AN EVEN GREATER DANGER?
(Right after The Return of the Jedi)
The Headquarters Frigate briefing room was filling up with all the surviving Rebel soldiers, pilots and officers; their spirits still high from the destruction of the second
Death Star.
There was a lot of jostling, back slapping, bragging and talking as they all took their seats, sharing battle exploits, waiting for Mon Motha to appear.
Upon her entrance, Leia hurried across the room to give hugs to Han and Luke, then
settled between them. Lando soon surfaced and gave Han a congratulatory slap on the back, each pointing in tease to their general insignias. Then, the suave, dark man seated himself.
Talk lowered to a buzzing hum, and all eyes focused when the white gowned Mon Motha appeared. She slowly scanned the faces of the combatants.
"Congratulations to everyone upon the completion of a victorious mission. Your
heroic actions and sacrifice have won freedom from fear and tyranny for this Galaxy.
By your actions you have given security to all and everyone can look forward
to a future of peace and harmony. I give special commendations to General Solo's,
General Calrissian's and Luke Skywalker's battle teams."
Han and Lando looked at each other, nodding.
"We will remain here while the wounded heal and we regroup our ships. You all deserve
a time of rest, so there are no orders for the foreseeable future. I would like to see General Solo as we dismiss this meeting."
"Maybe I'm gonna get another medal." Han said, wiggling his eyebrows, to Leia as he rose. She just smiled and shook her head.
Han's slow, determined walk took him to face Mon Motha. "You want to see me?"
"General Solo….You remember from our briefing before the Death Star battle,
I reported that many Bothans died to bring us the information we needed bring about our victory."
"Yes."
"The three Bothans that made it through are still here, under our protection. They need to be taken back to their home planet. They must have a safe journey, as their whereabouts may be known at this time. Your ship is not a Rebel ship and won't be noticed as much…you'll just be a freight hauler passing through space to your destination."
Han bit his lip and placed his hand over the butt of his blaster, a well worn habit.
"Will you do this?" Mon Motha asked. "It is not an order."
"Where will I be taking them?" He asked.
"To the planet Bothawui in the mid rim."
The Corellian raised a hand to rub his stubbled chin. Upon his hesitation, Mon Motha
said to him. "The Rebellion will pay you."
Han waved off that suggestion. He was part of them now and wouldn't take
the strained resources of the Rebellion, in fact, a surprise to himself, he didn't feel as mercenary as he had once been. He looked toward Leia before he answered.
"I'll do it."
"This must be done under the most secrecy…not even Princess Leia can be told. You will just be making a 'delivery run'.
Han nodded.
"Ready your ship this base night, fuel, supplies, and the 'cargo'..will be brought to you,
under cover at six hundred hours."
Han nodded again.
Leia was watching from her seat and wondered what was being said…
"Thank you, General Solo." Mon Motha ended the conversation and turned to leave.
"What did she want?" Leia asked as Han made his way back to where she sat.
"Just talk." He told her.
Leia knit her brow, but didn't question further. "I have some meetings to attend now."
"I'll go back to the ship…check her out good and resupply." Han told her.
"See you later…" Leia turned to leave.
"Come on, Chewie, we got to check out the ship." Han gave the Wookie a playful
slap on the arm as he passed.
Han passed a hand over the hull of his beloved ship…
Chewbacca growled, arms loaded with supplies, for Han to help.
Han gave a playful grimace, 'You're stronger than I am." He said as lifted
a box from the Wookiee's arms.
After storing the supplies, the pair went to refueling…obtaining a few of the precious
power units to install when they got back to the Falcon.
In the Falcon's cockpit, Han pulled up a galactic map, searching for the destination
they would be headed. Chewbacca settled himself in the co-pilots seat and mumbled
question.
"No, that is just a rumor you heard." Han answered. "We won't be delivering the 'usual
cargo'. We're taking the Bothans back to their home planet." Chewbacca needed to
know the mission, there were no secrets between them.
The Wookie's eyes widened as he asked. "Isn't that dangerous?"
Han smiled, rising, slapping his partner on his furry knee as he left the cockpit, "Do we know any other way?"