It was another dream. The fuzzy feeling of floating endlessly in an empty void. His surroundings were dark and hard to make out. But that ended quickly as he felt a cold rocky floor touch his feet. The fuzzy feeling grew stronger with every step he took. At the end of the pathway was a temple, barely visible as it fades in and out of existence.

"Welcome, Luke Skywalker," a raspy voice said, whispering in his ears. Luke turned around but found no one near him. "Hello?" he called out to no one in particular. His surroundings suddenly went silent. He felt his body tense up before he felt himself stumbling onto a hard wooden floor. He extended his hands out to slow down his fall, only for another pair to catch him. Luke looked up to see his savior. The hands led to a hooded figure. Their features are hidden within the cloak.

"Easy there," the figure spoke out as it helped Luke get up to his feet. "You are a Jedi. You must stand tall before the others."

"The others?" Luke asked, confused as to what the figure was implying. "Of course," the figure replied. "The other Jedi. You are not alone anymore," the figure extended his hands before him, and out of thin air six other hooded figures appeared. They all surrounded Luke. "We await your arrival, Luke Skywalker," they said in unison. Luke felt an immense pain in his ribs as the hooded figures came closer and closer. "Luke!" they shouted in unison as the pain grew stronger. "Luke!" "Luke!"

Luke opened his eyes as the stinging pain hit him in the rib. "Luke, wake up!" a voice hissed at him. His sight remained blurry before he could recognize the voice; to see a pissed off Leia jabbing him in the rib. His eyes widened when he suddenly became aware of where he was. The mixed reaction of both human and alien displeasure confirmed his fear—the New Republic committee.

"Sorry," was the only words he could think of at the moment. Leia shook her head in embarrassment.

"As I was saying—," Han continued as he set down his report. "—most of them just don't see any real gain in switching from their current activities to straight shipping."

"You'll recall that I disagreed with this idea all along," Admiral Ackbar added, waving his webbed hand towards Han's report.

"Or else—," a melodic alien voice put in, "—it's a lack of trust. Could that be it?"

Han grimaced before he could stop himself. "It's possible," he said, forcing himself to look at the wretched Borsk Fey'lya.

"Possible?" Fey'lya's violet eyes widened, his cream-colored fur ruffled slightly with motion. It was a Bothan gesture of polite surprise, one which Fey'lya liked to use a lot. Han sighed quietly and gave up. "Some of the groups I've spoken with simply don't trust us." He sat down, slapping his hand in frustration. "They think the offer is some kind of trap to lure them out into the open."

"Because of me, of course," Admiral Ackbar growled. "Haven't you grown tired of taking this same territory, Fey'lya?"

Fey'lya's eyes narrowed as he gazed silently at Ackbar, the tension rising around the table. They had never liked each other, Han knew, not from the first day Fey'lya had brought his bothan people into the Alliance shortly after the battle of Yavin. Right from the start Fey'lya had been craving for power and influence. Ackbar, as well as most of the Alliance leaders, had considered such ambitions to be a dangerous waste of time and effort, particularly given the bleak situation the Alliance was facing at the time. Still, if it wasn't for Fey'lya's people, they would have never found out about the second Death Star orbiting the moon of Endor. Han never learned just how the Bothans were able to discover such details, that not even the Alliance's best spies could find. And to be perfectly honest, he wasn't sure he wanted to.

"I merely seek to clarify the situation, Admiral Ackbar," Fey'lya finally spat out, breaking the silence. "It's hardly worthwhile for us to continue sending valuable men like Captain Solo out on these missions if each is predoomed to failure."

"They're not predoomed to failure," Han cut in. Out of the corner of his eye, Leia gave him a warning look. He ignored it. "What we're looking for is the classic, conservative businesspeople. Most of these smugglers on our list won't just jump into something new and risky."

"And you, I presume, have someone in mind?" Fey'lya asked harshly. Han grimaced. "Not as of yet. But my contact did mention a name." He pulled out a small holo-disk and displayed an image of a middle-aged man. "Talon Karrde. Apparently, he has the biggest organization after Jabba's passing. Though I haven't been able to confirm it. If we can convince him to aid our efforts, the rest of the smugglers will follow."

"And where is this Talon Karrde?" Ackbar questioned, eyeing the hologram. Han grew silent for a moment. "My contact refused to say," he sighed in frustration. A scoff can be heard through the room.

"You see!" Fey'lya said, gritting his teeth. "We waste valuable time and resources, and for what? We gain nothing from this."

"Look, you can't build any—"

A gentle tap of a gavel silenced the growing argument. "What the smugglers are waiting for," Mon Mothma said softly, her stern gaze touching each of the others at the table in turn, "is the same thing the rest of the galaxy is waiting for: the reestablishment of principle and law of the Old Republic. That is our first and primary task, Councilors. To become the New Republic in fact as well as in name."

Luke and Han caught Leia's eyes, and this time they were the ones who were sending her a warning look. Mon Mothma let the silence linger for a few seconds longer, again sending her gaze around the room. Han found himself studying her, noting the deepening lines on her face, the streaks of gray hair now visible between her natural red hair. She had aged quite a lot since he'd first met her, shortly after the triumphant battle of Endor. Ever since then, Mon Mothma had been right in the center of it all, and the strain clearly had a toll on her, and on her family. But despite what the years have done to her physique, her eyes still had that strong valiant flame that fought to stand against tyranny. She was tough, smart and fully in control. And everyone present knew it. Her eyes finished their sweep and came to rest on Han. "We thank you, Captain Solo, for your report; and, too, for your efforts." She looked back up to everyone in the room. "Does anyone have any questions before we adjourn this meeting?"

Slowly, a small, almost timid hand rose up. "Yes, General Syndulla?" Mon Mothma asked calmly. The green twi'lek general fixed her posture as she prepared to speak. "I just have a question for Captain Solo," she began, her voice soothingly serious as her gaze settled on Han. "Did your contact mention anything about the Elomin task force in any way, to you?"

Han tensed a bit, his brow furrowing. "Just about everything everyone in the galaxy has already heard . . . absolutely nothing." "Surely there must have been something worth mentioning?" Hera pressed on. She looked at all her peers, shocked at their lack of worriedness.

"The only thing my contact mentioned was how sloppy we were in losing an entire task force," Han retorted, he paused, thinking back to the conversation with Dravis. "But he did mention a rumor."

"What sort of rumor?" Admiral Ackbar chimed in, his skin turning a pale salmon color.

"According to the rumors he's heard, there is someone new in charge out there. Whoever this new guy is, he's unifying the remaining Imperial remnants."

The room fell silent. Luke and Leia gave each other a worrisome look. Fey'lya, however, chuckled lightly. "That is but a rumor," he scoffed, his fur rippling quickly, "there is no evidence that the remnants of the Empire are unifying. They are nothing more than power-hungry warlords that have been at war with each other for the past five years. For all we know, pirates could have attacked the Elomin task force," he paused, looking at the twi'lek general. "Or is it the fact that you want to start another war, General Syndulla. Is that it?"

"Councilor Fey'lya," Hera said with gritted teeth. "I have spent most of my life fighting a war, and the last thing I want to do is continue fighting this endless crusade. Which is why I'm trying to convince you all to help me prevent another war."

"I'd have to agree," Admiral Ackbar said, his dark salmon-colored blush returning to his face. "However, we can't simply go and attack the remnants based on rumors."

"If that's the case, why don't we just hand them Coruscant, eh? I for one believe that Admiral Ackbar is unfit to lead the New Republic navy." Fey'lya chimed in agressively.

"Councilor Fey'lya you dare—"

"Enough!" Mon Mothma shouted. There was silence for a long moment. Mon Mothma gazed at the room again, looking at everyone with purpose. "Admiral Ackbar," she finally said, breaking the silence. "Have the navy be on high alert and on standby for any imminent activity." Her voice now returning to her regular calm tone. "General Syndulla will join Councilor Organa Solo on her diplomatic mission to Bimmissaari to investigate any imperial activity. If that is all, the meeting is adjourned."

She tapped the gavel and stood up. Han and Luke worked their way through the general confusion around the other side of the room. "So," Han said to Leia once he found her. "Are we out of here?"

"The sooner, the better," Leia retorted. "I just need to give some intel to General Syndulla before we leave for Bimmissaari."

"Right," Han said unenthusiastically.Leia gave him a look of wonder. "What's the matter, Han?"

"Nothing—" Han quickly added. But the look Leia had given him was enough to break him. "I just think Mon Mothma should give you a break. I mean, how are you going to be a Jedi when she doesn't give you the time to train with Luke?"

"I know," Leia said. "But she needs me more than ever if we are to keep the New Republic together." Han said nothing in return. He simply held her hand as they exited the room.Luke observed the pair leave the room, leaving him behind—as usual. "A word with you, Luke," Mon Mothma said, gesturing a hand towards him. Luke tensed up a bit, but followed.

"Yes?" he asked shyly.

"I was wondering if you'd agreed to go with Leia to Bimmissaari? From my understanding, their culture has a very 'heroic' stance on Jedi," Mon Mothma said, a small smile forming around her lips. "And your part during the battle of Endor is rather well known."

"Leia mentioned it" Luke replied, glancing over to the exit."I understand this will be your last mission with us, is that correct?" Mon Mothma asked sincerely. Luke gave a small nod. He knew she needed all the help she could get, and he truly felt guilty to be leaving in their time of need. "I wish I could stay longer but—"

"I understand," Mon Mothma cutting him off. "The galaxy needs the Jedi," Mon Mothma said, with a weak smile. "I wish you luck on your journey. May the force be with you." They bowed before parting ways.

"The droids are already on the Falcon," Han commented as Luke rushed to join them. "I know," Leia replied, leaning into a kiss.

"Ready?" Luke chimed in, breaking the trance between the two of them. Leia smiled, grasping both of their hands. She squeezed Han's hand, he squeezed back. "Everything is going to be fine," she told Han. "You, me and Luke. Together again—just like old times." Han gave her a weak smile as he though of having to spend hours upon hours listening to Threepio translate a bunch of half-furred, half-sized aliens, and figure out what exactly it would take to get them to join the New Republic. "Sure," he sighed. "Justlikeold times."