Log Date: 9/15/98 Log Cast: Han, Leia, Private Rhansen (NPC), Bec, Kadgie Log Intro: In the midst of her diplomatic stay on Caspar, Leia has been attacked in Plaxton City's Fountain Square by none other than Valak himself -- the successor to Emperor Palpatine who has proven himself to possess a considerable amount of power in the Dark Side of the Force. Not only has Leia nearly been killed by the man, several innocent bystanders were wounded as well -- and for that matter, a Rodian bounty hunter very nearly succeeded in carrying the Princess off. Frantic with worry, Han and two of his GroundOps guards have hastened to the planetside hospital where Leia has been under medical care, and it hasn't taken Chewbacca very long to catch up with them. The Corellian and the Wookiee, determined that nothing else will threaten Leia especially while she is in this vulnerable state, have settled down to add their own considerable presences to the Princess's already impressive array of guards. Word is, nevertheless, getting around to certain high-ranking Caspar officials of what has gone on... and the lieutenant who helped defend the Princess is almost as anxious about her welfare as her husband... ---------- Chewbacca hadn't wanted to leave Leia's side any more than Han had wanted to the last time they traded off shifts.... but the Corellian and his Wookiee partner have both seen the intelligence of getting rest as long as they're both bent on keeping the Princess under their watchful eyes. Now, with Chewbacca snoozing in the next room over on as big a cot as the hospital personnel can find, Han has once more settled down at Leia's side. The General has begun looking rather more like his usual rumpled self, a five-o'clock shadow darkening his jaw, his uniform shirt disheveled along his lean form; the only difference, perhaps, is the tiredness and worry in his hazel eyes. Leia, conversely, has been resting and recouperating at a steady rate thanks to her naturally healthy disposition, some bacta treatments, and her cooperation with the medical staff. (She, unlike her mercurial husband, makes a good patient in order to remove herself as quickly as possible from the care of medics she would just as soon see treating others.) Sitting up, drawn but quite rested and aware, she gives Han a winsome smile and remarks, "If you wanted me to eat what they bring in, you might consider trying it yourself. I'd rather have something Chewie fixed on the _Falcon_ than this hospital dreg." Sweetly put, it's pointed: she hasn't wanted to eat since arrival, and that's been the one sticking point to her cooperation. The intercom by the door crackles to life, and the crisp voice of one of the guards posted outside interrupts the conversation in the room, its volume automatically set to a normal level by the ambient sound of the patient's speech. "General Solo?" the sentry queries, knowing full well enough which occupant to ask for clearance, "Are you allowing visitors for the princess? There's a Star Ops officer here." About to repeat that while hospitals' ideas of nutrition don't exactly strike _him_ as edible either, this still doesn't eliminate the fact that he isn't about to leave Leia's side to go cook her a decent meal, Han starts at the crackle of the intercom. He glances at Leia, coughing a little and looking guileless, as he asks her, "Howsabout a visitor, Your Worship?" Ignore the fact that the intercom and the guard on the other end of it were addressing him. Totally insignificant, minor detail. Leia's eyes narrow, then, with a disparaging glance at the food she wouldn't eat even if Vader showed up with an interrogation droid, says with a sigh as she leans back into the pillows Han and Chewbacca have loaded onto her bed, "Oh, certainly, thank you." Fortunately, the princess isn't vain...or, at least, isn't so vain that she worries about her dishevelled state. Han's bad enough to distract from her anyway.... Though he's not about to admit to the Princess, Han's grateful for the distraction and her willingness to allow it -- as far as the Corellian is concerned, it's a sign Leia's perking up. He smiles crookedly at her, then rises and goes to the com, flipping its switch to allow him to answer gruffly, "Send the visitor in, Rhansen, and thanks." "Just doing my job, sir," The voice on the other end replies, in the characteristically flat tone typically (and rightfully) associated with marine guards. There's a quiet beep, a light near the door turns green, and with a soft hiss the seal around the door is released, allowing it to slide open. Lieutenant Ga'lec is framed in the opening, looking more himself now that he's got his glasses and chronometer back, and since he's in the process of arguing with Private Rhansen. "I didn't -say- I wanted to see her," the sandy-haired officer can be heard to protest. "All I asked was how she is, and I--" He stops, partly because he's peripherally aware that the small room's door is standing open, and partly because Rhansen is simply staring straight ahead with no sign of blinking. Bec turns to the entrance, and squares his shoulders. "General," he says, stepping inside. "Your highness. I don't mean to interrupt." Solo has straightened at his position by the door, a flicker of something resembling actual pleasure at the identity of the newcomer. He smiles a little, and says in a voice weary and rough but alert, "Don't worry about it, Lieutenant. It's okay." "Bec!" Leia's voice is punctuated by a flattering amount of pleasure; she sits up again, gestures for him to come inside, and continues, "I've asked to see you and how you're getting along, but someone--" insert meaningful look at Han, "has been keeping visitors away from me. How're you feeling?" Genuinely pleased to see Princess Leia so animated, Bec returns her enthusiastic greeting with a bright and delighted smile, and a bit of a self-conscious blush at her tone. Pausing to nod his appreciation to the general, he takes a step or two further inside. "Thanks, sir. I won't stay long. I've actually got to get back to Home One," this explanation is directed at Leia as well, as a reply to her inquiry. "They're letting me out, ma'am. Fixed me up good as new. It looks like they did the same for you, which I'm glad to see, considering the last time I saw you. You're all right?" _'Bec'?_ Enhh well; Han can't genuinely say he minds Leia addressing this young man by his first name, not when Lieutenant Ga'lec is responsible for making sure that the Princess is here to address him however she pleases in the first place. Han hangs back as the Lieutenant makes his reply to the Princess, and with his face safely out of Bec's view, rests a lightened, relieved gaze upon his wife. Leia beckons to the pilot, asking Han, "Have you met Bec? I'm assuming by now someone's told you he helped get Valak away from me and kept the bounty hunter from carting me off." Then, looking back at the young man in question, she remarks with greater cheer than earlier extended to her husband, "I'm perfectly fine. I keep telling the doctors I should be released, but they're insistent about another two bacta treatments. Something about calcification. But I'm fine." "Well far be it from me to tell a Councillor anything," Bec says, choosing to blithely ignore Leia's characterization of the famous events in the fountain square, "But any betting man would put his money on the doctors. If they just let -me- out, and nothing happened to me that wouldn't happen in an average smashball game, they're probably going to keep you for weeks. If nothing else, you're a lot more pleasant to have around. There's not a man on Caspar who'd pass up the opportunity to say good morning to you for as many days as possible. It might be months." Han snorts softly, thinking to himself that if he has any say on the subject, Leia's not staying on this benighted planet for any longer than it takes to get her strong enough to be moved to Home One. He keeps that to himself, however. Mostly. What he _does_ say is, "They can say good morning to her over the HoloNet," and his words come out of him in a bit of a growl. Leia's eyes narrow as she turns toward Han and mentions blithely, "It's a good thing for me to express some diplomacy in here, Han, because if you recall, some of Caspar's marines put themselves at risk for me and some others in the square." As her hand closes briefly over her husband's wrist, she adds to Bec, "I want to thank you, Bec. Officially and formally. What you did was very stupid...but very brave, and I'm certain without you I wouldn't be here." Kadgie walks into the room as the front doors swish open to allow her entry. Kadgie has arrived. Kadgie enters the Waiting Area. Kadgie enters the hospital, her face seeming to be occupied with something. She gives an acknowledged nod to the receptionist and begins to head towards Leia's room 'Stupid' was not a word that Bec had expected to hear Princess Leia use to describe his actions, but on the other hand, neither was 'brave', and it takes him a moment to decide which adjective to challenge. There's never a question as to whether or not he ought to just nod politely and expression something of his gratitude for her highness's notice, and pleasure at his ability to serve, no no. He eventually chooses the one he has the most practice repudiating. "I wouldn't say stupid, ma'am," he respectfully replies. "You're a Councillor, a leader of the Rebellion, and one of the main chances we've got to win this war. Doing nothing would have been stupid. If for no other reason than your husband, General Solo," he darts a quick glance at the man in question, even as he reminds the princess of his name, rank and legendary status, "would have been harder to face than Valak." In the corridor outside the room where Princess Leia Organa-Solo has been receiving her care, both an NR marine and a Caspian one are on duty, keeping viligant watch. The Caspian one spots Kadgie's approach before the NR private does, and then both of them straighten up to attention. In the meantime, within the room itself, Solo crooks a slight approving grin at the younger man, and says gruffly, "I... wanna thank you too, Lieutenant." Kadgie pauses near the door. She nods to the two marines and speaks quietly "Is ambassador Organa-Solo awake or should I come at a different time?" "On the contrary," says Leia with a light laugh, though a certain tension lingers in the undertone of her words, "I'd say going against Valak for whatever reason is a bad idea, Han's temper notwithstanding." She then twists a bit to glance outside the room at the new arrival, quirking an eyebrow at Han. Solo frowns through the half-open door at the soft voices in the corridor, including Rhansen's earnest report of 'The Princess has a visitor, ma'am'. The Corellian glances at his wife and the young officer already in the room, and then steps over to glance out into the hallway himself. Kadgie Before you stands a human woman 5'6" tall. She has blonde hair that is pulled into a tight ponytail. The hair flows out of the hair holder into a mass of wavy blonde hair. She has deep blue eyes that seem to go on forever. Her face and hands are deeply sun-bronzed. She is lean, thin and muscular. She is wearing a plain white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past her elbows. Over the shirt is a vest that is a deep navy blue and hugs tightly to her form. She is wearing Blue pants with a three-centimeter wide broken stripe of red material. This designates the Corellian Bloodstripe. She wears shiny boots as well. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Medpack -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Skrit => Necklace(#9640Cn) => Golden Box Kadgie nods to the two marines and just finishes with an ackward salute to put the Caspian marine at ease "thank you.." she says quietly to the two "I'll come back some other time then.." Bec's attention is caught by the voices in the hall as well, and takes a quick look through the door as he turns to acknowledge Han's thanks. Instead of distracting the general, though, he turns back to Leia. "I should be going," he says. "I'm glad to see you're all right, ma'am. Stupid or not-- effective or not-- I'd do it again just as quickly. You're too valuable to the Republic for any officer not to, and you've been too kind to this officer in particular for me not to." With a warm smile to counter the cool and impersonal stare of his glasses, he starts to withdraw. Solo, peering out into the hallway, blinks at the sight of a young woman there whom he does not know.... and his hazel regard dips down to note her trousers, and the red piping down the sides. That grabs his interest enough to address her, "Hold a minute... who are you?" His baritone voice is terse, but not hostile, and although he glances over his shoulder at Bec's words, most of his attention is on the new arrival. Kadgie stops as she hears a voice directed at her. She turns to gaze at the man and offers him a nod "President Rodo..." she says "I just wanted to see how Ambassador Organa-Solo is doing but since she had company of her own, I'll leave and come back another time.." she says as she turns to head out again President. The word makes Solo straighten up a bit, and with a trifle more politeness, he addresses the woman simply, "Ma'am." And he glances over his shoulder once more, his dark brows raised in query at his wife. Leia, trying not to roll her eyes, pushes back her bedclothes to rise unsteadily. To Bec she murmurs, "I'll want to speak to you later, you know, to see what you saw and compare notes," then, to Kadgie, she presents a weary, winsome smile. "President Rodo, it's a pleasure to see you again. Do stay...and let me introduce my husband, General Han Solo, and Lieutenant Bec Ga'lec, one of our finest pilots and the man responsible for saving my life." Kadgie nods politely to Han and Bec "it's a pleasure to meet you gentlemen.." she then looks at Leia a soft smile on her face "Ambassador..." she pauses "I'm truly sorry for what happened to you.." her face shows one of genuine sorrow. Standing aside to allow the President into the room, Solo nods shortly, once; the man looks rather tired, his clothing rumpled, the shadow of a beard in progress darkening his jawline. But his hazel eyes are alert and aware. Bec nods to Leia's murmured comment, then turns around as he's introduced, and nods in a precisely formal fashion, the same square-shouldered and largely nonparticipatory gesture he was eventually trained to make whenever Ambassador Winter presented him as 'one of our finest pilots'. Even hotshot fighter jockeys can eventually be made to heel, and the lieutenant's obedience training is long over. "Madame President," he says politely. "I was just on my way out." He slips to the door, turning back at the threshhold to take a last look at the recovering princess, and to salute the general in passing. Leia, in answer to Bec's backward glance, gives him a gracious, grateful, genuine smile. And a nod. Bec's smile is just as genuine, and lopsidedly affectionate until he turns to come face to face with the general on the way out. The smile disappears immediately prior to the salute, which is just a bit more crisply correct than usual, even for Bec. The pilot steps out into the hall. Bec's salute is returned with equal military precision, though Solo's gaze on the younger man still reflects his apparent weariness. There's also, however, appreciation and approval there; it makes the Corellian look almost friendly. He then lets Bec step past him, and turns his attention to the women. Leia brushes down the white crispness of her hospital attire, which incidentally does nothing to improve her pallor, and leans her frame against the edge of her mattress. "I'm certain you weren't expecting that to happen, Madam President. But thank you." The weight of what happened shows on the weary face of Kadgie as she watches Leia for a few moments. She turns to watch Bec as he leaves before turning to the couple "yes, I wasn't expecting this to happen but I offer my deepest sympothy." She looks around the room quickly and then gestures for Leia to sit down "please have a seat, you shouldn't stand and make yourself uncomfortable because of me.." she says warmly. Smiling, though apparently relieved, Leia sinks back onto the bed, pushing the tray of untouched hospital fare out of her way. "What have you found out about Valak's presence here?" she begins, curious as usual. Solo leans against the wall, crossing his arms, keeping half an eye on the corridor... just in case anyone else feels like dropping in. Kadgie offers Leia a smile and then sighs "unfortunately, it's only just been confirmed that the Emperor did this to you. I assure you that we are working to find out if he is still here.." she says quietly. "I'm more concerned about the implications of why he's here again, why he's taking the personal risk of arriving with minimal support, than about my safety," Leia assures Kadgie with a firmness that belies her physical appearance. "I'm worried that other citizens will suffer the same as those whom he injured in the square." The weariness doesn't leave Kadgie's face "I understand and I too worry.." She looks at the floor to gather her thoughts "I fear that this is just the beginning of something that I don't want to think about..." Leia inhales and considers before mentioning mildly, "If it's Imperial interference you're concerned about, Madame President, then I urge you to speak with Mon Mothma soon to see what we can do to assist." "I'll take that into consideration but I don't want to make a rash decision" she says quietly "I am just glad that you are well.." A small beeping comes from Kadgie's comlink. She looks at her chronometer and then down at the comlink. She sighs and looks to the couple "I wish I could stay longer but I have a meeting to attend too..." she looks at Leia "I hope to visit you again..." she then nods to Han "General Solo..." and leaves. Kadgie walks through the doors and out of the medical center. Kadgie has left. Kadgie has left the hospital. Leia closes her eyes, a sigh escaping her, and sinks into the fluffed pillows of her bed again. "I wish," she murmurs to herself, to Han, or to no one, "that we'd never come here." Han sighs, and steps to the bed, reaching to close the door behind him and saying softly, "That makes two of us, Princess." [End log.]