Solo had heard about these so-called Federations. They'd stopped Vader forming an alliance with one of their enemies, and then stopped the Death Star from entering their part of the galaxy. As his first mate, the Wookiee Chewbacca, came into the cockpit, a sort of red haze began to form around the viewport. Chewie let out what could only be termed as an extended bark.
"I know, Chewie, but apparently, it's supposed to do that! Look! The mist is clearing now!"
As Chewie sat down in the co-pilot's seat, a clear view began to form. The planet directly beneath them reminded him of the space view of his home world, Corellia. But that only got his attention for a second or so. What did grab his attention was the remarkable piece of engineering almost directly in front of him. Captain Watt had told him of their destination; to him, the Pegasus station just sounded like another version of the Death Star. He hadn't expected it to be more graceful than Watt had described. Chewie let out another growl.
"Yeah," said Han. "I heard there's something like this on Bespin, but I've never seen it."
Suddenly, the communications system came to life.
"Millennium Falcon, this is Admiral MacCleod aboard the Pegasus station. Please confirm your identity."
Han keyed the switch.
"Pegasus control, this is Captain Han Solo of the Millennium Falcon."
"Identity confirmed, Captain Solo. Welcome to the Alpha Quadrant."
"Yeah, and the same to you, Admiral."
A short time later, Han and Chewie were being checked through customs. Because of the nature of the current talks, they were only allowed to carry one blaster each. All other weapons had to be returned to the Falcon. A young guard, who looked barely in his teens and as if he hadn't even been to Starfleet Academy, began to show Han and Chewie to the quarters that had been assigned to them. As they moved along, they saw what appeared to be an official welcome. Chewie spoke first.
"Yeah, that's Mon Mothma," Han replied. "I'd have thought we'd at least have been introduced to her before we came here. The pointy-eared guy must be their President, Spock, I think. And before you ask, I don't have a clue what that hand thing means!"
As they walked past, they could only just hear what they were saying.
"I wish I could have met you under better circumstances, President Spock," said Mothma. "But then again, many in the former Imperial Senate thought that the Empire would be expanding their territories further."
"Indeed," said Spock. "After their last attack on Deep Space Nine, we should have prepared ourselves. Will you come this way?"
As Mothma and Spock walked off, Han began to wonder just how deep he had gotten into this thing.
As John Sheridan sat in the command chair of the White Star, Delenn looked on in wonder as they approached the Time of Legends.
"I have never been here before," she said. "There are many legends among the Minbari about the Time of Legends."
"I always thought the Time was inhabited by human legends," said Sheridan.
"Look," said G'Kar, pointing to the viewer.
The last time a sight like this had been seen was at James Watt's inauguration on Babylon 5. Sheridan was not there, but Ivanova, Delenn, G'Kar, and Talia remembered the event well. To them, it seemed such a long time ago. The mix of ships docked with the station reminded them of that great event. Now, so much had happened since then. A great man had apparently died, and all the work he had accomplished, and all that he hoped to accomplish, went with him.
A lot had happened in the life of Mara Jade over the past few weeks. From her hellhole of a life on Tatooine, she had been rescued by adventurers from the other side of the galaxy, who now faced their own form of Imperial oppression. Now she found herself striding through the corridors of the Pegasus station, the main headquarters of the so-called Free Federation, representing the so-called Rebel Alliance. However, she herself had other plans.
As she entered the quarters that had been assigned to her, she found that the lights didn't work. She soon found out why.
"Don't try and call engineering," a woman's voice said. "I need to speak to you alone."
Mara looked around and saw a woman standing in the shadows by the window.
"Are you my contact here?"
"Yes. My name is not important. All that you should know is that your orders have been changed."
The woman tossed Mara a small data chip.
"Read them. Once you have, they will be wiped from the chip. All records of their existence will be erased."
"So when do we start the campaign?"
"Your role has been sized down. It is now one of observation to see how we in the Alpha Quadrant go about our business."
"So I just sit back and do nothing?"
"Correct."
"But when do I get to see some action?"
"Your time will come."
Before Mara could answer any more questions, her strange contact was gone. Then, the lights came on. The room was empty, save for her.
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