FLYING SOLO ➳ luke skywalker

ELEVEN! NOTHING TO LOSE

LOOK, Analia had done a lot of stupid things, not only during her time as a member of the Millennium Falcon's crew, but long before she met Han too. But flying straight towards a heavily armed battle station with no plan in mind other than shoot was a whole new level of stupid, even for her.

Still, there was something thrilling in the whole ordeal. Perhaps Analia was just overjoyed to finally be doing something exciting while sitting in the Falcon's pilot seat, or maybe, after all the sticky situations she had found herself tangled up in alongside Luke and Old Ben, she had grown fond of the adrenaline rush that risky, near-death situations induced.

The Rebel Alliance had launched their assault on the Death Star, which was already within scarily close proximity of Yavin IV. Surely, it must have nearly been in firing range. And the lack of rebel X-wing starfighters racing across the surface of the Death Star was not at all a comforting sight to Analia. In fact, there were only two of them. She knew that there must have been more of them when the attack began, but the imperial TIE fighters had picked off the majority of the rebel pilots already. Now, one X-wing was flying through the shaft with three TIE fighters on its tail, and the second one had retreated, evidently unfit for battle.

"This is the dumbest thing we've ever done." Analia pressed harder on the accelerator. Chewbacca grumbled in agreement.

"Friendly reminder that this was your idea," Han shouted, his voice sounding through the intercom.

"You're the idiot who agreed to it," Analia countered. "Now shut it and make the shot."

Han knew what Analia was referring to without her elaborating. Below, he manned the guns, and he fired at one of the three fighters that were chasing an X-wing through the shaft. It blew apart to elated cheers from Analia, Han and Chewbacca.

"You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home!" Han called, his message transmitting to the Rebel Alliance and their pilots.

Analia sucked in a sharp breath, held it, grip on the Falcon's joysticks tightening so much that her knuckles began to turn white. Her heart hammered against her ribcage as she braced herself, dreading the moment that Luke's shot was fired and he missed, and the rebels and their base were blasted to smithereens by the Death Star.

The exulted cry of relief had ripped itself free from Analia's chest before she could even process the reality of what had happened. Luke made the shot. In the shock of the moment, Analia completely froze, but it was Han's panicked voice in her ear that grounded her back in reality. Adjusting her hold on the joysticks, she reeled the Falcon around, laughing in triumph as the Death Star blew and splintered in her wake.

"Great shot, kid!" Han exclaimed. "That was one in a million!"

In the excitement of the moment, Analia was having trouble breathing, so Chewbacca assumed her position in the captain's seat and she exited the cockpit, racing through the Falcon's halls with the goal of going to the gunners to see Han. But he had already climbed up and met her in the hallway, and before Analia had the chance to speak, Han had flung his arms around her and swept her into a pleasant but unexpected embrace.

"He did it!" Han cackled. "He actually did it!"

"The Force must've been with him," Analia snorted, wrapping her arms around Han and accepting his hug gratefully. Believe it or not, it wasn't very often that the pair actually expressed affection for one another, and as weird as it was, Analia would be lying if she said she didn't like the hug.

The Millennium Falcon docked back on Yavin IV; Analia, Han and Chewbacca hurried down the ramp and stepped into the hangar, which was alive with cheers and tumultuous clapping. At once, Analia's eyes sought Luke, and it didn't take her long to find him. He was stood by his X-wing, surrounded by whooping rebels and hugging Princess Leia fervently. With Han at her side, Analia hastened across the hangar, throwing herself at Luke.