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The patient Wookiee barked, and adjusted a wire in Threepio's neck. At last the robot could see again and he breathed a little mechanical sigh of relief. 'There now, that's better.'

But it wasn't much better. When he cast his newly activated sensor gaze toward where his chest should be he saw - his back! 'Wait-Oh, my. What have you done? I'm backwards!' Threepio sputtered. 'You flea-bitten furball! Only an overgrown mophead like you would be stupid enough to put my head-The Wookiee growled menacingly. He had forgotten what a complainer this droid was. And this cell was too small for him to listen to any more of that! Before Threepio knew what was happening to him, the Wookiee lumbered over and pulled a wire. Instantly the grumbling ceased, and the room became quiet again.

Then there was a familiar scent nearing the cell.

The Wookiee sniffed the air and hurried to the door.

The cell door buzzed open and a ragged, exhausted Han Solo was shoved in by two Imperial stormtroopers. The troopers left and Chewbacca quickly moved to his friend, embracing him with relief. Han's face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes. It seemed that he was on the verge of collapse, and Chewbacca barked his concern to his long-time companion.

'No,' Han said wearily, 'I'm all right. I'm all right.'

The door opened once again, and Princess Leia was thrown into the cell by the stormtroopers. She was still dressed in her elegant cloak but, like Han, she looked tired and disheveled.

When the stormtroopers left and the door slid shut behind them, Chewbacca helped Leia over to Han. The two gazed at one another with great emotion, then reached out and tightly embraced. After a moment they kissed tenderly.

While Han still held her, Leia weakly asked him, 'Why are they doing this? I can't understand what they're up to.'

Han was as puzzled as she. 'They had me howling on the scan grid, but they never asked me any questions.'

Then the door slid open again, admitting Lando and two of his Cloud City guards.

'Get out of here, Lando!' Han snarled. If he had felt stronger, he would have leaped up to attack his traitorous friend.

'Shut up a minute and listen,' Lando snapped. 'I'm doing what I can to make this easier for you.'

'This ought to be good,' Han remarked caustically.

'Vader has agreed to turn Leia and Chewie over to me,' explained Lando. 'They'll have to stay here, but at least they'll be safe.'

Leia gasped. 'What about Han?'

Lando looked solemnly at his friend. 'I didn't know you had a price on your head. Vader has given you to the bounty hunter.'

The princess quickly looked at Han, concern flooding her eyes.

'You don't know much about much,' Han said to Calrissian, 'if you think Vader won't want us dead before all this is over.'

'He doesn't want you at all,' Lando said. 'He's after someone called Sky walker.'

The two prisoners caught their breath at the casual mention of that name.

Han seemed puzzled. 'Luke? I don't get it.'

The princess's mind was racing. All the facts were beginning to fit together into a terrible mosaic. In the past, Vader had wanted Leia because of her political importance in the war between Empire and Rebel Alliance. Now she was almost beneath his notice, useful only for one possible function.

'Lord Vader has set a trap for him,' Lando added, 'and-'

Leia finished his statement. 'We're the bait.'

'All this just to get the kid?' Han asked. 'What's so important about him?'

'Don't ask me, but he's on his way.'

'Luke's coming here?'

Lando Calrissian nodded.

'You fixed us all pretty good,' Han growled, spitting his words at Lando, '- friend!'

As he snarled that last, accusing word, Han Solo's strength returned in a rush. He put all of his might into a punch that sent Lando reeling. Instantly the two former friends were engaged in a furious, close-quarters battle. Lando's two guards moved closer to the two grappling opponents and began striking at Han with the butts of their laser rifles. One powerful blow struck Han on the chin and sent him flying across the room, blood streaming from