Thirty
stormtroopers, a bothan, a wookiee, and two red-armored guards stormed casually
through the palace corridors, unquestioned by passing aides and officers.
"Where are all the guards?" Han asked from behind a sleek red mask.
Chewie offered a suggestion.
"Lando?"
An alarm went up, blaring sirens and flashing lights on the walls, hilighting
the path to the alarm-worthy activity. They picked up the pace of their trot
until they rounded a corner and spotted a giant furry beast hiding behind a
door as a stream of blaster fire poured through. The beastlooked up at them, on
the near side of the open doorway, and raised up its gun with a snarl. The
small batallion quickly ducked back behind the corner.
"Where did that thing come from?" Han asked.
"I don't know," Lyrkk said, "but it appears to be on our
side."
"We should help it," Quolle said.
Chewbacca stepped around the corner and took a few steps toward Kee. He grunted
softly and motioned with his hand for the large creature to join him.
Kee considered a moment, then quickly approached the wookiee.
"Kee," she said.
Chewbacca grunted and turned back the way he'd come, waving for Kee to follow.
Kee raised up her gun as she approached the detachment of soldiers awaiting
her.
Han lifted off his helmet and said, "Can you understand me?"
Kee nodded that she did. "Yes..."
"How did you get here?"
"Space ship."
"Who flew the ship?" Han asked.
"Luke."
"Luke Skywalker?"
Kee smiled and patted Han on the shoulder. A blaster bolt struck the wall
behind her, and several more shots fired along with it. As the faux stormtroopers
ducked further back around the corner an explosion rang out through the
corridors and the blaster fire ceased. Han dropped down his helmet again.
A few footsteps approached them, and they all raised their weapons warily and
listened.
"I know I saw Chewbacca out here a minute ago..." said a familiar
voice.
"Lando!" Han said, and led the group out into the smoke-filled
hallway to meet Lando and five assorted mercenaries standing cautiously behind
him. Han recognized the lanky man with black skin and a lightsaber at his belt,
who watched him with guarded interest.
Lando chuckled. "You pirate! You almost scared me with those
uniforms."
"We should be moving," Lyrkk said.
