The Return
Just as Leia Organa expected, the return to the Alliance did not pass uneventful. It all started when they were in approach of the fleet, and just as protocol went, they were met with members of Rogue Squadron.
"Yes, I assure you that I am Leia Organa and this is the Millennium Falcon."
"Please send your clearance code" came the response.
It was expected for them to be wary of what seemed to be a ghost-ship. It had been over a month since the entire crew of the ship had been seen, and Leia was sure every one of them had been presumed dead.
And then they were met with members of Rogue Squadron while the code was being transmitted by Chewie.
"Princess? Is that really you?" came the unforgettable voice of Wedge Antillies.
"It is, Wedge" she said, a small smile coming to her lips with the thought of old friends…but it disappeared when she thought about the bets and the comment that would be coming any…
"Where's Han? Did you kill him?"
"He's not here."
"So you killed him?"
"No. Just wait until we land and you'll learn of everything soon enough. Luke's on board and he's injured badly, we need to get him to the med-center right away."
"Luke's with you too? Gods, where were all of you?" he asked again over the comm. system between ships.
"It's a long story" Leia commented, and she realized that it couldn't be any closer to the truth. What had happened over the past 40 days was a long story.
"Millennium Falcon, please proceed to the medical frigate. We have a medical team standing by."
Lando stood. "I'll go help Luke off and to the medical team, unless you want to Leia…"
"No, that's fine" she responded simply. The man left, leaving Chewie and Leia alone in the cockpit to dock the ship. Chewie began the docking process, swinging them around to the right to meet the larger ship, but Leia just watched, gazing out into the stars and the vast rebel fleet, but not looking at anything in particular.
[You know you're going to have to tell them] Chewie commented softly, looking at her briefly as he slowed the ship before the medical frigate.
"I know" she said, still looking out at the stars. "I just don't know how I'm going to tell them…what I'm going to include…if they'll accept anything that happened to just try to push me in a different direction."
[Well no matter what, I'll be there with you] he woofed, and Leia smiled, finally looking away from the stars to gaze at the wookiee.
"Thanks Chewie. First I think Luke needs some medical attention, but I'm sure we'll all be pulled in different directions when we dock anyway, won't we?"
[No, I'll stay with you. Han ordered me to…]
"Chewie, you don't need to protect me. I'll be fine."
[You obviously haven't been fine, and Han was obviously worried about you if he asked me to watch over you.]
"Let's not do this now" she pleaded as the docking sequence finished and they were attached to the frigate. Chewie didn't respond immediately, but she heard the distinct sound of the top hatch opening and lifting Lando and Luke to the ship above.
[Come on, let's go] he said simply, standing from his chair and flipping the final switches to turn the ship off. With one last touch of the chair…Han's chair…Leia stood and followed.
Once on board the medical frigate, they were all pulled in separate directions. Luke was on his way to the emergency room before Leia even stepped off the Falcon, and Lando was ushered away by members of the security team to make sure he wasn't going to pull any other tricks. Chewie stayed with Leia momentarily as she tried to figure out where to go, but once she found the members of high command, he too left, following to check on Luke.
It was mere seconds between Leia's first sight of General Carlist Rieekan and when she fell into his arms. They knew each other well, and had traveled through many of the same trials and tribulations within, especially, the past three years.
Rieekan, just as Leia, had blamed himself for the destruction of Alderaan. He had waited to issue an order of evacuation, hoping that the Empire was bluffing when it appeared aboard the Death Star three years previous. But, the situation had been very much real, and the planet was destroyed.
After the destruction, he noted to never underestimate the power or will of the Empire again, and officially joined the Rebellion. He was promoted to General soon after, and held his position on High Command, always keeping an eye on the young Princess he knew since the earliest days of her life.
As Leia pulled away they met each other's eyes. There were so many questions, but not enough time. Mon Mothma, the head of the Alliance, stepped between them, bringing Leia into her own embrace.
"Thank Goodness you're safe. After the events on Hoth I am afraid we feared the worst" the older woman said as she pulled away.
"I'm glad to be alive Mon, and I'm glad to be back" Leia answered. "Now, if we could, I'm sure you would like to hold a debriefing, or at least ask me some questions, and I would rather like to see Luke as soon as possible."
"Leia, if you want to go…"
"No Rieekan" she responded, placing a hand on his upper arm to stop him. "Now would be better. There is much you all need to know."
Leia watched as most of high command left the room. She had spent the last 20 minutes giving them a brief description of what had happened. The escape from Hoth, the pursuit by the Empire, Bespin and the fate of Han Solo, but she knew there would be other questions.
She was left with Mon Mothma and Carlist Rieekan, her two closest advisers in the Rebellion. They were, to a point, her friends as well, but it was not like the relationship she had with Luke or Han. They were like make-shift parents. Rieekan had helped her grieve for Alderaan, a grief they shared, and Mon Mothma had taken her under her wing in the world of Politics, both when she started at the young age of 16 up until now.
"Is there anything else you wish to tell us?" Mon asked, obviously hinting at the quiet moments and deep breathes Leia had taken throughout the story. They had always centered around Captain Solo, and her mind wandered to what could have happened between the young rebel leader and the space pirate.
Leia was silent for a moment. "No, not right now at least. I think I just need some time to work everything out."
"I expect you'll want to go after Solo" Rieekan added, meeting her gaze again.
"Yes, when the time comes. Chewie and Lando will leave soon to begin the search, and Luke will join them once he's cleared to leave."
"What do you wish to do at the moment then?" the older woman asked.
"I suppose get back to work. I expect that with the loss of the base on Hoth there must be a search for a new base beginning. We'll need one if we want to build up strength to defeat the Empire."
"I've been starting search efforts" Rieekan pointed out. "I'd be more than happy for your help. Do you think Skywalker would be willing to help as well?"
"I believe that he will be up to smaller missions at the moment. Like I said, he'll help with the search for Ha…Captain Solo once he feels up to it, but for the moment I believe he'll be of help."
"Good, I'll talk to him once he's in better condition" the General answered.
"I believe we are finished here then" Mon Mothma concluded. "If you wish to visit with Skywalker, feel free to do so. You know where your quarters are on Home One when you are ready."
"Thank you Mon."
"We're so glad to have you back" Rieekan added. "And remember, if you ever need anything, I'm here."
"Thanks" she responded simply. They stood up and Mon left first, but Rieekan and Leia lagged a bit.
"Leia, tell me, what happened between you and Solo?"
Leia was shocked. Was it really that easy to tell? "Many things happened Rieekan, but now isn't the time. I'd really just like to get back to work and begin the search for him."
Rieekan held his tongue. "Alright, I trust you. I'll contact you about the search for a new base sometime tomorrow, if that's alright with you."
"Sounds perfect. Right now though, I really should check on Luke."
"Take care Leia."
"You too."
Journal of the Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan
29th Day, 5th Month, 3902nd Year
I feel like everyone knew about my love for Han before I did. That or it's just really easy to tell that something happened between us. Luke knows something is up, and so does Rieekan, and I'm pretty sure Mon Mothma knows as well.
Speaking of Mon and Rieekan, there's much I'm unsure about. So much has happened since I last saw them, but to be fair, they all thought I was dead. Either way, I know that Rieekan would probably support my relationship with Han, not that I plan on telling him about said relationship. Mon Mothma on the other hand, I have no idea. She'll probably think I'm being ridiculous. But I won't get into that now. It's a worry for another day.
But currently I need to be with Luke. After he's a bit stronger we'll be scheduled to search for a new base. I suppose I'm fine with that, it will just send me somewhere where I can get my mind off of Han. Chewie and Lando will leave soon, and Luke will join them eventually. Hopefully I too will join them on the search, but it will be much harder for me to leave. Luke can do what he wants…I can't. I have an obligation to the Alliance. It's been my life, especially in the past three years, but it's not the same anymore.
The alliance may have been my life, but my heart now belongs to a scoundrel.
"Leia!" Luke's voice perked up as the woman walked into the room.
"How are you?" she asked, moving between Lando and Chewie to stand at Luke's bedside.
"Better. Still not perfect, but who would be when they're without a hand?" he joked.
"Losing a hand isn't something to laugh about" Leia pointed out. "Did Vader do that to you?"
The smile was lost on Luke's face. "I don't really want to talk about it."
Leia was about to respond, but kept quiet.
[We were just discussing the plan to look for Han] Chewie interrupted, breaking the silence and the tense moment.
"And what do you have planned?" Leia asked, turning to the wookiee and taking a deep breath.
"Chew and I are gonna head out tomorrow to head back towards Bespin. Then we'll do some planet jumping, the likely places Fett would stop, before meeting with Luke on Tatooine" Lando answered.
"And what can I do?" All three were silent. "I asked what can I do?" she repeated.
"Leia, the best thing for you would be for you to stay here…" Luke began, but Leia cut him off.
"No Luke, you don't know what's best for me. I want to help. Han's my...friend, and I promised him I would find him. He would do the same thing for me."
"Hey, any of us would, and we're going to look as quickly as possible, and we will find him, but there just isn't much for you to do, planet jumping and basically walking into danger."
[Luke's right. Han asked me to protect you, and I'm not about to let you into some of these places.]
She knew they were right. There would be no sense in her running into dangerous situations, especially ones that wouldn't even benefit them. In fact, going into such situations might cause more harm than anything, and throw them back. And more than anything, it certainly wouldn't be what Han wanted.
"You're right Chewie. That's not what Han would want."
Luke was puzzled by her response. He had no idea what had happened between Han and Leia within the last month, but slowly it was becoming more clear, and he was always taught to trust his feelings. Lando, knowing full well the connection Han and Leia had, kept quiet, but met Luke's confused gaze for a moment.
"How soon do you think you'll be able to join us?" Lando asked of Luke, taking the subject away from Leia.
"As soon as possible" he answered quickly.
"Wait, Luke. Make sure you're up for it. We could use you here too" Leia added.
Luke sighed, "I'll stay as long as I can, but Lando and Chewie could really use my help."
Leia looked away, holding back a tear. Everyone would be gone, and she would be alone. "Alright, but I have one condition. I want to be there when he gets out. I want to be the one who takes Han out of the carbonate."
"But Leia…" Lando started, but was cut off by a cry from the wookiee.
[Of course. I promise you that you'll be there.]
"Thanks Chewie."
[Why don't you get some sleep?]
Leia tensed, but then calmed. "I suppose I should try." She turned to Luke, "You'll call me as soon as you're released or something happens?"
"Of course. Sleep well Leia."
"Goodnight" Lando added.
And without another word, Leia left the room.
Alright, I know, not a terribly long chapter, but I've been working pretty trickily, and my time schedule at the moment is CRAZY. But, as promised, there will still be new chapters each Saturday. I wished to have this one up earlier than it is, but I've been busy all day and haven't had a chance until now.
Anyway, I've been getting a lot of questions and comments about my opinion on the new Star Wars films. For those who are (insanely) out of the loop, it was released last week that the Walt Disney Company was buying Lucasfilm and the Star Wars Franchise for just over 4 billion dollars. Along with this news, it was released that there will be THREE new Star Wars films, with Episode 7 being released in 2015.
Now, my opinion, at the moment, is fairly mixed. While I think it's a GREAT move for Disney to be buying LucasFilm, a partnership that will benefit both companies, I am a bit skeptical about three new films. But don't get me wrong...it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the fact that Disney had bought out Lucasfilm. I think their partnership will make the movies stronger, since there's now money to use newer technologies, and more opportunities for Star Wars to expand and grow. There are THREE things, on the other hand, that do worry me. #1 (and most importantly). Will Harrison Ford play Han Solo? This all depends on the script and the time period in which it is written, certainly, and I am THRILLED to hear that Ford is "upbeat" about making yet another three films (even if just to kill off his character...while I hope that does happen, we have to admit that it could). #2. Will John Williams do the music? I feel it will be VERY important if they want to continue the Star Wars franchise. No John Williams would just be awful. And, #3. They need to keep it realistic. I don't want to see any ridiculous things...(can anyone say Jar Jar...or the prequels in general?). I guess this kind of goes back to #1. If they want to make three more films, especially ones concerning our favorite characters, they need to make sure that it all makes sense.
On the other hand, I have COMPLETE confidence in Disney and Lucasfilm, and I do want to clear one thing up, since I am getting pretty sick of the Disney taking over Star Wars jokes (it's just getting old). Just because Disney owns Lucasfilm now, and Star Wars, and they are making three more films, DOESN'T mean that DISNEY is making Star Wars. In fact, the entire production will still be done by Lucasfilm...it's just that they are now owned and funded by Disney. The two companies have been "related" for such a long time now, within the parks and out of the parks, and they have done a wonderful job everywhere...so I honestly can't wait to see what will happen and what the future will hold for Han and Leia.
So, I hope that answers your questions. Still, feel more than free to leave a review! I do respond to each and every single one personally! Even if you just tell me you love the story...it will certainly keep me going as I write not one, but TWO chapters this week to keep ahead for when I'm gone to Florida. =) And, as always, please check out my blog, where I hope to do some special features, including hints for "Promises" as well as stuff on my own personal writing.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of "Promises!"