Chapter 2: Coruscant Nights

Leia Organa Solo, head of the New Republic, watched the shuttle as it weaved its way down to the great landing platform outside the domed shaped Senate building. It was amazing to her that after so much time of war and violence; they might actually be getting close to an end of the war. Even more amazing that despite the peaceful nature of the mission here, she was surrounded by hundreds of soldiers.

A hand fell on her shoulder and gave a quick reaffirming squeeze. Luke Skywalker, self-proclaimed Jedi Master stood next to her. His calming spirit washed over her like the waves of the sea as it was up against the sandy shore of long lost Alderaan. Almost made her homesick for a world she'd never see again.

"It's alright Leia," he said, "you will do just fine."

She nodded her head, "I hope so."

"Of course you will, Chief-of-State," the Mon Calamari Supreme Commander Admiral Ackbar said, "These are great days to be sure. The end of one of the longest wars in the history of the Galaxy."

Leia sighed in sadness, "But so many people are still under the tyrannical rule of the Empire. We should have continued on our conquests, liberate more people."

"We did more than we could ever have hoped for," Luke reminded her, "And without these proceedings, we might not have been able to continue holding onto what has been won."

"Your brother speaks the truth," Ackbar agreed, his mind always working on strategies within strategis, "The Empire has a natural ability to become rejuvenated and strike back. And strike back hard. No, it is best this way."

"But the Empire still stands," Leia closed her eyes.

"It's a remnant," Luke shrugged, "Nothing more."

The shuttle landed not thirty feet away. The landing struts extended downwards towards the ground. The wings rose up, almost touching the upper wing. Air pressure from the landing struts shot out in white clouds of smoke. And with a whining that could be heard even from where the New Republic delegates stood, the landing ramp dropped open.

Six stormtroopers in white armor rushed down the ramp, and formed an honor guard. They took up positions on either side of the ramp, making a living corridor. They held their blaster rifles in attention position, and they faced forward towards Leia and company.

And following them was Grand Moff Tyron and his entourage of Imperial officials. The immaculate uniforms of these four men were at odds with the uniformity of the New Republic military. Moff Tyron wore a grey tunic and pants with high leather boots that came up halfway up his calf. The same held true for the other Moff that accompanied him. Admiral Pealleon, the Supreme Commander of their fearful military wore a grey uniform as well, with a small cap on his head. General Grant wore a black uniform.

They walked towards Leia, the Stormtroopers following to their side and rear. As they approached, Leia felt what her father had described as rattlers. Who was she to think she could broker a treaty with the Galactic Empire? This great terror of the Galaxy that had done much evil. Could see really make them see reason?

I kill Imperials; she thought to herself, I do not make peace with them.

You made peace at Bakura, a voice entered her mind, one that sounded oddly familiar and yet she knew she had never heard it before, You can do it again.

And as that thought washed away from her mind, up walked Grand Moff Tyron. He and his company stopped two steps from Leia. A tense moment passed as each stared uncomfortably at the other.

"Chief-of-State Solo," he said, his proud head held high, even during this most humbling of times, "In the name of the Galactic Empire, I have come to speak with you to end hostilities between our two...nations."

She could feel the strain in his voice as he uttered the last of the words. She knew the Imperial mind. How difficult it must be for these arrogant fools to admit defeat. Even when defeat was as clear as Calamari waters.

"Grand Moff Tyron," Leia said, "In the name of the New Republic, I welcome you to Coruscant."

And a sudden idea struck her mind. She thrust out her hand towards him. Tyron looked down at her extended hand, eyebrow raised. This most certainly was not expected. Slowly he picked up his own hand, and grasped her hand in his own. Then a small smile slowly grew on his face. She had only seen smiles on the faces of Imperials when they had achieved some cruel end. But if there was cruel intent, she could not see it.

"Perhaps," he said softly enough that no one else could hear, "There is hope for peace after all."

"When two enemies can shake hands without taking advantage to shoot each other," Leia smiled back, "Anything is possible."

The door to the apartment opened and her ears were lovingly graced by the voices of bouncy kids and a less than patient father trying his best to get the kids to bed. It had been a very long day and all Leia wanted to do was settle down to a nice holo-vid with her husband. There was a new romantic one called "Coruscant Nights" she wanted to see, about two lovers, a gruff woman from the underworld meeting her lover who was a higher end woman. She had heard good things about the movie.

She could see her scruffy nerf-herder as he charged out of the room, racing after their twins. The two children squealed in delight. To them, this was a game.

"Oh no you don't!" he yelled as they began to climb up onto the countertop near the sink, going for the cookie jar. "This isn't a game!"

"Can't catch us," Jaina giggled and Jacen stuck his tongue out.

"Where's that walking carpet when you need him?" Leia said, smiling at the wonderful family scene.

"Momma!" her kids shouted, jumping down and racing at a reckless speed towards her. They crashed into each other and fell sideways, but giggling they gamefully pushed themselves off the floor. She crouched down and holding her arms out, took them both in a tight embrace.

"Having you been giving Daddy trouble?" she asked them, pulling them back.

"No," they both said together, shaking their head innocently, "He burned yum-yum."

"Traitors," he shook his head, "I told you not to tell her that."

"Oh did he?" she mockingly asked, looking up with a mock glare at him, "No cookies for him then. Is that a good enough punishment?"

Jaina thought it over a second. "No," she said. But Jacen said, "Yes."

She laughed, "Off to bed, the both of you," she said.

"Night, night!" they both said, and turning, bounded off for their rooms.

Han took a long look at her accomplishment and shaking his head staggered to the small sofa and plopped down on it. Despite all the runs he had done as a smuggler, and all the battles he had fought for the Rebel Alliance, he knew that those were nothing compared to the battles he fought to get his children into bed.

"You have a real talent Leia," he muttered, "I have no idea how you manage to get our children to obey you. Is it one of those crazy Jedi things?"

"Hmmm," she smiled a tight lipped smile and pushing herself up, mover to the sofa and sat beside him. His arm immediatly wrapped around her shoulder. "Something like that."

"Ack," he stuck out his tongue, "How did your meeting with the Imps go?"

She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "We didn't kill each other," she said, "So I think it was a success. Now we'll see what happens next."