(Star Wars belongs to its respective owners and does not belong to me, it belongs to Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC and The Walt Disney Company)
This Star Wars comic was published by Marvel Comics in 1977, and I am doing a novelization of it.
Title: New planets and new dangers
The fearsome Death Star no longer exists... And the evil Darth Vader, its only survivor, was left drifting thru the Galaxy, lost from sight.
The fearsome Death Star no longer exists... And the evil Darth Vader, its only survivor, was left drifting thru the Galaxy, lost from sight.
Location: In the Outer Rim Territories/Sector: Gordian Reach/Yavin System/Orbiting Planet: Yavin Prime/satellite: Yavin 4
Yavin 4, despite being remote, played a role in very significant events, including the place of escape for Naga Sadow after his defeat in the Great Hyperspace War, as well as the construction of temples by his Massassi slaves, the fall to the dark side of Jedi Knight Exar Kun, and the destruction of Sith Lord Freedon Nadd during the Great Sith War, the site of the final death of the deranged Jedi Revan, a duel between Anakin and Ventress in the Clone Wars. Clone Wars, and recently serving as the base of the Rebel Alliance during the Battle of Yavin where the Death Star was destroyed.
Yavin 4 was the largest moon orbiting the gas giant Yavin Prime. It had a standard atmosphere and gravity. The surface of the satellite had 4 continents that made up half of the surface, mainly covered by extensive tropical jungles; there were some mountain ranges with volcanoes as well. The satellite had six interconnected oceans that covered the remaining 33% of the moon. Additionally, there was a large inland sea on the moon. Large rivers flowed vigorously from the volcanic heights and then followed a more winding course thru the jungles.
The environment of Yavin 4 was teeming with life. Birds soared over the dense jungle canopy, which was also inhabited by large, furry, tree-dwelling primates, herbivorous, quadrupedal, robust, similar to artiodactyls, rummaging thru the underbrush beneath the trees, while there were reptiles, fish, crustaceans, as well as fierce insects.
On the moon of Yavin, old friends could be seen saying goodbye with affection, a farewell that could no longer be postponed.
You could see the smuggler, the Wookiee, the princess, the farmer, and the two droids in the hangar of the Massassi temple after the destruction of the Death Star. They were close to Solo's number one ship called the Millenium Falcon.
— Well, goodbye, Luke… You too, princess. I wish you could come with us, kid; you would be an amazing star jumper. Assures the smuggler with a smile as he said goodbye to his newly met acquaintances.
— GRONK! The Wookiee grunted as he said goodbye to his new acquaintances.
— Thank you, Han… And Chewbacca! But you know I have to stay here... At least until we can explore a new world that becomes the main rebel base. Skywalker stated, ready for the alliance to find a new home.
— Once Darth Vader reestablishes contact with the Empire, the Yavin system will no longer be safe for us. Leia argued, knowing the return of the emperor's number one subordinate.
— The rebellion must continue elsewhere, even without you, Han. Organa reasoned, ready to move on even without her favorite acquaintance who had saved the day twice by rescuing her as well as Luke.
The little astromech droid let out some beeps of lament at the farewell of his friends.
— Stop whining, R2! You'll see Master Solo again. C-3PO complained, hearing the sounds of sadness coming from his lifelong companion.
— Of course! Do whatever you have to do. Luke, wherever you go, I will find them all after I've done what I have to do. It's a promise from Han Solo! The smuggler confirmed, wanting to see his dear acquaintances again.
Moments later, the Millenium Falcon swiftly ascends into the sky, until first the satellite, then Yavin, and then the Bright Sun of the same world disappear from view… A flickering point of flame in a vast black ocean.
— Well, Chewie... We're on our way! I clarify the smuggler ready to go to his destination to pay his debt.
— Guh-ruk! The Wookiee expresses some discontent, implying that he wanted to stay with the rebels.
— Yes! I know! After all that battle, I would give my star spurs to stay there and help Princess Leia regroup the Rebels. But you forget that our heads are both worth a bounty. Oh, at least we'll have it, if we don't go back to Tatooine and pay Jabba the Hutt the money we promised him! Solo reasons, just to make it clear what his priorities are.
—If a smuggling czar is hot on your heels (Czar is the definition of a person who has a lot of power in a particular activity), buddy, not even a galactic war will save you! As soon as the craters cool down, Jabba will send someone to kill us both with one of his blaster bongs!
— URK! I doubt the wookie's decision about his loyal companion.
— Yes, I thot you would see it my way. He declared, seeing his friend's differing opinion.
— Well, prepare them for Tatooine... the next stop. Mos Eisley Spaceport. Although we still have a few light-years to go before we reach hyperspace! After all, look on the bright side, Chewbacca, old friend. Even after paying Jabba, there's still enough of the treasure the rebels gave us to buy a small planet where we can... Han optimistically explained to his companion, trying to see the positive side of the situation, but suddenly he noticed a triangular-shaped cruiser nearby, which alerted the smuggler and put him on guard.
— Oops! Some kind of cruiser at two o'clock! The human notified, being able to see in more detail that it was of great size.
—The telescope shows that it is adrift... It could just be a wreck. Han reasoned, trying to stay calm, seeing that it looked like an imperial starship.
— At least it's not an imperial ship, or so I think, so, what the hell? How bad could it be? I doubt the Corellian is being somewhat optimistic.
— HAROOOO. Chewbacca warned, sensing the possible danger they were approaching.
—You know, you're right, buddy... It could very well be. The smuggler admitted, trusting that his friend might possibly be right in his fears, Solo just considered the possibility that they were.
— Space pirates, hand me the weapon, Chewie! We're going to get out of here no matter what, but the jump will take a few minutes! Han asked his partner to go operate the turret of their beloved ship.
Unfortunately, it is too late to resist the various types of fighters that emerge, firing their weapons, from the metallic belly of the mothership.
Only the Falcon's deflector shields, specially modified by Solo, protect it while he maneuvers the forward laser cannon and remind the cosmic pursuers why he has survived so long as a space mercenary, but unfortunately, the fighters were equipped with ion cannons that disabled the ship's thrusters, causing it to lose speed. By doing that, the cruiser took advantage and positioned itself above the Falcon, bringing it closer with its tractor beam so that moments later it could dock with it.
— Damn! They caught us with tractor beams! They are pulling us in to board us. The smuggler complained, seeing his complicated situation.
— Hrunk! The wookie growled, seeing what mess they had gotten into now.
— I don't know how you're as angry as I am, Chewie. I deserve it for thinking about money when I should have been looking thru the telescope. Being swallowed by the Death Star was one thing... But space pirates are a whole different story. Solo reasoned, seeing the gravity of the situation they were in.
—I don't know who our enthusiastic host is, but one thing is for sure: He moves like a madman! Alago the smuggler looked thru the cabin window and noticed the strange fighters his captor was using.
— X-Wings… TIE Fighters... All kinds of small spacecraft I've seen! And I have traveled from one end of the galaxy to the other! Han was surprised, seeing his opponent's stellar arsenal.
Within minutes, the Falcon receives its first passengers, albeit unwanted, from Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi, and company.
The clothing seemed to come from star systems, civilized and semi-civilized, that shone in the corridors... The blaster pistols gleam alongside ancient sabers. Even the white and stoic armor of a fallen stormtrooper is seen, strangely out of place.
Although they are all more or less human, their planetary origins are as diverse as they are invariably grim, and walking among the din and clamor... a man with white skin, red hair and beard, dressed in armor on his black torso.
— Gronk! A nervous growl from the Wookiee with his crossbow in hand, ready to try to stop the incursion.
— Yes, it's the moment of truth, alright, furry friend? Defend yourself or...? He couldn't finish speaking until he was pointed at by a laser revolver from one of the pirate's subordinates, who was a light-skinned human with purple hair, dressed in an orange blouse, matching shorts, and a green beret.
— I'm afraid that decision has already been made... for both of you. Drop your weapons, star jumpers... before I leave you stiff! The subordinate pirate girl warned and could watch with satisfaction as the pair of her gang's victims threw their weapons to the ground.
— Better this way! It's all yours, captain. The woman concluded to her boss while he looked at his subordinate with a pleased smile and then turned toward the pair of smugglers.
"Good job, Jolli." I'm glad he didn't force you to kill them. I would hate to have to bury the illustrious Han Solo. The leader of the pirate gang, who had captured the duo without violence, was pleased.
— Well, if it isn't Crimson Jack! Long time no see, but not long enough. Complained the captured smuggler to his old acquaintance.
— You still are a joker, as always, aren't you? Jack stated with a slight smile.
— I manage, but when did a second-rate scavenger like you even pick up a discarded cruiser? And of this size? The last thing I remember is that you were still ambushing spice caravans on the outer rim. Solo wondered how he had obtained such a ship, as well as his old acquaintance.
— We've already wasted enough time, captain, let me make a hole for them. Jolli suggested, seeing how Solo didn't take his boss seriously, and that annoyed her.
— And I see that the company you keep is as charming as ever. Where did you find the lady, Jack? He mocked somewhat sarcastically. They have noticed the woman's somewhat aggressive attitude.
"Stop mocking my boss or I'll finish you off." The female subordinate warned somewhat angrily as she switched her blaster from stun to lethal mode while aiming at Han.
"We didn't come here for that, Jolli." I'm sure that the Lord. He only has a cargo of much more value to us than his wasted life. And well, Han? You have until the count of three. Jack protested to the girl while placing his hand on her shoulder.
— You have all the high numbers, Redbeard, alright, Chewie, show him the loot. The smuggler asked his furry friend.
— Hrump! The wookiee admitted, ready to go for the merchandise that the rebellion had given him as a reward for his efforts.
— Incredible! Where did a couple of star jumpers get all this treasure? Jolli was surprised to see the large number of boxes that knew about the smuggling compartment on the floor.
— Let's say a single lady left it to me, alright? And, I'm sorry to say, there's no more where this came from. Sorry, Han, while taking out more boxes than he had given to the princess.
— This will be enough for now. Admitted the red-haired pirate, pleased with the loot.
— That's all, captain. Can I shoot them now? Asked the woman with purple hair, somewhat impatiently.
— Jolli, Jolli... it's easy to say you're new to this piracy thing. Soon, we might run into Mr. Solo and his furry friend again when they have another interesting cargo. That will hardly be true if we eliminate them, right? Come on, guys! Jack reasoned, wanting to leave Solo alive so he could meet again with another shipment, which he could then plunder.
The cruiser detached from the smuggler's ship, finally leaving them in peace with the cargo inside Jack's ship.
— Well, there it goes, Chewbacca. Without that treasure, Jabba will soon put a price on our heads, making us the target of every bounty hunter on this side of Aquilae. We have no other choice: we have to lay low for a while, on one of those Outer Rim worlds he was talking about. Jabba's reach won't last long. The smuggler reasoned, somewhat lamenting, watching with frustration the departure of the cruiser with the loot that was supposed to pay the Hutt.
— Hrak, Hrak. The furry companion said with some optimism, stating that they were still safe and sound for now.
— Yeah, sure. I'm glad we're still alive... I guess. Han explained, somewhat calmer, with the words of his Wookiee companion.
Location: Outer Rim Territories/Bheriz Sector/Aduba System/Planet: Aduba-3
On Aduba-3, it was a little-known planet, orbited by only one moon. The territory of this world was a vast arid desert, with some areas of tranquil grassy plains that favored agriculture, largely lawless, and much of its economy revolved around criminal activities, although it also exported a good amount of food and served as a refuge for criminals with nowhere else to go.
Originally established as an agricultural colony, those who made a great effort to clear and control the planet's rough vegetation and began to cultivate their own crops by settlers of the religion of the Sacred Path, Aduba-3 became saturated with miners and entrepreneurs, who almost instantly disappeared upon their arrival upon realizing it was a chrome fever, it was a scam, as it truly lacked valuable resources, which led to the only city on the planet, Tun Aduban, becoming a shadow port in the galactic civil war. Tun was the center of society, gaining a reputation as a den of iniquity where one could indulge in vise at a low price. Around it were small scattered agricultural villages, established according to the teachings of the Sacred Path.
— Well, here we are, Chewie. Home, sweet home for a while. Han felt relieved as he relaxed a bit after landing his freighter on the surface of the aforementioned planet.
After deboarding and heading to the nearest town, the pair of fugitives began to walk slowly, trying to forget what they had experienced before.
— I hope the locals have some work for a couple of planet-hoppers. The smuggler hoped to find some means of employment.
— Guh-Runk! The wookie wondered as he saw the village, where the streets they were walking thru were deserted and empty of people.
— Yes, I know! Generally, there are more people in a city with a spaceport like this one. I doubt only the lack of crowding in the neighborhoods of this settlement.
Both were intrigued to see that near where they were, there were many people gathered around a cart being pulled by a bantha.
— And that seems to be the reason why we didn't see anyone before, due to some commotion near the cantina! Apparently, the folks downstairs are upset with that insect guy on the bantha for some reason. Hey! Isn't that insect dressed as a priest? I can't identify the exact religion; I suppose I shouldn't have skipped Sunday school so much as a child. He concluded, somewhat bewildered, watching the cart being dragged by the beast.
— How about we get a little closer? Suggested the human to his comrade so they could find out together what was happening.
— With cloth or without it, get that cart down from there! He is not going to put Borgs in our mound! An indignant humanoid claimed on that occasion.
— Yes! If he likes the Borgs so much, let him drag the corpse back where he came from! Protested another green humanoid.
As Solo and Chewbacca approached, the insect-like alien could tell it was a verpine (verpines were slender bipedal insectoids, with an average height of 1.9 meters, they had only four limbs (two arms and two legs). Their heads were dominated by large compound eyes. They also had two antennae, one located behind each eye, descending from the wide and furry back of the bantha.
But, before he can speak, one of the furious crowd members tries to catch him. That seems to have been a misjudgment, as the insectoid strikes one of the attackers with a double dagger with a long central handle, which strikes him with the blunt side, unfortunately before he can remount his enormous pack beast, a blue ogre-like humanoid chokes him by grabbing him with his arm.
— Giving him a beating! One of the purple humanoids insisted.
"I've got it, guys!" The blue ogre declared while firmly holding the insectoid.
— Show him we're serious. Another celestial humanoid, equally furious, speaks.
— I still don't know what's going on, Chewbacca, but if you come with me... The smuggler proposed, thinking that the situation was not fair for the attacked insectoid.
— Gronk. Grrr, the furry friend, ready to defend the defenseless just the same.
— Yes, I was already thinking that! Admitted Han, ready to intervene in defense of the assaulted.
The pair of smugglers struck as they began to attack the assailants, and Han Solo turned the shocked insectoid in front of him.
— Are you okay, Pera? The smuggler asked the priest, wanting to know his condition.
— Yes, my Fi! The insect confirmed to its defender.
— They didn't mean to hurt me, seriously. Please, don't harm them! The insectoid pled with his human ally to avoid further conflict.
— I don't hold a grudge against them, Pera. Assured Han as he looked at the crowd.
(Star Wars Dictionary: Pera means high galactic male father. Fi means male son.)
— But they better avoid my friend Chewbacca for a while! If there's a humanoid alien in the galaxy capable of facing a furious wookiee and living to tell the tale, I've never seen it! Solo warned, seeing how somewhat furious his furry friend was, to make them desist from their aggressions.
— And, obviously, I don't intend to do it! Now, Pera, what's the discussion? And who is the guy at the crossbar? Solo asked, wanting to know more about the situation.
— It's a Borg who died last nite. Surely you know the term, which means half human... half mechanical droid. However, half of him had a soul... or so I believe. The priest explained that term to the smuggler.
— The spacers, as you know, have an ancestral prejudice against any type of robot and refuse to let them be buried in the void of space, as is their right as a former pilot. The insectoid explained, arguing why they were attacking him.
— Will you bury him there, outside the city? Pera asked Han, wanting to know if he could do him the favor.
—Listen, Pera, we've already done enough for one. I dismiss Han, implying that he had already done enough of his work.
— He was carrying a small bag of coins when he died, the dignified tradition that belongs to the one who buries him. Pera stated as he handed the sack of coins to the smuggler.
— Borg. Friend! You just got yourself an eternal resting place. The human said cheerfully as he took the sack of coins and climbed onto the pack animal.
— You know, Chewbacca? Spacers are strange. Half of them have nothing in common except for the same number of eyes... Maybe not even that. But if you show them a guy who's as mechanical as the ships they pilot, suddenly they're a big, happy, intolerant family. Well, better for us? Han said to himself quietly as he prepared to ride the beast that the deceased was dragging.
— At least we'll have enough money to survive here for a while, if they don't shoot us in the back with a laser beam. The smuggler assured his partner, seeing that with the pay they would be given, they could live well for a while.
— URNG! The wookie is wary about the possible aggression from the locals toward them for doing this task.
—Yes, I know... but at least they're following us from a distance and not reaching for their blasters. The smuggler asserted as he continued on his way.
Keep guiding the bantha at a calm and steady pace, and we might get thru this without an explosion.
Han Solo had good hopes, to tell the truth, none of the spacers would dare to challenge them face to face, or so they thought, but without warning, several stones thrown from within the crowd hit him like a stun.
"Go back to where you came from, filthy borg bootlickers." He insulted, one of the settlers of the outpost.
— GRARG! He growled, angry, the furry companion ready to use his weapons to defend himself.
— Calm down, Chewie! You will be as strong as a cargo ship full of swamp cats. But they still outnumber us ten to one! It only looks fierce, keep the weapon down, and maybe they'll let us pass. I try to calm Han down, the wookie in his anger.
But unfortunately, the Wookiee's suspicions were confirmed when he saw his companion being thrown off the animal he was riding.
— And then again... Maybe not! He secured the smuggler on the ground while they tried to stomp on him, but he responded to his attackers.
The insectoid priest who had accompanied his associates from afar came to their aid with a weapon in hand.
One local after another falls before Chewbacca's furry fists, but since the Wookiee is holding back, some only end up unconscious; on the other hand, Solo kept fighting.
— So far, so good! They're crazy, but they're not killers! And, as long as they don't try anything lethal, there's still a chance we can. Han reasoned while continuing to fight hand-to-hand with several of his assailants.
Unfortunately for the captain, one of the aliens with tentacle-like arms wielding an ax and Solo on the ground, the latter had no other option.
— Oops! It seems I spoke too soon! There's one in every group! I can't dodge that Sikurrian war ax! So I have no choice! I conclude the Corellian without hesitation as I draw my blaster and shoot at the alien.
Chewbacca, however, is not as apprehensive as his Corellian captain and, as soon as he sees the first blood, his Wookiee nature manifests in the usual way.
— Well, Chewbacca, these space clowns started this little fight. Let's finish them off quickly so we can get back to work, okay? I assure Han ready to continue the fight while shooting at the attackers armed with blasters.
— Grurg! The hairy boy warned his partner while looking around, implying that there was someone behind him.
— Behind me? Where? I ask, somewhat anxious and worried about that possible threat.
Wookie shot his weapon at the attacker who had his weapon aimed at Han.
— Ah, I see it now! Thank you, Chewbacca. I owe you one. He thanked Solo with a smile for his partner's support.
A Corellian mercenary who has been, of everything, from a smuggler to practically a star pirate.
A two-meter-tall anthropoid from a world where violence is so commonplace that there are fifteen different words for it in the Wookiee vocabulary, and a warm-hearted priest from a species that doesn't even have a heart, as humans understand the term.
Together they stand, side by side and then back to back in turns.
Their weapons leave a bitter trail in the mass of multiple colors and varied shapes of their fallen enemies' bodies, swirling and ebbing around them.
Until the crowd of spacers turns to flee in terror, quickly joined by others of their kind.
— Not yet, Chewie. Don't let your guard down! They might still try to eliminate us from the shadows, although I don't think that's what they have in mind.
— HROOG! I assured the wookie that his attackers had retreated.
— Yes, I suppose you're right. They can't take it anymore. And now, where is Pera? Consultation. Just bewildered by the priest's absence.
— Out, desecrators of the sacred path! I pronounce to the insectoid while striking the remaining attackers with his weapon.
— Well, Pera, it seems we have earned the right for that borg to be buried on the space hill. The only thing is that some of the star jumpers scattered around here will join him tomorrow. Solo stated with an ironic tone while looking at the inert bodies on the ground.
— Violence always begets violence, outsider. As my sacred book says: for every sin, there is an equal and positive retribution. Reflected the insectoid, observing the consequences of the actions of its assailants.
— If that's true, Pera, then I know a weird armored bug named Darth Vader who is going to receive a good reward any day now. Anyway, that small victory should have solved all our problems, right? I doubt it. Just seeing that all the turmoil has finally ended.
— Everyone except one, my Fi. Luckily, one of the laser shots from the spacers missed its bipedal target. The priest assured, relieved, as he saw the coffin without any damage.
— But, instead, he attacked the unfortunate bantha and ended up perishing. And a Borg is much heavier than a human because it is half metal. Now it will be difficult for us to transport it to its burial place. Pera argued, seeing the difficulty with which he had to do his job.
"Maybe it's difficult for you, but not for my partner." Han offered the help of his furry companion.
— That's it, old friend. Don't drop it now! Show a little respect. Han kindly demanded of his companion.
— HRUNK! The Wookiee complained, implying that he was carrying a metal coffin with a heavy metal corpse.
— Yes, I know it's not me who has to carry it uphill. The smuggler admitted, seeing that he was doing nothing but walking.
— But someone has to go back, right? He stated, Solo wanting to go back to cover the rear.
— HRUNK! He complained, saying that he always does the heavy lifting.
With the insectoid at the head of the group as he pulled out a hanging incense holder with a chain, the trio slowly advances along the curve of the burial mound.
Toward a place where the dreams of men and monsters have reached the same and sad end, countless light-years away from the worlds they once called home, and if the gods of space watch over the unsettling chant of the priest, resembling a squeak, they give no signs. But of course, they never promised they would.
— Phew! What a hard job! I suppose you wouldn't know, Pera, but there is a cantina. I ask Solo, wanting to know if he knew any place to drink.
— The third structure on the left, after the village circle, my Fi. I suspect you won't have any problems there, since you did everything you did in a fair fight. The spacers respect him. He informed the insect while pointing with his finger where it had to go.
Shortly after, in the spaceport below, the human and the wookiee had some drinks.
— Chnoop. I declare somewhat surprised the furry companion upon seeing beautiful women in the establishment.
"I couldn't agree with you more, my friend..." I could also like this place! Surely they have seen the female beauties that he could admire, right now, I think we could still use a bit more goodwill from the clientele. Waiter! Another round on the house! My wookie friend and I are treating! The smuggler proposed it so that everyone could benefit from his offer.
One of Solo's grateful recipients was a Wroonian woman (Wroonian women are very similar to humans, but with blue skin) with purple hair, delicate features, rams, and a sleeveless white dress adorned with yellow bubbles.
— And you, miss? What is a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? He asked Solo, bewildered by the presence of someone like her.
— Why don't we take a walk and exchange stories, star-jumper? Tell me yours... and I'll tell you mine. Suggested the bluish woman to the smuggler.
— Why not? After all, who knows...? Maybe even something is true. He assumed Solo was ready to have a talk with his girl.
— Are you okay here, alone, right?, Chewie. Han asked his partner to see if he was okay.
— Grunk! The Wookiee growled happily, having two companions to interact with.
Han smiled upon seeing his happy companion.
— No, where is the blue beauty? It seems to have left. The smuggler asserted, but as he turned from side to side looking for her, he found three humans with black hair and green robes.
— It seems that you three have something to tell me! Han assumed as he watched them approach him.
— We have a proposal to present to you, honorable foreigner. It's a very pleasant proposal, we assure you... Unless, of course, you have an unfortunate aversion to death! The man in the center warned as he prepared to tell him what he wanted to propose.
- The end -