Ach! Yes, yes, I dropped off the face of the earth. I know. It's been, oh, two months since I've even touched this thing. It's like it's been infected with some weird disease thing and needed bed rest for a few, uh, days. Right.
I have to hand it to y'all, I've been so impressed with the patience and the wonderful feedback I've received from you. It's a fantastic feeling to know that other talented writers out there care and respect what you believe you're fumbling through. Much, much gratitude to those that leave reviews! I've got a bit more to say about that at the end of this chapter, so that's that for now.
Limelight: Well, I greatly enjoyed your response on NQLL and figured I should return the favor by putting you up first as well. :) I adore getting reviews from you -- compliments to characterization are so nice for my ego. I think since I've started reading your reviews, it's doubled in size. Or tripled. Or . . . meh, you don't care. Just know that I value your opinion as a reader greatly, probably more than anyone else's. And I have two fantastic stories by you that I still have yet to review. How awful is that? Geez, if reading without reviewing is a fanfiction sin, good Lord above . . . :) Thank you again, it's a pleasure, as always.
HSG: Oh, your sexy studmuffin (Hey! He's mine!) will be appearing in chapter 16, I assure you . . .
Summers2004: Ahem. Well, you didn't miss much fanfic on my account, I assure you . . . :) Thanks for your kind words. How was Japan? Was it as uber exciting as I always imagine it to be?
Aladailey: "I've got a bad feeling about this" will always be a favorite line of mine. I figure that since it's in the saga like twenty-something times, it should make an appearance somewhere here! Ooh, you've got the right person pegged down to suspect. Keep looking at Leorime. . . Oh, and heroine-like withdrawls? I'm so sorry. Here . . . take a tylenol. Maybe it'll help, er, not. :)
Sarge1: Ivoen's mother reminds me of most people's mother. Not mine, but most. :) I think it's in the job description: unendurable physical trauma, unendurable stress during prom night, unendurable torture of children until said children are old enough to begin the cycle anew . . . :)
Ophelia Eternal: Thank you! Clones by their very definition are creepy. Eech. It makes my skin crawl just thinking about it . . .
Starrunner: Hey! An old school reader! You're not late, just fashionably tardy. Thank you!
Trout: Oh, Trout, how I love thee. Shall I count the ways? No seriously. You rock. I almost sent this to you for editing help, but do you know what stopped me? I actually value your opinion too much! Seriously. I was afraid you'd hate it and not know a good way to break it to me, so I didn't. I think that's a sign of security issues, deep psychological scarring or something . . . Oh, well. I wrote it and had boring old Pegatha pour through it. She's such a wimp. :)
Pegatha: I love you. Don't hurt me.
Prudence-Chan: Leia's Guilty Conscience Board is almost too full. I should give her a clean slate one of these days . . . but wait! She gets Han Solo eventually! As if! I'm not giving her an easy time of it, I assure you. :) Ah, yes, well, Leorime certainly raises some suspicions, doesn't he? Thank you!
Owphoenix: I love my family. Ivoen's, however . . . Thank you!
King00Nayr: You are the most psychotic person I know, you know that:) Ah, I love you anyway. You are still at the top of my list as the strangest review I've ever gotten on these things here, the one about the kiss in "Solo's Girl" and my investigations into that kiss . . . oh, man. Still cracks me up. Once again, I'm so happy you're reading this. It's wonderful getting feedback from people I know actually exist. Well, I guess these other people exist, too, but they could be like seventy-five year-old pedophiles and stuff. Scary. Thanks!
Jillie Rose: I'll take actually-rather-goodness in a heartbeat. I've said all along that people are insane to want to read this with the summaries I've written. Yikes. Welcome and I'm glad you sorta think it's okay!
MLRC: Oh, more real people. I'm sure you won't click on this again, but, if you do, you suck and should have better things to read than my crap. Like . . . umm, let me see . . . oh, right. Harry Potter. Gah! Shelve this, Farrer :)
A Lurking Reviewer: Ah! See, I make sense in my stories! I'm really surprised more people didn't see that coming, but I'm certainly glad you did. Here's a gold star for all your in-depth reading. Kinda. A cyber-gold star. Oh, heck, here's a cyber gold star and a bizillion dollars. There you go! Thank you for your kinds words, I do so appreciate them!
Anna: Yay! Han and Leia-ness! I'm such a shipper, it's ridiculous. I'm glad I'm not the only one!
Trinity Day: You know, I hate having to write apologies to sincere and fun readers telling them how idiotic of a person I am. I truly am sorry that I've kept you in wait for so long. Trust me, my favorite writers tend to do this to me, too, and I've always sworn that I would never, never, keep a story out of circulation for more than two weeks. Yeah. That worked well. I do so appreciate your review and I thank you for continuing to read, despite my stupidness. :)
Anarane-Saralonde: Oh, I know. I couldn't wait to turn eighteen because that was how old Leia was in ANH and for some reason I was excited about that. Maybe I thought I'd meet my Han Solo by now. Sheesh. :) Thanks!
Solo-Shodan: I agree! Hopefully in chapter 16 I can get those two in the same room again. :)
Phoenix Flight: Thank you!
This is another one of those "Oh, man, I can't believe I'm posting this without another thirty revisions" chapters. Not that I want anyone to leave me unaccountable for the certifiable crap I feel I sometimes dish out to you wonderful people. Honest reviews are most welcome!
But, I guess I'm doing it. Yes, I will, I'm pushing the 'post' button. Yikes!
The "delights" part of "recreational delights" was highly subjective, Leia decided, depending completely on the species, gender, and age of the participant.
And their involvement in Ganscorp business affairs.
Not that she hadn't enjoyed the Rivaucnev City aquarium; the sheer magnificence of the admissions price was enough to drop her jaw. And the moving boardwalk had been highly fascinating: fascinating, that is, until she'd been hit in the head by three human brothers tossing Filimian crabs to each other in an effort to get her comm frequency. And the enchanting way the morning meal, afternoon meal, and the evening meal, all procured outside of Mrs. Sorreh's culinary disaster area, were products of the same set of sea creatures to which Leia had quickly discovered she was allergic.
The "recreational delights" may have, at some points in her life, been truly delightful. Ivoen, even while attempting to maintain her adult façade, seemed to be awestruck by the most minute elements of the seaside town. Having spent many, many hours alone here in her younger years, she'd confided in Leia, Ivoen felt herself right in the center of her childhood fantasies and wouldn't go back to the university if it paid her.
At this point, however, Leia felt more like the tossed Filimian crabs than a participant in any activity to which she was subject. With the sudden realization that she had unknowingly sacrificed Krem Nusorreh-Duil to the IE authorities, Leia had found herself intrigued less by "recreational delights" than by her own guilt. Careful not to let her self-loathing show, she playacted the part of Rimmas Stribur as the Sorreh's attempted vacation and kept watch for new information at all times.
And kept a clear, open eye on Leorime Sorreh.
That, after all, was quickly becoming Priority Number One.
"Rimmas, are you planning on swimming?"
Leia looked up at the inquiring tone of Mrs. Sorreh, and then at the large expanse of blue behind the older women's back. Swimming? A quick glance at the not-very-public, restricted pool insured that, while relatively desolate, there was nonetheless a small supply of humans frolicking – a word Leia was sure she would have never used were the circumstances not so similar to what had passed for royal frolicking at the House Organa – within the water.
She hurried her eyes back to the Ivoen's mother, whose gaze had softened and melted at the sight of Leia's apparent horror. "Oh, dear, I didn't mean to be so heartless! You do know how to swim, don't you, dear?"
Why, no, actually, if it'll get you off my back. "Well – "
"Because I have taught beginning aquatics at the center for years! In fact, that's how Leorime and I met, it was so lovely – "
"Well, actually – "
" – and, anyway, perhaps you'd like a quick lesson? It would take hardly any time at all, and I'd be happy to get the training equipment out, it'll just take a second – "
"It's quite alright, Mrs. Sorreh. I can swim just fine, really." No way you're coming near me with any 'equipment', you old, overzealous, deranged bat –
"Good, you'll be needing a set of swimwear, of course?"
Leia closed her eyes and envisioned how Solo would react should he ever find out what exactly she'd worn during this particular part of her vacation. He'd take a holo and mount it in the mess. And the hangar. And the hallways. "I'm not really interested in – "
"Oh, nonsense. Evander's here has some fabulous designs for a petite little thing like you. They'll be thrilled to have us back again – we've spent quite the pretty credit here through the years – "
Leia sighed and breathed deeply, determined not to do anything rash. Ivoen might notice if her mother wound up deceased by way of an Alderaani stronghold-turned-deathclamp.
After securing the comm earrings in her purse under the heavy guard of Leorime's half-awake security, Leia had stepped into the water and was promptly assaulted by images of Aldera's white lilies floating past her study and the scent of honeytigris that crept through her open skylight as she fell asleep, soft hands stroking like silk over her brow and a deep, reassuring voice conveying that calm smile hindered only by the quiet crease of wrinkles around deep brown eyes –
She snapped her eyes open – what the hell has happened to my focus lately? – to find Ivoen looking at her. "Never swam in it before?"
Leia shook her head. "What is it?"
"Intropica. Really rare, I guess. This is the only place I've ever been that's had it." She watched Leia's inspection of the water with an amused expression on her face. "Like a drug, right? It's supposed to make you remember. Good things, too. I've never heard of anyone disliking the Intropica."
"Right." Leia, keeping a wary eye towards the pool, drifted closer to Ivoen. "How do you know what it is?"
Ivoen shrugged. "Did a report on it a few years ago in prep school. There was some controversy over this lawsuit, I guess. Some guy became addicted to the hibridium in it or something – "
"What did you say?" What?
"Hibridium." Leia and Ivoen looked up at the young man leaning over the side of the pool, beverage glasses in hand. "Its hibridium, but hardly anyone knows that." He gave a cheeky grin. "Nice to see some brains with the scenery. Can I get a couple of names along with the good impression?"
Hibridium?
Ivoen looked sharply at him. "We didn't invite you into the conversation."
"Trust me, your floundering was as good as an invitation." He squinted one eye in amusement and smiled again. "Now that we're done with the poetics, I'll offer some more wisdom. My name's Jakobi."
Ivoen glanced at Leia.
Leia watched Ivoen.
Jakobi stared at both of them. "And this is where – "
"My name is Jui," Leia spoke up. Tell me how the hell you've got your hands on hibridium. "We are pleased to meet you Jakobi."
"And my name is – " Ivoen looked at Leia pleadingly, and then cleared her expression. "My name is Jai."
Leia wanted desperately to interrogate Jakobi, and he apparently took her cue as he plopped unceremoniously beside the pool and stuck a hand in the water. "Guests love the Intropica. Rivaucnev Resort is, of course, the only facility within one hundred kilometers to have the hibridium permit." He tried the grin again. "We're the best around, as I'm sure you've noticed."
"Why does this place have a hibridium permit?"
He looked at her, one eye squinted against the glare of the sun. "I don't have any idea. I'm a waiter-in-training. They only consult us about the really important decisions."
Ivoen blinked. "Like what?"
"Oh, what Ithorian garnishes to put in the Eyeblasters, is the tie above the left, right, or center button, you know – "
"Right, but the hibridium, Jakobi?" Leia cleared her throat. "If it's Garos IV-mined, it would cost a fortune to ship it here. Why spend that much on a relaxant for guests?"
Jakobi raised his eyebrows as Ivoen narrowed her eyes in Leia's reaction. Leia ignored it. "It's not shipped. Mined all along the coast."
How – "That's impossible."
"Apparently not. Bosses subcontract all the time. On the quiet, of course." Jakobi vaguely waved a hand towards the ocean. "Guess they don't want anyone else getting a hand in the industry. Hey, Jai, you want a Whyren's Reserve? My treat, of course – "
Leia pushed Ivoen back with her hand. "Hibridium isn't found anywhere other than Garos IV." I would have heard about it if it was. "It must be shipped from offworld."
"Rims, ah, Jui – "
"Look, I don't know what you're accusing me of here. My brother has been mining it here, onworld, for like five years."
" – maybe we should go." Ivoen was tugging on Leia's hand.
"No. Go away." Leia locked her gaze on Jakobi's. "Who else knows about the hibridium mines here?"
"How should I know?"
"What mining company does this resort contract?"
"What's it to you?"
Leia took a quick look around. Where'd Ivoen go? "What's the company?"
Still seeming unsure, Jakobi wiped a hand through his hair and stood up. "The biggest one, the one my brother works for, is called FuraCom. That's all I know. Let your sister know that she can comm me whenever she wants. You – " He pointed at Leia " – you stay away."
Hibridium. If the Alliance could get their hands on a live mine –
Spaceflight was, most species agree, the most important discovery in the relatively recent past. The ability to rove between planets, then solar systems, then the span of an entire galaxy, brought individual outposts of life into a new phase of understanding and civilization only dreamt of in previous generations.
Here they had the ability to move past cultural differences and begin a new era of peaceful coexistence between each and every civilized outcropping.
Yet, as inevitably happens, peace digressed into misunderstandings digressed into painful misconceptions digressed into war. By the very invention of spaceflight, and the rather ingenious development of lightspeed, civilization brought about its most civilized stage – that of war and genocide – and newer and newer models of civilization were invented.
Spaceflight, sublight and hyperspace, evolved as well.
For now the ability to hide oneself in the warship one commanded had become a top priority for all concerned. Hiding an individual was mere child's play. Hiding an entire starship – a fighter, a freighter, a destroyer, what have you – from shipboard scanners was, after all, civilized.
The first foray into cloaking device development was relatively successful, but, as with many fine technological advancements of its time, its debut onto the galactic scene was lost by the end of the Clone Wars. And then an extremely intelligent but sadly, and predictably, uncredited being found an alternative resource to create the newest pinnacle of cloaking device technology.
Hibridium.
Unstable though it was, it was another step toward a more progressed and civilized age, an era in which, sadly, warfare was still considered a necessary delight. Both sides worked the mineral, both sides failed to stabilize it. And so they both declared defeat and attempted to divine finer and better manners in which to kill themselves and set the device to the back recesses of their wartables. Not off the table. Just to the back.
Away from the clutter of manslaughter and civilization.
But not forgotten.
"Got a question for ya, Jace."
"Yeah?"
"'member the class project I did that one time, like, six months ago?" Remember, Han, remember! "About the ship thingies and, oh man, what were they called? You helped me with it – "
"Six months ago?"
C'mon. Think. "Uh-huh. In like history or something. The guys were trying to make that one ship disappear or whatever. It was a big deal and we didn't get a very good grade on it, remember, because I lost the name of the stuff that they were using?"
"Hibridium," she heard him whisper. "Stang, sweetheart, we spent forever on that thing. Did you find stuff you could have used for it?"
Thank the gods Han Solo can read my mind. "Yep. Lots of it. Right here."
"Gotcha. I'll see you soon. Take care, you."
Her face flushed. "Yeah. Later."
My quick plead, ladies and gentlemen: A few days ago, my friend and I were discussing the hit counter that one finds under the new format. In case you aren't a registered author on this website, the hit counter gives us, the authors, a partly skewed but educational idea of how many of you are actually reading our stories compared rather drastically with the number of reviews we receive.
As you read stories that you enjoy or believe are written well or that are characterized perfectly, keep in mind that these authors spend a great many hours working hard to present these fics to you and they can see how many people are reading them (kinda) with the inclusion of the hit counters. Be thoughtful, please. Even a "good work" review suffices for the time being. Make it a habit to congratulate and encourage these authors. Especially the younger and newer authors, who are so excited for even three thoughtful reviews.
Your input is valued greatly. Keep it up!
Thank you!
KR