Han finally accepted Luke's offered hand and got off the ground. "Bring it on" Han returned Luke's smile with a smirk. Hmm I have gotten in better shape, thought Han, the walk to the Hanger is not so long anymore, although I wish it was longer considering that I'm headed towards Vader.
"Luke. Han." Lord Vader acknowledged their bowed heads pleased that Han was at least trying to be respectful. "I have something for each of you something to speed you both on the way to the academy" Lord Vader turned and pointed towards the hangar door that was rapidly opening. Luke and Han watched as two pro-type tie advanced landed in the bay and their pilots exited the cockpit. "One for each" Lord Vader said something close to a smile pulling on his face behind his mask.
Neither Luke nor Han could contain their gasps of delight. Han looked over at Luke smiled and gave him a slight shove "Hey!" protested Luke as Han ran off trying to be the first to the ships.
Han puffing placed his hand triumphantly on the first ship and turned to Luke who was close behind "Back off Jr. this ones mine!"
"Luke" Lord Vader said "Han's right that one is his. Next time be more aware of your surroundings" Lord Vader paused slightly after his admonishment and then said "Since we are currently orbiting Curscont you may fly the ships around and land at the castle. Enjoy your night off" and with those parting words Vader strode off.
Han and Luke barely waited till his back was turned before they were scrambling up the ladders. Racing each other to be the first cleared for take off.
"Luke Vader requesting permission for take off"
"Han Solo requesting permission to take off"
The controller replied "Prince Vader cleared" and waited for the Prince to leave before granting permission to Han Solo
"Luke! You better have waited for me" Han growled over the comm.
The static paused and Luke's voice replied "Don't worry Han I wait patiently for the elderly"
"You know I beat you!" Han cried "You just got cleared first because you're Vader's spawn"
"No! I won fair and square besides what's your problem you would have had to wait for me to get clearance to land at MY Castle"
"You're nothing but a Spoiled Brat" returned Han angrily
Luke angrily spun his tie around and headed for the planet. When he landed he would really give Han a piece of his mind or rather he smiled darkly a piece of his fist my settle things more quickly.
Han stayed where he was for a moment fuming before he decided that he had no choice but to follow the Sith-spawned Brat. He glanced down at his scope before, turning his tie wanting to double check that he was headed in the right direction. Han hit his comm. "LUKE!" he yelled "Watch your Six!" Han slammed the yoke forward and was rewarded with a huge burst of speed. "Woo" Han said as he recovered from being slammed back into his seat. "This lady sure packs a punch"
Luke at first thought Han was messing with him but he felt a warning and acted immediately throwing his tie into a tight spin using the force to stop from blacking out and fired.
Direct hit, the target had been an X-wing but there were five more closing in quickly.
Luke thought of calling for Han but decided against it Han had warned him and that was more then he could expect from someone like Han.
Luke began evasive maneuvers. His only hope with five to one odds was to cut off each plane individually, fire and then move quickly to avoid being targeted by the other.
"Jedi curses" Luke spat. His plan had been working until the last three had figured it out. Now one of the remaining three X-wings was getting a lock on Luke.
"Never fear Luke, the cavalry is here" Han quipped appearing suddenly out of nowhere
"Just blast this thing Han so we can go home" Luke rolled his eyes
"Your wish is my command" Han quickly shot the X-wing and he and Luke turned towards the other two who upon seeing the evening odds broke off and hit hyper-space
"Damn rebels" Han swore "they sure are getting cocky flying this close to the imperial city"
Luke and Han breezed through imperial security after giving their access codes and landed safely at Vader's castle.
Luke immediately went to comm. His father to inform him of the rebel fly by and the result that two X-wings had escaped.
Han also had some calls to make although of a different nature.
Spotting Luke walking out of the comm. Center Han ran up and draped his arm around Luke's shoulder.
"So… Lukie… we in the clear?"
"Yes Han." Luke said shrugging off Han's arm. "We still have tonight off"
"Excellent" Han grabbed Luke's arm pulling him towards the hanger "I know just where to go"
"Han I really think we should just stay here. Besides I don't have Jax and Jarren with me so I shouldn't really go out"
"Luke" Han grabbed Luke's arm again "Don't be such a kid. You don't need babysitters. Trust me any one who messes with you will be the sorry one. Besides I got your back. And there is no way I am letting you spend your last night on Imperial city without meeting a few girls. Do you know that you are going to spend the next two years of your life barely even able to catch a glimpse of a woman much less spend anytime with one. Trust me you'll need a night you wont forget"
Han kept chatting until Luke was in the passenger seat of a speeder and they were headed to No Returns the hottest club on the planet. Looking back Luke couldn't quite pinpoint when he made a conscience decision to join Han on this outing but Han kept his word it was a night he would probably never forget.
