Han Solo drew his left forefinger slowly down the map displayed on the lighted console screen.
"Don't know, Chewie" He commented with a tired sigh.
The Wookiee grumbled back.
"I'll find us a place," Han answered testily. "I'm tired too, and we need supplies and place
to stay out of sight for a while."
The Wookiee remained silent, but shook his head.
The Corellian took a deep breath, rotated his neck, straightened in his pilot's seat, and began punching in coordinates… "Let's try mid-rim."
At a sharp spat from his co-pilot, Han replied. "I'm not going too close to Corellia, and yes…
I remember what happened there."
Chewbacca kept muttering as Han redirected the ship's flight course to the mid-rim planets.
Staring at the blackness all around them, Han mused to himself that it was as black as he felt
in his soul. The one constant in his life at this time was the ship he'd won in that sabbac match..
it was now home, protector, livelihood and rescuer….and Chewbacca…a new found friend…at least he wasn't alone now in this vast galaxy.
"Here.." Han tapped the screen again, "Takodana…looks nice, you'll like it…has lots of trees."
Trees swayed and bent, leaves swirled as the Millenium Falcon swooped lower to land in a clear patch.
Han took a long look out the cockpit portal…no signs of fights or natural disasters.
"Let's go take a look, Chewie." Han punch his friend playfully on the shoulder as the Wookiee
completed his part of shutting down the ship's systems.
Stopping at the end of the ship's walk-way, Han took a deep breath. "Smell that air, Chewie…better than that canned air on the ship."
The Wookiee raised his head, sniffing, turning his head side to side.
"You get a whiff of something?" Chewbacca began chattering.
"Food, huh? Let's go." Han led the way Chewbacca had pointed.
Walking through scrub brush, avoiding twisted vines and dodging low hanging branches, the
two soon came up on clearing in the day light.
"Will you look at that!" Han exclaimed, adjusting his blaster belt, then rubbing his chin.
Chewbacca twisted his head…..he'd seen a lot of different things since joining up with this
new friend; lush and barren planets, glowing space anomalies, living species he could never have
imagined populating the many cantina's they'd sat in throughout the galaxy to … business.
Han saw his friends confusion and said, "It's a castle. There are many on older planets who's
civilizations have now become extinct. That is where Royalty lived. We may have come upon
the ruler of this planet.
Han pointed, "Look at the flags… probably the territories which they rule over. " A quick thought crossed Solo's mind as he noted the many starships dotting the area around the castle. "It could be a military fortress." He told his friend, running a finger down his shadowy, stubbled cheek. "Keep your bowcaster close, and remember the direction we came if we have to make a quick get away."
Stepping on the stone walkway that led to the doors, Chewbacca followed, ever observant, as Han led the way to the massive doors.
Walking up the steps, the Corellian placed a practiced hand over his blaster before reaching for
the door.
Inside, Han was surprised to realized it looked like any other cantina he'd frequented. Nodding to Chewbacca, he began down the steps.
"Hold it right there!" A shrill voice commanded. Han stood stock still, Chewbacca slightly bumping into him. Han looked left, right and behind.
"Down here." The voice directed.
What Han saw when he looked down was a diminutive, orange skinned being with shining eyes behind large goggles. Han smiled.
"Oh, so you think I can't handle you and your friend there!" The voice stated. "This is my place, I've been here for a thousand years…I've seen all kinds, dealt with all kinds and you are no different."
Han placed a hand on his chest, giving a slight negative nod.
The being pointed to a wall… "Those are the rules here….you can keep your blaster, but no
fighting. You get one night here free, after that you pay…him too…" She indicated Chewbacca with a wave of her hand. "I'm Maz Kanata, this is my place…follow me."
Han turned, and gave a shrug to his friend, and followed behind her.
"This booth." Maz said, patting the table as she scooted to the middle. Han and Chewbacca seated themselves, waiting for her to speak.
Waving a hand, a server brought over a large bottle and three glasses. "This is the house special." Maz told them as she poured drinks for the three of them and scooted the glasses across the table. "Drink up!"
The pair took a swallow, Han catching his breath, but holding the liquor…Chewbacca coughed.
"Good stuff? No?" She asked smiling. "Well, speak up. We're going to get acquainted. Tell me who you are.
Han took another sip from his glass….. "I'm Han Solo, captain of the Millennium Falcon. He's my friend, Chewbacca." He jerked a thumb toward the Wookiee.
"Are you Imperial? A soldier?"
"I was…once." Han answered. "Now we do free-lance hauling."
Maz sipped her drink. "You a deserter?" She asked, looking up from her glass.
Han winced. "The military deserted me." He declared.
Maz smiled. "So, now you are in a different 'line of work.'."
"You might say that." Han replied. "A career change…." He smiled.
Maz nodded. "I understand. I was doing what you are doing now way before you both were born. That's why I started this place. A safe haven…" she said as she looked around the massive room.
The trio was silent for a moment, then Maz asked as she gazed at Chewbacca…. "You're quite a handsome fellow." She blinked her eyes at the Wookiee. Han gave a quiet chuckle.
"So, how old are you?" She asked. Chewbacca. He shrugged his shoulders and barked an answer. Seeing Maz's brow wrinkle, Han spoke, "He's just about two hundred years old."
"I like younger fellows. I think we'll be come good friends." Maz said.
"You're alright Solo, you're welcome here anytime." Maz rose to leave, filling their glasses
from the bottle once again. "Order anything you like…on the house the first time."
Han eased back in the booth, a feeling of relaxation he'd not felt in some time spreading over him, as he lifted his glass, knowing this would be a place he would be 'visiting' many times
over his new career.