A/N: I'm back! I told you I would be and here I am. Yes. I know. It's been a year since I posted. But hey, I did almost completely rewrite this chapter and then decide that didn't work either, and THEN managed to rewrite it so it had a chunk of both. And now I have bunch of stuff I'm gonna work in later. Whoo-hoo. Anyways I want to thank all the people who have reviewed telling me to keep writing, because if it weren't for you I most likely would have given up a long time a go. So you can all stop begging now. Actually keep begging. I love the motivation. Thanks again. Oh. And everyone knows I don't make any money off of this, right?
Chapter 6- Opposition Research
The welcome banquet was held in the Pink Sky's formal dining room, which, unlike the other public areas of the hotel was not pink at all but decorated completely in white and gold. The room was set up with about thirty-five or forty round tables of eight beings. In the front was a long rectangular table where Auuel and Nynaeve sat with several older, distinguished looking doctors. Probably about three hundred in all, a relatively small turnout Nynaeve had said, due to the war.
Han and Leia were placed at a table towards the back of the room with six other young, up-and-coming, and, if what Nynaeve said was right, rebel-sympathetic doctors. Although, as Leia noted, five out of six were human, they were wildly different. To her left sat a woman with vaguely rodent-like features wearing a brown dress that looked more like a sack than anything else. Beside her sat two men about Leia's age deep in discussion about the latest bio-medical technologies for amputated limbs. Next was a lonely looking Diagnosian who was doodling on his fancy cloth napkin. To his left was a tall intelligent looking woman with short-cropped black hair, avidly reading a holo-novel and beside her, on Han's other side, a handsome golden-haired man who looked eerily familiar to Leia.
When Han and Leia sat down the entire table turned to them and stared at the flashy Naboo clothing. The rodent-woman spoke first, introducing herself as Eenid Hadlo, a physician from Thyferra . Leia smiled kindly, although she had the feeling that Hadlo disapproved of her flamboyant dress. "I am Meiynè Baerlon of Nabbo," she said, inflecting her speech with a subtle Naboo lilt, and nodded to Han, colouring slightly. "This is my husband Ric. I am a pediatrician and he specializes in alien physiology."
Although the amputated-limbs men looked slightly disappointed at the fact the Leia was 'married' they eagerly introduced themselves as Jett Vesputan and Thainan Oldoen of the planet Carhienin nonetheless. Leia couldn't help but notice with amusement Han's annoyed glare.
"You are far from your home," the Diagnosian noted. "I am Ba'rad Yalawari of the Diagnosian Physician's Guild," he said touching his snout in greeting.
"I have admired your race for many years, but have never had the honour to meet one of you in person," Leia lied. While she did greatly admire the Diagnosians she had, in fact, been schooled by one on Alderaan. But to have him know that would blow their cover.
Han, meanwhile, has watching the handsome blonde man, who was gazing intently at Leia. The man spoke up. "Dr. Baerlon," he said, addressing Leia, "you look extremely familiar. I have never been to Naboo, but perhaps you visited my own homeworld of Alderaan before its destruction."
Han and Leia shared a nervous glance. "Who are you?" Han asked in the politest tone he could manage.
Leia couldn't tell if the man hadn't noticed or just chose to ignore Han's rude manners. "Gield Endel," he answered passively.
Abruptly, Leia remembered why he looked so familiar. Endel had been the name of a minor noble house on Alderaan. Gield was one of the younger sons of Aldar, the Lord Endel at the time of the planet's demise. A year older then Leia, he had been only infrequently present at the royal court even before he left the planet to study medicine on Coruscant.
The black haired woman, who had been silently watching the exchange, looked oddly at Han. "Your accent," she said, "it doesn't sound Naboo."
It was not an unexpected comment; Han was surprised the issue had not come up sooner. He gave the woman his best roguish grin. "I'm Corellian by birth. My beautiful wife is Naboo," Han said, giving Leia's hand an affectionate squeeze. "And you are?"
"Kess Prower of Coruscant." It was another name Leia recognized. The Prower family owned a large, extremely rich, shipping corporation. If they could be brought into the rebellion… Leia could hardly imagine the possibilities the sort of money could bring.
Trying not to notice the fact that Han's had was still resting on hers, Leia turned back to Endel. "I visited Alderaan several times as a child, I had relatives there. But that was a long time ago," she said, putting a subtle emphasis on her adopted Naboo accent.
Endel paused for a moment before continuing. "Maybe Coruscant then, the University? I don't imagine we'd be many years apart.
Han glanced around the table. Apart from the Alderaani, Han made a mental note to ask Leia about him, no one seemed to have recognized them. Maybe the whole married couple thing had been a good idea. At the very least, it enabled them to talk privately without causing suspicion.
Just as Han knew she would, Leia calmly answered Endel's question once and for all. "I'm afraid the Coruscant lifestyle is not to my taste. I studied exclusively on Nabbo. However, my husband and I travel a great deal. Perhaps that is it. As you can see, Naboo fashion is quite unique and often, well, demands to be remembered."
Han grinned, unsurprised, as Endel nodded, accepting Leia's explanation. He winked at the princess and was pleased to see her blush.
"As I was saying," Hadlo said, obviously continuing from where she'd left of when Han and Leia arrived, "it is a simple fact that Bacta immersion is the best method of treatment for an extremely wide range of complaints. That its use is controlled is preposterous!"
She looked around, apparently hoping for someone to dispute the issue and give her a chance to flaunt her knowledge of her homeworld's chief export. No one spoke. After a minute, Han decided to take matters into his own capable hands and mix things up a bit.
"I dunno," he drawled. The entire table turned to look at him. "Oh, the controlling of the Bacta is pretty stupid. But really, the idea that is the only possible best method of treatment? Little close-minded if you ask me."
The Diagnosian Yalawari nodded in agreement. "I have found, with the difficulty of obtaining Bacta, that alternative methods have worked quite well. Old fashioned, perhaps; but efficient nonetheless."
Hadlo looked about to disagree when Auuel stood and called for the room's attention. "My friends," he announced, "it is a pleasure be here. In times of strife it is always a comfort to see so many beings who are dedicating their lives to healing in one room."
Endel snorted at that. Leia glanced sharply at him and he explained. "Auuel may have been a brilliant physician, by nowadays he's all bureaucrat. I doubt he's treated a patient since he was elected president."
"You don't like him," Han commented approvingly.
The Alderaani man looked around, making sure he would not be over heard. "I'm talking a risk by saying this," he said, "and I hope you don't take it the wrong way, but… To be honest, I feel that Auuel has practically sold this organization to the Empire. Obviously the funding has helped, and we are less likely to be picked up by Imperial agents, but Auuel is far to much of an Empire's man for my liking."
Encouraged by Endel's opinion, Leia smiled understandingly. "I know exactly what you mean."
Auuel finished his speech, and while he made no outward references to the Empire, Leia's practiced ears picked up more than a hint of its influence. The concept of loyalty and servitude to the "greater good" was particularly recognizable to all with past Imperial dealings.
As waiter droids began serving the first course, an Ithorian salad of some kind, Leia suddenly realized how hungry she was. After months of eating only re-hydrated rations, real food would by a welcome treat.
For a while the table was silent, everyone busily eating the delicious food. Han mentally evaluated his dinner companions. Eenid Hadlo didn't seem a particularly pleasant person, but she would have easier access to Bacta then most. The two Carhienian men, Vesputan and Oldoen, Han wasn't sure about. Judging from their earlier discussion they knew their stuff, but that was no guarantee. Prower would have a good deal of money to spare; but as for Endel, Han had no idea.
As Han appraised the others at the table, conversation had picked up again. The subject moved idly from smashball to the latest entertainment holo-vids to galactic politics. Han was, at first, surprised at how quickly the discussion had turned to a useful topic, but quickly remembered it was the princess he was sitting beside. He had a strong feeling that Leia had been manipulating the conversation from the moment she sat down at the table.
"I don't know what the Rebels think they are doing," Oldoen was arguing. Obviously not, Han silently replied. "I mean do they even know the odds against them?"
With a small smile in Han's direction, Leia spoke. "I think they do know the odds, but I have a feeling they just ignore them."
"Personally, I respect them," Endel said smoothly. "It takes strong convictions to do what they are doing."
"I don't know," said Vesputan. "What they're doing sounds more like suicide, and how much can they do if they're dead?"
Prower snorted. "Have you never heard of symbolism? They may die, but they live on as martyrs to their cause, a show of bravery and dedication. The dead can have a very strong influence."
"Well, yes," Vesputan admitted, "but-"
"Excuse me," Yalawari interrupted. "As interesting as this discussion is, it could be taken the wrong way by the wrong people if you take my meaning…"
Leia nodded in agreement. Now that she and Han had a taste of each person's opinions there was no need to continue the conversation in so public a place. "He's right," she said, "perhaps we can finish this at a better time, at the Benevolence Committee meeting maybe?"
Han glanced around; waiting for someone to ask what committee she was talking about. But the question didn't come.
No one spoke for a moment, obviously assessing the others reactions to the comment. Prower was the first to speak. "I have a feeling we all are on and know the propose of the Benevolence Committee?" A murmur of general assent went around the table. Turning to Leia, Prower spoke again. "If you don't mind my asking, how did know that every single one of us is on that committee?"
Leia smiled serenely. "We practice a profession where knowledge and information is key," she answered simply.
While Prower, Endel and Yalawari seemed satisfied with that, Vesputan and Oldoen looked nervous, and Haldo was glaring suspiciously at the princess.
As the conversation turned hastily back to less treasonous topics, Leia tugged gently on Han's sleeve. He bent to listen to her whisper in his ear. "So, what should we do now?" she said softly. "Any brilliant ideas, flyboy?"
Tempted by the feel of her breath on his neck and ear, Han grinned roguishly as her leaned in to answer her. "I got plenty of brilliant ideas as to things we should do…" he whispered suggestively. "But I think I would be more polite to wait till later."
Silently praying nobody had heard that exchange, Leia tried no to blush at his words. "Mystery why I even ask..." she muttered to herself, ignoring Endel's curious look.
With the job of stirring up thoughts of the Rebellion in the sympathizers' minds accomplished, Leia realized that she was enjoying herself. The food was wonderful and apart from that one questionable comment Han had been a perfect gentleman. Not only was he behaving appropriately he has actually making intelligent conversation, telling stories of he and Leia's 'travels'. Most were pure fiction, but once and a while he would slip in a partial truth taken from the various missions they had been on together. By the time the dinner plate were taken away, he even seemed to have won over Eenid Hadlo, who was asking Han about his opinions on everything and spending what felt to Leia like far too long agreeing with him.
Despite liking Han's show of good manners, Leia couldn't help feeling slightly uneasy. She felt to comfortable. Too happy. Enjoying oneself on a mission never lead to anything good. Leia was finding the part of Meiyné Baerlon far too easy to play.
Han noticed the princess's discomfort and, thinking it stemmed from guilt over the shadow plug, did his best to abate it, which only served to make things worse. The encouraging nods, loving smiles and hand squeeze, as innocently as they were meant, had the opposite effect.
The princess was not alone in noticing how normal the togetherness felt. Han soon realized that his actions were far more personal then he had intended. But somehow he couldn't stop. He had crossed the line from Ric Baerlon to Han Solo startlingly quickly, a fact he fully blamed on taking in the sight of the bare expanse of Leia Organa's neck and shoulders, and the feel or her small hand under his large one.
They sat silently for a moment, letting their table mates converse about cases of Normidian Plague around them, both wondering what the other was thinking. Han was about to venture a glance at the princess when he was interrupted by the arrival of desert.
At once blessing and cursing any god which might be listening, Leia used the excuse of adjusting her desert bowl to remove her hand from under Solo's. She noticed with relief that the rest of the table, with the possible unfortunate exception of Endel, had perceived nothing of the strange moment and were now busily tucking into the fruity desert.
It was, Han decided, time to find something stronger then the horribly sweet wine he was drinking. He was about to get up when he realized that Hadlo was speaking to him again.
"Well Dr. Baerlon," she said, "I think it's your turn." Han looked at her in confusion for a moment, but was saved as Hadlo spoke again. "What prompted you to study medicine?"
He glanced at Leia, and knew she was thinking the same thing. This had better be good. Knowing there cover could depend on his answer he uncharacteristically thought before he spoke, then grinned as an idea came to him.
"Well," he answered, "There was this Wookiee-"
Han was not able to finish. As he spoke an explosion hit the ballroom, noise and fire erupting with overwhelming force .The glowpanels failed, and in an instant smoke filled the air and shrapnel began to rain down from the ruined ceiling. Acting on instinct and ignoring the terrified screams around him, Han blinding grabbed the princess and dove under the little cover the table would provide.
Judging by sudden number of beings he heard throwing themselves beside him, the rest of the table had approved of the idea and followed suit. Smoke alarms began to wail, followed closely by the sound of the hotel's sprinkler system drenching the room, the hiss of fire-dampening foam and the crunch of rescue worker's boots entering the ballroom.
Hoping they were reasonably safe for the moment, Han risked a glance in Leia's direction. Through the near impenetrable gloom, he saw that the princess had landed in a heap beside him. Han found he hand and took it, hoping to anything out there that she was alright. "Le- Mei, you all right?" he said urgently, struggling to be heard over the noise.
Leia used his hand to pull herself up to a semi-sitting position. "I'm fine," she answered. "But I've got a really bad feeling about this."
To be continued…
A/N: So I lied again. They didn't go to bed in this chapter. But that's what happens when rewrites get messy. And they will soon. I pinky-swear. Anyway, thanks so much for reading and please review.