CHAPTER 10

Leia was walking down the hall. She saw a group of people surrounding something. She walked towards them. She squeezed herself and reached the centre. There was an announcement to be announced about half an hour later. It was to be announced in the hall. Leia made her way out and started towards her room. She thought it would be better to freshen before going to the hall. On her way to her room she was called by a girl. "Hey."

"Hello."

"You're Leia Organa right?"

"Yes and you are"

"My name is Nora, Nora Crai'sis. I am the female Chanderian candidate."

"Oh nice to meet you Nora."

"So, you are the number three right?"

"Yes. What is your ranking?"

"Number six."

"Hmm, nice to meet you."

Leia walked into her room and tied her hair in a bun. She removed her clothes and changed into her bath robes. She got in the fresher and bolted the door. She turned on the tap and let the warm water fill in the bucket. She then removed her robes and took a bath. She came out and dressed herself. She brushed her hair and tied them in a neat plait. She then made her way to the hall.

Inside the rich golden hall around 300 candidates sat. The professors sat in the stages above. Leia sat in the back avoiding all sorts of spotlight.

"Hey." A voice called out from besides her.

"Oh hello. I see your nose hasn't broken yet."

"Oh actually I had to cover the cut on it."

"Ah, that indeed is a pleasure to listen."

"So why sit in the back when you can sit in the front?"

"Individual choices."

"I see. So do you believe the word that the Jedi were actually NOT traitors of the republic?"

"I refuse to give my opinion on such a sensitive matter."

"How can you deem it sensitive?"

"I see your aids haven't given you the information you seek for."

After saying that Leia got up and selected a seat which was far away from him. Kane was left with a puzzle which had no beginning and an end. There was something the girl was hiding and he would find it out. Soon the announcement had begun. An holomessage of the emperor had appeared. Kane turned towards Leia immediately. She was unfazed, calm and sat back in her chair. But there was something that shone in her eyes. He then turned towards the rest. Few were uncomfortable and shifted nervously; few were sweating profusely; most of them had bent forward and had opened their mouth in awe; the professors were terrified. Then there was this girl who was unfazed, calm and had sat back while the rest were reacting in extreme methods. There was something about her which intrigued him.

Leia was sitting to the back of the chair; she was staring at the message. She was slowly absorbing the message. In her eyes were flames, though she seemed calm, she was fuming. There laid the person who destroyed the Skywalker family. He turned her father to the dark side; killed her mother; had separated her from her brother. He would never be forgiven. Never. Leia turned to her left to find that Kane was observing her. She stared at him back. He then turned away.

The announcement was over. Leia was the first to get out, followed by the hot talk. Then slowly everyone left the hall. Kane called Leia as he ran behind her. She was striding away and didn't care. She wanted to go and meditate so that she could calm her fury.

"Leia, wait."

Leia continued to walk away. Kane had finally caught up with her only to lose her again as she turned and started towards her room.

"Oh come on."

She got into her room before he could catch her and had bolted herself inside. She then sat down and closed her eyes. She let the force inside herself again. How dare Palpatine say that? She was fuming. She let the force calm her but it kept on failing. It was as though something was stopping her. She turned towards her window and walked towards it. She placed her hand on it. She looked out of the window. She felt the coldness of the window. Suddenly the window shattered. "AAGH." She cried as a piece of the glass had pierced her arm.

"Oh I am sorry. I thought you would be meditating or trying to."

"Cal what are you doing her and how do you know I was meditating?"

"It doesn't matter. Yes I was blocking you because the emperor is here. Here take this." He handed her a holodevice. "Call when you are alone and you know nobody will come and disturb you."

"All right."

Just like that he left.

"Cal."

"Yeah."

"May the force be with you."

"May the force be with all of us. Oh and wait." He then raised his hand and all the glass came flying back and assembled itself. Leia's hand healed as Cal had also pointed his hand towards it. The glass was like new. He then looked at Leia and nodded. She too nodded. She noticed a sort of concern in his voice when he bid her a goodbye. She then unbolted her door. She walked out and made her way to dining quarters. She then sat down to have her breakfast. She finished it quickly and walked towards the library. Once she reached the library she knew what she wanted. She walked to the tenth row and picked a book, THE POLITICS OF POLITICS- written by Padme Amidala. She then borrowed the book. She placed it in her room and left for her next class.

It was late in the midnight. Leia was making her way to the garden. She was wearing a black dress. In her hands was the holodevice Cal had given her in the morning. She walked in and bolted the door. She then made sure that there was no one in the place. She then switched on the device. Inside was a message. She saw the image of Luke form.

Leia, I know that I am the least person you would expect but I need your help. I- my training is becoming more hopeless day by day. I know you don't want to be bothered with it but I need your help Leia. He wiped his eyes as tears started flowing through them. Obi-wan and Ahsoka cannot and won't understand my problem. But I know you will. Please help me Leia Skywalker. Help me sister.

The message got over. Leia stared at where Luke's image was. He needed help. But she couldn't leave her position here especially after what Palpatine said. She had decided to take part in the dirty game of politics because she knew that if there was any way one could defeat the emperor, it was through politics or Jedi. As she couldn't become one she decided to go for the other one. She placed a hand on her forehead. She replayed the message of Palpatine in her mind.

Dear senators of future, listen to me clearly. I know some of you are afraid but be relaxed. I have some information for you. As you all know this academy is known for sending out the best senators ever known. Every year a batch graduates from this institution. But from now the rules are changing. After you graduate your batch shall be the first to take part in the imperial senatorial tournament. It is this tournament which shall decide whether you are worthy to be the new face of all senators; my assistant in the administrative matters next to my apprentice Darth Vader. Do not be afraid. The rules are simple: the first ten candidates are the ones who shall take part. As the information which I have received, the first three candidates that is, Leia Organa, Yoos Las and Kane Ya'lksi, respectively are already selected for the tournament. The rest seven is left to you all.

He had placed Leia as the first though she was the third. Why? Leia closed her eyes. At that time she realized it. Vader. The visions she had; the comfort she felt in his coldness; was all because he knew who she was. If he knew that she was a Jedi, why not act, why let her become aware? Was she right? There was a shift in the force which confirmed her doubts. So they knew. But what was with the visions? They were setting a trap for her. Why? She didn't know. She had to be more careful. She looked at the holodevice and said under her breath, "I am sorry brother. I can't help you."

"It was useless I knew it." Luke was speaking with a young man with red hair.

"Hey calm down, I will go the next week again for another mission. I'm sure she will give you a response."

"Yes and the response will be kindly fuck off."

"You are freaking out, calm down. She won't say anything of that sort."

"Oh yeah. I don't know Cal I have a bad feeling about this."

"I know. Everybody has one of those a lot nowadays. By the way how is your training?"

"Why do you think I will be asking Leia for her help? I can't even lift a rock using the force. I am learning something in hand to hand combat but saber fight, I won't even last for a second."

"Oh you will last for a second before the opponent slices you."

"Laugh it all you want red head. I am just the worse."

"Oh you are just learning. I'm sure you'll be able to lift a rock in another month or two."

"Hey come on stop laughing at me. Oh sure start wheezing with laughter."

"I mean, of course Luke."

Cal was roaring and wheezing with laughter while Luke just stared at the sunset of the twin suns.

"Fine I need to go home, aunt Beru is going to kill me if I am late."

"Hey hang on. Wait, why don't we do a tiny exercise?"

"Like what?"

"Like trying to lift a rock using the force."

"Oh come on I have tried it a billion times. It just doesn't work."

"Let's check it out for one last time today, okay?"

"Fine."

Cal placed a tiny rock on top of the boulder they were seated on. He then stood besides Luke.

"Okay now I want you to lift your hand."

"Like this." Luke lifted his right hand.

"Yes now open your palm and call the rock."

Luke did as told, he tried to call the rock to him but nothing happened.

"I told you it was useless."

"No wait. Close your eyes and concentrate on that rock."

Luke closed his eyes and concentrated on the rock; nothing happened.

"This thing is useless." Saying so Luke turned to walk towards his home. Cal stood where Luke was and called the rock; it came flying to his hand. Then why didn't such thing happen to Luke? Maybe he was right, maybe he needed Leia?