Chapter 41
"No…no!" Ari cried out, hands clenched into fists, clutching the sheets as she tossed in her bed.
R4 beeped at her insistently and finally bumped into the bed, trying to wake her up.
Ari jumped awake. "R4?" she panted, hands over her heart, trying to control the irratic beating.
R4 beeped and Ari let out a deep sigh, still shivering, a light sweat on her skin. It had been all a dream. A horrible horrible dream. She had dreamt that Luke had faced Darth Vader. She couldn't tell where it was but Vader had fought Luke and had beaten him. Still shaky, Ari threw the covers back and slowly got to her feet.
R4 beeped at her and Ari didn't even have to look on the translator. "I am fine," she assured the little droid. "It was just a bad dream."
Patting R4 on the head, she smiled and headed into the 'fresher to take a shower.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day passed quickly. Having slept late, Ari missed breakfast, but was able to get lunch with many of the other pilots, including Wedge and Cal.
After that, most of the pilots decided to practice in the sims and compare scores. However, Ari was more focused on practicing her saber technique. She went to the Falcon but didn't see Han or Chewie.
Instead of staying on the Falcon, Ari found the remote droid and wrote a note to Han to let him know she had it.
Going back to her room, she worked the remainder of the day, practicing the on the stances Luke had taught her just the previous day.
When she felt ready, she activated the remote and after numerous stinging shots into her arms and legs, she started to feel the Force as Luke had taught her.
Apparently she had lost track of time when R4 finally beeped from where he had been walking, showing the standard time on the wall.
"I missed dinner?" Ari asked then sighed, deactivating the saber and remote. "Well, maybe I can find something in a moment."
Ari opened the door and came face to face with Cal, who had his arm raised to knock.
"Cal!" Ari exclaimed.
"Ari, hi…you weren't at dinner so…" he handed her a sandwich.
"Oh thank you," she smiled then paused. "I would shake your hand but I just was working out." She figured she would wait to mention that it was with a lightsaber, though it was clearly visible, which Cal quickly noticed.
"What is that?" he asked, motioned to it.
"Well, a lightsaber," Ari admitted, taking a bite of the sandwich, offering some to Cal who shook his head no.
"A lightsaber? Like a Jedi?" Cal asked, clearly growing excited.
Ari nodded. "Here, if you can carry this, I have to return this back to Han. If you don't mind me eating as we talk and walk I can explain it to you," she told him.
Cal nodded and picked up the remote and they left, walking to drop of the remote to where the Falcon was still waiting, empty again, though Han had left a note to Ari that she could borrow things as long as they ended up back where she found them.
After dropping it off and Ari finished the sandwich, the pair walked around the transport, Ari telling of her life. However, many personal things were left out. She instead told of stunts she had done with the group at Anchorhead and of her family, briefly touching on the topic of the lightsaber. However, since she didn't know much about it, she couldn't help much. It still hurt a lot to talk about her family, but she tried to stay strong. Though, she was grateful when Cal changed the subject.
Finally getting back to her room, Ari once again showered quickly, then slid into bed, filling R4 in of her day.
Finally, for the first time in a long while, Ari slept well.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"What do you mean it's cracked?" Han shouted from where he had been welding just a few moments before.
The growling of the Wookie was all he got in reply and Han sighed.
"How bad?" There was another barking reply and Han hit his fist on the hull in frustration.
"What's wrong?" Ari asked coming up behind him. She had just had breakfast with Cal and a few others. Dodonna had told them of where they would be going next. It was a planet called Hoth. Never having heard of it, Ari decided to go find Han and ask him about it.
Han glanced over at her then sighed. "The stabilizer links on the entire starboard engine are shot and the engine has a bit of a crack-"
"The engine?" Ari cut him off. "Do you know how dangerous that is? The entire ship could be vaporized if you keep using it with a crack in it. You will need a whole new one."
"You know a lot about ships or something, kid?" Han asked, an almost amused look on his face.
"Not ships but I have been fixing mechanical things for over half my life," Ari answered proudly.
Han paused then nodded. "Hey Chewie, we're going on a trip. Can the engine handle it?" he asked. There was a slight delay as Chewie looked it over then gave a roar.
"Well, he says it can. Come on, kid," he grinned and started up the ramp.
"What?" Ari exclaimed.
"Well, the engine needs to be replaced, you said so yourself," he started. Ari just folded her arms and nodded. "So we are going to get another engine."
"I hate to break it to you but the Falcon is one of the most well known ships after that heroic entrance back on Yavin. Don't you think you will be recognized?" Ari asked him.
"Of course. But that is why we are going to a place where credits are all that matters."
"Why do I not like the sound of that?" Ari asked with a sigh.
"What's wrong with it?"
"I don't think you have enough credits," Ari replied.
"I always work out something. So are you coming kid? You know a lot about mechanics."
"I don't know," Ari replied hesitantly. "Luke wouldn't like-"
"What Luke doesn't know won't hurt him," Han grinned. "Besides, we will probably be back by the time her Royal Highness and Luke get back."
The mention of the Princess made Ari bristle slightly. Even though she knew Luke had been picked to go as an escort, the look he had worn had been enough to make her wince inwardly.
"So what about it kid? It will give you some travel experience," Han grinned at her.
The pros definitely outweighed the cons. She could go have some fun and hang out with Han, and come back with stories to share with others, Luke especially, since he was bound to have a few escapades to share. Along with that, it would take her mind off of worrying about him. While he would probably be upset later, she pushed that thought out of her mind.
"Let me grab my bag," she smiled then ran off to her temporary room.
Quickly, Ari threw a change of clothes into her bag, pajamas and a few other items, making sure to bring her mother's journal with her. She might not have a chance to read it much, but it made her feel close to them still, comforting in a way she couldn't explain. Her mother's lightsaber always hung at her side.
R4 beeped at her and Ari stopped. She had been ignoring the little droid so much, she felt bad, biting her lip as she glanced at the translator.
"I am sorry R4. I am just going to be gone a day or two. Three at most. Han needs my help."
The little droid beeped sadly.
"I promise. I will come back," she assured the droid. "You have to take care of the fighter though. Make sure we can still fly well," she smiled.
The droid beeped in response and Ari smiled, patting his domed head. "I will. Don't worry," she promised and went to her comlink, getting connected to Dodonna's. However, he wasn't in, so she left a message, telling him she was going with Han and would meet them on Hoth. Also, that R4 would be helping by flying her fighter if needed.
Pausing before leaving, she hugged R4, promising to see him on Hoth.
Pulling on her cloak, she slung her bag over one shoulder and hurried back to the Falcon.
"I was starting to wonder if you were coming," Han teased, then motioned with his head up the ramp. "Come on, Chewie is going to keep working on the links so you get to be co-pilot for a bit. Have you ever flown something like this?" he asked as they made their way up the ramp.
"Only T-16s and the Y-Wing," Ari admitted.
"Well, then, no time like the present to learn."
Ari laughed with a shake of her head, wondering what she had gotten herself into.
OOC: Read and review guys! As for the link. Go to the Yahoo homepage and click on photos. Then where you type in the address add /baw61983 and click go or enter or whatever you use lol. Then click on my pictures, then Star Wars, sorry about the bad link before. J