Part IV

The kaleidoscope of light settled into the starscape of the Hoth system as Karrik dropped out of hyperspace.

"... request the nature of your emergency? The environmental doors are closed."

"Two men injured, one real serious..."

"Copied, Falcon. Standby."

"Having trouble, Solo?" Karrik asked, watching the Falcon descend into the ionosphere ahead of her.

"I'm in too big a hurry to have trouble, Lieutenant..."

"Falcon, you are cleared in via the South Entrance. Emergency teams are standing by."

"Copied, control. Routing to the South Entrance."

"Echo Base, this is Alpha Three. I'm following the Falcon in."

There was a moment's silence before the controller replied, "Understood, Alpha Three."

Karrik set up the descent, following Solo's freighter down through the frigid atmosphere to the surface. In the eerie glow from the starlit snow it seemed as if they were skimming scant inches above the surface, the frozen terrain rushing past below. Both ships adjusted their flight path, realigning with the frail homing beacon that burst into life, electronically guiding them towards the bar of light that now pierced the darkness as the huge doors of the South Entrance slowly opened. Karrik held off, giving Solo enough time to enter the base and manoeuvre, before flying down the rectangular ice tunnel and into the base. Behind her the environmental doors slid ponderously closed. She hovered for a moment before edging forwards, following the directions of the marshaller precisely, slowly settling the X-wing onto the floor. She was already running through the shut down procedures as her tech crew rushed in, Yevl clambering up the side of the fighter when she popped the canopy.

"Goddess, Tennan, what have you done?" he asked quietly as she slipped the harness off her shoulders. The expression on his face told her more than any words could, that things were not good.

"Why?" she asked tentatively.

"Top brass is freaking out. And the Princess is prowling like a caged Mascat!"

Karrik sighed, "When did it break?"

"Just before they closed the doors. They suddenly twigged that none of our lot, or Antilles' had turned up for debrief. They weren't too happy when they went looking and got the run round. And neither Hobbie nor Janson could avoid it for too long." He climbed onto the top of the fighter, running his gaze along the length of the ship as she pulled her helmet off, running her hands through her hair, "Who's rig's this, Karrik?"

"Skywalker's."

"Sheesh! Then I'm out of here. If Yzzi finds me touching her precious..."

"Lieutenant Tennan?"

Karrik looked down at the two men standing at the base of the fighter, "Yes?"

"I'm, sorry, Ma'am, but I'll have to ask you to come with us?"

She glanced at Yevl then back at the ground troops, smiling, "Why? Am I under arrest or something?"

The Sergeant looked slightly uncomfortable under the gaze of the tech crew as he answered, "Yes, Ma'am."

His answer slammed at her, draining away the exhilaration of before. She pushed herself to her feet, the seriousness of the situation finally beginning to crash in on her bringing her abruptly back to reality. Things were worse than bad and suddenly she wanted to throw up. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Dropping the helmet on the seat, she aimed a forced smile at Yevl before climbing out of the fighter.

Solo walked down the ramp of the Falcon as the medical teams carted off Antilles and a protesting Luke. He started to follow, the towering figure of Chewbacca close behind him, then hesitated. He tossed a look in the direction of Luke's X-wing, glimpsing Tennan through the crowd as she handed her sidearm to one of two soldiers standing beside her. The other grasped her upper arm, guiding her through the gawking personnel towards the nearest exit. Chewbacca barked a comment as he followed his partner's gaze. Han swore, shaking his head, "Go with Luke, Chewie. I'll find out what's going on." The Wookiee rumbled in acknowledgement as Solo turned towards the X-wing, pushing his way through the ground crews and pilots towards Karrik, "Hey! Hey, Tennan! Wait up! Tennan!"

She tried to turn towards him, but her escorts pushed her onwards, refusing to let her stop. Solo broke into a quick jog, catching them just before they left the hanger, "Tennan, wait a minute!"

The more senior soldier, a Sergeant, turned towards him, stopping him from following Karrik any further, "I'm sorry, Captain Solo. Lieutenant Tennan can't talk to you at the moment."

"What do you mean, can't talk to me," Han blustered, trying to push past the man, "I..."

"Captain Solo," the Sergeant said firmly, holding his ground, "please don't interfere."

"What? Why, is she under arrest or something?"

The Sergeant said nothing for a moment, then simply stated, "Yes," before turning away and following the others. Solo stood, Tennan's dilemma vying with his concern for Luke. He turned, swearing under his breath, storming through the hanger towards the medical bays. In all probability he'd find Leia there, and if anyone knew what was going on, she would.

~ # # ~

Jurgen, Head of Intelligence on the Executor, allowed the young officer to enter his office. Fixing him with a blankly accusing look, he asked, "You have something to report?"

Lieutenant Linrig stepped forward, placing a readout on Jurgen's desk, "The analysis Lord Vader requested from the data obtained from the crashed scout on Taspin. The freighter they encountered is the one involved in the Yavin incident."

Jurgen snatched at the data pad, keenly aware of just how displeased Vader was going to be with this news. If they had arrived only minutes earlier the freighter would, even now, have been in one of the Executor's cargo holds. The Lieutenant was continuing, "You will also see, Sir, that the analysis of the fragment of conversation between the freighter and the T-65 pilot has thrown up some rather interesting information."

Jurgen refused to favour Linrig with a look, continuing instead to read the report. His eyes widened in distaste, his jaw clenching slightly as he read the information, "You are positive this is correct?" he demanded.

The other man nodded, "Yes, Sir. We ran the information through the computer three times. I wanted to be completely sure before I came to you."

"Then run it through three more times, Lieutenant," Jurgen told him, waving his hand in dismissal, "I have no intention of presenting this to the Lord Vader, only to find that it is incorrect."

"Sir!"

~ # # ~

The general disruption of the Falcon's arrival had died away, engineers and ground crews returning to their duties. Most of the pilots had disappeared. Hands in his jacket pockets, Janson sauntered nonchalantly into the hanger, Dack following closely at his heels. Keeping close to the edge of the hanger they wandered round towards Tennan's fighter. Her Chief Tech was working on top of the wing, the upper port engine lying open to the frigid air. As the two pilots reached the X-wing the engineer stood up, moving onto the fuselage. Janson grinned up at him, "Hi!"

Yevl glanced down, walking along the top of the fighter towards the cockpit. "Gentlemen…" he greeted then dropped down the ladder onto the hanger floor, "Haven't you got anything better to do than annoy people who work for a living?"

"We were wondering..." Dack began, but Janson elbowed him in the ribs.

Yevl crossed his arms, looking from one pilot to the other, "You were wondering...?"

"What's going on with Tennan..." Janson answered, glaring at Dack.

"Oh," Yevl said, rifling through a kit box for a hydrospanner, "Why don't you ask her?"

"They won't let any of us near her," Dack told him.

"Oh," Yevl repeated, continuing his search of the kit box.

Janson and Dack looked at each other when no explanation was immediately forthcoming. The younger pilot shrugged his shoulders then flicked his eyes towards the Chief, lifting his eyebrows. Janson took the hint, "You were the only one who had a chance to talk to her when she came back," he pressed. The engineer found what he needed, turned and headed back for the ladder.

"Awe, Chief, come on..."

Yevl stopped and looked back at them. Shaking his head, he muttered, "Never met anyone who could beat a pilot for gossip." Stepping up onto the first rung he told them, "She was arrested."

"Arrested..."

"We got an echo in here or what! Yeh, arrested! That's what I said."

"Do you know why?"

The sincerity in Janson's voice stopped another caustic reply on Yevl's lips. The rumours were probably already flying round the crew rooms. These guys had come straight to him because he had been there when Tennan was arrested: if anyone outside the Command staff knew exactly what was going on, it would be him. Unfortunately he was as blind as the rest of them. He had a pretty good idea what it was all about, but there would be enough rumours circling without him adding to them. So he shook his head, telling them simply, "Not for sure. They didn't say much. Sorry."

"Thanks, Chief."

"No problem," Yevl said, pulling himself back up to the roof of the fighter.

The two pilots turned away, walking slowly back towards the exit. "We've got to be missing something here," Dack said softly, "I mean, why would they arrest her just for going back to get Skywalker and Antilles?"

"She bypassed Command..."

"And...?" the younger pilot asked.

Janson stopped, "Think about it, Dack," he began, keeping his voice low, "The first jump position, we drop out of hyperspace right on top of two flights of TIEs. We lose one Flight Leader and the other bends the rules to breaking point to go after him. We arrive at the Base, but the Lieutenant in charge disappears..."

"And the Princess wasn't exactly amused when she found out we had delayed reporting in."

"Obviously trying to cover up what was going on."

Dack swore, spinning on his heel, striding away. Surprised at the younger man's reaction Janson stood for a moment, watching his retreating back. Then he broke into a run, "Hey, Dack! Wait!" he called, catching hold of Dack's arm to stop him.

The pilot pulled his arm free, "I shouldn't have listened to her. I've just made things worse!"

"Dack..."

"I shouldn't have got you guys to delay the debrief..."

"You were obeying an order, Dack. Don't start taking a guilt trip over this."

"I wasn't obeying an order!"

Janson blinked, unsure whether he'd simply misheard Dack or whether the younger man was beginning to lose the plot, "What?"

"It wasn't an order! She never gave me a direct order! Is that easy enough for you to understand!" He turned, walking away.

Stunned, Janson went after him again, "Dack! Hold up!" The younger man hesitated, then turned back. "You did the only thing you could do," Janson told him, "you backed up your Lieutenant. I'd have done the same thing."

"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

Janson grinned at him, "No. And it doesn't get us any closer to what's going on." He dropped his arm round Dack's shoulders for a moment, "Come on, let's go see if they've tried arresting the Wookiee or Solo."

~ # # ~

"Han, I'm sorry but that's the way it is. I can't change it," Leia told him, smarting slightly at his tirade about Tennan's treatment and his reaction to the news that both she and Luke could be facing disciplinary action.

"How much trouble are Tennan and the Kid in?" he demanded.

"That depends on what General Rieekan decides after he's questioned them."

"What about me?"

Leia looked at him, disbelief and anger flitting across her face, "Is that what this is all about? You think they might arrest you!" She made a small sound of disgust, her eyes wide, "You are unbelievable!"

He looked at her, open mouthed, "Leia..."

"After all this, you're still only interested in yourself! I should have known!" She started to turn away, but Han caught her elbow.

"Now wait just a minute..."

She turned on him, yanking her arm out of his grasp, "You don't need to worry. Luke and Lieutenant Tennan will be facing this on their..."

"Look, your Princess-ship," he interrupted vehemently, "I came down here to help..."

"Help? You? Don't make..."

"Yeh! Me! Help! It happens to matter to me that Tennan and the Kid are in trouble! And if you'd get down off your pedestal for a minute you might just be able to see that!"

"Pedestal!" she spat at him, her fury rising even further, "Pedestal! Just who do you think you..."

But he was throwing up his hands in dismissal, turning away, "Ahh! I don't have to take this!" Chewbacca stepped forward, rumbling quietly that this wasn't going to help, but the human marched past him, ignoring his advice. Shaking his head in disgust Chewie began to follow.

Leia ran after Han as he started down the corridor, pushing past the Wookiee, "Don't walk away from me! Don't you dare walk away from me!"

He stopped so suddenly, rounding on her, that she slipped back a few paces, backing abruptly into the corridor wall as he took a step towards her. "I meant would they want to question me! Not would the want to discipline me! For what it's worth!" he finished, spinning away from her. Typical, just typical! Try to help someone and all I get is my ear chewed off by some arrogant... infuriating... self-important pain in the butt...

Leia's anger drained away as she realised how badly she had misinterpreted his actions. Swallowing her battered pride, she caught at his arm, "Han..." He pulled out of her grip, storming along the corridor as she tried again, "Han, I'm sorry! Please..."

"Forget it," he snapped, waving her away.

She hesitated for a moment, looking to Chewbacca for help, but the Wookiee shrugged his massive shoulders, moving past her. "Luke's in trouble," she called after them finally, "But Tennan's up to her neck!"

Han slowed his stride, then stopped, turning as she walked quickly along the corridor towards him. "I thought you said that was up to Rieekan," he accused.

"It is, but I have some idea of what he's considering," she admitted.

Han looked at Chewbacca then back at her, "And?"

"Luke may be brought up for abandoning the Flight... Rieekan's listening to the recordings now. But Tennan, no matter what happens, she's in deep trouble. Not reporting in, failing to inform Command of the disappearance of her Flight Leader, leaving the base without authorisation... There was even some talk of treason... Going on a rescue mission is fair enough, but it should have been done through official channels..."

"But she left with me," Han frowned, "How come there wasn't a welcoming committee waiting for Chewie and me?"

"The security recording showed you having a..." she lifted her hand as if searching for the appropriate word, then finished, "an altercation." She looked at him, confusion and concern flitting across her face, "Han we saw her pulling the blaster on you. Rieekan thinks that you left under duress."

"Damn..."

"You should have told us what you were doing, Han," she admonished gently.

"Your Highness?" Leia turned towards the young officer who walked towards her, moving down the corridor to meet him. Han leant back against the wall, scuffing his boot on the ice then looked up at Chewbacca as the Wookiee moved to join him, "This is your fault," he accused his partner, "If you'd left her like I said, she wouldn't be in this mess!"

Chewbacca rumbled an answer and Han pushed himself off the wall, "We didn't need to bring it back! We brought Artoo back anyway! The Empire would have found nothing and all Luke would need is a new fighter..."

The Wookiee interrupted, looming towards the human, barking at him. Han stood his ground but the accusation died on his lips as Chewie's words pulled back the memory of dragging Luke from the wreckage of the scoutship. He looked at his partner, not wanting to admit that Chewie was right. If Tennan hadn't been there, would he have fired on the Imperial ship...?

Leia was thanking the soldier, turning to walk back towards them, breaking Han away from a line of thought that he had no desire to travel. Not yet. He looked back at Chewbacca, giving him a lopsided grin of apology, "I'm sorry, Chewie." The Wookiee rumbled a comment that pulled a smile to Han's lips and they both turned their attention to the Princess as she approached.

"Tennan is refusing to say what happened on the surface of the planet," she sighed, "so Rieekan wants to see both of you after all."

Han looked up at Chewbacca, then back at Leia, wondering if Tennan had some weird idea about keeping the heat off Luke, "What's so important?"

"They want an explanation for Luke's injuries."

"How much trouble is she in if she doesn't talk?"

"It doesn't get much worse," Leia told him, simply.

Han shook his head turning away, his thoughts churning. How in the hells did Tennan think this was going to help? Luke was going to get his butt kicked anyway... There again, Rieekan was already mad and hearing that two of his more senior pilots had been, however briefly, in the hands of the Empire, sure wasn't going to improve his mood. He looked at Chewie, who shrugged, rumbling a comment. Han nodded, then turned back to the Princess. Chewie was right, he had to tell Leia the truth, "Tennan's probably trying to save the Kid from a roasting." Kid, that was a laugh. Tennan wasn't all that much older than Luke…

Leia was frowning slightly, intrigued by the suggestion, "Why? What happened?"

Han glanced along the corridor, then back at the Wookiee, "I suppose this is as safe a place as any." He moved closer to Leia, telling her quietly, "An Imperial Scout got there before we did..." He held up a hand as her eyes went wide, the colour draining from her face, "Whoa, wait a second. They didn't have a chance to question them. And we made sure that they wouldn't make it back to the Emperor. They'd left Wedge," he continued, "but taken the Kid. The scout ship was just lifting off the ground as we arrived... so we took it down..."

"But you said..." Leia began, going whiter still.

"That they had Luke?" Han nodded, "We had to drag him out of the wreckage." Leia stared at him, open-mouthed. "They don't know anything about Hoth," Han assured her, "Luke had Artoo wipe his memory..."

"You're sure they weren't questioned?"

Han shook his head, "Believe me, it was one of the first things I asked the Kid."

Leia nodded slowly, calm beginning to instil itself again. Luke's word meant more to her than any written and signed agreement, "I see..."

"Karrik's obviously figuring that if she says nothing, the Kid won't get into any more trouble. Rieekan's not going to be happy if he finds out about it. Leia," he petitioned, "we've got to do something. We can't let her take all this on herself. Sure, she should have told you, so should I, but I don't think any of us were thinking particularly clearly. And if she hadn't come to me..."

He broke off, throwing a look at Chewie. "Leia, if we'd arrived any later, Luke would be lost. The Scout was lifting as we arrived and a Star Destroyer dropped in as we were leaving. Karrik took on a flight of TIEs to buy us time to make the jump back here."

Leia turned away, hugging herself. Deep in thought she paced the breadth of the corridor. She trusted Luke implicitly, and if he said that he hadn't been questioned then she believed him... But this wasn't Luke telling the story, it was Han. And with Han Solo she could never be quite sure. Not that she believed that he was lying to her, not with the safety of the base in question... but until she heard it from Luke himself, she knew she wouldn't be sure. And the Rebellion had already lost too many good people for her to risk even the smallest element of doubt.

She had to be totally, completely certain.

She turned back to the Corellian, "I have to think this through, Han. And I need to talk to Luke before I make a decision. I can't do anything that would put the safety of this base and these people in jeopardy."

"I understand," Han told her. He watched as she turned, walking away from them down the corridor. "Don't start any work on the Falcon, Chewie," he said, beginning to walk in the other direction, "If Leia can't help and things turn bad, I'm not leaving Karrik to face the music on this iceball."

~ # # ~

Karrik Tennan paced the confines of her quarters. Damn, damn, damn, damn. Damn! Damn... Sighing, she sat on the cot, fingers drumming unconsciously against her leg. House arrest! Why in all the hells did I let myself get mixed up in this...?

Standing up she started pacing again. Because he's your CO. And Antilles was in trouble…

Antilles...

Goddess, what a mess... She sat back down for a moment, running her hands across her face. Why didn't I just tell them...? Rieekan's probably blowing his stack! Nervous energy forced her to move and she found herself back on her feet, wandering round the tiny room.

Until the officer had walked in and asked for her account of the incident, she hadn't even thought about what she was going to do. Refusing to say anything, refusing to give him a report had been purely instinctive, surprising even herself. And after he had gone, when she realised exactly what she had done for no other reason than it had felt the right thing to do, the doubts had come crashing back in. Your decision! Your choice!

She slammed her fist against the wall, anger erupting. What the hells were the damned TIEs doing there anyway?

For the first time since they'd dropped out of hyperspace and into the squadron of Imperial fighters, she allowed herself think about what had happened. And the tension drained away, replaced by quiet, hollow sadness. She sank onto the cot and sat, head in her hands.

Marlha, the first of Alpha flight to go, closely followed by Sheard, Mikael and Dualia. Rookies with less than a hundred hours between them - combat experience: nil. A tear slipped slowly down her cheek and she dashed it away, drawing again on the anger, refusing to give in to the mourning. Experience had counted for nothing! Wedge Antilles, survivor of Yavin: taken out by a lucky shot! And for all she knew lying dead in the med section.

She closed her eyes… and saw him lying half-dead on the shale as the Imperial Scout slammed sideways into the cliff face, sparks showering from the ruined fuselage. Which brought her the full circle back to her refusal to give a report...

What a mess! What a complete and utter mess...

~ # # ~

"Janson!"

The Lieutenant stopped, turning towards the older man who jogged along the corridor towards him. "Any news on the Boss," Zev asked.

Janson shook his head, "No-one's saying anything about either him or Skywalker. I'm just going to see if I can get anything from Medical." He turned away, beginning to walk along the corridor.

Zev dropped into step beside him, "Any more news on Tennan?"

"They've definitely arrested her: I managed to get that from her Chief. But he doesn't know why either... And they haven't arrested Solo." He sighed, "I haven't got a clue what's going on..."

"Maybe they're just real put out that she bypassed them and went to Solo."

Janson shook his head slowly, "No, there has to be more than that. I mean, the Princess dragged us all across the fire for not reporting in sooner, but if Command had been really mad about it, Rieekan would have done the dirty work. And he wouldn't have been as polite as the Princess, he'd have taken some of us up for Insubordination." He glanced across at Zev, "What are the others saying?"

"That Karrik shouldn't have gone without telling Command... but that they'd probably all have done the same thing in her position. And that surely the most important thing is that she brought back Skywalker and Antilles alive."

He shook his head, "Personally I think she was bloody insane. Brave, but insane."

Janson looked at him. Zev grinned, continuing, "But if I'd thought of going to Solo, I'd have done exactly the same thing."

"Brave but insane, huh?"

"Hey, aren't we all?" He tapped his finger against his head, "You have to be just a little insane to be fighting on this side. That's what makes us so unpredictable. That's why we're such a pain in the Imperial butt: desperate people taking desperate actions."

He grinned again, "And there lies the case for the defence." Then he sighed, "It also explains why I find myself living in a freezing, underground ice bunker on some frigid planet instead of relaxing in a plush chair in some office somewhere, underlings bringing me kaffin every half hour..."

Janson found himself chuckling. Shaking his head he told Zev, "Remind me, if I ever need a lawyer, never to come to you, Buddy!"

"Hey! You may outrank me, kiddo, but I'm sure your mother didn't bring you up to be rude to your elders. And besides, I'm a good lawyer!"

"That makes you a better lawyer than a pilot, Old Man..."

Zev stopped, mouth dropping open in mock horror and astonishment. "Slander," he shouted along the corridor after Janson, ignoring the ground personnel who were giving both of them strange looks, "Slander and lies!" Breaking into a run, he went after the Lieutenant, "Take that all back, Young'un, or I'll sue you!"

~ # # ~

Awareness returned slowly, the burning pain in his lungs registering long before the caress of fluid against his skin. Wedge Antilles' fevered mind began to throw snatches of memory at him, running them like a vid through his mind.

Alarm bells squealed proximity warnings... TIEs! Damn it, how?... Deke!... Too late... Easy, gently, lined up... YES!!! Fry in... Luke? What the...? Shit…! Damn it... smoke... hurts to breathe... "Eject! Eject!"... smoke... can't... Got to go down... Come on baby... got to... water? WATER!!! No!... No... can't get out... Can't get out!!! CAN'T GET OUT...

The fluid engulfed him, smothering him, burning his lungs as he fought to drag in air. He lashed out in panic, trying to push open the canopy. But the water was too strong, pulling him down, dragging at his strength. His arms and legs were becoming too heavy to move, his lungs flaming with each breath...

No, Force give me the strength, please...

He had to fight. He wasn't going to let himself drown, damn it! But it was difficult, so difficult... The fluid wrapped itself around him, holding him immobile, crushing him. Darkness pressed against the edges of his awareness, threatening and sinister. He tried to push it away. But it was too strong. It beckoned him, enticed him, promising release...

Leia Organa watched in dismay, her face mirroring her concern, as Wedge Antilles thrashed against the sides of the Bacta tank. The medical droid was already retreating, having added another drug to the mixture and Leia continued to watch, biting her lip, as the pilot's movements grew heavier and slower, the convulsions weakening as he lapsed towards unconsciousness. "What happened?"

The droid said nothing for a moment, studying the readouts on the screen before addressing her, "The sea water contained an element that has distressed the inner lining of the lungs, making the breathing process very painful. As he regained consciousness he started to fight against the pain."

"He will be alright?"

"As long as the damage to the lining can be repaired, he should make a full recovery."

Leia looked at the droid, aware that there was something more, "But?" she prompted.

"As yet we are unsure how extensive the damage is... Early indications are not as good as we could hope. The ability of the lung to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream has been compromised... In order for a full recovery to occur, that injury has to be reversed."

Leia felt the situation settle more heavily on her as she watched them carefully lift Wedge from the Bacta. "And you're not sure that it can be reversed?" she asked as they removed the breathing mask before laying him down on the nearby gurney.

"It is giving cause for concern," the droid admitted. "There are some things that even Bacta is unable to fully repair. The lung is a very delicate balance of technology."

Leia sighed, moving closer to the young pilot, hearing the laboured rasp of his breathing. She reached out, gently brushing the Bacta damp hair away from his forehead. She didn't really know him well, had met him once or twice, briefly. But she'd heard Luke talking about him and had seen him in Luke's company often enough: his loud, outgoing riotousness an almost exact foil to Luke's more quiet, compelling but equally riotous nature. Wedge was the one who charmed the ladies, the one everyone noticed first, but who was more than happy to step back into Luke's shadow when...

"How is he?"

She jumped at the unexpected voice, turning to Han, "Not good..."

"Your Highness?"

Leia turned back to the medical droid. "We are going to flood Lieutenant-Commander Antilles' lungs with Bacta fluid, resting them completely, and oxygenate his blood externally. Hopefully we should have more information for you in a few hours."

"Thank you."

"What's wrong?" Han asked as she turned towards the door.

She stopped, looking up at him, "Wedge's lungs are damaged... something to do with the sea water. He's… giving cause for concern."

Han stood for a moment, saying nothing as she walked past him. Then he turned, "So what are you going to tell the Kid?"

"Lies," she stated, simply.

"You're going to tell him Wedge is okay?"

"Yes."

"And if Wedge doesn't make it? What are you going to tell the Kid then? That you made a mistake?"

She turned back to him, giving him a level, measured look, "And if the Imperial Navy turns up because you were wrong about them not getting any information, what will you have me tell Rieekan? That I made a mistake?"

He snapped his mouth closed, looking away from her, saying nothing.

"Han," she continued gently, "I need to know exactly what happened to Luke and Wedge on that planet. I may have compromised the security of this base, made the most disastrous mistake of my life. I won't definitely know that Echo Base is safe until I've spoken with Luke, and I can't take the chance that he might miss something out. If his mind is clouded by worry for Wedge, he may just forget that little thing that later becomes very important. And I can't afford to take that chance."

Han looked back at her for a moment, meeting her gaze, confused by the wash of feelings that swept over him: finding himself wanting to gather her into his arms, hold her and tell her that everything was going to be fine. Then the moment was gone as she turned, walking through the door towards the bay where Luke was resting. He looked after her, until the door to Luke's room closed behind her. Then muttering under his breath, he followed her.

~ # # ~

Luke's eyes slowly opened. Someone squeezed his hand, "Luke?"

Carefully turning his head, Leia's smiling face swam into focus. She was sitting beside the bed, Han leaning against the wall behind her. For a moment he wondered what had happened... Then his knee twinged, despite the painkillers: and he remembered.

His guts twisted at the thought of how close it had been. Too close - disastrously close. Except for Han, he and Wedge would have been... His heart skipped a beat, the breath clogging in his throat, "Wedge?" he questioned, afraid of the answer.

"Is fine," Leia told him. "Some plasti-skin and rest and he'll be as good as new," she lied. Luke nodded, saying nothing, relief stabbing at him. "Do you feel up to answering some questions," Leia asked, gently.

He closed his eyes, wearily. It was bound to come, he thought bitterly. Putting it off wasn't going to lessen his stupidity or soften the reaction. He may as well get it over and done with now, "Yes," he answered, dejectedly.

"That Lieutenant Tennan of yours is in trouble!" Han told him flatly, shrugging his shoulders at Leia as she turned, shooting him a withering look.

Luke watched the silent exchange, not liking the atmosphere between his two friends. Guilt and bewilderment tugging at him, he asked tentatively, "Trouble?"

"She didn't report to Command when she arrived here," Leia explained, "Instead she persuaded Han and Chewie to go back and help you. And now she won't answer any questions about what happened when they went back. General Rieekan wants to see Han and Chewie, but we decided to talk to you first."

Han walked the few steps to Luke's bed, "She's in it up to her neck, Kid. Trying to save your butt..."

Leia held out her arm to silence him, snapping, "Han, please!" She glared at him in exasperation then turned her attention back to the younger pilot, continuing more gently, "Luke, I need to know exactly what happened when you went down after Wedge."

Luke looked at them, realising that there was something going on here, more than he could fathom. What had been happening since they'd brought him back, how long had he been out of it? He took a deep breath, shifting slightly to ease the ache in his knee, "Wedge ditched into the sea near an island. He must have figured that he couldn't set down on it, but could swim to it. Only he couldn't get out of X-wing. And there must have been a breach in the hull because his rig was full of water when I pulled him out. He'd obviously swallowed a lot of it. I got him into my X-wing, then destroyed his before getting us across the island. There was no way I could get us back here, Wedge's suit was useless... so I made him as comfortable as possible then wait for you guys to turn up..."

"Only the Empire turned up first?" Leia asked.

Luke frowned, nodding. "There was a place where we could have hidden, but we didn't make it in time. They shot the ground out ahead of us, I think. I remember falling... my knee going..."

He closed his eyes, concentrating, trying to dredge the sketchy details from his memory, "I made it back to my feet, tried to get to Wedge, then the ground shifted again and a blast knocked me off my feet. I must have blacked out... because I don't remember much else until they were lifting me, taking me across to the ship... They searched me..."

He moaned softly, a memory slamming at him, pushing him further down towards despair, "They found my lightsaber..." The only thing left of Ben...

"I've got it, Kid."

Luke's eyes snapped open, his head jerking up. Han shot him a grin, "Found it on one of those dirtballs while we were looking for you."

Relief flooded through Luke and he gave the Corellian a deep smile of gratitude, beginning to feel a little more sure of himself. Elusive memories began to untangle themselves, floating to the surface. He turned back to Leia, his voice more positive, "Once they searched me, they dragged me inside. We were just lifting when..."

"When I grounded them."

Leia heard the bitterness in Han's voice, but saw the look of understanding in Luke's eyes, "If you hadn't," Luke told the Corellian, "Wedge would be dead. I'd be in a world of trouble. And all of you would be abandoning another base."

Han shrugged, "That's what Tennan and Chewie said..."

Leia cut in, "Are you sure that's all that happened, Luke? There's no way they could know about Hoth, about Echo Base?"

He saw the concern on her face, knowing that although she was anxious about him, duty was pulling more of her worry towards the safety of the base. He thought for a moment, then shook his head, "There's no way they could, Leia. They didn't have a chance to question me. And I had Artoo wipe his memory when I realised we were in trouble. Even if they did a quick-scan on him, they'd have found nothing. I was in no state to answer questions," he assured her, "Neither was Wedge."

"You're sure?"

Luke nodded, "He was unconscious almost from the time I pulled him out of his fighter."

Leia stood up, moving to the end of the bed. Deep in thought she began to pace to and fro across the small space. Han met Luke's gaze and returned the smile the young man gave him.

Luke had agreed with Chewie and Tennan and he knew, in his own mind, that taking out the Imperial ship was the only decision he could have made. Otherwise, just as the Kid had said, Luke would have been in a world of trouble and the Rebellion would have been set back, yet again. But that didn't stop the guilt. Or the memory of the savage fear that had gripped him as he fired on the ship, knowing that Luke was probably inside it. For that brief second, as he touched the trigger, he'd hated Chewie: hated Tennan: hated himself. And for some strange reason that he couldn't figure out, he was ashamed. That Luke understood, eased his conscience, but he knew it would be a long time before he slept well again.

"All right, gentlemen," Leia said, breaking into his train of thought, "either we tell Rieekan the truth - and the mood he's in I can't say what he'll do - or we help Tennan save Luke from a roasting."

The two men looked at each other, then back at Leia, "What?"

"I'll speak to Rieekan for Tennan," Leia tried to explain, "but I doubt I'll be able to do much. She's broken too many rules, the evidence against her is too strong. But, you said yourself, Han, she's trying to cover for Luke. So do we tell the General that one of his most trusted officers placed himself in a position that caused him to be compromised by the Empire? Or do we help Tennan to ensure that Luke's only crime is abandoning his Flight?"

~ # # ~

Jurgen took a deep breath, then moved towards the doors. They hissed open, admitting him to the Lord Darth Vader's sanctum. Vader's presence filled the room, bearing down on him as the doors closed, cutting him off from the rest of the ship.

The Dark Lord of the Sith turned slowly towards him.

Jurgen swallowed, then began, "Lord Vader, the remains of the Artoo unit and the T-65 fighter recovered from Taspin have yielded no valuable information. However, we have been able to ascertain from the Scout's logs that the freighter seen leaving the area was the Millennium Falcon. I have also been informed that the officer who survived the incident has regained consciousness and is available for questioning."

He hesitated for a moment, still unsure of how Vader would react to this next piece of information, finally blurting, "We have run an analysis on the fragment of radio conversation between the Millennium Falcon and the pilot of the other T-65."

He stopped, unwilling to go on, acutely aware of the after-effects suffered by other officers who had supplied news not to the Dark Lord's liking.

"And?"

The word vibrated round the room, holding more than its meaning and Jurgen hurriedly continued, "The T-65 pilot... was in the Imperial Navy, my Lord. A shuttle pilot... Flight Officer Karrik Tennan."

The atmosphere in the room grew noticeably darker. For a long, heavy moment Vader said nothing. Then he turned away, "I will see the survivor now. And bring me everything we have on this Tennan!"

Jurgen gave a quick bow of salute and turned smartly, walking out of the door.

~ # # ~

Plan formulated down to her satisfaction, Han and Luke confident of their own parts in the deception, Leia sat by the blond pilot's bed and confessed, "I wasn't quite truthful about Wedge..."

Ice trailed down Luke's spine as he saw the expression on her face, "What?"

She refused to meet his gaze, looking down at her hands, "I needed you to be clear headed, to be totally sure of what had happened. With the safety of the base..." She trailed off, knowing that she didn't have to justify her actions and unwilling to give Luke any glib explanations. She had done what she needed to do, simple as that.

"How bad is he?"

She looked up. His expression showed his worry, his eyes telling her that he understood.

"Giving cause for concern!" Han replied before she could, his voice heavy with accusation.

Leia shot him a look of contempt, her lips pulling into a tight line. Damn the man! But Luke was already trying to get out of the bed and she bit down on her loathing, jumping up instead to stop him.

"Luke, wait! I'll find out how he is first!" Luke relented and she turned to the door, giving Han a venomous look before going in search of the medical droid. Why did he have to goad her all the time? Why, in all the hells, couldn't he just leave her alone?

They had placed Antilles back in the Bacta tank and for a moment she couldn't work out what was wrong. Then she realised that he wasn't wearing an oxygen mask or nasal protector. They had attached two thin tubes, one to his neck, the other to his arm that fed into equipment in the side of the tank. The medical droid was moving towards her, "Your Highness, the Lieutenant Commander's condition has improved. First indications are that he is responding to treatment."

"Can Commander Skywalker see him?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

She nodded a quick acknowledgement, then turned to the door.

~ # # ~

Luke stood in the dimly lit room, watching the figure floating in the tank of glowing Bacta. Leia moved to stand at his shoulder, laying a comforting hand on his arm, "I wish I could have told you sooner, Luke. But I had to be totally sure."

He lifted his hand, laying it on hers. "I understand," he told her softly.

"They've said that he's responding well to the treatment. They should be able to remove him from the Bacta in a few hours if he keeps making this sort of progress."

Luke nodded, his gaze still fixed on Wedge's inert body. Memories rambled through his mind - the memorial service for those who had died at Yavin, Han standing on one side, Wedge on the other - Wedge smacking him on the head as he had dithered about what to wear at the medal ceremony - A vague impression of Wedge hoisting him from the floor at the celebrations afterwards...

Luke closed his eyes. Live, he willed his friend, For the sake of all that remains, live! He had lost so much already. He wasn't sure if he could cope, right now, with losing another friend. After everything they had been through together: Yavin; training and testing the would be pilots that arrived almost every day; the evacuation from Bramha, the hurried, almost uncoordinated flight from Devariis... he had grown used to Wedge being there, grown used to the discussions, the friendly mick-taking...

Fight, Wedge! Live!

He turned away from the tank, giving Leia a soothing smile. Han was lounging at the door, mood reflected in his face like a mirror. Luke shook his head. Leia's grip tightened as she misread the action. He gave her another smile, lifting an eyebrow as he looked from her to Han, "Hadn't you two better go sort out Karrik?"

Han shoved himself upright, uncrossing his arms, "As long as you're okay, Kid?"

At his side he could almost feel Leia bristling. "I'm fine," he told the Corellian. Han snorted and turned away. Leia gave Luke's arm another squeeze, then followed Solo. Looking back at Wedge for a moment, willing him once more to fight, Luke hobbled back towards his sick room.

~ # # ~

Boiis had insisted that if Lord Vader wanted to see him, then he would walk into Vader's presence under his own power. Now he was beginning to realise that perhaps, after all, it had not been such a wise decision. He was shaking and despite the painkillers his ribs ached and the pain from his collarbone pushed nausea through his gut every time he moved too quickly.

Vader considered him, "Describe these two Rebels, Lieutenant."

"Both of average height, my Lord, the one we found dead had dark hair, the other blond. Neither had any distinguishing marks, although the blond carried a piece of small, cylindrical equipment that Commander Marrit thought you would wish to see."

The atmosphere in the room changed, "Cylinder?"

Boiis swallowed, "Yes, my Lord. Approximately two inches in diameter, perhaps ten inches long."

Vader's hand moved to his belt. He pulled the lightsaber free, holding it out towards the Lieutenant, "Like this?"

Boiis carefully bobbed his head, "Yes, Lord Vader."

"Skywalker..." Vader breathed.

The prisoner had been Luke... Yet again the boy had been within his grasp, only to slip through it... Behind the mask, Vader smiled, a wisp of an idea already formulating towards a plan. This will be the last time you evade me, my son...

Boiis frowned at the silence, "Lord Vader?"

The Dark Lord turned, walking across the room, "You may go, Lieutenant!" Boiis saluted, turning smartly and walking unsteadily towards the doors. They hissed open, the medical personnel outside standing quickly to attention. Boiis stumbled slightly as the doors closed, feeling the blood draining, suddenly, from his face. He put a hand out to steady himself against the wall, the medics moving towards him as he folded silently to the deck.

Alone in his quarters, Vader sank slowly to the floor, preparing for meditation. At last, it could begin! He would soon have all the information that he needed on the woman, Tennan. She was involved at some level with his son and, properly baited, would lead him once more to the Rebels... and thus to Luke.

Unbidden, his memories flew back to Tarkin's Space Station, when he had unwittingly allowed his son to slip through his fingers. He remembered, quite clearly, the shock of recognition: the young face, so like his own and so like... hers. For three years he had applauded Obi Wan's stupidity: sixteen years of carefully concealing the boy destroyed by one moment's arrogance! That last glance at Luke before Obi Wan had given himself up to death had betrayed everything the old man had tried to do!

And for those three years his son had eluded him.

This time it would be different! The Emperor was already growing suspicious. The Force flowed so strongly through the boy that, although untrained, he was causing tremors to which Palpatine could not have remained oblivious. And Vader had plans for Luke that he would not allow destroyed by Palpatine's lust for dominance!

He gathered the Force around him, turning towards the meditation. Soon, my son, very soon the wait will be over. And you will join me.

~ # # ~

Han recognised the Sergeant on duty as the man he'd had words with in the hanger and gave him a flat look as Leia smiled in greeting, "Sergeant Yjris, we'd like to see Lieutenant Tennan.

Yjris acknowledged with a quick nod, "Yes, Ma'am." He paused, explaining, "I'll have to stay with you."

"Yes, of course," she accepted, shooting a warning look at Han as he muttered something under his breath. He shook his head, pulling a face, but said nothing more as Yjris turned, announcing that Karrik had visitors before pressing the door release to Tennan's quarters.

Karrik was lying on her bed, hands behind her head. She sat up, coming to her feet as she saw Leia. Then she frowned as Han walked through the door in front of Yjris, wondering why in the hells Solo had that stupid grin plastered across his face. "How you doing?" he asked.

"Could be better," she replied cautiously.

His face changed, the grin becoming a serious look of heartfelt concern, "The Princess here says that General Rieekan is bouncing off the walls because you won't answer any questions?"

Karrik looked at Leia, who was apparently ignoring Solo's irreverent comments about their Commanding Officer. Then she looked back at the Corellian, not trusting what was going on. "And?" she asked suspiciously.

Solo took a step towards her, "Look, babe, I know you gave your word to Luke, we both did. But you may as well tell them, because it isn't worth all this trouble. Sure it's embarrassing, but Luke will get over it!"

Karrik looked at him in horror and confusion, mind racing. Embarrassing? What the hells was he talking about? It wasn't embarrassing it was damned terrifying...

"Come on, Lieutenant," he was continuing, "be realistic. It isn't worth all this! And if you don't tell them, I will."

"What?" she breathed. He wasn't serious? He couldn't be serious! He wasn't really going to tell them that they'd pulled the Commander out of the wreckage of an Imperial scoutship... He couldn't! Didn't he realise...

She was suddenly aware that the Princess was talking to her.

"Captain Solo is right, Lieutenant. Whatever it is, Commander Skywalker won't hold it against you. He'll understand that you had no choice but to break your word."

"I," Karrik began... Break her word? What did they mean? She hadn't promised Skywalker anything... She looked from Leia to Solo, who mouthed something at her.

Trust him? How could she trust him when he was threatening to tell Rieekan that Skywalker had almost gotten himself and Antilles killed?

"Well, if you can't see sense, I can!" Solo announced, turning to Leia as Tennan watched him in horror. He was going to do it! Damn him to all hells, what was he thinking about? She lunged at him, "Solo, no!"

Yjris moved, pushing in front of the Princess to shield her. In one fluid movement he had pulled his blaster free of its holster, training it on Tennan, arm outstretched. Solo saw the Sergeant's hand dropping to the holster and also moved. Gods, he was going to shoot her! He threw out his arm, taking a step towards Yjris to knock the blaster away, not quite making it, shouting, "Wait!"

The other man ignored him, attention focused on Tennan as she stopped dead. Calmly and evenly, he ordered, "Place your hands on your head and move back against the wall!"

"Lieutenant..." Leia stepped out from behind Yjris, her face worried. This wasn't supposed to happen like this... Damn it, why did everything get so complicated when Han Solo got involved!

"Place your hands on your head and move back against the wall," Yjris ordered again.

Slowly Karrik lifted her hands, "Don't do this, Solo!" she implored him, taking a step backwards, "Please? Don't do this?"

Solo moved forward, planting himself between the Sergeant and Tennan, "Luke busted his knee and cracked his head when he fell out of the X-wing."

Sergeant Yjris looked at Solo's back, not quite believing what he had heard.

"What?" Leia was asking.

Tennan stared at him in stunned silence, her mouth open in dazed astonishment that turned to incredulation as he winked at her.

"I told you it wasn't worth all this, Tennan!" The spark of amusement in his eyes as he lifted his eyebrows willing her to understand, belied the serious tone he put into his voice. Karrik swallowed, relief working through her as she realised that he had obviously come up with some sort of plan.

Solo had already turned back to Leia, "Luke was injured falling out of the X-wing. He was trying to manoeuvre round Wedge's body and slipped."

"Falling out of the X-wing..."

"Yes, Ma'am," Karrik confirmed, pulling herself together and following Solo's lead, "He was conscious when we found him. Asked us not to let anyone know..."

The Corellian flashed her a grin, then returned to his serious face, "And we told him that his secret was safe. It's kind of embarrassing, you know," he continued, wickedly, "Ace fighter pilot and all that, falling out of his own bird..."

"I see," Leia said, playing her part to the hilt. Slowly she turned her attention towards the female pilot, "If you had told us this sooner, Lieutenant, you would have saved us all a lot of trouble."

"I understand, Ma'am. But I gave my word."

Yjris had dropped his arm, realising that the danger, such as it was, was past. As Leia stepped forward towards Tennan, he slipped the blaster into the holster, wondering if he would have to keep this bit of gossip to himself.

Tennan slowly lowered her hands.

"I'll explain to the Commander," Leia told her, "that you didn't break your word. And that Captain Solo was left with no choice but to break his."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"I'll inform General Rieekan," Leia continued, turning to Han, "then I'll see what I can do about explaining the situation to Commander Skywalker."

As she walked out of the door, Han rolled his eyes at Karrik, then grinned lopsidedly before following the Princess.

Yjris waited for a moment, then said, "Apologies, Lieutenant."

Karrik accepted them with a smile, slowly sinking onto her bed as the Sergeant walked out of the room, the door closing behind him.

~ # # ~

Rieekan was in the control room, scowling at the pad in his hands. Two grim faced Engineering Flight Commanders stood at his side. He looked up from the data, acknowledging Leia with a slight incline of his head, then returned his attention to the Flights, "Is there anything we can do?"

Larne looked at Carron briefly, then shrugged her shoulders, "We've tried everything we can think of, Sir, short of re-configuring the thermo-conductor brace. But doing that's going to mean re-designing the whole coolant system..."

"How long?" Rieekan interrupted.

"Not all of our equipment has arrived, General," the other Flight began, "We won't know until it does."

"All we can offer at the moment is to start on the configuration and keep you updated," Larne suggested.

"Do it," Rieekan told them, handing the pad back to Larne. They both turned, throwing salutes at Leia as she walked past them towards the General. "The snowspeeders' coolant systems are causing problems. Personally I think it's sabotage," he grumbled to her, "or bad manufacturing. The Flights don't seem so sure. Whatever the reason, that's why the engines keep packing up." He lifted an eyebrow, "I hope you have better news?"

Leia flashed him her most charming smile, "Well, I have some answers."

He harumphed, then motioned her to follow, leading her towards his office. The door closed quietly behind them and, indicating that Leia should take a seat, Rieekan asked, "So what did they have to say for themselves?"

Leia settled into the chair, schooling her face into concerned disapproval, "When the Falcon arrived at Taspin, an Imperial Scoutship was already beginning its final descent to the surface. Captain Solo believes that the ship had detected Luke and Wedge and was going in to pick them up. He destroyed it before it could get to them. Lieutenant Tennan felt that that information should come from Commander Skywalker... especially since she had been placed under arrest herself. Captain Solo believes that there were more Imperial ships coming through as the Falcon and Karrik hyperspaced out."

Rieekan shook his head, sighing softly, "So what's the story?"

"Wedge was injured when his X-wing crashed. The only area he could put down in was into the sea. The canopy had apparently been ruptured and wouldn't open. If Luke hadn't been able to get him out, he would have drowned..."

Rieekan nodded. That made sense from what the initial medical reports had told him, "How is Antilles?"

"He'll pull through, but they don't yet know how badly his breathing's been affected."

"I see..."

"Luke pulled him on board his X-wing to get them both to dry land, then gave Wedge some basic medical aid. When his Artoo unit warned that the Imperial ship was on its way, Luke ordered it to wipe its memory. Then evidently in his haste to get both himself and Wedge to safety, he missed his footing and fell off the side of the fighter: hence the injuries. When Captain Solo and Karrik got to him he was still conscious and asked them not to tell anyone he'd fallen out of the fighter."

She paused, giving the General an impish smirk, "Considering the embarrassment it would cause, I can appreciate his plea."

"Mmm," Rieekan agreed, lifting an eyebrow, "And Tennan wouldn't break her word to a senior officer...?"

Leia nodded, "Exactly! Thankfully, Captain Solo had no such qualms. Especially when I explained the seriousness of the situation."

Rieekan nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "That fits - almost. Still doesn't condone the fact the Tennan went straight to Solo instead of to us..."

"If she hadn't, General, Luke and Wedge would be in Imperial hands now."

"A sobering thought and one that will most certainly be taken into consideration," Rieekan agreed, "But I can't just let this go. When all is said and done Skywalker still waltzed off on some hare-brained rescue attempt that compromised this base. And as for Tennan..."

He shook his head, rubbing his hands wearily across his face, sighing, "As for Tennan… Agh!"

He stood up beginning to pace his office. Leia sat where she was, watching him. Profoundly glad that she didn't have to make this decision, she didn't envy him his position. Luke had all but disobeyed orders. Karrik, technically, had gone AWOL… but those self-same actions had averted a catastrophe.

Rieekan turned, dropping back into the chair. "What am I to do, Your Highness? I'm not entirely sure that I wouldn't have done exactly the same things in their positions," he admitted. "Unfortunately that doesn't change the fact that this base was put at risk. And then saved by someone who flew in the face of regulations and mounted her own rescue attempt."

"General," Leia suggested, "Karrik was trying to cover for Luke by not giving you the full story. She was willing to take whatever you threw at her…"

"You mean court-martial Tennan but not Skywalker!" he accused. "With respect, Your Highness, that doesn't exactly seem fair."

"No," she agreed, "but it's what Karrik was trying to do. The Scout never reached the surface."

She felt a twinge of guilt at the lie but pushed it away. The Imperials hadn't been able to question Luke or Wedge, they hadn't found out anything. Nothing would be gained by putting Rieekan under even more stress by telling him the truth. And if he knew, he would be obliged to inform his Senior Officers and the rumble would cascade all the way up to Mon Mothma.

No, Leia told herself, this way was the best, all round. "And," she continued, "Luke is going to suffer enough embarrassment as it is. The flight crews are not going to forget that he fell out of his X-wing."

Rieekan considered her for a moment then grunted in disgust at the situation he found himself having to deal with. No matter what he did here, someone was going to be treated unfairly. Skywalker ought to be busted back to Lieutenant, but his experience and leadership abilities were too important right now, especially with Antilles still grounded. Tennan ought to be getting a commendation – if she'd only told someone what she was doing. They'd both broken the rules…. And yet…

"Thank you for you help, Princess," he told Leia finally. "I'll look over the details again and contact you as soon as I've come to a decision on how to deal with this."

~ # # ~

Vader sat in semi-dark contemplation, the file on Tennan still on the screen, Jurgen standing silently just inside the door. The Dark Lord had already discarded the idea of infiltrating the Rebel ranks: the process would consume too much time, time he could not afford. No, he would set a trap, draw Tennan into it and obtain the information he required from her... And he had just found the bait.

Family. The lure for his snare would be Tennan's family. More precisely, a cousin, serving on the Vindicator, an upstanding officer who's loyalty was not in question. Granted Verl Tennan was only a Commander, serving in a non-sensitive area. But a change of posting, a promotion and a few well concealed changes to certain files - enough to convince without suspicion - and he would be able to present the Rebel Alliance with an Imperial defection they would be unable to ignore.

Vader had never been arrogant enough to presume that the Rebellion did not have access to Imperial data: the fiasco with Tarkin's space station was a constant reminder... But this time it would serve his purpose.

"Contact Vindicator. Have Commander Verl Tennan immediately transferred to Executor. Then await my further orders "