Chapter Six
"I call 'er the Lady Bu. Named 'er after my wife."
Padme nodded at the man. "Mr. Solo thank you for."
"Awe.. No need to thank me missy. But call me Kran. All my friends do."
"Alright, Kran. You may call me Padme. And I really must thank you for allowing me to ride with you to Corusant. But I hope you realize the dangers involved here. I really don't think there's anyone left who wants to kill me but I need to be sure. If I am in danger you could be too."
"I understand little lady." The big, jolly man looked sad for a moment. "But I want to help. I don't like the things that are happening now." He led Padme into the cockpit of his shabby freighter. He smiled "Sorry. She's not in the best of shape. Buckle up now." They were silent as the ship shot through Naboo's atmosphere and into dark space. Kran turned back to Padme. "I lost my wife not too long ago. I don't know how it happened exactly, but she was murdered. If it hadn't been for our little Han, I might have been killed, too."
"I'm sorry"
"Well, now I just try to help out when I can. Things are happening in the Republic, little lady. Being a senator I suppose you know that. There are rumors. ugly rumors."
"Rumors about what?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to find that out for yourself. My sources-"
"You're a spy?"
"I wouldn't call myself a spy. Neither would anyone in the ports I visit. All they see is a big ex-farmer who likes to talk."
"Is that how you collect your information? By pretending to be stupid?"
"Dark times are comin, honey. We have to be prepared. The Republic must fall."
"No, that won't happen! The Republic is very strong. The Chancellor will- "
Kran was laughing. "Chancellor Palpatine. now there's an interesting fellow!"
"He's a good man and a strong leader! The Republic needs more men like Palpatine."
Kran shook his head thoughtfully. "He's strong all right. You keep your eyes open missy. Don't do anything foolish. And if you ever need help, call on Kran Solo. I'll help you as best I know how."
She smiled at the kind widower. "Thank you, Kran. Things will get better. I truly hope I never have a cause to call upon your generosity again."
"So do I, Miss Padme. So do I"
"I call 'er the Lady Bu. Named 'er after my wife."
Padme nodded at the man. "Mr. Solo thank you for."
"Awe.. No need to thank me missy. But call me Kran. All my friends do."
"Alright, Kran. You may call me Padme. And I really must thank you for allowing me to ride with you to Corusant. But I hope you realize the dangers involved here. I really don't think there's anyone left who wants to kill me but I need to be sure. If I am in danger you could be too."
"I understand little lady." The big, jolly man looked sad for a moment. "But I want to help. I don't like the things that are happening now." He led Padme into the cockpit of his shabby freighter. He smiled "Sorry. She's not in the best of shape. Buckle up now." They were silent as the ship shot through Naboo's atmosphere and into dark space. Kran turned back to Padme. "I lost my wife not too long ago. I don't know how it happened exactly, but she was murdered. If it hadn't been for our little Han, I might have been killed, too."
"I'm sorry"
"Well, now I just try to help out when I can. Things are happening in the Republic, little lady. Being a senator I suppose you know that. There are rumors. ugly rumors."
"Rumors about what?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to find that out for yourself. My sources-"
"You're a spy?"
"I wouldn't call myself a spy. Neither would anyone in the ports I visit. All they see is a big ex-farmer who likes to talk."
"Is that how you collect your information? By pretending to be stupid?"
"Dark times are comin, honey. We have to be prepared. The Republic must fall."
"No, that won't happen! The Republic is very strong. The Chancellor will- "
Kran was laughing. "Chancellor Palpatine. now there's an interesting fellow!"
"He's a good man and a strong leader! The Republic needs more men like Palpatine."
Kran shook his head thoughtfully. "He's strong all right. You keep your eyes open missy. Don't do anything foolish. And if you ever need help, call on Kran Solo. I'll help you as best I know how."
She smiled at the kind widower. "Thank you, Kran. Things will get better. I truly hope I never have a cause to call upon your generosity again."
"So do I, Miss Padme. So do I"