Han waves Sodarra forward, then enters the tavern ahead of the stormtroopers. When Sodarra’s armored men appear, a quiet hush falls over the room. A hundred eyes, human and otherwise, watch the Imperials spread out through the crowd.
Sodarra glances at Han for instructions; the Corellian nods toward the eight rough-looking aliens. As the troopers move to the back corner, a rustle of relieved sighs follow them. The squad stops in front of the eight aliens. Sodarra says nothing.
“W-what did we do?” asks the Twi’lek.
Sodarra regards the Twi’lek carefully. “Perhaps you should tell me.” Sodarra’s voice carries a clear tone of menace.
The aliens regard each other warily. “We were just going, I think,” the Twi’lek says.
“That would be a good idea,” Sodarra answers. “Leave your weapons. Stay away from the spaceport.”
The eight aliens hesitate. Blasters are expensive. Han turns his attention to the bartender. “Do you know those guys?” he asks. The bartender does not answer; he is watching the stormtroopers with almost paternal concern for his property. He would never agree to anything which might damage his establishment.
Sodarra’s men raise their rifles. The aliens reluctantly place their assorted blasters on the table and leave. The Imperials take their seats.
“What’s going on ?” the bartender asks.
“Nothing,” Han says. “Just turn down the lights and nobody will get hurt.” Han motions Chewbacca to an alcove near the main door.
Over the next twenty minues, the other patrons finish their drinks and find excuses to depart. Han is sure the dim lighting has less to do with their discomfort than do the stormtroopers.
An hour later, the stockroom door opens. Leia stands in the doorway, her hands bound behind her back. Despite her situation, the Princess looks as confident and beautiful as ever. She peers into the darkened bar as if searching for a friend. Han hopes she still considers him a friend – if she ever has.
A figure stands behind Leia in a full duralloy suit of blaster armor. It matches the gray helmet Han has come to identify as Alfreda Goot. The bounty hunter holds a blaster pistol against the small of Leia’s back. There is a black strap looped around Leia’s neck in a slipknot; Han assumes Alfreda holds the other end.
“I win,” Han calls merrily.
Leia turns toward Han’s voice. “Han? I’m sorry. This is a trap -“
Alfreda jerks the strap and chokes off Leia’s warning.
“This isn’t your fault, Leia,” the pilot says. “I know all about Alfreda.”
Alfreda pushes Leia forward. “Then you must know what I want, Solo,” she says. Alfreda has not yet seen the Stormtroopers.
“You lured me here to collect Jabba’s reward.”
Alfreda nods. “It is easier than trying to bring you here by force.”
Han pulls his blaster pistol. “Let her go, Alfreda.”
A cold laugh cracles from Alfreda’s translator. She aims her blaster pistol at Han. “You are in a poor position to issue orders.” Alfreda says. Chewie steps out of the alcove and levels his bowcaster at Alfreda. His angle is little better than Han’s. “I wondered where the mighty Chewbacca was,” she comments.
“Second chance, Alfreda,” Han warns. “Let her go.”
Alfreda laughs again. “Sorry, Solo. I made a big investment in you. Look to the back corner.”
Han smiles and looks. “So?”
Alfreda hesitates. Her confidence seems shaken for the first time. “Karlo?” she calls, still not looking away from Han. Leia turns her head. Her jaw drops in surprise, then she shoots a querying glance at Han.
Sodarra’s stormtroopers do not move. Han can see that they have all trained their weapons on Alfreda. “Sorry,” Han says. “Karlo had to leave.”
Alfreda hazards a look. The dim light reflects off the stormtroopers’ armor just enough to identify them. “How?” she gasps.
“Abduction is a crime against the Empire,” Sodarra informs her. “Release the Princess!”
“She’ll die, Solo!” Alfreda hisses. She fires a wild shot in Han’s directon. He dives for cover and the bartender screams as a whole shelf of mugs crashes to the floor. The troopers hold their fire and Han silently thanks Imperial boot camp for instilling them with so much discipline.
By the time Han stands, Alfreda has dragged Leia back into the stockroom. “Chewbacca, go around front,” Han orders. “Someone cover the spaceport. I’ll flush her out.”
The Wookiee bellows a warning.
“You don’t have to tell me to be careful!” Han responds.
He rushes into the stockroom. A long corridor leads toward teh back of the room between two high rows of crates. At the end of the corridor, an unlatched door opens into the alley. Han pauses. The trail is too clear. A hunter like Alfreda would not be so easy to follow.
As he steps into the stockroom, a blaster bolt whistles past his head. The bartender screams in proprietary anguish as it explodes in the tavern. Han drops to the floor, then rolls to cover behind a crate. When he looks back down teh corridor, Alfreda is tugging Leia into the alley outside. Han pauses for an instant. He does not want to risk hitting Leia, but unless Alfreda believes he will fire at her, she has an insurmountable advantage. Han fires a couple of shots into the wall.
Alfreda is not expecting that. When the energy bursts explode above her head, she panics and dives for cover, dragging Leia along. They land out of sight in the alley.
Han jumps to his feet and runs to the alley door. Alfreda is scrambling for her blaster, which Leia has somehow kicked away in their tumble. Though the effort chokes her, Leia struggles against the leash to keep Alfreda from reaching the blaster pistol. Her hands remain bound behind her back.
“It’s over,” Han calls, aiming his pistol at Alfreda.
Alfreda spins on her knees. At the same time, she pulls the leash tight around Leia’s neck. “Not yet,” she hisses. “I can still break Princess Leia’s neck.”
“And die yourself,” Han warns.
Alfreda shrugs. “I am a bounty hunter. Life is cheap – even my own.” She tugs the leash tighter with her left hand. Leia gasps for breath.
“What do you want?” Han asks.
“A fair end,” Alfreda responds. “Throw aside your blaster and fight me with your hands.”
If Han drops his blaster pistol, Click Here
If Han fires at Alfreda, Click Here