—STAR WARS—

CHAPTER NINE

The Millennium Falcon started to buckle, even at lightspeed. As the scavenger girl had predicted, the hyperdrive was strained and struggling to keep up momentum. Han, preferring to err on the side of safety rather than recklessness, especially for something that would arguably by avoidable, and took the ship out of hyperspace. They were a far cry away from the Republic Capital, but neither were they in the middle of nowhere which alleviated a lot of Han's fears.

The former pirate and his Wookie co-pilot were swiftly joined by the two teenaged passengers in the cockpit. He noticed that while the girl Rey looked out ahead with such awe and wonder that she often had to catch herself, switching from stoic silence to audible gasps, then back again. The boy named Finn on the other hand, seemed to be engulfed in nervous shifting. Han simply chuckled to himself. That look was definitely familiar to him, invoking his younger days on a shipping containment yard on Corellia as well as dealing in stolen and rare goods on the side. Never a dull day…never an easy one as well.

The planet before them was a large green and blue orb, shimmering like an emerald star in the distant heavens. They made their approach from the north, over large stretches of crystal blue waters.

"I never realised there could be so much water in the universe," Rey murmured. Han looked up at her with something resembling sympathy. Finn was more preoccupied with where in the galaxy they actually were.

"This is Cantonica," the old pirate revealed to them. Then, in the far distance of the great blue, some land mass had taken shape. "And that is Canto Bight," he pointed to a large cityscape sprawled over a steep hill that seemed to be ethereally illuminated as though in an eternal state of joyful partying.

Ships were landing and taking off from there like clockwork. Cantonica was fast becoming the number one destination for tourists and the wealthy just looking for a peaceful and fun vacation, somewhat overshadowing places like Naboo or Scarif, especially with Canto Bight, a hub for lavish casinos, hotels and racetracks of every sort. This was also a place where he could find some of the best minds and talents in spacecraft mechanics, especially when it came to special modifications.

When an escort car flew in to meet them, reaching out through the comms, Han provided his specialised serial number. The static voice on the other side gleefully welcomed Han Solo as though they were expecting him. Though Rey thought it wouldn't be too surprising for the Han Solo to get the VIP treatment around here.

Rey fell in love with Canto Bight the moment she flew over it. she gazed down in disbelief at the sea, dotted with sleek yachts, and the graceful curve of the crescent bay, lined with stately gorgeous hotels. Beyond them was a sparkling jewel. Its broad boulevards surrounded a modern complex of tile and black glass, bathed in shimmering light of every spectrum.

They followed the car, flying in low over the complex of low stone buildings, crisscrossed by narrow, warmly lit streets. The Falcon then climbed all the way to the top of the mountain where it took one of the few circular docking bays there, one that looked like it was made especially for the Millennium Falcon.

Finn however, was so busy looking around with nervous impatience that he had not realised their ship had touched down with a clumsy bump.

"Alright, everyone. Before we go in, I have to warn you not to stare at it."

"At what?" Rey asked.

"Any of it."

There were people already outside, well…not people but droids that came out to greet them. Two protocol droids accompanied by a smaller, slenderer model approached their ship.

"Stay close, BB-8," Rey told her own droid as they departed from the legendary ship. She and Chewbacca were the first off of the vehicle, and before their welcome party, Rey left it to the Wookie to introduce them in his native growls and moans. It appeared that only the scavenger girl was somewhat surprised by their host. The droid leading the two silver protocol units was what looked to be an old Republic Era B1 series battle droid. Tall, with a narrowed, elongated torso; thin, stickling limbs and a long snout-like head with rather neutral, unmoving eyes.

"Welcome back, Commander Chewbacca," the battle droid began in his typical robotic and echo-like voice, courteously nodding his head to the old Rebellion general. "The Magistrate of Canto Bight has been notified of your arrival and is waiting for you all in the Meeting Hall. Will Commander Solo also be joining us?"

Chewie informed the droid that Han was still in the ship, making some excuse or another about technical difficulties, and that he would be joining them with another one of their companions. The droid accepted this. He gestured for their potential patrons to follow him and ordered another of his protocol assistants to wait up for Han.

Finn was sternly requested by Han to help carry a bunch of sniper rifles. There was indeed an ulterior motive however. Han Solo was many things but he was not an idiot. Something was up with the boy and he was just curious to find out.

"Listen, ahm…Solo—"

"Did you just call me 'Solo'?"

Fearful of his oversight, Finn backed away with his hands raised. "Sorry. I mean Han…Mr Solo…ahm General."

Han groaned as his search had taken an uncomfortable turn. He seemed to be missing a blaster pistol, a silver NN-14 blaster pistol with a modified muzzle for flash suppression. He shook his head but tried to ignore the inconvenience. "What do you want, kid?"

There was still some nervousness in Finn's eyes. Trying to determine whether he should push his luck. He had heard of Canto Bight before, in passing back in Headquarters. "Listen, sir. We have a huge problem…ah…I don't know what you've heard about me, but I'm sort of a big deal in the world of espionage and spy-stuff. I have to ask if there are any First Order sympathisers here that might compromise—"

"Well, I think you've got an even bigger problem here, son." Han turned around, his gun drawn and pointed at him. "I belong to that 'World of Espionage and spy-stuff'…for a very long time. I ain't judging you, kid. I don't know why you thought it'll be a good idea to impersonate a Resistance agent and quite frankly, I don't care, but it does beg the question on why you were targeted on that junkyard in the middle of nowhere by TIE fighters. You're a big deal alright, but I don't know to whom yet." He then spun the weapon in his hand, holding the handle out to him. "That being said; if you want to survive in this world, you listen closely to my instructions, am I clear?"

Finn bobbed his head obediently, "Yes, Mr-Han-Solo-Sir." He then took the blaster pistol from the veteran, examining it quickly before storing it in his pocket.

Han definitely knew that face well. He had seen those eyes before. They were the eyes of someone who wanted to run, and he wouldn't be mistaken to do so. He handed Finn a large open-ended bag and told him to place the stack of seven rifles within and he did the same. They then carried the firearm out and toward where Rey and chewie were conversing with that repurposed battle droid.

"General Solo, it is an honour to meet you again," said the battle droid with a slight nod.

Han returned the gesture. "And you too, Clanker. I've got some wares for your boss and was wondering if you could get some people to fix the Falcon for me."

"Right this way." They followed the droids into a small glass elevator that was just big enough for all of them.

Before going in, the young scavenger girl took the time to stare out onto the setting sun, floating just above the far-off mountain range. "So, what is this place?" Rey asked the droid.

Clanker never got to answer right away. Instead, he waited for her to follow with everyone else. This was already very new to her. A place away from the harsh coarseness of sunny Jakku seemed like a scary and yet comforting change to her.

The elevator ride down was quiet and somewhat awkward, at least for Han, Chewie and Finn, but Rey was transfixed with the scenery outside, a big smile on her face. That was when Han spotted the missing NN-14 pistol tucked away in the scavenger's leather belt. Han promptly snatched the weapon from her, much to her eager protests. The pirates only response was to shush her.

"You didn't ask to use my stuff so now you don't get to at all, kid. Same goes to you, Mr 'Big-Deal'." He placed the gun snuggly in the bag with all of the other firearms. Rey wanted to fight him further over it but never got the chance as when they finally reached the eleventh floor, the sliding doors of their lift parted, a riot of colour and wealth exploded before their eyes. It was almost overwhelming.

Humans and aliens of every conceivable species, from diminutive Chadra-Fan to towering, long-armed Dor Namethians waltz about them in colourful, immaculate outfits. Rey's eyes leapt from sleek chadors and billowing gowns to elegant tuxedos and lavish waist-coats with trains held high by attendants. Heads bore coronets; eyes peered through lorgnettes held in position by repulsorlifts; ears, noses, appendages were dripping with jewels of every hue. Arms and digits were encircled by bracelets and rings that glittered in the artificial lighting overhead, and feet and ventral tentacles were held aloft by footwear that struck the poverty-stricken scavenger as dangerously wide, high or both.

"Welcome to the Hub." The battle droid chaperone buzzed.

Rey immediately dashed to one of the many tables providing card games, then to another with some sort of spinning wheel. She sped between where laughing groups were wagering stacks of Cantocoins on everything from Savareen whist and Kuari zinbiddles of hazard toss.

Elsewhere, gamblers carrying gleaming buckets surrounded carousels of floating slot machines, gold and glossy black with spinning reels on their faces. Bartenders juggling cocktail shakers, dealers in green and red tarbooshes and matching vests offered either congratulations or sympathy, and server droids stepped carefully through the crowds, politely dipping heads as they nimbly rotated drinking trays out of the path of the overserved and inattentive. In the very centre of the room was a medium, slightly elevated round stage where blue alien musicians played and the sweet voice of a beautiful twi'lek woman spun soothing words to the melodies.

Rey returned to her group and in an excited burst of energy, grabbed hold of Finn's arm and wrist, hauling him to one of the many stalls. Chewbacca wanted to run off to join the younger kids but Han's quick with his aging reflexes, held him back.

"Don't get too comfortable, Chewie, and you too, ball," he pointed to BB-8 sternly, and then pointed to Clanker next. "We need to meet your boss, right now."

The gentlemanly battle droid bobbed his head and gestured for them to follow. His rout wasn't direct. They made their way turning left and right and left again, making sure to pick up the youths as they hopped over from one game to another. Rey pushed through the throngs of guests, hunting at each table, taking in every game and every player, asking Finn about what the various activities were.

While Finn was receptive of his companion's glee, he himself was left self-conscious. Above the noise and overwhelming extravagance that the most extraordinary outfit barely registered, he felt every eye drawn to Finn and Rey. Between his dirty and worn-out jacket and her even more worn mismatch of desert robing, they certainly stuck out like a bent nail.

To his surprise, though, the Hub's staff treated them with the same extravagant grovelling as they displayed toward the guests, wearing outfits that cost as much as a small moon. Arms beckoned in welcome and greetings, same as Clanker had done. Protocol droids offered them trays upon trays of bubbling alcoholic beverages which Rey was more than willing to sample…all thirty glasses of them.

"This place is great!" Rey exclaimed.

"No, it isn't." Finn muttered.

"Well, that's the beauty of it, Finn. Look at this! And look!"

"I see it, Rey. I see the decadence of the galaxy's super wealthy, flaunting their fortunate heritage and privilege in my face."

Rey did not seem to have heard him. "I've never seen so much cool stuff in one place before." More than gold, she had gotten a glimpse of a section of the Hub where people sat at round tabled, eating a menagerie of intricate looking food. She was salivating, but she looked about herself, realising she had very little in the means of trade and barter. All she had was a bag with her Jedi action-figure and her staff. She was intending to use Han Solo's blaster to trade before he took it back.

That scavenger mind of hers was now searching the crowd and the tables. She fell into habit very easily; an old woman with an excess of gold bands drops a couple onto a table to better eat her food without the bracelets getting in the way, getting them dirty. "May I take this, ma'am?" the woman did not so much as acknowledge the scrappy, junkyard scavenger, she just grunted a confirmation and were now in Rey's hands.

A man on an adjacent table puts down a comb which he had used to brush his hair into a specific, distinct shape, unremarkable sure, save for the comb itself being encrusted with shining emeralds on both corners. He did not seem to need it again as he had set it aside and continued to flirt with a rather uncomfortable female patron. As for the comb, Rey swiped it just as nimbly.

In the end she had accumulated a hefty pile of treasure and trinkets; from discarded necklaces, rings, and diadems to tuxedo couplings, golden spectacles and even popped out buttons. With all of her finds, Rey had gone to the counter, hopefully to gain access to the food tables. On Jakku; old starship junk and machines yielded quite filling, if not bland, she wondered what a handful of shining gold would get her.

"Hey, where did you go?" Finn had appeared beside her, after spending all that time actually looking for her in the masses. Then he notices the loot that she was cradling. "Where did you get all of that?" Again, Rey did not seem to have heard him, or elected to ignore the young man, she called for the service droid at the counter.

"How may I help you, madame?" the droid spoke politely.

As was her way, Rey did not answer, instead, she placed the items in her hands onto a big pile on the table. "Yes, good sir. I was wondering how much food I could get with all of this."

The droid examined the items carefully.

"I do not understand what you want, madame."

Rey furrowed, again gesturing to her haul. "I've come to barter this stuff for a…a basic ration pack."

"I'm sorry," said the service droid. "That does not compute. Do you have credits?"

"Err…Rey. I think—"

"I've been robbed!" a woman cried out from among the masses. "Someone, help. I've been robbed!"

While the room erupted into wild commotion, Rey just groans and begins to walk away with Finn in tow, that is, before a large Devaronian man approached them, and he was angry.

"Hey, you! You stole my wife's bangles!"

"She wasn't using them. Said I could take them anyway."

The giant with the large, menacing horns stood towering over her, far bigger than even Chewbacca was. Dressed in a smart suite that indicated his standing in society, and the jewellery that adorned his neck and the long golden chain that stretched across his chest from his shoulder gave the impression of military importance. Even his two horns that sprouted forth from his temple, were tipped halfway down by shining, polished gold.

Glowing yellow eyes seething with anger rained over her like lazers. "You calling my wife a liar?"

"Hey now," came Finn to break them up. "I think we need to just calm down."

The enraged Devaronian suddenly moved his attention to the boy, clawed hand grabbed at his throat and lifted him up above the ground. "If you know what's good for you; you don't tell a Devaronian to calm down!"

All eyes had fallen on them once again. The large horned alien continued to squeeze Finn's throat until the young man was beginning to turn blue, and that was when Rey came in from the side and whacked her staff over the giant's leathery head. It did little to incapacitate him but at least Finn was free of his grasp.

"You okay," she asked her friend.

The renegade stormtrooper gasped for breath as he was helped back onto his feet.

"That the best you got, puny human."

"Trust me, bud." Another voice cut through the conflict. Han Solo had his blaster pistol aimed directly at the red skinned Devaronian general. "You don't want to see my best."

"You protect these delinquents?"

Han chuckled at him. His gun was still raised at the aggressive alien as he gave a half-smile. "Let's just say I'm more open to hearing their own defence." He then gestured for the girl to speak.

Still quite unsure, Rey though about just bailing on them all but there was something about Han's confident, warm eyes that kept her from that course of action. She even had her staff primed and ready for another good whopping onto their horned obstacle, but she staved off that survival impulse and lowered it. "I just…took some of these trinkets that…well, let's face it, your woman was not going to miss them—"

"That's beyond the point!" he barked in response. "Do you not know who I am, human. I am General Cem Visago."

He then made his way to Han, not minding the Wookie's growling beside him like an overprotective wolf.

"And who are you to dare to point that thing at me, old man?"

"Why, if it isn't the famous Captain Han Solo!" A man came from out of the crowd which parted as he walked. All eyes now, including General Visago looked toward him. Dark and handsome features framed the approaching gentleman's chiselled yet aged face, dressed in fine clothing of black and blue, and draped with a navy lined black cape over his shoulders. The older man looked almost regal, yet there was an easy-going sway in his walk as he approached. "Always gotta hog the spotlight don't ya."

The man stood now before Han with his hands crossed over his chest and a stern expression playing his face. The two old men stood, at arms-length from one another, glaring at each other like old rivals, like bucks fighting for dominance over a herd.

"Only because you just can't help but shine it on me, buddy." The pirate cheeked. They held this hostile meeting for a moment longer before finally…both men broke out in fits of laughter and hugged each other tightly.

"What are you doing here, you old pirate?"

"Good to see ya too, old buddy."

It was then Clanker that emerged from the gathered crowd, turned to face the guests, looking specifically at the new faces of Rey, Finn and BB-8 even. "Introducing Magistrate Lando Calrissian, leading member of the Hosnian League, magistrate of Sullust and Baron of Cantonica."

Han was no longer surprised to see the shocked and dumbfounded looks on both Rey and Finn's faces as the robotic aide introduced their host to them. He just gave a bemused smirk at Lando who smiled back with some self-satisfaction. He then announced to the whole party to get back to their merrymaking which they were all too happy to oblige. The Devaronian was about to speak in protest but one look from Lando Calrissian convinced him to back off immediately.

Thus, his attention returned to Han. Once again, Lando asked his oldest friend what brought the smuggler and his new crew all the way to his little slice of paradise. He closely examined those in his company and concluded they were not official recruits or contractors as Han so often did hire.

"Well, I got your requisition list and have brought you some weapons." He presented the bags in Chewie and Finn's hands. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the other bigger parts…we sort of had to drop them on a TIE fighter. That being said; I'm gonna need someone to work on the Falcon…it's a little beat."

The baron sighed though with more beguiled amusement than annoyance. "You know, I'm having the strangest feeling of deja-vu here, Han Solo."

"Hey, don't blame me. Leia's the one sending me on non-stop errands across the galaxy that I haven't had the time or money to run thorough check-ups."

Again, Lando shook his head, now acknowledging Chewie with a comradery handshake. "Thought you'd be taking care of this loser, Chewbacca."

The Wookie hummed jovially and laughed himself. Lando gave a lopsided, cheeky smile to his very old friend when he remembered the two new faces in his midst. Two young teenagers, looking beaten and tired, in dirty and wrecked attire that threatened to tear off of their very bodies. "So…who're the kids?"

Han gave an exasperated breath.

—=O=—

Bazine Netal played with the glowing round fruit resting in her drink. Her copper Pantoran eyes followed a round, white and orange Astromech droid as it darted behind a group of peculiar newcomers; three humans and a Wookie. A small smile started to form on her face. Little by little it started to show itself.

Just as Ren had told her.

The rogue was seated at a round table in the company of an assortment of characters, none of which she knew particularly well. Her 'in' to the group was a Besalisk man named Ha'kan Uz, a high level starfighter's manufacturer. She had met him in Lothal and had snaked her way into the guests list and a ticket to one of the most beautiful and lavish vacation destinations in the galaxy.

She had originally just intended to piggy-back on the loud, obnoxious brute for free drinks and a good time, but she never would have predicted such an opportunity to just stroll past her like this.

Uz was locked in conversation with his companions; a Trandoshan in a black tuxedo, a Mirialan businesswoman and her human partner, all talking loudly about work and its intricacies which were entirely lost on her. Acting her part, Netal grabbed hold her his rounded chin sweetly, caressing him as she planted a seductive kiss on his cheek before excusing herself.

The Pantoran was well versed in the art of stealth; keeping to small groups of talkers, looking the part of a participant in the conversations as she tailed the droid and its masters. She watched them disappear through a large metal portal and shut the doors behind them. Disappointed but not deterred, the spy stole away from the crowds and onto a balcony overlooking the entire bay under a moonlit sky.

From the loose belt she wore over her tight bodysuit, Bazine Netal produced a cylindrical commlink. "Ap'lek? It's Bazine Netal. Tell the First Order that I have located their missing BB unit." A wicked smile cut through her gorgeous face when she heard the Knight of Ren's response. "I will be standing by then." At last, perhaps she now also had an 'in' to the fabled Knights of Ren. At last, recognition!

—=O=—