Chapter 147
As the group got ready to leave, Luke stopped everyone and insisted that they get the droids first. They would be done with their work and though they were able to do things on their own, they were a still a part of their strange group.
The others agreed and walked back to the hanger where the Falcon had docked, next to the hanger where Ari and Luke's ships had landed.
It was possible to hear the droids before seeing them. Actually, they could hear Threepio before they saw the droid. "It is possible you spent time on Naboo, but I have searched my memory banks and have no recollections of spending significant time on the planet though I have the full history of Naboo from ancient history until recent time. In fact, did you know-"
The group turned past another ship just as Artoo made a rude noise to interrupt. The droids were newly polished and gleaming. They sounded as if they had been given oil baths, since there was no sound of squeaking gears.
"You oversized bucket-" Threepio started to say, then saw the others approaching and stopped. "Master Luke, Mistress Leia, we were concerned that we were unable to contact you and deemed the right course of action was to come here and await for your return."
Before Luke or Leia could say something, Pooja gasped. Everyone turned to her as her eyes grew wide. "C-3PO? R2-D2?"
"Do we…have we met?" Threepio asked the young woman. He clearly didn't know her. Artoo on the other hand started to beep and chirp, sounding excited.
"Yes," Pooja laughed, then turned her attention back to the droid. "You remember me, don't you?" she asked.
The droid beeped happily and Pooja leaned over to give the droid a hug. "I've gotten a lot taller since last time," she laughed.
"You know them?" Leia asked.
Pooja nodded. "Yes. I am not surprised Threepio doesn't remember. We didn't see him as much. I am surprised Artoo remembers. I assumed their memories would have been wiped."
Artoo beeped and Threepio translated. "Between the cleaning and some other internal damage from previous times, some of his memory seemed to return. It appears he recognizes you."
Pooja smiled and nodded then turned back to the others, realizing that she hadn't answered their questions. "Both these droids worked with your parents," she told Luke and Leia. "Fitting they would work for you both now."
"That's impossible though," Leia protested. "They have been on my ship and belonged to my father, Bail Organa, before that."
Pooja thought this over and then shrugged. "Well, I know he and Aunt Padme were friends."
"They were?" Leia asked.
Pooja nodded. "Come, let's all have dinner and then there will be plenty of time for questions."
Artoo beeped in agreement, making everyone smile. Pooja smiled and led the way, Artoo following beside her. Luke glanced at Ari, meeting her eye before motioning with his eyes to Leia. Though no words were spoken, she knew that he was concerned about Leia. Ari gave a nod of her head to tell him to walk with Leia. She would have time to show him more of Naboo later. This was much more important.
Ari fell in step aside Han. Chewie, who had to shorten his steps to keep the same pace, walked on the other side of Han.
The group was nearly silent as they walked toward the Naberrie home. Nearly silent, aside from Threepio.
Threepio, apparently feeling talkative, remarked on a number of places they walked past, especially their historical significance. Finally, Han snapped. "Shut up or shut down." Threepio seemed bothered by this, but fell silent.
"That droid can talk…" Han muttered with a shake his head.
"True, but that isn't always a bad thing," Ari responded. She glanced at Luke and Leia and saw Luke learn over to murmur something to Leia and she nodded in response. Turning her attention back to Han, Ari saw that she was watching Leia too. From what Ari had seen, Leia was taking the news of her biological parents much harder than Luke. Though if the rumors were correct, Leia had been tortured by her own father. While Ari didn't usually listen to rumors, she had a feeling there was at least some truth there. At the very least, she had been made to view her planet's destruction. Though Luke insisted that Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker were different people, Ari had a feeling Leia considered them the same person. As a Jedi, Ari understood what Luke meant. However, she knew without her training, she would have trouble separating the two as well.
Pooja led them down a quiet street, taking a few steps to the left as laughing children raced by. Ari couldn't help but smile, remembering her own childhood. She hadn't spent much time on Naboo, but could remember some things, including playing with friends in courtyards and in streets. She had played games on Tatooine too, though there had been a lot more work there and less children. She was glad to that she lived close to Luke or she would have had very limited interaction with others, since she only saw the other children about once a month when her family went to town for supplies.
"I didn't tell them who you were. I just said we were having visitors for dinner. I eat here at least once a week."
"I explained that you were someone who I knew years ago and friends," she answers. "And no, they won't mind. I made sure of it."
Pooja slowed and then motioned to the house with a wave of her arm. "My grandparents have lived here for as long as I can remember. Regretfully, my sister Ryoo won't be able to join us today."
Leia seemed about to ask something, but stopped as a woman came to the door. She had brown hair which was pulled back. Ari thought she might have seen a hint of silver, but that could have been a trick of the light. She also had brown eyes that seemed to light up when she saw Pooja. Ari realized it must be Pooja's mother, but she was struck by how much she looked like Padme and in turn, Leia. Similar facial features with the same color hair. Their eyes were the largest different. Pooja's mother had blue eyes and Leia had brown. Ari wasn't the only one that noticed because she saw Luke glance from this woman to Leia, then back to the woman.
Ari watched the woman's eyes take in the group and they paused longer on Leia. However, she didn't comment. Instead, she smiled. "Welcome. I am Sola Naberrie." Her gaze swept over them again, landing on Leia. "You must be Princess Leia. I've heard your name mentioned more than once." Leia gave something that was between a bow and a curtsy, a small gesture that accompanied a smile. Ari wondered if she noticed the resemblance she had with the older woman. Then Sola looked at Luke. "Commander Luke Skywalker." Luke gave a small nod of his head to her.
Then Sola glanced past them. "General Han Solo." Han gave her a roguish grin in response. "Chewbacca," Sola nodded to the Wookie who gave a quiet bark in greeting. Then, her eyes moved to Ari. "Lieutenant Arianna Narabe." Ari was surprised she knew her name. Leia, Luke, Han and Chewie were probably better known than she was, not that she wanted to be a hero. Perhaps it was because of her last name, which had its origin from Naboo. Instead of asking, Ari gave a nod with a small smile.
Sola smiled back then looked at the droids, who were standing next to each other again. "Allow me to introduce…I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations and this is my counterpart, R2D2."
This seemed to catch Sola off guard and Ari knew instantly that she, like Pooja, knew the droids. Artoo beeped happily and Ari was certain Artoo remembered her as well. She didn't know why Threepio didn't, but she assumed their memories had been wiped at least once.
"Come in, all of you. My parents are inside," Sola said. "I know they were excited about meeting you when Pooja contacted them." She shared a smile with her daughter then led them all inside.