CHAPTER 7:
The Millennium Falcon gracefully glided out of light speed and into open space. They neared Sullust, a planet marred by red veins of lava flow from the many volcanos on the surface that had created a noxious atmosphere and made the surface of the planet unlivable, forcing its habitants to create a biodiverse environment underground.
"Interesting choice for a base," Han commented.
"A good choice for a base," Lando added. "Underground. That would make things difficult for the Empire."
"Actually, Sullust was taken over by SoroSuub after the fall of—" Threepio began to explain.
" SoroSuub corporation gave their full support to the Empire after the government fell, and they pledged their support to the Empire in exchange for lucrative contracts," Leia, who now wore the Alliance uniform explained.
"Poor choice for a base," Lando conceded.
"Sullust is the endpoint of the Sanctuary Pipeline."
Chewbacca growled.
"A rebel force team rescued a SoroSuub chairman of the board from Imperial detention." Leia stood up and placed her hands on the back of Han's seat. "They also have their own resistance movement led by Sian Tevv, but they've remained independent of the Alliance. They're allowing us to use Sullust as the staging point of our offensive attack."
"Offensive attack?" Han asked.
All eyes fell on Leia. She grimly pressed her lips together and gazed out the windshield. "The Empire has started constructing a new Death Star."
"Another Death Star," Lando breathed.
Han raised an eyebrow. "Didn't they learn their lesson the first time?"
Chewie grumbled.
"This one's not complete and not operational yet," Leia said.
"Even better," Han quipped.
"The Alliance is amassing the fleet in Sullust's orbit."
Chewie garawffed and growled catching the ship's occupant's attention. Two Sullust fighter ships approached the Falcon, flanking the larger ship on each side.
"Looks like the welcoming committee is here."
Leia moved to stand between the pilot's and co-pilot's seat to get better access to the com.
"Unidentified freighter, you are approaching a restricted area. You are advised to change course."
Leia leaned forward and pressed the com. "I'm here to see General Reikken."
There was silence for a moment. "Unidentified Freighter, identify yourself."
Han exchanged a look with Leia. "It's safe to use the Falcon's real transponder code."
Chewbacca concurred with a grumble.
Solo held Leia's large brown eyes as he broadcasted the transponder code of his beloved ship.
"Millennium Falcon, state your business."
"We're here on official Alliance business," Leia answered.
"What's the passcode?"
"OL72190."
There was silence from the other end.
"They probably have changed the passcode," Lando pointed out.
"I'm certain they have," Leia said. "I used my personal code. Reikken will know it's me."
"Let's hope Reikken is around," Han muttered as silence filled the cockpit.
Finally, the fighter ship answered back, "General Reikken told me to tell you welcome back. We will escort you in."
"Thank you."
"I'd feel better if those were X-Wings out there."
Chewbacca shared his thoughts on the Sullust fighters.
Leia ran her hand down Han's arm, caught his hand like she had done with Luke. "Chewie's right. They're our allies."
"It'll be nice to get back to civilization." Lando leaned back in his chair with a smile.
Han, Leia, and Chewie looked at the former baron.
"Obviously, you've never been on a rebel base," Han said.
Lando's smile faded.
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As they disembarked the Millennium Falcon, General Carlist Reikken stood a few meters away from the ship's ramp. Behind him stood a squad of military police and a handful of the Alliance's best techs. Leia bit the inside of her lip; they were obviously worried about Chewbacca overpowering them.
"This isn't good," Han leaned over and said into Leia's ear as they descended down the ramp.
"They weren't exactly happy that I left," Leia answered back.
"Your Highness," Reikken stepped forward, kissed the princess's cheek, and embraced her once she reached the bottom of the ramp. "I was so worried about you."
"I'm fine." Leia smiled at the general.
All though there was a twinkle in her eyes, there was something there underneath her obvious happiness that contradicted her answer. Reikken smiled at her, turned his attention to Han, and held out his hand to the smuggler. "Captain Solo, it's good to have you back."
"It's good to be back," Han shook the general's hand.
Then he shook hands with Chewbacca. "I'm glad your mission was successful."
"General," Leia held out her hand toward Lando. "This is Lando Calrissian."
"The former Baron of Cloud City," Han mockingly interjected.
The princess ignored the smuggler. "He's the one who helped us escape from Vader on Cloud City."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Lando held out his hand to the general.
The older man shook Lando's hand, "And you. We feared we lost Her Highness and the rest of you for good."
"We almost lost Han," Leia reminded him.
"General." Threepio stepped forward. "It's good to see you again."
"You too, Threepio." The general smiled at the droid. "Where's Commander Skywalker?"
"He had to take care of something. He'll be back soon."
"So what's with the welcoming party?" Han asked as he placed his hands on his waist.
Reikken looked over his shoulder and then turned back to the group. "I'm sorry, but the High Command considers the princess AWOL."
Leia's brow lowered, "But I told them I was leaving."
"You didn't actually have their permission."
Didn't actually have the High Command's permission…. Han stood with his mouth slightly open as he absorbed the general's words. Leia had come after him without the High Command's permission. Chewbacca had told him about Leia leaving the Alliance to come after him, but Han never considered that she would do it against the High Command's wishes. The Alliance and their success what all she lived for. His hazel eyes fell upon Leia; she gave all that up for him.
At the same time, Leia's actions frightened him. No one besides Chewie—who gave up his family life because of his life debt to Han—had sacrificed so much for him. This was not something Han was familiar with, people making sacrifices for him. Luke and Lando—with his old pal Chewie—came to Han's rescue, but they did not sacrifice as much as Leia did. Han always saw the Alliance as Leia's life, and he believed she would put it above her feelings for him. She spent her whole life preparing for her place in the rebellion. But she gave it up for him. What did that mean? Could he sacrifice so much for her?
"I told them I would return."
Chewbacca rumbled and grumbled.
"Chewie is asking about the MPs and techs," Leia translated.
"Not my idea," Reikken said. "The techs need to search your ship for tracking beacons."
"No one's searchin' my ship." Han's stance became protective and a touch hostile.
Leia turned to the smuggler and put a hand on the arm that was posed over his blaster. "Let them do it. If anyone put a homing device on the ship—"
"No one's tracking my ship, Your Worshipfulness." Han jutted out his chin.
The princess rolled her large brown eyes. "Where have I heard that before, Captain?"
"Jabba the Hutt is known to have done business with the Imperials," Reikken cut in. "It's just a safety precaution."
Han thought about it for a moment as he looked into Leia's face. He huffed, "Fine, but I'm staying behind to make sure they don't move anything." He then nodded toward the MPs. "So whadda 'bout them?"
Reikken glanced at the six MPs. "I'm afraid that they are here to arrest the princess."
Han stepped in front of her and drew his blaster. "Over my dead body."
The MPs drew their blasters. "Lower your blaster, Captain Solo."
Chewbacca roar was threatening.
"I thought these guys were your friends," Lando nervously stated.
"Guess I was wrong."
"Captain Solo—"
"It takes six of ya' to arrest one tiny princess?" Han still held up his blaster.
"I'm sorry, Solo," Reikken apologized. "The High Command anticipated your resistance."
"They know me so well."
"I tried to convince them otherwise, but they think I'm biased."
"Because of your relationship with Leia and acceptance of me."
"I'm afraid so."
Leia stepped in front of Han, faced him, and put her hand on his blaster. "It'll be okay."
"After all you've done for the Alliance, and they treat you like this?"
"They said there would be consequences if I left," she quietly told him. "Let the MPs do their job."
"Lower your weapon, Captain Solo," the MP that addressed him earlier demanded once again, a man Han recognized. "Please."
Han's eyes met Leia's large brown eyes. She did not have fear in her eyes, but there was apprehension. He pressed his lips together, gave her a meaningful look but lowered his blaster and returned it to his holster.
"We're gonna have to arrest you."
"I don't think that's necessary, Corporal," Reikken interjected.
"I'm sorry, General." The Corporal looked uncomfortable. "High Command orders. I am to arrest anyone who interfers in the princess's arrest."
"All of you, on your knees and put your hands on your heads," a female MP ordered.
Still looking into Leia's face, Han's hazel eyes widened and retracted.
"Just do it," Leia entreated.
Han frowned at the princess but complied. Four MPs stepped forward. One took Han's blaster while the others searched Chewie and Lando.
"Corporal," Leia interceded. "Mr. Calrissian and Chewbacca have not interfered."
"The princess needs to be secure, sir."
The Corporal gave a look of apology as he stepped forward and secured cuffs on the princess's wrist.
"This isn't necessary, Corporal," Reikken stepped forward.
"Lando and Chewie did nothin'," Han reiterated Leia's observance as the female MP locked his hands in cuffs behind his back.
Another MP cuffed Lando while a third and fourth arrested Chewbacca. One trained a blaster on the Wookie's head and the other took his hairy hands and began cuffing him. Chewbacca emitted a low, threatening growl that shook the MPs confidence, but it didn't prevent them from following through on their orders.
"I'm sorry, sir," the Corporal looked contrite. "I wish I didn't have to do this, but I was given orders direct from Colonel Gillis."
Reikken's face darkened. "I understand."
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Trapped in an cold black-walled room on Cloud City, locked up behind bars in Jabba the Hutt's dungeon and now Han found himself, once again, being detained in another detention center by the Alliance no less. Being freed from carbonite had brought him no freedom so far. Han angrily paced the length off his new prison.
"Would you relax?" Lando asked. "I'm sure this will all be straightened out."
Han ignored him. "This is gettin' really old," he muttered.
"What?"
"Locked in a prison and worrin' about Leia."
Chewbacca wharruffed in agreement.
Han felt as if the walls were closing in on him, and a memory of the trash compactor on the Death Star flashed through his mind. It was getting hard to breathe. Solo sat down on the bench, rested his elbows on his knees, and held his head in his hands. His vision was closing in on him, and his heart thumped against his chest. Sweat began to drip down his back.
Chewie harruffed.
Han leaned back against the wall as his vision came back. "Nothin'."
Chewbacca's steely blue eyes stayed on his friend.
"I'm fine," Han said a little too forcefully.
Not Cloud City. Not Tatooine. Sullust. With the rebel, Han reminded himself. Allegedly his friends and allies. Han ran his hands down his thighs to wipe away the sweat. The High Command wouldn't hurt Leia, and there would be no need to be rescued. Friends, indeed.
Chewie grumbled, wharffed, and hawed.
"No, I don't need to rest." Han looked away from Lando to stare down his best friend. "Besides, how do you know I didn't sleep last night?"
The Wookie whoorawffed.
"Mind your own coffee intake, you furry lug," Han snapped. And then he added, "Leia couldn't sleep. I stayed up with her." There was no way he would tell Chewie that it was he who could not sleep, that he was afraid to go to sleep only to find himself still frozen in carbonite. As it was, their present situation felt like a bad dream that just wasn't going to end.
"How long have you been with the rebels?" Lando asked.
"I'm not."
"No wonder they're treating you like an enemy."
Chewie growled and rumbled.
"Three years?" Lando questioned. "It sounds like you're one of them."
"I just did some smuggling for them," Han countered. "Chauffuered Leia around."
Chewbacca raygrued.
"And some missions."
"Sounds like you're a rebel, Han."
"I'm not," Han protested a little too forceful. "I just did some jobs for 'em. I needed to pay off Jabba."
"And you stayed three years."
Chewie aaarruuued.
"You had enough credits to pay off Jabba three years ago and you gave back the reward you got for rescuing Leia?" Lando asked incredulously.
"Maybe that was a mistake," Han muttered even though he did not believe it. His thoughts turned to Leia. The High Command was probably questioning her—they wouldn't torture her—but that didn't bring Han any comfort.
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Princess Leia sat with her back rod straight, her chin lifted, and her large brown eyes defiant. She was in the interrogation room, not far from Han, she was certain, but she might as well have been kilometers away. She could only imagine his anger over the way they all were being treated; the Alliance was supposed to be their sanctuary. But here they were, once more someone's prisoner, once again being interrogated by the Head of Intelligence, Colonel Ornell Gillis, no less. Leia had been in this position before, after she returned to Yavin with the plans of the Death Star, and was considered a hero. A "debriefing", they considered it. But debriefings usually took place in the Command meeting room and by the High Command. Leia was in an interrogation room. They were punishing her for her defiance.
The glanced up at the camera embedded near the ceiling in the corner of the room pointed at her. No doubt the members of the High Command were observing her.
"You understand why you're charged with AWOL," Admiral Gillis asked.
"No," the princess answered. "I made the High Command well aware of my leave."
"You did not have their blessing."
"I did what I had to do."
"And now I'm doing what I have to do." Gillis gave her an unfriendly smile.
That was what Leia hated about Colonel Ornell Gillis; he took great pleasure in interrogating his subjects, and it was rumored that he could be….enthusiastic when obtaining information from his prisoners. And at the moment, Leia felt like a prisoner, though she doubted he would resort to his usual methods of obtaining information. There was no need for that since it was just a "debriefing".
"You were a member of the High Command, and aware of Alliance assembling her on Sullust, yet you chose to leave."
"Yes."
"Your input as a High Command leader was needed, especially since you have had the most experience in the field." Gillis pointed out. "This should have been your priority."
"A man's life was on the line. I couldn't just abandon him."
"From my understanding, Commander Skywalker and Captain Solo's friends went to Tatooine to rescue him."
"I'm a friend of Captain Solo."
"And you were a member of the High Command." Gillis' voice rose.
"Captain Solo saved my life more than once and helped destroy the Death Star, Colonel." Leia lifted her chin. "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here and most of the Alliance would have been wiped out on Yavin."
"You let your emotions get in the way of your priorities." Gillis tisked as if he was speaking to a child. "This, I understand, was very unlike you." He rubbed his bulbous nose. "You left at a crucial time for the Alliance, and this hindered our plans to stage an offense against the Empire."
"I am but one person. The offensive would go on without me, and it is."
"Again, your experience in the field was needed. We lost many Bothan spies in the process. Imagine the torture they would have suffered at the hands of the Imperials before their deaths had they not taken their own lives when captured."
The princess shuddered as she remembered her own interrogation by Darth Vader. "What could I have done to save them?"
"A lot." Gillis leaned back and stared meaningful into her eyes. "But that time has passed."
Leia remained quiet, and Gillis watched her as his words sunk in. He created a peak with his fingers underneath one of his chins.
Although a prick of guilt stabbed her heart, she kept her countenance neutral. "As you said. Time has passed. When does the interrogation begin?"
"Princess, we're just having a conversation." Gillis offered her an unfriendly smile. "You know it's protocol to debrief those who have been in the hands of our enemies."
"Enemies?"
"Jabba the Hutt is a known associate of the Empire."
"He was a lowly crime lord that would do business with anyone if it brought him profit and favor."
"He provided arms and bounty hunters for the Imperials that have hunted down our special forces and spies."
And Han and me. "Bounty hunters are independent contractors," Leia pointed out.
"Nevertheless, Jabba is considered an Alliance enemy." Gillis tilted his head to the right.
"There's no need to worry about him anymore." The princess glanced down at her hands, remembering how the chain around her neck dug into her hands as she strangled her captor.
"Tell me, how did you manage to infiltrate Jabba's realm? I heard it was greatly fortified."
"Commander Skywalker came up with the plan." Leia looked up at the Colonel, but her eyes were far away as she thought of her friend, wondering where he was, if he was safe, if Vader had caught up to him yet.
"Commander Skywalker is still AWOL. Do you know where he is?"
Leia glared at Gillis.
"You know."
Revealing Luke's whereabouts—or rather, what he was doing—would save him from such a debriefing when he returned. The mention of Jedi always elated those who remember the Old Republic, and Colonel Gillis was old enough to remember. "He's completing his training as a Jedi."
"Where?"
"I don't know."
"You two are close, Princess. I cannot believe he didn't tell you."
"He didn't, but I assure you, when he returns he'll be a true Jedi."
The Colonel tapped the tips of his fingers together as he studied the princess. Unwavering, Leia held his gaze. Once the Colonel decided he was satisfied with that answer, he returned to his earlier line of questioning. "What was Commander Skywalker's plan?"
"We each infiltrated Jabba's palace at different times." The princess informed Gillis. "Chewbacca and I got in by pretending I was a bounty hunter and Chewbacca, my prisoner. My job was to free Captain Solo from the carbonite."
"And you succeeded."
"Yes." Leia's eyes slipped to the table as she remembered how helpless Han had been, how she failed to get him out on her own.
"But?"
She pressed her lips together, and looked up at the camera in the corner of the room. Gillis's eyes followed hers. "The members of the High Command won't interfer. They're the ones who insisted on this debriefing."
There will be consequences to your actions, Mon Montha had told her.
Gillis sensed there were things that the princess did not want to tell him and gave her a moment to soak in his words in the hopes that it would make her feel trapped, helpless.
"And then what happened? You escape?"
"No," she quietly said.
"No?"
"We were captured," she admitted. "Han was taken away."
"And you? We're you interrogated?"
Leia's stomach churned. "No."
"No?" Gillis leaned forward and peered into the princess's face. "What is it you don't want to tell me?" The princess said nothing. "Tell me, Princess."
She looked up at the camera again, her eyes filled with shame.
"If you weren't interrogated—"
"I was drugged," she blurted out, narrowing her large brown eyes on her current enemy. "I don't remember much."
"Then you could have revealed Alliance secrets. You could have told them about our assembly."
"I didn't."
"That would be information Jabba would certainly sell to the Imperials. How do you know you didn't reveal anything if you don't remember?"
Leia placed her fists on the table and leaned toward Gillis. "Vader couldn't break me. Do you think a lowlife scum crime lord could break me?" Her anger seeped into her voice. "Jabba wasn't interested in the Alliance!"
The Colonel sighed as he took in her words. There was truth to her abilities to resist interrogation. He believed her, but his curiosity pushed him to continue his debriefing of the princess just to see her squirm. He managed to make her reveal her anger; what more would she reveal? "What was Jabba interested in?"
Leia's chest visibly rose and fell. After a moment, she quietly said, "He was only interested in punishing Captain Solo."
The door of the interrogation room zipped open, and General Dodonna walked in. "You're finished, Colonel." The General ignored the Colonel's sour expression and held out a hand to Leia. Princess, come with me."
"It's been a pleasure, Your Highness." Colonel Gillis smiled as she stood.
Leia didn't acknowledge him as she followed General Dodonna out of the room. Her body now trembled, and she hoped no one—especially Gillis—had noticed.
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On Dagobath, Luke Skywalker sat on a log outside of Yoda's home. The old Jedi died from old age, his body fading into nothing, and Luke sought refuge outside Yoda's humble abode near his X-Wing with Artoo. Ben's Force ghost had appeared to him, explaining what the old Jedi Master didn't have time to explain, before Ben, too, faded away. He never felt this alone in his life.
Luke was not a Jedi yet, though he required no more training. He only had to face Darth Vader to become a true Jedi. He only had to kill his father. I can't kill my own father.
Then the Emperor has already won. Kenobi's words. You are our only hope.
If he didn't face down his father, kill him, his sister would have to finish what Luke can't. Leia. Leia's my sister. Luke had always been the closest person to her, and their bond—which he doubted could be broken—ran deep. Now Luke understood why. He had always felt protective of her, but now he felt even more protective. He could not leave her to take on Vader if he failed to do so.
Darth Vader was his father; Leia was his twin sister. Darth Vader was Leia's father. How would she take this news? After all, it was Vader who tortured her on the Death Star and on Bespin. It was Vader who destroyed her home planet and froze Han in carbonite. If Luke was disgusted and ashamed by his parentage, then how would she feel? He would have to tell her. Or would it be better to keep her in the dark? Telling her was something Luke did not want to do, but she had to know. Besides, she knew him too well to hide anything. As it was, Leia knew Luke was keeping something from her since Bespin. It was like a wedge between them. If he did not tell her about Vader's relationship to him, to her, the wedge would grow, and he needed her now more than ever.
Luke closed his blue eyes and slowly inhaled and exhaled. The future held such uncertainty. Could he kill his own father? If he did not, would his father kill him? Vader did not kill Luke on Bespin, though he could have easily done so. Maybe the Dark Lord would have if Luke didn't take that choice away. He chewed his bottom lip. Vader could have killed him well before Luke let go of the post and allowed himself to fall to his expected death. Luke had given the Dark Lord plenty of opportunity before he was sucked out of the broken window in the carbonite chamber.
If Luke was such a threat to Vader and the Emperor, the Sith Lord would have been wise to kill Luke when he had the chance. He could not imagine Darth Vader not making that connection. Luke felt a reluctance in his father, that Vader did not want to kill Luke, and not just because his father wanted to rule the galaxy with him. No, there was something in Darth Vader, maybe the remnants of a beating heart. There was some good in him. There had to be.
Luke could not accept that there was not. If there was no good in him, then Luke had the capacity to fall to the Dark Side. After all, it was Vader's blood that ran through Luke's—and Leia's—veins.
Artoo emitted a series of beeps.
"Yeah." Although Luke did not understand the droid, he made an assumption about what the droid said. Luke stood up. "It's time to return to the Alliance."
Luke helped Artoo into the X-Wing before he climbed into the cockpit. No. Vader wants me to live. His father wanted Luke to live. Luke felt certain there was some good left in the Dark Lord, and he believed he was the one to redeem his father.