Bail took Amira's bag and ushered her into his office, "What do you mean he cannot help us?" He steered her over to a sofa and they sat together. She replied, "He has been through too much Bail, he did not want to become involved." He was shocked, "I don't believe it. How can he not care?"
Amira gave her brother a hard look, 'He cares Bail, that's the problem; caring has cost him a great deal. It is enough that he remains to watch over Luke. You of all people know what he has been through."
He was quiet a moment remembering the night the younglings were murdered at the Jedi Temple, the rendezvous with Yoda and Obi-Wan, the birth of the twins, Padame's death. He remembered the tired, defeated look on his friend's face, "Perhaps I was wrong to send you to him.
She shook her head, "No you weren't wrong." I think it did some good, just not in the way you intended. She pulled the data chip from her pack and handed it to him.
He placed it in his pocket and grasped her hand, "What kept you so long. Did you have trouble finding him?" She shook her head, "He found me. I ran into Sand People near his home."
His eyes widened, "Sand People?" She continued, "You know them as Tuskan Raiders. They worked me over pretty good. He found me and tended my injuries. After my recovery he offered to train me and I accepted."
"He trained you?" Bail asked. She nodded, "I have been considering becoming a Jedi." He shook his head, "Amira no, do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" She squeezed his hand, "Of course, but this is something I feel I must do."
He asked, "Why the change of heart? I thought you wanted nothing to do with the Jedi." She looked her brother in the eyes, "Because there is a need. There aren't enough Jedi left to resurrect the Republic. If I have the ability, I have to try."
He seemed to accept her explanation and asked, "How is Obi-Wan?" She stood up and walked over to the window, "His heart is very heavy Bail. He feels he should have been able to save Anakin from his fall to the dark side. He shoulders the blame."
He sat back and sighed heavily, "I cannot begin to imagine what he feels. He has lost everything he has ever known, every thing he lived for; so much more than all the rest of us."
She watched a bird fly through the palace grounds, "He lives in total isolation out beyond the Dune Sea, and if you have not seen it, you have not seen desolation." She turned to look at him, "I did not want to leave him."
She came back to the sofa and said, "He told me if I wanted to further my training I should go to the Dagobah system. There must be someone there who can complete my training." He nodded, "Indeed, when will you go?"
"After I do what ever it is you are about to ask me to do." She had obviously grown a little stronger in the Force. He laughed, "That was good, did he teach you that?" She replied, "He helped me fine tune it, but I have always had it." What is it? What's on your mind?"
"I'd like you to go to Naboo. Find the leader of the Gungans, Boss Nass. Find out if they would be willing to join the alliance. He is another who is not easily found. Then none of the Gungans are."
She replied, "Of course." He asked, "Do you require anything for your journey?" She nodded, "Yes, I need several cases of ale." He laughed, 'For the Gungans?" She smiled broadly, "No, I promised a friend."
Just then a toddling Leia ran into the room and bypassed her father to fling herself into her aunt Amira's arms, "Mira!" She swept her up and hugged the little girl to her, "I've missed you little Princess."
Amira spent just a month at home before departing for Naboo. Bail Organa said goodbye to his sister in the hangar bay. He hugged her closely, "Be safe and may the Force be with you." He released her and she smiled, "Everything will be fine."
He cautioned, "Representatives of the Empire are everywhere. They suspect everyone and question everything. You will not be immune because you are a member of the royal family. If something happens there may be little I can do to help you."
She reached out and touched the side of his face, "I understand. If anything should happen I will be on my own." She turned and walked across the hangar to her ship. Bail watched as it lifted slowly and maneuvered out of the hangar into the sky and beyond. He had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.