Operation Citadel

Chapter Six

Brendan's Visit


"You're sixteen now, it's perfectly legal," Bail Organa said to Felicity.

"It's a nice offer, Senator, but unnecessary," Felicity replied.

"It's just that learning how to pilot a ship is a very important skill."

"And one I will learn, just not from an instructor you pay. Look, Brendan and I have been talking about this for ages. He's going to be the one to teach me to fly and that's the end of it. Besides I can drive a speeder already, so I'm not totally helpless."

"Besides, every time we do a flight sim, she manages to crash her ship a truly spectacular display," Leia added from the couch in the corner of Bail's office. "Maybe it's a good thing Felicity doesn't know how to fly a ship."

Bail shook his head, "How's your speech going?"

"Almost done," Leia reported. "I'm still struggling with the ending though."

"You'll get it," Bail encouraged. "I know you will."

Leia smiled, "Thank you, Father."

"I still can't believe we're only a few months away from you officially making your bid to be Senator of Alderaan," Felicity said. "What are you even going to do with yourself, Bail, if she wins?"

"I have a few ideas," Bail grinned, his eyes casually drifting to starbird necklace around Felicity's neck.

It had been a few months since the Imperial Ball and Felicity continued to wear her necklace almost every day. Bail suspected it was out of defiance for Alaric who Felicity had only spoken with a few times since he humiliated her. She still didn't know the connection of her necklace to the Alliance, but there was someone who had been made very aware of it.

Almost immediately after Brendan had approached Leia, he had been sent on a tour of duty. He was scheduled to return that day, and he agreed to speak with Bail privately about joining the Alliance.

Felicity, of course, didn't know that and was looking forward to spending a few days with her brother. Alaric was away so the siblings had the house to themselves.

A loud buzzer sounded on Bail's desk and the voice of Sheltay came over the comm, "Senator Organa, Brendan Rhiaon is here."

Bail didn't have a chance to reply before Felicity had run into the foyer.

"Brendan!" Felicity threw her arms around him in a tight hug.

"Ow! Not so tight!" Brendan exclaimed.

Felicity frowned, startled at the strange greeting.

"Brendan," Felicity started to pull back, "what is-"

And then she stopped. Horror was frozen on her face as she took in the sight of her brother.

Bloodied, bruised, and black eyes swollen shut so badly he could barely see out of them. Brendan had been savagely beaten.

"What happened?" Felicity exclaimed as the Organas entered the room.

"Brendan!" Leia's jaw dropped. "Father, call a medic!"

"I'm fine!" Brendan insisted, holding up a hand in a stop gesture. "Duty was just… a little tough this time. I, uh… I bruised my ribs, and… I sort of… I guess, I… I fell down a cliff."

Felicity and Leia shared a look.

"You fell down a cliff?" Felicity repeated incredulously.

"Uh… yeah," Brendan stepped around Felicity. He kept his back to her, casually running a hand through his wild brown locks as he told his story, "We were on, uh… Kamino and… it was raining… You know, like it does on Kamino, and I, uh… I slipped and fell down a cliff."

Felicity frowned, her brows knitting together, "I didn't think Kamino had cliffs."

"Well, it does!" Brendan's voice was urgent and slightly annoyed, but not enough to sound like he was snapping at Felicity. It just sounded like he wanted to get off the topic.

But he couldn't avoid the eyes on him across the room; the eyes of Bail Organa. Bail watched Brendan from the doorway of his office. His arms were crossed, a scowl with painted on his face, and his eyes spoke of pity and understanding.

Brendan sighed and shot Bail a brief apologetic look. He couldn't deny that Bail Organa knew he was lying.


I'm not exactly certain why Brendan was beaten, but I knew it had to do with the Rebellion. Sometimes I lie awake at night and would whether he was overheard discussing the Alliance, defied some Imperial law, or even showed sympathy to a poor family. At the time, I was still too naïve to pick up on the clues that my brother had been beaten by his superiors, but Bail certainly wasn't.


Brendan stared out the window of Bail Organa's office watching the city bustle and live beyond the glass. Good, peaceful citizens the Empire claimed he fought for. But those citizens didn't know the truth. They didn't know about the orders to execute innocent people: men, women, children even.

He remembered the first time he was ordered to take a life. Brendan had immediately thrown up after the man fell to the ground dead. Blood poured from the shot Brendan had put in him.

And what was the crime the man committed? It was a protest that had gotten violent, though they would never admit it, it was the Imperial who struck first. A woman had been forced to the ground and was being beaten by two Stormtroopers when the man intervened. Captain Ozzel had ordered Brendan to take the shot, and Brendan did without hesitation. But when the man hit the ground and Brendan saw the weight of his actions, Brendan had escaped the crowd and thrown up in a nearby alley.

Brendan wasn't punished only because he had killed an insurgent, as they had called the man Brendan murdered. The man was just one of many faces Brendan had come to see in his nightmares. People he had murdered in the name of a corrupt government.

His crimes haunted him. He could see their faces – the faces of the murdered – wherever he went. He heard their screams on the wind. Flowers smelled of the ash of explosions and rotting of corpses. In his food, he tasted metal and blood. And when he held his sister in his arms, Brendan felt the cold still bodies of loved people who would never come back to their own families.

The doctors told Brendan it was a common side effect of fighting in a war, but he knew the truth, he knew something was wrong with him mentally. It was in his blood after all.

There was something Alaric and Brendan had kept hidden from Felicity. Something that Alaric had even tried to hide from Brendan. But Brendan remembered. He remembered the battle his mother fought every day.

Alaric would never admit to his children that his wife, Dinah had a severe case of depression. Brendan remembered the days his mother never spoke, how she always seemed sad, how she was always tired yet could never fall asleep. He remembered the day he overheard Mother and Father fighting, and she yelled at Father that one of the reasons she married him was so she could get away from her naturalist family and get medical help.

Father loved Mother, there was no doubt in Brendan's mind of that, but perhaps he had loved her too much. They were forbidden of speaking of Dinah because it hurt Alaric too much. Brendan knew that his father was tormented by the idea that he should have been able to save her. He gave her everything he thought she wanted. He gave her a good home, a good paycheck, he got her on medication, he was able to support them enough for her to pursue her painting career, he gave her children. But it hadn't been enough, no matter what Alaric did, he couldn't save her. He couldn't be there, couldn't join her in that darkness and lead her from it.

He loved her, and still she was sad. He loved her, and still she was angry. He loved her, and still she felt worthless. He loved her, and still she shied away from his touch. He loved her, and still she wouldn't eat.

So when Dinah got sick, there was no way for her to fight off the disease. There was nothing Alaric could do; she was too tired, too underweight, too sad to keep fighting.

He loved her, and still she died.

And Brendan understood why it was so difficult for his father; Alaric had always thought he wasn't good enough, and her withdrawals enforced that point in his mind. So, when that horrible illness claimed Dinah, there was only one thing his father must have thought.

He wasn't good enough to save her.

Brendan knew that he had inherited his mother's depression, and that had coupled with the PTSD he developed as a soldier. It was a terrifying combination, but he kept it a secret. Brendan never told his father about the pills he had to take everyday, or the frequent trips to the psychiatrist that held him back from military promotion (after all, you can't have a "mentally unstable" commanding officer, and anti-discrimination laws had died with the Republic.) Brendan knew it would just make things too complicated if he told his father about his mental illnesses. Too many memories of Dinah, and it could only result in Alaric panicking and trying to shut Brendan away like he did when Dinah in her last years when he lost control of the situation.

But it was Felicity that Brendan worried about; she had no idea she was at risk of developing a very severe case of depression. Alaric had forbidden Brendan from disclosing that information to Felicity out of fear that she would develop it simply because she had been made aware of the situation.

Brendan had tried to tell her a few times, but always found himself thwarted, or worse, losing courage at the last moment. It was hard to bring up the topic because Felicity didn't talk about their mother. He knew that Felicity didn't remember Dinah, and as much as it broke Brendan's heart, he was a little glad. Dinah's depression had taken a turn for the worse after Felicity's birth, and Brendan was relieved that Felicity couldn't remember watching their mother slowly slip away.

Perhaps that's why he had made it his mission in life to always keep the smile on Felicity's face. He was terrified of losing her to the depression that he and his mother suffered through. His sister was intelligent, beautiful, and carefree. She should never feel anything but her name itself: felicity.

"Here," a voice said and Brendan found Bail Organa suddenly forcing a cup of tea into his hands, "drink this."

Brendan gave the Senator a half-hearted smile, "Not a big fan of tea, Senator."

"Drink," Bail said in his patented stern yet kindly tone. "It's a special Alderaanian blend of herbs that are guaranteed to lift your mood."

"Guaranteed?" Brendan's smile still did not reach his eyes.

"Promise," Bail placed a hand on Brendan's shoulder.

Brendan nodded and took a long drink of the tea.

"Thank you," Brendan set the cup on Bail's desk. "So, how long until the girls are back from the Senate meeting."

"About an hour, and then you'll have them all to yourself." Bail shot Brendan an amused smile, "But tread carefully with my daughter."

Brendan laughed, "Senator, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have no interest in pursuing a relationship with your daughter. Her crush does amuse me, but she is far too young for my tastes."

"Good. You remind me a little too much of her father."

Brendan was surprised, "I… was unaware you knew her birth father."

Bail's complexion paled a little, "Uh… I mean-"

Brendan held up a hand, "I get it. State secret and all. Does Leia know?"

"I would rather she not hear that truth until it is absolutely necessary."

"Then my lips are sealed. Though word of advice, Senator, if she does have a long-lost twin brother – which is what I assume, based on your reaction to the idea when it was presented at the ball – please tell her if she ever meets him. The last thing you want is them to feel some instinctual connection, misinterpret that as romance and then do some things they'll regret later."

Bail laughed, "Well, hypothetically if Leia does have a twin brother, I don't think that would ever happen."

"Why not?"

"Hypothetically there would be enough people who would know about said hypothetical ruse to stop that from happening."

"Well, fingers crossed." Brendan suddenly hissed in pain and grabbed his side, "Stupid broken ribs."

"Would you like anything?" Bail asked crossing the room to rest a hand on Brendan's shoulder.

"To take my painkillers more than once every six hours?"

"Sorry, I'm only willing to take one Rhiaon child under medical liability," Bail joked. He watched the younger man struggle in pain for several minutes, his expression hardening into one of anger. "Brendan, may I ask you a question? And I want you to give me an honest answer."

"Shoot," Brendan nodded.

"Who did this to you?"

Brendan sighed, "When we entered orbit of Coruscant, my senior officer called me into his room. He said he had orders from the Grand Inquisitor, that he had received reports of possible rebellious actions on my part… four of the highest-ranking officers on the ship surrounded me, and…"

Bail winced, "They gave you a warning?"

"Something to contemplate on my days off," Brendan spat the bitter words Ozzel had said to him. "The pain would be a constant reminder of the choice I have to make. And if I make the wrong one, I'm going to get far worse next time."

"Brendan-"

"You have to get me out of there, Senator! Me and Fliss."

"Felicity?"

"I'm not going to leave her to the Empire. To stay with our father. She won't be safe."

Bail sighed, "Brendan, I can't take both of you."

"Why not?" Brendan demanded. "What reason could you have to keep Felicity here?"

Bail lowered his head, "Brendan… there's something I need to tell you. Felicity… We've been using her as a pawn."

"What?"

"To keep an eye on your father."

Anger flashed in Brendan's eyes, "I can't believe this. This whole time you've been using my sister? Why?"

And so Bail told Brendan exactly what they knew about Alaric Rhiaon and the Death Star they were building.

"I don't believe it," Brendan whispered. "My father would never do that."

"He has been for years," Bail relayed the hard truth. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

"Does Felicity-"

"She doesn't know anything."

"I can't believe this."

"If it makes you feel better, neither Leia nor I have been comfortable in our deceit with Felicity. Leia has grown fond of her, and I see her like a daughter. We're trying to win Felicity over to the Rebellion, but it's slow work."

"This Death Star," Brendan asked, "is it close to being finished?"

"Not according to our information," Bail replied. "Apparently, they want Alaric to spend less time at home as without his oversight there's been a bunch of miscommunications."

"And that's why you want Felicity to stay."

"It doesn't sit right with me. I can't speak for you, but it's clear his relationship with Felicity is mentally and emotionally abusive. I'm trying to convince the Council to get her out, but right now it's important we draw Alaric away from the Death Star."

Brendan sighed, "I understand. Sometimes in war sacrifices must be made. I would offer to take her place but that I don't think Felicity's on our side yet. Plus I would have to still be a Stormtrooper, and who knows how much longer I would last under Ozzel."

"So, you're ready to defect then?" Bail asked.

"Just tell me when and where."

"The Council and I have looked over your upcoming tour of duty schedule and we've found an opening. You're being deployed in a few days to Faclov. Three weeks after that, you're heading to Dantooine. We have an old base there, and a recruitment officer by the name of Obik Kenu will be making a pick up. Your name is on his list. You'll be contacted on Faclov with further details on how to meet up with Kenu. But before any of that, I have to ask you, Brendan, are you absolutely sure you want to do this? You may not be able to see your father, or even Felicity ever again? Are you willing to give that up? Will you fight, and if necessary, die in the name of the Rebel Alliance?"

Brendan grinned, "Absolutely."

Bail smiled and shook Brendan's hand, "Brendan Rhiaon, welcome to the Rebellion."


Brendan was extra affectionate over his visit. He was constantly at my side, taking me anywhere I wanted to go, doing anything I wanted to do. We went to museums, went on a walking tour of the finest architecture on Coruscant, looked over old family Holos, revisited all my drawings of the buildings I designed that were (in my imagination) to be built when I was grown up. We had lunch at the restaurant with the glorious roast leek soup (the Organas joined us and paid) and visited Mother's grave.

There was something oddly final in that visit, though I couldn't figure out what. I knew Brendan was saying goodbye, but I didn't know where he was going.


"Do you have to go?" Felicity whined as Brendan hugged her goodbye.

The transport sat awaiting the dozens of Stormtroopers as they bid farewell to their families.

"Sorry, Shortstack," Brendan chuckled, pulling back from his sister, "duty calls. Just know that I'm going off to fight so you have a good life."

"My life is terrible when you're not here."

"Well, what are you going to do? Chain me to radiator in the basement."

"I do have diplomatic immunity."

"No, you don't," Leia shook her head. While Bail had to work, Leia had accompanied Felicity to say goodbye to Brendan.

"Fine," Felicity smirked, "then I'll get Leia to chain you to the radiator in the basement."

"Oh, so it's that kind of crush," Brendan raised his eyebrows teasingly at Leia.

Leia blushed bright red, "I won't-"

"I'm just messing with you," Brendan laughed.

Leia groaned, "Rhiaons!"

"Well, I guess if you're mad at me there's no point in asking if it would be appropriate to hug you goodbye as well?" Brendan asked.

"Me?" Leia's eyes lit up like all her dreams had just come true.

When she got older, Leia would become very level-headed and proper with the men she had affection for… until Han Solo walked into her life and completely destroyed that notion. But with her first crush of Brendan, it was reasonable that she get flustered and flattered all so easily. She was only fourteen after all.

"Come here," Brendan opened his arms wide.

Leia didn't hesitate to launch herself into them.

"Leia," Brendan whispered, "thank you."

"For what?" Leia understood that Brendan didn't want Felicity to overhear.

But there was someone who could overhear. Someone who knew that Stormtroopers had to turn in their armor before going on shore leave. Someone who had managed to plant a bug on Brendan Rhiaon's breastplate. Someone who had knew that Brendan was forced to change into his armor before saying goodbye to Leia Organa and Felicity Rhiaon.

No one noticed Third Sister lingering in the dark shadow of a pillar, not far from the awaiting transport. No one noticed that Third Sister could hear every word Brendan Rhiaon was saying.

"I'm going to be a Rebel," Brendan replied. "I'm joining up after Faclov."

"But why are you thanking me?" Leia knew well enough that she had to continue to play the game even if she thought no one was listening.

Catching her drift, Brendan pulled back and winked at her, "Because you inspire me with your drive to make the galaxy a better place. Good luck with your Senatorial campaign. I'll know you do great."

Leia blushed, "Thanks, Brendan."

"But don't get too passionate," Brendan warned. "Remember, the more you tighten your grip, Leia, the more star systems will slip through your fingers. Don't scare them off from a good cause."

"I'll remember," Leia promised, and she truly did remember those words.

"Two minutes!" Captain Ozzel called out to his men.

Brendan sighed, "I've got to get going."

"I wish you were staying for a few more days," Felicity moaned. "I mean, we haven't even started my pilot lessons yet. I'm going to have to take Bail up on his offer to pay for an instructor."

"Don't you dare!" Brendan warned. "I am the only person who is allowed to teach you to fly, and you know it."

"But Brendan-"

"I'm serious, Fliss, promise me that you'll never learn to fly a ship unless I'm the one teaching you."

Felicity rolled her eyes, "Alright, if you're going to be a drama queen about it."

"Say it, Felicity," Brendan bade. "I want to hear the words come from your mouth."

"Fine!" Felicity playfully smacked his chest. "I swear on my very life itself, that I'll never learn to fly a ship unless you're the one teaching me."

"Atta girl."

"Soldiers, fall in!" Captain Ozzel ordered.

Brendan kissed Felicity on the forehead, "I love you, Little Sis."

"I love you, Big Bro," Felicity hugged Brendan.


I have replayed that moment in my head so many times. I remember how Brendan walked away from me, turning to wave one last time. Leia hugged my shoulders as we watched him board the transport. My simple promise not to learn to fly a ship without him seemed so casual at the time. I had no idea the impact that promise would have on my life, how it would become a pillar of my existence and my character. I had no idea that that would be the final promise I made my brother.

Because that was the last time I ever saw my brother.