Disclaimer: Own Star Wars I do not. Write for fun I do.

Author's note: This is a prologue. This is only a prologue. Do not change the channel. This is also a very short chapter, so I may have to load the next midway through next week.

Chapter Two: In which Mon Mothma tries to tell Leia it won't be so bad.

Mon Mothma had explained the mission to a very tired Leia.

"We have two very important jobs for you, Leia. The first is to take some medical supplies to Ahwaaine, and the second is to make contact with the legitimate government on Q'Alde. We believe the Q'Alde might be ready to join us, but it could be difficult to persuade their leaders that they should follow us, since they are not human and most of our alliance is. You are our most experienced diplomat, and by far the most qualified to allay any fears of prejudice."

She paused. "Leia, are you well? You look exhausted."

Leia pulled her head off her hand. "I'm fine. I just…didn't sleep well last night."

Mon Mothma studied her a moment, and finally nodded.

"You will stop first at Ahwaaine, and then continue onto Q'Alde. You'll have to make a brief stop at Sunara to acquire the latest protocols for contact on Q'Alde." Mon Mothma sighed. "I wouldn't normally ask you to make the drop at Ahwaaine, but time is limited, and so are ships." She gave Leia a searching look, and Leia began to get nervous that she knew where this was headed.

"No. No. Absolutely not. I told you, after last time…"

"I know you and Captain Solo had…problems on the mission you went on earlier this year, but his is the only fast ship we have capable of hauling the medical supplies, too."

Leia groaned.

"Leia, it won't be a long mission, and it's certainly not as complicated this time as it was last time."

The door to the room opened behind Leia as she answered, "With Han Solo, nothing is ever uncomplicated."

"What a nice compliment, sweetheart. So glad to see you haven't forgotten me." Han swaggered in. "Looks like we're taking another trip, Your Worship."

Leia glared, first at him, then at Mon Mothma. Mon Mothma raised her shoulders, just a little.

"The trip there and back should take just over a month, but no one knows how long you'll have to spend on Q'Alde. Nonetheless, you should return no later than two months from now."

Leia muttered, "If we survive."

It was Han's turn to glare. "Hey, we survived last time, didn't we?"

"Luke had to rescue us!"

"Details, details. Besides, Luke is only one man."

"And a Jedi."

Han might have just rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, a Jedi."

Leia tilted her head, trying to figure out if Han really dismissed the Jedi so easily.

Han held up his hands. "Just kidding around, sweetheart. So…" Han continued in an all-too-innocent tone, "When do you want to leave?"