There was a time when Home One was the premier ship of the Rebel Alliance. It housed High Command leading up to the Battle of Endor, served as home base for forces scattered across the galaxy, signalled the slow sweep of New Republic forces against the Imperial remnant as they made their way to Coruscant. The Calamari Star Cruiser was a symbol of the Rebel Alliance's strength and the New Republic's victory and now served as a reminder of all that they fought for and against.
She was officially retired from active duty when the new government took over the Senate buildings in Coruscant and the galactic seat of power. A few months after that Home One opened as a museum and teaching centre. Technically, the cruiser could return to battle, if need be, but her main job now was to inform, keep history alive, and not let anyone forget how the Empire rose and was defeated.
General Carlist Rieekan often thought of himself in similar terms. His career took him from Alderaan's security forces to Rebel General then the head of New Republic Intelligence. He, too, was mostly retired from active service and sometimes felt like a relic as he watched this new world struggle to come together. He was only marginally involved to stay in contact with his last field agent and now that agent was finally coming home, though Rieekan wasn't certain what home might mean in this context. Life was very different than the one she left behind.
Very few were notified of the Millennium Falcon's return and Rieekan noticed a couple of curious faces turn as the freighter landed in the hanger. He wondered how many would have seen the ship during her Rebel Alliance days though most knew the stories. The Falcon was a part of history, a legendary ship in the fight for freedom and the few holos of the freighter that existed were featured prominently in the exhibition halls. But the actual ship had faded from memory and the one that landed on Home One didn't quite look like the one in holos or that Rieekan remembered. She was painted black, though the original metal grey was popping through, and still more closely resembled a bucket of bolts rather than the supposed fastest ship in the galaxy.
He stood with General Madine and Colonel Ithor, waiting for the engines to die down and the ramp to drop. Rieekan felt a nervous excitement. He really didn't know what to expect and tried to maintain military decorum. He looked at Madine and suspected he felt the same way. When he saw the long legs, encased in brown pants with a red stripe and tall black boots start down the ramp, Rieekan smiled.
Han Solo looked older but not by much. There were a few more wrinkles around his eyes but his skin still had a slightly ruddy tan, something that always amazed Rieekan considered how much time Solo spent in space or trapped on gloomy Rebel bases. His hair was slightly longer, a tad shaggy. His clothes looked worn but comfortable and cared for. His blaster rig was in place, low on his hips and strapped to his thigh, and one hand rested, almost casually but ready if needed, on the blaster. Solo moved with the same confident swagger that was impossible to ignore.
He walked right up to Rieekan, barely glancing at the other men, and offered a firm handshake and wide grin.
"Good to see, General."
"You, too, Solo. It's been a while."
Han gave a slight shrug and rested his hands on his hips. "Keeping busy?"
"A few things have popped up since you left."
One side of Solo's mouth rose in a familiar smirk. "I'll bet."
Rieekan held his hand out, indicating the men standing with him, and Han nodded to Madine.
"Crix." Han shook Madine's hand.
"I see the years haven't changed you much, Solo." The General smiled despite his annoyance at Han's refusal to adhere to protocol.
"What's there to change?" Han placed a hand on Madine's shoulders to emphasize the handshake.
"Solo, this is Colonel Ithor." Rieekan indicated the last man in their group. "He's with New Republic Intelligence and will be the lead on your debriefings."
Han looked at Ithor, gave him the once over, making sure the younger, much shorter man took full stock of his presence. He gave a brief nod. "Ithor."
Ithor was not intimidated or distracted by Han's posturing. Instead, he offered a smug smile and looked behind Han, nodding toward the ramp. "We have another arrival."
All four men turned their attention to the ramp and watched a girl, around four years old, running toward them. Her hair was pulled back in a short ponytail and she wore brown pants, similar to Han's, and a long-sleeved pullover shirt. She arrived at the group and immediately wrapped an arm around Han's thigh and leaned into him.
He placed a hand on top of her head. "You were supposed to wait."
She looked up at Han but didn't respond.
"You must be Essarye." Rieekan smiled at the girl. "I'm glad to finally meet you."
She looked from Han to Rieekan and back again, assessing her next move. She steeled herself to speak but clung a bit tighter to Han's leg at the same time. "Most people call me Essie but you can call me Essarye if you want."
"Carlist knew your mom when she was little." Han stroked the girl's hair. "If you ask, I bet he'll tell you about all the trouble she used to get in."
Essie rolled her eyes at Han. "Mom doesn't get into trouble."
"That's what we all used to think." Ithor muttered just loud enough that everyone could hear.
Han didn't have a chance to respond before being interrupted by a sharp cry. Everyone turned once again to see the woman in question descend the Falcon's ramp carrying a small, crying boy.
Rieekan almost gasped at the sight of her. She looked tired but not like the exhaustion that came from too many hours of work and the constant threat of Imperial detection. She still resembled the Leia he knew as a little girl on Alderaan, the Rebel leader who disappeared five years earlier, but something felt new.
Her hair was pulled into a simple, small, braided bun at the top of her head. Hair pins held the short braids and few stray strands in place. He noted her rings. A thick band on her right middle finger and one of intricately twined metal strands and a stone on her left hand. She wore a dark blue dress that reached the floor and her wrists, the skirt flowing around her as she walked.
Leia quickly surveyed the area, took in who was there to greet them and all the surrounding activity. She whispered something to the boy on her hip, gently rubbing his back to sooth him.
The Wookiee Chewbacca followed her down the ramp and into the hanger.
Han moved toward her and took the boy. "What happened?"
"I don't think he liked Essie going out first." Leia kept her hand on the boy's back. He was already calmer being out with the group. He looked around at everyone gathered, curious and hiccupping between breaths.
Leia moved quickly now, almost running. She threw her arms around Rieekan's neck. They hugged, tightly, and everyone gave them a moment. When she stepped back, Leia wiped away a tear and laughed.
Rieekan wondered if that was the first time he had seen her cry since she was little. Leia was always so stoic, so determined. Even after their home world was destroyed she kept her focus on next moves for the Rebellion, refusing to dwell on what had happened. He understood that particular survival technique. They were fighting a war and couldn't stop for tears.
"It is so good to see you." She took a deep breath and pulled herself together. "You haven't aged a bit."
This time Rieekan laughed. "I see you've retained your sense of diplomacy."
"Even after all this time with Captain Solo." Leia looked back to see Han's scowl. She laughed again and wiped away the last of her tears.
Leia shook hands with General Madine and introduced herself to the Colonel as Rieekan called out to Chewbacca who howled in return. The Wookiee kept a few paces back from the group, arms crossed over his chest, forever on guard.
"And who is this?" Rieekan looked at the boy in Han's arms.
"Cassian." Essie was still holding on to Han's leg but also bouncing on one foot. A mix of trepidation and excitement. Han's hand rested on the top of her head trying to keep her still.
"I think the flight took a lot out of him. It was longer than he's used to." Leia kissed the boy's cheek and he returned a small smile.
She looked over at Essie who had let go of Han's leg and started hopping away from him. Han grabbed the collar of her shirt and pulled her back. Leia watched her small family, feeling slightly dazed, and smiled again when she saw Han's wink. She took another deep breath. Time to move forward.
Leia had only been aboard Home One a few times but she noted the changes. The hanger was calm and orderly. The ships were pristine, show pieces, polished. There were only a few techs and mechanics, and perhaps tourists and civilians, wondering through. Even though so much of the galaxy remained in turmoil, the New Republic looked like a peaceful, serene place if Home One was any indication.
"We thought it best, under the circumstances, to keep your arrival to only a few members of command." Madine clasped his hands behind his back. "News will get out, of course, but for obvious reasons we thought it best to manage it in the short term."
"Is there an update on Luke?" She looked between Rieekan and Madine. "We would like to see him as soon as possible."
"Skywalker is not taking visitors at this time." Ithor's voice was cold, almost condemning.
"Perhaps an exception could be made." Leia was in full-on politician mode. Back straight. Voice steady. Words clipped.
"That is doubtful." Ithor was not playing along.
Han snorted. He looked about to say something but held back when Leia gave him a quick look. He remained silent and despite holding one small child and trying to contain another, he looked ready to spring into action.
Rieekan stepped forward and placed himself between Ithor and Leia. "We can talk about that shortly."
"Have you spoken to him?"
"We can talk about this later." Rieekan put a hand on her arm. "You have my word."
"Your Highness." Ithor spoke more sharply than was necessary but brought the attention back to him. He seemed like someone who was given instructions on how to be more personable but didn't fully understand the instructions. "We should move to the debriefing rooms. We have a team waiting for you, Captain Solo and the Wookiee."
Leia didn't quite cringe but she didn't hide her displeasure at Ithor's tone.
"Chewbacca has devoted years to the Rebellion, fighting the Empire and the remnant, and supporting the expansion of the New Republic in numerous systems. If you refer to him, please use his name."
Ithor didn't break and refused to acknowledge Leia's comments. "As I said, Princess Leia, we are expected elsewhere."
"Of course, Colonel Ithor." Leia smiled her most diplomatic and not very sweet smile. "Please lead the way."
"Hang on." Han let go of Essie who continued her hopping. He stepped up to Ithor and Leia. "We need to go to the med center."
"It can wait." Her voice was lowered, not quite a whisper but clearly meant as a private comment.
"No, it can't." He looked down at her and for a few brief moments they locked eyes. Then she sighed and turned away.
"Fine. You go to the debriefing." She reached up and took Cassian from his arms. "I'll go to be med centre but I'm taking my baby."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Han glanced to his side and spoke sharply. "Essie! Get over here."
Essie hopped back his way.
"I'm taking my baby."
Han gave her a half-smile then, with a hand cupping her face, a gentle kiss.
"I don't think you understand the situation. You are not the one making the schedule." Ithor moved forward. "Debriefing first and then other matters."
With his hand resting on Leia's lower back, Han stared Ithor down. "It's non-negotiable."
"I won't be long, Colonel Ithor." Leia shifted Cassian to her other hip. "Then I will be available for debriefing and whatever questions you might have."
"Again, Your Highness, this isn't your call."
"I'll escort you to the center." Rieekan moved to Leia's side. "Then to the debriefing rooms when you're ready. It will give us some time to catch up."
"Thank you, Carlist." Leia put a hand on his upper arm. She was finding this moment more emotional than expected. She had steeled herself for the unknown and perhaps some animosity but seeing Rieekan reminded her of so much more. This wasn't a return for them but yet another tidal shift. She looked over at her daughter.
"Essie, I'll see you in a bit."
"Okay, mom." She gave Leia a short wave.
Han gave the boy two quick kisses on his cheek and Cassian smiled then dropped his head into the crook of his mother's neck.
Ithor nodded briefly at Rieekan, recognizing the General's authority. He wasn't pleased but he always wasn't one for dramatics. Not when there was a job to be done. He looked at Han, gave a brief glance to Chewbacca.
"If you'll follow me."
Ithor took a few steps away from the group then waited for the others.
"Essie, we're moving."
The girl stepped to her father's side. When he reached for her hand she shoved both of hers in her pockets, trying to look casual.
Han squatted beside her. "You got a choice. Hold my hand while we're walking around here or I carry you."
Essie set her chin and stared at him, weighing her options. "Hold your hand."
"Good choice." He took her hand and they continued toward the exit.
Madine followed close behind, snickering. "Is it irony or justice you have a stubborn daughter?"
Han didn't turn back around but smiled at his daughter. "What can I say? She takes after her mother."
A/N: My 2022 challenge is to keep a regular writing schedule, push myself and do those things that might be a bit (or a lot) scary, see where all of this takes me. I have most of this story mapped out and some of it is written but I'm leaving a lot to chance (that's probably not the right word but I'm really pushing that 'chance' thing and just going with it) and trying to share as part of the process. I will still fret and worry but hope others enjoy the story. Please let know know what you think.
Note: I am definitely cherry picking characters from various canons (some Disney, some Legends) but they probably won't follow canon storylines. Hopefully it doesn't feel too all over the place.
The title comes from Frank O'Hara's poem "Song" (a truly beautiful poem).