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Chewbacca began to growl savagely and started for the guards. As they raised their laser weapons, Lando shouted, 'Don't shoot!'

Bruised and winded, the administrator turned to Han. 'I've done what I can for you,' he said. 'I'm sorry it's not better, but I've got my own problems.' Then turning to leave the cell, Lando Calrissian added, 'I've already stuck my neck out farther than I should.'

'Yeah,' Han Solo retorted, regaining his composure, 'you're a real hero.'

When Lando had left with his guards, Leia and Chewbacca helped Han back to his feet and led him to one of the bunks. He eased his weary, battered body onto the bunk, and Leia took a piece of her cloak and began gently dabbing at his chin, cleaning off the oozing blood.

As she did so, she started to chuckle softly. 'You certainly have a way with people,' she teased.

Artoo Detoo's head swiveled atop his barrel-like body as his scanners perceived the star-studded void of the Bespin system.

The speeding X-wing had just entered the system, and was swooping through black space like a great white bird.

The R2 unit had a lot to communicate to his pilot. His electronic thoughts were tumbling out, one on top of the other, and were translated on the cockpit scope.

The grim-faced Luke quickly responded to the first of Artoo's urgent questions. 'Yes,' Luke replied. 'I'm sure Threepio is with them.'

The little robot whistled an excited exclamation.

'Just hold on,' Luke said patiently, 'we'll be there soon.'

Artoo's turning head perceived the regal clusters of stars, his innards warm and cheerful, as the X-wing continued like a celestial arrow toward a planet with a city in the clouds.

Lando Calrissian and Darth Vader stood near the hydraulic platform that dominated the huge carbon-freezing chamber. The Dark Lord was quiet while aides hurried to prepare the room.

The hydraulic platform was housed within a deep pit in the center of the chamber and was surrounded by countless steam pipes and enormous chemical tanks of varying shapes.

Standing guard with laser rifles clutched in their hands were four armor-suited Imperial stormtroopers.

Darth Vader turned to Calrissian after appraising the chamber. 'The facility is crude,' he remarked, 'but it should suit our needs.'

One of Vader's officers rushed to the Sith Lord's side. 'Lord Vader,' he reported, 'ship approaching - X-wing class.'

'Good,' Vader said coldly. 'Monitor Skywalker's progress and allow him to land. We'll have the chamber ready for him shortly.'

'We only use this facility for carbon-freezing,' the administrator of Cloud City said nervously. 'If you put him in there, it might kill him.'

But Vader had already considered that possibility. He knew a way to find out just how powerful this freezing unit was. 'I don't wish the Emperor's prize to be damaged. We'll test it first.' He caught the attention of one of his stormtroopers. 'Bring in Solo,' the Dark Lord commanded.

Lando quickly glanced at Vader. He hadn't been prepared for the pure evil that was manifested in this terrifying being.

The X-wing speedily made its descent, and began to pierce the dense cloud blanket enveloping the planet.

Luke checked his monitor screens with growing concern. Maybe Artoo had more information than he was getting on his own panel. He tapped out a question to the robot.

'You haven't picked up any patrol ships?'

Artoo Detoo's reply was negative.

And so Luke, thoroughly convinced that his arrival was thus far undetected, pressed his ship onward, toward the city of his troubled vision.

Six of the piglike Ugnaughts frantically prepared the carbon-freezing chamber for use, while Lando Calrissian and Darth Vader - now the true master of Cloud City - observed the hasty activity.

As they scurried about the carbon-freezing platform, the Ugnaughts lowered a network of pipes - resembling some alien giant's circulatory system - into the pit. They raised the carbonite hoses and hammered them into place. Then the six humanoids lifted the heavy coffinlike container and set it securely onto the platform.

Boba Fett rushed