Author's Note: Thank you Jedi Jesi Jiin for helping me edit my story, your suggestions have been invaluble.

Disclaimer: Some of this dialogue is from the Star Wars radio play-especially between Leia and Antilles, Antilles and the devistator, Most of Threepio's, and the Rebel Communications with the Tantive IV. Also, if you get the chance, they have the radio play on YouTube, please listen to it, there is a ton of background information in it, and it's really well done.

Remember Ivy, never forget, that out there among the stars, where they say nothing exists, lies the planet you were born on. If anything should ever happen, and you are not safe, I want you to find your way ther; find your way back home, Ivy dear. It's where you belong.

Ivy's Starling's mother had given her this advice since she was a small child with such conviction that there was not a doubt in her mind she would return to this planet one day. It was only a matter of time.

Her father had been a junior senator under Bel Iblis when he had first met Ivy's mother, Elaine—Lainey-Coleman when his ship crash-landed on her planet. He woke up in her care, and as he had healed, Otto Starling had fallen more and more in love with her. By the time he returned to Corellia, he had married and his wife was expecting their second child. He had returned to a broken universe; the Jedi were dead, Bel Iblis and many others who had opposed the Supreme Chancellor were either dead or in hiding, and Chancellor Palpatine was now Emperor Palpatine.

Rather than fleeing back to his wife's home planet, Otto chose not to abandon his people. When Ivy was three, and her brother Johnathan still just a baby, he had become the senate representative for Corellia. So he had been for almost sixteen years.

Now Ivy had no interest in politics, even though her father had taught her everything there was to know about his positon in the senate. At least, she felt there were more useful things than being a senator in a corrupt government. And because of this she had joined the Rebellion.

At first it had been casual; gather information here, recruit people to the cause there. As time went on however, and the Empire took more and more control, the young woman from Corellia had become serious. There had many close shaves where she had been nearly caught

However, she had recently heard a rumor which she felt was almost worth getting caught over. There were rumors that the Empire had built a space station. So powerful it could destroy a planet.

And recently, she had heard from a friend who was also looking for information. They were meeting that day at a popular restaurant, where they were less likely to be heard. Sitting at a small table in a corner, Ivy spotted her friend, a young woman of her own age wearing a white dress. Making Sure no one saw her; Ivy sidled up to the table and sat down.

"Hello Leia," she remarked casually, not looking at her, "long time no see. How is Alderaan?"

"As well as can be expected," answered Princess Leia Organa, stirring her drink as she talked. "How's your father?"

Ivy smiled as the waiter came over to take her order, "I'll have a water thank you, and how about an order of Endwa. Leia what will you be having?"

"Oh." Leia perused the menu.

Ivy pointed to an item, "I'd recommend the smoked nerf, it's excellent here." When he left, she turned to her friend, "You were saying?"

"I wanted to know how your father is, I haven't seen him since the last senate meeting," the Princess of Alderaan replied.

"Not so good." Sighed Ivy, "You heard about Johnathan running away right?"

"Yes," she said, "but just that. What happened?"

"Well," began Ivy, lowering her voice. "My brother, as you may have guessed, has been working for the rebellion for the last few months; being that he's of age now. He took on a mission, but while in the process someone discovered he was working for the Alliance and he was very nearly arrested. So I guess you could say we're not the Emperor's favorites now." She glanced around to see if anyone was watching them, "Have you heard any more about the battle station?"

Leia paled, "Too much. I have a name, and I was able to confirm the rumors to be true. It can destroy a planet."

Ivy felt as though the air had been sucked from her lungs. "Then it's about as bad as we thought. How did you find out?"

"A wounded Rebel told us the name." replied Leia, "But Lord Tyon let slip the other information."

"I always knew Tyon was an idiot," Ivy said. "But even he would suspect-"

"He's dead." Ivy noticed that her friend's hands were shaking. "I shot him on accident."

"Well," she huffed, patting Leia's shoulder awkwardly, "if you ask me, I'd say good riddance to the lecherous scum. But tell me, what are you planning on doing next?"

"I'm headed for Taprowa," Leia whispered, "I'm going to intercept the plans."

The young Corellian nodded, "I'll join you, Leia."

"No!" the princess exclaimed, "If the Imperials search the ship and find the sister of a known rebel on board, they may grow suspicious."

"Yes, well as far as they know," Ivy argued, "I have no more to do with the Rebellion than you do. I'm going."

Leia opened her mouth to disagree, but saw the stubborn glint in her eyes. "Fine, but don't blame me if you wind up an Imperial cell."

"Don't worry, I won't." chuckled Ivy, "always knew I'd end up in one anyway. Well, I'm gonna get packing." She rose. "See you in two hours?"

"Yes, see you then." The friends parted ways.

Ivy returned home fifteen minutes later to find her parents waiting for her. "Leia told me all she knows, it's as we feared."

Otto Starling groaned, "I knew something like this was going to happen. The Emperor has been taking more and more control of the senate. I have no doubt in my mind he's planning to get rid of it."

"Mom, Dad," Ivy addressed them both, "I'm going with her, it's time I got involved permanently."

"I just lost your brother," said Otto, "I'm not going to lose you too."

But his wife lay a hand on his arm, "Otto, it's time."

"But Lainey." He stopped when he saw the glint in her eye. "I just don't want to lose you, my little wonat."

"I'm not a wonat anymore." Ivy hugged her mother first, and then her father. "I'm a sand panther."

"I'll help you pack dear." Once in the room her mother turned to her, "Do you remember what we talked about?"

"Of course I do mom," Ivy was busy folding a pair of trousers, "If I get in trouble I will find that planet if I have the chance."

"Good girl!" her mother placed a green tunic, which matched her eyes, into Ivy's suitcase. "Now I want you to take care of yourself out there. Avoid trouble if you can okay?"

"I will mom."

An hour later, she was saying goodbye to her parents with a suitcase clutched in her hands, "Be careful out there," her father was saying. "I don't want to hear about you on the holonet. And if you find your brother, tell him we love him."

"I will." She gave them each a firm embrace, and allowed them both to kiss her on the cheek, "I'll see you around, I love you." Then she tossed her suitcase into the back of her speeder, hopped in and drove away.

000

On board the Tantive IV, once she was situated, Ivy joined Leia on the bridge. She was sitting in a chair observing her friend and the captain of the ship in the middle of a discussion. "Princess Leia may I say once more that I am opposed to this plan of yours."

"If you must, Antilles," Said Leia.

"The moment we leave hyperspace," he began, "and emerge in that restricted solar system we'll be in serious trouble. Diplomatic immunity or no we'll be subject to boarding and arrest if we're caught by the imperial Starfleet."

"Antilles, we either act now," she attempted to reassure, "or lose any chance the Alliance has to stop the Empire, there's no time for caution."

Ivy nodded, "I agree with Leia: there's a time for staying on the sidelines and a time for taking action. There is little we can do but take action at this time."

They were interrupted by the appearance of a small blue astro droid and a golden protocol. "Ah, I believe our droids are here."

"Oh be quiet," the golden droid scolded his beeping companion in a fussy voice. "Captain Antilles, may it please you sir I have the honor of reporting for duty. C-3PO human-cyborg relations droid" The little blue astro droid beeped cheerfully, "Oh, yes, and my…my subordinate, R2-D2."

"Threepio? You were in protocol weren't you?" Captain Antilles asked. "What are you doing with a maintenance droid as a counterpart?"

The prissy droid, who was already beginning to irritate the Corellian, replied, "There turned out to be little need for interpreters on this trip captain. I might put in parenthetically sir that I—"

"Fine, fine, Threepio but we don't have time for that right now." Antilles interrupted.

"Oh," the droid muttered in a very small voice.

"Bring your counterpart over here by the emergency airlock." the captain ordered.

He nudged the blue astromech towards the airlock, "Oh, come along Artoo."

"Now, I want you both to listen to this programming tape," Antilles commanded, "This is voice override actuating code Epsilon-Actual."

"We confirm that, Captain," Threepio said, standing if possible a little straighter. "We are both awaiting your instructions."

"You are aware of the identity of the two people in this room?" he questioned.

"Only one sir," the droid answered, "the princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, representative of the Imperial Senate, but I do not believe I have met the other."

"Ivy Starling," She said raising her hand, "Daughter of Otto Starling of Corellia, my father is also a representative of the Imperial senate."

"How do you do Mistress Ivy." Threepio gave her a tiny bow.

"Good," he gave a short nod, "this is a command control instruction: both of you will restrict and protect all references to either Leia Organa's or Ivy Starling's identity and presence aboard this vessel. They are designated command control voices."

"Yes sir," confirmed Threepio. Artoo whistled in agreement.

"Will that suffice?" asked Leia.

"Your highness," Antilles addressed the young woman, "this interpreter droid is a bit eccentric, but he's dependable."

"Will they resist interrogation probing?" she asked.

Captain Antilles assured her, "They'll do whatever you two tell them to without fail, that includes lying and self destructing."

"You there, "the Princess addressed Artoo, "astro droid. R2-D2 is that your name?" The little astromech beeped affirmative. "I want you to leave this bridge through the emergency airlock and make your way across the hull to the ship's navicomputer sensor suite. You're to position yourself there and behave exactly as if you were carrying out repairs." The droid beeped again. "Keep in touch with Threepio and make reports just as though you were actually fixing a malfunction."

"Threepio attach this transceiver to your counterpart," Antilles ordered, "maintain communication with him over this comlink."

The droid jerked his head in a small bow, "very good, Captain."

Leia sank into the chair next to Ivy's and sighed, "Well Antilles, you think it'll work?"

"The droids will comply," he huffed, "At least it will give us some kind of alibi for being in a restricted solar system."

"Let's hope the Imperial Starfleet is in an accommodating mood." The brunette pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I wouldn't count on that." Ivy put in, "the Empire's about as accommodating as a hungry rancor."

A light started to flash, accompanied by a buzzing noise, "We're about to re-enter normal space." Antilles turned his head to address the protocol droid, "C-3PO, send Artoo through the airlock and cycle the hatches."

"Yes sir." There was a hiss as the airlock opened, and the little blue astromech rolled in, "In you go Artoo." The droid chunnered on to his companion, "Of course it's not dangerous."

"Leia," Antilles said, "I hope this message you intend to intercept is worth the risk."

The Princess leaned forward, "It cost the alliance a hundred lives to get the information we're about to try for Captain."

"Artoo outboard and crossing the hub, your highness, Mistress Ivy." Threepio informed them in the background

"May I ask what it is?" questioned Antilles.

"Have you ever heard rumors of an Imperial strategic weapons project called Death Star?" Leia asked.

"Artoo has positioned himself outside of the navicomputer sensor suite." The protocol droid went on.

Leia ignored him, "We're told it's an enormous space battle station with enough firepower to destroy entire planets."

Captain Antilles looked horrified, "That's incredible I-"

She cut him off, "Wait, there's something coming through. It's a scramble transmission. I've got the code key."

"Death Star," Ivy said aloud while Leia muttered to herself. "You'd think the Empire would think of a more creative nave for their planet-destroying ship."

"Come in Skyhook," a cheerful male voice called in over the communication device, "Come in Skyhook."

"Skyhook here," Leia replied.

"We only have moments, prepare to copy."

"Ready and copying," Leia said quickly, "go ahead."

"How's reception?" asked Captain Antilles.

"Perfect." Leia happened to glance out the window, "Antilles what's that?"

Ivy recognized the ominous triangular shape heading in their direction, "Oh snot!"

"An imperial cruiser." The room was tense, "They've found us already!"

"We need only a few more moments." Ivy's heart was doing a drumroll in her ears.

A very angry voice growled over the communication system, "Unidentified ship, this is the Devastator. Heave-to at once and prepare for a security search and interrogation."

"Yeah," Ivy grumbled so that nobody could hear her, "prepare to eat my boots"

"Devastator," Antilles spoke into the device, "this is the Tantitive IV, we have an extravehicular malfunction. A maintenance unit is working on it now."

"We need more time," whispered Leia.

"We are a consular ship," he was starting to sound more desperate, "on a diplomatic mission and w-will clear the system as soon as we have affected repairs."

"The transmission's not finished."

Ivy's stomach felt like it was doing acrobatics, "Hurry up dammit!"

"Your Highness," Threepio said, "Artoo says he's being probed by sensors."

"We acknowledge your transmission, Tantive IV," The Imperial announced "the Devastator will hold fire, maintain your present course."

Ivy was beginning to seriously regret the Endwa she had had for lunch. She felt like she was going to throw up, but she held it down.

"And prepare to receive Imperial investigators." The man finished

"Well," she managed to say in a quaking voice, "we're farkled."

"Princess Leia," Antilles muttered tersely, "we've fallen into a serious stinger's nest. There are three Imperial battle wagons in close orbit around the planet."

"Almost through Antilles."

"I can't hold it for much longer!"

"That's it!" shouted Leia. "We've got it! Get us out of here!"

"Devastator we are a diplomatic mission and are not to be detained or diverted." Said Captain Antilles. "Attention alternate command station."

"Alternate command station here!" a young man answered.

"Battle stations," he commanded, "Shields up, accelerate to full speed and get us into hyperdrive."

"C-3PO," Leia called, "get your counterpart back on board."

"R2-D2 you must hurry," the protocol relayed to his companion, "the ship is accelerating. Get on board or you'll be swept off the hull!"

The imperial came back, angry again, "Tantive IV this is the Devastator, our sensors indicate you have intercepted illegal transmissions in this solar system. Heave-to or we'll open fire!"

Ivy swore under her breath.

"They'll have sensor guns locked on us any moment now."

"Artoo quickly!" exclaimed Threepio, "get inside!"

"Engage main drive now." The captain ordered.

Leia watched the skies anxiously. "The devastator has opened fire."

Ivy's palms were sweating, and she was afraid that if she opened her mouth she would vomit all over the deck. She made the decision to never again do anything involving that much excitement. That is if they didn't get blown to smithereens.

Then, just as the young Corellian was about to make promises 'to whatever gods there may be' to be a good girl and stay out of trouble, the hyperdrive engaged.

"We made it!" the princess shouted.

"Phew!" Ivy leaned back in the chair, relived, "I am never doing that again. That was way too close for my liking."

"We've done it!" Leia hugged Antilles, "We've got the plans!"

"Yeah," mumbled Ivy, "and the sooner we've given them to the Rebellion the better." She had a nasty feeling they hadn't seen the last of the imperials.

"And now for Tatooine." Announced Leia.

"Tatooine?" She said in a horrified voice, "Why the hell are we heading for that dust ball?"

"I have to present my father's request for help to an old friend of his," Leia explained, "We're taking a very important person back with us to Alderaan."

"Important?" Captain Antilles sounded skeptical, "Someone from Tatooine? That's about the least important place in the galaxy!"

Artoo reentered and was allowing his friend to fuss over him. "The droids," Leia said thoughtfully, "I suppose we should cut their memories."

Ivy yawned; Leia and Antilles' conversation was beginning to lose her interest. "Well, all this excitement has made me sleepy. I think I'll go on to my room and wait for us to get to Tatooine."

She left without waiting for a response and made her way to her quarters. Once inside, she rooted around in her suitcase for something more appropriate for the desert planet. She brought up nothing, but decided on a green tunic and grey pants. Once changed, she pulled her dark curls back into a clip and lay down to take a nap.

Running footsteps woke her hours later. Blinking owlishly the Corellian stuck her head out of the door to see what was going on. It was chaos, crew members were scurrying left and right to battle stations, "What's going on?"

"The Imperials, Ma'am," a young soldier answered, "they followed us here!"

Minutes later Ivy skidded onto the bridge, "I heard the news: how the hell did they follow us?"

"We don't know," Leia replied, "can we make Tatooine?"

"We'll be lucky if we evade capture."

She was flung off her feet and landed painfully on the deck as blasterfire jolted the ship.

"Are you okay, Miss Starling?" Antilles asked eyeing her anxiously.

Ivy stood up rubbing her backside, "Fine but I think my rear is broken."

People were shouting and running just outside the door as laserfire shook the ship. The engines were shut off to prevent the ship from blowing itself apart: they were sitting ducks.

000

Ivy clutched her blaster tightly as she heard line after line of imperial troops running along. It would be only a matter of time until she was captured, but she wasn't going down without a fight. She crept along the side passageway in the hope of finding Princess Leia. Maybe if they could fight together they would stand a chance. She knew it was a vain hope.

"There!" a voice exclaimed, "One of the passengers!" They were the last word he spoke. Ivy ran for her life, turning to fire on the stormtroopers while dodging stun blasts. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going.

Wump! She hit something solid, tripped and fell right in front of—"Vader! Oh Sithspit!" Ivy started to get up to run again.

"I wouldn't move if I were you, child," he growled. Ivy froze, she was caught.