Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter fourteen of "Not So Far." I decided to resume writing this fic after a twenty-one-month hiatus. FN-2187 will meet Poe in the chapter after the next one. Han, Chewie, and Luke will meet up with Ben and Rey in the next one. I cannot wait to do that. Stay tuned for chapter fifteen.
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Chapter 14: Still Moving/Incredible Discovery
Han, Chewie, and Luke continued moving through the rainforest an hour later. They listened to the sounds of many animals. This included monkeys and parrots. A white-striped monkey ran out in front of them, forcing them to come to a stop. It headed for a tree and climbed up it. It went out on a branch just above the middle. The trio shook their heads in disbelief.
"Damn animals running out in front of us," Han grumbled in much irritation.
"Just be lucky we weren't in the path of a boar," Luke pointed out.
"That critter is really dangerous. Even Wookies don't dare mess with it," Chewie growled while waving his hand in the air.
"If a boar can scare a Wookie, then it can scare anything," Han said, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "On some worlds, it weighs up to one thousand pounds. All that meat could feed a family for months."
"On some worlds covered by mostly oceans, tribes hunt whales, dolphins, and porpoises for food. Just one whale or several dolphins and porpoises can feed entire villages for months," Luke added.
"I don't think Ben would hunt any cetaceans," Chewie commented honestly. "I can see him catching fish and hunting boars, though."
"He is an excellent hunter because Luke and I taught him that," Han said, smiling in great warmth as he remembered the hunting trips he took with his son. "A father needs to teach his kids the basics for survival. If a father isn't there, then a father-figure will do. An uncle is a perfect example."
"Right," Chewie agreed.
"We better get going," Luke said seriously. He shuddered as his body shook somewhat. "I sense a disturbance in the Force."
"That's not good," Han said, his heart skipping two beats. "I was hoping that would not happen."
"Me too," Chewie responded in some fear. "We better find Ben before trouble gets here. That is if we can."
"Have a little confidence, Chewie," Han said, looking at him. "We'll find him this time. I promise."
"I hope so," Chewie said in uncertainty.
"Let's go," Luke commanded sternly while adjusting his lightsaber on his belt. "Time is of the essence."
Han, Chewie, and Luke resumed walking. They picked up their pace a bit while looking around. They spotted a white-striped monkey hanging by its tail from a branch just above the middle of a tree. It grabbed a leaf from another one below it. It proceeded to munch on that.
"Talk about a hungry monkey," Chewie said with a soft chuckle.
"You said it, Chewie," Han agreed. "It's better than having fruit thrown at you."
Chewie growled softly. "Yes, it is—"
Suddenly, Luke drew his lightsaber and pressed the button in which the blade came out. He, Chewie, and Han stopped in their tracks. A dragon fruit came flying his way as he held it up. It sliced in half instantly when it hit the blade. The halves dropped to the ground. He chuckled as he looked at his friend and brother-in-law.
"You just had to say that, didn't you, Han?" Luke asked with a smirk.
Han glanced at a white-striped monkey as it grabbed another dragon fruit while hanging from an overhanging branch by its tail not far from the group. He held up his hand when it threw the fruit. He caught it easily. Luke pressed the button, the blade retreating into the handle. He returned it to his belt.
"I guess I did," Han said, laughing to himself. He looked at Chewie, who tilted his head. "You want some fruit, buddy?"
"Sure," Chewie said as he took the fruit from him.
"You want part of this fruit?" Luke said, picking up the halves and offering the first one to Han.
"Sure," Han said eagerly and took it from him. "We need to eat a little something as we go along."
"You never think straight when you are hungry," Luke commented honestly. "In fact, you shouldn't it at all in that state."
"It is like your brain is on vacation," Han joked with a snicker.
"Sure," Luke agreed. "Come on."
Han, Chewie, and Luke started walking once more. They took small bites out of their fruit. They chewed quickly and swallowed with loud gulps. Han nodded approvingly, as did Chewie and Luke.
"Dragon fruit is really sweet," Han said in amazement.
"It sure is," Luke agreed. "In fact, most kinds of fruit are like that. They do not have a ton of calories, so you have to consume more of them than you do most foods."
Chewie emitted a soft growl. "Kashyyyk has so many species of fruit that Wookies can literally have a buffet of them in their homes and villages."
"Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru enjoyed growing fruit on the moisture farm," Luke admitted as he and the others bit into their fruit and proceeded to chew. "Seeds were rather cheap, so they were able to buy a bunch of them."
"Your family was lucky to be able to buy fruit seeds, despite they were not well off. Many poor families have a very hard time affording even a bunch of bananas," Han said, sadness showing in his voice.
Luke swallowed, as did his friend and brother-in-law. "Leia and I often had fruit for a snack after training for a few hours. It always helped us regain our energy. We occasionally had a little meat to go with it."
"Meat has a lot of protein. It is perfect for energy," Han responded and ran his tongue all over the inside of his mouth.
"A Wookie like me needs a lot of energy. I have to eat rather big meals to get that," Chewie added.
"When you eat, Chewie, you look like you are inhaling food," Han said while wiggling his eyebrows.
"We might as well attach a vacuum cleaner hose to his face," Luke joked and snickered under his breath. He blinked three times. Then he can suck up all the food he wants."
Han smirked. "Good idea, Luke."
Chewie hissed annoyingly as he looked away. Luke felt a chill go down his spine. He came to a stop and looked northeast. Han and Chewie halted themselves and looked at him.
"What is it, Luke?" Han wondered curiously.
"I sense a presence coming from that direction," Luke said while gesturing toward the undergrowth. "I believe someone is living here."
"Could it be Ben?" Han asked hopefully.
"I don't know, but we should check it out," Luke suggested and swallowed hard.
"I agree," Chewie said while raising his hand above his head.
"Count me in," Han added, smiling lightly. "Let's go."
Han, Chewie, and Luke headed in the new direction. They bit into their fruit and proceeded to chew.
"If anything, we can get some more fruit later," Han said honestly.
"That would be nice," Luke replied with a smile.
"Just don't hog it all," Han warned sternly.
"Duly noted," Luke commented as the trio swallowed with loud gulps. They started talking about finding Ben.
00000
Han, Chewie, and Luke reached a less dense part of the rainforest seven minutes later. They listened to the roaring of tigers, the cawing of parrots, and the squeaking of hogs. Chewie looked toward the canopy. He sniffed at the air. His face scrunched up at the scent he caught. He looked at Han, excitement showing on his face.
"I smell ocean water!" Chewie yelled delightfully.
"I can smell it too," Han agreed while sniffing. "It is pretty strong."
"The presence I am sensing is getting stronger too," Luke replied, forming a big smile on his face. "Whoever is here doesn't live far away."
"I am getting a good feeling Ben is here," Han said.
"I hope so, Han," Chewie commented and cleared his throat. "I wonder what life has been like for him."
"I do too," Han agreed.
"Many things could have happened," Chewie answered and laughed softly. "He could have taken on a padawan of his own."
"He may have been just focused on keeping his lightsaber skills up to par," Luke pointed out.
"Anything is possible if you just believe," Han murmured, a soft chuckle coming from him.
"Exactly," Luke said, nodding slowly. He could see the edge of the rainforest coming into view. "We are almost out of this place."
"Thank the Force," Han whispered in relief. "I hope we find Ben quickly."
"Patience, Han," Luke said while holding out his hand. He grabbed the edge of his cloak. "We will."
Han, Chewie, and Luke stepped out of the rainforest and onto the beach. They halted themselves. They observed the waves slithering up the sand. The waves retreated out to sea, only for more to come in. Luke turned his attention left. He pressed his lips together.
"The presence is coming from that direction," Luke said seriously.
"If Ben is here, I have no doubt he built himself a hut," Han said and drew his blaster from its holster.
Luke chuckled. "You and I taught him how to build his own shelter in case he ever got stranded somewhere."
"You can never be sure what could happen," Han admitted.
"We better go," Chewie suggested.
Han nodded in agreement. "You are right, Chewie. Let's go."
Luke started heading in the new direction. He felt his heart beat a little faster. Han and Chewie followed him close behind. They looked toward the palm trees. They saw their leaves moving in the wind. They felt their hair go back a little bit. They returned to their attention to the area in front of them.
"It's been a long time since we've been on a beach, Luke," Han commented.
"Yes, it has," Luke agreed. "My father told me he hated sand once because it got everyone. The shoe is the worst place for it to end up."
"I recall dumping a bunch of sand out of my boots after the battle on Jabba's barge. I joked we were never going to any planet that had it," Han said, laughing to himself. "Leia threatened to dump it on my head playfully."
Chewie cupped his chin in his hand. "I don't have to worry about getting sand in my shoes since I don't wear any. My fur is another story."
"Let's not forget snow. You were covered in it when we went to investigate that disturbance outside Echo Base on Hoth," Han pointed out.
"Even with all that fur, I was still cold. I thought I would freeze my ass off," Chewie said, his body shaking a tiny bit.
"I was even colder than you were," Han commented.
"Sure, you were," Chewie retorted sarcastically.
Luke held up his hand. "Enough."
The trio picked up their pace some. They spotted a hut in the distance, causing Han to laugh in much joy.
"We finally found the resident's shelter," Han said excitedly.
"Should we go inside?" Chewie wondered.
"Let's do it," Luke agreed while clasping his hands together. "The presence is really strong."
Han, Chewie, and Luke increased their strides. They managed to reach the hut quickly. They headed up the stairs. Han and Luke went in first. Chewie ducked under the doorway. He straightened his posture. They stopped in the middle of the hut. Han tried not to chuckle, but he couldn't help himself.
"Whoever lives here has done an excellent job of keeping this place in order," Han said.
"Talk about being organized," Chewie added.
Luke walked toward the bed. He closed his eyes in concentration. He breathed deeply in which he released all the tension from his body. He opened his eyes, his breathing turning to shudders. He swallowed hard, tears coming to his eyes. Han sheathed his blaster.
"Ben lives here," Luke whispered as he looked at Han and Chewie.
"Are you sure?" Han wondered.
"I have no doubt now," Luke said, walking over to the table. "His presence is incredibly strong. This place seems to be filled with great memories. There is another—"
"What?" Han asked.
"There is another presence. It is very unfamiliar. It possesses the same raw and untamed power that Ben has," Luke said, amazement showing in his voice.
"Oh, my," Han whispered shockingly.
"I know, right?" Luke said, nodding. "It is—"
Luke looked toward the back wall. He saw a lightsaber hanging on the hook and went over to it. He picked it up and touched it with his other hand. He twirled it around very slowly. He choked back a sob as the tears fell from his eyes.
"This lightsaber belongs to someone else," Luke said and looked at Han and Chewie.
"That means—" Han started.
Luke went over to the duo. "Ben did take on a padawan. He revived the Jedi Order in secret."
"You would think Snoke would have become aware of this by now," Han whispered seriously. "He is very strong in the Force after all."
"It is impossible to find Force-sensitives on Tihon unless you are on the ground," Luke said.
Han smiled. "I am glad to know he is alive. The question is where they are now."
"It is quite possible they went on a walk," Luke suggested.
"But why would one lightsaber be left behind?" Han asked confusingly. "That is unless his—"
Luke smiled. "Padawan is female and is pregnant with his child."
Han started breathing heavily. He went over to the back wall and placed his hand against it. Chewie went over to him and touched his shoulder. He gave him a concerning look.
"Are you okay, Han?" Chewie wondered.
"I am fine, Chewie. I am just in shock that I am to be a grandfather," Han answered.
"I am to be a granduncle," Luke added. "Leia is to be a grandmother. It's not something you learn quickly."
"Ben was known for being concerned about other people's safety," Han pointed out matter-of-factly. "He didn't want his girlfriend to hurt herself and the baby, so he wouldn't let her take her lightsaber with her. He would allow her to use it only in emergency situations."
"It's understandable. If you are not careful with a lightsaber, it can cost you an arm—" Luke started.
"Or a leg," Han finished.
"Right," Luke said with a nod.
"When do you think they will be back?" Chewie wondered in curiosity. "I am eager to see Ben and his padawan."
"I don't know. One thing is clear. He probably won't be too thrilled to see us," Luke said with a heavy sigh. He turned the lightsaber in his hands once more.