Chapter VII
Han looked at Kyle West with attention. His old childhood friend carried the marks of his years in the black-ops. He started to imagine what would have happens of his life if he had followed him.
Kyle: General Solo! Who whould have believe that!
Han: Certainly not me! And looks at you: bodyguard of my little sister!
The captain then park the shuttle in front of a splendid villa with great balconies and many cream-coloured marble collonades, the Solo villa.
Kyle: I had made you a promise Han and I always hold my promises! I took care of her like she was my own sister.
The two men then left the shuttle.
Kyle: Welcome home, old buddy!
They moved towards the principal entry of the villa. At the top of the marble steps, Han stopped one moment. He tought of the last fourteen years of his life... His departure of Corellia, his beginning in the imperial fleet, his meeting with Chewie, his years of smuggling, Lando, this cantina of Mos Eisley where it had re-met Obi-Wan Kenobi and where he had met Luke, 3PO, Leia, the attack of the first Death Star, Hoth, Bespin, Endor... So much thing had happened in the last fourteen years, he wasn't the same man anymore and he knew that Mayra wasn't the same liitle girl whom he had left behind.
Kyle: She's waiting for you, you know, and unfortunately her patience didn't improve in fourteen years.
A droid opened the door to them and Han was surprised to still see him in operational mode.
Han: 8RP!
8RP: Master Han! By all my circuits, you're finally back!
Han: It's good to see you 8RP!
The protocol droid, an exact counterpart of 3PO, but silver plated, was agitated in all the directions.
8RP: Mistress Mayra will be so happy to see you.
Han looked at the top of the large staircase and fixed it. A counterpart of his late mother was standing there, the eyes filled with tears.
Kyle: 8RP, I think we should go see how the new garden droids that Lady Adena just bought are managing.
8RP: There's no need, Master Kyle, the garden droids are managing well.
Kyle: I said come with me!
Abruptly the bodyguard took the droid by the arm and guide towards the external gardens. Slowly Han approached the bottom of the staircase while his sister descended it.
Han: Mayra?
Mayra: Hey stranger!
They remained a long moment looking at the other, not knowing who should take the first steps. Finally, the heart beating wildly, the young woman thrown herself in the arms of her brother. It did not take him a long time to reflect. Not a second later, he surrounded his sister of his arms.
Mayra: You're finally back!
The tears, which she had retained until now, begins to run dow her cheeks.
Mayra: You must forgive me Han.
Han: I would rather be the one to ask your forgiveness Mayra. I had promised you to return to seek you and I arrive with fourteen years of delay!
Mayra: And me who made you come here under false pretexts!
She diverted her glance, ashamed her actions.
Han: Hush, is nothing!
Mayra: I tought you died! I had come to the idea that I would never see you again.
She started to hit him on the chest. He gently took her hands, making her stop.
Han: I'm here now! And I'm not gonna leave you.
He didn't know why he had made her such a promise, he hadn't decided yet what he was going to do at the end of the mission.
Mayra: I missed you so much!
Han: I know
He then drop a kiss on top of her head.
Mayra: Come with me...
The young woman took him by the hand and took him to the second floor.
Mayra: As I didn't knew when you would return, I ordered that no one touch or even enter your room. Even Aunt Adena couldn't come.
She opened the door and Han was suprised to see his old room. Tons of spaceship models were spread everywhere. He approached one of the walls where an holo his mother and her two children was hung. Another represented Jayson Solo in hi official uniform having fun in the presidential gardens with his then four years old son. This room contained so many memories. Han went to sit on the bed where he was quickly followed by Mayra.
Mayra: It's funny, isn't it?
Han: What?
Mayra: Seeing your old room when you have change so much. I know that you're not the same anymore, that the young man who left Corellia fourteen years ago will never return, but if you knew how excited I am to better know the new Han. Tell me what happens to you since your departure...
And he started to tak about his time in the imperial fleet, his meeting with Chewie, his years of smuggler, Lando and the Falcon, Mos Eisley and Old man Ben...
Mayra: Kenobi did you say? Kenobi as in...
Han: Yes, Kenobi as in Obi-Wan Kenobi.At first I wasn't sure that it was him... They told us that he had died... But when Luke said that he was a jedi...
Mayra: Luke?
Han: Luke Skywalker, my own private jedi.
Mayra: Skywalker? Like uncle Ani?
Han felt his heart broking by hearing his sister using the nickname they had given to Anakin Skywalker when they were kids. If only she knew what he had become...
Han: Yes, he's his son.
Mayra: But how? He was still a member... Padmé? Do you think it's her?
Han: I think. She was pregnant before dying.
Mayra: Yeah, but if remember, she still was at her burial!
Han: Drop it, Mayra. I don't want you to talk to Luke about that, okay?
Mayra: Okay...
Han: Thus as I said they engaged us, Chewie and me, to take them along on Alderaan.
He continued his history, telling her the desolation they had found instead of Alderaan. Then the Death Star and Leia
Han: With her it was simple: either I was going to kill her or I was beginning to like her.
Mayra: If you haven't change too much I imagine that you took the most difficult option: beginning to like her!
Han: Liking her was not so difficult because you cannot controlled your heart. Hiding the fact that I liked her and that I was falling for her, on the other hand, was a real challenge.
He continued the tale of his adventures, speaking to him about Hoth, Bespin, his meeting again with Lando. When he arrived at the episode where Vader plunged him in the carbonite the young woman let some tears run down her cheeks. Then came the battle of Endor, the end of the Empire and the bond linking Leia to Luke.
Mayra: So they're twins, but they were unaware of it because they were separate at birth? It is worth the holo-soap!
Han: And imagines what they tought when they found out that I was the son of a jedi and a late president of Corellia.
Mayra: I know... Oh I missed you so much! I would have loved for you to be there when I was named president.
Han: I'm here, princesse.
Mayra: Princess...It's been years since someone call me that.
Han: It's your turn now. Tell me what happened to you!
Mayra: I took your advice, I didn't let anybody control me. You left Corellia because they wanted you to become a politician against your will, to me it was the reverse. I told them that I would leave the planet if Drake refuse that I present myself at the presidency run. Well you know me, I'm so stubborn. I made it and I beat Brent Gabe. Drake joined my council three years later. I'm starting my tenth year at the head of the government and the people seems to still love me.
Han: You, a politician!
Mayra: And you, a General!I think we both trick destiny!
Someone
knocked at the door and the brother and the sister turned themselves
in a same movement. Adena Kale was in the door frame the eyes
reddened by her tears.
Adena: Han Solo!
Han: Aunt Adean...
The lady made her way in the room, whick she had been in near fifteen years.
Adena: You're finally back!
She approached her nephew, coldly fixed him before taking him in her arms.
Adena: Exactly like your mother: can't remain in a place more than two seconds! She would be so proud of you! General Han Solo!
Han: Happy to see you too, aunt Adena.
Adena: You're finally together at last. I couldn't have better wished.
Kyle: Hum...
All turned to the door where Kyle attended the family meeting again.
Kyle: It's more in order than I imagined! But I'm sorry to stop your meeting again. Senator Gabe just called. Your guests are waiting Ms president.
Mayra: Prepare the shuttle Kyle. I gonna get change and I'll be with you in two minutes.
She kissed her brother on the cheek before leaving the room.
Han: Does she still take her time?
Kyle: Some things doesn't change. The president's bad habits are part of it. I'll be waiting in the lobby.
The captain also left, leaving the nephew and the aunt alone. Han moved towards the window and admired the sight.
Adena: Keep an eye on Mayra.
Han: What did you say?
Adena: Your little sister, idiot. Keep an eye on her. She's rather pretty and men are standing in line for her.
Han: Who do I have to watch carefully?
Adena: Dashwood Krane.
Han: Dash!
Adena: Yes Dash Krane. He's one of her advisors. He's been seeking you for more than five years.
An expression of total surprised was on the face of Han.
Han: Wait... We're talking about the same Dash Krane, isn't we? The Dash who hates me since always even if I have done anything to him?
Adena: Yes, the same Dash, the one and only. Watch him... But now that you're here he should stay calm, but keep an eye open. Well, now let's talk about you. What did you do since you left?
TBC
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