An unexpected meeting
By Whynni
Part 1
'Beep! Wheeeep!!' 'What is it, Artoo?'
Christina Solo was just cleaning her room as the little droid entered, rolling to where she stood, producing a pattern of beeping noises. The dome- shaped head turned round while it probably told her a whole story. The problem was that she didn't understand a beep. 'Well, little one, what are you all rambling about?'
She paused cleaning when the droid drove against the back of her knees to pay attention and she wondered what was the matter. She was probably 'needed' somewhere, but she couldn't know for sure.
She really admired Luke; he could understand quite a bit of Artoo's speech while she thought that every beep was the same. But Luke had traveled a lot with his little companion and what else could he do during long travels through hyperspace than having conversations with his droid? He must have gotten used to the speech pattern and learned some words, reading the translation from the monitor in his X-Wing.
But Christina wasn't used to his 'speech' and she could only guess what he was saying. 'Well Artoo, I really don't know what's up, but you could bring me to whatever you're all rambling about.' she suggested and the droid seemed to agree with this, beeping happily and making his way to the door. Christina followed him out of her room and through the hallway, wondering where he would lead her.
She wasn't used to her new home yet. Actually, she wasn't used to her new life; only a few weeks ago she had discovered that she had a brother: Han Solo, a smuggler who had a lot of bounties on his head. It was only by accident that she'd found his profile while hacking the main computer of the New Republic, while doing some work in Coruscant.
She had found out that she wasn't the only one left of the family although she wasn't sure whether he was her family in the beginning. But after meeting him she was sure; they really looked like each other. Christina's face had the same shape as Han's and their eyes were almost identical. Their hair had the same brown color, like many Corellian people had.
And so she'd landed in the palace in Coruscant. People were shocked first, for hacking in the computer system wasn't something that was allowed, but she eventually quit her old job and was given the job to protect the computer system and build a new security system. This was all possible because of her brother. She was really thankful, because she could have been put in prison instead.
Christina followed the droid to the hangar and she figured that he was bringing her to Han, who was probably working on the Millennium Falcon, accompanied by his companion Chewbacca. It was crowded everywhere and it took some effort not to bump into pilots who were hurrying in all imaginable directions. Artoo didn't seem to have a problem with the crowd; he slipped easily through some small pathways while Christina made excuses, bumping into some pilots once in a while. She eventually managed to arrive where she intended to. Artoo was already there and it seemed that he had started arguing with Threepio who was also there. The two of them liked to argue about all kind of things.
Han and Chewbacca were sitting on the Millennium Falcon, discussing about the way something had to be repaired. Christina figured that they hadn't made a compromise yet, watching the two when the discussion started to become a bit more fierce. She waited patiently till Han finally noticed her and he stopped the discussion to greet her.
'Hi there, little sister!' He climbed down while Chewbacca continued working on the ship, probably repairing something in his own way. 'Hello, brother Han.' Christina greeted, smiling because of the smear Han had on his suit. 'Working hard again, eh?' She stroked with a finger on his cheek to clean it, for it had some dark strokes, probably the same smear he had on his suit. 'Yeah, we've build in some new handy features, Chewie and I. It all works fine now.'
Christina laughed out loud, hearing the protesting moan from Chewbacca, who was overhearing their conversation while struggling with some wires. Han wasn't really happy when he saw where his companion was busying himself with. 'Chewie!!' He cried out, climbing up again with a desperate expression on his face. 'I told you not to do it this way! Oh, how am I ever gonna repair this?!' Chewbacca produced some protesting noises when Han tried to undo what he had just done and eventually climbed down to do some work inside.
'I guess not everything is going like you have planned?' Christina chuckled, already getting used to the way her brother and Chewbacca behaved sometimes. 'Well, I would say this wasn't really part of my planning.' Han said, quickly putting some wires in place. 'There, it should work this way.' He closed a little compartment and climbed down again, cleaning his hands with a little piece of cloth. 'I actually wanted to make a flight with you, girl, if you like.'
'Well eh. yeah.' Christina said uncertain. 'Is everything ready then?' She didn't really trust her brother's cargo ship, especially after some of Han's 'improvements'. She'd already heard lot's of stories about those kind of things, talking with Luke. Han showed his wry smile, enjoying his sister's uncertainty. He trusted his own ship like nothing else.
'Everything works fine again, so we could go as soon as you are ready. I could even teach you a bit of flying' 'Really?' Christine said, although she didn't know whether she liked that or not. She was a bit scared, thinking about herself flying a ship. 'Sure!' her brother said laughing. 'But I wouldn't wear that if I were you.' He stared meaningful at her clothing. 'Oh eh. yeah.' She said, smiling. A dress wasn't really the right thing to wear to fly an aircraft. 'Don't worry, sis, I'll get you a flight suit. Follow me.'
Han entered the Falcon, followed by Christina, who was already starting to get a bit nervous. She'd only traveled in this ship once and it hadn't really been a nice flight. A few systems had shut down during the flight and it had taken hours to repair it. She was happy to know a lot about computers, so she could help or it would have taken even longer.
Artoo and Threepio also entered the ship and it seemed that they had finished their disagreement. Then Han came back with a flight suit. 'Here you go, this should fit you I guess.' He handed over the suit and Christina examined it, wondering how thick a person must be not to fit in this. 'I think I should.' She agreed and disappeared in an other compartment where she could have her privacy.
'Hey, don't touch that!' she heard Han call and she imaged how Threepio was probably touching some buttons he wasn't allowed to touch. The droid made her laugh sometimes and the reactions of her brother did even more. Han detested droids, especially when they weren't useful, the way he thought about Threepio. She thought he could be useful, although he was a bit annoying sometimes, always saying things or interrupting on the wrong moments. Artoo was a bit more intelligent, she thought.
She had just changed clothes when she heard Han call: 'Hey there kid!' 'Hello Han!' It was Luke and Christina went to greet him too. He looked surprised when he saw her enter, wearing a flight suit that was obviously not made for her size. 'Hi Luke, how are you?' 'I'm fine, thank you.' He said, smiling. 'You're gonna fly?' 'I'm going to teach her a bit of flying, that's all.' Han explained. 'Do you wish to come with us?' 'Well, I haven't got anything else to do, so why not?' Luke said as he sat down in the main corridor and Chewbacca appeared from a compartment where he'd worked a bit, moaning a greeting to Luke.
When Han had closed the door they all headed to the cockpit and Christina took a place where she could observe everything Han did. Her brother took the pilot seat and Chewbacca sat next to him in the co-pilot seat. 'Well, Chris, I'd better teach you some system checks first.' Han suggested and she nodded in agreement. She didn't look forward to fly on her own.
She listened while Han explained lot's of things of some systems and she recognized some programs she'd worked with during their previous flight. When he'd told her everything he showed her where some important buttons were located and he also told her which she was never allowed to touch.
'Before you're going to do some things yourself, I'd better demonstrate how to fly.' Han said and Christina was relieved that she didn't have to fly herself so soon. Her brother started the engines and she watched with interest how he eventually let the Falcon rise and flew it out of the hangar. He flew the craft with experienced movements and they eventually got into space.
*It will take years to fly like that* Christina thought and she thought it would probably take years for her to learn everything she had to do to get the thing from the ground. 'Don't worry, it isn't as difficult as you think.' Luke said, seeing the desperate look on her face. 'You can practice in a simulator if you like.' 'I think that would be best.' She agreed, 'But I actually rather sit and see how someone else flies.' Luke laughed and touched her shoulder, understanding the girl's fear. 'You don't have to learn to fly if you don't want to.' He assured her and she sighed with relief. 'But it could be very handy if you got to know more about the computers systems here. I've heard you've done some useful work here on your first flight with Han.'
She nodded and enjoyed the flight a bit more, knowing that she didn't have to fly herself. The computer systems were more in her area and she was eager to learn more about them. 'So, where are we going?' she asked, watching Han typing in some things. 'I'm going to make a little jump through hyperspace.' Her brother answered. 'I'd like to show you how to use coordinates and stuff like that.' She watched as he taught her how to do that and after a while they were ready to make the jump. 'You'd better put your seatbelt on.' Luke said and he helped her.
When everyone was ready Han pulled the handle to make the jump to hyperspace. The stars became large stripes when they accelerated and Christina felt herself being pushed into her seat as they entered hyperspace. 'There.' Han said confident. 'Now we only have to.' He broke off when a noise was heard and the ship began to tremble and to shake.
'Sir!!!!!' Threepio cried out from behind, trying to stay straight up. 'I think something is wrong with the hyperdrive!' Artoo beeped confirming, entering the cockpit. Chewbacca moaned and Han cried out some curses. Christina held herself tight, frightened by the shaking of the craft and the panic that had arisen. *I will never survive this!* she thought in panic, expecting the craft to hit something anytime now.
Luke only sighed and watched how Han pulled the handle back and they entered normal space again. The noise died down and the shaking stopped. She one who kept shaking was Christina, covering her face with her hands, unable to look. Luke tried to calm her down and reassured her that they were safe for the moment.
Chewbacca moaned, hitting the controls with his hands, arguing with Han, probably about the way Han had installed their new improvements. 'Everything worked fine!' Han called and he turned to see how his sister was doing. 'Are you all right, sis?' Luke had calmed her down a bit, holding an arm around her shoulders, but she still looked like she thought they'd almost died. 'I. I guess.' She managed to say and Han looked at her with pity. 'Can we go home now?' 'Well, not right now, little sister.' He answered with regret. 'I'm afraid I have to repair the hyperdrive.' The cockpit was filled with a burning smell, like something was overheated.
Christina sighed, figuring that they were probably stuck in space for a very long time. She really hated space traveling from now on, especially in that accursed Millennium Falcon. She wondered why her brother still flew that piece of junk.
Part 1
'Beep! Wheeeep!!' 'What is it, Artoo?'
Christina Solo was just cleaning her room as the little droid entered, rolling to where she stood, producing a pattern of beeping noises. The dome- shaped head turned round while it probably told her a whole story. The problem was that she didn't understand a beep. 'Well, little one, what are you all rambling about?'
She paused cleaning when the droid drove against the back of her knees to pay attention and she wondered what was the matter. She was probably 'needed' somewhere, but she couldn't know for sure.
She really admired Luke; he could understand quite a bit of Artoo's speech while she thought that every beep was the same. But Luke had traveled a lot with his little companion and what else could he do during long travels through hyperspace than having conversations with his droid? He must have gotten used to the speech pattern and learned some words, reading the translation from the monitor in his X-Wing.
But Christina wasn't used to his 'speech' and she could only guess what he was saying. 'Well Artoo, I really don't know what's up, but you could bring me to whatever you're all rambling about.' she suggested and the droid seemed to agree with this, beeping happily and making his way to the door. Christina followed him out of her room and through the hallway, wondering where he would lead her.
She wasn't used to her new home yet. Actually, she wasn't used to her new life; only a few weeks ago she had discovered that she had a brother: Han Solo, a smuggler who had a lot of bounties on his head. It was only by accident that she'd found his profile while hacking the main computer of the New Republic, while doing some work in Coruscant.
She had found out that she wasn't the only one left of the family although she wasn't sure whether he was her family in the beginning. But after meeting him she was sure; they really looked like each other. Christina's face had the same shape as Han's and their eyes were almost identical. Their hair had the same brown color, like many Corellian people had.
And so she'd landed in the palace in Coruscant. People were shocked first, for hacking in the computer system wasn't something that was allowed, but she eventually quit her old job and was given the job to protect the computer system and build a new security system. This was all possible because of her brother. She was really thankful, because she could have been put in prison instead.
Christina followed the droid to the hangar and she figured that he was bringing her to Han, who was probably working on the Millennium Falcon, accompanied by his companion Chewbacca. It was crowded everywhere and it took some effort not to bump into pilots who were hurrying in all imaginable directions. Artoo didn't seem to have a problem with the crowd; he slipped easily through some small pathways while Christina made excuses, bumping into some pilots once in a while. She eventually managed to arrive where she intended to. Artoo was already there and it seemed that he had started arguing with Threepio who was also there. The two of them liked to argue about all kind of things.
Han and Chewbacca were sitting on the Millennium Falcon, discussing about the way something had to be repaired. Christina figured that they hadn't made a compromise yet, watching the two when the discussion started to become a bit more fierce. She waited patiently till Han finally noticed her and he stopped the discussion to greet her.
'Hi there, little sister!' He climbed down while Chewbacca continued working on the ship, probably repairing something in his own way. 'Hello, brother Han.' Christina greeted, smiling because of the smear Han had on his suit. 'Working hard again, eh?' She stroked with a finger on his cheek to clean it, for it had some dark strokes, probably the same smear he had on his suit. 'Yeah, we've build in some new handy features, Chewie and I. It all works fine now.'
Christina laughed out loud, hearing the protesting moan from Chewbacca, who was overhearing their conversation while struggling with some wires. Han wasn't really happy when he saw where his companion was busying himself with. 'Chewie!!' He cried out, climbing up again with a desperate expression on his face. 'I told you not to do it this way! Oh, how am I ever gonna repair this?!' Chewbacca produced some protesting noises when Han tried to undo what he had just done and eventually climbed down to do some work inside.
'I guess not everything is going like you have planned?' Christina chuckled, already getting used to the way her brother and Chewbacca behaved sometimes. 'Well, I would say this wasn't really part of my planning.' Han said, quickly putting some wires in place. 'There, it should work this way.' He closed a little compartment and climbed down again, cleaning his hands with a little piece of cloth. 'I actually wanted to make a flight with you, girl, if you like.'
'Well eh. yeah.' Christina said uncertain. 'Is everything ready then?' She didn't really trust her brother's cargo ship, especially after some of Han's 'improvements'. She'd already heard lot's of stories about those kind of things, talking with Luke. Han showed his wry smile, enjoying his sister's uncertainty. He trusted his own ship like nothing else.
'Everything works fine again, so we could go as soon as you are ready. I could even teach you a bit of flying' 'Really?' Christine said, although she didn't know whether she liked that or not. She was a bit scared, thinking about herself flying a ship. 'Sure!' her brother said laughing. 'But I wouldn't wear that if I were you.' He stared meaningful at her clothing. 'Oh eh. yeah.' She said, smiling. A dress wasn't really the right thing to wear to fly an aircraft. 'Don't worry, sis, I'll get you a flight suit. Follow me.'
Han entered the Falcon, followed by Christina, who was already starting to get a bit nervous. She'd only traveled in this ship once and it hadn't really been a nice flight. A few systems had shut down during the flight and it had taken hours to repair it. She was happy to know a lot about computers, so she could help or it would have taken even longer.
Artoo and Threepio also entered the ship and it seemed that they had finished their disagreement. Then Han came back with a flight suit. 'Here you go, this should fit you I guess.' He handed over the suit and Christina examined it, wondering how thick a person must be not to fit in this. 'I think I should.' She agreed and disappeared in an other compartment where she could have her privacy.
'Hey, don't touch that!' she heard Han call and she imaged how Threepio was probably touching some buttons he wasn't allowed to touch. The droid made her laugh sometimes and the reactions of her brother did even more. Han detested droids, especially when they weren't useful, the way he thought about Threepio. She thought he could be useful, although he was a bit annoying sometimes, always saying things or interrupting on the wrong moments. Artoo was a bit more intelligent, she thought.
She had just changed clothes when she heard Han call: 'Hey there kid!' 'Hello Han!' It was Luke and Christina went to greet him too. He looked surprised when he saw her enter, wearing a flight suit that was obviously not made for her size. 'Hi Luke, how are you?' 'I'm fine, thank you.' He said, smiling. 'You're gonna fly?' 'I'm going to teach her a bit of flying, that's all.' Han explained. 'Do you wish to come with us?' 'Well, I haven't got anything else to do, so why not?' Luke said as he sat down in the main corridor and Chewbacca appeared from a compartment where he'd worked a bit, moaning a greeting to Luke.
When Han had closed the door they all headed to the cockpit and Christina took a place where she could observe everything Han did. Her brother took the pilot seat and Chewbacca sat next to him in the co-pilot seat. 'Well, Chris, I'd better teach you some system checks first.' Han suggested and she nodded in agreement. She didn't look forward to fly on her own.
She listened while Han explained lot's of things of some systems and she recognized some programs she'd worked with during their previous flight. When he'd told her everything he showed her where some important buttons were located and he also told her which she was never allowed to touch.
'Before you're going to do some things yourself, I'd better demonstrate how to fly.' Han said and Christina was relieved that she didn't have to fly herself so soon. Her brother started the engines and she watched with interest how he eventually let the Falcon rise and flew it out of the hangar. He flew the craft with experienced movements and they eventually got into space.
*It will take years to fly like that* Christina thought and she thought it would probably take years for her to learn everything she had to do to get the thing from the ground. 'Don't worry, it isn't as difficult as you think.' Luke said, seeing the desperate look on her face. 'You can practice in a simulator if you like.' 'I think that would be best.' She agreed, 'But I actually rather sit and see how someone else flies.' Luke laughed and touched her shoulder, understanding the girl's fear. 'You don't have to learn to fly if you don't want to.' He assured her and she sighed with relief. 'But it could be very handy if you got to know more about the computers systems here. I've heard you've done some useful work here on your first flight with Han.'
She nodded and enjoyed the flight a bit more, knowing that she didn't have to fly herself. The computer systems were more in her area and she was eager to learn more about them. 'So, where are we going?' she asked, watching Han typing in some things. 'I'm going to make a little jump through hyperspace.' Her brother answered. 'I'd like to show you how to use coordinates and stuff like that.' She watched as he taught her how to do that and after a while they were ready to make the jump. 'You'd better put your seatbelt on.' Luke said and he helped her.
When everyone was ready Han pulled the handle to make the jump to hyperspace. The stars became large stripes when they accelerated and Christina felt herself being pushed into her seat as they entered hyperspace. 'There.' Han said confident. 'Now we only have to.' He broke off when a noise was heard and the ship began to tremble and to shake.
'Sir!!!!!' Threepio cried out from behind, trying to stay straight up. 'I think something is wrong with the hyperdrive!' Artoo beeped confirming, entering the cockpit. Chewbacca moaned and Han cried out some curses. Christina held herself tight, frightened by the shaking of the craft and the panic that had arisen. *I will never survive this!* she thought in panic, expecting the craft to hit something anytime now.
Luke only sighed and watched how Han pulled the handle back and they entered normal space again. The noise died down and the shaking stopped. She one who kept shaking was Christina, covering her face with her hands, unable to look. Luke tried to calm her down and reassured her that they were safe for the moment.
Chewbacca moaned, hitting the controls with his hands, arguing with Han, probably about the way Han had installed their new improvements. 'Everything worked fine!' Han called and he turned to see how his sister was doing. 'Are you all right, sis?' Luke had calmed her down a bit, holding an arm around her shoulders, but she still looked like she thought they'd almost died. 'I. I guess.' She managed to say and Han looked at her with pity. 'Can we go home now?' 'Well, not right now, little sister.' He answered with regret. 'I'm afraid I have to repair the hyperdrive.' The cockpit was filled with a burning smell, like something was overheated.
Christina sighed, figuring that they were probably stuck in space for a very long time. She really hated space traveling from now on, especially in that accursed Millennium Falcon. She wondered why her brother still flew that piece of junk.