Millennium Falcon

"Ahhhhhhhh" Shouted Threepio strapped into his seat in the cockpit.

Han grinned as Chewbacca roared.

"Relax, this is nothing. It isn't even that hard to maneuver," Han insisted.

Leia held on tight, covering her face occasionally.

The asteroids were large and far enough apart, but they seemed to be moving, though slowly. As they moved through the field, they came close to the cockpit window, but they dodged them easy enough. There were a few ships that were even bigger that were moving through as well. They seemed to know where and how to get through the rocky route and had done so many times before.

"There! That's it," Han said pointing to the large one in the distance.

As they approached, a dispatcher called out to them, and they gave the false codes and identification that Cracken had specified to use. They landed inside a large structure that was underneath a structure that appeared to be a very large stretched out building. The dock they landed in would have to call in their supplies. It would take a couple of hours so they considered going exploring in the small village that made up the building. Leia put on a hood and disguised herself a bit, and Han tried to do the same with a coat and a hat. Chewie really wanted to sleep and asked them to bring him back something good to eat. Threepio would be put in charge of watching the ship. Once they got out of the dock, it was bustling with eateries, shops of all kinds, a small casino, an illicit place that promised sexual favors from twelve different species and four different genders, and glitterstim dealers which lined the courtyard. There were also food venders and fruit stands and foods of all types for sale as well as services such as grooming, horn polishing and hair styling.

"They probably have a princess jail here," Leia whispered in Han's ear.

"This is nothing. More of a spacer's stop. Galaxy is full of 'em. Drop off, pick up, fuel up, etc." Han whispered back.

They picked up something hot to eat from a vender, and walked to the end of the corridor where the lifts moved up to rooms you could rent, or places that spacer's could stop for massages or bathing. Then they walked back the other line of shops where they found a place that sold various snacks and foods and stocked up. They had various treats from systems all over the galaxy, and it was a bit overwhelming, but Leia looked at her allotted credits and got as much as she food and drinks as she could. They took it all back to the ship along with a large chunk of wrapped up nerf for Chewie so they could be there when the shipment was delivered.

It was still a bit of a wait for the delivery, but it was brought over on time by an Abednedo man who just brought the cart over, handed over the manifest and walked away. Leia checked it over, and they looked inside to make sure it was what it was supposed to be. Han scanned it a few times, to make sure it wasn't a trap, or had trackers. They called Chewie out, who was still inside eating his nerf and a bit annoyed by the interruption, to help put the cargo into the cargo hold.

"That's not a lot of bacta, but I'm sure it will be put to use. A lot of other materials we need though. I don't know how they are managing," Leia said as she overlooked the contents of the cargo.

Chewie roared.

"Try rolling it then! You don't have to pick it all up. We can borrow the cart!" Han yelled at him, trying to get everything on board.

When it was on board, they got back into the ship and left the asteroid. After getting back into the asteroid belt, they were hailed.

"You in the freighter! That's our cargo?" the ship called out.

Han called back, "Like hell it is!"

"It will be! Surrender or die!" the pilot threatened.

"Chewie raise the rear shields," Han ordered.

The ship started to shake as the other ship started to fire, Han sent some return fire from the cockpit.

"I'm going to the lower gun well," Leia called out running out of the cockpit.

"Just strap in, it's gonna be bumpy," Han yelled out.

He moved the ship sideways, and Leia held onto the side trying to climb down to the gun. She was able to get herself into the seat and called on the comm, "I see them!"

"I think I can lose them. Keep and eye on it," Han called back dodging asteroids.

The other ship fired again and something did hit them. Leia started fire towards it, grazing a hit on the other ship's starboard side, bouncing it, and making it fire back again.

In the cockpit, Threepio was frantically screaming.

"Keep quiet, goldenrod," Han yelled.

Chewie roared.

Han grazed an asteroid then backed around another one and then another one as the other ship chased them, it getting hit by the asteroids in the process. Leia took another hit on the ship, and while it didn't destroy the ship, it disabled it enough that it seemed to be dead in space.

"Come on back up, sweetheart, we lost it. We should be good now," Han called into the comm to Leia.

"Oh thank goodness," Threepio said with relief. "If only we could get into hyperspace. Why do you put me in these situations anyway?"

Leia ran back up and got back into the cockpit, out of breath.

"We should be out of here soon, then we can hit hyperspace," Han said still moving through the asteroids.

The ship rocked and Threepio was still nervous, so Leia shut him down. Chewie roared with relief.

"Who was that?" Leia asked. "Did they even know who we are?"

"Someone that probably just tries to steal whatever comes at them. I imagine it's some organization that runs out of that whole operation. How do you think they get most of that stuff in that place?" Han explained.

"We bought stolen goods?" Leia questioned.

"Who knows. Some of it might be legit. We aren't legit, the whole Rebel Alliance isn't legit. What does it matter?" Han laughed. "Ok, we should be good now, strap in."

They went into hyperspace headed for Almania.

/

Rebel Fleet – Home One

Mon Mothma went over the intel that had come in from Nakadia. Even though it seemed to be an insignificant place, the Imperial intelligence access they were able to gather there was a boost to the Alliance and the fact that they had success there gave Mon Mothma the hope she desperately needed in these troubling times. The threat of yet another Death Star. It put a chill through her bones. These smaller victories, however, boosted her confidence. She could handle the responsibility on her shoulders, she was sure of it. There never seemed to be a break from that though, and she felt like everyone treated her as an enigma whenever she interacted with anyone who wasn't in High Command. Even there in High Command, though many she had known for years and felt were her friends, she was still who she was. Their leader.

She needed to go over something with Admiral Ackbar and met him on the bridge of the ship where he did most of his work. There with him was the charming Lando Calrissian who he had recently put to work aiding him in some of his technical and management work. It was a way to keep an eye on the suspicious new recruit, but also a way to put some of the man's known skills to work. This way they could do both having a close eye on him. Who knows, he might end up being quite valuable. She had expected less with a few others and had gotten more before, hadn't she?

When she arrived, Admiral Ackbar was looking over the shoulder of Calrissian as he was going over some suggestions of reorganization of some of the details of the workings of the fleet in order to make them more efficient. As Mon Mothma entered the room, Calrissian's head went up and he stood at attention and shook his head and smiled with that grin of his.

"Admiral, Calrissian," Mon acknowledged them with a gentle stern manner.

"Ma'am, you look absolutely stunning today. Please, have a seat, join us," Calrissian graciously stated pointing to one of the seats near their work station.

"Mon, you would not believe some of the ideas Calrissian has suggested. Shuttle runs on a schedule instead of on demand to minimize fuel use, shift changes to manage time and supply organization. When he puts the numbers together, they really do look good as far as using the Alliance's resources to it's best advantage," Ackbar informed her gruffly.

"Let me have a look here," Mon went over some of the data, "Well, we'll still need some on demand shuttles. We do have emergencies."

"Yes, but if you notice, most of the shuttle use could be reduced to time, and you could even put less pilots on duty using them in more effective ways, such as assignments and supply runs," Calrissian pointed out. "This whole cycle here, every shuttle use could have been timed and held more staff on board, thus giving waste and man power to the operation," Calrissian said staring into her eyes.

Mon felt a bit of a flutter. There was something so charming about Calrissian, and she was sure he was that way with everyone. It had been a while though since even the most charming of the Rebel Fleet would even act as if she were a real person, rather than Mon Mothma, leader of the Rebel Alliance. Calrissian seemed to actually be flirting with her, and she sure did enjoy it. Oh, she was sure it was his personality, after all, Ackbar absolutely had become enamored by the man, but something inside of her made her feel something she felt had been long lost. She found him quite attractive, and he couldn't be too much younger than her, maybe something like 8 years if that? He definitely was a grown man and it had been for quite some time. She was surprised at herself for drifting from the focus of the discussion, the efficiency of running an Alliance fleet, to the flatter and charms of this delightful and handsome man. She was a bit discombobulated.

"Ah, yes, it does seem to be some interesting suggestions. We could certainly try implementing some of this on a few of the ships. See how the system works out, then if it is successful, we could make it policy," Mon said looking at the figures and trying to keep a clear head.

"I'm glad you like it," Calrissian said, his eyes twinkling. "I'd like to go over a few other things with you as well ma'am, some things I know about supply networks. I might even have a few contacts I can get you in touch with. They have no love of the Empire I assure you."

"Perhaps later over caf?" Mon found herself saying. Over caf? Not in the conference room or with General Dodonna or here in Ackbar's workstation at the bridge? What had gotten into her!

"I'd love that," Calrissian said, taking her hand and kissing it.

Mon melted. Ackbar, though thinking Calrissian's behavior a bit unorthodox, assumed it was just the way with some human cultures, and ignored the gesture.

Later, Mon in her private sitting room fretted over the seating arrangements and if it would be too forward to have the meeting at the small sitting table or on the lounger. She really wanted to have the set up at the lounger. It was comfortable, and in her mind, she thought it would be easier to look over the holos there, but honestly the closeness of the gorgeous and charming Lando Calrissian was too tempting not to have him sitting right next to her in the comfortable lounger. Her assistant went over a few details with her in the sitting room. She felt a bit sad that there was only caf and ration bars. Oh, Mon, get yourself together, this is just a meeting about supply contacts. It wasn't that uncommon for her to have meetings in her sitting room. Jan Dodonna often came there for the privacy or the late night last minute unexpected emergency. Draven would often find something important to go over while she happened to be in her private chambers. This was something different and she knew it, but she had to pretend it wasn't.

Her assistant let Calrrisian in and Mon stood stiffly, yet warmly inviting him to sit, already with the galactic map holo shining above the table. Calrissian took her hand.

"It's such a pleasure to be able to spend some time with you, and you didn't have to go to so much trouble," He said taking her hand and kissing it.

"Calrissian, it is not common for members of the Alliance to take my hand in such a way, in public that is. I hope you'll understand. As leader of this noble cause, there is a certain decorum in place," Mon Mothma pointed out, gently but sternly.

"Ma'am, I do not wish to be forward, however, you are a woman, and I've always admired beautiful women and have given them the greatest respect," Calrissian smiled his eyes twinkling. "But I do understand. You are in charge here and there's a great responsibility and expectation to that. I imagine it has to be a burden to you as well."

"Indeed, Calrissian, sometimes it certainly is. I've taken it quite seriously though. I do hope that any of the soldiers, pilots, workers, and the rest of my people can feel comfortable coming to me with anything in spite of that. Why just the other day, I caught a young pilot off guard a bit drunk from the homemade 'jet juice' after a loss. I don't believe he knew who I was until it was too late, and I'm sure it he is now mortified to realize it was me. However, I knew he was merely having his own moment where he needed to collect some of his more darker thoughts and escape from the rigors of war. I myself am rarely allowed that privilege," Mon explained.

"Well, I do hope you and I can become friends. Believe me, I know what it's like to have the responsibility of others on your shoulders and the burdens of that," Lando soothed.

"Ah yes, your city in the clouds and your mining concern. I hope once we are successful, and I need to believe we will be in our defeating the Emperor, that you may one day have that operation back in your control again," Mon Mothma spoke firmly.

"Well, that's one of the reasons I've decided to help you all here with the Rebel Alliance, ma'am," Lando stated. "Now, let me show you what I have in mind."

Mon drifted a bit. Oh, I can think of a few things you can have on your mind. She caught herself. Must not let that show. My though isn't he attractive. Certainly there have been more attractive men come under her command, those young pilots who are merely eye candy, nothing more. It's a fleeting amusement. This man? Oh, he would know what to do for a woman like myself.

"What!" Mon spoke out loud.

"Now, I know he's not a legitimate businessman, ma'am, but how many of those you do business with are?" Lando repeated. She had completely ignored most of what he had been saying.

"Yes, of course, and you are correct. Calrissian, I could put you in touch with Draven. He could get a man to contact whomever you believe may be able to organize deals as such that you describe," Mon said trying to cover the fact she allowed her mind to drift.

She stared into his eyes. Oh, she could tell he was a scoundrel and probably left many hearts broken in his lifetime. That was of no concern for her. It could even be an asset. He would expect nothing else from her. She was sure of it. He wasn't an official member of the Alliance, not yet. It wouldn't be unorthodox for her to be more forward. She saw him pointing at a system on the map, she really wasn't paying attention at all, just staring into his eyes. As he looked towards her, she moved her face up to his and he then grabbed her head and she kissed him moving him down to the lounger.

Lando came up for air, "I thought we'd never get around to this, but I knew you'd come around." His smile was wide and he shook his head as he grinned.

"This is just between us you know, and we must still maintain a professional relationship," Mon explained.

"Oh, I understand completely. A powerful woman like you has needs like everyone else, and believe me, I think I'm the man who can give you what you need," Lando said looking up to her as smoothly and seductively as he could. He grabbed her close and wrapped his arms around her and she kissed him deeply.

She then sat up, collected herself, spoke into her comm to her assistant. "Please make sure I'm not disturbed for the next hour or so. Thank you."

She put the comm on the table, turned off the annoying holo map of the galaxy, and started to undo the shirt of Lando Calrissian.

"Oh, Your Excellence," Lando growled as he swooped in and kissed her moving her back down onto the lounger.

"Let me pull this dress off!" Mon panted heavily.

"Anything the lady wants, the lady gets," Lando said seductively helping her with her garment. "You are absolutely stunning."

"And you are so devilishly handsome!" Mon said going in for another deep kiss and tearing off the rest of his clothes.

"You're right, I am," he grinned as he placed a hand on her right breast and pulled her closer to him.

/

Telos IV- Spaceport Cantina

The place was cramped, but in the quiet corner sat two bounty hunters and an interested party who had been seeking them out. He had information and knew they would be happy to pay for it. The Dug stretched out his hand to Bossk for a credit. Bossk placed the credit in his hand, and the Dug spoke. Dengar put his blaster down into it's holster.

"So, here we were, and we see it. I know it has to be the same ship," the Dug offered. "I know they've been looking for that YT-1300 freighter for a while, and we tried to board it. Crippled our ship bad though. Captain was fuming. Would have called the Imps right there, but he didn't want the attention. Even with the credits they were offering. Thought we'd get the occupants in the hold and take them right to them, but it didn't work out that way."

"And you saw this out there at that spacer's station? The one in the 'field?" Denger asked.

The Dug put out his hand again, hoping for more credits, "They stopped to pick something up. One of the hanger guys tipped us off. Recognized the ship."

"Why didn't you try in the hanger then?" Dengar spit then continued, "Did they say where they were going?"

The Dug put out his palm again, Bossk swat it. The Dug spoke, "We saw them leave the 'field. I'm sure they headed for hyperspace. We lost them, but not without me shooting them with one of these." He pulls something out of his pocket. "We hit them, just rocked them a bit, but they have a tracker on the hull now. For a few more credits, I'll give you the tracer."

Bossk growled and put a few in his hand. "You better not be lying, because I'll find you, and I'll kill you."

"I swear. I don't want any part of this, but I knew you were looking for it. I know better than to try to get bounties from the Empire myself. I'm a simple Dug, I just want to work, live, and make my way in the galaxy. I leave the risk to those like you," The Dug answered meekly.

"How did you get this device then?" Dengar grunted.

"Some secrets, I'll keep to myself," the Dug answered.

Bossk and Dengar made their way out of the cantina and to their ship. This time, they actually had something solid, and if not, not only was that Dug dead, but they would be as well. When they returned to their ship, they waited for a ping. They slept in the ship waiting for the signal, then after some time, the notification came off on the tracker.

"Heading for the Almania system. Contact the Admiral and hope that kriffing Dug wasn't lying," Bossk growled.

/

Dagobah

Luke was actually sore. The day of digging, the workout to the cave, and the emotional stress got to him. A full night of sleep on the floor of Yoda's hut didn't do much to help. He woke up stiff and in physical pain. Yoda had prodded him awake like he did almost everyday, as if he were lazy and his servant rather than his student. Yoda silently placed the bowl of root leaf on the ledge for Luke to eat and sat down and ate his own.

Luke was having a hard time getting up and pleaded, "No digging today, please."

"Hmmmmph," Yoda replied taking a bite of his breakfast.

Yoda put on a kettle, and then made some caf. It had been the first time he had made caf for Luke since he had been there. He had made a cup after Leia and Han had left, and then when Luke arrived, he hid it away. To Yoda, it was a rare treat. Something he hadn't had in a long time, but today he could tell it might give Luke a boost. He wouldn't do so verbally though. The boy needed to work this out on his own. Still, this one kindness, he would enjoy. He could tell he had pain, and it did bother him. He wanted to see what Luke did with his pain, if it angered or frustrated him, or if he could work beyond it. Yoda poured the cup of caf and handed it to Luke, who took it eagerly.

"Caf? How did you get caf?" Luke asked knowing that there was no caf to be had on Dagobah and if Yoda had a supplier who frequently visited off world.

"Hmmmph," is all he answered.

"Leia?" Luke asked, remembering that she had come.

Yoda nodded, "Tricked Captain Solo I did," then Yoda laughed.

Luke laughed a little. It warmed Yoda to know that Luke was not angry enough that he couldn't be in good humor even though he was stiff and sore.

"Exercises we do today," Yoda demanded.

Luke nodded trying to keep up his spirits. He just hoped they weren't too strenuous.

Yoda started him on stretching and relaxing. "Calm you must be."

Then it moved to balancing on his hands then on one finger. Then Yoda did something crazy. While Luke was balancing, Yoda started to climb up Luke as if he were a tree.

"Focus, you must focus," Yoda insisted, while Luke wobbled wondering exactly what Yoda had in mind.

Yoda them himself balanced on Luke's foot, as Luke balanced on one hand. "Stack the rocks you will, focus you shall."

Luke lost his balance momentarily as he was starting to move the rocks. Yoda screamed, "Focus! Focus!"

Luke stacked the rocks, then as an added bonus, lifted up Artoo who started screeching. When Luke was calm and confident he smiled and Yoda himself felt calm atop Luke's foot as he continued to balance. One thing that Luke did notice was that his pain and soreness had totally disappeared. He started to lower Artoo when he heard a loud noise. Artoo tumbled, Yoda cried out and Luke fell down to the ground in the dirt.

"Hmmmmph," Yoda said picking himself up and dusting himself off.

Obi-Wan then appeared, "You ask too much of the boy."

"Too much? Too little!" Yoda chastised his ghostly friend.

"Patience Obi-Wan, Yoda knows what he's doing," Qui-Gon warned.

Luke looked out to see that his x-wing had fallen deeper in the mud. "Now, I'm never going to get that out of here!"

"Never you say?" Yoda said with a grunt.

"Tell him he can lift it out," Qui-Gon pleaded.

"On his own he must," Yoda said putting his cane down.

"That other Jedi Master is here as well then I take it?" Luke said looking at Obi-Wan's ghost.

"Master Qui-Gon is here, yes. He is pleading your case for you. Luke, you may be able to take the x-wing out on your own," Obi-Wan told him.

"Trouble you are Obi-Wan," Yoda grunted.

Luke looked out at his crooked x-wing. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Reaching out with his hands he could feel it lifting out of the mud, but he felt it was too heavy, so he stopped.

"It's just too big," he said sighing and plopping down. At least the x-wing had come up a bit more out than it had before.

"Too big it is not," Yoda said. "Hopeless you are, hopeless." Then Yoda made his way back to his hut, with Artoo following. Luke sat there with his head in his hands.

"What am I doing wrong, Ben? How can I make him see?" Luke said frustrated he was letting the Jedi master down.

"It is not Yoda you need to make see, Luke. Trust your own abilities," Obi-Wan answered him.

Luke nodded his head and then went to the spring to clean up.

/

Hyperspace Outside the Almania system.

Chewie roared and banged.

"Alright, alright, we're coming!" Han yelled from inside the cabin.

He nudged Leia awake. She groggily opened one eye. It hadn't seemed like they had gotten much sleep this turn. Chewie monitored the systems to allow them a sleep cycle, but they just had to finish the story of Flambal, with Leia reading outloud in the cockpit. Then when they finally got to the cabin, they just had to fool around before getting in some sleep. She was tired and now she was paying for it. They soon would be coming out of hyperspace and it was time to get back to work.

"Put on some caf will you?" She pleaded to Han who was getting dressed.

Chewie roared.

"Sounds like Chewie already put it on. We better get ready. We're almost there," Han answered with a yawn.

Leia got herself in the fresher then dressed, and she felt that they had come out of hyperspace. She made her way to the holochess table to strap in and hopefully get some caf into her before they got on the planet. It was then the alarms started to go off. Then the systems shut down. She ran to the cockpit Everything was shut down, including Threepio who must have given Chewie a hard time sometime on his watch.

"Sweetheart, it's a star destroyer. They've locked on to us," Han gulped. "Somehow they knew we were here. I never even had a chance."

Chewie roared.

"This is The Executor. We are sending a shuttle, prepare to be boarded." the hail announced.

With stunned faces, the three of them just looked at each other.

"We'll get through this," Leia said reaching a hand to Chewie and to Han. "We've got this."

Chewie gave a worried roar.

I hope you're enjoying this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. This chapter in particular was a lot of fun.