CHAPTER 11

Note- I will be fast forwarding in the chapters to come. So the tales will be shorter but it will be fun. Don't worry as I still will be sticking to the storyline.

It was the next day, the day Leia turned seventeen. She got up early and contacted her parents. On her way she had had a lot of eyes staring at her as though she was a vicious thing that was to be destroyed. She gave no care and walked to the holodevice room. There she dialed her parents' frequency. She sighed and then put on a smile as a connection was made. "Happy birthday, sweetie. You have no idea how happy we are." Her mother started as soon as the contact was established.

"Thank you momma."

"Leia," her father started. "What is it with the competition and your rank?"

"I don't know. I- I can't tell you."

"Leia, tell me."

"I can't tell you everything but I can let you know that Vader and Palpatine are involved."

At this point both the Organa exchange their glances. Breha then said, "Leia, remember you need to stay strong. Contact Ahsoka. We love you."

Leia nodded before the connection was over. She then got up and left for her politics class. She sat in the back and concentrated on her class. After her class was over she was confronted by the Chiss male candidate, Yoos Las. "How did you do it?" he said in a deadly voice. "How did you get yourself in the first place?"

"Back off. I have no idea." Leia said as she left. Before she could leave Yoos caught her by her hand and whispered into her ears. "Whatever your plan is, I shall foil it."

Leia walked away unfazed. She had to be way more careful. She had more rivals now than they were before. Before the emperor messed with her ranking, she had only handful rivals. But now, it was the entire academy. Maybe some would support her; in her dreams.

The classes were over and Leia had finished half of the book she borrowed. She understood the philosophy of her mother; how she viewed justice and democracy. In her book she had mentioned how democracy and politics were one. Democracy meant that the leader would be chosen by the public. It was where the public had equal authority as the government. Politics was quite similar, where one government takes the decision for the betterment of public. The two were fragile; slight brush with the venom of corruption was enough to destroy the two and hence ending free rights. This was the beginning of dictatorship. A system where one's rule isn't followed or is made to follow; would be cleansed by the word rebellion where the public take matters into their own hands. During this time peace is a better cleansing than the use of sheer might of the military. Peace had its own virtue and was far more victorious than its counterpart. If the tiny effect of corruption's shadow could destroy a government then a system which is corrupted at its core deserves to be burnt and rebuilt. It is during this time that the new government must understand the need of the people and fulfill it. By ensuring rules which can't be broken nor can be forgotten a system can ensure that it will change without touching the shadow of corruption. Such a system is a victorious system. But such a system would also fall as liberty died. Liberty and democracy were two so similar that it cannot die by conversion of systems but dies as it is given away by the public. The public are what makes a government what it is. If the people decide to submit their government to the hands of tyranny, then that public needs to go through a change.

The galaxy's administrations are wrecked. The complacency and corruption had taken its vicious grasp over the galaxy. The CIS only want freedom and liberty for their citizen. The galactic republic has failed to become what it once was. This failure will lead to the rise of dictatorship, where the choices of citizens and public were limited. But the perfect administration is still a hope. In order to achieve it, the republic must try and level the power structure of the galaxy. The classes of each system need to be the same but each class must be given equal rights. The power system of the galaxy is unstable and hence is dangerous. Each world must have equal powers; thus reducing the probability of war and conflict. Each system must be self sufficient and trade must continue as it did. Just leaders of each system can make sure that justice and equity be served to everyone in the system. Sluggish rules and administration lead to higher chances of war and conflict. Administration must go through steady changes. The republic must act in more authoritative way than a mediator.

This was what Padme Amidala had explained in half of her book about the politics and authority of the republic. Leia exhaled deeply as she took in all of this. It was night time. Her parents had sent her R2D2 in order to help. It was allowed. Artoo was besides Leia and beeped something.

"What is it Artoo?" Leia asked as she yawned.

Artoo then ran a scan through the room and played a message. It was from Ahsoka.

Leia happy birthday. I know Luke has contacted you and I won't ask you to return. It is your choice. I even know that you don't want to talk to me. But still listen. Follow your passion. Follow it with your heart and the force will lead you. Remember what I always say; patience and calm. Remember the words I am saying; voices, sacrifice and epiphany. Remember them and your path is clear.

The message disappeared and Artoo moved closer to Leia. Leia pat her on top of her head. Artoo then moved to the corner. Leia went to sleep.

The next morning Leia got up to heavy knockings on her door. "Coming." She called as she slipped into something decent. As she opened her door three stormtroopers were standing in front of her. "The droid is for nothing but help. I have the clearance code."

"We know ma'am. We received information that you have a dangerous weapon in your room. We would like to investigate."

"Please come in."

"You interrogate her; we will go and check it."

"Sir, yes sir."

A trooper had taken her to a class room. There he started interrogating her.

"So ma'am I will ask you certain questions and you have to answer me honestly."

"So be it."

"Very well. Have you had any contact with any illegal weapon supplier?"

"No."

"Okay, have you come into any possession of a dangerous weapon?"

"No."

"Had you been to any outer rim planet in recent months?"

"No."

"Hmm, have you had any sexual contact with any warlords? Or any contact for that fact."

"No."

"Not even sexual?"

"No."

"If I ask you to test yourself for a proof would you?"

"Yes if it is to prove my innocence."

"Okay, so have you had any contact with the rebellion?"

"No."

"Have you heard about them?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, well ma'am you are free to go. I don't find any mistakes in your answers."

"Thank you."

Leia went to her room and found the troopers standing outside her room. "Sorry to trouble you ma'am. It seems that we have received false information. We have tidied your room. You can rest ma'am."

"Thank you."

Leia moved inside her room. Artoo was behind her. Her room was cleaner than it was before. She smiled as she sat on her bed. She then got up to freshen up and get ready for her classes. She considered herself lucky for the fact there were no girls who witnessed this. Otherwise she would be the hot talk. She sighed in relief as she dressed herself and left for her classes.

"I can't believe it." Nora cried.

"Relax Nora."

"How can I relax? The exams were supposed to be next year not in ten months."

"Come on I know you can wing it. You rank number three in everything. You just need to struggle a bit and I am sure you can make it."

"I rank the third in almost everything. I rank fourteenth in hand to hand and fifth in history. I'm sure you will wing it."

"Oh I can do okay."

"Says the one who ranks number one in everything other than politics. Heck now you are the number four in politics. You are the best in everything else; hand to hand, strategy, history and economy. I wish I could improve myself in hand to hand."

"Hey I can teach you some tricks if you want."

"Oh really would you do that just for me."

"Oh I would do that. Say let's meet in the garden tonight."

"All right."

The following night Nora had arrived. As promised Leia taught her few tricks. The next day Nora moved from rank fourteen to rank nine. She was delighted. Leia was helped by Nora in politics. Soon in a couple of days Leia moved to rank two. Nora was constantly helped by Leia. She too made her rank in everything as number two. Leia slowly became the first in everything immediately followed by Nora. The hot talk had suddenly slid down to rank number five in everything. Yoos Lass stood at rank number three.

Nora Crai'sis was a naïve girl. She stood for what was right and believed in. She was one of those who believed that the Jedi would never betray the republic. She was a great follower of Padme Amidala. Though she was born to the high nobility, she often was disgusted about her class and wanted to do something for the people. She was a good leader in the group projects and often used to panic quickly but also used to calm down quickly. She was often seen far away from the future cunts and would always be seen discussing about the people and politics with those who were interested in them. She was a big supporter for the banishment of slavery. She was a pacifist but never regretted going violent when occasion called for it. She showed interest in joining the rebellion in order to free the citizens from the dictatorship of the empire.

"Oh this is bad, very bad." Luke sighed as he fell again. He and Cal Kestis were training in lightsaber combat using long sticks. Even though Cal was going easy on him, Luke kept on failing. This time Cal used basic strikes and Luke in the process of defending himself tripped over his own robes. Cal just looked at Luke hopelessly. Why was he so pathetic? Cal just sighed as he sat down.

Oh fuck everything; I could not even block his basic strike. I was just so afraid. Fuck, fuck. Wait a minute Leia has not yet replied, has she? Ugh looks like I will die trying to become a Jedi or space wizard. Luke's thought ran as he lied on the sand. He managed to stay out practicing till the late night with the permission of the Lars. He still remembered the conversation Ahsoka and Obi-Wan had few days ago.

"Obi-Wan, we have a problem."

"Yes I know, the boy has contacted Leia."

"No that is not the problem the problem is that he is losing is force sensitivity."

"WHAT?"

"Yes, I sensed his powers fading from him. I tried sensing him using meditation, he is becoming a tiny blob."

"Ahsoka, how could this happen?"

"I remember Master Tera Sinnube once telling me; if one keeps doubting their abilities, fearing that they won't work and even have the audacity to doubt the Force, that person loses his or her powers. I believe it's the same case with Luke."

"Ahsoka it is IMPOSSIBLE. How and why would Luke do anything like that?"

"I don't know Obi-Wan. Maybe it is because somebody let someone who could actually have helped him go?"

"Ahsoka, I never ever wished this to occur."

"Oh yeah I know."

Luke placed a hand on his hand. He didn't know anything about his sister or HER force sensitivity. He knew she was alive. He was woken abruptly from his thoughts by none other than Cal.

"Hey kid I need to go to Coruscant. There's a job there for me. I will be back after a week or something."

Luke's mind came up with an idea. Ahsoka and Obi-Wan would never appreciate this but it was necessary. He had taken his decision. Cal was walking towards the millennium falcon; Han's new ship, with a new co-pilot as Three-Kay decided to stay on Mandalore; a Wookie by the name Chewbacca.

"Hey hang on."

Ahsoka was in a room in Obi-Wan's hut meditating. She was trying to feel her surrounding and seek guidance from the force. Her concentration was on Luke; his blob was growing tinier day by day. Suddenly the blob stopped shrinking and had started to grow. Ahsoka opened her eyes in surprise. The blob was now larger. She walked over to the door and found the millennium falcon all ready for departure. She then started searching for Luke using the force. He was close. His blob had stopped shrinking and was stagnant. She concentrated on the feeling as the falcon took off. As the falcon was preparing to jump for hyper space, she opened her eyes in realization. She looked up and saw the falcon leave. "Oh Luke, what have you done?" she said under her breath as she turned to face Obi-Wan. He too realized what was happening and was looking in the way the falcon had disappeared. "And I thought the girl was reckless. The entire family is reckless." He said as he walked into the hut. Ahsoka turned to face the sky where the falcon disappeared. "Well it IS the Skywalker family trait; recklessness." She said under her breath as she smiled and followed Kenobi.