Here's the next chapter. Once again, sorry for how long this took. Hopefully, I'll be able to update faster than only once a month now that I'm settled into college once again, and now that I finally got my laptop screen to stop flickering (seriously, every time I tried to use it, the screen would go crazy and I couldn't see anything, and this is the only computer that I have access to with Word). Sorry for making you guys wait so long for this chapter, but now that the technical issues have been fixed, hopefully nothing else goes wrong. :P Enjoy the chapter, regardless! :)

Disclaimer: I still don't own Star Wars, and I doubt I ever will.

Chapter 10: Loss

Serena flinched as the door opened once again. Lando entered, looking grim, as he ordered them to follow him. Before any of them could react, stormtroopers rushed in, pointing their weapons at Chewbacca to ensure the wookiee remained calm. He certainly looked ready to attack, but was stopped by Han, who simply shook his head at his best friend. This wasn't worth Chewbacca's life.

It's too soon. Serena thought. We didn't have enough time to come up with some kind of plan.

The stormtroopers ushered her and Leia in front, while a few more guarded Han, while one began putting binders around his wrists. It was suspicious that only Han received this treatment, and it only worried Serena more.

Chewbacca brought up the rear, with Threepio protesting quite loudly, not that anyone really paid any attention to what he was saying.

Leia glanced at Serena, looking like she was feeling defeated. The princess had a lot of fight in her, and she wasn't one to give up easily. It was almost as painful to see Leia's resolve break as it was to hear her brother being tortured. While Serena and Leia didn't see much of each other, the two girls had a deep respect for one another, and they were good friends.

She didn't want to see her friend look so broken—so defeated.

Serena must have been walking a little too slowly for the stormtroopers liking, and was roughly shoved forward, almost losing her footing and falling to the ground. Han looked furious but knew there wasn't anything he could do to stop them, but he did attempt to tell the stormtroopers to 'go easy on her'. They didn't even acknowledge the smuggler's request. Chewbacca growled threateningly, but made no other move, also realizing that doing anything would get them in trouble.

Lando almost looked sad as he led them forward, but she knew he wouldn't do anything to help them. Despite how guilty he looked, Serena knew that he wasn't willing to endanger his mining colony. She knew that Vader was terrifying to him—and everyone—and somewhere in the back of her mind, she couldn't really blame Lando for betraying them, but at the moment, she hated him. She would never forgive him if Han died today.

Threepio was oddly silent on the walk down. Maybe he realized his constant chatter would certainly irritate the Imperials, and didn't want to get any more damaged than he already was. After all, the golden droid did practically say that they were the ones who destroyed him previously to keep their presence a secret.

All too soon, they arrived to their destination. Han tensed up a bit, but kept up a brave face. Serena wasn't fooled, and she doubted Chewie and Leia were either. The room was dark, with red and white lights illuminating the room. In the center, the carbon freezing chamber was still being set up, with small creatures ensuring that everything was working properly for a reason Serena could only guess at. The Rebel Lieutenant, still desperately hoping to find some way to escape, glanced around the room as quickly as she could, hoping against hope that there would be something she could do. She, Leia, and even Chewbacca were not cuffed, and might be able to steal a weapon. She knew that while there were indeed a lot of stormtroopers around, their aim was far from perfect. If they could move fast enough, they might be able to escape.

However, her hopes were quickly crushed as she saw Darth Vader and Boba Fett enter the room. The bounty hunter was one of the best, and she doubted she'd be able to steal a weapon before he reacted. And with Vader around...well, there really wasn't a way she could get past him. She unconsciously reached up to her neck. Her throat was still sore from its previous abuse, and she really wasn't in a hurry to repeat that incident. Quickly, she dropped her hand, hoping that no one noticed her reach for her throat. Han did, however, and looked at his sister in concern, but she ignored the questioning glance. He didn't need to be worrying about her right now.

Threepio, who was still dangling off of Chewbacca's back, began rambling, "If only you had attached my legs, I wouldn't be in this ridiculous position. Now, remember, Chewbacca, you have a responsibility to me, so don't do anything foolish."

No one acknowledged the droid's statement. They were too busy thinking about their predicament, and desperately attempting to think of something to do. Unfortunately, no one seemed to have any ideas.

Han, who couldn't stand the tense silence, turned to Lando and questioned, "What's going on…buddy?"

Lando's expression didn't change, but Serena thought she saw a flicker of guilt in his eyes, "You're being put into carbon freeze."

After Lando spoke, no one knew what to say. Serena snapped her eyes closed, attempting to control her feelings in this moment. It wasn't the proper time for her to break down. Leia glanced around nervously, unsure of what she should do.

Boba Fett, hearing that the smuggler was being put into carbon freeze immediately questioned Vader, "What if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me." The bounty, after all, was for the smuggler to be brought back to the Hutt alive.

Vader wasn't concerned in the slightest. He brushed aside the bounty hunter's concern, "The Empire will compensate you if he dies. Put him in!"

'No!' was the first thought that ran through Serena's mind. She couldn't move—couldn't speak. What could she do? The Imperials outnumbered them and the odds weren't in their favor. Her eyes glanced in her brother's direction, but she wasn't able to actually look at him. Seeing him now would be a breaking point for her.

Chewie acted much faster than the frozen Serena. The wookiee roared angrily and roughly pushed aside the stormtrooper in front of him.

Instantly, the stormtroopers sprang into action pointing their blasters at the furious wookiee. Chewbacca, ignoring the dozens of weapons pointed at him, continued roaring. Serena glanced fearfully at Vader, hoping the Dark Lord would not attempt to stop the wookiee himself. She knew even Chewie's great strength wouldn't last against Vader's Force abilities.

Threepio was nervous as well, and let Chewbacca know it. He flailed his arms, and cried out, "Oh no! No, no, no! Chewbacca, stop!"

The stormtroopers began getting more aggressive, and Boba Fett finally decided to join in, pointing his blaster at the wookiee.

Serena's eyes widened, and she shouted out, "No—wait!"

Fett ignored her, and prepared to fire. However, just as he was about to fire, Vader immediately pushed down his weapon. The bounty hunter looked surprised, but allowed the Sith Lord to stop him. Serena glanced at Vader, puzzled as to why he would do such a thing. The Dark Lord ignored her, keeping his gaze on the wookiee.

Han finally shrugged off his captors, and as the stormtroopers were about to hold the smuggler back, but once again Vader shook his head. The stormtroopers, seeming slightly puzzled, reluctantly allowed the smuggler to approach the wookiee.

Han reached out to the wookiee, though it wasn't as effective as it could have been with the binder's on, and spoke, "Stop—Chewie, stop!"

The wookiee slowed his attacks, refraining from punching another of the stormtroopers who got too close, though he still looked furious, and the stormtroopers hesitated.

Threepio immediately agreed with the smuggler, "Yes, stop please! I'm not ready to die."

"Chewie!" Han shouted, but the wookiee continued growling fiercely, so the smuggler increased the volume in his voice, "Chewie, this won't help me."

The wookiee refused to meet the smuggler's eyes, so Han gave him a stern look and shouted once more, "Hey!"

Finally, Chewbacca looked Han in the eyes, looking sad and worn down.

"Save your strength. There'll be another time. The princess, my sister—you've got to take care of them. You hear me?"

Han made sure Chewbacca understood. The wookiee roared out an almost broken goodbye that almost broke Serena's heart. Chewie never gave up, and to see him like this was devastating.

Han turned to Serena, "Take care of yourself, sis." He smirked and winked at her, as if everything was going to be fine.

She laughed, but it came out weakly, "I'll try."

"You'd better." Han said, looking at her seriously. She saw how afraid he was, even if he was trying to hide it, and wrapped her arms around him quickly, knowing the Imperials wouldn't allow the moment between the siblings to last long. As she hugged her brother goodbye, she had to swallow a lump in her throat. He doesn't deserve this.

Finally, Han turned to Leia, and they both looked at one another so sorrowfully Serena's heart threatened to break once again. It was so unfair. Instantly, the two of them moved closer and pressed their lips together, pouring all of their emotions into the kiss. Serena's eyes filled with tears. Finally, her brother found someone he was serious about, and that was ripped away from him, as well.

Han was roughly pulled away and dragged over to the carbon freezing chamber. When Serena glanced at Leia, she saw tears rolling down her friend's cheeks, and felt tears prickle in her own eyes at seeing her brother in that chamber.

Han was forced to stand in the center of the chamber, bravely facing his fate with his head held high, still refusing to show weakness by giving everyone a smug look.

As the Imperials began preparing the chamber, Leia, knowing there was a chance she might never see Han again, shouted out, "I love you!"

Han stared at her, straight-faced, and replied, "I know."

Finally, the platform began to lower the smuggler down, and Serena shut her eyes, unable to watch her brother be frozen. She couldn't believe this was really happening, just as things started looking up for the two of them. Joining the Rebel alliance was the best thing they could have done, not that it mattered for Han anymore.

She clenched her jaw, suddenly feeling raw anger at the fact that her brother would never be able to appreciate their new life. The Empire was taking it all away. As she watched Han be lowered the tears she'd been holding back began to fall, and she clenched her fists.

Han was finally out of their view. There was a moment of tense silence, and then the machine was activated, releasing a cloud of the carbonite. For a moment, no one could see anything from the chamber. Leia looked away, leaning against Chewbacca for support. Serena heard Chewie mournfully howl, but her eyes remained staring at the chamber.

She held her breath as the fog cleared, and Han was lifted up. He was completely frozen in the carbon, his face frozen in what looked like a scream. His hands were facing up, looking as if he was trying to escape the carbon.

"What's going on? Turn around, Chewbacca, I can't see. Oh…they've encased him in carbonite. He should be quite well protected—if he survives the freezing process, that is."

Serena flinched slightly at Threepio's words. Han had to survive. If he didn't…she didn't know what she would do.

Chewie didn't seem to appreciate the droid's words, and glared at Threepio angrily.

Finally Han was attached to an electronic box and dropped to the ground. There was a moment of silence as Lando moved over to the smuggler and checked his vital signs. The three Rebels waited anxiously, praying that Han survived the process. Lando bent over and let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, Calrissian, did he survive?"

"Yes, he's alive. And in perfect hibernation."

Serena let out a sigh of relief, though she realized tears were still falling down her face. At least he's alive. If he's alive, we can save him.

Vader turned to Boba Fett, "He's all yours, bounty hunter. Reset the chamber for Skywalker."

Luke, please don't come. Please get away.

"Skywalker has just landed, my lord." An Imperial officer announced, and the three captured Rebels glanced at one another. Serena saw tears running down Leia's own cheeks, and Chewbacca supported the two girls by holding them to him protectively, taking Han's last words to heart.

Lando approached Leia, grabbing her arm, but the princess harshly pulled her arm away, still clinging to the wookiee.

Vader, in the meantime, continued speaking, "Good. See to it that he finds his way here." He saw Lando moving towards the trio of Rebels, "Calrissian."

Lando immediately turned his attention toward Vader. He looked anxious, not that Serena cared. She didn't want anything to do with him anymore.

"Take the princess, Lieutenant Solo, and the wookiee to my ship."

Lando almost looked outraged at the suggestion, "You said they'd be left in the city under my protection!"

"I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."

Serena hung her head. Now she knew their situation was hopeless. If they were taken to Vader's ship, they wouldn't be able to escape, and they'd most likely be interrogated, tortured, and killed. Lando even looked irritated as he ordered his men to lead them out of the room.

They left with Lando, followed by a few Imperial officers and a group of stormtroopers. None of the captured Rebels had any fight left, losing most of their morale when Han was frozen in the carbonite. They were ushered along quickly, being forced to move forward.

As they moved through the hallways, Lando looked increasingly agitated, nervously glancing back, as if he thought something was going to happen. The stormtroopers seemed oblivious to his strange behavior, though, and just continued forcing the rebels to move.

Serena walked in a daze, still not believing that this actually happened to her brother, and could also possibly happen to Luke. She didn't want to lose him in the same way she just lost Han, and hoped he'd somehow avoid Vader's trap and escape unscathed.

Suddenly, she heard firing and instantly turned in that direction, "What…?" She questioned, and saw him. Luke was heading towards them. She almost called out to let him know where they were, but then remembered the entourage of guards surrounding them, and she shouted, "Luke, get out of here. Leave us!"

Leia turned at the sound of Serena's voice, grabbing at the wall to prevent being dragged through the blast door, which would stop Luke from hearing her warning, "Luke! Luke, don't—it's a trap! It's a trap!"

Then the two girls were dragged through the doorway and Luke disappeared from their sight.

Serena turned to Leia and she could see the princess was just as concerned as she was. She whispered to Leia, "Do you think he'll listen to us?"

"We can only hope." Leia frowned, still looking so sad and defeated.

"Hey, you two, keep quiet." The stormtrooper behind them ordered, forcing the two girls to walk further apart.

Lando ignored them, continuing to lead the group to Vader's flagship. He still was completely silent, and led them forward with single-minded intent. It didn't take long for them to see what Lando was up to because as soon as the group made it to a crossroads on the path to Vader's ship, they were suddenly ambushed by Lando's men. Lando moved around quickly, taking away the weapons from the Imperial soldiers, while one of his men helped him in the task. They didn't hesitate and threw two of the blasters to Leia and Serena. The girls caught the weapons, with puzzled looks.

Leia didn't hesitate to show her suspicion of Lando, "What do you think you're doing?'

Lando moved to remove the binders from Chewbacca's wrists, "We're getting out of here!"

The wookiee growled quietly at Lando, who didn't seem to notice Chewie's irritation. Threepio, on the other hand, was thrilled with Lando's assistance, "I knew all along it had to be a misunderstanding."

"I doubt that, Threepio." Serena muttered, still watching Lando suspiciously.

"You've got to trust me—"Lando was cut off as Chewbacca's wrists were finally freed. The wookiee wrapped his hands around Lando's throat, squeezing. Neither Leia nor Serena made any move to stop him. They just stepped closer to interrogate Lando.

"Do you think that after what you did to Han we're going to trust you?"

Lando struggled to free himself, to no avail. The wookiee was too strong, "I had no choice…" He choked out.

Chewie scoffed, still growling at their former friend.

"This is the second time someone who we thought was a friend betrayed us. How can we trust you?" Serena glared, pointing her blaster at the struggling man.

"I'm just trying to help…" Lando choked out, grasping at Chewbacca's paws.

"We don't need any of your help." Leia said aggressively.

"Ha—Han." He whispered out.

Leia's eyes instantly widened, and Serena lowered her weapon, "What?"

"It sounds like Han." Threepio commented.

Lando nodded slightly, "There's still a chance to save Han…at the East platform…"

"Chewie."

With that one word, Leia managed to convince the angry wookiee to release Lando, though he seemed reluctant to do so.

"Let's go!" Serena called out, running towards the East platform.

As Leia and Chewbacca ran to follow her, Threepio called out to Lando, "I'm terribly sorry about this, but, after all, he's only a wookiee."

However, it didn't take long for Lando to get up and follow the group to Han. Serena decided to simply ignore the man and use him for the sole purpose of rescuing her brother. After that, Lando was on his own. Leia seemed to have the same general idea, and Chewbacca still looked like he was willing to strangle Lando.

A loud whirring noise alerted the group to another's presence, but they all relaxed when they saw the familiar droid approaching them. Threepio was the first to acknowledge the little droid, "Artoo! Artoo, where have you been?"

"Artoo, is Luke alright?" Serena asked, still running after Leia and Chewie, who ran further ahead of the group.

The astromech droid beeped something that sounded hesitant, and Serena frowned, torn. I'll come back, Luke. Just hold on. She thought, as she continued following Leia and the wookiee. Lando looked at her while they ran, "I'm sorry, Serena."

"This isn't the best time to talk about this, Lando." She said, brushing off his words, not caring what he felt. All she cared about was saving Han and Luke.

They finally made it to Boba Fett's ship, and watched helplessly as the doors to the ship closed, and began to fly away. Serena and Leia both stared blankly at the ship, feeling numb as they watched Han be taken away from them.

Serena felt tears prickle in her eyes once again, and just wanted to collapse onto the ground. She thought they'd be able to save him in time. She thought—

But no, Han was gone. Maybe forever, and that was more than she could bear.

Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think! :)