CHAPTER 53 - ECHOES OF WAR
Six weeks later, the Senate reconvened in the Senatorial Hall. Although maintenance crews had erased all vestiges of the terrorist attack, hearts still raced at the memory. Following completion of the temporary hall's restoration, crews accelerated the construction of a grander hall on the east side of the complex with better security.
Han looked around at the rattled faces, waiting with his friend Chewbacca to report on the refugee pre-fab housing project. The captain-turned-contractor gazed at his wife, wiggling his eyebrows.
Leia giggled and blushed a little, dropping her head with a tiny shake. When Mon Mothma called the senators to order, Leia put her hand over her smile, composing herself.
Since this was the first time the Senate had convened since the attack, many dignitaries crowded the hall to present their issues.
Grand Admiral Ackbar spoke first, reporting on the progress against the Imperial forces. "Unless we can destroy their supply line, we will never be successful in freeing the rest of the galaxy from Imperial rule."
Mon Mothma scrutinized fhe charts. "What are you suggesting, Admiral?"
"An all-out attack on the weapons facility on Jakku."
He thumped the holotable controls in front of him, bringing up a map of the galaxy with four systems highlighted. The device hummed and zoomed in on Jakku in the Western Reaches. "If all of our forces converge on this site, we should be able to take it out, and we might just take a sizable chunk of the Imperial fleet with us."
"What are their defenses?" General Rieekan asked as he moved in for a closer look.
"General, I delivered a basic layout of the facility a few months ago," Han said from his position in the Visitors' Gallery. "Ensign, could you pull it up? It should be filed with my last report."
The ensign brought up the file, replacing the hologram with a topographical map of Jakku. Han and Chewbacca strutted to the main floor to explain their idea.
"It won't be easy, but I think an advanced assault team could break into the facility here on the north entrance and lower the defensive shielding." Han pointed to a region known as Kelvin Ridge, a rocky expanse with jagged sandstone that jutted through the sand dunes.
Chewie agreed with a roar.
Rieekan asked in his gruff voice, "How heavily guarded is that entrance, Solo?"
While Chewie pointed to the map, Han said, "Not very. The Imperials rely on the planet's terrain to discourage intruders. Rocky buttes here and quicksand here."
"Then how is a squad expected to get through that?" Rieekan asked.
"A small ship could land in the canyons around those buttes. Salt ridges snake through the quicksand. If we stick to those, we could make it in unseen—especially if their attention was focused elsewhere." Han lifted his eyes to the sky.
Senator Organa glared at Solo and frowned. "What about one of the other bases?"
After clearing his throat, Admiral Ackbar said, "You've seen the reports, Senator. Attacking Kuat would be disastrous, and with Tibanna gas mines springing up across the galaxy, any attack on Bespin would make little difference. Jakku is the only target that can make an impact in the remaining Imperial war machine."
General Rieekan said, "Senator, the plan has merit. We'll just need someone who knows the terrain to lead the squad." His gaze bored into Solo.
"Uh, I'm already working on the pre-fab units for the refugees, General."
General Rieekan said with an outstretched hand, "I have other personnel who can do that. We don't have anyone else who knows that area on Jakku like you do, Solo."
Han agreed to the mission with a nod and Chewie roared an affirmation. Leia's eyes hardened as she crossed her arms, glaring at Han from across the chamber.
Solo turned his back on Leia and resumed his battle plan. "We'll take the squad in on the Falcon under the guise of trade. Conduct some business here at Cratertown and then leave. Once the Fleet arrives, contrive some means to re-enter the atmosphere further north in the Goazan Badlands."
"Sounds reasonable. I'll have my ground forces attack from the south," Rieekan said while he scratched his chin.
"Assemble your troops, General. I will call in the fleet," Ackbar said as he rested his hands on the holotable.
As soon as her meetings had concluded, Leia sped on a hover cart to the Millennium Falcon. Han and Chewie were conducting a pre-flight check of the ship, and the squad was loading supplies for the mission when she arrived.
"Han," she said as he stood on top of the craft, checking the dorsal quad cannon. "You were going to leave without even saying good-bye?"
Han muttered to Chewie who kneeled next to him, "Now I've done it."
Chewie mumbled with a tilt of his head before returning to his adjustments.
"Thanks for all the support." Han grabbed onto the edge of the sub-light engine housing and swung his long legs to the deck where his wife waited. "Leia, I—"
Leia cut him off with a passionate kiss. "Just come back in one piece, you old fool."
"Who's old?"
"I love you."
"I know." Han winked. As Chewie crawled through the top utility hatch, Han checked one last cable and turned back to Leia, pointing to her. "I love you, too." He entered the ship as the ramp closed.