CHAPTER 3:

Han Solo stood behind Hobbie, rested his arm on the back of the pilot's seat, and leaned over Hobbie's shoulder to get a better look at the read out. He bit his lip and pressed his tongue against the bottom half of his teeth. The blips on the map represented Imperial ships, the largest ones Star Destroyers. Fortunately, there were only two of those, but there were still a lot of little blips flying in regular formations. There was an alley created by the blips where blips of various sizes queued up.

"There's no way to get around the checkpoint," Tycho said.

Han pulled on his chin.

"We could go in on the other side of the planet," Wedge offered. "Fly in low so we're not detected."

"We don't know how far out their sensors are. We might unexpectedly trip one when we're still far out from our target."

"Narra's, right," Han agreed. He pressed his lips together as he thought about the quickest, most direct way to get into Vivicus' Imperial city without getting caught. He straightened his posture. "We're going through the checkpoint."

"What do we say when they ask our reason for coming to Vivicus?" Redge asked. "We're in a shuttlecraft not a freighter."

Han's hazel eyes flew to Leia who was seated behind Tycho. "We say we're on a diplomatic mission."

"A diplomatic mission?" Luke asked.

"Who's important on this planet but not important enough to attract any attention?" Han asked Leia, ignoring Luke.

"Uh….there's the former Chancellor Pulliam, Gan Pulliam," she answered. "Vivicus and Alderaan had a trade agreement, and my father was on friendly terms with him. We could just say we're here to visit an old friend."

All eyes but Han's drifted from the princess at the mention of Alderaan as if they were waiting for her to break down in cry and didn't want to be witnesses to her vulnerability. She tried to push down her anger.

"He's a former chancellor and a friend of your father's," Tycho said. "I don't think he's in the good graces of the Empire."

"He retired as chancellor in the good graces of the Empire," Leia explained. "He ruled with an iron fist. The Imperials never knew the Chancellor supported the Alliance."

"They'll ask for identification," Luke pointed out.

"They'll ask for identification either way," Han countered. "Redge, Tycho, why don't you get workin' on that."

Tycho climbed out of the co-pilot's seat, "Yes, si- Captain."

Han rolled his eyes as the young pilot passed him. Wedge took the empty co-pilot's seat and joined Hobbie.

"Right." Redge stood up. "Princess, please come with us."

Leia stood up, her large brown eyes met Han's. His lips stretched slightly into a covert smile, and he gave her an abbreviated nod. She lifted her chin and followed Redge and Tycho out of the cockpit.

"Leia doesn't have to be the diplomat," Luke pointed out.

"She won't be a diplomat. She'll be a family friend."

"It doesn't have to be her," Luke argued. "It could be one of us."

"I don't think a farm boy has any diplomatic training."

"Wedge could do it. Or Hobbie."

"She knows the guy we're allegedly visiting." Wedge glanced back at Luke before returning his attention to co-piloting. "If they ask any questions, only she'll be able to answer."

"What if the fake ID doesn't work. What if she's recognized."

"She's the best choice, Luke." Han placed his hands on his hips. "She knows what she's doin'."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Luke stood up and stormed out of the cockpit.

Han watched the Skywalker stalk out of the cockpit. He had his misgivings about their ruse; Leia could be recognized if Redge and Tycho weren't successful in breaking into the Imperial security system and creating a believable ID for Leia, but he trusted in their abilities, and he truly believed that Leia was their best hope of getting them through the checkpoint.

"If our reason of travel is a visitation to a former chancellor," Wedge pointed out, "we can't just land anywhere we want. They'll give us an Imperial escort. We'll have no choice but to dock where they want us to."

"Yeah." Han's lips pursed and he bit the inside of his cheek.

"It'll be a lot harder getting out."

"Right. We'll need another way off the planet…" he faded into his thoughts. Then he snapped his fingers. "Chewie. Open me a line to the Falcon."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Luke crossed the lounge and sidled up to Leia who was sitting at the table across Tycho and Redge.

"We need to talk," Luke demanded.

Leia narrowed her eyes on him, "After. I'm. Finished here."

"No, now." He grabbed her wrist.

"Luke, we really gotta get this done," Tycho interjected.

"It can wait."

Leia tried to twist her wrist out of his hand. "No, it can't."

"It will wait."

Luke retained his hold on her and pulled her to her feet. Leia clenched her jaw, but allowed Luke to lead her away, leaving her companions wide-mouthed and staring after her and Luke. Luke led her into the galley and released her hold on her. Leia jutted out a hip and planted a fist on it.

"What's so important that—"

"What do you think yer doin'?" Luke cut her off.

"My part of this mission."

"This was never part of it."

She tilted her head to the side and glared at him. "It is now."

Luke shook his head and paced back and forth before stopping in front of her. "You're putting yourself in danger."

"I'm the most qualified, and I know the chancellor. If we're asked any questions—"

"You're going to be recognized," Luke argued. "You could endanger us all."

Leia dropped her large brown eyes to the ground and softened her stance.

"You didn't think of that, did you?" he bent over, forcing her to make eye contact with him.

The princess met his eyes briefly then walked away from him. Luke's shoulders slumped as he looked at her back.

"Han wouldn't have suggested it, if he thought I'd endanger the mission."

"I don't think Han's thinking straight."

She whipped around. "He's the only one who sees me as an integral part of this team. And if he thought he was endangering my life, he wouldn't have insisted on me being part of this mission."

Han insisted on her being on this mission? What was Solo thinking? Skywalker ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know what he was thinking."

"What he was thinking?" she scowled. He obviously believes in my abilities."

"And you? What are you trying to prove?"

"Nothing," she whispered and turned away from him again.

Luke walked toward her so he stood behind her. "Why are you so willing to risk your life?"

The princess hung her head and said nothing.

"It's not your fault, Leia." Tentatively, Luke placed his hands on her upper arms.

She swallowed hard. "I know," he whispered.

Gently, Luke turned her around to face him. She kept her eyes on the ground. "Do you?" He leaned in and peered into her eyes. "Alderaan's not your fault."

Leia bit the inside of her cheek to hold in her emotions.

"You don't have anything to make up for."

She clenched her teeth together as her large brown eyes stared into his. "I'm not—"

"Hey," Han stood in the doorway of the galley, his elbow leaning on the door jamb.

Luke grimaced and turned around.

"Leia, you have a job to do." Han stared at Luke.

The princess crossed her arms over her chest, twisted her way past Luke and then Han before exiting the galley.

"You know I'm not wrong."

Han dropped his hands to his hips and sighed. "Do you think sitting around the base with nothing to preoccupy her mind except what she went through is gonna do her any good?"

"And bringing her on this mission, giving her a chance to…" Luke shook his head.

"Leia wouldn't do that. She's too strong."

Luke's blue eyes stared into Han's. "Would you bet your life on it?"

Han dropped Luke's gaze.

Luke frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. "I didn't think so."

"I won't let her get hurt."

Luke pointed at Han. "You're the one that's gonna plaster her face in front of the Imperials."

"She's the best one for the job, and Redge and Tycho have proved to excel at breaking into Imperial databanks and creating fake IDs." Han inhaled and then exhaled. "I'll protect her."

"What if you can't?"

The intercom broke in. "Preparing to jump to light speed. Strap yourselves in."

Han turned around and exited the galley. He walked into the lounge where Redge was closing up his data pad. Tycho and Leia strapped themselves into their seats. Han watched the princess as he found his own seat and strapped in. Her hair was slicked back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, and her expression was emotionless. Was he being reckless with her life? Han wanted to give her a chance to break out of her role as a politician and princess, to prove to everyone that she was more than that. He couldn't stand how everyone, how the High Command, treated her as if she was a delicate flower when Han knew that was not what she wanted nor what she was. He was also aware that she blamed herself for Alderaan. Was that the reason why she was pushing General Dodonna to send her on a mission?

Luke sat down next to Han and strapped himself in. Leia narrowed her eyes Han and then Luke before turning her gaze away. She obviously knew they were discussing her and wasn't happy about that. Solo felt a little guilty. He stole a side-glance at Luke and noticed the hurt on his face. The shuttlecraft lurched forward until it felt as if it wasn't moving at all.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They had been queued up in the alleyway created by the Imperial ships for more than thirty minutes now. In that time, Leia had undid her bun, pulled out a few tendrils that framed her face, and let the rest of the tail hang over her right shoulder. Around her head she had wrapped a pink-flowered scarf that she knotted on the right side above the tail of her hair. She had applied a deep pink color to her lips and highlighted the apples of her cheeks with the same pigment. She found a dress that she had left in a locker after her last diplomatic mission. It was a flowing pale pink dress that stopped just below her knees and enhanced her bosom. She didn't find any suitable shoes, so she had to do with her boots. Hopefully, no one would pay attention to her feet.

As it was, when she walked from the locker room to the cockpit, she had captured the attention of all her male companions. Rarely did they see the princess in civilian clothing. Luke and Narra, now dressed in black jumpsuits, did their best not to outright stare at her. Hobbie and Wedge stole a glance before focusing on their pilot duties. Han, who was now dressed in a black shirt, black jacket, and black pants embellished with blood stripes, was not discreet about his ogling in the least. His hazel eyes perused her female form starting at her legs, savoring the curves of her calves until his eyes halted upon her breasts. His mouth hung slightly open.

The princess blushed under his scrutiny. Then she lifted her chin, twisted past him, and sat down in the navigator's seat.

"Nice combat boots," Luke quipped.

Leia looked down at her shoes. "I couldn't find anything appropriate."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Han drawled, wearing a lopsided grin. "No one will be looking at your feet. Or your face. You won't have to worry about her bein' recognized, Luke."

Leia rolled her large brown eyes, and Luke glared at Han.

"How much longer do we have?" she asked.

"Uh, there are about three ships ahead of us," Wedge answered. "It's moving fast."

"Yeah," Hobbie agreed. "It doesn't look like they're doin' a thorough search of the ships."

"So the mission begins."

There was a nervous tension hanging over the occupants of the cockpit, for they all knew if their ruse didn't work they would have no way to escape. The shuttlecraft was sleek but lacked speed and weapons powerful enough to fight off a squad of TIE fighters or a Star Destroyer. Luke wished he was adept with technology so that he could be with Redge and Tycho as they played their tech-savvy part of the ruse.

Finally, it was their shuttlecraft that was under Imperial scrutiny. Redge and Tycho made sure the shuttlecraft was flying under a name and not just a number.

"Shuttle Star Gazer, state your purpose for coming to Vivicus."

Wedge answered, "Escorting Leilila Bella who is visiting the former Chancellor Gan Pulliam."

There was silence for a moment as the ship was scanned. Han wished the shuttlecraft had hidden compartments like the Falcon, and he hoped that the Redge and Tycho were able to interfere with the Imperial scanner without the Imperials catching on. If their cache of weapons was discovered, they'd be in trouble.

Then the voice said, "We need to confirm Lady Bella's identification."

The princess activated the screen near the navigator's seat and the face of an Imperial officer appeared on the screen.

"This is Lady Leilila Bella."

"Please stay still."

Everyone in the cockpit held their breath. Although Redge and Tycho excelled in breaking into Imperial computers, Han knew something could go wrong because something always seemed to go wrong. The screen went black save for a red line that stopped at the princess's eye level. The red line disappeared and the Imperial officer reappeared on the screen.

"How long will your visit be?"

"Five days," Leia answered.

Another moment of silence. Then the Imperial officer spoke, "You may continue on and dock at fifty-six. We'll provide you with an escort. Have a pleasant visit."

"Thank you."

Leia shut off the screen, and everyone let out their breath.

"I didn't think that was going to work," Luke quietly said.

"I knew it'd work," Han countered. He would never reveal his fears and doubts, especially to Luke.

Redge and Tycho entered the cockpit.

"Good job," Han commended them.

"Easy as gie," Tycho bragged.

Wedge and Hobbie steered the ship through the open hangar and landed at the designated dock. Luke and Narra transferred their gear and weapons into a discarded trunk they found in the cargo bay, Leia grabbed her pack that contained a change of clothes, and Redge and Tycho concealed their technological necessities in a black case. They gathered in front of the ramp.

"Here." The princess held out her pack to Han.

"Carry it yourself."

"I can't. She tipped her head and placed a hand on her hip. "I'm supposed to be nobility. I can't carry my own bags."

Han rolled his eyes and took the pack from her. Posing as Leia's body guards, Hobbie, Wedge, Redge, and Tycho took their places on each side of the princess. Carrying the trunk, Luke and Narra took their place behind the others. Han decided it was best that he closest to the princess. He assumed she had a holdout blaster strapped to her thigh under her dress, but he felt she'd be safer if he was in close proximity of her just in case he needed to pull her out of the line of fire. .

As they disembarked the shuttlecraft and stood on solid ground, they were greeted by an Imperial officer.

"Lady Bella," the Imperial ignored her security detail and addressed Leia. "I'm Colonel Bevel. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Leia held out her hand. "Thank you."

Colonel Bevel bowed, and kissed her hand. "We have an Imperial detail to escort you and your party to Chancellor Pulliam's estate."

Leia smiled graciously. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. My body guards are very well trained and well equipped to handle any danger we may face." She nodded in Han's direction. "And my attendant has made arrangements for transportation already."

Han did his best to hide his irritation.

It's been a long journey and I'm anxious to see the Chancellor."

"Then I'll delay you no longer."

"Thank you, Colonel Bevel."

The colonel bowed again, and Leia led her entourage toward the exit, bypassing customs. Han glanced at her in surprise. He smiled to himself. He was worried about getting through customs so he was glad they were able to bypass it—thanks to Leia. She was good at this royalty stuff and understood why the High Command wanted to keep her in that role.

They walked out the exit and were immediately assaulted by a crisp breeze.

"There's our ride," Redge pointed out a stretched speeder with the number 549 pasted on the windshield. Redge was the one to arrange their transport.

The chauffer stepped out of the car and rushed to the passenger side to open the door. He held out his hand to the princess. "My Lady."

Leia took his hand, and she gracefully entered the speeder with the help of the chauffer. Han entered next, followed by her "body guards". Luke and Narra placed the trunk in the speeder's trunk before entering the speeder. The chauffer climbed into the vehicle and pulled away from the docking terminal. Redge had sent their destination to the chauffer ahead of time so there was no need to give directions.

"Attendant?" Han asked when the partition between the driver and passengers went up. "Why not 'consort'?" He then winked at her.

"No one would believe you were my consort," she shot back as she lifted her chin.

"With my good looks and charm—"

"Ha! You have the charm of a Bantha!"

"I'm sure I have more charm than those stuffy old men in the Senate."

"Not every man was old, and even the old Senators were much more attractive than you." Leia countered. "And they had manners, unlike you!"

"There's nothin' wrong with my manners! You—"

Wedge rolled his eyes. "Here we go again."

"Here we go again, WHAT!" Han and Leia yelled simultaneously.