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“Don’t,” Lando said. “He wants us under there so he can kill us better.”

The bats were eating the fire as they made their way toward the remaining Glottalphibs. The first bats had already reached one Glottalphib, and flew into its mouth. The Glottalphib’s honking got louder and louder as more bats covered it. Suddenly it stopped honking. It fell over backward, squashing some bats. The others flew away, leaving a gray, desiccated Glottalphib. The three other Glottalphibs were fleeing down the tunnel, honking in fear.

Han shoved Chewie’s back. “They’re watumba bats, you big baby. They eat algae, insects, and fire, not Wookiees.”

Chewie mewled at him.

“Come on,” Lando said. He started to swim forward when he stopped as if a rope were tied around his foot. “I don’t like this—”

And then he went under.

“Nandreeson!” Han said. He dove too. Nandreeson had Lando by the foot and was watching him flail. Han grabbed Lando’s hand and pulled, but Lando wasn’t moving. Han held a finger to his lips, mimed holding still, and went back to the surface.

“Give me the bowcaster,” Han said.

Chewie roared.

“We don’t have time to argue. Nandreeson’ll kill him.”

Chewie whined, then dove, loading the bowcaster as he went. Han swam around Lando’s front, stopping a few meters from Nandreeson and then kicking at the Glottalphib’s snout.

Lando was turning red. He mimed strangulation. Han ignored him. He kicked Nandreeson again, and Nandreeson roared. As he opened his mouth, an energy quarrel bubbled through the water and lodged in the back of Nandreeson’s throat.

Fire spewed from his mouth, instantly doused by the water. He let go of Lando’s leg and Lando swam for the surface. Nandreeson made burbly strangling sounds, grabbed at his mouth, and sank deep into the muck.

Han didn’t wait to see any more. He tugged Chewie’s suit and together they swam to the surface. Lando was already climbing the stairs. He reached the ledge, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

“I never thought I’d be able to sit again.”

“We’re not done yet,” Han said. He had to grip the rock sides as he climbed. The stairs were slippery.

“Indeed we’re not,” Blue said. She was standing on the ledge behind them, clinging to the wall. “Have you thought about how we’re going to get back to my Skipper?”

Chewie roared at her.

She shrugged in response.

“Playing both ends against the middle, Blue?” Han asked, essentially rephrasing Chewie’s remark in more polite terms.

Blue smiled prettily at him. “I did think it was in my best interest to see who was going to win that little skirmish, don’t you, Han?”

“I think if we could’ve trusted you, you’d’ve been here fighting for us, Blue.”

“Don’t expect too much of the girl,” Lando said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “At least she didn’t shoot at us.”

“See, Han? One man understands my side.”

“He won’t when he sees pieces of the Lady Luck all over your Skipper.”

Lando opened his eyes and sat up. “You raided my ship? Hand me the blaster, Han. The woman deserves to die.”

Blue held open her hands, her blaster gripped only in her right thumb and forefinger. “I thought you were dead. Nandreeson wasn’t going to let you live.”

“You have no faith, Blue,” Lando said.

“You’d have done the same,” she said.

“She’s got you there,” Han said.

“Maybe before Cloud City,” Lando said. “I’m a good guy now.”

“A careless good guy.” Han sat beside him. “What did you come here for?”

“Came to get you, buddy. Heard you were in some trouble. Thought I’d help.”

“We can discuss your personal life later. I just want to know how you plan to get out of here,” Blue said.

“How’d you get on the rock?” Han asked.

“Climbed,” she said. “You missed the handholds near the cavern door.”

Chewie roared his agreement. He sloshed his way up the stairs, stood over Han, and howled.

“All right, all right, we’ll leave,” Han said.

“How do you plan to get out of here?” Lando asked.

Why did everyone think he always had a plan? Han sighed. “I thought maybe you