Chapter VI

Dash Drake looked at the Millenium Falcon as it landed in the presidential gardens. Some of the closest collaborators of the president, as well as the chief of the official opposition of the senate, Brent Gabe, assisted at the arrival of the delegation of the New Republic.

Brent: I would have believed that the president would have been there to welcome the emissary of Coruscant. It is a good reason to deposit an objection at the senate.

Dash: You are able to keep something for you?

Brent: That will depend on what.

Dash: The prodigal brother is back.

The senator was surprised by the consellor's revelation.

Brent: Han! But I tought that he was on Alderaan when it exploded.

Dash: Wrong track. He's a member of the Rebellion. He's the General who carried out the rebellious troops on Endor. It's especially because of him that we receive this delegation of the New Republic. This visit was organized by Mayra and the president of the New Republic, Mon Mothma. Corellia always supported the Rebellion, so it was useless to send a delegation to sign peace agreement.

Brent: Mayra! You dares to call our president by her first name and you're still alive! Don't let Kyle hear you call her that. Speaking about this dear Kyle, where is he? With the president?

Dash: Over there with my father.

He pointed Drake Krane who was speaking with Kyle West.

Brent: He left the president alone?

Dash: She insisted. But he must join her at the Solo villa.

Brent: And you were put aside?

Dash: You know, I'm okay like that. Han and I, we never were really great friends.

Brent: But you nevertheless spent five years seeking him through the galaxy! Ah... but it is clear now: you did it only for the beautiful eyes of our president!

Dash: Come on, Brent! I know May... our president since always. She's like a little sister to me.

Brent: I have a sister, Dash, and if I looked at her the same way you looks at the president, it would not be legal!

Brent then turned his attention on the cargo. He went to join Krane senior and Kyle West who awaited the arrival of the delegation. They noticed that Han Solo kept his distance from the group which was composed of a young woman, two other men, a wookie, a protocol droid and a R2 unit.

Drake: Kyle, could you take care of Han? You know what to do. Senator Gabe, would you like to assist me toward the delegation?

Brent: With pleasure, consellor Krane!

The three men then split up. Drake and Brent went directly towards the delegation while Kyle moved toward Han.

Drake: In the name of President Solo I wish to welcome you on Corellia. I'm Drake Krane, first advisor of our president. This is Brent Gabe, chief of the official opposition of the senate.

Leia: I thank you, sirs, of your warm welcome. I'm Leia Organa and here's my escort, jedi knight Luke Skywalker, General Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca and General Han Solo... but where is he?

Brent: Don't be worried, Han will join you later.

They all looked at Han leaving towards one of the shuttles with a man wearing a corellian captain uniform.

Lando: But where does he take him?

Drake: Don't worry. Captain West will not harm his best friend. Have confidence.

Luke probed the Force before concluding.

Luke: It's true. They mean no harm to Han.

Brent: It's an honor to meet the great Luke Skywalker. Don't you know that the largest intact collection of jedi archive was here, on Corellia?

Drake: I'm certain that the president will place them at your disposal. If you would follow me, a reception was organized in your honor.

The old man offered his arm to the princess and escorted her in the presidential palace. Luke, Lando, Chewie and the droids followed them in company of Senator Gabe.

Drake: Apartments were prepared in the south wing especially for you.

Dash Krane joined the group who entered the Ice Gallery.

Leia: Thanks again consellor, but I would like to know when I would be able to meet president Solo so we could sign the peace agreements.

Dash: Please excuse me princess. Dashwood Krane, president Solo advisor. The agreements were already signed.

Lando: But then why to have made us come here? Drake Kane invited them assoire before beginning its explanation

Lando: But then why have you made us come here?

Drake Kane invited them to sit down before beginning his explanation.

Drake: The reason of your coming on corellien ground is General Solo. For a few years my son Dashwood had sought intensively Han. Ms president organized this "mission" with the total assistance of your own head of state, Mon Mothma.

Luke: So this is only a masquarade?

The advisor shook the head.

Lando: You did that simply so that Han would returns on Corellia?

Dash: Han Solo left Corellia like a robber, fourteen years ago. We were unaware of his reaction! We would have never imagined that he would have become a smuggler recycled as a shoddy goods general!

Brent: Dash!

Drake: Please excuse my son, he don't think what he's saying. Han's fills us all of hoy.

Luke left the group and went towards the wall where an official portrait of the president was hung.

Luke: Is this the president?

Brent: Yes. She look a lot like her late mother, but her determination is typically Solo. You will meet her this evening at the official dinner. You will surely like her a lot 'cause Ms president is very interested the jedi heritage that Maya Kale-Solo left her.

Luke: Speaking about this jedi heritage... The first time I met Han, he clearly told me that he didn't believe in the Force!

Brent: I remember that Han admired his mother. He adored their voyage on Coruscant 'cause it gave him the opportunity to visit the jedi temple and his mother's Jedi Master, Mace Windu. The presidential family last trip on Coruscant was at the same time as the rise of the Empire and the fall of the jedi. Han and the president were in the temple when Vader and the Emperor's troops attacked it. They killed everyone, from the Jedi Masters to the young padawans, except the Solo children. My father told me that Han has never been the same after that. Then the murder of hisparents destroyed all the confidence he had in the Force.

Gabe then turned to another portrait, slightly older, representing a man curiously resembling Han, a woman, a young boy of hardly 8 years old and a small girl who couldn't be older than a year and a half.

Brent: This portrait was made just before the beginning of the Clones Wars.

Luke: It is... it is Han?

Gabe smiles before joining the group leaving the jedi with his reflexions.

TBC