Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy A Fan Novelization

Chapter Three - Scum and Villainy

Kyle landed the Raven's Claw in an empty docking bay of the Mos Eisley Spaceport. Jaden traded the cool interior of the Claw for the harsh, blistering twin suns of Tatooine. She shielded her eyes.

"Master Skywalker grew up here?"

"Yep, not exactly the ideal spot to spend your childhood but, he had no choice. When his mother died in childbirth, Obi-Wan Kenobi took him and hid him here with his uncle and aunt, while Princess Leia was adopted by the king of Alderaan."

"That's very sad," Jaden said, and almost added "unfair" that Luke had to be raised in harsh conditions while his sister was raised in the cushy life of a princess. But then again, none of her fellow students had it lucky either.

"Of course, Alderaan was sadly destroyed by the Death Star, so Leia's not really the princess of anything now. Her official title with the New Republic is Senator Organa, but to us Rebels, she'll always be our Princess."

Jaden smiled at the sweet sentiment. She'd heard countless tales of the heroes of the Rebellion and often wondered what it was like to serve under them, to watch them lead in the fight against the Empire.

They entered a docking bay where smaller vessels were parked, lined up in a row.

"Luke's info was good," Kyle commented. "These are definitely freelance cargo ships."

They made their way to another docking bay door and came upon a sight to behold.

A large, gray, YT series Corellian light freighter, with several modifications (mostly illegal) was parked in the middle of the docking bay. The ship was old and had seen many planets and countless fights, but she still held, standing like a scarred and glorious old war hero who still had plenty of fight left in them. The loading ramp was shut and all things considered looked to be locked up tight.

Kyle whistled. "Well I'll be, the Millennium Falcon!"

Jaden's eyes widened. "I heard about that ship! I mean, this ship. It's the one that made the Kessel Run in less than, what was it? 11? No, 12 Parsecs?!"

"Yep, that's her," Kyle answered, then raised his voice to call out: "Han? Chewie? Anybody here?" All was quiet, no answer. "I guess they're out."

They turned to leave but a sudden sound, like someone knocking on a window came from behind. By the time they turned around, Jaden just saw a flash of something, a hand maybe? moving away from the cockpit window. A moment later, the loading ramp lowered.

"I guess someone's home after all." Kyle folded his arms and watched as two small feet, then legs appeared at the top of the gangway, then made their way down the ramp. It was a child. Jaden and Kyle took in the sight with astonishment. He couldn't have been more than ten, with feathery dark brown hair and brown eyes. He wore knee high brown boots, dark navy pants with a red stripe running up the side of each leg, and a cream colored shirt under a black jacket with a hood. How he wore all that in this heat, Jaden would never understand. She guessed it was why he stayed inside the ship.

"Hey! Are you Jedi?" He asked, trying to look grown up and serious but failing.

Kyle grinned. "Yes we are. We thought your dad and Chewbacca were here. I'm Kyle by the way, I work with your Uncle Luke."

Dad? Jaden didn't know the legendary Han Solo had a son.

"Cool!" The boy said. "I'm Ben! Dad and Uncle Chewie stepped out for some business, but I'm not supposed to talk about it, he told me to stay in the Falcon and wait." Ben groaned. "He never lets me have fun!"

"He probably had a good reason to have you stay here. You know that Mos Eisley is a swarming hive of scum and villainy don't you?" Jaden could tell Kyle was thoroughly amused by this child.