Chapter Three

After analyzing the blast pattern, damage and residue, it was official. The cell had been the center of a blast from a thermal detonator. Though it wasn't a surprise, it was nice to have a confirmation that her vision had been real.

Questions still ran through Leia's mind. The tone and words of the vision hinted at many possibilities but solidified none. The tones were affectionate, loving...but...love could mean so many things - There was an obvious connection between Chuchi and the trooper but was it the connection that existed between herself and Han or her and Luke or, even, Han and Chewbacca? His importance was obvious. Why he was important was not.

Also, the work they had spoken of and the plans to be broken. Leia could easily imagine the same words coming from her adopted father's mouth. But, if Chuchi was part of the rebellion...why had Leia never seen her speak with Bail and Mon Mothman and the others? The plans to be broken had to have been the emperor's but did that necessarily mean that Chuchi had sided with the rebellion or had Chuchi been working on her own plans, perhaps plotting to supplant the Emperor.

Was the enemy of my friend really my friend? Unfortunately, the Rebellion had discovered that the answer to that question was often, 'No'.

Still, the cell had been filled with so much Light, Chuchi being power hungry didn't make sense.

Well, if Chuchi had been a member of the Rebellion, Mon Mothma would know.

Leia's lips turned up into a smile and the lines of irritation smoothed from her forehead.

She would go to the New Republic leader and find the true store. After all, with the Empire dead and dying, the Rebellion's secret operatives could finally come into the light.

Leaning forward in her chair, Leia pressed the button of the secure comm box built into her desk. Typing in Mon Mothma's code, she absently patted her hair and checked the arrangement of her long white robes, proper dress for the Senate building. Of course her hair and robe were still arranged perfectly. She had been trained since birth to be aware of appearances. Although one should not judge by them, appearances in politics was another subtle way to communicate and, therefore, a tool. Bail had been sure that Leia knew better than to ignore any tool at her disposal.

After several minutes passed, the composed face of Mon Mothma filled the hologram view screen. "Good evening, Senator Organo. Have you discovered what the Emperor was hiding in the dungeon."

Leia's hands lay still and calm in her lap. "The only thing hidden behind the sealed door was a cell that had last contained Senator Riyo Chuchi."

Mon Mothma's eyes widened and her mouth parted with a quickly indrawn breath. Two moments passed before her light colored brows drew together. "Why would that murderess be in a cell?"

Leia's previous placid expression melted into a mirror of Mon Mothma's, brows drawing together in confusion. "She wasn't a part of the Rebellion?"

"Why would you think that?"

This endless question circle was getting them nowhere. "While I was in the cell I meditated and opened myself to the Force. It is hard to explain-" She paused for a moment, her head tilted slightly to the right. Mon Mothma nodded acknowledgement, an openness to an explanation that might not make logical sense. "When we opened the cell, the...sense of the Force was strong but it was not the Dark Side. It was Light...emotions that should not have been in the dungeon. When I investigated deeper, I...saw something."

"Saw?"

"As I said, it is hard to explain. It is like a part of an image. I believe I saw the minutes before Chuchi's death and it led me to believe she was a member of the Rebellion, perhaps like my father, Senator Organa?" Confidence in her conclusions bled completely away as confusion filled Mon Mothma's face.

"If she was a member of the Rebelllion, I never heard a hint of it. She was on the list of senators your father and I made a point of avoiding in order to keep our activities a secret." Her eyebrows almost touched as her eyes looked back down the road of memory. "My last interaction with her was after the defeat of the Seperatists and the death of the Jedi Order...and it was not pleasant."

Note: Chapter was edited - I originally referred to Leia as Organo-Solo by accident. I have corrected that error as this takes place soon after the Battle of Endor and she was not married until 3 years after. I apologize for the error.

Author's note: I'm pleased people are enjoying this so far. This story is very much an experiment for me. It's a very different structure than what I usually write but it's a story I've been wanting to write. So, basically - Any feedback at all is more than welcome. (end shameless plea for reviews here, lol)