I'm just going to warn you, readers, that I am intentionally vague at some points. Enjoy!
How to Lie Convincingly – Chapter 12
"There are two ways to be fooled: One is to believe what isn't so; the other is to refuse to believe what is so." -Soren Kierkegaard
Laenrs' large eyes narrowed as he spoke.
"Chandreela," he said, drawing out and savoring the word. "Lovelee planet, would you not agreee? Especialee dureeng thees time of yeear."
He paused for a moment, turning his profile to the pair and clasping his hands as he began to pace the hospital room.
"Eet would bee thee time of thee summer festeeval. But of course you already kneew that."
Again he paused, his long neck extending towards them as his face zeroed in menacingly. He then cocked his head to the side and withdrew, then continued pacing.
"And of course eet would not surprise you to know that Mon Mothma, deear Mon Mothman, ees not off-planet and unable to represent her home for our humble conference, but ees eenstead part of a kee-yourious organeezation—" he turned his whole body towards Han and Leia, "called a Rebelleeyon. You seee, thees eenterests mee great-lee. For what ees a Rebelleeyon? Ay know not. But heere ees where you can help me, Preencess Leia," Laenrs conceded, stretching his hand out to her.
"For are you not an eentegral feegure in this organeezation? You are a preencess, yes. First Ay thought it may bee a, well, pet-name from your "lifemate" heere. But no. As soon as you were brought heere weethout identeefeecation, wee were forced to take eemedeeyate actee-yon. You neeeded blood desperate-lee, and we ran some tests that revealed…something shockeeng. You lied, preencess, and that ees unacceptable. Now that wee know your true value, do not expect to remain heere for much longer. You weell bee transported to Coruscant by nightfall tomorrow. As for you, Captain, expect exeecut-eeyon around thee same time."
"Have a pleasant eveneeng," he said, voice full of mock-cheer. He nodded to one of his accompanying guards, "seal them in."
With hands clasped behind his back, Lord Laenrs exited the room.
It had been four minutes since Laenrs' exit, and neither of them had spoken. Leia took her hand out of Han's and lay down on the cot on her side, curling up and facing him.
Leia squeezed her eyes shut as a single tear escaped one closed lid.
Han readjusted his position on the cot and reached to stroke her hair once, reassuringly. She did not look at him. At this, Han got up and seated himself in a nearby chair used for visitors. He knew Leia could be a very private person, and decided to leave her be for a few minutes to collect herself.
As for you, Captain, expect execution around the same time.
Execution? What? Didn't the guy have any idea how much Han was worth to Jabba the Hutt?
The guy's an idiot to let me die! Bargaining chip number one right there…
"Han?"
Leia's quiet whisper drew Han from his thoughts. He sat forward, resting his palms on the corners of the armrests. Had he imagined her call? Slowly Han rose out of his seat and sat down on the bed again. He looked at her tenderly, questioningly.
"They don't know about y—"
"Shh." He put a finger to her lips, and mouthed this place is bugged.
Leia nodded, finally meeting his eyes. She looked over at the register on her nightstand, then back at him. Registers were often used to soothe the patient with music as they went to sleep, but this time Leia had a different idea.
Han interpreted her glance and turned the register up to full volume. Classical music started blaring out of the small speakers, and now Han and Leia were free to discuss their predicament. Han leaned in close to her ear. "I know they don't know about me an' Jabba, and that could come in handy later, but right now we just need to focus on getting out of here."
"I know. Its just…I'm sorry, Han. For all of this. I blew the mission. We didn't get to the weapons cache, and honestly I don't see a way out of here. This is it." Leia sighed and turned to lie on her back.
"Is that all?"
"What? I'm just resigning myself to the reality of our circumstances."
"Oh, so you're quitting."
"That's not the same thing."
"Okay, let's both die then!"
"Fine with me."
"Leia!"
"This will at least be better than having to go before the High Command and giving a mission failure debriefing," she huffed.
"Are you serious right now? Who are you and what have you done with my Leia?"
"Oh, your Leia?" she bristled.
"That's not important right now. What is important," he emphasized, touching her lightly on the nose, which she scrunched away from him, "is us gettin' back to the Falcon and on our way."
"Don't you think they've gotten to the Falcon already? They know who we are; they wouldn't just leave our ship be."
"Oh, our ship?"
"Shut up, Han. Even if we could get out of here, we'd still have a speeder ride across the cliffs. And I'm still in no condition to travel."
"Well, condition or no, you're comin' with me. I'm not letting you go now."
Leia gave him a small smile. "Han, I'm glad you're here."
To hell with being selfish. I just want him with me, one last time, before I lose it all – all over again.
"Me too, princess. Nowhere else I'd rather be."
That was the last thing he said before their lips met, classical music be damned.
Gotta hurry. Almost too late. Almost too late…
Kerr ran down the slopes of the Teesha Nai as fast as his fat legs could carry him. He had done just as Yano said, and it was time to put the operation into phase one.
Yano can get them out, I know it.
Out of breath, Kerr stopped to catch his breath. Running was not conducive for fat Gungans.
Suddenly classical music began blaring out of nowhere, and Kerr covered his sensitive ears.
"Ooooh! Mesa no likes thisa music!"
He trudged toward the source, angrily kicking dirt along the way.
Confused? Don't worry, it will all be cleared up soon ;)