Happy Rebirth Day
Chapter 10
"Move along please." the guard ordered as Han, Chewie, and Luke slowed their progression to where ever it was they were going.
They had asked where it was they were being taken, but being treated as drunks and vagrants were on Paulking XII, the guard said nothing but placed them in wrist binders and usher them along. At one point the guard nudged Chewie with his stun baton, which didn't go well with Chewie. The guard knowing what happened to his fellow guards the day before thought better of it and decide to push Han and Luke instead.
"You know we have a right to know where we are going and what is to happen to us?" Han informed the guard, but his continuing inquiries as to there fate fell on deaf ears.
"Relax Han I told you everything is going to be ok, I'm pretty sure we're not going to Kessel… I have a feeling." Luke again told Han.
Han in turn just looked at Luke, smirked, and began remembering the last time he was on Kessel and the torture he went through being boarded by the Imperials. Had it not been for an old friend; who was less than happy to see Han on Kessel but owed him a big favor, he somehow smuggled Han and Chewie off Kessel and returned his beloved Falcon to him. After that Han's so called friend went into hiding never to be heard from again. He had heard rumors that his friend had been caught and sent back to Kessel but this time not as a guard, but a prisoner.
He'd made several inquiries as to his friends fate but received no duracrete knowledge that his friend was sent back there.
"We're here," the guard said stopping in front of a door.
"And where is here?" Han asked a little smug but still quite leery.
"You'll find out soon enough, my orders were specific just bring you here then stand guard until you were finished inside." the guard informed Han.
"My aren't we the over flowing bucket of information now that we're here, why couldn't you tell us that earlier?" Han asked still being smug.
"Just go inside, the Grand Minister is waiting to see you," the guard said motioning towards the door.
The guard activated the door comm announcing that he had arrived with the prisoners the Grand Minister had requested. With the door opening the Grand Minister was standing in front of his desk. And as Han was the first to enter the look he saw on the Grand Marshall's face confirmed what Han thought about all politicians, something was up and they were in trouble. It always seemed to happen that way when ever he dealt with politicians, they lure you in and the next thing you know you're taking on a battalion of storm troopers fully armed and all you've got is a spoon.
Turning to Luke who stepped up be side him he whispered.
"We'll be fine huh, I've got a feeling huh."
Luke just smiled and shrugged his shoulders replying.
"Trust me, have I ever let you down before?"
Han returned his smile though his was more sarcastic and returned.
'Not yet but there's a first time for everything."
The Grand Marshall waited until all three were in the room then started his speech knowing that he had them hooked it was just a matter of tell, no ordering them to do this little task.
"Ah gentlemen please sit," He said motioning to the seats in front of his desk, "and may I offer you some refreshments?"
'Yup here we go,' Han thought, 'offer us some goodies while slipping the noose over our heads then snap we become you little minions.'
All three were hesitant but complied with the Grand Marshall's request Han was the first to sit taking the center seat which was just forward of the other two. The grand Marshall nodded, having set the seats in just that order figuring the leader of the group would take the center seat.
Returning to his own seat the Grand Marshall stood until Luke and Chewie took their seats then he followed suit.
"Please gentlemen have something to eat and drink, I'm sure you're hungry the food in the detention center leaves a lot to be desired," the Grand Marshall offered again.
Han who wanted to get right to the point knew that this was just to soften them up before he lowered the boom and asked them to do something stupid.
"Lets et to the point, Grand Marshall is it, then if your still offering we'll have some of this," Han said pointing to the refreshments on the desk, "besides I think we're going to need this after you ask, now tell us what you want," Han said curtly holding up a bottle of what he hoped was some type of alcoholic drink.
"Very well to the point- as you wish, gentlemen I have a little proposition for you," the Grand Marshall started.
"Here it comes," he whispered to Luke nudging him with his elbow.
"We've received a very important guest here on Paulking, and well he's had an accident and can't seem to remember who he is, now what I want from you three is to follow him around and make sure hew doesn't get into any trouble."
"Baby sit you want us to baby sit?" Han asked a little relieved it wasn't what he thought, "We can do that no problem."
Luke now himself becoming a little suspicious asked.
"What about our charges what is to be done about them?"
"Why those will be erased as if they never existed," the Grand Marshall started to explain, "providing of course you succeed in your task, if you fail you will be apprehended and will serve a full one year term working the mines of Kessel."
Chewie chimed in but not being able to understand the Wookie the Grand Marshall looked to Han and Luke for a translation.
Han nodded looked at Luke who also nodded and both said, "good question."
"What, what's a good question?" the Grand Marshall asked curiously.
"Well," Luke started, "who is it that we have to baby sit?"
"Oh I was getting to that, Darth Vader." the Grand Marshall answered.
Han's mouth dropped open, unable to speak he gripped the armrests of the seat and just stared at the Grand Marshall. Several very uncomfortable moments passed as Han Luke and Chewie just stared at the Marshall. Luke Regaining some of his composure first and a little hesitant to ask did so anyway.
"Ah-- you did say… Darth Vader, the Emperors second in command, that Darth Vader?"
"One and the same, but like I said he doesn't remember who he is, and by the looks on your faces I can tell you are probably wanted by the Empire for what ever reason."
Han his mouth now closed and some what coherent as to what he had just heard added, "You expect us to believe that the number two guy for the Emperor simply lost his memory, no doubt he's feeling guilty for all the lives he's taken and is disassociating form the pain."
The Grand Marshall tilted his head and with a smirk answered, "No. he was hit with a water balloon and his chest plate short circuited , and from what the doctor told me the shock scrambled his brain."
"Scrambled his brain, a dark Lord of the Sith, I'm not entirely up on my mumbo jumbo users , you'll have to check with the kid here," Han said quite excited pointing over his shoulder with his thumb to Luke, "but aren't they suppose to be able to heal them selves?"
"I am as educated as you are on Jedi and Sith, and by that statement am I to believe that your friend here is a Jedi?" The Grand Marshall asked in return.
Luke tried to look innocent and motioning with his hand that Han was a little crazy, he shook his head no and shrugged his shoulders. The minister looking over Han's shoulder saw what Luke had done and inconspicuously nodded his head.
"Well the questioned was asked now all you have to do is give me your answers," the Grand Marshall reiterated.
"This is not a decision you make by flipping a coin ya know." Han shot back curtly.
" You are right, I'll give you a few minutes to discuss it amongst yourselves, and I'll kindly thank you not to take that tone with me," the Grand Marshall responded sternly, "oh and remember if you should decide against my offer you'll be taken directly to the mines of Kessel, so by all means take you time."
Pushing his chair back he rose from his desk and moved to the other side of his office not being a very big office he just hear what the three were discussing. Pulling his comlink out he contacted the Dr.
"Dr. Killemall," he whispered into his comlink, "we have our three stooges, they'll be coming to you shortly… Grand Marshall out."
"Well gentlemen I'm afraid that's all the time I can give you, now what is you answer, are you to baby sit our V.I.P, or do we make reservations for the Kessel resort?"
Luke figuring that Han had done enough talking placed his hand on Han's shoulder and with out talking motioned that he'd answer the Grand Marshall.
"We'd be honored to take on that little task of yours, but if at all possible I'd, we, would like to speak to this Dr. our selves."
"Well as it stands and as we knew you would, you are to go directly to the Med Center straight from here, you are to be fitted with a personal transmitter so we can keep track of you, should you decide to, shall we say-- alter the agreement."
"Tagged you're gonna tag us oh now I've…," Han started to say but stopped, throwing his hands up then slumping in his seat.
"What ever you need Minister," Luke replied , "can we go now?"
"Yes by all means see the guard out side he'll take you to the Med center."
Watching the three leave he smirked and chuckled under his breath uttering, "Corellian's they're so dramatic."