CHAPTER IV
Rey could smell Wookiee and seaweed almost as soon as she entered the transport. It was not very pleasant, but she supposed she would have to get used to it for the long voyage ahead.
She had spent the night with Finn and Veep on her speeder-boat. When morning came, the trio had made their way through Niima Outpost, trying to find a transport off the planet. The idea of anyone on Naragna going anywhere near a fancy planet like Coruscant or any other government place was a joke. But she had managed to find one vessel, the Freighter Stagecoach, which was heading towards Takodana. It wasn't much, but it was a start. The trio boarded the Stagecoach, which had six other occupants, and that was when Rey had smelled Wookiee. She had never seen a Wookiee before and she assumed they were capable of human speech.
The Freighter Stagecoach took off into space, and soon Naragna was far behind them.
Their six companions varied from different species: gungan, droid, several non-humanoid species. But the Wookiee was the tallest and the one most apt to make conversation with.
"'Scuse me," Rey asked, "We're trying to get to Coruscant, or at least some planet nearby. Would you know where we could go once we arrive on Takodana?"
The Wookiee roared loudly in response and Finn gave Rey a strong nudge in the stomach.
"Ohh," she said, but he shushed her.
"Are you crazy?" he whispered, "You can't just go telling our plans to every single person you meet."
"Oh please," Rey said, "I highly doubt anyone in here is a Sith. Least of all this smelly fellow."
"Do you speak Wookiee?"
"No, do you?"
"No."
"Well, I didn't know they had their own language."
But the wookie howled again and Veep perked up.
"Why thank you, sir," he said, then turned to Rey, "He says he can help."
"You understand Wookiee?"
"I most certainly do," Veep said proudly, "I am programmed to understand hundreds of languages. This good Wookiee here is named Udo, and he says he can take you straight to his great-uncle."
"Oh, thank you," Rey said, "Who is your great-uncle?"
Udo roared back and Veep translated:
"His great-uncle is Chewbacca."
Rey shrugged.
"Is that someone famous?"
And Udo simply covered his face laughing.
Upon arriving at Takodana, Udo motioned for the group to follow him. It was a beautiful planet, full of greenery and several castles.
"I never knew this much green could exist in the galaxy," Rey said, beaming.
Udo led them to a modest castle that was heavily fortified. Udo roared at them and Veep translated.
"Apparently, whoever lives here is a bit of a bigshot. And he doesn't normally like company. But Udo's willing to help us through his great-uncle."
Udo went right up to the castle and roared into the intercom. Several roars were heard back. Eventually an older Wookiee ran out and joined them. The two Wookiees embraced and, despite not understanding them, it didn't take Rey much to figure out that this was the Chewbacca that had been talked about before. He then looked at Rey and roared back.
"He wants to know what our business is with Coruscant," Veep translated.
"We can't say too much," Finn said, "but let's just say it has to do with the president and the upcoming election."
Chewie looked at them puzzled, then roared.
"The president?" Veep translated.
"Yes," Rey said, "The president. Leia Organa. We want to help her"
Chewie motioned for them to enter.
The interior of the castle was just as beautiful as the outside. It was decorated, though a bit of a mess. Rey guessed that whoever lived here was someone who was not the best at housekeeping. Many plaques in many alien languages hung on the walls. Finally Rey came upon one written in a language she could understand. It read:
General HAN SOLO
In Honor Of Exceptional Service
In the Battle of Yavin
Valiant Service To the New Republic
Rey was amazed that one single person could have accomplished so much. Meanwhile, the two Wookiees kept roaring at each other until a grizzled voice said:
"Chewie, you always knew how to make noise."
And then an older man stepped out with a bit of a smirk on his face. Rey pegged him as being in his seventies and still handsome; she imagined in his youth he must have been quite something to look at. The man then turned to Udo.
"Udo, kid, I've missed ya. Every time Chewie brings his family over, I never know what to say."
They embraced, and then the man turned to Rey and Finn.
"Looks like ya brought a little party with ya this time, Udo," the man said.
The Wookiees both roared what they knew at him, and he took it in.
"Are you-" Rey hesitated, "Are you Gen. Han Solo, the war hero?"
"You're damn right I am," Han Solo said, "Now what's all this Chewie tells me about you needing to help my ex-wife?"