Han Solo exited the elevator at the ground level of the control room dome and broke into a jog with Chewbacca by his side and two unwanted tag-a-longs tailing them.
"Respectfully, Sir", Finn said from behind trying to keep up with the Admiral and the Wookie. "I have done navigation on starships since I was a teen. You could use my help."
Han stopped jogging and turned to face him.
"Look Kid", he said. "I've been FLYING ships since long before you were even born. Chewie here is my navigator. It's bad enough I agreed to let this ball droid come along. We don't have room or use for a fourth."
"I'm coming along.", the young man demanded.
Han was somewhat taken aback. The boy had, up to this point, been nothing but reverent and almost worshipful towards both he and Leia. Granted, Han hadn't known the kid for more than two days, but he was good at reading people and this really seemed out of character.
"What makes you think you should?", Han asked
"Because Lara needs my help.", Finn replied emphatically. "It's that simple"
"Chewie and I can handle this just fine.", said Han
"ADMIRAL SOLO-!", Finn shouted, surprising both Had and Chewbacca. "I don't expect you to understand this, but I owe her a debt. She saved my life on B'wynn."
Han's agitated expression suddenly softened and there was a long pause as he and Finn stared at each other.
"I need to help…ok?", the youth said pleadingly.
Upon hearing this Chewbacca barked loudly at Han and nudged him on the shoulder almost knocking him over. The Wookie continued to berate him until he finally spoke up, trying to stop the verbal onslaught.
"Yeah, I get it.", the Admiral relented.
"Chewie here knows a thing or two about your situation", he continued, turning his attention to Finn. "And he reminded me that I wouldn't let HIM stay behind."
Finn looked at Chewbacca, smiled and nodded in appreciation.
"You're in.", said Han. "You got a weapon? You might need one"
"Yep.", Finn replied.
"Ok, let's hustle to the Falcon and get airborne.", Had ordered. "We don't have a lot of time"
BB-8 took off rolling towards the Falcon like he was shot out of a cannon. Han, Chewbacca and Finn followed a second later sprinting to keep up, to try rescuing someone they all cared about.
Poe Dameron had been ordered to gather a small squadron of X-wing pilots to meet Admiral Solo at the Millennium Falcon. He immediately rounded up ten of the best he commanded and they now encircled the Admiral, his co-pilot Chewbacca and the boy that had arrived here two days ago with Lara Solo.
The area was full of frantic activity. Fighter craft were lifting off all around to begin the assault on the enemy ships above the planet. About three dozen needle shaped Corellian Vipers had already blasted into the atmosphere to escort a sizable squadron of bombers strongly resembling the Y-wings that the Rebel alliance had relied heavily on years ago. There were also a mixture of New Republic P-25 and P-35 Starfighters that the Admiral had taken a liking to and demanded be deployed to their planetary defense force. Finally, from the two large open hangers higher up on the mountain face above the landing pads, two Corellian armored cruisers were emerging to join the attack and offer some heavier firepower.
Wind from all these craft's repulsorlifts firing was blowing the Admirals hair all over the place making him look somewhat like a madman. The noise emanating from their engines making him shout out his orders wasn't helping him look very sane either. From twenty years of experience flying under this man, however, Poe knew that he was one of the best pilots that ever lived and had a fantastic military mind to boot.
"Once more to be crystal clear.", Han bellowed to the pilots. "You all have two important duties. You need to form up around the Falcon and keep us hidden as we approach the flagship. And you also need to engage with the fighters that they are sure to launch to counter our offensive."
"Commander Dameron will run point for us all." He continued. "You are to stay in tight formation on his lead at all times and follow his commands to the letter. Is this all understood?"
All of the pilots enthusiastically acknowledged their agreement.
"Once we get the Millennium Falcon close to the enemy flagship, we will peel away and join the rest of our fleet with the objective of taking out those cannons by any means necessary", Poe interjected.
"Get airborne.", shouted Han. "The clock is ticking."
Upon hearing this, Poe Dameron and each one of his squadron immediately sprinted for their fighters. Han Solo watched them for a few seconds and then turned to Chewbacca.
"Here we go old buddy.", he said. "Are you ready for this?"
Chewbacca roared in the affirmative and headed up the Falcon's boarding ramp with Finn falling in quickly behind him. Han was just about to follow when he heard a faint shout of his name from a distance. He looked towards the sound and saw his wife running towards him holding something in her hand.
"Han, wait-!", Leia shouted as she got closer.
"What are you doing out here?", he asked her when she arrived. "You need to be in the control room coordinating this attack."
"I know. I'll get back there right away, but you need to take this.", she insisted.
In Leia's hand was the silver, cylindrical shaft of the Jedi Lightsaber the she had built during her time training with her brother. She held it out, motioning for her husband to take it from her.
"I haven't used this in years." Leia stated. "She needs it now."
Han reached out, took the weapon from her hand and clipped it onto his belt.
"Han, get it to her…please.", she pleaded after a slight pause.
He reached his arms out towards his wife and she stepped in close to his body. Han wrapped his arms around her lovingly and held tightly. As he lowered his head to hers, she spoke softly in his ear.
"Get her home safely."
"I will.", he replied. "I promise."
He lifted his head from hers so he could look into her eyes.
"I love you Admiral Solo.", Leia exclaimed when their gazes met.
A sly smirk appeared on his lips as he looked at her.
"I love you too."
