Log Date: 9/18/97 Log Cast: NPC Ensign (emitted by Ackbar), Han Solo, See Threepio (emitted by Han), Ackbar Log Intro: While searching for the errant Luke Skywalker and following rumors of his death courtesy of Mara Jade and Talon Karrde, Han, Chewie, and Leia have taken the _Falcon_ on a jaunt for the O'paal system. But en route the hyperdrive recently repaired on Ithor gave out again -- knocking the ship violently out of hyperspace and dropping into the Mutanda system. The freighter crashed on Mutanda, wounding Han in the process, and leaving him, the Wookiee, the Princess, and the protocol droid See Threepio stranded for several days. Now, cranky from enforced bedrest and itching for something to do, the Corellian has been working on trying to get the ship's communications systems back online so that they can call the NR for help -- just in time for the NR to finally get through to _them_.... ---------- On the screen of your communications nit, the bridge of the Deliverance resolves. ON it you see a young human ensign about 20 years of age sitting at where you presume the main communications console is. He says into the speaker worn around his head. "This is NRV Deliverance to freighter Millennium Falcon. Do you read me, Falcon?" It takes some moments before the signal appears to get through; when it does, it's less than exactly clear, as though the communications equipment on the other end is having problems locking in completely. But it does its job well enough to relay the image of a startled and haggard-looking Han Solo, who looks suspiciously as if he's just been snapped out of a doze. The Corellian's voice is steady, though, as he returns roughly, "Yeah, _Deliverance_, we're here. Secure the line!" The ensign nods, reaching down and tapping several keys. "Aye, sir. We're now using encryption pattern delta. Make sure your ship's communications rig can handle that, alright?" Solo leans forward a bit, the tilt of his head suggesting he's twiddling controls on his own console, even as he replies brusquely, "Acknowledged." He doesn't bother to rise to the bait about whether his ship and its equipment can handle anything -- odd, for Solo. But he goes on, his voice roughened slightly further by the encryption on the line, "Go ahead, _Deliverance_." The ensign says. "Sir, the Admiral would like to talk to you. With your permission I'll patch you through to his ready room." The holo-image of Solo doesn't change, although a tinny second voice comes through: the droid Threepio, piping excitedly, "Oh my! We're saved! How wonderful--" He is cut off by the Corellian, who growls over his shoulder, "Shut up, Goldenrod." And back to the ensign: "Do it." The ensign nods. "Aye, sir. DOing it right now.", he says. The image wavers for a moment, then changes to Ackbar's ready room. THe Admiral himself looks worm, and even more grave than usual. It seems, as well, as you look at him, that he hasn't slept very well lately Solo frowns at the image resolving before him; more detail to his expression can't be gleaned from the holo, though he is clearly struck. "Admiral," he greets. From afar, Ackbar nods towards you slightly, quietly. "Captain.", he says, his voice a little raspier than before. "I trust this is not an unoppertune time?" Solo cracks a weaker-than-usual version of his usual crooked grin, even as Threepio's voice puts in effusively, "Admiral, sir, it is so good to hear from you! We have been marooned, and Captain Solo is suffering from injuries sustained in the crash!" Once more the Corellian glares over his shoulder, grumbling, "I said shut _up_, Goldenrod!" Something in the man's look must have gotten through to the droid, for Threepio replies meekly, "Shutting up, sir. I am merely doing my job, as Chewbacca has requested of me...." He trails off into silence. And Solo looks back, saying simply, "No time like the present, Admiral." From afar, Ackbar chuckles slightly. "I see, Captain. May I ask where it is you are marooned?" Solo smirks, shooting Threepio another baleful glare before continuing, "Mutanda, we think -- if our calculations held up." From afar, Ackbar looks up, seeming very surprised. "Mutanda? Correct me if I am wrong,Captain, but that planet is leaning Imperial." Solo grimaces, saying shortly, "Haven't seen anybody to tell you, Admiral. We're" -- and he pauses a moment, looking like a man making an embarrassed confession -- "nowhere near any civilized areas and we haven't scanned anyone near us." From afar, Ackbar ahhhs slowly. "When you return, Captain, you will have to tell me the story. Unfortunately, we have more pressing matters." The Corellian smirks again. "We're workin' on that return thing." Then the smirk shifts to frown once more, as Solo's eyes narrow a bit. "What's goin' on out there?" From afar, Ackbar considers for a long moment. A very long moment, as silence blanets the channel, broken by the occasional static. Finally, he says. "Imperial forces have successfully taken the Sullust system." The Corellian's face tightens; clearly, the man doesn't need more than that spelled out for him. When he speaks again, it's with a lowly muttered, "... acknowledged." And behind him comes Threepio's voice again, very softly: "Oh dear, oh dear. We're doomed....!" The droid sounds quite plaintive. This time, however, Solo doesn't order him to shut up. From afar, Ackbar sighs quietly, his eyes rotating so that they are focused on the desk. "They attacked approximately three days ago, in a force that quickly ovewhelmed the gunship that was in orbit. Unfortunately, Captain..I do not think we can dislodge them at this time." From afar, Ackbar looks as if that last assertion wounded him more than anything else that could have happened Solo closes his eyes, one hand coming up into view in the holo-field as he shoves it through already rumpled hair. "Acknowledged," he says again, short and gruff. He doesn't bother to ask how many ships -- how many lives -- have been lost. From afar, Ackbar sighs quietly, and looks down again. "We have a strategy. Unfortunately, it involves more intelligence than we are getting at this current time." Solo looks up again, hazel eyes grim, mouth set. "What're you needing me to do?" he asks, getting bluntly to the point.'. "I would like you, Captain, to attempt to identify Imperial supply lies. Failing that, I would be interested to know just what the Imperials have left in the Tatooine system. I feel that we must force them to spread out the ships they have over Sullust before we can make our strike." "Admiral," Solo says, "I can't get my ship off this world right now, and I've got Leia on board. My first priority is getting her _back_." His gaze and voice remain steady, but with just a touch of raggedness to both. From afar, Ackbar consides and nods. "That is understandable, Captain. If you wish, you can get her back using the Pride-1 jump link. HOweve, I suspect the Imperials may be supplying their effort through there so you will want to exercise cautioun." The irony of the notion of Han Solo exercising any kind of caution is not lost upon the man; he looks almost amused. "Acknowledged," he says dryly. From afar, Ackbar mmms for a long moment as he remebers past occasions dealing with SOlo. "Captain. Take every precaution, I besearch you. With Council Silvermoon incapacitated and Council Fey'lya on SUllust we need Princess Leia here, helping stabilize matters politically. Not to mention your own worth to the Alliance." The brief ghost of a lopsided grin vanishes off the Corellian's face. "Chewie 'n' me'll get her home," he says, simply. From afar, Ackbar considers for a moment and then nods. "Thank you, Captain, I had no doubt that you would. I don't suppose, however, that you would consent to telling me where exactly you have /been/?" Solo's mouth quirks for a moment -- almost a wince. He finally shifts position, looking once more embarrassed, and he considers hard before he says, "Lookin' for Luke." From afar, Ackbar looks up, barely supressing a chuyckle. "I thinkk, Captain, that woul will have great luck if you checked the SLuis Van system." The Corellian blinks; at that, the ghost of a grin slips back onto his features. "Acknowledged on that, too. I'll tell the Princess." "Very well, then, Captain. Deliverance out." "Millennium Falcon, out," responds Solo, as his holo winks out. [End log.]