"We have a surrender," Fel announced. "Cease fire, but be careful. Leave patrols. If they shoot, shoot back, and alert me."
"I'm going back to the Chimaera," Luke told his wingmates.
"I'm going with you, buddy," Han said.
All four fighters headed towards Adriff's Star Destroyer. They landed almost at the same time as a small shuttle. Luke climbed out of his clawcraft, and headed towards the exit.
"Luke!" a voice from the shuttle called.
"Mara!" he turned as he recognized it. They ran towards each other and emerged in a passionate kiss.
Luke heard the sound of a holo snapping. He turned to see Han holding the camera. "Don't you dare show that picture to Leia!" Luke said.
"What? Why not?"
"Because I am wearing an Imperial uniform, that's why not."
"Oh. Well, don't worry. I'll handle any problems you have with Leia. I already promised Mara that."
"Mara?" Luke looked at her. "You told him?"
She nodded. "There wasn't much to do in the cell."
"No, it's okay. I told Fel when I had to explain why I was looking for you."
"You could have made something up."
"Didn't feel like it."
General Fel entered the hangar. "Commander Skywalker?" he said.
"Yes, General?"
"I'll inform everyone later, but Parck contacted me. General Kell conducted an operation on Bastion. They found the Moffs—or rather, what was left of them. Sarim—I guess we should call him Isard now—replaced them by droids."
"HRDs?" Han asked.
"Yes, Solo. I don't know where they got their hands on them, but they had. All eight Moffs are dead."
"So what does that mean?" Mara asked.
"Well... that will be up to Parck and your fiancé's sister to figure out."
Luke nodded. "So we wait for the politicians?"
"We do."
XXX
"Did the shields hold?" Leia asked, and berated herself. If they didn't, she might not be dead, in this deep bunker, but all communication with the planetary surface, indicated by status screens around, would cease.
"They held," the reply came. "We did have to blackout the planet, though. We are slowly returning the power."
"Slowly?"
"We'll need to keep them up for a few hours, just to let all that energy radiate out. I recommend keeping them at full strength for a full day."
"Do that," Leia ordered. "With a provision," she suddenly amended.
"Provision, ma'am?"
"You will make a small temporary opening, to let a shuttle through," she said. "I'm needed elsewhere."
"Ma'am?" General Cracken asked her. "You're going to the site of battle?"
"I am. Contact the Rebel Dream, and inform them I'm coming aboard," she said. Before leaving, she picked up the microphone again to contact the shield control. "Are you the duty officer at the backup shield controls?"
"I am, ma'am," the voice came. Human male, by the sound of it.
"What's your name?"
"Lieutenant, junior grade, Jebatt Andkin, New Republic Navy," he replied.
Leia gave a short laugh. "Drop the 'junior grade', lieutenant. You've saved us all."
As she left, General Cracken looked at her. "Excuse me, ma'am. I don't mean to pry, but was there any word of your brother?"
Leia frowned. "Knowing Luke, he would be right in the middle of that battle," she said. "Han too, for that matter." She left the bunker before anyone could imply that her reasons for going to the battle site were personal. The implication would be correct, but it wouldn't stop her.
XXX
A welcoming party waited aboard the Chimaera. The ship was a slight distance away from the rest, with Fel's fleet on one side, New Republic forces on the other, and the ships of the Imperial Remnant, with their weapons and shields down, in the middle. The Rebel Dream had arrived in system less than an hour ago. After a quick assurance that Han and Luke were all right, Leia was invited to come aboard and join the negotiating team.
Admiral Parck, General Fel, Captain Adriff, Wedge, Lando, Corran, Kyp, Luke, Mara, Han, Chewbacca, Talon, Shada, Admiral Ackbar, General Kell, Admiral Taldine, Colonel Queder, and Garm Bel Iblis were waiting for the shuttle. An honor guard positioned itself as soon as the shuttle landed. The honor guard was formed of New Republic Marines on one side and stormtroopers of the 501st on the other.
Two Noghri leaped came out of the shuttle, sniffing around. "It's clear, Lady Vader," one of them said.
Leia came out. She wasn't wearing many decorations, but she made a very prominent display of the lightsaber at her side. She approached the line of people.
"Luke!" she shouted, hugging her brother. Han had to pull her away to get a hug of his own. "Miss me, Princess?"
"More than you know," she answered. Then she stood back, looking at the rest of the group. "Mara," she said, not putting any emotion in her voice. Mara tensed, but kept holding Luke's hand.
"Honey, can't you see how happy these two look? Give them a break, they deserve it, after all they've done here."
"Leia," Luke interrupted, "I am going to marry Mara. The only reason I might have had not to was politics. And as you see in this room," he waved his arm, "politics change."
Leia sighed. Luke was right. She still wasn't certain, however. "I'd like to talk to you in private
first," Leia said to Mara.
"Going to make sure I don't kill your brother?" Mara asked. "I grew out of that phase."
Han laughed, as did Soontir Fel. Then Admiral Parck approached her. "Madam Chief of State," he said. "May we begin?"
Leia nodded. "I still want to talk to you," Leia gave Mara a final look before leaving for the conference room.
Han looked at Luke and Mara. "What do you think she needs to do?"
"I don't know. But I didn't sense real hostility from her—not even deeply buried. Still, it does make wonder."
Mara chuckled. "Don't worry, dear," she poked him. "I won't keep you out of the loop."