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“Han’s right,” Blue said. “Lando hasn’t been gone that long. He’ll be alive. He may not have much of a body left, but he’ll be alive.”

“If we do this,” Zeen said, “we’ll never be able to face Nandreeson again.”

“Is that a problem?” Han asked.

“I just don’t want the scaly butcher to come after me,” Zeen said.

“If he comes after anyone,” Kid said sweetly, “it’ll be our dear Sinewy Ana Blue. It’s her ship we’ve landed on this mud hole.”

“Thanks,” Blue said. “That means Han and I are going. You guys better come too. Your life would be miserable without me.”

“It would certainly be less interesting,” Zeen said.

“And probably safer,” Kid said.

Chewbacca roared indignantly from the cargo bay. Two large hairy paws grasped the edge of the bay and levered Chewie out. He looked like a giant baby trussed up in the naming clothes Leia had insisted on using for the children, only his was silver and had no lace. His fur was combed back and hidden in the outfit’s hood. Ties around the neck, wrists, and ankles were done so tightly that Han grinned.

“If I put helium into that outfit, will you turn into a giant Wookiee balloon?” he asked.

Chewie snarled. His mood was bad just from the proximity of Wynni. Han’s jokes wouldn’t make it any better.

“Charming look, Chewbacca,” Blue said. “A bit overdone, don’t you think?”

Chewie growled again, and reached for the hood.

“No,” Han said. “I don’t care what indignities you have to suffer. You leave that thing on. Put the face mask down.”

Chewie shook his head.

“Put it down, Chewie. You want to be able to see, don’t you?”

Chewie growled.

Han put up his hands, in a submissive/protective gesture. “Okay, okay. No need to get testy about it. It’s your fur, and your decision.”

“The bowcaster is wrapped, just like you requested,” Zeen said, handing it to him. “I’ve got Wynni’s here too. Where’s she?”

She growled from below.

Han suppressed a grin. “What did you do to her, Chewie?”

Chewie shrugged, took his bowcaster, and slung it over his shoulder. The weapon itself was protected, but the strap remained.

Blue pushed past him and looked into the cargo bay. “Chewbacca! That’s not funny. Untie her.”

Chewie gave Han a pitiful glance.

“We need her, pal. Sorry.”

Chewie pressed the button beside the bay. The floor rose, slowly, revealing a pink package of female Wookiee, face mask down, arms wrapped around her chest in a mock hug, the wrist ties holding her hands behind her like rope. Her legs were crossed and tied together at the ankles.

She was cursing, the mask poofing with each breath, the Wookiee words coarser than anything Chewie had ever used, even under extreme duress.

Blue went behind her to untie her.

“Wait!” Han said.

He yanked up her face mask. Her blue eyes were narrow. She cursed him, his ancestors, his wife, his children, and his ship.

“Watch it,” Han said. “No one talks about the Falcon that way. Not in my presence.”

Wynni snarled. Blue shoved her from behind. “If you want out of this, you’d better shut up.”

“Promise to leave Chewie alone, and we’ll untie you,” Han said.

Wynni clamped her muzzle shut.

“Promise,” Blue hissed.

Wynni nodded once.

“Chewie, you promise to leave Wynni alone,” Han said.

Chewbacca howled.

“Promise,” Han repeated.

Chewie crossed his arms, straining the fabric over his shoulders. He growled.

“That’s that then,” Han said. “Untie her, Blue.”

Blue pulled the strings, and Wynni’s arms dropped. Her paws slid out of the sleeves and she lunged at Chewbacca. He moved backward. She tripped. Han and Blue caught her before she hit the ground.

She was heavy. Han staggered under her weight. She was snapping, growling, and snarling. “Apologize, Chewie.”

Chewbacca shook his head.

Wynni grabbed at Han’s leg, missed, and swiped again. “Apologize, blast it, she’s going to kill me.”

Chewie wailed an apology.

Wynni stopped moving. Then she used Han and Blue to brace herself as she stood. She growled, and Zeen bent to untie her feet.

“I think we should leave the Wookiees here,