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The Fett Dynasty, Episode One of a Trilogy	By : WLTDNFADED Category: Star Wars (All) > General Views: 3625 -:- 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
- 4
- 5
- 6
DISCLAIMER: All characters (sans those of my own creation) are the product and property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm, Ltd.
CHAPTER 2
Neither the brisk early spring wind nor the overcast dawn did anything to discourage the bustling scene of preparation and sheer elation at the palace�s spaceport. Mechanics scrambled to ready their tools for repair and inspection. Musicians set up their instruments to play their welcoming fanfare for the impending heroes. Scores of celebrants and well wishers crowded into every available free space the dock could afford them, carrying flasks and bottles of every kind of intoxicating beverage they could get their hands on.

As I�Lai stepped into the dock from the underground walkway, the crowd exploded into a symphony of cheers that bounced off the encircling cobalt-hued mountains, sending their music of joy and freedom reverberating up to the very heavens.

Nikoa arrived from the tunnel just in time to slap away several burly-bodied miners who where about to lift I�Lai upon their shoulders. �What do you think you are doing? You can�t hoist her about in her condition! Shoo, scat, SHOO! Go�drink or something!�

A little girl, sitting on the strong shoulders of her miner father, pointed up into the sky. Her squealing shout could be heard even over the din of the joyful throng. �Listen! Up there! They�re coming!�

All heads turned toward the direction of the two gargantuan mountain peaks the residents called Heavens Brace. A hush fell upon the crowd as they listened to the dull roar of a ship�s engines that could not yet be seen through the dense cloud cover. It seemed the same thought ran through everyone�s mind as they waited, including I�Lai�s; What if it wasn�t the Millennium Falcon? What if it was an Imperial scouting vessel clearing they way for the remainder of the Imperial fleet to blast the spacedock and everyone in it�?

The crowd�s precautionary silence broke once again into deafening cheers as the Millennium Falcon parted the mists of the looming clouds and banked gracefully between Heavens Brace�s twin peaks, gallantly circling above the dock as the scores of Orrian citizens cheered, applauded, laughed, and cried. The multitude then backed themselves away from the center of the dock, allowing the Falcon to elegantly descend and land in the middle of the throng.

The elated mass once again swarmed to the middle of the platform and the makeshift band struck up their instruments in a rousing fanfare as the Falcon�s ramp opened. The first to emerge down the ramp was the Alliance�s newly appointed general Han Solo, still dressed in his Endor camouflage duster. Before he could set foot on the landing platform, Han was swept off the ramp by several members of the enthusiastic crowd and set upon their shoulders, carrying him toward the tunnel entrance to a beaming Lady I�Lai.

�Whoa! Hey! Be careful down there! I�m more delicate than I look!� Han laughed.

Next to emerge through the Falcon�s entry hatch was General Lando Calrissian, who was also hoisted up and paraded through the crowd. Lando laughed as well, shaking hands that were thrust at him from below with one hand and swigging out of a long, dark bottle with the other. �Now THIS is what I call a party!�

Leia Organa came down the ramp next. Several pairs of hands grabbed for her to lift her as well, but suddenly backed off when the two and a half meter Wookiee behind her snarled and gnashed his teeth at the overly enthusiastic crowd. As they cleared the ramp, Chewbacca smiled down at the Princess and lifted her himself, carefully placing her on his massive shoulder. Leia giggled and leaned down to ChewChewbacca�s thick neck as he strutted her through the crowd.

The last human to emerge from the Falcon was the cloaked and hooded figure of Luke Skywalker. Luke stopped the encroaching crowd from lifting him with a wave of his hand and a shake of his head. The crowd fell back slightly, allowing Luke to stride down the ramp on his own power and stand quietly among them.

After the heroes were carried about for the whole assembly to see, they were then gently let down in front of I�Lai. Han stepped forward first, stretching out his arms. �I�Lai!�

�Han!� I�Lai exclaimed as she tried to embrace him, only to have the girth of her belly intrude upon her joyous intention. She settled for taking both his hands into hers. �It is SO good to see you! Welcome!�

It was then Han looked down at I�Lai, his eyes and mouth widening. �I�Lai! W-When did this happen?� he stammered.

Again, I�Lai found herself flushed in the presence of Han Solo. �Oh�about nine months ago��

Before Solo could reply, he felt himself suddenly pushed back slightly and Lando Calrissian�s hand had quickly and mysteriously replaced his own in I�Lai�s grip. �My Lady�, Lando crooned as he lifted I�Lai�s hand to his lips, �I do not believe we have been properly introduced. The name is Lando, Lando Calrissian.� He looked up into I�Lai�s eyes, smiling the smile which was known to much of the female populace in the galaxy and gently massaging her slim fingers. �You know, I used to head up a mining operation myself. Perhaps you and I could�get together and compare bottom lines sometime��

I�Lai became giddy and flustered, and could think of nothing to say. She simply giggled and brought her hand to her mouth, looking down. Solo, rivaling Lando�s speed and finesse, came around and laid a firm arm around Lando�s shoulders with droll laughter. �I�Lai, you�ll have to forgive my friend. He�s�well, he�s�he�s an idiot.�

Lando snapped his head toward Han. �Hey!�

Still smiling, Han turned Lando around in a slow circle and whispered, �What is the matter with you? Can�t you see she�s about eight years pregnant?�

Lando smiled and shrugged. �Hey, what can I say? That�s when women are their most beautiful.� He turned back and sneaked a wink back to I�Lai.

I�Lai stepped toward Leia, extending her hand. �You must be the Princess Leia Organa. I can�t tell you what a supreme honor it is to have you here on Orri Prime. You are most happily welcome, your Highness.� She lifted Leia�s hand and touched it to her bowed head.

Leia was pleasantly startled by I�Lai�s formal greeting; no one had performed this courtly salutation for her since before Alderaan had been destroyed. She looked nto nto I�Lai�s eyes, and felt her earlier jealousy melt away, replaced by a warm sense of serenity and kinship. Leia herself was almost staggered by her radiance. Luke had been right about this woman---she was most definitely a powerful beacon for the Light of the Force.

Leia returned the courtly greeting, touching her forehead to I�Lai�s hand. �Lady I�Lai, the Alliance is entirely in your debt. We cannot thank you or the entire populace of Orri Prime enough for all your help and support during our struggles against the Empire.�

I�Lai�s smile grew even wider as she enveloped Leia�s hands into own.own. �You won the war, your Highness. That is all the thanks we require here. That and the great pleasure of your company at tonight�s festivities.� She turned to Han and Lando, extending her hand. �All of you must be exhausted! If you please, Nikoa here will escort you to your guest chambers. All that you require will be provided.�

Solo came up beside Leia, slipping his arm around her small waist. He leaned into her ear and whispered, �So, Your Worship, shall we request adjoining suites?�

Leia gave Han a sidelong glance and a wry smile. �Oh, I don�t think so, General Solo.� She purposely waited for the disappointed look on Han�s face before she spun around and wrapped her arms around his neck. �I was under the impression that we would be sharing a room. Less wasteful that way.�

Han�s face brightened. �Your Holiness, I like the way you think. Always the model of efficiency.� With that, he lifted her off the ground and passionately kissed her as he carried her through the tunnel entry.

Lando suddenly caught the face and frame of a voluptuous, red-haired female celebrant, who returned his look with a sly smile and wink. �All that I require, hmm?� As the others started walking through the entry of the tunnel back to the palace, he swung around and slipped an arm around the girl�s waist. �Hi, my name is Lando---have you ever seen the inside of a palace�?� The girl giggled and shook her head as they joined the throng of people now escorting their heroes with song and fanfare down the tunnel.

I�Lai gave Chewbacca a kiss and tickle as he passed her to join the others, then turned to see the cloaked figure of Luke Skywalker standing alone near the Falcon. The remainder of the crowd passed her as she made her way to the lone Jedi.

�Luke�� she murmured, her eyes imploring and wide. �Did�did you find Boba Fett?�

Luke said nothing, gazing intently into her eyes. I�Lai felt her joy begin to seep away as she read the answer to her question in his eyes. Fighting to control her trembling lip, she whispered, �What happened?�

Luke sighed. �There was a battle over the Pit of Carcoon on Tatooine. Fett was trying to kill me, and Han saved my life. Fett�fell into the mouth of a giant beast called the Saarlac. He---�

�No, Luke don�t, please�, I�Lai said quietly, raising her hand and pushing her tears back hard. �Don�t say anymore.� She turned away, bowing her head.

Luke stepped forward and put his cybernetic hand on her shoulder. �It was an accident, I�Lai. I had every intention of taking Fett alive and bringing him here. You have to believe me.�

I�Lai turned and looked at Luke through tear-soaked eyes. �I do believe you, Luke. But it doesn�t make it any easier to bear, does it?� Her arms came up to encircle her belly as she embraced her unborn son.

Luke�s heart sank. He was still the only one who knew I�Lai�s secret, and he had detested having to bring this news to her. Though the entire galaxy seemed to be celebrating the death of the Emperor and his ruthless henchman Darth Vader, he had been mourning the loss of his father, Anakin Skywalker. And now it seemed he was no longer alone in grieving for the loss of someone no one else truly understood...

�I�Lai�I wish there was something I could do��

She smiled slightly through her tears and took Luke�s hand. �You could join me tonight at the celebration. Please come.� They slowly walked toward the tunnel entrance as the port mechanics gathered around the Millennium Falcon to begin their maintenance work.
* * *

Although impressive without decoration, Grand Mountain Hall on this night had never looked more dazzling. Once a huge durasteel mine, the mountain had been hollowed out over the last few centuries and was now used as an immense gathering hall. The ceiling of the place spanned hundreds of meters from the cavern floor, and on this night, lit candles had beenced ced on every crag and jutting rock reaching to the very top. The floor itself also spanned hundreds of meters wide, with a small natural lake set in the center. Votives and flowers were strewn across the water, emitting light and sweet fragrance throughout the massive mountain chamber. Set around the lake were scores of tables heavily laden with immense trays of food and hundreds of bottles of drink to which the thousands of guests happily helped themselves. Those who were not eating or drinking were dancing wildly and feverishly on the enormous dance floor to the joyful, manic music played by the amateur orchestra of miners, technicians, and anyone else who could halfway carry a tune on the instrument they owned.

The Rebel soldiers and pilots, male and female, human and non, were beside themselves with the vast amount of attention they were receiving. Orrian males and females of every size, age, and race doted on and fought over the Rebel heroes, offering them various ways of �appreciation� not covered in the Rebel Alliance Protocol Handbook. Many newly acquainted couples could be seen disappearing into the numerous small caves and tunnels the mountain hall provided for a little more privacy than the raucous celebration would allow them.

Chewbacca was one of them. Being more than just a little in his cups after hours of celebrating, he let out an ear-splitting roar when he saw a young one hundred year old female Wookiee giving him a traditional mating stare from across the dance floor. The dancing celebrants parted the dance floor like a storm-tossed sea as Chewbacca sped across to the female and hoisted her up on his shoulder without so much as a Wookiee hello, carrying the giggling Wookiee female off into one of the darkened mountain clefts.

Han Solo joined the rest of the crowd in their rounds of laughter and applause. �Wookiees---not entirely known for their smooth talk!� He looked down at Princess Leia in his arms, who was still laughing heartily at Chewbacca�s triumphant match. Han smiled even wider---he had never seen Leia laugh this much or be this happy, and it warmed him down to his soul.

He hadn�t been able to take his eyes off her all night. I�Lai had given Leia one of her gowns to wear for the evening; he chuckled as he recalled how they all had laughed when the gown was miles too long on Leia when she first tried it on. But I�Lai�s lady�s maid Nikoa had been quite deft with a needle and thread, and had altered the pale sea-foam green dress to adorn Leia perfectly in just a few hours. Then Nikoa had plaited Leia�s hair into a simple single braid and wove in tiny garlands of mountain flowers and pearls. She is so beautiful, Han thought to himself, but she was most beautiful when she shared my bed for the very first time today�

It seemed the only people not dancing, drinking, or carousing were Luke Skywalker and I�Lai. They sat next to each other at the head table that was set on a low precipice overlooking the vast chamber. Although many young and attractive women approached Luke all evening, he merely smiled and politely declined their invitations to dance as well as invitations to engage in less� public entertainments. His intense dedication to the Jedi ways discouraged him from engaging in frivolous sexual escapades, and his heart still felt heavy from the loss of his father only two days prior. He also felt that I�Lai could use some company. Besides, he had thought himself, I�m really not much of a dancer.

Leia stole a quick glance toward I�Lai seated at the head table with Luke. She furrowed her brow a tiny bit. �I find it a little odd that Luke never mentioned I�Lai�s pregnancy.� She tilted her head slightly. �And amidst all this celebration, she looks�so sad��

Han shrugged a bit. �Well, I guess it�s not much fun being at a party if you can�t dance.�

Leia shook her head, still gazing at I�Lai. Her tone became soft, almost distant, and her eyes seemed to glaze for a moment. �No, that�s not it�it�s something else��

Han became concerned by Leia�s trance-like state. �Leia, are you all right?�

She turned her gaze back up to Han, suddenly aware again. �Hmm�what?�

�You were doing it again, that Force thing.� Han seemed more worried than irritated.

Leia exhaled with a tiny laugh. �Oh�yes, I�m sorry, Han.� Grinning mischievously and tightening her arms around his waist, Leia changed the subject. �Does looking at her give you any ideas, hot shot?�

Han returned the mischievous grin as he leaned down and breathed into her ear, �Well, I thought this afternoon was a pretty good beginning,� stealing a nibble of her earlobe. He felt a tingle of excitement trickle up his spine as Leia gasped and nuzzled her cheek against his neck, pulling him even closer to her. Han momentarily broke the embrace, looking down at her with concerned eyes. �You�re sure I didn�t hurt you, Leia?�

Leia calmed his concern with a warm smile and softly touching his face. �No, Han, not at all.� She slipped her hands behind his neck, pulling his lips closer to hers. �I love you, Han�, she whispered as she pressed her lips to his in a soft, hungry kiss. As they parted, Han lifted Leia by the waist and spun her in a circle. Leia threw back her head and let out a brilliant, sparkling laugh.

Luke felt his heart swell with love and happiness for his sister and his best friend as he watched Han and Leia. He was glad to see them free and careless---the years of war, struggle, danger and devastating loss had left little time for anything else. He knew the coming weeks would bring new challenges and strives, for Luke was not so na�ve to believe that the war was truly over. But these were not things to dwell on this evening. This night was about freedom and joy.

He turned to I�Lai seated on his left. She was watching Han and Leia as well, but Luke sensed immediately that she was not sharing his same feelings for the couple. Her expression was blank and emotionless. He also noticed that she had not touched any of the food on her plate or the drink in her cup.

�I�Lai,� Luke murmured, reaching for her hand, �are you all right?�

I�Lai stared ahead, never averting her eyes from the couple. �They�re in love, aren�t they?� she asked softly, almost inaudibly.

�Yes, they are,� Luke replied. He saw I�Lai�s lower lip quiver slightly, and she blinked only once, but again, she did not look away from Han and Leia.

Luke squeezed her hand. I�Lai finally broke her gaze from the couple to turn to Luke. The blank expression on her face had melted into one of extreme sadness.

�I�Lai,� Luke said softly, taking her hand in both of his, �I�just wanted to tell you that I am so terribly sorry for your loss.�

I�s exs expression softened as she gently placed her hand on Luke�s. She gazed into Luke�s eyes as she stated, �As I am for the loss of your father, Master Skywalker.� She smiled slightly when she saw the stunned look in his eyes. �Yes, Luke�I knew.�

Luke smiled back, and nodded his acknowledgement. �Thank you, I�Lai.�

I�Lai�s smile was suddenly broken by a wince of pain and a soft cry. Luke felt it as well�a sharp, piercing pain in what seemed to be his bowels. He saw I�Lai�s eyes widen, her hand pressing against her belly, taking in short, hard breaths.

�Luke�I think I�m having a baby�now.�

�W-What? NOW?� Luke jumped from his seat and knelt at I�Lai�s side. �Ok�ok�we�ll get you back to the palace.� He turned and shouted toward the dance floor. �Han! Leia!� But the couple couldn�t hear him over the din of the party. Luke then closed his eyes and sent a silent telepathic message to his sister�

Leia�s head snapped around toward the head table, and her smile melted into an expression of concern. She tugged at Han�s suede tunic. �Han, we have to go. I�Lai just went into labor.�

Han stopped dancing and gawked at Leia. �What! How do you know?�

�Luke just told me.�

Han huffed, shaking his head. �You two are going to drive me crazy with that.� His eyes scanned over the crowd. �Damn it, where�s Lando?�

�I don�t know�he keeps disappearing every hour with a different girl.�

Han took Leia�s hand as they pushed their way toward Luke and I�Lai. Han turned toward the crevice Chewbacca was last seen entering. �Chewie! Chewie, get out here! We have a baby coming!�

Thanks to his superior Wookiee sense of hearing, Chewbacca had miraculously heard his partner�s call through the crowd. He came barreling out of the small cave adjusting his bandolier, then doubled back slightly and gave his new Wookiee girlfriend a quick bite on the lips before rushing to the head table.

Several celebrants had heard Han�s exclamation. Heads turned and relayed the message to those around them, and soon the news rippled throughout the entire assembly. Buzzing and cheering were heard anew for the impending birth of Orri Prime�s new little prince.

I�Lai clamped her eyes shut and gritted her teeth as she endured the next contraction, almost breaking Luke�s hand as she squeezed it with alarming strength . �I don�t think they�d be cheering if they knew how this felt!�

Having reached the precipice, Chewbacca gingerly lifted I'Lai into his arms and carried her into the rear tunnel, followed by Luke, Han, and Leia. They hurried the short distance to the parked speeder transport inside, where they found a mysteriously moving, moaning, and giggling blanket in the rear seats�

Han slapped one of the moving lumps. A resounding �OW!� was heard from beneath the blanket. The blanket flew up to reveal a shirtless and irritated Lando Calrissian, himself blanketing a shirtless blond and alarmed Fellenetian female. �What the��

�Party�s over, Lover! We�re driving your room back to the palace. I�Lai�s having her baby,� Han gruffed as he assisted Leia into the middle section seat.

The poor Fellentian lass scrambled out of the rear seat, holding her mechanic�s shirt over her breasts as Chewbacca gently placed I�Lai in her vacated seat. Lando furiously donned his own shirt again as he ran to the front passenger seat, yelling back to the girl, �Hey�it was really nice to meet you!� He was a bit stunned by the ferocity of the girl�s obscene hand gesture as she stormed back to the party.

As Luke climbed into the rear seat next to I�Lai, Han hopped over the side of the speeder to land in the seat right next to Leia. Chewbacca squeezed himself into the driver�s seat and started up the speeder, and they took off through the intricate turns and dips of the old mining tunnels as they sped back to I�Lai�s palace.

I�Lai gasped as another contraction hit and was struggling to hold her scream back into her throat. Leia turned around and took I�Lai�s hand, her eyes heavy with worry and sympathy. Luke wrapped his arm around her shoulder, holding her close. �I�Lai,� he whispered into her hair, �you can use the Force. It will help to alleviate the pain�just breathe and let it flow through you�gently�let it take your pain��

As Luke�s words melted into her ears, I�Lai allowed the Force to flow and infiltrate her limbs and mind. She felt her own energy bind and flow with the Force, and the pain began to ebb away from her body. Her breathing began to slow and become deeper and calmer, and her spirit seemed to rise from her body, becoming one with the air, the peaks and forests of her world, the stars and the unie ite itself�

She felt as though she were flying, dancing through nebulae and star formations, speeding faster than light itself�until she found herself riding along the intense eddy of a desert wind on a yellow planet she had never seen before.

She stood in a never-ending sea of sand and unbearable heat, the light of the planet�s twin suns baking the very wind of the world, although she herself did not seem to suffer. The place was devoid of anything living or moving�until she saw in the distance the figure of what seemed to be a man, struggling to remain on his feet, fighting the ensuing storm of sand and wind�

I�Lai felt every molecule of her essence ignite as she recognized the form in the distance. Again, she made herself one with the wind and rode toward the figure just as he lost his battle to remain on his feet, falling into the sands. She knelt before him, reaching out, trying to touch the figure�s badly scarred and cracked helmet. Her voice seemed to rise from nowhere� �Boba�?�

The helmet�s T-shaped visor lifted from the sand, tilting slightly as the eyes behind the visor tried to make sense of what they saw before him. A tattered glove reached up toward her incandescent hand. His voice rose from his throat, hoarse and damaged from exhaustion and debilitating thirst. �I�Lai�?�

She tried to take his outstretched hand, but found her own merely passed through his like a shimmering shadow. Fett started a low, bitter laugh, pounding his fist into the sand. I�Lai felt her very soul penetrated by his rage and hopelessness and the insufferable pain of his injuries.

She abruptly felt herself pulled away, up into the storm, the arid atmosphere�

�No!� I�Lai cried, still reaching for the badly injured Fett as she floated upwards, �Not yet! Please��

Back into the blackness of space, hurling and weaving until she was, once again, traveling through the mining tunnels with the Rebel heroes�

I�Lai�s eyes snapped open as she gasped and jerked forward. �He�s alive!� she whispered. She turned to Luke, who was still holding her and wearing an expression of intense concern. �Luke, he�s ALIVE!�

Han turned around. �Who�s alive?�

Luke leaned into I�Lai. �Are you sure, I�Lai? Show me.�

I�Lai took one of Luke�s hands and placed it on her heart, bowing her head and closing her eyes. Luke immediately saw Boba Fett crossing the Dune Sea on foot, using a staff that he had obviously appropriated from a Tusken Raider during his journey. He saw the condition of Fett�s armor, which was cracked and flaked and badly scarred from the harsh digestive acids of the Saarlac. He felt Fett�s fury and fortitude as he staggered forward, refusing to die, refusing to lie down�

Luke opened his eyes, looked down at I�Lai. �He�s in bad shape, I�Lai. It may not be much longer��

I�Lai gripped Luke�s hands in both of hers, her eyes large and pleading, the tremor of a sob in her voice. �Luke, please, we have to go get him and bring him here�please��

�Go get who? Bring who here?� Han demanded, a mix of irritation and frustration in his voice.

Luke turned briefly to Han, then back to I�Lai. �Shall I tell them, I�Lai?�

I�Lai paused, then lowered her eyes and nodded. Luke turned to Han and the others and stated, �The father of I'Lai's son��

�Boba Fett,� Leia finished, her voice soft and calm. She lifted her gaze to meet I�Lai�s tear-drenched eyes. She too had seen the vision, and Leia now understood the sadness she felt in I�Lai, the great sense of loss and despair she had detected in her heart throughout the day.

For several long moments, as the speeder made its way through the maze of tunnels, its occupants sat in stunned silence.

It was Han Solo who broke the silence. �Come again?�

�It�s a long story,� I�Lai breathed. She turned to Luke again. �Luke, please, someone must try to rescue him. I�ll pay anything, I�ll give whatever is needed or desired��

�I�Lai,� Luke interrupted gently, �That may not be wise�Fett is a very dangerous man��

�And Vader wasn�t?� I�Lai growled harshly. She was immediately ashamed as she saw Luke�s eyes darken and felt him stiffen. �I�m sorry, please forgive me, Luke, but�just what you felt in Vader, I feel in Fett. If there is any chance for him to know about his son, to perhaps be at peace after all this time�if he may be willing, doesn�t he deserve a chance at redemption as well? Please�?�

Luke did not answer, nor did anyone else in the speeder as it pulled up to the underground palace entry.

* * *

Luke, Han, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca had been waiting in virtual silence for hours in the plush sitting room of I'Lai's chambers. Han sat on the overstuffed divan with Leia leaning into him. Luke sat cross-legged on the floor in a traditional Jedi meditation pose. Chewbacca preferred to stand, leaning against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his massive furred chest. Lando was the only one who seemed agitated, rising every once and a while and pacing the length of the room, then sitting again. All were still reeling from the information they had just learned, none quite sure what to think or how to feel.

It was Lando who broke the uncomfortable silence. He stood and paced over to Luke, glowering over him. �You knew, didn�t you? The whole time we fought him on Tatooine?� he asked. �Why didn�t you tell us?�

�She asked me not to,� Luke replied stoically. He looked up at Lando from his seated position. �She knew we were trying to save our friend, and she didn�t feel she could ask you to save your enemy. So she asked me.� Luke turned to Han, who did not return Luke�s glance, but stared straight ahead. �I had planned to take him alive and bring him here before heading to Dagobah and the Alliance rendezvous. But it didn�t work out that way.�

�Were you ever going to mention it?� Han asked bitterly, still staring ahead.

Luke sighed, closing his eyes. �I thought it best if you didn�t know, Han. I thought I could get Fett here before�before you killed him.�

Han�s only movement was a turn of his head in Luke�s direction. He said nothing, but merely stared coldly at his young Jedi friend.

�We have to go get him,� Leia said abruptly.

Han turned his stone-cold glare to Leia this time. �Why, Leia? Why do we have to get him?� He shot his glare toward Chewbacca as the Wookiee sharply barked at him. �Who asked YOU, fur ball?�

�Because,� Leia retorted, sternly meeting his gaze, �if it weren�t for I�Lai, we never would have come as far as we have in this war. Without her resources and intelligence work and without her connections with the Bothans, the Rebel Alliance would have been wiped out months ago. We owe her that much to bring back the father of her child.� Leia softened slightly as she added, �Besides�she loves him. You don�t have to be a Force-sensitive to see that.�

Han snorted through his nose and shook his head. �Yeah, well, I don�t understand the attraction.�

Leia never averted her eyes as she held Han�s gaze. �And there are some out there who say the same about you and me, Han. Are they right?�

Leia�s statement startled Han, but his pride and anger at that moment would not allow him to admit that she was right. He angrily stood up and paced toward the wall, running his hand through his thick brown hair. Flustered, Leia leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees as she glanced sideways toward her brother.

The chamber door opened, and Dr. Him�bron walked out looking tired yet elated. He smiled at the gathering of heroes as they eagerly awaited his report. �Mother and son are just fine, perfectly healthy both of them. His new Lordship is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen.� Him�bron turned to Luke as he stood, taking his hand in a friendly shake. �I don�t know what you have taught her, Master Skywalker, but she had absolutely no pain or distress during the delivery. I would like to thank you personally for all your help.�

�I did nothing, Dr. Him�bron, but give her some coaching. The Lady I�Lai is an exceptional pupil.�

Him�bron turned to the rest of the group. �You may see her tomorrow, but right now she and her son need rest. Now if you all will excuse me, I must prepare the birth announcement for the rest of the planet. Good night.� With that, the doctor performed a slight bow and left the sitting room.

As the corridor doors hushed closed, Lando stood from his seat. �I�ll go,� he stated simply. �I�ll go get Fett.�

�I�ll go with you,� Luke replied.

Lando shook his head. �No, Luke, the Alliance needs you now. Things are going to get real serious real fast again. You need to stay here with Leia and get things organized with Mon Mothma and the Rebel leaders. I think a degenerate gambler like me can be spared for a couple days.� Once again, Lando�s patented smile spread across his face. �Besides, Fett�s not at a hundred percent, right? You can�t argue with those odds.� Lando looked over to Chewbacca. �Chewie, you in?� Chewie rumbled his enthusiastic affirmation.

Han Solo turned away from the wall, folding his arms over his c as as he glared at Lando. �Since you�re taking my first mate, Lando, do you think you�re taking my ship as well? Not without me, friend.�

Lando met Han�s stare, pausing for a moment. �You sure you want to do this, buddy?� He took a step closer towards Han, adding, �Can you keep a cool head? And get the job done without getting personal?�

Han could feel everyone's eyes on him as they awaited his answer. His lip curled up in a tight, sarcastic smile. �Hey, you know me, right? I always keep a cool head. I�m a pro.� With that, Han slowly strode out the door, leaving the rest with a feeling of anxious uncertainty.

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The Fett Dynasty, Episode One of a Trilogy