Ben Solo

XIX

"This is my father's ship.  I have authorization to be here," Ben protested, as he turned.

The man standing behind them looked evil.  He had a dark hood pulled over his head, blocking most of his face.  But a wide smile showed through.  "Han Solo's son, eh?"

Ben suddenly thought that maybe it wasn't a good idea to have revealed who his father was.

The man took a step forward.

Poe stood his ground.  "And who are you?"

"The name's Dequesne."  He laughed when he saw their faces, confused.  "You're going to wish you'd never met me."

"Why?"

He merely laughed and walked past them to the Falcon.  He ran his hand down the control panel, and opened the blast doors.

"Give your father my regards," Desquesne said, grinning widely.

"You can give them yourself," Han said, stepping out of he shadows.  "Now get away from my ship."

Duquesne laughed.  "Good day, Han Solo, but I am afraid that I cannot do that."

He gave a jaunty salute and dashed inside.

Duquesne had picked the right man to steal from.  Neither Han nor Chewbacca would shoot at their beloved Falcon.

They stood, helpless, as the ship disappeared.

Han threw his blaster to the ground.  "Blast that Duquesne!"

Then he turned his attention to the two boys.  "What are you two doing here?"

"We were going on a flight practice, and ran into some First Order.  We escaped to here to avoid the TIE-Fighters tracking us back to the academy," Ben explained.  "Sorry we couldn't stop him."

"It's fine, Ben.  It's my own fault.  I should have known something was up when he bought me a drink.  I didn't drink it, but I turned my attention for one minute and he was gone."  Han paused.  "First Order, you say?"

"They were about two hours from the academy, destroying a village and kidnapping more children," Poe reported.

Han muttered something under his breath that Ben didn't catch, but he assumed it was profanity. "And how are you two going to get back to Dantooine?"

"We've got our X-Wings, Father," Ben reminded him.

"And then how are I and Chewie getting back to Dunov? Oh, your mother will kill me!"

"Can't you buy a new ship here?" Poe asked.

Han shook his head. "They don't like me much here."

"Why do you keep coming back?"

"The adventure, kid." Han let out a long breath. "You kids got radios inside those little fighters?"

Poe thought for a second. "Yeah, but I don't know how to radio base."

"Leave that to me. C'mon."

Chewbacca put his hand heavily on Ben's head before following Han.

The two boys glanced at each other.

Han turned halfway through Mos Eisley. "What hangar are you in?"

"Eleven. Over there." Ben pointed.