Chapter 20

Vacation's Over

The sabacc game was in full swing when General Riekaan received a comm from Mon Mothma. She had much to discuss with him, so the game was suspended while he attended to council business.

"Where is Leia, Carlist? She needs to hear this," Mon Mothma proclaimed.

"She isn't here, Mon. I'm sure whatever information you have for us can wait until morning," he replied.

"Madine and Fey'la have complained that you've spent too much time on Fondor, and I must say that I agree with them. It is time to move onto Thyferra. Has General Calrissian come up with his battle plan?"

"No. We've agreed that a strike on Thyferra would be foolhardy at this point. Delvardus has minimal control there as the Bacta Cartel still has an iron grip on the planet. We have discussed capturing Delvardus. He is a weak leader and it shouldn't be difficult to flush him out. Once we have Delvardus, we have the Rimma Trade Route."

"That won't fit our plans, Carlist. We need a much larger supply of bacta soon. We must find a way to increase our stores. Doctor Maureen Robinson has proposed a plan to develop our own bacta. We need an operation where we can procure several alazhi plants and kavam. Dr. Robinson believes that we can grow the plants ourselves through hydroponics and that she can find a substitute for kavam."

"Mon, I'm uncomfortable with sending forces into Thyferra. We simply don't have the fire power to go up against the cartel."

"We now have a contact on Thyferra who is sympathetic to our cause. Her name is Mya Jenoa and she works with the Zaltin Corporation. I believe you, as director of undercover operations, and General Calrissian can develop a plan to procure more bacta for us. In the meantime, I want General Solo to transport Dr. Zachary Smith to Arkania tomorrow. We must begin trial proceedings."

"I'm sure Calrissian and I will come up with a plan."

"It is urgent that an operation begin immediately. Have Leia comm me tomorrow so that we can go over the specifics. I need her back here with Smith to proceed with the charges."

"Yes, Mon, we'll comm you together tomorrow. Riekaan out."

Riekaan joined his sabacc partners and announced, "Vacation's over."

Plans were solidified. Leia and Han were already on their way back to Arkania with Dr. Smith, who had been charged with Leia's kidnapping. General Riekaan had contacted Mya Jenoa on Thyferra, and it was arranged that Judy and Luke would pose as medical specialists from Bakura coming to pick out medical supplies for a new clinic. Judy would be able to get her bacta tank and a large supply of bacta would be made available without suspicion. Mya would alter the books to have it appear that a much larger sum of credits was deposited in their account than had actually been paid. Lando and Don would be stealing alazhi plants and kavam from the Vratix, the natives who produce the raw materials for bacta.

The group was traveling on the Lady Luck as it was not a ship that was yet identified with the New Republic, and it had the storage room for the supplies. The Lady Luck was a luxurious craft, as it was a personal yacht that was deceiving in its firepower. It possessed hidden storage compartments as well as five visitor cabins that were beautifully appointed with Corellian leather conform couches and original art. Judy's favorite place was the observation deck, and she and Don spent a good part of the three days' travel to Thyferra amongst the stars viewed from there. Luke and Lando allowed them their privacy, for which both Judy and Don were grateful. They would be docking on Thyferra on the following day, and the crew spent a last night together reviewing their plans for the assignment.

Lando handed Judy and Luke their identification papers. They were posing as Jolie and Jaden Batison, medical doctors setting up a clinic on the planet Bakura. Lando would be their pilot and stay with the ship, and Don would pose as Don Antilles, the doctors' Corellian bodyguard.

"I'll follow your lead, Judy, since you're the medical expert," Luke stated.

"Just be sure that I don't get carried away, Luke. I might be like a kid in a candy shop once I see what medical technology they have available. My dad has been after me to learn more about prosthetic devices and I know that Bio Tech Industries has an office on Thyferra. I hear that they're the leading company for prosthetics."

"That's true. My hand was made by them," Luke replied.

"You have an artificial hand?" Don asked. "Which one?"

Luke held up his left hand. "Can't tell the difference, can you. It feels as if it's my natural hand."

"Man, I think I'd have a real hard time accepting a prosthetic."

"I didn't have a choice. Once my hand was cut off, there wasn't another option," Luke replied. "I must say that it did take some time to get used to it, but now I don't even think about it."

One thing could be said about Lando, and it was that he spared no expense when it came to the luxuries of life. Dinner had been excellent and he now produced bowl shaped, short stemmed glasses partially filled with an after dinner drink. Judy waved it away, but Lando placed it in front of her anyway. Don took it and poured it into his glass. She needed no incentive to let go of her inhibitions. In fact, Don wondered if he'd be able to keep up with her.

"She doesn't need any encouragement, Lando. She does just fine on her own," Don said.

"As I said before, you're a lucky man," Lando replied.

"Don't I know it," Don replied.

Lando sat back and savored his brandy. "So, are we set then?"

"You didn't tell us how you and Don are going to get the plants and kavam," Judy stated.

"That, my dear, will be your basic burglarizing. The only way to get the plants and kavam is to steal them. I'll get into the factory and find a stash of kavam, and Don will harvest a few plants from one of the alazhi plantations."

Judy shivered. "I have to tell you both that I have a bad feeling about this. Do you have a back-up plan?"

"No, Judy. Once you have the supplies, we're out of here. I don't want to overstay our welcome. This is one planet where we don't want to get caught by the authorities. The cartel can be brutal to people who double cross them and don't give them their exorbitant profits. In fact, we need to make a pact," Lando stated.

Three sets of eyes turned to him, expectantly.

"Once we set a take-off time, we stick with it," Lando stated.

"You mean you'll take off if we're not all back?" Luke asked.

Lando hesitated before replying, "Yes."

Coldness crept through Judy. She reached for Don's glass and took a sip of the brandy, welcoming the burning sensation as it slid down her throat. She remembered her dream and prayed that it wasn't a premonition.

Don played with his spoon and then spoke. "Lando, I won't leave without Judy."

"I was expecting that, Don… as long as you understand that you would both be left behind if you don't make it back to the ship in time."

"I understand."

"Lando, you can't mean that," Luke stated.

"I do, Luke. You don't want to get caught here. If you do, you're better off dead," Lando answered.

"I won't leave unless we're all safe," Luke proclaimed.

"You might not have a choice. Just so you all know… I've preset the coordinates for the return trip. Once the ship is engaged, she will be on autopilot back to Fondor. If that happens, anyone can fly her." He swirled his glass and stared into the ruby liqueur. "If anyone gets left behind, hang on." He looked up at his friends, "Because I'll be back."

Professor Robinson had volunteered to return to Arkania as prison guard for Dr. Smith as he felt partly responsible for releasing this man upon an unsuspecting galaxy. Plus, he missed his wife and younger children. They didn't lock Smith in the hidden storage compartment this time, but allowed him his freedom on the ship. That, of course, was Leia's idea.

Smith could be quite an ingratiating man, when he put his mind to it, and Leia was beginning to see what Mon Mothma had seen in him, although she guessed that his 'respite' talents were what had attracted Mon Mothma the most. He had other redeeming qualities, one of which was that he possessed a great deal of medical knowledge, especially in the area of psychology that could be useful to the New Republic. She was beginning to think that, instead of a trial, perhaps community service would be a more effective way for him to pay for his crime. If only she could convince Han of that…

The Millenium Falcon was still two days away from Arkania, and the group was bored to tears, so Leia had suggested a game of sabacc. She, John, Chewie and Han had been playing for a short time when Leia enacted her plan.

"Leia! What in Hoth are you doing? You're playing like this is your first time," Han admonished her.

"If you wouldn't roll your eyes after every card I play, maybe I would be doing better!" she replied.

"I wouldn't roll my eyes if you weren't making such stupid moves!"

"Forget it! I quit!" She stood and huffed into the galley to make herself some hot chocolate.

Han watched her leave, too steamed to make up with her yet. "I guess the game is over."

"How about Smith?" Robinson asked.

"He's a prisoner," Han replied.

"But he knows how to play sabacc."

Han shrugged, "All right."

Hours later the game was in high gear with Smith outwitting everyone, even Han at times. Leia decided that her goal had been accomplished. Han and Smith had bonded. Now all that remained was to convince Han and the council that a trial would not be necessary. She decided to bide her time and turned in for the night, pretending to still be angry. She was already asleep when Han joined her. He debated whether or not to wake her, but the decision was taken out of his hands when she rolled over and snuggled next to him.

"Who won?" she asked.

"Who do you think?" he replied.

"Smith?"

"How'd you know?"

"He knows how to play people more than cards."

"Humph."

"In fact, I have an idea."

"Uh, oh, you've been thinking."

"The New Republic will be pressing charges against Smith, but, instead of a trial, I'd like to work out a deal with him."

"A deal? Are you crazy? The man colluded with the enemy and helped kidnap you!"

"He's already confessed, and you know that a trial will take time. I propose that we have him do community service."

"Like what, run a medical clinic for storm troopers?"

"Almost. I want him to start a clinic for people with psychological problems."

"He should be the first patient in the clinic, not the doctor."

"He has a lot of knowledge in that area, Han. That was an area covered by Jedi healers in the past, and since the purge, it's one area that we haven't been able to rebuild. Droids can't do that kind of healing."

He sighed and realized that he had lost the argument. When she had an idea, there was no stopping her. "Leia, what am I going to do with you?"

"I can think of a few things…"

The stars were especially intense tonight, but Judy wasn't sure if it was the effects of the brandy or a change in the night sky. She and Don lay on the conform couch on the deck and simply held each other. This might be the last night of peace they would have until the bacta assignment was over, and they wanted to savor every moment.

"Don? Did I tell you about my dream?" she asked.

"What dream?" he replied.

"The one where I lost you to the bacta river?"

"I think so, why?"

"I'm afraid that it might be a premonition."

He laughed. "Don't worry, Judy, I can swim."

"Don't make fun of this."

"I'm not, but why spend time worrying about something that hasn't happened when we could be spending our time on more… productive things?"

"Like?"

"Like…" He kissed her neck, and then her shoulder and continued down her body…