Chapter three

I don't own star wars- wish I did!

Thanks to Fallon Skywalker for reviewing :D

He had no idea how long he was on the skiff for (he'd decided it was a skiff). He knew Luke was next to him though, but they barely talked, aware that they were accompanied by guards. He could hear bantha cries and music coming, from what must be the main ship with Jabba on it. And maybe Leia. He could hear Chewie moaning softly next to him.

Eventually, Han felt the need to break the silence.

'I think my eyes are getting better, I started with a big dark blur, now I see a big light blur,'

Chewie moaned again. Luke's voice came out of the big light blur.

'There's nothing to see. I used to live here you know,'

Han turned to face next to him, where he knew Luke was, 'you're gonna die here, you know, convenient,'

Han turned to facing the direction they were going again.

'Just stick close to Chewie and Lando,' Luke said quietly 'I've taken care of everything,'

'Oh,' Han said, with more than a touch of sarcasm, 'Great,' He was glad they'd come, of course he was, even Lando, but Luke? Handling everything? Even if he was a Jedi knight, there must be dozens of creatures on board Jabba's ship. He'd sounded like he had a plan but what could he do? There was a fair chance that they might not get out of this one.

The skiff drew to a halt. Han could hear a strange squeaking call. Was that the Sarlaac? Chewie made a worried bark.

C3PO's voice boomed out across the pit (he assumed it was the pit). 'Victims of the almighty Sarlaac, his Excellency hopes that you will die, honourably,'

Han heard the roar of what was perhaps another skiff going past. C3PO continued.

'But should any of you wish to beg for mercy, the great Jabba the Hutt, will now listen to your pleas,'

'3PO!' Han yelled, surprising himself, 'you tell that slimy piece of worm-ridden filth…' he should have said worse than that! He cursed inwardly at his rubbish cursing, '… he'll get no such pleasure from us! Right?' he said to Chewie, who barked in agreement.

Then Luke spoke. 'Jabba, this is your last chance. Free us, or die!' Han could hear creatures laughing on Jabba's ship. And he had to say, in their position; he would have done the same. Luke sounded ridiculous. Free us or die? Luke must definitely have a plan to say something like that. It had better be a good one.

Jabba's voice rung out across the pit.

Han could hear people moving on the skiff. What was going on? From what Jabba had said he guessed Luke was about to be fed to the Sarlaac. He wished he could see.

There was a pause. All he could hear was the Sarlaac making that strange squeaking, and the roars of people on the other skiff. Oh and Chewies growling. He looked around, listening intently in case he could hear something else. Only a faint beeping, that sounded like R2. Well, if C3PO was here, then it probably was R2.

And then Jabba spoke.

There were many cries from the creatures around Han, a small pop and the sound of someone landing on the deck. Then a whooshing sound, that could only be Luke projecting his lightsaber. Maybe the plan was actually working.

There were a lot of cries from various creatures and the buzz and crack of the lightsaber.

After a few seconds, the lightsaber went quiet, and Han could hear Luke walking quickly back over to him and Chewie.

From Chewie's growls, Han deciphered that Luke was untying him, so he turned round with his back (and tied hands) to Chewie.

'Easy Chewie,' said Luke.

There were the sounds of several shots, presumably from the main ship, and the sound of a jetpack launching. Chewie quickly untied Han. Sith knew what Luke was doing.

'Help!' cried a voice, which Han immediately recognised as Lando's.

There was a large thunk on the deck of the skiff, a lightsaber slash and an explosion which threw Han off his feet. Chewie landed on top of him. Ow.

'Chewie! You okay? Where is he?' Chewie was moaning in pain, ('Take it easy pal,') but he'd moved off Han, who sat up. There was a strange ping, buzz of the lightsaber and a thump on the deck.

'Han! Chewie!' Cried Lando.

'Lando!' said Han. Lando had betrayed them. But he was obviously part of the rescue and on their side now. And he was in trouble. Chewie barked something about a dropped spear. And Lando hanging over the side of the skiff.

Han felt around for the spear, directed by Chewie.

He found it and picked it up. Then Chewie growled urgently.

'Boba Fett?' Han wasn't sure he'd heard him right.

Chewie growled again.

'Boba Fett? Where?' Han spun round ready for some sort of attack. The spear in his hand hit something hard that caused a small explosion. He stumbled slightly, and all he could hear was screaming, and the sound of a jetpack. Then a huge thump and the Sarlaac screeching in pleasure. Then a burp.

Chewie growled congratulations. Han wasn't sure what he'd done. Chewie explained.

Han had hit Boba Fett's jetpack. And it went off. He'd hit the side of the main ship and fallen to the Sarlaac. Aah. Then he remembered Lando.

With directions from Chewie, he leant over the side of the skiff, holding out the spear to where Lando was.

'Lando, grab it!'

'Lower it!'

'I'm trying!'

He leaned over as far as he could go. Then there was another explosion. The skiff tipped, sending Han over the edge. His foot caught in some rope on the rails.

'Whoa! Whoa, grab me Chewie, I'm slipping!' He felt a furry paw hold his feet.

'Come on! Grab it!' He yelled to Lando.

'Grab it! Almost, you almost got it,' his eyes were getting better! He could see a slight flicker of movement in front of him, which he presumed was Lando's arm. But it was a faint line of black in a blur of white, so he wasn't really sure.

Another explosion hit the skiff, causing Han to fall forward slightly again.

Chewie growled. Han leaned forward as far as he could.

'Gently now, all… all right. Easy, easy…' he felt his feet slipping, 'Hold me Chewie!'

Something moved, faintly, and Lando yelled. Chewie quickly growled that it was a Sarlaac tentacle grabbing Lando's foot.

'Chewie! Chewie, give me the gun.' Chewie put the gun in Han's outstretched hand.

He aimed just below where he thought Lando's feet were. He saw a flicker of movement. Hopefully it was the right place.

'Don't move Lando!'

'No wait I thought you were blind!'

'It's alright; I can see a lot better!'

'Higher, just a little higher!' Han raised his arm slightly. And pulled the trigger.

The gun fired, and the Sarlaac squealed.

Han felt Lando grab the spear.

'Chewie, pull us up! Come on, up Chewie, up!'

Chewie pulled Han and Lando up onto the skiff.

As soon as he was back on his feet, Han held the rail on the side of the skiff. He was suddenly exhausted.

There was a thump on the deck. Luke was back! From… somewhere. With Leia!

'Let's go, and don't forget the droids!'

'We're on our way!' said Lando, who seemed to be at the controls now.

Leia grabbed Han into a hug. He returned the hug, briefly wondering why she seemed to only have metal underwear on.

And the skiff sped off, briefly pausing to pick up C3PO and R2, toward the Falcon.

Note: There was something I thought as I was writing this. How does Han know Chewie has a gun? So he just knows, somehow, because I could find no explanation.

Only the epilogue left to write .