LUKE claps HAN on the shoulder, while the DROIDS and TECHNICIANS continue loading the cargo boxes onto the carrier.
LUKE: It’s good to see you too, Han! How did things go during the Galactic Alliance meeting on Coruscant?
HAN: (sighs) Well, I’ll tell ya, things are pretty tense right now, Luke. Mas Amedda’s still refusing to surrender his claim on the throne, even though the majority strongly opposes Imperial rule.
LUKE: Why does that not surprise me?
LEIA: And he’s started making all the same old promises. He says he’s going to reunite the disaffected among the people and restore the remembered glory of the Republic, but the popular opinion is that he’s merely...
LUKE: ...seized upon the opportunity to declare himself Emperor just so he can use the Imperial forces to further his own personal ambitions?
LEIA nods, and LUKE shakes his head slowly.
LUKE: (cont.) ...Well, it is true what Master Yoda once told me: that "those who gain power are always afraid to lose it".
HAN: (rolls eyes) Ain’t that the truth. Especially with these boot-lickers Amedda’s got running the remains of the Imperial Navy. Word is, they’re beginning to institute a new reign of terror among the disheartened worlds of the galaxy, like this latest situation at Ondos, for instance.
LUKE: Ondos?
LEIA: Yes, that was one of the matters brought to our attention at the meeting. The Imperial border world of Ondos is one of a growing number of systems to openly declare they do not recognize Mas Amedda as Emperor. Recently their king secretly appealed to the Galactic Alliance for aid, saying his planet has been under increasing pressure from Commander Kane to submit to Imperial control.
HAN: Lando volunteered to act as a liaison to go meet with the king’s representative, and Chewie went along as his co-pilot. They ought to be coming back pretty soon with their findings.
LUKE: Well, here’s hoping we’ll be able to help institute a little bit of peace and justice in some small corner of the galaxy.
LEIA: Hey, that reminds me - That new arrival I mentioned... He’s really anxious to meet you! A real friendly fellow, too. You’ll find him over in your training area right now, waiting with your students.