Disclaimer: This story is for fun, not profit folks.
Author's note: I'm a little embarrassed to say that I didn't realize anonymous reviews were automatically disabled, so if you couldn't review before I've enabled them now.
Ties Ch.11
Han Solo glared across the Council table and listened silently as Borsk Fey'lya tore into Leia about Luke, the mission to Killiset, the supposed incompetence of Lando, Wedge and everyone else on the mission…Han would have spoken up ages ago and told the Bothan exactly where he could stick his opinions but Leia's death grip on his hand under the table was a constant reminder to hold his tongue. Luckily Luke had been able to send them another message that morning with much more details about what had happened, the Imperial's connections to the Killisets and who their accidental kidnapping victim really is. Han repressed a smirk at that thought…all the times Thrawn tried to kidnap Leia and their children without success and his own baby brother practically stumbled into their hands. With the information had Luke provided, Leia and Han had been a bit better prepared for the emergency meeting, but it sure didn't stop the backlash. Fey'lya finally took a pause and Leia was able to jump in at last.
"As I said before, Councillor Fey'lya, they were forced to take him. Their only prospects were either leaving him to possibly die, which would've likely made the Empire even angrier, or taking him with them…what else could they have done? Wait until the Imperials arrived to take care of the man and hope they wouldn't be too angry about the misunderstanding?"
Fey'lya was quick to retort. "If Calrissian hadn't been so incompetent as to fire a stun bolt at the already unarmed alien…"
Han had had enough. "That so-called incompetent man helped blow up the second Death Star, Fey'lya, so start showing him some respect! Same for Luke, Wedge and the others…they're ten times the heroes you'll ever be."
Leia's fingernails were biting into his skin like miniature knives but Han was passed caring. He could only handle listening to so much of the Bothan's poisonous insults. Fey'lya's fur rippled in what Han thought was indignation and the alien was about to respond when Mon Mothma's gavel came down on the table.
"That is enough, both of you! Clearly this situation has gotten out of hand but we cannot forget the important information we have also learned from the mission… We now know that Grand Admiral Thrawn is indeed alive and if so will likely be gathering his forces to strike at the New Republic once more. We also know that the Killisets are loyal to the Empire due to what they perceive to be the heroic rescue of their people from a disease. Given the trick the Empire played on the Noghri, I believe it is likely that a similar trick is at play here…In which case, the opportunity to question this "Dr. Theeon" may prove immensely helpful." Mon Mothma's calm and logic managed to soothe everyone at the table, at least enough to keep Han and Fey'lya away from each other's throats.
Beside him, Leia sighed and loosened her grip. "At any rate, we won't be able to fully gauge the situation until Luke and the others arrive, until then I will do all the research I can to find out everything about the Killisets, their plague and their Imperial connections as possible."
Mon Mothma nodded her assent. "If that is all, meeting adjourned."
Han helped Leia with her information disks and data cards, then guided her swiftly out of the room. He didn't want to spend a second longer in there than he had to. He was a little surprised that Leia didn't put up her normal resistance; usually he had to fight her to get her away from the meetings. They finally reached their quarters and Han felt a wave of relief as the door slid shut behind them. Leia immediately pulled away and moved to stand in the center of the room, her hands balled into fists. Han let out a sigh. It was clearly time to start apologizing…
"Leia, I…"
Suddenly, she whirled around, trembling with anger. "How dare he! How dare that backstabbing, good for nothing, son of a rancor say those things about our friends! He wasn't there, he doesn't know what they really went through…and I just had to sit there calmly and…" She finally seemed to notice the look of shock on Han's face and paused, speechless.
Han stared at her a moment before giving her one of his characteristic roguish smiles. "Wow am I ever glad it's Fey'lya you're mad at and not me!"
Leia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The flare of anger faded and she was left just looking tired and sad. Han hated seeing her like this. He moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her, she hugged him back. "Oh Han, how can I be mad at you for what you said? Everything you said was true…it was what I would have said if I could escape the need for diplomacy for just a few seconds…"
"Yeah it's lucky for you that I'm around to be un-diplomatic for you."
Leia looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks for not paying attention when I tried to stop you…"
"Oh think nothing of it. Even if you broke my hand I wouldn't have noticed…annoying Fey'lya has the most amazing effect on me…it's like a really powerful painkiller…" Han grinned as he watched Leia start to laugh. "If you think that's funny you should hear some of the jokes Lando and I came up with about him…"
Things are never truly awful…Han thought…so long as you can get the ones you love to laugh.
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Captain Pellaeon stood next to Grand Admiral Thrawn in the luxurious meeting room in the royal palace of Ashwaraseti, surrounded by Killiset officials representing all of the planets in the Killiset sector. When they had arrived at the palace's banquet hall, well over an hour late, Pellaeon had expected some form of anger from the aliens but instead they were met with great concern by the entire congregation. Of course, Thrawn masterfully used this to his advantage...announcing to everyone that Dr. Theeon had not only disappeared but that they had already found evidence of foul play. Gasps, shouts and even crying filled the air until the leader of the Royal Council managed to call everyone to order and usher the Imperials and Killiset officials into the meeting room.
"Oh great Imperial leaders, please sit down, you must be so distraught from your ordeal…" said the leader, Ek'swa'ra'det. He was grey haired but unusually tall for his species, almost reaching Thrawn's shoulder.
Thrawn shook his head. "I thank you for your generosity, my friend, but I cannot rest until I know my brother is safe."
One of the other officials spoke up, "What can we do to aid the Great Doctor? If there is a ransom, the people of my planet, Sikelti, will gladly help you pay…" The other officials all began agreeing and nodding their heads but Thrawn shook his head again and held up his hand.
"I am afraid it will not be so easy. You see, the evidence we found suggests that it was high ranking members of the New Republic government who kidnapped my brother, in which case they are unlikely to accept a ransom for his safe return." Thrawn's cool demeanour melted a bit, giving the smaller aliens a glimpse of his concern. "I fear they will punish him for my actions against their government or else force me to trade myself for his freedom and that would undoubtedly lead to my execution. I would gladly give my life for my brother but to do so would jeopardize the Empire that I have spent so much of my life fighting for."
Ek'swa'ra'det considered Thrawn's words carefully. "Perhaps we could accuse the New Republic of kidnapping a Killiseti citizen…both Dr. Theeon and yourself were going to be made honorary citizens of Seti I at today's banquet, but even without the ceremony the records are officially ready. Such a crime from a foreign government is considered an act of war by our people…"
"It is a great honour to be considered one of your citizens but I cannot ask for your people to join our war against the Republic…" Thrawn's voice was calm but Pellaeon was shocked. Wasn't the point to get people to join the Empire? Before he could voice his question Thrawn continued speaking. "You're people have suffered so much and are still recovering from that dreadful plague…you cannot afford to send people off to a war that is not even yours to fight."
The official from Sikelti spoke up again. "There must be something we can do!"
Thrawn gave a small smile. "Indeed there is. I would be grateful if you could spread my brother's story to your allies and trading partners. Tell them of the good work he has done for you, how you wanted to honour him with citizenship and how the New Republic stole him from the safety of your streets."
A look of understanding crossed Ek'swa'ra'det's face. "That is an excellent idea! We will shame the New Republic into letting him go! And if that is not enough, we will also encourage our allies and trading partners to boycott trade and products from the New Republic…Most of the planets and sectors in this region of space rely on each other and can easily do without trading with the New Republic…They need us more than we need them!"
"That is an excellent idea Ek'swa'ra'det. You are certain such an act would not affect your own people?" Thrawn asked. Pellaeon watched the admiral with admiration; here he was with a missing brother, yet still showing concern for the Killisets' well being. Looking around at the faces of the short aliens, he realized they were likely thinking the same thing.
"Oh Great Admiral Thrawn your compassion for the Killiset people knows no limits! We would be honoured to return your loyalty and we will do all we can to ensure the Hero Doctor Theeon's safety."
"I thank you but now we must go. My people and I must prepare ourselves…we are leaving tomorrow morning with the hope we will be able to catch up to the ship we believe the kidnappers used to take my brother." Thrawn bowed his head and Pellaeon followed suit.
The halls outside the meeting room had been cleared of guests and the Imperials made it to their shuttle with surprising speed. The Grand Admiral was very quiet as they made their way to the ship and the captain was uncertain if he should speak or leave the admiral to his thoughts.
"You must think I only care about my brother as a political pawn."
Pellaeon was a little caught off guard by the admiral's sudden statement and so he answered more honestly than he probably should have. "Actually, Admiral, you strike me as being very protective considering your brother is a grown adult…I mean…" He caught the other man's red eyes and was relieved when he smiled.
"As I often tell Theeon, no matter how old he gets or what accomplishments he achieves he will always be my kis'a'dabeo…and since I refuse to think of myself as old, he'll just have to be a child." Pellaeon chuckled at Thrawn's joke, a rare treat from the admiral, and took comfort that he was confident enough to still have some sense of humour. After all, things were never truly awful when a friend could still make you laugh.