The Empire's Fall (Pt.3)

Chapter Six: Ewoks

Too late. Chewie had already pulled the animal from the stake by the time I warn him. Chewie howls, and the rest of us yell as a net yanks us off of our feet. I have someone's elbow in my stomach, with, I think, Luke's knee in the middle of my back. Artoo lets out a series of frenzied beeps and whistles, and Chewie howls his regret. Our bodies are all jumbled up in the net.

"Nice work. Great, Chewie! Great! Always thinking with your stomach."

"Will you take it easy," I snap, "Let's just figure out a way to get out of this thing."

Luke shifts a little and tries to free an arm. I would too, but one of my arms is stuck outside of the net, and the other is keeping Chewie's foot out of my mouth.

"Han, can you reach my lightsaber?" Luke asks.

After a little movement, the elbow in my stomach stops digging in so hard. But then Threepio gets shoved closer to me as Han tries to get at Luke's lightsaber. All the net does is spin, which is making me dizzy. I hear Threepio say,

"Artoo, I'm not sure that's such a good idea. It's a very long dro-o-op!"

It seems as though Artoo has cut through the net, because all of us tumble out of the net, and we crash to the ground. As we regain our senses and sit up, I see... mini Chewies?

"Wha--?" Han asks, "Hey! Point that thing someplace else."

The mini Chewies have spears, and all of them are aimed at us. This is really not how I imagined my day going.

Han grabs for his laser pistol, and says, "Hey!"

"Han, don't," Luke says.

"It'll be alright," I say, even though I'm not quite sure if that's true.

The mini Chewies swarm throughout our group, confiscating our weapons. Luke, Callum, and I give up our lightsabers, though Callum gives Luke and I a quizzical look. Chewie growls at his minis.

"Chewie, give 'em your crossbow," I say.

Artoo and Threepio finally manage to untangle themselves. After Threepio frees himself from the net, he sits straight up.

"Oh, my head. Oh, my goodness."

When the mini Chewies see Threepio, they gasp and chatter among themselves. Threepio then speaks to them in their language. The mini nearest to him, drops his spear and drops on the ground in front of Threepio. In a moment, all of the minis have followed suit. Chewie lets out a confused bark. Han, Callum, and Luke watch the minis in wonder as they begin to chant at Threepio.

"What the heck is going on?" I mutter.

"Do you understand anything they're saying?" Luke asks Threepio.

"Oh, yes, Master Luke! Remember that I am fluent in over six million forms of communication."

"What are you telling them?" Callum asks.

"Hello, I think... I could be mistaken. They're using a very primitive dialect. But I do believe they think I am some sort of god."

I snort, and notice that both Chewie and Artoo find that funny. Han and Luke exchange "what next?" looks. Which makes me laugh a little. Callum looks torn between laughing and staring in confusion.

"Well, why don't you use your divine influence and get us out of this?" Han says, sounding somewhat passive aggressive.

"I beg your pardon, General Solo, but that just wouldn't be proper."