Writer: Callista Loveday
Summary: PART 2. Leia, Han, Luke and Chewie are chosen to go to
the moon of Iego. The New Republic wants to restore peace, and on
the way to the capital, they run into an unexpected (and unwelcome)
visitor.
Notes: This was one of my first stories, written back in February, so it's really not as good
as my other stories, but I still thought it should be listed- I love reviews! But please don't
be harsh, all right?
I am not getting any money off this story, and most of the
characters and planets belong to George Lucas, not me. I am writing
this for fun. There is a scene in here from the Phantom Menace. See is
you recognize it. If you have any comments, e-mail
millenuimdream2000@hotmail.com and for more stories by me, visit:
Callista's Fanfiction. Oh, and keep writing
more Han and Leia stories!
Leia Organa had almost sighed with relief when she got a
message saying she should meet Han and Luke for lunch.
The last month had been tough. Her senatorial run was
almost up, so she had been voted Chancellor. She had desperately
hoped to be Chancellor, even Winter thought she wouldn't have
much of a chance because of the man who used to be in charge.
Luke had been off doing who knows what on whatever planet,
and Han had been working in a mission. Another one.
When she practically collapsed in the seat next to Han,
Han and Luke could see how exhausted she was.
"So how did the mission go?" Leia asked Han.
"Pretty badly. Naboo has turned independent."
"Really? But Naboo was always with the Republic even
before Queen Amidala."
"Well, Queen Nafitia is in charge. Her son, Kasdan, is no
different than she is."
"I can imagine. I met Prince Kasdan once. He came to
Alderaan when I was nine, I think. He was so mean and annoying I
couldn't stand him."
"How have you been doing, Leia?" Luke asked, concerned.
"Same as always. I've just been going to more meetings,
that's all, and it kind of wears me out."
"You know you're not running the Rebellion by yourself."
Luke answered.
Leia played with her necklace nervously. "I know, I
know. I've been given that speech. More times than I can count."
She gave a glance at Han. He had said the same thing. As expected,
he shifted uncomfortably. Leia looked at her watch. "There's a
meeting an hour. I need to hurry." She didn't catch Han rolling
his eyes, and Luke knew it was for the better. As Luke talked
about his different trips from Hoth to Dagobah, Leia tried to
listen attentively.
"You know, Leia, when you have time, you should go to
Dagobah. The Force is strong there. I can feel it. Remember last
year, and you said you would become a Jedi?"
"I'll see what happens at the meeting. You'll both be
there, won't you? Thankfully, it's my last one for the week."
"How'd that happen?"
"A Chancellor isn't as important as heads-of-states," she
said tensely.
"Why can't we skip the meeting?" Han asked.
"Because I volunteered for something. You'll find out
soon enough." They said their good-bye's and went their separate
ways. When Han wished her godlike, she knew she would need it.
Luckily, Leia wasn't late at the meeting. She knew she
couldn't be late from now on. Councilor Fey'lla was late like
always. They had always been rivals for as long as Leia could
remember. If one was in a jam, the other would be there; but not
for help. They both wanted to be a Cabinet member badly. When
Fey'lla did come, Leia waited until she had sat down before
talking.
"Councilor Fey'lla, please try to be on time from now
on." Mon Mothma scolded. Her rival blushed, and Leia was glad
she was on the Cheif-of-State's side. Mon Mothma's tiny,
decorative gems in her red hair sparkled in the light. "I come
before you with bad news. It has come to my attention that the
moon of Iego has gone under attack by the Empire. There are not
many people living there on the small planet, but they are
distressed. We must send help." She opened a hologram image of
the moon. It had a bad climate, and not many chose to live
there. Only the space pirates and people in a mess. The animals
were tough and fierce, but some talked about beautiful angels
that lived there. "The fleet of Rebels will land in the desert,
and travel across one ocean to the capital. Unfortunately, the
Iegoian's don't let ships on their soil. The trip will be a week
and a half on a hospital ship, and there will enemies and
obstacles to overcome. It will be a dangerous mission. But
Chancellor Organa has volunteered to lead."
There were gasps all over the room, and many feared for
Leia's life. She was quick-witted and smart; a definite future
candidate for the Cabinet. When all eyes landed on Leia, she gave
a quick nod. "I will do my best to help the people on Iego."
Before the meeting ended, Mon Mothma asked for more
volunteers.
"I'll go," Han said.
"Me too," Luke added.
Chewie roared his vote.
Leia frowned, but didn't argue. As everyone broke apart,
she heard people mutter that she was just sending herself out on
a suicide mission. 'Maybe I am,' Leia thought fearfully.
It was too late to turn her back now.
Dr. Johnson smirked as he watched the news bulletin. Leia
Organa and the two men that seemed to follow her around
everywhere were going to Iego. There was no protection, no
police, no one to stop him but a small band of Rebels.
"When will they ever learn? It takes more than a blow to
the head to kill me."
He had learned since then. He constructed a lightsaber,
he trained, he practiced, and became more powerful every day.
He was pleased by his appearance, too. Right below his
left eye, he had blown a blood vessel, a definite sign of a dark
Jedi. His eyes glowed a horrible red, and he looked like a
younger version of the Emperor.
"I WILL travel to Iego, and get rid of that no good Jedi
and politician forever!"
"You know, you didn't have to come. All you've been doing
is complaining." Leia said to Han dryly.
"I've known you for five years, and I know that you
always find trouble. Now guess who has to get you out?"
Her thin face turned into a scowl. "It's hotter than
Tatooine here," she replied, trying to change the subject. Han
noticed and laughed.
Desert was all around them, and Leia thought of how weird
it was to have a desert near the ocean. It streched out for
miles, and finally they got to the docks. Leia gasped as she saw
how large the ship was. It must of been 100 times longer than the
Millennium Falcon, and 15 stories tall. It was not what she would
of imagined as a hospital ship. It smelled like fresh paint, and
only a few of people waved from the top of the ship. They were
nurses dressed in simple white dresses with a symbol on them.
The Empire insignia. She yanked on Luke's sleeve. "Luke, look at
the insignia," she whispered.
"The Empire took over this planet, so of course they would
wear that." He softened when he saw her expression. "Don't
worry. They're not looking for us." She relaxed a bit.
They boarded the ship quietly, and went into their
separate suites. To Leia's wonder, her suite was far more
luxurious than Han or Luke's. Chewie had decided to wait until
everyone had boarded until entering the crowded hallway. To her
relief, dinner was served in her suite, and everyone ate
separately. She didn't know what she could say to women on the
ship. The uniforms made her uncomfortable.
Later that night, she walked out to the promenade deck.
The air was very chilly, and she hugged herself for warmth. Leia
had always loved looking at the star's. There was a beautiful
view at the palace on Alderaan, and she and her father would
point out constellations and sometimes make up their own stories
to tell. She had been close to her mother, Eloise, but it wasn't
the same. Eloise had always been more comfortable around parties
and dresses and makeup. She had appeared so glamorous and
perfect; her long, curly red hair bounced when she walked, and
her blue eyes sparkled. She was happy and carefree, but they
never had a lot of mother-daughter moments. She hadn't died on
Alderaan. Darth Vader had killed her years before, when Leia
refused to become part of the Empire. She shouldn't think about
that now. Then she noticed all the stares she was getting. With
a start, she realized she was the only woman with long brown
hair. Everyone here had short blond hair or red hair. Strange.
"Are you an angel?" a little boy asked. His large blue
eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Excuse me?"
"An angel. I hear all the space pilots talk about them.
They live on this moon, I think."
"You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?"
"I listen to all the pilots talk. I'm a pilot, you know."
"Really?" she asked, bemused. The boy couldn't of been
more than ten.
"Yep. And one day I'm going to fly away from this place.
My mom and I used to belong to a Hutt, but she lost us betting
on the races."
"You're a slave?"
"I'm a person, and my name is Aaron."
"I'm sorry. I don't fully understand. This is a strange
place to me." She was beginning to feel like nothing herself.
They were already surrounded by water.
"You don't believe in slavery?"
"I don't have slaves where I come from." Leia answered.
She sat down next to Aaron.
"What planet do you live on?"
"Coruscant. It's an exciting planet, with such tall
buildings that no one ever touches the ground."
Aaron's eyes lit up. "I want to go one day. Someday. When
I'm free. But I don't know your name!"
Leia laughed softly. "My name is Leia." She felt like
she could trust this boy. He was only a child, anyway. "Leia
Organa."
"That's a nice name. Mine is Aaron Johnson." Johnson.
The memories of the scientist flooded back to her. His harsh,
taunting laugh. His glowing eyes. But he was dead... Wasn't he?
Luke had said she was as powerful as he was. She reached out in
the Force to find his presence, and found it. Why hadn't she of
thought of this before?
"Are you all right, Leia?" Aaron asked.
"Yes, I was just thinking. I'm glad to of met you,
Aaron." she said sincerely.
She started back towards her suite, and heard Aaron call
after her, "I was glad to of met you too!"
His voice rang through her mind as she walked to Luke's
suite. "Can I come in? It's Leia." When the door flew open and
she was pulled inside, she almost screamed. Han and Chewie were
already there with Luke. "What's going on?"
"We couldn't find you." Han explained.
"I was just talking on the promanade deck. That's why I
came here. I think Dr Johnson is alive."
Luke frowned. "He can't be. We left him, there, dead. We
all saw it! Well- except for Chewie."
"Reach out for him using the Force. I can feel his
presence."
Luke closed his eyes and concentrated. His eyes flew
open. "He's here. On this ship." Leia shuddered as he said it.
"I- I think I'll go back to my room. I'm suddenly really
tired." Leia said weakly. The others nodded their agreement.
When she opened the door to her suite, she let out a
scream. Dr Johnson was already there. "I'm glad you could of
joined me, Your Highness."
With a 32. gun pointed at her head, Leia knew better than
to scream. She would of been shot.
"I've asked you this question before. Why? Why are you
doing this?" Leia asked fearfully.
The man sighed, and explained as if talking to a three
year old. "Because there is no room in the galaxy for Jedi on
the Light side of the force. That is why I need you and your
friend dead."
Luke. Poor Luke. Leia wanted to cry. But she would never
let this man see her cry. Not in a thousand years.
"You're too stubborn for your own good, you know that?"
the man said. They began to walk down the staircase. Leia made a
mental note of which direction they were going, just in case.
Her shoes made a loud clanking noise as they walked down the
walkway. The thin metal railings were the only thing that kept
them from falling three stories to their death. He locked the
door to the exit on the walkway and began to climb down a ladder
to the bottom. Leia put her hand over her face to stop her self
from sobbing. There was a large metal box attached to the side of
the ship. The man opened it and looked at the sticks of dynamite
inside. They had less than one minute to survive. To further
Leia's disbelief, Aaron, the hopeful blue-eyed child came in.
"What are you doing here?" Dr Johnson angrily demanded.
"You should be on deck."
"I don't care. I know what you're going to do, and I
won't let you!" Aaron noticed Leia standing on the walkway,
frightened. "And don't you hurt my friend, either!" Leia felt an
overwhelming sense of gratitude that the little boy had stood up
for her. Then the explosion came. There was a thunderous noise
and a blast that sent Leia flying over the railing with a scream.
She let the Force flow through her before she landed. Water
poured into the ship quickly from the large hole. The sound of
her boots hitting the ground was the only way she knew she still
had her hearing. Soon that sound vanished when the freezing
water picked her up and made her go against her will into the
next room. With a loud noise, she slammed into the wall. Gasping,
she found a vent. The gym was there, but she knew she couldn't
stay. Taking a deep breath, she dived back under the cold water
and tried to find a door.
Han and Luke were talking in the hallway when the alarms
went off. "What is that?" Han demanded.
People began rushing past them to get to the upper deck.
"There was an explosion down below. This ship is sinking."
Han's eyes widened. "We have to get Leia."
When he pushed his way to her suite door, it was
unlocked. He searched desperately inside. Leia wasn't there. "He
has her, Luke. That man has Leia!"
He ran out to the staircase, which gave him a view of the
floors below. Luke and Chewie were closely behind him. With a
horrible feeling, he stared at the scene. Water was already
coming up. Han turned to face Luke. He had a far away look in
his eyes again. "What is it, Luke?"
"It's Leia. She wants us to get on the lifeboat. She says
she'll be all right." It was obvious Luke didn't want to leave
her. He had found her not long ago, and all of his other family
had died. What would he do without his twin sister?
"I don't like it either, Luke. But if we don't get up to
the decks, we won't get off this ship!"
The stewards on the deck tried to calm the people down.
But before Han leaped into one of the boats, he was sure he saw
a flash of panic on one steward's face.
Leia tried to scream as she saw the blast doors in the
room begin to close. She managed to slide in between the narrow
space. Water escaped with her. She thought about how many
compartments had been filled. It must be five. The ship would
sink. 'I can't think about that now. My skin will be a nice
shade of blue by the time I get out.' If she did get out. 'This
water must be 40 degrees ferinheit. I can't stay here.' She
nearly wept with joy when she began to climb the staircase. Her
wet dress made her feel heavy, but it kept her warmer. Water
closely followed her. As she walked up the hallway, she realized
she was the only person left on the ship. Then the ship started
tilting to the right side. She rushed through the kitchen before
the falling plates crashed on top of her. The cold wind hit her
wet face when she stepped outside. Lifeboats were scattered all
over the ocean, and one furry tall wookie caught her eye. She
started to look for little Aaron, but he wasn't there. He
existed only in her memory now.
Lawn chairs and benches tried to callapse on her as she
ran to the other side of the ship. She grasped the gold railing
tightly in her hands and swung her leg to the other side of the
railing. When the ship fell over completely and landed with a
loud noise onto the ocean surface, she let go. As expected, she
was pulled under for a couple seconds. She thrashed blindly and
held her hand over her head, wanting to break through the water
and feel the air. Just when she thought her lungs would burst,
she found the surface.
"Leia! Leia!" Han's panicked voice said. When her vision
cleared, she swam over to the waiting lifeboat. Luke carefully
pulled her up. The coat put around her did little do stop her
shivering, and Leia felt what was like a thousand knives stabbing
her. The cold air stung her, and she couldn't even think. A
voice told her it would be all right. Someone. Luke?
"Luke?" she murmured. .
"You'll be all right, Leia. You'll be all right." Luke
said again.
When her vision got better, she looked at the space
where the ship once was. Little bits of debris floated nearby.
"What happened?"
Han followed her gaze. "Some lifeboats went into the
propeller. Now, what happened to you?"
"Dr Johnson. He's dead." The flashes of what had happened
crashed on top of her so suddenly that she moaned. "Aaron. He's
dead, too."
"Aaron?" Han asked.
"Yes. The doctor's...helper? I met him." She turned her
head to the horizon.
"Look, the sun's coming up." The color's looked so
beautiful, it almost made everything more bearable.
"Yeah, it's a new day," Han whispered. He looked down
at Leia, shivering on the bench. Her dark brown eyes kept the
secrets of what had happened that night.
~~~~~~~~~~~EPILOGUE~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mon Mothma called Leia into her office. Leia's hair was nicely
combed, and her long dress looked perfect on her.
"I heard what happened on Iego. I'm sorry." Mon Mothma apologized.
"Everything worked out in the end. Dr Johnson is dead, and Iego was
talked into joining the Alliance."
"Is there any way to make it up to you?"
Leia smiled. "Well, there is one thing."
"What is it?" the Cheif-of-State asked suspiciously.
"A vacation trip to New Alderaan for me and Han."
Mon Mothma laughed. "Of course."
The two shook hands.
As Mon Mothma talked out the details, Leia stared at the lovely blue
Coruscant sky outside. The weather always did match her mood.
~END~
So, what did ya'll think?? It may have a spelling error, even though I ran
a spell check, and is no Lois Duncan novel, but I had fun writing it!