The Arcadia Chronicles

The room was huge and with the ceiling open to the night sky, it looked majestic, not like a room at all, but rather like a part of the natural formations of the planet. The darkness filtered through the hubbub, the starlit sky twinkled brightly, complimenting the numerous mood lights strategically placed around the area. The noise was immense, a constant drone of voices, squeaks, squeals and grunts, of droids beeping and whirring, of machinery clanging. The room was infused with a tangible feeling of excited anticipation, for tonight was the night, and the time was now.

The who's who of the galaxy was there. Princes rubbed shoulders with celebrities, senators and generals fought for space with those lucky enough to receive an invitation via the random selection process and then there were the competition winners. Security was tight. No weapons were allowed into the room or the complex which housed the site. The perimeter around the area was sealed tight, but that was to be expected, this was after all the Gala Event, the Grand Reopening of the infamous Andromeda. Nightclub of choice of the rich and famous. Hang out of every hip and happening life form this side of the galaxy. Andromeda was the only place to be, especially tonight.

It had been a long three years since the nightclub had closed after the tragic death of the former proprietor. His life had been extinguished under suspicious circumstances and it was some time before the authorities had managed to apprehend the culprit. He had wanted the club for himself, a slimy underling that once worked there. Unfortunately for him, the former owner had bypassed him in his will and had left the club to its current owner, a resourceful thirty year old woman, who in the fourteen years that she had worked for him had proved to be a very valuable asset and astute business woman. He had known that the club would be in capable hands.

While making his will he had recalled that fateful day when she first entered into his life, a sad, secretive, lonely girl, a beautiful face filled with dignity and pride, the majestic poise that held much promise and hinted at wisdom way beyond her years. His heart went out to her and he took her in, gave her a job, a place to sleep. He took her under his wing and taught her everything that he knew about running a club, about life. He surprised himself at the extent of his feelings towards her; she became the daughter that he never had, that he never knew he wanted. She gave him joy in the simple pleasures, a smile, a hug, a gentle kiss. He worried over her first date, comforted her over her first heartbreak. Bought her her first blaster and taught her how to use it. He ensured that she knew how to take care of herself, so when the time came to leave he wasn't afraid to say good-bye to her. She had been his life and only he and her trusted bodyguard knew her secret.

Andromeda was now hers. She had closed the club out of respect for her mentor and in that time she had refurbished it, made it bigger, better added her own special touches. She enclosed it within a vast complex, added a hotel, pools, shopping complex, it even had its own amusement park, everything a first class resort should have and more. It was no longer just a club; it was now an entertainment experience. It was like nothing that the entire galaxy had ever seen. Andromeda was unique and people were flocking to see it.

"So, who wants a drink?" Han Solo asked his friends as they took their seats at a table that had just become available. He was tall, dark and ruggedly handsome, the type of man you learn not to take for granted. Seated next to him was his life long friend and companion, Chewbacca, a Wookie whose immense form dwarfed the seat he had just taken. A series of growls and grunts erupted from the Wookie’s mouth and he waved his long hairy arms around animatedly.

"Okay Chewie, calm down, I'll find a bigger seat for you. Look there's one, go get that one."

The wookie ambled his great hairy form over towards the vacated seat and managed to get a paw on it before another patron, and giving him a menacing look returned to the table with his prize.

"Now that everyone is comfortable," Han looked pointedly at Chewie, "how about that drink?"

Chewie grunted in assent. Han looked over to his other side and made eye contact with his other companion. Every time he looked at her, he was surprised to see that she was still there.

How did I ever end up in love with such a perfect woman? And how did she ever end up in love with me?

He smiled in wonder at her and she smiled back, mistaking the curiosity in his eyes she replied, "I'd love one." Han looked taken aback for a second until he remembered his original question. Mentally kicking himself for momentarily tuning out, (he'd been doing that a lot lately)
Perfect way to get killed. He turned to the last of his friends, "How about it Luke?"

Luke smiled "Sure Han, do you need a hand?"

Han's reply was blunt "No, no I've got it" He was still annoyed with himself.

Luke Skywalker looked around the room and up into the starlit night. A soft summer breeze tugged at his brown hair as he took in the sights, sounds and smells of Andromeda. "This is some place, I wonder if it will live up to all the hype. What do you think Leia?"

Leia was looking around the place too, but she looked lost in thought, sad and distant.

"Leia? Leia what's wrong?" Luke looked around too, feeling for signs of trouble, trying to sense what was bothering Leia.

"Oh its nothing Luke. I was just thinking about Alderaan, about my foster family. I was supposed to bring my sister here for her sixteenth birthday when the place first opened. She was so excited, but I got called away, and then Alderaan was destroyed." Her voice lowered "She never got to see Andromeda. I should have taken her with me. She begged me to." Leia's voice was barely a whisper now. "She was just a child." A single tear rolled down Leia's cheek.

Luke hardly ever saw Leia cry. He knew her pain was deep and that those wounds may never heal. He leaned over and put his arm around her.

"There wasn't anything you could have done Leia," he whispered consolingly.

“You know she would have been thirty today. Ironic isn’t it?”

"Hey, what's going on?" Han placed the drinks down on the table and looked at Leia with concern.

"No, its nothing Han" Leia brushed the last remnants of the tear away and smiled at him.

"Nothing huh?"

Han sat down with a grimace. It still irked him that Leia turned to Luke when she was feeling down. He couldn't help feeling just that little bit jealous of Luke even though he knew that Luke was Leia's twin brother. They had been separated soon after birth for their protection and both lived separate lives, knowing nothing of the others existence for some time.

The mood lights started to dim and a hushed anticipation rolled over the crowd. A loud hissing sound emerged from one end of the room, not far from where they were sitting.

"It looks like were going to have a perfect view" said Han getting comfortable and placing an arm around Leia's shoulders.

A machine spewed out a hefty dose of thick white smoke, the music began, slowly and softly at first then building to a loud thump that reverberated through the floor. The coloured lights began to dance, moving in time to the music. An object appeared in the smoke, murky at first but slowly taking form. The coloured lights haloed around the figure until finally the form of a woman was silhouetted against the gloom. She began to move to the music, swinging her hips to the beat. As the music intensified, so did she.

She was tall, and moved with a cat like grace, her body swaying and gyrating, at one with the beat. The coloured lights flitted over her as she danced. The room was silent now, mesmerized by the sight. As the smoke cleared, the figure began to take a more solid form. She was dressed completely in black. Long black boots, a short tight black skirt with a split up one thigh and a low cut fitted mid riff top that was connected to the skirt by intricate strands. Her toned body was glistening under the lights and her long dark mane framed her gorgeous face as she moved. She looked like a lioness, ready to pounce, long and lean. She projected charisma, intensity and a love for the spotlight. It was obvious she enjoyed the attention, she expected it and the crowd gave it to her, they were under her spell.

Luke watched the woman up on the stage, his eyes roaming over the perfect body, following the gentle curve of her neck up to her luscious full red lips. His eyes lingered there for a moment and then continued on their exploration of her face, her high cheekbones, her perfectly proportioned nose, and those eyes; big, brown, soulful eyes. Luke thought that he could lose himself in their depths. Right at that moment, the woman looked in his direction. Their eyes locked, and a warm glow travelled down through Luke's body making every part of him tingle. It was like she had reached out and touched his very soul. Luke gasped. The woman looked away and the moment was over. Luke closed his eyes as he relived that feeling. Never in his life had anyone made him feel that way with just a look. This was something new, something special.

The woman's image was being projected all around the room via holograms, so everyone could see the spectacle, larger than life. Every alcove and dark recess reverberated with the sound of the music and the sight of the woman's exotic display. Yet, Luke was oblivious to all of this. He stared at her up on the stage, his very soul aching for another glimpse of her, his mind pleading for her to look in his direction.

The music started to fade, and the woman's movements slowly ceased. She reached across to a control panel and pulled a microphone in place over her ear. A muted spotlight drenched the woman in a soft glow. She looked around the room, surveying her domain, including everyone in the warmth of her smile. Han looked over at Leia ready to offer up some of his wisdom, when he noticed a peculiar confused expression on her face.

"What's the matter Leia?" Before Leia could reply the room was filled with the rich golden tones of the woman's voice.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you to this," She made a sweeping gesture with her arms, "the Grand Reopening of this now famous establishment. I know that my predecessor would be pleased with the turnout and the outcome of the refurbishment. I too am honoured to see such a diverse and wonderful crowd here tonight. It is my sincerest hope that your stay with us will live up to all your expectations. Thus, without further ado, I pronounce Andromeda officially open!"

The applause was deafening. The room came alive. The woman gave her audience one last sweeping appraisal, and then strode out of sight. She was immediately replaced by a group of dancers who began to entertain the crowds.

Leia still looked perplexed. Han was about to query her again, when he noticed Luke looking around the room searchingly. Han prided himself on his perceptiveness. Unlike Luke, his eyes hadn't been glued to the woman on stage. He had noticed the way that Luke had reacted to her. He had seen Luke's involuntary gasp and intense stare. Han smiled to himself. This should be interesting. Luke was getting up out of his chair still searching the room.

"Luke, where are you going?" Han asked.

Luke looked surprised. "Um, I'll be back soon," he replied as he melted into the crowd.

Han leaned over to Chewbacca. "Chewie, keep an eye on him, pal. I don't think the kid is thinking clearly at the moment."

Chewie grunted in agreement and continued with a stream of more grunts and growls.

"Yeah, I know what you mean pal," Han replied looking over at the stage. With that, Chewbacca got up and went in search of Luke.