Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter eleven of "Not So Far." This chapter features the return of Han, Chewie, and Luke. I felt it was time to bring them back. The trio will meet Ben and Rey very soon. It is likely FN-2187 will meet Poe in the next chapter or the one after that. Stay tuned for chapter twelve.
XXXXX
Chapter 11: The Arrival
The Millennium Falcon was still going through hyperspace. Chewie sat in the co-pilot's chair. Luke was behind him with his hand on his lightsaber. Han stood before the hyperdrive deactivating switches. He had his eye on the cockpit window. Chewie pressed a button on the control panel while letting out a soft growl.
"Okay. Chewie, prepare to stand by," Han instructed. "This could be a little bumpy as always."
"All right," Chewie replied.
Han shifted his attention to the switches and flipped them upward. The Falcon came out of hyperspace, causing Tihon to come into full view. The starship bounced somewhat. Chewie huffed in a bit of annoyance, as did Luke. Han went over to the pilot's chair and seated himself. He, Chewie, and Luke stared at the planet with much awe.
"That is a beautiful planet," Chewie said very warmly.
"It sure is, Chewie. It reminds me a lot of Kashyyyk, except it is not covered in as much land," Han agreed.
"Nor does it have many settlements," Luke added as he straightened his cloak somewhat.
"It is the perfect place to for anyone to hide. I have little doubt we will find Ben here," Han said in a hopeful voice.
Chewie glanced at him with an uncertain growl. "I wish I had your confidence about Ben, Han."
"I understand you are not confident about finding him here, Chewie," Han said, looking at his best friend. "At the same time, we cannot lose hope."
Luke stroked his beard. "The Force will guide us."
"I have been around Jedi for more than thirty years, but I am still not used to it," Han admitted with a soft chuckle.
"No one ever gets used to Jedi," Luke commented truthfully.
Han eyed him. "That is especially true when it comes to you."
Luke waved his brother-in-law off as the Falcon went through the atmosphere. Han pulled back on the yoke in which he leveled it out. It flew over the rainforest. Three gray macaws flew past the window in a straight line. Chewie gestured toward with much excitement.
"Look at those gray macaws!" Chewie shouted.
"We see them, Chewie," Han said, a chuckle leaving his mouth.
"Leia and I remember seeing gray macaws while I trained her on Ajan Kloss. They are among the most beautiful of the parrots," Luke said and smiled in much warmth. "Though Ajan Kloss is a moon of Ajara, it has two moons of its own."
"That is very unusual for a moon," Han commented honestly. He stroked his chin before giving it a scratch. "Some planets have two or even three suns. You would think it would be extremely hot on those worlds, but many of them are not."
"On one hospitable planet, twin suns ensure it would never turn to night. However, planets in other binary systems have a day to night cycle," Luke pointed out truthfully.
"Like Tatooine," Chewie responded.
"That is right, Chewie. Desert planets are known to get really hot during the day, but they get very cold at night. It is because of the lack of humidity in the air. Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru drew moisture from the air using vaporators. It allowed us to have water and grow plants on the moisture farm," Luke explained.
"On tropical planets like Tihon, you do not have to worry about water. It rains all the time," Han said.
"They are known for having the cleanest water in the universe," Luke whispered and sighed contently. He leaned back in his chair a tiny bit. "It tastes great too."
Chewie glanced ahead while growling softly. He spotted a huge clearing coming into view. He eyed Han while pointing toward it. Luke shifted his position in his chair.
"There is a clearing, Han," Chewie announced eagerly.
"I see it, Chewie," Han answered and cleared his throat. He suppressed a yawn before smacking his lips. "Prepare to land there."
Luke smirked. "Just don't make the Falcon bounce like you do often."
Han huffed. "Shut up, Luke."
"No, you shut up," Luke responded with a laugh.
Chewie snickered under his breath. "Talk about two goofballs."
Han and Chewie pulled back on the yokes. The Falcon came over the clearing and lowered toward the ground. It landed in which it caused bouncing. Han, Chewie, and Luke moved in their seats a bit. Luke groaned in a bit of annoyance. He grabbed the back of his neck.
"I am sorry about that," Han apologized and emitted a heavy sigh. "I wish she would not bounce when she lands."
"At least none of us get sick when she bounces," Luke teased.
Han smiled. "That's true."
Han blinked twice as he pressed a button. The ramp hissed as it lowered to the ground. They looked at each other with curiosity in their eyes.
"Should someone stay and watch the ship?" Luke wondered.
"I don't think that will be necessary. No one really lives here," Han answered and grabbed his blaster from a compartment under the arm of his chair. "This will be good for protection. A number of predators would have no problem making a meal out of us."
"That is right," Chewie added while grabbing his bowcaster from a compartment under the panel. "You never know what could be out there."
Han rose to his feet and placed his bolster in its holster. He headed toward the ramp. Luke and Chewie stood up and followed him close behind. They went down the ramp. They looked around once they were a good distance from it. They listened to the sounds of various animals.
"Talk about animals being loud," Han said with a soft chuckle.
"No kidding, Han," Chewie agreed.
Han gestured with his head. "Let's go."
Han, Chewie, and Luke started heading northwest. Their eyes scanned their surroundings. They caught sight of a white-striped monkey hanging from a vine. The monkey was somewhat small. Its fur was completely brown. The exception was two white stripes starting from its neck and extending to the base of its tail. The tail tip was black with gray strands.
The monkey swung from one vine to the next. It went across the vine in which it reached a tree branch. It climbed onto the branch and pulled back the bark. It grabbed ants. It popped them in its mouth and chewed at a steady pace. It swallowed with a quiet gulp. It got more ants to eat. Han placed his hand on his blaster as Chewie emitted a soft huff.
"Tihon makes me think of Dagobah. Neither planet has any cities or technology, but they have many lifeforms," Luke said.
"Both planets are hot and humid. The biggest difference is Dagobah is covered in swamps and bogs," Han commented while looking around.
"I hated the mud," Luke grumbled irritatingly. "I had to dig it out of Artoo when he fell into the water and nearly got eaten by a swamp slug. I even told him it was fortunate he did not taste very good."
"It is amazing how Artoo and Threepio have been in service of people for more than fifty years," Chewie whispered.
"I know, buddy. Most droids do not last anywhere near as long. Their owners treat them like crap to the point that they are destroyed," Han added and scoffed disgustingly. "If you do not want someone, then why in the hell do you keep them around?"
"I do not know," Chewie admitted as he lowered his bowcaster. "One thing is clear. Kind treatment makes great droids, people, and animals. Bad treatment ruins them."
"If Threepio were with us, he would have been complaining about this place," Luke said, rolling his eyes. He ran his hand over his hair. "He can't shut up."
"Threepio complained so much while we were on the run from the Empire that Leia turned him off. I was so relieved. I could not help but wonder how his previous owners put up with him," Han said.
"My father told me my uncle and aunt revealed to him my grandmother loved how helpful Threepio was around the house after he became one with the Force. However, she did not like it when he complained. I can only imagine the shenanigans he got himself into after my step-grandfather married her and took them into his home," Luke replied with a soft chuckle.
"Probably too many to count," Han suggested.
"Right," Luke agreed and smiled softly.
"Who knows how high that number really is?" Chewie asked and rubbed his nose.
Suddenly, a squealing Tihon hog ran out in front of the trio in which it caused them to come to a halt. It was somewhat large. Its fur was brown with white spots of varying sizes all over its body. Along its back were hairs standing up as if they were a mohawk. Tusks protruded from the sides of its mouth and curved upward somewhat. Its tail lacked a tuff on the end, unlike that of most pig species.
The hog headed toward the undergrowth as a tiger raced after it. The tiger caught up to it and flung out its paw. The hog tripped and rolled over twice before ending up on its side. The tiger aimed for the throat and grabbed it with its mouth. The hog struggled against its grip for thirty seconds before becoming still. Its breathing ceased completely. The tiger let go of it and looked ahead. Han, Chewie, and Luke raised their eyebrows.
"Not once did I think I'd see a tiger kill a hog," Han whispered in much amazement.
"Me neither," Luke agreed while stroking his beard. "It is fascinating to see predators in action."
Chewie sighed sadly. "Nature can be so cruel at times."
"It may be very cruel at times, but it can also be very beautiful," Han pointed out matter-of-factly.
"Plants can be found on desert planets. Life always finds a way to survive," Luke said, warmth echoing from his voice.
The tiger looked toward the trio. It growled softly while swinging its tail from side to side. It shifted its attention to prey. It grabbed the hog by the throat and dragged it into the undergrowth.
"We'd better go before a tiger decides to have us for dinner," Han suggested.
"Good idea," Luke agreed. He, his brother-in-law, and their friend resumed walking. They listened to the distant roar of a tiger.