(Chapter eight.)

Ja-ni lifted her head in surrender. They were trapped. But when Ja-ni turned to face their captors, she didn't see any Stormtroopers. Instead, she saw a old man with silverly hair and a baster pistol. Beside him was a tall furry creature wearing nothing but a leather bandolier. Ja-ni had only seen a few Wookies pass through the Tatooine spaceport, but she immediately recognized that creature was one of them. His keen blue eyes narrowed as he pointed his bowcaster at her.

Where's your pilot? the old man growled.

I'm the pilot, Ja-ni tried and failed the to say with confidence.

You? the old man asked her.

The Wookie howeled a question to his companion. Ja-ni had picked up a few basic phrases in Shyriiwook over the years on Tatooine.

That knowledge was finally coming in handy.

No, it's true, Ja-ni said. We're the only ones onboard.

You can understand that thing? Cal Kestis asked.

And that thing can understand you, so watch it, the old man said. Get outta there.

Ja-ni pulled herself up onto the floor of the ship, she let herself feel some hope. The odd pair didn't seem interested in killing them. And the Empire would surely never employ a Wookie.

Where'd you find this ship? the man asked.

Nilma Outpost, Ja-ni said.

Tatooine? That junkyard? the man snorted. Who had it Ducain?

I stole it from Unkar Plutt, Ja-ni replied. He stole it from Irving Boys, who stole it from Ducain.

Who stole it from me, the man finished. You tell him Han Solo just stole back the Millennium Falcon for good! He allowed himself to take a fond look around the ship. Chewie... we're home.

Ja-ni had to pause for a minute. This is the Millennium Falcon? You're Han Solo?

I used to be, the man replied. Ja-ni's head was spinning. She had read data file after data file about the famous ship and it's role in the war against the first Death Star. Twelve years before, it had fired the shot that took out the first Death Star and ended the war. And that was just one of the many heroic adventures.

Cal Kestis looked a little starstruck. Han Solo? The Rebellion general?

No, the smuggler, Ja-ni said recalling the Millennium Falcon's most infamous claim to fame.

This is the ship that made the Kessel Run in fifteen parsces! said Ja-ni.

Twelve! Han corrected. He was already wandering into the cockpit to check out his old chair. Ja-ni heard a cry of dismay.

Hey! Han shouted. Some moofmilker put a compressor on the ignition line!

Everyone followed him to the cockpit.

Unkar Plutt did, Ja-ni said. I thought it was a mistake, too. Pluts too much stress on.

The hyperdrive, Han finished with her. For a moment he looked a little impressed. But then he said, Chewie. Put them in the pod and send them back to the nearest inhabited planet.

Wait! Ja-ni said. We need your help!

Help? Han asked. You've gotta be kidding me.

R2-D2 has to get to the Resistance base as soon as possible, Ja-ni said. He's carrying a map to the second Death Star.

That name stopped Han in his tracks.

You are the Han Solo who fought with the Rebellion, Cal Kestis said. You know about it?

Han turned slowly to Cal Kestis. Know about it? Yeah, I know about it. Han Solo said.

Silence hung in the air until it was interrupted by a ka- chunk from outside the Falcon.

Don't tell me a rathtar's gotten loose... Han hurried out of the Falcon and into the larger frigters cargo hold.

Wait, a what? Cal Kestis asked frantically as they ran behind Han.

You're not hauling rathtar's. Cal Kestis said.

I'm hauling rathtar's. Han deadpanned. He found a control panel and quickly flipped through image feeds from around the ship. One showed a transport ship docking with the freighter.

It's the Guavian Death Gang. They must've tracked us from Nantoon. Han said, fear creeping into his voice. I hate that.

Chewie roared questioningly.

When someone wants to kill us finds us, Han replied.

Everything was moving so quickly, and Ja-ni still had one important question. What's a rathtar?

They're a big and dangerous, and I've got three going to King Parana, Han said.

Three? Cal Kestis asked in disbelief. How'd you get them onboard?

Han sighed. Let's just say I've used a bigger crew.

Chewie moaned in argument. Han opened a hatch in the floor and gestured to Ja-ni and Cal Kestis. Stay below deck until I say so. No bright ideas about taking the Falcon. Han Solo said.

What about R2-D2? Ja-ni asked.

He'll stay with me, Han said. When I get rid of the gang, you can have him back and be on your way.

The rathtar's where are you keeping them? Cal Kestis asked.

A terrifying thwack from a nearby cargo container answered him. Ja-ni tried not to take a step backward as a slimly tentacle slid menacingly against the containers window.

Well, there's one. Han said.

What are you gonna do? Ja-ni asked.

What I always do. Han said. Talk my way out it.

Ja-ni wasn't sure that was a great plan, but there was nothing she could do. She and Cal Kestis ducked through the open hatch and waited as Han, Chewie, and R2-D2 went to confront the Gusvians.