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Chapter 9

"Why is he on Coruscant?" Leia asked, her voice trembling.

"How the hell is he alive is a better question!" Han exclaimed angrily.

Luke waved his hand and made a shushing sound, still staring at the HoloNet.

"...And here is a clip from his speech upon his arrival."

The view switched to Thrawn standing behind a makeshift podium on the stairs of the Senate Building. Surrounding him were different beings, mostly human, also dressed in uniform.

"Gentlebeings," the blue-skinned Chiss began, his smooth voice beckoning for attention, "you may be wondering where I have been the past three years. As you may be aware of, three years ago, an assassination attempt was made on me by the Noghri during peaceful negotiations. Upon my presumed death, I found solace at a haven in the Outer Rim during my recovery."

Han's jaw dropped, and he sat back on the couch heavily.

"Hush," Leia hissed.

Thrawn continued, "We have had peace all throughout our expansive galaxy during this time, but while I was still gaining my strength, I heard whispers of a rising threat.

"Not trusting rumors implicitly, I took it upon myself to investigate further. I am afraid that these threats are very real, and very dangerous to our galaxy's security."

There were gasps and murmurs throughout the audience; Thrawn lifted his hand for silence.

"We will soon enter the race that is for the position of Chief of State," Thrawn said. "I am here to tell you of my official running. My campaign begins here, today. We currently need a strong, capable leader, one who is well fit and able to resist the coming threat. An attack by them is inevitable; all we can do is prepare ourselves. I have been researching this threat and their ways for the last three years. Who is better than I to lead our galaxy and bring us through this, resulting in strength and peace?"

As cheers erupted through the crowd, Han stood again and slapped the holo transmitter off.

"Disgusting," he said under his breath. "So cocky and sick - you can see right through him!"

Leia pressed her forehead into her hands and Mara rubbed her temples. Luke stood and began pacing.

"This just can't be possible," he said. "He was killed by his bodyguard - Rukh - wasn't he?"

Leia looked up slightly and nodded weakly.

"If he's elected Chief of State, we could very well end up with another Palpatine on our hands," Mara said wearily. "He's not sadistic and dark like the Emperor was, but the totalitarianism would be there, no doubt. He knows what he's doing, and he would be able to gain control quickly. He's a military genius and has never been involved in politics, but his mind...it's incredible what he can do. I wouldn't put any of it past him."

Leia shook her head in disbelief, still looking rather pale.

"We can't have that," she whispered. "Not after everything we've been through."

"What can we we do?" Han said, frustratedly running a hand through his hair. "Killing him doesn't seem to work very well."

Luke stopped pacing and turned to Leia.

"You have to run," he said to her.

She looked surprised. "What?"

"You have to run!" he repeated. "You need to run for Chief of State."

"Luke, I can't do that!" she exclaimed.

"Why not?" He sat down next to her on the couch. "You helped lead the Rebellion for over four years, and after the Alliance began establishing the new government, you've been alongside Mon and Madine the entire time. I think you're the only one who will be able to compete with Thrawn. You're well known and respected."

"But I can't," Leia repeated. Her eyes were wide again. Luke placed his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

"Yes, you can. You're a natural leader. You've faced opposition before - and if these threats Thrawn claims are real do come around, you have the right allies."

Leia looked as if she were fighting back tears. Mara glanced at Luke, who was gently stroking her arm. Leia breathed deeply, dried her palms on her pants, and looked at Luke.

"I can't do it alone," she said finally.

"You won't have to. The Jedi will back you up." He looked at Mara, who nodded in agreement. "Mon Mothma and Madine will, as well as the rest of the Alliance. And that's just a start."

Mara finally spoke.

"Leia, I don't want you to feel like you're being pressured into this, but think of what could happen if you don't," she said, also finding a seat on the couch. She, Luke, and Han surrounded Leia, gently showing their support.

Leia was silent for a few moments, and from the look in her eyes, she was thinking deeply.

"You'll come when I make the announcement?" She said this to Luke and Mara.

"Of course - and any other time you need us."

The room was silent for several minutes as they gave time for Leia to mull everything over. Han noticed two pairs of concerned brown eyes peeking into the room from the hallway. Wordlessly, he opened his arms to them and they rushed over. He sat Jacen and Jaina on his lap, and the three of them turned to Leia.

"It's for family, sweetheart," Han said. "You're saving this freedom for them."

Leia looked from him to the twins, who wore matching expressions much too old for their small faces. She tenderly touched Jaina's soft cheek and ran her fingers through Jacen's disarranged brown hair.

"All right," she managed in a choked voice. "But only after Anakin comes."

"Of course," Luke replied. "That will the you plenty of time to plan."

Leia nodded, then smiled.

"You're right," she said, a small light in her eyes now. "I have to do this, though it won't be easy."

Mara flashed a grin not unlike Han's.

"Is anything ever easy for us?" she asked wryly.

Jacen smiled at the lifted atmosphere and answered Mara,

"Nope. We're Solos."

The laughter that followed lasted for several minutes.

The rest of the morning and into the afternoon was spent in the main room, the four of them brainstorming and preparing for Leia's new campaign. They had made calls to Mon Mothma and Crix Madine, who both agreed that it was necessary for Leia to run for office. Mon fully pledged her support and what funds she could, and though he was a bit hesitant at first, Madine did as well. They both made plans to meet with Leia in the near future.

Soon, datapads and stacks of flimsis were scattered all over the couches and tables as Han, Leia, Luke, and Mara made notes, began rallying support, and analyzed and outlined the coming months leading up to the election.

They had the HoloNet on the entire time and had to restrain Han more than once from blasting the screen in anger and frustration at Thrawn. The news had covered the big story of Thrawn's return from every angle. The Chiss himself didn't speak more of the so-called alien threat, but he did outline the reasons he would be well-equipped to lead against them, mentioning highlights of his military career.

"What a ruse," Mara said to no one in particular as she and Han straightened up the room. Luke had elected to make an early dinner, and Leia had been back and forth filing things away.

Han looked up, disgusted.

"You ain't lying, sister." He put on an affected voice, "Hey, I have an idea. Let's make a big return to the known galaxy just in time for Chief of State. To make 'em want me, I'll claim some aliens are gonna take over. But I'm the only one who can stop 'em, remember that."

From the office, Leia called out to Han and met him at the far end of the hallway. Mara continued to collect flimsi, quietly, trying to catch a bit of their muffled conversation.

Suddenly Han turned and almost ran to the door, and Leia followed quickly.

"Han, wait. It doesn't mean anything - it could be days before anything starts to happen."

"You wanna take that chance?" Han replied. Mara stood and walked over, and Luke appeared from the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked. Leia turned to face him, but Han ignored him and continued to talk to Leia.

"We need to go. You don't want him born in the doorway, do you?"

"What?" Luke and Mara exclaimed in unison.

Leia sighed.

"I've had minor contractions throughout the day, and my water just broke," she explained calmly. Luke's eyes bulged, and Mara laughed at his expense.

"I'm getting the speeder and we're going to the medcenter right away," Han stated, then opened the door. "Mara, stay here with her. Luke, will you tell Chewie to get the kids ready?"

"Han, I'm fine." Leia reached out to grip his shoulder, then winced as a stronger contraction came over her. Mara and Luke reached out to steady her.

"Actually, Luke, you pull up." Han threw him the speeder keys. "Mara, help her lay down on the couch. I'll be right there...Chewie! Chewie, come here!"

Han ran down the hallway, scattering a few pieces of flimsi. Leia wanted to laugh, but she was in too much pain.

"You should have seen him last time," Leia said, catching her breath after it passed. Mara smiled.

Han emerged from the bedroom carrying two bags, and Chewie was trailing behind him with Jacen and Jaina in his arms, whiffling questions.

"Where we goin'?" Jaina asked to no one in particular.

"Is Luke up front yet?" Han asked, dropping the bags and rushing through to the kitchen. Mara pulled out her comlink.

"Luke, is the speeder ready?"

"Yes. Need any help?"

"No...I don't think so. We're coming now - ouch. Force, Leia."

Mara looked at Leia, who was squeezing her hand - not a death grip, but her fingers were crushed.

"Okay, Han, you're right...it's time," Leia called to him.

Jacen and Jaina exchanged an excited glance.

"Anakin!" Jacen said happily.

Han ran back to the main room and stuffed a whole container of ration bars into one of the bags, slung them both over his shoulder, and hurried over to the couch.

"Can you walk?"

"Yes, I think so." Leia stood with Han and Mara's help, and the whole entourage made their way to where Luke was waiting with the Solo's speeder. Once settled, Han dialed Leia's doctor.

"Yeah, Doc, we're on our way," he said into the comlink. "This kid doesn't want to wait."