Chapter 22: My Final Work For the Earth
I returned home. A stop on the Star Destroyer revealed that it was almost fully repaired, and Earth technicians were quickly picking up the knowledge they needed to use it. I landed on Earth the same way I landed before, and was greeted by practically the same crowd.
No reports were necessary from me this time. I was growing obsolete.
I decided to make a final suggestion to the President and then I would pack up my belongings and explore some more.
“Mr. President, “ I began, “I no longer feel I am needed on Earth. The current situation with the Empire has been averted and I think its time I went elsewhere. From the scientific standpoint, we have years of research to catch up on. From the military view, we have a warship capable of defending the planet and a military that knows how to use it. The public, well, to minimize the impact of what has happened, it’s best that they learn slowly.”
I continued, “I would like to make a recommendation to you and the rest of the world leaders. I think it would be helpful to Earth to create a trading station on the far side of the Moon. Have a place where terrans and aliens can trade and interact. It will allow those people that visit to adjust to the large galaxy they’ve become a part of, and it will strengthen ties between us and other cultures out there.”
I then returned home and began to pack. I planned on returning again, so it wasn’t a matter of stripping down my house for a move. I had to pack plenty of clothes. Not knowing where I might go, I’d need to be ready for any weather conditions. I grabbed a few books for long hyperspace trips. From my experience on the Motivator, I knew that ships power was DC-based, like the blaster power packs. It was not a difficult task to have B0B rig an appropriate AC outlet for a couple pieces of electronics, like a laptop. In preparation, I downloaded as many Star Wars references as I could find off the Internet, in the event that I needed information I did not have.
I was ready to return to space. I wasn’t worried about leaving my home for a long time, I asked the neighbors to keep an eye on things, and the government was happy to take care of any bills I might get, even though I had shut down as much of the house as I could, it wasn’t 100%. They said it was a minor thing to worry about compared to the benefits I had provided them with.
With that I was set, and I left.
Chapter 23: What did my future hold?
It was at this point, I did not know what I would do. I considered the possibilities of joining up with the Alliance right away. With the wealth of information I had at my fingertips, I could have used the money I had and made it grow through gambling. I could play tourist and visit the many places I had read about, like Ithor, Corellia, Yavin, the Kessel Run black holes. I started to research the Internet files I had downloaded. What would really be interesting is if I could actually see and be a part of one of the stories I’d heard about.
That is when I figured out what I could do.
In the book Tales of the Bounty Hunters, part of Boba Fett’s story was his first encounter with Han Solo. Han was forced into some kind of life-or-death combat against 3 men each twice his size. Fett attested that Han had won the match, despite all the odds being against him.
This was a chance for me to do several things. It gave me the chance to see another world. It gave me a chance to see Han Solo in person. Last, it gave me a chance to gamble on a fight I already knew the outcome of. The only thing in my way was the fact that I didn’t know when it happened. It could have happened already, or it could be happening too far in the future for it to be something I could do now.
I began to sift though the information on my laptop. Eventually, I found the information I was looking for. It happened on the planet Jubilar about 12 years before A New Hope, when Han was 17 years old. No, that wouldn’t work. Based on what I had been told be Captain Briera that would have taken place about 10 years ago. No, I needed to find something that “happened” 2 years before A New Hope.
I continued to search for some event.
There, that was it. It was perfect, even better than before.
Han was due to visit Bespin, run across the Cloud City Sabacc tournament, play into the finals, where he defeats Lando Calrissian and win the Millennium Falcon. This was luck. To watch as this soon-to-be most famous smuggler gets united with the ship that helped make him famous, it was perfect.
And if I was lucky, I could gamble on the outcome.
With B0B’s help, I plotted a course to Bespin. It was a long trip, but it gave me time to reflect on all that had happened since that fateful day when I spotted that fuzzy Star Destroyer on the news.
When I arrived at Bespin, I found myself having the same trouble as Han had in Empire Strikes Back.
“No, this is my first trip to Bespin, I do not have any permits. I can buy one if necessary, but I do not have one now.” I said. I could see why Han sounded so frustrated. These Cloud Car Pilots, or whatever they were called, were relentless.
“Do not deviate from your current heading. Once we have confirmed your ships registry you will be allowed to land, at which time you may choose to pay a landing fee or purchase a permit.”
At this point, all I could do was wait. It took several minutes, but I could only assume that my information checked out.
“You are authorized to land at platform 463. Follow us.”
I thanked them and was finally able to continue into the city. It was a spectacular view.
Upon landing, I was met by an official of the city.
“Greetings, welcome to Bespin’s Cloud City. How long had you planned on staying?”
”I wasn’t sure.” I told him. “I heard about a Sabacc tournament that is going to be played here, but I could not find out when it will be taking place. I wanted to stay through to the end of the tournament. Mind you, I’m not here to play. Just as a spectator.”
“Well,” He began, “the tournament is just over 2 standard weeks away, and will last for another week. At 200 credits per day for use of the landing pad, that comes to 3000 credits. A landing permit will cost you 5000 credits, but it gives you free access to the cities landing pads and a discount on any ship-related work you may require upon your visits. This would include restocking fuel, tibanna gas, repairs, and modifications. The permit will require renewing within 1 standard year.”
He continued. “Also, unless you wish to stay in your ship, there is a 100 credit per night charge at one of our mid-range hotels. This includes a choice breakfast menu every morning, and a one time 50 credits-worth of chips for use in any of our casinos. That would be another 1500 credits.”
I thought for a moment. Money was not an issue. I still had over 40,000 of the 50,000 I had gotten from the Emperor, plus the 5 Krayt Dragon Pearls. The real issue was if I wanted the permit or not. I may have money, but I wasn’t going to be stupid about using it.
“I will take the permit. I’ll need to get additional funds from my ship, however. If I require any of the ship-related work you mentioned, who do I speak with?”
He seemed happy. “Excellent. You can speak with me. You see, each pad is assigned someone to coordinates the activities going on at it. I work on this pad. Anything you require, you can speak with me about.”
“Fine, fine. I’m sure there are some items that my ship should have looked at.” I replied.
With that, I returned to Gaea to get the money I would require, plus some extra. On my way out, I gave B0B a heads up on what would be happening, and I asked if