garbageship | That's no moon... Wait, no, it's a moon.

"I get by."

To say the least. Han has the same difficulties as anyone-- shooting moving targets when moving yourself, for example-- but he's got years and years of experience guiding his hand, and this is one area in which he's capable of remarkable subtlety.

"Yeah, seems like you've done a pretty solid job of that." Even if she got a couple of saves in there too. He also saved her from that bot that got a shot in. Saved her from just being out there alone. Whatever happens from here she's grateful for that.

"Thanks, Han. For taking me in." She doesn't like the thought that he could be regretting it now. Not that he's been making her feel that way.

Regret isn't the right word for it. He's been glad to have her, and he wouldn't turn her away, even now; it's just that he's worried about what this is going to do to all of them.

"You earned it." But that's not the point, and even if she did, he could still have left her. But that's not who Han is.

Is it totally crazy to think it could just be nice? Good for them even? It probably is. Girls from post-apocalyptic war-torn wastelands really shouldn't be able to still feel this kind of hope and optimism, but here she is hoping.

"Somehow I don't think it would have mattered that much if I didn't."

If things were different, it'd be different. If they were talking about Ben Solo, proud son of the Resistance, the boy Han raised, who studied the Jedi way with his uncle, who mastered himself and his abilities, who knew the difference between wanting and needing and could make choices based on anything bigger than himself--

"Don't go around telling people I got soft."

His tone is pretty damn soft, though.

But they all have to deal with the Ben that is and could still be and not the Ben that could have been.

"Not a soul." She smiles at the big softy. "Besides, I hear that Han Solo guy is totally wanted by the First Order so I probably won't do a lot of name dropping."

And the Ben that is doesn't have a lot of experience with anything but the hottest currents of the human soul. Which is why he worries. A lot.

"Probably for the best."

It's a very understandable, well grounded, applicable worry that someone should be having. A pity it isn't happening more from someone inside the relationship. If it's a relationship... That feels too defined right now.

"I think I'd be good with a little more. Anything you could show me would be good."

It's something, and it'd be a lot safer to be nothing. But the ship's out of the hangar on that one, and his disapproval is only going to make things worse. Which is why he's trying to minimize it.

"What do you think is your weak point?"

He slides off his rock. Might as well be useful.

She's thoughtful about his question. "Speed. I can over-analyze a target especially when there are multiple ones."

"Not worth it," he agrees. "You're better off wasting a few shots and saving the time. Even if it's not a kill you'll probably slow them down."

"Do the blasters ever run out of charge?" Short of actually breaking that is. A routine recharging process where battle could be compromised.

"I try to check the cartridges pretty often. Bigger danger is it overheating. Especially with the heavy ones."

"Smaller weapons are better for multiple shots then?" Taking this in. "It'd be nice to get some shots when I'm moving and so are my targets. I have more experience at the sniper thing already."

"Depends. If they got armor, you probably want something bigger. But one shot might take out a couple."

Weapons, in his experience, come down to personal preferences. His blaster of choice is a heavier one; he'd rather make one shot count.

"Yeah..." She looks thoughtful before turning to him. "What's the kill rate like on these? Do people usually get up again?"

"Mine, up close? No. At a distance, maybe. if you're lucky enough to get to a medic..." He shrugs. "The smaller you go, the less power you get, generally. But even on a stun setting, a big one packs a punch."

"How long do the stuns usually last? And are there any places to safely keep prisoners?" You may be noticing a theme of discomfort with killing. Though he's certainly seen her do it before. He might have also noticed she withdrew for awhile afterward.

"Are you planning to take prisoners?"

He's not insisting on killing. All he's worrying about is getting away safely.

The war is on, no question about that. His part is to keep them out of it, for now.

"I... I was just wondering if there were options. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize us." Except kiss Ben of course.

It's not that he doesn't get her objections. Han isn't so good a man as that, but he understands. It's just a statement of fact that for them, sometimes there won't be an option. Taking prisoners is a terrible idea, only because they've got too many mortal enemies on the ship already.

"I'm not lookin for a fight," he points out. "I just want us to be able to end one if it comes to us."

"Yeah, I know." She just likes herself better when she's not putting blood on her hands. And the people in armor are going to be harder now that she's known Finn.

And while she's concerned about herself here, it isn't the only concern she has. "Won't it make it harder for Ben? Crossing a line like that."

"Planning for the worst doesn't mean I'm not hoping for the best."

He just knows not to expect it. What, does she think he likes the idea? Violence isn't something he means to encourage, but it's likely to be a fact of life, no matter what. It doesn't necessarily mean surrendering to fear and anger, even if it's likelier. All he can do is the best he can do.

"I can't protect him from everything."

That's not him making excuses. He wishes, desperately, that he could.

She doesn't think he likes it. She just struggles with it when she has the luxury of time to struggle with it. She also spent about a year away from the killing fields and it was a pretty good year all things considered. Getting back to it was like riding a bike in some ways but mentally it was harder especially when the need was sporadic instead of semi-constant.

"I know. You would if you could."

She looks over to where Ben is standing still practicing. "He's lucky to have you."

It's rare for him to have the luxury to think about it; his has always been a dangerous world. But he worries about Ben, of course he does. Casting a glance that follows hers, he shrugs.

He can't take that kind of credit, not after the part he's played in everything going so wrong. All he can do is try.

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i did not find sufficient answers so /bullshits

Bullshit is always welcome. I shall embrace it as my canon!

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