Author's Note: Star Wars belongs to Lucasfilm/Disney, and I make no profit from this story.

A note of politics in this fic. I have to have a vote and political differences in this story because it fits the story.

The politics in this story and commentary on it apply solely to the Galaxy Far, Far Away and are not commentaries on what is going on in now for those of us in the U.S.

Please, if you must look at this story though a political lens, just make the bad guys they ones you are against, and the good guys the ones you support. For my purposes, the Empire represents the Empire and the Alliance represents the Alliance alone.

It is this author's wish that while reading this story we could all be Switzerland-nice and neutral-and just enjoy Star War because it's just so cool and especially because it's so far, far removed from this crazy place.


Grooved metal floor panels clacked as Luke strode toward the Falcon's spaceward cargo compartment. Passing blinking clusters of light scattered, seemingly at random, Luke slowed at the speeder sized gray door.

A security monitor switched from a red lit display of the droid within to the actual view of scratched white interior. The deep, black droid caged a smooth silver box in its pincers.

"What's the fleet doing sending pilot recovery droids to deliver packages?" Luke wondered to himself as he tapped in the code on the panel underneath the view screen.

Clicks and trills of the Falcon's unique dialect accompanied the readings that scrolled past showing breathable atmosphere. The door slid back with a creaking groan into the curved white panel above. Curiosity peaking, Luke approached the droid.

Luke reached out to touch the dim glow of the message indicator light. The next moment, the droid's head swiveled to the side and a holorecording of Mon Mothra appeared before him.

"Commander Skywalker," Mon's image began, "I was deeply saddened to see your formal resignation from the Alliance fleet, but I understand your need to act as the Force guides you."

"I saw the Jedi order brought to nothing, perhaps, in part, because they were so linked to the Republic, as you have suggested yourself," the recording continued, "I am comforted to know that you are committed to the principles of democracy and freedom, and trust that you will ever defend those values as you have while counted officially among our number."

The holographic image of the Alliance's political leader motioned to the box. "I send you robes fashioned from some Endoran fabrics in the style of the Jedi that came before you. The Naboo owe the Jedi for the freedom of their world from the tyranny of the Trade Federation. In these," the image motioned to the box once more, "I hope they see the return of the Jedi. In Princess Leia, I hope they see the rise of the Republic, and in General Solo I hope the resolve to defend all who ally with us in these goals."

"They are, however, gifts. Feel no obligation to wear them if you do not wish to do so. May the Force be with you, Master Jedi Skywalker."

Luke swallowed at the knot in his throat as he reached out to take the box. The metal rods encircling the box peeled back and slid into the droid, leaving no trace of their existence. Luke nodded to the droid. "I'll open the airlock and let you out in a moment," he turned as he reached the door, and called back to the droid. "Tell Mon Mothra, I said,' Thank you.'"

A few tinny blats and beeps crackled from the droid's speakers.

"I'll take that as a yes," Luke said, before walking out the small cargo bay with the box under one arm.


"Look at you," Han said, leaning back with a wide grin on his face. "You almost look like a real Jedi."

Leia looked up, mouth dropping open in surprise.

"You look amazing," Leia said, laying aside her data pad to hug her brother.

Luke grinned as he hugged her back.

"Where'd you get the fancy threads? First guess would be Lando, but they're way too Old Republic for anything he'd choose."

Luke smiled as Leia pulled back and looked at the deep brown of the long sleeved under tunic and pants. His wide sleeved ivory jacked was crossed at his waist and gathered in classic Jedi style with a wide leather belt around his waist. The brown leather of his boots and belt a perfect match for his under tunic and pants. His lightsaber dangled from a metal hook on the belt.

"Gift from Mon," Luke answered with a shrug. "Thought it might help with the negotiations."

"Smart," Leia said, grinning. "I wish I'd thought of it." She eyed Han critically for a second.

He held up both hands as if to ward her off. "Don't even think about it. I'm not wearing some stiff dress uniform to impress anybody." He winked at her. "Besides we both know how how impressive you think I am."

Luke smothered a laugh as he sat in one of the rear cockpit seats.

Leia returned to her seat, nodding. "It's true," she admitted. "That you can have anyone take you seriously while impersonating a nerf herder is very impressive."

Luke didn't hide his laugh that time.

Han looked ready to shoot back his own remark, when Leia leaned forward to accept the transmission the panel's red light signaled.

"Hey, I thought you were leaving four hours ago?" Lando asked as his face lit up the viewscreen.

"Had the mechs give the Falcon a full diagnostic. Since I didn't supervise your fix on the sensor disc, I thought it couldn't hurt."

"Hey…I know what I'm doing. Still," Lando added with a smarmy grin. "Glad you had her checked out. They way you abuse her…"

"Yeah… yeah," Han said dismissively.

"So why are you still hanging around?"

"Got some good news that the citizens of Cloud City took out the Imperial garrison there before I had a chance to get my crew together. After hearing what I did to help blow that Death Star, they're planning a hero's welcome for me."

"Nice," Han said, and then added. "Are you sure?"

"I can trust this isn't a set up?" Lando interrupted, shaking his head sadly at Han. "Of course I can't. You really think so little of me that you'd think I'd not be on the lookout for that?"

Han chuckled.

"I'm working with some Alliance techs to get a secure connection to some of my people that were still in the city the last I heard. So what about you three? Going to end up same as always?" Lando asked.

"I really hope not," Luke said, leaning forward so he was in the comm transmitter's range. "According to the last of the data we've received, the people of the Naboo are divided on the exit from the Empire, Theed, some farm regions, and a few of the coastal zones are for joining the Alliance formally, but there are other areas have strong Imperial ties."

"We've initiated contact with the current Queen of Naboo, and, Pooja Naberrie, who served with the me in the Imperial Senate before it was resolved. She'll be serving as our liaison with the ruling council of Naboo," Leia explained, and added with a smile. "So hopefully a few debates and a quiet vote."

Lando chuckled, shaking his head. "You'll be in at least two firefights and in some epic life or death fight before you leave that world, or I'll owe you a bottle of Trewnal Ruby Red—an expensive Old Republic vintage." Leia smiled back and shook her head.

"I'll take that bet," Han said. "We can raise a toast at our wedding with it. Only the best for my lovely new bride," Han smirked at his pal.

"You're on." Lando said.

"Master Luke?" Threepio, called from the entryway to cockpit.

"Yes," Luke said, turning toward his droid.

"Artoo, has asked me to inform you that he has received permission codes and landing instructions for our approach to the Naboo System. He wants to know if you would like him to finish the hyperlink data storage for now since we will not be able to access holonets during transit, or if you wish more information before we depart."

"Tell him whatever he has now will be fine. Both of you secure yourself."

"You take care of yourselves," Lando said with a small nod toward the crew.

"You too," Han returned with a smile.

"May the Force be with you," Lando smiled back and cut his communication.

Han turned to nod toward the others, and flipped on his ships internal comm. "Everybody, strap in. We leave in three, two, one."

Starlines streaked past the window panels and the press of hyperspace pushed everyone back in their seats. Surrounded by the dark of hyperspace, Han turned to face Luke and Leia. "Any particular reason you chose the mission on the furtherest side of the galaxy from us?"

Luke shrugged, and Leia turned with a smile. "Maybe it was because Pooja and I were friends?" Leia said and then shrugged," or," she added, mischief gleaming in her eyes, "I knew I'd need all that extra time to get the two of you prepared for a mission that requires more subtlety than creating chaos and blasting everything in sight."

"I can be subtle," Han protested.

Luke guffawed at that. "Face it, Han, Leia has way more work on her hands than even this trip time can give her with the both of us." Luke gestured to the nava computer's readings. "We're practically going to Tatooine."

Han held his hands out. "No! Definitely not going back there."

"I second that," Leia said, a disgusted look on her face. "I never want to go back there again."

"Motion carried," Luke teased. "Not that interested in ever going back to that sand pile."

"See," said Han. "You already got us acting all diplomatic like."

Leia and Luke chuckled.

"Here," Luke said. He passed a data pad over to Han. "I've already read over the mission briefing. You can have this one."

Han took the pad with a grimace. "I'm sure it's riveting."

"If you want, we can all view the holofeeds together here. That way we can know if there's anything we need to work into these mission plans."

Leia turned to transfer the information to the main view screen.

Leia scrolled through the categories Artoo had set up for the relevant files, vids, and archives that had been loaded to the holonet loose of it's Imperial restraints.

"Well that one looks interesting," Han said pointing. "I don't remember a Relevant-to-Master-Luke-and-Mistress-Leia category in the official planning session, or on this data pad," Han said, waving the object in the direction of the screen.

"That's because there isn't," Leia said, leaning forward, and selecting that category, a worried expression on her face.

Several sub categories popped up in their place.

Han broke into laughter.

"Love Life Inquires?" Leia asked, appalled.

"I have to see this," Han said, reaching over to select the icon.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Luke muttered, rubbing his hand over his face.

"Welcome to the first Saucy Sources where we look for the news that's really spicy!" A Toydarian in a neon green vest and slicked black hair flitted next scantily dress human, her blonde hair piled high in a cascade of curls that seemed to defy gravity, and a Tortuga female wearing an electric blue body suit. "So many things to discuss."

"Let's start with the most obvious attraction. Master Jedi Luke Skywalker is single all you listening, and if it is true that he's the son of the Hero with No Fear…"

Luke and Leia grimaced at that. "He'll likely not be averse to finding some lucky partner, and if he breeds, hmmm… what a talented line he'd be continuing," the Toydarian continued.

"It will be even more impressive a line if the rumors about him and Princess Leia are true."

Han laughed again and Leia reached for the control but stopped as the words, "But you can't count out General Solo," The blond said excitedly. "My sources on Tatooine say that she was seen kissing him inside Jabba's palace after her first attempt at rescue failed."

"And Master Jedi Skywalker rescued them both, according to my sources. Which would surely show her which male was worth setting her affections on." Leia said frozen as the commentary continued on.

"Or," posited the Toydarian, "She is a very widely traveled and open minded according to my sources; perhaps she'll adopt the traditions of the Harshaw system or the Masekel rim worlds where a female takes many mates."

Luke and Leia shuddered as Han laughed even harder even as he tapped the console to cut the recording. "Sorry," he said, still laughing. "It's just so stupid."

"It is," Leia said, still feeling her skin crawling at their various theories. "I forgotten how bad the gossip gets for public figures."

"We could always stop off and get married somewhere. Hold a press conference after," Han joked.

Leia leaned back in her seat. "Maybe we should."

Han looked up at her, surprised.

"Leia, you don't need to rush into anything," Luke said, gently. "Especially not because of stupid rumors."

"I know, Luke," she said, turning so that all three were facing each other. "But I know, we all know, how short life can be, and the only reason I would have ever had for wanting to wait—having a traditional Alderaanian family wedding isn't an option anymore."

She reached over to take Luke's hand. "My only family is right here with us. So, yes, after this Naboo mission, let's find some place and get married, Han."

Han gaped at her, thunderstruck.

"I'll think I'll go review this brief after all," Luke said, standing and reclaiming his data pad from the still and dumbstruck Han. "I'll be back in the bunks where it's more comfortable. Come get me when you need me."


"Wake up," Leia said with a smile.

Luke started, the data pad sliding from his chest. "Sorry, didn't mean to drift off."

"It's fine, Luke, but we wanted to view the latest files on the holonet about the Naboo System after you joined us."

Luke groaned and rolled out of bed. He draped his Jedi wrap over himself and followed, buckling it in place. "Just as long as there are no gossip vids in the mix.

"No," Leia said grimacing. "We'll be sticking to news sites presented from commentators on all sides of the upcoming vote."


"Scary how bias can make the same set of facts say almost anything depending on how you present them. At this point, I don't think any side is fairly informing the what is at stake, what they could gain, and," Leia added with a sigh, "what it could cost them if they do side with us."

"Then we'll have to be that voice of reason," Luke said, matching her pace.

"I hope we can be, but we are biased as well," Leia admitted.

"Then we will have to be sure that everyone can hear all sides of the argument, so they can make up their own minds."

"That," Leia said with a smile, "Sounds very diplomatic."

"I have a good teacher." Luke grimaced, "And I can look forward to more diplomacy lessons in the future, I hope? I'd rather not have to swing a lightsaber whenever I have to get involved in a dispute."

Leia nodded. "I'll be glad to. Starting now." She motioned for Luke to take the copilot's chair before she sat down behind him.

There was an image of a man frozen on the screen. "This is Sian Beamek. He is a very outspoken member of the Imperial Loyalist faction. He is drawing on the fears of reprisals and the concerns that the wider galaxy may take action against the Emperor's birth world for the harm committed by him."

"It's not an entirely impossible scenario," Luke admitted. "Crazy to blame an entire system for the wrongs committed by evil members of that system, but that sort of thing happens way too often. Or at least it did before the Empire decided it would decide who would be subjected to reprisals for any and no reason at all." He leaned back, pursing his lips in thought, "Even my lack luster education on Tatooine taught me that."

"The next image is Pooja Naberrie." Leia said as the image shifted. "The Imperial Senator I've been talking about from before the Emperor disbanded the Senate."

Luke was leaning forward, staring intently.

"I know this will sound crazy, but she feels familiar to me. Like I've met her before."

Leia smiled. "I think that's Pooja's gift. She is such a warm, kind person first, a deft politician second. She's the kind of person you feel like you've known forever only moments after you first talk with her."

Han cocked his head to the side. "Must be a Skywalker, Force sensitive thing," both looked questioningly at him. Han shrugged.

"She looks nice enough, but not any different than anyone else to me."

"You'll see it when you meet her," Leia assured. She turned back to data feed. "The rest fall in with one side or the other and the disagreement in the regions is very evenly divided." Faces faded in and out with an A for Alliance leaning, or I for Imperial loyalist.

Luke took a few moments to look at each face, realizing only after a few council members flashed past that he was unconsciously reaching to the Force for knowledge. He listened as Leia told them of each representative, his eyes losing focus.

Hazy at first, he saw a young girl, her hair all in curls crying and walking, a sad song was playing, "Come Pooja. We must follow," she moved forward slowly.

"Why?" she sniffled. "She's gone," Another woman appeared, Luke only got a glimpse of warm, brown eyes before the young Pooja was wrapped in a hug.

"She'll never truly leave us, my love. She left a part of herself behind in all of her family."

"Luke?" questioned Leia.

"Sorry, got distracted," Luke deflected even as he wondered why the Force would choose to give him this particular vision.

He smiled sheepishly and motioned for her to continue.


Brilliant starlines pushed back the soupy black of hyperspace. The soft whine of the hyperdrive powering down blanketed the cockpit in an extra layer of quiet. Han looked up from the data pad he had been studying to their jump exit, one of the Naboo system's mining moons below.

Clear domes spread out like bubbles drifting over the surface of a barren ivory landscape. A few sleek silver transports flew over the surface and up toward the planet as his communicator light blinked a bright red.

Rope like towers of silver and stone intermingled shot upward into the black sky. Thick yellow exhaust flowed up from the wide openings in each tower for just a few feet only to dissipate in the thin lunar atmosphere.

The red light pulled Han's attention back away from the moon base. Flipping a switch, the view screen lit.

A Nubian queen in her full regalia of green and blue brocade and elaborate beaded head piece of gold, green and blue addressed them.

"We welcome you, Princes Leia Organa, Master Jedi Luke Skywalker, and General Han Solo. We look forward to your visit. We hope a swift and open debate will allow you to leave knowing clearly where the people of the Naboo place their allegiance."

"It is our honor and privilege to be allowed to present our case before your people," Leia said, standing so she could more clearly seen in the Falcon's transmission array.

"Ships from the mining colony will be ar…"

Leia's vision swam before her eyes and another queen, this one dressed in red, a stern look on her face, "arrived and you have been commanded to make settlement." As quickly as it came, the image faded. Leia struggled to maintain her composure."Will escort you to the hanger prepared for your arrival."

Luke glanced back at Leia, concern in his eyes.

"Understood, your Highness," Han said.

"Our delegation will meet you there," the queen said before cutting communication.

"What was it?" Han said, turning to see Luke looking toward Leia and seeing her wrap her arms around herself. Once the transmission ceased, she begin to pace.

"I saw something," Leia said. "I'm not sure what."

"It was the past," Luke said, lowering his eyes and searching the Force. "Another queen, another time."

"But why?" Leia asked, sitting dejectedly.

Luke turned his seat to face her and took her hands. "I don't know, but I had a vision of the past as well earlier. These visions may be linked to why we're here. Keep them in the back of your mind, but don't let them become a distraction."

"But why am I seeing these things?" Leia asked, distressed.

"On the trip over did you relax? Like when I taught the meditation techniques."

Leia nodded, "I was feeling anxious. I know that never helps in negotiations, or any other situation for that matter. But I don't want this!"

Luke took her hands in his own. "Don't be afraid of this, please. The Force has given you more insight and information. Continue to be who you are and do the good we are all committed to. We will see what these things mean in time."

"Words of wisdom, Master Jedi?" asked Leia, a small smile on her lips.

"No, a brother's pep talk," He returned with a smile.

"Ships are here," Han said as ten yellow single pilot fighters flew in front of them forming a column they were meant to fly between.

Han turned the Falcon, and they swooped up toward the brilliant blue world of the Naboo.

"It's like a Narilian Sapphire," Luke said, gazing at the plant growing wider before them.

"You always blow a circuit when you see so much water on a world, kid." Han observed, teasingly. "It's cute."

Luke stuck his tongue out at him and Leia laughed, leaning over the two of them to see the wide crystal blue seas open up as the clouds around them feel back like a wispy curtain.

"Ignore him," Leia said, clasping Luke's shoulder. "It's beautiful here."

Their escort turned sharply and they sped past coastal land with brilliantly stilted homes of stone, wood and tile, past rivers and lake lands with scattered forests and running wildlife."

Luke and Leia grinned as Han kept an eye on his instruments. "Lovely place here," Han commented, a sidelong glance at his companions. "Don't suppose either of you sense any kind of trap here?"

"Not yet," Luke said, "But that doesn't mean much." He refocused himself. "We'll be on guard," Luke said.

Leia nodded and returned to secure herself for landing.

"Wow," Luke said as the waterfalls fell away and the hangers to Theed's palace rose before them.

"Luke do you feel it, how welcoming it seems here?"

"Like coming home." Luke's forehead creased. "We have to be really careful. That feeling could cause us to lower our guard when we need it the most."

Leia nodded. But the feeling of home clung to the edges of her senses in a way she couldn't understand.


Metallic echoes sounded as the entry to the hangar bay opened. "Magnetic field disengaged. The Millennium Falcon is on approach," the Captain of the guard announced as he walked in front of the queen and with precise hand gestures directed the Queens Guard to encircle the delegation.

When he held up a hand a moment later, the procession stopped. Two columns of palace guards made up of both human and Gungan defenders flowed around the assembly forming a path to the landing zone set for the Alliance vessels arrival.

The moment the Honor Guard presented arms the Queen and her handmaids in their brilliant green robes led the delegation toward the ship now growing nearer with each breath.

Almost as if part of a dance, the yellow escort ships veered away in graceful arcs, pair veering away in opposite directions at exactly the same moment.

"The Queen should compliment her pilots on their skill," Pooja Naberrie whispered to the handmaid nearest her.

"I agree," Handmaid Bavanu whispered back. "I shall have to suggest it to the Queen."

As the last of the graceful Nubian escorts arched away to return to the mining moon's defense garrison, the Alliance transport came more clearly into view, slowing as the landing location was lit with a homing beacon.

"That's it?" Pooja whispered. "It looks about to crumble into scrap."

"There must be more to it than it's appearance if it truly has served and survived the destruction of two Imperial Death Stars," the handmaid whispered back, but not completely hiding the doubt in her voice.

"Perhaps seeking to be underestimated?" Pooja voiced, though still not convinced.

The Falcon entered the hanger and slowly turned toward the landing pad, as the Queen's delegation separated into three loose groups. The queen, her handmaids , and the guard making up the lead of the group with two clusters Naboo citizens on either side.

Pooja remained close to the handmaid as the Falcon's landing pads lowered with a hiss of steam and the landing ramp lowered.

"I do hope those inside prove more impressive," Bavanu whispered back to Pooja.

"If Princess Leia is anything like the delegate I knew on the Senate, you will have no need of concern," Pooja assured.

The last of the steam from the lowering mechanisms cleared as Princess Leia in radiant Alderaanian white stepped down to the hanger below. Two startlingly handsome men flanked her, one dark and in Corillian dress, the other in full Jedi robes.

"The are much easier on the eyes, I think," Handmaid Bavanu whispered only loudly enough for Pooja to hear her.

Pooja stifled a sinker as they approached, an R2 unit and gleaming protocol droid in their wake.

"Agreed,' she whispered back.


"Fancy," Han commented quietly to Leia. "I've seen fewer colors on a rainbow gull in mating season."

"Clothing is an expression of identity and purpose here more so than systems you're used to," she explained her face staying serene as she whispered. She teased, "which is only one of the reasons why of the three of us, you are the least prepared."

Luke snickered before following Leia's lead and adopting a serene expression. He grasped his hands so the wide sleeves of his Jedi over jacket met and flowed together from his center. A Jedi posture of attentiveness and non aggression, if his limited research proved correct.

The soft clicking of the beads dangling from the queen's head dress and the sound of the soft steps of the approaching delegation blended with the whistling of Artoo and the sound of metallic walking from behind them. The sounded faded as the party met between a line of massive columns leading into the marble entry into the palace, an expectant silence falling if only for a moment.

Luke and Han bowed at the waist and Leia lowered her head respectfully toward the queen in the age-old galactic custom of one member of planetary royalty addressing another, a gesture Queen Setalla of the Naboo returned.

"Greeting and welcome to Naboo," the Queen said, stepping forward.

"We are honored, Queen Setalla. We are grateful for an opportunity to present our invitation to your people as we attempt to restore democracy to the galaxy once more."

Leia caught a scowl pass on the face of Sian Baemek—the opposition leader—if her mission brief was correct-before she continued.

"May I present General Han Solo," she motioned to her right, "and Master Jedi Luke Skywalker."

The Queen turned her gaze toward Luke. "It is a great honor to once again have a Jedi among us. The Naboo have not forgotten what we owe to their bravery and sacrifice."

Luke smiled at her. "I know very little about the history of the Jedi. I would appreciate having access to any records regarding their service on your world. I understand Obi Wan Kenobi was here and would be eager to learn more of my former Master."

"Bavanu," the queen called.

A handmaid in one of their brilliant green robes stepped to the queen's side.

"See personally that all records of Jedi on the Naboo are compiled and presented to Master Jedi Skywalker with an emphasis on the actions of Master Jedi Obi Wan Kenobi.

Luke smiled, "Thank you, your highness, and handmaid Bavanu." He stopped a moment as his gaze turned to the handmaid. Something told him that she was more than she appeared to be, but before he could ponder that fully, she stepped back with a nod toward Luke.

The Queen nodded to her left, "Council Representative from the Western Sea's Province, Sian Beamek, Loyalist Coalition leader," and then to her right, "Pooja Naberrie, Council Representative for the Midlands Region, head of the Republic Restoration Coalition."

"We will not be drawn into a senseless war to tear apart the only governing structure we have in the galaxy," Sian stated, glaring at Princess Leia.

"If a senseless war and a legacy of chaos were all we had to offer you, we would not be here. The crux of Imperial strength and authority is destroyed. The Emperor and Lord Vader are dead. Many worlds have over thrown Imperial control entirely already and have pledged their support as we seek out to destroy the Imperial fleet."

"The Alliance has not been sitting idly between battles. We have long-ago-prepared plans and strategies to see that was destroyed can be built again."

"We of the Republic Restoration Coalition are eager to hear of these plans and hopefully convince our world to join you," said Pooja, smiling warmly at Leia and her escorts.

"The council chamber is prepared. We can continue these discussions there," the Queen said with a nod to her captain. He nodded an acknowledgment.

"Honor Guard dismissed," the Captain called.

The two columns of troops filed out in perfect step.

Once the hall cleared and the guard well away, the Queen turned away from the Falcon and led the trek down the large column bordered pathway in center of the hanger. "If you'll follow me..."

Leia, Luke and Han walked beside the Queen's delegation, but only made it a few steps past the first of a pair of columns when three bronzed metal discs rolled from within the palace hall. Seconds later, a troop of rusted and patched battle droids marched into view.

"Get back," shouted the Captain. He pulled the Queen and her nearby handmaids behind a column Pooja and the other Handmaids surrounded their queen. The delegates scattered, hiding and scrambling out of the way.

Han pulled his blaster and raced toward the column opposite of the one the queen's party sheltered behind. Leia ducked behind him and slid his emergency blaster from under the back of his vest.

Luke reached out a hand and lifted one droid, swinging it into the other's blaster fire, while he lit his light saber and deflected the bolts from the other Droidecas into the line of old Federation battle droids marching into the hanger.

"The shielding keeps going in and out of those things, Kid." Han shouted, blasting at the Droidecas. "We can take them out."

"Just like Henelot 6 station," Luke said through gritted teeth. Luke spun his lightsaber in graceful arcs that knocked blaster bolts back into the main band of robotic attackers even as he raced toward the attackers.

The Queen's Guard were firing furiously at the droids.

"Get help in here now!"shouted the Captain even as he continued to fire at the droids from his shelter behind a wide marble column.

The Jedi Force-grabbed a another droid, swinging it in front of the blaster bolts the approaching droid battalion, "This does not compute," squealed the soaring droid before being hit with a bolt from the Queen's Guard and exploding, taking out four other droids with the blast from it's ruptured power source.

A moment later, Han blast hit a Droideca between it's flickering shielding. It groaned and fell to the side limp and sparking.

Another droid exploded into slivers of metal close to some sheltering delegates, groans and screams echoed in the hanger.

"No," shouted Leia, and she squeezed out a few more shots at a small band of droids that had made it past Luke's defenses.

"Stay back," shouted Pooja, scrambling in front of one of the handmaids before the representative cried out in pain only to fall back, clasping her upper arm.

Leia took out several of the droid troopers that swarmed past Luke. The guards and Han's shots dropped droid after droid, when a growing green disc the size of Leia's fist rolled in the midst of the hanger and began to pulse.

"Everyone down!" shouted Luke as he raced over to the nearest column, slicing through the base and arching up to cut lose an eight meter tall section of stone he Force shoved over the top of the explosive so hard the floor cracked. He stretched his hands in front of him pulling the Force in front of him like a shield, and when the explosion came, he pushed the wall of living energy against the blast, sending every last piece of shattered blazing stone into the oncoming droids. Droid screams and sparks added to the chaos of the moment.

When the dust cleared and the fire prevention systems engaged, Luke looked around him to see the droid battalion decimated into a pile of shredded sparking wires and smoking metal debris.

The security forces, with Han and Leia's help, had cleared out any droids that had gotten around him, and now not one droid attacker remained whole in the formerly pristine hanger.

"This is the Captain! Get medical staff here now and every security officer you can find! Search this palace and find any other droid, and find out how the hell they got into the palace in the first place!"

"Artoo, Threepio, get the med kits quick," Leia shouted to the droids who had been sheltering behind the entry ramp of the Falcon.

Just ahead of them a member of the Naboo Council lay bleeding, a few guards and delegates rushing toward him.

Han and Leia scrambled up and ran over to the widening pool of blood coming from the groaning man.

"Over here," Leia called to Artoo and Threepio.

"We have med kits," Han said, kneeling next to the guards who were already attempting first aid by ripping sections of their over coats into bandages.

Agony's scream tore from the man as his companions jostled his broken leg.

Leia tore open the case dangling from a hook on Artoo's chassie as soon as he rolled to her side. She pressed the injector spray to the man's neck, and he relaxed the strain flowing from his arms and his fists uncurling.

"What was that?" asked a guard.

"Pain receptor sleep. What happened? These don't look like blaster wounds."

"One of those damned droids exploded when it was hit. Must have had and unstable power source. He was hit by shrapnel."

Han was gently pulling aside his vest and shirt and placing synthflesh bandages over surface cuts. "Artoo, your med scanners finding anything we need to be worried about?"

A few urgent trills and beeps later were translated by a still flustered Threepio, "Oh my, General Solo, he says that there are several broken ribs, and that one break is precariously close to piercing his lung. There is also some internal bleeding from some of the droid plating lodged in his chest and left arm."

"Got it," Leia said, pulling another set of tubes from the bag and passing one to Han. "I've got the bleed block and regeneration tubes. Artoo use your pointer light to show Han were to apply the non organic dissolution serum, so I can get these safely in his system before he loses any more blood."

Artoo began shining a bright blue light, and Han went to work with his syringe.


Seeing Leia and the guards tending the most severely injured, Luke rushed to check on the Queen. He knelt quickly when he saw Pooja surrounded by the Queen and her handmaids.

"Ahh!" Pooja cried as the Queen's handmaid and Luke helped her sit.

"I can help. Is that all right?" Luke asked.

Pooja met his eyes and nodded.

Luke gently tore at her burnt sleeve, pulling away charred flesh. Pooja hissed in pain.

"Sorry," Luke said gently, "But the good news is that the wound doesn't look that deep."

"Been hit by blasters often," Pooja ground out.

"A few times. It's never fun." Luke ripped a strip from his new Jedi robes.

"Do tell," she gasped as Luke wrapped the bleeding wound and tied it tight.

"You should get help as soon a possible to avoid permanent damage," Luke cautioned.

He turned to the queen, "Are you alright, Your Highness?"

"Thanks to my brave defenders, yourself most especially."

Luke helped Pooja rise, and they looked around the battle scarred hangar.

"Restao, noo!" Pooja cried, as she raced over to the fallen delegate Leia and Han were working on, Luke keeping pace beside her.

"He is stabilized," informed a guard, rising before Pooja. "Thanks to the quick thinking and preparedness of our Alliance delegates."

"Leia, thank you," Pooja said, tearing up as the Princess finished returning the empty vials back to the med packs.

"Didn't know you were studying medicine on the side," Pooja added with a sad smile

"Unfortunately, all of us," she said with a nod towards, Luke and Han. "Have had to become an expert in battlefield medicine."

The Queen and her handmaids walked up as Leia and Han stood and the med droid team arrived. The medical capsule opened up on one end and a blue light levitated Representative Restao into the pod.

Leia and Pooja hugged one another, Leia taking great care to avoid aggravating her injured arm. "I only wish we could have stopped this before anyone else was hurt."

"Your presence alone is endangering us all," Sian Beamek said, stalking toward the them. "Several of our security forces are injured and a Council Representative grievously so. I tell you all, this is just a shadow of the danger that threatens to consume us for even considering this madness."

"There have been rumors of Lord Vader's death before. They were false then, and they could be now. And if we are wrong the Emperor will crush us all. Allowing those bold anti Imperial celebrations in Theed when theses rumors started of a defeat we have not yet confirmed was rash and irresponsible And this," he said, waving his hand angrily, "Is madness!"

Pooja stalked up to Sian, her stance rigid. "That is for the Council, and ultimately for the Queen, to decide. I say that the fact that someone revived symbols of one of the darkest times in our recent history and used them to try to scare us away from once again reaching for the freedom we once knew in the Republic is more a warning of what bowing to tyranny will cost us."

"Your esteemed colleague lies in critical condition, and you speak so boldly."

"Insincerity does not become you, Sian. You have openly wished harm on him and all of us during the short time since these debates began."

"You misconstrue my meaning. I would be devastated," Sian said with what was supposed to a somber expression. "If you ended up in the same state as your lovely aunt."

"Enough," ordered the queen, her voice hard and unyielding. "That was out of line."

Handmaiden Bavanu gripped and pulled Pooja away from the Representative as rage reddened her face and the fist on her unhurt arm clenched.

The queen turned her gaze to Luke, Leia and Han. "I hope you will consider going to our medical bay to ensure you have taken no harm yourselves. Refreshments, and fresh garments will be provided as a small token of our appreciation to you all."

Luke looked down over to see Han and Leia's blood stained clothes, the red of blood especially striking against Leia's white dress. Ripped, singed, and torn, Luke's outer coat looked as though ready for a clean up mission rather than an audience with a Queen.

"That would be appreciated," Leia said. "Perhaps representative Pooja would escort us there since she needs to go herself."

"That sounds like an excellent idea. Captain, send two of your best to escort our delegation to the medical facilities."

"Sufano and Jenuu," barked the Captain. "Accompany representative Naberrie and our Alliance guests to the medical center."

The guards bowed to the queen and turned to their charges.

"Lead the way," Luke said to the guards.

They nodded toward the group and turned toward the pitted, smoke stained entry into the palace proper.


"I can't believe you were able to fight against those droids so amazingly! I knew you were prominent in the Alliance forces, but I didn't know you could fight like a hardened soldier."

Leia smiled sadly. "A necessity over the years, I'm afraid."

Pooja hugged her again. "Leia, I'm so proud of you and what you've done. I don't know how, especially after Alderaan, but I can't thank you," she leaned back and looked to Luke and Han, "And your accomplished friends for giving us a chance at true freedom once more."

Pooja pulled back and looked at their soiled clothes.

"We are an absolute disaster."

Pooja caught Luke's gaze, saying, "The way you handled that grenade was incredibly impressive. I've seen recordings of Jedis fighting with the aid of the Force, but that was amazing."

"Not as impressive as I have liked," Luke admitted. He nodded toward her arm. "Too may droids got through."

"I'd rather our forces deal with a few droids than our entire delegation be destroyed. And you, General," Pooja said with a smile. "I am very happy to have you on our side."

Han smiled and nodded to her. "You didn't do to badly yourself with that laser brained moron."

"A much honed skill as well, I'm afraid. He will be demanding the security feeds from the medical bay, to ensure we've not been coming up with some strategy to skew the vote through some nefarious means."

Leia shook her head and continued to walk with her friend. "We will present the facts, both good and bad that come with becoming a member of the Alliance as clearly as we can."

"I know you will. That's why I was thrilled that it was you who was coming here after the Emperor." She stopped a worried look in her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"That he and Vader are gone?" Luke interjected.

Pooja nodded.

"I was there. I didn't strike the blows myself, but I saw them both dead before the Death Star was destroyed."

Pooja smiled brightly this time. "Then there really is hope."

"Yes," Leia smiled widely. "There really is."