Chapter XXXIX: Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Leia felt lost within the rebel base in Hoth. For though no one had shown any kind of hostility against her, she felt everything around her rejected her.

She rubbed her gloved hands together, as if to keep them from shaking; Luke had been busy all day, and she had wanted his company enough to wait. It's not like she expected conversation from him, after all, her twin brother had been rather quiet since the Jedi master Yoda died and disappeared before their eyes.

"Leia," she heard Han's voice, unusually soft, which more than anything worried her. She supposed he had some bad news to tell her. "Can I talk to you?"

She nodded.

"Well, I was talking to General Rieekan," he pointed at the man, who was talking to a group of rebel soldiers, many meters above them. Leia took a deep breath. "He was asking me a lot of questions, and telling me a lot of things…"

"Get to the point, Han."

"I told him of my debt; he said the alliance is willing to reward me—quite handsomely—as they are in dire need of pilots. And they take all the men they can get—"

"Let me see if I understand correctly: You want to join the rebel alliance?"

"Lose that crazy look from your face, Sweetheart. No. I told him I have no care for politics and certainly no interest in taking any part in the conflict. I would do it solely for the credits."

"You can't! After seeing what the rebels cause wherever they go…"

"If I don't get a lot of money soon I will be a fugitive all my life. Leia, I have to pay my debt."

"Han, that is not even important anymore. Why can't you see the bigger picture?"

"Why can't you realize you're not the only one with problems?"

She looked away. "I will give you the money when we go."

"I heard that before. Hush, honey, it's the truth and I can't take so many risks all the time."

"So you will leave me?"

"Leave you? I don't see you leaving this icy planet. I'm sorry, Leia. Do you even plan on returning to your family?"

"Don't ask me that." A heated red rose to her cheeks.

Her anger seemed to also anger him.

"Fine. Why don't you go and talk with your prince about it. I'm sure to him you will confide your plans…"

"I don't mean to interrupt," General Rieekan approached them. "Solo, have you made up your mind yet?"

He looked at Leia as he spoke. "Yes. I'm gonna need that cash now, sir."

"Very well. Uh, Your Highness," Leia could hardly stand the man from Alderaan. "I have asked for a meal for you and your company. And before you try to play me like you did in Yavin: I am not Bail. Eat, child, we will not endure protecting you only to have you starve and die."

"It wouldn't look good on you, would it?"

"Go, now. It's ready in your room. And Your Highness, thank you for your help."

Leia remembered what she had meant to ask Luke. "Mr. Rieekan—"

"It is General Rieekan, here, Your Highness," he corrected; "If I respect your title, then so should you my rank. Or do you want me to start calling you Lelila...?"

"Hush!" she blushed. Lelila was the nickname given to the princess as a little girl when she visited Alderaan. "Fine, General, I want to know why there is false information circulating about me regarding the events that linked me with the rebel alliance."

"Ah! You must've been with civilians, if you heard. I doubt this was heard in the castle. Come, I think I will share the meal I asked for you."

Leia's meal was already being eaten by Luke and Kenobi. Chewbacca and the droids were sitting in the room, as well, playing some game. Han entered with Leia and the man from Alderaan. She thought of asking them for some privacy, but at this point it seemed ridiculous.

"Sit, sir. And tell me, how is it that the name Leia Skywalker and helper of the rebels ever came to be joined?"

"Well, technically we said Princess Leia. The Skywalker last name doesn't sit well with most people. Oh, Your Highness, it all comes down to propaganda."

"Uh?"

"And let's not act like the Empire doesn't do it."

"What propaganda are you spreading of me?"

"We didn't start it. We just never denied it; and you have given us plenty of help in the matter, though I suppose not intentionally. The rumors spread of you being in Tatooine. In Yavin. Something happened there. Something else was later told. That's the way things have always been in history."

"But why didn't you stop it?!"

"It helps our cause. What do you think folks must think of the emperor… when even his own daughter works against them?"

"I can't let you make people think my father is a monster!"

"Would you deny that he is?" Rieekan grinned, somewhat cruelly. He chuckled to himself, though he didn't sound very happy. "Every rumor has its truthful root. There are worse things we could say about your father… You must know plenty yourself?"

He abuses his queen. He mistreats his children. He would torture his prisoners…

"No matter!" she cried. "It is a falsehood I want terminated."

"As you command, Your Highness—oh, wait a minute: You. Don't. Rule. Here. Do not forget that, Princess Leia. You do not get to command, unless… you want to join our most worthy cause?"

Leia was shocked he should think she would.

"You're all vile," she spat.

"I don't deny that. Still not as vile as the Emperor and Queen Amidala."

Leia snapped her head so suddenly her neck ached.

"Their form of propaganda is light years away from ours. We would never use cruelty."

"What are you implying, General Rieekan?"

"Artoo-Detoo!" cried the general, interrupting the game. "Come, droid."

He inserted something into the astromech, and they saw a holo quite disturbing to say the least…

Luke, who had been quiet inert for most of the conversation, rose like a madmen to watch what Rieekan had warned her about…

It was a special message broadcasted by the Empire, telling of the attack by an infiltrated rebel into the Skywalker Castle in Coruscant. The report said the Prince had been kidnapped by a group of rebels and that he was kept hostage. The rebels managed to kill a member of the Empire living in the castle. It was a truly romantic scene, a beautiful woman, lying down, dead, covered in blood, yet flawless. Over the disturbing footage of her dead body, you could hear narration, urging the different worlds to not bend to the will of the rebels. The woman was so beautiful, it was doubtful to think must people wouldn't be moved by her sad fate. It made no mention of the princess.

"Mara," Leia gasped. "Oh no."

She turned to see her brother, expecting for him to burst into tears. After all, he did love her. But he only stood there, solemn and silent.

"How… how is this propaganda?!" Leia stammered as no one said anything.

"They are using the dead of an innocent to their own gain. Worse yet, they caused her death to later use it to their advantage! Because you know damn well, we didn't kill her. We didn't kidnap the Prince. Their lies are appalling Princess. And you are still on their side?! Oh swipe those tears, I don't buy them any more than hearing the Empire say her death was unfortunate. They hated her as much as you hated her!"

"How would you know?!"

"Solo told me. Oh don't scold the man, you are dragging him down as it is. Don't add guilt to it."

"I'm sorry!" Leia cried. "Mara… Oh Luke, I'm so sorry!"

Luke turned from everyone. "We must take course of action." He said. "General Rieekan, one innocent life taken is one too many. I will not allow anymore. Gather everyone for a meeting. I have a plan to share."

"Yes, Commander."

"Come, Master Kenobi, we will need your counsel too. Leia—you stay here." He coolly said.

Rieekan looked at Han. "If you really accept our proposal, come, too, Solo."

Han looked at Leia for a second. He sighed, as if apologetic and he followed the men as they exited the room.

The droids and Chewbacca were still there, yet Leia felt lonely and abandoned all the same.

"I do not mean to act upon a vengeance, so if any of you must stop me at any point, please do," Luke begun.

Everyone stared at him. Surrounded by rebels, though he was one himself, he always felt, deep down, a slight concern for himself. Obi-Wan's presence eased him, though.

"Go on."

"We must raid Naboo." A lot of whispers. "Let us attack the castle and take—take the Queen hostage." Silence. "We will present the Emperor with a peace treaty he must sign in exchange of her freedom. General Rieekan, please travel to Alderaan so Senator Organa can write it. Our peace terms will be simple: The Empire must surrender. Relinquish all its power. Darth Vader, and Amidala, and every imperial shall accept to stand trial, and be punished accordingly (no death sentence) for their crimes. We will install instead a new type of government. And… as all of you have strived to bring back… no choice but democracy."

When no one said anything, Luke said, "Opinions? Any, I will take."

"How do you plan surviving that plan, kid?" he heard the Corellian pilot say. Luke wasn't sure he could trust him. What if he went and told Leia the plan… The room erupted with voices. Clearly Solo had voiced what everyone was thinking.

"We need a distraction. Let's attack Theed's plaza first."

"It'll be filled with civilians, Luke." A rebel said.

"We give orders to evacuate."

"The Queen is in Coruscant right now," Rieekan pointed out.

"I know for a fact she had been preparing a trip to Naboo," Luke said, feeling an awful treacherous feeling inside.

"It's dangerous," Rieekan said. "We can't make this decision alone. I'm not saying it's a terrible plan, Luke. But we have to ask Mothma and Bail first. What do you think, General Kenobi?"

The Jedi master had been quiet, and Luke was too afraid to ask for his honest opinion.

"Terrorizing a planet. That's your plan, boy?"

Of course…

"Not the whole planet. Just Theed. We all know there's nothing but rich people and imperials there." Luke thought he heard someone hold back a chuckle, he thought it was Solo.

"People nonetheless," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"And what do you propose?"

"There's no need for kidnapping anyone. We have royal blood on our base."

"He will not negotiate for my life or Leia's."

"What about for the Jedi's life?" Han Solo said.

Everyone turned to see Obi-Wan. "Well, I was once the most wanted fugitive in the galaxy. But he must think I am dead by now."

"Let's let him know you aren't," the Corellian continued.

"How do we know he's not working for the princess?" a rebel said, looking at Han Solo in a mean manner.

"I work for whoever pays me," he answered with a smile.

"And how much have you received from her?"

"Jule, I did save your life. How about you shut up now?"

"General Rieekan, you shouldn't go out to Alderaan like Luke proposed," said Jule, indeed she was here. "We need you in the base. Who would be left in charge?"

"Who do you suppose should go then?" Rieekan asked.

"I say… Han Solo." Jule said, assuredly. "He has escaped the Empire for a year now. If there's someone quick enough here, I think it's him." Luke thought this wasn't a crazy idea.

"And what do we do with the Princess?"

"Take her, Solo. A Force user is always useful, as you have seen. Only don't tell her what you're really doing. Say you rejected our offers after all. Tell her you want to go away from all of this. Propose Alderaan and meet with Bail Organa to inform him of our plans, and ask him to write the treaty we need."

Solo looked horrified. "And what are your plans after all?" he asked.

"The young Jedi has leaded us to many victories. I will go along his plans as always. Everyone else?!"

Everyone cheered for Luke, saved for two people. He understood Solo. He wished he didn't Kenobi.

"I'm talking to your sister," Obi-Wan whispered at Luke's ear.

The two left the room.

"Obi-Wan try to understand!" Luke urged.

"Master Yoda hasn't been gone a whole day and already I failed his bidding." He lamented.

"I know he wouldn't approve but…"

"But what?"

"But the Jedi lost the last war for a good reason and I have no intention of repeating those mistakes."

Silence. Pensive silence.

"I will not hurt my own mother, of course, Master. It was harder for me to pronounce those words than it was for you to hear them."

Was it?

"You're falling, young Luke. I thought your sister would be my struggle, yet I am quite sure she would have never come up with such a hideous plan."

"You do remember her trying to kill me in Dagobah? Come on, Master. If you tell her what I said, she will fall to her anger and to the Dark Side."

"Will she? I am not so sure anymore. The girl has been to hell and back… yet she has not fully given herself to the Dark Side. I wonder, at this point, will she ever?"

"We can only hope she doesn't, Master. What will you say to her?"

"Come and see."

Luke was hurt everyone would think so badly of him as to suspect he would hurt his own mother for the rebel cause. Of course, not everyone in the room knew he was the Emperor's son. Even so, they thought he didn't care about civilians.

His plan depended actually on rescuing his mother—not kidnapping her!

She would come. Luke knew it. She had disappointed herself for years, but Luke knew in his heart she would approve of his actions. Bail had told him of how Padmé initially rejected the idea of an Empire over the Republic. She had signed a secret petition to bring down the Empire. When her husband ascended the new throne… it was love that twisted her beliefs—he was sure.

She will sign again; she will recognize a new republic. She will be saved from the tyrant that keeps her away. Unlike Mara…Luke didn't allow himself time to grief her. They had reached Leia's quarters.

Obi-Wan felt, like so many times in his life before, that the task at hand could not soon enough be over.

He and his apprentice found the princess sitting with the Wookiee and the droids, she was sitting on the floor, which made her look younger than she now was. She turned her head when the doors opened, and Obi-Wan expected the usual scornful look her eyes always gained when she saw him, but she merely casted down her eyes and said nothing. Hm, perhaps even she got tired of hating.

"I don't get it," she said at random, after a while, to no one in particular.

"What, Your Highness?" Obi-Wan could feel her pain, though no tear graced her pale cheeks, he knew that lost look all too well.

"The point of all this," she looked around, frowning, shaking her head. "I never did. I never will. I wish it would stop. I wish… I could stop it."

"Your mother was also against war, Princess. I remember… the conflict took a lot from her in the old war."

"Why," she softly, sorrowfully said, "doesn't she stop it then?"

"It's not that easy," Obi-Wan sighed, even as he smiled, comforting.

"Why doesn't either side attempt to stop it?" she wondered out loud, a dreamy look about her eyes. "You rebels claim you want peace yet you do nothing to stop the violence and attacks. Everywhere the rebels go there's a battle. Meanwhile my father keeps bombing and abusing planets without scruple… So who's the bad one really? At this point, I cannot even tell." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Is there a difference?"

"The outcome we want. The means we use. There is a life of difference, Princess."

"Do you think the people caught up in the battles think that, too? Uh, Jedi? Those with no weapons, no way of defending themselves… the children—" her voice quivered. "What do you think their mothers tell them… when they ask for food and there isn't any… when they come home only to find it shattered… when from the sky they see fire raining down…" she trembled, as if disturbed by her own words. "And who's stopping it? Not my dear royal family. Not the rebels. Whatever good or bad intentions both sides have… neither stops. Both hurt the innocent. Neither stops. They want to win. They won't stop until they do… Everybody wants different things and the same. Everybody wants to decide what will be done. Everybody wants to rule the world."

Silence.

"Your Highness," Obi-Wan ventured a word, expecting her to just ignore him.

She kept her long face, but her voice was more lifeless than anything when she asked him what he wanted.

"I just wanted to let you know…" he thought about Master Yoda's last bidding. And the princess's words, though riveting with confliction, gave him hope. "I am here for you if you need anything. I know there's animosity between us, but if there's anything you want to know, I'll be honest with you."

The princess was a pity to behold. "I've learned so much already… and I still feel is not even half of it. General Rieekan said my father was a monster. I have called him that, too. What can you tell me of that?"

The Jedi, stunned, noticed Luke was now more relaxed. It made him somewhat worried.

"I haven't seen him in twenty years." He answered to the princess.

"Don't try to spare my feelings now, Master Jedi," the Princess had an eerie countenance.

She had been so hurt lately, Obi-Wan thought she was entitled to some cheerfulness. Yes, the princess was lost, and in desperate need for some light. Why not bring some into her life?

Obi-Wan had many good memories, many good stories about the man that became Darth Vader.

He shared with her first some things of Anakin's childhood in the temple. Even he was surprised, reminiscing… he never allowed himself to go back to those moments, but it definitely felt nice. Some stories about Anakin's time as a padawan also brightened the Princess's face.

"He sounds like an absolute drag to teach," Leia half smiled, half-teared.

"He was a rebel," Obi-Wan agreed, and both he and the princess let a moment of silence to dwell on this irony.

"Why did he turn?" she asked, breaking any kind of light mood.

"He fell in love with your mother," he turned to see the quiet Luke. "He loved her with a vengeance… combined with his greed and thirst for power… he was seduced by the Dark Side."

"I'm still not sure what's the difference," she whispered. She gazed into Obi-Wan's eyes, maybe trying to find the truth there.

She had wanted to hate him, Obi-Wan knew. Maybe she did hate him. But deep down, the Princess knew her anger wasn't at him.

"So if you fall in love… you say that's the downfall of a Jedi?"

"Well, no. I mean, there was a time when that strict rule wasn't even part of the Jedi code, Princess. But… it's for the best. Love is passionate, and that passion can end you…" again he stared at Luke.

He said nothing.

"I need love," the princess said, as if she were apologizing for her need. Obi-Wan thought it absurd to tell the young woman to not feel love. To not be passionate. It'll be like denying her entire nature. Like they did with Anakin…

He sighed, feeling regretful for his lost friend. Feeling like many times he was to blame.

I will not forsake his children.

And which one needed more guidance?

Han Solo returned to the room, the princess turned bright pink and she didn't immediately approach him. Obi-Wan wondered if he had had any impact at all.

Solo pulled the princess away and held a conversation, supposedly apart.

Obi-Wan breathed deeply. If she was anything like Anakin—and he guessed, she was—she would not withstand a betrayal from a loved one.