Return to Ord Mantell

2

As it turned out, Han Solo was already en route to Yavin 4 to visit his children when he got word of Kyp Durron’s arrival on the jungle moon.

Since he had just finished his business on Kashyyyk, he calculated the fastest possible route for the Millennium Falcon and, with a bit of fancy piloting, got there in record time.

With a discerning eye, Jaina watched the battered light freighter descend. She had spent plenty of time honing her own engineering skills and studying the mechanics of how starships worked. By now, the Falcon was one mass of repairs and replacement parts. Sections of new hull plating had replaced old blaster-scarred shields. She wondered how many—or how few—of the ship’s original components remained. Many fancier ships were available to Han Solo, but the Falcon held such a special place in his heart that Jaina knew her father would never get rid of it.

Jaina noted that the repulsorjets seemed stronger on the starboard side than on the port side, causing the Falcon to sway as it landed.

Fortunately her father was a superb pilot and knew full well how to compensate for any eccentricities of his beloved craft.

A flock of stubby-winged avians swept above the overgrown temple ruins toward the deep jungles. They flew in a triangular formation, emitting deep hooting sounds, like a broken Kloo horn. Jacen watched them pass.

Jaina could tell that he was trying to identify the species of bird—and probably wondering if he had ever caught one for his menagerie.

When the boarding ramp extended, Jacen and Jaina rushed across the weedy clearing, and Han Solo emerged from his ship wearing a big grin.

Jaina expected to see Chewbacca standing behind him, the tall, hairy form that her mother had once reportedly called a “walking car pet.”

Instead of the huge Wookiee, though, only her little brother came out.

Anakin was slight of build, quiet, and darkhaired, a year and a half younger than the twins. Their brother did not usually attend training sessions at the Jedi academy at the same times Jacen and Jaina did.

“Anakin!” Jacen said, and their younger brother beamed.

Jacen and Jaina hugged their father. At sixteen they both felt a bit old for such displays of affection, but Jaina got little enough time to see her father, and she enjoyed every moment of it.

“Hey, kids,” Han Solo said. “I was on my way here when I got your message. Your mom couldn’t break away from the Senate, but I got an interesting assignment and figured it was a good excuse for a Solo family outing.”

“Aw, and I thought you came just to see me,” Kyp Durron called, walking from the temple to the landing field and waving. The darkhaired Jedi Knight looked thoroughly refreshed now after a night’s rest and a change of clothes.

Streen had gone off by himself to enjoy the solitude of the jungle.

Jaina remembered that the old cloud prospector liked peace and quiet more than anything else.

Upon seeing his friend, with whom he’d gone through so many adventures back when the twins were just small children, Han Solo’s face lit up.

He came forward to clasp Kyp Durron in an enthusiastic embrace. “How you doin’, kid?” He pounded Kyp on the back.

Kyp smiled. “Not so much a kid anymore, Han.”

“Yeah, Dad—you’ve got kids of your own,” Jacen pointed out.

“And we’re hardly kids anymore either,” Jaina said.

Han gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “You’ll always be kids to me. All of you. Even your uncle Luke.” He seemed barely able to contain his excitement at seeing Kyp as they walked from the Falcon back toward the Great Temple. “What’ve you been up to? I haven’t seen you in… since, ah…”

“It’s been a long time, Han,” Kyp said. “I’ve been off saving colonies, slaying monsters, rescuing the universe… you know, the usual. Master Skywalker sends most of the Jedi he’s trained out on missions, while our friend Tionne stays here and helps him handle the youngsters.” He jerked an elbow toward Jaina. “Like these.”

Jaina flushed, and her brothers both laughed.

“Heard about your fight with the Leviathan of Corbos,” Han said.

“That was a tough one,” Kyp answered. “Kirana Ti, Dorsk 82, Streen, and I really had our hands full on that mission. But Jedi Knights expect to face challenges like that.”

Han smiled. “I know some younger Jedi Knights who’ve run into quite a few challenges of their own.” He tousled Jacen’s hair, and the young man flinched.

“Dad, I’m not a little boy anymore.”

“Uh-oh. That mean you’re too old to go with me to the Blockade Runners Derby on Ord Mantell?” Han raised his eyebrows at his twin children.

” You mean the race?” Jaina said. She had heard of the annual spectacle, one of the grandest, most daring races a pilot could enter.

It was an honor just to compete in the Derby.

Han nodded. “The Falcon won it three times already during my smuggling days. But this time I’ll be going as a representative of the New Republic. Folks running the Derby sent in an official request, asking for me as their Grand Marshal.” He gave his wry grin. “How could I refuse?”

Jaina laughed. “I doubt they could’ve kept you from that race if they put a few Imperial Star Destroyers in the way.”

Han Solo squared his shoulders. “Hey, my wife and kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy facing some challenges every now and then.”

“I wish I could go with you, Han,” Kyp said, stopping at the base of the looming stone temple. “But Streen and I may have to leave again in a few days. Even though Master Skywalker trains more Jedi every year, the New Republic is a big place. There are lots of missions to send Jedi Knights on and not enough of us to handle all the situations that need our attention.”

Han turned to his three children with mock sternness in his expression.

“Well, I’m not letting you kids go on any missions for the time being. You’re coming with me in the Falcon, and your assignment is to have some fun. Some… quality time together, a family vacation. You’re gonna love the Blockade Runners Derby.”

Lowbacca, walking down one of the Great Temple’s exterior stairways, let out a loud Wookiee bellow of greeting. Perplexed, Jaina bit her lower lip and turned back to the Falcon.

“I know Mom couldn’t make it, Dad, but where’s Chewie?”

“Ah. Chewie’d been talking about visiting his family, you know. And I’d been talking about spending some time alone with you kids. So when this Derby thing came up, I suggested now might be a good time for Chewie to take that vacation back to Kashyyyk. Dropped him off on my way here,” Han answered, then lowered his voice and gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Besides, that means I need a good copilot for a while. Know anybody I might be able to use?”

Jaina perked up. “Me? You’d let me help fly the Falcon at the Derby?”

Han gave her an appraising look. “You’ve certainly got plenty of experience. I’m awfully proud of you, you know. If it’s not too much of an imposition…”

“What are we waiting for?” Jaina asked.

“It’s a deal then?”

“Does that mean we’re entering the race?” Jacen said.

“Naw, I’m not a contestant this time,” Han said. “I’m strictly at the Derby in an official capacity. My hotshot days are well behind me, since I’m, well… respectable now. Anyhow, your mother sure wouldn’t want me taking any chances with you kids.”

“No. Of course not,” Jacen said with mock seriousness.

Kyp gave Han a curious glance. “You’ve got that look in your eye again.”

“I think he’s got a plan,” Anakin said quietly.

Han gestured toward himself, his face the picture of innocence.

“Me? How can you think such a thing of your father?”

“He’s got a plan,” Jacen and Jaina said in unison.

Han shrugged. “Least I’ve got a good copilot. We’ll stay here for a few hours while you kids pack. Kyp and I have a lot to catch up on. Did we ever tell you about the time he stole the Sun Crusher and went after the Imperials, as if he could take on the whole Empire with his bare hands?”

“Yes,” Jacen answered quickly.

“You told us,” Anakin said.

“Plenty of times,” Jaina added.

” Well, it’s a good story—about what not to do,” Kyp said hurriedly, his cheeks turning red. “I’ve learned a lot since then.”

“That’s a relief,” Han joked. “I’d rather not have to chase you again from one end of the galaxy to the other.” He turned back toward his children and draped his arms across their shoulders as they all walked into the cool shadows of the temple’s interior. With flashing lights and a bleeping sound Artoo-Detoo trundled forward to meet them.

Han reached around Anakin and patted the droid’s domed head in greeting.

“It’ll be good to spend some time alone with the family. Just my kids and me,” Han said. “A quiet, relaxing vacation.”

“Oh, I doubt that, Dad,” Jaina said. “From what I hear, there’s always something interesting happening on Ord Mantell.”