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Chapter 9
Leia turned, shifting to make herself as comfortable as possible on the rocks. A cave? She struggled to pull her mind into full awareness of her surroundings. Her head throbbed and she remembered the blow. How could I not sense that coming? I'll never be a Jedi at this rate, she thought dryly. Well, Luke didn't sense it either; she comforted herself with a hidden smile.
She could neither hear nor see her captors but she knew they remained not far away. She strained against the manacles on her wrists to no avail. She realized that her legs had been restrained as well and she could not stand. As the first bleariness dissipated she calmed herself and concentrated. Definitely a cave with waves breaking on the shore, and the cool breeze whistling. Think, Leia!
"Ah, the princess is awake," a cultured voice broke the stillness. "We are so pleased you could join us, your highness."
"Just who do you think you are?" Leia demanded, wishing she could stand simply so she wouldn't feel so much smaller than this Imperial goon.
"Forgive me for dispensing with the usual pleasantries," he, for it was definitely a man, spoke in a terrible masquerade of kindness.
"You can dispense with this Sithspit too."
"Ah, as straight to the point, as ever. How vulgar you have become." His insinuation that he knew her infuriated her and she worked to keep that hidden lest it become a weapon against her.
When she did not take his bait he simply continued, "I had honestly expected it to be more difficult. I must admit I'm disappointed with the ease of your capture. I quite looked forward to a fresh challenge." She let his words slip away.
"Do you really think you can torture me? I assure you, you are welcome to try."
"Bold words, my dear. But I assure you, I have no wish to torture you. How utterly barbaric."
"Well, while this chat has been quite enjoyable, are you going to get to the point or shall I grow old in this cave?"
"Sarcasm suits you, my dear. I shall enjoy spending more time with you," he left as swiftly as he had appeared.
Frustration washed over Leia. That got me nowhere. She tried to place the man's voice but she could not remember ever hearing it before. She reached out into the force, attempting to free herself but she had to admit her chances seemed quite impossible.
xXx
"These three areas are the most likely locations," Pooja pointed to a map and stabbed the points for emphasis. "There are confirmed reports of Imperials in these places," she continued before Han could ask why.
"Might I be permitted to be so bold as to inquire about the source of your intel?" Han's sarcasm caused Pooja to raise a threatening fist. Luke stepped quickly between them.
"Tell me what Leia sees in this...this smuggler," Pooja spat, striding to the opposite side of the room. "He has all the sense of a space slug."
"Have you ever encountered one?" Han inquired with false sweetness. "Because, I assure you, they are not to be trifled with."
"Enough!" Luke raised his voice. Two non-repentant faces looked his way.
"No need to shout, kid," Han reproved him.
"We haven't discussed why Leia's been taken," Luke spoke as calmly as he could.
"Maybe because I'm more concerned with how we're going to get her back," Han clearly thought Luke had lost it. "Who cares why? The Imperials have her and you can't tell me I'm supposed to be okay with that!"
"Why do you think they took her?" Pooja asked, notably not looking Luke's direction.
"They must think they can get something from us in exchange," he ventured.
"Or from her," Han pointed out.
"The questions remain, what and why?" Pooja deigned to speak to Han again.
"I think the only question is how quickly we can rescue her," Han argued. "Let me call Chewie and Lando and this will all be over." He looked to his friend. Luke appeared to be considering this advice. The image of the Falcon flying over head, blasters blazing and Naboo burning sobered him but he knew better than to simply disregard Han's wishes.
"Yes, we need to talk to them," he decided.
"Can I just ask who died and left you in charge of the universe?" Han asked, though he immediately repented when he saw the sadness in Luke's eyes. "Sorry, kid..."he began but Luke interrupted.
"Forget it. Cliaé," Luke called.
"Yes, Master Skywalker?" She hurried in from the edge of the room where she had been restlessly waiting for instructions. Her fingers gripped her worn black skirt and she looked anxiously into Luke's eyes. Guilt?
"I want you to contact your Queen. Tell her the security agents she sent are bringing her the Imperials. Also tell her I must know what she knows. She has not been open with us. Warn her I will not be trifled with, not with my sister's life in so precarious a position." Pooja stared at Luke.
"You suspect the Queen of deceiving you?" Her tone betrayed her disapproval.
"Not of deception but of incomplete...information sharing," he corrected, but his own tone sounded too hard and he hid his guilt as Cliaé and Pooja swept grandly from the room, their offense palpable in the afternoon air.
"Well, at least everyone is angry now," Han observed.
"I know," Luke turned to his friend. "We'll get her back, Han." The lack of any retort worried Luke. He could sense Leia had not been harmed yet. Han could not and that knowledge filled Luke with compassion and also with dread. What if I can't make everything right?
xXx
Leia sensed the approach but could do nothing to help herself. The injection into her arm caused her to stiffen and she struggled to stay calm. Then fog washed over her mind and she felt nothing else. When she woke her head jerked back from its slump, back into a soft chair. She eagerly inspected her hands but found the softer surroundings had not decreased her restraints.
"Ah, welcome back your highness," that same smooth voice broke her reverie. "I trust you will be much more comfortable here."
"I would be much more comfortable if you would release me," Leia replied, trying to keep her tone inoffensive. She sensed many more life forms surrounding the immediate area than she had before. Storm troopers?
"Well, I'm afraid that is quite impossible - for the time being," the voice laughed appreciatively. Leia wished she could see him but he remained behind her. She could hear liquid pouring from one vessel to another and she felt no surprise as a goblet of amber wine appeared before her eyes.
"Now, you must be quite thirsty," he said, "If you will promise to be still I will give you this drink and I assure you, it's quite good."
"I make no promises," Leia shook her head.
"A pity. Well, I shall enjoy it for you." Leia reached through the momentary stillness, trying to rest in the Force.
"You will free me," she stated, moving her fingers despite the cuffs around her wrists.
"Oh please, my dear, do not waste our time with simple Jedi mind tricks," he mocked her.
"You must realize that my friends will be coming for me," she tried another tack.
"I quite wish they could. But, I think, they will not," he spoke easily and Leia could feel her anger rising. Calm yourself, be at peace, she remembered her brother's instruction. Surely nothing had happened to Luke, she would have felt it. Wouldn't I?
"The emperor is dead. The Empire is gone. What exactly do you hope to accomplish?" She bated him, desperate for answers, struggling to summon the abilities and power that had not yet surfaced.
"Oh, I'm not interested in the Empire. My desires don't stretch nearly that far. And, I promise you, I have no interest in a thousand rag tag systems." Leia ignored his rhetoric and tried to focus on his true meaning. "No, my interest is much more local. Much more, close to home, you might say."
"How do I fit in this 'close to home' plan? I assume you mean Naboo and I assure you, I have no importance here, know very little about it, and have no interest in helping you even if I did."
"You assume so much, and so wrongly," he said in false sadness. "You hold great importance and you will assist me." He stepped before her seat and she craned her neck to see him. He smiled down his nose at her. I don't know him. He doesn't know me.
"I will give you what you've long dreamed of," he murmured benevolently.
"What would you know about my dreams?" He must be insane...
"Come now, my dear. You were raised as royalty," he mused more to himself, turning away from her and walking to a computer console. "Such a shame that Alderaan had to be destroyed, really," she struggled to control her feelings as he followed this line of thought. "I'm sure you would have been a great ruler there. Yes, well, royalty begets royalty, and you are no exception. It is time you have your chance, my dear. And I shall give it to you."