(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: Behemoth from the World Below
Han Solo's job seemed quite simple.
Gather a group of alien warriors and save a village from the outlaw and his marauding cloud riders!
But in the original agreement, no one mentioned anything about an unfriendly colossus.
But then, everyone assumed the old shaman was a senile fool.
Unable to summon a scaly colossus lost in the rock and legend of Aduba-3.
With the simple purpose of charging and destroying this band of outlaws.
Especially their leader, Serji-X... the arrogant one!
- I remember hearing stories about this beast when I was young! And something comes to mind: if we don't do something, it's simply not going to disappear! And you know what that means. No more tributes from this village... no more female entertainments! The bandit leader reflects in his mind.
- Come on, men! Let's get rid of the big guy! Serji ordered, ready to fight the enormous beast without hesitation.
- Fronk! The wookiee growled, observing the giant lizard, asking what that was.
- Don't ask me, Chewbacca! This wasn't in the original plan! I declare Solo equally bewildered by what they were now witnessing.
- And now what, Solo?! As if the size and strength of that Behemoth weren't already enough. The spinner commented, somewhat tense due to the risky situation they were in now.
- Yes, I already know, Hedji! It comes equipped with a kind of built-in blaster. I notice how the giant shot a laser beam from his brow.
- Be thankful for one thing that the colossus hasn't attacked us yet. The Corellian affirmed how the entity had not attacked them yet.
But it did attack those against whom the shaman summoned it to fight, namely, Serji-x and his associates.
In fact, the Behemoth seems to not notice the presence of Han Solo and his small army of mercenaries.
- Hey! What is he doing now? Serji wondered, observing curiously what the giant was doing.
- He's causing a collapse! That's it! Watch out! And move the vehicles, guys! The bandit chief ordered them to move, unfortunately, several of the nearby aircraft pilots were crushed by the rocks.
- We're going down like flies!!! And our blasters don't even bother it! The subordinate of Serji noticed that nothing could harm the colossus in the slightest.
- Hey, boss! How about we forget this poor village and get out of here while we can? The same subordinate of the bandit leader asked, seeing that it was useless to fight.
- No!! It's becoming something personal between this beast and me. And I still feel like putting my hands on that girl, Merri. Protested the mustached man, looking at his target to take down.
- "So we'll fight until that thing dies!!" Serji demanded, ready for action, and charged at the reptile.
Suddenly, as it caused a collapse, the colossus almost crushed the Corellian's gang, but they threw themselves away from the impact.
- What were you saying, Solo, about the big guy only attacking the bad guys? Questioned the Spinner as he contemplated where he was almost eliminated by the beast.
- We just got in the giant's way, that's all. I declare, just watching how I couldn't do anything against the enormous, imposing reptilian beast.
- Mmmm! This armor might have saved me from the sky sliders, but I'm afraid it wouldn't serve a similar purpose against the giant. The elder assured, seeing that his armor would not be effective against the enormous entity.
- Then stay hidden behind these rocks, Kihotay. And let's leave our friend Behemoth until he finishes the job the old man called him for! He asked for the Corellian, hoping the entity would do the work for them.
- There are only a few men left! And without them, I might as well surrender to those mercenaries. But Sergi-X! The arrogant one doesn't give up to anyone! Never! And since my men are up to their necks in their work right now, it seems I'll have to kill the beast myself! The gang leader concluded, seeing the discouraging scene before his eyes as he watched his associates fall.
- That old man... He's been babbling for years about being able to control a legendary monster! It seems to me that he wasn't just chewing the spice! There he is, controlling it like a master! The mustached villain complained while watching the shaman's power with disbelief, thinking he was crazy, but he really had that power now.
- Alright, since we can't even scratch the surface of that beast. It seems I'll have to attack it in the only way that works. That's it, old man! Stay right there and you'll be a perfect target! I declare Serji was ready to finish off the old man once and for all.
The shaman does not move, and Serji-x the arrogant wanted to finish him off. Unfortunately, for both of them, both the shaman and the outlaw chief are trampled by a single gigantic foot of the colossus, and without their leader, the few remaining cloud riders fall quickly.
"I guess that's the end of those outlaws! But what about the Behemoth?" The smuggler asks himself, watching the beast rampage uncontrollably.
- Well, what's the deal with that? Hedji exclaimed, not caring about the consequences of what could happen to the colossus.
- With the old man dead, there could be bad news for my entire village and all its inhabitants! I declare worried Jimm about what could happen to his village.
- The Starkiller kid isn't just guessing, Solo! Without the shaman to make the decisions, that giant is starting to get really angry! Warned the rabbit, seeing what they were now up against due to the giant's rampage.
"I think you're getting my message, Jaxxon!" Han stated, seeing that his partner understood the point.
- And this time I don't think he'll be so particular about who he tramples! I assure you, Jax, knowing the danger that the entity represented.
- Stop, Solo! We didn't join this fight of yours to battle any monster. They pay us to get rid of Serji-X and his buddies, and since I don't see them around here anymore. Amaiza complained, seeing that they had already finished the job for which she had been hired.
- Listen to me, all of you space enthusiasts! We don't earn the salary we receive for this job! The Behemoth did it! He questioned the smuggler, seeing how his partners wanted to leave the job half done.
- And if they want to collect the money, they'd better make sure there's a town left standing to pay us! Beside, I'm starting to like the people of this town. Corellian argued, knowing that they needed the villagers alive so that someone would pay them their wages.
- Alright, alright already! So we know you're a bit soft on the female Merri so you two can keep arguing about it! But you know how we are, the rocket rabbit guys: we just can't sit still!! I shouted, the lepi, calling the colossus's attention without any fear.
-!!Jaxxon!! Foxtrain warned, seeing how the rabbit was heading straight toward the beast, running toward it.
- And as I always say: "Never send a man to do a rabbit's job." Proclaimed Jax, firing his weapons at the giant, while the reptile also shot its laser beam at the intrepid lepi, but only managed to shoot over his head.
- That last shot almost took the rabbit's tail off! Han exclaimed, watching the laser impact on the rocks of the nearby mountainside.
- But even tho it didn't reach him, the explosion hit the rock wall. He noticed the smuggler worriedly watching as a rockfall was about to happen, and a small rock hit the rabbit's hand, causing him to drop his weapon.
- Heavenly rabbits! The rocks knocked the weapon out of my hand!! The rabbit complained as he lunged forward to grab his pistol.
- I have to get to that horrible thing first. He couldn't finish speaking, Jax, while he was kneeling to pick up his blaster, because he was interrupted by a dialog from his female partner.
- Put down the blaster, Jax! And get out of there! She warned the white-haired woman, observing the dangerous situation her acquaintance was in.
- I'm on it, Amaiza! But did these floppy ears of mine detect a bit of affection in your voice? Affirmed the rabbit while continuing to try to reach his weapon.
- As my mother told us eighty children: It never works!, marrying a good girl from a nice burrow, and. He couldn't finish recalling his mother's saying because he was caught by Foxtrain.
- I almost didn't make it. I declare the lepi agitated after being grabbed by his companion while a large stone fell where he had been previously.
"Maybe I should get my eyesight checked if we ever get out of this mess!" He recommended himself, Jax, while watching his companion.
The woman and the rabbit ended up on the ground after throwing themselves in the opposite direction from where the creature had stepped to avoid being crushed.
- Come on, Chewie! Make that seven-foot Wookiee body of yours move at maximum speed! Solo asked his partner to help the agitated associates on the floor.
- Are you alright, ma'am? Han asks his partner, whom he lifted off the ground and held by the shoulders with his hands.
- I just twisted my ankle!, but I'll live! Foxtrain said while trying to stand up.
- HRUG! The furry companion nodded as he was ready to help Jax.
- And you, Jaxxon? Just checking in to see how your partner is doing.
- They took my breath away... and messed up my tail!, but other than that... I'm fine. The rabbit reasons while the wookie helps him to his feet.
- Alright! So, before the rocks start falling again... Chewie, take Amaiza to a safe place. But don't squeeze too tightly. The smuggler asked his partner to take the injured one, who could barely walk.
- Look, group! If we're going to kill those walking reptile boots, we'll have to do it as a team. Everyone get behind these rocks! Han ordered his companions to be where they were supposed to go.
Everyone moved away from the giant and to where Solo indicated.
- So, if we manage to stay away from the monster long enough to plan some kind of group attack. He reasoned to the Corellian, while thinking about how to attack and defeat the colossus.
- In fact, they would be fools to think that such a dragon could be annihilated with their crude methods, for it requires the skills of someone trained in the sacred order of the Jedi Knights. I assure you, Don Wan himself thot as he watched the beast from afar.
I could only feel a great rumble, just as the others could observe more rockfalls. The culprit was the enormous reptile that had found where he and his gang were hiding.
- Oops!! We'll do our planning later! Because right now, guess who's back? The Corellian joked to his partners as they were able to behold the beast.
- RUNK! The hairy guy questioned his partner's judgment.
- I didn't mean that literally, Chewie! I declare Solo, seeing the risky situation they were in.
- Alright, heroes... get out of sight and do it quickly. The giant is shooting those rays at us again! Han warned, noticing that the reptile was using its laser beam to make the rocks fly.
Everyone hid, evading the gaze of the gigantic reptile.
- But if it doesn't see us for a while, maybe it'll think it has caught us! Then maybe we'll buy some time to... Han declared in a somewhat low voice while weighing the possibilities to create a strategy.
Unfortunately, they were attacked before they could follow thru with their plan.
- Abandon that plan! He's ready to attack us again! And it aims straight at that target. Solo alerted, and just at that moment, a huge nearby rock fell, almost crushing the Corellian's group.
- Hello Chewbacca, let's get out of here! The smuggler asked, seeing that there were no locks in that place.
- If someone ever told me that I would have to run so much on this mission. He complained, somewhat exhausted from running back and forth.
- GFK! The Wookiee demands that the Corellian get out of his way.
"I can get out of the way myself, you know." Han joked with his furry partner.
- The giant doesn't give up, does he?! Hedji declared, looking at the rather untalented scene they were experiencing now.
- Not? Well, neither do we! And I have an idea of how we could get rid of that nightmare. Han concluded, ready to execute his attack plan.
- But Don-Wan's lightsaber is needed to do it. Do you hear me, Don Wan? Never tell how to carry a Jedi Knight's weapon. The Corellian asserted, wanting to use his partner's weapon to fight, but when he turned to look for him, he couldn't find him and continued searching with his eyes until he finally spotted him and, upon seeing him, feared for his well-being.
-Don-wan? Oh no! Look! We have to help you! The smuggler pled very worriedly, seeing how the old man stood before the beast without any fear.
But what Han Solo has just seen means nothing to the pilot of a small spaceship, who now rises swiftly from the dense jungle of the fourth satellite of the planet Yavin, to be swallowed by the silent space.
- I should never have listened to General Dodonna and the others! I should have done it immediately! Leia declared, regretting doubting going with the blonde on his risky journey.
- Something has happened to Luke and I'm going to find him, even if I have to do it alone. I assure Organa without hesitation and ready to continue with her journey.
- He left with the two robots to search for a new planet for the rebels, and just when he saw something and was about to tell us what it was, we lost all communication with him! And there was no way we could contact him again! Leia stated very uneasily about the fate of her acquaintance.
- But if I manage to find the place where Luke was the last time we heard from him, maybe I can do something! I can't let them kidnap him, another victim of the rebellion against the Empire. The princess declares, worried about her brave subordinate and his dangerous mission.
- What a shame that Han Solo had to leave in his beloved ship to spend his reward! I could really use the help of that star-hopper right now! I pity the brown-haired girl as she continues her journey.
Meanwhile, with Han and his gang, they watched as the supposed Jedi went against the colossus.
- Help? A Jedi Knight does not need anyone's help, and certainly not a mercenary like Mr. Solo. I only need a lightsaber in my steady hand, and the courage and skill to use it! Proclaimed Kihotay, ready for battle and without hesitation.
- Behemoth! And, if you dare, face me! He challenged the old man, wanting to engage in his contest with the reptile.
Whether it is the voice of the elder or the pulsating weapon he holds, something draws the Behemoth's attention.
- Look! Do you see what that crazy old man is doing? The Corellian exclaimed while pointing with his finger at the insane maneuver of the supposed Jedi.
- Of course! He is keeping that monster away from us... So that he can face it alone! I admire Jimm seeing Don-Wan's boundless bravery.
- Maybe he's not so crazy! Maybe he really was a Jedi knight... And he knows something we don't! The Spinner assured, watching as the old man moved forward as if he knew what he was doing.
- Yes! How to get yourself killed in an easy lesson! The smuggler joked, watching the old man's suicidal act.
- Do you hear their boos, Behemoth? They think Don Wan Kihotay is too old for the noble art of combat! However, even at such an advanced age, he still retains the strength that allows even these stiff and tired bones. Don-Wan proclaimed again as he watched the colossus turn its head to attack with its laser.
"I can dodge any infernal ray you can throw at me!" Kihotay declared as he dodged the attack while wielding his sword.
- And now, Behemoth, the time for the final battle has come! There's no need to add anything. But only one of us will come out alive from this contest! I confirm the elder ready for this fight with no possible return.
With courage, the elderly aspiring knight advances toward the giant and, if only for an instant, the monster stops and raises its scaly head.
"Do you see that?" The monster reacts strangely, the closer it gets with the lightsaber, then I think my intuition is correct! I think so. I conclude by simply confirming his suspicions about the old man.
- Hey, Hedji... Spinner, where do you think you're going? He consults the smuggler, his partner watching his risky maneuver, seeing how the Spinner was heading in the direction where Don-Wan was.
- Where they should have all been already, Solo. Helping an old warrior who risked his life to save us all! I reason the humanoid feline is determined to support the supposed Jedi.
- Listen to me, Don-Wan! Maybe you came across a lightsaber somewhere, after it crushed the true Jedi knights, and maybe you believed it was a Jedi. I theorize to a skeptical Hedji that Wan could do everything he claimed.
"But you're not fast enough to keep dodging those beams!" I dismiss the spinner elder's abilities, knowing the risk he would run.
- Back! No one... neither humans nor the Spinners should interfere in the task of a Jedi Knight. Eliminating the beast is my mission! And I will kill him! He proclaimed, ready for his duel to the death.
- I tried to reason with you, kihotay, but you didn't listen to me! Fine, then don't do it. Hedji concluded, tired of the old man's stubborn attitude.
- You will receive my help, whether you like it or not! The Spinner insisted as he launched his spines toward the gigantic reptile.
Unfortunately, the spikes only enraged the behemoth further, and Wan was able to narrowly avoid another laser shot from the beast.
- The spikes didn't do much, did they? He noticed the boy Starkiller observing the null effectiveness of the Spinner's weapons.
- It's not the spikes! It's that lightsaber that's irritating that monster! Don't you all see what's happening? The smuggler inquires, able to witness the giant's fury over Don-Wan's saber.
- The sword acts like an outdated lightning rod. It interferes with the energy beam that the creature shoots from its fin! I confirm the Corellian, which allows understanding his point of view.
- Even a brute fool like that can feel that the lightsaber is a threat to his life. That's why, the closer Don-Wan gets, the crazier the giant acts! But the old man is too slow. If he could run fast, maybe he could do it. I reason, Han, seeing how the weapon had that effect on the enormous beast.
- URK!! Gronk??? asked the furry partner, seeing if he had the possibility to carry his comrade to help him with his duty.
- I even understood that!, Chewbacca!, do it! The lady with white hair confirmed so that the Wookiee would do what he wanted.
The furry friend grabbed the smuggler with his arm and carried him while running swiftly.
- Hey, partner, what are you doing? Consults, puzzled, just watching his partner's actions.
- Oh, I see what you mean. The smuggler concluded, seeing exactly what his partner wanted to do.
- Sure! With those legs of yours shaped like a stove pipe and the speed that comes with them, maybe we can still save the old fool!! The Corellian argued, hoping to achieve what he had set out to do.
- It's possible that we can still save the old fool! Han declared, hopeful of being able to stop his partner's insane actions.
After a quick walk by the furry partner until reaching near the supposed Jedi.
- Alright, buddy, put me down! Solo asked kindly, and he stood up when the Wookiee let him go.
- Listen, Don-Wan, I appreciate the heroism! But even tho your intentions are good, you're simply not succeeding! I regret Han underestimating the abilities and possibilities of the elder succeeding.
- Just!! Why are you interrupting my holy task?! Kihotay asked, seeing that his leader was interrupting him in his work.
- You have something I need, friend, and I just came to borrow it. He asked kindly of the Corellian while taking the old man's sword.
- No! Eat the blasphemy! Declared Don-Wan, seeing the recklessness of his leader.
- I've never used one of these devices!, and I'm certainly not a Jedi Knight, but I've used most of the other handheld weapons. So maybe this marvel won't give me too much trouble! Solo reasoned as he ran toward the reptile.
- It seems I once heard about a Jedi killing a monster, something like with a lightsaber. Something about the lightsaber countering energy. He remembered the Corellian about the tales they told him years ago.
- That feeds the monster's fin rays. The smuggler argued as the beast fired its laser at him, but he managed to dodge it just a few meters away.
- Yes, for God's sake! It was close!!! He stated, terrified, by the deadly attack he barely managed to dodge.
- Alright, ugly! I don't have any more time to waste with you! It's time for you to find out if my idea is right or wrong! The smuggler reasons as he continues running toward the reptile.
Then, thrusting with a weapon he had never wielded before, Solo makes a remorseful stab toward the creature's chest, burying the weapon in the beast's ribcage.
Han, not knowing how, upon performing his action, ran at full speed in the opposite direction from the beast.
The Behemoth goes berserk from Han's attack, hitting and shooting at everything that moved or didn't move, roaring horribly in pain.
-Cover yourselves. The smuggler asked everyone present.
- I don't know if I hurt the giant! But I'm sure I made him angry!! The Corellian assured, seeing the agitated and furious state of the colossus.
But, surprisingly, the colossus suddenly stops its random attack... its enormous body writhes in convulsions.
Then, the lightsaber flashes in the agitated chest of the monster, a strange crackling sound is heard from where the creature...
- The Force is with us, Han Solo! The lightsaber is destroying the colossus! The demon begins to disintegrate! Assured Kihotay, seeing the result of his leader's action.
- Me? It seems your smuggler friend kept his promise! Han joked, seeing that he had resolved the matter effectively.
Finally, the beast bursts in a great explosion, its remains dissipating into the air, making the little that was left of the being disappear.
- I guess it's all over, heroes! Han concluded, seeing that neither the gang members nor the giant reptile were there anymore.
- Not entirely, leader! My pockets are still empty. The lepi claimed, waiting for his money.
- They won't be, as soon as the peasants pay us! I reason, just waiting for the villagers to arrive.
- Speaking of which, here they come! Announced Foxtrain upon observing the arrival of the locals.
- Excellent! Then, after receiving my share, you will finally be able to leave this godforsaken planet. Jim claimed he wanted to use the money to leave this place.
- Hi, Jim! I saw what you did today! You were very brave! I praise Merri for seeing the boy's bravery.
- But you hadn't even looked at me before! Declared the Starkiller boy, noticing the girl's lack of attention toward him.
- I'm watching you now, Jimm! And maybe you can change your mind about leaving our little village! I assure you, Merri flirted with the young man as she approached Solo.
- But first... Thank you, Han Solo. For saving our village and also for rescuing the Starkiller boy. The blonde girl thanked with a tone of gratitude.
After the scarce payments have been collected.
- So I didn't get the girl! Who cares? I was quite young anyway, at least now I can afford to get the Millenium Falcon out of hock! The Corellian reasoned, seeing what he had lived thru here.
- And even if it was just for a minute, I got an idea of what it means to be a Jedi Knight. The smuggler declared excitedly with his previous experience.
And five weary heroes return to their bantha mounts, away from the village.
- See you, Solo, drop by the village someday, alright? Jimm said goodbye to his former boss while standing next to the blonde girl.
- The end -