Chapter Three

After a longer delay than Mara had expected, Princess Leia's face finally appeared on the Holo.

Seeing Mara's grim face Leia's fell. "What is it?"

Mara ran a hand through her hair. "Leia, I've got some bad news." She paused, thinking about the best way to say it, but then decided there was no good way to explain the situation. "Han's under arrest for the murder of Senator Atam Ineler."

Leia's eyebrows shot up. "What?"

"They just took him away." Mara told her.

"But... what?"

Mara ignored that. "I'm acting as his counsel until he finds a more suitable one." She watched as Leia's mouth worked. "I believe him when he said he didn't do it."

Leia finally met Mara's gaze. "Can you seriously do anything for him?"

"Yes." The red-haired woman nodded. "I'm going to do some hunting and contact Karrde and Ghent to get some information for me."

"I'll be there as soon as possible." She turned from the Holo. "Threepio, get my things ready."

Mara cut her off. "I'm afraid they've put a blockade up against New Republic diplomats and other big shot members."

"But Han's my husband!"

Mara shook her head. "You're not allowed in. You're a Senator."

Leia put her head in her hands. "What type of charges is Han looking at?"

"First degree murder... they're going for death."

The Senator's face paled. "Is there..." She paused to collect herself. "Is there anything that I can do?"

The trader felt a pang of sympathy for her. "Just hold on. If I get anything I'll contact you... I'll see about you and Han at least talking to each other."

Leia briefly smiled. "Thank you."

They said their good-byes; Leia saying that she would contact Luke and Mara promised to get a hold of Karrde.

Punching in a high alert code, Karrde's face immediately filled the screen. "What is it?"

Mara almost smiled at his to the point bluntness. "I'm gonna need Ghent to pull some files for me."

"May I ask why?" Talon fingered his beard, but then looked off screen. "Aah... General Solo has been arrested for murder."

This time Mara did smile. "Fast as always."

Karrde raised an eyebrow. "You have to be in the trading and information business. What files do you want?"

Mara gave him a series of codes, Karrde promised that Ghent would drop everything he was doing at the moment and pull them.

"Mara... be careful."

Her reply was only a snort.

***

The guards at the detention center were uncooperative, until Mara pulled a blaster and demanded to be taken to General Solo. Apparently, they understood blaster language because ten minutes later she was brought to a jail conference room where Han sat behind a table, hands cuffed together.

"Mara..." he raised when he saw her. His eyes had deep black pockets beneath them and worry lines were etched in his face.

She moved beside him, gesturing for him to sit down as she did. "We'll talk privately later. Right now, we'll see what we're up against."

Han nodded. "But how's my ship?" He tried to use humor.

"Fine." Mara had in fact checked on it, the 'Falcon' was now surrounded by a group of guards but none dared to approach it.

Defense Minister Yizha walked in the room with his bright high collared robes followed by a tall blonde woman in a suit. Mara assumed she was the prosecuting lawyer.

"I will warn you that everything you say now can and may be used against you." Yizha sat down. "This is Cori Buentle, she will be presenting evidence against General Solo at his trial."

Buentle silently sat down beside Yizha and across from Mara and Han.

"And when is this trial supposed to occur?" Mara asked.

Yizha sneered. "Tomorrow."

Mara's eyebrows raised. "Tomorrow... but the rules of the trial state that the defense team may have a week to prepare their own evidence and witnesses if requested."

Yizha turned red and sputtered. "But..." he turned to the blonde lawyer. "Can they do that?"

Cori nodded her head dispassionately. "Yes. It is written in their rights."

Yihza frowned, visibly upset.

"And..." Mara added. "The defense is also entitled to view what evidence will be presented against them."

The blonde woman's eyebrows rose. "That is correct." She turned to Yihza. "Show them."

The Defense Minister grumpily called for the evidence. A soldier marched in and placed a holo-player in the middle of the table, silently leaving.

Yihza evilly smiled. "There it is."

Mara wordlessly took the player and placed it in front of herself and Han, pushing the play button they watched a grainy holo begin to play.

There was no sound, but two figures stood in the middle- visibly arguing. One was obviously the murdered Senator; the fat man stood facing the camera. It was the other one that posed a problem. The figure looked to be male, but most damning of all was the red Corellian blood stripes on the pants and the blaster that he held.

A few seconds into the holo, the other figure raised a blaster and shot the Senator between the eyes, it then fuzzed out and stopped.

Cori sat back. "Analysts have identified the gun type in the holo as one that was on General Solo's person when arrested. They have also matched the figure to the General's size and shape. Also the blood stripes are well known to be worn by him."

"That wasn't me!" Han sputtered. "I was with the Rebellion when all this happened!"

Mara gestured him to be silent. The way he was acting he was liable to get himself into a deeper mess. "Yes. Please explain that."

Yihza leaned forward excitedly. "What perfect cover for him to be able to do this heinous act? Everyone knows he went to the Imperial Academy, he went undercover in the Rebellion and worked on Imperial assignments. Unfortunately Senator Ineler, with Rebellion sympathies I might add, was one of his targets."

"One of?" Mara asked.

"We are investigating other assassinations." The blonde lawyer informed them.

Han's jaw locked. "I didn't do it!" he insisted.

Mara spoke. "We will put forth that this holo was staged and we will provide evidence that points to a different person." Mara's face pinched at the last statement. She dismissed the two with a wave. "The General and I wish to talk."

The two left, leaving Mara and Han alone.

"I can't believe this!" Han groaned, he gave Mara a thankful look. "If you weren't here I'd probably be screwed. I didn't know about the week thing."

Mara nodded agreement. "I don't think they expected me to know that either." She gave him a devilish grin. "I think by me being here messed up some of Yizha's plans.

Han frowned. "What do you mean?"

"They would have stuck you with the worst possible defense lawyer they have."

Han's eyebrows shot up. "You're right." He paused. "But does this mean Yihza had this thing planned from the start?"

Mara nodded. "That message about important information was probably just bait to get you here." Mara got up and paced the room. "I've contacted Karrde to gather some information for us that might be useful in sorting out this whole mess. As soon as Ghent gathers and ships it over to me, you're outta here."

"What information?" Han frowned.

"Trust me." Mara told him.

"Do you have any idea about who did this?" He pressed.

"Not a clue." Mara shot back. "But I think it'll be something that proves you didn't do it."

Han sat silently at the table. "Does Leia know?" He mumbled.

"I talked to her as soon as you were taken away, she said she'd get a hold of Luke too. She wanted to come, but I explained about the blockade Yizha put up."

"Good. As long as she didn't find out from the news."

Han was absolutely right, a story like this wouldn't keep quiet for long- it was probably being blasted all over the Holonet by now.

Mara patted his shoulder and got up. "Try to get some sleep. I'll fill out a form that only permits them to ask you questions in my presence." She paused at the door. "I'll see what I can do about you talking to Leia."

Han thanked her, while two guards came to take him away. Mara walked alone to her own quarters.