SYNOPSIS
A lone x-wing commits a precision attack on the Wheel before being destroyed by a pair of TIE fighters from the nearby Star Destroyer. The customers are relieved that the assault is ended, but another is not so pleased. Princess Leia cannot believe that the Wheels administrator, Senator Simon Greyshade, would fake an attack to gain favor with the Empire. Greyshade is pleased to see that she has at least some emotion in her as he instructs his aide-de-camp, Master-Com to clean up the mess.

The Senator then takes a private airflow car to the waiting light-cruiser of Imperial Sector commander Strom. The two discuss the deal they brokered earlier and Strom is wondering why the Rebels are not yet dead. Greyshade demands he have some time. The pieces are all in place for all passengers of the Millennium Falcon to perish one way or the other.

Meanwhile at the gladiator pits, Han is shocked to learn that he has tested way above his class on the reaction tests. He thinks that his specialty in the arena will be survival, but that may not even work against whatever he must face. He is sent into the arena with a shield and a mace against a giant four-armed beast using poisoned dagger thorns as weapons. He manages to deflect several blows but when he brings his mace to bear on the beasts head, it snaps it two. The creature kicks him down to the ground as the crowd, interested in nothing else, watch on.

Strom and Greyshade also watch from the comfort of the casino's Royal Lounge, patting each other on the back for a job well done in getting Han into the arena, giving shore leave to the crew and inciting them to gamble. In the droid chamber a wheel techno has come to wipe the memory units of Artoo and Threepio when he is interrupted by Master-Com, Greyshade's master computer. He tells the protocol droid that he wished to study them further, and follows the faithful droids as they return to the hospital wing in search of their master. Once they get there, they find that he's escaped, which the doctor finds impossible considering the deep shock he was in. While pondering this, Master-Com senses something amiss in the executive tower.

At the same time, Princess Leia, using a knife she stole during her tantrum earlier is attempting to short circuit the door. She successfully manages it and races out. Master-Com relates the events to the droids, but also tells them she is running into a trap. Master-com leaves to inform Greyshade of this change in plan, while the droids continue to look for Luke and Han.

Artoo discovers Han in the gladiator arena still fighting against the creature. As the beast charges, Han manages to trip him up by flinging his shield at the aliens feet. His opponent trips and stumbles scratching its chest with one of the dagger thorns. Furious, knowing that its already dead, the monster leaps onto Han, thorn in hand. Using a rock, Han manages to deflect the blow from the gladiator, saving himself, for now.

Strom is angered by this turn of events, but Greyshade informs him that Han still needs to survive the main event.