Chapter 15

"What?" asked everyone, simultaneously.

General Lisle massaged his temples and repeated himself.

"Commander Tharen, as was, was given an honourable discharge from the Rebellion six months ago. It seemed as though she had her own, psychological issues to deal with."

"Psychological issues? You're saying that Princess Leia and Han Solo have been kidnapped and are being held by a woman with 'psychological issues'?" asked Wedge.

Lisle nodded.

The General had called the meeting to explain the Tharen situation. He had said that 'only people with a vested interest should be omitted to the meeting'. That was why half the Rebellion base seemed to have crowded into the small meeting room. People were leaning forward, dodging around and even sitting on each other's shoulders to hear what he was saying. It was quite astounding how much the recruits seemed to care.

"Uh….Sir? I don't think we should tell them the other part." said his assistant, Commander Ratchet. Unfortunately, Ratchet had said this while the mic, which the General had spoken into moments before, picked up every word he was saying.

Including the 'Oh sh….. ugar snaps' he uttered a second later when he heard his voice reverberate around the room.

However, this wasn't heard by the fifty cadets including the whole of Rogue Squadron who started asking 'What other part? What?' all at the same time.

The General eyed Ratchet with something like contempt. Then he sighed a little and addressed the troops.

"OK, people, people!" he held a hand up to calm the chattering crowd.

"A few months ago, an investigation was started by Commander Ratchet, here. It was meant to discover the cause of death of some troops on Toprawa, a planet that was, at the time, an Imperial stronghold.

At first, it was assumed these deaths were merely severe battle injuries. However, their wounds were as such that medical staff and, later, Rebellion Investigation Personnel, believed that they may have been caused by deliberate friendly fire.

Later, after interviews with the deceased loved ones it was revealed that all of the troops had one thing in common. They had all clashed, publicly, with Commander Bria Tharen over her leadership.

One of the troops had even planned to organize an internal investigation into Tharen's leadership."

"Well, how come?" asked a voice. The voice came from one, Luke Skywalker. His eyes were shining with anger and fear. But he held his gaze with the General.

Lisle ran a hand over his forehead.

"Some of the troops believed that she took far too many risks with her commands on missions. It's believed that the rate of deaths among the troops she had control over was ten times higher than the average amongst Rebellion Commanders. Even those working in severe war zones." Lisle stopped and paused for breath.

"So, you're saying… that Commander Tharen…. may have murdered the troops who planned to have her actions investigated?" asked Wedge.

It was a horrible and terrifying thought. But it wad the one that was whirling through the minds of all the troops that moment.

Commander Reikken, who stood a little to the left of Lisle, looked like he had aged 20 years in as many minutes.

'I promised. I promised Bail I'd look after her, and look what happens?' he thought to himself.

"But if she's, you know, loopy, how come she was let into the Rebellion in the first place?" asked Wes.

"Well, at the time she was taking medication for her….." Commander Ratchet petered out when he saw the 'Don't- Say -Another-Word,-You -Fool' Look on Lisle face.

"For what?" chorused the troops.

"Ok, fine. It would seem that, at the time, Tharen was taking replacement drugs to help her get over her Spice addiction. It would also seem that Tharen stopped taking these drugs around the time that the deaths of the troops took place." said Lisle.

He really didn't want to admit that. He felt it had been a mistake to put Tharen in charge of troops in the first place.

Not because he didn't believe that addicts could reform themselves and their lives, it was Tharen herself that made him doubt her qualities as a leader. She was just… a bit… desperate for power. And to have and control everything. No matter what.

Han and Leia next chapter, promise. Just needed to get some bit's of the plot out the way first. Reviews appreciated.