Chapter III: Leia

12 BBY

Alderaan

General Panaka sat in his office overlooking the lake and mountains behind Aldera Palace, reading the morning reports. The view would have reminded the 50 year old General of his native Naboo if it wasn't for the fact that he was so busy. He had datapads full of the usual drudgery about spice smugglers and pirate raids along the hyperspace routes to go through followed by a meeting with the Viceroy. In the 7 years since Bail Organa had come to Naboo in person to offer Panaka a job as head of the Alderaanian Security Forces the only the only exciting thing that had really happened was the arrival of the Viceroy's adopted daughter Leia. That in and of itself wasn't the surprise, the surprise had been the truth behind who the girl's mother was though Bail made no mention of her father. As soon as he learned the truth about the girl's real mother Panaka had readily accepted the job. Padme Amidala is and was admired dearly by her people, first as Queen of Naboo then as Senator of Naboo. The general had seen it as his duty to continue serving the Naberrie family. He was reading a report about a spice smuggler whose ship nearly crashed in the center of Crevasse City when his comlink chimed.

"Communications center to General Panaka"

"General Panaka here" he replied

"Sir, this is Lieutenant Marcavian in the communications center. We just had a very strange transmission come in from an outer rim world, Tatooine. It was very odd sir they sent a priority green message for the Viceroy with the clearance code Omega 66 and then just went silent. We couldn't get whoever initiated the transmission to respond again after that. Priority green messages haven't been used since the Clone Wars when Alderaanian merchant vessels were in need of immediate rescue from attack by Separatist forces. As for the clearance code, well sir we've never heard of that clearance code, furthermore vessels under attack didn't require clearance codes. We were wondering if you knew what any of this meant sir?"

"I've heard of the priority green messages but I'm not familiar with that code either. Sounds like a poorly planned trick by Outer rim pirates to me Lieutenant" Panaka replied into his comlink.

"Yes sir" The Lieutenant replied as Panaka went back to reading his morning reports, almost forgetting the incident entirely.

Seven year old Leia Organa woke up early as the sun came through her bedroom window. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the chrono on her wall and noticed she had another hour before C3PO would come wake her up for her morning breakfast. Quietly she slipped out of bed and put her slippers on and snuck out into the hall. On mornings when she woke up early Leia would go to her way to her father's conference room and surprise her father who would then request his daughter to sit in on the meetings. Being a busy man, it was a way for the Viceroy to spend time with his only daughter. It also didn't hurt that Leia showed a keen interest galactic politics even at such a young age, so she was never a distraction. She would often ask questions nobody else had thought to ask.

The servants and various Alderaanian officials she passed in the palace halls smiled warmly at the young princess well aware of her intentions. As Leia neared her father's conference room she started to creep along the wall and make as little noise as possible. When she got to the door she peeked through the opening and saw her father sitting in his chair staring out the large transparisteel window admiring the lake and drinking his morning tea. When he put his cup down Leia sprung her trap.

"YOU SIR ARE NOW A PRISONER OF THE PRINCESS OF ALDERAAN, SURRENDER AND MERCY WILL BE SHOWN!" Leia squealed as she popped into the doorway with her hand forming the shape of a blaster.

Bail Organa turned around in his chair at the conference table and smiled at his daughter before responding.

"Indeed the mercy of the Princess of Alderaan is known even in Wild Space. Therefore I surrender" He said in his politician's voice as he raised his hands in mock surrender.

Leia giggled and ran towards her father who lifted her up and set her on his lap.

"Up early this morning I see" the viceroy stated to his daughter with a smile. "And I'm sure threepio is wandering the palace wondering what happened to the young Alderaanian princess that he was supposed to wake up"

"Oh that golden annoyance won't be coming to wake me up for almost another hour, and he knows if I'm not in my room I'm in her listening to the meeting. I like Artoo better" Leia replied

"Yes but you know I need artoo to help me with my responsibilities" Bail told his daughter for what seemed like the hundredth time. Leia had wanted artoo as her droid ever since she realized the astromech droid could record her and play it back, which was very entertaining to a seven year old.

"Oh mistress Leia there you are. I was beginning to worry" threepio said as he entered the doorway.

"Oh threepio you know very well I like to sit in on daddy's morning briefing if I'm awake" the princess told the droid as she rolled her eyes.

"Mistress Leia, I'm sure the Viceroy..." threepio said before being cut off by the Viceroy

"It's quite alright 3PO, please go to the kitchen and ensure pastries and tea are brought up for the meeting please" Bail ordered the protocol droid.

"As you wish Viceroy" threepio said as he turned to go carry out his latest assignment.

"Where in the galaxy did you ever find such an annoying protocol droid? Did you lose a game of pazaak to someone?" Leia asked her father

Bail laughed at his daughter's quick wit before becoming reminiscent. "No, my dear he belonged to a very dear friend"

A few minutes later General Panaka entered the conference room with a stack of datapads under his arm. He was the first member of Bail's circle of advisors to show up every morning and usually started his own personal meeting with Bail before the rest of the advisors arrived.

"Good morning General Panaka" Leia said with a smile on her face. She liked the dark skinned commander of the Alderaanian Security Forces. He would always give her a piece of candy when he passed her in the hallways and told her how much he admired her family and the great thing they had accomplished.

"Good morning viceroy. Good morning Princess" Panaka replied patting the young girl on her head as he passed her on the way to his seat. When he reached his seat he organized his datapads by priority, the most urgent of course being first in line for the Viceroy's attention. Not that anything truly happened on Alderaan that needed to be classified as urgent, which was also part of the reason the Panaka enjoyed his position on the planet.

"Anything exciting happening on Alderaan today general?" Bail asked the Commander of his small security force.

"Not today Viceroy, Just a spice smuggler with a faulty thruster who almost crashed into Crevasse City" the General Replied.

"No giant space battles in the atmosphere? Or space pirates attempting to kidnap helpless citizens? Leia asked with a smile. Even at 7 she knew that a lot didn't happened on Alderaan despite being in the deep core and being a major hub along the hyperspace trade routes.

At the mention of space pirates Panaka remembered the call from Lieutenant Marcavian in communications center.

"Actually, Viceroy a very strange transmission came in for you today. It was from outer rim world called Tatooine. They said it was priority green and the clearance code they gave us was one nobody has ever heard of" the general stated

Bail Organza's face suddenly went very pale upon hearing of the 'strange" transmission. The next part was tricky, if the clearance code was an Alpha code then Kenobi or Yoda thought it was time to start training one or both of the kids. If the clearance code was Omega 66 that meant Vader had or the Emperor had found him, and he Kenobi and Luke we're on the run, or worse. Bail hated to think of Vader finding his son or his daughter. Bail tried to push the lump rising in his voice down before responding.

"What was the clearance code General Panaka?" Bail asked as calmly as he could.

"Omega 66" Panaka replied. He noticed the sudden change in the viceroy's demeanor and immediately knew something very bad was happening. It took a lot to shake up Bail Organa.

Bail Organa sat Leia down off his lap.

"Run along darling, tell threepio that the morning briefing is cancelled today. I'll meet you in 15 minutes for breakfast, but now if you'll excuse me I must speak with the general privately." Bail said to his daughter who had a puzzled look on her face as she left calling for threepio.

"Yes father" she said as she walked into the hall very much wanting to hear what was going on.

Bail Organa held up his hand General Panaka to be quiet moment before he spoke.

"Leia, I said to go tell Threepio the briefing was cancelled. Not sit in the hallway and eavesdrop. Didn't I young lady?" The Viceroy called into the hallway.

"Yes sir" was the sad reply from the hallway, followed by the sound of little feet running away.

Bail listened and then turned to General Panaka. "General, I need you to take a shuttle to Chianar. There on the outskirts of the city in the mountains to the south you will find a small hut. A man named Mace Windu lives there. I need you to go there and bring him back here immediately. But most importantly I need you to keep this mission to yourself. Don't answer your comlink until you have returned to Aldera. Please General my daughters future is at stake she must be off the planet by nightfall."

General Panaka stared at the viceroy wondering what it was about that code that spooked him so badly he was sending his daughter off world on such short notice.

"Yes sir, I will leave at once" he replied before bowing and leaving the room.

Mace Windu sat in his hut meditating, calling the force to him and letting it flow through his body. It was turbulent today, as if a pebble dropped in a stream had caused a tidal wave in the ocean, mace thought. He tried to focus on the source of the ripple but all he could sense was darkness. That in and of it was all he needed, either Vader or the Emperor was the source. He opened himself to the force even more as a vision came to him. He was in the crystal cave on Dantooine where he could hear a menacing voice challenging two Jedi to a duel followed by the clash of lightsabers. Just as suddenly the vision was gone as felt a shuttle approaching, the pilot was clearly thinking his name loudly in his head though Mace felt no malice in it. The Korun Jedi opened his eyes if he was going to have a visitor he should greet him properly.

General Panaka landed his shuttle just on the edge of the tree line south of Chianar. He had seen the hut as he had made his landing approach, didn't look like much. He started the shut down sequence for the shuttle and made his way down the ramp at the back. As he neared the bottom he noticed a bald dark skinned man in brown robes and a cybernetic right hand coming out the woods. As the two men neared each other Panaka noticed a small silver cylinder hanging from the man's belt, a lightsaber, and then it dawned him. Mace Windu was the name of one of the members of the Jedi council still on the Galactic Most wanted list along with masters Yoda and Kenobi. Before he could continue his train of thought the Jedi spoke.

"It's been a long time captain or should I say General Panaka" Mace said to the head of the Alderaan Security forces. "You've come a long way since the invasion of Naboo"

Panaka knew the Jedi possessed many abilities he did not understand so he wasn't the least bit surprised the aging Jedi master knew who he was.

"Yes I have master Jedi, I believe we all have, though I don't believe we've ever met" he replied to mace's attempt rattle him.

"Indeed we have not. However I was quite familiar with Queen Amidala's security force during the invasion. But enough of the past, you came here for something other than someone to trade stories of The Republic with. So, how may I be of service general?" mace asked folding hands in front of him.

General Panaka wasn't quite sure what he was allowed to tell the Jedi master, not that he knew much. But he figured if the Viceroy sent him out here to get the Jedi that nobody knew was here because of a code nobody else knew the meaning of than perhaps the Jedi could shed some light on the situation.

"Earlier this morning the communications center in Aldera Palace received a priority green message with a clearance code Omega 66 for the viceroy. When I informed him of the situation he immediately sent me to find you Master Jedi." The head of the Alderaanian Security Forces explained.

The Jedi Masters facial expression remained passive betraying nothing of his thoughts. There were a few moments of silence before the sound of Mace Windu's voice broke it.

"This was unexpected. I will see the Viceroy at once." Mace said as he walked passed general Panaka and up the boarding ramp of the shuttle.

Leia, her father, General Panaka and a man dressed in robes that she had never seen before were sitting her father's private office. After being sent to have threepio inform the High Council of Alderaan that they would be meeting today her father had joined her for breakfast in the palace's kitchen. He had seemed distracted throughout the morning meal and had barely said a word. After breakfast her father had told threepio to pack Leia's things in preparation for a long journey. When she had asked where she was going and why her father had told her he would explain things when General Panaka had returned from his mission to Chianar. The general and the stranger in the old robes had arrived just two minutes prior. After they were all seated and comfortable Bail began.

"Master Windu I would like to introduce you to my daughter Leia. Though you have been watching over her for entire life you two have never formally met." Bail extended his hand towards Leia. "Master Mace Windu I would like you meet Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan"

The Jedi turned to look at Leia with a slight a smile on his face. For some reason it didn't look right on the man her father called Master Windu. She didn't think the old man ever smiled much but he kind of reminded her of her private tutors. She began to wonder if this man was some sort of teacher. Bail continued his introduction.

"Leia I would like you to meet Jedi Master Mace Windu"

What was a Jedi doing here on Alderaan? All she knew about Jedi was that the order had been outlawed the emperor, beyond that Leia didn't know much. Leia thought as looked the Jedi Master in the eyes and smiled. More importantly what did her father mean when he said he had been watching over her for her entire life?

"Nice to meet you master Jedi" Leia said extending her hand which Mace took lightly in his gloved right hand.

"A pleasure to meet you as well young lady" the Jedi master said taking the girls hand.

General Panaka watched the entire seen unfold in silence. So Bail Organa was harboring fugitive Jedi on purpose. He wondered how many more were on the planet. Panaka understood why the Viceroy had never told him. Plausible deniability, should general Panaka ever be interrogated by Imperial agents he couldn't reveal something he didn't know. He had always liked the Jedi; having fought beside two of them during the invasion of Naboo they had gained his lasting respect. Without them the invasion would have ended much differently, of the Panaka had no doubts.

"Leia, I will be sending you with Master Windu. Where you are going I cannot know. All I can tell you is that it is too dangerous for you to remain on Alderaan." Bail said cutting right to the chase.

"NO! I don't want to leave Alderaan. I don't understand why do I have to leave? Was I not good enough? I promise I won't interrupt anymore of the morning meetings or ask you to give me artoo!" the little girl cried as she ran up to her father and threw her arms around his waist with tears in her eyes.

The general and the Jedi watched as tears formed in Bail Organa's eyes as he hugged his daughter.

"There is nothing in the galaxy that I would have had you do differently my dear" He said to his daughter. "It simply is no longer safe for you to stay here. When you are older perhaps then you will understand. But for now you must go with Master Windu, your destiny is with him now."

"I love you daddy" Leia told her father. Deep down she knew that if he was sending her with this Jedi than it was for the best.

General Panaka interrupted the exchange between father and daughter.

"Viceroy, I have served you faithfully for seven years but I feel that I must resign my commission in order to fulfill my duties the princess' mother. I will go with her wherever this path takes her" he said, beginning to remove the circle of five stars on his lapel. As he did so the Viceroy held his hand out and stopped him.

"I'm sorry General but I cannot accept your resignation at this time. There is another way for you to fulfill your duties. I need you to go to the Outer Rim world of Ventooine; there you will find a man General Rahm Kota, He too is a Jedi like Master Windu. He never used clone troopers during the war so when the Jedi were outlawed his troops remained loyal to him. He has been hiding in the Outer Rim quietly building his forces and making small raids ever since." Bail said still holding his daughter who sobbed quietly in his arms.

Mace Windu perked his head at the mention of his old friend. So Kota had survived, he wondered who was else out there. Perhaps the Viceroy could shed some more light on the situation.

"Viceroy it appears maybe you and I should have spoken on a more regular basis, instead of twice a year. Do you know of any other Jedi who may have survived the purge?" Mace asked Bail

"I'm sorry for not informing you sooner Master Windu; General Kota only contacted me four days ago. Apparently his raids on the Empire's outposts are not having the desired effect so he asked for my assistance." Bail answered.

Mace nodded and turned to General Panaka.

"Go to the Outer Rim General and make contact with Master Kota inform him that he is not the last of the order, and that I will make contact very shortly."

"Of course Master Jedi" Panaka replied

"Good. Wait there with him." Mace said before addressing both the General and the Viceroy "We are at a crossroads, how we act now will determine how the future unfolds. We must move wisely." The Jedi said. The two men nodded in agreement

Bail looked down at his daughter. "Leia why don't you go say goodbye to your mother. The three of us will meet you at the shuttle pad in one hr"

"Yes father" the girl said before walking solemnly out the door.

An hour later Leia stood with the three men, her mother, artoo and threepio on one of the palace's shuttle pads where two shuttles waited, one for her and master Windu and one for General Panaka. She hugged her mother and father goodbye one last time. In the hour she had spent with her mother it had been decided that a report of her death to a mysterious illness on the holonews would best explain her sudden disappearance. Leia gave her parent's one last hug apiece.

"I love you two" She said through the tears in her eyes

"we always love you Leia, no matter where you are in the galaxy always remember that here on Alderaan two people will always love you no matter what" Queen Breha told her daughter.

"Yes mother" Leia said as the more tears formed in her eyes

"No go with master Windu and don't look back as you do" the queen told her fighting back her own tears.

As Leia and Master Windu made their way towards their shuttle and General Panaka made his way towards his, she couldn't help but feel she would never get to see her mother and father again. She turned back for one last look and saw her father holding her mother as she cried into his chest. At that moment Leia decided no matter what happened she would not let her parents down. She didn't speak until after their shuttle had taken off and they were getting ready to make the jump into hyperspace.

"Master Windu, what's going to happen now?" she asked the Jedi

"You are going to learn the ways of the force and since that cannot be safely done on Alderaan without attracting the attention of the emperor we must go someplace else" the Korun replied.

"But where are we going?"

"Dagobah" he replied as the stars transformed into lines as they made the jump into hyperspace.