Saga Lando's Quandry. ESB (EU) from Lando's POV

Comments welcome for my first fan fic.

Thanks.

LANDO'S QUANDRY

Lando maintained a suave smile as he negotiated the crowd gathered in front of Cloud City?s Floating Jewel Hotel. They were anxious for a comment from the Baron-Administrator on the looming labor mediations. Lando knew full well that at this point he couldn?t assure them of anything. Over one third of Cloud City?s Tibanna gas miners - the heart of the industry - had gone on strike just when the City?s corporate infrastructure was emerging from the worst economic crisis in decades.

Since the Galactic Civil War, the Mining Guild increased pressure on customers doing business with non-guild members. Cloud City mining corporations were left with dwindling sales and a surplus stock. Many companies tried to salvage capital by reducing labor expenses and thousands of miners swallowed wage cuts. When Lando became Baron-Administrator, he authorized the use of city surplus funds to cover corporate losses, and things began to look up. Now, the miners were calling for higher wages and enhanced job security, but the corporations, struggling to regain their footing, denied the worker?s demands, prompting the walkout. If this was not settled quickly, it could crumble Cloud City?s resource-dependent economy for good.

Lando climbed the stairs at the hotel entrance, and turned to face the crowd. ?I know you?re all anxious for some assuring words. This is a difficult situation. All I can say now is that both sides are eager to resolve their differences for the betterment of Cloud City, and we will come to an agreement as soon as possible. Now if you?ll excuse me, we?ve a long day ahead of us.?

Turning towards the hotel entrance, he gave an assuring nod to the holocams that had recorded his statement and broadcast it live throught Cloud City. Hopefully, Lando thought, it would be enough to put everyone at ease for the day. Tomorrow he?d make another statement and with some Corillian luck, it would be good news.

Lando considered his resolution proposal as he rode the turbolift to the sixtieth floor conference center. If the miners would agree to return to work, and the corporations would agree to a 9% wage increase over three years, Cloud City could be saved from possible economic ruin. He turned to Lobot, his aide, who was silently sorting through the gigabytes of information streaming into his brain via his synaptic implant.

?Anything interesting happening,? Lando asked.

?Your approval rating went up three and a half points since your statement.?

Lando nodded with a smirk - not bad, since he gave the statement only 60 seconds ago.

The two exited the turbolift and headed down the corridor when Lobot suddenly stopped.

?What is it,? Lando inquired urgently.

?An Imperial Star Destroyer just came out of hyperspace,? Lobot reported, still taking in details. ?Executor class.?

?What the hell is this about,? Lando murmured as he picked up his pace. ?Keep me posted.?

Lando turned into the conference room where he greeted the delegates: members of Cloud City?s corporate sector, representative of the various mining unions, and some of his administrative staff. As he shared a kind word or two with each in turn, he kept an eye on Lobot for some sign of the developing Imperial situation. A quick nod towards the exit from Lobot told Lando that the mining negotiations would have to be left to the rest of the delegation. With a heavy sigh, Lando called for the delegate's attention.

?I truly thank each of you for coming here today. Resolution of this situation is vital to the survival of Cloud City, and I am confident that an agreement can be made quickly -- our livelihoods depend on it. Unfortunately, an emergency has arisen that requires my immediate attention. Hopefully this too can be resolved quickly and I can return to these proceedings. In the mean time, my staff will present my proposal, and in my absence I encourage you all to remain open minded and do what is best for Cloud City. Thank you.?

W

 

Hey, very nicely done! I take it you mean this is your first fic here, because it surely can't be your first fic! I'm not even that much of a Lando fan and I found myself feeling sorry for the predicament he's in. Although I'm not a Lando fan, I always did think that Leia and Chewie were a bit harsh on him after he helped them. Really, what was he going to do, say no to Darth Vader?

I loved the image of the two of them in the turbolift, Lando trying to see if there really is a man behind the terrifying mask, and Vader simply standing still as a statue.

We get to see some explanation for why the Cloud City pilots fired on the Millennium Falcon as well. I'll bet Vader wasn't pleased about that, as he probably saw right through what Calrissian was doing.

A very nice look at some hidden scenes from ESB. I enjoyed very much! Are we going to see some more? Perhaps Luke's arrival? I say this as a HUGE Luke fan, you know!

 

This is an amazing fic! Wonderfully done! I love Lando and it's nice to see something from his POV. Great work!

 

I am amazed at the quality of 'first fics' I've seen lately, and this is definatley one of them. I also like the fact that you've so nicely fleshed out Lando in this piece, an OT character who is often neglected or regulated to a background appearance.

 

Ohhh I liked this!!! Excellent work!! Loved hearing his side of the story! The emotional play by play was great!! Awesome job!!

 

I finally have the time now to respond... I found this, this morning, when I was updating the monthly story index.

I wanted to say that I think this is excellent... especially for a first story. POV's are very interesting too, and there's so little stories about justLando.

 

Very hard to believe this is your first fic, but you've done a wonderful job! Lando was very nicely done indeed! Welcome and I'm sure we'll be seeing lots more of your work around here.

 

Thanks all so much for your comments -- it's truly inspiring. No BS, it's the first thing I've ever written to completion. I've been a reader of the TF.N Archive for several years and sent this in about a year ago. They chose not to post it. Fueled by your enthusiasm, hopefully I will find more stories in me to post.

Gratefully,

K-man

 

Truly excellent. You really showed the predicament that Lando faced and it was very interesting to re-examine his POV....

 

Thanks Webogirl.