Playlist:

❶ "Queen Amidala"—The Phantom Menace OST

❷ "Han and Leia" 0.01-1.08—The Force Awakens OST

❶ Leia milled around the Senate Hall. Clusters of senators huddled. Votes bought, delegates bribed, even blackmailed. The real work of the Senate took place on the floor, in the corridors, in the ramshackle bars that popped up around Capital City. Her belly roiled. Not sure if I this is the morning sickness or if I've lost my stomach for political intrigue.

She weaved through the crowd and engaged Senator Tai Linn in small talk about his family on Ryloth. What I want to know is what Wexul is up to with Timna. He looks like a vulptex ready to pounce.

The young Senator Timna from Ruusan pulled on his chin and narrowed his eyes while whining to his partisan Grattle Wexul from Paqualis III. "I'm not sure how long we can keep absorbing new territories." His whispers echoed through the corrugated steel temporary Senate Hall.

Wexul rubbed his long nose. "Didn't you hear?"

Timna's eyes widened. "No. What?"

Looking from side to side, Wexul whispered. "We're already losing systems. The Empire has already overrun some. And that's not all."

"Well, go on." Timna shifted his weight and leaned in to hear Wexul's hushed words.

"I hear that some have actually seceded from the Republic voluntarily."

Representative Javan from Ord Mantell, a graying human woman, who still looked like she could vanquish any foe, sidled up to the men. "Rumors indicate the Empire has obliterated many cities. We'd never hear that here, though." She threw her hand up and snorted. "It's all joy and sunshine according to the Republic. I can't tell you how many tribes that we lost on my planet already."

Wexul nodded. "We need stronger leadership, or the Republic will fall. I'm calling for a vote of no confidence in Mon Mothma. Are you with me?"

The other two nodded their heads. 

"Delegates, Senators, I call this session of the New Republic Senate to order. Speaker, would you please call the roll?" Mon Mothma addressed the crowd.

Leia glided to the front and initiated the lengthy roll call, half of her mind on her task and the other half on the whispers racing around the room. I wish I had a moment to warn Mon. Why are they doing this now? Don't they know we need solidarity?

Mon cut off the last name as Leia called it. "Honored Members, I present to you the honorable Grand Admiral Ackbar of the Republic Fleet."

While the Mon Calamari tottered to the floor, Leia slid into her seat on the front row. The distressed Ackbar addressed the Senate, his chin flaps shuddering as he spoke. "I present you, Members of the Senate, a horrifying report. The Galactic Empire has violated our treaty and attacked the Slice territories of Randon, Chacta, and Cyrillia. Intelligence has confirmed that the Empire will not stop until they have conquered the entire Slice."

The tall, salt-and-pepper-haired senator from Tangrene, Chookra Takhra, debated without activating his light. "Tiny systems and barely inhabited. I think it is a trick to draw the fleet away from Hosnian."

When Leia activated her light, the Chancellor acknowledged her. "Senator Organa."

"Senator Takhra, are we going to sit here and wait for the Empire to enslave more star systems just to save our own skins? If we don't do something, we won't have any more constituents to represent, Senators."

"Relax, Senator Organa. There is no more Death Star. What's left of the Imperial fleet does not have enough fire power to destroy an entire system." Chookra crossed his arms in front of his chest and brooded.

The representatives from the Slice attempted to send messages home, their efforts becoming more frenzied with each passing moment. After a few worried minutes, one yelled, "All communications are blocked. Don't just sit there. We must do something."

A grumbling commotion grew and Grattle Wexul stood up, a pained expression on his face. "We can't possibly expect to win an all-out battle with the Imperial fleet chasing them from system to system. We have neither enough ships nor men." His long nose twitched as his mahogany-brown hair swung around his head.

Javan nudged Timna. "See, I told you."

Admiral Ackbar said, "You're right, Senator. I don't believe there is much we can do for the systems that are already lost. I am sorry, Senators. I realize these attacks affect many of your families, and I mourn your losses."

The red-headed Chancellor said, "Let us observe a minute of silence for those lost."

The entire assembly quieted with only one senatorial aide conversing. When he realized that he was the only one talking, he quieted down in a rush of embarrassment. Some senators kneeled on the floor to beseech their deities, while others wept silently at their seats.

After the smallest amount of time deemed respectful, Wexul punched his button for acknowledgment repeatedly.

Mon Mothma said from the floor, "Senator Wexul."

"A minute of silence? Is that all we can offer? This government—if that's what you want to call it—is a sham. We are powerless. We are too timid." Foam dripped from his mouth as his eyes bulged. "We need leadership who will take the fight to them. I move for a vote of no confidence in Mon Mothma."

The chancellor blanched but quickly recovered her comportment. "Very well, a motion has been entered on the floor. Who will second it?"

A flurry of notifications dinged on the board. 

Mon acknowledged the new member. "Senator Javan from Ord Mantell has seconded the motion. Please cast your votes."

Minutes ticked by as the senators and representatives weighed their options. Mon Mothma shuffled her feet and sent pleading looks to the delegates.

Leia picked at her fingernails while the voting progressed. Who are they proposing to take her place? Wexul? Absolutely not. And not any of his cronies either.

She shot a glance at the tally board. 423 to 425 against Mon.  If they remove her, I'm going to resign. I can't work under Wexul.

Wringing her hands, images of a crumbling Republic passed through her mind. She clutched her stomach. We're a young government. If they pull the leadership now, we'll be in worse shape. The Empire will win. They'll terminate us. We need Mon. No one else can lead us. Can't you see that, you goons?

The numbers reversed, then reversed again. Tension grew in the room, tension Leia could not shield out.

The response board dinged, indicating that all votes had been cast. A sigh mixed with frustration echoed through the hall. Mothma held her seat.

Yes. At least we have a chance at a future now ... for our children. Leia moved back to the floor and read out the votes. "The nays have it. The vote has been called and recorded." With shallow breaths, she slid into her seat and turned her attention back to the admiral.

Ackbar thudded to the holochart. "Very well, now that that is over, let us take this fight back to the Empire. Fleet command has proposed that we attack their supply chain—cut them off from weapons, food, fuel. They can't fight if they can't support their forces."

Senator Tannis Tappuah of Nouane said with a raised fist, "Hear, hear! I motion that we accept this plan."

Leia said, "I second it."

The Chancellor said, "All in favor, say 'aye.'"

The "ayes" echoed throughout the chamber. Mon Mothma tallied the will of the gathered. "The vote is unanimous. Admiral Ackbar, which objectives did tactics propose?"

"There are four viable targets. The Tibanna gas mines at Bespin in the Outer Rim." The Mon Calamari pointed with his webbed hand to the City in the Clouds on Bespin. "The star destroyer shipyards on Kuat in the Inner Rim. Small arms munition plants on Teth in the Outer Rim. And industrial research and large-armament manufacturing on Jakku in the Western Reaches."

As the Senators and their aids murmured in response to the proposed targets, Ackbar rested his webbed fingers on his hips. "We'll need four squads to survey the sites and, if possible, to subvert the local populaces."

❷ When Leia returned home following the Senate meeting, she found Han packing. "Going somewhere, flyboy?" she asked with a sultry voice and her eyes sparkling from the doorway.

"I've got some business to take care of." Han winked at her as he shoved some clothes in a bag.

She gasped when she caught him clutching his little-used insignia. Her delicate fingers wrapped around his hand and removed the badge. "Which target are they sending you to?"

"Some hot dust ball in the Western Reaches called Jakku. Lando told Ackbar that Chewie and me had been there before."

"Remind me to thank Lando when he returns."

"That's if he comes back alive. They're sending him to Bespin. I have no idea how he thinks he's going to get into that place unnoticed." He shoved clothes into his pack, zipping it.

"I could almost laugh, if it weren't so dangerous." She stroked his cheek.

Han pulled her close to him, his intoxicating scent rendering her helpless. "You know, I don't have to leave for a few more hours ... Chewie's busy prepping the Falcon ..."

He gave her a knowing smile as he ran his hand along her spine. She pressed her lips to his, nibbling on his lower lip while knocking his bag off the bed.

Did you know ...

● Tibanna gas was the primary charge for hand-held blasters as well as turbolasers.

● The metal cylinders found in sleeves or chests of Republic, Imperial, and First Order uniforms are code cylinders with access codes.

● The cylinders around the legs of Rebel pilots are flare cylinders.

● The Republic, always wary of droids after the Clone Wars, used both meddroids and human medical professionals in their facilities.

● I have multiple chapters of "backstory" written. While this is one of the two times in the official story that Lando is mentioned, he actually has a few chapters of "backstory" devoted to him. Unfortunately, his chapters were some of "my darlings" I had to kill. However, he is about to get a chapter arc or two during the rewrite for later in the story to cover how he meets his wife and what happens with their family.

Tell me what you think ...

● Do you think the Republic is going to survive? Why or why not?

● Why do you think they will attack Jakku and not the other targets?

● Why hasn't Leia told Han she's pregnant?