Alright so here's the next chapter and then after this one I can't wait to post the next two chapter. They're going to be awesome. I was really surprised at the popularity of this story. It's got 44 alerts and 33 favorites. My stats in those two categories were never so high. You make a writer feel real good about herself. Anyway, on with the chapter. Read, enjoy, and review!
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Chapter Nine
Cloud City and Sabacc Tournaments
Leia and Chewie exchanged a look as Han and Luke argued over how to fly a ship.
"Han," Luke said a little annoyed finally. "I was flying this ship all around the galaxy when I was thirteen and long before I met you. And though I appreciate your skills in flying and I'll admit they have helped me, this is my ship and I'll fly it the way I want to!"
Han groaned. "Whatever kid. No need to get all touchy about it. You just remember one day you're going to need me to fly this thing and you're gonna be darn thankful you let me do it."
Luke tried to scowl but only succeeding in smiling a little at Han's words. Han grinned back and Leia shook her head. Men…
Other than their occasional squabbles, the three got along extremely well despite their age differences, even Chewie. And Luke and Leia had come to find that although Han was tough on the outside, he had a good heart, but he had also gotten them in trouble a few times. He had convinced them to do a little more smuggling on the side of their little escapades, using the justification that if he was part of the family now, he should be able to make some of their calls… They were wanted in four more systems now because of the women he had gotten involved with there, and there was a smuggler princess who had a bounty on his head for tricking her so that Luke and Leia could get the cargo she was guarding. Thankfully, it wasn't too big, but it was big enough for a few encounters with a couple of bounty hunters.
"So where we headed to this time princess?" Han asked.
Leia shrugged. "We don't have anything to do at the moment. We haven't had any run-ins with imperials. Because of you, we're flying clear of the outer rim so no freeing slaves, no smuggling jobs, and we haven't gotten any more information on the Death Star."
"That was a hopeless case from the beginning," Han pointed out.
Luke and Leia shot him an identical look before saying together.
"That monstrosity is a threat to the freedom of everyone in this galaxy. We have to find it," they both said.
Han put his hands up in surrender and muttered for the two to back off. It was pointless trying to fight those two when they teamed up. He could swear those two really were twins if he didn't know better. Not that they looked so much alike, except for maybe the shape of their chins, their slight builds (although Luke was now taller than Leia), and lips, but it was the fact that some of the things they did, the quirks and ways they shared that got Han. They both had the same facial expressions and tilted their heads to the side when they were confused or skeptical. The two had the same temper (although Luke controlled his better than Leia) in addition to the willingness to carry out their threats (He had seen Luke and Leia do it first hand), they seemed to have the same taste, and they had that psychic bond. It usually took no more than a quick glance- and most times not even that- for some understanding or plan to pass between the two. If that wasn't a sibling bond, Han didn't know what was.
"Fine," he finally said. "But come on. We have no leads on it yet, so why don't we find somewhere to take a vacation."
"Well we would go back to Drall, but after that fiasco with that senator's daughter, I don't think we should make another appearance there," Leia pointed out.
"I'll have you know that fiasco wasn't my fault. That girl was crazier than you Leia," Han said, smirking when Leia shot him another glare. "I mean stalker crazy. She was obsessed, I had to stun her."
"Whatever," Leia muttered dryly.
"How about Cloud City?" Luke suggested.
"Cloud city," Han said sitting up. "I've heard of that place. It's got some of the best known casinos and hotels in the galaxy."
"What are they exactly known for Han?" Luke asked rethinking his idea.
"What do you think kid? Big casinos and hotels mean drinking, gambling, parties, and late night-."
"Don't even finish that," Leia warned. Sure she was sometimes flirty and a tease, but Han could be vulgar. While Leia made implications, he was very blunt in his choice of words.
Luke crossed his arms already having a good idea what Han was going to say. In the last year, Han had made it his business to make sure Luke knew about some of the great fact of life and that meant things about sex. Han insisted that Luke couldn't know much of anything stuck on a ship with Leia all the time and it was his responsibility as an adult to make sure he did. Luke had rolled his eyes. He had never seen Han as an adult who could boss him around, but Han educated him anyway… He hadn't been embarrassed about Leia's subtle innocent flirting since.
"Maybe we shouldn't go to Cloud City, although it would be nice to see Lando again, see how he's doing running that mine. We left as soon as he won it," Luke added.
"Won a mine?" Han asked.
"Sabacc tournament," Leia replied. "There's a really big one that goes on every year there. They all put up the most valuable thing they have and play. If you're good at sabacc, you can get a nice bunch of stuff. If you're bad, you can lose everything."
Luke continued. "Lando won the mine at the tournament two years ago. Me an Leia were there bringing supplies to the guy that used to own it when we met Lando," Luke shook his head trying not to laugh. "Played that guy for everything he had."
"Oh please," Leia replied. "Guy thinks he's a pro. It's not so much a game of luck than it is a game of cheats and bluffs."
"And how would you know princess?"
"I grew up with some of the worst scum of the galaxy. I know all the cheats and ins and outs of sabacc. I won't ever play it though." Leia replied casually looking a little lost in her thoughts suddenly.
Luke winced. A game of sabacc was how she ended up on Tatooine, but Han didn't know that, so he thought nothing of it. They had never gotten around to telling Han the truth about Leia's past. All he knew was that she had a tough life. Luke had to tell Han something as an excuse for some of Leia's coldness at times although she was mostly very pleasant. Leia's behavior shocked the heck out of Han when they were hiding from Darth Vader in the outer rim and someone suggested that they were going to report where they were to the empire. She had simply raised her blaster pointed it the alien's chest and shot it point blank, no negotiations and no questions asked. Leia walked off without a second thought using the excuse, "I take my freedom very seriously," and didn't even glance back.
Luke could tell Han liked that about Leia though and he got the feeling that one day, in the distant future (the very distant future if Luke had anything to do with it) the two wouldn't hate each other so much.
"You spoil my fun," Han replied.
"No I won't," Leia said uncaringly. "Just don't ask me to play. You can do whatever."
"Except enter the sabacc tournament. It should be about to start sometime soon," Luke pointed out glancing at Han with a warning look.
"Why not?" Han asked. "We've got plenty of jewels and diamond around here to give away."
"No," Leia corrected. "Me and Luke do. You don't have much of anything. You waste all you stuff on girls and Correlian whiskey."
Behind Han, Chewie, who hadn't had any input yet, roared something that sounded like laughter and then said something else.
"See," Luke said. "Even Chewie agrees."
"Whatever kid," Han said. "I aint going to enter that tournament. Happy?"
"Good," Luke said nodding her head. "We're headed for Bespin Chewie. Do you mind putting the coordinates in? I'm starved."
Chewie growled for him to go ahead and Leia, not feeling like Han grilling her about her mood earlier, followed behind him.
Han sighed. "Chewie, I pity the guy that decides to take on that girl."
Chewie growled something and Han huffed. "Not so bad? The girl's practically a walking time bomb. I don't know what to expect for her. The silliest things tick her off."
Chewie responded and Han looked thoughtful. "Never thought about that. As far as I know they were orphans and did something they weren't supposed to. Don't know where they came from and somehow, I think it's better I don't ask."
Luke and Leia meanwhile searched the fridge for a piece of fruit or something while Artoo and Threepio played a card game at the table.
"You cheat," Threepio was saying. "That was an illegal move and you know it."
Artoo argued back and Threepio replied.
"Well of course I have no backbone. I am made of-."
Artoo shook his dome and then said something else and Threepio gasped.
"Why I never! You're so rude Artoo. You need to learn some manners or better yet, I'll suggest to Master Luke and Miss Leia that you need reprogramming," Threepio replied.
Artoo beeped something in the equivalent of a dry tone for a droid and Threepio gasped.
"What are we going to do on Cloud city?" Leia asked decided on a sandwich instead of fruit. "We aren't even legal yet."
Luke rolled his eyes. "That hasn't stopped either of us from sharing a whiskey with Han every now and then," he pointed out.
"That's different. I hate gambling," Leia replied. "And why would you even suggest that place knowing Han. We'll be in trouble because of some girl before the week is out…"
"You wouldn't care so much if you didn't like him so much," Luke pointed out watching as Leia cut her sandwich in half. As she glared at him trying to hide her blush, he levitated half of the sandwich to his hand.
"Luke," she warned.
He grinned. "Don't try to deny it. It's not like I can't feel your embarrassment anyway."
"I do not like that man in that way. He's nice enough in his own way, but he's a scoundrel," Leia said indignantly.
"And we're the secret heirs to the empire," Luke said. "It's not a bad thing. Han's a nice guy."
"And he drives me nuts," Leia snapped sitting next to Luke.
"Only because you don't want to admit he's not a bad guy," Luke said again. "Look, I know you haven't had exactly a good experience with men, but this guy is genuine… That doesn't mean I actually like the fact that you like him…" Luke added.
Leia raised her eyebrow. "Jealous?"
"Hardly," Luke replied rolling his eyes. "I'm just saying that he's still ten years older than you and whether I like him or not, I don't want you trying to get friendly with him."
Leia rolled her eyes. "Oh yes big brother. I shall not ruin my honor by seducing the handsome pirate and leading him away to my room whilst you are asleep."
Luke shot Leia a look and she laughed.
"You know I'm kidding. I don't like the guy that much," Leia replied and realized what she said as Luke started to say something with a teasing grin. "If I like him at all…"
Han came in a few minutes later pointing toward the cockpit. "We're about to drop out of hyperspace kid. You might want to go man your chair."
Another benefit of Han travelling with them was that he knew all the quickest hyperspace routes. What used to take them a few hours would take them thirty minutes at best now.
Leia went to their weapons cabinetry and began to load her belt. Han followed behind her. She remembered when he first saw it. He had been amazed at the types of weapons two kids to stock up on and the two assured him they had all come to good use.
"What are we going to need weapons for?" Han asked. "I thought you guys said you know the guy."
Leia sighed as she passed him a high tech blaster. "Yeah we know Lando, but there is some scum in that city. Never hurts to be prepared."
Han nodded in agreement hooking the blaster as he heard Luke talking over the intercom.
"No we don't have a landing permit," Luke replied but quickly added. "But we don't need one. Tell your baron, Lando Calrissian it's Padmé and Anakin."
"I hope that helps," Han muttered. "Are you sure about this?"
"Lando said that anytime we wanted to stop by we could," Luke replied and then a voice came through the intercom.
"You're clear."
"Guess the swindler came through," Leia said sitting in the co-pilot's seat.
"Swindler?" Han said.
"Yeah. He's a swindling no good scoundrel just like you. You'll like him," Leia pointed out.
"That's- Wait a minute princess!" Han began but Luke cut him off.
"He really is a swindler though. He swindled the guy who used to own this place out of it in the sabacc tournament. Tricked the guy into putting it up. Lando's not dumb enough to do that though. I wonder what he's entering…" Luke said as he landed the ship on the landing pad
"Oh thank heavens," said Threepio headed to the ramp. "I was beginning to get bored of traveling through space and dangerous missions." He stopped thoughtfully. "This isn't a dangerous mission is it Master Luke?"
Luke laughed. "No Threepio. Call it a vacation."
Threepio clasped his hands together. "Oh how exciting. Come on Artoo. Maybe they'll have some kind of accommodations for droids."
The two droids started down the ramp. Luke went next, followed by Leia and then Chewie and Han. They were greeted by a tall black man with curly hair.
"Padmé, Anakin!" Lando said as they came down. "It's been too long."
"Yeah," Luke said shrugging. "Been travelling the galaxy. You know we can never be in one place long."
"Glad you got back around to Bespin. I've been wanting to show you what I've done with the place. If I had know you were coming, I would have prepared rooms for you two," said Lando. "I'll have you a place ready in about an hour."
"No need to do that for us Lando. As long as it's a place we can rest," Luke started to say but Leia stepped in front of him.
"Can you make sure the rooms have clean sheets, good lighting, preferably a window, and we want easy access to a dining hall or somewhere we can get some food," she pointed out.
Lando laughed. "Always did know what you wanted Padmé. My, my, my," he said seriously as he took in her appearance. "How much you've blossomed in such a short time…"
"They must not have told you what she did to the last guy that said something like that to her," Han said and Lando looked up.
"Who's this?"
"Lando, Han." Luke said.
"Han, Lando," Leia continued and then said, "You're both conniving, no good scoundrels, the perfect foundation for friendship.
Lando laughed and shook Han's hand then turned to Chewie who growled at him. Lando took a step back and Han rolled his eyes.
"That's just Chewie," he said. "Looks tough, but soft as cotton on the inside."
"Well I'm sure you all are starving. We were just about to have some lunch. Your rooms should be ready by the time we're through," Lando said leading them inside.
"Wow," Han said to Lando as they walked into the facility. "If this is how you treat common folk, I'd love to see how you'd treat royalty."
"Nah. I owe it to those two," Lando said. "They're the ones that helped me win that sabacc tournament and get this place. Padmé's a real genius when it comes to that game. I practically cruised right through it with her help. Taught me some tricks I didn't even know."
Han looked at Leia with a raised eyebrow. "Oh really," he said to Lando.
"Yeap. It's the least I can do for those two," Lando said walking ahead.
Han fell back with Luke and Leia.
"Looks like someone wasn't telling the whole story," Han said dryly.
Leia cleared her throat. "I may have given Lando a few tips at the time. But it was either help him or not get paid. Guy who hired us wouldn't pay us in full because some of his shipment was missing. But it wasn't our fault. He never told us how big the shipment was and his supplier swindled him."
"We met Lando and somehow we got to talking about the sabacc tournament. Leia mentioned that she knew the game backwards and forwards and Lando said if we helped him win, he would pay what the old baron owed us," Luke said and then laughed. "I don't think he actually thought we could do it because he was so grateful, not only did he pay us, he welcomed us back any time we felt like it."
When they were settled in the dining hall, Leia grabbed the salad bowl and gave herself a helping first. Luke, seeing her eagerness sent, Remember Leia. Manners.
Leia blushed but started to eat slowly after she passed the bowl to Luke. He constantly teased her about her appetite. It was almost like she still couldn't get out her previous psyche of never having enough. She had been horrible when they were on Drall. It was famous for its food and Luke was positive Leia tried every cuisine on the planet.
"So Lando. Are you entering the Sabacc tournament this year?" Luke asked.
Lando nodded. "Yeah, but I'm not dumb enough to put up this facility for bet. I'm putting up this ship I won off someone about a year after you two left."
"A ship!" Luke asked.
"I thought that would gain your attention," Lando said. "We can go look at it after lunch. It's a real beauty."
When Luke and Leia did see the ship though, they wondered, if the ship was Lando's definition of beauty, what was his definition of ugly.
"What a piece of junk," Luke muttered to Leia. "It's antique!"
"I think calling it antique would be a compliment," Leia said staring at the ship. "Antiques have a special charm about them. But this…"
Han on the other hand was in awe as he looked at the ship. It was just the kind of thing he was looking for. Sure it was nice travelling with Luke and Leia, but he thought it was long overdue that he started travelling on his own. The problem was finding a ship. He was sure as big of a heart as those two had, they'd buy him a ship if he asked, but what would it look like for a twenty-six year old man asking two sixteen year olds if he could borrow about fifteen thousand credits. And besides, he hadn't found a ship he was interested in anyway… until now.
"This is the Millennium Falcon," Lando said resting his hands on the ship. "Aint she something?"
Luke nodded in disbelief. "Yeah. She's something alright…"
"And that something is-." Leia began but Luke hit her on the arm.
What? she asked.
Don't be so mean. If he likes it, what can we say, Luke said.
Well I don't have anything nice to say about it. It's nothing like Queen Amidala, Leia replied dryly.
"Wow," Han said. "I remember seeing these things back home. I always did want one."
"Well you probably won't find one like this anywhere," Lando said patting the freighter. "Want to take the grand tour?"
"Don't need to," Han said and then looked at Lando. "How much would you be willing to sell her for?"
Lando laughed. "Are you kidding? There's not enough money in the galaxy that would make me sell this baby. But I did put it up for bet when I entered the tournament, but I'm a shoe in to win with the tricks Padmé taught me. Tell you what though, if you enter the sabacc tournament you might just be able to win her form me."
Han's eyes lit up and Luke and Leia felt his excitement.
"Which he won't be doing," Luke said firmly.
"I will if I want to kid. Just because I hitched a ride on your ship doesn't mean you have to right to govern what I am and aint gone do," Han said angrily.
"I'm not trying to," Luke stated calmly. "But you have nothing to bet. Everything on the Amidala is pretty much ours."
"We'll be going to our rooms now Lando," Leia said. "Don't worry. We can find them."
As Luke and Leia started to walk away, Lando laughed at Han.
"Whipped by two kids," he said. Chewie growled in agreement and Han glared at the wookie.
"They got you too Chewie or have you forgotten that business in the Hapes system?"
Chewi growled something to Han indignantly and Han smirked running after Luke and Leia.
"Come on you two," Han said. "All I need for you to do is put up the money to bet so I can enter and I'll handle it from there."
"No way Han," Luke said shaking his head.
"Besides, this kind of tournament doesn't except money. They want ships, star systems, cities, businesses. You don't have anything like that and we're not going to risk anything we own, which isn't much, to help you get some old ship," Leia snapped.
"This is what I get for running away from the military with two teenagers," Han muttered.
Luke looked at Han. "You're really serious about that piece of junk?" he asked.
"It's not a piece of junk," Han defended and Leia started to walk backwards raising her eyebrow at him.
"Then do tell, what is it? It certainly shouldn't be classified as a ship. I doubt that thing would even lift off the ground," she said crossing her arms and tilting her head.
Han jumped a little. Startled that Luke crossed his arms and tilted his head in a similar fashion. The two of them could be downright freaky when they were together and that's when they weren't in action. He had seen them lift large crates and hurl them at people, throw dozens of people across the room at the same time, and know when things were about to happen. If he didn't believe in that hokey force religion by then, well… Not even Han was that oblivious. There might be something to it.
"Well," Luke and Leia demanded impatiently.
"I don't know you two," Han admitted. "I don't know what it is. But I just know that ship is meant for me. There was a reason we chose to come here out of all the places in the galaxy."
The two laughed. "So what are you now? Force sensitive?" Leia asked.
"Yeah. I thought you didn't believe in that stuff Han," Luke said stifling a laughed.
Han rolled his eyes and said in a dry tone, "Oh ha, ha. Laugh it up you two."
"You've suggested some pretty ridiculous things Han," Luke finally said getting a hold on his laughter. "But this is one of your most ridiculous suggestions."
"Sure know how to make a guy feel good," Han shot.
Chewie growled something and Han gaped.
"See," Leia said laughing. "Even Chewie agrees."
"What is it?" Han asked. "Gang up on Han day?"
Threepio spoke up then. "Actually sir. It's-."
"Can it goldenrod," Han interrupted.
Luke sighed as they arrived at the rooms Lando had designated for them. "Tell you what Han. If you want a ship so bad, when we leave here, we can go to Lianna and looked at some of their much nicer ships, a less expensive one anyway, and you can pick any ship you want. They could even design you one from scratch. The people there owe us a favor anyway for stopping the rebels from blowing it up."
"I don't like asking kids for money," Han replied.
"Call it a loan then."
"But nothing I can come up with or anything they've got will compare to the Falcon," Han said.
"That's the point," Leia said. "Look scoundrel. Take it or leave it. Lianna makes the best ships in the galaxy and although it does business with the empire, it's not really part of it. If you don't want to do that, until you see another ship that suits your rather… unusual taste in ships, you'll be stuck with us."
With that, Luke and Leia went into their rooms, Luke taking Artoo and Threepio with him, and closed the doors signaling an end to the conversation.
Han looked a Chewie and sighed. "You know, I wouldn't feel so bad about feeling like I had just argued with my parents over something and lost if it weren't two sixteen year olds I was arguing with."
Chewie growled a replied.
"I know. It really does suck to be subjected to and bossed by two kriffing kids just because they call all the shots."
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"Aren't you two a little young to be coming here," the guard at the entrance to the casino said to Luke and Leia later that evening.
Leia began to reply, but Lando said, "They're with me. It's okay."
The guard let them through and while Luke and Leia went to find a game to play for some quick cash, Han sat with Lando at the bar while they ordered drinks.
"So how long have you known those two," Lando asked when their drinks came and the two had turned around to keep an eye on the two teenagers.
"About a year now. Let's just say it had something to do with a Star Destroyer, some wookies, and trying to leave before a man in a big black suit caught up to them," Han said simply.
"Yeah," Lando said laughing. "That sounds like them. Always in trouble those two."
"Yeah," Han said dryly. "And I thought I was a trouble magnet growing up. I got nothing on those two."
"I don't think anyone does," Lando pointed out looking at Leia. "She really has grown up nicely."
Han rolled his eyes. "Two words for you buddy. Under. Age."
"I know that, but give her a few more years," Lando replied.
"A word of advice, don't try it," said Han. "There's two reasons for that. One, girl has a temper about as bad a krayt dragon on a good day. Two, the kid."
"Her brother?" Lando said.
Han nodded. "There's nothing in the galaxy L-Anakin wouldn't do for that girl. He's usually pretty good natured and much calmer and laid back than Padmé, but threaten her and he loses all rationality."
Lando nodded. He knew that from experience. "I've never seen siblings as close as those two are, even twins."
Han wished he could point out that the two weren't actually twins or siblings at all, but that would blow their cover.
"Yeah, well those two have experienced sith hell and then some together. They only have each other," he said and then winced when he saw Leia throw a right hook at an alien standing next to her at the table she and Luke were playing some dice game on.
Luke laughed at the dazed look on the alien's face as Leia simply turned back to the dice game as though nothing had ever happened.
"Hard core those two," Lando said shaking his head.
"I call it insanity," Han muttered. "Hey where can I sign up for this sabacc tournament?"
"At the reception desk near the front," Lando said and then added, "Your benefactors actually going to let you enter?"
Han winced. "I'm working on that."
"Better hurry up then. Tournament's in a few days. Last day to register is tomorrow," Lando replied.
Han tossed about how he was going to convince Luke and Leia to loan him something to let him enter the entire night. A year ago, he never would have thought he would have to ask two people ten years his junior to loan him something. But if he didn't, he'd always be subjected to the two and that didn't appeal to Han too much. He needed his own wings to fly and the Falcon was the perfect ship to do it. By the time it was time for them to leave, Han resolved that there was no way he was going to get Luke and Leia to let him enter the tournament, so he would have to enter it with their permission.
"You two ready to go?" Han asked the two when it was close to midnight.
"Past your bedtime already?" Leia sniped.
"No, but you two need to get some rest. Not a vacation if you don't," Han pointed out and Leia looked at him for a moment before her face softened with a smile.
"We don't need anyone to look after us," Leia said.
"But thanks for the concern," Luke said since that was the closest thing to appreciativeness as Han was going to get from Leia. "You're right. It's time we leave."
When they were headed down the street back to Lando' base of operations, Han groaned and snapped his fingers.
"Shoot. I left something at the casino. I'm going to go right back and get it. You all go ahead," he said.
Luke and Leia could detect a lie a parsec away, which was the reason Han really had left something at the casino albeit on purpose so the two wouldn't detect a lie.
"Sure Han," Luke said.
"Don't wait up for me," Han said with a wink and Leia rolled her eyes.
"We won't," she assured
When they were back in their rooms (well back in Leia's room actually) Luke looked at the blaster he was cleaning thoughtfully. Leia, noticing his pensive mood as she polished the ones Luke cleaned frowned.
"What?" she asked.
"Was it just me or did it seem like Han wasn't telling the whole truth," Luke asked.
"I didn't sense that he was lying," Leia pointed out.
"Just because he wasn't lying didn't mean there wasn't any deception involved," Luke responded. "He wasn't telling us something."
Leia looked up at him from the blaster she was polishing with a smile and said, "I thought I was the suspicious one."
Luke laughed and tossed a cleaning cloth at her face, except she stopped it with the force giving Luke the chance to throw one at her with the force. It met its mark and the next thing both of them knew, they were using the force to throw pillows, sheets and other random items across the room at each other, much to Threepio, Chewie, and Artoo's dismay.
"Please Master Luke and Miss Leia. It's impossible for me to shut down and get some rest with all this ruckus," Threepio said.
Chewie growled something that Luke and Leia translated to, "Calm down you two. I'm trying to sleep," but the two ignored him until Leia accidently set off the blaster she was holding.
Everyone jumped and screamed startled. Luke and Leia exchanged a look before falling over onto one of the pillows laughing.
"Leia," Luke said holding his stomach.
"It wasn't my fault. I forgot I was holding it," Leia replied still laughing with the said blaster in her hand.
The door opened and Han walked in. He stopped for a moment and blinked seeing Luke and Leia lying on the floor.
"Who threw a party and didn't invite me?"
"Hey Han," Luke said standing up and then helping Leia.
Han shook his head. He didn't see how those two could be as close as they were, claim not to be really related and have nothing romantic between them. He didn't wonder about that for long though. He had to see how he was going to break to Luke and Leia what he had done…
Luke stopped, sensing Han's inner struggle and turned to look at him.
"What's wrong Han?" he asked.
Han ran a hand through his hair and cursed the kid for his force sensitivity as he sat down on the messy bed. At this, Leia turned to look at him cautiously.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing," Han said quickly.
Chewie, Luke, and Leia all said, "You're lying."
"It can wait until morning," Han tried.
Leia and Luke exchanged a look and Han had a feeling he missed a conversation before they turned back to him.
"Spit it out Han," Luke warned.
Han winced and muttered something under his breath. Had Luke and Leia been two normal people without force sensitivity, they wouldn't have heard it. But alas they did.
Luke found that even he was having a hard time reigning in his temper. Leia on the other hand didn't even try.
"What do you mean you entered the kriffing sabacc tournament?" she hissed trying not to shout.
Han suddenly became very aware of the blaster the girl was holding and cringed at what she would do when she found out the rest of the story.
"I mean exactly what I said," Han declared standing up to tower over Leia. "I entered the tournament."
"Han you kriffing nerf herding scoundrel," Leia said not at all intimidated.
"Now you hold up a minute princess. I'm a grown ass man and just because you and your brother call the shots around here doesn't mean I have to listen. I take care myself and I don't need you two acting like you're my karking parents," Han snapped.
Leia started to lift her blaster at Han, but Luke intervened.
"Alright you two stop it," Luke said sighing. "It's done Leia. We can't do anything about it. He already entered. If he wants to risk what he owns for this stupid contest, then let him…" Luke trailed off as it occurred to him that Han didn't own much.
"Wait, what did you bet?" he asked.
Han cringed… and now Luke was going to kill him.
"Before I say this," Han said. "Let's remember that it was the only thing we had and technically, it belongs to me too."
"Spit it out Han," Leia said hearing growling from Chewie that was the equivalent of laughter.
"The Amidala," Han said.
Leia's jaw dropped and then it occurred to her that Luke loved the ship more than she ever did and this was impacting him more than it was her.
"Han, you put up the Amidala?" Luke asked and by then Chewie was howling with laughter.
"I needed something worth putting up. Besides, I really want that ship."
"Han, our ship is a royal Naboo Star Skiff, a ship so valuable they weren't even put into mass production on Naboo and you're comparing it to that piece of junk," Luke snapped.
"Oh please," Han said. "Don't worry."
"Don't worry," Leia shouted and then said something in huttese. "What the stang do you mean don't worry. You do realize that if you lose that tournament, we lose our ship!"
Han rolled his eyes. "As if you're going to let someone take your ship. You'd just throw a few blaster shots, cause some trouble, and blast your way out the system with it."
"We'd like to not have to cause trouble everywhere we land Han," Luke shot and then groaned. "You…you… e chu ta!"
Leia winced at that as Luke stormed out the room. Han looked at her and said.
"What did he just call me?"
Leia simply glared at him and followed Luke out the room.
Han sighed. It had gone better than he though. At least Leia hadn't shot him. He turned to Threepio.
"Hey goldenrod. What did the kid say?" Han asked.
"I'm afraid it's too vulgar for me to translate sir. I'd be too embarrassed," Threepio said shaking his head.
Later that night, when Luke and Leia decided to share a bed that just in case either of them got the idea to go kill Han in the middle of the night and because they usually ended up sharing a bed anyway. Han had caught them once and in disbelief said, "You mean to tell me this is a normal occurrence and not once have you all…" he added something vulgar in Corellian slang and Luke turned scarlet while Leia rolled her eyes.
I can't believe Han did that, Luke sent.
Leia sighed. Don't remind me he did it. I still want to shoot him. He just doesn't get it. The Amidala isn't just a ship.
It's the only thing we can call home in this galaxy. Whenever we got tired of somewhere or overstayed our visit, we have it, Luke sighed. Han's right though. He is older than us and we do have the tendency to treat him like we own him or something.
Don't tell me you agree with that scoundrel?
Luke shook his head. No, but you do know what we have to do.
Luke…
Yes Leia. We owe a lot to him. The least we can do is try to help him. We helped Lando.
No, I helped him reluctantly, Leia sent.
Fine, but the point is we have to support him on this. He's right. He's not someone we can just boss around because we own the ship. We shouldn't hold it over his head.
He'll let us if he doesn't want to end up dumped out with the trash when we're in the middle of space.
Luke ignored her comment and added, If that ship is what he wants, we're going to help him get it.
Leia made a reluctant sound before saying out loud, "Fine. Whatever. We'll help him. But that's all I'm doing. You better not expect me to apologize for going off on him back there. He still put up our ship for back behind our backs."
"I wouldn't expect it at all from you princess," Luke said turning over on his side and closing his eyes.
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Luke stood with Chewie, Threepio, and Artoo as Han got ready for his first match in the tournament.
"Hey guys. Where's Leia?"
Luke shrugged. "You know her. Probably sitting in her room protesting this whole thing. Doesn't really believe in this game."
Han shrugged. "Weird one that so-called sister of yours," he said.
Luke sighed… If only Han really knew what Leia was doing.
"We'll be rooting for you Han," Luke said and Chewie growled something of the same sentiments as Han went to go play his first round.
Luke turned to Chewie. "You think he'll ever forgive us for what we're doing?"
Chewie growled a response and Luke nodded in agreement.
"You're right. He's got too much pride to admit when he might need some help. Leia's like that."
Chewie responded.
"I definitely agree with that. Maybe it's just best we don't tell Han what she's doing," Luke said.
Artoo put his two credits worth in that time.
"Yeah, you're right. We just won't mention it at all," he said and then looked at Chewie. "You agree."
Chewie nodded.
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"Leave her alone!"
A light saber went flying through the air as the boy tackled the man down and proceeded to try to fight him off with his bare hands.
"Luke! No!"
….
"Luke stay with me."
…
"I won't let him die. Please."
Darth Vader broke out of his meditation. His heart quickened and his mind was frantic as he tried to understand the meaning of his vision. The two children in the vision were undoubtedly the ones he had pursued for the last three years… well, after the disaster on Commander Nyklas' Star Destroyer, he had decided her would be better off leaving the two children to their own devices for a while. Not to mention he had let the boy go once already. This vision brought up another question though. Why was he having a vision of the two in the first place.
It was odd. He never had visions of anyone whom he had no real concern for dying. Sure, he wished to find the two children for purely personal gain, but this was more like a warning, to go save the two children, the boy who he now knew was named Luke.
Vader was sure of one thing though. The man attacking the two children in his vision was a jedi. Why a jedi would want to kill two force sensitive children instead of training them was beyond Vader's ability to comprehend at that moment. But because it was a jedi after the two children and more than likely the jedi would get the two in his grasp, it was Vader's duty to find him and the quickest way to do that was to find the children.
Meanwhile, on Dantooine, the new headquarters for the rebel alliance, Obi-Wan shot out his bed from having the same vision. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but Luke and Leia were in grave danger. In the last three years, he had been unable to track them down. But with all the ruckus the rebellion and the empire had made about two teenage children wrecking havoc on the galaxy, he was absolutely certain they were alive.
Padmé was probably watching down on them somewhere in the force worrying herself to a second death. Obi-Wan got up. He couldn't let this vision slide. He picked up his commlink and made contact with the only person he could trust to help him.
"Obi-Wan," Bail Organa said shocked to be getting a call so suddenly from the jedi master.
"I'm sorry to bother you Bail. I hope I didn't interrupt anything, but I really need for you to arrange for me a personal shuttle. It's about Luke and Leia."
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"And you guys had no faith in me at all," Han was saying for the umpteenth time after the tournament came to an end and against all odds, he had won.
Luke rolled his eyes. Now he was really tempted to just tell Han what he and Leia had done for him. Leia wasn't saying anything about Han's bragging to Luke's surprise. She simply sat packing her bags as they got ready to leave Cloud City.
"Well, I have to say I was kind of doubting you when it got to the end," Luke said opening the door and letting Leia out the room first before he followed her with Chewie, Artoo, Threepio, and Han following closely behind them.
"And you two doubted me. You still have your ship and I have my new one," Han pointed out.
"If you can call that hunk of junk new," Leia replied as they arrived to their ship. Lando was waiting for them near it.
"So I guess this is it," Han said when they got to the Amidala.
Luke looked at Leia who smiled and then turned to Han. "I guess so scoundrel," she said.
"You two take care of yourselves," Han said. "And look out for me, Chewie and the Falcon. If you need us, just do that force stuff and we'll try and tack you down."
Lando came to stand next to Han. "And remember, if you ever need somewhere to stay for a while, you're always welcome here."
"Thanks Lando," Luke said and Threepio came back down the ramp.
"Artoo says the ship is ready for takeoff sir. I think he's rather eager to get going on some wild adventure," Threepio said sighing. "Can I vote to avoid trouble for a while Perhaps settle down somewhere and make an honest living on a nice planet."
Luke ignored Threepio. "Take care of Han Chewie. Don't let him get into too much trouble now that we aren't there to bail him out."
"Later princess," Han said with a wink at Leia.
She rolled her eyes and started up the ship. "Good riddance scoundrel," she said and Han translated it to meaning that she would miss him too.
Luke followed her and sat in his pilot's seat. Leia was already in her usual spot. As Luke lifted them into space, Leia said, "I really would have liked to tell Han that I was there manipulating the game the whole time so he's win that tournament."
Luke grinned. "You'd think he's notice that you were a little too short to be a bounty hunter from Mandalore."
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In the next chapter, Luke and Leia make their way to Alderaan to get information on the Death Star from a secret informant. But when they get there, Luke finds something even more valuable than that information could have ever been. The man's a jedi and he knows who Luke's father is, the great hero of the clone wars who disappeared during the purges, Anakin Skywalker. However there's something off about this jedi and when Luke stumbles upon a secret in the man's house, he and Leia have to leave quick. But a simple escape situation becomes a fight to stay just get off of Alderaan alive and in one piece, when not only are there two jedi after them, but also Darth Vader has found them again…
So this… I don't know. I wasn't exactly happy with it per say, but it wasn't the worst chapter on the planet. Okay. You guys are going to love the next few chapters. Hope you enjoyed. Review please!