Having a Star Wars marathon and I noticed a figure that looks suspiciously like Maz Kanata in Anakin’s room in Episode I. Coincidence?! Probably… But I need answers.
Sana Starros in latest excerpt from Last Shot: A Han and Lando Novel
“What was that—” Han yelled, and then a blaster shot shrieked through the air from the doorway.
Han was on the floor before he’d realized he’d jumped for cover. Above him, Maz dished out rushed commands as the few patrons left screamed and ducked under tables. Sana flew past, let off two shots toward the door, and glared at Han. “You coming?”
Another shot fizzed and then thunked against the bar right by Han’s head. “Coming!” he yelled, hopping up and dashing for the back exit behind Sana. “Who did you piss off now?” he demanded as they broke out into the thick Takodanan night.
“Bounty hunters,” Sana said. “Mean ones.”
“Is there a nice kind?”
The wall beside Han exploded, showering them both with debris as they hurtled out of the way. “That wasn’t a regular blaster,” Han said, glancing up. A cruel reptilian face glared out from the lit doorway. “You got us tangled up with a Trandoshan?”
“I told you it was mean bounty hunters,” Sana said.
The creature raised his mortar launcher and then something huge clobbered him from behind. Frapsen. All six of the Fromprath’s arms ensnarled the bounty hunter as the two tumbled forward in a clutter of curses and howls. Three more figures tumbled out of Maz’s place, blasters blazing.
“Go!” Sana yelled. “Now!”
They bolted down a quiet side street, cut a hard left, and crossed the main square toward the starship bay. The whole world had snapped perfectly into focus as soon as those blaster shots rang out, and now the hours leading up to it just seemed like a painful haze.
“The Falcon ready?” Sana asked.
“Always, sister. Always.”
“Are you, though?”
“Usually, sister. Usually.”
They made their way between a Gungan freighter and two corvettes, ducked around the landing gear of someone’s poorly parked shuttle, and then dashed up the gangplank of the Falcon.
“Chewie!” Han yelled, stepping over some old clothes and a small pile of—What was that? Bottles of something—and barreling toward the cockpit. “Chewie, where are you? We gotta—”
The engines rumbled to life as Han slid into the seat beside his furry copilot. “Well, there you are,” he muttered, clicking on the navicomputer and prepping the hyperdrive. “What took you so long?”
Chewie barked with annoyance and then yelped, pointing. The bounty hunters had stormed into the bay, and a slew of shots peppered the Falcon along with the ships around it.
“Sana!” Han yelled over his shoulder. “We’re gonna need you on—”
Blasts splattered out from the Falcon, scattering the bounty hunters.
“—cannons,” Han finished. “Well, all right then. Glad to see everyone’s making themselves at home.” He pulled the accelerator and let the roaring engines fill him. Space awaited, that impossible vastness, as empty as his heart, where he could be perfectly free.
As long as they didn’t get blown up on the way out.
More blasts rocked the Falcon as they circled into the sky and then shot over the ancient spirals of Maz’s castle and dancing lights in Nymeve Lake.
“What in the stars did you steal, Sana?” Han demanded as they zoomed out of Takodana’s gravity pull and out into space.
A chuckle crackled over the comm. “About that …”
Chewie let out another growl of warning as three dots appeared on the radar screen.
“Yeah, one of ’em was a Trandoshan,” Han said. “Why?”
Chewie snarled and pushed a button.
“Why are we slowing down?” Sana yelled over the comm.
“Good question, Chewie,” Han snapped. “Why are we slowing down?”
The Falcon rocked as the approaching ships released a barrage of laserfire.
“Chewie!” Han yelled.
The Wookiee slammed both fists on the control panel and roared.
“No, we can’t turn around,” Han said. “I don’t care what the Trandoshans did to the Wookiees. Okay, easy, easy! Of course I care what they did, but we can’t deal with that right now, Chewie. We’ve got cargo to deliver, and payment to collect, and we also don’t have the firepower it would take to go head-to-head with these guys. Okay?”
Chewie grumbled and the Falcon blasted forward.
“I promise we can go after those reptilian freaks some other time, all right?”
Chewie yelped.
“And anyway,” Sana said over the comm, “those two ships with him …”
“TIE fighters?” Han yelled, gaping at the monitor. “Chewie, make the jump! I’ve had it with this—” The Falcon shook, cockpit lights flickering as several alarms bleeped out at once. “Chewie, get us out of here!”
Chewie roared, slamming the control panels. The stars slid into elongated stripes toward them and Han exhaled for what felt like the first time in hours.
Chewbacca muttered something under his breath and Han shook his head. “You ain’t kidding.” He clicked on the comm. “Sana!”
“You don’t have to yell,” Sana said, poking her head into the cockpit. “I’m right here.”
Han and Chewie both spun around and glared at her. “You have some explaining to do.”
Synopsis The Sequel Trilogy reimagined with smuggler Ben Solo reluctant to take on the family mantle of Jedi in the fight against the mysterious Kira Ren and the diabolical First Order
Chapter 1: Raid on Jakku Resistance pilot Poe Dameron collects a mysterious artifact from the wise Lor San Tekka as the First Order arrives in search of the same thing…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 2: Escape from The Finalizer As Poe is interrogated by Kira Ren, disenfranchised stormtrooper FN-2187 embarks on a daring plan to free themselves from the First Order
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 3: An Unlikely Rescue Kira Ren sends out a search party to capture the droid BB-8 and the traitor FN-2187
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 4: Niima Outpost Finley (Finn) and BB-8 venture to Niima Outpost in search for a way off of Jakku and find trouble instead
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 5: Trouble on the Millennium Falcon Finley and BB-8 learn the identity of their mysterious new friend, but they are not out of trouble yet…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 6: Wrath of the Rathtars Negotions with invading space gangs go awry on the Millennium Falcon…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 7: The Map
BB-8’s secret is revealed, and so is Ben Solo’s…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 8: Takodana Finley and the Solo’s seek help from the ancient Maz Kanata; Ben Solo learns the true legacy of the Skywalkers…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 9: The First Order Descends Ben Solo runs from his past as the First Order unleashes their attack on the galaxy
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 10: The Battle of Takodana Ben Solo encounters Kira Ren as the battle rages at Maz Kanata’s castle…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 11: D'Qar The Resistance reconvenes on the planet D'Qar to retrieve the map from BB-8
Chapter 12: The Interrogation Kira Ren attempts to interrogate Ben Solo
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 13: Preparing for Battle The Resistance prepares to attack Starkiller Base as the First Order charges up their superweapon
Chapter 14: Starkiller Base The First Order searches for an escaped Ben Solo as Han, Chewie, and Finley arrive at Starkiller Base
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 15: The Battle of Starkiller Base The Resistance Squadron descends on Starkiller Base in an attempt to destroy it before the First Order fires their deadly weapon
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 16: The Duel Ben Solo and Finley face off against Kira Ren in the snowy forests of Starkiller as the Resistance Squadron continues to try and destroy the base
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 17: Celebration and Mourning The aftermath of Starkiller is explored
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 18: Evacuation The Resistance must flee D'Qar as the First Order comes for vengeance
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 19: Disappointment Finley wakes up from her injuries on the Raddus and Ben arrives on Ahch-To
Chapter 20: The Supremacy Kira Ren must answer to Supreme Leader Snoke and the Knights of Ren
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 21: Frustration Ben continues to try and convince Luke to join the fight against the First Order while Poe tries to reconnect with Finley
Chapter 22: Attack on the Raddus Poe is reprimanded by General Leia while the First Order emerges from hyperspace to attack
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 23: The Uneti Tree Ben happens upon an ancient tree on Ahch-To
Chapter 24: Stunned The Resistance deals with the aftermath of the First Order’s attack on the Raddus
Chapter 25: A New Plan Finley, Rose Tico, and Poe discuss a plan to strike back against the First Order
Chapter 26: Bonds Luke has second thoughts about Ben and the Jedi Order
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 27: Conflict Poe confronts Holdo; Finley and Rose travel to Cantonica; Ben awaits news from the Resistance
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 28: The First Lesson Luke gives Ben his first lesson on why the Jedi should be allowed to die
Chapter 29: Canto Bight Finleyand Rose arrive on Cantonica in search of the Master Codebreaker
Chapter 30: Hubris of the Jedi Luke gives Ben a history lesson on the Jedi and what happened that fateful night at the temple
Chapter 31: The Master Codebreaker?: Finley and Rose finally find the Master Codebreaker
Chapter 32: The Cave Ben Solo ventures into the Dark Side cave
Chapter 33: Fathier Chase Finley and Rose stir up trouble on Canto Bight
Chapter 34: Communion Kira Ren reveals what happened the night of the temple’s destruction
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 35: Sins of the Father Ben confronts Luke about the night of the temple disaster
Chapter 36: Don’t Join Finley and Rose are suspicious of their unlikely new companion, the grungy thief DJ; Poe tries to get through to Holdo
Chapter 37: Burn it Down Luke takes drastic measures to end the Jedi Order
Chapter 38: Boarding the Supremacy The unlikely team of Finley, Rose, BB-8, and DJ prepare to infiltrate the Supremacy; Ben offers to help Kira Ren turn to the Light, but Kira delivers a shocking revelation
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 39: Mutiny Poe stages a mutiny against Admiral Holdo while Finley, Rose, and DJ infiltrate the Supremacy
Chapter 40: The Evil of Snoke Kira Ren brings Ben Solo before Supreme Leader Snoke
Chapter 41: Betrayal The plan to shut down the Supremacy’s tracker goes awry
Chapter 42: Fulfill Your Destiny and Kill Your True Enemy! Ben Solo continues to defy Snoke, and the Supreme Leader tasks Kira Ren with finishing him off
Chapter 43: Rebellion Finley muses over what it means to be a rebel in the face of tyranny
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 44: Let the Past Die Ben and Kira face off against the Knights of Ren
Chapter 45: Nowhere to Run The First Order begins to wipe out the remaining Resistance escape transports
Chapter 46: Rebel Scum Finley faces off against Captain Phasma and Ben makes a decision about his future with Kira Ren
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 47: Aftermath Kira Ren makes a stunning grab for power and Chewbacca offers Ben advice
Chapter 48: The Siege of Crait The First Order seeks to destroy the last of the Resistance on the planet Crait
Chapter 49: Against All Odds The Resistance takes a last stand against the First Order
Chapter 50: A Renewed Hope Luke Skywalker provides hope for the Resistance in their darkest hour
Chapter 51: The Spark That Will Light the Fire Luke Skywalker confronts his dark former pupil as the Resistance seeks to escape with the help of Ben Solo
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 52: Regroup The Resistance licks their wounds after Crait
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 53: The Vision Ben experiences a strange vision as he continues his Force training after the Resistance resettles
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 54: Dark Clouds and Cleared Air Ben reveals to Leia that he is Force Bonded to Rey, who abandoned the name of Kira Ren and is now the Supreme Leader of the First Order
Chapter 55: The Eye of the Webbish Bog Rey ventures to Mustafar to find the source of her mysterious visions
Chapter 56: The Phantom Emperor Rey confronts the phantom Emperor Palpatine on Exegol
Chapter 57: Flashback: Palpatine’s Story Palpatine’s existence after the Battle of Endor is explored
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 58: Space Chase Finley, Poe, Chewie, and Rose receive more than expected on a supply run at the Sinta Glacier Colony while Ben tries to focus on meditation
Chapter 59: Connected Rey reaches out to Ben through the Force
Chapter 60: Threat of the Final Order The Resistance begins their new mission as the Millennium Falcon returns with a holodisk containing top-secret intel
Chapter 61: The Supreme Council Supreme Leader Rey confers with her generals as she begins her next step of galactic domination
Chapter 62: PasaanaTheMillennium Falcon arrives on the desert planet of Pasaana
Synopsis The Sequel Trilogy reimagined with smuggler Ben Solo reluctant to take on the family mantle of Jedi in the fight against the mysterious Kira Ren and the diabolical First Order
Chapter 1: Raid on Jakku Resistance pilot Poe Dameron collects a mysterious artifact from the wise Lor San Tekka as the First Order arrives in search of the same thing…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 2: Escape from The Finalizer As Poe is interrogated by Kira Ren, disenfranchised stormtrooper FN-2187 embarks on a daring plan to free themselves from the First Order
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 3: An Unlikely Rescue Kira Ren sends out a search party to capture the droid BB-8 and the traitor FN-2187
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 4: Niima Outpost Finley (Finn) and BB-8 venture to Niima Outpost in search for a way off of Jakku and find trouble instead
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 5: Trouble on the Millennium Falcon Finley and BB-8 learn the identity of their mysterious new friend, but they are not out of trouble yet…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 6: Wrath of the Rathtars Negotions with invading space gangs go awry on the Millennium Falcon…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 7: The Map
BB-8’s secret is revealed, and so is Ben Solo’s…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 8: Takodana Finley and the Solo’s seek help from the ancient Maz Kanata; Ben Solo learns the true legacy of the Skywalkers…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 9: The First Order Descends Ben Solo runs from his past as the First Order unleashes their attack on the galaxy
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 10: The Battle of Takodana Ben Solo encounters Kira Ren as the battle rages at Maz Kanata’s castle…
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 11: D'Qar The Resistance reconvenes on the planet D'Qar to retrieve the map from BB-8
Chapter 12: The Interrogation Kira Ren attempts to interrogate Ben Solo
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 13: Preparing for Battle The Resistance prepares to attack Starkiller Base as the First Order charges up their superweapon
Chapter 14: Starkiller Base The First Order searches for an escaped Ben Solo as Han, Chewie, and Finley arrive at Starkiller Base
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 15: The Battle of Starkiller Base The Resistance Squadron descends on Starkiller Base in an attempt to destroy it before the First Order fires their deadly weapon
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 16: The Duel Ben Solo and Finley face off against Kira Ren in the snowy forests of Starkiller as the Resistance Squadron continues to try and destroy the base
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 17: Celebration and Mourning The aftermath of Starkiller is explored
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 18: Evacuation The Resistance must flee D'Qar as the First Order comes for vengeance
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 19: Disappointment Finley wakes up from her injuries on the Raddus and Ben arrives on Ahch-To
Chapter 20: The Supremacy Kira Ren must answer to Supreme Leader Snoke and the Knights of Ren
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 21: Frustration Ben continues to try and convince Luke to join the fight against the First Order while Poe tries to reconnect with Finley
Chapter 22: Attack on the Raddus Poe is reprimanded by General Leia while the First Order emerges from hyperspace to attack
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 23: The Uneti Tree Ben happens upon an ancient tree on Ahch-To
Chapter 24: Stunned The Resistance deals with the aftermath of the First Order’s attack on the Raddus
Chapter 25: A New Plan Finley, Rose Tico, and Poe discuss a plan to strike back against the First Order
Chapter 26: Bonds Luke has second thoughts about Ben and the Jedi Order
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 27: Conflict Poe confronts Holdo; Finley and Rose travel to Cantonica; Ben awaits news from the Resistance
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 28: The First Lesson Luke gives Ben his first lesson on why the Jedi should be allowed to die
Chapter 29: Canto Bight Finleyand Rose arrive on Cantonica in search of the Master Codebreaker
Chapter 30: Hubris of the Jedi Luke gives Ben a history lesson on the Jedi and what happened that fateful night at the temple
Chapter 31: The Master Codebreaker?: Finley and Rose finally find the Master Codebreaker
Chapter 32: The Cave Ben Solo ventures into the Dark Side cave
Chapter 33: Fathier Chase Finley and Rose stir up trouble on Canto Bight
Chapter 34: Communion Kira Ren reveals what happened the night of the temple’s destruction
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 35: Sins of the Father Ben confronts Luke about the night of the temple disaster
Chapter 36: Don’t Join Finley and Rose are suspicious of their unlikely new companion, the grungy thief DJ; Poe tries to get through to Holdo
Chapter 37: Burn it Down Luke takes drastic measures to end the Jedi Order
Chapter 38: Boarding the Supremacy The unlikely team of Finley, Rose, BB-8, and DJ prepare to infiltrate the Supremacy; Ben offers to help Kira Ren turn to the Light, but Kira delivers a shocking revelation
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 39: Mutiny Poe stages a mutiny against Admiral Holdo while Finley, Rose, and DJ infiltrate the Supremacy
Chapter 40: The Evil of Snoke Kira Ren brings Ben Solo before Supreme Leader Snoke
Chapter 41: Betrayal The plan to shut down the Supremacy’s tracker goes awry
Chapter 42: Fulfill Your Destiny and Kill Your True Enemy! Ben Solo continues to defy Snoke, and the Supreme Leader tasks Kira Ren with finishing him off
Chapter 43: Rebellion Finley muses over what it means to be a rebel in the face of tyranny
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 44: Let the Past Die Ben and Kira face off against the Knights of Ren
Chapter 45: Nowhere to Run The First Order begins to wipe out the remaining Resistance escape transports
Chapter 46: Rebel Scum Finley faces off against Captain Phasma and Ben makes a decision about his future with Kira Ren
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 47: Aftermath Kira Ren makes a stunning grab for power and Chewbacca offers Ben advice
Chapter 48: The Siege of Crait The First Order seeks to destroy the last of the Resistance on the planet Crait
Chapter 49: Against All Odds The Resistance takes a last stand against the First Order
Chapter 50: A Renewed Hope Luke Skywalker provides hope for the Resistance in their darkest hour
Chapter 51: The Spark That Will Light the Fire Luke Skywalker confronts his dark former pupil as the Resistance seeks to escape with the help of Ben Solo
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 52: Regroup The Resistance licks their wounds after Crait
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 53: The Vision Ben experiences a strange vision as he continues his Force training after the Resistance resettles
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 54: Dark Clouds and Cleared Air Ben reveals to Leia that he is Force Bonded to Rey, who abandoned the name of Kira Ren and is now the Supreme Leader of the First Order
Chapter 55: The Eye of the Webbish Bog Rey ventures to Mustafar to find the source of her mysterious visions
Chapter 56: The Phantom Emperor Rey confronts the phantom Emperor Palpatine on Exegol
Chapter 57: Flashback: Palpatine’s Story Palpatine’s existence after the Battle of Endor is explored
Likes ❤ and Reblogs are much appreciated!
Chapter 58: Space Chase Finley, Poe, Chewie, and Rose receive more than expected on a supply run at the Sinta Glacier Colony while Ben tries to focus on meditation
Chapter 59: Connected Rey reaches out to Ben through the Force
Chapter 60: Threat of the Final Order The Resistance begins their new mission as the Millennium Falcon returns with a holodisk containing top-secret intel
Chapter 61: The Supreme Council Supreme Leader Rey confers with her generals as she begins her next step of galactic domination
Chapter 62: PasaanaTheMillennium Falcon arrives on the desert planet of Pasaana
Star Wars Binge. Adding another female character. Weaved the character as closely to the story with a twist. Hope you enjoy.
Pre - Force Awakens: General Organa sends Poe Dameron on a secret mission. She orders him to stop in Nantoon first to pick up an alley, who knows the whereabouts of her old contact, Lor San Tekka. He meets Il’Era, who is the adopted daughter of Maz Kanata. He finds her with Han Solo and Chewie at a bar in Nantoon (post Rathtar hunt). They are being watched by a group of First Order Seekers. Il’Era starts a fight with some alien smugglers causing a bar riot. Poe and Il’Era get separated from Han. Poe doesn’t want to waste anymore time. They go to Jakku together.
Force Awakens:Il’Era takes Poe to Lor San, who gives him the piece of map. Kylo Ren (Ben) finds them and kills Lor San. Il’ Era, who has a history with Kylo, attacks him, revealing she is also capable of using the force. Kylo uses Poe against her. Il’Era is made to surrender. She is shot and thought to be dead. Poe is taken hostage and later escapes with Finn. After the crash back into Jakku and thinking Poe died, Finn disappears with Rey, leaving to find the Resistance base. Poe wakes up in the Jakku desert. He wanders back to the village and finds a bandaged up Il’Era. They go back to General Organa.
Rey and Finn meet Han. Han takes them to Maz. She wonders where Il’Era is, but Han tells her that Il’Era is resilient and will come back. He is secretly worried about her too. They are attack by the First Order. Kylo takes Rey. Poe and the fleet come to the rescue. Il’Era goes to save her Maz. After regrouping, Il’Era assists Poe’s team as a pilot. They win the battle. Poe comes up with a plan to escape the planet. Il’Era tells him she can help him make his X-Wing much faster. When he is preparing to leave, he asks Il’Era to come with him. She tells him she can’t and must stay with Maz and help her. They share a kiss.
Last Jedi:After the attack on the General, Poe, Finn and Rose look to Maz for help on how to break into the Main Destroyer. Maz and Il’Era are in the middle of a blazing gun Union Dispute. Poe sees Il’Era get shot and panics. She tells him she’s fine and when she gets enough time and they can settle the Dispute, she will come to his side. Maz stops the communication and tell her daughter she can handle the things there and she needs to go to them. Maz explains to Il’Era that it is her destiny to become part of the Resistance, and that she has guided Il’Era long enough. Il’Era ends up on the same ship Finn and Rose are on, rescuing them. They leave for the Rebel Base, where they crash land in the hanger. Leia greets them and realizes Il’Era is on board. Leia greets her with a hug, followed by Poe who kisses her. Il’Era joins them on the ski speeders to destroy the mini cannon. Poe orders them to retreat back to the base. The cannon shoots a single orb at the base door. Il’Era turns and uses her force to stop the door from taking a full hit. Poe helps a tired Il’Era up inside the base. The two are shocked to see Luke Skywalker waiting for them. Luke tells Il’Era she still needs years of practice, but she can learn to harness the force. She bows her head to him, but passes out in the process. Poe leads them to a covered exit, but is saved by Rey. They escape on the falcon. Ends with the group standing in front of the window looking into space. Poe is holding Il’Era’s hand.
*** Between movie filler idea. Going through a Star Wars phase… Again. But this time putting a twist to it. I apologise if I’ve gotten the geography of the planets and systems wrong. ***
Chapter One
She knew she was in for it when she disembarked her light freight. Nothing good ever came from a surprise meeting with Han Solo first thing after a run. Il'Era crossed her arms in protest and glared Han down. His look had already told her she had lost this battle even before she knew about it. He still looked amazing for his age. Il’Era felt herself blush.
“Well look at you all grown-up,” he chuckled with his half smile.
“What are you doing here, Han?” asked Il’Era annoyed and a little tired. “I thought our last rendezvous we agreed that it would be a long while before you came around again.”
“Can’t an old friend come around and see how things are going?” he kept smiling.
“A visit from you means chases and fights from very angry people,” she chimed. Chewie roared laughing in agreement. Han rolled his eyes. Il’Era smiled and hugged Chewie. “My mum likes this Wookie. I’m going to assume that you and her have already spoken and come to an agreement about me going on this quest?” Il’Era felt someone watching her, and felt it wiser to go into the cantina. As she tossed her loot to a member of her crew, she walked passed the two towards the bar. Han and Chewie followed suit.
Maz owed him a few favors anyway, and she couldn’t ever say no to Chewie. Il’Era had this long unspoken soft-spot for Han that she couldn’t shake since she could remember. So, of course, Maz would send her even though she just spent ½ a year plundering 12 of the 17 planets in the Rimma Trade Route. Maz had put away being the Queen of the Pirates long ago, but that didn’t stop her from Il’Era keeping her ways.
Il’Era pushed her way through the crowded cantina and found an empty tablet. In Alien dialect, she ordered 4 drinks and took a seat with across from the two. Chewie let out a low bellow, questioning the order.
“There’s one for you and Han,” answered Il’Era. “Given the circumstances, I will take two.”
Han grabbed a holoprojector. Maz immediately popped up. “You are the most qualified,” said Maz to Il’Era. “You are the princess of thieves… I wouldn’t have suggested you to Han if that wasn’t the case.” Chewie handed Il’Era a homing beacon. Il’Era sighed. She hated quests like these. It didn’t scare her, she never really wanted to get involved with anything Alliance, Rebel, Empire, First Order or even Jedi. It wasn’t her way, though Maz had always tried to push her in the Resistance path. Somehow, she always got involved.
“Hello, mother. Nice to see you,” she pursed her lips.
“Come on, kid,” said Han. “Trust me. It’ll be easy for you. All you have to do is accompany him to Hoth; steal the seal and bring it to Jakku” He winked.
“It makes my skin crawl when you say that,” said Il’Era dryly. “Somehow, I end up always getting shot at.” Take her first drink straight back.. “Why does it have to be Hoth? … and why Jakku?”
“It’s not as bad as you think,” Han tried to compromise.
“Cold… then junkyard,” said Il’Era sarcastically as she used her hands as a scale. “Seriously, Mother. I don’t know where you find these guys.” She chugged her second drink. “Who is this pilot?”
“Poe Dameron,” states Maz. “He’s the Commander of the Resistance. With your help, he needs to collect a certain artifact from Hoth’s underground runes. He’s General Organa’s closest confidant. You are my daughter and the smartest of them all. You can and will retrieve this artifact and aide in the search.” Maz smiled slyly. “He’s a good man and this would be a handsome pairing. A smart one at that.”
“Mother,” hissed Il’Era. “I will take the task, but please stop. I have no time for this nonsense.” She rolled her eyes. “Where am I to meet this Poe?”
“You’ll meet Maz and Poe in The Outer Rim,” said Han. “On Tatooine.”
“Tatooine?!?!?” Il’Era choked on the last of her second drink. She slammed her cup on the table. “Great. Just great. I knew it. I’m going to get shot.”
