CHAPTER 13:
"Princess Leia," Serin's eyes held nothing but contempt, "I shouldn't be surprised that you dishonor yourself with such scum."
The princess' dark eyes held the same contempt as Serin's, "Captain Solo has more honor than you ever had, and that hasn't been more evident than at this moment."
"What?" Han looked from Leia and then to Serin. "Did you hit on her and she turn you down?" Serin's jaw clenched tight, and that was enough of an answer for Han, "So all of this is because she's not interested in you?"
"The princess stands in the way of my political advancement. It is obvious she has a personal vendetta against me," Serin countered, though Han knew his accusation was right.
"Just because I disagree with your tactics and strategies," she spat as she dropped her chin, "doesn't make it personal."
"Nevertheless," the General sneered, "handing you over to the Imperials not only prevents you from getting in my way, but I also have the personal pleasure knowing that you'll suffer at the hands of Vader or the Emperor himself."
Han lunged at Serin, "You sick bastard!"
The guard closest to Solo grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Ah, Solo," Sargoza gloated, "you never know when to quit. When General Serin told me that it was you who was coming after the princess, I was elated. You were always one to run into situations without much thought. I look forward to making a nice profit from Jabba." Sargoza's belly jiggled like frouqui gel as he laughed, getting great pleasure over the abhorred expression on the princess' face, "Seems that Her Highness has picked up your bad trait of running into situations without thinking."
"You've made this all too easy, Your Highness," Serin smirked. "The Imperials have been notified of your presence here on Finel and should arrive shortly."
"The Imperials are not to be trusted. They will take you when they come to take me," Leia calmly stated.
"That is why I don't plan on being here when they do arrive," he bowed his head and then looked to Sargoza. "Before we take our departure, Sargoza and I have one little surprise left for you two," He nodded at Sargoza and the large man disappeared into an adjacent room.
General Serin paced with his hands behind his back, "Since I will not be able to witness the agonizing torture you'll once again suffer at the hands of the Imperials, Your Highness, I thought we'd have a little session before you leave me."
"There's nothing you can do that can hurt me," Leia smiled.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Serin stated as a wicked glint sparkled in his eyes. He turned toward the room in which Sargoza disappeared, "My dear friend, Endo, managed to get his hands on this lovely treasure."
With chest out proud, Sargoza sauntered into the room followed by an Imperial torture droid. Han's stomach churned at the sight. He looked down at his companion. With her head held high and a serene smile playing on her lips, it was impossible for Leia's enemies to know how frightened she truly was.
Sargoza and Serin intently watched the princess, and both were disappointed that she didn't seem affected by the menacing droid at all. Serin lifted his chin as he stared into Leia's large dark eyes. It was rumored among the High Command that the princess suffered from night terrors because of the extensive torture she had endured at the hands of Darth Vader. The mere sight of this droid should have been enough to frighten her to her core. He couldn't help but be impressed by her composure. But she couldn't be that strong, could she?
The general moved the droid toward her, and it spun and floated in the middle of the room, a sinister hissing accompany every move it made. Leia's calm equanimity never slipped, but her hand instinctually found Han's. She wrapped her fingers around his as tight as she could. Han pulled her hand behind his back. But the general caught this minute action, and nothing pleased him more.
General Serin's lips slid into a smug smile, "It seems to me that you've taken a liking to Captain Solo."
Leia didn't like where this was going, "Why shouldn't I? After all, he risked his life to rescue me twice now. Surely it is reasonable that I should harbor a fondness toward such a brave, selfless man."
Han's brow furrowed at her words, especially the part about him being selfless. He only wished he had a recorder at that moment. Han then raised his chin and smirked confidently at the general, despite the fact that he believed her words were only intended to antagonize Serin. And it seemed to have worked all too well.
"Since Captain Solo has been so willing to risk so much for your life," he signaled the torture droid, and a large syringe uncurled from the sphere, "let's see how brave and selfless he is after he's experienced what an Imperial torture session is like."
Leia's chest swelled and anger burned hot in her large dark eyes. She moved in front of Han, doing her best to block him with all of her small body. "No!" she screamed; her single word vibrated against the walls.
A wave of power surged through the room, sucking away the breath of all its occupants as they slammed against the hard floor, and the torture droid smashed to pieces against the wall farthest from Han and Leia. Then a deafening silence filled the atmosphere as all but one being fought to recapture his stolen breath. It seemed to be an eternity before anyone moved. Han forced his mouth closed and his concerned eyes fell on Leia. Pale and trembling, she hugged her knees to her chest like a frightened child.
Seeing the princess in this vulnerable state pushed Han into action. Before anyone else had recovered from the shock, he slammed his foot into the thigh of the closest guard and procured the guard's blaster before he knew what happened. Han aimed the blaster at General Serin who sat against the wall staring at the princess. With a hint of vengeful contempt twinkling in his eye, Han squeezed the trigger, but nothing happened. Serin's mouth opened in horror, but his fear quickly melted into grateful relief. Out of sheer frustration, Han squeezed the trigger several more times, but to no avail. The blaster was devoid of any power. He glanced in Leia's direction just in time to see the other guard aiming his pistol at her. Han pushed himself to his feet and leaped at the guard, knocking them both to the floor. The guard's pistol slipped out of his hand and slid in the direction of the general. Han slammed the butt of his useless blaster into the guard's head several times before the man loosened his hold. Solo rolled out of the stunned guard's reach and scrambled toward the pistol.
Sargoza, being a person who didn't like to dirty his own hands with the blood of others—he had plenty of hired help for such matters, watched the action from the threshold of the room. He had to admit he found the whole chaotic situation laughable. Han and the general rushed to gain control of the pistol. Just as Han's fingers were about to wrap around the butt of the weapon, the first guard he wounded grabbed Han's leg and pulled him out of reach. Serin grabbed the pistol, taking a moment to relish in his luck. Han tried to kick his way out of the guard's hold, but the second guard interceded, jumping on Han's back, taking away all of Han's hope of regaining control of the pistol.
"Leia!" Han yelled as Serin aimed the pistol at the princess.
But the girl didn't seem to hear his warning. Leia remained motionless, huddled up upon herself, her eyes staring at nothing. Han pulled against the guards, wanting nothing more than to protect her, but the two of them were too strong. Serin paused to savor the moment. His snide expression exhumed conceit as he stared into Solo's hazel eyes.
"No!" Han yelled as the general pulled back on the trigger.
Han exhaled and then laughed when the pistol failed to work. He used his weight to throw off the balance of the unsettled guards. One slammed into the wall while Han slammed his fist into the other's face. Han continued to throw punches, concentrating his anger on each guard in turn. And although Han had been outnumbered during a fight in more than one occasion, he didn't have a Wookie at his side. The two guards gave Han a sound pounding, and despite such punishment Han managed to stay on his feet, however unsteady. Satisfied the outcome would be in his favor, Sargoza saluted Serin and hurried out of the room as fast as his large body allowed him to move. He definitely didn't want to be around when the Imperials showed up.
General Serin's lips pulled back in anger as he saw his so-called friend flee. He rose to his feet and started toward the steadfast princess. But a twinkling glint on the floor near him caught his attention. The general felt that luck was still on his side. He shoved away pieces of the broken torture droid and retrieved the hypodermic needle prepped with torturous poison. He glanced up at the princess, but she took no notice of his actions. Overjoyed, he moved to take his final revenge on the obstacle of all his ambitions. But then Serin stopped in mid-stride as the fighting trio crossed his path.
That's when the general turned his sights on another target. Just as Han cuffed one of the guards square on the jaw, Serin slammed the syringe into Han's side. Solo's body contorted before it dropped. He slid across the smooth floor, bumping into Leia.
Princess Leia's large brown eyes widened and a horrified squeak escaped her lips. Han lied on his back, his eyes open and dialated. She immediately pulled the syringe from Han's side. Serin raised his chin, feeling vindicated. Flanked by each guard he started toward the princess. Leia narrowed her eyes upon the general and gritted her teeth. With one fluid action, she hurled the half-empty syringe at the general. The needle found its mark in the throat of Serin. The man fought to suck in even a milliliter of air, but the poison had already worked its magic. The general instantly dropped to the ground.
Leia slowly turned her eyes to Han's limp body which lied before her. Her trembling hand found its way to his chest. Everything around her was muted, and she felt as if she was drowning in bacta gel. She ignored the approaching guards and rested her head upon Han's chest. Nothing mattered anymore.