AN: Just to let you all know. There are references to things in the Expanded Universe. Previously, it was "The Young Han Solo Trilogy".
A little over twenty minutes later, Han trotted in,
followed by the humanoid.
"Since
either way we get the engines, we got them on the Falcon and I put them on
board," Han told them casually, though Ari knew he was probably
thrilled. "Were there any problems here?" he asked, looking
over at Chewie who just glanced at the man who was still sitting at the bar.
"No,
no. No problems at all," the man quickly spoke up.
"Good,"
Han smiled, wrapping his arm around Ari again. "Come along.
You're my good luck." He was really overdoing this, Ari came to the
conclusion. She knew why, however. She heard that spacers were
protective of their ships and woman. While Ari hated the idea, she knew
she had to play the part.
"Now,
let's play sudden death sabbac," Han announced.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Han,
Ari and Chewie came out of the bar, meer minutes later.
"I
never saw anyone look more surprised," Ari exclaimed.
"I
thought I was gonna lose for a bit there.
I told you, Kid. You are my good luck for this trip," Han put
his arm around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze before letting his arm fall
to his side.
Chewie
barked a few questions and Han nodded. "Yeah the engines are good.
Surprisingly good. I told him I was just moving them, but I have
them all ready. We just need to change a few wires over and move them a
bit more."
Chewie
gave a Wookie laugh and ruffled up Han's hair, causing it to go in various
different ways.
"Hey hey," Han laughed, jokingly pushing Chewie's paw back.
The trio couldn't help but smile at their good luck.
As they made their way towards the ship, Han motioned for them to follow him in another direction. "I found this short cut. Our 'friend' took this way and I think it should cut about ten minutes off this wonderful scenic hike," Han remarked with his usual sarcastic sense of humor. "And we will only be a few minutes from the Falcon."
Ari and Chewie shared a glance then shrugged, following, Han leading, followed by Ari while Chewie was last, as a guard in some ways.
The group got to a now silent conveyer belt that compacted the metal together. It had a few scattered parts on it. Han pulled himself up and then reached a hand, helping Ari up while Chewie pulled himself up easily.
"Up and over, very simple," Han smiled, straightening as did Ari, about to take the few steps to the other edge to jump off, but at that moment a small whine started and the conveyer belt shuddered, causing the two humans and Wookie to stumble and try and regain their footing.
"What in blazes!?" Han exclaimed, quickly reaching for his blaster, glancing around confused.
Ari looked around the area, trying to keep her balance.
At that moment a steady stream of blaster fire started from a nearby area, causing Ari to give a small cry, the shots barely missing her, so close she could feel them
Chewie quickly was at her side, bowcaster ready and he took a shot in the vicinity of where the shots came from.
"Apparently, someone does not want us leaving here," Han muttered, blaster out and ready.
It was at that moment that Ari heard the sound. It was a clanging sound, metallic. It had a steady rhythm and was quickly growing louder. Turning, her heart leapt into her throat.
A compacter was crushing all the metal together and the trio was quickly getting closer to it and the deadly weight made the belt shudder with each hit.
"Time to get off!" Han shouted over the noise, pushing Ari off, then jumping as well, last was Chewie.
Ari hit the ground hard and rolled a few feet, feeling the breath getting knocked out of her lungs.
"Come on Kid, we have to get moving," Han told her, having quickly recovered from his fall, grabbing Ari's arm and helping her up.
"What is going on?" Ari asked, mind racing a million lightyears a second.
"I think Jabba is mad we haven't paid him yet," he almost winced at the thought.
"So he…" Ari trailed off, eyes growing a bit wider.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Han whispered then started to run, Ari and Chewie at his heels.
Ari could feel something that caused her to look over her shoulder. She saw movement and gave a small gasp. It was a large reptilian creature, but that was all she could tell before it disappeared again. She quickly relayed it to Han
"Bossk. Bounty hunter. Good one," Han answered between breaths.
"Great. Just what we don't need," Ari muttered.
At that moment, they came upon the ship.
"Chewie, get in there!"
Han ordered, pushing himself harder to reach the ramp first to lower it for the
others.
This
left Ari a few dozen yards behind, legs not long enough to keep up with the two
smugglers;
Another
feeling came to Ari, strong and she barely managed to turn in time to see the
now awake, and angry, nek battle dog leap at her.
Jumping
back, Ari's hand went to her saber, but instead of grabbing it, she
hesitated. She didn't want to kill it. She was against senseless
killing, especially of animals.
Deciding grab the blaster Han had given her, she reached for it. However,
the hesitation cost her. The attacking nek flung himself at the girl,
catching her at the waist and both felel, the neck snarling while Ari gave a
cry.
"Ari!"
Han shouted, clearly panicked as the ramp lowered and he waved Chewie to get to
work, rushing to Ari's side.
"I'm fine!" Ari shouted
back. She was able to keep the teeth from biting her by having pulled her
knees to her chest, so the nek was now on her legs, the claws cutting into her
legs.
Maneuvering quickly, Ari slid one foot,
then the other, under the neck's chest. Calling on all her energy, she
pushed back with her feet, sending the neck flying back several feet.
Landing with a howl, the neck looked at
her, getting to its feet. After studying Ari, who had the blaster drawn,
and Han who had stopped his run, his blaster also raised, the nek turned and
disappeared around the scrap piles again.
"Blazes, are you alright?" Han
asked her, finally getting to her side.
Ari just nodded, though she winced when he
gingerly touched a cut on her let that was starting to bleed. "That
doesn't look too good though," Han commented, holding out a hand to help
her to her feet.
Ari took it and Han pulled her to her
feet. The blond haired girl then started to brush off her clothes, the
dirt on her cloak and pants.
"We really need to hurry before Bossk
showed up," Han told her, his eyes quickly scanning the area.
"You go help Chewie. I just
need a moment..." Ari told him, feeling her left leg muscles start to
tighten, making it shake.
"You sure?" Han asked, not
wanting to leave her, but knowing they had to get off planet.
"Yes," Ari nodded and gave him a
small push. Han hesitated only a moment before dashing for the Flacon,
boots clattering quickly up the ramp.
Ari turned from the Falcons, to the
mountains of scrap metal, plumes of exhaust were seen rising into the already
polluted air.
Unable to get a lungful of clean air put
Ari even more on edge and she tightened her hold on her blaster
Though she knew she should get on the Falcon, Ari found herself almost frozen, thoughts drifting back to the base they had just left, as well as Luke, wondering how he was doing.
How long she stood motionless, she was uncertain. What she was certain of, was that when she finally came back to the present, she could hear some noses in the Falcon. It was a soft whine, probably a quick check to make sure everything was put together properly. Feeling somewhat relieved, she started for the ship.
AN: Please continue to R&R! You all rock!