Princess of Darkness

Chapter 7

Four fighters were chasing the Falcon. Solo and Luke ran to the guns, while Ava and Chewie were in the cockpit trying to out-fly them. Lily was certain the ship was Clone Wars era at least in age, and therefore would have some sort of problem she could fix to help.

Sure enough, a pipe busted after a few hits, and Lily went to fix it. Getting to it wasn't the problem, but with the twists and turns of the ship it was hard to stay upright, and the little toolbox kept falling, and she was pretty sure she had hit every single one of her toes before climbing out of the hole.  There was cheering, and R2 beeped happily. Lily smiled and laughed a little.
***

"You're certain that the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I'm taking an awful risk. This better work."
***

"Not a bad bit of rescuing huh? Ya know, I amaze myself sometimes." Solo bragged to Ava.

"That doesn't sound hard. They're tracking us. It's the only way to explain how easy it was to get away."

"You call that easy?"

"I don't call four TIEs hard." Lily interjected. "The three of us shouldn't have been able to get out of there, Ben's help or not."

"What now?" Lily asked.

"Now we deliver the plans the Artoo unit is carrying. I only hope a weakness can be found. It's not over yet."

"It is for me!" Solo said. "I ain't in this for your revolution, and I ain't in this for you. I expect to be well paid." 

"Oh, don't worry. If all you care about is money, that's all you'll get." Luke walked in as Ava stormed out. He looked at his sister questioningly. She shrugged. 

"What do you think of her, Han?" Luke asked.

"Tryin' not to, kid. "

"Good. " He breathed. Lily's eyes widened and an evil smirk played on her lips at her brother's obvious crush.  Han noticed it too.

"Little tame,  for me. " Luke opened his mouth to defend her,  then realized they were baiting him.  He glared at Lily.

"I hate you sometimes,  you know that?"

"Nah, you love me."

"I wonder why." She was trying not to grin.

***

They arrived at the planet a pilot said was Yavin 4. Ava was swept aside immediately, Han waspromised payment after the debriefing.  The rebellion had a couple extra fighters, and  the Skywalker kids, ever pilots,  volunteered to help.

***

"The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a firepower greater than half the star fleet. It's defenses are designed around a direct large- scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense." A general named Dodonna said.  One if the leaders spoke up.

"If it's that well armored,  what used are our ships going to be? "

"The Empire must not think a one manned fighter is any threat,  or they'd have a tighter defense.  Teams of three fighters will be in the trench at a time, one to fire, two for defense. Any questions?" No one answered. "Then man your fighters, and may the Force be with you." 

***

Luke was talking to Han, who had no intention of staying. Lily had seen him rolling his eyes during the briefing. Someone snuck up behind her and wrapped their muscled arms around her.

"Hey, beautiful stranger." A male voice whispered in her ear. Lily spun around and shrieked.

"Eli?!" She exclaimed and threw her arms around his neck. They had been... something. More then friends, people don't stay 'just friends' after a late night drunken confession and kiss, but they never were an official couple either.

"It's me. Are you flying, or just Luke?"

"I'm flying. THIS is where you went? Is Biggs here?"

"Yeah he's here, running to Luke last I saw. Come on, Red Leader needs to talk to you and Luke." Lily followed him in amazement. Luke was already there. 

"Skywalker?" Red Leader said, walking to them.

"Yes?" They both said.

"Twins, huh?" They smiled a little sheepish. "You're checked out for this one and the one in front of it. Sure you can handle it?" Lily had what Eli and Luke called her 'devil smirk.' 

"Sir," Biggs said, "these two are the finest pilots in the Outer Rim territories. They can handle anything."

"I bet bet they can. Good luck." 

"Thank you sir, we'll try." Luke said. He and Biggs walked to the other ship. Eli got closer to her.

"I should get on." She mumbled.

"Mmmhmm. I'm down here, helping from below. Flying those things isn't my thing." He murmured and bent down.

"No it never was, was it?" She murmured back. She swore she her heart stopped when his lips met hers. It wasn't the sloppy, drunk, giggly kiss like before, but slow, meaningful. When they pulled away for the very important need of air, he didn't back up. 

"How about, if we both survive this, we officially can say we're dating?" 

"Now I have an even better reason. See you soon, okay?" She kissed his cheek before climbing the ladder. Another person helped in an astromech.

"This is R7-N3. He doesn't have a master, so you're welcome to keep him if you both survive. Good luck." He left abruptly.

"Um, thanks?" She muttered. "All good back there, R7?" A positive beep. Lily smiled. "Good." The cockpit lid shut. She turned on the engines with the other fighters. Lily's palms began to sweat.

They took off. 

A/N Hey I'm updating! So yes, its a little short and a LOT late. Yes, Lily and Eli have a pre-established relationship. I could not have made a believable relationship in the time frame I have for the book. Go read the other Note because I'm too lazy to write it again. 

Bye!