No Wampas were harmed in this chapter.

Millennium Falcon-somewhere in space

Chewbacca roared.

"Chewbacca does not think this is a very good idea at all Master Luke. He wonders if you have your priorities straight." Threepio translated.

"Chewie, look. I'm sure that Han and Leia are alright. Don't ask me how, I just know. The Rebel Alliance would never leave the Princess stranded, you know that! I know I told you I wasn't returning to the Rebel Alliance, at least not yet. The ship, while functioning, is going to need proper repairs at some point. I really don't think expecting the Rebel Alliance to take care of that is going to work, and they are just too short on funds as it is. You aren't doing a job for them now," Luke explained. "I've helped Han before get jobs, we could do one. Make a deal or two, then you can get the credits for some repairs. I don't think this person you know is going to do it for free?"

Chewbacca roared.

"Chewbacca wants to remind Master Luke that his life debt to Captain Solo does not extend to you, Master Luke. This is highly unlike you," Threepio translated.

Chewbacca roared.

"Chewbacca also is concerned as a friend of your well being. These years he has known you, he knew of your wish to be a Jedi, and now, you just want to go on a wild adventure through space. Even letting down the Rebel Alliance for which you have worked so hard." Threepio translated.

"I know, Chewie, I know. It's just that I never thought I could have that kind of experience on Tatooine of all places that I had at Jabba's, and that moon, it wasn't a job for the Rebel Alliance, but something different. There's a whole galaxy out there to explore, not as a member of Rogue Squadron or as a Jedi. I think I might like to see a little more of it before I start training as a Jedi. I've learned so much already, but this is different. And in a way, it's been a learning experience, too. This commitment to being a Jedi is serious, and I'm not sure I'm ready," Luke explained.

Chewie roared.

"Chewbacca says that he will probably need credits in order to put the Falcon in perfect working order. Perhaps you both could take one job and then ride along to Bespin with him. He wants you to know he isn't too happy about it. Chewbacca knows a place where he can possibly pick up some work and contact the Rebel Alliance," Threepio translated.

"At least we can tell them we are alright, and see if we can find anything out about Leia and Han. I'm sure Leia is alright. I just feel she is, and Han was with her. Trust me on that, Chewie. I don't know what I'm going to find on this Dagobah either," Luke sighed.

Chewie roared.

"Chewbacca says he does not like it one bit, but he will help you. He wants you to know he is disappointed in you, Master Luke," Threepio translated. "Oh Master Luke, I hope you know what you are doing. I hope I'm not required for anything remotely dangerous."

Artoo beeped negatively.

"I know, Artoo, I know, but it's what I want to do." Luke sighed sadly.

/

Bespin-Cloud City.

Boba Fett waited outside of the office of Baron Lando Calrissian, administrator of Cloud City. The holonet in the waiting room played some horrible Rodian soap opera and Boba Fett had been standing for an hour before he was led in by a man with cyborg construct on his head.

Lando stood there with a sour look on his face, his arms bent with his hands on his hips, "Long time, Boba Fett. What is it that I can do for you?"

"I'm looking for the Millennium Falcon," Boba Fett answered, "You know that ship. Have you seen it."

"Of course I know that ship, but I haven't seen it. Look, I don't know what you heard, but I haven't seen Han in years. Last I heard of him was 3 or 4 years ago. I'm sorry I can't help you," Lando said turning around taking a seat at his desk and propping his feet up. "Is this about Jabba?"

"I've been sent by someone else, someone who can cause a great deal of trouble for you if you know anything," Boba Fett warned.

"Well, I've been in a great deal of trouble before, and I've gotten out of it. I'm sorry, I don't know anything about Han or the Millennium Falcon right now. If you like though, I can get you set up with a nice dinner down at the restaurant before you go on your way. You can even stay over if you like, my treat?" Lando offered putting his hands behind his head and smiling. "If I might ask though, who wants him so bad? If it's not Jabba?"

"I've been hired by someone very important connected with the Empire. That's all I will say. If you see the Millennium Falcon, and you don't tell me? It won't go well for you or your operations here," Boba Fett threatened. "I believe I'll stick around a bit if you don't mind, then I'll be on my way."

"That's fair. I wish I knew where he was, but I'm sorry I can't help you," Lando said as he stood up. He pointed at Lobot who proceeded to open the door.

Boba Fett stopped at the door and turned back and said, "If you don't let me know and you see that ship, I'll know. Just know that."

The door shut and Lando went back to his chair, and turned around and looked through the window. "The nerve of some people," he said to himself shaking his head.

/

Sterdic IV-Cawa City spaceport

There was little trouble getting a docking bay to land, just a nice, normal, loyal Imperial couple from Mygeeto visiting on business for a couple of days. At least that's what the manifest said. The droids at the spaceport offered maintenance services, tour services, cleaning services or anything else. This part of the spaceport was almost too clean and too wholesome. There were a small number of stormtroopers maintaining order about, but they seemed unconcerned about Leia, Han or their ship. The local cantina was even what one could call nice, with business men and citizens out shopping and just stopping for a drink. To Han, it was a bit unnerving, but he considered it the perfect place to hide from anyone trying to find them and yet to still be in some semblance of civilization. That area of the city was incredibly dull, but being so, Leia thought sensibly that it might be safer that way, and if they were going to be careful, who would think to look there right? Even though he fought the idea of wearing a cape, Leia reminded him that he would have to give up wearing his holster rig to fit in, and it helped hide the blaster.

Leia was wearing a blonde wig she found in one of the cabinets, the shuttle often having been used for inconspicuous work, where disguises were needed, so they had plenty of costumes to work with. Leia had to change the dress she found because it was almost too nice. In fact, she had used it previously during a conference of Alliance supporters to address the needs for funds for the cause. A few rips of fancy adornments, and some additional accessories made for a more low key, but still nice dress. There were a few casual garments that were suitable. They fit everything into one bag and headed for a local hotel to check in.

They both were regretting it though. When they got to the hotel, there were no suites and only single rooms. There was no room service, but they did have running water in the fresher and sadly no tub. Basically, there was nothing exciting about this place at all, and while at the time they thought it would be a nice break, they both thrived on excitement. They looked at the local offerings for eating establishments, and found a small restaurant recommended by the desk clerk that seemed to have a decent menu and just right now about anything was better than those rations and that black make shift caf they had been living on the past few days. It was just your basic nerf steaks and spicy tubers that were common throughout the galaxy. Leia sat there picking at her food groaning about it, and Han was annoyed they didn't even serve anything alcoholic.

It seemed that most things had shut down for the day by the time they finished eating, and short of going to one of those boring bars with the business men and the locals, they stopped in a shop and picked up a couple of bottles of wine and some snack food. They headed back to their room where they could watch the holonet and see what propaganda the Empire had been broadcasting lately.

"This really was a great idea!" Leia said sarcastically slamming the door when she came into the room.

Han groaned, "We could go back to Hoth."

"Don't say that too loud!" she whispered in anger.

"It wasn't loud," Han answered.

"But what if someone hears?" Leia whispered.

Han was already looking for listening devices in the phones and behind the mirror as Leia went into the fresher and yelled, "I'm taking a shower!"

Han put on the holonet and found a smashball game and sat there and got out the glasses and poured some of the wine. 'I just know this is going to be a boring trip,' he thought to himself. At least he could watch a live game though.

Leia came out in a robe with a towel on her head and looked through the things for something to sleep in. She forgot to get something for that so she grabbed one of Han's shirts.

"Hey! That's mine!" he said.

Leia growled holding it, "It appears that I don't have anything else that's comfortable. You have another one!"

"Whatever," he answered.

She poured some wine and sat on the bed still in the robe holding the shirt, "Some place right?"

"Yeah," Han growled.

"I wonder if there is a more seedier part of town," Leia asked taking a sip of wine.

"Sweetheart, there's always a seedier part of town, they just don't let Princesses in them," Han answered.

"Like a rule, no Princesses allowed? I'll have you know I've seen plenty of seedy parts of towns," Leia insisted getting another glass. "I didn't have anyone stopping me from going there. Is there a law about that? I wasn't aware that I could have been arrested."

"Princess jail in the seedy part of town. You wouldn't want to know what goes on in there," Han said trying to keep himself serious and having a hard time of it.

"Want to go find the seedier part of town?" Leia asked looking at Han.

"Maybe tomorrow." he grumbled.

"You look weird and you stink. Take a shower," Leia said changing the subject.

"I don't stink. And this is a disguise remember? I'm trying to watch this game."

"Then you get the floor!" she said and got more wine.

"Take it easy with that stuff. Don't drink it all, and give me back my shirt," he said getting up and grabbing it out of her hand.

"We did get two bottles. That place didn't even have very much to choose from and frankly this wine is horrible," Leia said looking down into the glass.

"Yeah, but it beats freezing in that pilot storage area on Hoth," Han replied. "Look, tomorrow we're going to see if we can find a contact or your rebel cell or whatever, and then we're going to get you back with your people."

"And then what? You leave?" Leia said in an upset tone and finishing her glass.

Han looked at her put his head down, "Yeah, I gotta take care of this thing with Jabba."

"No, I'm going with you." Leia said calmly.

"Look, sweetheart, do you know what it's like there?" Han fumed.

"Well, I guess I'm going to find out then," Leia said playing with the empty glass.

"No, you aren't. Just drop it. I don't want to think about it right now." Han said opening the other bottle. "What's that?"

"Wes's datapad. I might as well entertain myself," Leia said stiffly.

"I'm getting a shower, you can have the shirt," Han said throwing the shirt towards her. "And I'm not sleeping on the floor."

/

Hoth-Echo Base.

The ship landed near the ion base and close to the entrance to the transport hanger. Rieekan arrived with Wes Janson, Hobbie Klivian and Major Derlin. Hobbie came as an escort in his x-wing with Wes piloting the small freighter. Rieekan wasn't sure what he was going to find, and how much they would be able to take with them, but they didn't want to be as conspicuous with anything larger. Many of those who had died were still here, but were covered in the snow with the flecks of orange still poking out from the snow in spaces. It was a somber scene. They were able to get into the transport hanger, and there weren't any ships in there because any there would have been used by those evacuating, but there were hunks of debris. Derlin had a monitor for heat signatures, and had something registered weakly close by. He showed Rieekan.

"Could be a tauntaun, hope it's not a wampa, but there is the possibility of one of ours being in there. See if we can get in and be ready. We may need blasters," Rieekan ordered.

Wes got a tool to jimmy the door and Hobbie, Rieekan and Derlin all cleared some of it out of the way. The door opened and the hall to medical was a mix of cave in and fallen duct work. The door to medical opened, and two people wrapped in blankets crawled out with a droid.

"Derlin, Klivian, get them out of there. Janson let's see if we can clear some of this away," Rieekan said gruffly with a smile.

"We didn't think anyone would come back," the young woman coughed.

"How did you survive in there?" Rieekan asked.

"2-1B, we ran out of rations and he hooked us up with fluids. One of them in there didn't make it. Blaster fire, we pulled him in here, tried to keep him alive, but it was too late," the other man said.

"We hid in the closet, after we heard them," the young woman said weakly.

"Have you seen anyone else?" Rieekan asked.

The young man spoke, "No, General Rieekan, we couldn't get out into the hanger, and the corridor is blocked."

"Klivian and Derlin, get them on the ship, get 2-1B if you can," Rieekan ordered.

Janson and Rieekan tried to move some of the stuff out of the way to get the droid out, as Hobbie and Major Derlin put the soldiers on the ship. The young woman Derlin remembered as one of his crew in the hanger, but he didn't know the man. Derlin asked, "Did you work medical?"

"No, I was a patient, worked in the generators. I was sick so I was in the medical bay. Casha just happened to be stuck in the hall when the stormtroopers went through and ducked in. The...other man...he worked in medical. Saved her life," he choked.

"We're going to do some more search and rescue, but you should be able to stay warm on the ship," Derlin said giving them some warm caf from the galley.

Rieekan and Derlin walked the perimeter of the base trying to detect more heat signatures. It was hard with so much of it collapsed, but with so much of the ceiling opened, they thought it would be as thorough as they could get with Derlin's equipment. Hobbie and Wes soon ran up to join them and they got above the command center and with some grappling hooks, Hobbie was able to get down there. Rieekan shouted, "Get any heat signatures in there?"

"No, sir!" Hobbie called out.

"Put the detonators in then. We'll set em off before we leave," Rieekan shouted.

Hobbie put the detonators all over the command center.

"It's a miracle we were able to get anyone alive out of medical, this looks really bad here. We'll have to debrief them more after we get them back to the fleet," Rieekan noted.

They walked around the outer base some more until they got to the other hanger, the one where the x-wings had been usually kept. "Anymore heat signatures," Rieekan called out walking behind the men.

"Sir!" Derlin laughed. "Looks like you have a message!"

Wes and Hobbie were standing there smiling and laughing as Rieekan made his way to the hanger. Rieekan smiled and laughed as well. "Looks like the Princess got out!" he exclaimed looking at the message written on the hanger floor.

Wes ran into the corridor that seemed to be a bit cleared and noticed the maintenance room had been moved around a bit. Hobbie followed and noted, "Zev's astromech."

Rieekan poked in, "We'll see if we can get it back on the ship. Janson? What are you looking for?"

"My datapad, sir. It was kept in here! It's gone!" Janson cried. "And my whiskey, too!"

"Your whiskey? Janson?" Rieekan laughed. "It's just a datapad and some whiskey."

Hobbie called from down the hall, "I think I found your whiskey, or what's left of it, Janson. There's an empty bottle here."

"They must have taken the other one," Janson said. "I hope they didn't get my datapad!"

"Janson?" Rieekan questioned.

"Sir, it's where I kept all the betting pools, sir. You know, those betting pools?" Janson said standing at attention.

Rieekan laughed, "Let's hope the Princess didn't see it. Yes, this sure looks like this might have been where they camped out. If you see anything in here that you want to take, grab it. Might be something that belonged to one of our guys. Derlin! Any heat signatures?"

"No, sir, it's clear," Derlin answered.

"We'll do another run and then get out of here. Don't forget to set off the detonators when we're done, Klivian." Rieekan said walking out of the room.

He looked down the hall and saw the bodies of the two men who didn't make it in the blocked passage way. He wiped his brow and stood silently for a moment. He felt like it was his base. He just hoped he did what he could.

After another hour of moving the ship, and checking the base, they set the detonators, and took off into space. Two survivors stuck here and no way out. It was worth it to come back.

/

Millennium Falcon

Luke had no idea where he was, and Chewie wasn't really talking to him. Chewie called to Threepio and Threepio talked to a dispatcher and they were able to land with no problems on one of those space stations where ships often stopped to refuel and do deals. Chewie beckoned Luke to follow him with Threepio following behind them and they ended up in the most dark and dankest cantina Luke had ever seen. As soon as he got in, this giant Trandoshan got right into Luke's face and said, "Never seen you here before? You're not one of them are ya? ARE YA?"

"One of what?" Luke asked.

Trandoshan just flicked his hand and went, "Eh, guess not."

There was a fist fight in the far corner, but no one was paying it any mind, and a Zabrak woman came up to Luke and said to him, "Follow me."

Chewie roared, and pushed him towards the woman and the three of them followed her down a corridor and into a small room where a Sullustan was sitting. She looked at Chewbacca and said pointing to Chewie and said, "Your friend, he's alright. At least we know he got out. Where he is, I don't know. Her, too. No contact. They left a message."

Chewie shook his head and the Sullustan shook his head and made a noise.

"We got a job for you," she said looking at Luke.

"Me?" Luke asked confused.

"Yeah you. You're to go to these coordinates. Drop off this box. We already put it on the ship. Thing is, that ship can't go there. Chewbacca knows what to do. Alright, get out of here," she orders.

Luke walks out confused and bewildered, but if Chewbacca knows what to do, it must be alright. Though Chewie isn't really talking to him right now, but OK. They get back in the Millennium Falcon and fly back out into space.

After several hours in hyperspace, and a good sleep, Chewie lands on a jungle planet. It doesn't seem like there is anything at all here whatsoever.

"Chewie, talk to me, where are we?" Luke asks.

Chewie shrugs grabs the box, and tells Threepio and Artoo to follow him. They walk about a mile through the thick jungle, Luke cutting through it with his lightsaber to help make the path a bit easier. Threepio complains the whole entire way and Artoo beeps in his "Shut up Threepio" kind of way. They get to a cave, and Chewbacca walks in where there's a ship. Chewie opens up the ramp, and they climb inside.

Chewie roars.

"Chewbacca says you may set the coordinates," Threepio translated.

"Will the ships be alright here?" Luke asked.

Chewie roars.

"Chewbacca says not for you to worry," Threepio translated.

"OK, so where are we going?" Luke asked.

Chewie roars.

"Chewbacca says you want adventure and mystery," Threepio translates.

Chewie roars again.

"You're going to get it," Threepio translates.

/

Sterdic IV-Cawa City

Leia woke up in the room alone, but was relieved to see that Han had left most of his stuff there. When he had said he was leaving her alone for Tatooine, she almost wondered if he would take off without even a goodbye to keep her from joining him. She stretched her arms and headed to the fresher to take a shower. When she came out wrapped in her robe, Han had come back with breakfast for her.

"This place has breakfast downstairs. I brought some up for ya," Han said while chewing his food.

"You know it's rude to speak with food in your mouth," she snapped at him.

"Well good morning then," he got up grabbed her shoulders and kissed her forehead and lounged back down on the bed with his breakfast and turned on the holonet.

"I almost thought you left me here alone." Leia said looking down at the food. "This looks alright. A little dry, but it will do."

"Sleep alright, no visits from aliens?" Han asked.

"Not this time, I haven't seen him for a few days. Maybe it was just a dream, or that weird thing that happened at the last one has him cautious. I'm sure it's someone really trying to contact me. I just don't understand why?" Leia said eating her breakfast.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Han pointed at her and laughed.

"What should we do today?" Leia asked.

"How do you contact that rebel cell? You have any ideas? Got to be better than doing anything else around here," Han said moving his arms and rolling his eyes.

"I have an idea about that, somewhere in the Vola district? Whatever that is?" Leia answered.

"I'm sure it's the seedy laws against Princesses part of town," Han laughed.

"Probably," Leia grinned. "I'm sure you'll feel right at home there."

They decided to go ahead and just check out of the hotel, and they did a run for supplies and took it back to the ship before heading out to the Vola district. They were in the same disguise that they had been using since arriving on planet, and Leia had some semblance of where to go and who to look for here, though it had been some time since she had gotten that information. The place was a flashy watering hole for being in a less than glamorous neighborhood, and it reminded Leia of a few of the smaller places further away from the senate district on Coruscant. While they were sitting in their seats enjoying their drinks, a man came up to Leia and tried to make conversation.

"Hello, don't believe I've seen you around here before, are you new in town?" he asked. He was an older, but well dressed middle aged man with dyed purple hair and tanned skin. He smiled and took her hand. It didn't matter to him that she was sitting at a table with Han, and they both were obviously seated together.

"Hey buddy, the lady's with me!" Han said standing up forcing his hand away.

The man took a slight bow and said, "Excuse me, I wasn't sure if you had already put credits on this one. If you'll excuse me." he said while walking away.

"Well, that was weird, but you didn't have to be so rude," Leia said sipping her drink.

"He thinks you're a girl for hire," Han said in a whisper with a huff. "This place is probably full of them. Are you sure this is the place?"

"Pretty sure," Leia replied.

"Well, maybe it moved, or it's just not here anymore," Han whispered.

"Maybe, we could try out back," Leia whispered.

"Yeah, sometimes, it's a front for something else," Han replied with a whisper and checking the place out.

They paid for their food and drink and walked down the street a bit, turning back around the corner and to another block as to not look suspicious. They saw two stormtroopers walking nearby, nodding to some of the citizens. They just seemed to be from a local garrison and not on any mission. It was just unnerving because a lot of their interactions with stormtroopers had been in places either they or the stormtroopers were not supposed to be. Leia had to remind herself that she was just an average Imperial citizen making her way through the streets of Cawa City and not anything they might be looking for. They turned the block and went down an alley that Leia figured eventually went to where the back of that cantina was located.

Han said, "Let me go ahead, stay here and keep watch. I heard something."

"I think I can handle myself!" Leia whispered with annoyance.

"I know you can, that's why I'm leaving you alone for a moment, don't worry, I'll be right back," Han said as he ducked the next corner.

Leia waited a few minutes and didn't hear anything, but she felt something, and she didn't like it. Then she heard a few grunts. She made her away slowly towards the area where she thought that Han went, and there had been an open door, she peered in trying not to be seen, and there was Han, on his knees, with his hands tied around his back and another larger man punching him, with a small dark alien she couldn't make out in some kind of armor standing with his arms over his chest and talking in a strange dialect. She took out her blaster, and with one hit, shot the larger man with her blaster and then dove for the smaller man in the leather armor, pulling out her knife and sticking it under his throat.

"He's a bounty hunter," Han said as he was struggling with his hands. "Probably figured out who I was."

Leia noticed the language as being Ubese and pulled the helmet off the man. She could make out a few words, but could tell he intended to take Han to Jabba the Hutt. He kept pleading for his life, and after Han got himself free, with the bounty hunter still pinned by Leia, Han pointed the blaster at his head and shot him once.

"Shut the door and lock or bolt it or something!" Han called out.

Leia slowly closed the door and they could hear radio signals outside from the stormtroopers wondering what the blaster fire was and where it came from. When they left, sounding as if they were headed towards the bar, Han and Leia took a brief sigh of relief.

"We gotta get out of here, we'll act all casual as if we don't have any idea of what happened, and just return to the ship, got it? Then we head somewhere else," Han said a bit shaken up with his face banged up.

"Let me help you here," Leia said wiping his face. "You look awful."

"Thanks, maybe it helps the disguise," Han laughed. "Let's get out of here."

"Not just yet, I have an idea," Leia said looking down at the dead bounty hunter. "Help me get this get up off of him." Leia then started removing his elaborate attire.

"I don't know what you're thinking here sweetheart, but maybe we should get out of here and back to the ship, as soon as it's a bit clear. You know someone is looking for these people," Han cautioned.

"Just help me get this stuff off!" Leia said frustrated.

"Alright, but what about that guy?" Han asked pointing at him.

"What about him, come on, it's not like you haven't done this before," Leia said lifting his clothes off.

They put what they could inside the helmet, and then it and everything else they wrapped in Han's cape.

They tried to walk where it was less conspicuous, it was getting a bit dark, and they were able to hire a speeder to take them to the spaceport. "He's getting medical attention," Leia said softly to the driver. "Just can't stop walking into walls. I think his vision is starting to get worse." She said trying to explain Han's appearance before he asked.

They got on the ship, Leia laid the bounty hunter get up down in the cabin, then went and took care of Han's banged up eye and face gently. She kissed him on the forehead and went to put the medical kit away and clean up a bit. She grabbed her blaster and headed towards the cockpit.

Han, turned at the controls getting the ship warmed up and ready to fly out of there, called out to her, "Where to next, Leia?"

He turned around to see the princess standing there with a blaster pointed at his head. "We're going to Tatooine. Let's get going," she said in an angry and serious tone.

"No, I said, I was doing it myself," Han said staring at the blaster pointed at his face.

She got closer and put the blaster right under his chin, "Tatooine, hotshot. NOW!"

"Alright, Alright," he started entering things in the cockpit, and Leia looked over his shoulder. "See, Tatooine, just like you said. Now, will you take that blaster away?"

"Not until we are in hyperspace," Leia said unflinching.

Han was actually a bit nervous. She wouldn't blast him would she? She couldn't. She could get a bit scary at times, but he thought he could trust her. She could get a bit volatile at times. Damn was she hot though right now. They got into hyperspace, Han got out of his seat and Leia moved the blaster down at her side, Han moved closer to her and pushed her up against the side of the ship.

"Do you know how sexy you looked holding a blaster to my head?" He said whispering her in ear. She looked up at him and he kissed her and she dropped the blaster and pulled him in close and they held each other tightly still with their lips locked together.

After they unlocked from each other Leia yelled at him. "Get a shave! And try not to mess up the rest of your face," and she went into the cabin to try on the bounty hunter's clothing.