I'm sorry it took so long to update. I was involved in a musical at my school, but now that's over it's back to the story!
thanks for the reviews!

Leia of Alderaan, I discovered, was supposedly the leader of the Rebellion. She was seventeen, the same age as me. And, I also discovered, there were many who wanted her dead.

"Princess Leia is on list to be terminated." Tarkin said to his officer. "If she fails to provide us with the location of the rebel base, more drastic measures may have to be taken."
I looked up from where I was sitting, not too far away. "What?"

The word battle was about to begin. "Could I meet the Princess?" I asked.

"No." Tarkin said immediately. "It's been forbidden that you meet Princess Leia."
I was confused. "But why?"
"Reasons of state." He said bitterly. "Reasons have nothing to do with you."
"But if they have nothing to do with me, why can't I visit her?" I said, logically. "Maybe I could get her to tell me the location of the rebel base."
He squinted at me. "You would do this?"

I nodded. I didn't know if I really would or not, but I felt strangely compassionate for this woman I'd never met, and I felt a strange need to protect her. If I could only warn her of the danger she was in…

"No." Tarkin said after a minute. "Lord Vader specially forbade your contact with her, and I will not go against his word."

"I understand." I said, trying to sound patient. "But if you'd just let me meet the princess, maybe I could…"
"No one is permitted to visit the Princess." Tarkin said, his tone suggesting he wanted to end the conversation. "That's final."

I glared at him, and turned on my heel and walked out. I could feel the bubbling anger building up in me again, and as I walked by a window that led out to space, I could a glimpse of myself.

My appearance shocked me. Rage and hate was dripping from my face and I almost thought I could see red flame in my eyes. I unconsciously released my hands I hadn't realized that I was clenching; and I took a deep breath and tried to quell the anger in me. Gradually, I changed back to normal.

I was really shaken. I remembered back two days ago to the incident in the room with Vader. When I'd exploded like that, had I appeared so malign, so evil? The thought chilled me, and I vowed then and there to never let myself get that angry again.

I suddenly heard footsteps behind me, and as was my habit, I ducked out of view. I recognized the heavy sound of Lord Vader, but the second person had a lighter stride, not like a Storm Trooper, or an officer. Who could it be?

Sure enough, Lord Vader passed by me, pushing a beautiful young woman in front of her. She was clothed entirely in white, and her brown hair was wrapped into two buns around her head. She had a dignity about her that I found amazing, and when Vader pushed her, she didn't break her stride. She simply took a slight breath, and walked on. I knew instantly that it was Princess Leia.

They passed out of my vision, and I crept out. I decided to follow them, since this may be the only chance I got to see her alive, and maybe warn her.

I was about twenty feet behind them when they entered the bridge of the Death Star. Governor Tarkin was waiting for them.

"Governor Tarkin." Leia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I should have expected to fine you here holding Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board."
I stared at her in wonder. Even I was not so bold to talk to Tarkin that way when my life was on the line like that. This woman was fearless. I crept into the bridge, and off to the right, only a couple of feet from the regal girl.

Clearly, Tarkin was taken off guard for a second too. But then the oily countenance appeared again. "Charming. You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life."
"I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself." She shot back.

I'd seen enough of Tarkin to know that he was losing patience. He turned back to the wide window. "Princess Leia, before your execution, I would like you to be my guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational." He waved his arms around as if to show something wonderful, when all I saw was a couple of men trying to intimidate a young woman. I seethed.

"No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now." He continued.

"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." Leia said bravely.

"Not after we demonstrate the full power of this station. In a way, you have determined the choice of the planet that will be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the rebel base, I've decided to test this station's destructive power on your home planet of Alderaan."

"No." Leia said; sounding scared for the first time. "Alderaan is peaceful, we have no weapons, you can't possibly…"
"You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system!"

Leia was trapped. I knew it. She knew it. She didn't say anything. Tarkin took a step forward and she backed up until she was touching Darth Vader, who had remained silent throughout this whole ordeal, almost as if he didn't want to be a part of it.

"I grow tired of asking this." Tarkin said, breathing down onto Leia. "So it will be for the last time. Where is the rebel base?"

Leia looked past him to Alderaan. I felt myself praying…I could almost feel someone's hand on my shoulder comforting me, but there was nobody there…
"Dantooine." She whispered. "They're on Dantooine."
"There, you see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. Continue with the operation, you may fire when ready."
The bottom of my stomach dropped out. "What!" Leia screamed.

Tarkin turned all smiles. "You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration, but don't worry. We'll deal with your rebel friends soon enough."
"No!"

"Commence primary ignition." I heard over the com.

I put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked at me, her eyes brimming tears. "It'll be okay." I whispered.

I inhaled my breath sharply…

There's nothing as horrible as the sound of a million people dying. It cuts through your bones, and deep into your soul. There was no escaping the sound of the explosion. And a spasm of pain hit me as death came to the planet Alderaan. Leia never cried out, but I could feel her pain and sorrow as sharply as if it was my own. Then, everything went black.

Later

I'd fainted. And that's where I woke up, because Vader and Tarkin had no sympathy for me, and they left me there. I was woozy at first, but I slowly got up on my feet.

Rubbing my head, I left the bridge. I walked by the main hangar where incoming ships have to dock. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a weird disk shaped ship docked there, and Lord Vader standing by it, inspecting it, but I didn't care. All I wanted to do was get to my quarters and sleep.

But this, however, didn't happen. I walked by the meeting room where Tarkin had met with the officials on the Death Star a couple of days ago, and I heard a whistle. I whirled around. "Who's there?" I said, nervous.

"Come here, girl." Came an elderly mans voice.

Frowning in confusion, I ducked into the meeting room. And that's where I met him.

He was dressed simply, in a sand colored suit with a dark brown belt. He wore a brown hood over this outfit, and I could see a small metal cylinder dangling from his belt. He had white hair, a white beard, and kind, intelligent eyes. He smiled.

"Anne? Is it really you?" He said softly. "It's been so long."
"Who…who are you?"

"My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. And I need your help."