"[Payback: The Tale of Dengar](link text)" is a brief narrative penned by [Dave Wolverton](link url) and included within [Tales of the Bounty Hunters](link url), a collection released in December of 1996 by [Bantam Spectra](link url). As the title gives away, it delves into the history of the [bounty hunter](link url) [Dengar](link url).
On the world of [Aruza](link url), the inhabitants provide Dengar with a payment of one thousand [credits](link url) to carry out the assassination of [COMPNOR](link url) General [Sinick Kritkeen](link url). From a vantage point a kilometer from Kritkeen's residence, Dengar observed him. He listened to the pleas of the [Aruzan](link url) people begging for mercy. After the last of them departed, Kritkeen exited his mansion and stepped onto his lawn. Dengar swiftly approached him, removing his portable alarm and informing him that he was about to perform a legal assassination as per [Section 2127 of the Imperial Legal Code](link url). He handed Kritkeen a blaster and granted him three minutes to escape. Following a brief conversation, Kritkeen fled. Dengar, utilizing his enhanced speed, sprinted to a ravine and awaited Kritkeen's arrival. Upon his arrival, Dengar hallucinated that Kritkeen was [Han Solo](link url), whom he despised, and led him to a steep embankment. He placed a [grenade](link url) in Kritkeen's mouth and hurled him into the air. While still airborne, he shot Kritkeen twice, and before he hit the ground, the grenade exploded.
He remained there for thirty minutes. He detected the sound of a [speeder](link url) carrying two [stormtroopers](link url) and a [female](link url) Aruzan named [Manaroo](link url), whom Kritkeen had summoned earlier from his mansion. They halted upon seeing Dengar, who then instructed them to remove their helmets and weapons. Subsequently, he forced them to flee down the embankment, taking Manaroo with him on the speeder back to his vessel.
After narrowly avoiding an encounter with a squadron of [TIE Interceptors](link url) launched from a lone [Star Destroyer](link url) stationed in the [planet's](link url) orbit while departing the planet, he abandoned Manaroo on an insignificant, remote world with a few hundred credits.
Over the subsequent months, he sought out Han Solo, and five additional COMPNOR Redesign officials met violent ends. He journeyed to the planet [Toola](link url). There, he engaged in a card game, conversing with his partner who suggested joining the Rebellion, to which he responded that they would not accept him. He then returned to his ship, where he discovered the [navicomputer](link url) pre-programmed and the word "Friends" written in dust on one of the monitors. He followed the coordinates, which led him to a Rebel outpost. He passed their trials and accepted an assignment, assisting in the planning of future raids, training teams of [saboteurs](link url), and upgrading attack swoops.
He received orders to proceed to the [Hoth system](link url). Emerging from [hyperspace](link url), he encountered an Imperial Super Star Destroyer accompanied by six Star Destroyers, along with personnel carriers, Attack frigates, and TIE Fighters. He altered his transponder frequency to make his ship appear as an Imperial Scout. Initially intending to land on the planet and locate Han Solo, his ship was struck by an Ion Cannon blast from the planet while trailing a squadron of TIE Fighters, disabling all systems and power. However, he had gained enough altitude to fly past a Star Destroyer, which then captured his ship with its tractor beams. Simultaneously, the [Millennium Falcon](link url) flew by on the horizon, firing at the Star Destroyer and being pursued by TIE Fighters. As he was being pulled in, he armed himself with a blaster in each hand, intending to take down some stormtroopers since he was wanted by the [Empire](link url) and faced a death sentence. However, as the door to his ship opened, a [gas grenade](link url) landed a meter in front of him. Despite attempting to hold his breath, it was too late.
He was taken to an interrogation chamber, injected with pain-enhancing drugs, and fitted with a scrambler on his head. They accessed his ship's logs, uncovering his previous travels, and examined his credit chips to determine his purchases and sources of payment. He was questioned about his motives and collaboration with the Rebels. After receiving his death sentence, he spent a day in a cell, plotting his escape. While he slept, [Darth Vader](link url) appeared to him, offering a reprieve from his death sentence if he hunted down Han Solo and brought him and his companions to him alive. If pleased, Vader might spare his life; otherwise, he would grant Dengar time to flee before hunting him down. Dengar accepted and was released. He joined other bounty hunters on a platform, where they listened to Vader's instructions before departing for their ships. Upon reaching his ship, he found it repaired from the Ion blast damage. He then ventured into the asteroid field.
He began deploying sensor beacons on large asteroids, hoping to detect movement. Subsequently, the Imperial fleet entered hyperspace. Some time later, one of the beacons reported movement. As he approached the beacon, he noticed another vessel trailing the Millennium Falcon. A tightbeam transmission reached him, and [Boba Fett](link url) appeared on his monitors. Fett apologized, stating that Han Solo was his trophy, and a binary code transmission sounded. A [bomb](link url) detonated in the engine room, reducing his sublight engines to scrap. It was strategically placed to disable the ship while leaving Dengar alive.
Later, Dengar arrived at [Cloud City](link url) on [Bespin](link url). As he prepared to land, he spotted the Millennium Falcon on a platform. He landed at a repair platform and offered the dockmaster a hundred extra credits for completing the repairs within two hours. He then went to the gambling chambers, hoping to find Han Solo. Observing a group of dancers on stage, he recognized Manaroo among them. He sat at a table, ordering dinner and a fine wine. After her dance, Manaroo approached his table, expressing her desire to assist him in finding Solo. He allowed her to order dinner on his tab, and they conversed. Later, [Lando Calrissian](link url) announced over the loudspeakers that Imperial troops were seizing control of the station, causing gamblers to flee. After finishing his drink and realizing that his ship was likely not yet repaired, he went to find Manaroo. He followed a corridor leading to a large room where six dancers, including Manaroo, were being held captive by two stormtroopers. He shot the stormtroopers and rescued Manaroo, who was shocked by his actions.
Upon reaching the docks, he observed a fresh coat of protective paint and all the micrometeor pits filled in, but no one was present to collect payment. Instead, half a dozen stormtroopers stood beside a light cannon. He threw a grenade at them, then ran to the ship, boarded, and departed.
Initially planning to travel to Tatooine, Dengar experiences a close connection with Manaroo, during which she shares her feelings with him via her [Attanni](link url). He then sets course for Aruza, where he commandeers an [Imperial prison barge](link url) and rescues a large number of Aruzans.
Arriving on Tatooine, he discovers Han Solo frozen in [carbonite](link url), along with a pleased [Jabba](link url). While there, Manaroo suddenly vanishes, causing Dengar concern. Later, he decides to attempt to assassinate Jabba, enlisting the help of a henchman with a [bomb](link url). Dengar soon learns (via the Attanni Manaroo gave him) that Jabba is holding Manaroo as a dancing girl. However, Dengar's plan backfires when [Boba Fett](link url) discovers it and informs Jabba. Jabba, liking the idea of subjecting Dengar to [The Teeth of Tatooine](link url), orders Boba to comply, drugging Dengar.
Awakening from his drugged state, Dengar finds himself in a desert, restrained to the ground with bolted [leather](link url). He tests his bonds, but even with his [cybernetic](link url) enhancements, he cannot break free. He contemplates the nature of The Teeth of Tatooine, recalling Boba Fett mentioning it earlier. After some time, a group of [Tusken Raiders](link url) appears, with two dismounting to observe Dengar. After a period of observation, one draws a [knife](link url) and begins cutting one of Dengar's restraints. One of his companions argues with the Raider, with Dengar understanding that he said Jabba. Not wanting to interfere with Jabba's plans, the Raiders depart.
Dengar tests the restraint, but it remains too strong. Soon, he discovers the nature of The Teeth of Tatooine—sharp rocks begin blowing past him, cutting him. Protected somewhat by his [body armor](link url), Dengar endures the assault, and eventually the rocks strike one of his restraints. Fueled by rage, he breaks free. As he stands, he stumbles towards [Jabba's Palace](link url), but soon collapses. Curling into a ball, he prepares to accept death, but then suddenly senses Manaroo's feelings. Realizing she is searching for him (after escaping from Jabba's Palace), he manages to signal her.
After recovering, Dengar needs to find a way to pay the impending medical bills. Piloting the [Punishing One](link url), he travels to the [Great Pit of Carkoon](link url), where he had heard Han Solo was to be executed. Knowing there had been a change of events (from witnessing the [Millennium Falcon](link url) flying off during The Teeth of Tatooine), he hoped to find salvage at the site.
Upon landing, he discovers the wreckage of Jabba's [sail barge](link url) and the bodies of his henchmen, along with the deceased [sarlacc](link url). He finds a burnt, naked body and rolls it over with his foot, discovering the man is still alive. He takes the man back to his ship, where he is repeatedly thanked. The man reveals his identity: Boba Fett. Dengar, consumed by rage at being betrayed by Boba twice, begins to strangle him, until Manaroo intervenes. He then notices that Boba had held a [blaster](link url) to his chest but chose not to kill Dengar. Dengar reclaims his blaster, and the two appear to reconcile, with Boba agreeing to be Dengar's best man at his upcoming wedding with Manaroo.
While Darth Vader briefs Dengar and the other bounty hunters aboard the [Executor](link url) regarding the capture of the [Rebels](link url), [Admiral](link url) [Firmus Piett](link url) remarks, "Bounty hunters. We don't need that scum!" In the corresponding scene from the film [The Empire Strikes Back](link url), he actually states, "Bounty hunters. We don't need their scum!" After Vader concludes his address to the assembled bounty hunters in the film, Admiral Piett informs him, "My Lord, we have them." However, in this story, the line is, "Lord Vader, we have them now!"
In the story, immediately following this exchange, the bounty hunters listen to [Captain](link url) [Lorth Needa](link url) issuing orders to the crew of his [Star Destroyer](link url). In the film, Needa is aboard the [Imperial II-class Star Destroyer](link url) [Avenger](link url). Nevertheless, it is possible that a transmission of the events on the Avenger's bridge was being broadcast aboard the Executor.