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Enfys Nest had been wrong about Han Solo.
Or at least, that was how it seemed now, as she stared down at him with a disappointed look she hoped would seep through her mask. The Cloud Riders had cornered this ship on Formos, certain that it was being used to smuggle goods for the Hutt Cartel. Expecting to find some slime they’d likely encountered before, they were surprised when they instead found the same man who had been their ally not even a decade earlier, hiding beneath the floor grates.
Enfys, though, could not afford to be surprised. Instead, she was enraged. How could this be the same man she had invited to join their ranks?
A warrior would not cower in the cargo hold of his own ship. A leader would not be working for Jabba the Hutt.
Yet here he was before her, his fear proof that he was guilty of just that.
“It’s been too long,” Han said with an uneasy smile. It was clear to Enfys that–despite his attempts to hide it–Han was afraid of her. Good, she thought, he should be afraid. Anyone working under the Five Syndicates should fear her as if she were death itself.
“You have regressed back to old habits, Solo,” she said plainly, allowing him and Chewbacca to climb out of the cargo hold, their hands over their heads. “Drop your weapons, the Wookiee first.”
“Oh c'mon, you know his name,” Han groaned, and Chewbacca growled in exasperation. “I know, buddy, it is rude.”
Chewbacca dropped his bowcaster and kicked it towards Enfys’ feet, Han did the same with the blaster he kept holstered on his hip. She watched the weapons skid across the shiny black floors and land before her. Satisfied, she lowered her weapon and signaled for her riders to do the same.
“It is unfortunate that you have decided to pledge your allegiance to Jabba,” Enfys said, her voice modulator warping her monotone into an unsettling sound.
“Look, I haven’t pledged my allegiance to anyone,” Han argued. “I take jobs where I find them. It’s a tough galaxy, surely you can sympathize with that?”
The woman laughed–a strangled yelping sound through her voice modulator–and for a moment, hope flashed across Han’s face.
“I do not take jobs from gangsters, neither do my friends.” Enfys watched close as the gears in Han’s head turned. She could see it in his eyes as they darted around, looking for another way out. “But I am willing to let you leave here unharmed.”
Han let out a sigh of relief. Behind her, Enfys could feel her riders grow wary. They were rightfully uncomfortable about letting the man go.
“You made the right choice, Enfys,” Han started, moving towards her with an eye on his blaster, which still laid at her boots. “I never forget my friends, you know–”
“Not so fast,” she said, poking him back with the uncharged end of her staff. “I’d like to see just what you're smuggling for Jabba.”
Han laughed, “It’s really nothing that’d interest you, Enfys.”
“You do not know what interests me,” she countered, and he held his hands up in defeat.
“I suppose you’re right,” he shrugged. He bent down and reached into the cargo hold, but froze as Enfys’ riders drew their weapons on him. “May I?”
Enfys nodded her approval, and her riders again lowered their weapons. Han pulled a large crate from beneath the grated floor. How he and Chewbacca fit under there with all this cargo was a mystery to her.
Han slid the lid off the crate to reveal what was inside: orange powder with an unmistakable glimmer. Just as quickly as he opened it, he shut it again.
“That’s at least fifty thousand credits worth of spice,” Weazel said from beside Enfys, his voice quiet in astonishment.
“I’ve got a dozen of these crates under here,” Han said. “It’s not my typical work, but it’s where all the money is.”
Spice had somehow become even more lucrative in the past few years. Laws banning its production were strict, but only if you were unwilling to work with the Empire. Jabba the Hutt would never share profits or control with them, which is where men like Han Solo came in. An expert pilot was almost as hot a commodity as spice itself. Enfys had no doubt that Solo would earn a handsome sum for this job.
“How much are you being paid for your services?” Enfys asked.
“Not nearly enough,” Han laughed. “Fifteen thousand credits.”
“Smuggling spice is a death sentence in quite a few systems,” she nodded, processing his words. Fifteen thousand credits was far from adequate payment for a man risking his life.
Enfys thought carefully, the air heavy with anticipation of her response.
“What would you ask to part with this shipment, Solo?” she said finally, and behind her, she felt a few of her riders shift their feet. She was well aware that many, if not all of her riders would prefer to steal from the captain, but Enfys preferred to avoid such conflict, especially with a man who had once done her a great service.
“Nothing you could pay,” Han sighed, his voice barely loud enough for anyone to hear. Chewie growled at him, and he rubbed at his temples as if he was developing a headache. “But I figure you won’t be leaving here without the spice, will you?”
“I’m afraid not,” Enfys said. “But I am willing to give you compensation in exchange for your cooperation.”
Han looked as if he was about to argue but as soon as he opened his mouth to speak, he closed it once more. Instead, he simply smiled and shook his head fondly. “I appreciate that.”
Han accepted five thousand credits for the entire shipment. Enfys had never been naive, she knew that price was far from worth the risk Han took from losing Jabba’s shipment, and that the debt he would likely owe the gangster would be at least double what he received from her. But it would do Han no good to discuss his misfortune, so she simply hoped her gratitude could be felt through her cold mask.
As her riders loaded the last of the spice onto the Aerie , Enfys met Han at the bottom of the Falcon ’s ramp. Formos had one of the darkest nights Enfys had ever seen, and though it provided good cover for their operation, it also hid the criminal activities of shadier beings she’d rather not encounter.
“You’ve done a great thing, Captain Solo,” Enfys sighed, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake that seemed to surprise him. “It seems I may be indebted to you.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Han shrugged. “If there’s anyone I trust to pay their debts, it's you, Enfys. That’s part of the reason I don't mind doing you this little favor.”
Enfys knew it was much more than a little favor, but she said nothing more. She nodded a final goodbye, and joined her Riders aboard the Aerie . It was odd, but even after a decade, she recognized the sore feeling of leaving Han. A man like him did not belong amongst gangsters and bounty hunters, though he undeniably had found a place there. To her, it felt wasteful, but she could not claim to understand a near-stranger who only made her acquaintance due to an unfortunate series of events. With this in mind, she pushed her disappointment away and allowed herself to celebrate the victory with the rest of the Cloud Riders.
—
It had been some time since Enfys was among the youngest of the rebels. On any base now you could find younglings barely old enough to talk, running about without a care, as if they weren’t surrounded by starfighters and men who had more kills to their name than they had years. If anyone dwelled on these children for too long, it would surely make them sick.
There were many girls the same age Enfys had been when she took on the mask, girls on the edge of adulthood, teetering between two worlds, the weight of responsibility so heavy that they couldn’t help but hurtle towards maturity much too quickly. She was sure that this phenomenon was among the Empire’s worst crimes.
The princess of Alderaan had been at that volatile age when Enfys first met her, only a few years before her planet would be destroyed by the Empire. She had been formal, composed, and perfectly princess-like, even when tasked with handling important rebellion business. Despite this, Enfys could still see herself in the eyes of Leia Organa. It was unmistakable.
After Alderaan was lost, Leia had surged to the forefront of the Rebellion, both as a leader and a symbol. Enfys watched this from afar, and by the time they would meet again, nearly two years after the destruction of the Death Star, Leia had grown from a brave young woman to an undeniable leader. It was clear that any semblance of the child Enfys had met all those years ago had been lost, even before tragedy had struck. The Empire allowed no room for lingering naivety.
High command had instructed Enfys to meet Leia on the planet of Pasaana, where Leia would provide medical supplies to be taken to the front lines and Enfys would hand off an important datacard that could not risk being intercepted.
Enfys was alone. The rest of the Cloud-Riders hidden on the other side of the planet, recovering from a run-in with the Imperial fleet that had nearly cost Enfys her life. Their numbers had dwindled since the Rebel Alliance had formed, many unwilling to answer to the very same politicians who had ignored their plight against the Five Syndicates when the Galactic Republic had still been intact. Enfys did not agree with their reasoning, nor did she argue. If they could not dedicate themselves completely, they were better off leaving.
Enfys met the princess in a conveniently sheltered recess the mountains provided, a few klicks east of the nearest settlement, but far enough that the lights of the city looked like little stars in the distance.
She was only made to wait a few moments before she heard light footsteps approach her. The other woman emerged from the shadows, shedding the hood that had cast a shadow over her face. Enfys removed her helmet as well, comfortable in the presence of the princess and secure under the cover of night.
“Enfys Nest,” Leia smiled, reaching out to shake her hand. “It’s been too long.”
“I was happy to hear it was you I’d be meeting with today,” Enfys agreed.
“Likewise,” the princess sighed.
As if on cue, a clattering noise came from behind Leia. Enfys reacted quickly, reaching for her staff, but the other woman simply shook her head softly, signaling for her to stand down.
“I hear you’ve spent quite some time in the Corellian system,” she continued, paying no mind to the commotion. “Rebel command hasn’t received communication from our Corellian based operatives in weeks.”
Enfys began to tell the princess of the planet-wide raids that had prevented safe communication, but before she could a voice came from the shadows, interrupting their conversation.
“Come on, Princess, we don’t have time for chit-chat!”
Enfys craned her neck to see who would be caught speaking that way to a princess, but just as he came into view, Leia gave her her answer.
“How many times must I warn you not to rush me, Captain Solo?” Leia groaned, the professional tone she’d held slipping away as she addressed the familiar man. “This is far from idle chatter.”
“It’s your credits, Princess,” Han said with a shrug. “Just remember, I’m being paid by the hour.”
“How could I forget?” Leia rolled her eyes. Han smiled at this, and it took him more than a moment to rip his gaze away from the woman and realize who else was in his company. Once he did, though, his face went white.
“Captain Solo,” Enfys smiled, extending her hand towards Han. “I am certainly surprised to see you here.”
Han hesitantly shook Enfys’ hand, giving her a grin as a meager greeting. Quickly, his attention shot back towards Leia.
“You didn’t tell me you were meeting with Enfys Nest,” he said.
“I’m quite sure I did,” she said, looking between the two of them curiously. “But I hadn’t realized you two were already acquainted.”
“Vaguely,” Han shrugged. “Enfys may be the only one in the galaxy who owes me something.”
“Oh, really?” Leia said doubtfully, though her eyes shone with a very real interest.
“It’s true,” Enfys confirmed, “Han helped me to steal from both Crimson Dawn and the Hutt Cartel. He is certainly a brave man.”
To everyone’s surprise, Han looked nearly shy at her compliments, but he played it off well. Leia, on the other hand, struggled to hide her admiration.
“I must admit I’m surprised to see you’ve finally joined the Rebellion, but it certainly fits you well.” For the first time, Enfys truly took in the man standing before her. Physically, he’d changed very little since the last time she’d seen him, but the difference was undeniable nonetheless. Han, who had always seemed flighty, now held an air of certainty around him.
“I’m no rebel,” Han said quickly, earning a glare from Leia. “But my job isn’t half bad.”
The princess’ expression softened at this, but so slightly that it was only Han’s bright look that brought real attention to it.
“I assure you, Captain, you are a rebel,” Enfys laughed. It was amusing that Han, despite having a few years on her, still held the stubborn nature of a teenager. “Whether you like it or not.”
Han seemed as if he wanted to argue, but no words came to him. Instead, he tried to look nonchalant, giving her a casual shrug.
“Let’s get this show on the road,” he said, clapping his hands together and turning back to the ship, where cargo was already being hauled off. Enfys nodded, bringing herself back to the moment. Despite the cover of night and the assurances that neither of their ships had been tracked, neither woman felt safe dragging out this job any more than necessary.
The three of them worked to off-load the crates from the Falcon and move them to Enfys’ speeder, which barely fit all the cargo. Leia, despite her size and royal status, could lift nearly as much as Han or Enfys. The older woman was a bit embarrassed to be so surprised by the princess’ strength, especially as Han looked unfazed, handing her heavy crates without much thought. Enfys supposed that may be from experience. She could imagine how Leia would react if Han were to doubt her abilities in any way.
It was Leia who was loading one of the last crates into Enfys’ speeder when the familiar screech of an Imperial TIE came from above. All three of them ducked low, Han and Enfys safe under the cover of the mountain, while Leia did her best to use the speeder as cover.
Han was quick to move toward her, but Enfys grabbed him, yanking him back forcefully. He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
“She’s completely exposed out there!” His voice was low, but he struggled against Enfys’ hold, and any commotion risked them more. She put a finger to her lips, telling him to hush.
“Running out there may expose her even more,” she said quietly. Han stopped trying to move away from her, and she relaxed her grasp. “They may not have seen us.”
For a few moments, the TIE screech continued to grow distant. Han took a couple deep breaths, and Leia stayed small and still in her hiding place. Enfys counted, estimating how far they’d gone until she couldn’t hear the haunting sound anymore. All three of them seemed to exhale at once.
“You see anything out there?” The familiar Imperial radio chatter could be heard close, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. Tension filled the air again, and Enfys prayed the trooper couldn’t feel it too.
“Speeder, I think,” the trooper replied. “It’s hard to see out here, let me check it out.”
As footsteps approached Leia, both Enfys and Han tightened their grips on their respective weapons. But they waited to move. Han wasn’t nearly as trigger happy as he looked.
But before they could draw their weapons, Leia drew hers. She must’ve been able to see the trooper better from her vantage point than Enfys could, because she acted quickly, hitting him square in the chest.
“What was that?” The officer on the other side of the radio was back again, and as Leia scurried back towards the mountain, he continued to ask for a reply.
“We have less than five minutes before they have an entire squadron here,” Leia said, her mind clearly buzzing. “Han, can we load the speeder onto the Falcon ? We’ll get them off our trail and then deliver Enfys and the supplies.”
“I don’t know, princess,” Han said nervously. Leia looked at him hopelessly, and he couldn’t bring himself to say what Enfys knew. There was no way they’d be able to fit all that into the Falcon , and they certainly couldn’t offload the supplies now.
“I will take the speeder back to my ship as planned,” Enfys decided, though there weren’t any other options in her mind. “You two need to go, now.”
“Enfys, are you sure–” Leia began, but Enfys cut her off.
“I have nothing to fear from a squad of stormtroopers.” That was true, though it didn’t say much to what could come of her if they were smart enough to bring qualified reinforcements. She considered that to be unlikely, it had to be if she wanted hope of making it to the Aerie alive.
“Alright,” Leia agreed. She looked hesitant, but her legs did not hold the same reservations, and she quickly began to run back up the ramp. “Thank you, Enfys. May the force be with you.”
With that, she disappeared into the ship. Han was close behind her.
“I’m sure I’ll see you again,” he called as the ramp began to lift back into the ship.
“You will,” Enfys said.
—
Some months later, at whatever base the Rebels had fled to last, Han met Enfys again.
“I’m glad to see you alive,” he said, smiling brightly at the expressionless mask which seemed to alarm some of the pilots who passed by. “You really stuck your neck out for us there. I appreciate that.”
“It was the least I could do for the princess,” Enfys said. “She is a great leader. It would be devastating to lose her.”
“Yeah,” Han agreed with a sigh. “I don’t want to think what Rebel Command would’ve done to me if I lost her.”
Enfys nodded her goodbye and began to continue on her way, but before she could get very far, Han placed a hand on her arm, gently stopping her.
“I think we’re even now, Enfys,” he said, more serious than she’d ever seen him before. Some part of her wanted to protest, sure she had failed to communicate just how valuable he had been to her, but the look in his eyes told her that he wouldn’t agree. It seemed that for whatever reason, the princess meant quite a deal to him.
“As you wish, Captain Solo,” she said, and though he couldn’t see it, she smiled to herself.
Both of them had gone through a great deal of changes since Savareen, shifting through positions and allegiances. It seemed impossible either of them could truly know each other, and really, they didn’t. He had denied her offer to join the cause and instead went to work for criminals no better than Dryden Vos. Even now, he refused to truly commit to the Rebellion.
Han may have taken his time to get there, may still be taking his time, but Enfys was sure now that what she saw in him all those years ago was still there, stronger than ever.
That was good, she decided. The galaxy could use more people like Han Solo.