- Stranded -


Chapter 2 - No clues -


Han strolled down the beach looking around the sand for any clue to his night visitor. The morning sun cast long shadows behind the shells and branches on the sand. He stopped for a moment and admired the sunrise. Han smiled at a memory he had with Leia only weeks ago….


" You promised me you'd wake up early, now get up! " Leia smacked Han hard on the arm with her hand.

" Hey ! " Han gave her his most offended look as he rubbed his stinging arm.

" You said last night. " Leia pointed, she was still in her nightgown but she looked as beautiful as ever to Han.

Han surrendered , " I know, I know. Lets get this over with. "

Leia gave him another stern look as he pulled on his housecoat. She hooked her arm under his and pulled open the bedroom curtains. They walked to the balcony to a brisk chill. Han shivered as he gave his wife a dirty look. They stood on the balcony of the Ilam Resort, most noted as a historical vacation destination. The owner had blabbed last night about the history of the Jedi and Illam for what seemed like an hour to Han. But when the sun poked over the mountains in the distance, Han lost his breath.

" It's the most beautiful sunrise since Alderaan. " Leia leaned her head on her husbands arm and watched the sun's light spread over the snow covered ground, creating trillions of white sparkling lights.

" It's almost as beautiful as you, princess. " Han turned his head and gave Leia a long, passionate kiss.


" But here I am, " Han said out loud, badly missing home already, " stuck somewhere I don't know. " He felt a little relief as the cold tide washed over his bare feet. His stomach let out a loud grumble. Sorry, Pal. I forgot about you didn't I ?

He abandoned his search for footprints after a few minutes of searching. I better get working on a fire for tonight, if I can get that done quickly enough, then I'll get some grub to cook on my fire. Han walked back to his downed log resting area, he picked up the sticks he used for his failed bed and placed them in a circle. He then added more branches and moss to the middle of his stick circle. He found a really old piece of timber and snapped it in half with his knee, he placed both pieces nearby for overnight smouldering.

He dug a small round pit out of an arm sized branch with a jagged piece of rock. He then started to carve the end of a pencil sized branch to make it a little more pointy. He placed tiny pieces of moss inside the dug out pit and placed the sharp end of the pencil sized branch inside the pit. He held the branch between his hands as if he was about to clap, he then started to rub furiously. He rubbed the branch down to the base, then started at the top again. After one hour of doing this, his face and shirt were drenched with sweat. His hands were exploding with pain and numbness. He stopped rubbing the branch and noticed he had barely made a black dot inside the pit. So much for winning any woodsman merit badges.

Han walked over to the water, grabbed two handfuls of it, and splashed himself in the face. He let out a long, groaning sigh as the cool water dripped down his stubbly chin. He took another scoop of the water and sucked some in his mouth. A little sandy, but passable. He then noticed how bad his hands really were. At the base of every finger on both hands, he had round blisters bubbling out. Some were already busted. Ouch !


" How's that fire workin' out for ya pal ? " Han asked himself in anger as he rested on his back in his trench. He gazed at the stars again, trying to figure them out. His hands were wrapped in mud and leaves. His stomach growled again. I hear ya, I definitely need to eat soon. He closed his eyes and tried his best to remember the last few days before ending up resting on an unknown island shore.


" Just heading down to see what Luke and Wedge wanted…" Han called out, with his hand on the door panel. Leia came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped in a big beehive around her head. She opened her mouth but Han couldn't remember what she said…..


" There's a trick to it Han. " Lando Calrissian let loose a bright, white smile. Han fumbled with the circuitry inside Lando's new cruise ship. He let a few, grumbling curse words out before giving up.

" The Falcon's ignition sequence has to be a hundred years old. I just rap on the top panel. This thing has parts I don't even recognise. " Han complained as he wiped the grime from his hands.

Lando let out a barking laugh, " That old bird has more illegal modifications than all of my ex wives combined. " This let Han's mood change as he belted out his own laughter. Chewbacca let out a growl from outside the ship. Han gave Lando a pat on the shoulder as he departed.

" Stay out of trouble. " Lando called out as his own men started repairing his ship.

" Do you remember who yer talkin' to ? " Han roared, good natured as they left the service bay.


" Seven acres ? What's wrong with this place ? " Han yelled as he let his fork drop loudly on the dinner plate. Leia shook her head in frustration, grabbed her plate and dropped it loudly inside the sink.

" Why don't you wake up, Han Solo ! " She yelled.


Han lifted his head as he heard the birds chirping loudly in the woods behind him. Missed the sunrise today. What is this ? Day number three ? Two ? No loud screaming last night. His stomach never felt so empty. He sat up and eyed his failed fire bundle next to him. He then stood up, stretching his back. Feels a little better.

Time to go hunting, I'll have to work on this fire later. If I'm up to it that is. He looked at his dirt crusted hands as he gently unpeeled the leaves from them. What a mess. His hands were dotted with red dots from the blisters. He walked down to the water and rinsed them off. He then took another drink. He scooped his hands in the water and poured it right over his head. Refreshing.

Han spotted a bright pink fish as it swam quickly by his feet. He did a big step jump and plunged his hand in the water. He pulled out a handful of seaweed. Not what I was hoping for. He eyed the clump of seaweed in his hand, there was a thin line of slime dripping down the side of it. He also noticed several small, white pods stuck to the center of the stalk. Here goes nothing. Han bit into the side of the seaweed and tore out a chunk. He made a face as he chewed the rubbery sea plant in his mouth. He swallowed and threw the rest back into the water. That was worse than Anakin's cooking. Han smiled as he remembered his son trying to impress him with a pot of Corellian stew.

He placed his hands on his hips and looked at the ocean. He then turned and looked at the long line of trees at the top of the beach. I'm not big on seafood anyway. Han sloshed his way out of the water and back to his resting area. He wrapped each foot in a large green leaf and tied them both with small, rolled up moss strings. He then tested his new shoes as he stomped around on the sand. Tough leaves, I missed my calling as a shoe maker.

He stood near the edge of the woods. Chewbacca sure would come in handy right about now. He walked inside the tangle of woods and they soon swallowed him from sight.

Several yards away, the waves pulled back to reveal a large, red crab. It helplessly thrashed around on its shell as it kicked its legs frantically in the air. The next wave rescued it and it vanished into the sea as Han's footprint filled in with water.


To be continued…