The Chronicles of Cordelia Solo

Chapter 3 - Solo

"So, I thought that went really well." Han says. Cordelia rolls her eyes at her brother, pulling her hand free so she can pinch his arm.

"Let's get this done as quick and as clean as possible. What do you need?" Qi'ra asks.

"I can scrounge up the gear. Do you got a line on a ship?" Beckett replies.

"I know a guy. And I know just where to find him." She says.

***

Cordelia holds onto Chewie as he carries her on his back. Han said that's the only way he'd let her come with, and she wasn't leaving him so she agreed. Qi'ra and Han walk in front of them.

"It's a long shot, but it's worth a try. He's the best smuggler around. He's slipped through the Empire's fingers more times than anyone else." Qi'ra explains. 

They near a droid fighting ring and Cordelia holds Chewbacca tighter, anxious about the rowdy crowd. Chewie growls softly to reassure her, patting her leg.

"But he's retired. Says he's a sportsman now." Qi'ra continues.

"All we need is his ship." Han says.

"Well, he'll never part with it. He loves that ship. He won it playing Sabacc." She finishes as they reach a game of Sabacc.

"That's the guy, huh?" He asks as the crowd laughs at something the man said. "An interesting style." He says as they start moving around the group.

"I'll say." Qi'ra says.

"You say he won his ship? I can take him. Let me at him." He says. 

"Han! Are you serious?" Cordelia says, glaring at him from over Chewie's shoulders.

"Absolutely not." Qi'ra agrees. "These guys are serious gamblers."

"I'm serious. Stake me." He says. Chewie growls. "Don't listen to him."

Han steps towards the table and joins the game. Qi'ra and Chewie both pick a spot to watch from. Chewie shifts his hold on Cordelia until he holds her like a mother would hold her toddler, then leans against a nearby post. With his height, Cordelia can see over the tops of the crowds heads, keeping an eye on her brother.

They watch as Han plays, him and Lando taking turns winning, bantering the whole time. They play until finally, Lando bets his ship against Han's. Lando lets Han believe he's won, before revealing that he's the one who did. Chewie growls and punches the post they lean against and Cordelia sighs.

"First of all, there's no way he could've had that green sylop. They'd all been played. Also, your guy, Captain Wonderful, is so full of bantha crap-" Han rants as they move through the crowds.

"Yoo-hoo!" Lando calls, making their group stop. "Where's my VCX?" He asks, approaching them.

"I don't have it right here now. It's in the shop. I'm getting some work done." Han lies. Qi'ra clears her throat and steps out from behind Han.

"Lando." She says. He smiles.

"Qi'ra." He chuckles and kisses the back of her hand. "You look phenomenal. As always." He says.

"Well, I knew I was gonna see you." She says. Chewie stands next to Han and sets Cordelia down, setting a hand on Han's shoulder. 

"Get off!" Han says, shoving Chewie off. Cordelia pats Chewie's arm.

"He's just jealous." She tells him.

"What are you doing with hairy, the boy, and the little girl?" Lando asks.