Through the Force, things you will see. Other places. The future. The past. Old frends, long gone.
-Master Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back
Previously on Fallen
Flashback.
He looked menacing with his black armor and cloak. His hair was completely shaved, and eyes that had once been soothing blue were now pitiless durasteel gray. But Leia still recognized her brother. "Luke," she whispered in shock.
The monster with her brother's face smirked, a mockery of the warm smile that had so often graced the same features. "Hello, Leia. I've been looking everywhere for you."
A chill went down Leia's spine, and Lando spoke her thoughts aloud. "I don't know who that is, but that isn't Luke."
Proving Lando's words, the Sith Lord fired a blast of deadly energy that consumed his old friend. He was dead before his body even hit the ground.
Leia almost screamed, refused to. "Starkiller, then," she addressed him coldly, bravely.
Starkiller sighed, seeming honestly disappointed. "Father said you'd be this way."
Leia gritted her teeth. "Don't call that thing my father."
Starkiller just stared at her. "He said to kill you."
Starkiller lifted his hand and made a fist. Invisible energy constricted Leia's throat and lifted her off the ground. Her vision started to go black around the edges, showing her only the passionless face that had once been so full of love and strength.
"Goodbye, Leia," Starkiller said calmly.
Just as Leia felt herself breathe her last, laser bolts hit her brother in the opposite sides on his shoulder and his chest, staggering him back. Leia hit the floor with a crash.
Present
Ors: "An offensive war with the Empire might not last very long, and it might be the last thing we ever do."
Wedge: "But we can win. What the hell are we still fighting for if not for that?"
Leia: "We would be risking everything, even if we can trust Shesh."
Jaina: "Mom, we're in huge trouble."
Jaina: "The Empire is building another Death Star."
Leia: "Han, I need to start recalling the fleet, including you."
Han: "No can do, Princess. I have to find Anakin; especially now that we know he's stranded with a bounty hunter."
Leia: "Han… I know this is difficult, but we have to consider other priorities right now. We can't make a decision like this based on personal grounds."
Han: "The hell we can't. This is our son we're talking about."
Leia: "Han, please. I need you."
There was a painful pause, but in the end Han relented. "We'll be underway as soon as possible."
Twenty-Six Years After the Battle of Endor
The existence of a new Death Star project had been confirmed remarkably quickly, forcing the Alliance's hand. A few hasty holo-conferences later, the entirety of the Alliance fleet was either already assembled in the Corellian system or on its way.
A lot of history had been made in this system. It was here, twenty-three years ago, when the Alliance had really first taken something resembling its current form. Corellia was the first major star system to declare independence from the Empire. The announcement had shaken the galaxy to its core. Everyone knew this open defiance was nothing short of suicide on a planetary scale.
As everyone even casually familiar with history had assumed would happen, the Empire sent a starfleet to bomb Corellia into submission. Imagine their surprise when they slammed into a system-wide interdiction field, and found themselves unable to travel at faster-than-light velocities.
Moments later, the bulk of the Alliance and Hapan starfleets arrived, and the confused Imperial fleet was forced to withdraw. To this day, no one in the Empire knew how to explain the system-wide interdiction field, and despite many attempts by the Empire to invade the system, Corellia remained a safe haven for all those who would oppose the Empire.
So it was here, in their most strategically important star system, that the scattered Alliance and Hapan fleets came together to launch their assault on the Death Star construction site.
None of that was on Leia's mind as she waited in her State Room, alone. The entire world had stopped; the journeys of the fleets had stopped; Viqi Shesh's machinations had halted; the war was a distant concern.
History, or at least Leia's part in it, would wait. Right now, Leia Organa Solo was not the President of the Alliance of Free Planets. Right now, Leia was Han Solo's wife.
And her husband was coming home.
Fallen
Leia Organa Solo; President, Alliance of Free Planets (female human from Alderaan)
General Han Solo; Supreme Allied Commander, Army (male human from Corellia)
Prince Isolder; Regent (male human from Hapes)
Admiral Wedge Antilles; Supreme Allied Commander, Navy (male human from Corellia)
xxx
"Madame President?"
Leia clicked her commlink to respond. "Has he arrived?"
"No, Your Highness," Winter answered apologetically. "Best estimate still puts him about an hour out."
Leia sighed. "Yes, of course." Silly. Stupid. As if she hadn't been counting the hours. As if hyperspace would change just to make her husband arrive sooner because she wanted him to.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Madame President, but Viqi Shesh just announced her intention to run for President of the Alliance."
Leia had known she'd be receiving this report eventually, but the timing couldn't have been worse. "Thank you, Winter."
"Thank you, Madame President."
And there it was. For the first time in its history, the Alliance of Free Planets was going to have a contested election.
xxx
Twenty-Two Years Ago
It had not been a good day.
This did not particularly distinguish today from any other day Wedge Antilles and his team had met with the Hapan diplomats. Once they got through the initial phase of painful negotiations with middlemen and got to Prince Isolder himself, Wedge had expected the situation to improve significantly.
Despite the deaths of the majority of the Alliance's leadership, Admiral Ackbar's insistence to remain on Mon Calamari, and Leia's incapacitation, Wedge had himself been hesitant to join Han Solo in taking over the reins of the Rebellion nearly two years ago. So he knew how to recognize a reluctant leader when he saw one.
Prince Isolder was by far the most reluctant leader Wedge had ever seen. He kept mentioning that he had only just become Regent, and how unprecedented it all was. He lamented the loss of his mother, and assured Wedge that things would be much clearer were she still alive. Though Wedge sympathized with the man's loss, he didn't understand the excessive importance he seemed to place on it. Nor did he understand the grave nods of the other Hapans in the room any time he mentioned it.
Today was also particularly frustrating, as Han had not yet arrived. Where the hell is he?
"Are we to begin, then?" Isolder asked the room at large.
Wedge shifted nervously. "It seems General Solo is delayed, perhaps—"
The doors slid open, and Han entered the room. Wedge was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Han bowed formally to the Hapan delegation, and stepped aside deferentially to admit another figure into the room.
Only nervous attention to decorum prevented anyone from the Alliance delegation from gasping in open shock when Princess Leia Organa entered the room.
Aside from doctors, practically no one but Han had seen his wife for the almost two years since the Mon Calamari incident. Wild rumors had spread throughout the fleet of her condition, with many whispering that she was near death.
To Wedge's eyes, the Alliance's former de facto leader looked pale and had lost weight to the point of fragility, but he doubted anyone who hadn't known her for almost a decade would even notice. Especially as she carried herself erect and was attired in a stately gown.
The Hapans certainly seemed to consider her an impressive figure. All of them rose, and the last to resume his seat was Isolder. The entire atmosphere of the room had almost tangibly changed.
Leia met Wedge's gaze, and nodded reassuringly. Just like that, Wedge felt his fears evaporate. "Your Highness," he greeted, resisting the urge to jump out of his seat and hug her.
"Admiral Antilles," Leia greeted. "General Solo. Honored Hapan guests."
"Your Highness," a woman who had been introduced as Isolder's Prime Minister greeted in return. "On behalf of the Hapan Royal Family, we are honored by your presence."
You damn well better be, Wedge silently informed her.
Leia, who had not yet taken her seat, nodded respectfully. "Thank you. While I certainly appreciate all of you being here today, I actually wondered if my… friends," she gestured with both hands to indicate Han and Wedge, "and I might speak to Prince Isolder alone?"
Though Isolder appeared somehow both relieved and frightened by the suggestion, it was again his Prime Minister who quickly rejoined, "I do not wish to offend, Your Highness, but I… do not feel that would necessarily be appropriate."
Isolder and Leia's gazes met, and the prince said, "I would not feel comfortable declining the Princess of Alderaan an audience on any terms she feels appropriate."
Wedge frowned at the deliberate emphasis Isolder placed on "she," and the ripple of shock and disapproval that went through the Hapans at the prince's pronouncement. He still didn't understand the precise power structure at work here, but he was beginning to feel like Isolder had no real authority unless they gave it to him.
"Yes, of course," the Prime Minister addressed Leia – not Isolder – deferentially. "I apologize for my impertinence, your Highness. Thank you for granting our prince the privilege of your audience." She, and the other Hapans, rose and bowed to Leia in unison before filing out of the room. At Leia's nod, the Alliance aides followed, leaving the three of them alone with Prince Isolder.
Once they had left, Leia finally took a seat between Han and Wedge. Wedge glanced at Han, who flashed one of his famous grins as if to say, That's my wife.
"I trust we can speak frankly now?" Leia asked Isolder.
Isolder nodded his assent.
"Why aren't you dead?"
The question shocked Wedge, but Isolder seemed unfazed. "There is still some… question as to the succession in absence of a female heir or wife. I trust I will be safe… for the moment. Once the nobles finish vying for legitimacy, my life will of course be forfeit." He spoke of his potential assassination as though it were a curious weather phenomenon.
"Wait, wait, wait," Wedge interjected. "I don't pretend to know much about monarchies, but aren't you the heir?"
"I am a man," Isolder stated flatly, as though that explained everything.
"Yes…" Wedge prompted.
Isolder frowned at Wedge as though he found him exceptionally stupid, and once again sounding as though he were explaining the most obvious thing in the world, "No man can rule Hapes."
Suddenly everything made sense. Why they hadn't made any progress in the negotiations even when Isolder, who Wedge assumed to be their leader and who seemed sympathetic to their cause, entered the picture. Why all the other diplomats and power brokers who accompanied him were women. Why all of them seemed almost disdainful of Han and Wedge. And why they had given the three of them a private audience with Isolder at Leia's request despite their repeated refusals of similar requests from Han and himself.
But… it was so…
"Stupid," Wedge muttered aloud.
"What was that?" Isolder asked.
Leia quickly jumped in, "I think what Admiral Antilles was getting at—"
"Oh come on, Leia," Wedge interrupted. "You have to—"
"You dare interrupt her?" Isolder slapped the table and drew himself up to his full height, suddenly no longer seeming timid at all. "You dare—!"
"Stop."
The rage in Isolder's entire manner had made Wedge fear for his safety, but to his shock that rage froze and subsided at the simple word from Leia. Isolder was once again the consummate gentleman when he bowed to Leia and meekly offered, "My apologies," before resuming his seat.
"Wedge—" Han started.
"This is bunk, and you know it," Wedge resumed. "Oh, of course I've heard of it before. But in this day and age—"
"How do you think women get along in the Empire?" Han countered. "It's not as shocking as all that, really, is it?"
"Your Highness," Isolder pointedly addressed Leia rather than Han or Wedge, "forgive my impertinence, but do you usually allow them to speak so freely?"
Leia looked like she might laugh, but Wedge was enraged. "The Alliance of Free Planets does not ever endorse or allow anyone to be discriminated on grounds of—"
"My society was founded by men who kidnapped and raped women," Isolder cut him off. "If our men must be humiliated a while yet, it is perhaps almost penance enough."
Wedge was nowhere near agreeing with Isolder, but the man's conviction was astonishing enough to quiet him for the time being.
Leia took advantage of the silence to jump in. "There's obviously a lot of history and culture here we don't fully comprehend. The rest of the galaxy hasn't heard from the Hapans in centuries. My people are certainly willing to respect ways of life that are different from our own," here she looked significantly at Wedge. "The important thing is whether or not we can work together."
"Of course we can," Isolder answered, to Wedge's shock. "Assuming you intend…?"
Leia and Han traded significant looks, and Leia answered, "I'm sorry. That is not my intention."
Isolder looked crestfallen. "I see. That will complicate things. I am not sure how much longer the throne can remain vacant."
Wedge frowned. "I hate to be a pest, but what exactly just happened?"
"He was offering himself to me," Leia explained unapologetically.
"I guess that means you are marrying me?" Han jostled.
"Not now, Han," Leia chided.
"Yes, now!" Isolder suddenly joined in. "Here, on Hapes."
All three of the others stared openly at Isolder and Han said, "I'm sorry, come again?"
"He's right," Leia reasoned. "The public spectacle of a marriage like ours, between two equals, would be exactly what the Hapan public needs to start talking about the legitimacy of a male Head of State."
"You're not serious," Han stated, though it was clear he knew she was.
"Two mynocks with one blaster," Wedge commented with a shrug, even though he still didn't like the tone of this conversation.
Isolder nodded in approval. "It might work. If you'd like, I can have one of the priestesses—"
"No. You're doing it."
Isolder stared openly at Leia. "I'm—"
"Yes, yes, we noticed. You're a man," Han repeated. "But she's right. If you really want this to be a good old fashioned political marriage, who better but the new Head of State to conduct it?"
Leia raised a brow. "I have turned you into a politician."
Han looked hurt. "You take that back."
A few hours later, after Isolder had left, Wedge sat alone with two of his oldest living friends. Throughout the course of a few hours, Leia was beginning to look more and more like her old self. Han's concern for her was obvious, but it was overshadowed by his evident excitement about their upcoming nuptials. Not that he would ever admit to such excitement.
"We'll have to have an election," Leia was saying. "Probably shortly after we formally announce the alliance with Hapes."
"Wonder who'll win," Han mock-speculated.
"Han, please," Leia answered. "The people will choose whomever they feel is the best qualified."
Han snorted. "Exactly. Which means the only question is whether or not it'll be unanimous."
"One thing I still don't understand," Wedge protested.
"One thing?" Han repeated incredulously.
Wedge shot him a reproving look, then continued, "That was way too smooth back there. It was almost like you had it planned in advance… you two already knew him, didn't you?"
Han laughed, and Leia smiled.
"You could say that," Leia answered. "About a week ago, he saved our lives."
Wedge's eyebrows rose. "Oh."
"The three of us felt an instant connection," Leia continued, elbowing Han when he looked rebellious at that statement. "Really, he kind of reminded us of…" Leia looked pained as she let the end of the sentence trail off, and Wedge felt a pang of sympathy as he realized to whom she was referring.
"Yeah, sure," Han rejoined bitterly. "Cocky, naïve, and likely to go off and get himself killed."
Luke. Even in his own mind Wedge's thought was almost a whisper. He felt his friend's absence deeply, and knew the feeling of loss would probably never really go away.
Leia sighed. "Well, at the very least, we have something to look forward to. And it looks like Hapan sanctuary is very possible. Of course we'll offer to help defend their borders, but we can rotate duty schedules…"
Wedge realized what she was saying. "You mean… rest?"
"Yes," Leia agreed wearily. "Rest."
xxx
Twenty-Six Years After the Battle of Endor
Leia had debated whether to meet Han in the docking bay, and decided not to because she wanted their first moments together to be away from prying eyes. Then she had debated it again, and decided that she wanted to see him as soon as possible. Then again, and she had gone back to her original conclusion.
At the moment, she was pacing back and forth in her State Room, starting the debate again, despite the fact that his shuttle had already landed and it was now a moot point. Before she had a chance to debate with herself long enough to torturously make her way back to where she had started, the door opened.
They barely had time to see each other before they were in each other's arms, neither of them fighting the tears of joy. They were kissing urgently as though they had been married for twenty seconds rather than twenty years.
And suddenly all the emotion Leia hadn't let herself feel over the past few days, because she needed to be in control of the situation, all came pouring out. And she was shaking violently in Han's arms. She clung to him, and felt his hands stroking her hair. Heard his voice whispering, "It's okay. I'm here. I'm here. I love you. It's okay."
And for one fragile moment, the galaxy was at peace.
To Be Continued…
