As the figure began to descend down the dune, Chewie only grew more frenzied, forcing Han to grab him by his collar.
"Chewie, calm down!" He ordered, struggling to hold the massive dog.
The figure came to a halt a few feet away from them, putting away its humming blade. "I sense you are confused and frightened, but mean no harm."
Hearing a woman's voice was not what he expected, but that proved to be least strange thing about the figure. Now that she was in clear of him, he could make out her unusual appearance. Her hair was wrapped in two, large buns at both sides of her head. She wore a white gown that flowed in the breeze, revealing a slit at her right leg.
However, Han's eyes were immediately drawn to her normal, brown eyes. Weren't they just glowing a few seconds ago?
"Okay, what is going on? What are you doing out here?" Han demanded over the dog's continuous growling and barking.
The woman straightened up, narrowing her eyes. "Can you please control your beast?"
Han scoffed. "Beast? Look, lady, I don't know who you think you are, but my dog is not a beast."
"I am Leia Naberrie Organa. Daughter of Padme Naberrie of Naboo and Bail Organa of Alderaan," She answered. "And that creature is a beast. One I wish you could control."
Han dropped to his knees, petting Chewie's fur in order to soothe him. "Yeah, sure. I think you must have hit your head pretty hard to spew all that mumbo jumbo." He pointed to the dried blood and bruises on her face.
She touched her temple, feeling the tender skin. "Yes, my ship did crash into the ground pretty rough, which is all the more why I need your help."
Han raised his eyebrow. "My help? I'm sure NASA will be here any second to retrieve their property."
"What is 'NASA?'" Leia frowned.
Han sighed, rising to his feet. "You know what? I'm just going to call the cops."
He started to walk away, tugging at Chewie's collar so he could follow. However, he had only taken a few steps when he suddenly couldn't take any more. Han strained forward, trying desperately to move his feet; to move anything.
It was as if something was holding him in place.
"I didn't want to do that, but you left me no choice." Leia's hand was raised towards Han, wavering slightly in the air. "You cannot just walk away."
"Just what the hell are you doing?!" Han's eyes shifted around wildly, struggling to break free of her invisible hold. "I can't help you! That's what the police are for!"
"The authorities will be of no use," Leia stated. "I am unfamiliar with this planet, hence why I need you to be my guide."
"The only help you need is from a psych ward!" He shouted as Chewie begun barking once more.
Leia glared back. "Earthling, I can make you help me if you resist. So you will either agree or I will use the Force."
Han opened his mouth to retort, but the memory of that green blade prevented him from speaking. Is that what she meant by force? Whatever that weapon was, it certainly didn't look harmless. Or sound painless, for that matter.
But that weapon only raised more questions in his mind. Where had it come from? Who developed it? If this woman was really of some importance, like an astronaut or government official, then her high-tech blade would make sense.
It was as if a light bulb went off in his head. If she was some sort of top dog, then perhaps he should help her...
"Alright," He sighed. "If I act as your tour guide, then what's in it for me?"
The woman blinked, dropping her hand. "Well, what do you want? I hardly have anything of value on me. But if I prove successful in my mission, then you will be rewarded with riches you could never imagine. Riches not found on Earth."
A mischievous grin spread across his face upon hearing about these riches. But before he could inquire more about them, his legs started moving freely again. They took a couple of steps; the ones they were originally meant to take.
The grip on him had suddenly vanished.
"What did you do to me just now?"
"I held you in place with the Force," She answered nonchalantly. "I'm guessing you Earthlings are not Force-sensitive."
Han rolled his eyes, beginning to walk back to the truck. "Okay, enough with the make-believe. Quit talking like you're from space."
"But I am from space," Leia protested, following behind the man but not so close to avoid Chewie. "Don't tell me you're so arrogant to believe that Earth is the only place with life on it?"
"It's not about believing. It's about knowing," He explained, rotating his arm.
"Then how do you explain what I did to you?" She demanded, stomping through the sand.
"With some sort of hidden stun gun?" He offered with a shrug.
"It was no stun gun." Leia shook her head. "You Earthlings really are full of yourselves, ignorant of the possibilities before you."
Han ignored her, focusing on trying to find his way back to the truck. The woman spotted it first and she made it known.
"Is that your vehicle?" She gasped, stopping in her tracks. "Is this really what Earthlings drive?"
"Sorry, if I would have known you were coming, I would have brought the flying car," Han jeered.
"This is absolutely primitive!" Leia went to the passenger's side, examining the metal and paint. Chewie came up behind her, expecting to jump inside alongside his human.
"No, go away," She shooed at him. "Earthling, your beast will not leave me alone."
"Let's get one thing straight," Han began with a sneer. "His name is Chewie, not beast. And my name is Han, not Earthling."
"Alright, Han." She emphasized. "Tell him to go to the back."
"Chewie, sit in the bed." He pointed to the flatbed, which the dog obeyed. "Good boy."
From the passenger's seat, Leia could only watch as Han climbed inside and started up the truck. She was not so subtly giving him a sidelong glance filled with disapproval, which Han took notice of.
"What now?" He pressed on the gas, turning the truck around and sending dirt and dust into the air.
"Nothing, it's just that I never thought Earth was so behind in technology," She muttered, crossing her arms.
Han groaned, already regretting his decision to help the woman. If she really was an alien, then he hoped the men in black would be at his doorstep when he got home.
Luckily for Han, the woman did not continue her griping with Earth and its people. She remained quiet, taking in the night scenery from the window. Her hands were clasped together in her lap, unusually still. He swore that at one moment he saw a tear roll down her cheek. But when glanced at her again, it was gone.
"We're here," Han said as he pulled into the driveway. He removed the key and opened the door, not bothering to wait up for Leia. After unlocking the front door, he held it wide open for her and Chewie.
Standing in the living room, Leia looked around from side to side, taking in the humble abode. Han prepared himself for another scathing remark, but instead found only curious silence. Either the woman had finally learned some manners or she was too tired to speak.
Now that the light shone over her, Han saw the purple bruises had disappeared. The only trace of any injuries was the brownish blood crusted over her skin.
"I think you should clean up," He suggested. "I don't have any clothes for you, so you're going to have to use what you're wearing."
"That's fine," She sighed, shutting her eyes. "Where is the shower?"
"Down the hall, to your left."
Leia nodded, following his directions. Once the door was shut and he knew she was out of ear shot, Han collapsed on the couch beside his dog.
"My God, this woman!" He looked at Chewie, who was wagging his tail.
"Han!" Leia shouted through the door. "Han!"
"Oh great, what now?" He demanded, storming up to the closed door. "What is it?"
The door immediately flew back and Han was pulled inside. Scrambling to keep his balance and trying to make sense of what just happened, the man found himself face-to-face with a vexed Leia. She was still in her white gown, but her buns were now undone and her loose hair fell below her shoulders.
"How do you work this thing?" She gestured to the shower handle.
"Uh, you lift the handle and turn it." Han raised his eyebrow.
Leia huffed. "Where is the thermostat that sets the temperature? Or the button that lets me choose the water flow?"
"Seriously?" He started to back up, shaking his head. "I told you what to do. You figure it out."
"I'm guessing Earth doesn't have droid attendants either," She added.
"No, so you're going to have to dry yourself. Don't even think about dragging me in here again," Han warned, closing the door behind him.
By the time Leia reemerged from the bathroom in a mist of vapor, Han had microwaved and set out a few slices of pizza for the two of them. Following the scent into the kitchen, Leia took her seat by the small dining table and reached for a slice.
"I hope you like pizza because that's all I have." Han eyed the towel wrapped on her head.
"I have never had it before," Leia stated, causing the man to nearly choke on his own slice.
"You've never had pizza? Then you must really be from outer space."
Leia took a hesitant bite of the food, chewing it slowly. "Is this really what you Earthlings eat?"
"You're telling me you prefer that frozen-dried food astronauts eat?" Han exclaimed.
"That is not what we eat!" Leia pushed her plate away. "My poor brother, having to eat this junk for all this life-"
"Wait. Brother?" Han rose from his chair; the legs scraping against the tile. "Is that what your whole secret mission is about?"
"Yes." She lowered her head. "I must find him before- before someone else does."
"Well, that simplifies things! What's his name?"
Leia bit her lip, averting her gaze. "I don't know."
"You don't know your own brother's name." Han hit his face with his palm. "How do you not know your own brother's name?!"
It was Leia's turn to rise up from her seat, nearly knocking the chair over. "We were separated at birth! I just barely found out of his existence!"
"Okay, so do you know what he looks like? Do you have a picture of him?" Han rested his hands on the wooden surface of the table, waiting for the woman's answer.
"No," She murmured. "And I don't know what he looks like. We are twins, but I don't know if we are identical."
Han was sure a vein was about to burst; he could feel it bulging from his temple. Trying to remain calm, he took in a deep breath of air. "So how are we going to find him then?"
A gleam twinkled in Leia's eye as a smile crossed her lips. "When he is near, I'll know."
Already exhausted with the night's events and sure a headache was coming on, Han decided not to argue with her any further. He knew if he did, they would just end up getting into a fight. And from the looks of the woman, it would not be a verbal one. "Come on, I'll show you to your room."
He led her to the end of the hall, entering the last door on the right. Flicking on a light, he was instantly transported to the days of his youth. Plastered on the walls were posters of different types of military planes. From jets to war-birds, images of these aircraft decorated the white walls. But there was one wall that did not contain a plane; the wall behind the bed. Instead, the logo of the U.S. Air Force was painted onto it.
Han guessed his expression was tinged with nostalgia as Leia asked, "Was this your room?"
"Yeah." He turned away from her, opening the closet and pulling out a blanket. "Here."
Leia took the blanket from him; her eyes never leaving the model plane hanging above them. Before she could say anything more, Han left the room in a hurry and did not stop until he was in the master bedroom.
His parents' room.
Chewie was already waiting for him in the bed, curled up in a ball of fur. Han didn't even attempt to change out of his clothes, throwing himself on the bed with dirt and all. Once his head hit the pillow, he lost all sense of consciousness and slipped into a dreamless sleep.