The Millennium Falcon dropped out of hyperspace into a red-sunned solar system and descended upon the tropical world Aquari, a planet almost completely overtaken with water. Several island clusters and a few big islands made up the planet's land. There were no continents. Han brought the ship close to the surface and slowed down over one of the larger islands, flew them over the large beach's rolling dunes. In the distance a large waterfall roared into the land.
"I wonder why this place isn't the home world of an expensive resort or two," Lando said. "Does anyone even live here?"
Han flew them over a gushing stream that divided the beach, over a cluster of swaying palm and citrus trees. "Someone lives here all right," he said. "This planet just joined the rebellion."
"What are we doing here?" Lando asked. "This isn't Coruscant."
Han flew the falcon straight into the waterfall. Lando flinched behind Han and Chewbacca, but they just flew into a tunnel cut through the stone. "We have to ditch the Falcon," Han said. "I don't know how we managed to avoid bounty hunters on Tatooine, but we can't take this ship to Coruscant and expect to survive."
"So you're delivering the guns to this place instead?" Lando asked.
"No, I'm going to borrow a different ship."
The tunnel twisted and turned and drifted downward. Lando could barely see up ahead of them, but Han used the radar to navigate. A bright light spotted before them, stretching down the walls of the tunnel, reaching for them. It grew rapidly larger and brighter until the Millennium Falcon exited the tunnel into a large hangar that housed several ships, and set down beside a large black ship twice its size. The larger ship was smooth and sleek, shaped like a finless sea mammal.
Han, Lando, and Chewbacca walked down the ramp into the hangar, where a battle-weary old man with white hair and beard, dressed in military fatigues, stood beside a smoothly-curved woman with dark blue skin covered by a flowing black dress. Lando and Han were caught up in her incandescent yellow eyes as she smiled and watched them approach. Course, green dreadlocks fell to the middle of her face.
"I'm glad you returned, Captain Solo," said the old man, and grasped Han's hand into a firm shake.
Han smiled politely. "Well, General, we're always running from imperials, so why not chase them back?"
The general laughed and nodded thoughtfully.
"That's a nice ship over there," Lando said, pointing to the large black ship.
The general smiled at him.
"General, this is Lando Calrissian," Han said. "He's a friend of mine."
The general extended his hand to Calrissian, who shook it. "It's always a pleasure to meet new recruits," the general said. "I'm General Jan Dodonna. This is Captain Quolle." He indicated the woman beside him.
"What's the plan, General?" Han asked.
"The Aquali have agreed to let us load the guns onto that freighter," Dodonna said, indicating the black giant casting its shadow on the Millennium Falcon.
"How will that be any different than flying the Falcon directly into the hands of the imperials?" Lando asked.
"Our planet has been exporting goods to the rest of the galaxy for centuries," Quolle said. Her voice was soft, her tone of contrasting brusqueness. "Some people in Coruscant are expecting a shipment of citrus. We have full clearance."
"So they won't search us?" Han asked.
Quolle shook her head. "They never do."
"Well, we should get started," Han said. "It might take us a little while to get acquainted with these controls…"
"You will not be flying the ship," Quolle said. "I will."
Han looked to the general for help. "I don't know about this…"
"I have a contract to fulfill," Quolle said.
"So do I," said Han.
Dodonna said, "I'm afraid the choices are limited, Captain Solo."
Han nodded. "I hope this works…"
