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The Fett Dynasty II: Siege of Orri Prime	By : WLTDNFADED Category: Star Wars (All) > General Views: 3810 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Star Wars movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
UGH! FINISHED! FINALLY! (Collapses on her keyboard)

Thanks to everyone for your patience! This is my very first battle scene, so please, be kind in your reviews! I worked really, really hard for the past two months on this, writing and re-writing treatments and drafts, editing and re-editing, etc. and so forth. I really, really hope you all enjoy it!
Suggested listening while reading: �Duel of the Fates�, TPM Soundtrack, and �Love Pledge and the Arena�, AOTC soundtrack. Both pieces of music were a HUGE inspiration for me!

Enjoy!

Ivy

Episode 2

Chapter 8

The Siege

Orri Prime was the second planet from the sun known as Dia-Prishina, a medium-sized blue star that burned just within the Expansion Region at the Mid-Rim border. Around the planet hovered three small moons known as Criima, T�dosha, and Tarramin, with Tarramin being the largest. A veritable dwarf compared to the three gas giants that shared the system, the name �orri� was derived from an ancient Bothan word �aurriae�, which, translated to galactic Basic meant, �pebble.� When viewed from the cold vacuity of space, it was little wonder the Bothans used such a metaphoric moniker: A light, grayish-blue stone glistening at the bottom of a midnight pond, dotted with azure patches of fresh-water seas that nestled within its mostly mountainous terrain, swathed in a veil of white vaporous clouds.

Like most of the mining worlds scattered across the galaxy, the surface of Orri Prime remained mostly rural, save for a few pockets of civilization and industry built around its richest mining veins. But unlike such mining installations like Mimban and Kessel, Lady I�Lai strove to insure that Orri Prime�s delicate eco-structure would not suffer from industrial expansion. During the last year since the emancipation of the slave miners, she had worked diligently with a carefully selected committee of urban planners and architects, which even included a surviving civil engineer from the galaxy�s most ecologically minded planet, Alderaan. With virtually unlimited financial backing from Lady I�Lai herself, the committee helped transform the municipal landscape of Orri Prime�s urban installations.

The destitute and poorly constructed shantytowns the miners had inhabited were torn down and replaced by solid and aesthetically pleasing townships with comfortably spacious homes, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and bright, airy public schools. Free commerce had replaced the late Grand Moff Denivrian�s ration programs, and hence markets, kiosks, shops, taverns, and eateries had sprouted all up and down the newly paved streets of the planet�s various townships. Designs and procedures regarding sewage, public sanitation, emissions and air quality were all carefully executed and monitored. And all mining operations were restricted to the strictest codes of safety, not only for the miners themselves but also for the environment in general.

But perhaps the greatest change could be seen in the Orrians themselves. Since Orri Prime had no indigenous civilization or intelligent life, the entire population was made of political prisoners and destitute refugees purchased by Denivrian to be slaves in his durasteel mines. Almost every sentient, oxygen-breathing race the galaxy had to offer was represented in the Orrian population: Humans, Rodians, Bothans, Wookiees, and so forth. Since most of the freed slaves had no one to call family and nowhere to call home, many opted to stay and partake in Orri Prime�s rebuilding. While many stayed in the mines and enjoyed their new substantial salaries and benefits, others opted to start their own small enterprises, providing goods and services to the newly freed populace of Orri Prime. Mass media became available to the people for the first time, and soon almost every household had a holovid installed, making the holonet accessible to all. Children were no longer forced to work in the mines. For the first time, children of all races they were allowed to go to school.

On the day Lady I�Lai took position as Acting Governor and declared emancipation, she also declared that Orri Prime was no longer an autocratic dictatorship, but a democracy. Throughout the following months, the newly built townships freely elected magistrates, city managers, constabulary, and other public officials from within the former slave corps. And although the gubernatorial elections were only weeks away, there was a distinctive lack of candidates opposing Lady I�Lai, for the simple reason that no one had any wish to run against her.

Yes, Orri Prime was a vastly different world than it had been just a year prior. The Orrians no longer lived in fear, disease, starvation, or misery. They were becoming a strong, educated, self-sufficient, and humbly prosperous people.

Not one of those people suspected the menace that lurked just four kilometers within the atmosphere of the system�s second gas giant�

Admiral Gilad Pellaeon stood in front of the massive viewscreen on the bridge of the Imprimatur, arms folded and jaw set firmly, watching Orri Prime�s orbital activity with the same intense focus of a diamond cutter. Although the magnetic disturbance of Orri Theta�s atmosphere caused the viewer image to fuzz and crackle, Pellaeon�s experienced eyes peered through the static, allowing him to see the last of the morning�s shipping freighters power out of Orri Prime�s gravitational pull toward deeper space. This same experience also allowed him to ignore the sharp creaks and groans in the Imprimatur�s hull, unsettling noises that did not go unnoticed by the bridge�s younger and less experienced crew.

A particularly loud CRACK! caused Captain Rhys to roll his eyes nervously toward the ceiling bulkhead as he made his approach toward his superior officer.

�Sir,� Rhys whispered hoarsely as he came up beside Pellaeon, �I feel the need to inform you that the atmospheric pressure of this planet is causing great strain on the hull.�

�I am aware of that, Captain,� Pellaeon replied collectedly, still monitoring the course of the departing freighter.

�But sir�we risk chance of a breech. If the Imprimatur�s hull breeches, then surely� �

�And what do you suggest, Captain? That we fire the thrusters and ignite the entire hydrogen atmosphere? Besides incinerating this vessel into ash, I think it would also blow our cover rather well, don�t you?

�There is always the cloaking device, sir��

�Cloaking devices can only do so much, Captain. What good will jamming their sensors do if an X-wing pilot can merely look out his viewport and immediately report to Ground Control? We are in system now, too close proximity for a cloaking device.� It was only then he turned to his younger officer. Unlike most high-ranking officers of the Imperial Navy, Pellaeon never let his experience feed his arrogance nor did he take the doubts or fears of his junior officers personally. He had great faith in Rhys�s abilities, which was why he had suggested to Admiral Daala that they take the Imprimatur for this mission rather than his own Destroyer, the Chimera. He also understood that this was Rhys�s first wartime command since his commission. willwill not be in atmosphere long enough for the hull to breech, Captain. The planet�s rotation will carry us into the largest moon�s gravitational pull. We will then lock the tractor beam onto the moon and lift out of the atmosphere, and from there we will embark when the timing is right.�

Rhys simpered slightly and nodded, letting out a small sigh. Why hadn�t he thought of that? �Of course, sir. Yes, sir.�

�Always watch, Rhys, and never stop learning. Technology is merely a tool; it will never completely replace instinct or experience. That is the best advice I can give to any officer.� He turned back to the viewscreen. �Dama Fortuna�s status?�

�On standby sir, awaiting your orders.�

�It has been made completely clear to Czethros that he stick to battle plan, with absolutely NO improvising?�

�Quite clear, sir,� Rhys answered dryly.

�That goes for the pilots and the troops as well, Rhys. They are to target military and weapons installations only, and keep civilian bloodshed to a minimum.�

The Captain knit his brows slightly. �Sir?�

Pellaeon turned slightly to his younger officer, his gaze as sharp as his tone. �This is an Imperial reclamation of one of its systems and not an act of revenge; hence I expect it executed as such.� The Admiral�s eyes turned pensive, and his voice lowered. �We are about to return a newly freed people back into slavery; I think that is punishment enough for the crimes of their governor without mindless slaughter to add to their woes, don�t you?�

Rhys nodded once, swallowing hard. �Yes, sir. Understood, Admiral.� He turned to peruse the viewscreen himself, and knit his brow again. �That�s the last of the cargo freighters.�

�Yes, Captain, it is.�

�That means Orri Prime will be raising its shields, sir.�

�That�s exactly what we want them to do��

* * *

It was just shy of noon on this day that started much like all the other days since Orri Prime�s renaissance. Throughout the townships and ports, mothers had scooted their children off to classes, shifts changed in the mines, shops opened their doors and offered their wares, kiosks were slinging fresh bakery and mugs of caf to hungry citizens just going to and coming off work, and the ports had just cleared ore freighters for their early morning takeoffs. Friendly hellos and greetings were exchanged across the streets and walkways. Amiable disputes broke out about which team would take the galactic shockball championship that year. Elderly folks sat hunched over holochess tables in the bright late summer sun, chatting about the weather, their various ailments, and life in general�

In his residence in the Southern Hemisphere Security Headquarters, Lando Calrissian stood in front of his fresher mirror, thankful that his fever had finally broken while silently lamenting that his dashing, holovid-star good looks were still marred by his swollen cheeks and throat.

The buzz of the com in his living suite interrupted his bout with his bruised vanity. He strode out the fresher and hit the button. �Calrissian here.�

�Baron, Captain Stitz here. The last freighter has just pulled out of orbit.�

�Fine Stitz, go ahead and raise shields. Anything from Gen Corps in today�s shipments?�

Stitz sighed on the other end. �No sir. No plasma generators so far.�

�DAMN!� He winced, as the exclamation caused his swollen glands to throb. He lowered his voice. �Get them on the com!�

�Already did, sir. Now they say they�re having labor disputes, and production has been shut down until talks between the guilds have resumed.�

Lando groaned and slouched on his elbows over his desk. He was too tired, stiff, and achy to throw a tantrum. Instead, he fumbled with the cap on the bottle of pain relievers in his hand as he asked, �Anything on the screens?�

�Clear as a ilum crystal, sir. No stellar activity, save for planetary security. How are you feeling, sir?�

�Like the floor the morning after a Jawa�s birthday party,� Lando mumbled, popping a tablet into his mouth.

�That good, huh?�

�Mmm.�

�When will you be back with us, sir?�

�I�ll be back today, Stitz,� he moaned as he straightened himself up. �Somebody has to clean up the mess you youngsters left during your little three-day vacation without me.�

He could hear Stitz chuckle on the other end. �Glad to have you back, Baron. We�ve missed you.�

�Sure you have. I�ll be down in a few minutes. Over and out.� Shutting off the com, Lando pulled his uniform jacket off the back of his desk chair and slid it on. He stopped at the wall mirror before going out the door, taking in one more sad, self-pitying look at his puffy face. �Morumka virus,� he moaned through a thick tongue, gingerly touching a particularly swelled gland. He huffed irritably. �A kid�s disease. What am I, seven years old�?�

Lando Calrissian wasn�t the only one in the galaxy fretting in front of a mirror�

��..

In a private antechamber located within the huge reception hall of the now newly established New Republic Senate on Coruscant, General Han Solo grimaced and huffed at his own reflection as well.

Irritably, he pulled at the high collar of the long, sumptuous robe he was being forced to wear, trying to lessen the weight of it on his neck. As he reached for the collar, the tight brocade waistcoat suddenly pulled up, causing his silk shirt to stick out over his waistband. He tugged it back down, only to have the robe fall down over his shoulder. Again, he reached for the robe, and again, the long frilly cuffs of his shirt he saw reflected in the full-length mirror made him want to rip them off and set them on fire.

Exasperated, he looked at the ceiling and rolled his eyes. �I feel like an idiot!�

�Well, you look like��

He snapped his head over his shoulder. �Don�t say it!�

�I was going to say,� Leia continued, stepping behind and wrapping her arms around his waist, �that you look like a prince.�

Han screwed up his face in a half-scowl, half-smile. �I guess you would knowh?� h?� He lifted his arms, heavy with the weight of the robe, and shook his head. �So this is what you nobles wear? It�s so damn heavy�how do you get anything done?�

�We manage,� Leia laughed softly, moving in front of him and adjusting his lapels. �Besides, nobility doesn�t dress like this all the time, just for special occasions.� She looked up at him with a mischievous glance. �I say today would count as that.�

�Leia,� he pleaded quietly, his eyes pitiful and hapless, �please don�t make me go out there wearing this. I look ridiculous, it�s just not me.�

�I know�your idea of dressing up is fastening the top button of your shirt.� Han slumped his shoulders and pursed his lips. Leia leaned into him, resting her hands on his chest. �Han,� she assured him a soothing tone, �you look very handsome. Believe me, girls all over the galaxy will be swooning over you.� She cocked her eyebrow. �Just what you�ve always wanted.�

�Pfft, I don�t care about that, sweetheart�I think you�re mistaking me for Lando.� They both laughed, and then Han shrugged. �I don�t know why I�m getting so worked up, anyway. No one�s going to be looking at me�all eyes are going to be on you.� Gently, he took her by the shoulders and turned her around so she could face her own reflection. �Gods, Leia, you look so gorgeous,� he whispered into her pearl-adorned hair. He couldn�t help but smile. �Thank you for wearing this. I know you�ve had designers beating our door down to design you something for today��

�I wore it for you, Han,� she murmured, leaning her cheek onto his hand. �I know you like this dress.� She lightly touched the gossamer sleeve of her white scoop-neck gown.

It was the very same dress she had worn at the Yavin victory ceremony.

However, as her hand dropped from her sleeve to slide across her slightly protruding belly and her eyes scanned the cleavage caused by her swelling breasts, she frowned a little. �Of course, it doesn�t quite fit the way it used to. I had to let it out.�

Han leaned his cheek into her head, meeting her gaze in the mirror�s reflection. �I�ve never seen you look more beautiful, sweetheart,� he murmured, planting a soft kiss into her hair. Gazing into her husband�s eyes, Leia recognized that the look Han was giving her now was the same exact expression he had worn that day when he first saw her in it. She stifled a laugh as she recalled how awkward he had looked standing there on the ceremonial dais on Yavin 4, nervously shifting his feet, unsure what to do with his hands, and looking utterly embarrassed in front of the entire Rebel assembly�quite a change from the swaggering, cynical, egotistical pirate she had thrown down a garbage shoot just hours earlier. Had it started that day? she wondered silently. Was that the moment I knew there was more to him than what he wanted anyone to know? When he winked at me�did he know what he did to me? Knowing him, he probably did�nerfherder.

It was then she suddenly realized she was making him go through it all over again�

She turned and placed her hands on his chest, intently looking into his eyes. �You�re sure you�re fine with this?�

�Kind of late to back out now, isn�t it?� Han replied flippantly. �We�ve already paid for the catering.�

�Han�!�

�I�m kidding,� he soothed. He pursed his lips again. �Although, we�ve already had a perfectly good wedding. I don�t see why we have to have another one.�

�It�s not a wedding, it�s a reception,� she corrected as she smoothed the velvet of his coat and picked off tiny strands of stray thread here and there. �And the citizenry demands it. The people were pretty much up in arms when we announced we were secretly married. They want us to make an appearance as bride and groom.�

�And if the people demanded you to jump off a cliff, would you do it?�

�If it ensured public morale and confidence in the new government, yes, I would. But I�d grab you by the collar and take you with me.� She smirked again as she brushed off his shoulders. �Besides, I would hardly call standing in the Falcon�s cargo hold and exchanging a few words in front of Admiral Ackbar with a Wookiee, two droids, and my brother as witnesses a �perfectly good wedding�.� It was her turn to scowl. �I didn�t even have a bouquet.�

The little pout on her lip, the tiny whine in her voice, and the bemused look in her down-turned eyes did not escape Han�s notice. He instantly caught one of her hands in his own and, when she looked up at him slightly startled, he leaned in to snare her eyes. �This reception was your idea.�

�Don�t be ridiculous,� she said a little too quickly as she tried to pull her hand away.

Han wouldn�t let her budge. �The �people� demanded it, huh?� he drawled with jovial sarcasm and a raised eyebrow.

�Well�yes,� Leia replied with just the slightest quiver in her voice. She shot him a quick glance before diverting her eyes to the floor. �Well, you saw all the holonet messages��

�Funny, I don�t remember any of those messages demanding that we throw a huge catered affair and invite hundreds of guests who will bring lots of gifts and have it broadcast across the holonet. Do you?� When Leia looked up at him with all the dignity and poise of a preschooler caught with her hand in the sweets jar, he snorted a laugh through his nose.

She jerked her hand from his grip and huffed through her nose. �Well, I am Acting President of the New Republic, and the only surviving member of the Royal House of Alderaan, and I�m pregnant with twins! If I can�t have a royal wedding, the very least I deserve is a nice public reception!� This bit of reasoning only sent Han further into a fit of giggles. Leia stomped her foot. �What is so funny, Han!�

�Oh sweetheart, you are,� he rasped in between hard-fought breaths. He attempted to contain himself when he saw the flush of anger rise from her bosom to spread to her face. �Leia�I�m sorry, but�sometimes, you remind me just how much of a princess you are.� He suddenly winced. �Wait, that didn�t come out right��

�Oh, really?� she snapped through her teeth. �Fine. I�m changing my dress.� She angrily turned on her heel and headed for the door.

�No, Leia, wait!� He sprang forward to try and catch her, only to stumble on the hem of his long robe.

She stopped and spun around in a huff. �I wore this dress just for you, nerfherder! But if all you�re going to do is insult me and laugh at me, I have seven other dresses to choose from in my dressing room� �

�Leia, Leia, Leia, please,� he half pleaded, half laughed as he regained his footing and moved toward her. Leia folded her arms, pursing her lips and narrowing her eyes into a tight frown. Han breathed deeply in and let it out. �I�m sorry, sweetheart, I didn�t mean to laugh at you, OK?� Leia�s scowl defrosted slightly. Han dared to tenderly cup her face. �Do you know why I forget sometimes that you were raised a princess?� Leia shot him a quick glance as she tightly shook her head. �Because when I look at you, I see a soldier who slept on a cot in an ice cave in the frozen tundra of Hoth. I see a commanding officer that survived on nothing but ration bars for months at a time, so her subordinates could eat the real food available. I see a leader who always put someone else�s life before hers. And you sure as hell don�t handle a blaster like a princess.� He smiled when Leia�s icy exterior actually cracked with a chuckle. �When I look at you, I see the strongest, most courageous woman in the galaxy. You�ve sacrificed so much, sweetheart, for so many. If anyone deserves to have a beautiful wedding day, it�s YOU. You do deserve this.� He sighed. �I�m just a little nervous, Leia. You know I�ve never been good in front of crowds. Being an ex-smuggler�well, you can imagine how I feel about appearing on the holonet for the whole galaxy to see.�

Leia melted completely, running her hand on his. �I�m sorry, Han. You�re right�I AM acting like a spoiled princess. I guess�I�m a little nervous too. And�a little sad.� She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek into his chest. �I wish Bail Organa could be here today.�

He drew her in close. �You know, sweetheart,� he murmured into her hair, gently rocking her back and forth, �I�ve never been what you would call a �spiritual� person, but�I like to think that maybe he is. And I think he is very, very proud of you.�

They stood there for several long, quiet moments, still locked in each other�s arms, until Leia softly broke the silence. �Han?�

�Hmm?�

�You can lose the coat.�

�Ugh-- thank you!� he exhaled heartily, moving away from Leia, pulling off the heavy robe with great zeal and tossing it across the room.

The door chimed and Leia, still laughing, called out, �Come in.�

The door slid open, and a ray of the high afternoon Coruscant sun blindingly glared off Threepio�s newly polished golden metal skin�right into Han�s eyes. �I do hope I�m not interrupting anything.�

�Yo, Goldenrod!� Han griped, raising his arm to shield his eyes. �Next time, tell them to lay off the polish a bit at the buffers, OK?�

�Hmm? Oh, yes, well�I did want to look presentable for today,� said Threepio as hencednced at his shiny arms. He turned his robotic glance back up to Solo and exclaimed jubilantly, �Oh, General Solo, you�re wearing Hapian lace cuffs! Quite fashionable, you know, particularly amongst the cream of Coruscant aristocracy right now! I must say, you will most definitely stand out amongst the elite today! You may even end up in one of the fashion holozines��

�That�s it!� Han barked, throwing up his hands and glaring at the frilly cuffs on his shirt. �There�s gotta be a seam ripper around here somewhere!� Grumbling in low Corellian, he marched over to the small utility desk and began rummaging through its drawer, looking for a cutting blade.

�Threepio,� Leia sighed, trying to rub out the knot that was beginning to form behind her right eyebrow, �what is it?�

�Oh, yes, your Excellency. I merely came in to tell you that Master Luke has arrived.�

Leia immediately beamed brightly at the news as she shot a glance to Han. Still rummaging, Han waved to her. �Go ahead, I�ll be out in a second.�

�Don�t ruin that shirt, Han!� she warned jovially as she slipped out the door into the Senate reception hall.

�Oh�I won�t�� he sang after her, making sure she was out of sight before pulling a pocket blade from inside his boot and ripping at the seams of the long, flimsy, embarrassing cuffs.

Leia came out from the short corridor of the antechamber, peering through the multitude of reception guests already arriving, searching for her brother. With her keen eyesight and a little help from the Force, she spotted Luke standing all the way across the massive and exquisitely decorated ballroom. Dressed in his dark formal Jedi robes, he seemed to be engaged in polite chitchat with Admiral Ackbar and General Rieekan. Graciously battling her way through the seemingly endless crowd with their seemingly endless supply of compliments and congratulations, she finally came upon the trio.

�It�s too bad you won�t be flying the formations with Rogue Group today, General Skywalker,� she d Rid Rieekan say. �I know they miss you.�

�Well, I�m sure Wedge won�t disappoint the crowd,� Luke replied warmly. �I hear he�s been running some pretty intricate drills with Rogue Group since he was made Rogue Leader.�

� �Intricate� is an understatement,� croaked Ackbar mirthfully, taking a sip of his specially mixed Mon Calamari seawater cocktail. �I never knew the new A-wings and B-wings could perform such tight maneuvers! That rascal Antilles is going to make us have to rewrite the training manuals!�

�Wedge is always a master of surprises,� chuckled Rieekan. Glancing behind Luke, he raised an eyebrow. �Speaking of surprises��

Luke turned around to see Leia smiling brightly. �Leia!�

�I�m not interrupting anything am I?�

Her answer came in the form of a tight, warm embrace from Luke. She hugged him back, then broke away. �General Rieekan, Admiral Ackbar! Thank you so much for being here today!�

�We wouldn�t miss this day for the universe, your Excellency,� Rieekan replied. He took her hand and kissed it gently. Straightening himself, he smiled. �You are absolutely stunning, Leia.�

�I tend to agree, your Excellency,� Ackbar piped in his endearingly gravelly voice. �Forgive me, however, if I don�t mimic our dear General�s chivalry. I wouldn�t want to slime you.�

They all laughed quietly before Rieekan said, �I�m sure these two have some matters to discuss, Admiral. Care to refresh our drinks at the bar?�

�Lead the way, Carlist! Your Excellency, General.� Ackbar bowed his large salmon-colored head, then followed the General toward the long, gleaming bar at the end of the great hall.

Luke pulled his arm from Leia�s shoulder to inspect her up and down. �Sister Skywalker, you look positively radiant.�

Leia rolled her eyes and blushed prettily. �I look fat.�

�Oh, stop it. You look wonderful.�

�So do you.� She smiled as she ran a finger through Luke�s short blonde hair. �I like the haircut. It�s about time.�

�Yeah, well�personal grooming wasn�t exactly a number one priority on a desert moisture farm. I was lucky if I got a haircut twice a year on Tatooine.� His smile suddenly waned and a slight yet unmistakable brood came over his face at the mention of his homeworld.

She frowned slightly. �Something�s on your mind.�

�When isn�t something on his mind?� came Han�s voice from behind them.

Luke turned to greet his best friend, but was interrupted by Leia again. �And you�re Force-blocking me,� she whispered accusingly into his ear.

�Leia�� Luke breathed in soft exasperation. He met her eyes. �I�ll tell you tomorrow. Not today, OK?�

She held his gaze sternly for a moment, but then admitted defeat. �OK.�

�Glad to see ya, Luke!� Han exclaimed as he threw his arms around his young friend. He stepped back to inspect Luke up and down. �You clean up pretty good, kid!�

�So do you.� Luke not only took note of Han�s silk shirt (with conspicuously rolled-up sleeves), embroidered vest, velvet pants and the high, shiny boots they were tucked into, but also of his friend�s utter embarrassment over the outfit. He tried to suppress his smirk. He failed. �New look for you, huh, Han?�

�Now don�t you start with me, kid,� Han warned with phony menace. �The second this circus is over, I�m changing right back into my blood stripes and my drinking shirt!�

�Which shirt would that be?� Luke inquired.

�ALL of them,� Leia answered glibly, throwing a bemused glance sideways at her husband.

Just then, a young, slender, silver-haired woman came upon the trio, clutching a long, filmy white veil in her hand and wearing an expression of complete exasperation. �Leia,� Winter admonished, taking in a deep calming breath, �The balcony ceremony and Rogue Group�s air show is starting in just a few minutes! Will you PLEASE stop flittering around and let me finish dressing you?� She then shot her aggravated look toward Han. �And General Solo, Chewbacca absolutely refuses to come out of the fresher! I don�t understand what he is saying, but from his tone, I gather he�s not happy with his grooming!�

�Well, I TOLD you he wasn�t going to like being poofed out like a noblewoman�s pet felinx!� Han spat back. �He�s a Wookiee, not a Nubian poodle!�

�HAN! WINTER! STOP!� Leia barked, raising her hands in a halting gesture. She turned to Han. �I�ll get Chewie out of the fresher. He�ll listen to me.� She turned to her personal assistant Winter. �And while I�m doing that, you can put on my veil. All right?� Before either one could answer, Leia huffed and began to charge through the crowded ballroom with Winter, also huffing, close on her heels.

Han ran his hand through his hair as he turned back to Luke. �Are we having fun yet?�

�I am,� Luke answered, still donning his smirk. �Speaking of fun, where�s Lando? I haven�t seen him, is he coming?�

�He can�t. He�s down with the gort. No space travel for a month, or his glands will explode.�

�Morumka virus? At his age?�

�Yeah.� Han snorted a laugh through his nose. �He holoed me yesterday. You should see him, Luke�he looks like someone beat him with a gaffi stick.�

Luke didn�t want to laugh at his friend�s misfortune, but he couldn�t help being amused by the image of Lando boo-hooing the assault his good looks were obviously taking. �I�m sure he�s quite upset.�

�You don�t know the half of it.� Han returned the nod and wave of a guest he obviously didn�t know before folding his arms and shooting his friend a sidelong glance. �So�when are you going to find a nice girl and put yourself through this hell?�

�Han, I�m a little busy rebuilding an ancient galactic order right now. That�ll have to wait.�

�Come on, kid,� Solo groaned good-naturedly, glancing slyly. �You may be a Jedi, but you�re not a monk. Something soft and pretty must have fired your engines by now.�

�If you mean what I think you mean, the answer is no, Han.�

Han raised his brows. �Seriously?� He let out an incredulous whistle. �Are you even interested in anyone?�

�No,� Luke answered quickly and bluntly.

Han couldn�t pass up the opportunity to jibe his young Jedi friend a bit. �I dunno�I can think of a certain Force-sensitive lady governor who would make an good match for you.�

Luke�s expression darkened even more as he cast his eyes to the floor. Han drew his brows together, feeling that he had obviously hit on something in the kid. Taking in a deep breath, Luke merely replied, �She�s my student, Han, and my friend. And she�s older than me.�

�Yeah, by four whole years.�

�Another fact you seem to be forgetting; she�s taken.�

�Taken? Pfft, yeah, by who? That armor-shelled, bounty hunting twerp scum of the universe? You and I both know she deserves better. Besides,� he added, donning his famous crooked grin, �I saw the way you looked at her when we were all on Orri Prime.�

�I don�t want to talk about it.�

Han shrugged. �She certainly has that effect on people, doesn�t she? I mean, she did when I first met her a few years ago�hell, I couldn�t get her off my mind for weeks. And Lando�s mooning over her like��

�I said I don�t want to talk about her, Han.� Luke repeated emphatically, this time with an edge of warning laced around his tone.

Han stiffened, and furrowed his brow. �Kid, what�s up? What�s the matter?�

Luke raised his crystal blue eyes to meet Han�s hazel ones. �I�I can�t tell you right now, Han,� he said simply. �Let�s just leave it at that.�

�Sure, Luke,� Han agreed softly, more concerned than hurt by Luke�s behavior. Something was really bugging the kid, there was no question about that�

The awkward silence between them was interrupted by the fanfare struck up by the band. The crowd of guests parted away from the center of the ballroom as President Organa strolled toward Han and Luke, her long white veil pinned around her upswept, pearl-laden chestnut hair, and a sumptuous bouquet of pink and lavender Aldeeranii bridal orchids cascading over her arm.

All the tension, nervousness, insecurity, and dread concerning the public ceremony melted out of Han as he watched Leia glide toward him, an exquisite vision in white, smiling radiantly. The throng of guests seemed to agree with Han�s appreciation, for a hum of gasps and whispers washed over the reception hall. Han stepped forward to greet his Princess. She slipped her small hand into his, and he brought it to his lips, never taking his eyes off her. The crowd�s whispers escalated into applause and cheers.

Smiling broadly, he leaned into Leia�s ear. �I stand corrected, your Worship. This was a good idea.�

Leia said nothing, but merely shyly dropped her head, that pretty blush Han found so endearing rising again to warm her cheeks.

The couple suddenly found themselves unceremoniously grabbed by an arm and forcefully turned to face the staircase leading to the hall�s grand balcony. �All right�your Excellency, General Solo, you�ll step out first,� ordered Winter. Like a silver-haired dervish, she nimbly spun around the couple to grab Luke and pulled him into his position. �General Skywalker, you�ll flank behind the President. And Chewbacca� CHEWBACCA, please!� With absolutely no fear, the lithe young woman clamped her hands firmly on the arm of the newly shampooed, dried, combed, and all-around aggravated and embarrassed Wookiee lurking behind them and hoisted him into his position behind Han. �You�ll flank behind General Solo.� She turned and motioned to Admiral Ackbar and General Rieekan to come toward them.

Still holding Leia�s hand, Han turned his head over his shoulder at his first mate. �Aw, come on, buddy! I don�t know why you�re so embarrassed. You look as pretty as a Arisand daisy.�

*Don�t start with me, cub,* Chewbacca growled from deep within his throat. The growl instantly became a laced with what could only be described as humor as he glanced Han up and down. *By the way, did you ever get the name of the waiter you mugged for that outfit?* Leia clenched her lips and snorted a laugh through her nose; over the years, she had picked up enough Wookieese to understand Chewie most of the time.

Before Han could fire off a well-aimed retort, the massive glass doors atop the staircase swung open, and the hall was filled with the deafening cheers of hundreds of thousands of Coruscant citizens and tourists gathered on the streets below.

Leia took a deep breath, and squeezed Han�s hand. �Ready, nerfherder?�

Han mimicked her breath and straightened himself up. �Lead on, your Holiness.�

The couple, hand-in-hand, began to ascend the gleaming marble staircase in perfect step, the afternoon Coruscant sun silhouetting them against the sky of amber. As they came upon the final stair and walked out onto the enormous balcony, the cheers of the on-looking multitude exploded into the sky.

Chewbacca stepped out next, albeit rather reluctantly, waving to the crowds with one paw while desperately trying to smooth down his fluffy pelt with the other.

Then, just when everyone thought the crowd couldn�t possibly get any louder, Luke Skywalker stepped forward. As he slowly, almost shyly, came along side Han and Leia, the very air seemed to detonate with the elated screams, whistles, and singing of the peoples below them on the airstreets and around them leaning out windows and over balconies. In addition to their joyful noise, the ecstatic masses waved homemade banners, flags, ribbons, and threw bouquets of flowers. From above, white petals snowed down on them, lightly tossed from the smaller balcony above by two lovely, cherub-faced little girls.

Luke smiled simply and waved dutifully if unenthusiastically to the cheering throng. Occasionally, he would glance over to Leia, who met his glances with a dazzling smile and a wink. The grip of guilt tightened in his gut; he felt ashamed that he was shielding himself from her, but�he absolutely would not cause her any worry or distress on this day.

As General Rieekan and Admiral Ackbar joined him on the balcony, he nodded to them almost absently, as his thoughts kept spiraling back to the eyes of a lovely young woman he saw mirrored in the hologram of his lost, beloved Master�

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The Fett Dynasty II: Siege of Orri Prime