Jedi Council Forums - The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU. Update 3/12/07 because there's always another way)

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Author	Topic: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU. Update 3/12/07 because there's always another way)
Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 3:06pm Subject: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU. Update 3/12/07 because there's always another way) - Date Edited: 3/12/07 2:45pm (14 edits total) Edited By: Vongchild
	Thanks for clicking! Title: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo Author: Vongchild, based on a character created by Oldjedinurse. Disclaimer: Star Wars is property of George Lucas, Nick Solo is the original creation of Oldjedinurse on loan to me and I am very happy about that. Summary: Think “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” but Star Wars. Divide by three, bake for ten minutes, let rise, and cube it. Divide by pi, multiply by the square root of 2, snip any loose wires, and let cool. That’s The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo. Notes: Oldjedinurse is resident Beta and Autism expert, plus she brought Nick Solo into being on what I like to think of as one dark and stormy night, since that's where all good stories start. Without her help and dedication, this fic would not be possible. The prologue is a repost of her Vig "A Place in the universe" and if you've already read that, you can skip right over it. Also, a big to Idrielle_Miocavani (sorry if i spelled your name wrong) for creating the Disabilities Challenge that brought Oldj and I together on this project in the first place. Oh yeah! Cover art! from ShrunkenJedi! Prologue "A Place in the Universe" (a vig by Oldjedinurse) Han watched his young son concentrate over a new drawing. Another meticulous, precise starship design from the small, skilled hands of Nick Solo. It never failed to amaze Han that an eight-year-old boy could fully comprehend the mechanics of the Falcon, or a stealth-X, or even a Star Destroyer, and use that understanding to invent even better ships. Nick’s schematics were as good as the best Intel had to offer. Han shook his head absently as he peered over his son’s shoulder. “Great ship, kid!” Han ruffled Nick’s curly hair. The boy scowled and flinched, drawing quickly away from his dad. Han was used to it. He moved to stand at the transparisteel window, staring out at the bustling traffic of a New Coruscant afternoon. Six months after the Yuuzhan Vong war ended, he and Leia had been stunned to discover that she was pregnant again. They knew it was possible, of course, but had believed that their parenting days were limited to offering comfort and advice. The crazy thing was that Jaina was pregnant at the same time. He became a grandfather and a fourth-time father in the same week. Han’s granddaughter, Anna, was born just a few days before Nick. She was beautiful and perfect, with brilliant green eyes like her father and chestnut hair just like her mom’s. Everyone had barely met her when Nick joined them, a handsome little guy who looked just like Han. The family was happier than ever. The kids were not quite a year old when they really began to notice the differences. Nick didn’t smile. He didn’t make a lot of sounds or try to imitate people around him. He was slow to walk and usually wouldn’t play with Anna. He preferred to sit by himself, humming softly and running his hands back and forth over the soft carpet. It wasn’t long before they were told the truth. Nick had a form of autism. The Solo’s took Nick to every expert they could find. They tried every type of therapy available. Their son did not respond to any of it. Han watched a new ZX-778 airspeeder maneuver deftly through the traffic lanes. There goes your first design, Nick, he thought proudly. To think that his boy invented that new drive system before his eighth life day. Nick didn’t have a vocabulary. He didn’t speak. He hummed the same melody over and over again, or made no sound at all. It was eerie, but Han and Leia were used to it now. They knew he hated to be touched, but it pained them terribly not to hug him. Bedtime, bathtime, dressing and undressing Nick were exhausting exercises they performed every day. Their son always became aggressive and they all had bruises to prove it. But the Solo’s had long since decided that they would care for him themselves. He was their son, and they would help him find his place in the universe. Their happiest hours were spent on the Falcon. Nick could locate and fix mechanical problems faster than the onboard diagnostic computer. Chewie would have been so proud of you, Han smiled to himself. Nick was calm there. At peace with a world he somehow understood – the wiring, the connectors, the switches and valves. He actually seemed happy crammed into the confining spaces under the deckplates. Best of all, everything he touched stayed fixed. Leia saw Nick hard at work, hunched over the small table in the living room. Not wanting to disturb him she went to her husband and stretched her arms around his waist. Resting her cheek on his back, she listened for a moment to the rhythm of his breathing and the strength of his heartbeat. Han’s hands closed over Leia’s. “I love you, nerfherder,” she said. “How did you and Nick get along today?” “Great, Princess.” Han turned around. “We had a great day.” Leia saw the love in his eyes as he glanced over at Nick. “I think he’s got another starfighter design on his mind. Intel will be happy about that.” Han looked back to his wife and smiled in that cocky Solo style she adored. His voice was full of pride. “That’s my boy!” The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (a full length fic by Vongchild) Chapter One From his hiding place in the secret compartment, Nick Solo could hear the rhythmic hum of the hyperdrive and the deep bass tones of the engines. He liked the way the tones combined, always meeting at the same time, on the same beat, a constant song. Curling his fingers around the hydrospanner and tapping a tattoo on the handle of the small tool, Nick remembered why he was in the compartment in the first place. When a mechanical object worked right, it would sing. But if there was an irregularity anywhere, its song would be off. He'd heard the foul bleating of a bad circuit and followed it to the access panel beneath the secret compartment. Once in the smuggling compartments, you could hear the hyperdrives and the engines so much better, and he'd gotten lost in the melody. Now he was back, and fully dedicated to the task at hand. Nick liked circuits. Circuits were orderly - they followed rules and patterns. Everything mechanical had a set order to it. Even 'droids had some pattern to their actions. After all, they were just circuits and AI chips. And those followed rules and patterns. Machines were so much easier than people. People were loud and unpredictable, their responses wild and erratic. People didn't follow the rules like machines did. Each person had a different rhythm that was subject to change. But machines didn't change their rhythms, Nick thought, re-securing the wire that had come loose. Machines were kind and easy to understand. If you listened, it was easy to tell what they were saying. The problem with people was that people didn't listen. But machines did. Machines always did what they were told, no matter how trivial the action was. They wouldn't skip a crucial step or twist the outcome. Machines listened... and they obeyed. Which was why Nick liked machines more than people. You couldn’t control people, or make sense of their actions, but you could control machines. The hum of the hyperdrives began to ebb and the engines grew louder. Far off, beyond the ship, Nick heard the loud, raucous noise of New Coruscant. And closer, there were footfalls over his head. Trying to block the horrid noise of the city out, he slipped the lid of the compartment up and poked his head up into the corridor. His nose was less than three inches from the toes of his father’s boots, and he flinched back. “There you are, kid,” Han Solo said. Nick didn’t look up. His only response was to climb out of the compartment and close the lid again. “What did you find to fix?” Nick didn’t answer, but that was ok, because Han didn’t expect him to. “We’ll be on New Coruscant in half an hour.” Good, thought Nick silently, and then looking down at the hydrospanner, I have to put this away. It’s supposed to be where it belongs He turned and started off, somewhat awkwardly on ten-year-old legs that had grown an inch in the last year when he had least expected it, humming the same tune he always had. It went C, G, A, G, B-flat, repeat. As he hummed it, he subconsciously began tapping along with the beat on the handle of the hydrospanner. Han regarded his son for a moment before turning and walking in the opposite direction. Nick listened to the music that every bit of mechanical thing in the universe made, and decided that something somewhere was seriously out of tune. There is a shining, blue speeder, zooming through the New Coruscant traffic with effortless grace and sparkling in the midday light. Every curve is calculated and precise, complemented by the vehicle’s sleek aerodynamics and all new drive systems. Its fuel efficiency is like never before. The driver, a rich diplomat, does not know that his prize speeder was dreamed up by a ten-year-old boy. TBC. -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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oldjedinurse Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 8/14/05 3:11pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Fabulous job, Vongy! I'm looking forward to the adventures of Nick Solo - can't wait to see where you take him! oldj -----signature----- Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.
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Lusa_Thul Registered: Sep '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 3:21pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Nice start, VC. Clever idea! -----signature----- http://z4.invisionfree.com/mindbreak/index.php?act=idx Kriff This! http://www.geocities.com/lusa_thul/breakfree.html Raynar Fansite http://www.geocities.com/lusa_thul/crystal.html R/L Fansite http://www.echuta.net/chrono XD Thrilled Master to Kotorchick
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Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 3:24pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Oldj- We aim to please. You most of all. Lusa- It was mostly Oldj's idea. -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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aelie Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 8/14/05 3:44pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Whoa. That was absolutely incredible!! I didn't realize how talented you were at writing! I'm definitely going to want updates on this. -----signature----- "To make light of a burden is to make the burden light." \|\|Dark Lady of the DLC\|\| - \|\|www.darklordscouncil.com\|\|
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Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 4:37pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Aelie- Thanks! Erm... well, part of the greatness is that I employed a beta for once... -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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Dev_Binks Registered: Aug '03	Date Posted: 8/14/05 4:55pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	I'm not sure how I feel about this, it seems good, I'm just trying to figure out where you're going with it. -----signature----- "There will be pages. Lots and lots of pages. Most of them will have letters on them, and the vast majority of those letters will be in the roman alphabet." -Aaron Allston
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Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 5:19pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Dev- that is absolutely the question everyone should be asking right now. -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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Golden_Jedi Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 8/14/05 5:43pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Amazing! -----signature----- New Bespin Café - come visit THE place for H/L fans http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/29538471 Diving (a H/L intertrilogy AU) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27836852
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Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 6:33pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Thanks! That's one of the best reviews yet, except for when Oldj picked the whole thing apart in beta mode. -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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oldjedinurse Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 8/14/05 6:48pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Vongchild posted: Thanks! That's one of the best reviews yet, except for when Oldj picked the whole thing apart in beta mode. Very funny! -----signature----- Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.
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Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/14/05 6:52pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	oldjedinurse posted: Vongchild posted: Thanks! That's one of the best reviews yet, except for when Oldj picked the whole thing apart in beta mode. Very funny! Oh you know you have fun. No harm meant, Oldj! -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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oldjedinurse Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 8/14/05 7:21pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Gotcha! -----signature----- Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.
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ginchy Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 8/14/05 11:14pm Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Wow, Vongchild! This looks great! I just discovered the challenge thread tonight, and then found your story here...I can't wait to see where you take it! Oldj: I loved your original story--I mentioned that in the challenge thread, but I wanted to say it once more...the "That's my boy!" line is so Han! -----signature----- Positivity. ** Okay, seriously. It’s a Rebel Alliance t-shirt. It is NOT a fleur-de-lis.
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Crazydan Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 8/15/05 2:25am Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	As Palpatine once said, "I should watch your career with interest". Did I got that quote right? And hopes I didn't scare you with using that guy's quote. Nice beginning, can't wait to see where it will go.
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Vongchild Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 8/15/05 2:56am Subject: RE: The Mechanical Dreams of Nick Solo (Post NJO AU, cont. of a vig of Oldjedinurse's posted 8/14)
	Oldj- I do believe I've been "had". Ginchy- [voice_ricky] Hey Oldj! You've got another reviewer! [/ricky] Thanks, Ginchy. I'm a comment hog. Like a plant, but instead of water I live on comments? We're a strange breed, us Yuuzhan Vong adolescents. Crazydan- And hopes I didn't scare you with using that guy's quote. You don't scare me! I love all types of feedback, even quotes from crazy old men. I can't tell you if you got the quote because I don't remember it in the first place. Is it movie or EU? -----signature----- "Oh," the other clerk said, as if it was nothing new, "You got one of the kid's drawings." http://boards.theforce.net/Beyond_the_Saga/b10477/21158399 - Mechanical Dreams Apprentice to Zonoma "I'd take a Yuuzhan Vong Warrior over Jacen Solo any day."
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