Han climbs from the sinkhole and charges toward the unsuspecting officer. None of the snowtroopers see him. When he reaches a range of fifteen meters, the pilot drops to the snow and squeezes off several shots. A blue bolt slices from his weapon’s barrel and strikes the unsuspecting stormtrooper square in the field communications pack. The pack erupts into a spray of electronic component pieces, and the officer falls face-first into the snow.
Scarcely a moment later, the remaining troopers turn to face the rear-attack. Their blaster bolts melt snow just inches away from Han’s face. Small clouds of superheated steam and flying ice-crystals sting his eyes. Han presses his body into the snow, as if he himself can melt into the glacier. He does not even dare to raise his head to aim. But Sodarra and his men continue to hold their fire.
Chewbacca rises out of his hiding place and fires two quick shots with his bowcaster. An Imperial trooper falls, but Han knows that he and the Wookiee cannot hold a squad of experienced troopers for long. Where is Sodarra?
Ignoring the danger, Han raises his head and fires half-a-dozen shots. Two more troopers drop to the snow. Their comrades immediately send a stream of blaster bolts in HAn’s direction. He has succeeded only in drawing more attention to himself. Blaster bolts whiz overheard in a continuous stream. Han expects to feel the sizzle of a hit any moment.
The anticipated injury never occurs. All at once, the Imperial fire slackens. He lifts his head in time to see the bodies of over half the squad fall to the snow. Sodarra’s deserters stand behind the snowtroopers pouring a rain of blaster bolts into the surprised squad’s read. The deserters fire again and the rest of the snowtroopers fall.
Ten seconds later, Han and Chewbacca find Sodarra. “What took so long?” Han demands angrily.
Sodarra shrugs. “I was wondering if Lieutenant Birdloe could fly the Falcon.” Han, nearly chocking on rage, fingers the trigger of his blaster rifle. Sodarra gently pushes the barrel away. “I decided he could not.” He smiles expectantly. “It was a joke, Captain Solo.”
Han does not laugh. Sodarra does not strike Han as the type of man who enjoys practical jokes.