Chapter 16 - Among Old Friends
High Orbit over Chandrila
Capital World of the New Republic
She hated coming here. To this world, to these people. Once, she was a firm believer in the way things worked; that they were undoing the mistakes of their forebears and creating something far better. Of course, she had not agreed to every decision or decree, and had fought many of them in the halls of the Senate and later during her full two terms as the leader of the "Free People." Yet, for all those disagreements, she still believed in the cause that her adoptive father had died upholding.
She looked out the window at the towering spires of silver and gray that seem to reach out for the heavens. Everyday, the homeworld of her mentor and closest political ally, and at times rival, was becoming more and more like Coruscant. The lushness of its rolling hills and temperate seas were being replaced by urbanization; the simple and natural with the fires of politics and governance. She understood why Mon Mothma had insisted on moving the capital of New Republic from Coruscant to Chandrila not long after the Concordance was signed-and unlike what many believed, it was not a sign of favoritism or patronage. Coruscant by tradition had always been the center of control, trade and politics in the galaxy, and yet it had long ago grown isolated from the actual affairs of those it governed.
Chandrila was meant to be a new start. Closer to the people, closer to the dream they had all fought for. A good dream, but still just a dream. A dream that was quickly falling apart despite her best efforts.
"Czzzt… sorry for the delay, Madam Counselor," the intercom buzzed to her left, "we had to clear Hanna air control for our landing procedures."
"No need to apologize, Captain," she replied simply and rather distantly.
"If I say so myself, ma'am, I would think these folks have grown rather skittish as off late."
She could only afford a thin smile. It had been over a decade since the Chimera movement within the New Republic had been exposed and destroyed, and yet the damage they had wrought were stilling being felt today. After all, how could the people of the galaxy trust their government when it was revealed to being puppeteered by a murderous, fanatical secret society determined to wipe out a single group of people by any means necessary and at any cost? That question had ruined the political career of Chancellor Pwoe Borileias after a single term of office and had nearly torn the New Republic apart at the seams. Though she could hardly have complained as it had assured her own rise to the Chancellor's office, but that hadn't been why she had taken the job.
It had nearly destroyed her marriage and her already strained relationship with her son to do it… but it had to be done. Pwoe had been a part of the newest generation of politicians, and the galaxy wanted something older and pure. They needed a hero, and they didn't need to look further than Leia Organa Solo, Senator of the New Alderaanian Sector and founding member of both the Alliance and the New Republic. The vote for her had been unanimous; there hadn't even been an opposing candidate. And so, she had served her time and did her part to help fix the damage.
But as she had found, the damage had been on the very soul of the state and her peoples. Now the dream she had spent her entire life fighting for and sacrificed so much for was dying, and she felt in some ways powerless to stop it. The name of Leia Organa Solo still carried weight but…
Her hand felt for the lightsaber clipped to her belt. She stared into its silver metalwork; her tired reflection staring back at her.
"Luke," she whispered softly into the empty void of the ship, closing her eyes as she did, "Cale."
Warm tears fell down her cheeks, but she hardly seemed to notice. It was a futile practice that she had tried for the past four years, but she tried again. She reached her mind through the void, calling out the names again and again. Like an echo, the sound of her own voice merely reverberated back from the darkness. She felt its swirling, treacherous mists reach up to her, whispering her name as its tendrils wrapped around her legs. Slowly and with a heavy sigh, she opened her eyes again and she was back in the present, and the world she had grown to resent.
She shook her head at it all, and slumped into her chair as the Naboo-built Nubian Yacht approached the skylines of Hanna City.
"Czzch… we're making our final approach, ma'am. We should be at the docking port in two minutes."
"Thank you, pilot. How is the reception committee?"
"The usual, ma'am. No reporter worth their spice is going to pass up you returning to the planet. You've been gone a long while, if I say so myself."
"Yes, I suppose I have."
"The Rangers are ready to move you out, but…"
There was a long pause before the Captain of the Yacht asked:
"The Revanites want to know if you want them to join the escort as well. They wouldn't mind getting a bit closer than just scope range."
"Oh they do, do they?" she asked with a smile. She felt the Captain shrug.
"They are Mando's, ma'am, they don't like being sidelined just for support. They maybe a bunch of religious nuts, but they do take keeping you safe pretty seriously."
"Even though my brother and I really have nothing to do with their long gone, ideological namesake?" she chuckled.
"Ma'am, half the galaxy already thinks your brother is a god, and you're close enough to that status as it is. Can't say it's all that surprising that some would actually act on that."
Leia smiled at that. It also didn't hurt that they were some of the finest warriors in the galaxy, though the irony of them protecting a member of their sworn enemy was not lost on her. She sighed, and after a few seconds consideration, gave her answer:
"No need to draw more attention than is needed, Captain. A simple escort will do."
"You sure, ma'am? I don't think they'd mind pushing some news parasite around a bit. Well, I certainly wouldn't mind."
"As tempting as that is, I will have to decline. We are here to make allies, not new enemies," I already have enough of those as it is, she didn't add.
"Understood, Counselor. We're making our final approach now," He paused for a moment as he checked his list, "and your friend is waiting on the deck."
"Of course he is," she suppressed a chuckle as she adjusted her formal white robes, and secretly resecurred her lightsaber beneath her flowing cloak. In the bay below, her escort of formally dressed, but uncomfortable looking Antaran Rangers waited patiently for her arrival. While they were fine fighters and more than proficient at keeping her safe, they weren't exactly the most tactful of fellows when it came to looking the political part. They'd rather be marching out in full armor and kit, pushing folks out of the way and generally doing their best to get their charge inside and under cover, but they were more than willing to make necessary, if albeit disagreeable accommodations.
Afterall, the galaxy hadn't exactly forgotten when they'd stormed the New Republic Senate to arrest members of the conspiracy that nearly exterminated the Jedi for a second time. Which had ended with them throwing said conspirators out into the streets and inciting a mob to beat them within an inch of their lives, before dragging them away to stand trial for their treachery against the guardians of the New Republic. They spotted her coming and immediately stiffened to a disguised parade rest.
"Escort is ready to move out on your word, ma'am."
Leia could only shake her head, "No need to be so tense, Captain. I doubt anyone would make an attempt on my life here, on the very heart of the New Republic."
"With all due respect, Counselor," the Ranger replied curtly, "your brother was at the Jedi Temple, the most secure place in the entire galaxy and he-"
She held up her hand and nodded.
"I understand."
The Captain of the guard sighed, "We only wish to ensure your safety, ma'am. We failed to protect your brother when he needed us most. We will not allow that to happen to you."
She smiled up at him and patted his arm.
"I have faith in your abilities to keep me safe, Captain. Now, shall we go and meet the limelight?"
The limelight came almost immediately after the ramp touched the deck, in the form of a hundred anxious holonet reporters and the flashes of as many pict-journalists. As she and her escort personnel stepped down the ramp, they were swarmed by mikes and projectors.
"Counselor Organa!" one reporter asked as she tried shoving her mike in her face before her escort roughly moved her aside, "What brings you back to Chandrila after so many years?"
"What news on the Jedi?" another screamed her way.
"Are you here to vote on the-"
"What's your response to Senator Fey'lya's-"
"You've been seen campaigning on-"
"Ma'am!" the very first reporter came scrambling back up to the front of their column, moving backwards as Leia's escort tried to shove her out of the way, "You haven't answered my question!"
Leia stopped the escort with swipe of her hand and faced the reporter, conscious of a floating projector moving closer to her face, "And what question was that?"
"With all due respect, ma'am, it's been nearly three years since you've been to Chandrila. Many of us still remember the fuss you put up leaving. So, why are you back?"
Before she could answer, the smoothest and most honey-covered voice this side of the galaxy cut in:
"Why, she is here to visit an old friend, of course. No harm in that, is there?"
Leia could only smile as Lando Calrissian effortlessly parted through the swarm of media vultures, his charm radiating like the sun as his own escort of blue uniformed Bespin Wing Guard trailed behind him.
"After all, the day that we old friends cannot get together without some suspicious sort assuming the absolute worst is the day that we all should stay home in relative comfort," he eyed the reporter with a wink, "and not provide you and your stations with the finest stories possible."
The reporter blushed from ear to ear and turned her head to avoid being seen. Leia tilted her head and shot him a bemused smile, "I see your charm hasn't faded since we last saw each other."
Lando took her by the hand and kissed it gingerly, "Hello, what have we here? A fine lady with far too much on her lovely mind? Tsh tsh, one ought to take the moment to relax, especially in your case."
The entire moment was caught by every single projector, and Leia had no doubt it would be on the cover of every holo-net story covering her return to the capital world.
"Everytime I relax," she eyed him warmly, her smile spreading into a smirk, "something terrible happens."
Lando beamed brightly, taking her aside as he reached his hand into his cloak and a moment later fished out what appeared to be simple gray remote. When he pressed it, every single protector that had closed within a yard of them suddenly danced and swirled about as though they're handlers had lost complete control. At least, until the hovering devices got to a minimum of fifteen feet from the escort and their charge. The few who pushed their luck quickly crashed to the ground in a loud clutter among the curses of annoyed reporters.
"There. Now we friends can have a few moments to ourselves. As I was saying, nothing terrible happened on Endor," he replied, his charm practically butter on the air, "I believe Han can attest to that particular truth."
"Now now, don't be jealous," she shook her head at him, "I just happen to meet the scruffy looking nerfherder first."
"From what I heard, in a trash compactor," he laughed.
"Not the most romantic of places-"
"Oh, I disagree. Nothing more romantic than meeting your flame while being under a hail of bolts. Believe me, it has that effect of… spicing up the moment, if you know what I mean?"
"You're a real charmer, Lando."
"Would you expect no less?" Lando asked, the pearl whites of his teeth showing as he eyed the suspiciously placed reporter with a handheld camera not three feet from them, "Now, how about a nice formal picture for the history books?"
Leia turned to face the camera, giving it her most regal smile possible as she shook hands with man of a hundred titles. Lando Calrissian: gambler, swindler, smuggler, entrepreneur, Baron-Administrator, General, owner of no less than six separate companies, and now Senator of his old staging block: the Anaot Sector. At the moment, he was about the only person Leia could honestly trust on this entire planet, and the feeling was mutual.
"So," he said sideways as he waved at the camera and the audience around, just before their escort roughly pushed aside the reporters as they continued their advance, "may I assume you're here to chat up our mutual friend down in the roundest building this side of the Core Worlds?"
"'Friend' would be putting it very heavy," she replied, keeping a straight, beaming face as their escorts surrounded them and began marching them through the crowds, "So, can I assume you're here to tell me that's a bad idea?"
"On the contrary, I'm here for the exact same reason. Oh sure, it is a bad idea, but what can be done but not bad ideas, hmm? I heard you were coming in from Mon Cal, and I figured we'd go together," he put a soft hand on her shoulder, craning his head and grinning, "like in the old days, eh?"
She smiled up at him, brushing off his hand from her white cloak as their escort moved them into a waiting area as the Mandalorians quickly inspected their awaiting hover-car.
"Old days… like when you were dangling over a Sarlaac?" she commented rather salaciously.
Lando laughed, marching in step by her side, his velvet majorelle cape flowing behind in tempo with her white. "Yes yes… and when you were wearing that lovely golden outfit of yours. Forgive me for being crude, but I have always wondered whether you kept it or not."
Leia turned her head to look at him, her smile her answer. Lando could only laugh.
"Speaking of which, where is Han?"
"He's looking for a certain roguish pilot."
"Hmm, seems he's been doing that quite a bit these days."
The Rangers gave a confirmation, and the Wing Guards moved them into the fashionable hover-car. Once secured, the two groups mounted police issued vehicles, and they all moved out through the busy streets of Hanna City. A few moments later, another escort of proper police personnel appeared at their back and front.
"Not to worry," Lando shrugged simply as he settled in the comfortable seating, "I happen to know the Chief of Police in the city. He is a good friend of mine."
"Isn't anybody and everybody of importance a good friend of yours?"
"But of course. It's the price you pay for being respectable these days," he then leaned forward, his face growing serious, "what's the news on Mon Cal?"
"I've met with Ackbar and Raddus. They agreed wholeheartedly with us and will be here in time for the assembly."
"Is that the only thing they agreed to?" Lando asked carefully. Leia could only shrug.
"Ackbar may be retired, and while Fay'lya may have done his best to ensure Admiral Raddus is indisposed… well, their word carries far."
"This is a dangerous game we're playing, Leia."
"I thought you liked playing dangerous odds."
"I do. I merely state the obvious. I mean, political machinations are one thing. But fleet wide political-relocation is quite another."
"Don't forget treasonous," Leia added.
"I have not forgotten. Have you talked to Syndulla yet?"
"No, not yet. Why, have you?"
"Not directly," Lando said rather defensively, "but I do know she will be arriving here shortly."
Leia looked absolutely bemused, "Don't tell me you haven't gotten over her low blowing you."
"Oh, I got over that a long time ago. She didn't," he shrugged disarmingly, "even though that particular incident turned out alright in the end."
"You still tried to sell her into slavery," Leia pointed out. Lando almost looked hurt by that remark.
"All part of the plan, as I've told you. And like I said, it all turned alright in the end."
"Oh I know, but next time you might try and fill the others in on your plan. After all, Kanan wasn't too pleased with you either."
Lando smirked, "He was never pleased with me, though. So I-" the words died in his throat before they could be made and he quickly choked on them. His face became long with the shadow of death and he shook his head softly.
"I don't envy that family's going through… or their daughter for that matter," he then leaned forward again, asking with a rather suspicious tone, "she wouldn't happen to know where-"
Leia prompt shook her head, trying but failing to keep the pain out of her face, "Hera hasn't heard from Deba since the Jedi disappeared."
"But I thought she was on Tatooine with Master Hett."
"She was."
The definity of her answer left a cold taste to the air as the two muld over what that fact meant.
"And you still can't sense your brother?"
"Nor my son," she sighed softly, "everytime I try… it's like I'm at sea and mist swirls around me everytime I try to call out to them."
Lando nodded gravely at that. While he'd only been a child during the Clone Wars, he'd still heard the rumor about the Jedi and their powers of foresight somehow being blinded by the war itself. He hadn't put much stock into it, but from everything Leia was describing… he wasn't so sure anymore.
"Well," he replied with his trademark Sabaac smile, "we can at least try and do some good here."
"Yes," Leia said distantly as she stared out the window of the cruiser, "try."