Alaric stood beside Lucia, watching Hanna's ship—with no Hanna onboard—disappear into hyperspace. From the moment Lucia had burst into his cell on the Death Star and announced that she was there to rescue him, she had become an integral part of his life. If he lost her, it would be like losing a part of himself.
And yet, he loved Hanna, and the thought of losing her was like a vise around his heart. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to sort out his confused emotions. But it was useless, and he sighed in defeat a moment later. If only Lucia was family, and not Vader!
As if she sensed his distress, Lucia stepped closer, slipped her arm around his waist, and laid her head on his shoulder. Once again, they were supporting each other.
As the stars whipped past the Falcon's forward window, Lando leaned back in his seat and looked at Chewie. "So," he said thoughtfully, "Hanna and the prince, eh?"
Chewie eyed him sidelong, but said nothing.
Lando grinned and shook his head, propping his feet up on the instrument panel and clasping his hands behind his head. "I don't blame her, you know? He's very pretty."
Chewie growled something under his breath that sounded like, "You would notice."
Lando burst into laughter and winked broadly at the wookiee. "I notice everybody."
Straightening up to his full height, Chewie glared down at Lando, an ominous rumble beginning somewhere in his chest.
Laughing, Lando waved his hands in a placating motion. "I'm only kidding. I would never dare to notice you." Chewie slowly sat down, watching Lando out of the corner of his eye. Lando hid his grin behind a hand. Teasing Chewbacca was so much fun, but if he went too far, the wookiee might just kill him, and then where would Hanna be?
He sobered quickly at the thought of Hanna. This was about her. His childish desire to get a rise of Chewie would just have to wait.
"What is your bidding, My Lord?" The Emperor's Hand stood before Palpatine, hands at his sides, back straight, eyes forward, waiting for instruction.
A moment of silence stretched out, Palpatine making his servant wait, as he often did, reminding him who was in control here, as if Markus hadn't learned that long ago. His mind and body quiet from years of practice, he waited patiently. Finally, Palpatine spoke, his voice creaky as if with great age: "There is a new player on the board. And my apprentice has been… compromised." He bent his head to fasten Markus with his fierce yellow gaze. "Find Lucia Skywalker. And bring her to me."