only confirmed Han's worst fears as the stranger said, "Zol Xarh."
As he waited for his guests, Captain Zsinj resisted the urge to twirl his mustache or pace about. It did not do to appear nervous, even when facing the Emperor. Still, his Excellency's most trusted servant did have something of a reputation in the fleet and so Zsinj couldn't quell all his worries. He had played the gracious host to Il-Raz during that buffoon's stay, and he suspected that he would be saddled with the task of returning him to the place where Zsinj had picked the admiral up. He only hoped that the reception he had prepared would be pleasing to Vader when he arrived.
Otherwise, his concerns would likely be ending rather abruptly. He could already hear the sound of the shuttle's engines, and so he stood watching as it came to rest. Bowing to Vader and his companion, he couldn't help but notice that Il-Raz was with the Dark Lord. "It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Iron Fist..." Zsinj began. "You will take us to the prisoner so that I may confirm his identity at once," Vader growled. Swallowing uneasily, the captain led the way.
Eyeing the legendary figure before them, Luke recalled stories he'd heard about the man. How he had survived numerous attempts on his life and taken out a Star Destroyer by himself. After that every bounty hunter in the galaxy, from Boba Fett on down, had gone after him. It was said that he had gone to Coruscant and personally convinced the Emperor to stop the search for him. Since then, he had vanished and no one had gone looking for him. "I thought you were dead," Han said at last. "A clever ruse," Zol Xarh said, "To ensure that I could continue to work without interference." "You've got our attention," Luke said, "Now how about some answers?"
The bounty hunter glanced around at the deserted street and said, "Perhaps this is not the safest place to talk." Chewie rumbled something under his breath, and Han smiled and said, "I agree with my copilot. If you can't tell us now, then we'll just have to shoot you." "Very well," Zol Xarh said, "I left the galactic scene in order to carry out a job for a close friend. I'm supposed to meet him at the spaceport shortly. He wishes to hire the Millennium Falcon and its crew for fifty thousand credits." Han whistled softly. "That is a lot of money," Luke commented, "But we expect that you will want us to earn it."
"For that kind of money," Han said with a lop-sided grin, "Many pilots would be willing to fly straight into the Maw." "Don't you need to pay Jabba off before he hires the expensive bounty hunters?" Luke asked. "I could use a bit extra," Han said, "Besides, if he wanted to use one of the Alliance's ships, could they afford to say no?" Luke considered the statement, watching Zol Xarh as the bounty hunter waited. "How did you know we were here?" he asked. "My client was the one who sent the message that drew Captain Solo here. We do indeed have valuable intelligence regarding the Empire's construction of new vessels," Zol Xarh said.
"How can we pass up an offer like that?" Han said, "Come on, it's time to find your contact." Turning, he and Chewie led the way down the street. As Zol Xarh fell in step behind him, Luke couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. He just didn't know what.
Admiral Il-Raz smiled as they approached, and Zsinj hoped that the unpredictable man wouldn't do something typically ridiculous. Opening the cell, the captain waited as Vader and the admiral entered. Zsinj followed, his eyes soon making out the bound form of his Wookiee captive. "What of those he is associated with?" Vader said, "He has been known to deal with pirates and the Rebellion." "That may be," Il-Raz replied, "But he was not with anyone else when we took him into custody. It is possible his allies may be looking for him." "And the ship he flew, where is it?" the Dark Lord inquired.
"In one of our hangar bays," Zsinj said, "Do you wish to inspect it?" "Soon enough," Vader said, "See to it that he is sedated enough so that he cannot try to escape." "Of course, sire," the captain said, glancing down at the prone alien. "Perhaps," Vader mused, "This time he will yield some information that will prove useful." "That is why I had him placed in confinement," Il-Raz said with another of his smiles. The Dark Lord didn't reply as he turned and led them from the cell.