Fame and Fortitude

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

"We should arrive in Coronet City in less than half a time-part," Han said as the Wookiee Princess lifted gracefully into the sky. "I'm traveling this route so often lately, I could fly there in my sleep."

*Sometimes I hear you snoring from the pilot's seat,* Chewie woofed out, *so I'm pretty sure you do.*

"Very funny, pal." Han glanced back at Luke, who was sitting behind him, trying not to smile.

Normally, the YT-2000 had only two seats in the cockpit, one directly in front of the other, but when Han purchased this ship he'd spent a lot of extra credits on having the cockpit modified to match the layout of a YT-1300. The Corellian Engineering Corporation hadn't been too happy with the task, and Han suspected they might have refused his request entirely if he'd been anyone else besides Evin Daysun. In the end they had relented, and Han had gotten the custom designed, heavily armed freighter he desired. Still, Han would have traded this new ship for the Millennium Falcon - with all its flaws and quirks - in a heartbeat, if it were at all possible. But just like his previous, physical body, the Falcon was forever gone, and Han wasn't the type of person to spend his time pining over things that couldn't be altered. Either you accepted what life pushed your way, or you remained in a perpetual state of inertia, which was pointless.

Lost in their own thoughts, the three humans and Wookiee were startled when a young voice spoke from behind them a quarter-part later.

"I hope you won't be angry that I came along."

"Rey?" Luke spluttered out in surprise as everyone spun around in their seats to face the entryway of the cockpit. He hadn't sensed the girl was onboard, which spoke volumes to her latent abilities with using the Force.

"I know I can help find Isabell," Rey said in concern. "I've spent a lot of time with her during classes, so I know what her Force-sense feels like."

"So do we," Luke said sternly. "You're supposed to be in the safe shelter. Your mom and dad are going to be very worried that you're missing."

"No, I left a message with Artoo," Rey quickly explained. "They'll know I'm with you, Master Luke."

Han groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "Should we take her back? I hate to waste time."

After a moment's hesitation, Luke shook his head. "No, you're right - we shouldn't waste time. Isabell's in danger. I'll comm Mara to make certain Shiv and Karmal know Rey is with us, and safe."

Glaring at the girl, Han stood from his seat and pointed his finger in her face. "You go sit in the hold and strap yourself in tight. Then you listen to Luke, and don't you dare try an' run off by yourself once we get to Coronet City. You understand me, young lady?"

"I don't know why I ever had a crush on you," Rey said with a huff as she turned and resolutely marched away from two amused men and a Wookiee, as well as the highly annoyed Captain of the Wookiee Princess.

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Coronet City

Isabell was freezing cold, and it wasn't just her feet. Shivering, she tentatively entered a dark alleyway, directly behind the clothing store where she had tried to obtain assistance. Lurking in the shadows, she could see something moving near a large trash bin, so she slowly approached the slender figure. "Hello?"

The shadow jumped back from the bin, spinning around to face the young child. "I ain't stealin' nuthin."

"I didn't say you were," Isabell replied, moving toward the other child a bit more confidently. Now that she was near, she could see the figure was a young human child, not much older than herself. "My name's Isabell. What's yours?"