Disclaimer: Do I have a beard and wear flannel shirts? No, I didn't think so.

Author: LA (SD went on an unexpected vacation trip, so you're stuck with me again.)

This isn't the best chapter…I'm not proud of it, but we need a little interlude, so here it is! Hopefully it doesn't stink too badly….Oh, yes, review and SD and I will love you!

Chapter 4: Proceeding Plans

Han Solo was in trouble; big trouble. He wasn't captured by pirates or in an Imperial dungeon or a wall decoration for Jabba the Hutt again. No, this was much, much worse. His wife was angry. No, make that furious. And all that anger and frustration was all directed at him. Quite frankly, Han thought that taking on the Emperor would be better than being cornered in a ship that was in hyperspace with no witnesses for a murder. He was going to be dead by the time they reached Coruscant.

Of course, the cause of this horrible, painful death was Lando Calrissian. It was his idea, and Han owed him a favor or two. Han also knew it was partly his fault for agreeing to help him in the first place. Basically, he conned Han into thinking it was the right thing to do, and the result was that he was in deep trouble. He just didn't know why exactly. All he agreed to do was help Lando get rid of some pirates that said he owed them a lot of money. Of course, Lando may have owed them a lot of money, concerning the type of person he was. The only problem was that Leia happened to schedule some political thing and he needed to be there with her…again. Time for intervention plan number one.

"Look, Sweetheart, I will be gone a few days. I've already said I would go, and Lando's counting on me. I can go to the political thingy next time one comes around."

"Han, this isn't just about the meeting, it is about showing support for the new system that is considering joining the New Republic. You are one of the galaxy's greatest heroes and they will feel insulted if you did not show them your support."

"Tell them that I am greatly sorry and all of that jazz. I really have to do this. Besides, we haven't been seeing a lot of action and I want to be out there again doing stuff." Intervention plan one wasn't going too well. Leia looked more furious than before.

"What about the children? Jaina and Jacen need to have a father. If you go and do some crazy stunt and get yourself killed, how would they feel to have no father? Han, it is too dangerous."

Plan A had failed…the only problem was, Han didn't have a Plan B. I am really losing my touch.

"What is too dangerous? The Imp attacks have died down since last year, and there aren't as many pirates around anymore. What is there to be afraid of?"

Leia looked worried now, almost nervous. "Han, you know about the rumors. I don't want you to get hurt out there."

Han looked almost relieved. "That's what this is all about? Honey, it's just a rumor, it doesn't mean that old what's-his-face is actually back. I promise I'll be fine, all right? And if anything happens that is out of the ordinary, I'll call you."

If anything was better than no Plan B, it was telling your wife that you would call her if something goes wrong. It's not like he would or anything…but just in case, Han would at least let her know if anything was fishy out there.

Leia considered it for a moment, and then looked defeated. "All right, you may go, but after we see the kids. Does that sound fair?"

Han gave her a lopsided smile. "'Course it does."

Leia looked pleased and their argument ended in peace, instead of Han being in pieces.

……………….

Leia Organa Solo was at peace—for now. Han had been a little less cooperative as she would have liked, but that was the way he was: a stubborn nerf herder to the bone. And that was the man she loved. Jaina and Jacen sat quietly for once, conversing in low tones. They were babbling about something in a language only they knew. Leia doubted that they knew what the other was saying, but they were still for once, and that was a miracle of its own.

Han and Chewbacca came bursting into the apartment, disturbing the somewhat short-lived peace. They were arguing about which part needed fixing, and which upgrade to give to the hyperdrive at the top of their lungs. Of course, hearing their father, the twins ran over to him and started jabbering even louder than Han's loud voice and the growling of the Wookiee. So much for a quiet dinner in the Solo's household.

The ruckus died down after a bit and Chewie left to his room to let the family have some time together. Jaina and Jacen sat side by side playing with their blocks that their uncle had got them some time ago. Han sat next to Leia and everyone was comfortable. Leia gazed at her children and wondered if she deserved anything better.

Jacen was a smart boy, even for his age. Leia knew that he had learned how to do things quicker than Jaina did. He was very quiet and shy, for his aptitude at troublemaking. Jaina covered that quite nicely. Jaina wasn't afraid of anyone or anything. She liked to build things with her own hands while Jacen preferred collecting bugs and creatures of all sorts. Both were incredibly bright and gifted in the Force. Leia knew that they would one day be great Jedi.

Han was also thinking about his two little twins of terror. He saw so much of himself and Leia in both of them, yet they were both unique in their own way. Jaina was a beautiful little girl, just like her mother. She was shorter than Jacen too, but only by a few centimeters or so. Jacen was the tallest, of course, but he wasn't as bright and cheerful as she was all the time. He was more resourceful and tricky, kind of like his father in a way, but he had soft spot for any living creature and always wanted to help out. Han suspected that it came from his mother. He had always thought of his kids when they were older as good people, and he hoped they got to be like that when they were actually that age.

……………….

Byss. Code seven four nine. Vital information. Open immediately.

Morbim Nadir silently shuffled over to his master, Darth Sidious.

"My lord, there is an urgent message waiting for you on the holocom." Nadir wheezed. The fat, short idiot couldn't even walk three meters without getting winded. Never mind that, the message was the topmost priority for Sidious.

"Good, good, my plan is going into motion," he said barely making a noise as he fluidly walked—almost glided—across the dirt floor. Sidious touched the play button and listened smirked wickedly as Senator Brejik Nord appeared on the screen. It was just a recording, but it was enough.

"Master Sidious," it said, the senator's eyes glowing red. "I have settled doubt in the arena of politics. Planetary Representative Wyath is now being doubted by his peers. I trust your bounty hunter is ready for the kidnapping tomorrow night. The plan is going according to plan. I shall await your signal to oppose Wyath in two day's time." With that, the recording of the Chiss shut off and Sidious cackled lowly in the back of his throat. Yes, everything was going well.

"Nadir," he snapped, "Set the com frequency for Varkell."

Nadir dipped his ugly head. "Yes, my lord." As Nadir limped back and forth setting up a very private and encrypted frequency and punching in the number for Varkell's ship that was floating around Coruscant. Varkell almost answered at once.

"My lord," the bounty hunter said, bowing his head in greeting. "I trust the plans are going well?" Insolent fool, he knows I am not tolerant for any kind of pleasantries of the mouth. Sidious would replace Varkell, but he was the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, known or unknown for his many feats. If he wasn't as superb at his job, Sidious would have his head sitting in his "trophy room".

Sidious smiled falsely. "Very well, Varkell. You are hereby notified that you are to proceed as planned. Use whatever method necessary. Leave no witnesses."

Varkell smiled coldly. "It will be done, my lord." The screen blinked out once more. Darkness engulfed the whole room. Yes, the galaxy shall again be mine.