Still here, still alive, still breathing...

Don't worry: Ord Mantell is coming up soon. Two more posts.

For those of you who are a little lost right now, the rebels are still on the base on Maroduos 5. They will be moving to Hoth in the next post. It has been almost two years since the battle of Yavin.

Also, in my version of the Galactic Calendar there are ten months in a year, each containing thirty days. So that's three weeks a month, with ten days per week.

By the way, does anyone know when Luke became a Commander?

everyone: I have written more!

arrow maker: Thank you! I always wondered why Leia didn't show more emotion in the movies. The girl lost her planet!

Princessmeg: Thank you!

Mara-look-alike: Thank you!

suzyq: Well, as for Han and Leia action we have a... confession, of a sort, in this chapter.

Clare: I made your day? Awww...

SailorLeia: Thank you!

New Girl: I'm still going.

stormygurlz: Thank you!

A Star Wars Fanatic: Always good to know who I'm answering! Thank you!

Pitdroid: Another kiss voter. What to do...

lurker1: Thank you!

Pokey1984: Unfortunately no, they weren't raised too well.

liz: Good ol'Wes.

Sithspawn-13: Four people in one 'fresher certainly wouldn't be that great...

Kazzy: Thank you!

owphoenix: Thank you!

Alright folks, confession time!


Message sent at 0600 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

ATTENTION REBELS:

Hoth has been deemed suitable for a base. We shall move there as soon as is possible.

The High Council


Message sent at 0607 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

ATTENTION REBELS:

We shall not be moving to Hoth as a Mr. Criis Crinkles (otherwise known as Sarta Clauses) is concerned of the danger a rebel base on Hoth will bring to his toy factory which is located, along with his team of flying banthas, somewhere on Hoth. Far be it from the rebellion to prevent the delivering of toys to little children this Gift Day.

The High Council


Meeting Transcript: On Subject of "We Have Had Enough With all the F----- Pranks"

Declaration 1: Antilles, Wedge, will have his computer terminal taken away from him and will join his friend, Wes Janson, in serving duty.

Declaration 2: [Quote, Jan Dodonna] If there is another prank – ever – in the history of the rebellion, I am not to be held responsible for what I do. [End Quote]


Message sent at 0835 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Wedge, man, you stole my act!

Janson


Message sent at 0836 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Nope, just beat you to it. You can't afford any more heat from the brass. I saved your butt, buddy.

Wedge


Message sent at 0838 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Far be it from me to interrupt this little dispute, but has anyone else noticed how, sad – depressed even – Luke's been lately? I know I mentioned it before, but it seems to have got worse. And no, Wesy boy, I don't think it's food poisoning. It's virtually impossible for the sugar-less, salt- less, taste-less (but chock full of nutrients) dried-out rocks they feed us to go bad.

Hobs


Message sent at 0838 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

He's probably just ticked-off because Han and Leia's relationship is heating up.

Janson


Message sent at 0838 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Luke doesn't even like Leia anymore. Besides, Han and Leia are most certainly not "heating up."

Wedge


Message sent at 0839 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

I don't know about that. I think Luke's still got it bad for Leia. But it can't have anything to do with that because, despite all Wesy's protests to the contrary, Leia and Han are not making any progress. Whenever those two are together, actually talking to each other it's in very loud voices, and not normally about relationship-based issues. Then, when they're not yelling, they hardly talk at all.

Hobs


Message sent at 0842 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Ah, but what they aren't saying could fill pages and pages of a data pad.

Janson


Journal of Princess Leia Organa

26th Day, 7th Month, 3043rd Year

So Hoth is to be our next base. Well.

Every now and then there comes a time in your life when you have to question, oh say, the SANITY of the Gods.

But I suppose the choice of making Hoth our next base really has nothing to do with the judgment of the Gods, and a whole lot more to do with the High Council's good sense. Which they have demonstrated will not even fill up an atom.

I honestly thought that our little scout mission to Hoth was unimportant, that Hoth was simply a last resort. Hey, even the rebellion has to have a backup plan.

Still, you have to wonder how many plans fell short for them to get to this one.

My therapist says that I won't need her for much longer. That I'm getting better, healing. Like I've said before, sweet, but hopelessly misguided.

It's strange that I've never written down my therapist's name here. As if not giving her an identity would somehow make her less real, make the fact that I needed a therapist at all less real.

Her name is Aspith Maro.

Perhaps she's right, and I am making progress. However, if finally giving your therapist a name in the diary
she gave you is progress I'd hate to see her worse-off clients.

All she seems to want to talk about these days is Han, Han, Han. Do you love him, Leia? Are you feeling an attraction to him, Leia? You can tell me, Leia. It's all private, Leia. I won't tell anyone, Leia.

As if I haven't been embarrassed enough in front of her without her knowing about my love-life, which happens to be non-existent. And whatever happened to Alderaan, if you please? I could be wrong, but I think a planet's destruction might be a slightly more important topic than a child's crush on an older man. Because that's all I feel, I've decided. It's all I can feel. It can't be anymore important than that. And, after all, why trouble Han by letting him know about such a childish notion.

Han. I have no idea of what is going on between us. Except for the fact that what I feel is nothing more than a crush; of that I'm very certain. Very certain.

Still, these days, it's so strange. We've fought for so long... it's hard to break old habits. No matter how much you want to.

Whenever one of us starts a civil conversation, the other provokes it into a fight. He by sexual innuendoes, myself with jabs at his ship, at him. And then there's banter, when we spar verbally for our amusement, and, more often than not, the amusement of our friends. Hell, the entire base gets a kick out of it.

However, Han has recently come up with new ammunition for our arguments: threats of leaving. Sure, he always grumbles about it to Chewie and Luke when he's made to do something he doesn't want to do, but it was a joke! Silly taunts between friends, harmless, never meant to be thrown at someone in contempt during an argument. So now Han has the upper hand, because I can't very well come up with anything to match the threat of departing, save threatening to actually kill him. At least not while I'm so unsure of the state of our relationship.

Relationship? We have a relationship now, Organa? Grow up.

Truth told I have no idea how he feels about me. I know how I feel about him: I have a school-girl crush, which I
will get over, but no idea what he thinks of me. He flirts, yes, but he does that with all the women he meets. But this Sweetheart's Day he gave me a bracelet.

Not what the hell is that about? I think I've got the man figured out and then he goes and buys me a bracelet? Does he enjoy causing me emotional trauma?

I'm wearing it now. The bracelet, that is, not emotional trauma, though I'm experiencing some of that too. It's a silly little thing, linked hearts made out of some kind of metal, and it jangles as I move to type.

But he's leaving, so I really shouldn't be wearing his bracelet. I shouldn't be writing about him at all. I should simply be concentrating on the fact that what I feel is a crush. I'll just repeat that to myself, like a mantra, and everything will be fine.

Ha. Take that Aspith: I
can fall out of love by will.

This better work though; because, unlike the Rebellion, I have no backup plan. None.

Falcon Ship Log

Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

The kid is a nutcase. All that Jedi/ Force stuff is going to his head. Damn hokey religion is teaching him self-sacrifice, or something.

He's been all broody lately. I thought it might have something to do with hormones and that whole being a teenager deal. (I just found out that he's just nineteen. Nineteen! And the Princess, too! Sith, it makes a guy feel really old.) But Luke recently blew that theory to hell.

He came over to the Falcon today, looking a bit dejected. He came in and we had a drink. We were just having a pointless conversation and, completely outta the blue, he says: "Look Han, I'll step aside for you if you want to, you know... go after Leia."

(See what I mean with the whole self-sacrifice thing.)

My reply wasn't exactly my best ever. It was probably a monosyllable "What?" or something, but in my defense I was kinda socked. Luke, looking really dejected at this point, just repeats it then bolts for the ramp. I caught up with him and dragged him back to the holo-chess table. Getting the rest of the story was like pulling a gnakel's teeth, but he finally told me.

Turns out he has this crazy theory that I like the Princess. (Okay, so he's right. But, I'm not going to tell him that.) The kid also thinks she's got something for me too, which would be nice, if I wasn't so sure he was wrong. He repeated that he'd step aside.

Man, the kid must really believe what he's saying if he's serious about this whole stepping-aside deal. So maybe Leia really – never mind.

I pretty much denied the whole Leia thing, told him he was crazy, saw him to the ramp, then went back into my cabin and got very, very drunk. I woke up with a major headache, an empty bottle, and a much better idea of what I'm going to do.

The way I see it, if Luke of all people can tell I have a thing for Her Worship, then a lot of other people must know too. That means either Leia knows, or she will soon. So, damn it, the time to leave is now. I can't keep sticking around here, no matter how pretty Leia is, no matter how beautiful her eyes are – Damn it, Solo.

I'll leave. Just as soon as I get a goodbye kiss.

Journal of Princess Leia Organa

26th Day, 7th Month, 3043rd Year

I believe I just made the worst mistake of my life. Honestly. I might as well kill myself now. It would be simple because the authorities would stock it up to the another-Alderaanian-loses-their-marbles file. No one would suspect. Except maybe Luke.

Luke. Poor, sweet, darling Luke. I think I'll have to lend Aspith to him now; he must be psychologically damaged after what I did.

Gods, why did I
do that? Sure, I was feeling vulnerable and hurt from my fight with Han in the mess, but what possessed me..... ?

Oh sweet goddess, that fight was something else. We've fought so much you'd think I'd be used to it by now, but this time our fight was over a goodbye. He said he was leaving. Soon. For real. For good.

Of course, he has to get clearance first, and that could take days...

After the fight, or rather in the middle of it, I ran away to my quarters. Not exactly a mature or striking response, but I am so tired of being strong. Luke must have followed me, because the next thing I know he's pounding on my door, begging to be let in. I let him in and the rest is a mess, a jumble of words and time. Luke telling me that he had offered to step aside for Han and me (I hadn't realized he even still felt that way about me), that Han had blown him off. All I could think was: how is this relevant? Han is
leaving. Can't you see I don't care?

Then Luke said I should tell Han how I felt. My mind was too confused, too bewildered to send out warnings of how close we were getting to an area I had so strategically avoided before. And my blood was still running hot from the argument; I had no idea what I was doing, so I shouted that Han couldn't care less how I felt. Then Luke – shy, bashful Luke – gathered me up in his arms.

I honestly have no idea why I did it.

It was a stupid reaction.

I shouldn't have kissed him.

Shouldn't have wrapped my arms around him. Shouldn't have pressed up against him. Shouldn't have, shouldn't have, shouldn't have.

Luke stopped me, though. Pushed me away gently, and told me that I didn't know what I was doing.

I really shouldn't have said what I did then. Shouldn't have looked up and told him "No, I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm falling in love with Han." Should NOT have.

Luke shushed me, told me it was alright, but the damage was done. I admitted to Han's closest friend that I loved Han. There's no helping it: Luke will surely tell Han now.

Han Solo. Surely the surname should have at least warned me away, but no Organa, you just had to go and do it. Defy everyone and fall for the pirate. One tiny, teensy glitch in the plan, being:
He's a Gods damned pirate! And pirates' sure as hell don't stop and get married during their illegal trips about the galaxy!

Now you see why I must end my life. Either mine or Han's. Ironic that my demise is to be over a childish crush (yes, I am still sticking to that mantra. If I have to go, I might as well go with dignity) and not the destruction of my planet.

Oh sith. I just realized that by writing this down here, everyone will know why I killed myself. I will not give Han the pleasure of knowing that he, literally, annoyed me to death. I suppose I'll have to live now. Darn.

Message sent at 1543 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Guys! Leia loves Han! She just told me, actually admitted it!

Problem is, do we tell Han?

Luke


Message sent at 1546 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Hell yes, boy. I need the cash.

Hobs


Message sent at 1548 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Come on Hobs, that's selfish to Leia. Still agree with you though. Sorry Luke, but I would be more inclined to think of Leia's feelings if I had two credits to rub together.

Wedge


Message sent at 1549 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Why you two are a bunch of money-loving bastards... I have taught you so well! Look Lukie, if you don't tell him one of us will and it's probably better coming from you.

Janson


Message sent at 1550 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

I'll do it, but only because I want Han to hear the truth from me rather than a ridiculous story from you. How do I reach him?

Luke


Message sent at 1552 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Message him. But wait, we're being insensitive here. I'm sorry, Luke. That must have really hurt, hearing that from Leia.

Hobs


Message sent at 1553 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Not really. I already knew. 'Sides, I placed a bet.

Luke


Message sent at 1555 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Hold it. You still got the hots for Leia?

Janson


Message sent at 1555 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

What a sensitive way of asking, Wes.

Wedge


Message sent at 1556 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

It's okay, Wedge. And yeah, I still like her.

Luke


Message sent at 1557 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

You owe me ten credits, Wes.

Hobs


Message sent at 1559 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

You bet on everything and you're gonna run out of money.

Luke


Message sent at 1601 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Another jewel of that ol'Jedi wisdom.

Wedge


Message sent at 1602 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

I'm messaging Han now. I don't have to take this abuse.

Luke


Message sent at 1605 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Han? You there? This is kind of important.

Luke


Message sent at 1605 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Make it quick kid. The Falcon's acting up.

-Solo


Message sent at 1606 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

When is it not?

Luke


Message sent at 1607 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

I'm warning you kid...

-Solo


Message sent at 1609 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

All right. I really don't know how to tell you this. I was talking with Leia earlier... and, well, she sai-


WARNING:

BASE POWER HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. YOUR COMPUTER TERMINAL WILL TURN OFF IN TEN SECONDS.
Message sent at 1611 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

ATTENTION REBELS:

We do not know what caused the base to power down, but we are investigating it right now. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The High Council


Message sent at 1613 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Hey, did the lights go out where you guys were?

Janson


Message sent at 1614 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

They went out everywhere, Wes.

Wedge


Message sent at 1615 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Did anyone else hear the blaster shot?

Hobs
Message sent at 1617 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

What?

Luke


Message sent at 1618 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

No, but I sure as hell heard screaming. Why is it that everyone screams when the lights go out?

Janson


Message sent at 1619 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Ingrained childhood fear of the dark.

Wedge


Message sent at 1621 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Sith, I'm serious. I think you heard screams because of the blaster sh - oh Gods, someone was hit.

Hobs


Message sent at 1623 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Where? Who?

Luke


Message sent at 1624 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Outside my quarters. I can't see through all the people... It looks like a woman. Oh Gods, there's blood everywhere.

Hobs


Message sent at 1624 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

We're coming. Hang in there, Hobbie.

Janson


Base Hospital: Patient Log

Name of Patient: Organa, Leia

Injuries: Blaster wound to hip.

Cause of Injuries: Well, obviously a blaster shot.


Meeting Transcript: On Subject of Who Shot Princess Leia Organa

Typed up once again by Wes Janson. And yes, the alternate typist is in his closet, but I don't think anyone will really care. What with the last princess of Alderaan lying in sick-bay with a blaster hole in her hip and everything...

Seated around the meeting table is Supreme Commander Mon Mothma, General Carlist Rieekan, and General Jan Dodonna, and a technician (different one from last time) – the usual crowd.

The atmosphere is understandably tense; no one's quite meeting each other's eyes. Hell, Mothma hasn't even noticed me yet. Oh, wait, I think I might have jinxed myself:

Mon Mothma (Looking a bit tired): Janson, what are you doing here?

Janson: Typing, ma'am.

She sighs, but says nothing more. (See what I mean; listless, the whole lot of them. Damn, when I find out who shot that girl I am going to- Oops. I forgot you can't swear in these things.)

The reason we're here is because Princess/Senator Leia Organa was shot in the hip from close range during a short black-out when the whole base powered down for approximately 1.24 time parts. (Whew; long sentence.) She is currently in critical care, perhaps dying, we still don't know why the power went off or if it will happen again, and there is a blaster- toting idiot running around free. Good reason for a meeting? I think so.

Mon Mothma: Alright, gentlemen. We have a crisis on our hands. I believe the logical thing to do at this point would be t-

The door of the meeting room opens and in race Captain Han Solo, Pilot Luke Skywalker, and the Wookiee Chewbacca; in short the entire rescue-Leia team, without the droids. Oh wait, here they come; droids C3PO and R2D2. Lovely.

Mon Mothma: And just what do you think you are doing?

Solo (Angrily): We think we have a right to have a say in what happens to who ever shot Leia.

Mon Mothma trades looks with both Rieekan and Dodonna. (The technician remains ignored, poor guy. No wonder we have a shortage of them.)

Mon Mothma: Fine. Sit down. (Did no one teach this woman manners?)

Han Solo looks a bit surprised at having his demands met, but he sits down along with Luke, and Chewie. The droids remain standing.

Mon Mothma: As I was saying, at this point we have no options. Our little traitor has no doubt told the Empire the location of our base, but considering he is still with us – unidentified too – it would be foolish to leave. We can do nothing until the traitor in question is caught. Until that time I believe it will be in our best interests to issue a lockdown. Have everyone go to their quarters and remain there.

Rieekan: I agree. Our traitor will probably get nervous at the thought of a lockdown and attempt to leave. We should also post guards at all ships until he is caught. (He turns to the technician.) Is it at all possible for the power to go out again?

Technician: Not by itself, but I suggest we post guards there too.

Dodonna: Good idea. Until then gentle beings.

Everyone rises, except Han Solo.

Solo (Quietly, as if to himself): You better live, Leia, so you can tell these guys how they should have gone about catching this bastard.


Falcon Ship Log

Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't mind being locked in the Falcon, but right now I just wanna be in sick-bay with Leia. Wanna see her open her eyes, smile at me. Wanna hear her tell the doctors she's fine and she'll be leaving now, if you please. Only Leia Organa could sweet talk her way out of a hospital.

Obviously I haven't left yet. I mean, I pride myself on being a cold, heartless, mercenary as much as the next guy, just not when Leia's lying on a bunk with a hole in her hip. I'll leave just as soon as she gets better and we find the asshole who did this to her. Cause she will get better. She's gonna be fine. I don't care what the doctors say, I don't care how much blood she's lost.

She just can't... She'll be fine. She has to be.

Message sent at 2453 hours, Day 26, Month 7, Year 3043

Captain Solo,

We have caught our culprit. If you wish, you may return to the meeting room now.

The High Council


Meeting Transcript: On Subject of Whether or Not to Leave For Hoth

Yep, still me, Janson. Don't worry though; I gave the other guy some food. He'll be fine. Now, on to the important stuff:

We have found the idiot who shot Leia. Turns out it was Macer Kit. She was caught trying to steal one of the X-wings and is currently locked up. She stated, when questioned, that the Empire did indeed know the position of the current rebel base here on Maroduos 5. However, she said, they did not know that our next base was Hoth. The question the Council faces is to believe her.

Our crowd is sitting around the meeting table, with the absence of the tech (Lucky bastard. It's one in the morning.)

Mon Mothma: I don't trust her.

Solo: Well, no one trusts an imp.

Mon Mothma: Please try to refrain from comment, Captain Solo.

Solo: Hey, you invited us back.

Mon Mothma: I didn't. Rieekan did.

Solo: Point is; I'm here.

Mon Mothma (Under her breath): I wish you weren't.

Solo (Angrily): Hey!

Rieekan: Ah, we're wasting time here people.

Mon Mothma (Looking embarrassed.): Right. Well. As I was saying I think she's lying.

Janson: Actually, the record has you saying you don't trust her.

Mon Mothma: Well now I'm saying I think she's lying. Can we continue?

Janson: Please do.

All is quiet except the grinding of our Supreme Commander's teeth.

Rieekan: But why would she lie? If we move to Hoth and the imps attack, she goes down too.

Dodonna: True. But what if she wants to play martyr?

Solo: She doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would do that.

Mon Mothma: She also didn't strike us as the kind of person to be an imperial spy.

Rieekan: It might not be wise if we move now anyway, with so many in sick-bay. I know that Leia, for instance, might not survive the journey.

Mon Mothma: We would be better off moving to save all our lives than not moving to save a few.

Dodonna: And if the imps know of Hoth and catch us in space-

Mon Mothma: It will be infinitely better than if they catch us grounded.

Solo: Wait, what d'you mean, Leia won't survive the trip?

Chewbacca: (Well, he said something that sounded like "Grrah". I think he was agreeing with Solo.)

Rieekan: It means exactly what it sounds like. Leia is not strong enough to be moved at this point.

Luke: Maybe we should wait a few days, then move. At least long enough for her to get stronger.

Mon Mothma: We cannot hold up an entire evacuation for one girl.

Solo (Threateningly): And why not?

Rieekan (Putting a hand on Solo's arm): Because the entire base could be destroyed. I don't think Leia would want us to wait for her, Han.

Solo slumps back in his seat, looking dejected.

Mon Mothma: Shall we issue a full scale evacuation, then.

Dodonna: If we leave for Hoth now there will be no food and minimal medical supplies there.

Mon Mothma: I'd prefer to be hungry than full and dead.

Rieekan: Issue the evacuation.

Luke: What about Leia?

Rieekan: We will just have to be very careful moving her. Am I right in assuming you prefer her close to you, Captain Solo?

Solo nods. He looks very pale.

Rieekan: Then Leia will fly in the Falcon.

Janson: Leia's gonna be alright, Han.

Solo (In an attempt at his old banter): If she's not I'm going to stuff that data pad down your throat.

Janson: You won't be able to. I'm going to stuff it down that Kit chick's throat.

Luke: Get in line.
Message sent at 0234 hours, Day 27, Month 7, Year 3043

ATTENTION REBELS:

All personal board a transport. Any transport. This is an emergency evacuation.

This is not a test.

The High Council


Yet another Cliffie. I'd better not make a habbit out of this...

Tell me what you think!

LL