Chapter Forty One:

Luke had had a difficult time getting permission to land, until he had claimed to be an interested customer. Then he'd been granted a place to berth the Pilgrim, grateful to be on solid ground. He loved flying, yes, but after days in hyperspace he was ready to stretch his legs.

On the bright side, he'd gotten to know Nakari some more and surprisingly it hadn't taken too long for her to come out of her shell to where she was more comfortable with him.

Nakari claimed she hadn't really been broken, but that she had created a mask to wear, hiding her true spirit behind a wall so Jabba would think he'd won and ease up on her. And yet, Luke sensed that wasn't entirely true. No one came out of being a pleasure slave unscathed. She was probably just trying to cope with her experience by burying it in the past.

But Luke was quick to realize that Nakari had a somewhat warped sense of humor and a personality that told him she was a strong young woman with some vulnerable points.

Luke led his party down the landing ramp, and was met by a dark-skinned human man in an outfit that spoke of lavish taste. This man also wore a cape of fine, shimmery material. Luke chose to look beyond the exterior of this man, however, and took the hand the host offered.

"I am Lando Calrissian, here to help you with your transaction," he said, his gaze sliding toward Nakari more than once. "And who might you be?" he asked her.

"Nakari," she replied, uneasy with his attention.

"Welcome Nakari," Lando reached for her hand, but Nakari moved away, a clear signal for him to back off. Lando took the hint and lifted his hands in a peaceful gesture. "Sorry milady, I meant no disrespect." He looked to Luke. "Who are you then?"

"I'm Jirik, and I'm actually looking for someone," Luke replied.

Lando's brow lifted. "So you aren't really a customer?"

"No, sorry, I just needed to land." Luke touched Lando in the Force, trying to soothe any suspicion. "I'm here for a friend."

Lando narrowed his eyes. "A friend. Right. You know, I could have you arrested for trespassing since you aren't really what you said you are."

Nakari stepped forward. "I asked him to come here. I need to contact my father, I've been away for a while and this was the nearest place to us. Please. I haven't seen him..." her throat closed, her next words choked, "in years."

Lando studied her, but Luke could sense he was warming up to her. Finally Lando smiled at her, and he gestured. "Alright. I will take you to a communications station you can use." He glanced at Luke. "You aren't here to cause trouble are you?"

Luke shook his head. "No."

Lando held Luke's gaze, studying the other's face and eyes for any tells of deceit, and Luke deduced that this man was a gambler. Lando did a double-take when Nella floated into his view more-so, as she had been mostly behind Luke until that moment.

"Wow, what a droid!" Lando exclaimed. "Where'd you get such a model?"

"I built her." Luke told the other simply.

Lando's jaw dropped. "Be serious? You built this thing? She's beautiful. Any chance she's for sale?"

"Absolutely not," Luke left no room for debate in his tone and Lando shrugged.

"Alright, but you can't blame me for trying now can you?"

Luke managed a friendly grin, small as it was; but it appeased their host. Eventually the other man nodded and led the way inside. Luke and Nella followed at a respectful distance when Lando began chatting with Nakari, who opened up to their host only enough to not be rude.

Luke reached out in the Force, searching for Han... and found him a few floors down. Luke slowly lengthened the distance between himself and his companions until he was able to slip away unnoticed, Nella at his side.

00000

Han slouched over his ale, wondering what he was going to do with his life now that he and Chewie were on the top of Jabba's wanted list. They were unable to show their faces lest the plethora of hunters on their tail catch wind of him and Chewbacca and either kill them or worse turn them in to Jabba. They'd been on the run ever since...

...ever since Luke had given himself up for the smugglers.

Han felt like he'd betrayed the Kid, regardless of the circumstances. He should have stayed... he should have been at the Kid's side... he should have tied the Kid up...

He should have tried harder to get away from the Empire.

But the smuggler had had little time to contemplate what he could do to help Luke after the Empire had cut them loose, because not long afterwards, Boba Fett had appeared hot on his tail.

Han and Chewie had survived that encounter by the skin of their teeth, limping away in a Falcon that had been so badly damaged Han had been forced to land on the first inhabitable planet he could. And he'd then had to work for three months in a dump of a factory to earn enough money to buy parts to fix his beloved ship.

All while trying to stay under Boba's radar. It hadn't been easy, and many times the bounty hunter had nearly caught Han and Chewie, but somehow they'd always made it out of the man's path just in time.

Once the Falcon had been repaired, Han and Chewie had skipped the planet, hopping from place to random place to try losing Boba... and a plethora of other bounty hunters who had caught wind of the price Han and Chewie were worth.

Finally Han had called in a favor to Lando, who was an important person on Cloudy City, and who was working his way up the chain of command at a steady pace. Soon he'd be Baron Administrator here.

But Han's thoughts returned to Luke, and the smuggler continued to stew in thoughts of how he could have changed the Kid's fate. But he hadn't... and now the Kid was dead, and Han had taken the young man's death hard.

Footsteps sounded by the table, and Han lifted his head to growl at whoever it was to leave him alone when he saw who it was.

"Chewie." He greeted, though when he took in the Wookiee's body language, Han straightened. "What's wrong?"

Chewbacca didn't answer for a moment, but continued to look at a datapad in his grasp, disbelief clear on his face. At least, it was clear to Han since he knew how to read Wookiees. When his friend stayed silent, Han rolled his eyes and made to snatch the device from his copilot. But the Wookiee shook his head at that point and handed it over.

[Apparently we are free men now,] the Wookiee said, taking a seat across from Han.

Han frowned, annoyed. Now was not the time for the Wookiee to try lifting Han's spirits with bad jokes. "Cut the crap, Fuzball."

Chewie glared in turn and gestured to the device now on the table in front of Han. [Read it for yourself, Han.]

The smuggler snorted, though his eyes fell to the report on the 'pad. "There's no way in Hoth's frosted landscape that we are..."

He stopped... read it again... and gaped. "What? But... who? How?" Something occurred to him. "...and why?"

Chewbacca shrugged. [There's no information on the one who paid, but someone settled our debt for us, and we are at long last free from Jabba.]

Han could only stare at the device, and after several long minutes his stubborn pride reared its head. "And who asked them for their help, huh?"

Chewie glanced about the establishment, though at this hour it was all but empty as most of the city's citizens were at work. [Keep it down, will you?]

Han twisted his mouth downwards. "Great, now this idiot will think we belong to him! Free my backside! What does this mysterious saint want with us huh?"

Before Chewie could reply, a new voice cut in. "You know, normally when someone does something nice for a person, the gifted just says 'thank you'."

Han froze while Chewie spun about to see a young man leaning on a table not too far from them. They both knew that voice.

Managing to shake himself from his stupor with an effort, Han turned around. The person standing there looked different from the disguise he'd worn as Velius, but Han saw the blue eyes... he knew that voice, the skill— not many people could sneak up on a Wookiee— and Han studied the other with a critical eye.

"...Kid?" he whispered, unable to believe it.

And then Nella appeared from behind the newcomer to solidify the truth of what he was seeing. "Captain Solo, it's been a long time."

Han didn't move, only sat staring... and then glancing to his drink. "Alright, for once I think I've had a bit too much whiskey."

A chuckle sounded behind him, and Han heard the other approach, followed by feet halting beside their table.

Chewbacca sniffed the air and looked to Han. [He smells like the Cub, Han.]

Han swallowed hard, having learned long ago to trust a Wookiee's sense of smell. They never forgot a scent, and they always knew if someone was telling the truth. The Kid's voice, his droid... and now his scent, confirmed by Chewie... Han thinned his lips.

Rising, Han made a disbelieving motion with his hand. "What happened?" Han was sure to lower his voice so it didn't carry at all. "You're supposed to be dead."

Luke smiled softly. "I know. I have a lot to tell you."

Han gestured to the empty space next to Chewie. "Have a seat."

Luke did so, glancing up when the hostess appeared to take his order. "Just water please, and could I get the house special also?"

"Right away," she replied, jotting down notes before disappearing.

The trio waited until she was out of earshot, and Han noticed Luke's eyes went unfocused for a moment once she had. He wondered if the Kid was searching for snooping devices.

At last Luke spoke, albeit quietly. "I planned with Nella before I left the Falcon for her to have Mara help get me... out."

Han frowned when Luke's eyed became haunted. "Out of where? Where'd he take you Kid? What did he do to you?"

"Too much," Luke whispered, cringing.

Han's reply was cut off by the arrival of Luke's drink, though once the waitress had moved on Han leaned forward.

"Look at me, Kid." When Luke did, Han went on. "What happened to you?"

Luke only stared for so long that Han thought he'd frozen in place, but finally the young man's eyes flooded and tears slipped down his cheeks at a rapid-fire pace. "He s-sent me to sublevel twelve!"

Han didn't like the way Luke was acting, and he had a sinking suspicion he knew what sublevel twelve meant. "Did they..."

"My own parents had me tortured!" Luke cried, hunkering down when his voice carried farther than he'd have liked. His voice dropped to a bare whisper. "A-and that wasn't even the worst part!"

He turned his head toward Chewie to hide his face when his food arrived. Then he shuddered, clearly horrified.

"Tell me," Han urged gently. He needed to know.

Luke shivered again and finally looked to Han, his blue eyes wide and terrified. Han had never seen the Kid this out of sorts, not even when he'd been afraid for his sister. "I... V-Vader tried to have me poisoned... with hssiss venom!"

Chewie stiffened in shock while Han frowned in confusion. "I don't get it, what's hssiss poison?"

Luke opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out so Chewbacca spoke instead, draping a comforting arm around Luke's shoulders.

[I've heard tales of this stuff from when Master Yoda would visit Kashyyyk. It was created by Sith Alchemists on Korriban, the Sith homeworld. The hssiss creature was infected and it became venomous... able to poison it's bite victims with the Dark Side.]

Luke leaned into Chewbacca, struggling to regain control.

Han didn't want to sound insensitive, but he still didn't fully understand. "Well, isn't there a cure for it? I mean, you have to choose the Dark, right?"

Luke didn't snap at Han, understanding that the other was truly trying to figure this out so he had the full picture. And not many knew of hssiss venom anyway, as it was a well-guarded secret.

"Normally, yes, it's a choice. But with this venom, the Dark Side is literally injected into the person, and it's agony as they instinctively fight against it. The poison destroys the victim, ripping them apart from the inside out... personality, dreams, emotions, physical strength, you name it. And the more one fights, the longer they do, the more damaged they are when it finally wins. And it always does win; it's just a matter of how long it takes."

Han's stomach felt like lead as that sank in. "So... since Vader couldn't control you on his own, he wanted to force you into what he wanted so you had no choice and no hope of ever going back?"

"Yes," Luke murmured, though he was no longer weeping. He wiped his face to erase all evidence of his tears and began eating.

Han stayed silent, gaze unfocused while he processed all this new information. What if Vader had succeeded in poisoning Luke? What monster would he have unleashed upon an unsuspecting galaxy?

Still, Han came back around to his own grief. Sighing, Han placed a hand on Luke's to halt him so the other would look into his eyes.

"I never did get to thank you for saving Chewie and me," he told Luke. His lipps thinned. "But why did you have to do it? We could have gotten clear, could have..."

"We could have continued to run for the rest of our lives instead of facing the problem and dealing with it." Luke rebuked gently.

Han deflated, knowing the Kid was right. "Yeah... I just... I don't like feeling like I let you down, you know?"

Luke shook his head. "Han, you didn't. I was the one who lied to you both. I never should have endangered the pair of you."

"Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you did," Han declared. "Look Kid, I haven't gotten close to many folks, and for good reason. But... you're like a little brother to me. And, hell, I grew to love you as a brother."

Luke's shock was evident. "Really?"

Han had to reach clear over the table to clap the other on the back, but he managed it. "Yeah, but don't go writing home about it."

Luke chuckled, gently punching Han on the shoulder in return. "No worries there." He paused, and looked around once more. "Though I do have a request."

Han lifted an intrigues eyebrow, sitting back again. "I'm listening."

Luke took a breath, held it for a moment, and then let it out. "I am training to be a Jedi now." Han's jaw dropped somewhat while Chewie's head jerked to see him more clearly. But Luke continued before they could stop him. "And I am in league with Talon Karrde in a business deal. My sister is going to work from her end as a double agent for the Empire and... the Rebellion."

Han, who had just taken a drink, coughed. That caused him to start choking on his mouthful and he began hitting his chest until he could stop sputtering. "You can't be serious!"

Luke inclined his head. "I am. And not just that, but Leia and I are going to help take down our parents."

Han gaped, but when Luke didn't budge at all or squirm, Han knew the Kid was deadly serious. He took his time in thinking things over, looking to his copilot at one point and receiving a nod.

Finally Han leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him on the table. "What do you need me to do?"

Relief lit up Luke's eyes. "I need you to help us. I don't have any specific tasks yet, but to start I was thinking you and Chewie could help run supplies to the Alliance at least. Maybe help me with an odd job here and there, stuff like that. Meanwhile, I will be keeping to the shadows and training with my new Master."

Han nodded. "Consider it done. Chewie and Me can't really go back to where we were, and we don't want to. So we're in."

"There you are!" Luke jumped at Nakari's voice as she appeared out of thin air. "Why did you run off?"

Lando was beside her, his hands on his hips while he looked disgruntled. "Yeah, you could have gotten me into real trouble, Jirik!"

Luke opened his mouth to reply but Han beat him to it. "It's okay, Lando, he's with me."

Lando blinked, and looked between the two guys at the table, comprehension dawning. "So this is the friend you were looking for, is it?" he asked Luke.

"Yes." Luke answered simply, though he did offer an apologetic smile to Nakari. "Did you contact your father then?"

"Yes I did." Nakari smiled wistfully. "But he can't get away to meet me because the Empire is performing their annual check of his business... everything gets scrutinized. He doesn't want my freedom to be made public lest the Emperor come after me. So... I need something to do until he can get away without being noticed."

Luke pursed his lips while Lando turned on the charm. "You could stay here, I'm sure I could find accommodations for you."

Han snorted. "Lando, ease up will you?"

Luke bit his lip. "How would you like to help destroy the ones who put you in Jabba's clutches?"

That got Nakari's attention. "You mean revenge?"

Luke flinched. "More like justice. Han and I are loosely affiliated with the Rebel Alliance. Though they don't know that yet." He amended.

Nakari didn't feign her surprise. "Seriously?" She placed a hand to her chin in a thoughtful manner, and after some time—during which Lando looked about ready to die—she eventually nodded. "Alright. I'd love to help take the Empire to pieces. I know I don't stand a chance against the Emperor, but I can do other things."

Luke gestured to Han and Chewie. "Yo can stay with these two. THey could use an extra hand, and you ned a place to lie low, somewhere mobile." His eyes found Han's and the smuggler dipped his head in acceptance.

"And what about you?" she asked.

"I have a different path to take in our fight. I am needed elsewhere," Luke replied.

Lando lifted a hand. "Ah, hello, you do realize I will have to report all of this, don't you?"

Han stood, drawing closer to the other. "No, you don't and you won't."

Lando narrowed his eyes. "And why is that, Han?"

"Because under all the suave exterior and smuggling smarts is a man with a good heart." Han answered.

Lando threw up an exasperated hand. "I don't want any part of this!"

"And if you report us, the Empire will come and never leave," Luke warned, also rising. "They'd take over, and your freedom would disappear."

"So would your chance of a promotion." Han seconded.

Lando glared at them each in turn. "You're all a crazy lot," he muttered angrily, but he sighed. "Fine, but I will not be an active member of this. I don't want to go to war with the Empire on any level if I can avoid it."

Luke's lips lifted minutely. "I know how that feels, believe me."

Lando gestured. "You all should really be getting off Cloud City now."

Nakari smirked, leading the way out of the cantina. "Well then, let's get started."

Luke and Han took up the rear as they all trekked to the Millennium Falcon's respective landing pads. Once they were at the door, Chewie and Nakari went through, but Han hovered back as Luke stayed in the hallway.

"You be careful now, you hear?" Han said sternly.

Luke nodded. "I will."

"And don't worry, your secret is safe with me," Han promised.

Luke produced a datachip. "This is the information you'll need to get into contact with Leia. She can get you in with the Alliance."

Han took the item. "Do they know about you?"

"No, they don't," Luke answered. "Eventually, however, I will be made known. But not yet; not until I am ready to perform my task. And that may take a while."

Han nodded. "I get that, really I do. You take your time and do it right. We'll be here. We've got your back."

Luke's heart warmed. "Thank you Han."

The former Shadow paused, ready to part ways, but then he stepped up and grabbed Han into a fierce hug. A little taken aback at first, Han returned it once he'd recovered.

"See you around Han," Luke said as he pulled away.

"Take care Kid." Han waved as the other left, Nella following.

Once they were out of sight, Han turned to board the Falcon, a new fire in his soul now that he had a purpose again.

"Down with the Empire," Han whispered as the ramp shut behind him.