Disclaimer: Star Wars is the property of George Lucas and his associates.

Ties that Bind

Luke Skywalker stood on his balcony and gazed out at the dark night sky above the glittering lights of Coruscant, pondering the mysteries of the Force. Specifically, why it kept drawing him away from the destiny he thought he was meant to fulfill, the resurrection of the Jedi Order. Perhaps it was the Force's way of telling him that he was not yet ready to truly begin teaching others in the ways of the Force…His thoughts drifted to the strange urge he had felt to go to the Killiset sector. The moment it had been brought up in the council meeting he felt the need to go there and it had continued to grow until he accepted the mission on Han's behalf. Luke leaned forward and rested his arms on the balcony rail, allowing his hands to dangle over the edge. Truth be told, even if the council had decided not to send a team there he would have gone on a mission of his own, if only to satisfy that nagging feeling…

His thoughts were interrupted by the familiar presence of Han, who had just stepped out the doorway to the balcony. Luke turned to give him a friendly smile and Han returned it as he moved to stand next to Luke and copy his position at the balcony. The two stood together in comfortable silence for several minutes, until Han gave in and broke the moment.

"Everything all set for tomorrow?" Han asked and Luke could tell that in spite of the casualness of his voice and question, something was troubling his friend.

"I've decided to keep the team relatively small." Luke replied calmly. "You already know Lando's coming. A couple of the Rogues offered to come along too for escort duty and possibly some on planet snooping around but otherwise that's it."

"Awfully small team for such a dangerous mission is it? I mean you were at the meeting…these guys are hard core Imperial supporters and…" Han was cut off by Luke.

"That's exactly why the team has to be small. A bigger group would draw too much suspicion and make the risk of capture that much greater. With a small group we can still cover all six planets if we need to but keep the ability to slip in and out." Luke looked sideways at Han. "What's really got you so worried?"

Han sighed. "It's kind of hard to explain…I guess I just miss the days where all of us went on missions, you know? The days when we could spend quality family time together kicking Imperial butt, fighting slimy crime lords and other wholesome activities." Han threw Luke a lopsided grin and Luke chuckled. "Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled about the twins and I'm thankful that I can finally spend some time with Leia…but I know she feels the same. I guess I'm just saying that we miss ya kid and we don't want you to forget you're a big part of the family too."

Luke smiled and put his hand on Han's shoulder. "I know, Han. It's been hard on me too but we just have to remember that we'll always be around for each other even if we are at opposite ends of the galaxy…and I'll have a little talk with Leia before I go tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good, kid. When you and Lando get back we'll have to go for a guy's night…drinking, gambling, getting into fights…you know the kind of stuff we normally do only on official New Republic business." Han grinned.

Luke started laughing. "As long as you take the bill I'm in…"

Han looked at him in mock horror. "How could you even think I'd make you pay for such a thing?" Luke just raised an eyebrow and Han grinned again. "So I guess that means Lando's paying…" The friends both started laughing as they turned to go back inside.

It had been nearly a year since the last time Mitth'eeo'nuruodo had set foot on Seti I and it hadn't occurred to him just how much he missed it until now that he'd returned. He had taken a shuttle down to the planet's largest city, Ashwaraseti, as soon as the Chimaera had reached orbit. There were few places in the galaxy where he felt safer and more respected. He took a deep breath as he walked along the tree lined streets, drinking in the sight of the bustling afternoon crowds as he headed from the city's spaceport to the Ashwaraseti Hospital. The Killisets, or Killiseti as they preferred to be called on Seti I, were a short, thickly built people with humanoid features. Theeon had made no effort to attempt to disguise himself among them; he easily stood head and shoulders above the vast majority of them even if he had bothered to try to hide his face. Most of them recognized him instantly and cleared a path for him, bowing as he walked by and he returned each bow with a heart felt smile.

Theeon was glad that he had refused his brother's offer of storm trooper bodyguards for protection while away from the ship. Thrawn had been less than thrilled, reminding him that the Killiset sector was a major trade center and that even though the Killiseti were Imperial supporters didn't mean their millions of visitors were too. Theeon had tossed his warning aside, after all, Thrawn had continually ignored Theeon's warnings to stay in bed and refrain from working. Stubbornness was strong in his family. In truth, having the bodyguards would have marred the sense of peace that filled him walking among these people. Theeon had nearly reached his destination when he felt a tug at the burgundy hem of his mostly grey Chiss doctor's coat. He turned to see a young adult female holding the cloth in her small, pudgy hands and another female standing just slightly behind her. Both females were grinning at him broadly.

"May I help you?" He asked them smoothly in their native tongue. The two females shared a glance before the braver of the two, still clinging to his robe, responded excitedly.

"You're the great Hero Doctor, rescuer of our people! My sister and I-" she gestured to the shyer female, "We recognized you right away and hoped you would be so kind as to grace us with your touch." She and her sister both touched their foreheads then held their hands out palm up to him.

Theeon felt a little baffled. "My touch? Why would you want that?"

The two females started giggling and as realization began to dawn on Theeon he felt more than a little embarrassed. He simply was not cut out for this hero worship business. When the two females had calmed down enough to talk the bold one answered.

"Oh Great One it is our small hope that your touch might spread some of your greatness to us and so that we can tell others that you gave us such an honour." Both females eagerly touched their foreheads again and held out their hands. Theeon realized that a small crowd had begun to form around them and he wondered briefly if he would be stuck touching hands all afternoon.

"I would be happy to fulfill your request." He said smiling and reached out to touch the shy female's hand. She clasped her hand around his fingers tightly and bowed her head until her forehead was pressed against the top of his hand. She stayed like that for several moments then raised her head and beamed up at him with naked adoration before letting him go. He turned his attention to the second female, still holding his robe with one hand even as the other was held out to him. Theeon reached out to touch her hand and felt her deceptively strong, stubby fingers clasp onto his own long, pale blue ones. However, instead of bowing her forehead as her sister had she instead used her grip to pull herself toward him, letting go of his robe and wrapping her now free arm around his waist. She buried her face into his stomach and clung to him tightly, Theeon too shocked to do anything but silently thank evolution for not making her any shorter than she already was, because just a few inches and this already awkward situation would've become a million times worse. He heard laughter and chattering from the small crowd and he was fairly certain that at least a few of them were thinking the same thing he was.

"Oh thank you Hero Doctor! I am the luckiest of all women in Ashwaraseti! I will tell everyone I know of your immense kindness and generosity." The huge, adoring smile on her face made up for the awkwardness she had put him through and Theeon couldn't help but smile back.

"I am honoured by your kind words but I really must be going to the hospital now, I am expected there very soon." Theeon knew that mentioning his meeting at the hospital was likely the only way he would be able to get himself away from the crowd. The two females touched their foreheads one last time and he returned the gesture before turning around and heading toward the hospital. The crowd parted for him like water, each person he passed touching their foreheads in respect and he warmly smiled for every one of them.