Obligatory disclaimer: Everything belongs to George Lucas. Only the plot and some of the lesser characters belong to me.
Obligatory begging: The story is coming to an end now. Please Read and Review, let me know what you liked and what could be better. I'd love to write more Star Wars stories but I need some advice! Thanks to everyone who reads and especially to my reviewers!
Chapter 10
"Luke?" Pooja's voice called hesitantly through the resort house. She walked outside, to the balcony where Luke stood facing the sparkling water. "I'm sorry, were you meditating?"
"It doesn't matter. You wanted to speak to me?" He turned to face her, smiling gently. Her hands clutched a datapad which she thrust toward him. He took it and glanced down.
"An assassination attempt on Queen Atalya?" He asked, disbelieving.
"That's what the handmaiden told Cliaé," Pooja confirmed, her face etched with worry. "That's the holonews report. I just don't understand! The Imperials have caused trouble, disturbances, defacing of property, that sort of thing, often enough. But they have never tried anything like this."
She walked to the balcony railing and placed her slender arms on the smooth stone. "It's unthinkable."
"You're very dedicated to your queen," Luke observed, walking over to his cousin. She flushed and turned away, fingering the embroidery on her sleeve.
"As any true citizen of Naboo," she murmured. "We have only just begun to recover and now this. I can't imagine what is happening." Luke sighed to himself.
"Let's not waste energy imagining what might be going on," he counseled. "We will stop these Imperials. Don't doubt that, Pooja. My friends will be here soon and we'll end this." He laid a tentative hand on hers. She smiled gratefully up at him.
"Thank you, Luke." To his dismay he felt a blush creep over his face. Hero worship unnerved him.
"I expect you to help," he spoke brusquely to cover the awkward moment. She smiled.
"Of course," she agreed, starting back indoors. She impulsively whirled around and hugged Luke. "I'm so happy the Force has brought us together. I've always wanted a brother and you're almost as good!"
"Thanks," he laughed, "I think."
xXx
"I can't believe you just dropped the Falcon right here," Han berated Lando.
"Where exactly was I supposed to put it?" Lando retorted. "In case you haven't noticed, this is the Lake country, pal; not a lot of landing pads just sitting around. This field was our only choice!"
Chewie roared in agreement and Han gingerly touched his beloved ship. Mud from the deserted field squelched up over any part of the Falcon resting on the ground. Several of the local avian life had already alighted, finding the legendary ship a welcome nesting spot.
"I'm never letting you fly her again," he muttered.
"Great, cause I'm getting tired of being accused of things that aren't my fault," Lando snapped.
"Alright, let's get busy," Luke interrupted them. "Pooja has already prepared some packs for us. Lando did you bring those things I asked for?"
"Sure, Luke."
"Good, let's bring them back to the house and we'll go from there."
"And who's going to watch the Falcon?" Han interjected. "We can't just leave her here unattended."
"Right, well, we'll leave the droids," Luke decided.
"The droids? You expect me to leave my ship with Threepio?" Han shouted.
"Do you want to rescue Leia or not?" Pooja interjected, coming upon the scene.
"You stay out of this," Han ordered.
"I will stay, Captain Solo," Cliaé offered hesitantly. Han looked around the group. Lando had raised one eyebrow and Luke looked away into the distance. Chewie roared and Han reluctantly acknowledged the offer.
"Thanks, Cliaé." Everyone sighed then, not realizing they'd been holding their breath.
"Great, let's get going," Luke commanded again. "We'll be in touch, Cliaé, so keep the com line open."
"Yes, Master Skywalker." Cliaé led Threepio inside the ship. Artoo remained, unmoving on the ramp.
"Go on, Artoo," Luke instructed. The resounding chirp needed no interpretation. "I know you want to help," Luke answered. "This is the best way for you to help me and Leia. Do you really trust Threepio on his own?" The reluctant answer confirmed that the little astromech would do as Luke asked.
"Thanks, Artoo. You be listening, too," Luke instructed as he headed off with his friends. What I wouldn't give for my X-wing and Rogue Squadron right about now, he mused as he hurried ahead to separate Pooja and Han, who had, not surprisingly, begun arguing again.
"The assassination attempt on Queen Atalya is no laughing matter," Pooja had said. Lando stopped suddenly.
"Assassination attempt," he said.
"Yes, that's the report we received this morning," Luke confirmed.
"Well, it's wrong," Lando informed them.
"What?" Luke and Pooja spoke in unison.
"There was an attempt yesterday. One of the queen's handmaidens died. But this morning Queen Atalya disappeared."
"Disappeared?" Luke asked because Pooja had gone silent.
"Abducted," Lando replied. They had walked into the courtyard of the retreat but all stood still at this news.
"The Imperials?" Han asked.
"It must be," Luke murmured. Before he could say anything else Pooja slumped, landing quite gracelessly in Han's arms. He caught her and stared at Lando and Luke in surprise.
"What just happened?"
"She fainted," Lando pointed out.
"Yeah, I got that," Han's sarcasm had lost its sting. "Why?"
"Bring her inside," Luke instructed. We are never going to rescue Leia at this rate.
xXx
Leia paced around her cell, running through Jedi exercises she had not yet mastered. Since Endor Luke had been training her in every spare minute, which had been unfortunately few in coming. The Force is strong in me... She repeated her new mantra, willing herself to believe it.
While an improvement on the cave, this place held little charm. A low cot stood along one tiny wall but little else filled the room. No windows, one glaring artificial light and cameras that moved every time she did, completed the dreary effect.
"I hope you're enjoying this," she spoke to the cameras.
"I'm sure they are, my dear," the now familiar voice called as his footsteps fell on the stairs outside her cell. "I've brought you a companion," he announced, satisfaction evident in every word
"Wonderful," Leia retorted. "Anyone I know?"
"Perhaps not yet, but I hope in time you will come to know her quite well," he laughed. Two storm troopers carried a form down the steps and unceremoniously tossed her into the opposite cell.
"Enjoy this time," he smiled again. Leia shouted every curse she had heard Han use, and some she hadn't, at the retreating form but her heart wasn't in it and she stopped as soon as the upper door closed. The newcomer moaned and Leia stretched out in the Force, attempting to ease the other's confusion.
"It's okay now," she assured the stranger. "They're gone."
"But who are they?" The newcomer asked as she stood. The recognizably intricate garments shocked Leia.
"Queen Atalya?" She stammered. The queen smiled through smudged, nearly absent make-up. She grimaced as she slowly stood and smoothed her dress down. Gemstones glittered in the searing light, despite the jagged slashes defacing the dress they were meant to ornament.
The queen eventually stood face to face with Leia, though several meters apart. Leia felt as though she were looking into a mirror. Frank brown eyes, unnoticeable before with the make-up and elaborate hair, looked into hers. They stood nearly the same height and the queen's now exposed features seemed bizarrely familiar.
"Leia," the newcomer murmured. "I hadn't expected our next meeting to be quite like this." She smiled but Leia could not smile back. The Queen looked deep into Leia's eyes.
"Ryoo?" Leia whispered, finally beginning to understand the answers to questions she had not thought to ask.