Playlist:

❶ "Alliance Assembly"—Return of the Jedi Extended ST

❷ "Rebel Briefing"—Return of the Jedi OST

⊘ Silence

The air-conditioned corridors of the Senate Hall felt like cool waterfalls compared to the arid climate of the last two weeks on the sweltering planet Jakku. In retrospect, Han almost preferred it to reporting the results of his scouting mission to the Senate.

"Bureaucrats," he mumbled as Chewie and he traveled from the Falcon to the Senate Hall on a hovercart. The scruffy brush and spiky trees scraped at the underbelly of the KR-73 with ear-cringing drags. "'Go subvert a planet run by the underworld,' they say. Not as easy as it sounds, huh, Chewie?"

The Wookiee growled and nodded.

When Han and Chewie arrived, the cadre of security guards formed a line, blocking the entrance. The sergeant in security blue stepped forward. "Identification, please."

Han pulled a code cylinder from his left arm, and Chewbacca retrieved his credentials from his bandolier.

"Seevers, take their weapons."

The Wookiee pulled his bowcaster over his head while Han unbuckled his blaster from his hip holster.

The female Togrutan sergeant handed the code cylinders back. Her montrail swished as she turned back to the duo, the purple tribal markings on her white lekku twisting with each movement. "Senate's deliberating. I will notify them you have arrived."

The duo strutted past the guard shack into the Senate Hall. When Han reached over the concierge station, he grabbed two bottles of iced stimcaf. He tossed one to Chewbacca. The Wookie sprawled on the low couch in front of a video screen and moaned.

He wiped his mouth and twisted the lid on the bottle. "Yeah, I don't think they had Wookiees in mind when they designed that thing, Chewie."

His friend chortled, his head bobbing against his knees.

The smuggler sat beside his friend and looked up at the screen. The camera focused on his wife, her eyes flashing while she debated. With the audio muted, he could only stare.

The video zoomed in sequence on the empty senatorial sections for the systems of Daalang in the Slice, Velmor in Mandalorian Space, and Argazda in New Territories. The chyron scrolled across the bottom of the screen. "Many senators fear that this secession is just the beginning of a widespread collapse of the New Republic."

Han asked, "Hey, can you change this to the races?"

The sergeant moved to the screen. "Sorry, General Solo. Only the Senate Hall. I can turn up the volume for you."

He tried to wave her off, but she didn't wait for his response before increasing the volume.

❶ Dressed in her gold-trimmed robes of office, Mon Mothma read from her datapad. "Therefore, the citizens of Velmor, believing that the Galactic Empire can provide many more services, benefits, and greater protection from our enemies, respectfully withdraw from the New Republic."

Senator Zeshkar Ja from Iktotch lit his indicator light. The hairless species jostled his tusks, his pink skin appearing red under the harsh work lights.

The Chancellor said, "Senator Ja from Iktotch."

"Greater protection? From the Empire?" His two horns swayed from side to side. "I beseech you, Senators, do not ... do not believe the lies of the Empire. A strong Republic will be the best for all peoples. If we bind together and help our neighboring systems, we can all live peaceably. If we pull out and return to the Empire, we will enslave our peoples once again." The senator returned to his seat amid a babble of cheers and boos.

The reptilian Trandoshan senator with yellow skin and orange eyes repeatedly activated his light, attempting to beat the other senators' indicators at the main board. Mon Mothma rolled her eyes before acknowledging him.

Jissk Bachkt stood to his full height of 2.05 meters, clenching his fist, his head crest bobbing. "Cowards!" He thumped his fist on his console, cracking the plastic. "What has the Empire provided them? Enslavement of their children, privation through taxation, martial law! They bend at the least bit of threat to their security. Which others of you are cowards? Hmm? Which systems have been receiving the Empire's offers of betrayal?"

Mon Mothma called the group to order once again. "We cannot prevent systems withdrawing from the Republic. We must trust the Force will bring us the right alliances. But let us not lose sight of the bigger picture—the Empire is regrouping, plotting even now to enslave us again. Admiral Ackbar, I believe you have a report on our scouting missions."

The Mon Calamari admiral lumbered to the lectern. "Security, please escort General Solo and Chewbacca in. I believe they have information that will be a pleasant distraction from this disturbing news."

Han stood up with ease, but Chewbacca groaned as he tried to stand. Han grabbed him by the arm. "What's your problem? You're still a young pup, Chewie. Barely 204. You're positively creaking."

The Wookiee's reply needed no interpretation. He enforced it with a gentle whack to the back of Han's head.

The general rubbed the point of impact. "Hey, watch it. Don't mess up the hair."

The sergeant said, "Seevers, open the door. Ranton and Welleck, escort.

As Han and Chewbacca entered the main floor of the Senate Hall, Ackbar said, "Welcome back, General. Please, inform the Senate about your mission."

Han viewed the multitude of faces staring at him as he moved to the lectern. He took a deep breath and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, Admiral, Chewie and me were able to locate the weapons facility on Jakku. Unfortunately, it is highly defended and shielded. It would take all our manpower and ships to take out this installation in a full-front attack—and even that might not be enough."

Admiral Ackbar asked, "How about the populace? Were you able to enlist them in our fight against the Empire?"

Han grimaced at Chewie, who gave him an encouraging growl. "The planet's surface has undergone tremendous climate change in the last twenty years. Locals believe it is because their wind goddess is mad with them. "

He scratched his nose at the limited response the senators provided. "The basic Jakkuvian spends his time trying to grow a few plants in the rocky soil and teasing what little moisture there is out of the air. They're barely surviving in a hand-to-mouth environment. Most of the populace don't like their situation, but they think disturbing any of it would only make their goddess angry and make their situation worse."

Leia flicked on her speaker's light, placing her hands on her hips. As soon as Mon Mothma acknowledged her, she paced the main floor. "So, what you're saying, General Solo, is that you have been unsuccessful in all points of your mission because of some primitive belief in a wind goddess?"

"Look, I scouted the area like you asked. Subverting a populace that doesn't want to be subverted is impossible." He stabbed his forefinger toward her. "I'm not a Jedi."

Leia sneered at him.

Han threw his hands up in the air. "That does it. I'm through risking my neck for the Senate, the Republic, and you, Princess. Come on, Chewie." He turned on his heel, exiting the hall, leaving Leia in shock.

The senators erupted in loud confusion, some screaming about the Republic's doom, others persuading that these struggles are normal for a burgeoning government. Still others vowed to recommend their systems to return to the Empire where there was at least order and structure.

After a quick glance at the ensuing chaos, Leia chased after Han to the landing bay.

❷ When Leia reached the Falcon, Han was pushing crates up the ramp.

"Han, don't leave! I'm ... I'm sorry."

He turned for one moment, softening.

"I need you, Han."

He pivoted away, passing crates up to Chewbacca at the top of the ramp. "Sure got a funny way of showing it."

She stepped closer. "Please ... don't leave. I'm pr-pregnant."

⊘ "I know." The pirate turned his back on her and marched up the ramp.

Chewbacca argued with Han as the ramp closed.

"I know what I'm doing." He caught one last view of her as the ramp locked. It didn't have to be this way.

Did you know ...

● Carrie Fisher studied the facial expressions of leading ladies in the 30's and 40's to prepare for her role in The Empire Strikes Back.

● Admiral Ackbar's species (Mon Calamari) was designed and named after someone's lunch at Lucasfilm.

● "Mon" is Mon Mothma's first name.

● Han and Leia's relationship has been marked by passionate arguments followed by even more passionate making up. However, when Leia disrespects him in front of the Senate and finally tells him she's pregnant, he's scared—he doesn't know how to react, so he does what comes most naturally to him ... leave. 

● During The Force Awakens publicity tour, both Adam Driver and Harrison Ford indicated that Han was not around much while Ben was growing up. JJ Abrams also confirmed this fact. I'm going with canon. 

Tell me what you think ...

● What signs of a disintegrating government are exhibited in this passage?

● How does the disintegrating government parallel Han and Leia's disintegrating marriage?

● Why does Leia choose now to tell Han she's pregnant?