Captain Han Solo…
….I Love you
By Tooki
Han Solo guided the Millennium Falcon to a smooth landing only to be greeted by a ship not much different from his own. Chewbacca growled then heaved himself out of his co-pilots seat and stood to his towering height of seven feet.
Han leaned forward peering out the window studying the ship, "Just what are they trying to pull?" he sad ore to himself than Chewie.
Solo and his Wookie co-pilot had been contracted by some unknown beings to transport cargo to the planet of Kiel, it was close to an Empire base but the to smugglers needed the money the job offered.
As soon as the ramp was lowered Han bounded off with his hand on his blaster closely followed by Chewie with his bowcaster. There was a figure wearing a gray jumpsuit and hat working on the under side of the strange ship.
Han approached the ship carefully ready to draw his blaster at a moment's notice. The Wookie held back watching the surrounding area. Han was about a foot away when the figure wheeled around sticking a blaster in his face. He didn't even have time to draw his own weapon. Chewie howled raising his bowcaster but held his fire.
"That's a good way to get our head shot off," the figured said softly pulling off the hat to reveal very long hair and a grease smeared but beautiful face.
Han stared at the young woman in surprise. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
"You must be Han Solo," she said wiping a greasy hand on her jumpsuit and extending to toward Ha.
He excepted the hand saying, "Have we meet before?"
Seeing Ha was no longer in danger Chewie lowered his weapon and joined his partner.
"This must be Chewbacca," she smiled grunting at him.
Pleased Chewie grunted back, she answered and he curled his lips back into a smile showing his long white teeth.
"This is all very sweet," Han said sarcastically, "I want to know who you know us?"
"Ahhh…Captain Solo you have quite a reputation, besides I was told you were coming," she said. "I'm Captain Morgan Wright."
"Captain?" Han said startled, "This is your ship?"
Nodding she said, "You seem surprised."
"It's not everyday you see a woman pilot," Han replied.
"I guess it is rather unusual," she agreed, "I inherited the ship from my father, Franco Wright."
Han's jaw dropped, "The Franco Wright?"
"The one in the same," Morgan answered unzipping her jumpsuit, "The best damn flier around until the Empire cut him down."
"I got some of my best moves from him," Han told her.
"We had better get down to business since we will be working together," the young woman smiled.
Watching Morgan step out of her jumpsuit it took a few moments for her words to register, "Work together," he thundered "What's that suppose to mean?"
"We were hired for the same job Solo," Morgan said with a slight edge to her voice.
Han threw his hands in the air and began walking toward a large rather plain looking building at the edge of the landing field. Chewie followed him, which left Morgan standing alone at her ship.
* * *
Han Solo burst through the door slamming it against the wall shattering the already broken plaster. The room wasn't very big and sparsely furnished with two chairs, a file cabinet and a huge desk. Behind the desk sat a small green creature with liquid black eyes, which jumped when Han came crashing in.
"Are you in charge here?" Han demanded.
In a deep voice that surprised the pilot the creature said, "Yes, I am Dessa, you must be Captain Solo."
Chewie stood in the door way behind Han with his bowcaster still in hand, the green creature watched him carefully not knowing what to expect.
Han nodded, "There was nothing said about two ships, Chewie and I work alone."
"Yes I understand that but there is too much cargo for one ship," Dessa explained in a slightly shaky voice waving his long green fingers in the air, "There is no time for two runs besides it would be too dangerous."
"I'm not flying with a woman pilot," Han snapped.
"Well I'm not to keen on your either buster,' Morgan said hotly.
Han and Chewie turned to see her standing in the doorway. NO longer greases smeared she wore a light blue pants, black knee high boots and a white flight jacket. Her long hair hung down her back. She was more beautiful than Han had dreamed. He almost reconsidered but he wasn't in the habit of mixing business with pleasure and wasn't about to start now.
As the two pilots glared at each other Dessa looked from one to the other, "Please, please you must settle your differences a lot of lives depend on this cargo."
Han spun around to confront Dessa, "Why didn't you tell me before hand you would need two ships?"
"I was afraid you wouldn't come," he confessed.
"I'm not totally unreasonable but I would rather pick who I'm going to risk my life with, " Ha snapped.
"Just what is that suppose to mean?" Morgan glared.
"I want some one I can count on." Han shouted.
"Well you are no prize yourself," she shot back.
Dessa got up from his desk moving awkwardly between the two humans wringing his green hands he cried, "You must help me you are our only hope."
"Alright, fine," Han said stalking out. "But I’m in charge, she follows my orders."
"Yes sir," Morgan said snapping to a mock salute.
Chewie grunted patting her on the back. Han was half way across the landing field. The creature sighed with relief.
"What do you mean he's a nice guy?" Morgan scoffed," He's snobbish, hateful, stubborn and very handsome."
The Wookie howled with laughter. Putting his hairy arm around her they walked out of the building.
Han was almost up the ramp of the Falcon he turned and shouted. "Are you coming with me or are you flying with her?"
Chewie shrugged his huge hairy shoulders and followed after Han.
* * *
When Chewie reached the Falcon Ha was already preparing the cargo hold for the shipment. Morgan was doing the same on her ship; both had been so upset neither had asked exactly what they were carrying.
Dessa followed by many creatures like himself paraded to the waiting ships. As the green beings began loading the small crates Dessa said to Han, "Thank you very much captain, you have saved many lives."
"Just what are we hauling?" asked Han.
"Seedlings," Dessa answered then backed away slightly.
"Seedlings?" Han stared at the boxes then back to Dessa who was beginning to shake. "What for?"
Morgan and Chewie joined them, "What is going on now?" Morgan demanded.
"This twerp has got us risking our lives for seedlings," Han raved. "We'll be in close range of an Empire base; they aren't exactly fond of me."
"Let me explained," Dessa said in a small voice, "Kiel was once a beautiful place to live but a fire believed set by the Empire destroyed most of the vegetation, my people have nothing to live on."
Han sighed, "Ok ok we'll deliver if we are careful we should make it."
Morgan smiled, he did care bout things maybe he wasn't as arrant as she had first thought.
The creatures had finished loading the shops and were making their way back to the building; Dessa turned to go Han stopped him. "How are you getting back?"
"Doesn’t worry abut us," Dessa replied. "We will be fine."
Morgan came to stand beside Han, they both watched the last of the green creatures disappear into the building, just before Dessa closed the door he waved his green fingers at them
"Well let's get a move on," Han ordered, "I don't like this, the quicker it's over the better."
Morgan agreed with him silently, the whole thing had a funny feel to it. She started to say something to Han but instead returned to her waiting ship and prepared to take off.
When both of the ships had taken off Dessa opened the door and stepped out closely followed by two storm troopers.
* * *
Han docked the Falcon on a small planet to refuel, they were about half way to Kiel, Morgan docked next to him. The three walked into the small town it was mostly a stop for refueling pilots, very few people lived there.
Han stopped at the door of the only cantina in town. He turned to look at Chewie, "You coming?"
Chewie looked at Morgan and shook his head at Han. Women weren't allowed in not even tough women pilots.
"Suit yourself ya big lug," Han grumbled and slammed the cantina door after him.
"You can go," Morgan said, "I'm perfectly able to take care of myself."
Chewie growled as they began walking down the street not sure if he should leave her alone in the rough little town. Fights broke out every few minutes and he wasn't sure how safe a woman would be walking around alone. Chewie looked down at the young woman and growled again.
"He likes me?" Morgan scoffed, "He hasn't said hardly a word to me since we left." The Wookie turned around to stare at the door Han had disappeared through longingly. "Listen, you go on with Han you belong with I'm. I'll be fine, I've been alone a long time."
Chewbacca gave her a nod of thanks and went in the cantina to find his friend.
Morgan sighed deciding there was nothing in the town for her went back to her ship. Standing in her cabin looking in the full-length mirror on the back of the door, she studied herself thinking about what Chewie had said.
Shaking her head at her reflection she said out loud, "Han likes me?" Then she smiled at her self.
* * *
When Han and Chewie arrived back at the Falcon Morgan was no where to be seen. The Wookie went on a routine check of the ship. Han stood in the cockpit looking out the window oddly thinking of Morgan Wright. Women he liked, woman pilots he wasn't so sure about but he did admire her very much and if he was truthful he liked her a lot too.
Morgan entered quietly behind Han, no longer dressed in her usual pants and jacket; she wore a long flowing cream colored gown. For a moment she stood staring at his back then suddenly Morgan grabbed Han by the arm and spun him around to face her. Stunned Han allowed Morgan to place her arms about his neck and kiss him. Gently he pushed her away; bewildered she stepped back and stared at him.
Dropping hr head, Morgan mumbled, "I understand."
As she started to turn away Han stopped her, putting his hand under her chin he raised her eyes to meet his. "No you don't understand, you don't understand at all."
His arms went around her waist and he pressed his lips to hers. Morgan put her arms back around his neck. They stood in their embrace for a long time, finally their lips parted then he kissed her on the forehead, as he hugged her tightly.
Morgan looked up at Han in complete confusion.
"You are always so pushy, always have to take the lead," Han explained gently. "You never take the time to be a woman. Just putting on a beautiful gown does not make you a woman."
"When you are competing in a moan's world you have to be rough, that’s the only way to stay alive. I have to be better at what I do because you had a head start, you were born with one."
Han opened his mouth to speak but closed it as she continued. "When you are raised without a mother around you become one of the guys. I was treated like I was my father's son rather than his daughter. Then when he died he left m e everything, I've worked my tail off to become a good pilot."
Han smiled in understanding, "You are a good pilot, the best that is next to me."
"Oh Han," Morgan laughed, "Thanks…I think."
"You need someone to take care of you," he said.
"Who, you?" she asked.
"Yes me."
"I don’t need anybody to take care of me." She said. "I need somebody to love me."
"I think I can handle that," Han grinned at her.
Morgan was about to reply when Chewie started howling.
"What is it?" Han asked moving to where he could see out.
Four storm troopers were walking toward the Falcon, their weapons in hand. Han flipped a few switches and the ship began to warm up.
"What are we going to do?" Morgan frowned looking at her ship in the next port.
"You're going to hide in that warehouse over there," Han said pointing out the window to a large gray building, "Chewie and I will lead them away, wait awhile until it's safe, we'll meet you in Kiel."
"I want to leave with you now." Morgan argued.
"You'll never make it to your ship," Han told her.
She nodded; Han reached for Morgan holding her tightly for a moment then released her he turned back to the control panel.
As she was leaving she slipped a letter in Chewie's hand and whispered. "If anything happens to me see Han gets this."
Chewie couldn't help but notice the tears forming in her eyes. The Wookie grabbed her hand and stared into her eyes then hugged her.
Managing a smile Morgan said, "I'll never forget with Chewbacca, take care of Han," With that she ran down the ramp hiding behind some crates sitting on the dock.
Chewie closed the hatch just as the storm troopers reached the ship. Han flipped the last row of switches. "Hop this baby's ready to fly, we are taking off."
Han's big partner jumped into the co-pilots seat as they took off. The Stormtroopers stopped in their tracks as the Falcon disappeared into space.
As soon as the troopers left Morgan came out of hiding running o hr ship she quickly slipped in hoping she hadn't been seen. While Morgan warmed up her ship five trooper ships took off in search of Han. Morgan followed then ships, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do but Han wasn't going to be blown to bits because of her.
* * *
The Falcon was far out in space and no sign of the troopers, Han had taken that moment to relax and was just closing his eyes when he heard an enraged howl from Chewie. Han jumped up from his seat, running down the hall to the cargo hold, he found Chewie throwing the seedling boxes around. Dirt and rocks filled the air as Han shouted, "Chewie, what are you doing?"
The Wookie stopped howling picked up one of the boxes and tossed it to Han. Up on opening it Han found not seedlings but dirt and rocks." "We have been set up," he shouted, dropping the box. "Did Moran set us up or did Dessa get us all?"
Before Chewie could give his viewpoint the ship was rocked by a blast almost knocking the two off their feet.
Reaching the cockpit Han found five enemy ships closing in on them fast. Seating himself all Han could do was wait for the right moment to make his move. Sliding into his seat Chewie waited for his partner to act.
Han's only hope was to wait until the fighters were near enough for him to dive underneath their ships surprising then so the troopers wouldn't fire until he cleared their range, it was a million to one shot but the only one Han could see.
Morgan arrived on the scene just as Han started to make his move. It was suicidal and she knew it. Han wasn't going to die because of her. She was the one they were after. Morgan knew it the moment she checked out the cargo also finding dirt and rocks. Sucking in her breath Morgan plunged in between Han and the on coming fighters.
The fighters were almost close enough Chewie let out a low growl pointing a furry hand to Morgan's approaching ship.
Shocked at seeing her ship in between him and the troopers Han grabbed the radio, "No Morgan," he shouted. "Get out of there."
But before she had time to respond the fighters let go with all their firepower on her ship then dispersed.
Han sat in stunned silence, Chewie cut loose with a soul shattering wail. Han fumbled for the radio then realizing he still had it in his hand yelled, "Morgan are you alright?"
There was nothing but static for a few seconds then her voice came across loud and clear. "I'm here Han."
"How badly is your ship damaged?" Han asked.
"Terminal," she said softly.
"We can rescue you," Han said wildly and Chewie grunted in agreement.
"No Han," she whispered. "It's too late for me, if you try you'll only blow yourself up."
"Listen to me," Han snapped, "I'm in charge here not you!" He waited for a smart come back but there was none only silence. "Morgan?" he said gently.
There were tears in her voice when she finally answered, "Captain Han Solo, I love you."
The radio wet dead, the lights in her ship began to fade and there were a series of small explosions that rocked the ship. Han and Chewie could do nothing but sit helplessly and watch. Chewie began beating the control panel with his fists. Han's eyes began to fill with tears. Then there was a final explosion that blew Morgan's ship apart, it lit up the star field for a few dazzling moments then it was dark again like nothing had ever been there.
Han now out of his seat stood staring out at the blackness. Chewie grunted handing him the letter Morgan had given the Wookie earlier.
Hand sighed as he began reading the letter, "Dearest Han," he read, "It is always hard to say goodbye, so I won't I'll jut say I love you. I’m sorry you got involved in this, it is me the Empire is after they killed my father and now they will kill me. My father secretly worked for the Empire along time ago when he left them they tracked him down. Now they track me I don't know if they'll win this time but at any rate you'll never see me again. My only hope is that you don't get hurt because of me, Morgan."
Chewie groaned loudly his face wet with tears, wiping a shaggy arm across his face Chewie turned away from Han.
"She saved our lives Chewie," Han said trying to comfort him as much as the Wookie, "We'll get them back I swear it, for Morgan and her father."
Chewie growled in agreement putting his arm around Han's shoulders; they stood looking into the darkness.
A single tear slid down Hans’s cheek as he said in a low voice, "Captain Morgan Wright I love you."
Written 6-15-82