Surprises at every turn...thank you for all the love, everyone :) Hope you enjoy this chapter!

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The ruins of the ancient civilization had been ravaged and scavenged upon for centuries after the extinction of the beings that had built the crumbling stone structures. Trees and vines wound themselves around gray, stone pillars that had cracked and were now tumbling down to bits of rock and dust. Eerie rays of light streamed through the hulking trees to illuminate patches of grass overrun by rubble on the uneven path through the destruction.

Following the vidmap on his datapad, Han led Leia and Cam to the meeting point where they would find their contact. Chewie had remained behind so that the Falcon would be ready to go at a moment's notice.

Cam, the slicer hired for this job, was a tall, twitchy man who made Han nervous just watching him. He fidgeted constantly, as if he were barely comfortable in his own skin. He had a short beard and long hair that hung just past his shoulders. He was not at all what Han had expected.

He wished this mission were less complicated, that they could get the plans for the second Death Star while aboard the ship like Leia did the last time. But, then again, that hadn't worked out so well. So, maybe the extra precautions were a good thing.

The only noise was the call of some distant birds and the occasional crunch of broken bits of rock beneath their feet. The entire place gave Han an eerie feeling that put him on edge. His hand remained on his blaster, ready for anything.

"How much farther?" Cam asked from behind him in a voice that was almost a whine.

Han glanced at Leia, wondering where the Alliance found this guy. Her gaze remained straight ahead, eyes filled with determination.

The news of a second Death Star had hit her hard. Ever since the death of her father, she seemed to take everything as a personal defeat. This was their fifth mission together and he was pleased that she seemed less determined to get herself killed.

Between her father's death and Luke's leave of absence, she was increasingly somber and cold. Rarely did he see her lighter side anymore, the side that smiled or teased him. She was all business.

"Another kilometer or so," Han finally replied to the slicer.

He sputtered an annoyed breath and Han sighed and rolled his eyes.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Leia removing something from her belt and realized it was a canteen. She drank deeply then offered it to him, even though he had his own. With a grim smile he took it, swigged some water, and handed it back to her. He noticed she offered none to the slicer, who had fallen several meters behind them. Stepping closer to her, he lowered his voice so that only she could hear.

"What's the plan after we get the blueprints?"

She sighed. "Hope we can find a weakness. We know construction began not too long ago. We have to find out where it's being constructed."

She sounded tired and Han wondered if she had been sleeping. He knew she was worried about Luke.

"No word from the kid, huh?" He watched her carefully.

Her eyes tilted downwards and, for a brief moment, her brow wrinkled. "No."

"Doesn't mean anything," he said gruffly. "Probably can't get a message out from this place he went."

"Maybe," she replied woodenly, gaze still lowered to the dirt and rubble beneath their feet.

There wasn't much more he could say. He was worried about Luke as well. And he was concerned that the kid would not return before it was time for him to take off as well.

He wished he didn't care so much about the prospect of Leia being left alone. He knew she relied heavily on Luke's friendship, and although she did not show it often, his own and Chewie's as well.

If Luke did not return in three months' time, it occurred to Han that he might decide to stay behind and wait for him to come back. But, should he really sacrifice his freedom yet again, this time for Leia?

Resentment and guilt warred within him, roaring equally loudly. When he thought about leaving Leia with no one, his conscience nagged at him. Then, his brain kicked in and reminded him that she deemed him unworthy of more than friendship. Honor and pride struggled to override each other, and when his heart chimed in, it tipped the scales in favor of doing what it judged to be the 'right thing.' His brain then told him he was a fool and he began the argument all over again.

Hopefully, Luke would return before his contract was up, making the decision for him. Of course, that thought brought with it a whole other slew of feelings that he normally didn't allow himself to dwell on.

They continued on in silence, following the long, twisted road. It was hard to believe that this was once a thriving civilization and now it was a dilapidated hiding place for Rebel sympathizers. There didn't seem to be much left for them to hide in. The vidmap showed a more or less straight shot to where they were to meet their contact.

He glanced back to make sure that Cam was still out of earshot. "Where in hell'd you find this guy?" he asked quietly.

"He's done work for us before."

"You've worked with him?"

"Not personally."

"Well, I don't like him."

"You don't like anyone."

He looked at her, a grin tugging at one side of his mouth. "Good point."

She rolled her eyes. "He's the best slicer we've ever contracted. And we can't afford any mistakes."

He leaned closer to her ear and his voice was low and harsh. "I don't trust him."

"You don't trust anyone."

He had no response to counter her this time. "What's he so jumpy for?"

"What he does is illegal."

"So's what me and you do. We're not twitchin' like this guy."

"Not everyone is like us."

"Damn right," he muttered.

"Rieekan has worked with him before."

"That's a grand endorsement." He was flippant, but he did genuinely respect Rieekan. "All I know is, I got a bad feeling about this."

"Noted," she replied dispassionately.

They fell into grudging silence. After another half kilometer, Han spotted a large, humanoid shadow up ahead. He jostled Leia with an elbow.

"Look. Hope that's our guy."

As they drew closer, Han recognized the humanoid as a Togorian. Togorians were bipedal and feline in appearance, with pointy ears, whiskers beside their noses, and claws on their hands and feet. This particular Togorian was about two meters tall and, from here, appeared to be female. She wore a dark-colored chest plate and short pants. In her hand was a large blast rifle. She was covered in gray fur with white spots that varied in size. When she saw them, she raised a paw in greeting.

"Did you know we were meeting a Togorian?" he asked out one side of his mouth.

"What's wrong? You don't like Togorians?"

"I don't like anyone. Remember?" With a glance back, Han saw that Cam had fallen even farther behind. He waved him forward then returned to face front.

When they were within earshot, the Togorian called to them.

"Comrades!" Her voice was rough and commanding.

Leia halted when they stood a few meters apart and Han stopped alongside her.

"The moon begets the sun," she said steadily.

The Togorian smiled, baring her fangs. "But, the sun begets all things."

Puzzled, Han watched as Leia smiled and the Togorian gave her a slight bow.

"Princess."

"We need not stand on such formality at a time like this," Leia replied. "I am Leia."

"I am Rangus Kaa."

Leia gestured towards Han. "This is Han Solo." She turned to wave a hand towards Cam, who had just caught up and remained standing directly behind them. "Cam Theronsin. Cam is our slicer."

"It is an honor to meet you all," Rangus said.

"Yeah, you too," Han called. Cam said nothing. "Where's this headquarters of yours? Doesn't look too accommodating around here."

Rangus slung her rifle over her shoulder and came closer to them. "Ah, and that is the secret. Looks can be deceiving." With that cryptic response, she motioned for them to follow and began to journey further down the path they had been following.

Meandering behind her, Han stared hard at Leia until he caught her eye. He aimed a quizzical look her way and she just shrugged. He didn't like to be in the dark about things. If it weren't for her, he would stop the Togorian and question her before things moved any further. But, he had agreed to let Leia lead these missions, and honestly, he didn't feel like enduring her wrath if he were to interfere.

Up ahead, Han heard the sound of rushing water, and as they approached what turned out to be a few waterfalls that fell between downed structures, the Togorian stopped and turned to them, arms wide.

"We have arrived," she declared.

Han panned his head to look at their surroundings. Up ahead was a crumbling wall that still managed to hold two windows. Small rocks were piled haphazardly at the bottom where they had worn away from the top of the wall. The surrounding area had a larger perimeter than what they had left behind, and Han guessed this must have once been the center of the ancient city.

"What've we arrived at?" he asked wryly.

The Togorian flashed that toothy grin again and ran her foot across a patch of ground, clearing it of twigs and leaves. She reached down and brushed her fingers along a straight edge and understanding thudded in Han's mind. She pulled back a large square of ground that was perfectly camouflaged to blend into the path.

Nodding, Han gave an appreciative smile.

"In all these years, no one has found the underground city below." Rangus smiled. "Until now." Her head canted curiously to one side, as if listening, and her expression became one of concern.

Han paused to pay attention, and over the low roar of the waterfalls, he heard a distant, familiar whine. It grew slowly louder and, as recognition dawned, Han drew his blaster and grabbed Leia by the arm. "Incoming!"

As they sprinted towards the rock wall, Rangus spewed a curse and slammed down the hidden door. Three TIE fighters appeared overhead, spraying laser fire close to where they ducked behind the wall, under the cover of trees.

All had drawn their blasters, save for Cam who had none. But, those would be useless against fighters.

The trio made another pass through the air, bolts sizzling to the ground. It occurred to Han that they were not out to kill, only to hold them in their current position.

"We should've gone underground!" Han yelled to Rangus.

She growled before responding, whiskers quivering. "I can't compromise our operation! Too many at risk!"

At that moment, dozens of Stormtroopers poured out from the trees, an army of white copper ants, foraging for crumbs. Blasters raised, they took up positions surrounding them, leaving no means of escape.

"Dammit it all to hell, how did they find us?" Han muttered.

Several Imperial Officers came to the front of the crowd of Troopers standing in the middle, near the door secreted in the ground.

"Surrender your weapons!" one of the Officers shouted.

Han and Leia exchanged a grim glance then were startled when Cam threw his hands up and stepped out from the rock wall.

"I surrender!" he yelled. "I'm unarmed!"

"What the hell is he doing?" Han asked without expecting an answer.

Several Troopers ran forward, patted Cam down, and pulled him aside.

Leia sighed and when Han looked at her, her eyes were lowered in defeat. "There's no choice. We'll think of something."

Han knew she was right, but it pained him anyway. Eyes on each other, they raised their weapons in the air and stepped out together, followed by a snarling Rangus.

"How did this happen?" she hissed angrily.

Troopers rushed to disarm them and handed their weapons to the officers. Another trio of Stormtroopers placed binders on their wrists. Han's eyes burned lasers into their helmets, an impotent fury pulsing through him.

One of the officers walked straight up to Cam and, instead of binding him, clapped him on the shoulder.

"Good work. Now where's that entrance?"

Han's mouth dropped open as he was clutched with a dark rage. If it weren't for the binders, he would have charged the traitorous slicer, risks be damned.

Cam looked at Leia apologetically. "Sorry, Princess."

Leia was more furious than Han had ever seen her. Teeth clenched, she was almost shaking with rage.

Cam seemed to shrug it off and strode to the spot where the underground entrance was located. He bent and pulled the door back with a grunt. He gestured below with a hand.

"There ya go." He stood back up and placed his hands on his hips with a triumphant smile.

"Excellent!" the Officer crowed. In one quick movement, his blaster was in his hand and a bolt exploded unceremoniously into Cam's chest.

For just a moment, the slicer's eyes were wide with confusion and dismay. He seemed to sink into himself then fell backwards with a dull thud.

It brought a brief smile to Han's face. He couldn't quite remember the last time he was so happy to see someone killed. A glance at Leia showed a satisfied expression that swiftly returned to guarded and angry.

The officer turned to another. "Take two squads down, gather what information you can, and kill all you find. Take the Togorian with you. I'll bring the Rebels onboard and inform Lord Vader that we have them."

"Yes, sir."

Vader? Han thought. This can't be good.