THE WAY WE WERE
(before The Force Awakens)
Han Solo stretched slightly and leaned back in the cantina's shadowed booth seat, lifting the drink he'd ordered to his lips.
The place was much like the cantinas and clubs he'd visited over his adult lifetime;
a galactic variety of beings enjoying their drinks, smokes and conversation in the
dim lighting; music drifting over the haze.
Now and then he'd catch a glimpse of a young spacer as he/she/it entered the place.
He could spot right off which ones would be the trouble makers, it takes one to know
one…..they were overly self-assured, cocky, brash..new looking, not yet weathered by age or experiences….looking to make a name for themselves.. unafraid…no …not unwilling….to kill at the slightest offense.
Swirling the liquid around in his mouth, Han mused to himself that this establishment
served the 'good stuff'.
A hush fell over the room as an entity, dressed in old Mandalorian Armor, entered the cantina and moved, through the maze of tables, looking left and right, holding his weapon at the ready.
Beings whispered among themselves…others shrank back in their seats.. some openly
watched…very curious…a tabled group began to quietly laugh. What was this 'old one' doing in the cantina. He looked like a being from another time.
Turning his head he spotted, through his visor, someone he knew.
Han Solo hadn't missed a bit of what was transpiring in the room, and he placed his
hand over his own weapon….a lifesaving, lifetime habit. He recognized this being….
The armored one, walked to Han's booth…stopping….waiting…giving a nearly imperceptible nod.
Han noticed the dulled-by decades armor, the pockmarks in the metal and flaking
rust on the scratches; more than people aged. Sensing no imminent danger the Corellian motioned a hand for the being to join him.
Lowering his weapon and sitting in the booth, the armored one motioned three
fingers to a server.
Han took another relaxed-looking drink from his glass. "You still in the business?"
"No." The armored one spoke…the Corellian hearing his voice for the first time.
"Have a seat and we'll talk over old times." Han said sarcastically. Age had not dimmed
the Corellian's dry wit.
The server brought the drink, which the armored one took and placed it on the
table without taking a drink.
"You were my greatest conquest, Han Solo, the 'prize bounty'."
Han gave a sneer. "You were the only one who ever caught me, you let me live."
"I was paid handsomely for capturing and delivering you, alive. Jabba had some
ideas of being 'entertained' by you. And, you were to be a deterrent to others who would
dare to cross the Hutt. Light glimmered off the armored one's visor as he spoke.
The Corellian gave a mocking, under-the-breath laugh and said. "Probably with my money." He was remembering the dumped spice a lifetime ago along with the payment
he was to receive.
"You still in your business?" Armor asked the same of Han.
"Just like always."
The two looked at each other, both sharing a remarkable history with the other.
"Times have changed..the galaxy has changed…"The armored one said.
"I've heard all you have done with the Rebellion in the past. There are no more like you, Solo."
Han waved off that comment.
The armored one gathered his weapon and rose, picking up the drink and in a
salute said; "Han Solo".
The Corellian responded with his raised drink….. "Boba Fett."