Supply Run

A StarWars Fan Fiction

Prologue: A Day In The Life*

*Title respectfully borrowed from

The Beatles-A Day In The Life.

Every morning it was the same. He woke up, quick and alert; it was a soldier's way. Then he remembered that it was all true. Everything he'd dreamed about the night before: the sunshine, the grass, his friend Bail, his wife Elyana—they really were all gone, eradicated in a burst of green light and an explosion of stars and dust. With a weary sigh, and a twinge in his bones to remind him he wasn't getting any younger, he got up and headed to the 'fresher. Whether it was true or not didn't really matter. Life went on. What choice did he have but to live it?

Carlist Rieekan, general for the Rebel Alliance and gifted military tactician, wouldn't have chosen the planet Hoth as the place for the Alliance's base. The harsh conditions made it difficult to keep both machinery and manpower functioning at optimum levels, which, in turn, made it a difficult location to defend. But the Empire didn't know they were there, and that was paramount. Carlist Rieekan, the man, wouldn't have chosen it either—it was as cold as the ninth of the Corellian hells! But the Empire didn't know they were there, and he couldn't complain about that. Walking down the newly carved corridor, he decided he needed one more cup of kaf before he went on duty. He opted to detour toward the commissary before he headed to the Command Center.

The base mess was filled with personnel at this time of day. The day crews were just gearing up, hoping to stoke their internal fires with the gods-awful rations the Alliance provided them, before they headed off to their assigned tasks; the night crews were taking the time to wind down with the same gods-awful food before they started their sleep cycle. Rieekan could have gone to join Mon Mothma and the other Alliance high command officials in their conference room; there was always a supply of kaf and foodstuffs available to them there. But he preferred the mess; he needed to see the people it was his job to command.

Juggling the hot cup in his gloved hands, the general was pleased to see his usual table was open. He suspected that someone had switched their seat in order to accommodate him—Rieekan would have preferred that people didn't feel that was necessary—but rank had both its privileges and its burdens. Occasionally, that amounted to the same thing.

He actually enjoyed mixing with those he commanded. Across the crowded space, Rogue Squadron had congregated around a large table. They were outfitted for a mission; their orange flightsuits a garish contrast to the dingy, mismatched tables and chairs. As usual, they were loud; jostling and joking amongst themselves, powered by raging hormones, almost oblivious to the dangers they faced. Rieekan might have joined the Rogues, in his youth. His youngest son might have joined them, he thought; the boy is an awful lot like his father. Was an awful lot like me, he corrected himself. Rieekan gave himself a mental shake. Regrets served no one. At least today's mission was simple, low-level reconnaissance. Barring anything unforeseen, all the young Rogues would be home again tonight.

At a smaller table, Luke Skywalker sat with Leia, their heads close together, the princess's hand resting on his orange-clad arm. They had become dear friends so quickly, Carlist couldn't help but marvel at it. Leia never had many close friends, even as a girl—her position alone made it difficult—and her personality hadn't helped. He smiled. What a frightful child she'd been: smart, willful, impatient and fiery! But he supposed he couldn't blame her. Many of the children she would have played with were frightened of her exalted role. The few who'd tried to maneuver themselves into her good graces, hoping for royal favor, had quickly learned that the little princess didn't suffer fools—or toadies—well. Only those who were willing to work past the prickly, defensive exterior discovered what a kind, loving creature the young Leia really was. Bail had often despaired of his daughter ever having a real friend, much less a lover or a spouse.

Bail. Rieekan felt his heart stutter. A man couldn't have had a better friend than Bail Organa, who'd never let his position as Viceroy of Alderaan stand in the way of their friendship. The man had been brave, and wise, and kind. He'd loved peace above all, and he'd been willing to fight Palpatine and the Empire in order to keep it. Carlist missed him desperately. The last time they'd spoken, it had been about family. Bail had chatted aimlessly about his wife and daughter, and congratulated the Rieekans on their upcoming grandchild—their first!

He shut his eyes and swallowed half his cup of kaf in one gulp, hoping the heat in his throat would burn some of the pain away. Gods, how he missed them all: his sons, his friends, his beautiful Elyana! But there was nothing to be done about it. They were gone, and missing them would do nothing to bring them back. The best he could do was honor their memories by fighting the Empire and caring for Bail's daughter. Not that he would ever tell Leia that he was watching over her; he wasn't a stupid man!

He glanced across the crowded tables at her; her head was thrown back, she and young Skywalker were laughing at something together. It warmed his heart to see her laugh; she needed to laugh more. To some, it might seem that the destruction of her homeworld had barely scorched her durasteel exterior, but only a fool would believe that. After all, the princess was a seasoned diplomat, and because of that, a consummate actor. Anyone who truly knew her could see the all-encompassing pain beneath the surface. Which is why this startling friendship pleased him so much.

Poor Skywalker, Rieekan thought. The young man kept hoping that Leia would fall in love with him the way he obviously had with her. But Carlist could tell it was only friendship from Leia's side. If and when Leia Organa gave her heart, it would be with as much fire and passion as she lived every other part of her life. She might love Skywalker, but not in the way the young man wanted.

Rieekan's chrono chimed discreetly; it was time for him to go to work. He'd spent more than enough time on introspection anyway. He was halfway to his feet, cup in hand, when he paused. No, he could spend another few minutes in observation, he thought. The door to the commissary had opened, admitting Han Solo and his first mate. The general sank back onto his seat, curious to see what came next.

The captain stood in the open doorway, his eyes scanning the room in that vigilant way the Corellian seemed unable to shake. His eyes stopped at the sight of Luke and Leia. That pause, along with an almost invisible thinning of his lips and narrowing of his eyes, were the only signs that he wasn't completely at his ease. Chewbacca pushed his friend forward with a good-natured comment about letting all the warm air out. Han Solo plastered a smirking smile on his face and swaggered in. Captain Solo was every bit as good an actor as Princess Leia Organa, Rieekan thought.

"Hey, kid!" Han said to Luke. "Your Worship." He inclined his head toward the princess in mocking respect, then reached around to grab an empty chair from a nearby table. It screeched loudly as he dragged it next to Leia. The Wookiee eschewed the chairs, which were too small for his large frame. Instead, he leaned against the wall, long arms folded across his furry chest.

Leia straightened herself in her chair, and pulled her hand away from Skywalker's arm. The general noted this with a faint smile.

"Where're you off to today?" Han addressed Luke, pointedly ignoring the princess.

"Just a quick scan of the other planets in the system," Luke answered. "Nothing exciting." He seemed disappointed.

"Listen, junior, every mission without getting shot at is a good mission." The smirk was gone, replaced with a serious intensity Rieekan understood completely. So many of his pilots were so young… It was as if they believed they were impervious to harm.

"And you, your highness?" Han turned his attention to Leia. "Any universe shattering meetings to attend?"

"I'm sorry if our desire to plan interferes with your free spirit, Captain. But then, thinking before acting isn't one of your stronger skills, is it?" Han scowled at the princess. Behind them, Chewie hooted out a chuckle.

The badinage went on, as Carlist watched, unobserved. He liked Solo, for reasons he wasn't completely sure of. Certainly the man was a good fighter, and loyal to a fault. His façade of greedy self-interest was just that, a façade. But so many of them were hiding their real selves behind something they weren't. Rieekan supposed that, too, was in the nature of a soldier.

His chrono chimed again, seemingly insistent. With a sigh, he picked up his empty cup and aimed it at the recycler with a quick toss. Got it in, first shot!

As he walked toward the exit, he paused at the table where Leia and Han were continuing to argue over whatever it was they were arguing about. Rieekan supposed it didn't matter. It was all about the dance, after all.

"Good morning, Princess," The general smiled at the young woman. "Solo, Skywalker." He nodded to both men, waving Luke back down when he started to stand. The Corellian straightened in his seat, but made no move to rise. Rieekan hadn't expected him to.

"Princess," he continued, "don't forget we need to go over those requisitions this morning."

"I'll be there by oh-eight-thirty," Leia responded quickly. Solo shot her a mocking smile.

Leia's cheeks bloomed with color; Solo's eyes sparked. Oh, there was fire between those two, lots of fire! He wondered how long it would take before either of them admitted it. Rieekan wondered, not for the first time, if he should do something to move them forward. Elyana had always warned him about interfering—reminding him he was terrible at it. But, after all, this was war; nothing was certain except that bad things were bound to happen. He found himself wishing, not for the first time, that he hadn't waited so long to make his own moves with Elyana. If they could have had even a few more months together…

With a sigh, he excused himself, offering Chewbacca a quick nod as he passed. Much to his surprise, the Wookiee responded with a smile and a conspiratorial wink. Rieekan smiled in return. It seemed as if he had at least one ally in Campaign Leia and Han!