Star Wars, last chance for victory and peace
A tale set just after the events of a Return of the Jedi.
A few words of warning, firstly this is in the universe before the new sequels, secondly it is quite a backwards and evil look at events in the Star Wars galaxy and thirdly Han is a bit more like his character in the first two movies. I thought that his character wouldn't change too dramatically after all.
Abdul Hussein was a young man in the system of Titumlulus deep in the heart of the Imperial star systems. He was of higher middle class stock and came from a loving if rather protective pro-imperial family and was at military college. It was evening and he was at the bar drinking a little beer and playing Neuron-darts. Playing quite well, actually,he was maybe on a roll. 'Good shot, sir,' said someone at his side, though this was far from an unbiased comment as this came from his servant a Mon Calamari.
This Mon Calamari was both lucky and unlucky. He was unlucky that he as a Mon Calamari in Imperial space where they were considered a servant or even slave species at best, but he was lucky that his master was Husseinho was a reasonable young man who treated him well. Some of Hussein's friends did glare at the being for been an alien, but that was as far as it got. Some species of aliens where not poplar in the Imperial sectors of the galaxy and Mon Calamaris where one of them.
'Must be my lucky day,' said Hussein modestly. After the game, the Mon Clamari hash a suggestion. 'You said that you needed to do something a bit different for your course? Put you one step ahead, you said. Well, why don't we go do the Beslen systems? You might do a little report upon it. That will be something no-one else will have thought off.' Hussein thought and mopped his brow. But was happy to agree.
'Not a bad suggestion. Its not that far from here is it? A fairly typical military complex. I think we should take a look.'
So a few days later, Hussein was with the Mon Calamari in his ship at the back of the Beslen systems as far as it was legal to go, looking at it and appreciating the awe and splendour of it all. He could see spectacular star systems, this was quite a dramatic few sectors of space, imperial ships in their glory floating in space, tie fighters drifting in the blackness and military installions on various moons. 'This is quite impressive,' he said to Bobba, the Min Calamari servant. Though then he noticed something. Bob a was talking to Someone on a hologram.
Another Mon Calamari. 'Hello,,who is this?' Asked he.
Bobba looked up in a bit of surprise. Someone a bit older or a bit more adapt at reading faces than Hussein might have thought that Bobba was quite alarmed. Bobba stammered, 'oh, hello, this is a friend of mine, er, Ackbar, Ackbar say hello,to Hussein, my master,' he replied.
Hussein thought no more of it. His attention was diverted by what he was watching in space. Though this was less spectacular. It was a convey of medical ships. They moved slower than their fighting counterparts and were heading for deep imperial space. But to at a great speed as this would fatally hurt the occupants. It was a sobering thought for Hussein that many in those ships would not be alive in a few days time. The medical ships limped slowly passed which was rather appropriate.
'Hello, just having a chat with an old friend,' Ackbar stammered. Hussein gave a nod, then went back to looking at the defence installation. 'Do you think that he suspected anything,' Ackar said, but Bobba looked doubtful. 'No, you say that he never does. Keep it this way mind. This is one of our most useful intelligence links. Recently in particular. I would hate to loose it now. Good day,'. Ackbar signed of and the hologram disappeared as was its wont. This Ackbar was Admiral Ackbar of the former rebellion, now New Republic government of most of the galaxy anyway.
Ackbar had been getting information from his agent behind imperial lines. Although the New Republic had been recently formed, still much of the galaxy was under the control of Generals loyal to the old imperial regime. And this situation was not likely to change any time soon. Unless Ackbars plan to change all that worked. A rather audacious plan it had to be admitted. Which he was submitting to the New Republics high military command. In one of the council cambers on Corusacent ironically one which was used by the Emperor earlier so it did have an evil feel to it. But its strategic importance as centre of information made sense for the former rebels to use it despite this.
It took a while for Ackbar to convince his fellow leaders of its merits. These leaders been Raikkanon, Dantoon, the head Bothan and Mon Mohtma herself. To summerize this plan involved taking control of the Beslen defence line. Now this defence system was on the far western corridor of Imoerial space. But it was a galactic short cut. It would not be easy, but if the forces of the New Republic could do this, they would cut the Imperial territory in two controlling a large section of the middle of it, connecting it to New Republic space and this, combined with the last series of imperial defeats would be enough 'To see the end of the war with victory and peace in the galaxy within a year,' Ackbar claimed.
Now this plan did involve the use of 3 different New Republic forces. Firstly there would be the bulk of the invading fleet. But also ahead of this would be a paratrooper force to gain control of key moons in the path. But also ahead of them would be a very small mobile force to create chaos in the Imperial forces behind the battle. And Ackbar knew percesily whom would volunteer for such a role. Leia, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and a bit reluctantly, See-Threepio.
One person who definitely did not volunteer was Han Solo. He was asked. He would have been perfect for post according to General Rieekan who tried to persuade him in a bar on Coruscant. Quite a nice bar though Han was not sure of the qualityy of the ale. Han always did prefer ale to some of those sweet drinks that were on offer. Lando on the other hand would lap it up, he was thinking. Still, to the subject in question. 'No, no, no and no' he said quite loudly and disturbing some of the other drinkers.
'I mean how many more life-threading missions do I have to take for you people? I would think that after Endor, that would be enough. You know I have no objection to people taking desperate missions behind Imperial lines, I just don't see why it should be me every time,'.
'Your wife is going,' pointed out the General.
'Yes, I will try to persuade her not too,' muttered Han.
'Now, look, this could be the best chance for permanent peace in the Galaxy. Do you wish for children,'
'I think I would hope to yes,' confirmed Han.
'now, think about it, would you like them to grow up in a Galaxy divided in war forever or one at peace?'
'Won't grow up at all if I die, will they? So I am afraid the answer is still no, what is your plan by the way?' Rieekan told him. Han wasn't impressed, 'I tell you what, Leia sed to say that my plans were ill-thought, but they were the model of stragetic hinking compared to this. The amount of things which could go wrong! You know, the Rebellion did succeed in many of its plans by luck and the skin of your teeth I hope you realise. Don't you ever think that your luck might one day run out? So my answer still is no.'