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Han spent the next couple of days with the members of the Wookiee underground, finalizing their deal. The time came when he opened up the Falcon, and he and Jarik unloaded the explosive quarrels from the secret compartments. Katarra, Kichiir and Motamba clustered around the boxes, exclaiming excitedly over their new toys.

Meanwhile, other Wookiees from the underground movement made a steady stream inside the ship, loading it with stormtrooper armor. Han was able to pack nearly forty complete suits and ten helmets into the Falcon. If the armor fetched the market price, he’d doubled his investment on the trip. Not a bad bit of bargaining!

By the time all the armor was stowed away enough so that the Falcon’s crew could move about, night was falling. Han decided that he wanted to wait for dawn for his tricky exit of the cave and straight-up flight through the trees. He and Jarik said farewell to their hosts and stretched out on the pilot’s seats to sleep.

Han was awakened before sunrise the next morning by a loud—and familiar!—Wookiee roar. The Corellian opened his eyes and jumped up, nearly tripping over the sleepy Jarik. Activating the ramp, he raced down it. “Chewie!”

Han was so glad to see the big furball that he didn’t even complain when the Wookiee grabbed him, swung him around, and ruffled his hair until it stood on end. All the while, Chewbacca was whining out a steady stream of complaints. What had Han been thinking of, preparing to leave him behind? Didn’t he know any better? What could you expect from a human!

When the Wookiee finally released him, Han looked up at Chewie, completely confused. “Huh? Whaddaya mean, I was gonna leave you behind? I’m goin’ back to Nar Shaddaa, pal, and, in case it’s slipped your attention, Chewie, you’re a married guy now. Your place is here, on Kashyyyk, with Malla.”

Chewie shook his head, uttering protesting hoots and remonstrations. “Life debt? Pal, I know you’ve sworn a life debt, but let’s be realistic here! You belong with your wife, on your own planet, now! Not dodgin’ Imp cruisers with me.”

The Wookiee had just started in again when a loud, angry roar from behind Han made him jump and dodge. A large, hairy hand grabbed his shoulder, and Han was swung around as though he weighed no more than a scrap of flimsy. He looked up to see Mallatobuck towering over him. Chewie’s wife was furious, teeth bared, blue eyes narrowed. Han put up both hands, and shrank back against his friend’s hairy chest. “Hey, Malla! Take it easy, now!”

Mallatobuck roared again, then launched into an angry tirade. Humans! How could they be so ignorant of Wookiee customs and Wookiee honor? How dare Han imply that Chewbacca would abandon a life debt? There was no greater insult he could offer a Wookiee! Her husband was possessed of great honor! He was a courageous warrior, a skilled hunter, and when he gave his word, he kept it! Especially about a life debt!

Faced with Malla’s ire, Han turned both hands up and shrugged, but couldn’t get a word in edgewise. He looked up imploringly at his friend. Chewie, taking pity on his Corellian buddy, intervened. He stepped between Malla and Han, and spoke quickly, telling her that of course Han had meant no insult, no offense. His comment had been made out of ignorance, not malice.

Finally, Malla relaxed, and her roars turned to grumbles. Han gave her an apologetic smile. “Hey, no offense, Malla. I know Chewie here better’n almost anyone, and I know he’s a terrific guy, brave, smart, all that stuff. I just didn’t know that to a Wookiee, a life debt outweighs everything else.”

He turned back to his friend. “So, okay, you’re comin’ with us, and we’re gettin’ ready to grab some space, pal. So say goodbye to your bride.”

Chewbacca and Mallatobuck walked away together, while Han and Jarik conducted the preflight checks. A few minutes later, Han heard the clang of the Falcon’s ramp closing. Moments later, Chewbacca slipped into the copilot’s seat. Han looked at him, “Don’t worry, pal, I swear to you we’ll come back again … soon. I